Howards End (1992)

A businessman thwarts his wife's bequest of an estate to another woman.

A successful adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel about moral hypocrisy thanks to a wonderful cast and tasteful production.

On renewed viewing: a classic of its own kind; always worth a rewatch.

Halliwell***: "The best of the adaptations of Forster's novels, in which the nostalgia is undercut by an examination of the moral bankruptcy of the ruling class."

Maltin****: "Sumptuous, stimulating adaptation of E.M Forster's novel of class distinction...Extraordinarily good on every level." 

Deep Impact (1998)

Unless a comet can be destroyed before colliding with Earth, only those allowed into shelters will survive.

Mediocre and quite tedious doomsday movie that makes one long for the apocalypse - and disappoints in that aspect, too.



On renewed viewing: If you don't take it too seriously, the movie can be mildly entertaining.

Halliwell*: "Something of a feel-bad disaster movie, in which the world is almost destroyed, while the audience is slowly drowned in the sticky syrup of sentimentality. What is truly striking is the poverty of imagination: the end of all life is a theme worth more than the trivial psychodramas on display."

Maltin***: "Exciting yarn...Freeman is the rock-solid U.S. president, Duvall a veteran astronaut on a space mission to explode the comet; their authorative presence adds weight to this saga, while Leoni seems a bit of a flyweight as the ambitious TV newswoman who breaks the story."

Bear Island (1979)

On the remote Norwegian Bear Island, used as a submarine base by the Germans during WW2, an U.N. scientist sends a distress signal using an emergency NATO frequency and is received by scientific vessel Morning Rose.

Good example how a production with top credentials results into a mediocre product.

Halliwell (no star): "Highly implausible adventure yarn, indifferently presented."

Maltin*1/2: "One of Alistair MacLean's best novels became one of his worst movies...Strong cast, capable director and scenic locations come to naught."

The Butler (2013)

A butler serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man's life, family, and American society.

Sprawling dramatic life story exemplifying the civil right's era with its conflicts and inner contradictions, at times heartwrenching, then polemical and sometimes simplifying; it offers good performances all around and leaves a memorable impression.

Maltin***: "Surprisingly effective as a metaphor for that emotional journey, thanks to superior acting by a dazzling ensemble...although it does veer towards soap opera near the end. Winfrey is exceptional in an unself-conscious performance as Whitaker's loyal (but tested) wife.. On the White House side, the casting is novel and intriguing; Rickman and Fonda are perfect as Ronald and Nancy Reagan."

Deep Impact (1998)

Unless a comet can be destroyed before colliding with Earth, only those allowed into shelters will survive.

Mediocre and quite tedious doomsday movie that makes one long for the apocalypse - and disappoints in that aspect, too.

Halliwell*: "Something of a feel-bad disaster movie, in which the world is almost destroyed, while the audience is slowly drowned in the sticky syrup of sentimentality. What is truly striking is the poverty of imagination: the end of all life is a theme worth more than the trivial psychodramas on display."

Maltin***: "Exciting yarn...Freeman is the rock-solid U.S. president, Duvall a veteran astronaut on a space mission to explode the comet; their authorative presence adds weight to this saga, while Leoni seems a bit of a flyweight as the ambitious TV newswoman who breaks the story."

Vanessa Redgrave

The Devils (1971)

In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier seeks to protect the city of Loudun from the corrupt establishment of Cardinal Richelieu, but hysteria occurs within the city when he is accused of witchcraft by a sexually repressed nun.

Over-the-top blasphemous and deliberately in bad taste, this infamous movie seems likewise as possessed and fevered as the hysteria it depicts.

Halliwell**: "Despite undeniable technical proficiency this is its writer-director's most outrageously sick film to date, campy, idiosyncratic and in howling bad taste from beginning to end, full of worm-eaten skulls, masturbating nuns, gibbering courtiers, plague sores, rats and a burning to death before our very eyes...plus a sacrilegious dream of Jesus."

Maltin**1/2: "Fine performances save confused mixture of history, comedy, and surrealism...A mad movie, with fiery finale not for the squeamish."

Agatha (1979)

A fictional account of the real life, eleven day, never explained 1926 disappearance of famed murder mystery writer Agatha Christie.

What could have been an interesting mystery with a great cast turns out to be a not too exciting romance.

Halliwell*: "Lushly recreated but still imaginary and unconvincing solution to a real-life disappearance, complete with romantic encounter with an American newspaperman."

Maltin***: "...Redgrave is superb in this absorbing yarn, Hoffman miscast as smooth American reporter who tracks her down."

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