Kevin's Reviews
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Depressing... not made any better by the relentless ukelele-driven Hawaiin music in the background - might appeal to fans of Murkan films - although elder daughter was well played.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Wonderful
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Only [just] the presence of Kris Marshall raises this waste of time/space/plastic/celluloid from bloody awful to awful!!!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Almodavar... need more be said... alas, but not one of his best
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Andy Serkis as Capt Haddock is superb and lifts the film to another level - all other characters are not so well defined and Snowy [the dog] least of all - this in comparison to the many adventures of the original TV series and comics. You'd have 'thunk' that these would have been used as the basis of this film. The opening credits are very disappointing - maybe drawn by a 'work experience' junior.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Given the content of the film, it's easy to see why David Stratton gave it 5 stars [and Margaret 4-1/2] - it's right up his street. Although Scorcese directed, I didn't expect a "Goodfella's" type story - but this was tedious and drawn out. After the famous clip from a Harold Lloyd film, did I not expect the boy to do much the same sort of stunt with the large clock - so ruddy obvious! Martin, hopefully you're next film effort, will be much better!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Neil Oliver - excellent as always
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
An abysmal effort - a gab-fest par excellence - all for a puny moral at the end - AVOID
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Isn't the Cold War getting a bit old hat now? As are Vietnam dramas... and soon to follow Iraq and Afghanistan films
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
We have a [pleasant] surfeit of Holmesian adventures right now what with Benedict Cumberbatch and [now] Jonny Lee Miller [both on TV]. I just wonder if Basil Rathbone didn't cap them all!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Although a plethora of 'stars' appear, we are, fortunately, spared Mr. Liam Neeson who would have been a 'natural' fir for this sort of film - maybe he had a cold at the time!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Pitifully tame... it's about time Woody Allen retired... he's just 'trading on his name' instead of putting out incisive comedy... we haven't had anything decent from him in ages - the stars are for Paris!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Connery in a pre-Bond role... but it's the other actors of the day that get the honours... Connery is 'third-mention' in the credits. OK B W that clips along
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A complete delight just skips along... a dear friend recommended this and I'm in her debt [what a wonderful place to be!]
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Oh so utterly, utterly British with clipped accents... a story somewhat reminiscent of 'The Eagle Has Landed' with none of the 'stars' to pollute the excellent storyline.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Jase at it again... uses the hurley as it has always been used... all good stuff... he should, though get a new razor!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
The title should be 'Ocean Life' - the narration [quite unnecessary] could have been made more boring - they could have used that 'droning' Yank Peter Coyote - but, in all, just another documentary - oh, and all those places they filmed... there must have been a pile of film on the cutting room floor to have only ended up with 75 minutes
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
OK enough - bit like 'The Goonies' with a touch of 'Alien' and 'Close Encounters...'
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Worthy of comparison with the comedies of Richard Lester with a lot of dark humour
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
More mewling brats than I could take... but if that's your style there's 'Call the Midwife', 'One Born Every Minute', etc.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Same old, same old... note to self, must limit the hiring of these Chinese films to a maximum of 2 or 3 per year... even though trailers are given for 3 more of the same type... maybe these are the new 'slasher' films!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Gentle, wonderful, whimsical... typically French
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Same old tired rubbish from S Pegg - he really must try harder - he used to be good but I rather think that was because he was fresh - he's now stale and, quite honestly, going off.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Typical stuff from JS - but he does it so well - slight change of script, maybe even location from film to film - but none in the general character - but who cares?
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Unless you're well up [say, via TV shows] with the mumbled Murkan accent - you'll not find any sub-titles to help you over certain sections of the dialogue. Otherwise an OK film, over- endowed with stars, but in general expected better
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Excellent French historical drama - of which there are many available on DVD through Quickflix
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Typical stiff upper lip British wartime film - but jolly well acted by one and all - one on the chin for the Hun.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good to see Mr Woo [half-] directing a Chinese film again - but he has a long way to go to achieve the level of his earliest works . eg. The Killer
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Fizzes, pops and crackles along - in a half-hearted way - just barely maintaining interest
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Impressive scenery showing the group's smallness in a vast landscape - maintained interest - surprisingly NOT too long
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Disappointing considering the hype... hard to distinguish between the protagonist's reality and delusion... and awfully slow
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Watch for McAdams' change of hairstyle which happens at a point where the film picks up a notch - 'tis a pity it occurs 20-25 minutes from the end and that it took 1 hour 20 minutes to get there!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Typically wonderful Mike Leigh film, showing this gorgeous couple and their friends/relations, many of whom are slowly going to pieces around them
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Had same feeling as watching 'Das Boot' - same clammy, claustrophobic setting - perhaps, here, even more so
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Quintessential British 'stiff upper-lip' wartime film - well and quietly acted, great script - and all of it true - on a par with the Goon Show version - 'The Was Who Never Man'
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Gritty, wonderful, inspiring - thoroughly enjoyable - and one in the eye for the Murkans
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
This is where the Bond films start to go downhill - this is is superb for the first half... then...
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
WOTT but borderline watchable... can't wait for the sequels... duh!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Is this Clooney's attempt to 'add' that European quality and depth of meaning to a pretty ordinary story? If so, he's missed by the proverbial... dull, boring, inevitable
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Good... but too padded... had a lot of the qualities of Michael Mann's 'Heat'
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Depressing... and this is the Murkan way of life that the Murkans hold so dear and want to spread to the rest of the world!!!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
I thought at first this was going to be yet another over-wrought, schmaltzy Yank film... but even after only 15 mins it becomes watchable... right to the end!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Completely bloody over-hyped and over-rated... and so s l o w
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Great tree... pity about the rest
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
The series gets darker and darker - this (episode) though needs editing with a similarly edited pt 2 (seen at the flicks) tacked on the end - making it just one film - but hey, let's bleed the public for two admissions (plus popcorn)
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Obviously theatrical in origin - could easily have been an hour-long TV show
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo were very good in their parts - the rest of the film fails on all other levels
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Only for those who really care!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Tommy-rot... from beginning to end... and where was the continuity? The 'star' is for the presence and complete waste of talent of Helen Mirren and Brian Cox
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Codswallop! But spread around the ending credits are some very sobering statistics - so stay with it!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
A cut above the norm in the usual gormless trash that goes for rom/coms - when it seems to be going under water, somehow it comes up for air just in time.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Slow... very - but picked up in the last half-hour - just a TV film - could've been shown over two weeks on the ABC
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Anything to do with Luc Besson has the same feel to it - OK action, although the question still remains: can Travolta act?
