Stephen Fry Page 3

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry Quick Links

News Pictures Video Film Comments Quotes RSS

Irish Authorities Reportedly Drop Blasphemy Investigation Into Stephen Fry


Stephen Fry

Just a few days after it was revealed that he was about to be investigated for blasphemy in Ireland, authorities have reportedly dropped the case because they haven’t found enough people who were outraged over the actor’s remarks about God made more than two years ago.

The Garda Siochana – the Irish state police force – had reportedly begun to look in to Fry’s comments that he made about God in a television interview on the Irish state broadcaster RTE. Appearing on ‘The Meaning of Life’ hosted by Gay Byrne back in February 2015, Fry said he could never respect “a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world… full of injustice.”

One individual complained at the time, who previously told the Irish Independent: “I did my civic duty in reporting it. The guards did their duty in investigating it. I am satisfied with the result.”

Continue reading: Irish Authorities Reportedly Drop Blasphemy Investigation Into Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry Investigated By Irish Police For Blasphemy


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is reportedly being investigated by police in Ireland after a complaint of blasphemy was made against him concerning an interview on Irish television over two years ago.

Gardai (the Irish state police force) in Dublin have been in contact with the individual who made the complaint regarding a television programme broadcast by state network RTE in February 2015 in which Fry referred to God as “capricious, mean-minded, stupid”.

Stephen FryStephen Fry made the comments in February 2015

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Investigated By Irish Police For Blasphemy

Stephen Fry Had To Quit QI Because Of The Long Working Hours


Stephen Fry Alan Davies

After 13 wonderful years fronting the immensely popular QI, host Stephen Fry bowed out and now his long-time friend and fellow panellist Alan Davies has revealed budget cuts and a tight schedule caused the comedic favourite to call it a day.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has given up his QI hosting seat after 180 episodes

Davies explained the 59-year-old felt he could no longer continue with the show after 180 episodes due to the long working hours.

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Had To Quit QI Because Of The Long Working Hours

Love and Friendship - Trailer and Clips


Lady Susan has a reputation that precedes her. She's a professional flirt who men flock toward. Having lost her husband, Lady Susan is out to find herself a wealthy new groom and one - perhaps slightly less well off - for her daughter who doesn't have her mother's knack for enticing suitors. 

When Lady Susan visits the home of her late husband's relatives, it doesn't take long for her to woo a few too many men - both married and single - and the rumour mill is in full swing. Lady Susan knows exactly what she wants in a man but finding someone with the right assets for her and another person for her daughter might just be too much. 

Love & Friendship is based on the Jane Austen novella 'Lady Susan' and will be in cinemas from May 2016.

Alice Through The Looking Glass Review

Excellent

This much more light-hearted sequel reinvigorates the franchise after Disney's quirky but murky 2010 reboot of Lewis Carroll's classic, which sent the heroine into Underland (not Wonderland) for a dark adventure that spiralled into a Lord of the Rings-scale battle. Thankfully this time the odyssey remains personal, centred on lively characters rather than overwrought plotting. And Alice's time-travelling quest is both pointed and engaging.

After captaining her late father's ship on a global journey, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to 1875 London to bad news: her mother (Lindsay Duncan) has made decisions that take her future out of her hands. As she struggles to respond, she is summoned back to Underland to help her friend Hatter (Johnny Depp), who is emotionally devastated by the fact that his entire family has been killed. So Alice decides to help by confronting Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) and stealing a device that will allow her to travel back to help the younger Hatter. But she also becomes entangled in the early life of the White and Red Queens (Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway), and the feud that grew between them as young sisters. Meanwhile, Time is terrified that Alice is unravelling the fabric of reality.

The emotional nature of Alice's mission adds a surprising layer of suspense to the entire film, while director James Bobin (The Muppets) adds a breezy comical tone to Tim Burton's stunningly visual designs. Some of the more wacky flourishes don't quite work (such as the "sea of time" imagery or Time's hand-powered vehicle), but the film more than makes up for these with wonderful character details. This lets the actors relax into their roles while cranking up the surreal touches. Wasikowska is great as the plucky heroine fighting for her right to control her own life, a strong point that's made without preaching.

