DVD Reviews5: August

Hotel Rwanda - Don Cheadle
War, Drama. A unique tale of a man caught in extraordinary circumstances. Schindler's list in Africa is a good comparison, but although not up to the visual and directing expertise of that film, is distinctive in it's modern setting and the realistic unwitting 'hero'. 3.5 stars

In Good Company - Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlet Johansson
Romance - Topher Grace is understated and subtle - suits this movie, but can't see him getting any better. Dennis Quaid is believable and as always has wonderful presence. Scarlet Johansson in wasted in this film, good in a small part with little to work with. The film itself is subtle and soft, with a complementary score. Enjoyable. 2.5 stars

Hope Springs - Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver
Romance - Minnie Driver has a wierd face, Colin Firth appeals more to women then men. Heather Graham gets her kit off, but plays her usuall typecast airhead. Nothing grand, nothing repulsive. 2 stars

The Notebook - Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams
Romance - A poignant love story (finally a script) with decent although not exemplary performances. Touching. 3 stars

The Football Factory - nobody
Drama - Unimaginative direction and camera use. Trys to effect a Trainspotting feel, without the style and the plot while good, is hardly tight and fails to explore interesting issues fully. And failing that, the scenes presented are neither raw or dramatic enough in emotion or violence to make any lasting impression. 1.5 stars.

Frida - Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Julie Taymor [D]
Drama, BioPic - A gem of a movie, an extraordinary but uninflated life story. Hayek is wonderful in the lead, as is Molina as her womanising partner (although his accent frequently falters). Excellent direction by Julie Taymor incorporates complicated camera sequences and wonderful integration of Frida's surrealist painting styles by use of composite shots, and model work. Geoffrey Rush's cameo was unsatisfying (his russian is as poor as gabe's), but who wouldn't slip "Sex Scene with Supermodel" into their schedule. 4 Stars

Monster's Ball - Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry
Drama - The 'explicit' dvd version certainly is not family material. Enourmous R sex scene = Best Actress? Possibly. Berry was certainly not poor in this film and the morbid script and scenario drips dramatic intensity. A very dark film about dealing with life and death when death is your business, but smoothly lifts and then crests to a touching ending. 3.5 Stars

Hitch - Will Smith, Eva Mendes
RomCom - Nothing extraordinary, but a light hearted, will smith, big budget, summer romantic comedy. If you liked Alfie you won't be disappointed, but with a more predictable ending. 2.5 Stars.