Quick Reviews
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Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004)
Director: Peter Richardson
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 10/01/08
Rubbish. Not entirely sure what this movie was but it was not entertaining or all that funny either. Goes to show that even with a bucket load of stars it does not mean it is going to be any good. I can only guess that the fault must be mainly down to the writer/director. More funny moments can be had at a depression convention. If there could be an alternative history, hopefully the British would still be producing comedy classics rather than dross like this.
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 10/01/08
Rubbish. Not entirely sure what this movie was but it was not entertaining or all that funny either. Goes to show that even with a bucket load of stars it does not mean it is going to be any good. I can only guess that the fault must be mainly down to the writer/director. More funny moments can be had at a depression convention. If there could be an alternative history, hopefully the British would still be producing comedy classics rather than dross like this.
Closely Observed Trains (1966)
Director: Jirí Menzel
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 04/02/06
Also Known As: Ostre Sledované Vlaky (Czechoslovakia)
Milos Hrma a naive young man gets a job as a trainee at a railway station in occupied Czechoslovakia, during the Second World War. He learns his trade whilst trying to loose his virginity with some comical and heart-breaking moments.
Closely Observed Trains won an Oscar and has been highly praised, the cinematography is well executed and it has its good moments. Some think this movie is the best thing since sliced bread but I found it was more like an uncut loaf.
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 04/02/06
Also Known As: Ostre Sledované Vlaky (Czechoslovakia)
Milos Hrma a naive young man gets a job as a trainee at a railway station in occupied Czechoslovakia, during the Second World War. He learns his trade whilst trying to loose his virginity with some comical and heart-breaking moments.
Closely Observed Trains won an Oscar and has been highly praised, the cinematography is well executed and it has its good moments. Some think this movie is the best thing since sliced bread but I found it was more like an uncut loaf.
Contact (1997)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Certification: PG
Reviewed: 23/09/05
Scientist Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) discovers a signal emanating from an alien source. The signals also contain schematics to build a machine of unknown purpose but it could possibly send the occupant through space to the source of the signals. Very few intelligent sci-fi stories make it to the screen, this is one though, slipped through the net. Based on the book by the eminent Dr. Carl Sagan, contact explores the difficulties involved in making actual contact between species from two different planets and some of the human implications that would result from discovering an alien intelligence.
Certification: PG
Reviewed: 23/09/05
Scientist Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) discovers a signal emanating from an alien source. The signals also contain schematics to build a machine of unknown purpose but it could possibly send the occupant through space to the source of the signals. Very few intelligent sci-fi stories make it to the screen, this is one though, slipped through the net. Based on the book by the eminent Dr. Carl Sagan, contact explores the difficulties involved in making actual contact between species from two different planets and some of the human implications that would result from discovering an alien intelligence.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
Director: George Clooney
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 28/11/05
Based on the Biography by Chuck Barris, confessions stars Sam Rockwell as Barris, the somewhat dislikeable guy who created the TV shows, The Gong Show, The Dating Game amongst others. This interpretation shows his rise to fame and infamy whilst proposing that he was an assassin for a covert government organisation.
It's not a good sign when you start asking yourself 'when is this movie going to end?' which is exactly what I asked myself half way through the incredibly long 1 hour 49 minutes of Confessions of a 'Devious' Mind. Sam Rockwell magnificently plays the part of Barris but it's not enough to carry the movie, especially when this comedy thiller is not at all funny and for the most part not thrilling.
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 28/11/05
Based on the Biography by Chuck Barris, confessions stars Sam Rockwell as Barris, the somewhat dislikeable guy who created the TV shows, The Gong Show, The Dating Game amongst others. This interpretation shows his rise to fame and infamy whilst proposing that he was an assassin for a covert government organisation.
It's not a good sign when you start asking yourself 'when is this movie going to end?' which is exactly what I asked myself half way through the incredibly long 1 hour 49 minutes of Confessions of a 'Devious' Mind. Sam Rockwell magnificently plays the part of Barris but it's not enough to carry the movie, especially when this comedy thiller is not at all funny and for the most part not thrilling.
The Conversation (1974)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 02/05/07 (Updated)
A rather tedious movie about a boring and unlikable surveillance expert, Harry Caul (Gene Hackman). The movie is too long, like 1˝ hours too long and never really gets going, there's hardly any plot to speak of, as a character study it fails to engage and the ending was a disappointment. I'm not adverse to slow movies but this one fails on many levels, it did help me to sleep afterwards though.
I thought I would give this another proper go (many attempts, only once all the way through) as there have been so many rave reviews. I had a light lunch so as not to interfere and drunk plenty of coffee, forty minutes in the Orinocos started up again. I just need forty winks... zzz
Certification: 15
Reviewed: 02/05/07 (Updated)
A rather tedious movie about a boring and unlikable surveillance expert, Harry Caul (Gene Hackman). The movie is too long, like 1˝ hours too long and never really gets going, there's hardly any plot to speak of, as a character study it fails to engage and the ending was a disappointment. I'm not adverse to slow movies but this one fails on many levels, it did help me to sleep afterwards though.
I thought I would give this another proper go (many attempts, only once all the way through) as there have been so many rave reviews. I had a light lunch so as not to interfere and drunk plenty of coffee, forty minutes in the Orinocos started up again. I just need forty winks... zzz
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