david.clarke

I have just sat up until 1.30 am to watch this film and enjoyed every minute of it. I have not enjoyed so much a late-night movie that has been new to me for ages.And to think I was going to avoid this, due to bad reviews. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as the naive and frustrated lad discovering himself and the world out there. It is a story for everyone. Soosie Kwirtz ( sorry if I misspelled that) is great as the mad possessive mother and a wonderful character-full cast with weird and wacky but quite believable crazy happenings. The dad is wonderfully underplayed. I just feel so glad I saw this, and will enjoy watching it again. I love movies true to their purpose (All About Eve , Grapes of Wrath etc) This is not in their league as a great movie but it's heart and soul is in the film as much as any other great movie. This could so be a cult film.

Looked at this on TV as just another western but found myself admiring the camera-work, scenery and performances. Though the direction was at times unexciting, the story was well told and dignified by a good performance by Wagner, so very handsome that it is no wonder the young squaw wants her first kiss with him. Jeffery Hunter, so overlooked but always worth watching, looking incredibly fit (sad to think he died just 4 years later) gave a very strong performance as the head-strong son of the chief, (reminds me of Sal Mineo in Cheyenne Autumn (same story?)) who rides around with Hugh O Brian (Wyatt Earp as an native American!). at the end the scenes between Wagner and Hunter are poignant and stay with you. The sad face of the chief says it all. The film was just a bit overlong and drags in parts which meant I missed bits that I should not have done, but there are some magnificent scenery and cavalry and Indian charges.

as a youngster this was an awe inspiring tale of bravery and of a life devoted to care of others, and every year it was a much watched movie. Now I know that Gladys Aylward was not a tall swedish woman, but a short English woman, it still does not take away any of Ingrid's heartfelt sincere performance. The locations are amazing, looking more like China than China, (it's Wales), and the photography brilliant. Robert Donat's performance will always be a touching farewell and for me gives the film a genuine touch of reality, portraying a noble man near the end of his life who is doing his part to help change things for the better with Gladys' help of course.

The romance between Jurgens (not a eurasian as portrayed but a chinaman in real life) and Bergman does irritate now that I know it did not occur, but the rest of the film is pretty true, though I gather Gladys was as awkward and stubborn as only a missionary can be, and Jeannie Lawson (Athene Seyler) was a really difficult person. As much as I love Ingrid, this really was her playing herself, rather than the zealous missionary of the biographies.

When I was an impressionable teenager in 1975 I saw Towering Inferno 4 times at the cinema, Still a record for me, and despite the years and jaded view of middle age, this is still a thrilling film, mainly because the effects are so realistic, no CGI then, and the characters are so presented well (if a bit archly at times). I still cannot decide if the ending would actually put the fire out, but who cares, that countdown still gets to me. I forgot how good Paul Newman was in his role, and I can never forget Fred Astaire, such a smooth performance. Great cinema, daft in parts, but the best films always are.

All these disappointed people who expected some Superman or Batman, must have very high expectations of every kids film. I have not seen the cartoon, but I thought this was very well done and great effects, if somewhat frantic at just 70 odd minutes. Matt Broderick is an odd choice, but he gives the film a calm center, despite being the hero, and Rupert Everett is suitably horrible as the villain. I like the little comic touches and Broderick's cool humor is a change from Carrey like mania (as in The Mask, which I love by the way).

The duplicate Broderick looks like a metallic copy rather than the actor just looking more stiff than the human version, and so some realistic antagonism ensues. (Better then Tom Cruise ripping a mask off to reveal he's really Dougray Scott in MI2- oh so believable!)

Just the ideal Sunday afternoon film and having watched in on video some months ago, I think its still worth rating. It had some reasonable box-office so I cannot be completely wrong

Despite the usual budgetary restrictions, this manages to convey a sense of the danger and great sacrifice made by these brave people who fought for our freedom. Charles Crichton brings out the human story rather than the all-action tale of some movies. Scenes with John Slater visiting his wife seems slightly corny now, but then must have seemed so close to events (just 3 years after the end of WW2). And the outcome later makes it all the more poignant. I thought a movie like this would be good to show in schools, as a part of history lesson. I love all those character actors they were part of my childhood, and they were such real actors and people. (Take note Arnold, et al) And I still haven't got over Jack Warner's Max (our own Dixon of Dock green) who would have adam 'n' eved it!

Despite some reservations, I think this is a superior super-hero movie. There is a strong story, it builds brilliantly on the first film, and has some terrific set pieces. Bryan Singer controls it all with a sure hand and the cast are great, especially McKellen Cox, and Stewart who add gravitas to the whole proceedings. I love the those little things for fans (Hank Mccoy, Collusus), though I am still waiting for a hint of Warren Worthington III.(Does he still exist in the comics?) As an original x-man fan, I was kept very happy. The ending was totally unexpected , and yes I think The Phoenix saga must be on its way. Bobby the Iceman was nicely expanded, but as he was an original x-man shouldn't his parents be very old or is the comic guy now really young? Does his brother exist in the comics? Shawn Ashmore is very cute. I reckon the Ice keeps Bobby young. Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler was just extraordinary, and the effects that go with him were just like the comic character come to life. I worry that non-comic readers will be lost, but I think Singer has balanced everything so well. I wish there was more Scott Summers, but there's always X3. The effects are superb, goes without saying these days, but they work well with the storyline which nowadays the biggest task is of combining both well, which Singer did excellently.

An enjoyable thriller to watch great action scenes, chases, sexy leads, but what was it all about? Perhaps I missed a bit, but I do like my thrillers to make feel that they have carried me along, rather than my falling off somewhere towards the end. It is good fun but as too often these days the necessary thriller scenario is there but not enough substance beneath. Surprised Exec Prod Ludlum did not want more depth.

I have not seen this for many years, but remember this short film fondly. A spinster who has been proclaimed dead when it is her sister who has died, has to reclaim her identity by committing crimes. A lot of humour comes from sweet old Barbara Mullen doing unnatural acts to get a criminal record and regain her name.

To think this was made at the end of the worlds worst conflict is the more amazing when everyone was wanting escapist entertainment. It's re-affirmation of love and life is timeless and everything in it is mind-blowing and awesome, and yet despite the huge sets and effects the actors shine magnificently.

When I first saw this in the 1970's I was an impressionable teenager and it affected my social thinking greatly. The performances stayed with me for years, and the power of the film too. I read the book and it showed how great a film they had made from a long, wordy, social tale. Recently re-watching the movie, it looked fresh and just as powerful as when I first saw it. Henry Fonda, John Carradine and especially Jane Darwell, give career heights performances and they add truthful weight to the characters. The story challenges the way we treat migrants and how we force them to be what we think they might be, in England we have a lot of this in recent times. All the character parts are effective, for example the caretaker of the government camp, who at last shows some understanding of the migrants problems and quietly helps them settle in. Unfortunately he is virtually the only kind soul the Joads meet on their journey. It is a solid drama, never adding any comedy or music to heighten the action, sticking truthfully to its source. I am sure Steinbeck was proud of this version.