Ian-Hart Movie Reviews


George Burns Rulz !!!!!!!!

Not a bad film, but...
A Down MoodThis is a Serious Movie. It's dark, and it takes some discipline to stay with it. It has a few good insights but raises many more questions.
A critic on the Internet says "Liam" is more raw than "Life is Beautiful" and more genuine than "Billy Elliot."
Liverpool in the 1930s: Depression: and an Adorable KidThough, with justification, some people pointed out the resemblamce between this one and "Angela's Ashes," you must know that "Liam" is set in Liverpool, England while the other in Ireland. So it is very suitable that "Liam" cast Ian Hart as Dad of the family because Liverpool-born actor once played a very credible portrait of John Lennon. But you may now remember him as Prof. Quirrell in "Harry Potter." Whichever you are, he totally remodelled himself, to become this father of 7-year-old Liam, whose stuttering sometimes works for his advantage in this hard times of Depression.
The film follows the life of Liam's family members, each of which strrugles to live under conditions of life that gradually get harder. Liam goes to a Catholic school where he is taught about the hell and its fire; his elder sister Teresa starts a job of a housemaid in a rich Jewish family, where she inspite of herself helps to conceal the mother's affair from her husband; and Liam's father, who lost his job at factory, resorts to entering the membership of radical political party.
It seems at first sight that the film is dark, grim, and somber to put off many of you, but it shouldn't. The fact is, thanks to the fast-paced editing of the film, and very sly humors of Jimmy McGovern (of controvertial "Priest"), which include ones with sexual nature -- little Liam had to witness his mother's naked body accidentally, and thinks he has committed a sin --the film is always watchable. You may call it a light-weight work from Frears (running time is about 90 minutes), but it has good acting all around, convincing production designs, and most of all Anthony Borrow's adorable Liam, which itself is worth your money. He has no previous acting experience, but you won't believe it after seeing his face.
Also good is Ian Hart, as always he is. But his final act as Dad, which is very drastic and melodramatic, looks out of tune, and certainly many of you might feel disappointed (and I was too). But I know a Japanese reviewer who pointed out that final conclusion shows an irony -- while Liam himself is terribly afraid of being burnt in hell, it is not he that receives that fate. Is the ending a right one? Please judge it for yourself.
Very gripping drama about a family in Liverpool, "Liam" tells you a thing or two about living there at that time, and influece of religion on the children. You may wonder why Teresa had to say "I'm sorry" while it is Dad that should say so. It is thus always engaing, and thought-provoking. If you didn't like "Angela's Ashes" (which I liked), you may go for it.


Not a bad film, but...
A Down MoodThis is a Serious Movie. It's dark, and it takes some discipline to stay with it. It has a few good insights but raises many more questions.
A critic on the Internet says "Liam" is more raw than "Life is Beautiful" and more genuine than "Billy Elliot."
Liverpool in the 1930s: Depression: and an Adorable KidThough, with justification, some people pointed out the resemblamce between this one and "Angela's Ashes," you must know that "Liam" is set in Liverpool, England while the other in Ireland. So it is very suitable that "Liam" cast Ian Hart as Dad of the family because Liverpool-born actor once played a very credible portrait of John Lennon. But you may now remember him as Prof. Quirrell in "Harry Potter." Whichever you are, he totally remodelled himself, to become this father of 7-year-old Liam, whose stuttering sometimes works for his advantage in this hard times of Depression.
The film follows the life of Liam's family members, each of which strrugles to live under conditions of life that gradually get harder. Liam goes to a Catholic school where he is taught about the hell and its fire; his elder sister Teresa starts a job of a housemaid in a rich Jewish family, where she inspite of herself helps to conceal the mother's affair from her husband; and Liam's father, who lost his job at factory, resorts to entering the membership of radical political party.
It seems at first sight that the film is dark, grim, and somber to put off many of you, but it shouldn't. The fact is, thanks to the fast-paced editing of the film, and very sly humors of Jimmy McGovern (of controvertial "Priest"), which include ones with sexual nature -- little Liam had to witness his mother's naked body accidentally, and thinks he has committed a sin --the film is always watchable. You may call it a light-weight work from Frears (running time is about 90 minutes), but it has good acting all around, convincing production designs, and most of all Anthony Borrow's adorable Liam, which itself is worth your money. He has no previous acting experience, but you won't believe it after seeing his face.
Also good is Ian Hart, as always he is. But his final act as Dad, which is very drastic and melodramatic, looks out of tune, and certainly many of you might feel disappointed (and I was too). But I know a Japanese reviewer who pointed out that final conclusion shows an irony -- while Liam himself is terribly afraid of being burnt in hell, it is not he that receives that fate. Is the ending a right one? Please judge it for yourself.
Very gripping drama about a family in Liverpool, "Liam" tells you a thing or two about living there at that time, and influece of religion on the children. You may wonder why Teresa had to say "I'm sorry" while it is Dad that should say so. It is thus always engaing, and thought-provoking. If you didn't like "Angela's Ashes" (which I liked), you may go for it.


