I suppose critics can only concern themselves with what they see, rather than what's on the cutting room floor. And it's only their opinion after all! It's no wonder many actors don't read their reviews - let the public judge, I say; look at Fantastic Four!
In fact, I think that no matter how knowledgeable critics are, their reviews should not be taken as gospel truth, but rather as their author's opinions about a film (or book, etc.), and though it must be pleasing to receive good reviews, it is what the public think of a film that matters most.
I liked this review from CBBC (the BBC's Children's Channel)......especially their honesty.....
Any weak bits?
If you're a fan of the book, at first you might be a bit disappointed with the changes the film-makers have made.
The character of Robin is really different, and lots of characters have been left out.
But in the end you'll probably agree the changes have helped make the story a better film.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7870000/newsid_7870700/7870761.stm
One of the hardest things about adapting a book or a play is forgeting about what made it good in that media and try to take the parts that will make it a good movie. You just can't keep everything in. The Robin character does seem very different, but the change probably lends a bit of tension to the movie.
Thanks for the article. )
I agree with you. A book is not a movie. It's difficult to adapt a book into a movie.
Oh Dear, The Tory rags are out to get us.The Shun, known for it's wit and, ahem, intellectual ability :wink: is not impressed with Moonacre. A marvellous recommendation to see it, in my view!
But unlike those films, The Secret Of Moonacre lacks action, adventure and magic.
On top of that the acting from Dakota Blue Richards (as curse breaker Maria Merryweather) Ioan Gruffudd, Tim Curry and Juliet Stevenson is often painful to watch.
No matter how you measure quality in a kids’ movie, this is a failure.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/film/movie_reviews/article2209315.ece
And the Daily Maily, well known for it's rightwing, 'no-nonsense' views....
f only the script for The Secret Of Moonacre was on a level with its lovely production design.
Stodgily directed by former animator Gabor Csupo (The Bridge To Terabithia), it's slow, boring and bland, with a very uncertain feeling for period.
Tim Curry as the black-clad baddie looks ill-tempered and grim, as though in mourning for his movie career.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1136875/The-Secret-Moonacre-Fantasy-doesnt-come-feebler-this.html
Actually, that last line is pretty funny! But don't worry, my friends - the film may not win an Oscar, but it is certainly well worth seeing. Critics, Bah humbug!
Yo-Zoners living in Hertfordshire - if there are any - may be glad to learn that the Welwyn & Hatfield Times has teamed up with Odeon in Hatfield to offer tickets for a family of four to go and see The Secret of Moonacre. Details about the competition are to be found at
http://www.whtimes.co.uk/content/whtimes/news/movietrailers/story.aspx?brand=WHTOnline&category=MovieTrailers&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=MovieTrailersWHT&itemid=WEED05%20Feb%202009%2017%3A20%3A24%3A477
along with The Secret of Moonacre trailer.
At last, a decent review!
HE SECRET OF MOONACRE (PG)
DIRECTED BY: GABOR CSUPO
STARRING: IOAN GRUFFUDD, DAKOTA BLUE RICHARDS, TIM CURRY, NATASCHA McELHONE
HUNGARIAN-BORN animator-turned-filmmaker Csupo struck a chord with young audiences in 2007's pleasingly sincere Bridge To Terabithia. His follow-up – adapted from Elizabeth Goudge's novel The Little White Horse – resembles Rebecca for kiddiewinks, at least in its opening stages.
After her parents' death, young Maria Merryweather (Richards) is obliged to move – with her guardian Miss Heliotrope (Juliet Stevenson) –into the ill-kept mansion of her reclusive, slightly wooden uncle Gruffudd. There, mysteries begin to rack up: outsized dogs, unexplained bedside milk and cookies, pianos that play by themselves.
Csupo commendably holds back his effects shots, instead putting his efforts into superior costumes, production design and cinematography, finding plenty to marvel at in the woods surrounding Maria's new home.
Richards – fiery and inquisitive in hoop dresses – is allowed to be more interesting than she ever was in The Golden Compass, and though Stevenson has little to do but pass wind, there are at least two examples of perfect casting: Curry as a jowly black knight, and McElhone as a beautiful princess. It'll probably play better with girls than boys, but joins Terabithia and The Spiderwick Chronicles on that select list of well-told live-action family films of recent years.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/entertainment/Film-review-Bolt--Better.4953713.jp
Here's an interview with Dakota Blue Richards about the making of the film....
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a145842/dakota-blue-richards-secret-of-moonacre.html
Thanks girls for the interesting articles, which I never find in Belgium.
Sounds like she has a very healthy attitude toward the movie business, especially considering her age.
I was thinking the same thing,GG. Particularly when sh relates the story about the starfish making a difference. Very poised for one so young.
Yes, I agree Ladies, and she obviously impressed Ioan with her 'elegance',(see clip from Behind the Scenes video) although I did feel she could have emoted a little more on screen (in both SoM and TGC).
A little more behind the scenes info......I hadn't realised Moonacre was 10 years in the making!
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Bay-man-27m-blockbuster-movie-Moonacre/article-678822-detail/article.html