shardy958855709 Reviews

Dad's Army (1971)

Great but a film based rerun of the series

[8/10 · 3 March 2007]

Im a die hard Dads Army fan and nothing will ever change that. I got all the tapes, DVD's and audiobooks and every time i watch/listen to them its brand new.

The film. The film is a re run of certain episodes, Man and the hour, Enemy within the gates, Battle School and numerous others with a different edge. Introduction of a new General instead of Captain Square was a brilliant move - especially when he wouldn't cash the cheque (something that is rarely done now).

It follows through the early years of getting equipment and uniforms, starting up and training. All in all, its a great film for a boring Sunday afternoon.

Two draw backs. One is the Germans bogus dodgy accents (come one, Germans cant pronounced the letter "W" like us) and Two The casting of Liz Frazer instead of the familiar Janet Davis. I like Liz in other films like the carry ons but she doesn't carry it correctly in this and Janet Davis would have been the better choice.

Ripper (1996 Video Game)

10 years and i never got beyond disc 2

[8/10 · 18 February 2007]

Ripper - a future version of Jack The Ripper style murders. Sounds great and think you're in for hours of fun.

Ill change the word hours to years. I had this game (sadly the first disc broke and its not XP compatible) 10 years and never got beyond disc two. The puzzles are complicated with no obvious or logical pattern. The story goes along and then hits a blank. I gave up playing it.

This was way before the internet and game cheats, hints and walkthroughs. Like other postings, get these at hand before you even buy the game (if you can find it - try Ebay)

All in all, if you like puzzles and got a lot of time on your hands - get hold of this game.

Starship Troopers (1997)

Good film but just tooo American

[8/10 · 23 January 2007]

First things first. I like the film. The story is good, characters are interesting as the bad girl survives and the effects are good also. Also like to state now i have nothing against the USA, Americans or anything American. But, this film is just too American.

Its meant to be in the future, the world is run by a single government which is based on the American system (a sky Marshall instead of a president). To move things about, they put the seat of government in Geneva and base the film in Buenos Aires. They are about as Swiss or Argentinian as the England Cricket Team are. This is fooling no one. Bung them in Southb America, make a few names sound Spanish and hey no-one will realise we have cast the entire film out of Americans, set the whole thing as if its an American government and, oo, have an all American cast.

Next time anyone makes a film like this, take some tips from the Genius of George Lucas.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

This one explains more

[9/10 · 23 January 2007]

Like i put for TPM, don't try and link this to the originals. I sat, again in the cinema trying to link this film to the original saga and when Skywalker is flying across the city planet (cant spell its name) i had to think: "is this star wars I'm watching?". Once I cut off the others and enjoyed this for what it is, i could see the plot and see what was going on.

This is 10 years since the TPM. Anakin has grown up, Padme hasn't and Obi won still has a dodgy English accent. Palpatine is firmly in office and still playing everyone against each other (opps a spoiler). The effects are amazing, honestly you cant tell what is digital and what is real (and in some films its obvious). The cast are great. Lucas did a fantastic job with them as they aren't all one nationality - Too many sci fi films like Starship Troopers use all American casts (Find the Americans could be a game to past the time in this) and the story does seem slow at times but it explains things and how the latter story fits together.

Watch and enjoy with the other 5, you'll need a wet or snowy day to do it in.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

This rounds it off great - Order 66

[10/10 · 23 January 2007]

This film rounds the entire series off in a spectacular fashion. The effects - Out of this world The Cast - International and fantastic - look through the cast list above and see how many different nationalities they are. Wow the actor who plays the young Tarkin at the end looks so much like the late Peter Cushin. So many familiar things are here, the super star destroyer, the death star (always loved that but never knew how it worked). Shame though as they could have put the odd character in from Episode 4 to make the links more stronger.

£ years into the Clone wars (yep those mentioned by Luke in Episode 4) and its all in full swing. Well Sidious (who we have all worked out who is) has everyone playing against everyone while showing Anakin the dark side and slowly converting him. Im saying no more there.

The only downside in the movie is (and I've listed this in the goofs) that the mystery around Kamino was never revealed. Not even in the book either. This i was disappointed with as i was fascinated in the planet of ocean (and because I'm sure a lady i worked with WAS a Kaminoan - she was tall, thin and had a long neck).

International cast (great move George), story, effects and emotion its all here. Watch and enjoy

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Don't link this to episode 4,5 and 6

[9/10 · 23 January 2007]

I watched this when it came out in the cinema and spent the first half an hour wondering what the hell was going on. I made mental notes of the planets, characters etc and nothing rang true. The Gungans? Who are they? The Trade Federation? What!!! Naboo? That wasn't mentioned in the originals!

