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Reviews
Steptoe & Son (1972)
Steptoe and Son with Steptoe
I tried hard to like this. I'm a massive fan of the sitcom but this film steers away from everything that was hilarious about Steptoe and Son and that's basically the interplay between Steptoe and Son.
Time Bandits (1981)
Why is this only 7?
Must be the kids of today marking it down, probably the greatest comedy adventure of the 80's.
Network (1976)
Not that great at all
I have to say I was disappointed with Network. The acting was half hearted the script nothing special and the story just not convincing enough for me.
I was hugely disappointed since I see the 70's as the golden era of cinema and this was probably the only 'classic' I hadn't seen from this decade, but for me, alas, it's not a classic.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)
A gem
Plain and simply a gem of a film, with a very British slapstick element to it interspaced by some very fine American talent which includes Wilders brilliant lead.
You can easily draw comparisons to the Peter Sellers 'Pink Panther' films but I think for pace, slapstick and dialogue this is a much more entertaining film. I also think it blows 'Young Frankenstein' away and is on par with the equally terrific 'Blazing Saddles'. 10/10
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
Lame
I found this flick to be mediocre all round. Perhaps it was the script and story but I thought the acting was lame. First James Cagney film I have watched and I wasn't impressed. Even Bogart and O'brien couldn't pull this film out of mediocrity.
In conclusion it's a great film title but the film itself is lightweight and lacking any tension or charm. 3/10.
Death Hunt (1981)
Decent adventure film.
A very strong cast for this one, great photography too.
The story is good but dips in one or two places
I'm guessing the fantastic film 'First blood' got some of it's ideas from here.
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
A sensational blockbuster
This deservedly swept the board in the 1958 Oscars ceremony.
A mesmirising film which gets better with every watch.
Guinness is sensational as the obsessive Colonel and he's joined by a top rate cast who do a fine job.
The film itself is beautifully shot and just adds to the realism.
Sick of It (2018)
The best show in years!!!
Just finished watching series 2 and it was magnificent!!
King Kong, sprinkling ashes with a sugar seller, getting thrown out of the cinema for laughing at the non-funny parts of a film, buying glasses since the stall holder says it makes you look like a cute poet only later to find that ruby thinks it makes you look like Gandhi ...plus numerous other moments of pure comedy gold. It's laughable how only 1200 folk have voted for this with an average of 7.4.
If you haven't seen it watch it!! it's good for your sense of humour and to the powers that be ...,please please please make another series or 7.
Dr. Strange (1978)
Loved it!!
Absolutely superb entertainment 70's style. Having a top rated actor like John Mills just adds to the enjoyment but the real star is the actor playing Dr Strange who just fits the role perfectly.
Yes, it knows it's limitations so stays within them letting your imagination go wild....I can't understand why so few people have seen this film although I oly saw it since I stumbled upon it on VHS and it's mine to watch many times more. Highly recommended!!
Vertigo (1958)
Silly but beautiful
I find it hard to admit, being a big fan, but this is the silliest Hitchcockian film I've seen and it strikes me why so many folk rate this is as possibly Hitchcocks masterpiece. For me the film is beautifully shot and flows from scene to scene so effortlessly but that's where the admiration ends.
Sadly though there are too many chronic plot holes and let's just start with chucking a doll off the bell tower? So Stewart's character (Scotty) accepted her death despite not checking the Madeline at the bottom was just a doll? Just to make it even more implausible, the authorities didn't even check.
This Time with Alan Partridge: Episode #1.4 (2019)
Irish look alike
This was a hilarious episode.
From the attempts to bug Monty Don to the sublime finale where Alan's doppleganger, who does look like him, is a rough as sticks Irish farmer. The Irish farmer proceeds to take over the show bursting into song and joined by his family of farm hands who happen to be accomplished musicians. Inspired stuff.
Slither (1973)
Off beat classic
Probably Caan's best movie , a great cast, subtle comedy, brilliant direction and pure originality.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
robbish
Will they have the nerve to make a third after this shower of crap ? Of course they will. The whole lot of them should be banged up for this diabolical release.
I sensed a flop with Force Awakens so didn't expect them to turn it around.
Scream (1996)
Only bettered by Nightmare on Elm Street
You can't help thinking this movie is ridiculously dumb with the most clumsy knife welding killer of all time. However this is one of the appeals of the movie - it doesn't take itself seriously. Of course it also has it's creepy side and for me it contains several of the most terrifying slasher scenes of all time. It has elements of all the slasher movies that went before it but it takes these ideas further or improves on them making it original in it's own right. With it's scooby do script and relentless pace this is a stonewall classic. Keeps me gripped more than the dated Halloween and is almost on par with the classic Nightmare on Elm Street. Has to be 10/10.
Skyfall (2012)
Worst bond movie ever?
For me a resounding YES. Here's what I think are the main problems,
1) Too much focus on M and for me she is useless in the role 2) Too much focus on Bond taking his top off. 3) Too much background music 4) Rubbish banter, you felt the actors were embarrassed to say some of the one-liners so the delivery was bad which made it worse. Mind you Roger and Sean would have just about got away with it. 5) Storyline was far too vague. 6) Film was far too long. 7) Poor Albert Finney - he was useless in this you get the feeling he just turned up to get some easy money. 8) Stunts were pretty average and the baddies were wooden. 9) Q is rubbish
positives;
1) Dame M is dead 2) Got to see the DB5.