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Reviews
Porridge (2016)
Excellent!
As a fan of the original series this is remarkable in being a 'modern mirroring' of the original characters and just as amusing! All the characters are played excellently - it's just a pity there was only one series...
As a fan of the original series this is remarkable in being a 'modern mirroring' of the original characters and just as amusing! All the characters are played excellently - it's just a pity there was only one series...
As a fan of the original series this is remarkable in being a 'modern mirroring' of the original characters and just as amusing! All the characters are played excellently - it's just a pity there was only one series...
Our Falklands War: A Frontline Story (2022)
A long overdue lesson on the human cost of War
This is a must-see film for all involved in the decision to send people to War - voters and politicians and of course the military hierarchy who make operational decisions. Men who fought and survived talk for the first time about how their experiences have affected their lives ever since. They are a 'Band of Brothers' and they all stress how those who were not there cannot comprehend their experience. Simply but sensitively filmed - all credit to Director/Producer Guy King.
The Paleface (1948)
Brilliant!
When I fist saw this as a child it made me laugh until my chest hurt! A delightful romp - and an early colour movie. Bob Hope is in his element and Jane Russell is an unsmiling action-hero which was actually pretty rare back then.
Dexter: Remember the Monsters? (2013)
Powerful series - totally disagree with many others here.
I have been watching Dexter virtually wall to wall via Netflix and was dreading the final season coming to an end! It had to be bad/sad but I did not expect this combination - I doubt anyone could have really despite some reviews.
My only issue with this series which did annoy me was,with his activities subject to scrutiny because of Hannah, why on earth did she go around with no attempt at disguise??? A change of hairstyle, hair colour and judicious eyebrow pluck would have made he unrecognisable surely?
Dexter's artificial world had to fall apart and it was powerful and moving that it was not because of his ruthless killing activities but because of his decision to end them (and properly fall in love with someone) that the system started to close in on him. Similarly, Vogel's love for her ghastly son led to her undoing.
Those reviewers who are scathing about the chaos of the hurricane have clearly not found themselves in such a situation I would suggest. If some people did see him outside the hospital during the evacuation and began to wonder what he was doing, their brains would immediately have reminded them that it was not their problem and they had other priorities and there was probably an explanation. If I had been directing I would have included a shot of an orderly doing just that!
The absence of brainwave activity on the scopes shows brain death - there would be no chance of her recovering so Dexter's decision was a final example of one of the things that we have come to love him for - his ability to make a decision, a plan and act on it without the hesitation that plagues ordinary folk! Yes it was unlikely that he could have survived the storm but, hey, stranger things do happen at sea. And yes how odd to be a lumberman - but really why not, at least for a while, as it is a perforce lonely but physically tiring job. Few people to kill though plenty of animals (remember Deb's puppy?). The conclusion that for him he was what he was and his Dad knew it but coupled with the realisation that the gamut of human emotions are not all that they are cracked up to be was a powerful juxtaposition and an unexpected angle. Dexter's trust in Hannah with Harrison was in keeping with his obsession with her - and I found myself wondering whether as a psychopath he might be better than I was at assessing her potential as a mother... So very tense, thought-provoking but necessarily sad finale.
Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen (2009)
Everyone should see this excellent film!
A quality drama as one would expect from the cast list dealing with actual events and almost a lone voice in the UK (it has been shown regularly by the Beeb) about what might be around the corner for us! On 18th Sept the USA had its sixth annual Preparedness Planning Day but in the UK the Civil Servants are determined to keep a low profile for fear of causing us to panic... Set in 1918 Manchester this film is pretty accurate in showing how people coped but also the poverty to which most were used in those days. We are used to luxury and 24 hr resupply by road which will be a challenge in our populace society. Dr Niven is shown applying basic principles - the big one being reduce contact between people - and the fatality rate in Manchester was far lower than elsewhere. I wonder who will be our Dr Nivens and doubt it will be the government medical officers currently saying no need to worry about the Kuwaiti man flown to London for traetment of a new SARS like coronavirus because he (or someone?) could pay for it...quote:
Prof John Oxford, a virology expert at Queen Mary, University of London, said he felt "somewhat relaxed" about the news (of the UK fatality from an unknown virus)
I advise everyone to watch this both as a quality gripping film and to ponder the lessons that have been forgotten - even if only in memory of a true public servant!