Then, I forgot the originals existed and watched this film and enjoyed it on its own merit. The story is early on in the saga, there are no familiar characters apart from R2D2. Anikin Skywalker and Tatooine are mentioned and seen and it becomes understandable. Some details could have been mentioned more like Jabba The Hutt suddenly realising who they were and holding them to ransom, that would have been better than the "aquiring spare parts" story behind the pod race. Say if Jabba Held them to ransom, the boy wins and they go free, they lose, they become His.

The whole film is very good on its own. When you watch it, keep in mind that its part one of the saga and the originals are parts 4, 5 and 6 so there is no links - There are two more parts after this one. The end fight was slightly predictable the second Anakin got into the fighter but it is entertaining especially seeing faces from British TV in it (The bloke from Holby City, Ralf Brown who was in Corrie recently and Celia Imrie who people will know from dinnerladies).

Watch this as Part 1 and you will enjoy - best viewed with 13 hours to spare and DVD's of the other 5 films

Clue (1994 Video Game)

new life to the board game

[10/10 · 21 January 2007]

I'll be honest. I love Cludeo as a game but the board game does get boring. Its just the same every time, you're guessing with playing cards.

The i see this little gem in the computer game shop (cant remember which). I looked it over expecting it to be the same board game with playing cards and i couldn't be more wrong. The characters are real people (including Joan Sims of the Carry On era). The house you can actually walk around. You can interview the suspects, look for clues. wow this has breathed new life in the Cludeo franchise. If you can find this on Ebay and don't have Windows XP. BUY IT!!!!!! The multiple solutions will give you hours if not weeks of fun. Just make sure you have a stock of pencils and a pad handy - You'll need it!!

Doing Time (1979)

shear class

[10/10 · 13 January 2007]

sadly cant put an 11 rating of this film as it certainly deserves it. This is a spin off from the TV series and only the name and characters are the same. The plot, unlike other sitcoms-turned-movies like Steptoe, Dads Army and Are You Being Served, is completely new.

Brief outline as here is no way I'm going to spoil it for anyone. Barker is the lovable rogue Fletch and he has been put in charge to arrange a football match in order for another con to escape. The jokes are fresh, the story is fresh and the characters are fantastic. This deserves Oscars for performance, script and direction.

Catch this on DVD. Its well worth the money and the time to watch it.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005 TV Movie)

i disagree with some comments this is good

[8/10 · 1 January 2007]

Some people commenting on here didn't like that, especially the gentleman from Texas. Honestly, i liked it. Its telling the familiar tale of The Wizard of Oz with a modern feel and a crowd of puppets.

I will say its not in the same league as Muppets Christmas Carol which was out of this world, but it does hold up. There are less human characters in it and more muppets. Miss Piggy as the wicked witches - who else could do the parts???? (I'm at the point where piggy is the WW of the West and dressed as a biker in leather.) Kermit is Scarecrow, Gonzo the tin thing (20 years watching the muppets, im still wondering what gonzo is?), Fozzie as the cowardly lion and Pepe the Prawn as, Toto. Ashanti is so gorgeous as Dorothy. I saw her at the start and during the film and thought "WOW"

This is a good one for the kids or to watch if you like the muppets. With all films that are using a basic theme, forget the others, judge this by itself and not against any others. you'll love it.

Sinderella Live (1995 Video)

this is brill - don't watch it though if easily offended

[10/10 · 25 December 2006]

This is utter brilliance. Ten years on its still as fresh, funny and excellent as it was when first done. Jim is Buttons in the classic tale, Jess Conrad is the prince (with tight clothing - watch it you'll see what i mean). the late charlie drake is utter brilliant as the baron. You'll have to watch it purely to see where he can remember the script. Script? there isn't one i don't think. a lot is ad-libbed which i think makes the show better and this is definitely one if you liked Jim Davidson in stand up. Please just don't watch it if you're offended easily as this is smutty, swearing and plain adult humour.

If you watch this, catch his other two adult pantos. Sinderella 2004 and Boobs in the wood as these are just as fresh, comical and adult.

Godsend (2004)

watched it twice and still cant understand it.

[2/10 · 5 December 2006]

I've seen this film on both the big screen and small screen (and even smaller on the PC lol) and still cant get the hang of it. Young family - son tragically dies in a freak accident. Old teacher turned doctor of the mother (who seemed extremely young to have a 8 year old son - What happened she had him when she was 14?) approaches them and tells them they can have their son back. OK far fetched but thats what the movies are all about. The son is exactly like the original (ok hes a clone) even down to the 30 odd seconds he doesn't breath for when born. Everything is fine until he becomes 8 and then he turns into the devil.

