Emma. (2020)

 

 

In 1800s England, a well meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends. 

 

This is a solid, lively and entertaining adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, maybe not the best, but it has great performances and excellent period detail.

 

 

The Bookshop (2017)

England 1959. In a small East Anglian town, Florence Green decides, against polite but ruthless local opposition, to open a bookshop.

Sad, melancholic tale is presented in a pedestrian pace, but has a good cast and period details and a heartbreaking ending.

The Boat That Rocked (2009)

A band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that wanted classical music, and nothing else, on the airwaves.

Likeable dramedy with not much of a story, but with its lively, offbeat cast and the music does make it a feelgood watch.

Maltin**: "It's staffed by a colorful bunch of oddballs...Unfortunately, once the film sets its premise it goes nowhere. Good cast and a soundtrack full of oldies can only help so much."

I, Frankenstein (2014)

Frankenstein's creature finds himself caught in an all-out, centuries old war between two immortal clans.

Embarrasingly blatant attempt to turn Mary Shelley's beloved classic figure into a superhero franchise, made with the proper aplomp for the occasion and a nonsensical story.

Maltin*1/2: "Hopelessly contrived story...Good effects can't disguise what is basically another soulless UNDERWORLD-style exercise, using the movies' most famous horror creation to sell it. Eckhart is physically up to the task and gives his all,to no avail."