Dictionaries Movie Reviews
Related Subjects:
Reference
Acronyms
Business
Computers
Etymology
Humanities
Pronouncing
Rhyming
Science
Symbols
Family movie reviews for "Dictionaries" sorted by average review score:
The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet
Released in DVD by Kultur (11 November, 2003)
Average review score: 
Great concept, limitations in this video format
The Sleeping Dictionary
Released in DVD by Warner Home Video (18 February, 2003)
Don't let the title fool you: The Sleeping Dictionary is the most seductive argument for foreign-language education a boy ever had. Hugh Dancy is a young and idealistic colonial official posted to Britain's deep-jungle Sarawak outpost in 1939, and Jessica Alba (Dark Angel) is the "sleeping dictionary," a sexy tutor who proves that the fastest way to learn a language is through lovemaking. Guy Jenkin trades in old clichés for new ones in his revision of the exotic old melodramas of forbidden love between handsome colonial men and gorgeous, guileless native girls. Alba's accent slips and slides but she's a sweet, sexy, and beguiling presence, while Bob Hoskins and Brenda Blethyn uphold the all-important appearance of British morality. If you can overlook the contrivances, it makes for a lush romantic fantasy about the triumph of love over the hypocrisy of so-called civilized society. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
Contrived schlockThis pitiful excuse for vhs tape was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. Except for Bob Hoskins, I couldn't believe a word anyone mumbled in this incoherent waste of film. There's a good reason why this never made it to the theaters. Save your money. Life is too short to spend 2 hours on a concept that might have been done in 80 minutes, and even that's pushing it. I should agree that Jessica Alba is a lovely young actress, and she's nice to look at. But go to the internet and look at pictures of her instead, if that's what you fancy.
While You were Sleeping with the DictionaryOnly one reason to watch THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY, a lackluster romance/1930's period piece film of forbidden love and that is the presence of Jessica Alba (IDLE HANDS,tv's DARK ANGEL). Alba shakes off her tough, DARK ANGEL persona and plays a young, sweet, soft, native girl (Selima) in Borneo hired to teach the local language to a young British Officer John Truscott (Hugh Dancy). She's placed in his residence as the hired teacher and naturally they fall in(and make)love etc. Once the film establishes this relationship, there's not much to the story as to watch people get uptight about the situation. Some good scenery and cinematography with Alba in the foreground, but there is nothing new plotwise or characterwise in this film even with the presecnce of Bob Hoskins (WHO FRAMED ROGER RABITT?).
Sarawak rememberedI saw this film because it was filmed in Malaysia. I expected it to be about events on the Maylay Peninsula,but it wasn't. Most Westerners are unfamiliar with the geography of this country.I visited Malaysia in 2001. I immediately reconized the province of Sarawak in Northern Borneo. The events and life style are true to life for the area.The story is one performed many times, and this rendition is adequate. I was definitely taken back to the forest of Borneo and the Iban longhouse.
Putting 800 examples on two tapes presents the problem of locating specific sections. This would be much better served on DVD (or perhaps CD-ROM) where chapters could be more easily accessed. I own the tapes but would find a DVD version much more useful.