This is where i got confused. The lad turns into the devil. Another lad called Zachary pops up with no explanation. The end, he gets sucked into a closet and then back again. What is happening? I don't like rubbishing films, but this one is missing a hell of a lot. I acknowledge people work hard on films making and writing them but in this one, i don't think there was a script. Definitely no plot.

Have a look and judge for yourself - you may like it.

Love Actually (2003)

Wasn't sure on this. Thought it was girlie. i like it.

[10/10 · 3 December 2006]

Like i just said in the title. I thought i wouldn't like this film, the hype over it was over rated and it was very very girlie. I rented the DVD - I took the plunge and yep i love it.

Several ( i loose count how many) supposedly separate situations happen all at once 4 weeks before Christmas. I say supposedly as if you watch it and remember the characters, they are all interlinked in one way, some in two ways. Im not going to say too much about it, i say for those in the Uk, watch it on Wednesday 6th December as its on ITV channel. I will say though, Kris Marshall's character is brilliant. its like he was successfully transplanted from My Family sitcom into this film. It was said on the DVD Commentary that he came in the day after filming (youll know which bit when you see it) and returned his fee for the film.

Only gripe i got with it is simplily we don't hear much of Jump by the Pointers Sisters taking into account that it was remixed and re-released by Girls Aloud as the hit of the film.

Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003)

the is the best

[10/10 · 1 December 2006]

Words cannot describe how good OFAH is. Excellent scripts - always a small insignificant detail always comes back to haunt the episode. Example in Stangers on the Shore Boycies Onion smelling hair. Nothing is left undone in it.

Brief outline for those who have been on Mars and no idea what it is. Del Boy and his younger brother Rodney are basically illegal traders. They trade anything and everything from Talking Dolls that speak Korean to a Priceless watch thats been lost for 250 years. The comedy is so well thought out and, like i said, the small details have a lot of attention paid to them. The script and cast are excellent.

I must be honest, some of the early ones with Granddad aren't my personal favourites but they still shine and actually solve a few riddles for me as i began watching them during the 1989 series. Best way to watch this masterclass of comedy is from Episode one right the way through. you'll never stop laughing.

Titanic (1996)

better than the 1997 version

[10/10 · 29 November 2006]

When i frist saw this, well before when i saw it listed on Sky Movies, i thought "It cant be the new version." No it wasn't. It was a different version, at the time i didn't realise it was made for TV. I watched it and its brilliant. No overboard on Special Effects. All the characters known on Titanic - the ones you read in books about. more to do with the ship and the rescue - bit i put about the 97 version with Carpathias speed capabilities. In this version, they are correct as we SEE the Carpathia and her Captain and crew.

The acting in this is quality. The cast very good choices. The script still held on to the Love story but never centered around two people. there were different groups. 1st and 3rd class love story, Planned robbery (oppps ill tick for a spoiler), Social issues prevalent for the times. Facts that Ismay was running the ship as he shouldn't have been. Only missing character was Andrews the designer but it got around them.

This is defiantly worth watching. Honestly its much better than the 97 version as it follows the story of the sailing rather than someone telling it. the down points: maybe Jamie Purse's English accent dropping here and there - didn't sound as convincing as other times, the odd use of the words "bloody and Bugger" HEY!!! American script writers - English people don't say those words all the time!!!!!!.

The Family Man (2000)

I love this film - im sure a lot of people have had this experience

[10/10 · 29 November 2006]

I'm actually watching this film as i type. Only thing i can say about it, its excellent. And it makes a change where you got a film that could actually happen in real life.

(ok I've put down spoilers but ill try not to say too much) The basis is, Jack Campbell (Nicholas Cage) is a high flying financial exec and 13 years previous he left his high school/college sweetheart (Tea Leoni) behind. One Christmas Eve 13 years later, she contacts him. and, after preventing a robbery, he wakes on Christmas morning as if he never left her. His existing life is gone and a new one with his sweetheart and two kids is now present. He learns to bond with them over time and gets to see what hes missed out on. When he wakes , he realises. Thats all i'm saying on the film. I'm sure there are people who this has happened to, seeing someone from the past and wondering. It happened to me quite recently when i saw my High School sweetheart after just 12 years. The last time i watched it, i could really feel the emotion that and feelings that were going through Jack's mind.

