I just watched this, can't believe I missed it in 2020. Another great film with Hanks at his best in a commanding role both as Captain and as an actor. I can't believe some of the low scores given by others who make no allowance for some obvious inaccuracies to heighten the drama. It's good to see great war films being made which should be compulsory viewing for the younger generations as many have little appreciation of the bravery and sacrifices made by the WWII generation to give ghem their freedom today. But for that generation we would all be speaking German and at best be under the jackboot of the Nazis. A recommended watch and a worthy tribute to both the merchant navy and the British and American navy's.
Reviews
94 Reviews
Red Eye
(2024– )
Inaccurate in almost every aspect
21 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I had high hopes of this given Richard Armitsge is ghe star in it, little did I know he would have to carry the whole cast! Firstly, I would hope that our Government wouldn't trust anything the Chinese Givernment and Police told them, and certainly wouldn't return the suspect and other witnesses on the first flight out without due process. It's obvious from the first thirty minutes that it's a trumped up charge.
I also find it hard to believe that most of our security services are as diverse as illustrated , certainly from what I've seen.
I took offence, as I'm sure many other viewers did, at the racist remark casually thrown into the script when the DC accused the suspect of "white privilege" ! I'm sure if one of the white cast had made a similar remark to one of the Chinese, asian or black actors it would cause outrage, and racism isn't a one way street!
Also,, the underlying motive of the UK Government not wishing to lose China building our future nuclear powerplants is a nonesense as that comtract along with a proposed telecommunications contract was thrown out due to mistrust of the Chinese Government.
Overall a good idea poorly executed.
I also find it hard to believe that most of our security services are as diverse as illustrated , certainly from what I've seen.
I took offence, as I'm sure many other viewers did, at the racist remark casually thrown into the script when the DC accused the suspect of "white privilege" ! I'm sure if one of the white cast had made a similar remark to one of the Chinese, asian or black actors it would cause outrage, and racism isn't a one way street!
Also,, the underlying motive of the UK Government not wishing to lose China building our future nuclear powerplants is a nonesense as that comtract along with a proposed telecommunications contract was thrown out due to mistrust of the Chinese Government.
Overall a good idea poorly executed.
Under the Banner of Heaven
(2022)
Worth a watch for Garfield
3 March 2024
Andrew Garfield is outstanding in this very strong cast. The series is perhaps a little too long and with editing could have been at least one less episode.
Based on a true event this drama underlines how dangerous all religions can be wether in the east or west. Particularly worrying is where high church officials lean on their believers to ignore the law in favour of outdated beliefs.
Garfield deserves a lot more starring roles in big movies even though this production was high quality and a good budget. The quality of the acting particularly with such difficult subject matter is very convincing.
Based on a true event this drama underlines how dangerous all religions can be wether in the east or west. Particularly worrying is where high church officials lean on their believers to ignore the law in favour of outdated beliefs.
Garfield deserves a lot more starring roles in big movies even though this production was high quality and a good budget. The quality of the acting particularly with such difficult subject matter is very convincing.
Hidden Strike
(2023)
Don't bother
31 July 2023
I was drawn into watching this as Jackie Chan was the star backed up by John Cena and it looked like a typical action movie. However, within 15 minutes one realises that Chan and Cena are simply the bait in a poorly executed Chinese studios movie.
The film is mostly in Chinese with subtitles, which I didn't expect, intermingled with a bit of English language between the very few non Chinese actors. The script was weak and story predictable with some poor quality CGI too.
Overall it was akin to a low budget poorly made B film back in the day.
If the Chinese want to make films then please limit them to China or atbleast Chinese speaking countries. This was ghe worst Jackie Chan movie ever znd really pales against his Hollywood productions.
The film is mostly in Chinese with subtitles, which I didn't expect, intermingled with a bit of English language between the very few non Chinese actors. The script was weak and story predictable with some poor quality CGI too.
