Reviews

A more casually dressed Bond takes on not one but two villains this time out, which may explain the length of the movie. Action scenes are top notch, supporting cast superb, resolution very satisfying.

Like many Brits, I love and hate Eurovision. This movie has now moved me back towards the love it side. It starts looking and sounding very tacky, just like the real Eurovision and the accents used by the actors seemed quite embarrassing. However, I stuck with it and boy, what an emotional treat it was. Best movie of the year so far.

Best war film ever. John Huston has distilled the story into the tautest ( is that a word?) of movies. Gripping from start to finish.

The North Star is at least as good a propaganda movie as much of Hollywood's wartime output and the astonishing range of talent that helped in its making makes it important rather than brilliant. While not impossible, it would be difficult for this collection of top drawer movie makers to devise a real dog of a production and even the most rabid anti-commie could not put this movie into the same bag as say 'Hitler, Dead of Alive' or 'The menace of the rising sun'. The North Star was multi Oscar nominated and even factoring in the mores of the period, this cannot be dismissed entirely.

Reading the posts on the movie here, it appears to me that some commentators really miss the whole point of US propaganda at the time and condemn The North Star out of context. These responses suggest to me that The North Star's punch has lost none of its original power.

I recall seeing this movie when I was young and being a fan of the book (the 'tin of pineapple chunks' scene is still the funniest bit of writing I've ever read) but having just watched it again, I am sorely disappointed. The slapstick is completely at odds with JKJ's gentlemanly humour. However the location scenery on the Thames helps to make up for the poor direction and dialogue. I always liked Jimmy Edwards' style on TV, but it doesn't translate well after 50 years. Laurence Harvey made a big mistake with this, he is not a comedian but as usual David Tomlinson provides a solid performance. Jill Ireland, Shirley Eaton and Lisa Gastoni as the female interest are much much better than the boys

I love television. Watched it since the late '50's and enjoyed everything, even if I hated myself for enjoying it. However, there are shows that stand out and Shameless is one of them. I think that Alan Clark produced some of the best drama on British TV, even including Ken Loach and Dennis Potter. On comedy, the UK has birthed or succoured a comprehensive list of talented writers that Greece was not ancient enough to pre-empt. Shameless is brilliant. It is Ken Loach and Ian Pattison (Rab C Nesbit) in concert, it is Dennis Potter and the Pythons. David Threlfell plays Frank Gallagher, a wastrel philosopher whose genes will inherit the earth. His family are an absorbing, entertaining, sensitive magnet for our attention and affection. They are challenging and rude, but I'd live there, it is urban Manchester and welcoming. Forget the comedy for a minute and I'm most reminded of Alan Clark's 'Road'. Threlfell and Maxine Peake ( the best in ' dinnerladies ') are like Dudegeon and Horrocks. They provide adult acting and the rest of the cast are not far behind. If you do nothing else on a Saturday night, buy this DVD. It will brighten up your life.

It is interesting that Barbara Flynn starred in two of the best pieces of British TV drama in the 1980's and 1990's. She played a critical role in both Biederbeck series and in Cracker, two seminal pieces that will remain powerful for as long as there are machines in your living room capable of reproducing them. Yes Robbie Coltrane and James Bolam drove both pieces, and Jimmy McGovern and Alan Plater's writing deserve all the credit due them, but Barbara Flynn was in both and each time produced performances that would not be outshone. In Biederbeck, Flynn had more input and so is the better representation of her talents, but in Cracker, despite the smaller role, she is still able to hold her own in superb company. I recommend both to you reader and watch her in everything she does, she is so good.

Alfred Burke deserves to be ranked with Sean Connery, Edward Woodward and Roger Moore for his portrayal of Frank Marker in Public Eye. This was the detective story from the council estate, and at the time in the UK, there were no better writers nor better actors. Burke plays the poor man's private eye, operating in an environment where there is neither money not glamour. He needs his fee to pay the rent and light, but often does not collect anything other than a beating. His cases are not the stuff of Sam Spade, but Marker is the right stuff nonetheless.

I missed the UK Gold reruns, but will not miss them again. If you watch no other '60s specials, watch this.

I liked this movie when I saw it at our local cinema, but it is not a film I would normally comment on. However, I had a look at some of the reviews below and found them intriguing. Unlike many of the posters, I thought Andie MacDowell's fey American was just the ticket for this plot. She slides into scenes like a shadow and we viewers, like Hugh Grant's figure, spend our time trying to grab a hold of her. She was terrific as she underplayed this role tempting all of us until she got her man.

Enough has been said by others about the robust qualities of these four Miss Marple mysteries made by MGM at Borehamwood in England in the 1960's. What delighted me was the appearance of Joan Hickson as Mrs Kidder. Hickson of course later became Miss Marple herself in the long running TV series. In the scene where Rutherford and Hickson meet in the kitchen of Ackenthorpe Hall prior to the latter finding a body in the woods, Rutherford (in referring to the already ageing Hickson as she leaves) wonders, delightfully, "what the younger generation are coming to". If only she knew!

