Death at a Funeral 2007 R, 90 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Frank Oz Cast: Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes, Andy Nyman, Ewen Bremner, Daisy Donovan, Alan Tudyk, Jane Asher, Kris Marshall, Rupert Graves, Peter Vaughn, Thomas Wheatley, Peter Egan, Peter Dinklage
Daniel's (Matthew Macfadyen) father has died, and Daniel just wants to give him a good funeral at the family's London estate. But that is easier said than done. As if it was not bad enough that the wrong corpse is delivered to the manor, the family–including sons Daniel and famous novelist Robert (Rupert Graves), the widow Sandra (Jane Asher), and Daniels's nagging wife Jane (Keeley Hawes)–definitely is dysfunctional. And then there's cousin Martha's (Daisy Donovan) straight-laced fiance Simon (Alan Tudyk) who accidentally ingests a hallucinogen brought by Martha's druggie brother Troy (Kris Marshall). Finally, to top it all off a mysterious guest Peter (Peter Dinklage) wants cash to not reveal that he was the deceased's lover. Mayhem ensues, but by story's end, the family comes to terms with each other.
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Easy Virtue 2009 PG-13, 93 min. Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Stephan Elliott Cast: Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Christian Brassington, Charlotte Riley, Jim McManus, Pip Torrens, Jeremy Hooton, Joanna Bacon, Maggie Hickey, John Warburton
In 1929, Englishman John Whittaker (Ben Barnes) falls in love with American Larita Huntington (Jessica Biel), and they marry after knowing each other only a short time. John takes Larita to his home in England, and his mother Veronica (Kristin Scott Thomas) does not approve of Larita as her daughter-in-law. As the battle of wits ensues between Larita and Veronica, Larita's marriage to John suffers.
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The Four Feathers 2002 PG-13, 125 min. Genre: Adventure
Director: Shekhar Kapur Cast: Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley, Kate Hudson, Djimon Hounsou, Michael Sheen, Kris Marshall, Rupert Penry-Jones, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nick Holder, Lucy Gordon
Although not up to previous versions of A.E.W. Mason's adventure tale, this 2002 film is, nevertheless, entertaining. Mason's story revolves around a British officer, Harry Faversham (Heath Ledger), who resigns rather than fight in battle. After friends, including fiancee (Kate Hudson), send him four white feathers–signifying cowardice–Harry seeks to regain his reputation.
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Love Actually 2003 R, 130 min. Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Richard Curtis Cast: Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Billy Bob Thornton, Rowan Atkinson, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley, Gregor Fisher, Sienna Guillory, Kris Marshall, Heike Makatsch
Love in many forms is the subject of this film, which takes place during the weeks before Christmas and involves intertwined stories concerning love and friendship. Several couples' stories are told, but the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) and a member of his household staff, Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), present one of the better scenarios.
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The Merchant of Venice 2004 R, 131 min. Genre: Drama / Comedy aka: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
Director: Michael Radford Cast: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris Marshall, Charlie Cox, Heather Goldenhersh, Mackenzie Crook, John Sessions, Gregor Fisher, Ron Cook
Al Pacino takes on the role of Jewish moneylender Shylock who loans a Christian, Antonio (Jeremy Irons), money to help friend Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) woo Portia (Lynn Collins). There is one stipulation in the deal: if, after three months, Antonio cannot repay the loan, he must sacrifice one pound of his flesh. Shylock prepares to collect on the debt.
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| 1. Death at a Funeral (2007)
2. Easy Virtue (2009)
3. The Four Feathers (2002)
4. Love Actually (2003)
5. The Merchant of Venice (2004) aka: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
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