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Candyman (DVD)
by dramaxxqueenxx05
This is one of the most scariest films you'll ever see.
Dare you say his name five times to a mirror? or say the name Helen five times to a mirror - which one will you choose?
Helen Lyle is a student who studies myths and legends and is married to one of the university's professors Trevor. One day she discovers the murder ... of a young girl, she then goes round to the place taking photographs of where the girl had died, it had believed to be in a toilet. Her friend Bernardette, tells her story of Candyman and she tells Helen to say his name five times to a mirror and he will appear, Bernardette pursuades Helen into saying his name...she does it and falls into a world she'd never imagine. The last place she wanted to be at. Will Helen become part of Candyman? She will become her own legend? Find out in one of the scraiest horror film ever made.....will You say his name five times to a mirror?
cast:
Helen Lyle : Virginia Masden
Candyman: Tony Todd
Trevor Lyle: Xander Berkerly
Kasi Lemmons: Bernardette 'Bernie' Walsh
Anne-Marie Coy: Vanessa Williams
director: Bernard Rose
certificate : 18
release date: 19th March 1993 (cinema) 9th September 1998 (video release)
run time: 99 minutes
I liked this film in a good way, but I found this film to scary to watch on my own or on halloween, but I you are not a fan of horror films watch it with someone! When i watched this for the first time I got nightmares as before me and my mate went to bed, it was dark in the kitchen and we thought the Candyman was in the kitchen and we screamed, ran upstairs and shared a bed that night cause we so scared of sleeping on our own!
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Unforgiven (DVD)
by TimListfield
The last best western film. As far as I'm concerned, no one should ever bother with a western again following this, because no one can do any better. This takes every good point from the western genre and turns it into a masterpiece. From the violence, the pace and the flawed heroes that the spaghetti westerns had to offer, to the moral ... tone that John Wayne's finest films had to offer, this film has it all. It is, arguably, Clint Eastwood's finest film (even if it's not his most popular or even my most favourite). But credit where it is due, this is just so well crafted from start to finish. From the subtle yet ever present directing, to the stunning acting, this film really is a relentless ride. The story, as the title suggests, is about forgiveness and revenge. It's a story that shows the villains as the heroes of the moment, and the lawmen as the villains. And that's what makes this so good. It takes everything and throws it on its head. The film was directed by Eastwood himself, and it stars him, Gene Hackman (in another outstanding role), Morgan Freeman and Richard Harris.
In the town of Big Whiskey,a prostitute called Deliliah is attacked and disfigured by a client. The attacker gets away, and because the law can't find him, the prostitutes all put up their own reward. This not only upsets the owner of the hotel that they work in, but also Sheriff Bill Daggert, a man who prides himself on the fact that his town is so crime-free and has banned all assassins and guns from the town.
Meanwhile, an arrogant young man called The Schofield kid (Jamez Woolvett) visits an ageing and reformed criminal called William Munney, who is also a widower and is looking after his children. the Schofield kid informs him of the reward the prostitutes are offering and asks him for assistance. Munney eventually agrees when he realizes that he is in desperate need of the money. He also picks up his old riding partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) along the way.
Together, the men set off to get their reward. However, Sheriff Daggert is unhappy about their presence, and soon tries to get rid of them. the lawmen become the criminals, and the criminals become the lawmen, leading to one of the finest western climaxes on screen.
This really is outstanding. I wouldn't say it's quite as good as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, but it's nearly there.
Starting with the directing, you can see on screen that Eastwood has pulled out all the stops to make this a stunning visual masterpiece. The atmosphere is built upon quite a few long takes and some beautiful landscape shots, and you feel yourself being drawn into some sort of colourful epic. Then it starts to change as the story does, and you realize that the weather often reflects the mood of the film. Unlike a lot of other westerns that are set in the sun, this is set in cloud, darkness and rain. And the atmosphere becomes more and more claustrophobic for the characters as the neat the town of Big Whiskey. Eastwood racks up the tension throughout, bringing you several mini climaxes before the outstanding final one, where he redeems all the characters in their own way. Clint won his first directing Oscar for this film.