Watch it. Its a quality Christmas based film that doesn't age and is great viewing any time of the year. It's fantastically cast, written, directed and produced.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

i want to vote this as 11 out of 10

[10/10 · 9 November 2006]

This is brilliant. I got to write ten lines on this film, but no other words can describe it. The acting is brilliant, the story (of course, we know it well), the screenplay and the music. The way the Muppets have blended with real people is amazing as well. Watching it you can become absorbed into the story, the music and the meaning of A Christmas Carol.

Of course, we know the story. Michael Caine is brilliant as Scrooge (second only to the great Alastar Sim), Kermit is Bob Cratchett. Other Muppets come in and out as the film progresses, Miss Piggy as Mrs Cratchett; its funny as the boys in the Cratchett family are frogs and the girls are pigs. The Great Gonzo is playing Charles Dickens and narrates the film along with Rizzo the Rat (a blue furry Charles Dickens who hangs out with a rat as Rizzo describes). These two never loose the plot and never seem out of place, even with the American accents and forgetting things like Rizzos bag of jelly beans.

Thats all i'm going to say about the film. Kids and adults alike, buy this film. If you love the Muppets, its a must..

Ghostwatch (1992 TV Movie)

I was fooled

[8/10 · 31 October 2006]

I was 16 years old (maybe i should have lied about my age when it was on) and in hospital when i watched this. Yes i thought it was real. Yes i was rummaging for change for the hospital payphone to ring in. And yes i felt a pratt when it wasn't real - i blame the anasetic and medication i was on.

Whoever thought this programme up, did a fantastic job. Its a one off, never can be repeated as it would be recognised instantly as a hoax. The whole story and play along is and was so convincing, the acting from even the children was brilliant and well done as it was believable im sure it had a lot of people fooled. Also, another of these couldn't be made as the supernatural TV world is flooded with the likes of Most Haunted (not knocking it, love M. H) so it couldn't be carried off as well as this was back in 92.

SpaceCamp (1986)

i liked it

[6/10 · 30 October 2006]

Ill be honest, bar a few faults i liked this film. I was about 12 i think when i saw it and liked it so much, i tried looking for the place in Alabama. Now, i see it as a kids adventure. Casting kids, aiming space adventure to kids. (if you look closely you can see its a studio soundstage - yes i thought i was really in space).

The plot is OK, space camp go into the shuttle for an engine test that turns into a launch. It said the odds for it happening are once ever 4 million years. So how did it happen? The robot programmed it to. did it really fail or was it a hoax still puzzling that one.

Its a race against time, well air supply. I don't know a lot about any nations space programme, but you'd have thought they would have the supplies on board before doing tests?

Only other point about it, i felt that Kate Capshaws character was too humourless. OK she was so unhappy, she made scrooge look happy go lucky.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House (2002) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

shouldn't have used exisitng characters

[5/10 · 30 October 2006]

I've rated this 5 for the reason that they used the characters from the first two films that we loved (or hated) but we knew them. The plot is the family from HA1 and 2 minus a couple of kids with the parents divorcing. The father has moved in a with a rich b**ch and Kevin finds his way to their house for Christmas. Here comes a spoiler, they, his father and his new girlfriend spoil him rotten and forget hes got 2 other children. Its a really bizarre one

If they had used brand new characters, this could have worked. The traps are no where near the intensity of 1,2, or 3, actually they are non existent. They took the basic moves of the former films and worked them in with a feeble plot and two baddies that are just stupid.

I've you're bored, watch this. If you've never seen the originals, watch this first. or you'll be disappointed.

Ghosts (1994 Video Game)

excellent

[9/10 · 26 October 2006]

I bought this when it was on cheap in Currys and loved it from the first moment. At first, i made a genuine mistake and thought it was a "game" to go around and confront a ghost. I was mistaken big time. This is a wealth and a vault of information on the paranormal that makes Most Haunted look tame. (please note, i love Most Haunted as well - i'm not rubbishing it for one minute) Christopher Lee is brilliant all through it. Ghosts takes you round a fictional house and tells the stories of well known haunting's and the people who investigate these. Ill say no more, if you love Most Haunted and DA's Ghosttown, try and get this somehow. As you'll love it.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005 Video Game)

Great

[10/10 · 22 October 2006]

I have just completed this game for the second time. For those who haven't bought it and are doubting buying it i will say, don't think this will be like GTA3. Its not.

The city is the same layout but bits are different. I wont spoil it as its worth two days constant playing it.

The only real problem i had was trying to put it into a time line with the others. GTA, GTA London and GTA 2 aren't part of this saga. GTA3 GTA VC GTA SA and Liberty City stories form a saga but there's no logical pattern into which order that go. So far I've decided its GTA SA, GTA VC, LCS and then GTA 3 last.

