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Reviews
Back to Black (2024)
Disappointed
The performance by Marisa Abela is brilliant, she is Amy Winehouse. However, if you know anything about Amy Winehouse you know that she had an incredibly unique voice, suffered with addictions & was hounded by the press. None of this is shown to its true potential in the film, which to be honest is disappointing. I expected to hear more of her singing and performing. The picture paints her Dad Mitch & husband as 'not bad blokes'. Neither of them were good blokes. Her Dad, should have & could have been far more supportive & intervened at her most desperate. Blake was an out & out addict, the film does not portray the impact that either of them had on Amy. Rocket Man, Bohemian Rhapsody & Elvis nailed their stories, sadly Back to Black doesn't.
Scrooge (1951)
A Christmas Classic
This is by far the best ever version of A Christmas Carol. I have watched it every year since the mid eighties. Please don't let that it's black & white put you off. It's bleak, atmospheric and captures a Christmas in Victorian times. It so closely follows the Dicken's novella. You'll be captured from the moment it starts with the opening credits. Alastair Sim is the epitome of Ebenezer Scrooge, what a fine actor he was. I can imagine that's exactly how Dickens portrayed Scrooge. George Cole is brilliant as a young Ebenezer, a prodigy of Alaistair Sim. It all builds magnificently to a fantastic finale following the visits from the three ghosts. It brings a tear to my eye every time.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Best ever
This is my all time favourite movie. As Tina Turner said, Simply The Best. I have never seen a better movie. Remember this was up against Forrest Gump. Now Forrest Gump was good, and took all the plaudits but the Shawshank Redemption is way above that. This is a true classic. Tim Robbins I'd simply brilliant, so underrated & Morgan Freeman is his usual awesome fantastic. This movie grips you from its opening line, through Morgan Freeman's sublime narration., to the intimidation from the 'sisters' to sitting on the roof drinking beer. And then there's Gilda, the beautiful Rita Hayworth. If you haven't seen this movie, just wait, Raquel Welch follows. And then there's the classical opera. Just watch it.
The Last Bus (2021)
WRm & endearing.
A thoroughly endearing and very moving movie. Timothy Spall is such a fine actor & certainly up there with the best of any British actor, if you're a softy like me it will bring a tear to your eye. Brilliantly written, directed & edited. It's both sad and joyous. Each journey is a story within a story. Thomas had planned his journey meticulously, gets upset if there's a glitch but is able to move on. Thomas receives much support on each step of his bus journey, with the exception of one thug who wants to intimidate a poor Muslim woman & he Thomas does his best & another most obnoxious bus driver. We'll worth a watch.
The Whistleblower (2010)
Just watch it
This film exposes the dire weaknesses of The UN, International Contractors & the inhumane staff they employ. The USA appears to be the biggest protagonist in this movie. There were of course other nations involved but when you see the amount of US staff on Kathryn's investigation board I am sure that you will be as disgusted as me.
Since it's inception the UN has the power & strength of a piece of wet tissue paper. This film goes part way to expose the lengths Governments will take to hide the atrocities that they are supposed to protect the innocent people from. The subsequent treatment of Kathryn was equally disgusting & the pathetic payout she received for wrongful dismissal was shameful.