ropelawshiel Reviews

Sphinx (2024– )

Amazing

[8/10 · 6 April 2024]

This is an amazing, and very dark drama. The cast is superb in their roles, and the cinematography puts one in mind of the Millierm Trilogy. This is far from an easy watch, but one can't help watching as the layered plot turns and twists. Characters are all full-fledged, so you connect with them, following either their pain or confusion. Wonderfully layered and gripping from the off, the ending, although complete, seemed to open up for another series; sign me up. The review is too short, so ignore what is below. I have come to respect many of these Swedish and European clever, well-acted, and written shows.

Red Right Hand (2024)

Wrong genre

[5/10 · 23 February 2024]

Now, this is a fun, suspension-of-disbelief type film. It is so ludicrous, but I feel it only because of its setting and period. If this had been a modern take on a Spaghetti Western, I think people would take it as such and forgive its stupidity. In my imagination, I watched it as a Western; it seems to be a good story spoiled because of its setting. In the last year, there has been a shortage of good Westerns. Many cheap budget stinkers have been made, but little stands out. It has a good cast going full in and lots of blood, action, and shootouts. If you watch this as a Western (assuming you like them), you will get some satisfaction. It seems to be a recent trend of making modern set westerns in the present.

Shrapnel (2023)

Better then expected

[6/10 · 6 October 2023]

It would be best if you first switched off any expectations of reality. This is a B move, and with that mindset, I enjoyed it. It does take around the half-hour mark to get the action going, and it doesn't spend time introducing the viewer to the victim; Shrapnel expects that we understand and move on. This is well done, with lots of splatter and a little torture. Having watched Equalizer 3 recently, I thought if the script and production had been a little better, you could swap Jason Patric for Denzel Washington, and Shrapnel would have been a better Equalizer 3. But Jason Patric holds his own. Leave any reasoning at the door, and if action revenge is for you, then I expect you will enjoy it.

The Dark Valley (2014)

Arty

[4/10 · 1 October 2023]

Well, I like a good revenge tale, and in my opinion, this is not one of those. It is too arty, great cinematography, slow dialogue, meaningful stares, and in the last 10 minutes, some action. I enjoyed Pale Rider, High Plains Drifter, Peppermint, The Equaliser films, and the remake of I Spit on Your Grave or very good revenge films. If you have enjoyed any of those, you won't find much in The Dark Valley to like. I watched a dubbed version, which is not a way I like to view foreign films I believe the dubbing process makes the acting seem amateur, when actors act they do so with more than just their body language, so my advice is always to use subtitles.

To Catch a Killer (2023)

No Fincher

[4/10 · 17 May 2023]

A slow by the numbers police procedural drama. Don't expect any over the top action ,car chases or lively moments. You follow two main characters, and not much happens, this is not to say its not well made and acted just lacking somewhere in the direction and writing. The final confrontation was lots of talking and long drawn out, it is a drama you can watch and if in the mood let it wash slowly over you, its not bad just very forgettable and the final is just what one would expect nothing here of much substance, I also felt the little push of wok eery in various scenes and remarks. Could have lost 20 minutes ,but even doing that it would still be just as slow , just felt it unsatisfying.

The Irish Mob (2023)

Suprised

[6/10 · 15 May 2023]

I know none of the acters or writers, but found this very good it managed to have, a beginning middle and satisfying end, a few twists very down to earth sort of feature that had that 1970s feel, nothing fussy with interesting characters. Violent nothing overly gory and I felt it had a certain realism even though the plot was contrived to make a story. I have seen a lot of worse made by the mainstream media and having named acters. I did not feel my time wasted, also at under an hour and half it never outstayed its welcome. If the grimy world of gangsters is your thing I don't think you will be disappointed.

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Better dead

[4/10 · 2 May 2023]

The remake of The Evil Dead was a no-nonsense attack of blood and gore; from the very off, it was full of menace and horror, with no whimsical light moments to break up the tension, which started from the off. But this Evil Dead Rise takes a long time to go anywhere, nearly an hour, and only in the last 20/25 minutes does much gore happen. After watching Evil Dead Rise, I watched the remake to cleanse my pallet. Evil Dead Rise is not a bad film even if slow ang most of the gore/ horror happens in dimly lite interiors so you miss a lot but it doesn't need to be part of the franchise; it will get a lot of views because of its connection but a poor connection.

