Category Archives: 2000s

Reviews of and posts about films released between 2000 and 2009.

Happy Feet (2006)

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2007 #40
George Miller | 104 mins | DVD | U / PG

Happy FeetWhile it might not be in quite the same league as The Incredibles or Finding Nemo, this year’s Animated Oscar-winner does have a few things going for it.

There are a couple of enjoyable songs, a few exciting action sequences, and even some bits that actually make you laugh. Couple this with a positive (if improbable) pro-environment message, and an even better anti-religious one that’s only half-hidden, and you have an entertaining film for kids that grown-ups will find something in too.

4 out of 5

On Channel 5 today, Sunday 27th July 2014, at 4:55pm.

Secretary (2002)

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2007 #34
Steven Shainberg | 107 mins | DVD | 18 / R

SecretaryI seem to recall reading that Secretary attempts to depict a realistic and sympathetic dominant/submissive relationship. Unfortunately this seems to come a bit unstuck with the feeling that the relationship is initially based in an emotionally (and physically) abusive act against a clearly vulnerable character, leaving the following events and mutually loving resolution tinged with a hint of something akin to Stockholm Syndrome, in my opinion.

Well acted and all, but fundamentally flawed.

3 out of 5

Chocolat (2000)

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Chocolat2007 #32
Lasse Hallström | 117 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

Although not the lead character this time, Judi Dench once again revels in playing an old lady who can say what she likes, in this pleasant adaptation of Joanne Harris’ novel.

It’s a neat little story about acceptance that doesn’t suffer for its occasionally episodic plot or sometimes quaint depiction of French small-town life.

(I was occasionally distracted spotting the sci-fi/fantasy credentials of the cast. But that’s just me.)

4 out of 5

American Dreamz (2006)

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2007 #33
Paul Weitz | 103 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

American DreamzThis loosely satirical comedy from the director of such diverse fare as American Pie and About a Boy sees Dennis Quaid’s Bush-growing-a-brain President agree to be a guest judge on Hugh Grant’s Simon-Cowell-with-looks TV talent show that features Mandy Moore’s moral-less wannabe and Sam Golzari’s Iraqi potential-suicide-bomber as contestants.

It’s pretty much as loopy as that sounds, though not as clever as it thinks it is. It starts well, the quality dips as it takes too long to get to the actual contest, but the ending manages to redeem things.

3 out of 5

Mrs Henderson Presents (2005)

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2007 #31
Stephen Frears | 99 mins | DVD | 12 / R

Mrs Henderson PresentsJudi Dench is clearly having a whale of a time in this 1930s-set comedy about a 70-year-old widow who starts up a nude revue.

It begins as light comedy with a gently risque edge (rather in-keeping with its subject matter!), but things get a tad serious when the war hits. Luckily the film finds its lightness again in time for the ending, which is much more suited to the general tone.

All told it’s simply a bit of fun, but its overall quality just about nudges it into a four.

4 out of 5

Mrs Henderson Presents is on BBC Two tonight, Sunday 14th December 2014, at 10:30pm.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

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2007 #30
Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris | 97 mins | DVD | 15 / R

Little Miss SunshinePeople will tell you this is a comedy, when really it’s a comedy-drama. A TV critic once said, not wrongly, that a comedy-drama is something that isn’t especially funny nor especially dramatic so tries to do both.

Luckily, Little Miss Sunshine is frequently laugh-out-loud hilarious, from the opening dinner scene to the send-up of inherently paedophilic beauty pageants at the climax (so hilarious it almost single-handedly pushed my mark up to a five). There’s also some competent drama threaded through to make that side worthwhile. And I suspect that loveable little Abigail Breslin was more deserving of the Oscar than that irritating Jennifer Hudson.

4 out of 5

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

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2007 #28
Tommy Lee Jones | 116 mins | DVD | 15 / R

The Three Burials of Melquiades EstradaEmpire gave this film one of their five-star reviews, immediately making me want to see it. Shame they overrated it then.

A confused first act (which jumps about in chronology for no discernible reason) gives way to a more linear second two that, while more pleasing, seem to do away with major characters for no reason other than the plot ran out of things for them to do.

The film has its moments, and some pretty views, but five-star it ain’t.

3 out of 5

Crash: Director’s Cut (2004)

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2007 #27a
Paul Haggis | 115 mins | DVD | 15

Crash: Director's CutOK, I must confess, this one is something of a cheat — I’ve seen Crash before, and whilst some ‘director’s cuts’ can be vastly different, this one is only around two minutes longer. But I'll take any chance I can get to go on about how this is a much better and more Oscar-deserving piece than a certain overrated film about gay cowboys.

In my opinion this is a film that should be seen, not necessarily for its message, but for its quality in terms of performance, direction, etc.

5 out of 5

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

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2007 #27
George Clooney | 109 mins | TV | 15 / R

Confessions of a Dangerous MindGeorge Clooney’s directorial debut is part biopic, part comedy, and part spy thriller.

It’s the last part that works best, but perhaps that’s just because I have a predilection for spy thrillers; that said, the filmmakers would seem to agree as, after a late appearance in the plot, it comes to dominate its climax. It’s also nicely shot, especially the excursions to Europe.

I would recommend it (though not quite as heartily as Clooney’s second film, the excellent Good Night, and Good Luck).


4 out of 5

Flight 93 (2006)

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2007 #26
Peter Markle | 85 mins | DVD | 12 / PG-13

Flight 93Oh dear.

The Other Film About United 93 is just that. With poor acting, pedestrian direction, dreadful effects, and a young child in every single scene involving a relative, this film is infinitely inferior to Paul Greengrass’ United 93. Where that was subtle, realistic and moving, this is over-worked, cheesy and laughable — yes, laughable; we spent half the running time taking the piss out of it! Not good for a film about a tragedy.

Some have called this a worthy companion piece to United 93. It’s not. United 93 is essential; Flight 93 you can take or, preferably, leave.

1 out of 5

Flight 93 featured on my list of The Five Worst Films I Saw in 2007, which can be read in full here.