“The Full Monty” to “Gandhi”
The Full Monty (1997) A hilarious contemporary comedy that manages that rare thing of being able to make you laugh as it looked at serious social issues. The dynamics of the group of men is perfect (the scenes of the men rehearsing and standing in line at an office are fresh and very funny); this is the film made Robert Carlyle a leading man. (GS)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) Adapted from the Broadway musical in which Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers and Jack Gilford create their stage roles, this film is the perfect blend of comedy and slapstick, thanks to director Richard Lester. Well acted by everyone including Buster Keaton as Erronius, an old man who has been searching for his children since they were kidnapped by pirates years ago. (SF)
Galaxy Quest (1999) Aliens mistake a SF television transmissions as historical documents and kidnap the series stars in order to help them defeat their enemies. If you like SF TV, or more specifically Star Trek, you will enjoy the gentle parody of the cast in this clever SF comedy. (GS)
Gallipoli (1981) Peter Weirs engrossing WWI drama tells the story of two young sprinters (Mel Gibson and Mark Lee) who join up and meet their fate. Its a beautiful film, but its also very painful. It will shake you to the core. And that final shot will stay with you for a long time. (GS)
Gandhi (1982) The Academy does not always get it. Sometimes it does get it; this time it did. The world wide phenomenal pressure was too much to overcome. When was the last time a three-hour biographic was so overwhelming? Not since the days of biblical/gladiator epics of the 1950s and 1960s. This film has no comparison! It is recent history (first half of the prior century) when a quiet lawyer sent the British Empire upside down and re-introduced the world to the power of pacifism. This is a huge movie and a gigantic gamble that paid off. Major stars! Major production! Mohandas Karamchand Gandhis last words are the first words of this unforgettable experience. (KWR)
Originally published in Raspberry World – Volume 2, Issue 1 (June/July 2007)