Great Expectations (2023)

Re telling

[6/10 · 12 April 2023]

The important word here is adaptation or re-telling. As many reviewers have pointed out, this is not Dickens, or maybe Dickens in a parallel universe. I have read the book, and it is a wonderful and very funny story. This version is not that, nor does it take away anything from the book; it is seen through a different lens, warped, yes unpredictable, yes the same landscape twisted; as I said, I loved the book, and I have enjoyed this. I did not watch this with any expectation, only the knowledge that it was a drama (I found the book to be a comic drama). The casting is a little woke, but this is the BBC, and it is to be expected. Go into this with no great expectations, and you may find, as I did, an unusual tale oddly interpreted.

Honeymoon (2014)

Not a date movie

[4/10 · 19 March 2023]

A small cast does a very good job in this body horror sciences fiction tale. Small budget and good production, but certainly not a date film. These are not my type of films; the ending is very depressing, I don't think that is a spoiler. If I had known that before, I would not have bothered watching, but it may be for you if you enjoy that style. It reminded me of a stage play, with not much in the way of location.

A small cast does a very good job in this body horror sciences fiction tale. Small budget and good production, but certainly not a date film. These are not my type of films; the ending is very depressing, I don't think that is a spoiler. If I had known that before, I would not have bothered watching, but it may be for you if you enjoy that style. It reminded me of a stage play, with not much in the way of location.

The Outsider (2020)

To long

[5/10 · 17 March 2023]

I will no doubt be in the majority with this review. Interesting premise, is well acted, and for the most part, well produced, but in my opinion, it could have been edited into a tight five exciting episodes. Unfortunately, the last episode took me completely out of the story due to a ridiculous act. In a scene where our heroes are shooting at a sniper, one of our heroes decides to make a break for a car. For the whole duration of his attempt, we see through the sight of the sniper slowly following him all the way, taking a shot a few times and finally fatally hitting him, but during this whole piece of the action, the other 5/6 hero's just stop shooting, no covering distraction is given for the whole scene. This stupid act prevented me from suspending disbelief and spoiled the last episode. But the last episode was slow, with little tension and a plodding climax. Oh, and if, as I was, you were drawn to the series because Jason Bateman is in it, he is dead by ( I think ) episode 2.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

Interesting

[5/10 · 11 December 2022]

I will be in the minority with this; as a piece of stop motion art, it is lovely to see, but I found it lacking somehow; it is not quite a children's film, but the conveniences of the plot seem contrived and out of sync with an adult tail. Indeed it is in a different realm to the inferior Disney remake, but it isn't better, in story or art form than the 1940 Pinocchio Disney animation. The voice of Pinochle was a bit condescending; the original film had the benefit of being watchable by the whole family and contained a dark core that gave some moral teaching. Like the Disney remake, this film shows that lying can get you out of trouble, so what is that supposed to be telling any young viewers? I found the ending very touching. When I was 10, I started to read the book, which is undoubtedly a dark tale; I would rather rewatch the original story.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Awful

[3/10 · 20 November 2022]

Maybe because I came to this as an adult, but I found it awful, lame acting, poor kid acting, and slapstick; I have tried to watch this on three separate occasions over the past Christmases, but I can't get past the first 40 minutes. I love the setting; I have my favourite Christmas films, One Magic Christmas, Its a wonderful life, the original Prancer, most of the Polar Express, both the Miracle on 4 st, recently Mel Gibson's Fatman and a few more. I have to reach another 131 words, OK. I can't put my finger on why I find the film so unamusing, but I gave it another try as a sequel has now arrived; I am very much in the minority on this one; I think I should have seen it when a child, rose-tinted glasses etc.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

High production

[4/10 · 11 November 2022]

Unfortunately, I found all except two somewhat lacking. Great actors are doing sterling work, with fantastic production and effects, but I need more story. When I was younger, I read many short stories, and what they all had in common was half an hour/ hour to read fast character development and, if not a twist in the tail, then at least an unexpected turn. The stories here are cheaply written; it's as if they decided to have coffee and didn't come back. The Autopsy and The Murmuring being the exception, both had something to offer and were very different. For me, the rest had little except to wrap up.

Smile (V) (2022)

Same old hash

[2/10 · 3 November 2022]

Well-acted good production standards, but the same old ending as so many of these horrors do; cop out as if the writers give up. Far too many jumps, scares, and those moments when you think something is happening and it is just dreaming sequences. It is a copy of "It Follows", but that film had a proper ending, "you know where someone at least lives or gets the lousy guy etc. The best film for me this last year has been Malignant; if you didn't like that, then Smile, maybe your film. At least Malignant had a twist and a "proper ending" I put Barbarian as the same as Smile waste of time. I'm filling in now as I have yet to reach 600 words; I Thought the cast did a good job; I didn't know the leading actress or most of the actors, so well done to them.

