For me, this film ranks on a par with the Holy Grail with ROTLA being my favourite. Kate Crapshaw ruined the Temple of Doom and the less said about the Crystal Skull the better. Upon reflection, this film is more about Jones than the actual dial. His longing for the days of adventure and his obvious dislike of his current lot as a lecturer no-one really listens to. The opening 20 minutes or so are well done, good use of CGI etc and the main film moves along at a decent pace. One small criticism is that the film lacks the humour of the first 3 and there was less verbal sparring between Ford and Waller-Bridge, probably because of his dislike of the way she earns a living. I thought the Director did a decent job and after the last 2 films I didn't miss Spielberg's direction. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I hope this is the last one and that the studio allow the franchise to pass into history gracefully without any other prequels or sequels.
Reviews
72 Reviews
Should have been a mini series
16 April 2023
It's a shame thtat this film (which does have its high points) was not made into a series. Even 3 or 4 1 hour episodes would have been better than this film which appeared rushed in places, flipped from scene to scene in a jerky manner and left little time for character development of the antagonists. The fight scenes were up to the usual standard of the previous series and whilst the ending was good enough it left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. Uhtred deserved a better finale than this 2 hour film, but I guess Netflix didn't think it was worth doing. All in all it rated somewhere between a 6 & 7 for me. The previous seasons I rated 10.
Johnny
(I) (2022)
Outstanding.
30 March 2023
It's difficult to know where to begin. This is not your ordinary con meets mentor and makes good film. It goes much deeper and deals with life, death, human failings and the difference we can make to someone living with a terminal condition and what we can do or can't do to make their remaining time better. The acting is very good, the story flows nicely and you don't realise that it's based on real people until you're at the end. The actor who plays the priest gves a stellar perfomance and the other main characters and supporting cast just fit in so well. This is the best film I've watched this year and whilst it was a difficult watch in places I would recommend it.
The Elephant Whisperers
(2022)
Heartwarming and sad
13 March 2023
This story of a Tamil couple fostering (successfully) orphaned elephants is worth 40 minutes of your time. Fostering has a high failure rate and by failure read death. This couple obviously love each other and love what they do and there is one particularly sad moment when a decision is taken out of their hands that shows you how much love they have for these creatures. Beautifully shot, the camera never intrudes and you can see the bond between humans and animals and you get to see the playful side of these amazing creatures. A worthy Oscar winner and you cannot help but feel some admiration for this lovely couple. I wish the film had been longer.
Not sure what all the fuss is about.
12 March 2023
Edit: Seven Oscars for this film just show how desperate Hollywood has become and how low the bar has sunk. Good luck to the winners but this is just style over any real substance. There were so many other worthier potential winners. Shame on the Academy.
There are a few moments in this film where someting profound or original is said but that's about it. I don't get why everyone is tipping Yeoh or Curtis for Oscars as the acting in general is frenetic, shouty and average and overshadowed by the special effects. The storyline about multiverses is an interesting concept but the execution of this is confused and poorly executed. I'm willing to bet that a lot of people 'like' this film because they don't want to be seen as missing the point. I'm guessing that the point is about making the most of your life decisions and realising that everyone has a tale to tell and bears the scars of living. At the end of it all is there any point to life or to this film. I've seen worse films but I was expecting more after all the hype.
There are a few moments in this film where someting profound or original is said but that's about it. I don't get why everyone is tipping Yeoh or Curtis for Oscars as the acting in general is frenetic, shouty and average and overshadowed by the special effects. The storyline about multiverses is an interesting concept but the execution of this is confused and poorly executed. I'm willing to bet that a lot of people 'like' this film because they don't want to be seen as missing the point. I'm guessing that the point is about making the most of your life decisions and realising that everyone has a tale to tell and bears the scars of living. At the end of it all is there any point to life or to this film. I've seen worse films but I was expecting more after all the hype.
