Stu C Reviews

Frequency (2000)

Great film let down by a disasterous final flawed scene

[6/10 · 18 August 2003]

First of all I'd like to say that this was a great film. Implausible yes...but very very enjoyable. The writers got everything "right" until the final scene...

*** SPOILER ***

I may be alone in noticing this, but it has to be said. The final scene involves the 1999 Quaid blowing the killer away with a shotgun...fine. However how stupid are the writers??? Moments before we see the killer being trailed by the cops - who find indisputable evidence that he is in fact the serial killer. Then we see a scene where the cops race to Quaid who has just been attacked by the killer...and the cops now believe to be dead...again makes sense. Then we see the (obviously not dead) killer attack Quaid and his family...Quaid then blows his hand off with a shotgun.

Ok plausible so far.

Then we see Quaid in 1999 shoot the killer dead....WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!

Follow me here...the killer was a cop and there was indisputable evidence that it was him. Quaid blows his hand off. So what we have now is a serial killer cop with one hand walking around....for 30 years????!!! So are we to believe that the police force took him back and said "don't worry, we know you've learnt your lesson"??????

And what about the other women???? Whats to say that they didn't still die??? Are we supposed to just think "oh well its ok because Quaid's wife survived"????? COME ON!!!

Really poor ending that could have been solved without any extra budget...Quaid should have killed him in 1969 and then walked in at the end in 1999. Simple. Effective. Flawless.

*** END OF SPOILER ***

It really annoyed me that they went to such attention to detail only to let all down in the last 2 minutes. Still worth a watch for anyone who hasn't seen it...but have a bucket ready to puke into for the crappy ending.

A Midwinter's Tale (1995)

Wonderful Underrated Classic

[10/10 · 7 May 2002]

This was a film that I wanted to see from the very second that I heard about it. Unfortunately (for one reason and another) I missed it at the cinema and was forced to trawl the depths of video stores to find it. It is a beautifully shot, subtly hilarious piece of cinematic history. Anyone who has ever worked in theatres or have met "theatre types" will empathise with the characters immediately...and anyone who has never experienced the backstage "goings on" of theatres should watch this film to experience the endearing qualities of theatre in its extreme.

Quite simply this film is wonderful and has made me a huge fan of Kenneth Branagh's writing and direction.

My only complaint about this film is that it is impossible to find!! Why can't we buy it on DVD yet??!

From Hell (2001)

What a load of pants...

[1/10 · 27 November 2001]

I expected so much from this film, and it gives you so little.

This is the perfect example of Hollywood's blinkered view of english history. The sets are unrealistic and resemble something from an american tv movie...for heaven's sake, visit london, these places still exist you know! (yes thats right, buildings do exist that are more than 100 years old!)

I love Johnny Depp's diversity as an actor, but he really hasn't done himself any favours by starring in a film like this. As per usual he does steal the show...but you cannot credit a film just because the producers had the budget and sense to enlist a decent actor to play the main character.

Please, please, please just read one of the thousands of factual books that are out there documenting the Jack the Ripper killings if you want to know what actually happened....DO NOT watch this film expecting to see the truth because it merely portrays one of the FIVE quite plausible theories on the killings.

However, if you are a fan of terrible films that merely give you hollywood glitz and gore rather than telling you the truth, then be my guest, stay ignorant and enjoy the movie.

1/10...watch the michael caine tv movie, at least it gives you the vague truth on the killings.

Pay It Forward (2000)

A truly amazing film

[9 August 2001]

I had never heard of this film before I watched it....but it totally stunned me. An amazing idea, great acting from Spacey and Hunt and the whole the bobs along at a nice pace.

This movie might not change your life forever, but it will for 2 hours.

Watch it.