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Too much (unnecessary) drama and not enough (necessary) substance - along the lines of but better than 'Agora' which (latter) was total rubbish
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
This film suddenly comes alive after the first 40 minutes or so
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
They made a good start to the trilogy, let themselves down in the second instalment but more than made up for that in this final episode. But overall none of the films were as good as the books
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Who wrote the dialogue/screenplay? Do they REALLY talk like that in the US? Stiller was off his beaten track with this and more than likely a little off his chump.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Far and away above the usual norm for CG-driven Chinese cinema!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Splendid rendition - although a bit overwrought with the CG
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Gripping but not brilliantly so - a touch overlong - but any shorter and it'd be on TV
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Twaddle! ... and a third on the way... oh no!!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Geriatric pyrotechnics yet strangely (and annoyingly) watchable but, of course, instantly forgettable... what film is this? what was I saying?
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Twaddle! Nothing wrong with the original story - what makes Burton and his cohorts think they can do better? The only decent version in the (unobtainable) BBC (black and white) version by Jonathan Miller with Fiona Fullerton and Malcolm Muggeridge - and I don't have a humble opinion!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Quirky and totally mad - but brilliant! Someone's taking the wee-wee!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Not nearly as good as Ong Bak 1
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Thoroughly disappointing - what a load of rubbish - it was one of those films where the trailer pretty well constitutes the whole of the main feature - give it a miss
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Interesting to note that the guy without any social graces whatsoever (as portrayed) gets to (co-)found a social networking site. It was only by activating English subtitles that I had any clue as to the dialogue such was its rapidity. At the beginning I was half-expecting Chevy Chase to make an appearance.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Interesting statistic: WW1 10% civilian casualties, WW2 50%, Vietnam 70%, Iraq 90% - and you wonder why they're more than a little peeved with the US and allies!
Film: OK
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
I'm certainly glad the film has subtitles - dubbing is just too awful for words(!) - right down there with colourising black and white films. The trilogy of books was by far my best read of 2010 - the film though lacks a lot of the edge of the first book (I understand the Swedish versions are available!!) and robs me of the pictures and characters I painted for myself in my imagination. In fact, the film 'flattens' what is an exciting book to read and makes it just an 'also ran'.
And, yes, Quickflix, please take up the cry to have films spoken in other than English marked as SUBTITLED - then I'll get those films more quickly since they won't first be delayed by an unappreciative audience.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Rather like The Piano in style but oooooh so much better... beware though it has subtitles for all those who can't...
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Bigelow's films still tend to character studies, but this left me cold
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Disappointing - MD's hair change from flounce to greased over marks the transition to GG but not enough is made of this character - film tends to be mawkish
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
just 'Iron Man' in a Victorian setting - Jude Law was good though
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Two-dimensional CGI-fest
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Ho-hum - slightly unhitched bimbo meets no-hoper
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Two-dimensional cardboard cut-out characters - story whizzes along with hardly a pause for breath - NOT as good as the Bourne trilogy - OK to watch but instantly forgettable
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
I thought that with Tilda Swinton in the lead of a European film this would be something special - but no! - slow, ordinary, doesn't go anywhere
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Another superb film from Carlos Saura
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good film - storyline borrowed much from Butch Cassidy ('How does she do that?' and the jump from the cliff), the Hunting Party and Braveheart plus King AryhurA
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Gibberish - as usual the trailer was (better than) the film itself!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Not particularly good... but watchable... just!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Better than expected, but a bit overlong and repetitive
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Well acted, superb script capturing the machinations of the PMs vs Royalty - Jim Broadbent excellent as William as was Emily Blunt as Victoria - although I did miss Edward Fox - he's usually in this sort of thing!!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Comedy? No! Well observed? Yes! A gentle film, that went nowhere but pleasantly passed an hour and a half! Standard storyline that's been told many times in many films in many languages!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A glorious charming confection equal to any French-language comedy farce - good to see Ridley Scott directing comedy.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Over-rated by David and Margaret - basically a drag - Mr McKay though has Orson Welles to to 'T' with Joseph Cotton easily recognisable.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Can't beat a good SUB-TITLED film and this is up there with the best - very detailed and at times nerve-wracking
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Heartfelt. The main lead tends to the recently departed as carefully and tenderly as he plays the cello. One profession's loss is another's gain. I was reminded of the untouchables of the Indian caste system.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A flat heartless film showing the struggle of a genius
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Charming, OK in its way, but too similar to other stories of the same ilk. The English subtitles bear little relationship to the cutesy Yank voice-over
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
The quality of the DVD transcription leaves much to be desired. You'd really have to be an aficionado to watch (plough your way through) it. This film would be for those who think 'Citizen Kane' is (one of) the best film(s).
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
A cuckoo who's more than a bit cuckoo! Standard story but gripping enough
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Classic Tarantino... but only if you like this sort of stuff
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Brilliant premise but boringly acted... couldn't wait for it to end (was tempted to eject the DVD early) but end it did... with the proverbial whimper
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Corny! Comedy? Nah! Drame? You kiddin'?
