Film Reviews by CD

Having listened to the entire book on audio within the past 3 years, I was quite familiar with the plot and knew that the pace was going to be a bit stop-start. I was overall impressed with how well this production kept to the story, and the casting and acting are good throughout, and there is some great photography and scenic shots. The first hour is very gripping and then as with the book the pace slows. It then goes more into the characters and the post apocalytic societies that are emerging - it needs more action to really keep the attention. Steadily the drama then begins to increase and the last hour is great. I would give it 4 stars on many counts, but the length of the drama got to me and I would probably say a 3.5 overall, but well worth a watch if (as me) you like Stephen King's work.

I enjoyed this film. I was keen to see more documentary type horror films after being impressed with "Lake Mungo". This film is a bit different and more physical horror rather than psychological/ ghostly horror. The use of short scenes and multiple protagonists works well. The camera work adds a lot to the drama and the film really sticks to its storyline and themes throughout.

I was impressed with this drama. I expected a heavier emphasis on zombies but the movie takes a more profound and thoughtful tone. Daisy Ridley is great in the lead role and the phorography is brilliant and brings out the apocalytic themes very well. The film does go on a tad too long but it sticks to its storyline well and is well worth staying with to the end.

I was interested in seeing how a young Jack Nicholson would fare in this western. The plot is quite simple and the characters are not much developed but the filming of the beautiful Utah natural environment is exceptional, with a pleasant western style music score. Nicholson's character grows during the film and there is an interesting part where Nicholson and his fellow cowhand have to force themselves for shelter on a family with a homestead, now being cast as outlaws. Probably 3 stars for plot but overall 4 stars for Jack Nicholson and the cinematography.

The positives first - this is quite an original western with good actors and acting.  However, it is a long and frustrating film with a very uneven pace, much gratuitous and unrealistic violence and confusing linkage between the scenes albeit with an overall plot that just about hangs together.  Certainly not in my top 30 westerns but enough critics and viewers like it for it to be worth a watch.

Very disappointed in this film given the quality of the cast and the epic story of Odysseus.  While the imagining of the palace and the suitors piques the interest early on, the slow dramatic presentation sucks the life out of the action.  One is left scarcely caring how it ends given that Odysseus seems content to stay a beggar for most of the film.  It needed a spark in the story and dialogue which for me never came.

This is a very British comedy in a windswept and rocky coastal landscape. The comedy is very much driven by the lead character (Charles) and in the detail of the dialogue. There is a gentle but definite dig at the hubris of music celebrities and enough character-depth and a little sadness in the background to make this a deeper film than it appears at the start. The tennis match is a great bit of comedy and reminded me of the scene in "Les Vancances de Monsieur Hulot" by Jacques Tati. Highly recommended.

I found this a very strange film but very much enjoyed it, and have thought about it a lot since veiwing it. Emma Stone and other leads are excellent and I really like the gentle relationship between the two male characters. The conspiracy theory angle suddenly changes to a much more interesting plot, and there is enough drama and action to keep the momentum to the very end. Really worth a look if you want to be challenged a bit.

I was a bit disappointed given the reviews. I watched “Double Indemnity” (1944) in the same week and found that a much superior film.  While the charisma and ability of the main actors in “The Maltese Falcon” are undoubted, the plot is bizarre and the poor treatment of women and meanness in the characters is quite unpleasant,  with the comic aspects of the script dimming with time. 

I have been familiar with David Bowie‘s work over many years and have liked quite a lot of his albums, but would never consider myself a fan. I found this documentary interesting about the creative process and the artistic integrity with which Bowie worked throughout most of his career. It is visually quite stunning, but some of the  interviews themselves are a bit hit and miss although Bowie is entertaining throughout.

I really liked this film with its relative low key beginning and then progessive build of momentum. There is an excellent cast of actors and a really superb performance by the truly scary Aunt who bursts in about a third of the way in. It is cleverly constructed from different viewpoints and very well directed. Definitely recommended if you like to imagine a witch in action in a modern suburban setting.

This is the second time i have seen this film and I think it is one of Nicolas' Cage's greatest acting performances. It is a film with a lot of depth, a great cast, some funny moments, a lot of quite moving scenes between Roy and his "daughter" Angela, and a taut and interesting plot built around several confidence tricks. The backdrop is interesting American scenes and buildings and even the soundtrack is good. A great and memorable film.

I have rarely seen a film that offers so little storyline content or explanation and which has such a flat ending. The actors do their best with a very limited script and there is little of interest in terms of relationships or location. Beyond the frequent loud bangs and rather aimless patrols around and into the house, the strangers themselves are rarely more scary than their masks. The camerawork is excellent and the Director manages to keep a very tense atmosphere, but this is not a film I rate highly.

The film focuses very much around relationships and the human factor rather than the physical combat against an alien invasion.  This works well up to  a point with some good acting, but the one-sided relationship between the strong woman and the rather weak guy has become rather cliched in the past few years.  The cat is adorable though and makes up for some loss of momentum and interest in the film.

This is an absolute gem. Great acting and characterisation, a plot that keeps the film going throughout, some brilliant comic scenes and great street scenes of London in the 1950s.  David Jason, Frankie Howerd and the actor who played the lead part as the policeman in “Dixon of Dock Green” all appear in cameo roles to great effect.