Change Your Image
palhud
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Thriller: I'm the Girl He Wants to Kill (1974)
Perfect setting for an absorbing and thrilling episode
I've watched series 1 and 2 of Thriller to date and I'm presently working my way through series 3. For me this episode has been far and away the most tense to date. The story, towards the end, revolves around a potential female witness to a murder, where the murderers only opportunity of preventing her talking to the police is to take her life, whilst she works alone as a secretary, late at night, in a multi storey office.
A suspenseful game of cat and mouse ensues where the secretary has to live on her wits and desperately try to evade the cold blooded killer and get help. The story is not without its flaws, but you can put that to one side as the tension is palpable throughout and you will find yourself on edge as this gripping episode of Thriller moves towards its conclusion. Recommended.
Thriller (1973)
Thriller - Season 1
I've just finished watching Season 1 of Thriller so here are my thoughts. I must admit that after watching the first episode of the series 'Lady Killer' which was quite good, I was a tad disappointed with the next episode 'Possession' and was contemplating whether or not to watch the rest of the season. However, I decided to carry on and I'm glad I did as there were some great episodes that followed.
The stand out episodes for me were 'Someone at the Top of the Stairs' very eerie with the young students feeling suitably spooked by the neighbours in the apartment they're renting, the 'Colour of Blood', Norman Eshley is superb here as a serial killer who escapes police custody and provides a chilling performance, 'File It Under Fear' where the people working in a local area are understandably paranoid about who might be behind a recent murder and the 'Eyes have it' where contract killers take over a venue for the blind as it's a perfect vantage point as they target a politician.
The stories are all original and the tension is palpable in the episodes, like you'd hope with good thrillers. I'm surprised only two people wrote the entire series (Brian Clemens and Terence Feely). They were clearly very gifted writers and story tellers.
The episodes might not have the production values we're used to today but the stories are innovative and generally engaging. I'm glad I kept with it as I enjoyed this Season and I'm looking forward to watching Season 2.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Clint Doing What Clint Does Best
I'm not a big lover of westerns but I enjoyed The Outlaw Josey Wales. Whilst I've not watched that many of Clints westerns, I've seen enough to know he usually plays a brooding individual with a reason for revenge and this film is no different. The villains are evil, perform some pretty heinous acts, at different stages of the film, and make you route for Clint (Josey) when he sets about them. In having to become an outlaw to survive he assembles a motley crew on his travels as he rescues individuals in the various perils he encounters. The film works because the villains are so unpleasant, whilst the people who's aid Josey comes to are all likeable, at least to some degree or other, so you inevitably care what happens to them and Josey, which is really what all good stories should make you do. It's not rocket science but it's well directed, the cinematography is great and the relationship between Josey and particularly Lone Waite in his crew is a joy to watch. For those of you who want your shoot outs to be realistic then no doubt you'll be critical, Josey shouldn't make it past the first shoot out or the second or third for that matter. Does he survive at the end? Watch it and find out! If you're a Clint Eastwood fan I'd be very surprised if you don't enjoy the Outlaw Josey Wales.
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
Fascinating Documentary
I saw this documentary about 10 years ago so my review isn't on the back of having seen it recently. However, I found it a fascinating watch on the subject of miscarriages of justice. One recollection that stays with me now, years later, is how one so called 'professional' could have arrived at the ludicrous conclusion he did which was pivotal in the wrong verdict being arrived at and how a legal system could have permitted such an insane decision to be influential. My other recollection, and this is something another reviewer had mentioned rather than myself, but it's absolutely true, is that the director gives the interviewee's all the air time they need to share their thoughts and describe their involvement in the case and what they 'knew'. In doing so, the honest among them are vindicated and the liars are exposed and this no doubt lead to the events that followed in terms of the review of the original conviction. A highly recommended documentary that is a compelling watch.
The Verdict (1982)
A lot to admire here
In the Verdict Paul Newman plays a run down lawyer (Frank Galvin) with a drink problem who no longer appears capable of doing his job and with little love for what he does. He takes on a case following a request from a woman whose sister was severely brain damaged, due to what her family believe to be the negligent acts of doctors at a hospital foundation. The hospital foundation don't want the bad press and make a compensation offer to settle. Frank Galvin is initially pleased as it's easy money for him, as he will get a nice cut of what is on offer. However, on re-visiting the lady in her coma, his morality kicks in and he realises it's about getting justice for this lady and her family in court.
Maybe it all sounds cliche and perhaps it is a little, but you certainly don't feel that way watching it. It's never over sentimental and there's no wonderful transformation in Frank Galvin other than a man finding his purpose again and doing the best he can for his client. I was certainly routing for him and the family he represents at the trial, where the odds are heavily stacked against them with all the money and legal representation affordable to the defendant.
I was expecting a lot form this film based on it's director Sidney Lumet, who has directed two of my favourite films in Dogs Day Afternoon and 12 Angry Men and it certainly lived up to my expectations. James Mason is superb as the defendants lawyer but it's Paul Newman performance that ultimately deserves the most plaudits for playing such a believable character who rediscovers his inner conscience in the pursuit of what's right. Great to watch a master at work.
Hammer House of Horror (1980)
A Welcome Change In Direction From Hammer
I've enjoyed watching the Hammer House of Horror TV series, I vaguely remember a few of the Hammer House of Horror films but this TV series is nothing like this. There are no vampires but rather a modern (at least at that time) take on horror from Hammer productions and I think they can be pleased with what they did here.
The stories are original and there are some clever concepts within. There were no turkeys for me here rather some very good or good episodes with a few average ones in and amongst.
I particularly liked Rude Awakenings (Denholm Elliot is brilliant in this) and The Two Faces of Evil (probably the scariest of all the episodes). On the back of these two I'd say The Silent Scream, Children of The Full Moon, The House That Bled to Death and Witching Time (Patricia Quinn puts in a superb performance here) are all equally enjoyable. Some of these episodes have more modern plots whilst others have a more traditional horror theme (involving witches or werewolves) but all these episodes were very engaging.
Following on from the above I'd then rank Guardian of The Abyss and The Thirteenth Reunion around the same (joint 7th and 8th) - both of these were well written stories with some nice horror moments just not quite as good as the former episodes described in my view.
In 9th place I'd have Charlie Boy, a good episode based on a Voodoo followed by Visitor From The Grave and the Carpathian Eagle, whilst these two episodes are quite far down the pecking order, I still enjoyed them.
This then leads to what I think are the only average episodes on offer which are Growing Pains and The Mark of Satan. Neither of these episodes are badly acted but the stories just aren't as well written, don't move as well and involve less tension and edginess that good horror should deliver.
It's great to reconnect with some of the famous and not as famous actors in this series from 1980 and also enjoy some of the nostalgia from this time if you're old enough to have been around in 1980.
All in all, if you're a fan of horror, particularly from that period of time and you're looking for something that has a bit more originality than a diet of vampires, then I'd be surprised if you didn't like this series.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Great Entertainment
I watched Avatar: The Way of Water with my wife at the cinema and we both really enjoyed the film.
The story moves along nicely and whilst this is a 3hr film it never once dragged and it was always engaging. Given that the characters are CGI rather than people I was surprised how emotional both myself and my wife found ourselves feeling albeit at different points in the film.
It's definitely a film that will be enjoyed the most on the big screen. Hats off to James Cameron, he's delivered again. If you enjoyed the 1st instalment you'll enjoy this sequel. I'm certainly looking forward to the third film when it's released. Great Entertainment.
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense (1984)
Entertaining Anthology Series
An enjoyable anthology series from Hammer House of Horror. I believe it was their final production and I think it 's one they can be proud of. The series is quite original in it's approach so you can forget about stories with vampires and instead watch a more modern take on horror which concentrates on, as the title suggests, mystery and suspense rather than blood and gore.
There were no bad stories, they all ranged from very good to average in my view.
If I'm picking my favourite episode it would have to be In Possession, followed closely by The Corvin Inheritance. Both episodes had you gripped throughout and were very well written and acted.
Then I'd pick The Sweet Scent of Death. When I look at the ratings each of the episodes have received on IMDB I think this episode is the most deserving of a higher score than it's received. It's a clever story where the suspense continues throughout and is a great setting for horror.
I'd put Mark of the Devil fourth, whilst the lead character has brought the predicament on himself, I was still routing for him and you're on edge every time he takes his shirt off or attempts to hide his markings from his fiance.
Joint fifth and Sixth I have A Distant Scream and The Late Nancy Irving. They're very clever stories but lack the pace that those stories I rate higher have.
