Comedy
Horrible Histories: The Movie. Rotten Romans (2019). Film review of the spoof historical epic
Roman epic
Ben-Hur: summary reviews of all big-screen versions of Ben-Hur, 1907-2016.
Film reviews by Jason Day of all four big screen versions of Ben-Hur, 1907-2016.
Ben-Hur (2016)
Director: Timur Bekmambetov.
Synopsis
Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) is a Prince of Judea. Messala (Toby Kebbell) is his adoptive brother and they are the best of friends. But Messala is Roman and he yearns for glory in his homeland to distinguish himself. He leaves and returns years later, hoping Judah will work with him to quell uprisings in Judea. When Judah refuses, Messala vindictively has him consigned to the galleys as a slave and imprisons his family. Judah must summon every ounce of strength to survive and prevail.
Review, by Jason Day
The production team behind this latest dusting off of Lew Wallace’s mighty 1880 bestseller at least deserve kudos for having the balls to take on William Wyler’s epochal, box-office smashing, 11 Oscar-winning, mammoth-in-all-departments adaptation.
Quite why they decided to do it is another matter; one has to hope given how this is currently limping along at cinemas that deliberate career suicide wasn’t one of them.
There are elements to be admired here, the galley sequences, the heaving hustle and bustle of ancient Judea and a trimmed down story (two hour duration compared to 3 hours and 42 minutes) but in the scramble to make a ‘new’ version of the old story, a certain amount of confusion and lack of focus has crept in.
The all-defining chariot race sequence is where such films redeem themselves, but what we have here is nothing short of a dull afternoon at the dog-tracks.
It’s interesting to note that, with all the technical wizardry at a filmmaker’s fingers, the sequence has less impact than the 1925 silent version.
For more, read the full review: http://bit.ly/BenHurFilm2016
Ben-Hur (1959)
Director: William Wyler.
It was always going to be difficult to out-epic the most famous version of Ben-Hur, but it’s not just the scale of this film that impresses the most.
This is a film to listen to as it is blessed with the most poetic of dialogue. Considering the script was cobbled together from the efforts of several writers, its clear and beautiful cohesiveness is to be even more admired.
Wyler had the funds to make a splendid film and from the lush, Imperial score all the way down to the smallest of props, this has the ring of perfection chiming through every frame.
Yes, it’s a long film and it has been said by other critics that it lasts almost as long as the Roman Empire, but it’s a rewarding journey none the less on many levels.
For more: http://bit.ly/BenHur1959
Ben-Hur (1925).
Director: Fred Niblo.
MGM’s first stab at making Ben-Hur almost bankrupted the newly-fledged company, but they managed to off-set many potential losses and showed their mettle as a serious studio that could handle a film of any size.
It’s about as big a film as you can get and you can tick off all of the key elements to make a Ben-Hur and a few more.
This film was made before the days of national cinema censorship so it’s the raciest Ben-Hur with male nudity, bare-breasted female extras and star Ramon Novarro’s lovely toned legs in micro-skirts so short you can almost see his little tribune.
The exciting chariot race still stands up to scrutiny today in a film that, despite its melodrama is still thunderously good.
For more: http://bit.ly/BenHur1925
Ben-Hur (1907).
Director: Sidney Olcott et al.
I wanted to include the ‘little great-grandaddy’ of Ben-Hurs as much for continuity and also consistency – why shouldn’t a film made before most of the techniques now used in cinema were developed?
Well, in a sense perhaps I should have left it out as it isn’t a film in the usual sense of the word, but more a filmed version of a stage play.
But within its creaky, theatrical set-up there is a cute, almost naive value to it. I’ve given this the same star rating as the 2016 version as both films in their own way help to pass the time. This one, at 15 minutes, does it rather more swiftly.
For more: http://bit.ly/BenHur1907
Cast & credits (2016 only)
Producers: Mark Burnett, Sean Daniel, Duncan Henderson, Joni Levin.
Writers: Keith R. Clarke, John Ridley.
Camera: Oliver Wood.
Music: Marco Beltrami.
Sets: Naomi Shohan.
Writers: Keith R. Clarke, John Ridley.
Camera: Oliver Wood.
Music: Marco Beltrami.
Sets: Naomi Shohan.
Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro, Morgan Freeman, Nazanin Boniadi, Ayelet Zurer, Pilou Asbæk, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Marwan Kenzari, Moises Arias, James Cosmo.
Ben-Hur (2016). Some good things are in this remake of a remake of a remake, so why isn’t it that epic?
Film review by Jason Day of Ben-Hur, the ancient Rome epic starring Jack Huston as a Jewish Prince deceived and enslaved by his vindictive former best friend Messala (Toby Kebbell).
Historical/Period/Epic
Ben-Hur (1959). I gave this 5/5, so read my review for why this mighty epic is worth a look.
Film review by Jason Day of Ben-Hur, the Roman-era set epic about a Jewish Prince who is forced into slavery before becoming a champion chariot racer for his enemy. Starring Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd, directed by William Wyler.
