King_Opossum

One had to feel sorry for Alan Parker in 1999. When he started filming ANGELA'S ASHES, it was based on a new book which was relatively unknown, and was sure to be a hit once the film came out. By the end of shooting however, the book was an international bestseller, and all eyes were on Parker and his team to come out with the official visual aide to the book. The pressure was undoubtedly huge, and fortunately this film film is in no way disappointing.

Frank McCourt's superb writing is lovingly captured in a humourous narration that runs throughout the film. The three boys playing Frankie of varying ages are all wonderful, and manage not to get the viewer so deep into pity, but creates a witty, almost ironic look at life in Limerick, which seemed to be the only way the residents at that time could hope to survive. The leads, Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle are both stunning - how Emily Watson coped with portraying so much pain is astounding. And a superbly moving, but simple score by John Williams complements the film perfectly.

One of the great hits of 1999, ANGELA'S ASHES is a must.

THUNDERBALL represents the fourth film in the Bond franchise, and although it shows to be the builder of a platform on which all other Bonds would rest, it also shows Connery getting slightly itchy (not to mention wet!) feet to do something else. However, it is the film-makers huge vision, as well as the return of director Terence Young that make THUNDERBALL an undoubted classic in the Bond franchise.

Although in this day and age of such fast moving cinema the underwater sequences might seem a little drawn out, one has to remember that it was all so new to cinema in 1965. It was even the first time that someone came into a room and threw their hat on the hatstand!

HOOK is a film for kids, watched by adults, and therefore criticised. It is true that it was made at a period in Spielberg's life when he really should have been growing up himself (his next two features were Jurassic Park and Schindler's List, made back to back), but take this film at face value and you find a warm, sentimental piece of American culture.

The cast all play out their roles superbly, especially Dustin Hoffman as the inimitable Captain Hook. The music is sweeping and glorious, and Spielberg has endeavoured to make the whole film appear fantastic and magical. My only criticism would be its length. Two and a quarter hours is a little long for most childrens' attention spans, and it is best viewed in two seperate installments. Other than this, HOOK is an enjoyably journey into a magical land.