This was the best drama documentary I have seen all year. Matthew Macfadyen and Sian Clifford were excellent as Charles and Diana Ingram. Aisling Bea added a note of comedy to the proceedings. But the best performance by far I was by Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant, perfectly capturing all the strange vocal inflections and physical movements of the original. Some commentators have suggested that the show was unfairly biased towards Charles and Diana. However I thought it fair to put both sides of the argument. If you choose to believe that they were completely guilty then that is up to you. However, it does seem clear that the presentation of evidence was skewed by the television company themselves and that many of these shortcomings were pointed out by the defendant's solicitor. My only slight complaint is that this would have been much tighter as one show, maybe an hour and a half, rather than dragged out into three 1-hour instalments. I also felt that some of the minor players in the drama, for example Diana's brother, did not bring very much to the proceedings and and I could have done without knowing of his personal difficulties.
Reviews
85 Reviews
Classic British Comedy
17 October 2018
This is an episode of Dad's Army that was least repeated for many years, because of the reference to the IRA. In fact it's a non-controversial story relating to a darts match against the ARP wardens that the platoon are involved in. Mainwaring is outraged and sends Wilson to the pub to challenge them. Bill Pertwee features prominently as the Chief Warden, which is usually the sign of a good episode, as is 'Elizabeth', though we never get to see the Captain's wife. There are two guest appearances by J. G. Devlin as Regan and
Arthur English as the Policeman. They will seem familiar to viewers of Are You Being Served and Steptoe and Son (Dangerous Hours). Fine comedy actors. Classic British Comedy.
Your tiny hand is frozen
16 October 2018
By the time this episode aired the main characters were well known and well loved. Yet there was no staleness that would eventually hit the aging cast. This episode saw the platoon on exercise at a prisoner of war camp, populated by Italian prisoners. Mainwaring is at his pompous best, Wilson vague and ineffectual. Jones is enthusiastic. Walker (sadly missed from later series) actually knows the Italians, and that is the key to the plot of the episode.. Godfrey knows one line of Italian, which he knew from opera. It's a lovely warm humorous half hour, even if it does play a bit to wartime national stereotypes.
The Great Train Robbery
(2013)
Far too long
2 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The Great Train Robbery was the robbery of £2.6 million from a Royal Mail train heading from Glasgow to London on the West Coast Main Line in the early hours of 8 August 1963, at Bridego Railway Bridge, Ledburn, near Mentmore in Buckinghamshire.
After having tampered with the lineside signals in order to bring the train to a halt, a 15-strong gang of robbers led by Bruce Reynolds attacked the train. Other gang members included Gordon Goody, Buster Edwards, Charlie Wilson, Roy James, John Daly, Jimmy White, Ronnie Biggs, Tommy Wisbey, Jim Hussey, Bob Welch and Roger Cordrey.. With careful planning based on inside information from an individual known as "The Ulsterman" (named as Patrick McKenna in 2014), the robbers escaped with over £2.6 million (equivalent to £50 million today). The bulk of the stolen money was never recovered.
The film was designed to be releaed at the 50th anniversary of the robbery. It sticks closely to the historical chain of events but this leads to a plodding progression without much drama. At 3 hours, this is far too long and a number of competent performances by the (male) actors cannot redeem this.
The period details - the cars and clothing - were interesting, and it is always tempting to list the anachronisms as other reviews have done. But ultimately I didn't enjoy this and wouldn't recommend it.
After having tampered with the lineside signals in order to bring the train to a halt, a 15-strong gang of robbers led by Bruce Reynolds attacked the train. Other gang members included Gordon Goody, Buster Edwards, Charlie Wilson, Roy James, John Daly, Jimmy White, Ronnie Biggs, Tommy Wisbey, Jim Hussey, Bob Welch and Roger Cordrey.. With careful planning based on inside information from an individual known as "The Ulsterman" (named as Patrick McKenna in 2014), the robbers escaped with over £2.6 million (equivalent to £50 million today). The bulk of the stolen money was never recovered.
The film was designed to be releaed at the 50th anniversary of the robbery. It sticks closely to the historical chain of events but this leads to a plodding progression without much drama. At 3 hours, this is far too long and a number of competent performances by the (male) actors cannot redeem this.
The period details - the cars and clothing - were interesting, and it is always tempting to list the anachronisms as other reviews have done. But ultimately I didn't enjoy this and wouldn't recommend it.
Knucklebones
(2016)
Knucklebones Knucklebones blah blah blah
31 October 2017
Not the worst film I've seen cos I've watched a few Steven Segal movies, but this has little merit. For a horror flick, this is not scary. For a teen slasher movie, yawn.
To its credit the pacing is good and the scenes are mostly well shot. Get a few beers in, and lower your expectations. It'll be fine.
To its credit the pacing is good and the scenes are mostly well shot. Get a few beers in, and lower your expectations. It'll be fine.
Filmed in Supermarionation
(2014)
Delightful
9 September 2017
For anyone who remembers the work of Gerry Anderson (and even if you don't) this is a wonderful documentary. It covers from the earliest work on The Adventures of Twizzle to his real-life series Space 1999, so more than covering just the 'supermarionation' years.
However, he undoubtedly peaked with Thunderbirds and it is fitting that Parker and Lady Penelope host the show. There is a rich vein of tongue-in cheek humour in the documentary, paralleling the humour in Anderson's work.
