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Tawnyblue (0 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018
The Greatest Showman
I loved this film, I was nearly put off by some of the reviews I had read but I'm so glad I decided to make my own mind up about it. Did I say I loved it, well I did, it was great, at one point in the film I wanted to get up and clap the only thing that stopped me is my daughter and grand-daughter would have killed me.
I will watch this film again and again and it is now one of my favourite films. A real feel good film with some deep underlying messages too.
I will watch this film again and again and it is now one of my favourite films. A real feel good film with some deep underlying messages too.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Theatre of Blood (1973) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)
The Play's the Thing
Indisputably the best of the Vincent Price 'madman on a vengeful killing spree' movies from the early 70s, allowing Price to give full reign to his remarkable talents. Ham actor Edward Lionheart gets his own back on pretentious critics by performing various gory Shakespearean scenes for real; this gives him the opportunity to disguise himself as such diverse characters as a chef, a policeman, Butch the gay hairdresser, and many more; Price is having a whale of a time throughout, as you'd expect.
Notable also for an astonishingly good cast of British character actors, most of whom are only in a couple of scenes before they get murdered. Consistently witty and inventive, even a little moving in parts as well. Point knocked off for not letting Price get away with it!
Notable also for an astonishingly good cast of British character actors, most of whom are only in a couple of scenes before they get murdered. Consistently witty and inventive, even a little moving in parts as well. Point knocked off for not letting Price get away with it!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)
Turtle Recall
Hugely confident reinvention not just of Gamera the flying turtle but also, maybe, the whole kaiju movie genre. Japan is plagued by man-eating Gyaos birds, finds unexpected assistance when floating island turns out to be giant flying turtle with plasma fireball breath. Stage is set for climactic showdown between Gamera and the last, colossal Gyaos in downtown Tokyo (of course).
Altogether much lighter on its feet than Toho's Godzilla movies from the same period; makers have clearly studied the tropes of the genre and reinvent and deploy them to great effect. Hugely enjoyable monster action sequences, solid work from the human cast as well (Steven Seagal's daughter Ayako Fujitani is clearly the one in the family with acting talent). The two sequels are possibly even better.
Altogether much lighter on its feet than Toho's Godzilla movies from the same period; makers have clearly studied the tropes of the genre and reinvent and deploy them to great effect. Hugely enjoyable monster action sequences, solid work from the human cast as well (Steven Seagal's daughter Ayako Fujitani is clearly the one in the family with acting talent). The two sequels are possibly even better.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 22, 2018 (Updated Mar 22, 2018)
Bog-standard action runaround is lifted enormously by proper, non-pneumatic performance from Alicia Vikander as Crofty. Feisty heiress goes in search of missing dad, ends up on desert island with hissable bad guys and tomb; soon there is much running down collapsing corridors and many death-defying leaps.
Vikander keeps it real and plays Croft as a proper human being, and is the main - probably only - reason to watch an otherwise undistinguished film. Bad guys are dull, good guys too; special effects are okay but nothing really special. I suppose it's somewhat notable for the way it keeps the audience guessing about what genre it's going for. Still, much more fun than watching either of the Angelina Jolie Tomb Raider movies, but then so is sawing off your own feet.
Vikander keeps it real and plays Croft as a proper human being, and is the main - probably only - reason to watch an otherwise undistinguished film. Bad guys are dull, good guys too; special effects are okay but nothing really special. I suppose it's somewhat notable for the way it keeps the audience guessing about what genre it's going for. Still, much more fun than watching either of the Angelina Jolie Tomb Raider movies, but then so is sawing off your own feet.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Passion of the Christ (2004) in Movies
Apr 1, 2018
Still holds up years later
While I would not consider myself to be a religious person, I did enjoy Mel Gibson's film quite a bit. I was able to follow along with the story despite not knowing the events through many recent churchgoing experiences.
I have no problem with subtitled films either. Just like an English-speaking movie, the story just has to be interesting or compelling and this film is both.
I understand those who find this film controversial or do not enjoy, but, as with all movies, this is just one man's interpretation of events like any movie. The subject matter is what some people object to if their beliefs differ from Gibson's.
If you disliked originally, give it another chance.
I have no problem with subtitled films either. Just like an English-speaking movie, the story just has to be interesting or compelling and this film is both.
I understand those who find this film controversial or do not enjoy, but, as with all movies, this is just one man's interpretation of events like any movie. The subject matter is what some people object to if their beliefs differ from Gibson's.
If you disliked originally, give it another chance.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 26, 2018)
Don't Forget the Honey, Mummy
Second of the Subotsky-Rosenberg Dr Who movies eschews the darkness and it-happened-here subtext of the TV serial in favour of a jolly plastic romp set in a startling vision of 2150 where donkey jackets and flat caps have come back into fashion and everyone only eats Sugar Puffs (although that may just be the product placement).
