Andfinally Reviews

The Fence (IV) (2022)

Darkly, comic and nostalgic

[9/10 · 12 September 2023]

When I first looked down the reviews, I was wondering whether they were written by people who worked on the movie as I'm certain this sometimes happens.

However, this is lots of fun with a generally witty script, and a phew laugh out loud moments. For those of us, who can remember what the 80s were like, the old Ford Escort, that struggled to start in cold weather and some cheesy music. With a couple of exceptions, the soundtrack, while not featuring the best music of the 80s by a long way, will still evoke some happy memories.

The lead roles are extremely well played, especially by he always watchable Sally Phillips.

Take some of the story with a pinch of salt and have a good chuckle.

Very much Recommended.

McEnroe (2022)

An intimate portrait of one of the greatest in sport

[9/10 · 2 July 2023]

Love him or hate him, if you were a tennis fan, 40 years ago, then like me, you would have been privileged to have watched the most talented man to have walked on a tennis court.

This is the story of how John McEnroe met with triumph and disaster. How or why he frequently exploded, and had a meltdown on the tennis court in the most self-destructive way is never really answered.

However, there is no beating around the bush when it comes to why his invincible status, especially in slams, came to a premature end.

There are candid interviews with his wife and some of his children Who reveals much about themselves and their father.

This is a must see for all sports fans.

Going in Style (2017)

Lovely movie

[7/10 · 7 March 2023]

This is a lovely, fun movie with a plot that unfortunately rings very true today. Three elderly men lose their jobs and their pension due to the plundering of said pension by the company board. Familiar story?

This is not a modern parable or a vicious story of revenge, but a heartwarming comedy that never intends to bear resemblance to real life.

The three protagonists, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin all take their parts beautifully along with Ann-Margret and Matt Damon. It's good to see Kane in this type of a movie, using his English accent, rather than a dreadful American one. He used for the side of house rules, which inexplicably one came an Oscar for his performance. He has done so much better and is his usual convincing self as he plans to revenge on his former employer. Alan Arkin delivers two or three hilarious one-liners in the standout role.

This is a very enjoyable and lighthearted movie, which was probably one of the best I had seen in months.

Hard to Kill (1990)

Good grief!

[3/10 · 1 March 2023]

I think I'm being a little bit generous by giving this a 3 out of 10. That's probably because it's not a long film, and for many it can pass the time.

However, with its implausible plot, poor acting and score. This genuinely is a film that you can give a miss.

At times, one can be forgiven for believing it is a spoof with action sequences staged like a scene from police squad with Leslie Nielsen. In one fight scene, a mobster holding a gun actually nudges Steven Seagal to turn and attack him.

I must admit that I am not a great fan of Mr Seagal. Nothing in particular against him, but I just do not think he is a particularly good actor, and certainly the scene is that he is known best for, the action sequences were very poor this time.

A Patch of Fog (2015)

An excellent film of this genre

[8/10 · 1 March 2023]

Some may feel I am being a little generous, but I do believe this is an excellent film of this genre - that being a stalker movie.

While obviously a low budget production, A Patch Of Fog Is superbly held together with excellent performances from Stephen Graham and Conleth Hill. I do not know whether the behaviour of stalker and the stalked are typical in this film, in real life, so the plot seems perfectly feasible.

It is tense from start to finish and may even have benefited From an additional five or ten minutes. I'm not giving away any spoilers, but I will say that the plot is not straightforward and there are a few nice surprises along the way which will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If the tension of a stalking movie appeals to you, then I think you will very much enjoy this movie.

I Am Wrath (2016)

Could have been better - but

[6/10 · 11 February 2023]

Like many a school report of mine, I would say this has the potential to be a much more memorable film, but it is still very watchable.

Firstly, if you like a good revenge, thriller with more than enough action, then this will satisfy your appetite.

John Travolta is in fine form playing an ex-special Ops member of the armed forces Who feels forced to avenge the murder of his wife. His investigations revealed that he has to break through a wall of corruption and this is where the story could have been fleshed out a little bit more.

In this respect, we don't get to know much about the characters supporting the lead apart from his buddy who assists him so ably, but the body act is taken a little bit too far I believe. The two corrupt cops were not terribly convincing but nevertheless, this is still a film that is worth watching if you like a revenge thriller.

The Outsider (2014)

What a great disappointment

[4/10 · 4 February 2023]

The outline plot of this movie, and the fact that it had Craig Fairbrass in a starring role made me think this had the ingredients of a fun, action movie so I looked forward to this with much anticipation of a well spent hour and a half. I am not one for being too petty and analysing a movie and I'm sure many movie fans will spot something such as poor acting before I would.