The best thing to ever have come out of Slough.
However, he undoubtedly peaked with Thunderbirds and it is fitting that Parker and Lady Penelope host the show. There is a rich vein of tongue-in cheek humour in the documentary, paralleling the humour in Anderson's work.
The best thing to ever have come out of Slough.
I, Daniel Blake
(2016)
A brilliant film
2 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is an amazing film, and should be required viewing for people in the UK. When will it be shown on TV? Dave Johns deserves every award he gets for this performance as a 59-year old carpenter with a dodgy ticker, battling the benefits system for the first time in his life.
All the characters are believable, including Hayley Squires's single mum displaced for economic reasons to the 'opposite corner' of England and also having to battle for existence.
Politicians have criticised the film for being unfair to DWP staff. I do not think that is the case. There was still the kind lady who helps Daniel, even if she gets ticked off for it, and attends his funeral at the end. There is some humanity even within our bureaucratic institutions and Ken Loach recognises this.
However, most of the kindness comes from those we live amongst. I loved the young black guys who were entrepreneurially getting trainers shipped from their (Stoke City loving) Chinese guy and selling them on the black market - and how they used their IT skills to help Daniel get his JSA application through the malfunctioning government website.
The foodbank scene was amazing and Loach's genius is to have his actors improvise interaction with real foodbank staff while he filmed it as a 'fly on the wall'. The lasting impression was of a sanctuary of calm and help at the eye of a storm. Brilliant. Incidentally, someone I know who works at one says those who use them do not generally break into a can of beans because they are uncontrollably hungry. They normally tear open a pack of biscuits.
The other iconic scene from the film is Daniel graffiti-ing the wall. I have to give a shout-out to the street alcoholic who encourages him, while mouthing obscenities about Iain Duncan Smith (needed subtitles really). Either that guy is a brilliant actor or the genuine article as he behaved like so many guys I see in my town who have slipped through the net.
If I deduct one star from my rating it is that the ending appeared rushed and the speech at the funeral a little preachy. I also wonder if the reality of the system is actually even worse than portrayed here. For example Daniel would have got 0 points on his WCA because, as the opening credits reveal, he has to answer yes to every irrelevant question in the assessment. He was lucky to find a computer at his library as council cuts mean that libraries are closing. No-one mentioned the CAB, which he might have been directed to, only to find they had had to lay off all their benefits specialists when Legal Aid was removed in 2012.
But overall, a brilliant film, and deserving of its BAFTA.
All the characters are believable, including Hayley Squires's single mum displaced for economic reasons to the 'opposite corner' of England and also having to battle for existence.
Politicians have criticised the film for being unfair to DWP staff. I do not think that is the case. There was still the kind lady who helps Daniel, even if she gets ticked off for it, and attends his funeral at the end. There is some humanity even within our bureaucratic institutions and Ken Loach recognises this.
However, most of the kindness comes from those we live amongst. I loved the young black guys who were entrepreneurially getting trainers shipped from their (Stoke City loving) Chinese guy and selling them on the black market - and how they used their IT skills to help Daniel get his JSA application through the malfunctioning government website.
The foodbank scene was amazing and Loach's genius is to have his actors improvise interaction with real foodbank staff while he filmed it as a 'fly on the wall'. The lasting impression was of a sanctuary of calm and help at the eye of a storm. Brilliant. Incidentally, someone I know who works at one says those who use them do not generally break into a can of beans because they are uncontrollably hungry. They normally tear open a pack of biscuits.
The other iconic scene from the film is Daniel graffiti-ing the wall. I have to give a shout-out to the street alcoholic who encourages him, while mouthing obscenities about Iain Duncan Smith (needed subtitles really). Either that guy is a brilliant actor or the genuine article as he behaved like so many guys I see in my town who have slipped through the net.
If I deduct one star from my rating it is that the ending appeared rushed and the speech at the funeral a little preachy. I also wonder if the reality of the system is actually even worse than portrayed here. For example Daniel would have got 0 points on his WCA because, as the opening credits reveal, he has to answer yes to every irrelevant question in the assessment. He was lucky to find a computer at his library as council cuts mean that libraries are closing. No-one mentioned the CAB, which he might have been directed to, only to find they had had to lay off all their benefits specialists when Legal Aid was removed in 2012.
But overall, a brilliant film, and deserving of its BAFTA.
United
(I) (2011)
A worthy attempt but not a classic
6 November 2016
It is possible to make an entertaining and reasonably accurate football docu-drama. Take The Damned United as an example. It needs a lively script, good characterisation and some top actors.
The problem with United is that the main characters themselves are not particularly memorable. Bobby Charlton, National Treasure though he is, is a bit boring,. Director James Strong has tried to liven up dour Scot Matt Busby by giving him an air of menace, when in real life he was a much gentler kinder man. Deputy Manager Jimmy Murphy is not so well known and so David Tennant is free to stamp his own character on him and in so doing does give the best performance of the film.
The story itself is so well known, any attempt at suspense would fail. A group of players are emerging but cut down in their prime by an air crash. The surviving members must somehow rebuild from what remains.
Overall although beautifully photographed, United is just too slow and drawn out to be a classic of its genre.
