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The Wheel of Time (2021)
A lot of Trollocs
How many times will we have to put up with Tolkien rip-offs? I haven't read Robert Jordan's books and I don't doubt other viewers comments that this series fails to do justice to those books. However, from the summaries I have read of the books and seeing this series, The Wheel of Time appears to be nothing more than yet another derivative of The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings. There are wizards (female in this case), Dark Riders, a Dark Lord rising again (the Dark One, for which read Sauron) and of course, a hoard of beasties with the ridiculous name of Trollocs, a combination of trolls and orcs. It's no surprise to me that Mr Jordan is a friend of J. R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame - another ripper-off of Tolkien (even to the point of his initials) and it seems that Martin even borrowed elements from Jordan's books. How the actors managed to keep straight faces when spouting the ridiculous dialogue I will never know - Rosamund Pike especially. In one scene in which characters relate what they have heard about 'The Dark One' Pike's character Moraine replies "He is all of those things and none of them," which is self-evidently nonsense - just like the series.
Lincoln (2012)
Gripping, majestic: the power of words..
It is all but impossible to render true justice to a man as great as Abraham Lincoln but Steve Spielberg does a fantastic job aided by a truly great performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. Some reviewers complain about the amount of dialogue (and presumably therefore, a lack of action), but this a film about momentous political events in a nation's history, inspired by a one of the great figures of the ages. It is about morality, decency, principles and the compromises made to achieve an historic aim. It could easily have been dry and boring, but the superb direction, writing and acting by w wonderful ensemble ensure that it is compelling viewing with plenty of tension, even if one knows the eventual outcome. I loved Daniel Day-Lewis's portrayal which emphasises the quiet, steady and steely determination of Lincoln to bring the Civil War to an end through the abolition of slavery. Lincoln like Churchill, new the power of words to inspire, persuade and achieve great things and Daniel Day-Lewis brings this triumphantly to life.
Wild Wild West (1999)
It must have been the cheques....
What else but money and lots of it, could have lured acting talent such as Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek and Ted Levine into making this disaster of a movie? Branagh hams it up in a mildly amusing way and Kline does his level best playing two parts, while Hayek is woefully misused on the basis of her physical beauty. Ted Levine is by far the best of the leading actors, playing General 'Bloodbath' McGrath with some conviction. As for Will Smith, there are no surprises, as once again he doesn't let any acting get in the way of his ego, which is as monumental as the Arizona scenery in which much of this movie was filmed. Smith cold learn a lot from Debra Christofferson whose decollete is the catalyst for a few scenes and who, without any dialogue, manages to convey more through her facial expressions than Will Smith does in the entire movie. Ms Cristofferson and Ted Levine are the main reason I gave this a three (rather than one), along with Salma Hayek, whose presence would grace any project.
Pompeii (2014)
Ignore the reviews.
Frankly I am tired of those who prefer to find things to criticise and complain about in movies rather than enjoying them. Is CGI used in this film? Yes, but please explain how the destruction of a town by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD can be recreated without CGI. Does the film take some artistic licence with history? Yes, but not wildly so and the background detail and costumes are generally accurate - even the construction of the arena. So this isn't the greatest of sword and sandal epics and yes there are echoes of Gladiator, but it isn't as bad as the reviews would have you believe. It is solid entertainment and good fun, which is all it is really meant to be. So do yourself a favour, sit back, relax and enjoy.
The Dead Zone (1983)
Walken and Sheen predict their own futures.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this interesting film is that at the beginning Christopher Walken's character, a school teacher, asks his pupils to read the story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' for the next class, telling them that it is about a school teacher haunted by the ghost of a headless horseman. 16 years later Walken was to play that very headless Hessian horseman in the film Sleepy Hollow (1999) Weirdly Martin Shaw's character, a politician says at one point "I have a feeling that one day I will be President of the United States" and 16 years later, (1999) Sheen started playing President Bartlet in the West Wing. Did Stephen King know something? I'm not a Stephen King fan but this is one of the two best adaptions of his book, along with The Shining. Intelligent, disturbing and moving, with a great cast, this is definitely a movie worth watching.
