Hilary Swank copes admirably in this portrait of the 1930s aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Very much a 'woman of her age', Earhart made the transition from courageous callow pilot to Great Depression era icon.
Uncritical maybe, but always easy watching entertainment.
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BOUND FOR GLORY (1976)
CertificationPG Our Rating
A gilded bio of the legendary balladeer, Woody Gutherie, and his hobo existence in 1930s depression-hit America. Beautifully shot and, as you would expect, with an amazing score, Bound For Glory is a loving recreation of Gutherie as an American icon, the people's poet bringing light and hope to the down trodden masses; a gentle, elegiac film far removed from director Hal Ashby's previous work.
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BOXCAR BERTHA (1972)
Certification15 Our Rating
The story of an Arkansas farm girl who, as a young girl, witnessed the death of her father in a horrific crash and then gained revenge on his boss. On the run she hits the road in a life of crime and meets up with an assortment of characters, including a trade unionist, a black friend of his and a small-time Yankee conman.
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CHAPLIN (1992)
Certification15 Our Rating
Robert Downey Jnr demonstrates his prowess by giving a riveting performance as the little master. The cast delivers despite a disjointed narrative, and Chaplin's fall from grace, brought down by McCarthyism is very moving. Kevin Kline is excellent as the flamboyant Fairbanks Jnr.
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CITIZEN KANE (1941)
CertificationU Our Rating
A landmark in the history of the cinema; it was ranked Number 1 in the American Film Institute's 100 greatest films of all time in two polls (1998 and 2007) of more than 1,500 film industry movers and shakers and again by UK directors in a BFI poll. "Citizen Kane" narrates the rise and fall of a newspaper tycoon driven by a childhood obssession and is loosely based round the life of William Randolph Hurst, who tried to have it banned, but incorporates elements from the lives of other fat cats il
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CITY OF WAR: THE STORY OF JOHN RABE (2009)
Certification15 Our Rating
'City of War' tells the story of Nazi Party member John Rabe now considered a German war hero for organising the protection zone that almost certainly saved the lives of over 200,000 Chinese whilst the Japanese killed a further 300,000 outside in the infamous Nanjing Massacre of 1937.
This workmanlike film is based on Rabe's diaries, but is somewhat loose with the truth and, it's interesting to note, was produced with the co-operation of the Chinese authorities, won lots of awards in Ger
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DE-LOVELY (2004)
Certification12 Our Rating
Kline and Judd combine well in this delightful homage to the life and times of Cole and Linda Porter, man and wife, composer and muse, a couple who led a life of glamour and indulged eccentricity. There's no shortage of the man's music, which is unfortunately sometimes murdered by using a series of unsuitable singers; "It's De-Lovely" by Robbie Williams, "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" by Alanis Morissette, "Begin The Beguine" by Sheryl Crow, "Let's Misbehave" by Elvis Costello, "Be a Clown"
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DELIUS - SONG OF SUMMER (1968)
CertificationPG Our Rating
Based on Eric Fenby's 1936 memoir 'Delius As I Knew Him', we follow the last five years of the composer, by now blind, paralysed, embittered and at war with the world, as Fenby helps him formulate into music the compositions he still has whirling around his mind. 'Delius - Song of Summer' is a powerful and moving story.
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FIGHTER IN THE WIND (2007)
Certification15 Our Rating
Based on the comic-book adventure detailing the events in the life of legendary Korean martial artist Choi Bae-dal.
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FUNNY LADY (1968)
CertificationU Our Rating
Now divorced from wealthy Nick Arnstein, Fanny teams up with songwriter Billy Rose, a brash showman bursting with enthusiasm and theatrical ambitions. They make an unusual couple, the polished performer and the upstart producer, but their friendship gradually blossoms into love. Funny Lady lacks the freshness and energy of the original Funny Girl but there are still some dazzling production numbers and Caan and Streisand make a believably feisty couple.
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