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Reviews
The Fence (2022)
Fantastic bit of 80s working class nostalgia
I loved this film, I found it spot on with the humour and a great cast of characters all portrayed perfectly with brilliant acting.
OK, as a Bristolian who was around Hartcliffe, Withywood and Knowle West in the 80s I may be slightly biased. It was all the harsh realities of life on those estates but with the adding of a rose tint and great soundtrack.
The accents were generally acceptable if not perfect, the settings we're authentic if not always the actual location they were portraying.
The producers have done a great job of capturing a fun story and making a quality enjoyable film. I just hope it gets a wider audience rather than just a word of mouth and local audience.
Full credit to the writer.
Finding Steve McQueen (2019)
Average movie, great soundtrack
We watched this movie primarily because of Travis Fimmel playing the lead. Intrigued to see him playing something other than a Viking. The film itself was full of cliché scenes and comedy moments which fall flat on their face.
The acting was OK, however, personally I don't think Travis is a natural at comedy, more suited to unhinged psychopath roles.
The pacing was erratic and I found it difficult to keep interest.
However, that said the whole movie was redeemed by a great soundtrack that elevated the whole experience. Oh, and some fun driving and chase sequences akin to The Dukes of Hazzard and references to Bullitt (random VW Beetle) and jumps.
Psychomania (1973)
Forget the story, enjoy the nostalgia
OK, the story is non sensible and full of holes bigger than a Triumph motorcycle riding through a brick wall. Ignore that and just enjoy an ensemble of classic British film and TV stars and a classic collection of British bikes and cars.
Some of the stunts are actually pretty impressive too.
The acting is sincere and photography of chase scenes enthralling.
The location shots should be of interest to people who are familiar with the area in Surrey, I'm sure they with reminisce of shopping in that precinct in the 1970's.
I think this has all the hallmarks of a classic British cult movie to stand alongside any Hammer horror or any in the Carry on series.
Breakdown (1997)
A non stop adrenaline rush
This film is a masterclass in suspense, you will be shouting at the screen giving Kurt your opinions and trying to help.
I watched initially as I was familiar with the filming locations and was interested to see how they were portrayed.
The acting from everyone is excellent, believable characters especially Kurt who gives an astonishing believable performance. He transforms from a mild mannered husband into a warrior when it matters.
The editing is done slickly and it moves the action along at immense pace, sometimes leaving spaces for the viewer to fill in the blanks.
Even though the film was made 25 years ago it hasn't aged at all (apart from the brick mobile phone).
Highly recommended action/suspense entertainment.
Gothic (1986)
Style over substance
Esotericly it is great, with may true Gothic references such as medieval art, books and even down to Byron limping.
The fact Byron lives in a mansion shunned by society and is seemingly obsessed by sex and Oriental treasures is more akin to the life of William Beckford.
As with most Ken Russell films you'll either love or loath the imagery he creates.
It is interesting to see the lead actors in their youth giving it their all without being too hammy. Gabrielle Byrne is excellent, as always giving a sincere creepy performance.
What let's the film down is the slow story telling and somewhat cliche script.
I enjoyed the great visuals and classical Gothic references.
Worth sticking with till the end.
Deranged (1974)
Hidden Gem, worth seeking out
This is a quirky and interesting movie. Great acting from everyone and a special mention for the lead who gives a terrific performance and even makes you connect with the character.
The oddball aspect of a narrator popping up now and again is unusual but personally I think it works well to add to the quirkiness. Some may find it distracting and it does break the flow and suspence of the story. This coupled with the very dark humour hidden in the script I think goes to break up the horror nicely to make the movie more approachable to a wider audience (Rob Zombie could benefit from this approach).
Overall an enjoyable movie on a distasteful subject, with so many elements adopted by other horror movies.
The Butterfly Room (2012)
Very dark and intriguing
I am a Barbara Steele fan so maybe I'm biased but I think the low ratings for this movie are unfair, it's actually quite an interesting movie.
The sight of all these famous actors from the horror genre in one movie is one to behold.
The story is devilishly dark and even humorous in a very dark way. Barbara Steeles' character is unhinged, malicious and without any redeeming features but it doesn't make you hate her just more curious of motives.
Others mention the child actors bad acting but I don't agree, they do an excellent job.
The cut and shuffle editing style does confuse the story but it gets there in the end.
Overall a quirky, watchable horror flick that kept my interest.
Jennifer's Body (2009)
Ignore the rating. It is really good!
I nearly missed this one because of the low rating, that would have been a tragedy as it's a peach. I don't understand how it has passed me by thus far.
While the story is not totally original the approach and the humour makes it superior. The acting is solid and the photography is excellent. The two leads stand out as noteworthy, very strong character development and memorable.
Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack which contains some well placed and period perfect tunes.
I've seen comparison made with Ginger Snaps which is appropriate, JB is similar but the humour is darker and stronger.
I understand the movie is spawning a cult following, quite rightly. It is the sort of movie that would withstand multiple viewings. I'm sure there are more details to observe on subsequent watching.
