leno Reviews

The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes & Arthur Conan Doyle (2005 TV Movie)

Slow start, impressive ending

[7/10 · 28 July 2005]

The first 50 minutes of this movie were quite boring. It focused on the personal problems Doyle had, including his sick wife, death threats by fans, a pushy publisher and feelings of guilt concerning his mentally ill father. Even though these subjects had an important impact on Doyle's life, I was more curious about the birth of Sherlock Holmes. The last 40 minutes were excellent. We finally got a look inside Doyle head, how he created Holmes and why he had to 'kill' Holmes. The actors are excellent. Including the intriguing Selden played by Tim McInnerny, Arthur Conan Doyle, a compelling role played by Douglas Henshall and Brian Cox as the 'role model' for Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Bell. The locations are good, especially for a TV movie and the camera work is nice. If the first 50 minutes were as good the the last 40 minutes this would have been a small masterpiece.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking (2004 TV Movie)

Thank you BBC!

[8/10 · 27 December 2004]

It's kind of a tradition: Sherlock Holmes at Christmas on the BBC. Two years ago I watched The hound of the Baskervilles which was an excellent episode. This year a new episode with a different kind of Holmes. A Holmes I liked. He wasn't just a character from a book, no he was as real as he can be. Everett does a great job, and Ian Hart as dr. Watson makes sure we can laugh at times.

About the story: after a bit of a slow start it became very suspenseful. Even though I think the fog idea could have been used better. There is only one exciting scene where the fog creates a kind of spooky atmosphere.

The BBC has not ruled out the possibility of further Sherlock Holmes films in the future. So I read from a press release on their website. This is good news!

Lying in Wait (2001)

Amusing

[7/10 · 29 October 2004]

I read this page before watching the movie so I expected a pretty bad movie. Now I can say that is not true. The story doesn't make much sense and the ending is far fetched, but it's very amusing. Hauer plays a excellent role, a psycho who uses Babee Gordon as a hand puppet. You can see Hauer really enjoys his role and he shows he can do better then the roles he usually gets (offered). Without Hauer this movie would be just another B thriller, perhaps a even a C thriller. Madsen shows she isn't only a nice woman to look at but she can also act. Thomas Newton is okay but the real fireworks come from Hauer..

Halifax f.p.: My Lovely Girl (1995) Season 1, Episode 4

boring episode

[4/10 · 15 July 2004]

This was a rather boring episode. I have only seen one Halifax episode before, which I liked a lot better. This movie isn't about a murder or something, it's handles a dilemma. Can you release a murderer after a few year's treatment, or should they put in jail for many years? The movie starts with a patient who just got released from treatment but apparently wasn't sane because he commits a murder right after his release. Then another patient who killed a person (when he was 17) gets released from treatment after just 5 years. Because of the earlier incident many people oppose. The media question this decision. The movie keeps dragging on about the problems between him and his girlfriend who doesn't know whether to trust him and the media who is all over this case. It's more a relationship drama then a mystery / detective and therefore rather boring, especially when you expect some excitement. Near the end the movie becomes a bit more exciting but maybe you already hit the remote by that time...

Halifax f.p.: The Feeding (1995) Season 1, Episode 3

clichéd but amusing

[7/10 · 30 June 2004]

This movie is about a serial killer with a troubled youth who likes to put make up on their body's after the killer murdered them.

This sounds clichéd, well and it is. But in these kind of movies it's not really about the story, it's more about the characters and the side story's. And that works pretty good. The (professional) relationship between Jane Halifax and Jonah Cole works good. Two very different characters who are in some way attracted to each other, which leads to some funny moments Further on the movie gets more dramatic with a decent and inevitable climax.

Good acting from Frances O'Connor, very talented actress.

Armadillo (2001)

very good indeed,

[8/10 · 20 May 2004]

but the last part, part three, was very disappointing. Instead of the fresh and amusing storyline the third part turned into a dramatic climax with an annoying romance. The parts where he played the compelling insurance agent revealing unfair claims were very amusing. Also the strange relationship he had with his boss and the problems his friend got himself into were very amusing. These rolls were played by James Frain, Hugh Bonneville (his friend) and Stephen Rea (his boss). Very good actors with Hugh Bonneville for a comic relief and James Frain, who played a very complex character, did a excellent job.

Lucky Day (2002 TV Movie)

not bad

[8/10 · 23 July 2003]

This is a pretty good tv-movie. It had a good plot with some un-expecting twists. The acting is decent only the directing is a bit lame and the story had a bit more potential. But for a tv movie it's good, so watch it when it comes by on television.

Dalziel and Pascoe: The Wood Beyond (1998) Season 3, Episode 4

a suspenseful episode

[8/10 · 10 July 2003]

I have seen three episodes so far (Child's Play, Under World and this one) and I must say that this one was the best episode I've seen. It is unlike those other episodes suspenseful and exciting (in stead of dramatic and weepy) and it really got me guessing what happened, although you could see the ending coming a bit to early.. All in all a good detective with very good acting by the always nagging Dalziel and a good supporting cast.

Dalziel and Pascoe: Under World (1998) Season 3, Episode 1

a bit boring

[19 June 2003]

I had never seen an Dalziel and Pascoe film until now and I must say I probably won't see many more. I hoped for a kind of Hercule Poirot kind of movie but it was more a drama movie instead of a thriller/ detective. I also hoped to see some suspense scenes but most scenes were about the family problems. At the end it actually got interesting but It was to late..

If you prefer drama over suspense watch this, otherwise rent a Hercule Poirot movie.

Bone Daddy (1998)

horror/ thriller?

[15 June 2003]

Even though this is not a bad movie it is a bit disappointing. I thought this was a horror/ thriller but I couldn't find any horror (maybe the body parts) And the suspense I hoped for wasn't there so actually it was nothing. Just like Hauer's acting, but why even put in an effort if you haven't got a decent script in five (or more) years..

Redline (1997)

better than you think!

[6/10 · 15 June 2003]

Actually this is just another thirteen in a dozen movie, you'd think. But the location (Russia) makes the movie a bit more original and gives it a certain atmosphere and second Hauer is acting very convincing. These kind off roles (mysterious ruthless man) are perfect for him..

Blade II (2002)

Rollercoasterride

[9/10 · 30 May 2002]

This movie is like a rollercoasterride. It's non stop action, only the second part of the movie has a few scenes with 'real' dialogue and emotion.

The pace is incredible and so are the special effects (accept that scene with the to vampires who brake in Blade' home). Kristofferson had some great oneliners and Snipes did a good job in his fitness centre.. All in all a great movie, you'll get what you expect and probably even more!! 9/10

Reprisal (1997 TV Movie)

nice

[8/10 · 16 December 2001]

Although this is an unknown movie it's really nice. The story is not very original ( 4 man rob their own bank and split up and each go to another country but police man finds out) but the acting is good and it has a good pace. The plot is, like I said before, not original but it has an unexpected twist (kind of a sub-plot). And while the movie progresses it gets exciting. If this movie will appear on tv I recommend you watch it.

Lifeform (1996)

well made b-movie

[7/10 · 22 July 2000]

Although it was a 'direct-to-video movie', it was nice. Convincing characters and a well thought out plot, for a B-movie. Pretty good special effects and a very nice (and unexpected) climax. If you like s-f movies you should see this movie. 7/10