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Reviews
Flowers for Algernon (2000)
A film that has the power to move emotionally and make you think at the same time on human society.
Having watched this truly wondurfull film and story again I defy anyone that does not cry at the emotional depth and well written script of it all. Its so good to watch a film that has no sex,violence or swearing in it a story that has the power to move emotionally and mentally and make us think again how we treat those of a low IQ with compassion and understanding and not as some do as an object of ridicule and made fun of. For me even better than the original Charly film of earlier with Cliff Robertson which is good itself its just that Matthew Modine plays it with the depth of the character that it needed and to make us the viewer believe in his role and become immersed in what he says which is very believable and tear jerking at many times. I never tire of watching this have a box of tissues ready at times more so before the finale which gets me everytime.
Robin and Marian (1976)
This sums up why love is important to all of us
Without doubt and personally the best story of the character of Robin Hood,Maid Marion and all the other characters that has ever been filmed. Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn are perfectly cast and play it with realism and touching sincerity. Its all very well with many of the others playing it with swashbuckling action but this shows it much later in their lives and time and age catch up to us all and we can no longer be as fit as we once were. Very touching love story well written script, perfect cinematography and John Barry always has the knack of composing the ideal score to all of his films and more so this one. Loved the symbolism of the apples at the start and end and Marians final words still to this day whenever I watch it of making me cry each time as words like poetry have the power to move us all as this shows. Defitnetly underated and certainly in my top ten films of all time. Great story and worth a viewing anyday of the week.
Hand in Hand (1961)
why cant films like this be made anymore?
Having just discovered this sweet gem of a film on Talking Pictures one afternoon this can show why not look at the word from a childs point of view. Perhaps the world can be viewed which we see with innocence just for once forget our predujicies which are instilled in us as we turn adult and show that those of different faiths can get along in this world if we truly want to. So delightfull beginning to end and charming in a heartfelt way. Defitnetly a film to find on DVD and watch on a sunday afternoon and restore your faith in humanity out there.
Genevieve (1953)
A Time now sadly gone
Yes they sure don't make like this anymore and the world is more sadder for it too. Such a delightful simple story of 2 friends trying to outdone another in the annual London to Brighton race of cars of a certain vintage. All the main stars are ideally cast together and Dinah Sheridan always personified what an English rose and true beauty is and show our American cousins we know a thing or too when it comes to glamour too back then. Its regularly shown on tv and rightly so to show modern audiences you don't need,sex,violence and swearing in this world to make a good story just simple charm showing how English life was at one point,
The Lost Continent (1968)
Terribly silly mess but entertaining at the same time
Yes well hmm based upon Dennis Wheatleys novel Uncharted Seas who lets face it writes superior intelligent novels of the horror genre its such a pity that Hammer put silly things like man eating seaweed (ahem! unique I admit but lets face it terribly silly idea) and those cheap rubber monsters that pop up now again yes well we expected a bit better there! How any of the actors could do this film with a straight face let alone appear in it is another thing and rated as an x too is another. Still many plot holes aside and lets face it its laced with him somehow it has that entertainment factor too if not taken too seriously. Christopher Lee was due to appear in this mess maybe his wife talked him out of it (rightly so Chris one does have standards!) or maybe of course at this point of his career not desperate enough either! However mirth aside worth a view of you like strange horror come action adventure films while enjoying your ice cream at the same time.
Robot Monster (1953)
Just sit back and laugh your ass off for over an hour!
Now as much as I prefer my sci-fi to make a serious point to it all and have thought provoking plots along with great effects, there comes a time when you have to put it all aside and just be plain entertained by how bad and truly silly films of this time period really where. Yes well the sight of an overweight actor in a moth eaten gorilla suit wearing a fish bowl helmet with an antenna on it has hardly ever going to make you shake with terror is it? that aside this film is so bad its brilliant and maybe all concerned thought it was a great idea at the time (ok for 30 seconds maybe!) even Ro-Man could have a better name as such but there again if we don't have a credible plot,acting,effects and a budget well we cant have everything can we! truly the worst sci-fi film of all time for me personally but also the best for sheer unadulterated entertainment too. Take it for what is and you will be giggling afterwoods at the script let alone cheap effects.
Interlude (1968)
Underated love story and Glad I watched it!
I first saw this film one afternoon on the Talking Pictures channel and what a treat it was. All the main stars are perfect in this film along with the memorable classical music score which fit each scene they are played. Perhaps the best story that explores the complexities of falling in love with another and also shows with age the feelings still exist and how the emotions have a roller coaster effect on all of us. A tear jerker of a story as love can be sometimes. I have to say Oskar Werner at his absolute best here and needs to be discovered by those that enjoy a good Love story with a plausible plot line,Defitnetly underated,largely unknown at the time and over shadowed by more famous films of that year but a diamond that needs to be discovered.
Solyaris (1972)
Highly thought provoking film
I first saw this film years ago when Alex Cox showed it on tv one night and its caught my imagination ever since then. From the start of the haunting main theme to the first scenes of nature I could tell that this was going to be a lot different to other sci-fi I had seen before it. The film explores how a sentient ocean probes the minds of the scientists and manifests visitors of the individual minds in perhaps a way to communicate with them. Of course wether we see this a blessing,curse or something to be feared is another matter as that's not something that's answered only by the individuals concerned as the film shows. Perhaps in order to ever hoping ever to understand any alien lifeform maybe we have to look and understand our species as a whole and we haven't done that yet. As sci-fi and a love story works perfectly on both levels and the slow pacing gives you the time to think of whats said or visually seen, its certainly got much thought in the making of this.
Frankly so much better than the 2002 remake with George Clooney in it and the original Russian tv film is ok but a bit stagey as the film needs time to explore the storyline better. I like the use of the color and b&w scenes reminescint of A Matter of Life and Death and reminds me of color for the real World b&w for the surreal one. This film is often compared to Kubricks 2001 only in the sense of thought provoking and you need to make up your own answers however the storylines are totally different this makes you care more for the characters for a start and explores humanity far more and perhaps why love plays such an important part in our lives no matter what the context and why it means so much to us. If you love sci-fi that has something to say its highly recommended viewing but if you prefer fast moving ,aliens jumping out with tentacles and teeth then move on.
A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
Fantastic
Although Powel and Pressburger have made many notable films, equally good in their own right, this remains for me personally the best they ever made in their carreers. The stunning photography by Jack Cardiff still to this day looks so good and although the story is set during ww2 I don't view it as dated in anyway, lets say if it was made now somehow it would not work in a modern setting. David Niven and Kim Hunter are ideally cast as the 2 people that fall in love with one another and explores why love is so important to us a species and even worth dying for if needed as the story explores. Roger Livesey and Marius Goring are again perfect for their respective parts and shows how Cinema used to be without excessive violence,sex and swearing that seem so necessary nowadays. Defitnetly for me a feelgood film that makes you think, laugh and cry at times in equal measure. This film is a good showcase as to how really good the british film industry was at the very least the equal of Hollywood in its scope in terms of acting, effects and story and worth viewing by modern audiences who have a passion for cinema.