rchalloner

There is a lot to admire about this series including the actors's performances, the photography, the scenery and more. It is let down however by the screenplay and the lack of proper editing which drags the storyline out with a lot of unnecessary scenes that get in the way of the unfolding drama. Frankly there were a number of scenes which were long and boring, including those of David endlessly singing and Saul's madness which added nothing to the story. They appear to be there as padding and not much else, in an attempt to keep the viewer waiting for the important bits. Unfortunately the ploy fails and it becomes annoying. It's a shame as tighter direction and editing would have made the series far more exciting and engaging. A missed opportunity to tell a great Biblical story in the way it deserves.

As a lifelong fan of Laurel and Hardy I hesitated about watching this movie, but now that I have, I am amazed. I am not really a fan of Steve Coogan, but he gives an incredible performance as Stan and John C. Reilly is just as good as Ollie. It was like seeing the Boys come back to life as they got all the mannerisms, the voices and the magic of Laurel and Hardy spot on. In this depiction of their last tour in post-war Britain the comedic genius of Stan and Ollie is clear to see, shining through along with the love and friendship they had for one another, despite the occasional falling out. It's a film full of charm that will make you laugh and move you to tears in turn. A fine tribute to the greatest comedy duo in history.

This is fascinating and thought provoking film giving an unusual perspective on the events surrounding the Resurrection of Christ and well worth watching. One doesn't have to be religious to appreciate the incredible impact that the Resurrection and its aftermath would have had on both the Judaic and Roman cultures. Joseph Fiennes is excellent as the ambitious Roman Tribune Clavius, weary of the endless warfare and slaughter of which his life consists, who is instructed by Pilate to to give 'Yeshua the Nazarene' a quick and merciful death and oversee his burial. After the mysterious disappearance of Yeshua's body from the tomb, an initially indifferent Clavius is tasked by Pilate with finding the body of Yeshua and those who allegedly stole it. What Clavius discovers however, baffles and stuns him in turn. Joseph Fiennes portrays beautifully the transformation of a confident man of rising ambition bred to believe in Roman power and supremacy and Roman Gods, whose world collapses around him. Cliff Curtis is a charismatic, accessible and believable Jesus. The only serious fault is the outdated and inaccurate portrayal of Mary Magdalene as a reformed prostitute. The year this film came out the Catholic Church finally recognised that Mary Magdalene was never a prostitute and she was given proper acknowledgement as Apostle to the Apostles.