DECEPTIVE BOX COVER -- NO LAS VEGAS AT ALL -- CRUMMY MOVIEThe box cover image is deceptive. Amazon doesn't show a VHS box image at the time I am writing this, but they have an image for the DVD (and it's the same one). The box shows a man in a tuxedo, (Tony, the main character). The background is the LAS VEGAS STRIP. Right? It shows the strip looking from the vicinity of The Stratosphere looking toward The Mirage or so.
THERE IS NO LAS VEGAS IN THIS MOVIE AT ALL though. In fact, except for the last 20 seconds of the movie, THERE IS NO AMERICA IN THIS MOVIE EITHER.
The movie is weak. Its impossible to care about ANY of the characters. And goodness, what was the producer thinking having Tony go around throughout the movie wearing a ridiculous 20 dollar winter coat that looks like it belongs on a school kid?
He is not credible as a singer at all. The entire movie is Irish accents. Nothing but Irish accents. If you like that, then fine, but otherwise it will drive you out of your mind.
The singing was miserable. The version of My Way sung near the end was sickeningly bad.
Nobody acted well. The story is constantly absurd. The acting has no credibility. There is never a moment when you believe that these are real people in real situations.
Even when they are acting in a life or death situation, the acting is so bad that you will not for a second believe that they are living what they are acting.
AND THERE IS NO LAS VEGAS AT ALL.
The slippery slopeSoon, he is singing at the mob casinos, singing at their Christmas parties, and doors that were slammed shut in his face, mysteriously open.
There is a price to pay for this, and Cocozza pays it--little realizing where all this will inevitably lead until one incident presents him with a moral dilemma, and he is forced to make a choice.
Excellent film--excellent acting by all involved. I can't think of a film in recent years that portrayed the insidious moral seduction of a character so well.
Ian Hart does it his wayThere is not a bad performance in the film. Kelly Macdonald, Alun Armstrong and Brian Cox portray their characters wonderfully, but it is ultimately Ian Hart's movie and he doesn't disappoint. I also think he sings quite well.
Technically, there are no extras on the DVD which is a bit frustrating, but what can you do?

Jordan's cool remove captures the unease beneath formal manners but never warms into intimacy during the scenes between the lovers, even while Fiennes and Moore almost explode in repressed emotions, their faces cracking under their masks of civility and their resolve shaking through jittery body language. There's more thought than feeling behind this collision of passion and spirituality, but it's a sincere, richly realized portrait of ennui and rage against God energized by brief moments of shattering drama. --Sean Axmaker

Romantically intriguing
A beautiful and intelligent love story
great film
Jordan's cool remove captures the unease beneath formal manners but never warms into intimacy during the scenes between the lovers, even while Fiennes and Moore almost explode in repressed emotions, their faces cracking under their masks of civility and their resolve shaking through jittery body language. There's more thought than feeling behind this collision of passion and spirituality, but it's a sincere, richly realized portrait of ennui and rage against God energized by brief moments of shattering drama. --Sean Axmaker

