The History Boys - funny, charming and intelligent

Advantages: Superb performances from a strong cast
Disadvantages: None really

...WHAT IS IT: The History Boys is a 2006 film based on the play of the same name by Alan Bennett. It was directed by Nicholas Hytner (who also directed the original production of Bennett?s play) and stars the cast of the original production. The story follows 8 boys taking an extra term after A Levels to prepare them for the entrance exams for Oxford and Cambridge. They are under the tutelage of flamboyantly eccentric General Studies teacher Hector, dry witted History teacher Mrs Lintott and the young and enthusiastic teacher hired to help them get in, Irwin. The boys struggle with the vast amount of work they need to do and come to realise that they have to be able to offer more than their academic skills. STYLE: Set in the early 80s, the film sets its context using the music that the boys would listen to as its soundtrack. Most...

jesperado77 22.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of The History Boys (DVD)

History of the ashes sport dvd

Advantages: Read Opp
Disadvantages: Read Opp

...history of the ashes Back in eighteen eighty two a test match series between england and australia started a regular feature for cricket fans. The eighteen eighty two series provided a victory for england, and it was the australian's who got a request granted to play a fourth test match, and whilst they won, it was england who got to keep the famous ern where the ashes are kept. The series is played every two years, though only once every four years back here in England. this dvd lasts two hours eleven minutes, and it provides a historical platform in terms of cricketing. clips shown of great catches, supreme batting performances, and legendary bowlers of cricket's all time, hall of cricketing fame. The dvd also is interesting to see how world war one and two affected english cricket. the results of the ashes are mainly...

costas1234 25.04.2008 (19.06.2009) · Read review
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Review of History Of The Ashes (DVD)

American History X

Advantages: Edward Norton; Dialogue; Tension; Story
Disadvantages: Propaganda

..."We're so hung up on this notion that we have some obligation to help the struggling black man, you know. Cut him some slack until he can overcome these historical injustices. It's crap. I mean, Christ, Lincoln freed the slaves, like, what? 130 years ago. How long does it take to get your act together?" --Derek Vinyard Edward Norton is one of those rare contemporary actors that you know whatever movie he's going to be in it's going to be good. American History X is by no means an exception, with Norton phenomenal in his performance as an ex-neo-Nazi attempting to prevent his brother from pursuing the path he did. Edward Furlong (Terminator 2) plays the young skinhead Danny Vinyard, criticised by his teacher (Avery Brooks) for turning in a paper on Mein Kampf. The black teacher then instructs Danny to create a report...

andycarrington 10.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

History Deary not Dreary.

Advantages: Fun and informative
Disadvantages: none

...I bought "Ten Horrible Histories" from a book club we run at school. They cost me £10 for the set which was an excellent bargain. They are marked at £4.99 each. The books are paperback with approximately 127/130 pages in each. They are easy and interesting to read for young children with a reading age of about eight. Boys of this age especially, sometimes find reading boring just as the author states that history can be boring. All of the books have a contents and introduction page. The books are interesting and very cleverly written. If a child finds reading a page of text difficult they can read the comic strip or the jokes and an adult could share the book with them by reading the text. There are quizzes and in some books questions to ask the teacher, so the teacher must read the book too! There are rhyme words, lists...

teacherofhooch 19.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Horrible Histories

American History X

Advantages: Great plot, superb characters and a theme that needed to be discussed
Disadvantages: violent

...Well my next review again is another film that was made during the 90's. Gosh they really don't make films like they use to. I must admit ive only seen this film twice once in high school and once with my friends, and both times the film just gives you a sense of shock. The film im going to review is the 1998, critically acclaimed "American History X", directed by Tony Kaye and Edward Norton and Edward Furlong. Ok two quick recaps here, Edward Furlong is the guy who was John Connor in Terminator 2, however just a wee bit more older in this film, but he still looks the same. We then have Edward Norton; you might recognise him from his earlier work in Primal Fear and The People vs. Larry Flynt I must admit this review will talk about some cruel and in some cases sadistic scenes, and for that I apologise if it causes any offence...