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Far better than expected - but the time-line got a bit mixed - very honest at the beginning but then lost its way for a long time before getting back on track
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Very thin story-line... after a while, put on the sub-titles and fast-forwarded it by 2X, repetitive and boring - some good scenery by 2nd unit.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Another boring US rom-com (so-called)
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Meandering, sloppy film - similar in overall plot-line to 'Don't Look Now' - but nowhere near as good
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
John Woo back on home turf after his work period in the US which did his reputation considerable harm
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Strained and boring - fishing for comedic moments - all we got were tiddlers - we had to throw them back
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
What a mixture of stories - Alice in Wonderland, Alice through the Looking-Glass, the Matrix (yes!) all blended in a Burton-esque style but, instead of Edward Scissorhands, we have Beldam Needlefingers. Excellent story!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Glorious! A far better version of the genre than Mary Poppins - wonderfully British with everyone hamming it up to the hilt.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
This guy has most people he knows going to pieces around him and are shown to be very fragile human beings - except that he's the eye of the storm and it's his tragedy and strength that is being shown to him. A quiet contemplative piece - maybe we should all take time off!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Overlong... typical Blake Edwards' film... full of old strung-out jokes... a vehicle for Julie Andrews. If you like this sort of film, try Cabaret or Chicago which are far better.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Hardly worth the bother... was expecting a more brutal ending
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Now this IS football as it should be played - not the namby-pamby goings on in South Africa
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Yet another remake of Kurosawa's 'Yojimbo' - must say I far prefer the original - but Walter Hill and Bruce Willis do a respectable job
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Still far better than the Australian C-reserve football team soon to return from South Africa. A nice little earner from the bet I made that they weren't going to get out of group. Should have sent the Matildas!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Far better than the current rubbish that's the 2010 FIFA World Cup
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Too much of the film's content has been consigned to the 'Deleted Scenes' nevertheless the film has a grittiness and abrasiveness suited to Clough's demeanour. I do though feel sorry for Peter Taylor - having to put up with him even though they made a near-perfect team. They showed Revie's demise but not Clough's - more's the pity.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
I could catch glimpses of the original TV serial but this was easier to follow - well, it would have to be, being as the setting was 'transported' from England to the US and the storyline considerably simplified. Not a particularly tense drama but enjoyable - the 'guest' appearance of Helen Mirren pumped life into a somewhat flagging script.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Not the brightest star in heist galaxy
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A mix of Chopper and A Clockwork Orange complete with classical music (but not lovely, lovely Ludwig) - a totally violent and utter nut-case!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A bit lame... as of late Kev's a waste of Spacey, he seems to have gone into a long decline... his HAL-like 'character' was dismal.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
They've captured the 60s look very well - t'is a pity England and the English haven't changed very much in the last fifty years! A good story, well acted... but quite predictable.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
More ho-hum than ho-ho - a typical gentle French farce
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Probably rate this as number 3 in the kids/aliens/UFO lexicon
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Another really good Ken Loach film... made all the better by the clips of the great Eric Cantona when playing for Man U
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good film but a bit overlong and overstated
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Highly recommended - although some of the film was left on the cutting room floor... so who wrote that report?
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
The thing with any film that M. Besson has a hand in (director, producer, scriptwriter, whatever... they all have the same 'Luc' (sic... ha) about them - they're slick, fast paced, edited to buggery - this one's no different... but a good hour-and-a-half's entertainment!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A much darker story than I'd been led to believe, but quite engaging for all that
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A charming story - just think how mawkish this would have been if filmed in the US. Charming little actress... but oh! for a pair of scissors to snip that annoying wisp of hair!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Surprisingly dated - but then could have been any 'American' war past or present. Mel and Robert have gone on to better things as has director Spottiswoode
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Lavish production, impeccably staged... but in the end unsatisfactory and tedious... Michelle Pfeiffer carries her role very well - little though can be said of the rest of the cast, especially the tiresome Kathy Bates.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Perfect companion piece for 'All The President's Men' although rather a lesser piece of work - none the less thoroughly entertaining
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Top class lively romp packed with CGI - typical of the series... and why not? - with Maria Bello looking like a young Sigourney Weaver - half-expecting the Alien to turn up! I expect everyone had a good chuckle making this!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Most of the CGI disasters occur in a 15-min slot at 45 mins into the film... another 15, maybe 20 mins occur in dribs and drabs throughout the rest of the 2-1/2 hours! The acting (apart from a wonderful OTT Woody Harrelson) is pitiful, the storyline is full of holes, banal beyond comprehension and mawkish (animals and kids.) Not recommended and tedious and above all... stupid.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Hammy acting, rubbish dialogue... not even blubber-lips Belmondo can save this one. Hardly worth the time. trouble and effort of transferring to DVD.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Above average French farce - Pierre Richard back on form!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
What a load of tosh! Can't wait for Vin's next outing - where maybe he meets Noddy and Big Ears!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
A sad Yank version of Zatoichi - but for Rutger Hauer who's always worth watching
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Just number 6 in the series... dark and getting darker... but thoroughly enjoyable
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
War-time drama - not overtly stiff-upper lip - but a good slushy yarn
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Good solid French drama - for those who dislike foreign films and/or sub-titles - there's always, in this case, Sommersby... but then you've got Richard Gere
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A gloriously frothy concoction with elements of Othello and Barry Lyndon - wonderfully highlighted by the B W photography
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A solid French policier... with GD straight off the streets in a part he played only too well in real life.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A pleasant enough souffle seemingly adapted straight from the theatre. FMcD does very well as do the rest of the cast.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A charming little story in the traditional fairy-tale style - no real surprises. But... oh dear, oh dear, can someone please tell Mr De Niro that he can't do comedy at all... and heaven knows how many film we've had to put up with him trying to do so... I can think of half-a-dozen straight off. Apart from that... all OK
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Watched the first 20 mins and decided not to waste another hour or so watching this film but just flicked through the other chapters. That's a pity because Ben Kingsley's performance (in the bits I did watch) far outstripped all the other participant's and the film came alive when he was on the screen. Pity the film didn't have sub-titles... I watch very little of the sitcom rubbish pumped to us via the commercial TV channels that my ear is (thankfully) not attuned to the American language. As for the soundtrack... shove it!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
I wonder what it is about Korean films that leaves me cold... had I known this was Korean I wouldn't have bothered with it... the story-line is similar to a number of HK films
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Quirky British gangster film - not the best in the genre. Bruges definitely the star!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
No Arnie! Result: 2nd rate terminator! Chris Bale doesn't carry that famous line quite as well - hope he won't be back!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Storyline jollies along but with too many 'meaningful' pauses - a slight effort - could have been better!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Good entertainment for kids and dolts with a storyline stitched together from other references ranging from Gullivers Travels to Dr Strangelove and Close Encounters. Keifer Sutherland does an excellent take on George C Scott's mad colonel from Strangelove.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A moving glimpse of seniors giving their all - to the immense pleasure of their audiences.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Hyped-up 'yoof' doco - NOT the Amsterdam I lived in for 3 months in the mid-90s
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Gentle, touching, compassionate... made more so by the Asian English subtitles
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Excellent little film as only the French know how to do.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Not up to much... about the same as 'Two Hands'... maybe even the same script - just tweeked a bit.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Pleasant enough... trips along like the catchy intro music... no big stars... nothing to get excited about
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Typical samurai... starring Toshiro Mifune before Akiro Kurosawa 'discovered' him
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Gentle story lovingly told without (thankfully) a cast of stars
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
One of the better Bollywood films - together with Lagaan - based (more or less) on fact
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Quirky, entertaining enough and cut to the right running time... it wouldn't want to be a minute longer - filmed in a strangely stand-offish manner - the characters are a bit stretched.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Not a slushy or mushy as I've come to expect from US films of this ilk or remakes... but I have a soft spot for Sandra Bullock... satisfying but no 'wow' factor. Would be interested to see the original 'Il Mare'
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Charming in its way but no more than a bit of fluff! I was expecting a film version of the rock opera 'Le Front Populaire' - but this (most certainly) wasn't it.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Boring! Slow does not mean deep and what very unattractive leads.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
An instantly forgettable film of little merit. Corrupt US politician (is there any other kind?) a vigilante cop squad gone bad, Wooden acting (especially J Heard) lousy story line. Kevin's a waste of 'spacey' (why does he keep turning up in these 'nothing' roles) and Morgan lends much needed gravitas but not enough to give the film any 'bite'. Next...
