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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Good Liar (2019) in Movies
Nov 13, 2019
Roaringly bonkers British movie probably thinks that it's a dark and convoluted psychological thriller but is undone by a couple of overcooked lead performances and a frankly ludicrous script. Career con man Roy Courtnay (McKellen) sets his sights on rich widow Betty (Mirren). But as his activities draw near to their climax, could it be that the old rogue is suffering from pangs of conscience? Can he bring himself to go through with it?
Sounds fairly ordinary, but this does not take into account quite how nutty the various twists in the tale turn out to be, nor the sheer relish with which the stars attack their roles: to say that McKellen, in particular, carves himself off a thick slice of ham is probably to understate things considerably. Still, very easy to watch (though it has an unexpectedly hard and vicious edge to it in places), and a lot of fun, provided you don't take it too seriously.
Sounds fairly ordinary, but this does not take into account quite how nutty the various twists in the tale turn out to be, nor the sheer relish with which the stars attack their roles: to say that McKellen, in particular, carves himself off a thick slice of ham is probably to understate things considerably. Still, very easy to watch (though it has an unexpectedly hard and vicious edge to it in places), and a lot of fun, provided you don't take it too seriously.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Die Hard (1988) in Movies
Dec 1, 2019
Over thirty years on, John McTiernan's superlative action movie continues to thrill and delight audiences, as well as become rightly acclaimed as one of the great Christmas films, guaranteed to warm the heart - at the end, the terrorists/criminals have been defeated, the McClanes have been reconciled, and Al the cop has rediscovered the joy of gunning people down in the street.
Strange to think that, contractually, the producers were initially obliged to offer the lead role to Frank Sinatra - in the end, the film shows what can happen when you take two actors with almost no track record in movies and invest a little trust in them: Bruce Willis' sweaty, frantic turn as the blue-collar McClane makes him a new kind of action hero, while Rickman's status as an exceptional thief is confirmed by the way he steals the movie. Good jokes, terrific action sequences, and a deceptively clever script: one of those films that will always be as great as you remember.
Strange to think that, contractually, the producers were initially obliged to offer the lead role to Frank Sinatra - in the end, the film shows what can happen when you take two actors with almost no track record in movies and invest a little trust in them: Bruce Willis' sweaty, frantic turn as the blue-collar McClane makes him a new kind of action hero, while Rickman's status as an exceptional thief is confirmed by the way he steals the movie. Good jokes, terrific action sequences, and a deceptively clever script: one of those films that will always be as great as you remember.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated Seventh Son (2015) in Movies
Dec 2, 2019
Ageing master wizard John, played by Jeff Bridges, needs an apprentice when a malicious witch (Julianne Moore) escapes from her confines. After searching high and low, John finds Thomas (Ben Barnes), seventh son of the seventh son and hopes that he can learn the art and help the locals as the blood moon rises. Set in the 18th century the battle between good and evil, light and dark, see Tom and his visions undergo battle training quickly, learn the skills needed to be an “exorcist” and try not to fall in love with a witch from the other side played by Alicia Vikander. With great casting, including appearances from Kit Harrington and Olivia Williams; we see some good acting. The storyline was good, but had some holes, a lack of believability in places and some of the scripting was poor. But overall worth a watch
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
Feb 28, 2020
Shame about the humans
This film felt like it slipped in and out of cinemas here with very little attention drawn to it. Blink and you'll miss it, and I barely even remember the trailer either. Having now seen the film, I can see why it's pretty forgettable.
The main enjoyment in this film comes from the monster battles. Whenever the monsters are fighting each other on screen, it's hugely entertaining and these fights are impressively done. It's just a shame that Godzilla seems fairly lacking on screen until the finale, and that some of the CGI is patchy in parts. The humans are the biggest annoyance in this film. There's a great cast in this but they're let down by a cheesy script and a rather silly plot with a few gaps in the science & logic. And the ending is an obvious set up to yet another sequel.
Overly it was vaguely entertaining but dragged whenever the monsters weren't on screen, and ultimately a little forgettable.
The main enjoyment in this film comes from the monster battles. Whenever the monsters are fighting each other on screen, it's hugely entertaining and these fights are impressively done. It's just a shame that Godzilla seems fairly lacking on screen until the finale, and that some of the CGI is patchy in parts. The humans are the biggest annoyance in this film. There's a great cast in this but they're let down by a cheesy script and a rather silly plot with a few gaps in the science & logic. And the ending is an obvious set up to yet another sequel.
Overly it was vaguely entertaining but dragged whenever the monsters weren't on screen, and ultimately a little forgettable.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Casino (1995) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
In many ways, I prefer this film to Goodfellas. It has a slower burn, but feels more mature and grounded, somehow. The acting generally from all the regulars is top of the game stuff; especially Sharon Stone, who surprised many by just how good she could be, and is a rare mention in this genre for a female stealing the show! The lush visuals afforded by the glamour of the casino itself dazzles the eye. The suits are there, the attitudes are there. Much more than a lot of “ganster” films, however, this one focuses on relationships at its core. The glitz and crime are a context for looking at the people underneath and how they fail one another. It demonstrates how you can have it all in life and still despair. Criticised for lacking focus and a rock solid script, it can’t be denied there are faults, but it is still one hell of a ride!
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Paths of Glory (1957) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Meanwhile, producer Kirk Douglas had met a promising young director he liked called Stanley Kubrick. Douglas, whose humanitarian work was also becoming a big part of his life around this time, was looking for a script that championed pacifism over the gung-ho attitude of American heroism that he found distasteful. The rest is history. Possibly the one film in his career that can still be called perfect. Again, it was way ahead of its time, and therefore unfairly shunned as an Oscar contender. Shot in stunning black and white, it is an economical film of great power, replete with memorable moments and striking dialogue. The evidence of Douglas’ increasing skill at the quiet moments is all the better for the big pay-off when he erupts, calling out his superiors on their morality and cowardice. Of all films on this list, this is the one most likely to endure as a work of pure art.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Most Dangerous Game (1932) in Movies
Mar 25, 2020
(Can't see that movie about people being hunted for entertainment as all the cinemas are shut, so went for this instead (the daddy of the genre).) Much mimicked pulp adventure movie. Big-game hunter survives a shipwreck but pitches up on the private island of an insane Russian aristo who hunts people for sport.
Slots very nicely into the development of early-30s genre cinema - the premise vaguely recalls Dracula, while many of the key personnel would go on to make King Kong the following year. Still stands up well as an adventure movie in many ways; above average script, some rousing set pieces, and an enjoyably extravagant performance from Leslie Banks as the bad guy. The short running time does count against it though (the hunt only gets underway in the final third of the movie). One of the progenitors of the modern action blockbuster, and a fine movie in its own right.
Slots very nicely into the development of early-30s genre cinema - the premise vaguely recalls Dracula, while many of the key personnel would go on to make King Kong the following year. Still stands up well as an adventure movie in many ways; above average script, some rousing set pieces, and an enjoyably extravagant performance from Leslie Banks as the bad guy. The short running time does count against it though (the hunt only gets underway in the final third of the movie). One of the progenitors of the modern action blockbuster, and a fine movie in its own right.
BA
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