Romantically intriguing
A beautiful and intelligent love story
great film

"It's a kind of magic"In terms of the acting, contrary to what other people claim here, Christopher Lambert's performance is first rate, and I think it a shame that he has subsequently appeared mostly in bad 1 1/2 star flicks and hasn't since had a real breakthrough in movies. Sean Connery adds real style to the movie with his acting, but it's a shame that he's in there for such a short time. Clancy Brown is as sinister as ever as Kurgan.
The visuals and effects are great by any standard and the swordfighting scenes are excellent
And WHO could possibly diss the rocking musical score by Queen? With such a strong opening theme ("Princes of the Universe") a truly emotional ballad ("Who Wants to Live Forever") and their smash hit single ("A Kind of Magic") just to name a few, you can't go wrong. If you learned about this movie just by being a Queen fan, and first watched the movie out of interest in their score (my situation), you're in for a real treat.
To fans of this movie who were disappointed by the latest transfer, My only suggestion is to wait a while for the Highlander Immortal Edition which will be released April 16, 2002. It promises better sound and picture quality, the uncensored Director's Cut, Commentary, and plenty of Queen material including music videos to their songs from this movie which are musical and visual masterpieces (I've seen them). Plus it's in anamorphic widescreen format, and anamorphic seems like a good way to go especially for a movie like this.
In any case, this movie is a winner and magic in it's strongest form. There can be only one.
There can be only one!The Immortal Edition will be packaged in a limited edition tin box, a feature Anchor Bay Entertainment is known for. With a second disc full of extras, this edition is a release no Highlander fan should miss.
"There can be only one", and it seems this is THE ONE!!
Just as good on the fifth as the first viewingThe premise, while seen elsewhere, is presented here with only a minimum of hokiness - no deep, theological, mythological or genetic explanations as to why the Eternals came to be - they just are. The switch between 16th century Scotland and modern America was deft and non-obtrusive. The acting was spectacular and bad boy Clancey Brown makes a strong, almost show stealing performance. But it is Lambert in all his quixotic dry wit and somber moods that is the icing on the cake.
Fantastic music - loved the ballade, great action scenes, just a perfect gem. Then they had to go and try to ruin it with all the follow-ups (garbage), a TV series (It DOESN'T grow on you) the action game (my youngest son said it was "crummy") and the Highlander toys. How many movies have directors "followed" by a catastrophic sequeal? Foreget all that stuff and buy or rent the DVD.


"It's a kind of magic"In terms of the acting, contrary to what other people claim here, Christopher Lambert's performance is first rate, and I think it a shame that he has subsequently appeared mostly in bad 1 1/2 star flicks and hasn't since had a real breakthrough in movies. Sean Connery adds real style to the movie with his acting, but it's a shame that he's in there for such a short time. Clancy Brown is as sinister as ever as Kurgan.
The visuals and effects are great by any standard and the swordfighting scenes are excellent
And WHO could possibly diss the rocking musical score by Queen? With such a strong opening theme ("Princes of the Universe") a truly emotional ballad ("Who Wants to Live Forever") and their smash hit single ("A Kind of Magic") just to name a few, you can't go wrong. If you learned about this movie just by being a Queen fan, and first watched the movie out of interest in their score (my situation), you're in for a real treat.
To fans of this movie who were disappointed by the latest transfer, My only suggestion is to wait a while for the Highlander Immortal Edition which will be released April 16, 2002. It promises better sound and picture quality, the uncensored Director's Cut, Commentary, and plenty of Queen material including music videos to their songs from this movie which are musical and visual masterpieces (I've seen them). Plus it's in anamorphic widescreen format, and anamorphic seems like a good way to go especially for a movie like this.
In any case, this movie is a winner and magic in it's strongest form. There can be only one.
There can be only one!The Immortal Edition will be packaged in a limited edition tin box, a feature Anchor Bay Entertainment is known for. With a second disc full of extras, this edition is a release no Highlander fan should miss.
"There can be only one", and it seems this is THE ONE!!
Just as good on the fifth as the first viewingThe premise, while seen elsewhere, is presented here with only a minimum of hokiness - no deep, theological, mythological or genetic explanations as to why the Eternals came to be - they just are. The switch between 16th century Scotland and modern America was deft and non-obtrusive. The acting was spectacular and bad boy Clancey Brown makes a strong, almost show stealing performance. But it is Lambert in all his quixotic dry wit and somber moods that is the icing on the cake.
Fantastic music - loved the ballade, great action scenes, just a perfect gem. Then they had to go and try to ruin it with all the follow-ups (garbage), a TV series (It DOESN'T grow on you) the action game (my youngest son said it was "crummy") and the Highlander toys. How many movies have directors "followed" by a catastrophic sequeal? Foreget all that stuff and buy or rent the DVD.


