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Mark-hardy70
Reviews
Dungeon (2023)
Warning... this is not what you are led to believe...
Is this a fully formed horror movie with believable actors, effective cinematography and a plot that makes any sense whatsoever? Absolutely not!
What it is, is an am-dram horror spoof (deliberate or not) with the production values of a film like the 'The Disaster Artist'.
Entertaining enough for 65 minutes, but not remotely what the scores and the synopsis suggest you're going to get.
Be aware what to expect and you may be mildly entertained by a vaguely entertaining melange of ideas, clumsily put together and acted in (if I'm being kind) a naturalistic style. Even, if it leaves you baffled at the end.
If not, you're likely it be mightily disappointed by a film that does not meet its brief or match the scores its currently achieving...
The Great Escaper (2023)
Beautiful & subtle film
What a surprise! Very little saccharine here. Just a subtle, superbly acted and understated story. Very moving. Congratulations to all involved, particularly Caine & Jackson who were excellent.
The Great Escaper tells the story of a pensioner who decides at the last minute that this year has to be the one that he attends the commemoration of the D-Day landings. Leaving it too late to be part of the official events, he nevertheless decides he will get there under his own steam. He has atonement to undertake and nothing will get his way.
Understated, non showy and incredibly moving this is a great watch. Highly recommended!
Nocebo (2022)
Important message, well told, but...
What an interesting and creepy take on an important issue facing the world. But why oh why is a film funded by the Irish & Philippine film councils show all present day characters (bar Diana) as English?!
The message about cheap, disposable clothing and the sweatshop economics required to feed it is global one, yet we choose to focus on a Phillipino scenario and a British designer, family and associate companies.
Irish actors, financed by Irish money play British characters, whilst one of the biggest offending retailers for disposable cheap fashions i.e. Primark is an Irish one!
Would it have have been so hard to have one of the offending nation characters played as Irish?!
Downrange (2017)
Wow - what a load of puerile trash!
Poor acting, atrocious script & dialogue and above all dull, dull, dull...
Characters as thin as tissue paper with the acting skills of first year acting students, the occasional pathetic attempt at artistic cinematic flourishes (the wolf... the admission of his 'lie' from one of the characters, the happy birthday sing a long...), dialogue that is laughable at best, the usual bizarre and fantastical character decision making and some pretty dodgy CGI...
What more can I say, give it a miss, life's too short and there are too many decent schlocky horror films out there to waste your time on this trash!
The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
Henry James would be turning in his grave
Poorly acted, laughable dialogue & completely devoid of atmosphere - avoid!
Scarborough (2018)
Surprisingly interesting indie picture...
Evocative & real, this was a surprisingly touching little film. The four leads were all good, but it was the female teacher / male pupil pairing that worked best for me. I really felt the teacher's struggle with the situation, life frustration & the specific challenge she faces - and the pupil's simplistic, optimistic and earnest outlook on life.
Surprising & touching. Well worth a viewing...
Stan & Ollie (2018)
Heart rending biopic
What can I say, I loved Laurel & Hardy as a kid and memories of watching reruns of their movies on British tv in my childhood are special. I was therefore keen to see this movie.
However, I never expected such a visceral reaction to it as I had. I sobbed from the first sketch and by the end I was a blubbering wreck.
Who cares if it was historically accurate in every way, it was acted pitch perfectedly by both leads and was a beautiful take on their final days and their friendship that endured. I loved it!
I Am Michael (2015)
I beg you, don't bother...
Poorly acted, poorly directed and with the depth of a millpond. Painful to watch.
Outlaw King (2018)
The dullest lead imaginable!
I love an historical epic, but a key requirement includes a charismatic and believable performance from its leading man - and the performance of Chris Pine was far, far from it. The acting in general was pretty woeful, it played fast and loose with historical facts and had no sense of pace.
Oh and haven't we had enough of the stereotypical dastardly, moustache twirling Englishmen by now?!