The problem with United is that the main characters themselves are not particularly memorable. Bobby Charlton, National Treasure though he is, is a bit boring,. Director James Strong has tried to liven up dour Scot Matt Busby by giving him an air of menace, when in real life he was a much gentler kinder man. Deputy Manager Jimmy Murphy is not so well known and so David Tennant is free to stamp his own character on him and in so doing does give the best performance of the film.
The story itself is so well known, any attempt at suspense would fail. A group of players are emerging but cut down in their prime by an air crash. The surviving members must somehow rebuild from what remains.
Overall although beautifully photographed, United is just too slow and drawn out to be a classic of its genre.
Christmas Song
(2012 TV Movie)
Inoffensive, light and (Christmas) fun
21 August 2016
Natasha Henstridge plays Miss Thiessen and Gabriel Hogan plays Mr Stoddard, two High School Music teachers who are in competition for one job following a merger of a girls' and a boys' school. The competition boils down to a competition over who has directed the best Christmas carol performance.
Filmed in Ontario, and directed by Timothy Bond, production values are good. To remind us it's Christmas, every scene features garlands and Christmas lights in the background with plenty of fake snow everywhere, and snow-covered fake bushes.
Look, it's inoffensive, light and fun. Henstridge is very easy on the eye and Hogan has clearly done lots of this stuff before. Of course the plot is predictable and the dialogue bland. But for a Sunday afternoon pre-Christmas with kids and grandparents this is well pitched
Filmed in Ontario, and directed by Timothy Bond, production values are good. To remind us it's Christmas, every scene features garlands and Christmas lights in the background with plenty of fake snow everywhere, and snow-covered fake bushes.
Look, it's inoffensive, light and fun. Henstridge is very easy on the eye and Hogan has clearly done lots of this stuff before. Of course the plot is predictable and the dialogue bland. But for a Sunday afternoon pre-Christmas with kids and grandparents this is well pitched
Today You Die
(2005 Video)
Today you diet. Better than most recent offerings.
26 August 2015
Seagal is back! Overweight, mumbling, dyed hair, immobile. I love this stuff. Please note, if it moves, it's the stunt double. However, although Seagal (Harlan Banks here) can't act, some of the support is OK.
Mari Morrow plays his girlfriend Jada. She's pretty and handles her part well. Although this wasn't the smartest career move, she stands out. Sarah Buxton, less so. Is she full of botox, or just have no facial expression? Robert Mianpo, Nick Mancuso, Kevin Tighe (Max) all do OK. Which, in a Seagal film, is praise.
The plot seems better than usual. He's a thief trying to go straight, and gets set up as a getaway driver. In fact the getaway scene is the best in the movie. But it all goes downhill from there.
Seagal goes to jail. We're in prison, in a desert area. But one of the guards appears to be standing in front of a wood and we keep seeing trees everywhere.
He escapes with Treach ridiculously easily, gets armed and looks for Max. Now we have a scene with an old Jaguar with blacked out windows. Except, when Seagal's inside, it's some sort of American sedan with clear glass! I came to this film ready to criticise but there are signs that old Seagal is beginning to realise the joke. This is better than most recent offerings. It's actually quite watchable.
Mari Morrow plays his girlfriend Jada. She's pretty and handles her part well. Although this wasn't the smartest career move, she stands out. Sarah Buxton, less so. Is she full of botox, or just have no facial expression? Robert Mianpo, Nick Mancuso, Kevin Tighe (Max) all do OK. Which, in a Seagal film, is praise.
The plot seems better than usual. He's a thief trying to go straight, and gets set up as a getaway driver. In fact the getaway scene is the best in the movie. But it all goes downhill from there.
Seagal goes to jail. We're in prison, in a desert area. But one of the guards appears to be standing in front of a wood and we keep seeing trees everywhere.
He escapes with Treach ridiculously easily, gets armed and looks for Max. Now we have a scene with an old Jaguar with blacked out windows. Except, when Seagal's inside, it's some sort of American sedan with clear glass! I came to this film ready to criticise but there are signs that old Seagal is beginning to realise the joke. This is better than most recent offerings. It's actually quite watchable.
A View to a Kill
(1985)
Weakest Bond
11 August 2015
A View to a Kill is the most questionable Bond so far in the series. For example, Why persevere with Roger Moore at the age of 57 when the main love interest is 29? Why cast Tanya Roberts anyway when she was fresh from a Razzie nomination for Sheena, Queen of the Jungle? She repaid the producers by getting one for this film too! Why set the opening scene in the gorgeous setting of Iceland, then use the Beach Boys' California girls as the music? Talking of music, who authorised Duran Duran to sing the title track? This dirge has dated worse than any other Bond theme song.
Am I right in thinking that the only high-tech gadget here is a pair of Polarizing sunglasses? Is the first love interest before the title sequence played by Alison Doody? She was 19 at the time. Moore could have been her grandad. Of all the women Bond beds in this film, Ivanova (Fiona Fullerton) seems the most convincing.
I'm not against using older actors appropriately. For instance, Patrick Macnee works well with Moore as Sir Godfrey Tibbett. Makes you wonder why he wasn't considered earlier.
Grace Jones (May Day) is just bizarre in every scene, though her jump from the Eiffel Tower is spectacular, as is Bond's driving, or rather the stunt-double-who-looks-nothing-like-Bond's driving.