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
A mostly sweet gentle film... yes, even cute... with its short sharp bursts of vampiric violence!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Disappointing - expected to see much more of Dalai Lama - perhaps in one of his many world-wide lectures
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
When I saw that this film was 2h 20m long, I thought I was in for a long bore. But no! Hardly a moment is wasted in the detailed film and the story-line just rips along. This is an excellent portrayal of the evolution (in Darwinian terms) of terrorism, of how it changes with circumstances and those affected and those doing the effecting.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Slow to start - but then it's Jason Bourne 1 (for setting) with Jason Bourne 3 (for pace) with early Steven Segal for big bloke wading into and mowing down the baddies (lost track of the body count) - even to the point of a knife fight! Switch off and enjoy!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Languid and intense study of an attraction/infatuation that turns to love on her part and a form of jealousy on his where he wants to own, guide and father her but with only a select few knowing of the relationship as he's ashamed of what others might think.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Makes progress in fits and starts - it's a pity some of the minor roles weren't expanded such as Forbes the butler marvellously played by Kris Marshall and it's also a pity some of the more prominent roles weren't discarded altogether - the film has too many characters vying for a place in too short a playing time. But there were wonderful moments in this film - unfortunately not enough of them to give it more zip.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
An adequate story presented in a pedestrian manner - not a good as, say, Black Book.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Straight up-and-down story similar to those B W films shown on ABC in the early morning - wouldn't be surprised if it's a remake of one of those. Nothing to get excited about... a bit ho-hum really.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
If you enjoyed films such as "Notting Hill', 'Four Weddings...' or 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' then this film will be right up your street. Harvey gets kicked around for the first half-hour and then claws his way up and, I hope, gets his girl. Dustin was a bit too old for this film or maybe Emma a bit too young - but it all hung together somehow.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A lot of stuff borrowed from other films - but entertaining in its own way even though it took a long time to get started
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
A perfect companion piece to 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' but this is sexy and sassy
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Iconic road movie - up there with 'Easy Rider'
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good slow believable story but let down by the ending - but all in all very enjoyable - even the extras which should be watched.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Stark, empty sets, strange film of simple vignettes looking at various peoples' lives. In a word... Kafkaesque... and a 'Stangelove' ending.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Glorious Fellini at full tilt!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Fellini personified! But to those who don't connect (yet) try Amarcord (not available here - why not?) or Roma.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Falls between a caper movie and a spy movie and skids on its backside the full length of the ice-rink and ... misses the goal!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Unmitigated twaddle! The star's for Jas - he was trying his best!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Starting to show its age - as with any computer-related films. The sexual harassment angle was well managed but over-scripted.
Michael Douglas acted well - Demi Moore did not - I don't thing she dug deep enough into the vixen side of the character.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
OK... entertaining enough but far too far-fetched. director has gone on to better things.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Well, he's definitely not one of the 'suits', nor someone with as ego to defend. If you want to see the way this planet's headed, watch this... next we'll try and bugger up Mars after trashing the Moon.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
An utterly charming tale of the environment's and humanity's triumph over consumerism. Wonderful!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Straight down the line, straight-forward thriller presented from a different point of view. Turn your brain off, put your feet up and enjoy - you'd be hard to please if you're disappointed.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Good and scarily real... and then you find out it was!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Fanny Ardant has hardly changed to this day, the same cannot be said about Gerard Depardieu. Excellent film, great story - all the way to the shocking end
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Hard to follow - in the tradition of film noir! Pity about the absence of subtitles, hardly understood a word. One star for the brittle music.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
What a piece of tat! Simon Pegg needs to choose his film more carefully - I think the screen and his career would benefit from a long absence. The only scene of any value was the pastiche of 'La Dolce Vita' - just the swimming pool and the Nina Rota music - but not worth hiring just to see that.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
What a slowly and beautifully paced film about intransigence. One wall comes down and another goes up. A film where people were that close to being human but weren't allowed to be so.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Top notch British war film - not so much the battle against the Germans as the fight against the intransigence and short-sightedness of the bureaucracy that is the English Civil Service
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
This is labelled a comedy drama - but it's no comedy unless of a very, very dark nature and then the joke would be on the US. Well acted and intelligent but in the end I felt it a bit shallow.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Typical lushness from Merchant/Ivory but a bit laboured considering the subject matter
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Wonderfully understated film about a monstrous regime
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Frightfully boring story about frightfully pretentious people... and banging on about religion... but they got their comeuppance
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Jeez! Can't bloody believe I saw half these films and I could take advantage of the 'R' rating! Now we can see a major influence on Quentin Tarantino's work or is just plain re-workings.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A bit too yappy... could have been trimmed to 60 mins ready for TV - there was a 'student prank' sort of feel to it because of its length gave it and editing would have sharpened up the tension... and just to think 25 years later, other people did something equally daring but murderous and suicidal concerning those self-same towers.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A sad story about a man caught up in a web of expectations that were set too high for him to deliver and remain sane
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A gorgeous romp by well-established British actors and actresses - well executed, lots of fun and pathos.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
There a huge disconnect between the words and phrases that the brothers are given to say and the sort of people they are trying to portray. It's rather like an American has tried to write a British script - oh! but that's true, I knew all along that Allen was the 'writer'. The story though is OK but a bit contrived - rather like the script - with a surprise ending - but by then, who cares?
