Film Reviews by HM

OK so some don't think it is as good as the first film. Well, it isn't a copy of the first film so no need to worry, this is a good thriller with plenty of action and entertainment; just take it as it comes and you won't be disappointed. it kept me interested all the way through. Go for it!

An obsessive male personality (a dress maker to the stars and royalty) recruits a female muse to replace a previous one and relies on his PA who is a mother substitute. He keeps said muse at an emotional platonic distance so he can enjoy companionship but only on his terms. Can she get to him as she loves him dearly etc? Well it took 75 minutes for me to realise that as there are only so many plots in film land, this is actually a version of 50 shades of grey.

Basically the main character is a stereotype of certain homosexual designers of real life to my mind and skilfully played by Lewis. Is he gay? Is he just a psychologically damaged mummy's boy. I found it engaging and fun to find out. Will you? Well if you like psychological dramas you will. Definitely worth a watch.

A true story with the addition of a Jaguar and a good looking hallucinated girl. My impression about 80% through the movie was that being lost in the jungle is boring frankly. I suppose the real life version was even duller, it is just the fact that you are likely to starve to death; they say you can live in the jungle or travel through it with supplies but not both. My interest in the film waned as it became obvious certain events were inserted to liven it up a bit. Radcliffe is good and nobody can say he doesn't pick scripts that are star vehicles. This film certainly isn't.

My first impression as Jazz Music played in the background was that it didn't fit San Francisco in mood. Blanchett's character seemed straight out of a New York luxury apartment with a billionaire husband. Then we meet her sister (both adopted) who came across as a working class New York Jewish girl. In fact the whole film felt like Allen had cut a big chunk out of New York and popped it in SF. It could be I don't know enough about SF though so don't take my word for it!

Watching Blanchett's character disintegrate scene by scene makes for an excruciating experience. She proceeds to damage the lives of those around her and I found myself asking 'why did Woody make this film'? I didn't feel it told me anything that wasn't obvious. However, I did see it through despite squirming I my seat, largely because of the performances which nailed the emotional tidal wave exceedingly well. Like a heavy emotional drama? This is for you: want an evening of entertainment? This isn't for you.

Well it is a film not a history lesson. The underground scene is pure fiction; as for Marcus.... ha, ha. Got to get a black actor in there somewhere!. But like I say, not a true piece of history. I don't believe the Halifax plot in the background, but I suppose the script reflected the general atmosphere and misgivings about Churchill abundant at the time.

Wonderful performance by Oldman which goes to show how good actors can be when not pretending to fly around in stupid super hero films etc. I was emotionally dragged along as the enormity of what was developing took hold, brought a tear to me eye in fact. The film treated what was a turning point in western history with respect and dignity, despite the obvious nods to the American market. More of this quality please. You don't need CGI to make a cracking film with a great story. Much recommended.

Well if you like CGi it is great but if you want something to think about this isn't it. No surprise really, just more same old. Why do good actors do this stuff? They just stand there and say a few dumb lines then CGi takes over. They are all rich so why bother? Presumably it keeps them busy. Lots of flying around and bashing each other as well as they usual herd of creatures attacking our heroes and getting beaten up.

Some scenes are confusing, just action with no substance, making it hard to follow. Characters exceed their powers according to the needs of the script so you never have a grasp of what it takes to kill them. Also, Iron Man's abilities seem to have left science behind and have become 'magic' as equipment appears out of thin air. The baddie's powers also seem to disappear when the script requires it; the whole thing is reduced to nonsense.

Maybe some of these star turns could invest their vast wealth into backing good movies, even super hero stories with a bit more intelligence behind them like Watchmen? Please no more of this rubbish. Too long and I got bored. Won't be watching the next 'final' episode.

I didn't know the kidnap was this involved, an eye opener. The story is told in a way that reveals the personality of Getty senior as much as it deals with the kidnapping. I found it absorbing and shocking on a number of levels. It is exiting, emotional and challenging; definitely a thought provoker.

It is a movie for those that like drama and insight into the human condition and what makes a top performer tick as well as the effect such an extreme personality can have on siblings. Superb. Plummer is magnificent and for me, a better bit of casting than Spacey regardless of the circumstances of his sacking.

