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dianewms
Reviews
The Game of Their Lives (2005)
Game well played
Even though we know what happens (so how can you have a "spoiler"?), I found the overall tone of the film a little flat. Yet it's a great introduction to what happened back in 1950, even if not 100% accurate. I'd like for the film to have told me that most of these players had played together before in previous international matches, that the USA had lost all its other games in the pool, and that England did not advance to the elimination round either. Sure that one game is the focus of the story, but I'd like to have seen it in better context.
I thought the action was very well done. Gerard Butler certain did Frank Borghi proud and was totally believable as a world-class goalkeeper and team leader. The best scene in the film had to be his slow mo prowl in front of the goal during the practice game in the rain against England's second team. Borghi was justifiably angry at himself for allowing so many goals, even in such horrible playing conditions.
I recommend this film to soccer fans and nonfans alike. It has some faults, but its well worth watching.
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Gerry Butler is a wonderful Phantom!
If Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Joel Schumacher wanted a seductive, sensual and sensitive phantom, they got him in Gerry Butler. No, he doesn't have a trained stage voice; but he did train like hell to be able to pull off the character of the Phantom as JS and ALW wanted him for this film. He is a powerful, sexy, physical and sympathetic phantom and I applaud him. I have never been so moved by anyone in a film as I was by Butler as the Phantom. Bravo! I've seen it 4 times since Christmas Eve, and I'm sure I'll see it 4 more times before it leaves the big screen. The soundtrack CD is with me always--I even work out to it in the gym. Each frame of film in this movie is a standalone piece of art. The whole cinematic experience was unique, special, and everlasting.
Gods and Generals (2003)
It's about time someone portrayed Stonewall Jackson in a film!
Stephen Lang did an outstanding job of portraying an amazing historical figure. Sure, there will be nitpickers who will find both historical faults and variances from the novel, but the movie is well worth seeing and quite thought provoking. A lot of care and preparation went into making this film. It might not be a boxoffice blockbuster now, but it should make a popular rental and purchase when the DVD/VHS version comes out. It should also be used as a teaching tool. Seeing what happened on the screen, even with Hollywood license, can spark student interest into reading more first-person accounts of the reasons for the war, the politics behind the war, and personal feelings about the war.