Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly good film...
Review: I didn't know what to expect when I first saw this film. I do know that at the film's conclusion, I found that I could not stop talking about how much I enjoyed it. The acting was wonderful. Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser were amazing together. Lynn Redgrave, one word... wow. The way the director, Bill Condon, shot film was very artistic and inspiring. It was a very well written story about loneliness, friendship, longing, struggle and death. Listen to the soundtrack. It's terrific and totally helped to enhance the film for me. It's a shame "Gods and Monsters" did not receive as much recognition as it deserved. Thank goodness that McKellen did receive the proper recognition he deserved and of course Fraser continues to awe us with his talent in his many other films. Go see "Gods and Monsters" and experience the fun for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Much more than a gay film
Review: Reading through these, I'm turned off by reviewers who give plot summaries, by the time you've read this far, you'll all know what the movie's about anyway, so i'll refrain from doing it. that said, this movie is far more than a gay film. condon says it in his audio commentary, critics who know what they're talking about agree. the movie, at it's core, is a buddy movie. clay boone and whale talk, think, reveal, and ultimately live life through each other. i would argue intensely that being unable to get past the homo-erotic dialogue means missing the point. the movie develops an ulikely friendship--unlikely not just because clay boone is homophobic and whale gay, but also because of the generation and income gaps--looks into war's effects on the psyche, the fear of death, fascination with celebrity, being an outcast, film history, and then, finally, homophobia. theme aside, the movie masterfully captures whale's style. condon homages whale to the point of recreating 'the bride's' set. lynn redgraves' character is essentially pulled directly from a whale film. sets are designed using whale's artistic taste (and some of whale's paintings), etc, etc. this pulls the film along for any film historian, or fanatic of whale movies, who can look for the next 'whale reference' and never be disapointed; it also adds authenticity, credibility, and believability for the casual viewer. still it is the screen writing and acting--both incomparable (especially when compared to major hollywood productions)--that make this film as memorable as it is. fraser has never been so engaging. mckellan is sensational. redgrave carries the film through comedic relief, and lolita davidovich (in an unfortunately underdeveloped role) is captivating. condon's dialogue is realistic, his characters unblemished and genuine, and (for those of you that have read or are reading the book) the script is consistent with bramm's novel. in all, this movie is more than entertainment, more than a film. it's art.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening.
Review: A family member recommended this to me comparing it to ED WOOD. I found GODS' serious tone quite different from the hilarious Tim Burton flick ED WOOD. Being straight, but not homophobic, I was still a bit uncomfortable with the 2 men kissing near the beginning. But after that I was impressed with this multi-facited story. I thought Fraiser was excellent and believable as the big manly lug. McKellen's James Whale in GODS compares with Landau's Bela Lugosi in ED WOOD. Both actors take their young counterparts back to acting school to a certain extent. This is a movie that keeps you wondering where it is going next. And when those scenes are done their meaning could fuel a 2 hour debate. Being a fan of both good horror movies (Bride of Frankenstein) and cheesy ones (Plan 9 From Outer Space) didn't really come into play for GODS AND MONSTERS. This move is definately about MUCH MORE than a retired movie maker. Very enjoyable. Fraiser should stop doing kiddie flicks and do more serious stuff like this. He could be another Harrison Ford.
Rating:
Summary: True Gods
Review: I rented this movie because a friend of mine had wanted to see it.. i personally had no interest even though i am a huge fan of Frank Whale.. from the opening credits right up to the final cast list, i was enthralled and captured.. never have i seen a movie that casts a light on a real person as gods and monsters did.. i have not read the book yet, but i would like to.. anyone who has not seen this movie should rush out and at least rent it.. you will not be dissappointed..
Rating:
Summary: Super good
Review: Super good movie from the fictionalized novel set to the end of James Whale's life. Very intersting in that sense, and Ian McKellen really makes the character come to life, to be more than a decrepit old man trying to maybe seduce his younger male gardener. But what moved me most about this film was the stunning recreations of Whale's flashbacks, his spells when he ws lost in the dementia beginning to envelop him secondary to his strokes. It was really quite chilling and what made him seem so human and sad. We get such a rare unique view of what it may be like to be completely detached from reality and lost in time for several terrifying minutes. And we get to see what it may be like for a man getting ready to die, before he, we, or anyone else knows it. That is what I thought made this movie such one of a kind.
