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The Vast of Night (2019)
Impressive and very suspenseful
I just finished watching this and I was truly impressed. It held my attention to the very end and built the tension extremely well.
Some reviewers seem to have missed the point, either that or they didn't like the lack of fights, guns, swearing and sex, but for me, this was the essence of good storytelling combined with a massive dollop of 50s style. I don't care what the budget was (although it was probably pretty small) this is how you do filmmaking. Yes it was a slow burner but I appreciate that.
For those that have it a stinker of a review, go watch something from the Marvel universe if you must, I'll seek out more films like this.
Saltburn (2023)
Twisted, grotesque but immersive.
Yes, we've been here before with the likes of Brideshead Revisited et all, but this kept me watching right up until the last shot, albeit from behind the cushions at times. The acting is on the money apart from a couple of scenes, but the casting was inspired. Mr Grant, whilst not being given a huge amount of screen time, was excellent, as was Ms Pyke, but Keoghan stole the show. As the darkness bagan to make itself known, you are dragged along with it but what a ride. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to like it but it totally got me hooked. Also, I have to mention that the portrayal of the moneyed classes at their very worst rings very true indeed. Well worth watching!
His Dark Materials (2019)
I was hoping for better.
In the books, there are a great many different groups and races in a world that is like ours but yet not. We have Gyptians, Witches, tribes from the frozen wastes, angels and many many more. Things get a little bit messed up when quota based casting insiste that none of these group have consistent ethnicities, which is quite confusing... maybe I'm just too old. Added to that, the acting is so often wooden that it's genuinely off-putting. I got a distinct feeling of drama school and not in a good way. The cgi was pretty good but the story was confused and slow. James McAvoy was excellent, the rest of the cast less so. It wasn't bad, just disappointing.
The Man from Earth: Holocene (2017)
Why? Why did they make this?
The first movie was absolutely excellent, one of the most interesting movies I've watched. This mess was a travesty that should never have been made. It's trite, shallow, pointless and ruins the reputation of the first just by existing. Add to that, it just ends out of the blue... like they ran out of money and just gave up... that kind of end. Oh, and then they director comes on and basically says he'll finish it if you give him some more money! Hell no! And my question still stands... why did they make this? It adds nothing, It explains nothing and goes nowhere. The main actor does his best but his efforts are doomed from the start.
If you enjoyed the first movie, I urge you to watch it again and forget this - whatever it is - even exists!
Strawberry Mansion (2021)
Very different but extremely rewarding
This movie does not spoonfeed you and it's message (such as there is one) is shrouded in metaphor and illusion. It's certainly not for me everyone, but if you don't mind waiting to see what happens then you might just enjoy it. Oh, and the music adds another entire dimension and simply added to my enjoyment!
Some reviewers saw similarities with Wes Anderson and Terry Gilliam films, which there are but it also cuts its own path. Definitely recommended if your prepared to let if do its thing!
Infinitum: Subject Unknown (2021)
I wish I'd read the IMDB reviews first
I discovered - after watching it - that the whole project was filmed during lockdown in iPhones. I wish that somehow made it better but it doesn't. The type of camera it was filmed on shouldn't matter, what matters is the outcome and in this case it was dreary and aggravating.
Many others have commented on the main character's irritating lack of logic, on the films length, on the non-existent story or the use of Sir Ian McKellen's fame to draw you in, but in the end, this film is a waste of time and it needn't have been.
I liked the locations, the use of empty streets and the countryside, but beyond a few squiggly lines and a talking-head intro about quantum experiments and a paraverse where a war is going on, there is virtually no plot and very little dialogue.
It could have been saved as well. The lack of an ending was a cheap cop-out, so let's not dress it up as anything more, and the plot could have been honed and sorted out via email or zoom if the will had been there but it seems it wasn't.
Why didn't the main character simply smash the glass and use it to cut her bonds... and then try to escape? Why did the cars work on minute and not the next? Why was she able to use her mental abilities to eventually start cars and unlock doors on some occasions but not others? What about the war going on in the other paraverse? If this was all an experiment, what human breakthrough was it supposed to herald? Who knows, there are no answers!
And please.... don't get your mates to review the film and give it an undeserved ten if they're going to get sniffy about the one star reviews.
Bottom line, this film is too long, tedious, badly scripted, badly written and isn't coherent. Also before I forget, the addition of an unexplained ballet scene towards the end really didn't help.
Episodes (2011)
Good on screen chemistry and excellent writing
It's a damned good show which surprised me and kept me entertained throughout its 5 seasons. Matt can act... who knew... and he's bloody good too! The US /UK banter is very well done and extremely funny.
Parallel (2018)
Predictable and irritating!
The basic premise has been done way too many times before and so much better than this. I honestly think they confused themselves in the production and for no real benefit as far as I can see. The acting is OK but nothing to write home about and the ending... it's probably been done in every horror/mystery film and TV show since the sixties!
If you like low budget, indy sci-fi movies, forget this and try Coherence instead, it's in a different league!
Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)
Pretty(ish) to look at but shallow and confused
I enjoy old B&W films but this was frankly disappointing. Not much else to say.