Being Human: The Graveyard Shift (2012)
Fantastic episode
Well this series is the most promising yet. There were so many laughs and memorable lines we had to watch it again to hear what we had missed. Hal is wonderfully acted - the 5 min prequel showing his early days with Leo is a must on the website - and has both a troubled presence and a voice strongly reminiscent of Russell Crowe! I predict Damien Moloney will be a big star. I loved the honest, decent and, yes, dog-like virtues of Tom developing here and our dear Annie whose range of facial expressions can convey so much. Mark Williams is excellent as usual and will no doubt be popping up again but I did miss the promising "They've eaten my focus group" Cutler in this episode. The humour and originality of Annie's memory was delicious - I have always felt that there was something illogical about the Pensieve in Harry Potter and here they blast is open to hilarious effect! Well done to Fergus too - he was developing well (though Herrick is a hard act to follow)... I loved the earlier series and characters but feel no guilt in relishing this second 'incarnation' (pace Annie). Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Being Human: Eve of the War (2012)
Promising and intrigueing
This was fascinating and promising though inevitably disjointed because of the new paradigm and new characters. Unusually we had a plethora of new characters and I am intrigued as to which will endure - certainly it was the vampires - Regus (Mark Williams) Cutler (Andrew Gower) - who provided the only comedy in this episode together with the sweet Dewi.
I am not clear what is supposed to have happened to the old one Wyndham as he was absent yet a reference was made to George having killed him! If he is gone that would be a pity as Lee Ingleby in a baddie role was very promising.
Of course the big news is the discovery of Damien Molony. Having also viewed his 5 minute prequel on the BH website he has immense presence and a voice so like Russell Crowe's it is uncanny (him being Irish not antipodean!). The relationship between him and young Leo is powerful and I hope we will see more of this in flashback. The tragedy of Human & werewolf ageing again...
Finally, sorry to be a bit mean but it has to be said; the plot lines are rather reminiscent of The Terminator! Saviour baby, humans struggling against powerful oppressors, future dimension etc etc. No complaints though as this is one of the classic story lines of course and I would be surprised if the BH producers don't do something interesting with it.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Treasure Island (2012)
Quality production - well worth seeing
Having read the book to my children, now teenagers, when they were younger we all watched this having saved it on DVD - can't abide adverts. Though there were inevitable departures from the book it is a pretty faithful rendition and Eddie Izzard confirms his status as a charismatic actor well cast as the complex Silver. The idiocy of the Squire's venture and motley collection of adventurers are ably brought to life by an impressive array of top actors - though of course that means it suffers from 'recognition distraction' on first viewing! (My rule of thumb is always watch a film twice before drawing conclusions - and if you don't want to see it again that tells its own story.) The locations, ship and costumes are superb and really bring to life the squalor of the times and the urge for riches as the only way out. Arguably the Squire becomes too nasty and the Doctor too insipid in this version but Philip Glenister is excellent as Capt Smollett. The incorrigible nature of the pirates and Silver's restless intelligence are well portrayed. Memorable.
Engrenages (2005)
Is this a better translation of 'Engrenages' here?
I am hooked - belatedly - on this having now caught up on series un a deux on DVD! Re the discussion about the translation of the title - I agree that Spiral is inadequate, mainly because it has connotations of tramlines (albiet curved) going relentlessly in one direction. The involved complexities of the police work portrayed here and the unpredictable twists and turns make the term 'Machinations' spring to mind. It also has a certain similarity to the French 'Engrenages' too but no doubt, if it was considered at all, it was dismissed as too long...
My ear is well and truly in for the French - my they do speak fast and many words are virtually lost but that is a feature of French as I recall. The general scruffiness also combats our stereotype of the French as always chic and elegant. Why though do all the women have dinky little noses? J'adore Laure!
Tian di ying xiong (2003)
The Chinese Russell Crowe?
This is my second Chinese film after Mulan and I picked it up to see more of the actress Wei Zhao. But I am warming to this genre - yes simple (but reading subtitles the screenplay could not be too complicated or it would be exhausting!). Again I am struck by the superb sets - breathtaking country. This time the similarities with Westerns are palpable - the characters, lines ("Something doesn't feel right"), behaviour all reek of the 'Wild West' and serve to remind us that we humans are basically the same everywhere - and so are our stories - despite superficial variations. But my biggest impression is how the lead hero played by Jiang Wen is so like our own dear Russell Crowe! Deep voice, flat expression, speaking eyes , unflappable calm and stocky build - it's uncanny. Mind you I'm not sure whether RC can wiggle his ears like Jiang! Recommended.