Fair Game (1995)
Not the greatest of thrillers but far from the worst.
I see lots of reviews criticising the acting and the plot and I wonder what people were expecting from q film starring William Baldwin and Cindy Crawford? It's a thriller, an hour and a half of action and entertainment, nothing more. It isn't meant to be highbrow or get nominated for an Oscar. For what it is it works well enough and is enjoyable, so why be so picky and pretend you were expecting something spectacular. William Baldwin gives a standard action performance, Cindy Crawford is perfectly acceptable and Steven Berkoff is relatively restrained. As for the plot, it is simple and easy to follow and so what if it isn't the massively intricate and complex affair that some might prefer? So it was a little predictable and William Baldwin's heroics a little unrealistic - so what? The only question to be asked about movies of this kind is, "was it enjoyable.?" As far as I am concerned, yes it was - and that's all that matters.
American Horror Story: Great Again (2017)
Not Satire, just pointless violence.
I'm amazed that anyone could find Ally an empowering female figure. She is a double murderer and responsible for the deaths of others. There is nothing empowering about the women in this series: they are all manipulated and abused by male characters and at least two of them are psychotic. This whole series is presented as satire, but in reality it is just another another example of violence and misogyny masquerading as something more profound. None of the characters are likeable, not even the kid and most are hateful. The plot doesn't really make sense and at the end one is left thinking "so what?" The best thing in it is the performance of Evan Peters as Kai Anderson. Evan Peters has been consistently brilliant throughout AHS, playing a host of different characters with complete believability. He is an incredible talent and the only reason I gave this 4 stars.
Evita (1996)
Madonna's Finest Hour
A really wonderful, powerful and moving musical about an extraordinary woman. I have never been a Madonna fan, never really liked her music, her style or her acting. This movie however, gave her the opportunity to do something a bit special and she took it. The role of Eva Peron was pretty much made for her and it allows her to show that she can act and more importantly, use her voice in a more beautiful and dramatic way. Antonio Baderas is simply amazing, what a great voice he has! Jonathan Pryce is a fine actor and has a pretty good voice as well, which was a pleasant surprise. The late Alan Parker's direction is first rate, but then one always expected top notch directing from him. Altogether a great viewing experience that grips the viewer from the first moment. I have to say though, I would love to see Lady Gaga play Évita.
Wicker Park (2004)
A good example of why to ignore the reviews and watch.
How is it possible that reviews for this film can vary from 1 to 10? Clearly people are not watching the same movie. The fact is that this may not be the greatest film of all time, but neither is it the worst. I like both leads and have pretty much enjoyed every film I have seen with Diane Krueger and Josh Hartnett and so decided to watch. I was not disappointed. It is an enjoyable, intriguing, sometimes disturbing film and certainly keeps the viewers' attention. There is also an element of tragedy about it. I was also pleasantly surprised that the story did not develop the way one might have expected and I was kept guessing how it all might end. So if you like a mystery / romance and are fans of Diane Krueger and Josh Hartnett, watch and enjoy.
The Professor and the Madman (2019)
Outstanding rendition of a true story.
This is an extraordinary and near perfect piece of film making, bringing to life an incredible story that could hardly be made up, about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Everything about the film is extraordinary - writing, direction, acting, cinematography. Farhad Safinia does an outstanding job as director. Sean Penn is mesmerising as Dr Minor and Mel Gibson extremely good as Dr Murray. It demonstrates once again, that once Mel Gibson puts aside his more extreme views and obsessive hatred of the English he is a first rate actor and director. The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto are examples of Gibson's brilliance as a director and the Professor and the Madman is on that level with regard to his acting. The supporting cast are excellent; notably Jennifer Ehle and Natalie Dorman as the female leads and the ever superb Eddie Marsan. An altogether magnificent film and a treat for those who enjoy intelligent, well crafted and engrossing drama.