Historical/Period/Epic
Ben-Hur: A Tale Of the Christ (1925). A worthy chariot-racing partner to Charlton Heston, so read what’s good and bad about it here.
Film review by Jason Day of the second silent film adaptation of Ben-Hur, the Lew Wallace bestselling novel about a Jewish Prince (Roman Novarro) who is deceived by his childhood friend (Francis X. Bushman) and made into a galley ship rowing slave. Directed by Fred Niblo.
Silent
Ben-Hur (1907). How does the great-Granddaddy of Ben-Hur’s compare to the others?
Film review by Jason Day of Ben-Hur, the original, 1907 silver screen version of the story about boyhood friends who become enemies in ancient Rome.
Historical/Period/Epic
New fims released in the UK on Friday 2 September 2016. Use our list to start planning your movie weekend.
A list of the new films released across the UK, from Friday 2 September 2016. The big releases are Ben Hur and Sausage Party. Use the Find Any Film website for details of which cinema nearest to you will show these movies.
To like this post, comment on it or follow this blog, please scroll to the bottom.
Use the search function on the left of the screen to look for other reviews and updates.
Ben Hur
Released across the UK on Wednesday 7 September in 3D, this big-screen remake of William Wyler’s multi-Oscar winning 1959 epic and Fred Niblo’s equally esteemed 1926 silent version, has a high-class pedigree to live up to.
The making of the first two films has cemented their places in Hollywood lore, so will director Timur Bekmambetov (Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter), tackle them head on, or kneel in their presence? Was it wise to splash $100 million on a Roman-era epic when the genre has long been out of fashion?
Jack Huston, in the title role, has what seems an insurmountable task in taking on Charlton Heston and Ramon Novarro, as does Toby Kebbel in the old Stephen Boyd/Francis X. Bushman role of Messala. It will be showing in almost all UK cinemas. See the official Paramount website for more.
Hail, Caesar! (2016). Why should you see this film? Read this review for more.
Film review by Claire Durrant of the comedy Hail, Caesar! starring Josh Brolin as a Hollywood ‘fixer’ who has to juggle a number of cinematic disasters, including the kidnapping of a leading man (George Clooney).
Comedy
New films out in the UK…Friday 4 March 2016
A list of the new films being released across the UK, from Friday 4 March 2016. Use the Find Any Film website for details of which cinema nearest to you will show these movies.
To like this post, comment on it or follow this blog, please scroll to the bottom.
Use the search function on the left of the screen to look for other reviews and updates.
The Choice
Author Nicholas Sparks’ (The Notebook, The Best Of Me, et al) chronicling of young love continues with this adaptation of his novel about a young couple who fall in love until the girl’s involvement in a car accident upends their lives. See the official website for more; this will be showing all over the UK.
Hail, Caesar!
The big release of the week is the Cohen brothers’ latest comedy about the kidnapping for ransom of a major Hollywood star (George Clooney) who is bumbling his way through a big budget, ancient Rome epic. Josh Brolin plays real-life producer Eddie Mannix, Scarlett Johansson is an Esther Wlliams style actress and Tilda Swinton is the gloriously named gossip columnist Thessaly Thacker. See the official website for the trailer and details; it will be playing all over the UK.
The Other Side Of the Door
The Walking Dead‘s Sarah Wayne Callies stars in this horror. A tragic accident takes the life of a family’s young son. The inconsolable mother learns of an ancient ritual that will bring him back to say a final goodbye. She travels to an ancient temple, where a door serves as a mysterious portal between two worlds. But when she disobeys a sacred warning to never open that door, she upsets the balance between life and death. See the Fox webpage for more. The film will be showing across the UK, but use Find Any Film for your nearest cinema.
Hitchcock/Truffaut
We rather liked this documentary about French New Wave director Francois Truffaut’s interviews with (and subsequent book about) the film director Alfred Hitchcock. Read our review above for more, but the film is now out on general release, showing at these key cities.
Truth
Journalism is currently the hot topic in cinemas, the release of this film coming hot on the heels of Spotlight winning Best Film at the recent Oscars. This movie follows a scoop about a US President who is alleged to have shirked his war duties. But, in the cold light of media analysis, does the evidence stand up to scrutiny? Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett star. It will have a wide release, so check Find Any Film for your nearest participating movie venue. The official website has the lowdown.
Goodnight Mommy
In the heat of the summer in a lonesome house in the countryside, nine year old twin brothers await their mother’s return. When she comes home, bandaged after cosmetic surgery, nothing is like before and the children start to doubt whether this woman is actually who she says she is. Showing at key cities only, check out the trailer to see if this one for you.
Time Out Of Mind
Richard Gere plays a man who finds himself suddenly living on the streets. He befriends a season veteran of homelessness and begins to repair his relationship with his estranged daughter. Showing at key cities only, check out Cold Iron’s webpage for the trailer.
And on Thursday 10 March…
The Divergent Series: Allegiant
The sci-fi series continues, Beatrice and Tobias venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Theo James and Shailene Woodley co-star. See the official website for more, this will be showing at just about every cinema in the UK.
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