Rating: 
Summary: And he can act, too!
Review: The first time I watched this film on video I was completely drawn in. I found Ian McClellan as James Whale both sinister and appealing in a strange way. His "stalking" of Clay Boone, the gardener, made me extremely uneasy and the revelation of his actual plans for Boone appalled me - he was so unconcerned with what might happen to anyone other than himself. After a second viewing, I realised that this was primarily a movie about loneliness and the unlikely attachments between these three main characters. It's possible to watch this film on several levels and get a lot out of it - very thought provoking, and beautifully shot. McClellan and Redford are consistently wonderful - Fraser finally gets to turn in a non-comic performance with some heft to it. Anyone who has seen "School Ties" knows that Brendan Fraser can act - unfortunately, up until Gods & Monsters he's mostly been tapped for his comic timing. His role in G&M should have given his dramatic career some impetus, although it doesn't seem to have done so just yet. This movie is ultimately about the struggle to connect with others and make sense of our lives. If you feel up to thinking after a movie, get this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Vintage Entertainment
Review: All three stars (Ian, Brendan, Lynn) of the movie provide fine performances with a story that may not be riveting but does entertain. Portraying the final days of a once prominent film director does not lend itself to much action hence the slow pacing. The depiction of "old" Hollywood is what most of us would envision. The underlying gay theme is not intrusive but is an integral part of the storyline which may offend some viewers.
Rating: 
Summary: Borinmg & dumb
Review: A waste of time. Glory for old time movies that try to claim a life in a new world, and they don't. Don't bother, a nice tape to record over. And the last time I buy a film because Brandon Frazier is in it. Naked or not!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Character Study, Fascinating and Expertly Acted!
Review: This movie has a great script and wonderful acting by all the cast, I was surprised that Brendan Fraser did a good job with his role. If you know something about James Whale or liked his movies then it will prove more interesting. The movie starts out a bit slow but then grabs you and doesn't let go until the end, but fascinating throughout. I was surprised that the gay subject-matter did not make me feel uncomfortable (as with other similarly-themed movies). Expert performances by Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave make this all the more rewarding. See this movie. From a scale of 1-10 I give this movie an 8!
Rating:
Summary: Bad, bad, boring, bad
Review: I couldn't believe how bad this movie was. I was ready and willing to be proven wrong about my negative impression of Brendan Fraser's acting ability, based on what others had said of this film, but ended up with further confirmation that he is a lousy actor. I ordinarily like movies that are slow moving and antithetical to shoot-em-up blockbusters, but this picture C...R...A...W...L...E...D..., and suffered from dry dialogue, to boot. On top of everything else, this film was predictable, and I continued watching only to see if a fantastic surprise ending would redeem it. No dice- the end certainly did not justify the tedious means. In addition to a badly written script and substandard acting, the actors' accents seemed overdone (too theatric) and fake. It was a real drag to watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Very good movie
Review: I finally watched this movie after having read many reviews on it and found it to be very good. I really loved learning about James Whale and his life, and having a look into his psyche. This movie has become one of my new favourites because of it's portrayal of a gay man's life not as simply a one-dimensional character, but as a whole person who just happened to be gay.
Rating:
Summary: Charismatic Performances from McKellen, Fraser, & Redgrave
Review: This was a superb film. Not only does it deal with sexuality issues, it delves deeper into the beliefs of the viewer. McKellen & Fraser give outstanding performances as Whale and Boone. Although it has a superficial hint about Whale being a "ditry old queer" "chasing young boys," the relationship that develops between Whale (McKellen)and Boone (Fraser)is not sexual. In fact, it goes beyond the sexual. Many heterosexual men would feel uncomfortable with some of the content, however, this is an excellent example of facing one's beliefs. Fraser's character is faced with the similar situation. Consequently, the characters grow beyond the superficial and move on. While I do not think that Fraser's character ever becomes comfortable with homosexuality, he learns to tolerate it. As for the nudity in it, I felt that it lent to the movie. Whale had been talking about the days gone by and suddenly gets this flashback of a pool party with handsome young men running around and swimming naked. The scene is brief, strategically lit, and well-staged. Even with DVD, the scene went by so fast we had to play it again in slow motion just to see anything. Even then, it was nothing much. So the straight men need not worry about this being a skin flick. As for Redgrave's character, she gives a powerful performance portraying a devout Catholic who works for Whale as his housekeeper. While her words are often muddled, the accent (I believe it's Hungarian) is the cause, not to mention the American colloquialization of the English language and the Brittish slang used. In her case, her actions, not her words, are the most important. The poignant turn of events toward the end, exemplifies her love and respect for Whale even though, according to her, "he will go to hell for his sins of the flesh." It is because of this that she "will go to hell too to look after him." Over all, Gods & Monsters is a fantastic movie worth buying. Although it is a film for mature audiences, I think it forces one to think about how they would respond if put in a similar situation. Bottom line? -- If you enjoy a superb drama that requires some thought to enjoy, RENT IT or better yet, BUY IT! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful! A must see!
Review: This film is a very faithful adaptation of Christopher Bram's excellent novel Father of Frankenstein (which is probably why it got the Oscar for Best Screenplay Adaptation). Performances by Sir Ian McKellan, Lynne Redgrave and Brenden Fraser keep the action moving along at a fast but believable pace. When the film is done, the viewer feels quite rightly worn out from having run an emotional gamut. Sir Ian makes a splendid James Whale--a man of dignity, talent and superb artistry in the process of losing his mental capabilities, and all too aware of the gradual deterioration of his mind. Does Whale or does he not have the right to direct his final grand exit? That's a question society still struggles with. I especially liked the way Fraser portrayed a "straight", very virile male unabashedly publicly befriending a gay man--something that gives plenty of "straight" males pause today. Vanessa Redgrave truly should have gotten the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, for which she was nominated for her work in this film. Her portrayal of the loyal but often disapproving housekeeper was flawless, superb and consistent. There is real power in McKellan's portrayal of a man very at peace with himself as a successful person in an environment that was for the most part hostile to homosexuals--claiming what was rightfully his against any existing odds. But you will take issue with the character's assessment about where his personal rights begin and end, as he manipulates Clayton in a drama that the trusting gardener has no idea is being played out. At the end of the film you are at odds with yourself about Whale's brillance and aplomb and good humor, which co-exists with his often callous and inconsiderate treatment of those closest to him. McKellan shines as a "god" and a "monster" rolled into one. Also, this movie is a terrific slice of life in Hollywood at its peak in the 1930's and 40's. This film lacks nothing that makes a movie great.
Rating:
Summary: A gay old man chasing a straight young man. That's it.
Review: First, forget anything about "Frankenstein." This movie is nothing more than a story of a gay old man chasing a straight young man. And it dragged on and on... If this movie had been about a straight man chasing a younger woman, it would have been reviewed as garbage. I agree totally with the review titled "God, This Movie's A Monster!" For what it's worth, the cinematography was good.
Rating:
Summary: "Gods and Monsters," indeed!
Review: What a surprising movie! First, you have one of the screen's great performances by Ian McKellen, and then there's the stunning revelation that Brendan Fraser has great depth and power as an actor and has been pretty much wasted in films up until now (except that he is terrific at comedy). This film on DVD is a marvel. The images are crisp and clean, the sound is clear and distinct, and the music score by Carter Burwell is one of the finest of recent years, subtly entwining itself into the psychological makeup of the characters and storyline. "Gods and Monsters" is a movie of rare depth and directorial eloquence. I cannot recommend it highly enough for thinking moviegoers.
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