Nope (2022)

No No Nope

[2/10 · 25 August 2022]

It was 1 hour 15 minutes before anything happened of interest; unfortunately for a black cast, so many scenes during the first hour were at night and very dark. Add black actors into the mix; I couldn't see anything.

It reminded me of an inferior take on Close Encounters, but it spirals downhill very fast. Nothing new here; I enjoyed "Us" and "Get Out"; this is a pointless waste of anybody's time, with no tension, not very likeable characters, and is just a drag.

Orphan (2009)

One of the best

[7/10 · 24 August 2022]

I would put this into the top 10 thrillers of the last decade. I have watched it three times, and it always surprises me. (I never remember all the plot) usually two or three-year gap. Watching the new prequel made me re-watch-great acting, especially by the children. Well written does all the tropes well. The prequel is great fun, if a little silly, but well worth a watch; if you love a taut thriller, this is a fun ride, highly recommended.

The Feast (2021)

Oh dear

[2/10 · 21 August 2022]

Yet another pretentious avant-garde horror, if you enjoyed Men or The Green Knight, Mandy or St Maude, this may be up your street. I long for a good traditional, well-written, twist (maybe) horror. I enjoyed Malignant if you did, then give this amiss.

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Great Fun

[6/10 · 19 August 2022]

I enjoyed the trip; so unbelievable but so entertaining; I watched the first one and will watch it again. Great concept followed through again; if you liked the first, this is a perfect sequel. Switch your brain off, though.

Black Bird (2022)

Slow

[5/10 · 16 August 2022]

Well made and acted etc., but very slow; I think you could easily miss at least two episodes without losing sight of the story or characters.

What you think the ending will be will probably be correct. Great if you enjoy the slow type of drama, and I stuck with it and felt it so so. I realise I am in the minority in this, but don't go in expecting an action prison drama. This is not it. It could have been done in 4 episodes.

The Black Phone (2021)

Nothing New

[5/10 · 17 July 2022]

Worth a watch, but I hoped for more; very run-of-the-mill, covering the usual tropes. Good acting has a beginning, middle and end, unlike many cop-out horror thrillers. I wasn't very impressed on the thriller side because it was a by-the-numbers type of film. Acting from the young cast was excellent, just nothing new or original to the film.

The Road to Coronation Street (2010 TV Movie)

Pure joy

[8/10 · 26 June 2022]

Even if you no little about the titular programme, this is TV history. Beautiful performances, poignant, and so well done. I have not watched the program in nearly 60 years, but my mother was a massive fan from the off, and as a child, I was drawn in-a lovely reminder to keep your dreams in front of you.

Devil (2010)

Diamond in the rough.

[7/10 · 25 June 2022]

Never heard of this film and only vaguely knew a couple of the actors, but it was a fun ride, action, excitement, mystery, twist, and a touch of the arcane. Well worth a viewing, well made all around.

Terror on the Prairie (2022)

Good

[6/10 · 23 June 2022]

With the dearth of westerns popping up recently, this is a breath of fresh air. Gina Carano is excellent, with a fine and well-acted cast and good direction and setting. One gory kill and more practical use of weapons, their power or lack of it displayed well. A good many reviews have said action from start to finish. This is not the case; it takes 35 minutes before any action starts, then the story leads, and the shooting fills the gaps. I see many reviews giving this an 8/9 and 10 rating, it's good, but six is fine by me, maybe a little overlong for some.

Last Seen Alive (2022)

OK

[5/10 · 6 June 2022]

Nothing special, well-acted, not an action film, more mild drama thriller. If Hallmark made films like this, then this would fit the bill. There is an explosion at a certain point, and it uses the worst CGI I have seen since Playstation 1. Have seen much, much better, but it was OK.

There Are No Saints (2022)

Seen worse

[6/10 · 28 May 2022]

Some reviewer has said Tim Roth pulls this movie through, but good as he is, Mr Roth is in it for about 3 minutes (I guess he was cast to entice viewers) But as an action drama bit silly, very violent and visceral, I don't consider my 90 minutes wasted. And Ron Perlman is only in for about three minutes. Found the soundtrack annoying and somewhat out of place, but if you like violent drama, good characters and a story, give it a go.