Overall it was akin to a low budget poorly made B film back in the day.
If the Chinese want to make films then please limit them to China or atbleast Chinese speaking countries. This was ghe worst Jackie Chan movie ever znd really pales against his Hollywood productions.
Blindspot
(2023– )
Terrible amateur waste of time
8 July 2023
Take a terrible script writer, several really bad actors, one known soap actor, throw in a low budget and you get an appalling amateur boring four part series called Blindspot. I can't believe the Channel 5 production team would finance this and then having seen the finished production actually put it on tv!
I thought that many other channels shows were poor but few have reached this low a level. Even the villain wasn't that menacing and couldn't act either I'm surprised RADA gave any of the cast membership maybe a reflection of how low the younger acting profession has sunk to in recent times!
I thought that many other channels shows were poor but few have reached this low a level. Even the villain wasn't that menacing and couldn't act either I'm surprised RADA gave any of the cast membership maybe a reflection of how low the younger acting profession has sunk to in recent times!
Guy Ritchie's the Covenant
(I) (2023)
A must watch!
5 June 2023
This is probably Guy Ritchie's best film to date, and I must admit I wasn't a big fan of much of his earlier work. A truly great modern day war film with lots of depth and full characters which one can identify with. The fight scenes are really realistic, the script is good and for a long film it holds your attention from start to finish. Jake Gylenhaal is excellent in the lead role and in my opinion this is his best film since The Nightcrawler and must surely be worthy of an Oscar nomination. The supporting cast are also excellent and believable despite not being household names and Dar Salimm is outstanding as the Afghan translator and probably worthy of a best supporting actor nomination. Lastly, this isn't just a war film but draws attention to the plight of the hundreds of Afghan translators who supported the US and UK during the war but were betrayed and abandoned when the pull happened so quickly and still needs addressing today.
Beast
(I) (2022)
Don't bother!
15 April 2023
I watched this with an open mind given on paper it could have been good. The opening scenes were good and enough of a hook to keep me interested. However, the film slowly goes downhill from the moment of the first attack. Normally in these thrillers one would route for the family but they were so annoying that I was on the lions side who was the best actor even though he was clearly CGI! The scriptwriters must share some of the blame as some of the lines were simply idiotic. I'm surprised that Idris Elba took the role, maybe he thought it would turn out better than it did. The film should be used as a detterent to African safari holidays!
The Night Agent
(2023– )
Gripping a great binge watch
7 April 2023
I started watching episode 1 which throws you straight into the action and then just doesn't stop. I was hooked and watched the first six episodes back to back.
The next day I watched the final four episodes to its satisfying conclusion. This is the best action series I've seen since 24 hours. There are many twists and turns in the plot keeping you guessing who is to be trusted throughout.
The actors mostly unknown faces previously are all convincing, the script and direction is excellent and it looks to be an expensive production unlike many other cheap budget action films I've suffered recently. I only hope there is a follow up series as good as season 1!
The next day I watched the final four episodes to its satisfying conclusion. This is the best action series I've seen since 24 hours. There are many twists and turns in the plot keeping you guessing who is to be trusted throughout.
The actors mostly unknown faces previously are all convincing, the script and direction is excellent and it looks to be an expensive production unlike many other cheap budget action films I've suffered recently. I only hope there is a follow up series as good as season 1!
Blood, Sex & Royalty
(2022– )
Don't bother!
29 November 2022
I'm not sure why Netflix made this given far better serious documentaries and far better lighter dramas like The Tudor's which cover the same material far far better. The mix of documentary and drama just doesn't work for starters. Secondly, it was full of historical inaccuracies, looking at the background supporting cast ghere were too many wike tick boxes being applied. The main charachters either due to poor script or weak acting didn't have any depth and generated little sympathy.
