james-dore

I read these stories in the early eighties as a child, and they have never left my consciousness. They're gripping, sinister, disturbing and yet also greatly uplifting. You never forget having read Dahl's work, especially the more adult work. It's uniquely compelling, beautifully written stuff and should rightfully take its place amongst the established greats of twentieth century literature.

They transferred passably well to television in the 1980's as Tales of the Unexpected in a very straight up and slightly cliched manner. However, Wes Anderson's adaptations are superb. They take all the language, style, wit and intelligence of Dahl's writing and combine it with his own wit, style, intelligence and visual language. The amalgamation is deeply entertaining, intellectually fulfilling and wholly satisfying. As befits Dahl's stories, the film is unusual in the telling and quite unsettling. I can understand why some might find it difficult, it's better for it. I absolutely love this.

It's cinematic Impressionism, paints a picture of the evacuation through beautiful 1940's hues and glimpses of events. You know the story, there's no need to tell it over again. If you're expecting a regular war film prepare to be surprised, but why would you expect something so pedestrian and dull as a regular Hollywood war pot-boiler? This film is something else, so leave your expectations at the door and just enjoy the spectacle. There's enormous tension, despair, joy, terror and satisfaction running through this film in an emotional web woven by the cinematography and the beautiful score. Highly enjoyable.

Wonderfully realised, with absolutely genius direction and scripting. Characterisation is absolutely, marvellously perfect, Puck, Bottom, Titania, Oberon, the whole cast give their utter best combining 21st and 16th century east London with classical Athens an smatterings of Mancunian gay bars, strip,clubs and deep, dark misogyny. Bottom is fabulous! I've seen countless productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, but never have I laughed so heartily, or gripped my seat in horror. Theatre at its absolute best.