Continue reading: Alice Through The Looking Glass Review

Love & Friendship Review

Extraordinary

Acclaimed filmmaker Whit Stillman reunites the stars of his 1998 drama The Last Days of Disco, Kate Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny, for what might be the most entertaining big-screen Jane Austen adaptation ever. Based on her novella Lady Susan, this is a lacerating social comedy packed with hugely engaging characters. It brilliantly captures Austen's gift for crisply astute comedy, giving everyone in the gifted cast a chance to shine.

Set in 1790s England, the story centres on Lady Susan (Beckinsale), who has been recently widowed and now needs to sort out a hopefully lucrative future. First, she sets out to find a wealthy, dim-witted man to marry her spoiled daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark), and the dorky Sir James (Tom Bennett) is the perfect candidate. For herself, she sets her sights on the gorgeous, gullible Reginald (Xavier Samuel), the younger brother of her sister-in-law Catherine (Emma Greenwell), who's the only person who can see through Susan's scheming. Through all of this, Susan's only confidant is her American friend Alicia (Sevigny), who is sensibly married to an older man (Stephen Fry). And of course, Susan's plans simply refuse to go as she expects.

Beckinsale is terrific in the role as a sexy cougar who keeps all the men around her happy with blatant flattery. She understands the way to a man's heart, and isn't afraid to exploit everyone around her to make sure that she and Frederica are set up for life. Beckinsale gets this balance of charm and contempt exactly right, and her riotously sharp wit easily wins over the audience. The cast around her is just as good, engaging with Susan in fabulous wordplay, unable to resist being manipulated by her charisma. As the two targets of Susan's strategy, Bennett and Samuel are particularly strong. Bennett's bumbling James is simply the funniest thing on-screen this year, while Samuel manages to keep Reginald sweetly charming and never dull.

Continue reading: Love & Friendship Review

Stephen Fry Apologises "Unreservedly" For Comments About Sexual Abuse


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry has apologised “unreservedly” for his recent comments about sexual abuse survivors, after he suggested on an American TV show that victims should stop wallowing in “self-pity” and “grow up”.

The 58 year old British comedian and presenter was speaking on US show ‘The Rubin Report’ this week, and made the original comments in the context of an interview about ‘trigger warnings’, free speech and censorship of art and literature at universities. He was met with a fierce backlash online after he accused those who insisted on such content warnings of being too sensitive.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has apologised for his recent comments about trigger warnings and child sex abuse survivors

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Apologises "Unreservedly" For Comments About Sexual Abuse

Charity Responds To Stephen Fry's Damaging Statement On Child Sex Abuse


Stephen Fry

Everyone has the right to an opinion, but sometimes people in the public eye need to take more care in what they say for the sake of their fans. Stephen Fry is a prime example of this, having just caused an avalanche of anger after telling child abuse victims to 'grow up'.

Stephen FryStephen Fry under fire for child sex abuse comments

Many people have jumped to Fry's defence claiming that his words have been taken out of context, but that doesn't excuse the insensitively flippant language he used to make his point. In an appearance on the self-proclaimed 'politically incorrect' US talk show 'The Rubin Report', he made his feelings about abuse victims avoiding certain literature for fear of emotional triggers very clear.

Continue reading: Charity Responds To Stephen Fry's Damaging Statement On Child Sex Abuse

Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass Trailer


As Alice is once again taken into the magical and mysterious world that she's somehow connected to, Alice finds herself with her friends on the other side of the looking glass. Through Alice doesn't really know why, she's attached to the peculiar world and its inhabitants but her latest visit will put the young girl in grave danger. 

The Red Queen has gained a dangerous new ally who is out to find the young blonde haired girl. As the clock ticks and tocks, the game of kings becomes a whole new reality and Alice must find a way to beat her opponents. 

Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass is based on the characters from Lewis Carroll's novel and is produced by Tim Burton. The Muppets director James Bobin directs the feature film.  

Stephen Fry Is 'Free At Last' After Quitting Twitter


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry has said he’s ‘free at last’ after deactivating his twitter account. Fry quit twitter following Sunday night’s BAFTA awards, after he came under fire for referring to costume designer Jenny Beavan as a ‘bag lady’.

