Change Your Image
Roger-39
Reviews
All Night Long (1962)
An interesting period piece - especially for jazz lovers
This is an interesting period piece, especially for jazz lovers and those who remember the early sixties. The plot is fairly silly, but entertaining enough to hold the attention. It tells the story of jealousy and scheming amongst a number of jazz musicians at a party held in a London warehouse.
The acting is fairly good, but what makes it especially interesting is the fact that the action takes place against the back drop of a continuous jam session featuring solos by musicians such as Dave Brubeck and Tubby Hayes.
Battle Beneath the Earth (1967)
OK for Man from Uncle Fans
If you used to enjoy watching Napoleon Solo and his friends back in the sixties, saving the world from democracy every week on television then this might be a movie for you. On second thoughts, get some old Man from Uncle videos, or go and see the new James Bond.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
A simple moral tale but very well done.
The moral is a simple one: brutal punishment does not prevent crime it creates criminals. But, considering the age of this film it is really quite sophisticated. There are some nice location scenes and Paul Muni's acting is very good.
Consider for example his reaction on seeing his family again for the first time after the war: he seems genuinely embarrassed. And the final shot of him disappearing into the shadows is masterly.
Arlington Road (1999)
Encourages bad driving habits
Yet another film that pumps up the excitement at the end by getting the good guy to drive on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.
OK, so the plot twist at the end is clever and unexpected - but how much better it would have been if it had left us genuinely wondering who was really the terrorist - but that would have been a different film.
My Name Is Joe (1998)
If you're looking for escapism, give this one a miss.
As with other Ken Loach films, "My Name is Joe" gives a grim view of life for the disadvantaged.
It also makes for difficult viewing. This is partly because of the dialogue. If, like me, you didn't grow up in working class Glasgow, you might feel the need for sub titles at times. To be fair, I did follow the plot but only by paying careful attention at all times.
The second reason for difficulty is the plot itself. Life is just grim for the main characters. Some, like Liam and Sabine really have no way out of poverty and worse. Joe starts out as a more hopeful character - he seems to be successfully winning the battle against alcoholism and, as manager of a local football team, he is a respected member of the community. And look out for his clothes, which really are remarkably up market compared with pretty well everyone else in the film.
But once he tries for the good life by getting into a relationship with a "middle class professional", things start to fall apart as his loyalties pull him in opposite directions.
So it's not an easy film - but then there are no free lunches!
Snake Eyes (1998)
Great start - disappointing end
It's a long time since I've found myself being so enthralled by the opening sequence of a film. I'm particularly glad I saw it on a big screen and sat near the front. The adrenalin flows like blood in a slasher movie.
What a pity that the plot doesn't live up to the brilliance of the opening sequence. Once you work out what's happened it becomes both predictable and disappointing.
Better see it anyway - I still walked out at the end feeling good.