chrismonkee Reviews

The Scandal Mongers Podcast: Lord Louis Mountbatten (2022 Podcast Episode)

Excellent podcast

[10/10 · 11 May 2023]

Now this is what I am talking about.

Thought you knew Lord Louis Mountbatten? Prince Philip's uncle, mentor to Prince Charles. All-round decent chap out to do good whether he was Viceroy of India, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, in the Second World War. What's to dislike?

This podcast will give you a decent grounding into the true nature of the man, one of the hosts, Andrew Lownie wrote an excellent book. The Mountbattens. Go and buy that on Amazon. Prepare to be shocked at the nature of this man and his wife.

This is a superb podcast, I look forward to listening to more.

Unlawful Killing (2011)

Good old Keith Allen

[7/10 · 1 May 2023]

I wasn't a big fan of Keith Allen's Documentaries. He is no Louis Theroux. This one is something else entirely. Keith actually gives voice to all the barely spoken rumours about Diana's death, including the shocker about Prince Phillip.

I won't spoil it here, though, if you are From the UK, you'll likely guess what I am on about. It was the claim he makes about Phillip that prevented the release of this film in the UK.

And Keith refused to allow any edits to make the film Royal Family friendly. Admire him for that. I suspect he had already been paid by a certain Billionaire department store owner.

The Windsors (2016– )

Excellent as ever

[8/10 · 1 May 2023]

Just watched the Coronation special. I have really missed this show, probably delayed on account of the Queen's demise. This is the show getting back into gear. I could have done with it being longer, or part of a series. Maybe it is.

I wish they'd have shown this on the day of the actual coronation itself. It would be a welcome counterpoint to the expected tsunami of sycophancy that's sure to spew out of every single UK broadcaster. You can take that to the bank. It'll be wall to wall brown-nosing on the day.

Still, Channel 4 it harking back to it's alternative roots showing this. Likely the only.

Inside (I) (2023)

Typical Willem Dafoe (typically good).

[8/10 · 5 April 2023]

The negative reviews on here surprise me not one bit. It is as though they have never watched any of Willem's previous output.

This ain't no Hollywood heist movie. Don't go expecting Bruce Willis to appear. No, this is a very European-style reflection of a man, his life, the human condition, and that.

Last "normal" Dafoe film I recall watching was The Florida Project. A great film, and hardly mainstream. Basically, if I see he is in anything, I know that it is well worth a watch. File this one under that category.

Despite it's European leanings, plainly somebody has poured a decent amount of cash into this one.

I knew from the start that I'd enjoy it, and so I did.

Still Missing Morgan (2023– )

A tale as old as time.

[9/10 · 19 February 2023]

It's heartbreaking stuff. Child abducted 24 years ago, family still hangs in there. Hope springs eternal.

I knew exactly what I was letting myself in for, and stories about abducted or abused children terrify me. Fiction or real-life. I usually give them a miss.

Still, I watched the first one, and then binged the other episodes the next day. It's extremely well done. Ridley Scott put his name to it, so that's unsurprising.

I thought Morgan was a boy. Soon as I saw she was a cute little blonde girl, my heart sank even lower. Not that the gender really matters.

I gave it 9/10. Well worth your time.

Prey (I) (2022)

Excellent, ignore the negative views.

[7/10 · 8 August 2022]

It is a sold action, sci-fi, coming of age gore-fest.

Check the negative reviews here talking about "woke nonsense" or "agendas" or "unrealistic".

It is unrealistic, because it is a film. It's not a documentary.

As for the issue of a woman warrior, these reviewers should try the NVA/Viet Cong, WWII Red Army or even the modern Israeli military for size.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, all other Predator sequels ranging from OK to atrocious. This one is, for my money, equally as good as the first, and they didn't go overboard on the CGI either.

The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman (2022)

Not as good as the original.

[5/10 · 24 January 2022]

I watched the original BBC documentary a while back. That was 1hr long and fit in a lot more crazy facts than this one.

No mention of his secret spy wristwatch, or his what seemed like genuine access to secret government information. Plenty more.

I'd have thought Netflix would use the broader canvas to cover all that and more. No.

This was, for me, like watching a film after finishing the book. The original really was fascinating stuff, this just sounds like another cheap con job.

Munich: The Edge of War (2021)

Well made for a work of fiction.

[6/10 · 22 January 2022]

Suspend your disbelief and imagine that Chamberlain wasn't a spineless, outclassed, relic of a man who bent over repeatedly for Hitler. Desperate to appease the Nazis.

May have helped that he was aided by senior members of his cabinet, the newspaper proprietors, and of course the man who would briefly be called King Edward VIII.

No, maybe it was all part of a cunning stunt to buy time, outmanoeuvre the power-crazed German.

In that regard, it's a good film, with a great cast. I enjoyed it.

Worth a watch.

Monsters (2010)

A truly beautiful Scifi, in the old style.

[8/10 · 12 August 2021]

Reminds me a lot of a 70's, end-of-the-world type, low budget film.

Beautifully shot. Nicely paced. I was disappointed when it finally ended, so pleasant was it to watch.

The monsters are, for the most part, hinted at. A good thing too. A larger budget would have ruined this gem.

I liked it, which means the mainstream won't.

The Occupation of the American Mind (2016 Video)

Watch and learn

[9/10 · 4 March 2021]

Good guys V bad guys? Plainly yes, if you consume mainstream American media.

Travel outside the States and you'll get a more nuanced version (though still heavily biased towards the state they call Israel).