Actually rather charming on its own terms, and a number of good actors (Cushing, Keir, Philip Madoc) are trying really hard with the material. Just sit back and let it wash over you and it's highly entertaining stuff. Contains more bongo-drumming on the soundtrack than any other alien invasion movie in history. Extra point very nearly added for the awesome food machine sequence with Cribbins and the robo-men.
Actually rather charming on its own terms, and a number of good actors (Cushing, Keir, Philip Madoc) are trying really hard with the material. Just sit back and let it wash over you and it's highly entertaining stuff. Contains more bongo-drumming on the soundtrack than any other alien invasion movie in history. Extra point very nearly added for the awesome food machine sequence with Cribbins and the robo-men.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Terminator (1984) in Movies
Feb 18, 2018 (Updated Feb 18, 2018)
Undoubted leader of the pack when it comes to post-punk low-budget SF movies is, let's be honest, highly derivative, but makes up for this with sheer inventiveness and economical storytelling; unusually grim tone helps, too.
Future warriors from post-apocalyptic future arrive in 1984 Los Angeles; one is intent on killing hapless young waitress, the other seeks to protect her. Time travel plot is cleverly retooled as the basis of gritty action thriller; performances are much better than you might expect, too - you can't imagine anyone being more perfectly suited to their role than Arnold Schwarzenegger is here (and I don't say that very often). Every other film and TV series in this particular franchise ultimately does nothing but diffuse the impact of this brilliant movie.
Future warriors from post-apocalyptic future arrive in 1984 Los Angeles; one is intent on killing hapless young waitress, the other seeks to protect her. Time travel plot is cleverly retooled as the basis of gritty action thriller; performances are much better than you might expect, too - you can't imagine anyone being more perfectly suited to their role than Arnold Schwarzenegger is here (and I don't say that very often). Every other film and TV series in this particular franchise ultimately does nothing but diffuse the impact of this brilliant movie.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Carrie (1976) in Movies
Feb 21, 2018
If you haven't seen this.. What are you waiting for!?!
When it comes to Stephen King movie adoptions you really never know what you're going to get but Carrie is by far and arguably the best.
Sissy Spacek is today one of the single greatest castings ever she embodies Carrie so perfectly and it's always been my biggest issues with the remakes. Sissy (while I mean this with all the love in the world) is just so awkward looking and while not ugly she's also not the cutest and it's just what sells her version of Carrie so perfectly, you feel for her you cheat for her but also she freaking terrifies you.
If you've never seen Carrie definitely look it up it's one of the best horror movies out there and just so iconic.
Sissy Spacek is today one of the single greatest castings ever she embodies Carrie so perfectly and it's always been my biggest issues with the remakes. Sissy (while I mean this with all the love in the world) is just so awkward looking and while not ugly she's also not the cutest and it's just what sells her version of Carrie so perfectly, you feel for her you cheat for her but also she freaking terrifies you.
If you've never seen Carrie definitely look it up it's one of the best horror movies out there and just so iconic.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Company of Wolves (1984) in Movies
Feb 23, 2018
Curious British-made feminist werewolf movie retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood (along with various others). A young girl dreams of a fairy-tale world of wolves and dark magic, where some people are hairy on the inside and everyone has a bit of a beast in them.
One of those movies laden with a slightly ponderous symbolism; doesn't really make sense except as an allegory for something-or-other; quite what that is is a bit unclear. It's not that all men are wolves at heart, but something slightly more even-handed. Good cast, nice production values; some of the special effects have dated a bit, but not risibly so. In the end it is all quite impressive but at the same time wilfully oblique.
One of those movies laden with a slightly ponderous symbolism; doesn't really make sense except as an allegory for something-or-other; quite what that is is a bit unclear. It's not that all men are wolves at heart, but something slightly more even-handed. Good cast, nice production values; some of the special effects have dated a bit, but not risibly so. In the end it is all quite impressive but at the same time wilfully oblique.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Flash Gordon (1980) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Post-Star Wars high-camp reimagining of the famous Alex Raymond sci-fi comic strip. Ming the Merciless, Emperor of the planet Mongo, terrorises the Earth; a mad scientist, a football player and a travel agent rocket themselves into space in an attempt to make him knock it off.
One of those movies where the ostensible leads are the least well-known people in it - everyone else has a great time overacting: the gold medal goes to Brian Blessed, who steals the entire movie as Vultan, Prince of the Hawk People. Visually lavish, with a strong script, lots of well-staged action for younger viewers, and tongue-in-cheek jokes aplenty for older people who ought to know better. Point knocked off for some inappropriately nasty violence; put straight back on again for Queen's soundtrack.
One of those movies where the ostensible leads are the least well-known people in it - everyone else has a great time overacting: the gold medal goes to Brian Blessed, who steals the entire movie as Vultan, Prince of the Hawk People. Visually lavish, with a strong script, lots of well-staged action for younger viewers, and tongue-in-cheek jokes aplenty for older people who ought to know better. Point knocked off for some inappropriately nasty violence; put straight back on again for Queen's soundtrack.