Film Reviews by Spoons

I really wanted to enjoy Halloween but sadly I just didn't. This is a yet another pointless entry into an already overdone franchise. This and all the other sequels tarnish the name of the 1978 classic which never was and never will be surpassed. Please, let's just let Mr Myers RIP.

Saw this when first released back in the 80's. Terry O'Quinn gives a chilling performance as the psychotic stepfather and the supporting cast are also good. I would say that it's slightly better than the remake and it still holds up well today. The only thing that really dates it is the score, which really is typically eighties. Enjoyable.

I first saw Stripes way back in 1981 upon it's cinema release and thought it was ok but that's because I was only 15 and probably not mature enough to appreciate a lot of the gags and dialogue. Having just visited it again I can say without hesitation that this is a true comedy classic, absolutely hilarious with actors that went on to become comedy legends. The Graduation Day sequence had me in absolute hysterics. They can't seem to make comedies like this anymore and if you haven't seen it, then please check it out, you won't be disappointed.

I'm not quite sure why Alice Sweet Alice (aka Communion) has achieved some kind of cult status. It's nothing more than a slightly above average thriller and dialogue heavy. It's billed as a horror flick which it certainly isn't, although it does boast a couple of gruesome murders. Another film that was on the DPP video nasties list back in the 80's and yet again I have to ask "WHY"

Let's be honest. Dario Argento never has and never will top Suspiria, but Opera (or Terror At The Opera) comes pretty close. It has all the classic Argento trademarks. Brutal and bloody murders, terrific set pieces, awesome POV camerawork and a great score. It does indeed combine elements of his previous works, Inferno, Phenomena and of course Suspiria, which for me are his greatest achievments. After the very disappointing Trauma and The Phantom Of The Opera, this is Argento back at his best.

I enjoyed Wait Until Dark but it wasn't quite the classic I was expecting. This was based on a stage play and the movie has that same sort of feel. It's set in one room with five characters and the film at times does feel very much like a stage play. However, the actors are terrific and Audrey Hepburn gives a tour de force performance as the blind woman in peril.

I Can't believe that for nearly thirty nine years I have been missing out on this brilliant movie, I knew of it but just never got round to seeing it. Now thanks to Cinema Paradiso I have just witnessed one of the most mind blowing movie experiences ever. Utterlly compelling, disturbing and shocking, this had me watching open mouthed from beginning to end and it's a very long time since a movie has had that effect on me. Isabelle Adjani's perfomance will leave you shell shocked and surely must go down in cinema history as one of the greatest portrayals of a woman breaking apart ever. A big thank you must also go to the distributor for releasing a beautiful uncut print.

I Dont' think Walter Hill ever made a bad movie and this is certainly one of his best. First saw this upon release at the cinema and it still stands up today as a piece of highl entertainment. Great music, fantastic action set pieces and a terrific cast. Watch it with the volume loud and on a surround sound system and you'll have a great time.

Michael Winner wasn't known for making classy movies but with this he plumbs the depths. I should have took notice of the reviews but decided to give it a go, bad mistake. Awful story, appaling acting, badly shot, in fact it's just dreadful. Maybe I should just "Calm Down Dear, It's Only A Movie." Yes it is, but a really shockingly bad one.

Ronin contains two of the most explosive car chases ever filmed, no CGI here just breathtaking stunt work and brilliant film making. Couple this with a fantastic cast, terrific story line, beautiful European locations and you have an action thriller that is second to none.

Doctor Sleep reminded me of my cinema going days thirty years ago when big films were called "Event Movies" and that's exactly the feeling I got watching this. It is a fantastic companion to the brilliant The Shining which was indeed an event movie all those years ago. Ewan McGregor shines(pun intended) as the now adult Danny Torrance and the supporting cast are excellent. The recreation of The Overlook Hotel in the last quarter of the film is absolutely stunning. The movie warrants the long running time of 2hrs 30 mins but please make sure you see The Shining before you see this if you haven't already because otherwise Doctor Sleep won't really make any sense. Fantastic stuff.

The Witch Who Came From The Sea is yet another film that was placed on the so called video nasties list back in the early eighties. If proof were needed that the people who sized these films and deemed them obscene never actually watched any of them. It is a rather tame affair which while it does contain a "I Spit On Your Gravesque" type scene coupled with a few other unsavoury scenes, this hardly qualifies as a " video nasty". But as I said most didn't anyway. As a stand alone film, albeit a strange one ( it's certainly not a horror film) it's very average.

There's nothing more I can say about Stan And Ollie that others haven't already said. The film is an absolute delight from beginning to end. I watched it with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. Steve Coogan and John C Reilly give the performances of their lives as the comedy duo. It's one of those rare movies where you actually believe the actors playing the parts are indeed the characters they are portraying. Pure brilliance.

Just like your old toys you can out grow your favourite films as well. When I saw Child's Play 2 way back in 1990 I thought it was pretty good.(I was 24 then and still a big kid at heart.) However upon viewing 29 years later I found it hasn't aged well and just like the toys you loved as a kid, you fall out of love with them. Looking back now quite why Jenny Agutter agreed to appear in this is beyond me. Saying all this though it did spark a lot of nostalgic memories for me and in some strange way I still found it annoyingly entertaining. This is mainly due to the fact that the end sequence in the doll factory is really well executed, hence my elevation to three stars instead of two.

The Jackal is a highly entertaining film. Richard Gere plays a very convincing ex IRA terrorist (I thought his Irish accent was very good) and Bruce Willis is chilling as The Jackal. I saw this when it was first released in cinemas and thought it was good then, but on this second viewing I enjoyed it even more. Great story and pacing, fine acting and terrific cinematography. Recommended.