You may want to watch the Alan Whicker interview on BBC I-player with Getty from 1963 as his poker faced personality is on display for all to see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00nw1t5

How did this one slip under the radar? A movie about an absorbing computer game which is so impactive it is hard tell when you are in it or not, due to its biological AI link to your nervous system and brain. Fascinating idea and also a send up of all those geeks who live for gaming. Get a life? Well in this game your life is in danger!!

Exciting, surprising and a gem from the master of the elevated B movie.

Remember Video Drome, Scanners or maybe They Live? Tremendous entertainment and also nudging you to think about social issues via horror fantasy: brilliant film a must see. Stella cast too.

Haven't played the games or seen Jolie version. So, this is all new to me; I enjoyed it, not least the scenes set in London and the way the character was set up. Basically the whole scenario is a rip-off of the Raiders of the Lost Ark series and plonked into a video game and then coming full circle into a movie.

I suppose the genre is a bit tired now (Raiders was a long time ago), but Alicia puts convincing life into the character so you are rooting for her from the word go. Good entertaining hokum, a popcorn and beers movie. Sound in Atmos on my home theatre was excellent (not got Atmos? Do so!) which enhanced the experience enormously. Looking forward to more Alicia in this role (liked the hint of vulnerability she brought to the part too).

Wonderful performances about an actress touring the provincial theatres in the country where stagecraft began doing what she does best now that Hollywood takes no interest in her. The relationship she strikes up with the young British actor is believable and touching.

What happens when the movie limelight no longer needs you? Well this spells it out. Benning captures the look and attitude of the of the subject human being perfectly. I found this completely absorbing and must congratulate the people behind this excellent drama for taking an interest in what would have been yet another forgotten Hollywood cast-off's tale where a big life is reduced.

Gloria was clearly a serious actress making her way as a glamour girl and perhaps reliving past glories with a young lover; a very human and absorbing story. Perhaps not to everybody's taste as there is no eye catching action or nudity etc, just an examination of real people's hearts. Great stuff.

Based on a true story? Well it is one heck of a story. War time resistance fighters in Holland continue to harass the Nazis during the last months of the war, but have a double agent amongst them; maybe. A Jewish girl joins the fighters and agrees to infiltrate Nazi HQ. Unexpected romance blossoms along the way amidst a plot containing corruption and betrayal on all sides.

The movie is a thriller and a slice of the underbelly of war. Action scenes are well done and realistic. Great entertainment but a reminder/education as to what some brave people got up to during wartime occupation.

Witty, daft and just plain silly. Just like the first one really. Did you like the first one? You will like the second I would have thought. Entertaining and action packed; get beer, get popcorn, snuggle down and allow yourself to be entertained.

In your face real slice of life movie. Margot Robbie hits the spot portraying a 'bad background' overbearing parent abused young woman. How do you make it in the genteel world of ice skating when your parents are one up from trailer trash? Well now we know.

Tonya is a feisty aggressive personality determined to make it despite the walls falling down around her. Her shortcomings are not disguised in any way, but I found myself cheering her on. A tragedy and an education, the movie had me sucked into the back office of the glamourous ice skating arena.

So glad I watched it and sharing Tonya's liking for heavy rock music, I loved her whole approach to performance, however it didn't sit well with the establishment; hillbillies meet middle class America. Loved it.

Dull film about people that are difficult to like. The obsessive and neurotic personality played by Weisz careers towards self destruction in her relationship with a bounder/risk taker she elopes with leaving her high establishment husband high and dry. Sadly she comes across as an idiot, hard to sympathise with. Add to this a plodding script, it isn't worth staying in for.

Well this was Asgard in the jungle, 'magic' science, warrior cast (no cleaners of cooks in sight). Plot same as last Thor movie; Dad dies eldest son to inherit throne but half 'bastard' brother turns up to claim throne for himself; Loki in Thor and some bloke from a housing project in Panther.

South African accents abound (that is a white accent in origin as far as I know). Amazonian warriors pop up too. This whole movie is a bunch of tired ideas slapped together with the usual CGI to make it eye catching.

As for the politics; the usual anti-western drivel neglecting the fact that Africa was a patchwork of empires long before anybody else turned up. The Zulus being the obvious example. Is liberal Hollywood this far out of touch with reality? OK it is a comic book movie but let's try and pop some intelligence in there for once. Rubbish movie, hyped up to the gills by the studio and the critics who need to review themselves if they recommend this bunk.