Reacher (2022)
Great Series 1 & 2, can't wait for No.3
I don't often give ten stars but Reacher Series 1 & 2 are as near perfect as series of this genre can be. They are a must watch! They capture the feel of the books, right down to the character of Jack Reacher, brilliantly played by Alan Ritchson. All the characters are good and their are great actors in both series. It's well made, realistic, clever and just as in the real world, good guys sometimes get it. If you enjoy intelligent, well plotted and exciting action drama Reacher is for you. One thing that is especially good is that the female characters are strong , intelligent and not just there as window dressing as is often the case. Serinda Swan and Maria Sten are wonderful. There are hard moments, there are funny ones, the storylines are gripping and the tension palpable. Best of all in a way, is that the main characters are likeable and therefore one is drawn in and invests oneself in their adventure - such a rare thing these days. Brilliant. Roll on Series 3.
Red Sparrow (2018)
Yet again a great book ruined by a poor screenplay.
Jason Matthew's book is one of the best spy thrillers I have read so it is a pity that the film doesn't live up to it. There are some great actors in it - Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons, Joely Richardson and Ciaran Hinds to name a few - and Jennifer Lawrence is extremely good as Dominika, but it is the screenplay that lets it down. There are a lot of changes from the novel which alter the whole balance of the story and some of the characters, including Nate Nash, are very different. Unlike the book there are also a lot of unrealistic scenarios in the film and the ending, while satisfying in some respects, is also unrealistic and totally different from the book. Time and again a great story in book form is ruined by the screenwriting and I am at a loss to understand why that should be. This movie would have been a great one if they had followed the novel but yet again it is a wasted opportunity. Nevertheless it is still an exciting watch, particularly for the performance of Jennifer Lawrence which is why I gave it 7 stars. Could have been 10 though.
Renfield (2023)
Interesting concept turned into trash.
I had low expectations for Renfield and they were justified. I'm so glad I didn't waste money on a cinema ticket. Apparently Nicolas Cage always dreamed of playing Count Dracula - and this is what he does with it? Seriously? Everything about Mr Cage's performance - makeup,costumes, histrionic and camp delivery - is ridiculous. He makes a mockery of the genre. Ah but,some will say, it's a comedy. In that case why isn't funny? It's also supposed to be a horror film but the only horror is the acting and direction. Nicholas Hoult as Renfield does a great impression of Hugh Grant and that is the best one can say about him. The rest of the cast overact wildly. Ludicrous violence, a senseless plot and a tidal wave of gore and stupidity result in a movie that is a total mess and fails in everything it tries to do. I can't stand Quentin Tarantino but even he did this better in From Dusk Till Dawn.
Touching Evil (1997)
Not Even In the Vicinity of Evil
I finally got around to watching this and almost wish I hadn't. There is nothing evil about this apart from the bad writing, bland and stereotypical psychos and cops and dull characters who are often totally illogical in their behaviour. As for the plots, a six year-old could work them out and the dark photography, presumably to give the series "atmosphere" is just annoying. Then there is the acting - if one can call it that - running the gamut from moody to intense and not much more. The OSC officers are generally presented as thick, incapable or unhinged - or all three - while only Creegan has the "brilliance" to find the solution to each mystery. Robson Green has done much better work than this and Nicola Walker is sadly reduced to being a sidekick who stares angrily at everyone and shouts a lot while trying to look tough. All in all about as gripping as a wet sponge.
The Killer Inside Me (2010)
Nasty, brutish and senseless mess.
From start to finish this movie is as unpleasant as it is pointless. The behaviour of the central character is unfathomable, even for a psychopath. There is no logic to anything that happens and the storyline is full of holes and totally unrealistic. Any half decent detective or forensic investigator would see through the crimes - no bruising whatever on the hands of the alleged killer of one victim for example. Worst of all is the sickening violence against women which the director seems to relish and which, from the point of view of the perpetrator, seems to have no point beyond sadistic pleasure. It is a shame to see so many excellent actors wasting their time in this nasty, inexplicable mess. The sad thing is that there was potential here for a very good movie but it was utterly wasted. The only good aspect, indeed the best thing about the movie is the music which was excellent throughout.
