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Mysterious Mr. Nicholson (1947)
Eight for the dogs...2 for the rest.
An extraordinarily dull effort with stilted acting and boring dialogue..Except it all is elevated to stratospheric levels by introducing out of nowhere a brilliant stage dog act, and surely this was the greatest dog act the world has ever seen? Funny and charming little and big dogs doing all sorts of tricks and one little cheeky dog doing naughty things..
I looked for just the dog act, but it was nowhere to e found.
Recommended only for the dogs. (Not for dogs to watch...you know what I mean..)
Columbo: Columbo Likes the Nightlife (2003)
Columbo tragedy. In the theatrical sense.
This is an amazing bow out for Peter Falk as the great Columbo. Possibly the finest detective film series ever to come out of Hollywood. The conception, characterisations, writing and overall quality is unmatched.
One or two of the later experimental episodes, well I recall one, were poor. This though was back to the usual excellent.
It deviated from the standard Columbo plot in one way, The killers were left with little choice as fate drew a strong hand. To have done the 'right thing' would spell ruin. I felt for them and almost hoped Columbo would fail. But rather like a theatrical tragedy, there was only one end. Bad. The cards had been dealt. 'it's a shame' (or similar) says Columbo as he makes his arrest.
And possibly for the first time I wished Columbo would leave them alone.
Brilliant final episode.
The Stepford Wives (1975)
Don't miss your Step(ford)
Great ideas are few and far between. This is a great idea.
Written at a time when women's liberation was finally emerging from a 1960s where possibly the most blatant (Technicolor) sexism was portrayed in popular culture and men were still of the generation that assumed theirs was really the dominant sex. (Yes , some still do, I think they are called Neanderthals?)The expectation was for women to act accordingly - at home and work. The world was still absolutely patriarchal.
Only the hidden power of women - at home and work - was still lingering in the subconscious. Ready to emerge. And in the 1970s I think there was real progress.
This film just asks a question, what do you want from a partner?
A real person, given power to choose, another human being to share lifes ups and downs, a partner and soul mate, or that which is given pleasing shape and kitchen duties? There is of course only one answer, or should be unless tradition, peer pressure and convention expose the frailty of the male ego to the point of murder?
Trust, role play and many other topics are touched upon, the savage final reel shattering the idyllic suburban setting is more Twin Peaks / Blue Velvet - and one wonders how much influence this may have had.
This is a truly beautiful film to look at, the camerawork , performances and direction are all first rate and produce a memorable, and finely crafted masterpiece in the art of film making. 10/10 (I rated it 8/10 on the absolute scale - compared to the modern remake for instance which takes the premise to an altogether different place - with its plastic, robotic, modern Hollywood manufacture - even before the story starts - it's a 10 in comparison
Children of Chernobyl (1991)
The worst sort of journalism
This is an extraordinary film. Full of pseudo science and myth and the most vile use of journalistic licence possible. Chernobyl was awful, the men who arrived to clear the site were doomed, those fighting the fires were receiving gigantic doses. Parts of the reactor, it's fuel and control rods were strewn across the site. The glowing core filmed through the roof of the reactor building from a nearby helicopter were pure hellish visions. Around that time the whole world went sort of mad with crazy speculation that it was the end of the world and we would all be poisoned. The truth was rather different. Unfortunately nobody told this director who scoured Kiev for all the sick children he could find and blamed Chernobyl as he took footage of tortured children. I felt sick watching this. It's full of bad science and extremely poor research and bad non-facts and MYTH. Absolutely appalling documentary, where trying to do the right thing, which I'm sure he was, has failed in a bad, bad way.
Third Time Lucky (1931)
The Bishop of Mombasa
This currently shows rated at 5.5 stars. The fact that there is more skill and quality than 95% of current Hollywood output is, well not unexpected. A simple story told with great humour. The main protagonist being a member of the cloth, influenced by a cheap crime story confiscated from a young lad of his flock is not something modern audiences expect. The sight of the great Gordon Harker being introduced as 'The Bishop of Mombasa' and his entrance with his two side kicks (one with an eye patch) is better than anything I can think of at the moment. Do yourself a favour.
The Truman Show (1998)
The Nixon Show
The tragedy that people consider this film reaches some philosophical nirvana accompanied with a deep meaningful message adds to the contempt I already have for this excrement.
A child's mind could only deliver an idea like this, maybe plagiarising a Twilight Zone episode. The technically superior camera work and uncluttered cartoon like sets only allow the viewer sharp focus on the banality of this story. I will not go into detail as others have, I just add my 1/10 to the mix.
Some of us are not fans of Jim Carey either, and his addition to any movie relegates it to doom anyhow. I knew it would be a bad idea to watch this, but I went along, accompanied by a nagging suspicion, with the high score and praise.
More proof that either the majority are stupid or I am a loony.
We did go to the moon.
Tower Block (2012)
Towering Cock
I can't quite remember when I last scratched my head in wonder at the perverse rating given to mindless dross, probably yesterday. I must commend the young writers who won the under 12 award though for the production of this film, and even though I am comparing it to regular adult fare, I feel it is not too unfair as this is the competition it faces. So if you want to watch inner city scumbag stereotypes innit being overacted by the usual bunch, including the jug eared squealing wolfman himself (who had a hilarious end, squeaking all the way)in an appalling deep depression guaranteeing, bleak dark, yet still supremely dull script - watch this shite. Oh and like yous like sister is like a munter skank yous tosser. My dogs better than your dogs innit! I is gonna murderalize you . Well done the under 12s.
Race with the Devil (1975)
How to annoy me
I'm only adding an observation. I have noticed on so many occasions where a film places the poor buggers in question in a perilous situation, whereupon they take leave in a mighty hurry in a perfectly roadworthy vehicle. It so happens if it was one of us, we would find ourselves shifting into top gear and pelting up the motorway away to freedom and safety...Not so for these poor f@@kers, the petrol gauge suddenly shows empty at worst moment, a tree suddenly appears to halt progress, a tire goes flat, and so often a decent driver suddenly can't control the flippin' vehicle and off the road they go spinning over and coming to rest upside down only to be hacked to death by the mad axeman(spell correct offers ''taxman''). Here in Race with the Devil a cupboard aboard a mobile home is opened as they are driving and a snake pops out! If you were the driver, what would you do? Stop and help? No way! You must drive even faster and erratically over bumpy rough ground until everyone ,snakes and all are writhing about helpless on the floor and then crash into a tree. Yes that's what I would do.
Ice Station Zebra (1968)
Turning into a fine vintage
I am always bemused at how some films seem to generate such wild swings between love and hate. How is it Sheepshaggers Convention is held in such high regard by so many? How is it that Ice Station Zebra is held so low? There are a few films we all seem to love, but ISZ is one most seem to hate. I simply adore this film, It transports me completely. I think the dialogue is some of the most memorable and exciting of any film of this genre, there is a precision that is key to to the brilliance. The film is beautifully paced and directed, There is no clunkiness or waste and the performances and characterisations are outstanding, especially McGoohan and Hudson. I for one truly believe Rock as he tells the young Sergeant, worried that he has never been aboard a submarine before, ''Don't worry, I have'' Or when one lad starts praying as the sub is on a deadly descent, he gently advises him.."Excuse me son, some of us are trying to think" Some of McGoohans lines are more wonderful, but may spoil if I repeat. It is definitely a guys film, I can see that there may be less appeal to women as it is a technical and macho subject matter - and yet does not have that obvious 60s sexist feel...Well maybe because there are no women in it... Anyway I had to say give it a go...You may love it!