Rating:
Summary: No Gods, Just Monsters
Review: Only at the very end does it become abundantly clear exactly what this film is all about. Initially "Gods and Monsters" just seems like a mild mannered tale between an old movie director and his gardener. Even if the film were that simple it would still be great. Fortunately there is something bigger at work here, a sly genius that only really seems clear when Brendan Fraser is walking around in the rain at the end and the credits roll up. When "Gods and Monsters" finally reveals exactly what it's trying to say then it can really be seen as a classic Hollywood picture. Ian McKellen is unquestionably the star of the show here. He is so vastly superior to everyone on the screen that he alone carries the picture. He plays film director James Whale who has just had a stroke and is reaching the end of his life. After a while he begins to take an interest in his gardener, Clay Boone, played excellently by Brendan Fraser. Initially you wonder if Mckellen, a homosexual, is only interested in Fraser for gay purposes. In one scene prior to his arrival Mckellen takes great delight in forcing a film student to undress for him. That isn't the case though as Mckellen seems to be genuinly interested in Fraser's friendship. The two talk, Mckellen is very nostalgiac and tells Fraser stories about his time in lower class England as a child, his experiences in the war and his eventual exile from the Hollywood community. As the film progresses Ian Mckellen starts to gradually deteriorate. Overcome by memories of the past he eventually takes his own life by drowning in a swimming pool. His death, although saddening seems strangely appropriate given the circumstances of the film. In one great scene before his death, Brendan Fraser escorts Mckellen onto his former battlefield and lays him to rest next to other dead soldiers. While watching James Whale's most famous movies (The Frankenstein pictures) there is emphasis on one scene which intentionally runs paralels to the Fraser/Mckellen relationship. In one scene of "Frankenstein" the monster comes to the door of a blind man who claims that he is alone "and no soul has spoken to me for years." It is obvious at this point that Fraser's sole purpose was to provide happiness and companionship to this agening man and evtually lead him into death. Well, enough ranting, "Gods and Monsters" is carried off in fine style. Some may find it long winded and slow, but Mckellen's charm and great scripting should be enough to get most film fans through. Vanessa Redgrave also turns in a great role despite it being significantly smaller than Mckellen's or Fraser's. There is one scene of reminiscing about boys in a swimming pool which maybe is a tad over the top but on the whole Gods and Monsters is a very effective and a very intelligent piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: A wonderful character study of an incredibly talented director who frightened us all when we needed it. A delicious fictionalized ending to James Whales's life which creates the legend that he deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting Title for a Haunting Movie
Review: When I first saw this movie, I was so taken aback with the images that is portrayed...much like a James Whale film itslelf, that I was glad that I had video taped it...because for the next four or five days, I watched it over and over and, of course, found all my favorite parts...just like I have done with James Whale's two masterpieces, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein...I will not labor with the fact that Sir Ian McClellen and Brenden Fraser and Lynn Redgrave gave fantastic performences...any one who saw the movie knows this fact for themselves...what I want to say is that these movies that James Whale directed are a part of my life and growing up...remember Forrey J Ackerman and Famous Monsters of Filmland magazines?...well they were the first knowledge I had of these great Universal horror movies and I think they need a round of applause from everyone that is reading this review!...
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: This was, a weird movie not all scary it was about a director who made, horror films Brendan Fraser is a good, actor he did a good job doing this, I also like his other movies; Blast From The Past, School Ties, George Of The Jungle this was a good movie.
Rating:
Summary: A sublime masterpiece
Review: In the history of Hollywood, director James Whale will always be remembered most often as the man who crafted the 1931 version of "Frankenstein", with Boris Karloff, and its superior, legendary sequel, "The Bride of Frankenstein". Though he helmed many other projects, including the original version of "Showboat", "The Old Dark House", and the terrific "Invisible Man" (both "House" and "The Invisible Man" featured a young Gloria Stewart, who returned to the screen in 1997's "Titanic") inevitably Whale is linked for all time with the definative depiction of Mary Shelly's monster. In later years Whale would brush these films aside, preferring not to talk of them and generally disdaining them, but the link is permanent. Ultimately, Whale committed suicide after a series of strokes, drowning in his own swimming pool, leaving no note. It is a speculation on these last days of Whale's, in the sunset of his career in Hollywood, that director Bill Condon deftly explores in this screen adaption of Christopher Bram's "The Father of Frankenstein". Whale, as well as being an expert director in his day, was also openly gay, at a time when both in society and Hollywood, discretion was the order of the day. Powerfully portrayed here by the peerless Sir Ian McKellan (also an openly gay Englishman), McKellan brings subtle nuances and complex shadings to a performance that is nothing less than breathtaking, bittersweet, and ultimately deeply moving. The story concerns his growing platonic friendship with a hunky young yardman, ably played by Brendon Fraser, who with his massive body and square, sculpted head (aided in no small part by a flat-top haircut) resembles nothing insomuch as a living embodiment of the Monster itself. Hired to tend the grounds of Whale's home by his nervous housekeeper Hannah (a brilliant Lyne Redgrave - both she and McKellan were nominated for Academy Awards - and in my opinion both were robbed), the two befriend each other and develop a relationship that will affect both their lives in a most distinct way. Solid acting is delivered by all, and the appearance of two of Whale's key stars - Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester (through expert makeup techniques) midway through the film is a highlight (it is eerie how close these re-creations are). It is also in this sequence, set at the home of movie producer George Cukor - a closeted queen himself - that McKellan effortlessly and masterfully delivers one of the films bitchiest - and funniest - lines. Amazingly, though, it is Fraser - paired with some serious top notch costars that he admirably just keeps pace with - who delivers the film's most heart-touching and profoundly moving scene. It is the very last scene in the film, and the effect that it has cuts right to the soul, speaking volumes about the depths of compassion and humanity inherent in only the most genuine of friendships. For this scene, this film shares the distinction of being one of those very rare movies - one that brought me to tears. Not out of sadness, but out of admiration for its reaffirmation of the deep level of compassion that is inherent within the human heart, no matter who we are, gay or straight. Highly, highly recommended.
|