The Mist (2007)
John Carpenter would have done a better job.
I am not a fan of Stephen King's horror books or films - The Shining excepted - so I was not expecting much from this and I was not disappointed. While there is an interesting premise here it was badly handled. It is trying to say something profound about the way people behave in tense, life threatening situations, but the transformation is so rapid as to be rididculous and the behaviour of most of the characters is illogical and senseless - as the ending proves. I have always believed that in horror movies of this kind' less is more' and this proves it. The special effects are overdone and histrioniics excessive. Some characters were positively annoying and I can't say there was much excitiement or tension either. We have all seen similar fare before - and better done; and then there is the ending. I was curious to see some describing it as heartbreaking. Shocking, disturbing and so on. Maybe in the horror world it is, but in the real world that ending is implausible, pointless, illogical, stupid and unnecessary. No one would behave that way in real life, especially after all that had gone before and as far as I can see the ending is only there to provide a cheap 'shocking twist' which in my opinion fails miserably. It leaves one more incredulous and annoyed than shocked and underlines what a wasted opportunity this movie was. I will say though that Toby Jones was as reliable as ever and the only good thing in it.
The Reckoning (2023)
Powerful and Disturbing. The stuff of nightmares.
First I must say that, though I am not a fan of Steve Coogan, his performance is outstanding, eerily so. I am relieved as well, that such a difficult and disturbing subject was handled with sensitivity and respect with regard to the victims. This is definitely an example of when less is more: the horror and the heartbreak are palpable without being explicit. That said, many have wondered what is the point in making a series about a man the world now knows to have been a despicable and monstrous human being? What is there to be learned? That is to miss the point. Savile had 589.known victims but the likelihood is that we will never know the true extent of his crimes, we will never learn the final number or the whole truth. What is worse however, is that his many vicitims will never get justice. The controversial and courageous decision to make this series gives Savile's victims a voice. Only four are featured but they speak for the hundreds of others and at last can be heard. The other.significant factor is that the people in various institutions who knew or suspected what Savile was doing and failed to act because of the benefits he brought them, are at last held to some kind of account. It is vital as well, that the ease with which Savile fooled people and hid in plain sight be depicted so that lessons can be learned and abuse on this scale can be prevented from happening again. In addition this portrayal of Savile does I think, bring us a little closer to understanding the paradox that was Savile. While we may never fully understand what drives offenders of this kind to commit their crimes, Savile's Catholicism, his fear of being hald accountable, not least in the final Recokoning and his hope that his charitable work would somehow balance out his wickedness, is something we can grasp. I am sure that when the truth about Savile came out I was not alone in wondering how someone who had done so much good, could be so cruel and wicked. This makes clear that the good Savile did came not from his heart, but from self-preservation, from his desire to worm his way into the establishment so that he could successfully hide his crimes. There are lessons to be learned and confronting the truth, even in dramatic form like this, when it is carefully and respectfully done, is I believe, a useful exercise. There is no doubt that this is deeply unsettling to watch, but it is ultimately worth it. We must never forget.
The Long Shadow (2023)
Bringing the victims out of the shadows.