Stephen FryStephen Fry feels free after leaving twitter.

Blogging on his website Fry said: ‘It’s no big deal – as it shouldn’t be. But yes, for anyone interested I have indeed deactivated my twitter account. I’ve ‘left’ twitter before, of course: many people have time off from it whether they are in the public eye or not. Think of it as not much more than leaving a room.’

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Is 'Free At Last' After Quitting Twitter

Stephen Fry Leaves Twitter After Backlash Over BAFTAs 'Bag Lady' Joke


Stephen Fry BAFTA

Stephen Fry has deleted his twitter account after coming under fire for a joke he made while hosting the BAFTA awards on Sunday evening (February 14th). Fry, who has hosted the awards ceremony for 10 years, had hit back at the online critics before removing his twitter account completely.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has deleted his twitter account.

After costume designer Jenny Beavan won the Best Costume Design award for her work on Mad Max: Fury Road, Fry joked: “Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards ceremony dressed as a bag lady.”

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Leaves Twitter After Backlash Over BAFTAs 'Bag Lady' Joke

Stephen Fry Opens Up About '90s Disappearance: 'My Luck Began To Fizzle Out'


Stephen Fry Hugh Laurie

Comedian Stephen Fry has opened up about his disappearance in 1995, saying he would have ended his own life if he didn’t have the option of vanishing for a while. The 58-year-old was speaking as part of BBC documentary ‘Stephen Fry: A Life On Screen’ which airs tonight (December 29th) on BBC Two.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has spoken about his 1995 disappearance.

Fry disappeared in 1995 just three days before he was due to star in Cell Mates on London’s West End. At the time a spokesperson for his agent said, “We are concerned about him” and confirmed they did not know the comedian’s whereabouts.

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Opens Up About '90s Disappearance: 'My Luck Began To Fizzle Out'

Netflix To Release New Versions Of 'Inspector Gadget', 'Danger Mouse'


Stephen Fry Netflix

Streaming service Netflix has announced it is developing five children's shows including new versions of the kids' classics Inspector Gadget and Danger Mouse. It's part of a move from the service to increase its high quality children's programming.

Netflix

Inspector Gadget follows the trials of a bumbling bionic detective while Danger Mouse will feature the rodent superspy who became one of the most popular animated characters of the 1980s. Elsewhere, Some Assembly Required is a live-action show about a kid toy inventor, Bottersnikes & Gumbles is based on the Australian book series of the same name and Super 4 will be a CGI-animated series inspired by Playmobil toys.

Continue reading: Netflix To Release New Versions Of 'Inspector Gadget', 'Danger Mouse'

Stephen Fry Dumfounded Over Backlash To God Comments


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry says he is "astonished" at the backlash over his comments about God though is pleased that it sparked debate on Twitter. During an interview on Irish television, Fry was asked what he would say if ever confronted by God.

Stephen FryStephen Fry says he was pleased that his comments sparked debate

"I'd say, bone cancer in children? What's that about?" Fry replied. "How dare you? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault. It's not right, it's utterly, utterly evil."

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Dumfounded Over Backlash To God Comments

Stephen Fry Calls God "Utterly Evil And Monstrous" On Irish TV


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry denounced God as "utterly evil, capricious and monstrous" during RTE show The Meaning of Life on Sunday (February 2, 2014). The writer and actor's response came after he was asked by Gay Byrne what he would say to God if he died and had to confront him.

Stephen FryStephen Fry called God "stupid" and "mean-minded"

In his imaginary conversation with God, Fry said: "How dare you create a world in which there is such misery that is not our fault? It's not right.

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Calls God "Utterly Evil And Monstrous" On Irish TV

Benedict Cumberbatch Signs Open Letter Calling For The Pardon Of 49,000 Gay Men Convicted Of Gross Indecency


Benedict Cumberbatch Stephen Fry

The Imitation Game star Benedict Cumberbatch has signed an open letter to the British government calling for thousands of gay men convicted of gross indecency to be granted the same pardon as codebreaker Alan Turing.

