steve-lucas63 Reviews

Threads (1984 TV Movie)

Totally chilling account of Mutually Assured Distruction

[9/10 · 10 January 2024]

I think I may have seen this movie pre when it first came out - but I'm not sure. In 2024 I watched and expected the 1980's vintage of the movie would have dented its impact. I was very wrong. It's horrifying in ways I wouldn't have expected. The special effects are certainly dated and even for the day, fairly rudimentary. The horror lies in how the story unfolds by focusing on at first, the very ordinary lives that are depicted, with subtle escalation of world tensions being news-story side shows. This makes it real. People at first give the possibility of conflict very little thought. Their 'world' is in focus. Soon, government advice is being broadcast in case of conflict. Some people are startled, other dismiss it. It's exactly what would happen.

Then the attacks occur.

In an instance, EVERYTHING about life on earth is on a different level. The new reality is grim and unrelenting. You realise that 'help will not come'. You understate that to survive, you must do things for yourself. There is no food, fuel, power, order. Healthcare doesn't exist. The time shows the decline in the UK Population to medieval times. There is little "hope" in the world. In documentary style the timeline measures the decline.

The Americans had The Day After. It had its moments but grim as it was, they couldn't bring themselves to come close to what could happen. Threads absolutely does.

Watch. Learn.

Please.

The Quiet Girl (2022)

The treasure is in the space between words

[8/10 · 28 December 2023]

This is an extraordinary film. More is said in silences and expressions than in words.

A young girl is sent away from her family group in which she struggles to be seen, let alone heard. Her new hosts are distant family who open their home, hearts and minds to her, and hesitant at first, responds in kind. The gift she has is a second chance to engage and prosper, and as it turns out, it's a second chance for her temporary new guardians as well.....and there's the thing; she must return to a reality that must seem more grim than the one she left.

Beautifully captured on film, the Irish countryside is breathtaking. All of the cast present totally believable performances. Not a lot actually happens but the story draws you in and the spaces, expressions and silences gifts you the opportunity think and absorb.

Totally rewarding.

Emancipation (2022)

De saturation of saturated subject

[8/10 · 27 November 2023]

As someone who isn't American, I'm quite surprised that this movie has had so many poor reviews. True, the fundamental story has been told many times in film over the last 30 years in particular; the themes are far from new; but this story is presented well. It has good pacing and the cinematography is quite breathtaking - the subtle shifts between a de-saturated B & W scenes, through to the introduction of natural hues really adds to the experience. The acting performances are convincing, though it's true that we don't learn to great depth what all main characters are feeling.

In summary, I feel this is well worth watching.

Armageddon Time (2022)

Should have been in Black and White

[5/10 · 14 June 2023]

Theme's of coming of age, fear, bigotry and death, are dealt with in a way that can't avoid stereotypes and a treatment that ultimately feels shallow. For a film with such important messages, it lacks color. It could be that the blandness of the individual characters is supposed to be a metaphor for the sense of desperate dullness of ordinary life portrayed. I personally held on for the full performance on the off chance there would be a 'big reveal' to conclude the story. I didn't see it if it was there, leaving me to wonder what the whole point was!

Only watch if you really don't have anything else to do for two hours.

Elvis (2022)

Don't be cruel!

[4/10 · 2 April 2023]

If a good friend asks you if this film is worth almost three hours of their life, don't be cruel, tell them the truth; it really isn't. To me, it looks like somebody did some fairly poor research, bullet pointed what they found to be the key aspects of Elvis' life, lost some of the bullet points, then developed a script with the rest, gluing everything together with music and some inane dialogue. The actor playing Elvis lacks charisma. He looks like someone trying to exude charisma and failing actually. His "performance scenes" aren't bad, but there are some VERY good impersonators who might have been better. In recent years I've been impressed with Tom Hanks' work. In this film, he can't save the poor script. Avoid.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Less of the Same

[7/10 · 8 June 2022]

What does one look for in a sequel? More of the Same? Perhaps just more? In my view, Top Gun: Maverick is rather more...."Less of the Same".

The plot is fairly thin and predictable. In fact it's so stereotyped, someone's trying to sue Warner Brothers for plagiarising their ideas. So there's Maverick played by Tim Cruise. He's never followed the rules, and consequently, never been promoted. He's still defying rules, orders, the laws of nature, incredible to think he's survived this long. Of course, there's a 'special mission'. Its impossible. Suicidal basically, so Maverick is brought in to show the Young Guns how to ignore rules in favour of instincts, and use their top skills to save the day.

