lee-s1974 Reviews

Good Grief (IV) (2023)

Dreadful

[1/10 · 6 January 2024]

This really is everything I hate about gay film.

The characters are so removed from reality, living in a pretentious, rich, privileged world that it is truly irritating. The main character is such an example of self-indulgence that he is truly unlikable. Who actually lives like this in London? It feels like a very American, out of touch nonsense film that it really isn't worth bothering with.

Presumably, you are supposed to feel sorry for the main character, but the truth is you don't.

This really isn't Levy's greatest achievement. It could have been so much better, instead you've ended up with a rich, arty type's idea of something that is supposed to be relatable, but instead is absolute tosh that is, at best, irritating to watch.

The Deep House (2021)

Goodness this is dumb

[3/10 · 1 April 2023]

Oh dear. Yes, this is a different twist on the horror genre, but my goodness it is dumb. They go down to a house which was buried under water years back, and guess what? Everything is perfectly in place as if it never happened. The beds are still perfectly made and the telephone sits on the telephone table as it always did.

Okay, suspend belief for a bit and let it go. The story isn't amazing either. No good ending, or explanation about why the man from the beginning led them there. Are we just accepting this these days? No.

Overall, I kept watching to the end hoping it would get better. It really didn't.

Don't be taken in by the post credit bit. Was rubbish.

The Nan Movie (2022)

Pretty deadful

[1/10 · 22 April 2022]

I didn't come into this with many expectations, but thought it might be a bit of a daft laugh. It pretty much wasn't. Having read the trivia re the re-cutting of the film it starts to make sense how someone of the stature of the great Katherine Parkinson allowed herself to be in such tosh. This is puerile rubbish. Honestly, don't waste your time.

Benjamin (II) (2018)

Not a fan

[1/10 · 7 October 2019]

I really wanted to like this, but I didn't. It felt overindulgent on the writers part, and it wasn't even original. The main character was just lifted out of Grandma's House and seems based on his obsession with some sort of vulnerable, inarticulate, self-obsessed young men. This was really slow, and was annoying as I'd hoped for so much better.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Good film, if you ignore the singing

[5/10 · 27 April 2019]

The first time I saw this I was not familiar with the story, soundtrack etc and really enjoyed it. It is absorbing and a great story. The problem comes when you see it somewhere else.

I went to see this as a play, and I bought the soundtrack which was performed by Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. I've also see a filmed stage version with Angela Landsbury. Unfortunately this has ruined the film for me. When I try to watch it again it really doesn't have the same charm.

The singing is dreadful in comparison to the soundtrack. Also, some of the songs have been cut short which is really noticeable when you know them. Especially, in my view, the main song of the whole story - A Little Priest.

Such a shame, I really held this film in high regard. Now, not so much.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

You don't mess with a classic...

[9/10 · 20 January 2019]

...and this doesn't.

I was sceptical when this follow-up was on the cards, but went to see it with an open mind. My fears were completely unfounded, and I found this to be charming and magical. This really deserves to become one of those classics that is brought out every Christmas.

Some people have commented that the songs are largely forgettable. I don't agree. Give it a second listen, I think they'll stand the test of time. Some of my highlights are the opening son (underneath the) Lovely London Sky, the energetic and enchanting 'Can you imagine that?' - reminiscent of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the great finale Nowhere To Go But Up with Angela Lansbury. Other notable mentions must go to Meryl Streep with Turning Turtle.

I think children and parents alike will love this. A great Saturday afternoon viewing together at any time of year.

Now, of course, the story is exaggerated and nonsense, but isn't that the point?

Lots of nods to the original, which really make it endearing to even the staunch opponent. We are still not a cod fish.

Hereditary (2018)

That's terrible, Muriel

[3/10 · 16 June 2018]

Okay, so I went to the cinema purposefully not having listened to any of the hype. Love a good horror movie that is genuinely frightening and makes you jump. Unfortunately I found this a real let down. The first half is really slow. Really slow. The pace picks up a bit in the second half, but not enough. I am not sure what other reviewers found 'terrifying', perhaps there was something I missed. Not a satisfying ending either, just more of the same that is already out there. Such a disappointment for me unfortunately. Had I not gone to the cinema and seen this at home instead I doubt I would have made it to the end.

Cruel Summer (2016)

Deeply unpleasant

[1/10 · 7 March 2017]

This is a deeply unpleasant piece of cinema, which is very difficult to watch. The violence is horrific and I really struggle to find any redeeming qualities in this film. I regret watching it due to the relentless, gratuitous violence. It felt like the film maker was reveling in this sick violence and trying to get the viewer involved or to enjoy it in some sort of way. In my view this was totally unnecessary, ruined what could have been an exceptional film and left a nasty taste. This is not entertainment but violence porn. Avoid.