Gods and Monsters

Rating:
Summary: SIMPLY BRILLIANT!
Review: Amazing! McKellan's performance is inspired - the best I've seen on the screen in years. Redgrave is equally superb as the housekeeper. Fraser, who's easy to dismiss as a hunk of beefcake (momma!), more than holds his own. I loved the period flavor (cars, clothes, etc.). Story line was strong and plausible and kept you hungering for the next scene. As soon as the price comes down, this one goes into my permanent collection. BRAVO!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful acting
Review: This is definitely a movie about a subject quite taboo in its respective 1950's timeframe, homosexuality. It explores this subject with long secluded and retired "Frankenstein" director, James Whale. In the process, he also tries to come to terms with his life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the acting in this film, especially that of Lynn Redgrave who portrayed James Whale's doting and cynical housekeeper, Hannah. Everytime she appeared on the screen, I had to laugh, even before she uttered a word. This portrayal is one of the finest low keyed comic performances I've ever seen.

I was equally impressed with Ian McKellan's performance as well. As he decays and his perception of reality withers away, you feel an awesome pity for this man. This makes the ending almost a relief.

Brendan Fraser is your basic Californian young "dude". His performance is very typical of that, but I suppose he fit the part well. You can see the immaturity of his acting in relation to that of his veteran costars. His prime role I think was to be a beautiful inspiration to the man obsessed with him, James Whale. Its far from a romance, but this makes you pity the old director even more.

Rating:
Summary: a viewer from France :Facing one's own monsters
Review: I watched this fabulous movie last night with my friends (who had alreday seen it) and loved it. There's so much food for thought in it : the character played by Fraser is all the more interesting as it shows how we all have to face our own monsters some day, particularly the fear of the unknown. In this particular case Boon is faced with the fear that some straight men might have, i.e., that a gay man may make them come face to face with their own emotions, their "feminine side", not trying to turn them gay but just to help them explore an aspect of their personality that they are afraid to look at.

A very sensitive movie with great lines ("He's never met a princess before, mostly queens"), and scenes that bring tears to the eyes (especially when Whale shows Boon his drawings, which turn out to be like "the scribblings of a child".) A movie that stays with you for a long time after you have watched it.

Rating:
Summary: BRIDE OF FRASERSTEIN
Review: I watched this movie yesterday, on a lovely Saturday afternoon. Maybe i should have went to the beach, because all this movie did was make me restless. Yes indeed it was a quality movie, with great acting by Ian Mckellen and Lynn Redgrave. The thing that ruined it for me was Brenden Fraser. I believe he was miscast. It seems as though they gave him the part because he looks so much like Frankenstein. He should have played Frankenstein and someone like Pauly Shore could have played "Boon". (just kidding of course!)

The overall look of the film was beautiful. It had alot of style. Another problem I had with Gods and Monsters though, were the doldrum periods of the plot where Whale and Boon would sit around and psycho-babble with each other and try and pick each others brains apart. They did this too many times in the film and the reluctancy of Boon was a real turn off. Brenden Fraser does play a GREAT homophobe! I also found it repulsive that Whale allowed Boon back into his life even after Boon degrated him and did nothing short of spitting in his face. Whale should have just kicked him to the curb!

The part I don't understand is why Whale had such a fascination with Boon. Why did he do so much for this guy? Boon came off as such a jerk, a no brains kind of guy, an opportunist. Was Boon just a piece of you know what to Whale? If so, that is really sad that he chose to cherish and embrace someone like Boon. That's what I didn't like about this film! The weak characters!

Rating:
Summary: A drama full of powerful emotions and introspection.
Review: Ian KcKellen has given an excellent performance about the loneliness and struggles of a gay man who realizes his mortality and approaching death. Brendan Fraser has given an equally powerul performance about a man who encounters what he seems to fear. He is sensitive and hurting within, yet he finds strength and comfort in McKellen's character, who at some level he finds monstrous. A definite must to see!

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant film
Review: Gods and Monsters is absolutely the finest film I've seen in the last couple of years, and I'm very particular about movies. The acting is first rate, the screenplay exceptionally well constructed, and the soundtrack by Carter Burwell is perfect for this film. The movie is quiet, introspective, and immensely effective. Those looking for a sensitive and subtle character study will do no better than Gods and Monsters.

Rating:
Summary: Boring,,,
Review: Mckellen does such a poor job in this movie..ofcourse it is easy to act gay when you are in real life..Brendan Fraser is the only decent actor in the entire movie and to think that he was in Encino Man...

Rating:
Summary: GET THE DVD BY ALL MEANS
Review: The DVD has one of the best director's and actor's comments I have ever seen on a DVD.

McLellan's performance is beyond positive description (did I spell his name right?).

Rating:
Summary: The #3 movie of 1998!
Review: WOW! What an accomplishment! I was blown away by this film more than any other in years! I was expecting a very somber melodrama, and I was right, to an extent. But not only is it a movie, it is someone's life story. Bill Condon (Director and screenwriter) did a breathtaking job with every aspect of this film. And Brendan Frasier wowed me more than anyone else's performance all year! If you haven't seem this film yet, do so right NOW!

Rating:
Summary: A truly poignant, touching film
Review: This is a fabulous movie adapted from a wonderful book. Both are worth purchasing. The novel is called "Father of Frankenstein," by Christopher Bram. I read (and loved) the book before seeing the movie, and initially, I was hesitant to see the film version at all. So many film adaptations of great books excise the heart and soul of the original. But I was convinced to see the movie and was very pleasantly surprised. It is subtle, touching, and poignant. To sum it up: this movie is simply well written, well directed, well made, and especially well acted. Do yourself a favor and see this movie -- it is truly touching. But first, read the book. Both will impress you.