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Typical of the early John Woo films - when (normally) thousands of rounds of ammo were fired off without much effect. Not particularly interesting - just a bit of malarky.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Typical Coen Brothers farce - lately it's been hard to tell one of their films from any other - highly over-rated
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Rates very highly in the pantheon on British gangster films - not at all comparable with other Ritchie films - so why bother - it's different.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Not a patch on the first film - one hopes there won't be a third!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Typical film of the period - a blend of 'Barry Lyndon' and 'The Draughtsman's Contract' - you just can't go wrong with this stuff. Well acted - especially by Ralphie 'Mr Misery-Guts' Fiennes and Keira Knightley, but well supported by the ensemble cast around them.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
That would be 'Ar' for 'A Load of Rhubarb' - as for the acting I'm sure that the East Bingley Amateur Dramatic Society would do better and that on first run through of the script. The animation might have been better being tin foil stars suspended from fishing lines...
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Slow moving for the first hour and very slow for the rest of the film. Nevertheless... a good story based around Dylan Thomas, well acted and scripted, very evocative of the period.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good story and acting - especially Russ - excellent direction from Ridley Scott
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
There was surely a story in there somewhere - I think I saw it pop its head up now and again - in between the car chases/crashes and the slam-bang fight scenes. OK film but of lesser quality than Casino Royale. Look forward to seeing a new Moneypenny soon. A nice - but brief - nod to Goldfinger with the (dead) girl on the bed - and I see that Giancarlo Giannini was killed yet again - I suggest he stays away from our Dan!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Resnais is still stuck in the 1960s - the sets look theatrical - the acting and dialogue are quite pretentious - only the estate agent and his secretary have any life in them - the others have flat-lined
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Morbid - shows the caring of the nurse versus the distancing of the doctors as she's treated with 'the apotheosis of the poisoners art'.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A delightful and gentle peek into the lives and loves (imagined and otherwise) of a beauty salon in Beirut. Lovingly portrayed by one and all.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
What a waste of celluloid. The lead seemed to be tailor-made for Sandra Bullock but perhaps she thought better of tarnishing her reputation. All actors and actresses abysmal, as was direction and storyline.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Standard HB menu - although eminently watchable - didn't though require Poirot to figure out the villain
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Ryan Phillippe still soldiering for the US. Govt duplicity and underhandedness told better in 'Lions for Lambs' - started boringly and predictably but got better as the film went on - developing into a taut drama - although the ending was obvious.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Another in a long line of good and great gritty British gangster films. Very enjoyable catching the mood of the times - mind you, Britain hasn't moved on much since then!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Bullock (especially) and Pullman (who appears only after the first 1/2 hour) hold this film together and turn it into a delightful piece of schmalzy candyfloss - a delight.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A bit long and convoluted - a storyline that seems to connect various scenes of mayhem and carnage - the Bat Bike was excellent - the action definitely picks up when The Joker is around - he just doesn't have the smallest bit of morality in him - well done, Heath.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A harsh story (that comes good) told in a harsh culture
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A cross between 'The Sixth Sense' and 'The Others' with a 'European' gentility about it - a bot long and boring though.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
What a gentle film, well told and acted.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
The film's Maxwell Smart is a lot better than the TV version - however the TV version (Barbara Rush) of agent 99 is far superior to the film's. What a waste of talent is Terence Stamp - such a shame - his last great film is 'The Limey' .
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Jim Broadbent's tour de force - nobody else matters in this film - but, alas, boring and depressing
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
What a miserable depressing wretched film!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Please... enough Vietnam War films, already... Ben Stiller has been sinking in a bog of his own self-over-rating for some past dozen films - may he disappear soon! Surprise to see Tom Cruise - wasn't looking for him - good acting there.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Not as good as expected. Enjoyable without being outstanding. Two or three of the standards were murdered and overplayed. It seemed like Keith was just about ready to fall asleep during a couple of the numbers.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Ripper of an opening! All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable romp although 'beefy boy' was a bit hard to take and tried too hard to fit in. The rest of the cast knew what was expected and delivered in aces.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Yet another episode of 'Karate Kid' - but with great photography and sets, a passable story, good to see Jet Li and Jackie Chan although KK was a bit of a wet.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
This is a star turn by Eddie Murphy (although nowhere near Beverly Hills Cop) with a cruel imitation (when playing the captain) of Star Trek's Patrick Stewart - together with his clipped English accent - the film would have been OK if it wasn't for all the others in it and the crap story line.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A slow contrived film. Strange how the husband and the 'weaker' woman produce the strong child, while the husband's 'affair' with the athletic woman produces the weak child. Weird way for the 'weaker' woman to kill herself - just felt she couldn't compete, maybe.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
You don't get to see HB for the 1st half-hour... the 2nd half-hour you only get to see some of him... but for the next 40 minutes - a contrived B-grade film - not Bogart and Bacall at their best.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Well acted, choreographed and photographed film - there are time when I'd like a 42" TV - my 21" doesn't do justice - the battle scenes were watchable rather in the style of Braveheart. Excellent use of Vedic chants in the score.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
One way to 'enjoy' the film soundtrack - turn the volume right down - then the film becomes more watchable.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Only one song by the maestro! One!! The rest of the 'film' comprising English interpretations/translations was horrible, pathetic and a complete waste of time!!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
If you like American gridiron, this might appeal. Good photography though
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
A sad slow-moving film of 'not quite' - why didn't the band play for the girl's birthday? - why didn't the 'colonel' follow his instincts and her beckoning? - frustrating - chances lost.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
While a hoot of a film there seems a lot of reference to RoboCop whether intended or not. While Downey Jr's dialogue may crackle, I can only thank subtitles for being able to follow it. Oh, and good to see Gwynnie back again.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A sassy, intelligent film. The Italians have always excelled with their films about their politics and this is no exception.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Very worthwhile - Eric Bana's Henry VIII's descent into darkness show remarkable acting. Portman's portrayal of Anne Boleyn's change into a viper who poisons Henry's over-opinion of himself shows subtle guile. The second half gallops along at too brisk a pace when compared with the first half. Oh, and David Morrissey as the duplicitous and scheming Duke of Norfolk is again very good and quite at odds with the miserable streaks of bacon he usually portrays
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Slow, lugubrious, laid on a bit thick
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Sharp, crackling with wit - but American...