"It's a kind of magic"In terms of the acting, contrary to what other people claim here, Christopher Lambert's performance is first rate, and I think it a shame that he has subsequently appeared mostly in bad 1 1/2 star flicks and hasn't since had a real breakthrough in movies. Sean Connery adds real style to the movie with his acting, but it's a shame that he's in there for such a short time. Clancy Brown is as sinister as ever as Kurgan.
The visuals and effects are great by any standard and the swordfighting scenes are excellent
And WHO could possibly diss the rocking musical score by Queen? With such a strong opening theme ("Princes of the Universe") a truly emotional ballad ("Who Wants to Live Forever") and their smash hit single ("A Kind of Magic") just to name a few, you can't go wrong. If you learned about this movie just by being a Queen fan, and first watched the movie out of interest in their score (my situation), you're in for a real treat.
To fans of this movie who were disappointed by the latest transfer, My only suggestion is to wait a while for the Highlander Immortal Edition which will be released April 16, 2002. It promises better sound and picture quality, the uncensored Director's Cut, Commentary, and plenty of Queen material including music videos to their songs from this movie which are musical and visual masterpieces (I've seen them). Plus it's in anamorphic widescreen format, and anamorphic seems like a good way to go especially for a movie like this.
In any case, this movie is a winner and magic in it's strongest form. There can be only one.
There can be only one!The Immortal Edition will be packaged in a limited edition tin box, a feature Anchor Bay Entertainment is known for. With a second disc full of extras, this edition is a release no Highlander fan should miss.
"There can be only one", and it seems this is THE ONE!!
Just as good on the fifth as the first viewingThe premise, while seen elsewhere, is presented here with only a minimum of hokiness - no deep, theological, mythological or genetic explanations as to why the Eternals came to be - they just are. The switch between 16th century Scotland and modern America was deft and non-obtrusive. The acting was spectacular and bad boy Clancey Brown makes a strong, almost show stealing performance. But it is Lambert in all his quixotic dry wit and somber moods that is the icing on the cake.
Fantastic music - loved the ballade, great action scenes, just a perfect gem. Then they had to go and try to ruin it with all the follow-ups (garbage), a TV series (It DOESN'T grow on you) the action game (my youngest son said it was "crummy") and the Highlander toys. How many movies have directors "followed" by a catastrophic sequeal? Foreget all that stuff and buy or rent the DVD.


Entertaining wacky noirThe reason this all works is because Poe makes it obvious that this is, after all, a movie--that is, another piece of show business that's being used to show how the business itself is so cut-throat it makes killers of those scrambling within it for placement. There IS some humor here, the laugh-out loud kind, and there is the overall premise which is cleverly done, albeit in a somewhat cartoonish way. But the intensity of most of the dialogue more than makes up for whatever cartoonish elements may exist.
The cast here is a good one--and all of them (aside from the "impresario") are actors. Barbara Hershey is the least cartoonish of the characters, the mob boss' ex. John Leguizamo is her lover. Lisa Marie is another divorcee, also with a young kid. Debi Mazar, who gives the most unfortunately cliched monologue in the film, is the most desperate of the actors. Clarence Williams III--who cannot give a bad performance if he tries--HAS to play Teach, in American Buffalo, the mob boss' next show. And Harry Hamlin is the lowlife who is sure HE will play Teach. Also on hand are Mike Starr, Justin Theroux and Ron Perlman who do their New York characters proud--as does the rest of the cast--with real panache.
Poe is also poking fun here at David Mamet; all his characters have the same monosyllabic names that Mamet favors in his play American Buffalo which is the actors' focal point. So here we have Klench, Zip, Flav, Simone, Myrna (I lied; the women have two-syllable names), and Crush.
This is not a great film, but an amusing one, especially, maybe, for actors struggling to make it big in the Big Apple.
Not For The Stupid at Heart
this movie is great