Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (5000)

Content

Awix (3310 KP) rated Threads (1984) in Movies

Sep 7, 2019 (Updated Sep 7, 2019)

Threads (1984)

1984 | Documentary, Drama

9.0

(4 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Landmark BBC docu-drama depicting the effects on the UK of a nuclear war (implied to take place in 1988, not that it matters). A young couple plan to get married, not really paying much attention to the deteriorating international situation and rising tensions between the US and Soviet Union. And then events pass the point of no return and the world changes forever.

Not really something you watch to be entertained, Threads has lost very little of its power to appal and terrify. The first half, before the nuclear attack, has an almost kitchen-sink realism; the sense of foreboding is almost unbearable. Even the resources of the BBC can't quite bring the nightmarish aftermath to the screen in the same kind of the detail - or perhaps even the writer's imagination recoils from the sheer grimness of it all. Instead, Threads takes an almost impressionistic approach, providing snapshots of horror from the years following the collapse of civilisation. Distressingly convincing and powerful, and it still feels relevant; one would wish it were otherwise.

Kudos

LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Final Destination 2 (2003) in Movies

Aug 22, 2019

This sequel to Final Destination is more of the same... No better or worse actually. It sticks to the same formula as it's predecessor (and all of the subsequent entries), and is pretty much where the semi decent FD sequels end.

The set up premonition is pretty good - Director David R. Ellis is better known for his extensive stunt directing, and it's shows in scenes like this.
The extra features included in the home release show that this scene was done almost entirely practically. I feel that this always makes a difference.

The extra features also reveal how a lot of the kills were achieved using practical effects, which again, is something I can truly respect and admire, even if they were polished off with the CGI.

The finished result is a film that isn't great by any means, but it is a fun ride, that follows on from the first film nicely.

The acting is hammy, but the cast are mostly fine, and even includes another cameo from Tony Todd 👍