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Lame - much like a lot of British 'comedy' - took a long time to get going - and then didn't go very far after that.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
With the opening sequence of the speeded up lightning strikes this film had the fleeting possibility of an night-time 'Koyannisqatsi' - but then descended into deep annoyance with the voice-over of mostly banal personal stories.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Ahhh! Wonderful!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
As bad as 'The Illusionist' - a 5-minute story strung out to an hour-and-a-half. Not worth the celluloid.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Middle-of-the-road Mike Leigh.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
What a wonderful documentary! A good companion piece to 'The Right Stuff'.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
This seems stuck between 'Life Is Beautiful' and 'Seven Beauties' - tries to make light of the situation but doesn't quite work. The extras are more worthwhile.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Gloriously insane! Would that the present US hopefuls have anything like the honesty shown here. As Bulworth says there's no difference between the Repocrats or the Demopublicans any more than between the Libor party or the Laborals. And it's all fixed anyway, so it doesn't matter a hoot where your vote goes.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Very disappointing - plot much the same as LA Confidential - with an unseen twist at the end.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
A more easily understood version than Dangerous Liaisons - while it has its moments of sheer splendour, it does go off the rails now and again - there are a number of acutely observed comic scenes which might have been directed by the great Richard Lester
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A worthy successor to the original - part 2 of 3
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Excellent value as usual
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Slow... very slow and sombre... lacking weight - barely engages one's attention - tending to boredom.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
An excellent film with three of my favourite French people in it and an esot-Erik score ... Wonderful
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
This was a struggle... a struggle to watch and be captivated. Except for, that is, the authors flights of fancy (usually of a sexual nature) which were well caught.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Considering the scriptwriting duo of Clement and La Frenais, this turns out to be quite a flat film, perhaps induced by the setting
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
I'm so glad that subtitles are available otherwise a lot of this film's dialogue would not be understood but that's what someone's idea of realism (and mumbling) brings about. Apart from that handicap, the hero really needs to sort out his principles - it seems OK to murder without trial but not OK to give a kid a fighting chance in that stinking cesspit. But apart from that, a good film with plenty of twists which seemed in no hurry to get to its end.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
From time to time this film dips its toes into Yankee schmaltz but not enough to make it annoying and cloying. In other words it holds it story up well - chest out, stomach in. The SFX are very well done and the development of the various characters are a joy to behold - not all sweetness and light - just as it should be!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good to see a pre-Gerrard Liverpool and a pre-Wenger Arsenal - but still great football
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Why did they bother with a remake? This well-shot B W western has a crisp story-line and good acting. Glenn Ford does a better job of the Ben Wade character than Russell Crowe although hats off to Christian Bale's turn - a lot grittier than Van Heflin's.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Light and frothy as a souffle - wonderful
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Well-paced but menacingly slow in places. Russell Crowe does his best as the villain but doesn't come across as all that menacing but rather as a manipulator. There's a deleted scene which should have been included as it explains why the villain is so co-operative in the end. How come it takes 5 or 6 shots to kill the hero but only one shot each for the gang - except for Charlie P, who takes two - must be that Russ's gun is supercharged - maybe it's that inlay in the handle! I'd be interested to see the original to see how it stacks up against this re-make.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Excellent
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Superb film - a combination of 'Dirty Harry' in his snubbing at any form of authority and the original 'Get Carter' in his relentless striving for justice
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Not nearly as good as the original - a waste of acting talent - not Scorsese's best by a long shot
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Some players are still with us - none more so than Steven Gerrard - what promises to be an excellent series
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Overall excellent but strangely languid and empty with time slowing down as we edge nearer to the murder and then quickening up as we move away to Ford's demise.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
This is a Julie Delpy gab-fest. Her boyfriend is a ponce who is intimately conversant with every personal medical foible. The film is lightened only by her Mum and Dad who are a hoot. The taxi-drivers are eye-poppingly well acted.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Very disappointed - an abomination. Lewis Carroll would be turning in his grave. Much preferred the (very old) black and white Jonathan Miller TV version with Fiona Fullerton (yes, later a Bond girl) as Alice and the characters shown as real people with their slight imperfections accentuated to show how they were named - now that WAS a true delight!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Started out promisingly by this soon dissipated into mawkishness and became almost unbearable to watch. Totally predictable in the end.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
The sets were far too clinical almost like a hospital or sanatorium not like the claustrophobic/cluttered nature of the original. Was it worth remaking? Nah!
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Dreary and dismal - fully portraying the early 80s in London and its clash with the ongoing ennui of communist Poland
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
While wishing to bestow a sense of grandeur, this film turns out to be a GRIND being far too obsessive and persnickity with details. Oh, where are the editor's scissors when you need them?
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
It took about 15 mins to get into the swing of this musical and the words/singing were made easier to follow by switching on the subtitles. Fine acting all round, a bit slow - but that's operetta for you!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Bloody wonderful
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Oh so bloody British, stiff upper lip, pull together, let's not make waves - if I were James I'd had dropped her right in it - sold her right down the river. But nothing happened - and I mean nothing. It was a bit vacuous... but, strangely... well observed
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Tightly paced film with the story revealed in steadily more detailed flashbacks - excellent - hard to believe it's all over in about 85 minutes. Better this than its more bloated - and less exciting - brethren.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
I expected more - such as highlights of famous matches - but this was just an ordinary Primera League match with the camera almost entirely on ZZ - some 'commentary' but just a match filmed from the sidelines
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Nowhere near his best - but some original 'takes' - oh!, and get a shave you bloody tramp!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
I've never really liked Tom Hanks as an actor in Hollywood's seemingly never-ending wish to cast him as a 'new age' James Stewart - and so we have him again - 'they' really could have done better - and with very little effort. Mike Nichols yet again directing a film with a quirky take on war - but 'Catch-22' this ain't
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
While an historical documentary of note, its 'punch' could have been made better by showing GC's as each Tours progressed - rather than rely on Phil Liggett's sparse commentary. In general, it needed more than the continual showing of old footage. Interesting to note that the time trials were on ordinary cycles rather than the 'modern' specialist cycles used nowadays.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Pretty damn disappointing - other cycling films do a far better job
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Mr Scott right on the ball again - top film
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
The old girl's boredom became this viewer's ennui - in short, rubbish
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
A nice little story - strange to see Vinnie getting done over - usually the boot's on the other full - to coin an apt phrase.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Hardly worth the celluloid - and certainly not worth the time it takes to labour through it. What a waste of three fine actors/actresses - are they that hard up for a spare buck? Or maybe Redford's just funding another of his fine films. Lousy plot - looks like an extended TV episode
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
In a word - daft! But the slo-mo and fight sequences are worthwhile but not the wire-work which is at the level of 'Crouching.. Hidden' - plain stupid.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Botched screenplay, botched acting, botched production all round and ultra cheap sets - a well-titled film - but does slapstick and socio-psycopathy really mix? Had hopes with Stephen Dorff in it... but no...
