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Reviews
Detective Story (1951)
Ruined by hysterical over-acting
There's a good movie premise here but loose direction causes it to ruined by hysterical, shouty, self-indulgent over-acting by the main players. One of the few exceptions is William Bendix who, as ever, delivers a solid performance that puts his fellow thespians to shame.
Entebbe (2018)
Tedious & Pretentious
Remarkably, a historic and dramatic real life event has been rendered stultifyingly dull. The acting is utterly wooden and the script appears to have been written by an AI robot using Google Translate. And, as for telling the story using interpretative dance, words fail me.
The ODESSA File (1974)
Wooden Dialogue & Plodding Direction
Forsyth's Day of the Jackal is a great book and film. This is no Jackal. The plot should deliver a good movie but the script, acting, and direction are woeful. The script is so wooden it's like listening to a succession of pre-recorded railway station announcements. Such a disappointing movie.
Ozark: Fire Pink (2020)
Excruciatingly Awful Episode
Ozark continues its steady decline with an episode of utterly self-indulgent tripe.
Good luck trying to endure this hour without wanting to shoot at least two of the main characters yourself.
Danger UXB (1979)
Excellent Drama Series
I watched this programme when it was first broadcast. I'd not seen it in 40 years until Talking Pictures started showing it again recently. I wondered how well it would stand up now. I wasn't disappointed, it is exceptional. If you get a chance to watch it from the beginning, don't miss it. Drama at its very best.
The Perfect Woman (1949)
Woeful Farce
A promising cast and premise are wasted in this woefully weak effort. The absence of a sharp script and tight direction is made worse by desperate over-acting. The participants were rewarded for the time they spent on the film. Unlike the viewers.
They Won't Believe Me (1947)
Early Promise But Disappoints Thereafter
The first few minutes suggest we are about to enjoy an excellent film noir but it soon begins to disappoint. The plot is good but the writing and acting (bar Greer and Hayward) is wooden. Robert Young is dreadfully miscast as the lead. With tighter direction, a decent editor, and better casting, it could have been a classic.
The Fast Lady (1962)
Excruciating
One of the weakest comedies you could ever see. The only redeeming features are plenty of familiar faces and outdoor scenes of the Home Counties sixty years ago.
How to Steal a Million (1966)
Painfully slow and dull
For a comedy caper, this movie disappoints on both counts. The plot moves at a glacial pace and is utterly predictable. Avoid.
The Set-Up (1949)
Unrelentingly Miserable
An unrelentingly miserable insight into the underbelly of boxing. The fight that takes up most of the movie is implausibly long and drawn out. For an experienced fighter, the main character displays an abject inability to avoid almost any punch thrown at him. A movie to be endured rather than enjoyed which, despite its short running time, seems interminably long.
Turn the Key Softly (1953)
Superior 50s B Movie
Ideal for a winter's Sunday afternoon. Well scripted, directed, and photographed, with some interesting location shots of 1950s London.
Lucky Jim (1957)
A complete dud
It defies belief how dreadful this film is given that it comes from the Boulting Brothers and stars Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas. Dreadful script, desperately unfunny supporting cast - particularly Hugh Griffith and Kenneth Griffith who can suck the joy out of any comedy - and woefully inept direction.
No redeeming features whatsoever. Avoid at all costs.
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Excruciatingly Awful
One of the worst films I've ever endured. Absolutely dire from start to finish despite being directed by Sam Mendes. Hard to credit that he could deliver this complete and utter dross after two excellent films in 'American Beauty' and 'Road to Perdition'. Do not, for one moment, contemplate wasting two hours of your life watching this abomination.
Crooks in Cloisters (1964)
Desperately weak comedy.
A promising premise that fails to live up to its potential. The third rate cast and fourth rate script produce a laugh-free comedy whose only redeeming feature is an appearance from a young Francesca Annis. Watch only if you have absolutely nothing else to do with your time.
An Inspector Calls (1954)
The always watchable Alistair Sim
This classic JB Priestley play, regularly revived on the stage and filmed numerous times since it was written in 1945, is perfect for a winter's Sunday afternoon on the sofa. This version is the one to see as the central role of the detective is played by the wonderful Alistair Sim.
For British viewers, Eileen Moore, who plays the daughter of the family, was the first wife of George Cole, who has an unbilled cameo as the bus conductor. Alistair Sim had acted as a guardian to Cole when he was a young actor. If you have a feeling you recognise Jane Wenham, who plays Eva Smith, chances are you saw her in 'Porridge', in which she was the Governor's secretary in the hostage episode.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
A movie to be endured rather than enjoyed
Based on the IMDb user rating, I expected a classic. Unfortunately, the movie was very disappointing. It is slow, overlong, and does not reward the viewer's perseverance in sticking with it through to the underwhelming end. The running time could have been halved with tighter direction and editing, and it would have been a far better movie for it. That said, many of the exchanges of dialogue in the courtroom scenes are sharp and witty. Ultimately, though, it is difficult to sympathise with any of the characters. Only to be watched to tick it off a 'must see' list, and then to wonder why you bothered.