Uranya (2006)
I'm still not sure what I was meant to take away from this film
Part coming of age, part social comedy, part nostalgia fest, part farce.... but ultimately unsatisfying. So why was a stunningly beautiful woman living in a hut by the sea? And if she is a 'lady of the night' as seems likely, why does she seem to specialize in young teenage boys as clients? And now I think about it, how come no-one in the town is the slightest bit offended by her presence and why don't any of the men in town use her services.... how does she make any money? Certainly not from horny young boys buying her time with their pocket money! And there's a crashed plane close to the village - great for the kids to play in but is that it? No back story or explanation and no real connection to the narrative? Maybe the woman by the sea was the pilot and now she's stranded there.... who knows! And the sudden entry of the crazy investigator.... who is he and is he meant to be funny? Do you need to know recent Greek history to understand? And the regular fat jokes left me feeling pretty uncomfortable and I'm not even that PC to be honest!
I stuck it out to the end just to see what happened but if this is a classic of Greek cinema, heaven help Greek cinema! I mean, it's not really dreadful.... but I was left wondering who was supposed to enjoy this and why? I actually want more people to watch it so they can give their opinions.... I'd be genuinely interested, but for me it was a waste of time.
I Kill Giants (2017)
Seriously, don't pay any attention to the negative reviews!
Just to be clear...
This is not an action movie
No assault rifles were used in this film
There are no tanks, warplanes or evil terrorists to defeat
Great, now that's out the way, I can tell you that this is a thought provoking film full of allegory and psychological twists with a great deal of emotional power. It's very much in the same vein as A Monster Calls but that's no bad thing but beyond that I'm not going to spoil the plot for you, watch it and make your own mind up.
If you read this far and are asking yourself, 'What's a allegory? Jeez, where are the guns dude?', walk away and watch something else.
Keeping Faith (2017)
TV drama at it's very best
First I want to get the actual review out of the way. Eve Myles is wonderful as Faith and extremely believable. My wife and I joked about the women we knew who were just like Faith, but more than that, the camera work is excellent and the production spot on. As the plot unraveled I was drawn in and couldn't wait for the next episode. All in all this is an extremely well made and enjoyable drama with outstanding music by Amy Wadge.
Now some suggestions (referenceing other reviews). Don't watch it if:
You thought it was an action film and need guns and explosions every 5 minutes
You have the attention span of a pond newt
You have issues with long, wavy hair
You have issues with women with eyes (particulary women with large eyes)
Can't follow plot development
Are easily confused
You can't differentiate (tell the difference between) real life and a TV program
You're a bit stupid
Mirai no Mirai (2018)
A movie about families from the most unusual perspective!
I've just finished watching Mirai and I'm still surrounded by the experience and what a different experience it was. I had absolutely no idea what the movie was about before watching it and maybe wouldn't have bothered if I had but I'm so glad I did. You see life through Kun's eyes as his mother brings home his new baby sister and his world changes instantly. He meets fiends and relatives on his amazing journey both in his parent's house and far beyond and get to witness what family ties lie within you even if you're not always aware of them.
I strongly believe that this film deals with a novel and little covered subject in a way that only anime could, and as you are swept away into Kun's world, you lose yourself with him as your guide, only to come out the other end realising where you've been and what you've learned.
My wife and I were stunned and awed by this wonderful to such an extent that we kept talking about it long after it had finished. I wholeheartedly recommend this film - particularly if you are a parent but even if you're not. Top notch story-telling.
Under the Silver Lake (2018)
Strange, surreal but definitely worth devoting time to.
You need to go into this with a very open mind and accept it for what it is: part allegory, part acid trip, part commentary on religion and modern life. As others have said, the cinematography is excellent and the acting is first rate... so what about the story? I'm not going to spoil it for you but it kept me entertained for over two hours and yes, it did have a narrative with an ending contrary to what some other reviewers have said.
Others have hinted that the movie is not particularly PC and there is quite a bit of nudity, some of it you might argue is gratuatous but given the journey you are taken on and the fact that the protaganist is dealing with people who follow their own moral code, I think it's justified.
It wouldn't make my top 10 movies of all time but it's up there with the front runners.
The Artist (2011)
Engaging, shamelessly romantic and an absolute joy to watch!
First of all I wanted to say that I created an account with IMDB specifically so I could write this review simply because I wanted to counter the utter rubbish being said about it by some reviewers.
I came to this film a long time after it was initially released but I'm so glad I finally found it. It's an utter gem of a movie and it's not just me saying this - look at the overall score! It stays true to it's self imposed restrictions: it's both silent and black and white, but if you think these are too limiting, think again. The acting is top notch and Jean Dujardin is so believable as a silent movie actor I found myself wondering if his character was actually based on one of the stars from that era. Likewise, Berenice Bejo is captivating and strikes just the right tone throughout the 1h 40m running time. As the credits rolled I felt that contented feeling you get when you've been thoroughly enthralled. The fact that this is a European film about Hollywood gives it a certain edge in my view.
Now then, a word about the naysayers... I guess there will always be some folk who simply 'don't get' a film because they aren't that bright, whilst others purposely take a contrary position simply because they like the sound of their own voice (or in this case, the self aggrandizing joy of seeing their own ill-judged opinions on the internet!) but forget them. Watch this film, have fun and when you've finished, I guarantee it will have put a smile on your face.