Christopher Walkden is oddly restrained, and who told Alison Doody and Patrick Bauchau to deliver their lines in a nasal monotone? Tanya Roberts speaks as if she is unfamiliar with the meaning of any word of more than two syllables, and we're supposed to believe she is the State Geologist, which is totally ridiculous.
All in all, this is a mess.
Am I right in thinking that the only high-tech gadget here is a pair of Polarizing sunglasses? Is the first love interest before the title sequence played by Alison Doody? She was 19 at the time. Moore could have been her grandad. Of all the women Bond beds in this film, Ivanova (Fiona Fullerton) seems the most convincing.
I'm not against using older actors appropriately. For instance, Patrick Macnee works well with Moore as Sir Godfrey Tibbett. Makes you wonder why he wasn't considered earlier.
Grace Jones (May Day) is just bizarre in every scene, though her jump from the Eiffel Tower is spectacular, as is Bond's driving, or rather the stunt-double-who-looks-nothing-like-Bond's driving.
Christopher Walkden is oddly restrained, and who told Alison Doody and Patrick Bauchau to deliver their lines in a nasal monotone? Tanya Roberts speaks as if she is unfamiliar with the meaning of any word of more than two syllables, and we're supposed to believe she is the State Geologist, which is totally ridiculous.
All in all, this is a mess.
Octopussy
(1983)
Roger Moore's penultimate Bond movie - pretty good
8 August 2015
Familiar formula for Roger Moore's penultimate Bond movie aged 55, Pre-title sequence is good, but the theme song sung by Rita Coolidge is not. Not even lyrics by Tim Rice could save it.
There's a new M (Robert Brown) but the same Moneypenny and Q.
There is a proper spy story here, concerning a Faberge egg, which Bond bids for at an auction, switching it for a fake in the process. The buyer is Kamal (Louis Jourdan). Bond tracks him to India.
Why is Vijay Armitraj in this film, trying to act, and to get laughs with tennis references? Octopussy island is where we get to see Maud Adams again. I still don't think she's great and I prefer her henchmen, played by Pan's People fave Cherry Gillespie and 6-footer Suzanne Jerome, who died a few years after this film was made.
I did feel we were back to the pace being ponderous but the later scenes on the train were good, even if they were reminiscent of the Great St Trinians Train Robbery.
Overall, pretty good.
There's a new M (Robert Brown) but the same Moneypenny and Q.
There is a proper spy story here, concerning a Faberge egg, which Bond bids for at an auction, switching it for a fake in the process. The buyer is Kamal (Louis Jourdan). Bond tracks him to India.
Why is Vijay Armitraj in this film, trying to act, and to get laughs with tennis references? Octopussy island is where we get to see Maud Adams again. I still don't think she's great and I prefer her henchmen, played by Pan's People fave Cherry Gillespie and 6-footer Suzanne Jerome, who died a few years after this film was made.
I did feel we were back to the pace being ponderous but the later scenes on the train were good, even if they were reminiscent of the Great St Trinians Train Robbery.
Overall, pretty good.
For Your Eyes Only
(1981)
Proper Bond
7 August 2015
For Your Eyes Only opens with Bond triumphing over Blofeld. Cartoon villain dispatched, we get Sheena Easton appearing herself while singing the Theme, one of the best in the series. It's a good start.
What follows is a well crafted story involving the murder of Melina Havelock's (Caroline Bouquet) parents and Bond teaming up with her to try to locate the ATAC device. There's a great car chase involving a Citroen 2CV. I like Bouquet but it's a shame that she had to be dubbed..
Following the death of Bernard Lee (M), Desmond Llewelyn's Q gets an enhanced role here and Locque (Michael Gothard) is identified as the man they want to find.
In the Italian Alps there is a slightly disturbing scene where the 16-year old Bibi (Lynn-Holly Johnson) attempts to seduce Bond, being played by 54 year old Roger Moore. It's not essential to the plot. And lies somewhere between unbelievable and creepy.
Anyway, we soon have some great ski/motorbike chases though it was during one of these that a stuntman was killed. A small gripe is that the score is often annoying.
This is a proper film, only reverting to the old jokiness right at the end where we see John Wells and Janet Brown as Dennis and Margaret Thatcher.
What follows is a well crafted story involving the murder of Melina Havelock's (Caroline Bouquet) parents and Bond teaming up with her to try to locate the ATAC device. There's a great car chase involving a Citroen 2CV. I like Bouquet but it's a shame that she had to be dubbed..
Following the death of Bernard Lee (M), Desmond Llewelyn's Q gets an enhanced role here and Locque (Michael Gothard) is identified as the man they want to find.
In the Italian Alps there is a slightly disturbing scene where the 16-year old Bibi (Lynn-Holly Johnson) attempts to seduce Bond, being played by 54 year old Roger Moore. It's not essential to the plot. And lies somewhere between unbelievable and creepy.
Anyway, we soon have some great ski/motorbike chases though it was during one of these that a stuntman was killed. A small gripe is that the score is often annoying.
This is a proper film, only reverting to the old jokiness right at the end where we see John Wells and Janet Brown as Dennis and Margaret Thatcher.
Moonraker
(1979)
Space age Bond
6 August 2015
The last Bond of the 70s, and Roger Moore's fourth. He has settled nicely into the role but maybe is starting to look a bit old at 52 to be lusting after 20-year-olds.
