mhodgson66 Reviews

In the Earth (2021)

Atmospheric folk horror

[8/10 · 14 January 2024]

This film appears to have polarised IMDB reviewers in to two camps: those who loathe it and those who rather like it. I am a member of the latter. It will probably aid your enjoyment if you have a predisposition for the weird, unexplained and ambiguous. Plus, if you have seen previous Ben Wheatley films you should find the narrative to be an interesting, if perhaps minor, addition to his canon of work.

The four central actors are excellent - all work well within the unsettling scenario. The photography and editing is arresting as you would expect from Wheatley and the spooky atmosphere (on an obviously tight budget) is well conceived.

Ignore the naysayers and give this a go...if you enjoy slow burning, weird, atmospheric and typically British folk horror on a small scale.

Annika (2021– )

Quirky is the word

[6/10 · 7 April 2023]

I am currently three episodes in (watching on Freeviews Drama channel) and am beginning to warm to this quirky, detective series. My partner and I were drawn to it because of the talented Nicola Walker as the lead. She certainly doesn't disappoint despite her dodgy accent (as far as I can tell she doesn't sound so much Norwegian as just a bit stilted). The supporting characters are also becoming more rounded, especially those played by Jamie Sives and Katie Leung. Although enjoyable it is pretty lightweight and would really benefit from an injection of more grit and realism. I'm not convinced that breaking the 4th wall really adds anything, particularly considering by episode three Annika is opening up to her colleagues in any case. I also think the episodes need to be longer so as to give the murder cases (as well as the continuing characters' story arcs) more time to breathe. Like others have commented, the 'difficult' relationship with the tiresomely sullen teenage daughter is also cliched. Either make the character of the daughter more rounded or sideline this aspect of Annika's life altogether.

The Young Cannibals (2019)

Worth watching

[6/10 · 6 March 2023]

This low budget British horror is worth giving a go at least for the last half hour which is extremely suspenseful and well played out. It is by no means a masterpiece but the direction, editing and acting are perfectly adequate and even shift up a gear for the bravura finale. For those Brits old enough to remember, it reminded me of an episode from the Hammer House of Horror tv series where each week we were entertained by a gory, wildly unlikely horror tale. I was also impressed by the ending (which is so often a major weak point in these genre films) as it is both satisfying and amusing in equal measure. So stick with it and you won't be disappointed.

The Gold (2023–2024)

Laboured and cliched

[5/10 · 14 February 2023]

Gave the first episode a try but after twenty minutes of multiple laboured, tiresome and leaden scenes I realised that the prospect of sitting through another five hours and forty minutes was not enticing.

It has a good cast led by the always dependable Hugh Bonneville but the actors have to deliver lines which are both cliched and laughable. It reminded me of a below par EastEnders 'flashback' episode, where we get to see how the Mitchell family turned to crime in the early 1980s. The actors playing the criminals came off worst, all speaking very slowly and menacingly and incomprehensibly.

I did stay watching until the closing credits but won't be returning for the rest of the series - it was simply too dull to be of interest. A more down to earth script and empathetic characters would have helped.

The Furies (2019)

Worth watching

[6/10 · 27 March 2022]

This film has many positives. It is well directed, edited and has excellent gore effects. It also benefits from having a strong and empathetic lead in Airlie Dodds. However, it does lack a coherent and logical storyline, plus the characterisation is nonexistent. The ending, whilst echoing Eli Roth's Hostel, would tend to suggest that a sequel or two might be in the offing. I would be up for watching them as long as they have a cohesive plot and well rounded characters.

Archive (2020)

Slow burn sci-fi

[7/10 · 29 January 2021]

As a sci-fi fan, I found this admittedly derivative film extremely enjoyable. It is stylishly shot, directed and acted with aplomb by the attractive and enigmatic leads of Theo James and Stacy Martin. Indeed, the latter is well cast in her role who is both ambiguous, childlike and yet empathetic all at the same time. The wonderful Toby Jones also turns up in an extended cameo just to give it that bit extra. If you want wham, bang, action this is definitely not for you. However, if you enjoy psychological, moody sci-fi with stunning visuals then there is much you will enjoy. It is very 'Twilight Zone' with an ending I didn't anticipate.

Whisky Galore (2016)

Stick with the original

[4/10 · 16 January 2021]

Unfortunately, this is a very pale imitation of the highly charming, wonderful 1949 film directed by Alexander McKendrick. It isn't poorly made but it is totally lacking in zest or interest. The plot and screenplay is more or less the same as the McKendrick version but both the direction and acting are as flat as a pancake (despite the presence of well established character actors) - none match the superior talents of such as Basil Redford, Joan Greenwood, James Robertson Justice, Gordon Jackson, John Gregson and so on. What is more, the cinematography and crisp editing of the superior original put this version to shame. I suggest you simply don't bother.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

Offensive tosh

[2/10 · 26 September 2020]

Oh dear! Despite an excellent cast, this is a truly dreadful, lame and just plain silly film. It does feature some excellent action set pieces but the so called humour is low rent and crude. The first film was highly entertaining and well plotted but this is an embarrassment for all concerned.