lionel-14 Reviews

Night Moves (2013)

Unbelievable

[1/10 · 27 August 2014]

This is a most boring film. There is a huge credit list on the end of it (as is usual these days). Goodness knows how so many people could allow their names to be shown on such rubbish.

From the very beginning the film is so uninteresting. Badly edited, and poorly acted with the leading man walking around like a Zombie, with no expression on his face. He carries on like this right through the entire film!

There are car journeys galore with two or three people on the front seat muttering a few words. But not necessarily related to the plot, or where they are heading. Any development of a story line seems concealed.

When it comes to the boat scenes,they are quite long, but seem to evade any excitement or tension to the story line, which is evidently supposed to be the plot of "Night Moves"

I'm sorry to say that this film fails dramatically to deliver for me.

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

Very disturbing and seriously disappointing

[1/10 · 9 January 2012]

I admire Tilda Swinton who gives a fantastic dramatic performance in this movie as always.... but its all wasted on this rubbish. This film is disjointed unbelievable, very disturbing. But poorly written and directed

Why? Although there is a possibility that a minimal minority of families in this world, might experience similar circumstances. But never to the degree that this story attempts to address! It is incomprehensible and vague in its delivery. No rhyme no reason!

Also the music that attempts to swing the film along, is a disgrace totally inappropriate This is one of the worst films I have seen in many years!

Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)

The finest war film of all time

[10/10 · 30 October 2010]

The message given by this amazing and at times harrowing film, clearly defines all aspects of the human attitude to what was, a shocking and totally unnecessary sacrifice of multi millions of lives. The Great War....

This cleverly constructed film plays on the emotions, and conveys to the audience a remarkable combination of happiness, shock, disbelief, shame, and sorrow.

At the same time this film tends to develop a complete hold on one's mind. Attempting to believe how such terrible decisions were made in 1914, leading to this disastrous conflict. How could it ever have happened? Evidently due to the wealthy yet stupidly ignorant rulers of Europe. Together with Royalty and Politicians playing hideously dangerous games.

This film conveys all these emotions in a very entertaining way. Brilliantly filmed, amazing acting, terrific wardrobe and makeup. Full of great songs and music of the time. This is an epic film that has not really achieved the exposure it deserved, way back in 1969.

In it's genre I would rate this at the top of my favourite films. I have seen it twice, and it affected me emotionally on both occasions. It is currently playing in the UK on independent TV, and is being screened in high definition, and it looks fabulous!! Don't miss it....

This film is a magnificent tribute to Sir Richard Attenborough the first film he directed over 40 years ago.

I have had the good fortune to work with Sir Dickie in a technical role, on a number of occasions. So I know how caring and dedicated he is towards our craft. Oh What a Lovely War is a fine example of his skills

Band of Brothers (2001)

Very disappointing

[2/10 · 10 October 2010]

I was very disappointed with Band of Brothers, having been persuaded by some of my friends in the industry who worked on it, that it was special. On their recommendation I bought the HBO HD DVD, 2010 version which is very badly authored, and takes about 10 minutes to load, with umpteen language versions all demanding that you pledge not to do various things.

Anyway, having got through that boring process, the next thing is some commentaries from USA veterans. Then into the main programme. This is slow and boring, never describing or showing the characters well enough. Few exciting moments, just the old old story of World War 2 with American overtones. Poorly written.

This show may have been popular when it was first released, but time has taken its toll!

Avatar (2009)

Fascinating concept .Must be seen cannot be described

[10/10 · 12 December 2009]

I saw this epic last night at the Empire Leicester Sq in London, which is a superb venue in which to view this film. Huge screen, excellent sound and an extraordinary Dolby, 3 dimensional image. The whole effect is mind blowing.

This is a 'Must see' movie, innovative, and extraordinary. I think it will be regarded by most cinema goers as another milestone in the history of the art. The level of realism achieved is remarkable, and although the film is relatively long in real time, it retains it's excitement and holds the audience's attention to the end.

Performances are good, but this is not the sort of film that dwells on big star value for the actors, although Sigorney Weaver does shine and delivers a very convincing performance, as do the rest of the cast. But as there is so much entertainment and action value on screen the human element does not dominate in the usual way.

As Writer/Director, James Cameron deserves high praise for this creation and in my opinion it will break box office records. I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

Glorious 39 (2009)

very disappointing

[2/10 · 6 November 2009]

First of all the title is misleading and meaningless.

Good performances by all are hindered by a poorly edited and far too long(well over two hours)confusing film labouring with extensive and wasted shots of the countryside and historic English houses and sites' which is great, but in small doses...extremely boring in the context of the film.

Even when the film opens before credits, it labours in editing far far too long without much point, other than it gives away the obvious, that it is going to be a flashback, very unsubtle with incredibly inappropriate music pounding away hitting the audience much too hard The film is at least 30 minutes over length. with no real semblance of the message it is supposed to convey. Very very badly edited.

I attended the Q & A as a BAFTA member, on 6th Nov 09 and did not have the guts to speak my mind to Poliakoff, and the lead actors on the platform. Had I have done so it would have probably ruined the evening for them.

It is difficult to address ones true feelings in that environment as it would destroy the generosity of these celebrities giving up their time to attend Bill Nighy was very very positive and entertaining from the Q & A platform, with his positive views on the 1939 historic evidence he had studied. Also the lovely leading lady spoke up very well indeed.

Both seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with Mr Poliakoff and praised him. Fair enough they put themselves in the hands of his direction and evidently enjoyed the experience.

Under those conditions it's not good policy to attack the director and stars when they have all taken the trouble to appear at our BAFTA Q & A screening.

Filmically among other things there is this excessive focus on the domestic animal slaughter that evidently did happen upon the outbreak of war in 1939. This hugely overplayed, and distracts from the plot.

Apparently according to Poliakoff's viewpoint from the platform, this was a truly horrific event when the 'phoney beginning'of World War 2 in 1939 began.

I accept this, but it so dominates the latter part of the film outrageously, it is seriously over played and way overlength. I believe this alone will upset audiences worldwide To sum up, my view is that this film is seriously flawed badly scripted, directed and edited. Excellent performances from all but it does not deliver.