The pre-title sequence is again spectacular and involves a parachute (well it worked last time) However the theme music is not so memorable despite Shirley Bassey getting the job again and vocally as good as 15 years earlier.
Richard Kiel gets the henchman role again as Jaws but plays it more for laughs. Michael Lonsdale is good as megabaddy Drax. M, Q, Moneypenny all present and correct, though this is Bernard Lee's last appearance as M, the actor dying before the next one could be completed.
Eye candy is provided by Corinne Clery (as Corinne Dufour) and Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead. But acting is poor, Corinne is clearly dubbed, Chiles delivers every line in a monotone and I didn't find either of them as hot as Jaws' girlfriend played by Blanche Ravalec.
How lovely it is to see Alfie Bass in a 5-second cameo. But what a waste.
The close encounters notes must have seemed funny at the time but its humour wears off after a bit.
So how many 7-up product placements did you spot?
The pre-title sequence is again spectacular and involves a parachute (well it worked last time) However the theme music is not so memorable despite Shirley Bassey getting the job again and vocally as good as 15 years earlier.
Richard Kiel gets the henchman role again as Jaws but plays it more for laughs. Michael Lonsdale is good as megabaddy Drax. M, Q, Moneypenny all present and correct, though this is Bernard Lee's last appearance as M, the actor dying before the next one could be completed.
Eye candy is provided by Corinne Clery (as Corinne Dufour) and Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead. But acting is poor, Corinne is clearly dubbed, Chiles delivers every line in a monotone and I didn't find either of them as hot as Jaws' girlfriend played by Blanche Ravalec.
How lovely it is to see Alfie Bass in a 5-second cameo. But what a waste.
The close encounters notes must have seemed funny at the time but its humour wears off after a bit.
So how many 7-up product placements did you spot?
The Spy Who Loved Me
(1977)
A better Bond
5 August 2015
Aaah James, I cannot find the words. Well let me try to enlarge your vocabulary.
And we're back. Much better opening this time. Spectacular skiing/parachuting sequence. And Carly Simon's vocals on the theme song are top quality.
It's now 1977 and we're in Cold War territory. M and Q (Lee and Llewelyn) are back on form. The brown suits are less in evidence.
Jaws (Richard Kiel) is the new henchman. He's big and nasty and has sharp teeth. Doesn't move too well though.
Barbara Bach as Anya Amasova is beautiful but her voice appears clearly overdubbed and as for acting ability...Caroline Munro is also beautiful but, if anything, worse. However, this is Roger Moore's best acting performance in a Bond film up to this point.
The Leyland Sherpa Van also deserves a mention. I remember fondly my University had one between 1976-1979. And Valerie Leon makes the most gorgeous hotel receptionist ever in a brief appearance. What a waste.
All in all a much better film than the last outing even though the formula is already looking a bit tired.
And we're back. Much better opening this time. Spectacular skiing/parachuting sequence. And Carly Simon's vocals on the theme song are top quality.
It's now 1977 and we're in Cold War territory. M and Q (Lee and Llewelyn) are back on form. The brown suits are less in evidence.
Jaws (Richard Kiel) is the new henchman. He's big and nasty and has sharp teeth. Doesn't move too well though.
Barbara Bach as Anya Amasova is beautiful but her voice appears clearly overdubbed and as for acting ability...Caroline Munro is also beautiful but, if anything, worse. However, this is Roger Moore's best acting performance in a Bond film up to this point.
The Leyland Sherpa Van also deserves a mention. I remember fondly my University had one between 1976-1979. And Valerie Leon makes the most gorgeous hotel receptionist ever in a brief appearance. What a waste.
All in all a much better film than the last outing even though the formula is already looking a bit tired.
The Man with the Golden Gun
(1974)
Slow Bond
4 August 2015
The opening scene of this one is slow, like the rest of it. NickNack (Herve Villechaize) is not a good actor and 52-year old Christopher Lee (Scaramanga) is clearly using a body double for the action bits. I don't think Lulu's theme song has weathered the years as well as she has done though she certainly belts it out.
Bond's opening scene is more traditional this time with M (Bernard Lee) and Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell), though Desmond Llewelyn's Q eclipses James Cossins as Colthorpe.
We're still in the 1970s with its brown suits, brown cars and product placement Brut aftershave.
Bond still has his one-liners (I've lost my charm! Not from where I'm standing) but they are weak.
Maud Adams never was a great actress and yet Britt Ekland is handed the doormat role of Mary Goodnight. Scenes with Lee and Adams are unconvincing due to the age difference. Clifton James reprises his mouthy cop from Live and Let Die and in the process hurts the film more than he helps it.
The car chase is good, though.
Bond's opening scene is more traditional this time with M (Bernard Lee) and Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell), though Desmond Llewelyn's Q eclipses James Cossins as Colthorpe.
We're still in the 1970s with its brown suits, brown cars and product placement Brut aftershave.
Bond still has his one-liners (I've lost my charm! Not from where I'm standing) but they are weak.
Maud Adams never was a great actress and yet Britt Ekland is handed the doormat role of Mary Goodnight. Scenes with Lee and Adams are unconvincing due to the age difference. Clifton James reprises his mouthy cop from Live and Let Die and in the process hurts the film more than he helps it.
The car chase is good, though.
Live and Let Die
(1973)
Best Bond
3 August 2015
Loved this one. Great theme song by Paul McCartney at the height of his Wings period. Best looking Bond babe ever – Madeline Smith. And was Roger Moore the best Bond ever? I kinda think so.