Benedict Cumberbatch in the Imitation GameBenedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game

Cumberbatch, who has been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Turing in the biopic, has added his name to the letter, which has already been signed by 40,000 people. The letter calls on the royal family to back the campaign and give a pardon to all those who were convicted of a crime because of their sexuality.

Continue reading: Benedict Cumberbatch Signs Open Letter Calling For The Pardon Of 49,000 Gay Men Convicted Of Gross Indecency

Stephen Fry Marries Fiancé Elliott Spencer, Announces Happy News On Twitter


Stephen Fry Hugh Laurie Ryan Gage Mark Gatiss

Stephen Fry and Elliott Spencer are married! The couple announced their happy news on Saturday (17th January). Fry announced the news via Twitter and attached a picture of the couple signing the marriage register. "Gosh. @ElliottGSpencer and I go into a room as two people, sign a book and leave as one. Amazing," Fry wrote. 

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Marries Fiancé Elliott Spencer, Announces Happy News On Twitter

Stephen Fry Quits Twitter, But Is It To Shoot 'Star Wars: Episode VII'?


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry, to many the Godfather forefather of Twitter, suddenly quit the social network on Thursday, signing off with a rather cryptic message for his 1.3 million follows. Fry, one of the most prolific Twitter users, left fans baffled after announcing his departure until December.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has quit Twitter for a month - though surely it's not to shoot Star Wars?

He wrote: "Closing down on Twitter while filming. In a place whence I've been advised it is safest not to tweet. See you December. Here goes..."

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Quits Twitter, But Is It To Shoot 'Star Wars: Episode VII'?

Stephen Fry Reveals He Took Cocaine In Buckingham Palace And House Of Lords


Stephen Fry

Writer and presenter Stephen Fry has confessed to consuming cocaine at both Buckingham Palace and the House of Lords. In his new autobiography, the ‘QI’ host described his 15 year addiction to the drug saying he’d “‘brought noble properties into squalid disrepute,” during the period.

Stephen FryStephen Fry has admitted to using cocaine in a number of high profile venues

In More Fool Me, published on Thursday, Fry wrote that he had consumed the Class A drug in high profile places including Windsor Castle, Clarence House, Sandringham House, BBC Television Centre, ITV headquarters, the offices of the Daily Telegraph, the Times, the Spectator and Tatler as well as a host of other exclusive venues.

Continue reading: Stephen Fry Reveals He Took Cocaine In Buckingham Palace And House Of Lords

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug Review


Excellent

With wittier action and a few more sharply defined characters, this second episode in Peter Jackson's trilogy is more engaging than the somewhat over-packed An Unexpected Journey. Once again, the key to enjoying the film is to distance it from the beloved novel: this is a big adventure movie as opposed to Tolkien's light-hearted romp. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

There isn't much actual plot, as we are between the set-up and conclusion, so the film consists of a series of set-pieces as Bilbo (Freeman) and his band of dwarves continue their journey to reclaim the dwarf throne in the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf (McKellen) heads off to confront the shifty, shadowy Necromancer (Cumberbatch), while Bilbo and crew head into the creepy Mirkwood, where they confront gigantic spiders before being captured by wood-elves. This is where they meet Legolas (Bloom), whose feisty sidekick Tauriel (Lilly) falls for sexy dwarf Kili (Turner) as they continue their journey to Lake-town. There they get help from Bard (Evans) as they launch their final assault on the mountain, where the dragon Smaug (also Cumberbatch) is napping on the dwarves' vast treasure.

Jackson directs with a spark of energy and humour that holds our attention even when things begin to look a little too digitally animated (basic laws of physics apparently don't apply in Middle Earth). And each sequence also provides some depth of character, especially in the overall journey of Bilbo, nicely played by Freeman as a guy who is only just discovering his own ingenuity and bravery. By contrast, McKellen's plot is much darker as he faces off against unnerving evil. As in the first film, the other strong character is Thorin (Armitage), the heir to the dwarf throne grappling with the idea of a return to power.

