stevelomas-69401 Reviews

The Atomic Man (1955)

A forgotten gem

[6/10 · 9 January 2022]

Great little British SF paranoia film featuring the wonderful Faith Domergue (This Island Earth) and a plot that really does hold up well. Having said that a lot of the acting and sets don't stand the test of time and the script is a bit dodgy. It does look like there is a brief appearance by Charles Hawtry part way through. Fun film.

Missile to the Moon (1958)

One of the worst

[3/10 · 9 January 2022]

Atrocious rubbish that is possibly worse than 'Fire Maidens from Outer Space'. Dire acting, cheap direction and an awful plot sink this rip off. It's only saving grace, oh no there isn't one.

The King's Man (2021)

Ti's a silly film

[6/10 · 31 December 2021]

Well it's better than Golden Circle and there are plenty of over the top action scenes. My only gripes are where they went with the Rasputin sub-plot and the the whole thing being on a par historically with the average Mel Gibson film. Anyway it's fun, and should not be taken seriously.

Hellbound (2021– )

A slightly patchy horror fantasy.

[7/10 · 30 December 2021]

It's reasonably well acted and isn't as fast paced as trailers make it seem. The general idea is fine and I do like some of the characters however the storyline is a little patchy and some of the violence may not be to everyone's taste.

The Silent Sea (2021)

Decent back ground but ho hum execution.

[6/10 · 30 December 2021]

Feels like a video game run through and doesn't have the cash spent on it that it at first looks like. Still having said that it's core concept/back story is fine and the acting is better than a lot of similar outings.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

I forgot how atrocious an adaptation this is.

[6/10 · 28 December 2021]

James Mason was an excellent actor, best when he played slightly creepy/tragic characters. He isn't suited to this abominable adaptation of one of my two favourite Jules Verne stories. Still songs and dire acting aside it's a fun adventure.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Better than 2 or 3

[6/10 · 22 December 2021]

Is it a competent SF action film? Yes. Does it raid it's source code well? Yes. Is it more coherent and watchable than 2 or 3? Yes. To be honest I was with it (and giving a 7/10) for the first 2 thirds but then we got annoying info dumping, badly acted (pointless) characters and a whole cringe making rescue sub plot. Still at least I distracted myself from the cod philosophy by counting the plot holes.

Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)

M. O. R. Heartwarming empowerment

[5/10 · 21 December 2021]

You really need to be preteen and/or wear rosy tinted specks to enjoy this by the numbers role model laden middle class saccharine schmaltz. Don't get me wrong it's utterly inoffensive it's just all been done before to the same old formula.

The Chestnut Man (2021– )

Interesting, if grim, Danish crime drama.

[7/10 · 5 December 2021]

Not as good as The Bridge or The Killing, both of which it is darker than, but it is still a watchable and rather grim slice of Nordic Noir. The acting is solid but its the plot that keeps it going.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Great soundtrack dodgy attitude.

[7/10 · 5 December 2021]

This film has a lot to answer for, the least of which is the inexplicable career of Jason Statham. All in all its not very original and its presentation of 'The scene' is a little dubious. Having said that it's got loads of quotable one liners and I really like the sound track.

The Mole People (1956)

A John Agar classic!

[7/10 · 5 December 2021]

It's implausible, rampantly sexist and inconsistent, however it's boys own action fun from the 50s with John Agar and a bucket load of adventure delivered with gusto.

Space Master X-7 (1958)

Not much 'space' or 'master'

[5/10 · 28 November 2021]

Not sure why they called it Space Master X7. This is more a very light film Noir chase thriller with some rubbery omelette monster thing in a supporting role. Still you can see how it is an ancestor of The Andromeda Strain or Contagion.

The Alligator People (1959)

Seriously dodgy fun

[6/10 · 21 November 2021]

Stylistically it rips off 'The Cat People' big time. Effectively, girl meets boy (who turns out to be the product of genetic alligator testing) and does not bat an eye lid. After some seriously bad acting boy turns into an alligator (girl still does not bat an eye lid). Girl then mysteriously develops amnesia and badly tells all in a hypnotic flashback. Bad but fun.

The Wheel of Time (2021– )

Middling Fantasy with some light dtama

[6/10 · 20 November 2021]

Can't rate it as a adaptation but I can say it's better than 'Letters to the King' or 'Smoke and Bone'. Having said there's over use of sometimes shoddy cgi and the clichés come thick and fast.

The Monster That Challenged the World (1957)

Great monster hilarious acting weak story

[6/10 · 14 November 2021]

I like the Monster design but there is utterly no chemistry between the leads and the story is weak but it does have everything a 1950s monster classic needs.

Zulu (1964)

Old fashioned but with classic actung

[7/10 · 13 November 2021]

You can argue the historical veracity of the film but it is an absolute classic with excellent acting. It builds tension well and the characterisation is great. 'Zulus thousands of them!'

Crack in the World (1965)

Lots of of gusto in this implausible disaster film.

[6/10 · 7 November 2021]

It's fun, it's got lots of energy, the lead woman is from Morecambe and there's plenty of action. What there isn't is a believable plot or any realism.

The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021)

This is aimed at the adults

[6/10 · 27 October 2021]

It goes down well with the under 10 audience (my youngest and her friends loved it) but be aware the subtext is all aimed at adults with a heavy dose of 'woe to the loss of childhood and childhood relationships'. Whilst there are 1 or 2 reasonable one liners it is weaker than the TV series.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

Bland formulaic Marvel dross

[5/10 · 26 October 2021]

Not Marvel's finest hour. Risible cheesy acting, guff dialogue and bland effects. I mean it ends with what sounds like a calypso version of 'Love will tear us apart'. I rest my case.

Dune (2021)

Better than the '84 Lynch atrocity

[7/10 · 22 October 2021]

Cinematography in this is wonderful as is set design and the sumptuous sound scapes make it a big screen must see. Add Rebecca acting everyone off the screen and it is a good film. Having said that it isn't all that close to the book, some of the acting is plank like and the choices of Dennis make it only good.

Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1956)

Jaw droppingly awful

[10/10 · 2 October 2021]

This excreble little ouvre is very much worse than Plan 9.

Katla (2021)

Slow burning Icelandic mysticism

[8/10 · 31 July 2021]

Very well shot with wonderful cinematography. This is a deep slow paced slice of Icelandic mystery/fantasy done in grey tones. The acting is solid and the plot well done.

Space: 1999 (1975–1977)

A space disco classic

[8/10 · 25 July 2021]

Made in '79 and they thought we'd still have flares (never mind a permanent moon base) in '99, so optimistic. Still a great score, 'glorious' acting, some solid stories and proper set design help distract from the ludicrous premise. A bona fide TV classic.

Attack the Block (2011)

A low budget cult classic.

[7/10 · 25 July 2021]

Excellent creature design 'on a budget' and a reasonably thought out plot and great one liners. Having said that the last third is really cringe inducing and there are loads of last opportunities. Still a definite cult film.

Liam Gallagher: As It Was (2019)

Personal yes but also utterly controlled and sanitised

[6/10 · 25 July 2021]

No doubt Liam is all the things talked about however this an is incredibly controlled and sanitised one sided publicity vehicle. I need all the fingers on both hands to count the subjects they were told to steer clear of. Even with that he still comes across as unlikable.