Anyway, my logic aside, if you love the first GTA's you'll love this. Just remember, its 18 so not for kids.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

i liked it

[8/10 · 22 October 2006]

All in all this is a good movie. Enjoyable, original (well the same theme as its original but had new twists), exciting of whats going to happen next and the characters had personalities. You either liked then and wanted them to survive or hated them and couldn't wait for them to be bitten. (actually thats one slight downfall, not many did get bitten and i think its only Ana's husband at the start we see getting bitten).

The point about biting is one fault with the film, the other is a piece of blatant stating the bleeding obvious ever put into a movie, actually I'm nominating it for the Sybil Fawlty (see Fawlty Towers) Award For Stating the Bleeding Obvious. We are 40 minutes into a horror film about the living dead, people are being bitten (off screen) everywhere and turning quickly into zombies and Ana, the leading lady, states "oh i think its the bites". If id been on the cast, i would have ad-libed "yeah well obviously".

Apart from that, i love this film

A Christmas Carol (1951)

this is a must every Christmas - and throughout the year

[10/10 · 22 October 2006]

I've got to write ten lines on this minimum but i can sum this wild up in one word "BRILLIANT" Alistar Sim is Scrooge. No other actor, including Michael Cain, can meet his excelence in the role. It's as if Charles Dickens wrote this character for him 50 years before Mr Sim was born.

The language used is fantastic, and after 25 years of watching it I'm still learning from it. The characters are brilliant and the grainy black and white film (not the colour version) really brings out the feel of 19th century victorian London.

This is a story of redemption. Salvation. I'm sure everyone knows the story of A Christmas Carol but this version goes deeper than others, even the audio book version. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge growing up, in business for the first time (a young George Cole working with a young Patrick Mcnee both for Jack Warner - later Dixong of Dock Green). Even now, im still finding people in it who are known for other films/shows (Noel Howlett the headmaster from Please Sir and The Carry On films Mother superior Hattie Jaques). The follows his life and first love and the tragic death of his sister - this is the turning point in scrooges life which a lot of versions don't show. The past ends with Scrooge signing the register of the death of his partner Jacob Marley.

The Ghost of Christmas present shows him what Christmas in the present day is like. Showing mainly the Cartchit family and the fun they have being a family of limited means and shows truly that you don't need money, presents or a TV (100 years before they were invented) to have a good time.

The Ghost of Christmas future is the scary bit that i could never watch without hiding behind the sofa. This shows a time after Scrooges and Tiny Tim's death and shows how soemone loved is missed and someone who is disliked isn't. This is the turning point for Scrooge.

When he wakes and realised a chance to change, and scare his char lady to death, he grabs it and makes amends to everyone.

Forget all other versions of the story and stick with this one. It's alive and well after 50 years and the colour version is something to see. Alistar Sim lives on 30 plus years after his death.

Also, with the use to a website, its funny to see how much the money then is worth now - 15 shillings (75p) a week for Bob Cratchit and the 5 shillings 6 pence (27 1/2p) his son was to earn doesn't sound a lot but it works out in todays money at over £100 a week.

This is A********** nothing beats it

Home Alone 3 (1997)

i liked it

[8/10 · 22 October 2006]

It seems everyone doesn't like this movie??? I actually like it. I think people take another sequel with none of the originals badly but this film has breathed a breath of fresh air into a series that was becoming stagnate. Ill make it clear, i liked the first two films, every Christmas they are a must. HA3 was a new situation (not forgetting the basic format) new people and new ideas - lets take it to international terrorisum (dont worry, violent is something this film isn't!!) The plot is simple, this time its a kid at home sick from school and havoc reigns while his family are out for the day. This is a must to watch. Two things i advise are: 1, When you watch this, forget about the first two films. 2, Don't think Home Alone 4 is a continuation of this.

The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt (2005 TV Movie)

bless the person who released the DVD

[10/10 · 18 October 2006]

This is brilliant. Booze Cruise 2. Now a good deal of the time sequels are not very good (pointing it politely) but this is. BC2 takes the characters from BC1 and gives them something totally new to do. Nothing repetitive in it, all fresh ideas (and a couple of fresh faces). This maybe a spoiler but ill outline it. They are all off on a Treasure Hunt and nothing ever goes to plan. Pretty much like the first one. There are a few loose ends that could have been tied up but hey, leave them for another sequel. The jokes and gags of Neil Person are so schoolboy you would be hard pushed not to laugh at him and poor Brian Murphy on the receiving end all the time from everyone. This is a must. A mixture of British comedy and drama all in one. Now i got it on DVD, i cant stop watching this nor the other two.