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Reprisal (2018)
Routine crime thriller
A fairly routine crime thriller. Presumably Bruce Willis was present to sell the film as he has only a few lines which he mumbles, often incoherently. He does however play a significant part in the action late on. Some quite good action scenes make the film just about worth viewing, although otherwise it has little to offer. The story line is often confusing and with one or two incomprehensible "holes"
Hard to Kill (1990)
Typical Seagal
Comic book nonsense but entertaining. Seagal is his usual self and a nice performance from Kelly Lebrock, The story line hardly seems important as Seagal's films are always really about the fight scenes, where he rarely takes on less than four at a time.
Horrors of the Black Museum (1959)
So bad that it's entertaining
Although released in 1959 the film owes something to the horror films of the 1930's featuring stars such as Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. There are some gruesome murders with lots of tomato sauce but along with such dreadful acting that nothing can be taken too seriously. Michael Gough plays a deranged criminal mastermind who shares the murders with a trusty sidekick on who he uses a magic potion to ensure obedience. Geoffrey Keen plays the trusty detective in pursuit. The absurdity of some of the scenes, along with the dreadful acting, somehow provide entertainment, if not horror.
The Equalizer (2014)
Comic book stuff but entertaining
Denzel Washington is excellent as the invincible hero taking on the Russian Mafia. His character is a combination of Steven Seagal and James Bond. He easily takes on five at a time and finishes them off in various gruesome ways. His super baddy opponent is played in very over the top style by Marton Csokas. The fate of Csokas is never really in doubt and is of course saved for the final extravaganza of violence. Simplistic stuff but entertaining and well directed.
Zodiac (2007)
Confusing and overlong
Based on a true unsolved serial killer murder case, the film had some chilling moments and some well handled scenes but overall was confusing and disappointing. As the investigation progressed it was often not made clear where this or that lead had come from and the often unclear dialogue did not help in this regard. Why is it often the case with modern films that the dialogue is unclear whereas in the films of say the 1940's every word can be heard? The ending implied that the case had been solved but actually the case is still unsolved.
Taken (2008)
Exciting & Violent Action at it's Best
If you like very violent action movies with an invincible hero then they don't come any better than this. Liam Neeson's character is a sort of combined Steven Seagal and James Bond. Difficult to count the number of people he kills but at least twenty plus a few others with serious injuries. All done in a worthy cause. Simplistic but entertaining.
Papillon (1973)
A 70's Classic
One of the best movies of the decade. A harrowing and from all accounts true to life portrayal of life in the notorious French penal colony known as Devil's Island. Supposedly based on the personal experiences of Henri Charriere, who wrote the book of the same name, although much doubt has been cast on this since the film was made. Possibly career best performances from both Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Beautiful cinematography, otherwise a little flimsy
When I first viewed this film twenty or so years ago, I was under the impression that it was based on actual events. This belief of course added to the sense of drama and mystery. I subsequently learnt that the film is based on an historical novel. On first viewing it is difficult not to be impressed with the amazing cinemaphotography. Seeing the film again recently it seemed much less impressive. The story line is flimsy and many of the shots seem posed and artificial. The stand out acting performance by Rachel Roberts.
The Battle of the River Plate (1956)
Stagy battle scenes
As a depiction of one of the most famous sea battles of WW2 the film is disappointing and compares unfavourably with the more famous movie "Sink the Bismark" Most films of this type depend mainly on realistic battle scenes. Here the scenes from the British ships are in the main stagy and unconvincing. We see the blood and wreckage but are always somehow aware that the director is about to shout cut. Particularly amusing is the performance of Patrick Macnee (of Avengers fame) during the battle, looking absolutely immaculate, as though he were out for a stroll on Brighton seafront. The film follows the facts fairly closely and at least offers an insight into this great sea battle. A wealth of acting talent on display and some competent performances.
Death Line (1972)
A gold plated Turkey
One star is probably one too many. A truly dreadful movie. Poor acting and direction. Tedious and boring. The worst performance I've seen from Donald Pleasance who is makes a completely unconvincing police inspector. Should have been made as comedy horror with a few jokes thrown in.
The Blue Parrot (1953)
More Turkey than Parrot
British noir movies from the 40's and 50's are occasionally surprisingly very good given the fact that they were made on low budgets. This effort is rather poor. Even having just watched it I can't recall what it was all supposed to be about. A nice performance from John le Mesurier as the night club owner is the only reason to watch other than the nostalgia element of seeing actors of the period.
And Soon the Darkness (1970)
Excellent suspense thriller
An excellent, well constructed film. The French countryside provides a picturesque and eerily atmospheric backdrop to a suspenseful story of two English girls on a cycling holiday. A nicely paced movie with the tension building gradually to an unexpected terror filled climax. Excellent performances from all.
Chain of Events (1958)
Modest British B movie
Rather tame and unconvincing in parts but worth watching for a nice performance by Kenneth Griffiths, who is the stand out actor. Features cameo performances from Ballard Berkeley (the major in Fawlty Towers) and ex. boxer, Freddie Mills. The moral of the story seems to be that avoiding paying a bus fair can lead to dreadful goings on.