If you enjoy comedy horror this movie is a must, but you probably knew that already.
Pistol (2022)
Enjoyable and nostalgic and some of it true
As someone of the age was around at the time I really enjoyed this series even if it was a bit cartoonist and comic strip. It was nostalgic and brought back feeling and emotions of the era.
Some of the acting is great, some a caricature of perceived personalities.
Danny Boyle has done a great job. Now all we need is John Lydons account as a counter balance.
Skyggen i mit øje (2021)
Incredible child actors, moving and relevant film
I thought twice about watching the film as the subject matter seemed too close to what we're currently seeing on the news happening to the poor people in Ukraine.
However, having decided to watch it I was so impressed with the acing especially the cast of child actors. The story is told sensitivity and dramatic. The characters are built up brilliantly and the effects of war are shown on the minds and psychology of all sides involved.
The cinematography is excellent, raw and engaging.
It is emotional and involving, maybe the perfect film for the current time to once again to reflect on the brutality and inhumanity of war.
1944 (2015)
Superb mix of action, emotion and history lesson
In my opinion the best WW2 movie since Saving Private Ryan.
The story is unusual in the way it is told, not your normal linear war film style.
It tells the story from multiple protagonists points of view in a way that is thought provoking as well as informative on a part of history I was unfamiliar with.
The action scenes are on par with anything produced by Hollywood, believable and gritty. The attention to detail is excellent, down to weapons and uniforms.
The acting is brilliant with engaging characters that viewers can believe in, the script is believable with sensitive and realistic emotion.
Overall a fullfilling experience and great viewing.
Ad Astra (2019)
A sort of slow Apocalypse Now.... In space
The pacing is slow. It's a great movie to look at, however you might give up on it before the end.
The acting is great but the science seems a bit dodgy, add that to some rather outrageous scenarios it results in a pretty but seriously flawed story.
Why did Roy have to travel to Mars to send a message to his Dad, couldn't he just have recorded it at home like his other messages to his partner? I get the onward transmission may have needed to be sent from Mars but that just seems to be part of elongating the movie and add in some much needed action.
Like Roy my heartbeat never budged from resting during that long 2 hours 2 minutes.
Carnival of Souls (1962)
A gem of an eerie cult movie. Influencial and ahead of its time.
I loved this movie and found it staggering for the period in which it was made. It has been an obvious influence on so many others right up to the present day.
The acting is great and I was surprised to read that the lead was the only professional actor on set. You'd never know it as the rest of the cast do not ham it up or over act at all.
The script is minimal and the pacing is good keeping up the suspense and interest. It was probably one of the first movies to have such a twist at the end, something we've now got used to.
The photography is really well done creating a spooky and eerie atmosphere. I particularly liked the way the soundtrack was muted at certain points to emphasise confusion and separation.
To use a strong independent woman as the lead was also ahead of its time.
Overall, a gem of a film, well deserving of cult status and essential viewing.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Excellent movie even if it politically polarises US viewers.
Really enjoyable viewing, great satire and ironic humour that provokes some genuine belly laughs.
It is a shame the political humour will cause some viewers in the US to hate it as they may feel they or their political affiliations are the but of the jokes.
The acting and script is sharp and top knotch. Stand out performances for me we're Leo, Kate, Jennifer and the brilliant Mrk Rylance.
It is ultimately depressing due to the fact the final joke is on humanity for the current state it is in.
The perfect movie for 2021 to be judged on by future generations.
Shorta (2020)
Full on intense suspense and action Danish style, plus more
A sort of cross between End of Watch, Assault on Precinct 13 and Black Hawk Down this is just as good as either of those with its own unique Danish style.
The suspense and action is full on after the introductions to the characters and personalities of the two main protagonists is developed. Initially it seems they are two diametrically opposed type of cop, quiet thoughtful one and the mouthy opinionated one.
As the story progresses alongside the great action sequences and twists of the unpredictable story, the personalities of the two cops is almost reversed. This due to the experiences they go through and interactions with other people they get caught up with.
So this movie delivers on several layers, not just a great action movie but also a great character study.
All this is presented in a unique, European/Danish way. Highly recommended.
Don't Breathe (2016)
Strong suspense and action
This is a great edge of your seat experience and not too predictable story line (providing you don't read up on it beforehand). No spoilers from me.
The acting is great and the pace keeps things moving along swiftly, almost relentlessly.
The atmosphere created is claustrophobic and intense. Whilst violent and somewhat disturbing the director does not rely on excessive gore or torture scenes to create this feeling.
In fact I found that the way the story unfolds it allows the viewer to suspend belief and leaves you thinking 'what would I do in that situation?'
Great action, horror and suspense movie. Highly recommended.
Army of Thieves (2021)
If you enjoy watching complex mechanisms work...
Maybe I'm now too old and lived too long because I swear everything in this movie I have seen in other heist movies (and I don't even watch many of this genre).
The lead actor is engaging with some funny if cliché jokes at the expense of Germans everywhere.