Continue reading: The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug Review

'The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug' Premiere Brings Together All-Star Cast [Pictures]


Peter Jackson Martin Freeman Benedict Cumberbatch Orlando Bloom Evangeline Lilly Richard Armitage Luke Evans Stephen Fry

Last night (December 3) saw the premiere for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug at Los Angeles’ Chinese Theater. While the final Hobbit film wrapped filming back in summer, the production team and cast, including Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, director Peter Jackson and many others, will still have plenty of chances to catch up at premieres and promotional events leading up to the film’s release. They clearly enjoyed doing so last night, if photos from the premiere are any indication.

Peter Jackson, TLC Chinese Theater
Jackson attends the premiere with his daughter, actress Katie Jackson.

To see more pictures from the event head on over to the next page or follow the link to our full gallery.

Continue reading: 'The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug' Premiere Brings Together All-Star Cast [Pictures]

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - International Trailer


Bilbo Baggins has narrowly escaped several deadly confrontations with the likes of trolls, stone giants and countless orcs alongside his faithful wizard partner Gandalf and the hardy Dwarves of Erebor as they passed through the treacherous Misty Mountains. Their quest to retrieve the dwarves' vast pile of treasure and the land that they once called their home is at a peak as they reach the Lonely Mountain. Guarded by a colossal dragon named Smaug, the Lonely Mountain proves to be even more perilous than where they had just been and armed only with elven swords and Bilbo's Ring, they must make the ultimate defeat while fighting giant spiders and more goblins along the way. More threats face them in the form of untrustworthy elves with intelligence that far surpasses any of the travellers' put together, and their chances of survival are becoming very slim indeed.

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' is the second instalment of 'The Hobbit' movie trilogy directed by Peter Jackson ('King Kong', 'The Lovely Bones', 'The Lord of the Rings') and based on the novel by JRR Tolkien. Screenwriters Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro make their return as do much of the previous cast alongside some new faces. It is due to be released in the UK on December 13th 2013.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Movie Review - Click Here To Read

Prison Break's Wentworth Miller Comes Out To Protest Russia's Regime


Wentworth Miller Stephen Fry

From the outside looking in, Russia have forged a rather unwelcome reputation as a homophobic nation, probably due to their extremist, homophobic laws, which can also see people improvised for speaking out against the regime. Stephen Fry likened the treatment of homosexuality in Russia to that of Judaism in Nazi Germany and the invaded countries. Now another openly celebrity – Prison Break’s Wentworth Miller – has spoken out via the medium of an open letter, in which he came out as gay.

Wentworth MillerWentworth Miller Came Out As Gay This Week

“As a gay man, I must decline,” he wrote, replying to an invitation to the St Petersburg Film Festival; his letter was made public by the campaigning group GLAAD. “I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government,” Wentworth added.

Continue reading: Prison Break's Wentworth Miller Comes Out To Protest Russia's Regime

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer


Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and their company thirteen dwarves have managed to leave the Misty Mountains almost unscathed after a series of death-defying encounters with trolls, stone giants, goblins and orcs. Armed with the One Ring and an array of elven forged swords, Bilbo must now set out to help retrieve the mountain of treasure that once belonged to the dwarves under the Lonely Mountain that was usurped by the dragon Smaug. Unfortunately, it proves less then straight-forward as more threats lie in their way from giant spiders and yet more goblins to unforgiving elves and waterfalls. However, as they approach the dragon, they begin to feel that all their other deadly ventures were just the tip of the iceberg.

'The Hobbit' returns with the second part of the movie trilogy 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' which sees the return of director Peter Jackson ('King Kong', 'The Lovely Bones', 'The Lord of the Rings') following part one, 'An Unexpected Journey'. Writers Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro are also back, along with last year's star cast and many new faces. Based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, this new fantasy adventure film is set to hit cinemas this winter on December 13th 2013.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Movie Review - Click Here To Read

The Look Of Love Review


Very Good

Michael Winterbottom vividly recreates swinging 1960s London in this biopic about one of Soho's most notorious figures. It's a lively and attention-grabbing film, but the cast and filmmakers never create a character we can identify with or care about, which leaves the film feeling a bit meaningless. And even if we're interested in the history, we are never able to feel the emotions.

