robfwoods Reviews

The Upper Hand (1990–1996)

Absolutely pathetic

[4/10 · 22 July 2011]

I've been a big fan of British series - sitcoms and drama for years - dozens and dozens.

I somehow endured the first series of TUH but it was torture - I stayed with it out of disbelief actually.

Trite, predictable scenarios - obvious cliché jokes and retorts. Mediocre acting but maybe they couldn't help it with the abysmal script.

I thought Honor Blackman might have offered something but it was a crap role with the most simplistic throwaway lines. I don't know how makeup or cinematography might have changed it but the whites of her eyes kept popping out and taking off like flying saucers, to boot.

Basically I think the writers had been watching too much American TV.

The Ice Storm (1997)

Fine film - but a few weird

[8/10 · 28 May 2004]

Film overall really good - cannot believe how one review calls it a bomb - unless they were British - where 'bomb' means great.

But some of the dialog was amazingly wooden - at least as to how it was said.

And some was physically unbelievable - for some reason the director decided to devote 2 minutes to standing on the end of an icy diving board - including showing it to be slippery - then it is bounced on and slipped on - yet the jumper remains on the board! Sure - quite trivial - but why do minutes on such a scene and have it be so phony? Like doing a 2 minute blow-up of a wart.

And the conductor on the train announces 'New Canaan, ConneCticut. I lived for 21 years on the CT border - even worked there - spent summers there - and NEVER till now - no matter how slovenly someone's speech - ever heard the second 'C' pronounced in 'Connecticut' - and even emphasized.

And never did figure out how one set of keys was left with only one male to go with it.

Bad Influence (1990)

Good story - but acting rather clumsy.

[21 March 2004]

I'm always a bit amazed how some of the reviews published here really put films down with gross generalities - and one-liners like 'how could you pay money for this?' -- and then there are others putting it at the top of the list. Personally I have a feeling there are some people writing in this section who are just having 'fun' giving stuff 1 and 2 stars - and use the same general negative throughout.

Unfortunately these type of reviews can sometimes be first on the list - as it was here - it definitely pays to scroll down.

This movie had a pretty well done story line - acting was often stiff and jumpy - and some lines 'artificially dropped in.' The office personnel could certainly have been better.

There was little 'action for action sake' - always a good thing. And no excess contriving

True - one never got 'behind Alex' to find out what was making him tick - but on the other hand all his acts were shallow enough that you could figure he was just hitchhiking through life anyhow.

I'd give it a 6 - and just lament it hadn't been more polished.

The Glass House (2001)

Insane car chases, collisions, etc.

[28 February 2004]

When is the film industry going to realize that insane, idiotic and TOTALLY unrealistic car chases, collisons, etc. significantly reduce the quality of a film?

Glass House loses a tremendous amount of enjoyment with this 'car idiocy.'

Similarly - can't we leave Cape Fear by itself with the nine-lived villain? How Glass could come walking up from that accident would be a big story in Bible 2.

The 'car idiocy' syndrome - has its close industry cousin in the 'deserted warehouse' unbelievability - fortunately not in this film - but had it had to run another 15 minutes, I'm sure we would have had it.

Why haven't these contrived scenarios risen as total jokes among viewers so producers would really eliminate them? The viewer gets what they deserve, I guess.

A Stranger Among Us (1992)

Can't understand comments

[22 February 2004]

Most comments refer to this as some kind of Witness rip-off. Sorry - just don't agree. Going 'undercover' in another culture was not patented by Witness. The parallels are just not there - so who was the 'Witness, in SAU? That's just one question. Then again if one has only 5 pigeon holes (or less) to file films into - then go ahead.

MG was just fine in the film - her voice is always going to be with her - and she's made it through 100 roles already with it.

The portrayal of the Hassidim was surely an education for many.

The 'background filming' was good - even as a born New Yorker - got to see some new 'shots'

The plot was there - but jumpy - I doubt very many predicted the killers - but did wonder why accomplices not revealed.

Sure there were inconsistencies and illogical stuff - but not any more than the bloody Crichton films which most of the time require you have to forget you have a brain - yet take themselves VERY seriously. SAU was not written as a documentary - it's overall flow was there - AND very much enjoyable.

Final Cut (1998)

Bewildered

[14 March 2002]

I watched the DVD last evening and found myself for the first time on hundreds of films fast-forwarding through most of it.

How in heavens' name can it be said that these were secretly taped scenes when half the time the subject is making google-eyes at the camera like some 12 year old?

I really think I may have seen better home videos of kids' birthday parties (surely more genuine). (Or was the 'tinkling' in the bathroom supposed to be some kind of 'high spot?')

Dead Calm (1989)

Strangely reminiscent - watch for possible 'spoiler' below

[6/10 · 3 March 2002]

The film is indeed `'enjoyable' - but the endless number of times when a proper 'end' to the 'villain' should have taken place is a bit annoying. The similarity to the 'cat with nine lives' as in Cape Fear and its 1962 'original' and subsequent renewal is rather prevalent. And -- possible SPOILER -- we never really get a clue how technically and biologically the 'ninth life' might have occurred - or did I miss something?

The other thing I can't figure out is where these 'Brit-type accents' all showed up with the movie starting out in Chicago - even the surgeon seemed to be a Brit.

Executive Decision (1996)

Certainly worth watching - actually it's a doubleheader - action AND comedy!

[11 August 2001]

The first 90% is certainly a good action movie. 'Logic' holds together pretty well and 'characters' credible. But I have to disagree with the previous comments: rather than having you in a sweat, the last 10 minutes will have you rolling in the plane's aisles! This section should surely have been part of Airplane 2!

Sound track good on 5.1 (actually resulted in good 6.1 on Outlaw).