A Man Alone (1955)
A very fat Turkey
A film with Ray Milland, Ward Bond, Raymond Burr & Lee Van Cleef ought to be worth a look. But sadly no. After a promising start the film settles down to tedium. As expected a shoot out finish but that very routine in it's handling. Don't bother with it!
The Secret Place (1957)
Good British crime movie, some excellent scenes.
With British crime movies of this vintage it's often a case of the good, the bad and the awful. This is one of the good ones. The plot line is a diamond robbery where the stolen diamonds are hidden in a portable record player which comes into the possession of a young teenage boy, who happens to be the son of a police constable. The final part of the film is taken up with the efforts of the crooks to recover the diamonds. The film has moments of real tension, the diamond heist itself and the final chase scenes are excellently done. Good and convincing performances from all concerned.
Amundsen (2019)
Dreary film about a great explorer
Somehow this film manages to turn what should have been a celebration of a great explorer into a tedious and dreary story. The direction and editing at some points is clumsy and creates confusion. For some peculiar reason much of the dialogue is produced in hushed tones as though the actors were worried about waking up a baby somewhere. Could and should have been an epic story. Shame
Key Largo (1948)
Classic 1940's gangster movie
If you are a fan of Humphrey Bogart and Edward G Robison, this is probably as good as it gets, A well crafted film building up to a shoot out finish. A group of gangsters, supposedly on a fishing trip, are ensconced as guests in a Florida hotel waiting for another gang to arrive to complete a forged money deal. All might have proceeded quietly but complications arise and the gangsters find it necessary to blow their cover and literally take over the hotel. The forged money deal having been successfully concluded, Bogart is required to skipper a boat for the gangsters escape to Cuba. During the boat journey Bogie is able to turn the tables and shoot all the bad guys. Excellent direction and solid performances from all concerned. A classic of it's era.
Frankenstein (1931)
No longer a horror, more creaky period piece
Back in 1931 when it was made no doubt this was frightening stuff. Today it is memorable only for its being the first appearance of the iconic monster played by Boris Karloff. No doubt the effect of the movie is diluted by the many imitations, notably The Munsters 1960's TV series. Today it seems like a parody of all bad horror movies, although of course it was one of the originals of the genre. The acting is very stilted and wooden and the direction by James Whale very average.
Has a significant place in movie history but little to offer to a modern viewer.
Time Table (1956)
Good B movie noir
The movie gets off to a great start with Wesley Addy pulling off a very cool heist on board a rail train. Sadly the film is fairly routine stuff from then on and virtually nothing more is seen of Addy. Mark Stevens plays an insurance investigator who was actually the brain behind the heist and so an echo here of the classic "Double Indemnity"
Three Amigos! (1986)
Very funny but patchy
The Three Amigo's are actors who head to Mexico, mistakenly in the belief that this is to put on an entertainment. Subsequently they find that they actually are required to protect a village from real life bandits. This is basically the films big punch line which is told about a third of the way in. After this the film loses momentum. There are still some funny lines but it's all a bit humdrum for the last hour or so. Good performances by all but not enough laughs in the second half of the script.
711 Ocean Drive (1950)
Excellent 1950's crime thriller
Ed O'Brien is in good form here as an electronics expert who almost accidentally becomes involved with and then a big player in mob activities centred on gambling. Many good scenes and convincing bad guy performances from all involved.
Hollow Triumph (1948)
Unbelievable plot but entertaining
On the run from mobsters, Paul Henreid comes across a doctor who looks exactly like him. The only difference being that the doctor has a scar on his cheek. Bizarrely, Heinreid decides the best way to hide from his pursuers is to kill the doctor and take his place (this is funny as physically he still looks much the same as the man the mobsters are looking for) He kills the doctor, gives himself a facial scar and proceeds to impersonate the doctor. Unfortunately he has blundered and the facial scar is on the opposite cheek to that of the doctor. We are asked to believe that no one notices this, including the two ladies in his life. Despite the silly plot Henreid gives a fine performance and there is a nice twist at the end which provides a crime don't pay message.
Entebbe (2018)
A disappointing handling of an amazing military operation
As this film is based on one of the most famous military operations since WW2 it is very disappointing. Everything builds up to the final action scenes which for some bizarre reason are intercut with dance scenes, so that there is more footage of dancing than the actual military operation. There is actually probably only a couple of minutes or so footage of the military operation.
Second Chance (1953)
Dreary movie with good action finish
A film with Robert Mitchum and Jack Palance and they slug it out in a cable car at the end of the film! Sounds like exciting stuff.! Unfortunately the film is heavy going up to the final climax. Jack Palance feels it necessary to shoot someone in an early scene and then the film just plods along with little excitement. Worth watching for the final exciting action.
Dead of Night (1945)
Still the best horror anthology
Even after 75 years this film is still the best horror anthology. The end sequence following the murder of the psychiatrist being outstandingly brilliant. A nice little comic story featuring Basil Radford and Naughton Wayne providing a short break from the "tales of the uncanny" Very competent performances from all the cast and of course the outstanding turn by Michael Redgrave as the ventriloquist with an uncontrollable dummy. On first viewing many years ago I found the film chilling. The best horror does not necessarily require blood and gore!