Film Reviews by RP

If you put the plot of the film down in detail. It still wouldn't take up more than a few sentences. There are no manufactured moments to make an audience react in a certain way. There is no great shock or surprise. But the acting, atmosphere and wonderful pacing make the film a classic. The relationships are true and unsentimental. Based on a Graphic Novel. A film I just couldn't  imagine being made in the West. A film that leaves you genuinely moved and happy to spend time with these people. A film that just shines. 

If you are a fan of Marvel Avengers then you know what to expect. The difference is that the characters here actually have some substance to them. I actually cared about them a little more than if they were dressed up in tights and masks and had shields and magic hammers. Yes this is still pure fantasy with monsters and dragons and a baddie who is just misguided and sad but still bad. As much as I love the original arc in the Avengers films. I do lose track of what I have seen and where we are at. So with this new film franchise at least if it continues, as long as they don't overdo the number of characters. We are in for a fun rollercoaster of nonsense.

The series premise is very good. Three people with different viewpoints and varying expertise . Encounter possible pure evil or just humans with problems. That part of the series works well. As the series goes on we start to encounter the private lives and family lives and that tends to drag the plots a bit. In the last few episodes we change tack again and we are not sure if we want to be involved in various film parodies. Or is it comedy or is it just a clumsy set up for the next series. All in all a bit uneven but there is enough to enjoy in the good bits.

If you have seen films like The Cube and you have seen the first Escape Room. Then there isn't much doubt you know what you are going to see in this follow up. It stands or falls on the characters and if they are different enough from each other for you to care what happens to them. With this in mind Escape Room Two works very well. We have two characters we know from the first film. The unoriginal nightmare scene, the introduction to the new characters and we are away. No great shocks but a few twists is enough to make you feel sorry for them as they meet their inevitable conclusion. Enjoyed the first film then this is more of the same. ,

Old Woman goes missing. Comes back. Behaves oddly and erratically. The old house she lives in looks remarkably well kept. Until the second half of the film when we discover there is more to the house. Or is there? Or is it just a metaphor for the confused old lady being reflected onto her child and grand child? Or is it just an attempt to draw out a few scares? As films go it would have been nice to have some idea of the layout of the house at the start. Or maybe that was the point. To make it confused and big and rambling. Like the old lady. Nicely acted, a little confusing and an ending that will puzzle many. Or will it? Or is it just a metaphor?

Here is the thing. The film title and the synopsis gives you a pretty good idea what you are going to be watching. This isn't a deep meaningful film full of subtle nuances about the meaning of existence. It is a thriller. A late night violent film to make you want the baddie not to win and then go to sleep mindful of how you treat fellow drivers the next day. With that in mind it ticks the boxes. We have a baddie who is going through an upsetting time and hates everybody because of it. We have a stressed victim who frankly does what most people do and only thinks about themselves. Then we have a chase and violence and victims and more violence. With that in mind it works very well and is enjoyable. A guilty pleasure of a film.

One of those films with multiple and complex ideas all surrounded by a science fiction world and wrapped up in a simple love story. But don't let the last bit put you off because even the love story is very heavy with complexity. So much so that a quick repeat showing of the film may be worth the effort. On the surface the film is simply about struggle. A World, its people and the mystery that we need answers to. Even in the World of Science nothing is what it seems. If we can dream then why can't planets dream? Complex enough for most people. A fascinating film with plenty of ideas. Or just a good yarn about identity and loneliness. Well worth checking out.

One of the great films. Ace In The Hole is as relevant today as it was when it was made. The cynicism of a press to manufacture a story out of peoples trauma at their most venerable. A public happy to appear to be supportive while enjoying the carnival atmosphere of a tragedy. Like cars slowing down at an accident hoping to gawp at the twisted metal and worse. A few close relatives only happy to find a way to exploit the situation and escape their dull lives. Brilliantly acted and directed, Ace In The Hole is the type of film that would be hard to make nowadays. There is simply no redeeming features of the lead characters. Everybody is out to get what they can from a tragic situation. Kirk Douglas was rarely better in a role. There a victims and there are those out to exploit them. Nothing changes. A film that everybody should see at least once in their life.

Sunday afternoon on tv in the old days used to have a war film showing. As kids we used to happily sit down and watch the film and let the often silly plot lines pass us by for the excitement of the adventure on view. This is just such a film. Admittedly with a bit more swearing and the odd exploding head. The fact it is based on a true story just makes it even more Boys Own Adventure fare. It may not engage the adult audience that much but it has its moments.

After the highs of the first three series. This fourth season felt a bit bitty. Only the last episode had a hurried explanation for what happened at the end of the last season. Plus one other episode that felt meaningful. Otherwise it all felt a bit like filling the hole with dirt dug up from another hole nearby. Too much naval gazing without ever finding a continuity. Oddly the only season that has so far felt dated.

Diana Dors is often remembered by the roles she played later in life. But this film reminds us what a good actor she was. The film has a cast that makes every part, big or small, meaningful and important. The story of a good girl driven bad is not so interesting as the scenes in the prison itself. The Prison Guards waiting with the condemned criminal. Passing the time, with their own small bits of life and interests. While awaiting the all too meaningless waste. Often over looked but a film that should be among the very best of classic British cinema.

An assassin can have their brainwaves transferred into the inner circle of those that are to be killed. The only way back is for them to die themselves. Seems simple enough. But when something goes wrong and the assassin has problems finishing the task we have a whole plethora of confused identity. There is a nice twist and the plot is well acted with plenty of well known actors playing their parts convincingly. At times we have a Hammer House Of Horror amount of blood and gore but for all that I enjoyed the film. Good twist and plenty of questions about identity and what it means. Next time I raid the chocolate and biscuits I will know it isn't really me. I have been taken over.

At times an overly simplistic version of events in a brief period in Jean Seberg's life. But well worth watching if only as a brief education to the times that are portrayed. The character portrayals are well done if a little one dimensional. The frustrated, neurotic and ultimately tragic figure comes over well enough.

There may and probably will be a better film made of the life and times of Jean Seberg. Nevertheless, I didn't think this film was quite as bad as critics at the time and since would have us believe. Especially for those who know nothing of the times or the famous people portrayed.

Based around the Star Trek Discovery period although not exclusively. These short episodes cover everything from the birth of the Tribbles to the day Spock first arrived on The Enterprise. Mainly live action but with a few animated episodes as well. The popular Star Trek franchise is long overdue some snack size episodes to enjoy. Some work better than others but there isn't a wasted episode as such. Extras on nearly all episodes give a nice background to the making. Not necessary to be a fan as all of the episodes can stand by themselves But it helps the enjoyment if you know the background. Enjoyable addition to the World of Star Trek.

This season starts and finishes with more intrigue and more doubt and more double dealing than most series pack into several years. For the first time we see Raymond less secure than he has been with less trust for those around him. With the loss of a favourite character last season, this season introduces a new replacement that slips in nicely. More back story to investigate in the future no doubt.

A baddie that may not be a baddie but is too easily able to infiltrate into the lives of our hero does feel a needless plot weakness but soon the show returns to galloping ahead. The established cast and characters are now strong enough to be entertaining even with plot weakness.

The season ends with an episode that was put together despite the nightmare of the Covid pandemic stopping production. The surreal nature of the episode and the additional computer animated scenes actually work well enough. The cast and crew bookend the episode to remind us what a weird World we live in beyond the intrigue of The Blacklist.