jaygami1986 08.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

History at Keele

Advantages: Great scenery, fun lecturers, wide range of topics
Disadvantages: Disorganistion of admin

...I'm a current second year at Keele University studying American Studies and History. I love the place, it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere and that suits me to a t. History has always been a passion of mine and I love spending my spare time visiting museums and reading books, so a degree studying the subject seemed a good idea to me! The history department at Keele is pretty much like any other department in Keele - pretty disorganised but run by a fantastic bunch of people! The secretaries in the office are great and answer any queries quickly and the lecturers range from grumpy old sods to young "hip" PHD student lecturers. So there's a wide range of learning for all. *Year One* All first year history students study a set outline. In the first semester this involves 'Modern History', which is mostly taught through 10...

nutter_but_nice 04.04.2007 · Read review
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Review of History

Telling the history of the nation with enjoyment

Advantages: Well-told history
Disadvantages: None

...briefly at the latter year, taking in the first few months of Gordon Brown's leadership and the press's reaction to Madeleine McCann's tragic disappearance, among other events. The accent is largely on politics, but with entertaining diversions into the changing social landscape of Britain, ?the land of lost content? of the 1950s, the growth of the motorway, the rise of the consumer society, the impact of James Bond as a contemporary icon, the swinging sixties, and the growth of the internet. Marr is a kindly writer and he sees positive qualities in all the politicians he writes about, as well as offering pithy insights into the major players. Although some of her measures were controversial at the time, Barbara Castle is hailed as a heroine of our motoring history for introducing speed limits and the breathalyser, the 'friendless' Edward...

JOHNV 10.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of A History of Modern Britain - Andrew Marr

A History of Violence with a coffeepot

Advantages: Great acting, good plot on the whole
Disadvantages: Confusing at times, could have been better

...The role of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings films seems to have led to full exposure for Viggo Mortenson. The 2005 film 'A History of Violence' directed by David Cronenberg has Mortenson as the lead in an intricately woven gangster film, and features a good cast and some top acting. It is 92 minutes long. The Plot Tom Spall and his wife and two children lead a quiet life in the small town of Millbrook. Tom works in their cafe, and one day foils a robbery by an act of heroism. Surrounded by local media who are keen to get the exclusive on some action in a town where nthing ever happens, Tom's face ends up on local and national TV. This leads to a series of events that would have anyone asking questions. Tom is confronted by a mysterious 'stranger', Carl Fogarty, who seems to believe Tom is someone he is not - a former gangster...

pmcds 14.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of The History Of Violence (DVD)

Making History Enjoyable

Advantages: An intelligently crafted film
Disadvantages: Extras not worth watching repeatedly

...When I sat down over Christmas 2007 to watch a BBC showing of "The History Boys", I did so with no real expectations. I was aware it was written by Alan Bennett, who was someone I was aware of, but whose work had largely passed me by. I also knew that it had started life as a highly successful play, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. I thought it would make for acceptable enough background noise as I read my book, never thinking that not only would the book be forgotten that night, but that the DVD would soon go straight onto my Amazon Wishlist and soon become part of my collection. In 1980s Sheffield, eight students at Cutler's Grammar School have gained the best A-Level results the school has ever seen. Keen to go to either Oxford or Cambridge Universities, they return for an extra term to study for the entrance exams...

Soho_Black 25.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of The History Boys (DVD)

american history x

Advantages: true to life very strong
Disadvantages: could have made a follow up

...This film is one of the best films ever made the story is exellent and is very true to life, I have bought american history x and i realy enjoy it and its a film that can be watched time and time again, the endin is good because there could have been a follow up but there wasn't one made. American history x is about black and white people back in the day, they did not get on and white men and women joined racist groups, and went on rampages all endin in deaths and jail the story show that times and people both change the film is a realy good watch for 18+ well worth buying, its an older film and is quit cheap to buy....

rickov2009 10.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of American History X (DVD)