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Richard Dawkins right on the button - wonderful interviews
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Yet another Will Smith vehicle - a cross between 'The Omega Man' and 'Shaun of the Dead' - piffling rubbish - Smith can't act - he now goes on my (not to bother to) watch list. As much garbage as 'I, Robot' - 1 star for the road 'make-up' at the beginning
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Easily the equivalent of Unit One - good drama and storylines
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Yet another French bon-bon.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good solid scientific doco. Great to see the Dawk in full flight.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Yet another cinematic delight from Jiri Menzel - a heavenly and wry comedy much like his 'Closely Observed Trains'
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Easily on a par with the other Danish police drama - The Unit. Believable plots, good acting, and story-line twists
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good series - stands well alongside Robin Hood and King Arthur - perhaps a mixture of both with an Irish accent thrown in
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Surprised to see Tony Scott isn't directing since it has all his trade-marks. Good action film, steady pace, good amount of excitement.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Everyone's so clean, manicured finger-nails, perfect teeth... hardly representative of the harsh life of the early West. Good though to have the Red Indian point of view stated. Won't bother with the rest of the DVDs
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Slow and thoughtful... the way the French do it best
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Another superb Claude Berry film
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Far grittier than the latest innocuous TV effort of telling a version of the Robin Hood story
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Superbly acted and filmed... 'quiet' film that does the job of telling his story
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Yes... I thought it'd be pretty bloody grim - and I can report that I wasn't disappointed... to be friends with that Gabita would require the patience of Job.. what a selfish stupid bint.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Side-splitting - pity about some of the picture quality - but when it comes down to it, who cares, it's the vocab that matters
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Reminiscent somewhat of The Go-Between in the beginning in style and portrayal of an era. The timeline becomes a bit confusing from the middle of the film but at the end one realises why. Some stunning photography especially that late evening shot along a river. Sumptuous
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Superior SFX make this film far, far better than Narnia...
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
High-octane thrills but only when the story gets started... I think QT fancies himself just a bit too much... script as inventive as 'Pulp Fiction'
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Slow and over-indulgent with the expectations of this audience.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Slow and coldly violent. Moves at the pace of a Texan drawl. Excellent.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Yet another well-crafted film from Robert Redford (Bagger Vance, A River Runs Through It, Milagro Beanfield War) with an intelligent script, well acted and poignant
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Strong performance from Jolie - perhaps those acting lessons came in handy after all...
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Superb French drama
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Typical high-octane vampire film with superb SFX
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Somewhat reminiscent of Barry Lyndon in its languidness, rich photography and ethereal qualities and ending. John Hurt's worldly voice in narration helped matters enormously. Runs along smoothly as treacle... of distilled perfume!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A classic. Pity Burt Reynolds didn't do very much beyond this
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
More a character study than an action film with a surprising twist at the end as it all came together
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Slow and confusing to begin with but as the story developed the pace started to pick up.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
And so we have Herzog in the jungle... yet again... and to a certain extent toying with the madness it visits upon the white men - as with Aguirre and Fitzcarraldo. Slow and somewhat unsympathetic to the native inhabitants
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
The reason why this film works wasn't revealed until the end - the script was by the masters - Clement and La Frenais - the songs were strung together and fleshed out well
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Once I got past the animation quality (lack thereof) it was easy to follow the story. The actors playing the parts were easy to recognise - Hopkins, La Jolie, Gleeson but Beowulf looks nothing like Ray Winstone - more like Sean Bean... OK but clunky
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
A worthy 'prequel' to the series - at least we're told how his madness came about but there's a gap between this film's ending and where 'Manhunter' starts - perhaps there's a 'missing' film here. The lead actor, though, is no Brian Cox and certainly not of the calibre of Anthony Hopkins
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Quite obviously lacking the style, wit or humour of Richard Curtis or Ben Elton. 'NOT to be confused or compared with Four Weddings...' Takes about an hour to set up and proceeds quickly to the denoument in a little over 15 minutes where it is somewhat chucklesome! Alan Tudyk is the standout performance but not enough made of his circumstance - a missed opportunity...
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
As much substance as a soap bubble - vacuous rubbish - one of Allen's worst.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
How weird to see the North of England AND have French spoken. Would have been better to have the film transposed to somewhere like Lille in the North of France. And if that wasn't bad enough... to see Lady C portrayed as a somewhat gawkish schoolgirl. But the saving grace is the second unit photography which is sheer beauty and languidly ravishingly so...