This is a great little doc, narrated by Roger Waters as well.

Bliss (I) (2021)

It's a trip, man.

[6/10 · 16 February 2021]

I enjoyed it a lot. Explores the nature of consciousness, reality, and and that.

Who am I, what am I, where am I? If that doesn't float your boat, don't bother with this.

London Boulevard (2010)

Worth a watch

[6/10 · 11 January 2021]

I enjoyed it.

It has the usual cast of characters, all playing parodies of themselves. And they do it well.

David Thewlis is a great druggie/bohemian.

Ray Winstone, what better hard man? Typecast, but it must pay the bills.

Keira looks hot, in a waifish sort of way. Personally, I like my women with a bit more weight on them.

In this regard, was good to see Anna Friel. She is more my speed.

It even has a swinging London soundtrack. Though, my home town looks a bit too clean. Trust me, it's filthy as hell.

Kept me entertained.

Hanna (2019–2021)

You may be surprised. I was.

[7/10 · 27 July 2020]

I thought I'd give it five minutes, then decide.

I ended up watching S01 in an entire day. Ridiculously entertaining. The whole premise sounds like the sort of junk i'd generally avoid, but this works well.

Currently half way through S02, and I admit I am getting a bit bored, but I'll see it through. till the end.

Rentaghost (1976–1984)

Watched every single episode.

[10/10 · 21 June 2020]

I recall S01E01. I even remember reflecting on it as I stood there in my school playground, thinking on how great it was.

Watched every episode after that. BBC kids' TV was great back then, wasn't much of it, and they knocked out quality, 3:30-6:00pm. And that was all you got.

I agree it got worse as the years rolled on. But, then again, I got older as well. So, who's to say?

The Hard Word (2002)

Too much comedy, not enough crime

[5/10 · 4 June 2020]

Perfect Coronavirus lockdown fare.

A nonsense crime caper, like Guy Richie, down under.

I wouldn't pay for this, but it was OK for a bored afternoon.

Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)

Beautiful, beautiful film

[10/10 · 3 June 2020]

I honestly didn't know what to expect. Starts one way, then goes a completely different route.

Excellent, bittersweet. Grizzled LA coke-fiend actor reflects on his coming of age back in the UK.

Daniel Craig put his name to it, he's hardly in it, but it doesn't matter at all.

It was so engrossing, I honestly didn't want it to finish.

Quality. I imagine this didn't make much money.

Driven (I) (2018)

A lot of fun

[7/10 · 24 May 2020]

I really enjoyed it. Who cares if it's not accurate? Everyone knows the Delorean was a crap car.

The film zips along like the car never did. What more do you want?

Creep (I) (2014)

Dull as hell

[4/10 · 24 May 2020]

Is it just me? This is awful. No suspense, no scares, no tension, no plot, dull characters.

You get the idea. It's a waste of time.

All done with just two actors, I'll give them that. Only that.

The Filth and the Fury (2000)

Excellent film

[9/10 · 20 May 2020]

I was expecting it to be a pile of hagiographic, self-regarding nonsense from the lads. The Great Rock 'n Roll Swindle is, frankly, absolute garbage.

This is really good. And I am no great fan of Lydon and co, either. Doesn7t matter, I grew up in 70's England, and it all struck a chord with me.

If England was dreaming back then, it's hallucinating now.

Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)

I wasn't impressed at all.

[6/10 · 30 March 2020]

I gave it three seasons. And they were lucky I gave them that long.

Just all-American boys, so American they refuse to deal drugs (like every real Outlaw Biker gang), so, what is their trade? Well, they traffic guns. What else?

Oh yes, they may be prone to excessive violence, but they are good to their old ladies.

It's complete and utter rubbish. Almost insultingly bad at times.

Game Change (2012 TV Movie)

How did I ever miss this?

[8/10 · 26 March 2020]

If you'd have made this film prior to McCain choosing Palin, it'd be dismissed as some Farrely Brothers rip off.

Who'd-a-thunk Palin would lay the groundwork for the current, orange imbecile who sits in the White House?

All politics aside, compared to Trump, Palin appears like Aristotle and Sophocles combined.

Cashback (2006)

Laugh out loud funny

[9/10 · 1 March 2020]

I was very pleasantly surprised. Not a dull moment throughout, it is witty, poignant, whimsical, beautiful, philosophical, crude, intelligent and funny.

Plenty more besides. Well worth a watch.

Blood Orange (2016)

Why the low score?

[7/10 · 29 February 2020]

Yeah, baby. This is excellent.

Iggy cannot act to save his life, but it matters not.

Only five people in the entire film, it keeps chugging along with twists and turns right until the end.

Reminded me a little of Sexy Beast.

Good film.

The Fall (I) (2013–2016)

Dark, brutal stuff.

[10/10 · 25 February 2020]

Forget light fare like Silence of the Lambs or Mindhunter. If you want a proper serial killer yarn, this is the stuff.

Every episode, all three seasons, bleak as hell, and it gets worse. Then worser.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, and Gillian Anderson is looking hot.

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Beautiful movie

[10/10 · 7 February 2020]

I honestly knew nothing of this. Sat down at midnight and went for it.

It has to rank as one of the best, most intelligent time travel movies. Same par as Predestination.

No car chases, no CGI, no explosions. I had to really think to get my head around it, man.

And, I don't mind telling you, this middle-aged, flint-hearted man nearly cried at the end. Me! Imagine that?

A great film.