As he did for Winterbottom in 24 Hour Party People, Steve Coogan plays a colourful real-life figure, this time Paul Raymond, also known as the King of Soho. Raymond made his fortune through strip clubs and lap-dancing venues, then expanded into publishing men's magazines before purchasing large swathes of property in London's artiest district. But his marriage to Jean (Friel) was strained by his rampant womanising, including a long-term relationship with actress-model Fiona Richmond (Egerton). And the main woman in Paul's life was his daughter Debbie (Poots), who was in line to inherit his fortune when she died of a heroin overdose in 1992.

The film is framed with Debbie's funeral, showing Raymond at his lowest point. But then, even when he was living the high life, his self-obsession casts a heavy shadow. Everyone in this story is just as lost in their own addictions. And it's sad to see Raymond himself never able to move on from his own early years, amassing a £1 billion fortune, which he left to Debbie's children when he died in 2008. Coogan bravely never tries to get us to sympathise with Raymond, delivering a focussed performance that's darkly bittersweet. Poots adeptly captures Debbie's inability to see her own talents as she falls into a whirlwind of drug abuse. And Friel and Egerton get the most engaging roles as woman thrown aside along the way.

Continue reading: The Look Of Love Review

Steve Coogan Stuns As Porn Mogul Paul Raymond In 'The Look Of Love' (Trailer)


Steve Coogan Stephen Fry Chris Addison Anna Friel

'The Look of Love' trailer appears to suggest Steve Coogan turns in one of his very best performances, as Paul Raymond, the porn mogul and once the UK's wealthiest man. Michael Winterbottom's new movie, which won acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January, follows Raymond's rise from mind-reader on Clacton Pier to the 'King of Soho.' Whilst his empire grew, his family life began to suffer, and the trailer for 'The Look of Love' hints at turmoil, scandal and lies.

Winterbottom's movie follows Raymond as he opens new clubs across the entertainment district of London and publishes men's magazines 'Razzle' 'Mayfair' and 'Men's Only,' though things begin to unravel when he embarks on a whirlwind affair with a young star despite being married to Jean, one of his strippers. 

Continue reading: Steve Coogan Stuns As Porn Mogul Paul Raymond In 'The Look Of Love' (Trailer)

Look Of Love Trailer


Paul Raymond became the wealthiest man in the UK when he opened the country's first strip club, the Raymond Revue bar, after starting out his nightlife career as a mind-reader cabaret performer. When the bar became highly successful among gentlemen everywhere, his risqué empire only grew into various men's magazines including 'Men's Only', 'Razzle' and 'Mayfair' not to mention spawning various new clubs across the entertainment district of London, Soho, earning him the nickname 'King of Soho'. Though, while loved and admired by thousands, he was also scorned in other circles and even his family began to suffer from the effects of his billion pound industry. His marriage to one of his strippers, Jean, did not meet an amicable end as he embarked on a whirlwind affair with a younger star, and his previously close bond with his daughter Debbie whom he loved more than anything in the world, was broken after her sudden death at the tender age of 36. This is the story of the triumphs and turmoil of Britain's richest man.

Continue: Look Of Love Trailer

A Liar's Autobiography Review


Good

Subtitled "The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman", this outrageously colourful animated movie certainly can't be pigeonholed as a documentary or a biopic, even though there are elements of each. The filmmakers use recordings of Chapman reading the book about his life, then hire teams of animators to create a stream-of-consciousness 3D tribute. It's not particularly easy to follow, and the absurdly Pythonesque approach isn't always successful. But the film is such an oddity that fans won't want to miss it.

Whatever it is, this isn't a straightforward retelling of Chapman's life story, although it does loosely fill in the details, with each chapter animated in a distinctly different style. It begins with his rather odd childhood, followed by his years at Cambridge, where he met Cleese, Palin, Gilliam and Jones and formed Monty Python. Their TV sketch show was launched in 1969, an unexpected hit that propelled them to stardom. Along the way, Chapman determines that he's 70 percent gay, and indulges in all the alcohol and sex he could find. He died at age 48 of throat cancer in 1989.

The film is a riotous collection of animation styles, from stop-motion to paper cut-outs. Woven into these segments are TV clips, movie scenes and interviews from the archives, and the surviving Pythons supply the voices along with special guests like Stephen Fry and, yes, Cameron Diaz. It feels oddly rambling, going down random sideroads and indulging in moments that cross lines of taste and propriety. Some segments are sharp and pointed, while others take too long to get to their punchlines. But maybe these are inside jokes we simply don't understand.

