irishtouristoffice Reviews

Marvellous (2014 TV Movie)

Toby Jones, Neil Baldwin, Tony Curran and Lou Macari are all Marvellous

[9/10 · 25 September 2014]

I've seen all the blockbusters this year. Guardians was great with an awesome soundtrack. X-Men was epic and Captain America was excellent but Toby Jones' best film this year doesn't have to rely on special effects to tell a very special story. This film has real heart and tells an extraordinary story with warmth and humour about Stoke City's famous kit man, ex circus clown Neil Baldwin, who along with ex Man United legend Lou Macari, appear in sporadic scenes with the actors who play their parts beautifully. These interjections work brilliantly and give you a sense of Neil Baldwin's wonderful personality. I was very impressed with David Tennant's performance in United but I think Tony Curran has trumped him here. In fact all the cast were excellent including Gemma Jones, who we know as Brigid Jones' mother, and Nicholas Gleaves. Gary Linikear also makes an impressive cameo. It's a better film than United which was in itself excellent and though It may not have the drama of The Damned United, it's definitely on a par artistically. If you don't feel good after watching this film you have serious problems!

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Great Movie - Lots of Action!

[8/10 · 24 April 2014]

Probably the second best spider-man movie after the great spider-man 2. The opening sequence boasts the most exciting web swinging scene to grace our cinema screen. Great villains, Jamie Foxx was particularly good as Electro and Paul Giamatti is always great though his screen time was limited. There was great chemistry between the two main characters and some lovely heartfelt moments between Peter and his Aunt May. This one had a wonderful comic book feel, re-visiting the early work of Smilin' Stan Lee with a great set up for the eventual appearance of the Sinister Six. The kids loved it, great emotion, laughs and scares. The running time shouldn't put you off either as it didn't drag at all.