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Charming, quirky and, at times, at bit clunky, but Bruno Ganz once again excels as he did in 'Bread and Tulips'
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Sometime near the middle of the film, I found that I couldn't give a stuff one way or the other... but managed to lurch to the bitter end... but entertaining in its warped way
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Top rendition of the Kurt Vonnegut story with excellent control of the time-warp aspect. Very good
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
As you go to choose to 'play' the film, the background music is hammering away to suggest a fast-paced, rip-roaring yarn... and the film delivers... in spades! Highly recommended
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Not as good as 'Flushed Away' and lacked that certain Gallic charm despite its location... but a good try anyway
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Tough, gritty... good portrait of the harsh Scottish way of life in the Glasgow ghettos
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Perhaps 'The Lone Vigilante' might have been a better title - braveness didn't really come into it - but for all that another superb performance from Jodie Foster
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Weird... but its weirdness isn't revealed until the very end... I lost interest much earlier than that and had to slog my way through to the finish
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Paul Verhoeven back in familar territory and right on key. Gone - hopefully - are his American exploits. Beautifully crafted war film, well told and acted.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Yet another typical lack-lustre Australian film
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Zany and charming to begin with - then ran out of ideas - OK for something out of the ordinary
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Charming yet tough as nails depiction of an orphanage and the effects and close comaraderie of the children as they proceed from innocence to petty (and not so petty) criminality
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Slow, basic romance... write your own ending
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
'Electrifying' as one critic said... Oh, yeah? About 5 watts! Slow, not very engaging...
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Not so much 'horror, action' as slapstick - with a giant salamander causing some mayhem - also shows gullible public being too much in awe of government decrees
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
A bit like Billy Elliot - huh? Well, that film bobbled along until the magnificent last 30 seconds - 4 Minutes does much the same until its last scene which is wonderful
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Obviously tilted to MM's point of view but yet another indictment of the American way of money... Again the 'Extras' are well worth viewing to 'flesh out' the film itself.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Good performances all round, nicely plotted, the alternate endings better than the included one.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Installment number 3... and the ending seems to lead one to expect yet another... please do spare us the agony... very disappointing, confusing, mayhem for the sake of it, little storyline...
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
What's all the noise about... what was touted as a very good Oz film turned out to be well below par... found I could read a book and watch the film at the same time... not an engaging little number
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Die Hard 1 was truly great, its sequel was a disaster, Die Hard 3 was a good attempt to restore parity... but this film nearly does so but lacks the human touch
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Not what I was expecting - more based in reality than in fantasy, though sad and thought provoking
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Nicely paced, intelligent script, well acted... and those exquisite slow lingering close-ups
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A charming, roaming, expansive, wonderful film... ruined by dubbing...
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Just a storm in a teacup, lots of chat, little substance but hats off to the girls for weathering their vilification and changing their style of music
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
The doco itself is not as good as the interviews available in 'Extras' - the music most played has been used in Barry Lyndon and Koyannisqatsi - overall dreary but informative - now what!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Pretentious codswallop - JT ought to get back to acting the one part he usually plays
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Scandalous considering the Catholic church and its employees are held in the highest trust
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Charming, witty, gentle, barbed, humorous as only an Alan Bennett script can be
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Not nearly as bad as I'd been led to believe by all and sundry... in a word... enjoyable
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
I found the first 20 mins hard to get used to, the next 20 were easier... then I remembered I had another 2 hours after that! But... the peace, tranquillity and timeless repetition of monastery life are profoundly captured in this film. See it at one sitting!
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Jewison's 'The Cincinnati Kid' with Steve McQueen said it all so much better some 40 years ago - (Un)Lucky Me was, by comparison, a lame waste of celluloid
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Did he? Did she? Did they? This film failed to sit in any camp. Unsatisfactory and gutless.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Sad, charming, funny... a measured piece of excellence
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Slickly presented... all too real... and yet another indictment on the American way of justice - grab the nearest likely suspect!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
What a boring, useless film! And a waste of talent to boot! Juliette, what were you doing in this crap? And what's all this about out-of-focus shots? ... with the film ending with an 'out-of-focus pan of Venice - that most photogenic of cities!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
This film just crackles along... smart (and sparse) dialogue, crisp acting - rather like a Mickey Spillane novel come to life (... or not, considering the number of corpses)
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Just clicks along to a disappointing ending
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Far better than 'Spellbound' - charming, a bit 'off-the-wall', but interesting throughout and well put-together in an editing sense
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Considering the calibre of the story's author and that of the director, how come this is such a 'dick' of a film. Gave up 20 mins into it - though flicked through to see if there was any improvement - there wasn't.
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
At last Will Ferrell in a film that doesn't insult one's intelligence. Perhaps being supported by actors and actresses of the calibre of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson helped enormously.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A typical Neil Jordan film - I'm sure he's locked in a time-warp somewhere - perhaps the 70s
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Tries hard, interesting in parts but basically lacklustre
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Far, far, far better than Phillip Seymour Hoffmann's 'Capote' - this has wit, grace and charm and a bevy of well-known actors playing cameo parts. Toby Jones has Capote down pat.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
A Meg Ryan we haven't seen for some time - good acting all round but - I can not believe Americans really talk like this or is it just in the minds of some pre-pubescent screen writers.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
This is a 'spot-on' morality tale told with a complete lack of morals - classic
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Wooden acting, predictable plot - Edward Norton miscast - Prisoner of Zenda' meets 'the Pledge' - ho-hum
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Somewhat reminiscent of 'The Hunting Party' with Gene Hackmann, Oliver Reed and Candice Bergen. Nice scenery, tried to be a bit metaphysical, but didn't quite succeed.
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Didn't live up to the hype - completely - but nice enough in its way
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Soft and gentle, loving and tender
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
well, I've had this crush on Ellen Barkin for ages... so what a pleasure
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Thoroughly enjoyable - but wanted it to go on a bit longer and into greater depth - seems like the editor has been at this.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Slow to start but picked up after 20 mins or so. Renee's smile needs to worked on - it looks like a chicken puckering up for a poo!
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
An intelligent film as one always gets from Minghella.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A misfire from our Danny - perhaps he's gone off the boil and his one contribution to cinema was Trainspotting
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Puccini? Comedy? Huh!
(Don't bother!) - review by Kevin
Predictable but creepy enough
(Worth watching) - review by Kevin
Excellent, great hunt chase but a cop-out ending.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
A touching commentary on a shameful and brutal act.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Another gorgeous French concoction - light as a souffle. I suppose some Yank prat will get hold of it and ruin it completely as a remake.
(Excellent) - review by Kevin
Great. Excellently detailed. Good action.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
Overlong, drawn out, creepy. If this represents the ethos of the CIA, no wonder we are today in a heap of trouble. Just a bunch of cowboys. Had to use English subtitles to understand the constant mumbling of lines.
(Maybe) - review by Kevin
Excellent - the ghost of John Milius rides!
(Not to be missed!) - review by Kevin
