jlarkin5

Kenneth Branagh was all wrong for this adaptation. Branagh brings so much micromanagement there is no element of surprise whatsoever.

Fortnuately, Michael Caine and Jude Law are interesting to watch. They attack the challenge of a two man film with gusto. But since Branagh offers no surprises and such a sterile environment, it starts to feel like a bad play. Don't expect a lot of movement or innovation. It plays like afternoon, English tea time.

Think of what David Fincher could have done with this modern day update of the 1972 classic. There would be that sense of uneasiness this piece requires. A complete bore.

In 1988, Paperhouse was hailed as a "thinking man's horror film." Wow, you might say, sign me up. This thing is a mess. It features a one time young actress who has a range of like 1 to 2. G. Headley with a bad British (dubbed) accent, and a story with no chills, thrills or spills.

It isn't even interesting psycho-babble. One will only laugh at its cheap effects and long for a showing of Leprechaun 5.

The story involves a girl with glandular fever who escapes in her dreams. WHat you get isn't good horror, art house or even a decent after-school special. I found myself after the two hour point saying..where did my two hours go.

The direction is uninspired and I wished it could even be pretentious...something interesting..it seems like the producers were on lithium.

Even in the dream world things are boring.

A short no on this one.

Rivals "To Sir, With Love" (released around the same time) as the best teacher film of all time. The difference: Sandy Dennis.

Dennis was one of those actors they don't make anymore (or at least don't showcase in Hollywood in 2007). She was strange, quirky, not conventionally pretty and she had that quality a lot of new female teachers have-that deer in the headlights look that makes the viewer root for her to make it "work" with those tough students.

The story is strong with some good subplots with the troubled students. It is dated but I would say the same issues facing Dennis here face contemporary teachers.

I take Dennis to Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society" anyday.