Luther: The Fallen Sun
(2023)
Awful
10 March 2023
If you're expecting something as well written and acted as the TV series then this film will disappoint you. The acting, dialogue and plot are what you get when you throw a van full of money at a half-baked and poorly thought out plot with a weak script and some really weak acting. I rarely turn off a film but 45 minutes of this garbage was enough. Andy Serkis in a dodgy wig was unbelievable as the villain and Idris Elba seemed to be going through the motions no doubt enticed by a decent paycheck. The rest of the cast were unconvincing as police officers, prison guards and a grieving mother and the plot made no sense. It could have been great but it stank.
Beyond Paradise
(2023– )
Clunky, awkward spin off
25 February 2023
Humphrey's character has changed a lot since DIP and not for the better - trying to be hip doesn't suit him. I found the plot and some of the acting to be really awkward and while I know it's meant to be a different series to DIP I can't see me sticking with it. The dialogue is awkward and what the heck was that lunch with the farting relative all about. To sum up, I found it tedious, lacking originality with a weak script and many stereotypical characters. DIP had a decent location and a different culture for us to enjoy. BP has a Doc Martin location, a familiar culture and not really much else.
On a par with The Snowman
1 January 2023
Whilst the Snowman is undoubtedly a Christmas classic (along with The Muppets Christmas Carol) this too will hopefully become one of those films that will be shown at this time of year. There is a lot of wisdom in the dialogue and the interaction between the four characters is spot on. The music is discreet but adds to the enjoyment. The film is a message of hope and encouragement. We're all different but we all have something of value to share with everyone else - sometimes it takes a film like this to bring that message home. Although the BBC has flogged this to death with it's endless promotion of its Christmas schedule it truly is a bright light shining among the dross of endless repeats, unfunny comedies and wannabee reality stars.
Coppelia
(2021)
Excellent modern take on the original.
28 December 2022
This is an excellent update of the original 1870 ballet. The sets and the mix of CGI, real actors and the score make this visually very watchable. At a shade over 76 minutes long it kept my attention without feeling drawn out. The modern take of Dr Coppelius being some sort of cosmetic surgeon rather than a toymaker is well thought out and the ballet touches on modern issues such as social media pressure, self image, and inner happiness & peace. The music fits the story well and the colour schemes and costumes are well thought out. I'll watch this again sometime and would recommend it to those who maybe haven't seen a ballet brought up to date for the modern age.
The English
(2022)
A mixed bag to be fair.
1 December 2022
Let's start with the good stuff. The cinematography is stunning - this for me was the highlight of the series. So beautifully shot and the costumes fitted in well with this even if some were a bit extravagant.
Now, I'm a bit torn because I love a good Western story (Silverado and Heaven's Gate uncut are 2 of my favourites) but this slow burner became a bit frustrating because events which should have been included (the flooding in the last episode for example) which affected some main characters were barely mentioned. If you're going to have a script which requires our full attention then make sure we can hear it all and if you need to make it a 7 or 8 part series to fit everything in then do it. I enjoyed the first 2 episodes, got slightly bored by the next 2 and was annoyed when what I thought were important events were left out of the final episode and there a bit too much screen time spent on lingering glances. No doubt praise will be heaped upon this series and to be fair it is far better than a lot of the current shows on TV, but I'd like to have known more about Eli Whipp for example.
Now, I'm a bit torn because I love a good Western story (Silverado and Heaven's Gate uncut are 2 of my favourites) but this slow burner became a bit frustrating because events which should have been included (the flooding in the last episode for example) which affected some main characters were barely mentioned. If you're going to have a script which requires our full attention then make sure we can hear it all and if you need to make it a 7 or 8 part series to fit everything in then do it. I enjoyed the first 2 episodes, got slightly bored by the next 2 and was annoyed when what I thought were important events were left out of the final episode and there a bit too much screen time spent on lingering glances. No doubt praise will be heaped upon this series and to be fair it is far better than a lot of the current shows on TV, but I'd like to have known more about Eli Whipp for example.
Resistance
(2020)
Needed a stronger cast and script.
