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Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (I) (2023)
6/10
Killed by music
30 December 2023
This is superbly filmed, acted and photographed. A beautiful snapshot of timelines and place, which works so well on many levels.

However (there's always one for a 6/10) the musical score is a blanket of tyranny that imposes itself over the dialogue. There are scenes of discussion and science that into inaudible custard by overwhelming orchestration.

Less is more. A score is there to accentuate and contextualise the emotion of a scene, not throw an audio blanket over it so we miss important points of detail and history.

Maybe Christopher Nolan should watch some earlier Spielberg films to see how this works in the edit room.
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Crazy Samurai Musashi
Crazy Samurai Musashi (2020)
5/10
Who's the bloke at the end?
21 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It's all very confusing. While the one-take scene was a bold statement, it all became a bit samey, and I started FFWD through it. How many times did that bloke with big hair and blue boots appear?

Also, many ran at Musashi with their swords in the air, inviting evisceration. You would have thought that after his first two buddies died, the next guy might've tried a different method.

Finally, the perplexing ending. Sat by the river for the final battle, the Musashi character appeared to be played by an older slightly bearded actor, with zero explanation (such as a caption saying '5 years later').

You have to laud Tak and the director for this one-take battle, but it only succeeds if there is dialogue. If you want to see a brilliant example of one-take acting & scene direction, watch Stephen Graham and the cast in 'Boiling Point'.
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Phoenix Nights
Phoenix Nights (2001–2002)
10/10
As perfect as it gets
16 September 2022
Just watched this again after so many years. Nostalgia has neither enhanced or dimmed the sheer brilliance of this show. Kay's genius lies in nailing everything we knew and loved about social clubs and the people who worked and frequented them. Those lucky enough to have lived in those times will have experienced so many episodes and little vignettes of the sort of madness that goes on in these places, plus how they acted as the glue for working class communities.

Still incredibly funny, it should be placed in a time capsule as an example of how to create a sit-com. The casting, locations, timing and direction are of the highest order. It is a joy for everyone. Utterly peerless.
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Uncut Gems
Uncut Gems (2019)
10/10
A rollercoaster. A runaway train. A tour de force.
3 February 2020
The worthiness of Oscar panels eats it's own ass. This is an incredible movie. If the greatness of films have a profound effect on you, then this is up there. An astonishing performance from Sandler (who I never rated). I feel like I've been waterboarded. And let's not forget the lighting, direction and esoteric soundtrack. It really is that good. You'll be cheating a part of your life if you miss this.
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Boney
Boney (1972–1973)
9/10
Unusual and sometimes gritty cop series
11 January 2020
The previous reviewer can't have seen it. Somewhat off-beat drama that aired late at night on UK's ITV networks. The aboriginal dancing wasn't performed by Laurenson, but by Australian native actor David Gulpilil on the end titles. And, yes, there was a racist theme running through it all. A lost atmosoheric aussie gem that needs revisiting.
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Jaws
Jaws (1975)
10/10
Ocean of brilliance
11 January 2020
Probably my 25th time around the block for Jaws. And even now it excites and enthralls me as much as the first day I saw it. The greatest movie ever made. This is what films should do: scare and inspire and change our lives. Absolute perfection.
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Berberian Sound Studio
Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
8/10
A dream-like immersive mystery
1 November 2019
I've watched this at least 5 times now and still -like Argento's 'Inferno'- it puzzles and unnerves in equal measure. I still don't know what's reality & what's a dream. In gets in your head and invades your sleep. Strickland is a genius for this. Give this subtle work some time to germinate in your psyche.
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El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
10/10
Suitably brilliant low-key bookend to a genius franchise
13 October 2019
Don't expect too much in the way of pyrotechnics or head-spinning scenes. This is a respectful slow-paced movie that closes the chapter on a piece of TV history. It cements Gilligan as a true auteur for our times. Suspenseful, beautifully filmed and at times emotional. Don't listen to the naysayers. This is a masterpiece.
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