Film Reviews by JF

STUNNING AND UNUSUAL

I can only echo the other reviews!

For example: "a tremendous film. Beautifully made, excellent acting, thought-provoking - just perfect."

There is a poignant scene when father and daughter just look at each other without speaking for what seems an age. The silence underlines the bond and understanding between them, where words would have been superfluous.

One of the best films I've seen in ages.

DISAPPOINTING

Rather a plodding uninspired film. Most of the tension seems to have come from frequent closeups of Liam Neeson. Given the extraordinary nature of the events, I expected a them to merit better made film.

Very disapponting.

Along with other reviewers, I found the constant swearing tedious and unimaginative. Again, along with other reviewers, I stuck with it for about 40 minutes and then gave up. Impossible to feel engaged with the characters. Don't know what happened in the end and really couldn't care!

ASTONISHING AND ABSORBING

I was hooked immediately. And it wasn't just the astonishing story of the "forgotten" musician and the lengthy search to find him. I was also taken aback at some of the details of life in South Africa for the white population of the time. In the UK we knew about the trials and tribulations of the black population, but little of how the average white S. African was affected by the anti-apartheid embargoes. The young population were apparently cut off from the mainstream culture of the rest of the western world ... As the white South African 'Sugarman' explained, it was a very conservative country, and Rodriguez' lyrics shocked many.

The huge reaction, the emotion and the warmth of the crowds was a revelation, and not just for his first gig

I now have both the DVD and a CD, so obviously the film has made me a fan.

Gentle and leisurely view of historical and modern gleaners

The film begins with paintings of gleaners, a visual and historical view. Some interesting interviews with people who remember the practice, and how communal it was. But Varda also takes in more modern examples, some quite surprising, some highly creative. These give another take on what is essentially re-cycling and often 'up-cycling'. A pleasing film.

VISUALLY, ONE OF MY FAVOURITES

I first saw this film some years ago, and was fascinated by it, and so wanted to see it again. Black and white, crisp and dramatic visuals, it uses a motion capture technique to end up like a highly sophisticated 'bande dessinee'. As it is set in Paris, that seems appropriate. The plot is pretty obscure, and even this second time round, I never completely understood it. But I don't care - I still loved it!

CHARMING

... without being sickly or infantile. This 'claymation' movie is good fun and nicely observed..........

NOT GOOD

In fact, pretty awful. Normally I really like unusual and bizarre animation (and dislike cute Disney stuff). But this was obsessed with male genitalia and only had one or two themes, which were endlessly repeated. Lord knows what the BFI and C4 were thinking of.