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Inside (2023)
The Modern 'Gilded Cage'!
I am not usually a fan of William Dafoe, however in this film he is absolutely faultless. In my past ignorance I did not realise his very impressive range and versatility; I will be looking back through his previous projects to see what else I've missed.
From the beginning, I found his 'prison' to be a 'gilded' cage (there is one scene that shows this perfectly) which he, like the bird must escape; did he finally get through the roof-light or is this an euphemism for his demise?
I note a few reviewers have said it was too long, I believe the timing is in keeping with the style of the film and subject matter; but then I also believe many 'action' movies should only last long enough for the 'body count'.
The cinematography, photography and soundtrack were all spot-on; the fridge door that plays "Macarena" when left open for more than 20 seconds, is clever but Nemo dancing and singing along is perfection.
For those of you that have the "Die Hard" movies in your top ten, this is not for you, for the rest of us; it is a must watch!
Great Expectations (2023)
Oh No: "This is NOT Dickens"!
I hear many reviewers shout "This is NOT Dickens", my advice; get over it!
I am dumbfounded by it's low rating. I have read all of Dickens original stories and while I agree that this adaptation is only very loosely based on the original story-line, I find totally irrelevant, for me it stands alone, I believe Dickens would have loved it...
Ashley Thomas is the darkest and dare I say the best Jaggers I've even seen, I rub my hands together in every scene, awaiting yet another dastardly deed; with Olivia Colman's performance as a very creepy Miss Havisham and a fine supporting cast, what more can you ask for? My only reservation is Fionn Whitehead, his portrayal is fine, he just seems a little old to play he main character Pip.
This movie has no fear as it rushes headlong into the subjects we turn away from, dealing with crime, drugs, prostitution and slavery, things that were present in the time of Dickens but he was unable to write about.
My advice would be not to listen to all the 'puritans'; watch it yourselves, it's a gem!
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Can you find the plot?
"Avatar" derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "descent," this attempt at a sequel is certainly descending to a lower level.
Can someone tell me what this movie is about; it has no plot, zero story-line and dumb characters, who miraculously have, from a far away planet, somewhere in the vast universe, managed to learn 'pigeon' English, I lost count on how many times I heard "Bro" & "Cuz"!
That aside; this movie drags and I mean DRAGS out a 10 minute short for over three hours, three hours of where I could have watched my washing machine or my tumble dryer, believe me, far more entertaining, even the sound track plays on a continuous loop ...
If this movie is trying to imitate the original, it fails for so many reasons, however I fully understand the main concept: Money, money and yes; more money!
I'd really like to find something good to say about this movie, however, even using a pick & shovel, I can't uncover a single 'plus', oh yes, one; I don't have to watch it again!
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
Absolute Gibberish!
Reading through some of the other reviews I notice the term 'cult classic' the original may well be but this version, in my opinion; is certainly NOT!
I honestly believe this series was financed by the distillery and tobacco industries, as from the start, the cast are chain smoking and knocking back bottles of spirits as they consider the fate of humankind. Don't get me wrong, I smoke, I like a few beers but to consume the amount they do, in charge of a 'Battlestar', I'd be very worried putting any of them in charge of a push bike!
The first series was bearable, the problem is, for me, once I start watching, I very seldom 'switch off', in this particular case I should have ripped my TV from the wall socket and thrown it out of the window!
The story line is drivel, it jumps all over the place, there is no continuum and to make it worse, each episode comes with a 'recap' of just how bad the previous episode was! This still didn't stop me watching, I got caught in the old syndrome; 'it's just got to get better' - it doesn't; in fact it gets a lot, lot worse.
'Starbuck' is now a, cigar smoking, honcho, alcoholic, who for some unknown reason isn't killed off before the end of the first episode; in one episode she lands on 'Earth' and finds another version of herself, this could have led to a 'parallel universe' story but no, not in this series, she just burns the evidence and as far as I could see, we were left with no explanation as to why, unfortunately this happens again and again, perhaps this is to be explained in the next 2020 'reboot', I'm guessing I'll never know...
Really, really annoying is the continued use of the word 'fragged' which is, as I understand a cover for the 'F' word, if a crew member of any military system said the 'F' word as frequently, they would have not made it through college, let alone a 'Battlestar'!