Only the lead actor as Henry VIII had any gravitas and looked authentic. There was too much modernisms in what is a historical drama and as for the use of modern rock music and worse stil garage or rap this completely over rode each scene and was completely out of context. Overall probably the worst series on one of the most important eras in British history ever made!
Only the lead actor as Henry VIII had any gravitas and looked authentic. There was too much modernisms in what is a historical drama and as for the use of modern rock music and worse stil garage or rap this completely over rode each scene and was completely out of context. Overall probably the worst series on one of the most important eras in British history ever made!
Welcome to the Punch
(2013)
A hidden gem
28 November 2022
Ghe film has an excellent cast, a well written script with a few unexpected twists along the way and a bit of political intrigue into the bargain. It's always good to see a British movie set in London rather than the usual US gangland movies. It far exceeded my expectations and deserves a watch and a hence decent rating. James McEvoy and Mark Strong are both excellent in the lead roles but are ably supported by a strong cast with many familiar faces and a few unknown ones too. It is a very polished film and obviously had a healthy budget and is well directed a real hidden crime gem which I'd recommend.
Karen Pirie
(2022– )
Too far fetched
17 October 2022
Despite the locations which were nice overall and great for the Scottish tourist board. The storyline was just too fetched. Secondly they should have employed a police consultant as she broke so many rules that in real life she would have been fired. Sharing information with multiple people some of whom are directly involved in the crime just wouldn't happen. The acting was a bit amateurish maybe in an effort to save the budget. Lastly, the whole series was far too long and needed editing down by at least an hour. Throw in a lot of nods to current wokeness and all this combined dragged down my score. No more please.
House of the Dragon
(2022– )
No GOTs!
10 October 2022
I'm sticking with this despite the weak script, slow moving storyline and a lack of any gripping thread. The cast is a lot weaker than GOT and it shows, none of the characters are strong enough for one to really care about and overall I would describe it as bland. I get the feeling that someone thought they could feed off of the success of GOT but somehow the whole project got lost and judging by other reviews itvhas only achieved minority appeal. Ghe dragons, despite ghe title, hardly feature so far with only the odd appearance. There are not enough battles or any action sequences compared to GOT. Overall a really disappointing series.
Moonraker
(1979)
The worst Bond film to date
21 September 2022
As much as I liked Roger Moor, who was a gentleman and a credit to his profession, this film was a travesty in the Bond series. Terrible script and I felt sorry for the actors having to perform this. I met Richard Kiel a few times a wonderful man and a gentle giant and at least this helped his career which he deserved. The film is just so far fetched that it turned this film into a comedy. The only saving grace are the wonderful locations as usual and a decent song by Shirley Bassey. Thank goodness Daniel Craig saved the franchise returning Bond to what was intended by Ian Fleming as well as being the best Bond since Connery.
Viceroy's House
(2017)
Whitewashed history piece
14 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a quite enjoyable movie attempting to be a potted history of the partition of India and Pakistan. However, even with the brutality shown it only touches on just how badly the whole ptRoject was handled by Mountbatten who was responsible for three million deaths . He was obviously out of his depth and was the epitome of a pompous privileged colonialist who was heavily biased in favour of Nehru and India when he was meant to be neutral. He was solely to blame for drawing the borders in the wrong places which only guaranteed to amplify the death toil. Meanwhile, and something that is sanitised in the film, Lady Mountbatten, who was renowned for dubious morals, was having an affair with Nehru once again underlining the bias. Overall a shameful episode in our history and the inheritance today are two countries who hate each other due to religion who frightened both have nuclear weapons. Worth watching but don't trust the historical accuracy.
Black Site
(I) (2022)
Woke action movie
12 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
One of the new breed of politically correct action movies installing a female lead trying to act like a Willis,Stallone whilst bringing a soft side to her part which just suceeds in getting everyone else killed!
In real life the Mossad agent or the hardened GI would have succeeded as their lack of emotion and killer instinct would be more appropriate.
These anti male efforts are doomed at the box office and even when they go straight to tv only result in poor scores.