There's a 70s flavour to everything (reel-to-reel tape, brown suits) and the film is none the worse for that. I actually wasn't so keen on Jane Seymour in her role as Solitaire – too posh, too detached. Gloria Hendry seems to struggle a bit too as Rosie Carver.
Yaphet Kotto makes a good bad guy. Julius Harris is good as Tee Hee and Clifton James adds some comedy value as J.W. Pepper. David Hedison is this film's Felix Leiter and he is also good.
Some great chase scenes. Great one-liners. Good cinematography by Ted Moore. Well directed by Guy Hamilton.
There's a 70s flavour to everything (reel-to-reel tape, brown suits) and the film is none the worse for that. I actually wasn't so keen on Jane Seymour in her role as Solitaire – too posh, too detached. Gloria Hendry seems to struggle a bit too as Rosie Carver.
Yaphet Kotto makes a good bad guy. Julius Harris is good as Tee Hee and Clifton James adds some comedy value as J.W. Pepper. David Hedison is this film's Felix Leiter and he is also good.
Some great chase scenes. Great one-liners. Good cinematography by Ted Moore. Well directed by Guy Hamilton.
The Simpsons Movie
(2007)
Not a return to the glory days unfortunately
7 June 2015
In the 90s "The Simpsons" was the funniest, most original cartoon ever. It was always going to be difficult for "The Movie" to recapture the glory days and it doesn't do that. It seems like nothing more than an extended TV episode of latter day "Simpsons".
"The Simpsons Movie" was apparently edited heavily, and Kelsey Grammar, Minnie Driver, Isla Fisher and Erin Brockovich all had their scenes cut out. But it is still ponderous.
Some inhabitants of Springfield have only very brief cameos if at all (Mr Burns, Moe, Sideshow Bob, Principal Skinner, Skinner's mother, Apu, Groundskeeper Willie, Millhouse's parents). The new characters like the Irish kid Colin, are irritating.
The plot is facile, concerning a giant dome put on Springfield to hold in the pollution and the government intending to blow up the city to get rid of it. And the whole Alaska section was weak. What made the Simpsons great was its subtle satire. The movie is like a parody of itself, the same kind of stupid sitcom it once made fun of. Replacing Alf Clausen's usual score with Hans Zimmer is also a mistake. The straightforward orchestral treatment for the show is very distracting.
Having said all that there are some good lines (Bart: It's the worst day of my life. Homer: It's the worst day of your life so far) and some good visuals (nude skateboarding). But you'd get more fun, and save a lot of time, by watching any episode from the first eight series.
"The Simpsons Movie" was apparently edited heavily, and Kelsey Grammar, Minnie Driver, Isla Fisher and Erin Brockovich all had their scenes cut out. But it is still ponderous.
Some inhabitants of Springfield have only very brief cameos if at all (Mr Burns, Moe, Sideshow Bob, Principal Skinner, Skinner's mother, Apu, Groundskeeper Willie, Millhouse's parents). The new characters like the Irish kid Colin, are irritating.
The plot is facile, concerning a giant dome put on Springfield to hold in the pollution and the government intending to blow up the city to get rid of it. And the whole Alaska section was weak. What made the Simpsons great was its subtle satire. The movie is like a parody of itself, the same kind of stupid sitcom it once made fun of. Replacing Alf Clausen's usual score with Hans Zimmer is also a mistake. The straightforward orchestral treatment for the show is very distracting.
Having said all that there are some good lines (Bart: It's the worst day of my life. Homer: It's the worst day of your life so far) and some good visuals (nude skateboarding). But you'd get more fun, and save a lot of time, by watching any episode from the first eight series.
Submerged
(2005 Video)
Not his worst movie!
28 May 2015
Not his worst movie! Yes, he's overweight, mostly immobile, mumbles his lines (when not overdubbed) and pretends he's black. He has strange dyed hair and orange skin.
But look, some of his fellow actors here are not bad. Vinnie Jones plays Henry, and still looks good in his fight scenes, Nick Brimble is Lehder, William Hope is Fletcher, and Alison King and the lovely Christine Adams play the female roles.
This time our hero plays Chris Kody, the world's best mercenary – he must use his lethal weapons and fighting skills to stop a group of terrorists who have taken over a nuclear sub.
For a straight-to-video film this is about average. Yes, it's clearly not set in Uruguay (it's set in Bulgaria) and the plot is illogical. But if you want to watch a Segal movie that's truly bad (and there can be an odd pleasure in this) then watch Out of Reach or Hard to Kill.
But look, some of his fellow actors here are not bad. Vinnie Jones plays Henry, and still looks good in his fight scenes, Nick Brimble is Lehder, William Hope is Fletcher, and Alison King and the lovely Christine Adams play the female roles.
This time our hero plays Chris Kody, the world's best mercenary – he must use his lethal weapons and fighting skills to stop a group of terrorists who have taken over a nuclear sub.
For a straight-to-video film this is about average. Yes, it's clearly not set in Uruguay (it's set in Bulgaria) and the plot is illogical. But if you want to watch a Segal movie that's truly bad (and there can be an odd pleasure in this) then watch Out of Reach or Hard to Kill.
Downfall
(2004)
A landmark film.
