rockwellcm-1 Reviews

The Riddle (2007 Video)

Slow Going, and a nice try at clever marketing

[3/10 · 16 September 2007]

Its No wonder this was free with the Mail on Sunday, slow going, poor acting, and filming (camera flare, near start of movie, is not even artistic) = Straight to video, but not in this case, why not recoup some of your (Film production costs) by releasing it free with a UK Sunday newspaper, at least this way you get a captive audience, and recover some costs.

I have not given this film a 1 out of 10, due to the effort to pull some old actors out their shell, it was nice to see some old faces (Vanessa Redgrave,this an't no Blow –Up), but Vinnie Jones as a lead, and I think he was better in Gone in 60 seconds when he did not speak.

This Film is dropping in Ratings every day,i think this will find its true mark at the 3-4 out of 10,in the very near Future

The Final Option (1982)

Spot on for its time,how people forget

[8/10 · 23 January 2007]

I have given this a 8 not because of the acting or the film its self,it was full of goofs,but the story was bang on the mark. How people forget how it was back in 1983 when the film came out if you get yourself along to a disused nuclear shelter like the one in Fife,Scotland (Secret Bunker)and take a look at the posters of all the CND marches,ban the bomb,etc you begin to remember how it was back then and the fear the cold war had on people,it was also a time of extreme Right,and left wing politics in the UK (Skinheads,Anarchists,National Front,and Communist party's) The SAS were also in the news,and the footage was almost like the Iranain Embassy footage at the time complete with Anna Ford news reading for ITN

From an army point of view,there was some good Accuracys amongst the goofs,the SAS train with live ammo,not blanks,the HQ was correct,the train in the Welsh hills,and they founded the flash bang grenade,the Hotel entry was also correct,blowing the hinges of the front door,with a shot gun,and the SAS train with other international army's (deemed friendly to the UK)

the funding for the terrorists was not too far from the real life truth,and it was a time of mercenaries,everybody was hiring everyone who was special op trained

I found the Film'looked' a bit like the Proffesionals TV series at the time in places,and the Music also conveyed this,this was deliberate on Sir Lew Grades part as to make a smooth transition from small screen to Big for Mr Collins

the real hero in the film is the Scottish actor who plays a fellow solider (of Collins) in the film,who plays it straight and realistic throughout

I have had this film since it came out (2 tapes,and a DVD),not in my all time top 10,but comes out from time to time,to bring back memory's of a forgotten time,and a time of Cold War fear

Donald Suttie

Lords of Dogtown (2005)

Top Movie that captures the 1970's Skateboard Scene

[10/10 · 19 September 2005]

I have just watched the special edition version of this film,and i must say being very impressed with the outcome. The only problem is the film really sells out the true skateboarding idea thats its for the surf man,not the money. I found the actors to be at time uncanny in looks true to the original Skateboarders. I really fail to see why go for a PG13 rating after all anyone who was around in the 1970's would be well past 13 by now,and the Skateboard tricks then are unlikely to impress today,so new skat-boarders of today,its not for you. It is clear Stacy has went to try and capture real footage from his last outing onto Hollywood Film,and this is done to great effect. I found myself after watching it once getting radical again.

It don't really matter that it wont win the Oscars,its good fun with some great vintage action,and some great one liners (Grey Beavers!!)

To recap,a real Skateboard film,with some great cameo moments,from the original skateboarders,and a quote to all from a BBC documentary at the time (1979) 'Skaterboarders don't die,they just roll a little slower'

Donald Suttie Dundee Scotland