Awix (3310 KP) rated All the President's Men (1976) in Movies
Jan 24, 2021
Proof that you can make a gripping thriller without actually including a single car chase or fist-fight; much of the film is people on the telephone making notes, but it's still a captivating story. Solid performances, decent structure, perhaps lacks a big climax, but you can see its influence on many other acclaimed films since (The Post and Spotlight are cut from the same cloth, and in the former case features some of the same figures). And yet Rocky still won the Oscar. Conspiracy!!!
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Untouchables (1987) in Movies
Dec 12, 2020
Glossy studio film-making at its most accomplished, with a smart script, strong performances, stylish direction, great action sequences and a fabulous Morricone soundtrack that effortlessly draws you in and leads you through the movie. One is tempted to knock a point off for Connery's attempt at an Irish accent, but this is one of his best performances, and deservedly got him his Oscar - but Costner is very nearly as good in a less showy role. Point added anyway for being a Hollywood action thriller that includes an homage to Sergei Eisenstein. Great stuff.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Family Upstairs in Books
Oct 6, 2019
When Libby hits her 25th birthday, she inherits a house in Chelsea with a very dark past. Gradually, you begin to learn of that past with the use of different time periods and different character viewpoints. I admit that at first this took a while to get my head around but it does fall into place and works extremely well.
The story is gripping and dark; the characters are well developed, interesting and authentically flawed; the writing is easy to read and set at a good pace and the mystery elements are perfectly formed.
I would most definitely recommend this to people who love a good psychological thriller and want to thank Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Wild Card (2015) in Movies
Jul 30, 2020
That said, the script is sympathetically written (Statham doesn't have to cry or emote too much) and he's well-supported by a bunch of other people. There aren't as many action sequences as usual, but when they do come along they are top bracket. In the end it's an interesting combination of character study and violent thriller; my fondness for J-Stat may factor into why I found it fairly agreeable, though. An interesting change of pace for Mr S if nothing else.
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