There is only one 'believable' or likeable character in the cast, without Aaron Douglas as Chief Galen Tyrol I would have scored this 'space-junk' as a fully fledged zero, that's probably why he was in 67 of the 76 episodes!
My advice, watch the original or perhaps join the Star Wars hippies...
Moonfleet (2013)
Did any of you read the book?
While I realise that there has to be a bit of a 'poetic' licence to squeeze 19 chapters into an hour and a half, I was disappointed to find that no one from the team could have read the book, as this is as close to J M Falkner's Moonfleet as X-men is to X-factor!
I thought Ray would be an excellent choice to play Elziver Block but Elziver was not a womaniser! Shame on you Ray, we're about the same age; you should have read this in school. I honestly thought that the 1955 version couldn't be beaten (where they kill the hero in the first few minutes) but much to my surprise the team that made this drivel gets the all-time booby!
Ex Machina (2014)
A good Sci-Fi yarn
When I first saw the trailer for Alex Garland's Ex-Machina, I was pretty sure it was going to be 'up-my-street' – I wasn't disappointed, as I must admit that I was caught up by the storyline and was eagerly waiting for the 'sessions' between Ava and Caleb. To be frank Caleb is not particularly important to the plot and the continuously inebriated Nathen left me wondering how the hell did he build this complex machine? However, I found myself fascinated by the robot Ava.
Ava (played by Alicia Vikander) is a beauty with the ability to show the charms of a human while assuming the persona of a machine. Alicia plays this to perfection with her soft controlled voice and calm designed movements.
Garland takes on the age old problem of A.I. versus human and what this implies with gusto; the setting is stunning and the plot is tense and thought provoking from the start. While I believe comparable with Blade Runner and Space Oddity, the plot was unfortunately predictable in that all the 'twists' were a bit obvious.
Well worth the watch but it's not flawless; my biggest problem with this film is that notwithstanding Ava's supposed meticulous design, Isaac Asimov's 'Three Laws of Robotics' appears to have been completely overlooked...
The Tree of Life (2011)
Certainly not your typical movie...
There is no definitive plot and this is certainly not your typical movie...
The opening I found a little difficult, the abstract scenes and whispering was perhaps a bit too subtle, just loud enough for you to grasp the general concept (grace v nature). However; great cinematography, the insight into a 1950's family life and a journey around the cosmos was, I believe, relative and stunning. I am not going to try to explain this film as I believe it is open to your interpretation and personal life experiences.
The film deals life, death, loss and to a lesser extent whether God exists; being an Atheist the religious aspects didn't interest me but I can see that the family's Catholic background would be just as relevant for any denomination; although there are no (I believe) religious sermons or moral lessons to be learned. From the start the film seems to be trying to help us make sense of life and death by showing the fragility of our existence compared to the vastness of time and space.
The line: "Father, mother. Always you wrestle inside me, always you will" is, for me, perfect. My father passed away a number of years ago and I still try to make sense of a difficult relationship; where regret, guilt and misunderstanding kept us emotionally distant. After watching this film I felt a little lighter, knowing that I am not alone with these thoughts.
Except for the whispering, there is very little dialogue, Malick (for the most part) uses music and visuals to tell the story, with atmospheric shots of scenery and photography, to the hypnotic and haunting soundtrack; when there is dialogue, it provokes thought. However, in my view The Tree of Life gives little in the way of answers to the meaningful questions it poses and should just be enjoyed for the cinematic treat it is...
Sherlok Kholms (2013)
Dostoyevsky and Doyle
The English version starring Jeremy Brett (Granada) stayed much closer to the original stories and in my opinion is by far the best ever adaptation.
However, I watched this episode expecting the worst; I am now 'hooked' and cannot wait for the next. I love the mixture of Dostoyevsky and Doyle that only the Russians could pull-off; it has a far more 'serious' content than the usual mutation, without Dr Watson as a bumbling idiot (as per Basil Rathbone) and Holmes as a 'Marvel' character from the X-men (as per Robert Downey). This series portrays the dynamic pair with conscience and heart (as did the original stories).