The rest of the cast left me unengaged and frankly bored. It was an struggle of epic proportions to continue to watch till the end without seeing what was happening on social media instead.
Why did the movie have to be so long and show such long boring scenes of the CGI insides of a safe working?
This maybe interesting to any Steam Punk fans but for the rest of us...yawn!
Alucarda, la hija de las tinieblas (1977)
Quirky Mexican curiosity
This is a very enjoyable and entertaining film.
The mood, sets and photography are excellent. Long panning mood shots and even the occasional 360 degree pan show the director and cameraman have many European influences.
The acting is not the best as is the script. Rather too much screaming and extras running back and forth flaying arms around is grating. The story is patchy with hints of Carrie, Exorcist and Dracula.
Overall, apart from these minor points an enjoyable oddity.
Femme Fatale (2002)
A De Palma film that matures with age
As a fan of the director I was surprised to see such a low rating for this one. I decided to give it a go despite the rating and was glad I did. The movie is very classily made and is not just style over substance. The photography is beautiful as are the actors. It is a delight to view on an purely aesthetic level. It hasn't aged and still looks fresh 19 years on.
However, it is much more than that the story and editing are masterful and rewards the viewer with a thought provoking adventure with many unpredicted twists and turns.
A very classy and original film made with panache.
Trudno byt bogom (2013)
Snot a date night movie
An absolute stunning film to look at but once you've appreciated the effort that went into making it you will struggle to make it all the way to the end.
I was left feeling the need for a good wash after watching the film all the way through in one sitting. It was certainly not a pleasant or easy watch and at the end I was left with the notion, what was the point?
The story is minimal showing all the horrors of Medieval life in all it's glory, mud, urination, defecation, mutilation, rotting corpses, flies, pustules, and oppression. Thank goodness smellivision is not a real thing.
Another feature I found particularly annoying was the locals hanging things in front of the lens and staring at you directly while picking noses, blowing snot out or rubbing slimy substances over themselves as if they are saying look how disgusting I am.
As for the story: I've read synopses but in the end the raison d'exister IMO is missing other than to push the boundaries of bad taste.
It certainly leaves stains in your memory in much the same way Eraserhead does and won't be removed on a cold wash.
Certainly not a movie for everyone or every mood, but I am sort of pleased to have crossed it off my list.
Prospect (2018)
If you likes Mandalorian you'll like this
Not sure if anyone else has made the obvious comparison to The Mandalorian but that was my very first thought - not that that's a bad thing.
Great to look at, a good pace and great acting.
The story is minimal and it doesn't matter too much as the visuals and action keep the attention.
An entertaining movie.
After.Life (2009)
A great looking, spooky if flawed film
The film is great to look at and the acting is excellent. The script is good too with some memorable one liners from Liam Neeson. However, the story is flawed as if the director changed direction at least twice during the filming.
Liam Neeson is perfectly cast as the undertaker, he delivers his lines like a cool headed assassin. His dry, perfectly mannered delivery coupled with a lack of empathy adds to the creepy factor immensely.
Christina Ricci is not just a pretty face, she plays her confused role of denial/acceptance of her position convincingly.
Overall, this is an entertaining film to watch but don't expect it to make sense or make any profound statements.
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021)
Quirky magazine visualized in Wes Anderson style
Upon seeing the first few moments of this film you realise that the directors hallmark style is written all over it, very much like The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Like Tim Burton movies you will have already made your mind up if you'd like this movie or not.
An impressive array of stars and excellent acting along with beautiful camera work uplift the film.
Personally I thought the script occasionally was pretentious, trying to be too clever.
The humour was gentle and good use of black and white transition into colour. Great soundtrack and use of animation in parts. The impression given of a artisan French City was very similar to Baz Luhrmann in Moulin Rouge.
An enjoyable bit of escapism, I was surprised the French audience at Cannes gave it such a warm reception as I thought they'd find it a bit kitch, i.e a Hollywood director making a French style movie.
The Outlaws (2021)
As a Bristolian I love it!
I hate my accent and generally I don't enjoy hearing it on the TV or Radio. This could be that it is either put on by a non local actor, over exaggerated or automatically makes you think of Aardman's Creature Comforts.
However, I love this program as most of the accents are pretty true and not over exaggerated.
The mix of humor, sentiment and action is great and IMO will give the series longevity.
The acting is very good especially from all the main characters. It is almost surreal seeing Hollywood A lister Christopher Walken as a passenger on a bus going through a Bristol housing estate rather than in the back of a chauffer driven gangsters limo in LA.
The views around Bristol are great to see, the camerawork is cinematic.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of this series and hopefully several more series to follow (series 2 is being filmed now).
Rat Race (2001)
A bit of fun with some genuine LOL moments
With and impressive US and UK cast and direction from Jerry Zucker I was expecting something along the lines of Airplane, Police Squad or Naked Gun.
It is not quite in the same league as those giants of comedy but the same type of literal humor is still present.
All the cast do their best and there are some stand out scenes but it also has moments of dullness and over indulgence.
Overall a good pick for an evenings entertainment with some laughs included.