30 April 2015
I watched this film on the 70th anniversary of Hitler's death. It tells the true story of the last days of the Third Reich (April 1945), from within Hitler's secret underground bunker situated in the heart of Berlin.
All the dialogue is in German, with subtitles. There has been a lot of investment into getting good actors and impressive sets. The bunker scenes are shot with low camera angles and in a greenish light. There is not a weak link in this film.
Bruno Ganz (actually Swiss) gives the performance of his life as Hitler, and Alexandria Maria Lara (Romanian) plays the role of Traudi Junge as his secretary, on whose book the film was based.
Given the lasting impact on world history of this brief period in central Europe, this film should be required viewing for everyone. A landmark film.
All the dialogue is in German, with subtitles. There has been a lot of investment into getting good actors and impressive sets. The bunker scenes are shot with low camera angles and in a greenish light. There is not a weak link in this film.
Bruno Ganz (actually Swiss) gives the performance of his life as Hitler, and Alexandria Maria Lara (Romanian) plays the role of Traudi Junge as his secretary, on whose book the film was based.
Given the lasting impact on world history of this brief period in central Europe, this film should be required viewing for everyone. A landmark film.
Dangerous Ground
(1997)
It was all, you know, separated.
17 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The opening scene flashes between black and white and colour. Ice Cube is studying in America and has returned to South Africa at the end of apartheid. No trace of an African accent. You know this is going to be unrealistic when they refer to the USA as a cosy democracy.
Here's a summary. Some of the scenery is spectacular. Camera-work is functional. Most of the acting is dire and the dialogue cringeworthy.
Liz Hurley is gorgeous as always, and posh English as always. She does have the habit of answering the door to strangers while dressed in scanty underwear. I would have thought that unusual, even for a professional stripper.
After Ice is carjacked he doesn't call the police. he returns to his hotel. Liz Hurley gets in touch. She's also had some problems 'Did you call the police?' asks Ice.
It now turns out that Liz is Ice's brother's girlfriend as well as neighbour. But brother Stephen has gone missing. Liz now gets Ice to get her drugs. The dealer is suspicious. Meanwhile who should knock at the door? It's Stephen, but he doesn't seem pleased to see his brother.
Now they head off back to Ice's hotel. I'm getting bored now, like Ice sounds when he makes those phone calls back home. The score is starting to get annoying too.
Then we wind our way to the finale – predictable and dull.
Here's a summary. Some of the scenery is spectacular. Camera-work is functional. Most of the acting is dire and the dialogue cringeworthy.
Liz Hurley is gorgeous as always, and posh English as always. She does have the habit of answering the door to strangers while dressed in scanty underwear. I would have thought that unusual, even for a professional stripper.
After Ice is carjacked he doesn't call the police. he returns to his hotel. Liz Hurley gets in touch. She's also had some problems 'Did you call the police?' asks Ice.
It now turns out that Liz is Ice's brother's girlfriend as well as neighbour. But brother Stephen has gone missing. Liz now gets Ice to get her drugs. The dealer is suspicious. Meanwhile who should knock at the door? It's Stephen, but he doesn't seem pleased to see his brother.
Now they head off back to Ice's hotel. I'm getting bored now, like Ice sounds when he makes those phone calls back home. The score is starting to get annoying too.
Then we wind our way to the finale – predictable and dull.
Last Man Standing
(1996)
More style than substance
16 December 2014
Bruce Willis is the narrator and has the lead role as gunslinger John Smith in 1930s Jericho on the American-Mexican border. Bruce Dern co-stars as Sheriff Ed Gait, with William Sanderson as Joe Monday. However, the two best performances are by David Patrick Kelly as the head of the Irish clan Doyle and Christopher Walken as psycho Hickey.
Director Walter Hill has overseen a stylish reworking of Sergio Leone's 1964 A Fistful Of Dollars. The violence is frequent and extreme and there is well executed stunt work by Allan Graf. There is a wonderfully bluesy slide guitar score by Ry Cooder and lovely orangey photography by Lloyd Ahern.
Ultimately, though, more style than substance
Director Walter Hill has overseen a stylish reworking of Sergio Leone's 1964 A Fistful Of Dollars. The violence is frequent and extreme and there is well executed stunt work by Allan Graf. There is a wonderfully bluesy slide guitar score by Ry Cooder and lovely orangey photography by Lloyd Ahern.
Ultimately, though, more style than substance
Hard Candy
(2005)
Great performances but no real surprise
27 August 2014
I started by thinking that this was one of those films that people either loved, or hated. Looking at the other reviews, there seemed to be a lot of ones and tens. Which would I be? Well neither actually. Yes, this is commendably economical on actors – really just Patrick Wilson as paedophile Jeff Kohlver and Ellen Page as 14 year-old bait with a bite Hayley Stark. Both give good performances. If Ellen had been Oscar-nominated for this as well as Juno, few could have complained.
The plot is unusual and credit goes to writer Brian Nelson. The camera-work and direction is excellent and David Slade is clearly a talented guy. I'm not going to go through the plot in detail but you know by now what it boils down to. Jeff is grooming kids on the internet. One is willing to meet him, but it turns out Hayley was actually grooming him and in a battle between a 30-year old man and a 14 year-old girl the winner is not the one you would expect in real life, but in a movie...well it probably is the one you would expect. So there was no real surprise element for me.
