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FingerSmith : The Complete BBC Series [2005]

starring: Sally Hawkins, Elaine Cassidy, Rupert Evans, Charles Dance, Estelle Harris
directed by: Aisling Walsh

April 18, 2005
This is a brilliantly acted, gripping, fantastic adaptation of the Sarah Waters novel. The story has unguessable twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat; and an onscreen chemistry between the two leads that is beautiful and incredibly sexy. It's because of the casting that this film works so well- they are both perfect in their respective roles; and the supporting actors, music, costumes and locations are all very well chosen which brings just the right atmosphere and tone to life.

This is much more than a love story, but the love protrayed is what makes it such a gripping tale. It's believable and compelling, and I can't say any more as I don't want to give the plot away.

Please watch this - it's a brilliantly ... Read More:

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The Jewel In The Crown - The Complete Series [1984]

starring: Charles Dance, Art Malik, Peggy Ashcroft, Geraldine James, Frederick Treves

April 18, 2005
If you are interested in India or Indian history, or if you like Passage to India, you will love this. The atmosphere and historical feel is terrific.

Credit for the subtle story, in which the characters are complex with complex flaws, goes mostly to the author but also to the film for resisting the temptation to dumb it down.

But the best thing is surely the acting. I often watch a film and feel that one or two parts are perfectly played and the others are indifferent. In Jewel in the Crown I had that feeling with virtually all, if not all, the important parts. I particularly liked Tim Piggot Smith who was unsympathetic at first but by the end was almost a tragihero.

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Lynda La Plante - Trial And Retribution - 5 To 8

starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Victoria Smurfit, James Fox, Charles Dance
directed by: Aisling Walsh, Ferdinand Fairfax, Charles Beeson, Paul Unwin

March 14, 2005
Insp.North (Kate Buffery) was a totally credible charactrer as a police officer just like Jane Tennison. Unfortunately her replacement, Victoria Smurfit is quite beyond belief. She has no credibility whatsoever as a polce officer (in episodes 7 and above).

She spoils an outstanding series - Don't bother with the more recent short episodes..

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Rebecca [1997]

starring: Charles Dance, Emilia Fox, Diana Rigg, Faye Dunaway

September 27, 2004
Rebecca, based on the novel written by Daphne Du Maurier, has been adapted many times, and here we are referring to the version directed by Jim O' Brien, starring Charles Dance and Emilia Fox. For those of you who saw the version with Lawrence Olivier, this one is a real improvment, as we may actually emphatize with Dance's character. Shot in Cornwall, the movie is a mixed blend of astonishing beauty and dreadful memories that seem to have taken the best of Maxim De Winter. Just recovering (in a tentative manner, to tell the truth) from the recent passing of his first wife, De Winter set out to Monte Carlo, in an attempt to washed away his previous life with the first Mrs De Winter. There, he met the soon-to-be second Mrs de Winter, played by Emilia Fox who ... Read More:

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Henry VIII [2003]

starring: Ray Winstone, Joss Ackland, Sid Mitchell, Charles Dance, Mark Strong (II)
directed by: Pete Travis

March 14, 2005
I would like to say that this film was brillient (excuse my spelling). The tudors which is out at the moment is rubbish. at least this film has kept to the facts.

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Starter For 10 [2006]

starring: James McAvoy, Rebecca Hall, Alice Eve, Mark Gatiss, Catherine Tate

April 23, 2007
Having read the book of the same name,I must say that this is a good,if ,not fantastic interpretation.

As usual,much is missed out,and characters are altered and glammed up for tv,(e.g. the brilliantly feisty scot rebecca is transformed into a leggy beauty queen for the movie),however this is still an enjoyable movie despite quite a few alterations/omissions.

Good scenes include Alices cottage and a brill mum from catherine tate.

Worth buying for the cheap price and brings back cool eighties memories for those of us who are of a certain age!!

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Ali G Indahouse The Movie [2002]

starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Michael Gambon, Charles Dance, Kellie Bright, Martin Freeman (II)
directed by: Mark Myloyd

November 11, 2002
It's funny (not the film), but I remember Ali G being funnier than this film. I used to catch his television show occasionally and I thought that his pranks with (usually elderly) minor celebrities and politicians were funny. Short bursts of this character are funny. He should have remained just one character in a sketch show.

The trouble with this film is that (a) it's long and (b) there are no 'real' unsuspecting people pulled into his act. The beginning is too weird, the middle is a bit boring (I left the room a few times without pressing pause), but it does pick up a little at the end when things start to happen.

I also did wonder that this only has a 15 certificate given its lewd nature. I only mean compared to other films' certificates. Of course ... Read More:

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Plenty (1985)

starring: Meryl Streep, Tracey Ullman, John Gielgud, Charles Dance, Ian McKellen

June 26, 2006
Plenty, is the sad and terribly unconvincing story of English woman Susan Traherne's life during and after WWII. Entirely crafted by Fred Schepisi, from a play by David Hare, Plenty portrays Susan's life, from the dangers and excitements of Resistance fighter in France to the twenty or so following years of boredom, disillusion and bourgeois existence. Determined to change the world, Susan returns to England, only to face a vacuous society, far more concerned by coping with reality than to change it. Susan is supposed to have lived such an intense and meningful life (dangers, excitements, passionate love and worth-to-die-for feelings and gestures) during her Resistance years in France, that she has become unfit to reality. All very good, at least if you want to buy it. True, Meryl Streep ... Read More:

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Dark Blue World [2002]

starring: Tara Fitzgerald, Charles Dance, Ondrej Vetchy, Krystof Hadek, Anna Massey

November 04, 2002
This is one of the best War Movies in later days and shines where others have failed. It goes a long way to show that a big budget does not always produce the best results. A good story is always better.

In the main it is a story of Czech airmen, once driven out of their home they end up flying for the RAF. It has plenty of human interest and is well told on many levels, there is humor to be found and great sadness. There is also a love story and a triangle but this time it is very well done. It is like watching how horribly Pearl Harbor failed.

The Spitfires are wonderful to watch and there is great attention to detail, like falling cartridges from the planes.

I recommend it on every level.

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Hilary And Jackie [1998]

starring: Emily Watson, Rachel Griffiths, James Frain, David Morrissey, Charles Dance
directed by: Anand Tucker

September 17, 2007
This is one of the best War Movies in later days and shines where others have failed. It goes a long way to show that a big budget does not always produce the best results. A good story is always better.

In the main it is a story of Czech airmen, once driven out of their home they end up flying for the RAF. It has plenty of human interest and is well told on many levels, there is humor to be found and great sadness. There is also a love story and a triangle but this time it is very well done. It is like watching how horribly Pearl Harbor failed.

The Spitfires are wonderful to watch and there is great attention to detail, like falling cartridges from the planes.

I recommend it on every level.