It also has to be said that the writing is magnificent in this. There is some fabulous and very meaningful dialogue between several characters, with the emphasis on loyalty, forgiveness and revenge. Certainly the characterization is outstanding, most notabley on Bill Daggert. The screenplay by David Webb Peoples was Oscar nominated, but didn't win.
And then there is the acting. And what is there to say, other than the four men who are billed as stars are some of the finest actors Hollywood has to offer (or had, in the case of the late Richard Harris). Clint Eastwood adds his ever present 'cool' persona to his flawed hero. Morgan Freeman is like the angel on Clint's shoulder, and you can feel the loyalty he has for Clint's character. Richard Harris' character English Bob is an interesting one, as he never meets Munney or Logan. Instead, he is more of a sacrificial lamb used to show up Bill Daggert. He's only in it for ten minutes or so, but it's one hell of a cameo. Finally, there is the man who steals is all. Gene Hackman. The last time he was on this kind of form was way back with The French Connection, and I think the role of Bill Daggert, the violent Sheriff who has become what he wanted to fight, is his best role. He rightfully won an Oscar for his role.
Unforgiven is a film that was nominated for 9 Oscars in total, and won 4. Pretty much says it all really. An masterpiece, and no one should bother with a western again.
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Sister Act (DVD)
by kama0529
Sister Act is, without doubt, one of my favourite family films of all time. Its one of those feel good films that leave you with a smile on your face - and leave you singing the songs long after the film has ended.
The plot follows Reno lounge singer Delores Van Cartier (Whoopie Goldberg) who witnesses a murder committed by ... her boyfriend cum mafia gangster, Vince (Harvey Keitel). Delores goes to the police and is placed in witness protection by Lt. Eddie Souther (Bill Nunn) and whereas to place her but at the St. Catherine's Convent. Initial thoughts are that a convent is the worst possible place for someone like Delores, who has been having an affair with a married gangster and has been a Reno singer in a not entirely solobrious casino. Delores sticks out like a sore thumb and her constant clashes with the Mother Superior (Dame Maggie Smith) ultimately lead to her punishment of revitilizing the awful choir at St. Catherines. The success of the choir is ultimately linked to the survival of the St. Catherine's convent which is very much in demise - and as Delores relationships with the nuns develops, it is very much a story about friendship, about acceptance and about triumph.
The cast is headed by the brilliant Whoopie Goldberg, and her equally brilliant co-stars Harvey Kietel and Maggie Smith. The on-screen relationship that develops between Delores and the Mother Superior is portrayed brilliantly and warmly by Whoopie and Maggie Smith - and I do quite frankly find them faultless.
The nuns are largely made up of unknowns - but none the less they are very well casted. The wonderfully cheerful Sister Mary Patrick stands out from the rest of the ensemble. Although some of the characters may be over the top and slightly two dimensional, this does not take away from the fact that you genuinely come away from the film really liking these characters, although not necessarily caring about them.
Whoopi Goldberg - Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence
Maggie Smith - Reverend Mother
Kathy Najimy - Sister Mary Patrick
Wendy Makkena - Sister Mary Robert
Mary Wickes - Sister Mary Lazarus
Rose Parenti - Sister Alma
Harvey Keitel - Vince LaRocca
Bill Nunn - Lt. Eddie Souther
Joseph Maher - Monsignor O'Hara
The music may be cheesy, but oh, come on.... its a harmless, catchy and entertaining revival of Motown hits of the 1960's and 1970's. What's not to like?? My favourite is "I will follow him" which is the finale to the film and even has the pope himself tapping away.
Overall, its a fun, uncomplicated family film. Yes, its a little dated now (it was made in 1992!) but it hasn't lost that feel good factor which made 90's comedies so successful. Is it a thought provoking, intelligent film? Probably not. But it is a great film to watch with your children or to sit and watch on a cold and wet sunday afternoon with a bottle of wine.
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