A superb depiction of the terrible events in West Yorkshire in the late 1970s and the trauma that they caused for victims, survivors and their families. Focusing on the victims and their families was key in making this such a powerful, heartbreaking and haunting series. It is long overdue that these wome stories be told and that they be recognised and treated as the innocent victims that they all were. None of the women did anything to deserve the horrendous violence to which they were subjected. One of the most shocking and infuriating aspects of the story is the arrogant, bigoted, sexist and racist attitude of the male police towards many of the victims who they dismissed as "not decent' simply because they sometimes turned to sex working in order to provide for their families. This judgemental and dismissive attitude towards some of the victims, coupled with the arrogance and incompetence of the West Yorkshire Police, undoubtedly hampered the investigation and made the suffering of the victims and their families greater. The series also depicts clearly and fairly the massive mishandling of the Ripper investigation by senior officers whose closed minds and rigid thinking led them to ignore vital evidence which could have had Sutcliffe caught much earlier. Admittedly this was before computerisation and the amount of documentary material collated would have been a nightmare to cross check. Yet the fact remains that Peter Sutcliffe was questioned by the West Yorkshire police no less than 9 times and despite the fact that he fit so many of the criteria the police were looking for, they continually let him go. This series takes us right into the real lives of the victims, survivors and their loved ones and tells their stories in a subtle and respectful way, bringing them at last out from under the shadow. A really great drama and a must watch.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
An illusory masterpiece, possibly the greatest thriller of all time.
When I went to see The Usual Suspects I thought I was just going to see another entertaining, but forgetable thriller. How wrong I was! A superb cast, taut, clever plot and brilliant direction and acting made for one of the great movie experiences of my life. A true masterpiece of misdirection. I still shake my head in amazement at how cleverly the movie grips viewers, carrying them through a riveting tale to the ultimate, stunning twist and revelation. I literally did not see that end coming before the last couple of minutes and the way it is all revealed is stunning, like a slap to the face. This is great film making and anyone who has not seen it should do so.
Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Smart, engaging thriller with clever twists.
A stellar cast usually augurs well and Lucky Number Slevin does not disappoint. The leads are all excellent and the story intrigues as it builds. Even if one can grasp the main twist before the end there is still a challenge to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and that is a big part of the fun. One of the best films of the genre I have seen, it is dark and funny, very well written and acted and gives a wonderfully satisfying and neatly wrapped up conclusion. Some reviewers liken it to The Usual Suspects and there are one or two similarities including the explanatory flashbacks, but they are generally quite different. Nevertheless Lucky Number Slevin is almost as good as The Usual Suspects - and that is saying something.
The Woman in the Wall (2023)
Haunting, moving and outstanding drama.
I could if I were permitted, write a review of this series in two words: Ruth Wilson. Ms Wison is simply exceptional as Lorna Brady giving one of the finest performances I have ever seen in a TV drama. It is hard and emotionally draining to watch at times and that is in large measure because of the superb performances of the whole cast. Incredibly powerful, superbly written and performed, the plot focuses on the suffering of young girls who were cruelly treated in the Laundries and other Catholic institutions, the pain of which continued into adulthood. The series could easily have become
an aggressive polemic about the Catholic Church as a whole, but cleverly avoids that, concentrating instead on the victims and their fight for justice against a Church and State desperate to cover up their crimes. Along with a murder investigation and other mysterious events, it is gripping and heartbreaking in turns. Quite simply British drama at its best. A must watch.
Castle (2009)
A rare gem: a series that is great from start to finish.
I haven't enjoyed a long running series as much for ages and it is extraordinary that the series never flags over eight seasons. So many series start brilliantly only to fade after two or three seasons. Not Castle. Yes, of course the premise stretches reality - a writer working with a NYPD team - but putting that aside, the stories are consistently entertaining and the characters likeable and engaging. There is clearly a great chemistry between the actors and the relationships between Beckett and Castle, Javi and Ryan and Lanie are a delight to watch. This is what good writing, directing and acting can achieve. Thank you to the whole team; it has been a joy. I'm just sorry it is ended and I will miss it.
Cambridge Spies (2003)
Complete Whitewash of Four Notorius Traitors.