14 November 2022
To start with, the end text giving information on some of the major characters skips nicely over the fact that the Americans allowed and also aided Klaus Barbie's escape to South America which was shameful.
I don't dislike Jesse Eisenberg as an actor but he's in danger (like Ryan Reynolds) of playing the same character in each film. That annoying raise of the eyebrows and unintended smirk becomes distracting from the part he's playing and the last few minutes of the film were awkward. As a tribute to the war time bravery of Marcel Marceau I think the story lacked some depth and some scenes (the forest scene for example) I did find hard to take seriously and some of the scenes full of tension have been done so many times before in better movies. There was obviously a lot more to his character than the film was prepared to develop.
The undoubted bravery of the resistance could have been more developed in the film and what started off with promise sadly ran out of steam halfway through. It's not a bad film, just a bit disappointing.
I don't dislike Jesse Eisenberg as an actor but he's in danger (like Ryan Reynolds) of playing the same character in each film. That annoying raise of the eyebrows and unintended smirk becomes distracting from the part he's playing and the last few minutes of the film were awkward. As a tribute to the war time bravery of Marcel Marceau I think the story lacked some depth and some scenes (the forest scene for example) I did find hard to take seriously and some of the scenes full of tension have been done so many times before in better movies. There was obviously a lot more to his character than the film was prepared to develop.
The undoubted bravery of the resistance could have been more developed in the film and what started off with promise sadly ran out of steam halfway through. It's not a bad film, just a bit disappointing.
An honest documentary.
9 November 2022
An excellent Storyville documentary about Fakhir Berwari, a bomb disposal expert who disarmed thousands of landmines in Iraq with just a pocket knife and a pair of wire clippers. If you've seen the film 'Hurt Locker' with Jeremy Renner I recommend you take a look at this. All the footage is real, the explosions and mines are real and the people like Fakhir who put their lives on the line are real people with real families wondering if they'll come back home. It shows you a side of the Iraq conflict that you don't see in the many Hollywood films covering this subject. If you want to know what it was really like for these guys then give this a watch.
A beautiful film.
30 October 2022
I had forgotten about this film having watched it shortly after it made it to DVD many years ago and watched it again last night. There is a lot to take from this film. The superb and understated performance of Ken Takakura, the acting of the rest of the cast and the plot, which sounds fairly simple but as you follow Takata on his journey you watch as he starts to learn much about himself and his son. Some of the other cast have their own stories to tell (Li Jiamin) and although you never see him, the son Ken-Ichi makes his own impact on the story. The ending is wonderful and whilst there are some sad moments there are some very uplifting ones with the kindness of strangers. The cinematography is spot on, the scenery beautiful and the impact the film makes can be profound and for me there was much to take away and mull over afterwards.
The Tournament
(2021–2022)
For contestants that can't get on any other show.
5 October 2022
Alex Scott is wasted on this dire quiz show. She smiles and is enthusiastic but there is just no atmosphere. The BBC really is setting the bar lower in an effort to save money I think. The questions are mostly laughable and even Eggheads with the annoying Jeremy Vine was better than this.
The BBC just seem to chuck a wedge of cash at a production company with the instructions to 'make us a tea time/off peak quiz show' but never actually watch it themselves before it is squeezed into the timetable. Daytime/teatime TV should be better than this as but I suppose the Beeb are happy to chuck their money at Bloodlands, Strictly or Line of Duty and all the other programs they tell us we should be watching.
The BBC just seem to chuck a wedge of cash at a production company with the instructions to 'make us a tea time/off peak quiz show' but never actually watch it themselves before it is squeezed into the timetable. Daytime/teatime TV should be better than this as but I suppose the Beeb are happy to chuck their money at Bloodlands, Strictly or Line of Duty and all the other programs they tell us we should be watching.
