JJ-111 Reviews

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

OK but does not live up to the hype!

[7/10 · 18 December 2015]

Star Wars? I am not going to summarise the movie, you can read that elsewhere.

Do I believe the hype or not! Is it, its it not Good? The Jury is still out for me. I tend to have the opinion, the harder the film company tells us that "YYY is the most important, or best film ever." the film fails to live up to the hype. This film lives up to my biased conclusions. Star wars VII is not bad, neither is it original, but any film has to be better than Episodes I - III. Read many of the reviews uploaded on this site, they are calling it a remake rather than a reboot, They do have a point. This is a new start with too many references to past episodes. It is easy to why they write as they do. If one has never watched the original IV - VI episodes you will watch an enjoyable explosive led action film. If that is not you, it is easy to spot the scene and story familiarities. The new young lead actors give good performances, the characters interesting enough to carry the story forward, when the original cast members are not part of the films any more. Star wars VII is OK but I still prefer the original episode IV with is less than perfect special effects.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

running time 110 minutes, feels like 150 minutes.

[5/10 · 31 October 2008]

Daniel Craig returns to the roll of James Bond, with as much energy and screen prescience as Casino Royale. What a shame he out acts the script. For a film running time of 110 minutes, it felt like 150 minutes.

The film starts a short time after the end of Casino Royal, with 007 returning to Uk Secret location in Italy to debrief his captured mystery Man with the Money.

The theme of the Quantum of Solace, is vengeance, Along the way he manages to bring down a Power Driven Badie.

From the moment the film starts, it is full of pace and energy, However One does feel that, some of the set sequences, appear similar. Thankfully the stunts do not look CGI created.

You will have to decide if you like the film, For such a wonderful restart I think the story was lacking.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

LOTR is an adult film worth watching

[10/10 · 20 December 2001]

Read the book bought the tee shirt now see the film! Here is a film that tells the story of the little hobbits Frodo and his friends. For three hours, you are taken on a journey and at the end you are left wanting more. I sat beside someone who as the lights came up looked shell-shocked. Overcoming my own visualization of the characters and settings, (BBC Radio adaptation and reading the book) after a few moments they all appeared totally natural. The acting is never overshadowed by the plentiful special effects. At times LOR is reminiscent of a Ray Harryhausen film. I did feel however that some of the settings a little over the top, this being the ever dominating modeling software, as well is the constant swooping through the virtual settings. Will I be sitting in the cinema next year for another three hours? The answer is a definite yes.

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)

A wonderfull film

[9 May 2001]

Ok I admit it! I have never read or even heard of the book, until II found it on one of the studio web sites. The Story follows three people. Dr Iannis (john Hurt) who lives with his daughter Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) live and work and love on the beautiful tranquil Cephallonia. When war II breaks out, change is inevitable. First Pelagia's betrothed goes off to fight with the Greek army, Then the German military with their Allies take over the island. After writing so many letters Pelagia assumes her betrothed is dead. Without realizing it she falls in love with the handsome Captain who is billeted in the Doctors home. Watching the film I had no pre conceived idea's, though I had listened to the critics going on about the poor accents. Truth is it never really interrupts the story. The only thing that gets in the way of the story for me is the beauteous scenery that the story set against.

Born Romantic (2000)

Good uplift for a bad day

[19 March 2001]

Not all films have to be earth shattering with lots of meanings, Some can just be enjoyable. Born romantic falls into the second category.

The plot is Three Male losers go to a Salsa club in different circumstances. One has the appearance of a rich Latin lover. In truth he is broke and living with his ex wife. The thief is a bad thief, only lucky enough not to get caught. He meets up with an extrentric woman who tends graves. Finally Frankie A musician who is desperate to meet up with his ex fiancée Mo played by the magnificent Jane Horrocks, who he dumped eight years ago.

Nearly all use a mini cab driver, who gives help for all those in the back of his car, as the film progresses it becomes apparent, he is in as much need of help as all the other characters.

If you like the rhythm of the salsa, which becomes infectious, and want something to watch that is not to strenuous on the mind and can stand the occasional cringing moments, then I can recommend this film.

Thirteen Days (2000)

A must see film!

[8/10 · 19 March 2001]

If you are younger than I am this will be a thriller. Everyone else will remember holding their breath, as America and the USSR came a hairs breath away from world war, that we know about. This fascinating thrilling film gives an insight into the bluff and couterbluff of the American President John F Kennedy trying his best to avoid war, while the military were doing their best to go to war. This film follows Kenny O'Donnell (Kevin Costner) who is John F Kennedy's Political adviser. However I must stress this is not just a Costner film, Bruce Greenwood playing John F Kennedy is a match for Costner We are here so we know the outcome, but this film is gripping . How much of this is truth or exaggerated for fimllmatic reasons I do not know, but It has put a question mark, about John F Kennedy's death. A real must see film.

Chocolat (2000)

enchanting film, easy on the eyes

[8 March 2001]

When a village is visited by a young non married mother and daughter, no one would dare to predict, the changes they would bring over the small community. The catalyst for change is chocolate, It is given as a drug dealer gives out hard drugs to entice the village members. One by one the chocolate, time, perseverance brings about change. Chocolat is an enjoyable film, Juliette Binoche leads this film through its story, having a real screen presence, the film though would be nothing without a fine cast of actors which includes Victoire Thivisol, Johnny Depp, Alfred Molina, John Wood. Two fine perfomances are turned in by Lena olin and ,Judi Dench. Like chocolate itself the film has it's bitter and sweet moments. And as for the films inner meaning, I will leave that for you to decide!

Billy Elliot (2000)

A real roller coaster of enjoyment

[10/10 · 19 January 2001]

With just a cinema guide, and the ticket I did not know what the film would be like. It is not just the story of a boy's independence. It gives an indication of the social conscience of the films period. It is not overtly sentimental, but real emotions are portrayed. A brilliant film worth the cost of entrance.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

Not bad but could be better

[7/10 · 19 January 2001]

With an all star cast and wonderful special effects the look and acting is magnificent. The story line no modern writer could conceive. The language is music to the ears. My main criticism is the music. Why oh why rely on the magnificent music of Mendelson and other classical composers. How much better and original it could have been with a mixture of new and old. On a whole it looks great in the cinema, and just as good at home.

Notting Hill (1999)

Great Film:

[9/10 · 13 June 1999]

Notting Hill Plot: William meets Anna. Fall in love. Anna has significant other already- Split up. When problems arise Anna runs to William, draw closer, Argument -Split up. Anna realises she really loves William and attempts to get him back .... William realises he really loves Anna and attempts to get her back ... The conclusion I will leave

After reading the reviews, and the comments, I'm wondering if we all saw the same film! Notting hill is a romantic comedy in the Doris Day Genre, in that the plot can only be ridiculous in the far fetched way. But still enables the viewer to suspend reality for a couple of hours to believe in the characters and the story.

The cast British cast I found wonderful in their eccentricities, Bringing their own individual views to the situation. Sometimes comic and other sad. Hugh Grant has lost his idiot act (Not quite all though.) Julia Roberts may not be the worlds greatest beauty, (eye of the beholder) but acts the part of the star well. Scratching away at the gloss and hype of the film I found myself thinking that Richard Curtis the writer has been very cleaver in combining comedy with something to say (Four Weddings did not appear to have a second layer). The best way to get a point across is to make you audience laugh, as the audience I saw NH with did. When I started to think about what were laughing for, I saw a depth of social commentary. How the public View stardom, and all that entails. How Richard views the press view media personality's.