However, there was so many elements of this film. That were below par, I just felt they had to be mentioned.

I was disappointed in the performance of the lead male, Craig Fairbrass.

He did not seem convincing, and his lines simply just did not seem natural.

In addition to this, the editing and sound were very poor along with the picture quality.

I gave this 4 out of 10 and I was possibly being a little generous.

The Operative (2019)

Unexpectedly, tense movie

[7/10 · 21 December 2022]

This was an unexpectedly tense presentation. Martin Freeman gives a wonderful performance as usual, but for a film with little action in terms of sex, violence or anything remotely described as shocking The tension was palpable. The story is also current as it concerns espionage in Iran, and deals somewhat with the difficulties in working undercover in a city, such as Tehran and the totalitarian regime breathing down your neck.

There is also the contribution of the Israeli security authorities who are clearly concerned about the obvious and constant threat to their security. This is a film well worth watching for its tense atmosphere, fine performances and a really good script.

Why Don't You Just Die! (2018)

Wonderful foreign-language movie

[8/10 · 16 November 2022]

This is a Wonderful foreign-language movie. Everything seems to click perfectly in this great Russian effort. It is very funny with a brilliant script. The cast are all convincing and take their parts extremely well and for this genre of violent and bloody film, The script is always spot-on. I shall not reveal anything about the plot but perhaps the greatest success of this film is how it's premise and the way the story unfolds seem perfectly plausible. One has to convince oneself that truth is stranger than fiction and the various little twists and turns keep the story going magnificently. Most pleasing is the way that it just gets funnier and funnier throughout. Definitely one of the most brilliantly crafted and enjoyable foreign-language movies I've ever seen.

The Cider House Rules (1999)

Of all the films Michael Caine wins an Oscar for

[6/10 · 27 October 2022]

I couldn't believe Michael Caine won an Oscar for this movie. He's been wonderful throughout his career and here he plays his role reasonably well but with an intermittent American accent that reminded me of Dick Van Dyke's effort of a cockney accent in Mary Poppins. Charlize Theron and Tobey Maguire were excellent as you would expect as were the rest of the cast, especially including the younger actors who all performed magnificently. The film itself is most enjoyable, tugs on the heartstrings And makes a very important political point regarding women's rights and pro choice. I imagine those in the Supreme Court who arrived at the wrong decision regarding abortion, have not watched this movie.

Good Tidings (2016)

I would have loved to have been more generous

[3/10 · 5 October 2022]

I would have loved to have been more generous But I really could not give this more than three stars. In spite of apparently being made with a budget of only £15,000 and with a fine allegorical undertone of Christmas being cruel to the poor, I have to be honest and cannot rate it higher.

This whole homage to exploitation and slasher movies of decades gone by simply does not work. The acting and special effects were decidedly dodgy and at times I felt like I was watching a Home movie.

Of course I can feel a little bit guilty by not offering a little bit more praise but I also feel I must be honest. After all, what can one expect for £15,000?

Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024)

Funniest show ever

[10/10 · 26 September 2022]

Much of the script is improvised in this hilarious show about the creator of Seinfeld and his misadventures around LA. Larry David plays himself, a misanthrope who is forever getting into social scrapes. If you are sceptical, watch season 8 episode 3.

The real genius of Larry David is how he manages to push back boundaries without crossing them and manages to send up religions in hilarious manner. For him, there is no taboo that cannot be poked at.

He is supported with a range of wonderful personalities such as his generally benign manager and best friend Jeff and his hilariously offensive wife Susie. Without a doubt, my favourite comedy show.

Aquaslash (2019)

At least it's short!

[2/10 · 27 August 2022]

Let's face it, with a film entitled Aquaslash, expectations must be low.

In this respect, I was not disappointed as it really was a dreadful film. The ending seems abrupt, not that I'm complaining but the plot really did not matter and the special effects were rather comical. I would definitely give this one a miss I am afraid. One can always look on the bright side that this is a very short movie and I'm afraid one would only be relieved it is over. I really don't want to be skating of a movie but quite clearly, some low budget efforts are way superior than this which is nothing more than a glorified home movie.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Best action movie

[10/10 · 6 August 2022]

Best action movie

This has to be my favourite action movie ever. It's typical Spielberg and hard to find the slightest imperfection. Just the beginning leaves you breathless and the momentum never drops throughout the film.