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Mamma Mia!

starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters
directed by: Phyllida Lloyd

November 24, 2008
Having seen the stage version and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it we didn't know what to expect of the film, in terms of content or presentation. We didn't need to worry - the transition from stage to big screen was superbly handled. Scenery, location, dialogue, presentation, all outstanding and the possiblities offered to the choreography - wow! The director used every possibility to it's potential. The whole (female) company dancing on the quayside was especially well handled whilst the (male) company dancing with flippers on the jetty had the audience laughing out loud.
We enjoyed it so much we have seen it a further 2 times whilst my Mother-in-Law wants to see it again (and again). This was one of the few films we have been ... Read More:

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Pride And Prejudice : Complete BBC Series - 10th Anniversary Edition [1995]

starring: Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, David Bamber, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Anna Chancellor

September 12, 2005
This is the only version of Pride and Prejudice worth watching so far, and I can't imagine it being bettered. The casting of the actors is perfect, the writing is as true to the book as is possible and it has been immaculately researched, resulting in excellent, believable sets and locations. Don't waste your money on Hollywood productions. This is produced by Sue Birtwhistle, also responsible for Cranford. That should say it all.

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St Trinian's [2007]

starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Jodie Whittaker, Russell Brand, Tallulah Riley
directed by: Oliver Parker, Barnaby Thompson

April 14, 2008
What a riot this is! I was hesitant at first, largely because I tend to get my knickers in a knot over modern teenagers (chavs? emos? huh?) but I want to be one NOW! I always wanted to go to boarding school (too much Enid Blyton as a child) but who needs Malory Towers? It's got a great soundtrack, the girls look fantastic, there's a strong message of solidarity and Rupert Everett always makes me laugh. This will become one of my must-sees on horrid winter evenings or when I'm in need of a boost. If only we'd sung a school song along those lines - we'd certainly have sung a lot louder! Watch this. It's great.

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Mamma Mia! [Blu-ray] [2008]

starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters
directed by: Phyllida Lloyd

November 24, 2008
I haven't yet seen the film, and as this blu-ray disk is yet to be released, I can't review that either. That doesn't stop me from being able to write a review here, which strikes me as completely pointless. I'm giving 5 stars as it wouldn't be fair to under-rate it based on the good things I've heard about the film. Amazon, please restrict reviews to customers that have actually purchased and experienced the actual product. i.e: the Blu-ray disk, the quality of the encoding, the sound, the extra features and the packaging, not the film itself! Amen

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The Last Legion [2007]

starring: Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Peter Mullan, Kevin McKidd, John Hannah
directed by: Doug Lefler

February 18, 2008
Yes, it's not historically accurate. Yes, Ben Kingsley's accent leaves something to be desired. Yes, Colin Firth is Darcy in pretty much everything he does. Yes, Mira is an absolute stunner. My son was riveted and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. I have to say I did too. There's something rather comforting about constantly saying "Gosh, it's so and so from xxx " as a whole host of recognisable actors stroll across the scene. It's rather like "Jason and the Argonauts" for the 21st century. Fun, not a history lesson. There's action, some wry humour, enough blood for an 11 year old and all the ingredients which make up the sort of film which used to turn up at the Saturday matinee. It doesn't take itself seriously so you need to watch it in that spirit. ... Read More:

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Love Actually [2003]

starring: Rowan Atkinson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney
directed by: Richard Curtis

March 19, 2004
I had the misfortune to see this awful film in the cinema. If you enjoyed Four Weddings and the one with Julia Roberts, then avoid this tripe. It is mindless, twee nonsense. One star because I can't give zero.

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Bridget Jones's Diary [2001]

starring: Renee Zellweger, Honor Blackman, Embeth Davidtz, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
directed by: Sharon Maguire

December 20, 2004
The story of Bridget Jones first began as a diary collumn in a newspaper, rose to success in book form (then it's sequel) and then finally hit the movies in 2001 with Briget played quite perfectly by the lovely Renee Zellwegger.

This modern take on Pride and Predjudice follows the female protagonist Briget Jones who decides to keep a diary of her life; unlike the Mary-Jane all too perfect characters in most stories and movies of today, Bridget is quite literally EVERY woman you've ever known.

Bridget is a 30-something urban singleton on the look for love - perhaps in the wrong places. She's an ever so slightly overweight (Zellwegger put on weight specifically for the movie) office worker who reads self-help books religiously, and fantasizes ... Read More:

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Shakespeare In Love [1999]

starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Simon Callow
directed by: John Madden

February 02, 2004
Writing a play is a tiresome burden when you don't have the faintest idea what it is going to be about but you need to hand it over real soon. Fortunately, Will Shakespeare finds his muse and the authors of the screenplay also had at least a brief encounter with theirs.
Basically a romantic comedy SIL offers much more that the standard "boy meets girl, boy loses girl" scenario - they present it in a fantastically well rendered setting taking as much as they could from the Swan of the Avon.
A perfect way to spend an afternoon - you get your share of romance, adventure, and literary history (the latter should not be taken at face value, however). Do you need more?

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Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason [2004]

starring: Renée Zellweger, Gemma Jones, Jim Broadbent, James Faulkner, Celia Imrie
directed by: Beeban Kidron

July 03, 2006
Unfortunately, this is miles away from being as good as the books or the first film. They changed the plot so they could shoe-horn Hugh Grant into the film (and a not very good fight scene with Colin Firth as well). But so much worse is the sense that Bridget has been made into a figure of fun, rather than someone who was funny because we related to her. Not funny, not romantic, even Colin Firth is less lovely in this film.

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The English Patient (Special Edition) [1996]

starring: Ralph Fiennes, Julian Wadham, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas
directed by: Anthony Minghella

February 21, 2005
It is an interesting film, but not more than that. What does it shows? That the English were particularly sectarian during WW2 on the African front. Nothing new under the sun. Anyone who had a slightly different name or a slightly surprising or uncommon attitude was at once considered as a spy unworthy of any trust. This created myriads or even legions of misunderstandings and human errors along with cruelty, barbaric acts, violence, etc. The only interest of this film is the technical brilliance in the use of flashbacks that only happen in the head of this English patient who plays the loss of his memory to protect himself against his own name and his own ascendants. Yet his survival is not possible and the nurse who is looking after him is little by little led to being convinced ... Read More: