peter-sweeney Reviews

The Falling (2014)

Pratfalls!

[5/10 · 28 April 2015]

"Picnic at Hanging Rock" a fine film of the 70s, telling a story of how a group of schoolgirls disappeared on a visit to Ayers Rock. This film had it eerie, creepy, atmospheric, less talky than this; in other words classy.

Alas this film, which I thought would match this from the reviews I read, did not come anywhere near it. Whereas this was certainly a personal project to writer / director, to everyone else it really is a non-sensical load of tosh. Neither eerie, classy, engaging or atmospheric.

The school group was similar to "Picnic" i.e. pretty centre of attention girl, mixed up clever girl down to fat eat a lot girl...pretty stereotypical characters.

When the fainting/shaking actually occurs, especially in the school assembly scene I'm afraid it became comical. They were obviously well drilled on how to faint.

The Director did try to convey a sense of nature at work here. For example, intimating that Abbie's spirit lingered among the old oak tree, straight through to hearing fox cries, owls hooting, even in the scenes shot in Lydia's house! Needless to say the (step)brother and (step)sister "getting it on" scenes were pretty uncomfortable. On that point was not convinced on the Mother character, especially the acting.

Major plus however, Florence Pugh, she is going to go far. A great looking girl with a distinctive voice and she can sing play guitar.

A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)

Shock Horror! Liam Neeson a recovering alcoholic......

[6/10 · 24 September 2014]

This should have been a real good thriller similar to "Seven". But couldn't really decide what it really wanted to be, so became somewhere between a "Taken" no nonsense thriller and the more thoughtful stylish "Manhunter" type find the serial killer.

In the end it just was an overlong ordinary "find and kill" the bad guys(whom in this case are really nasty!!) thriller; with the viewer routing for them to be caught and dispatched of...in a suitable violent manner!! Whilst it's attention grabbed at the outset and for quite some time. Disappointment then set in as it did not offer anything to set this apart thus descending into a so-so thriller!! Unnecessary scenes include many with TJ; especially the scene where he had the gun and Neeson was showing him how to use it and then telling him to point it to his head and shoot! Nice moralising Liam! This is a homeless kid on the streets of a rough part of New York - graffiti everywhere!! I would think a gun would be useful.

The end reel involving i) ransom exchange ii) a shoot off iii) disposing of the bad guys linked-in to 12 "moral" statements from an AA meeting that Neeson used to attend, uttered on the soundtrack during these scenes, failed to make any impact for this viewer.

The attempt to convey that Neeson learnt some life changing lessons picked up by attending these meetings seemed to be laid on a bit thick, plus, how is that apparent when he s still shooting guys, causing suicides and creating havoc wherever he goes....!? Trying to add some deep existential layer just did not come off and whatever the Director was trying to convey...seem laboured.

Cold in July (2014)

Mish mash of themes

[6/10 · 16 July 2014]

This started out well and quite gripping and to this viewer was looking forward to further developments. The height of this was finding out he had not killed Russell's son i.e. lucky to discover a photo of him; and then by further incredible chance finding out what the police was going to do his father (who was in a terror campaign against the hero's family). Everything going fine to this point and yes sure, very Cape Fear.

Then it all shifted into a downward spiral as soon as Don Johnson arrived in a vague comic characterisation tone and all plausibility for a real decent thriller disappeared.

The real son of Russell had been the subject of a witness protection programme and was heavily involved in making snuff videos. probably why this was set in 1989 during the video cassette boom. So then it turned into a "Vacancy" type movie.

Then for further reasons not quite explained they do not go to police, turn into vigilantes,go after them to kill them..!! So all went a bit routine in a shoot 'em up finale.

Few issues with this i) the police in the hero's small home town were corrupt i.e. trying to kill Russell's father. This story loop was left untied. ii) The hero's wife let him go to Houston on a pretty flimsy excuse with no real effort to find out his real reasons especially when he had been acting a bit suspiciously iii) The father and son relationship was well non-existent, neither knowing each other.

Good points are i) the early tension and favourite being ii)the John Carpenter style electronic music permeating through the movie. Real bad point - the last hour!

Her (2013)

Lot to say here!!

[7/10 · 21 February 2014]

Not being a facebook or twitter user, you appreciate where this could go in the future. Human interaction getting less and less; people becoming insular and even when in going out groups, breaking off to pour over their electronic devices. The whole skill of communication and conversation deteriorating. That is really emphasised where Phoenix works in a letter writing Company. The art of letter writing and calligraphy (style of writing gone).

You noticed that in the street and subway scenes; people just chatting to their earphones.

There was various "Hers" in this. More so than "hes" e.g. The OS, the ex-wife, the date, his "friend" in the living complex, young girl. All of different characters; so you imagine that the writer/director (same guy) included his own experiences. The ideal "her", given all the human versions, being the electronic "her".

Phoenix doesn't play a "mans man", so for the male portion of the audience its hard to relate to him.

Whilst "art house" film lovers tend to pontificate over what the Director was trying to convey in certain scenes, I would like to point out several I noted (but have no idea of their meaning, so shall guess) as follows:

Why give the main character such a ridiculous name....sounded dickensian?

On-screen colours of light blue, green, reds....pleasing to the eye?

In the near future, trouser belts no longer required....improvement in waistband design?

Summing up, an interesting watch, though not a memorable one.

Rush (I) (2013)

Va Va Vrooommmm!

[8/10 · 19 September 2013]

This moved at a pace similar to motor racing, hardly pausing for breath. Sometimes you hear contrived dialogue in films of this type but here the dialogue was delivered as fast as the action on the screen. No long monologues here.

The two leads had to carry the film...and did. Showing rivalry without it being too bitter or really getting nasty and ultimately having utmost respect for each other. Out of the two I thought Hemsworth was probably the better, nailing the British accent especially that which has a plum in its mouth. The supporting cast did not really have a lot to to other than look concerned as they raced or whoop or otherwise when race over.

Motor racing scenes will not disappoint the motor racing fans amongst you...with plenty of noise and pulsing music to go with it.

Was a bit worried of someone as long in the tooth as Ron Howard directing; thought a young jazzy/visionary director would stamp himself all over this one, but no Howard directed with gusto and at pace.

So yeah, jump into the driving seat on this one for a couple of hours as it is based on a good, true story with the rivals being two totally opposite characters.

Django Unchained (2012)

Tarantino's Stance

[9/10 · 4 February 2013]

Raised the western bar to new heights. Gunfights well executioned and the bullets ripping out flesh, sometimes in slow motion a true marvel. Long periods of dialogue but crackling with tension as you wait for it to breakdown into bursts of violence.

What is Tarantino really saying about this time in American history. I know he is saying he has elevated America's slave trade history to the fore; but is this a homage to it!? Your sympathy for the black folk does not really come through and indeed the white plantation owners Johnson and Di Caprio look splendid in their regalia, fine cigars, fine wines. Is Tarantino looking back at this as a utopian society and appreciation of the order the system gave? One scene he (his performance detracted from the film; least believable character) he is actually pulling a slave by a rope. is he hood winking us!? He is from the south i.e.tenessee.

The film itself is splendid when it involves Christopher Waltz and really should have been wrapped up around his demise. Jackson and Di Caprio revelling in their roles.

Comedy was in there too the "monty python" feel about the eyeslits in the sacks of the KKK mob sketch and the unfortunate Di Caprio lawyer, screaming as he is caught up in the middle of the gunfight being continually hit by bullets tearing chunks out of him!

If this was attributed to the The Hobbit filmmakers; they would have edited it into 3 movies!!

The Sweeney (2012)

Buy a good box of popcorn!

[8/10 · 19 September 2012]

Was wary of this revision of a groundbreaking series (movies a bit naff), but relieved to say stands out in its own right as a really good British crime flick.

Pulsating music initiating exciting set pieces - two highlights being the shoot out cross trafalgar square and finale car chase (this viewers fingers gripping down deep into the chair handles).

Minor gripes - ropey dialogue (not quite Tinker Tailor...), Regans "girlfriend" well come on!...looked like she'd prefer to be with Hugh Grant rather than a thug like Regan. Also Carter, looked rather young and unlike a police type!

Gripes apart, it was a good plot, exciting action scenes, nasty villain, well directed.

A "B" movie western dressed up as a crime thriller! Sweeney's name continues intact.

Wrath of the Titans (2012)

Belter

[9/10 · 2 April 2012]

Totally really enjoyable movie and brilliant in 3d! Superb effects! Disengage your brain, take in the diabolical liberty taken with these Greek mythology characters. So much is given to perceived inaccuracies in the movie about the "gods" real roles. Nobody knows anyway. All we really know are their names and what they are Gods of....!

These professional critics bang on about wooden acting - well really! The acting is secondary to the special effects, and I thought they all done a good job (with a slight reservation about Bill Nighy).

Sam Worthington takes a lot of stick, so how come he seems to be in the films i've enjoyed recently "man on a ledge"; "the two titans"; "Avatar". To me he is an excellent action actor and can express humour e.g. his relationship with Pegasus. Pegasus taps him on the rear with his wing in a surly manner.

So yeah, the action moves unabatedly and builds to several climax scenes.

Have to say bit of a shame for Kronos that having been slumbering in the underworld for limitless years, his time on earth, actually on the ground, lasts approximately 10 minutes! - unlucky chap.

The Devil Inside (2012)

taking the Michael

[7/10 · 26 March 2012]

OK. Clever. Taking the mick out of "hand held" films. I recognised the priests were actors, so soon figured out it wasn't a true documentary or "inspired" by true events.

Plenty of nods toward The Exorcist with similar dialogue by the "possessed". So this film is not to be taken seriously.

Although set in Rome, half the cast were speaking English or "pigeon" Italian, so it dawned on you that this film was, I imagine, a satire on the "hand held" film genre.

However, I still felt drawn in by the film which I feel is a positive of the "hand held" because you think you are watching real events unfold. Maybe, you get the feeling that the genre has outlived its interest value, which in fact is timely for this film.

3.6 is too low as a rating and in light of the foregoing it should receive at least a 7. Notwithstanding how the film finished which a lot of people would have issues with.

Wake Wood (2009)

An interesting find!

[25 October 2011]

Love these tucked away films that you chance upon. Nice, neat, right running time, little shocker.

Its the premise thats of interest here and fascinating. A youngish couple losing their only child (and she says she cant have any more)and then given the chance to have her back, as she was, but for only three days. Given the emotional turmoil involved, and the couples position (a split is also on the cards), how many couples would go along with this. I suspect quite a few.

This also comes along with i) not everyone playing by the rules i.e. lying (how long girl was dead) and ii) it comes at a price! The viewer knows this, he's watched a lot of horror films.

Like the Irish feel, the ancient ways handed down in a localised village, the underlying creepy atmosphere, then again balanced by the modern i.e. the wind machines at the boundaries of the village.

Nice touch with the life cycle, from death comes rebirth; the mixture of births e.g the dead rebirths, cesarean of the cows, and even Alice pulls her doll through a rubbish bag.

Maybe Brendan Gleason ought to have played the squire, Timothy Spalls accent was a bit suspect.

Kill List (2011)

Absorbing, brutal!

[14 September 2011]

The stuttering editing so often used, close up camera-work, music - all brilliant stuff! From the opening argument between the "married" couple you are drawn into their world, which slowly unravels from domestic "family" next door - throwing dinner parties for friends, occasional arguments (as you come to expect from a young couple), playing with their innocent young boy in the garden.

Then WOW! does this do a 360 degree turn, which the viewer suspect would happen; straight into Get Carter territory - contract killings, grubby money served up! But not done the conventional way but more surreal! victims accepting gleefully their cold, brutal, assassinations. THE PRIEST, THE LIBRARIAN tiles delivered in Chauceresque style.

You know from the "satanic" type symbol in opening credits and placed on the back of the couple's mirror by Angelica Huston like person that there is more afoot here. The assassination guy is lauded to be some messiah type person. Therein possibly lies the weakness of the cultish ending; bit Wicker Man like! All these cult members get killed easily - purpose? He kills his wife and child - THE HUNCHBACK; purpose? Then crowned King! To do what...as what! Ahhhh well.

Where I watched it, at the end, there was an atmosphere of "scratch heading" going on and it actually took a long time for people to leave.

Lot of positives though and acting by unknowns first class and a menacing air prevailed.

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Come on! Unfunny and Unimaginative piece of work

[6/10 · 4 August 2011]

Started really well for the first 15 minutes and I felt that the laughs were just going to flow aka Bridesmaids. But NO,it just became a trial of watching 3 idiots for an eternity stumbling through a paltry series of unfunny so called "comic" set pieces.

The Dennis Quaid look alike working for Spacey - he can't do comedy. Like women would really fall for the guy working for Farrell. The biscuit however was that annoying small guy working for JA. He just spent the last hour or so of the film speaking at speed unfunny dialogue.

I know its supposed to be a comedy but that unmoralistic moron would have been all over JA, engaged or not. Like JA would risk her career getting him to sleep with her. I know she's supposed to be a nympho but there are limits.

In order for a comedy to work, you have to believe in the situation as you then imagine what you would do.

This reviewer wanted this tripe to end; they couldn't even do that properly ending this farce with a sat nav ethnic voice (oh how I did not laugh!)foiling Spacey's totally unthought through plan - to remind you "yawn - not funny".

On a positive note however I thought Farrell showed the most aptitude for comedy; he just did not have enough screen time.