This of course is great vehicle to bring in the generation gap issue between today's "Top Guns" and the older teacher. Confusingly, Cruise can't decide if he's old or young; great care is taken to color his hair, and even greater care is taken to have just the right amount designer grey stubble. Ed Harris and Val Kilmer look comparatively ancient. There's an interesting quote from Kelly McGillis regarding her absence; she basically says she looks her age and that is NOT what this film is about. But don't worry, when it comes to playing football on the beach at sunset, Tom's showing he still has abs like the young guys.

So without giving anything away, there are very direct references to the original film in the storyline. It's an attempt to add irony and sentiment. It only partly succeeds.

There's no doubt that the stars of the show are the jets themselves.

Todays technology allows much better coverage of the flying sequences than before. Cruise stipulated that his involvement in the venture would be predicated on minimal CGI, and this was for the good of the final product. In the initial flying sequences there's a "wow" factor but 30 minutes later it gets a bit like "oh yeah another jet". For me, this is rather like the whole film.....it doesn't quite...take off.

Again, without giving much away, the action in the closing 30 minutes actually adds something previously missing; tension. For this reason, I've given the film a 7 rating rather than a 6 (which is the level I use for "uninspired but watchable").

So in summary, this film does not set me alight. It will appeal to those who like action over plot (or indeed acting), and is definitely going to lose something on the small screen. If you want to see it, go to a cinema for sure.

Scenes from a Marriage (2021)

Oh My God. This is torture.......

[6/10 · 7 October 2021]

There's no doubt that there is heavyweight acting here. The two primary roles are totally believable, as is the emotional Rollercoaster they together portray. My question is "Why would you want to watch this? If you are thinking of embarking on a change in relationship status, this won't make you feel any better. If you've already been through one, It'll definitely not make you feel any better. If you are in neither category, then this is hardly 'entertainment'.

It gets a reasonable rating from me, just on the basis of the way it's done, not because it was an enjoyable or fulfilling experience.

Starfish (2016)

When other people go to the edge....

[7/10 · 6 September 2021]

This is one of those movies that might satisfy you but is hardly "entertainment". A fit thirty-something man becomes ill and almost dies. The price he and his family pay for survival is extreme.

A true story of ordinary people who go through an ongoing and extraordinary situation. Performances are no-frills yet convincing.

Greenland (2020)

Really a 7.5 version of "the end"

[8/10 · 5 September 2021]

As "end of the world" movies go, this one is better than many. Some of the CGI is good, but there are bits that look distinctly poor. However, unlike many in the genre, the story carries you through, not the special effects. Yes there are cliches, The script no better than average. Certainly no attempt at humour - Bruce Willis is not on set, but otherwise the storyline keeps the viewers interest right until the end.

Mainly, this movie is about how humans can act towards each other when the chips are down. It's not pretty.

But there's some hope.

Pelican Blood (2019)

A film that turns into....something else

[7/10 · 8 June 2021]

This film is described as a "drama" and so I watched it thinking it was purely about someone adopting a troubled child, and how difficult that can be. By the time you get to the second half, the supernatural/horror/ superstition aspects become apparent. So it isn't at all what I thought it was going to be.

The performances are solid, and pacing is good. The movie is full of atmosphere. Like all movies with the "supernatural" theme, it gets creepy, then plain silly really. Still, the way it was constructed deserves a fair rating.

On Her Shoulders (2018)

The Point was well made - in less than an hour

[6/10 · 2 November 2020]

As other reviewers have said, this is about a remarkable woman. The horrid truth is revealed well within the first hour. So I found myself wondering if this could have been more effective as a 1 hour documentary.

Stray (I) (2018)

Some nice direction, and scenery....pity about the story.

[5/10 · 20 May 2020]

The 5 stars I've given this film are very much about everything EXCEPT the plot which is sketchy to say the least. Might be a good future movie there once the full story is completed.

A Private War (2018)

Tell a version of the truth that falls slightly short of Authentic

[6/10 · 29 April 2020]

If you read comments in the trivia section, there is evidence that some license was taken in the telling of this story. While it is thought provoking, for me it falls short of the mark. To get a better sense of who these people were, and what they were trying to achieve, I strongly recommend that you watch the documentary film "Under the Wire".

The Quiet One (2019)

Not Just for Stones Fans

[7/10 · 1 January 2020]

While this would be a must see for fans of the Rolling Stones, others who have interest in the rock era will find this film fascinating. It's a thoughtfully produced documentary providing great insight into Bill Wyman, the person, the musician, and the times that had an influence on him. Of course there is a treasure trove of background into what made this great band tick.