Continue reading: A Liar's Autobiography Review

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Trailer


Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, who lives a quiet life in The Shire. His peace is interrupted one day when Gandalf arrives on his doorstep, persuading Bilbo to hold a party in his home. Bilbo refuses but has no choice but to agree when Gandalf pesters him.

Continue: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Trailer

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows Review


Good

Ritchie, Downey and Law are back with another manic romp that feels more like a Victorian James Bond adventure than anything about the famed Conan Doyle characters. While it has the same comical energy, it's not quite as fun as the first go-round.

Brilliant Cambridge professor Moriarty (Harris) is up to no good, taking on Holmes (Downey) by messing with those around him, including his girlfriend-nemesis Irene (McAdams) and his partner Watson (Law), who plans to retire after his upcoming wedding to Mary (Reilly). But nothing goes as planned, and Holmes and Watson are propelled into a vicious game of intrigue that sends them to Paris where they team up with a sexy gypsy (Rapace). They also get help from Holmes' brother Mycroft (Fry) as they head to a climactic showdown in Switzerland.

Who needs logic when the action is this wildly exhilarating? And much of it is drastically slowed-down so Ritchie can show us Holmes' powers of deduction as well as whizzing bullets, explosions and other cool-looking things. The dialog is the same mix of faux intelligent banter and shameless innuendo, which gives the actors something to play with, especially as Downey and Law amusingly move beyond bromance into Brokeback territory.

But we do need some logic. This plot is so messy that it never engages us. And as it builds to a climax in a crazy cliff-perched Alpine castle, we begin to lose interest. Even with the bigger action, zingy dialog and colourful characters, this film barely works up any steam. Whenever Holmes isn't being mischievous, Downey actually looks bored. And Rapace is so sidelined that it's difficult to understand why she's here at all; the filmmakers never give her anything interesting to do.

It's a shame the screenwriters never push the characters further. But at least Ritchie keeps things moving briskly, filling the screen with comical nuttiness and big-gun mayhem. Even if Moriarty makes no sense (would someone this intelligent resort to such a ridiculous plan to make his fortune?), Harris adds heft in the role, including some jagged chemistry with Downey. Let's just hope that the requisite third film lets us in on the joke.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry Quick Links

News Pictures Video Film Comments Quotes RSS

Stephen Fry

Date of birth

24th August, 1957

Occupation

TV Presenter

Sex

Male

Height

1.96




Stephen Fry Movies

Love and Friendship Trailer

Love and Friendship Trailer

Lady Susan has a reputation that precedes her. She's a professional flirt who men flock...

Alice Through the Looking Glass Movie Review

Alice Through the Looking Glass Movie Review

This much more light-hearted sequel reinvigorates the franchise after Disney's quirky but murky 2010 reboot...

Love & Friendship Movie Review

Love & Friendship Movie Review

Acclaimed filmmaker Whit Stillman reunites the stars of his 1998 drama The Last Days of...

Advertisement
Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass Trailer

Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass Trailer

As Alice is once again taken into the magical and mysterious world that she's somehow...

Alice Through The Looking Glass - Teaser Trailer

Alice Through The Looking Glass - Teaser Trailer

Alice once again returns to Wonderland and meets a lot of familiar faces. This time...

That Sugar Film Trailer

That Sugar Film Trailer

With a baby on the way, Damon Gameau has decided to experiment with just how...

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Movie Review

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Movie Review

With wittier action and a few more sharply defined characters, this second episode in Peter...

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

Bilbo Baggins has narrowly escaped several deadly confrontations with the likes of trolls, stone giants...

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and their company thirteen dwarves have managed to leave the Misty Mountains...

The Look of Love Movie Review

The Look of Love Movie Review

Michael Winterbottom vividly recreates swinging 1960s London in this biopic about one of Soho's most...

Advertisement
Artists
Actors
    Filmmakers
      Artists
      Bands
        Musicians
          Artists
          Celebrities
             
              Artists
              Interviews