Glenn Close may have a body age that doesnt fit with Forbush, but her acting talents gave an edge to the naive nurse that Gaynor wasnt obliged to give. Close is excellent the direct benefit is that Nellie's engagement with Emile is much more believable. the singing is not great, but the numbers and the choreography make up for it. Harry Connick Jr is a terrific singer, but somehow he sounds as if he is in a Bar with his Band - he nonetheless provides a very capable Cable. At 130 mins for the version I saw on satellite tv, I thought I might not stand the pace, but was there at the flag. Dont be too stuck on the 50's classic, this is well worth the viewing.

It is often overlooked that the (Little) Kidnappers young star Jon Whitely received a special Oscar for his portrayal of Harry in this film. Acting honours aside, this film is about the most perfect little family movie you will ever see.

On a sunday morning when I should have been up an at it, I caught the start of this movie while still in bed. Now I've a lot of sympathy for Scrooge, but this little gem had me enthralled. I've never seen Ally's work before, but if she never does anything else again, she should be proud of this. I guarantee success if you bring this movie to the attention of your friends. It has many of the qualities that made 'groundhog day' so good.

Keitel is a great actor, but between Wise Guys and Reservoir Dogs, most of his movies didnt really hit the bigtime. This terrific drama combined his special talents with a gritty British production set in Scotland. Down Where the Buffalo Go is worth the watching.

Invasion Quartet has all the attributes of a cult classic, superb writing by an Oscar winning scriptwriter (John Briley) excellent direction from Jay Lewis whose light hand tempts superb erformances from a good spread of fine actors, many at their peak. This movie requires its audience to have an appreciation of a very British type of humour, like the Goons, Monty Python, Sykes and up to the more modern genius of Ricky Gervais. Spike Milligan leads the cast and audience down madness way with his inimitable humour in this brilliant, laid back, comedic precursor to 'The Guns of Naverone'. Bill Travers is an officer who takes three oddballs to wartime France to blow up a huge gun that is threatening England. Their 'invasion' of German held France is more of a Cooks tour than D Day as they wander around occupied territory searching for their target. John Le Mesurier, Eric Sykes, John Wood and other faces familiar to fans of British film from the period will light up your evening. Black and White.

Jane Horrocks shines in this little sparkler from British Television. A collection of rude northern types in rude northern dereliction produce acting of a heavenly standard. If you ever get the chance, tape this and keep it forever. I now own two versions of this remarkable play, one taped off TV and quite difficult follow if you don't have the script - but note, the original play was edited for TV. Not only was the language softened to remove swear words, there had to be other changes presumably to accommodate the time the director was given and the locations. However, I have never seen the play on stage and if anyone hears of a revival, please let me know as I am sure this would stand the test of time. It would also be interesting to see if Clarke's own directorial style improves the material or not. Anyway, when I first put a note on IMDb about the TV version it was fondly remembered from one viewing and Jane Horrocks was my stand out memory. looking at it again (several times) it is really hard to pick out one performance. Lesley Sharp's monologue is so remarkable I found it hard to breathe while listening to it and I cannot understand how the camera operator managed to film this without falling over. Mossie Smith transition from granite hard to jelly while 'Try a little Tenderness' is playing cannot fail to take you with her but the fact is that each scene seems to grab your heart. Some of the actors, I think, played a range of roles in stage versions of the play and perhaps this knowledge helped sharpen their work but they were mostly young and still relatively new in their trade yet were more than able to give Jim Cartwright's spittle-flecked words a spectacular airing. Alan Clarke was on top form in Road.

i first saw this film in '75 in Scotland titled 'The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser'. Werner Herzog is masterly, and his depiction of this depressing story will immerse you into the period and into the minds of the participants. The Kaspar is played (in what should have been a multi-award winning performance) by Bruno S. What did the S stand for? See, this film is enigma after enigma.

I saw this film when it was first released and the memory has remained. I was utterly enthralled by the originality of the animated style, the story and the score. I was thrilled when I recently re-discovered this little gem.

How did the Kellermans survive long enough to make the trip to NY?

Excruciating comedy which occasionally made this viewer want to run away and hide from it. You cant ask for more, and Simon can be depended upon to deliver. Lemmon and Denis are perfect and the bemused supporting cast excellent as they try to guide the hapless duo towards their beds and belongings. On the subject of the remake, I'd only say in Gwen's inimitable style "Oh my Gaaaaaaaawwwwwwwd"

There is detail in this movie which requires that I watch it over and over again. I ask myself, is the Director a genius or an alien? He seems to have produced a movie with a storyline which requires me to watch it over and over again. Am I becoming repetitive?