While I don't take issue with the quality of the acting, the portrayals of Philby, Burgess, Maclean and Blunt are for the most part, wildly innacurate and this is nothing more than an apologist exercise for these four traitors. Kim Philby could hardly have written a better or more flattering script himself. Tom Hollander as Guy Burgess is the only one who gives anything like a realistic impression of the person he portrays. Samuel West looks nothing like Anthony Blunt and only on occasion gives a hint of the cold, sly, deceptive nature of Blunt's character. The rest of the time he appears timid and fearful. The worst portrayals of all are those of Toby Stephens as Kim Philby and Rupert Penry-Jones as Donald Maclean. In the Cambridge years Philby comes across as a needy, anxious, weak individual gushing about his belief in Communism, desperate to be taken on as Soviet Agent and secure the praise of his Soviet handler Otto. Later on he is amateurish and nervous. This could not be further from the truth. Philby was brilliant, controlled, singleminded and ruthhless from the start. Donald Maclean is portayed as a hand wringing, wimp bedevilled by his conscience, again far from the reality; and all four of the Cambridge spies are presented as naive, thoroughly decent and principled individuals who only want to make British society fairer and help the poor. This is complete and utter nonsense. In reality Blunt, Philby, Burgess and Maclean were completely committed, focused and utterly ruthless Communist agents who knew from the beginning exactly what they were doing, what it would entail and the damage they would do. They were utterly cold blooded and ruthless and had no interest in righting societal wrongs or helping the poor as is suggested in this series. The fault lies with the writing and direction, both of which appear to be aimed at garnering sympathy for four despicable men. While one can enjoy the series as entertainment and appreciate the quality of the acting, it is important to bear in mind at all times that these four men betrayed their friends and their country and did so without compunction or regret.
Scandal (2012)
Huge potential completely wasted.
What started out as an interesting and gripping show descended, after the first couple of series, into total farce and stupidity. I have rarely seen such wild overacting and the writing was out of control with inexplicable, 180 degree turns of behaviour by characters - gladiators one minute, deranged villains the next and then back to being the good guys. The storylines became unrealistic, convoluted and made no sense whatever which shows clearly that the writers had no idea what they were doing or which direction they wished to take the show in. They just made it up as they went along. There were not even many likeable characters in the show - two or three at most - the rest being narcissistic, self-obsessed, psychologically warped and unhinged. We all know what a swamp DC is, but this is plain ridiculous and bears no resemblance to reality. I stuck with it to the end and the last season was the worst of all, with no real sense of direction and an ending that was clearly cobbled together at the last minute, entirely senseless and unsatisfactory. What a shame.
Braveheart (1995)
Profoundly ridiculous and inaccurate.
It is hard to believe that the same director who made Apocalypto and The Passion of the Christ with such attention to detail, could have made this ludicrous movie. Here are just a few examples of how wildly inaccurate Braveheart is. 1) William Wallace was a giant of a man, around 6ft 7ins in height, while Mel Gibson is 5ft 8ins. 2. In the movie Wallace has a relationship and fathers a child (supposedly Edward III) with Isabelle of France, daughter of Philip IV of France. Not only is there no evidence that William and Isabelle ever met, but Isabelle was 9 years old and in France when Wallace died. While Wallace may have visited Paris I doubt that King Philip would have allowed a Scottish visitor to ravish his 9 year old daughter. 3. In the movie Wallace is seen leading a raid on the city of York. In reality his raids on England never went further than Northumberland and Cumberland and he never reached Yorkshire. 4. In the great battle scene depicting the battle of Falkirk Wallace and other Scots are seen plastered in woad. In reality woad dye was very expensive to produce and used sparingly. 5. In the movie King Edward I is seen on his deathbed as Wallace is executed. In reality Wallace was executed in August 1305 and King Edward I died in July 1307, almost two years later. The stupidity goes on and on and it makes me laugh to see some of the comments calling this movie a masterpiece and the best of all time. While I have no issues with the cinematography or many of the performances (hence the 2 stars,) this is without doubt the worst historical movie ever made and more a tribute to Mel Gibson's ego than to Wallace. I would go further and say that this movie is an insult to the memory of William Wallace and to Scotland.