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Rattlebag
Film Page
FILM REVIEWS
October 2005
Monday 3rd
Alan Torney joined myles to review Tara Road, the big screen adaptation of Maeve Binchy's novel of the same name which centres on two women, one Irish and one American who swap houses and countries in an effort to sort out their tangles lives. Starring Andie MacDowell, Olivia Williams and Iain Glen the film is a lovely tale which though can be sterotypical at times is both charming and heartwarming.
September 2005
Friday 16th
Alan Torney and Grainne Humphreys join Myles to review the long awaited big screen adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley as Lizzie with Matthew MacFadyen taking over the role of Mr. Darcy made famous by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation. The film was warmly reviewed but was not long enough to go into the stories of the minor characters which took away from the film somewhat though still an enjoyable trip to the cinema.
July 2005
Thursday 28th
Jane Ruffino joined guest presenter Vincent Woods today to review Tim Burton's long
anticipated 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. Johnny Depp steps into Gene Wilder's
shoes as Chocolate Factory owner Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore, who starred opposite Depp
in Finding Neverland as Charlie Bucket. The film was a huge hit with Jane and great fun for
both older viewers who have seen the original 1971 film and younger viewers who are
new to the story. Well worth a visit to the cinema for.
June 2005
Wednesday 29th
The latest Summer blockbuster 'War of the Worlds' was our film review today.
Sinead Gleeson, Richard Stearn and Cristín Leach joined Myles to discuss the
latest Steven Speilberg and Tom Cruise collaboration, which sees planet Earth being
invaded by tripod aliens. Overall the film was a hit with our reviewers though they agreed
that one of the best elements in the film was the performance of young actress Dakota Fanning
who plays Cruises's daughter. Quite scary for a younger audience but definately worth a trip to
the cinema for.
Wednesday 1st
As part of our Rattlebag Review we looked at Danny Boyle's new film 'Millions'
starring James Nesbitt, which tells the story of two young boys who come across the loot
from a bank robbery and must spend it within seven days, before Great Britain converts to the
Euro.
April 2005
Monday 11th
Tony Tracy and Poet Pat Boran were our reviewers today and 'Assassination of
Richard Nixon' was the film of choice. Starring Sean Penn, the film, which is based
on real life events, centers on a businessman (Penn) who decides to take extreme measures
to achieve his American dream. Both of our reviewers agreed that Penn was marvellous in the
lead role but the film was lacking in some areas. A good but forgettable view.
Tuesday 5th
Sinead Gleeson and Peter Murphy join us to rate the newest films to hit our screens.
First up was 'Downfall', which explores the last ten days of the life of Hitler.
'Downfall' is directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and stars Bruno Ganz as the German
dictator and Alexandra Maria Lara as his private secretary Traudl Junge. The film was a
hit with both of our reviewers and is definately well worth a trip to the cinema for.
The other film which went on general release at the weekend was 'The Ring 2',
the sequel to the hugely successful 2002 Horror flick 'The Ring'. The films are
based on a series of Japanese horror films called 'Ringu'. The sequel has proved
somewhat of a damp squid and according to our reviewers is more silly than scary so if
you want to laugh instead of scream head to the cinema to see 'The Ring 2'.
February 2005
Monday 28th
Sinead Gleeson and Ciaran Carthy join us today to review two of the latest releases
to hit our cinemas Wes Anderson's 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' starring
a host of Hollywood names including Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett and
Anjelica Heuston and Nicole Kassell's controversial directorial debut 'The Woodsman'
starring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick.
Monday 7th
Two of our regular reviewers Judy Lunny and Grainne Humphreys came in to give their
reactions to the much hyped 'Ocean's Tweleve', sequal to the hugely successful
'Ocean's Eleven'. The film stars the cream of Hollywood talent including George
Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts and is set three years after 'Ocean's Eleven'
successfully stole $160 million from casino boss Benedict (Andy Garcia). The film sees
Benedict track down all of the original 11 and bullies them into doing another heist to
pay back what they stole from him.
The film has been hugely hyped with a strong marketing campaign but did it live
up to expectations? It was a resounding no from our reviewers. Both described
the film as smug, somewhat insulting and in no way funny. So even with the golden
gals and guys of Hollywood, 'Ocean's Twelve' is not a film to go running
to the cinema to see.
January 2005
Monday 31st
Deirdre O' Keeffe of U magazine and author Ferdia MacAnna came in to talk about two of the weekend releases. First up was 'Meet the Fockers' starring a host of big names including Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand and Ben Stiller. 'Meet the Fockers' is the long awaited sequel to 'Meet The Parents' and has been a huge hit in America. Unfortunately reviews here have been lukewarm and our reviewers opinion was no different, with both claiming to 'hate the film.' Though at times it was amusing it is just another disappointing sequel.
Next up today was the highly critically acclaimed 'Sideways' starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church. It's the story of two men, one a failed author and one about to be married, who set of an a weekend of wine tasting but end up experiencing a lot more. The film has just received five Oscar nominations and is among one of the favourites to win Best Picture. This film was a huge hit with our reviewers with both giving it 10 out of 10. It was described as a masterpiece and a film which leaves you feeling better about the world. Well worth a trip to the cinema for.
Monday 24th
Sophie Gorman, Arts Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Ciaran Carty of the Sunday Tribune were our reviewers this week. Our first film was 'Ray', a biopic of legendary musician Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx playing won a Golden Globe for his performance in the title role earlier this month and it is popular opinion that his performance was thoroughly brillant. Overall the film received a positive response and is well worth a trip to the cimena for
Our next film was 'Closer', the adaptation of Patrick Marber's play which also received accolades at the Golden Globe awards. The film stars Hollywood heavyweights Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen. The film follows the lives of the four main (and only) characters and how their lives and loves become entangled. It was incredibly well received by our reviewers for its black humour and stark realism and was extremely highly recommended
Monday 17th
Jane Ruffino and Peter Murphy firstly reviewed the tale of the early life of Howard Hughes, famous Aviator and Hollywood Film Director. Martin Scorsese's 'The Aviator' stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes, the brillant Cate Blanchett as Audrey Hepburn and Kate Beckinsale in the role of Ava Gardner. The reviewers were wowed with Blanchett's performance and though they thought it was no masterpiece, they did enjoy the film.
Clint Eastwood's 'Million Dollar Baby' depicts the story of a female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald played by Hilary Swank and her struggle to become a boxing champion. Clint Eastwood plays boxing trainer, Frankie Dunn with Morgan Freeman co starring. The film has received critical acclaim and looks set to be another success in the long and esteemed career of Clint Eastwood.
Monday 10th
Judy Lunny and Grainne Humphries reviewed 'Vera Drake' starring Imelda Staunton as a back street abortionist in Britain in the 1950's. Directed by Mike Lee this film is a hit with the critics
Our second film today was Oliver Stone's 'Alexander The Great' starring Angelina Jolie, Colin Farrell and Val Kilmer as well as a host of Irish stars. The film tells the story of Alexander The Great who had conquered most of the known world by the age of 25. Though it is an epic story it still proved too long for the critics with an array mistakes with regard to historical detail. Though it stars a host of big names this was a flop with our critics
If you have any comments on any of our Film Reviews please email us at rattle@rte.ie or write to us at Rattlebag, RTE Radio, Donnybrook Dublin 4.
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