Comments on: State Of Play Review

By: Red Dawn Remake Gets Tony Gilroy Rewrite, New Cast Members - Screen Rant

Red Dawn Remake Gets Tony Gilroy Rewrite, New Cast Members - Screen Rant — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:21:27 +0000

[...] Michael Clayton (which Gilroy also directed); and, more recently, the wonderfully underrated State of Play. If Gilroy is indeed the final pen on the Red Dawn script, then this remake has successfully [...]

By: Niall

Niall — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:51:31 +0000

I’ve just watched the BBC series and I have to say that it’s outstanding.

I was correct in my thoughts on the Affleck character -there’s much more detail in the series.

If you like the film make sure that you see the original show, or if you liked the series then you should check out the film – they compliment each other.

Niall

By: Mat D.

Mat D. — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:56:14 +0000

I saw this earlier this week and I was thoroughly impressed…I have the BBC series in my netflix queue and am looking forward to watching that. The film is great, it’s one of those rare films that everyone that has a role, regardless of how big or small, nails it dead on. Jeff Daniels is a self important Congressman and he has maybe 5 minutes of screen time and I wanted to hit him with a brick. I give it a 4 out of 5

By: Paul Jordan

Paul Jordan — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:34:02 +0000

I actually thought Helen Mirren’s performance in this film was quite good (and funny) – though not as letter-perfect as her performances in the Prime Suspect series.

I particularly loved her reading of the line: “Don’t look at me with those dewy cub reporter eyes. It’s nauseating.” The line itself is not really that funny when you read it on the page but, her voice inflection, pitch and timy make it hilarious – the theater audience was practically rolling in the aisles.

Most of the other performances were good as well. Shockingly, even Ben Affleck wasn’t his usual wooden self (though not quite on par with the other actors.)

What ruined this film is the cliched (and implausible) ending.

By: Adam Whitehead

Adam Whitehead — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:27:37 +0000

I’m interested in seeing it. The original mini-series is arguably the best British drama series of the past decade with a cast that has gone to huge things, such as a pre-fame James McAvoy, ROME’s Polly Walker, Billy Nighy (in the Helen Mirren role) and John Simm and Philip Glenister, who both went on to fame in the original UK version of LIFE ON MARS, and the much-underrated David Morrissey in the Affleck role (which is indeed much bigger in the original). All reports are that the movie does a good job of transferring the action to the USA and keeping the spirit of the story intact.

By: vid

vid — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:14:33 +0000

Haven’t seen it but was interested. I remember early reviews on rotten tomatoes being not so favorable but when it finally opened i think the tomato meter rose to above 80% but before it was much lower.

By: Niall

Niall — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:56:53 +0000

I’m glad that people watching State of Play are enjoying it.
It’s a good old fashioned thriller that really does deserve an audience.

Sigh…maybe on DVD.

Niall

By: Barbara Bartlett

Barbara Bartlett — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:14:43 +0000

I saw this movie last night. It is an excellent movie. Superb acting on the part of Russell, Ben & Rachel. It was a spell-binding movie and the twist at the end just capped it off. Super movie.

By: Manowar

Manowar — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:35:31 +0000

very enjoyable movie. Some really good performances too. Good plot with a very surprising twist in the end…

For sure worth checking out if you haven’t.

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:42:35 +0000

Nice job Niall.
I really enjoyed the film.

By: marie

marie — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:18:25 +0000

it’s a great movie. I didn’t even mind Ben Affleck that much.

By: Daniel F

Daniel F — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:53:01 +0000

I’ve actually been wanting to watch this, but so many big movies coming to the theater lately haven’t really gotten the chance to see it. I really like Russel Crowe the story is interesting and I’m willing to admit this I’m a fan of Ben Affleck. I think he gets a lot of unnecesary hate. He is a good actor that has made some bad choices or some straight of money choices. Though he has made some good choices as well. All his Kevin Smith work I have enjoyed. I thought he was decent in Dare Devil and all my problems with that film had nothing to do with him. I liked Smoking Aces (he had a small part though) , Surviving Christmas, Reindeer games, Changing lanes and he was in two of my guilty pleasures that I hate to admit Paycheck and Pearl Harbor. Not to mention outside of acting he did the amazing movie Gone Baby Gone which I thought was a brilliant film.

Anyway want to see this.

By: Andy S

Andy S — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:06:44 +0000

MY GF and I have a couple of free movie passes, maybe we’ll check this one out since she really doesn’t like the action/shoot-em-up films that much. Thanks for the review Niall!!

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:45:14 +0000

Oh ok didn’t check as for who the article was written by, that’s cool then.

By: Vic Holtreman

Vic Holtreman — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:11:22 +0000

Yeah, sorry on the lateness. I didn’t have a chance to see it and it opened later in the UK (that’s where Niall is from). He asked if I’d be interested in a review and I said “sure.”

Vic

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:48:11 +0000

I saw it opening weekend and liked it, very good performances all around, a couple of great ones in fact.

But why the late review? It came out like 3 weeks ago didn’t it?

By: cat

cat — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:44:51 +0000

I’m hearing good things about this movie, including this review, but I’m starting to sour on Russell Crowe and never liked Ben Affleck (except in Good Will Hunting) but I’ll give it a look.