Also, I didn't like the ending, and I thought the castration scene was far too drawn out. But my main problem with it was that I didn't like either of the characters and they comprised nearly 100% of the film. I didn't like Jeff because of what he was. But I didn't like Hayley either. She was just too smart, too cold, too flawless. I would have liked some major plot twist but nothing came. So in the end I give it a disappointed four.
The plot is unusual and credit goes to writer Brian Nelson. The camera-work and direction is excellent and David Slade is clearly a talented guy. I'm not going to go through the plot in detail but you know by now what it boils down to. Jeff is grooming kids on the internet. One is willing to meet him, but it turns out Hayley was actually grooming him and in a battle between a 30-year old man and a 14 year-old girl the winner is not the one you would expect in real life, but in a movie...well it probably is the one you would expect. So there was no real surprise element for me.
Also, I didn't like the ending, and I thought the castration scene was far too drawn out. But my main problem with it was that I didn't like either of the characters and they comprised nearly 100% of the film. I didn't like Jeff because of what he was. But I didn't like Hayley either. She was just too smart, too cold, too flawless. I would have liked some major plot twist but nothing came. So in the end I give it a disappointed four.
Frankenhooker
(1990)
Just weird, mainly
26 August 2014
At the home of Jeffrey Franken (James Lorinz) an accident with a lawnmower leaves his fiancé Elizabeth Shelley (Patty Mullen) in pieces all over the garden. Medical school dropout Jeffrey steals her head and decides to use his knowledge to bring Elizabeth back to life, by acquiring body parts from local prostitutes, killing them using exploding crack cocaine. However, the project backfires on Jeffrey when Elizabeth turns into Frankenhooker! Elizabeth then embarks on a killing spree in New York, uttering phrases such as 'Wanna date?'
With a limited budget, most of the special effects are rubbish. It isn't very funny, not erotic, not horrific. Just weird, mainly. The directing isn't that special either. The acting is poor, dialogue lazy and no-one seems to be taking control over the whole thing. Ultimately it's Patty Mullen who gives the most watchable performance here. She's really very good. Just a shame she didn't do another film. And it's because of her I give it 5.
With a limited budget, most of the special effects are rubbish. It isn't very funny, not erotic, not horrific. Just weird, mainly. The directing isn't that special either. The acting is poor, dialogue lazy and no-one seems to be taking control over the whole thing. Ultimately it's Patty Mullen who gives the most watchable performance here. She's really very good. Just a shame she didn't do another film. And it's because of her I give it 5.
Bedazzled
(2000)
One of my guilty pleasures
6 August 2014
This film is one of my guilty pleasures. You know, one of those films that you shouldn't really like but actually do. I guess it helps that I've always had a bit of a thing about Liz Hurley and her role here as the devil suits her perfectly, and her limitations as an actress don't really matter here.
The other main character and another good looking woman is Frances O'Connor as Alison. She's lovely and a great actress here. In addition, Orlando Jones, Paul Adelstein, and Toby Huss play a variety of characters very nicely.
Brendan Fraser holds the whole thing together. He plays nerdy Elliot, who works with Alison though he is invisible to her. He says he would give anything to have her as a girlfriend. This is an invitation for the devil to offer him seven wishes in exchange for his soul... as long as he signs the contract.
There follow five very funny cameos where Elliot takes different personas in order to win Alison. Each is doomed to end in failure. He asks to be (1) rich and powerful, (2) emotionally sensitive, (3) a famous athlete, (4) intelligent, witty and well-endowed, (5) President of the United States. Every scenario has a twist that he did not expect. The devil gives Elliot misleading advice in her own cameos between these scenes.
Some reviewers have compared this version unfavourably to the Peter Cook & Dudley Moore version. It's best not to compare them. The films are sufficiently different to enjoy each one in its own right.
There are many scenes here that are laugh-out-loud, even on a repeat viewing. If there's a weak point it's the final half hour. Yes it does sort of tie the whole thing together but the pace slows and it tries too hard for a 'happy ever after' finish. Maybe a darker ending would have been better. But overall, great fun, great dialogue and great acting.
The other main character and another good looking woman is Frances O'Connor as Alison. She's lovely and a great actress here. In addition, Orlando Jones, Paul Adelstein, and Toby Huss play a variety of characters very nicely.
Brendan Fraser holds the whole thing together. He plays nerdy Elliot, who works with Alison though he is invisible to her. He says he would give anything to have her as a girlfriend. This is an invitation for the devil to offer him seven wishes in exchange for his soul... as long as he signs the contract.
There follow five very funny cameos where Elliot takes different personas in order to win Alison. Each is doomed to end in failure. He asks to be (1) rich and powerful, (2) emotionally sensitive, (3) a famous athlete, (4) intelligent, witty and well-endowed, (5) President of the United States. Every scenario has a twist that he did not expect. The devil gives Elliot misleading advice in her own cameos between these scenes.
Some reviewers have compared this version unfavourably to the Peter Cook & Dudley Moore version. It's best not to compare them. The films are sufficiently different to enjoy each one in its own right.
There are many scenes here that are laugh-out-loud, even on a repeat viewing. If there's a weak point it's the final half hour. Yes it does sort of tie the whole thing together but the pace slows and it tries too hard for a 'happy ever after' finish. Maybe a darker ending would have been better. But overall, great fun, great dialogue and great acting.
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