The soundtrack is atmospheric and brilliant!! There are areas that perhaps could be described kindly as 'different' (the policeman's outfits and some of the scenery) but this does not detract from the main plot and certainly doesn't spoil any viewing. So far the series has been a fantastic 'ride' a MUST see!
Andrey Panin (Watson) is a great loss...
World War Z (2013)
Mind Blowing Drivel
This film wouldn't scare a 10 year old but I believe that that was the general age the director was looking to entertain.
I'd like to find some redeeming quality - there isn't any, I'd like to say it was funny - it's not, if you bought the Blue-ray edition - you were robbed - use it as a coaster, just don't, no really DON'T be tempted for any reason to watch it!
No plot, no acting, no direction; all shot in that terrible 'up-the-left nostril' cam; you almost envy the so-called 'brain dead' Zombie - at least they had the sense not to watch it.
Mind you, perhaps it was a group of them who conceived the screen-play and just maybe watching it will cause many to leave the cinema and jump from the nearest tall building - like lemmings...
I do quite honestly believe it is the worst film I have ever seen!
Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Move over Quentin Tarantino!
If you enjoyed In Bruges this will blow your mind...
Martin McDonagh has made an unbelievably clever, funny and entertaining fast-paced movie. As I watched I couldn't help thinking of the classic Pulp Fiction, this is sure to become a 'cult' movie in the same genre.
7 Psychopaths is a comedy for adults, not the usual twenty five 44 year old teenagers sharing the same house as 'friends' type sitcom poop just plain clever wit and humour; there are some great one-liners to remember too!
The script is original and creative, the cast like the direction is perfect; this is an incredible movie - a must see. I recommend you rush out and see it before your friends do - and they will!
Melancholia (2011)
Shame that planet X missed....
I am a big fan of Lars Von Trier; however this is an exception to the rule, sorry this review is so short, I just can't think of anything else to say...other than a planet hitting the earth, which I'm sure, in reality would not turn the earth into slow-mo (too many more technical faults to mention) what was this about? I like Kirsten Dunst, but from the offset, wanted to bury the annoying brat...
I'm conceited enough to think I usually find the 'hidden' message; in this case, I have no idea what possible message was being transmitted, either by Lars, the inhabitants of planet 'X' or the abysmal acting; such a shame that John Hurt feels he needed to add himself to the cast list, which I honestly believe is the only way this made it into the theatres?
My View: Stay at home,spend the ticket money on a Disney blurb!
Dogville (2003)
Again Lars Von Trier rolls out a masterpiece...
Dogville was filmed in a studio with a set that most of the time looks like the players are standing on a school blackboard with definition lines in chalk. Although this film is set in a small town in America it could have been any town, anywhere in the world; as I believe that the emphasis is on the dark side of human nature and not any form of critique on the American 'way-of-life'.
On the run from a group of gangsters, Grace (Nicole Kidman) arrives in the small mining town, the townsfolk take her in and make a deal with her; if she will work for them for nothing, they will offer her sanctuary. Grace agrees to the terms and meets the locals; however their demands are ever increasing...
Lauren Bacall and the rest of the cast give good performances but Nicole Kidman excels herself, in this, what I believe to be one of her best. The narration by John Hurt is captivating.
A must see for Art House and Lars Von Trier fans, or like me; just lecherously watching the svelte Nicole Kidman swan about the screen...
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
A powerful and emotional tragedy...
Being a fan of art house, Lars Von Trier (ever since "Dogville") and an even bigger fan of the impish Björk there is a chance, you might say I'm biased; however I watched this film (12 years late) with an open mind...
There were times when the anguish became almost too much, however, Bjork's performance was flawless, emotionally naked but perversely charming and innocent; she makes you want to reach into the screen; hug her tight and protect her from the big bad wolf. Not surprisingly she won the CFF 'best actress' award. Casting Catherine Deneuve as her friend was inspirational.
This film is not in 'good taste' and the plot is not remotely plausible; I don't think it's meant to be, but it is a great break from the usual, trite, trillion dollar 'churn-out'!
This is not a 'family musical' my advice like many other reviewers, is to watch it alone; then at least any opinions formed will be your own!
Some people will admire Lars Von Trier's effort and others will hate it...I, for one believe that Björk's decision to never make another movie is a great loss to us all...