From seventh through to tenth I'd have the following episodes all tied - Black Carrion, Last Video and Testament, And The Walls Come Tumbling Down and Czech Mate. All episodes I enjoyed to some degree or other but they didn't quite have that something my higher ranked episodes had, be it a less plausible story or a weaker ending.
In Eleventh place I'd have Paint Me A Murder. Again a good story but I just felt it deserved a more engaging ending. In Twelfth place I'd have Tennis Court, it's not bad but there are simply more stronger storylines than this. In Thirteenth place I'd have Child's Play. I think this is a bit of a marmite episode (probably only UK readers will now what I mean by this), but basically you'll either love it or dislike it. I still thought it was ok and I liked the ending but the lack of depth in the characters was such that I didn't really care what would happen to them at the end. I'm obviously going against the grain here as Child's Play is the episode reviewers rate the highest but there you go. Ultimately there isn't one of the 13 episodes that isn't worth a watch in my view.
As I was a teenager in the 80's there was a nice sense of nostalgia here looking back at the fashions, decor, cars etc.. and I think for those that remember the 80's they will get that too. It was also nice to see some familiar actors and admire their craft.
All in all I enjoyed the Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense and if you like this type of genre it's worth a watch.
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense: Child's Play (1984)
Two dimensional characters
I've watched the entire anthology series and enjoyed it but to be honest I didn't rate this episode among the best the series had to offer. After a while I found Child's Play tiresome to watch as I felt their repeated attempts to break out of their home would continue to be in vain and this turned out to be true. The reality is this is what the entire episode consisted of, a families efforts in vain to get out of the house they were now trapped in. I still liked the ending, it explained why the family was in the predicament it was and whilst it relies on the viewers suspension of disbelief it was a good conclusion. Even so, the two dimensional characters meant that I wasn't precious about what happened to them. This isn't a criticism of the acting, the actors were portraying a family that didn't really exist and no doubt played their parts how they needed to. However, for me a good story involves being able to care about the characters involved and I found I just couldn't do that here.
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense: The Sweet Scent of Death (1984)
Engaging story with a perfect setting for some horror
A well written, acted and engaging episode. I thought the house and its location, particularly for the night scenes made it a scarier experience than most of the other episodes I've seen to date. A few moments made me jump too, which isn't something I can recall happening in the stories I've watched so far in this TV series.
As the story progresses it give you hints as to the characters who may be culpable for stalking the ambassador's wife and it sets the scene well for the ending, you're intrigued to find out who is behind it all and the ending didn't disappoint. It's certainly deserving of a higher rating than it's received in my view.
Tales of the Unexpected (1979)
Enjoyable rerun of this series on Sky Arts
When surfing the channels on Saturday mornings I stumbled across a rerun of the series on Sky Arts. After half watching a few of the episodes I slowly got drawn in and I've ended up watching all 112 episodes. I was only a child/teenager when it was originally screened and my memory of it, from those years, was only really of the opening credits as it wasn't something I was particularly drawn to at that age.
However, I've enjoyed watching the series now I'm older. It brings back a lot of nostalgia from the 80's the decor, the fashions, the cars and of course those old phones! There's also a lot of famous and not so famous actors who've appeared in the series and there's some great performances in there.
There are some great episodes, good episodes, average ones and inevitably some poor ones given the longevity of the series. Some people have commented about the poor production values/low budget evident here and that's fair enough although this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the series, I felt in some episodes it gave them a sense of realism as the settings were usually very ordinary.
For what it's worth my top 12 episodes, with the best ranked 1 and so on are as follows:
1. The Flypaper
2. The Man from the South
3. Nothing Short of Highway Robbery
4. The Stinker
5. Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat
6. A Harmless Vanity
7. Parson's Pleasure
8. Taste
9. Clerical Error
10. Number Eight
11. Light Fingers
12. Shatterproof.
Tales of the Unexpected: The Open Window (1982)
Not bad at all
Like some of the other reviewers I found the story confusing to follow until the last couple of minutes when it all made sense. I liked the twist at the end. These are short stories, 30 minutes long and given the short duration I think people can have unrealistic expectations about how complex the stories and characters should be.
Contrary to other reviewers comments I thought the acting was good here. Yes there are better episodes of Tales Of The Unexpected than this but it still deserves to be a lot higher up the rankings than it is.