Gothic

Rating:
Summary: Mis-Matched Cast
Review: The story behind the movie "Gothic" is an odd, but intriguing story. The "Haunted Summer" that Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron spent together doing drugs and engaging in whatever their hearts desired led them all to the very edge of madness. It's an incredible story. The movie however, is not the best tribute to these legends that I have ever seen. The cast is completely mis-matched Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, and Natasha Richardson head up the cast and they just don't work well together. Julian Sands, although a better actor now, was still quite a novice and his performance is simply unbelievable. Gabriel Byrne although physically matching for the part of Lord Byron doesn't put as much passion as he should've playing the mad poet. Natasha Richardson spends most of the movie trying to rationalize everything and doesn't reveal Mary's passion. It's a very dry movie that lacks the emotion needed to bring in the viewer. The horror was downplayed and too much time was devoted to dialogue that did nothing to give the story a much needed push.

Rating:
Summary: nicely visualed but way weird
Review: the visuals in this piece are good but the lacking is that its too much weird..I mean its too foward and the writing is ok but the funky dialougue and the leads, Gabirel Bryne(Stigmata, End Of Days) and Julian Sands(One Night Stand, Stephen Kind's Rose Red)..they just are washed away at shore by the sheer boredom..nudity and an orgy does not up the ante....this one gave me a case of aneima..I was like sleepy and weak...very strange..but in any case its like..blah..keep away or be pulled in...which ever makes you happy

Rating:
Summary: A little weird, but I like it!
Review: This is one strange movie, but it's great fun to watch late at night. I'm not a horror fan, but I did enjoy Gothic. The acting is wonderful all around. Julian Sands is a great Percy Shelley, and Gabriel Byrne is appropriately bizarre as Lord Byron. Okay, some of the more surrealistic scenes are a bit heavy-handed, but it's a riveting movie, just the same.

Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: This movie certainly isn't for everyone, but if you're a Byron or Shelly enthusiast, or have any interest in Mary Shelly's main inspiration for Frankenstein- you'll love it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully accurate tale of Byron's depravity
Review: This movie could have been among the all time classics if they had not overblown the "horror" of the tale. Wonderful depictions of Byron, The Shellys, and more. The art lies in the weaving of a fantastical tale that is in essence true. Gabriel Byrne is the highlight of the movie. Not to be viewed by children or the faint of heart. Nearly a "gore" flick, yet with enough artistry and fact to save it from that appelation.

Rating:
Summary: Viewer's drunkeness may make this movie lucid or interesting
Review: This movie unconscionably wastes the ability of several fine actors. The script is negligible at best. No clear delineation is made whether this is a dreamscape or reality. Full of unexplained tangents that are often abandoned without explanation, this could have been a very interesting film. Even a hardcore Natasha Richardson or Gabriel Bryne fan will be hard pressed to watch this disaster more than once. RENT it and watch before wasting your money buying.

Rating:
Summary: the greatest of all ken russell's films
Review: while many have called this film wildly imaginative or perhaps ken russell's most outrageous film, i still say it's his greatest work since the rock opera tommy or his take on the d.h. lawrence adaptations which came before and after this masterpiece. this film is very creepy and extremely moody so naturally it is not for all tastes. in this overloooked film, we see ken russell's demented vision in all it's sinister glory as he unravels his take on how mary shelley came to write of her great monster. there are many horrific scenes in this film which may cause one to blink or to shudder with delight but few are excessive in the gore department which may actually work in this film's favor. ken russell's dialogue is often ironically witty and ofcourse philosophical which works well given the atmosphere and time period in which our film is set but may not be every horror maven's true delight. in fact, you might find it rather boring if you have never read mary shelley, cornelius agrippa, or any works in the occult department. ken russell manages to take the most hideous of images and fears which play on all our minds and then dares to call them to life if only for the duration of this film. in doing this, i believe he is asking us not to run from our worst fears here and to understand that overcoming these fears may lead to a creative enlightenment which we all should hope to attain. kudos to ken russell !!! wish there were more films like this one out there somewhere. ...