The Tiger
(2015)
Well acted, decent CGI, a compelling story
10 September 2022
Another superb film by Park Hoon Jung. A beautifully crafted slow burner with twists and turns along the way. You forget that the tigers are CGI and it was just a joy to watch as the story unfolds. The scenery of Korea is beautiful and the acting is top notch. Even my partner enjoyed it and she's not a great lover of foreign films. Gory in places, sad in others but give it a watch as it is so so much better than the standard dross put out by American studios. I'd also recommend Night in Paradise and New World both by the same Director. If you want a happy film with happy animals go watch Life of Pi or The Jungle Book.
Army of the Dead
(2021)
Enjoyable zombie romp
23 August 2022
A sequel (in part) to Army of Thieves. I read some reviews of this after watching AOT but watched this anyway and enjoyed it - it's a solid 7/10. There's some decent effects, perfomances and storyline and is different to the usual zombiekillfest. Worth a watch.
Army of Thieves
(2021)
Decent enough, fun movie.
23 August 2022
It's a decent enough film with enough twists and turns and a cracking performance from Matthias Schweighofer. It'll never win an Oscar but suspend any disbelief, go along for the ride and then watch Army of the Dead which is set kind of in parallel but a few years after these events. Ignore the poor reviews for AOTD - it's a decent sequel/partner film.
The Virtuoso
(2021)
Better than other reviews would suggest
23 August 2022
It's an unusual film with a slightly uneven plot, but it kept my interest until the end altho' the reason why it ends like it does are unclear but I'm guessing there's no honour amongst thieves (or hitmen). Decent performances from all concerned and if you fancy a slow burner with a few twists you could do worse than watch this. 7.5/10.
Marriage
(2022)
Tedious and badly written
16 August 2022
A waste of 2 good actors, really annoying, jarring music, poor voice audio, no plot to write home about and worst of all, nothing really happens, except a long boring piece about a jacket potato.
*Edit* I still rate it 2 stars now that the series has finished. Poorly written and a cheap, tedious Mike Leigh knockoff. Will avoid the second series if the BBC are daft enough to commission it.
*Edit* I still rate it 2 stars now that the series has finished. Poorly written and a cheap, tedious Mike Leigh knockoff. Will avoid the second series if the BBC are daft enough to commission it.
The Sandman
(2022– )
Haven't read the comics but enjoyed this (mostly)
12 August 2022
It's a series of 2 halves. The first half introduces you to the 2 realms and without giving anything away I thought that episodes 4 & 5 were the real standout ones from the first half with Episodes 1 & 2 being a tad on the slow side. Episodes 6-10 are ok with a few minor gripes but overall as someone who has not watched anything like this before I'm hoping theres a Season 2. Just an observation but it's the first series I've seen where the majority of the main players are gay. Is this true to the comic books or is this Netflix's political correctness shining through? Also, the 'convention' in the final couple of episodes seem to stretch incredulity somewhat. That said, it was a decent enough series with solid acting although the CGI didn't seem to quite work sometimes - I have no idea if fans of the comic books will be happy with it.
The Outsider
(I) (2018)
It kept my attention
27 July 2022
I started watching this expecting to probably get bored and switch off halfway through, but it kept my attention and the 2 hours flew by. Well acted with a solid cast of Japanese actors and Jared Leto, a decent enough plot and enough action & atmosphere to hold your attention. It moves at its own pace whch whilst probably a bit slow for some, for me was spot on. I hope there's a sequel.
Ad Astra
(2019)
It's an outer & inner space story
16 July 2022
Space Cowboys or Armageddon it is not and that said, the emotion of the film reminds me a bit of Gattaca. Watch it for what it is with the superb score, scenery and effects and a storyline than goes much deeper than that of just a space mission. There is an ending which I found satisfying and it was one of those rare films that I sat all the way through without moving.
Security
(I) (2017)
What on earth were you thinking Antonio?
8 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Dreadful acting, awful, cliched plot (An Asian security guard who claims to know how to make bombs? Fortunately, he doesn't make it out). Have times become so hard Antonio & Ben that you need to appear in these straight to Bargain bucket in a charity shop films? There is nothing to redeem this travesty - nothing whatsoever. I wish the young actor who played Jamie all the best for her future career and hope that she can put this experience behind her.
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