Monday, October 15 2007
The Up Series
Give me the boy at age seven, and I'll give you the man. The Jesuits may have had something with that saying, especially after watching Michael Apted's masterwork 49 years into the making.
Tuesday, October 9 2007
49 Up
As the Up films regularly incorporate footage from previous installments, the portraits have become increasingly layered and meditative.
Tuesday, March 20 2007
49 Up (2007)
Through the gentle observation and simple exploration of life’s quotidian nature, the Up Series achieves a dramatic relevancy that simple fiction or melodrama could never equal.
Friday, February 23 2007
Amazing Grace (2006)
The movie's thematic insistence on seeing takes shape through slavery, a horrible moral blight even if it's off-screen in the colonies and not in London with our heroes.
Monday, September 15 2003
Enough (2002)
The first bit of news I heard on waking up this morning was that the wedding was off.
Enigma (2001)
Michael Apted speaks of his intent to make the country appear 'beautiful' and, consequently, we're spared shots of bombed-out London or casualties of any kind.
Thursday, May 9 2002
Enigma (2001)
There comes a point in 'Enigma' where Jeremy Northam shows up and you feel grateful.
Sunday, January 1 1995
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
I can't help it; whenever I hear that opening theme music to a James Bond film, I get a tingle. I can't help but to hope for the best. This time out, my hopes were raised by a great opening sequence to The World Is Not Enough, which involves a thrilling highspeed boat chase. What's more, TWINE gives us the premise for a most excellent villain.