In real life the Mossad agent or the hardened GI would have succeeded as their lack of emotion and killer instinct would be more appropriate.
These anti male efforts are doomed at the box office and even when they go straight to tv only result in poor scores.
Cry Macho
(2021)
A touching warm film
11 August 2022
Being a huge Eastwood film I would dven watch him reading the telephone book! Having grown up with him as a child watching Rawhide where he started as Rowdie Yates I haven't missed a film since. He is a living legend and the most multi talented actir, writer, director and score producer of his generation. He has recognised avlong time ago that he is no longer an action hero and has moved gracefully into mellow wholesome family entertainment. This film holds ones interest and has roundly developed characters that leave you just enjoying the charm of the acting, script and production. If this is Clint's last movie as an actor then he has gone out on a high note.
Moonfall
(2022)
Entertaining twaddle
10 August 2022
This is the most far fetched film I've ever watched! However, if you have nothing better to do it is highly entertaining and thought provoking. It steals bits and pieces from many other disaster and sc-fi moviesbut does have some originality of its own, so worth a watch.
1883
(2021–2022)
A memorable western series
31 July 2022
Being a massive fan of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as singers and having watched the first three seasons of Yellowstone which is an excellent modern day western I was intrigued by 1883. I was not disappointed. It is the best tv series since Lonesome Dove another memorable programme. Both McGraw and Hill were outstanding in their roles ably supported by Sam Elliot one of the all time greats in western roles in recent years. This show really dives deep into just how hard the pioneers were and how they suffered the trials and tribulations in heading west to Oregon in search of a new promised land. The acting was superb and all the main characters were fully developed binding you with emotion to their stories. My only disappointment was that the series ended with me wanting more, but it paves the path to having an even deeper understanding of Yellowstone which starts its next season in the UK in 2 weeks, so at least I have something to look forward to!
The Misfits
(2021)
A waste if Brosnan's talent
16 July 2022
I only watched this because Pierce Brosnan was in it and he is the only reason I gave it 2. The script, plot and supporting actors are all poor to put it mildly. I note the film made a huge loss and I assume it never made it to the cinema and what little money it made was from tv.
Hostiles
(2017)
Bale outstanding as usual
26 June 2022
The versatile Bale adds at least two stars to this movie with his performance which stands out above a politically correct undertone to the script. Being an avid western fan since childhood in the golden age of the genre I find it annoying that every modern film takes a polarised view of the wild west ignoring the savagery of the native american indians whilst condemning the white man. Savagery existed on both sides and violence generates violence. Overall a decent watch.
The Great War
(2019)
Wrong title for this film
29 April 2022
This was WW1 rewritten for wokes and too full of a PC agenda. A waste if talent of the more established actors whilst the young cast had little personality not aided by weak scripting. Probably the worst WW1 move to date I'd recommend1917 as a far superior watch.
Never Say Never Again
(1983)
Sean's big mistake
17 April 2022
This film makes one appreciate how good the Brocolli produced Bond films are as their quality and finesse are in a different class to this low budget attempt at a Bond film which even Sean Connery couldn't save. Connery looks too old for the part and the fight scenes are very amateurish , he should gave said never again after all!
Abraham Lincoln
(2022)
A must watch a compelling story
4 April 2022
As a Yankophile I was so glad to at last see a worghy detailed analysis of Abraham Lincoln's entire life and achievements. I had felt a little let down by the previous Hollywood movie as it focussed on such a narrow part of his life, albeit it was a well made movie. This however takes us from boy through manhood through to his untimely death and is honest in discussing every aspect of his character, his strengths and weaknesses all which made him so human. The entire cast are quality actors and are convincing aided by experts who comment on events throughout. This is what quality television is all about and is unmissable for all lovers of US history. Lincoln is one of my heroes and in my opinion is not just the greatest US President but one of the greatest human beings to have ever lived!
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