Rating: Summary: A witty and moving fim Review: This film explores the life and film(s) of James Whale, director of the original Frankenstein films. With pathos it explores the way his experiences in WW1 shaped his work. It is a witty and moving film, with superb performances from an excellent cast. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Excellent acting, highly original story Review: This film is worth seeing for the acting alone--even the supporting parts are beautifully handled. What struck me most, however, was that I've never seen another film remotely like it. I wouldn't say it was one of the greatest films I've ever seen but it is very impressive work and deserves the acclaim it received.
Rating: Summary: a brilliant film with the performance of the year Review: Sir Ian McKellen simply never disappoints. Here, as the director James Whale, Sir Ian and Bill Condon team with Lynn Regrave and Brendan Fraser to tell a tale filled with tragedy, comedy, commentary, and most of all, love.
Rating: Summary: Gods and Monsters, and Fathers and Sons Review: Anyone who rents this movie should put aside their homophobic fears; Don't pass this Oscar material film because of its sexual nature. Yes, there are quite a few scenes that may make the weak at heart flinch ! The real story or hidden message is not so much the gay attraction Whale has for Boone or the disgust Boone feels towards homosexuality. They both have a longing or yearning to have some type of normal male sibling companionship that they did not have with their own fathers ! Both characters had fathers who were tough and mentally abusive towards Boone and Whale. Boone's father thought he was a weak coward for being discharged from the marines while Whale's father ( and mother) ridiculed his talent for drawing and placed him in a factory to work at a young age. This is the common ground that both men share. Also, Boone gives Whale a mental jolt or flashback everytime Whale sees him of his days past as a young man (rejuvenation) while Whale (whether intentional or not) shows Boone how to be almost a gentleman and not a knuckledragger without class. However, the true (non-sexual) hidden agenda Whale has in mind for Boone and himself is a real exciting twister !The only downfall of the movie is that it is slow paced ( for some reason most Oscar material is; a thinking filmgoer's movie). Fraser deserves 5 stars for taking such a challenging role and losing the comical, big goofy guy role for a change. His young and fresh acting skills contrast with the other veteran actors for good intent and purpose to really add depth to the characters and story (his youthful persona contrasting with the seasoned and experienced). With all this said and including the top notch performances by all the actors this dvd version receives 4 stars ( bit of a slow movie, though).
Rating: Summary: bone chilling ... the beauty and horror within all of us. Review: I missed it at the movies and watched it on pay-per-view Directv. It is a movie that rates with the 20 top great films of all time...why was this film overlooked by the public? Beautiful, bone chilling, laugh out loud wonderful.
Rating: Summary: DVD Letterboxing ruins a masterpiece Review: Gods and Monsters is one of the perfect movies. The letterboxing, on DVD, however, absolutely ruins it. Many of the little things, ie. teacups, arm movements, etc, are gone, gone, gone. Watch it on VHS.
Rating: Summary: God, This Movie's A Monster! Review: Yawn, yawn, yawn! I was forced to sit this this pile of crap. Who cares about an ageing homosexual who lusts after his hunky, straight gardener? I didn't care about the characters, and found them to be extremely annoying....especially Redgrave. What was she trying to mumble all the way through the film....who really cares? What a waste of two hours. Academy Award nominations? PLEEEEEEEASE! For what? If you run out of sleeping tablets one night, hire this sleep-inducing movie.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful performances highlight and great movie Review: The late director James Whale, horror master of "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein" is portrayed brilliantly by the haunting Ian McKellen. His housekeeper Hanna is the best character in the movie played by Lynn Redgrave, who stole the show. Brendan Fraser also stars as Clayton Boone Whale's gardener. The movie recieved great reviews and I must agree, This is one of the great films of the year and real story of one man's times through and troubled time in Hollywood.
Rating: Summary: Great ,but... Review: the nudity could have been left out! It have had the exact impact without. Redgrave was absolutely wonderful! Although I did not agreee with Ian McKellan's Oscar nod, his performance was mediocre compared to Jim Carrey's delightful performance in The Truman Show! The discrete nudity was the only downfall of this well made and written film.
Rating: Summary: Very good film, limited extras on DVD Review: The excellent performaces by McKellen, Redgrave and (surprise) Fraser, along with the insightful script and direction by Bill Condon make this one of the year's best films. It makes me want to discover Director James Whale's (whose story this is)works beyond FRANENSTIEN. I would love to see JOURNEY'S END (1930) or THE ROAD BACK (1937). Unnfortunatly the DVD "special edition" is a bit disappointing. The audio commentary by Bill Condon is good, however I do wish more members of the cast had been involved (particularly McKellen). The 30 minute documentary does not shed much light on Director James Whale's tormented life or work. The new FRANKENSTIEN DVD is much better in this regard. Other than a trailer, there are no other "extras" to mention. GODS and MONSTERS is certainly worth a rental, but think twice about purchasing this "collector's edtion".
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