sjs-47081 Reviews

Eternals (2021)

Nice Concept, but...

[6/10 · 19 November 2021]

Overly long, same-y fight scenes and a struggle to remain engaged until the final reel.

Sequel seems very likely; let's hope the film makers iron out these wrinkles before Pt. 2.

The French Dispatch (2021)

Nowhere near as good as the Budapest Hotel story

[4/10 · 24 October 2021]

Had high hopes for this film following an introduction to Wes Anderson through the Grand Budapest Hotel film.

Sadly this was a massive disappointment; an exercise in style over substance, with the substance lost through a series of mediocre stories.

Many Anderson fans look to be lauding the film as a masterpiece, but it seems a touch of the Emperors New Clothes. It's not his best, but some folk seem reluctant to see this.

The Last Duel (2021)

An Opportunity Lost Perhaps?

[7/10 · 16 October 2021]

Visually spectacular as you'd expect from Ridley Scott, very good acting and an interesting approach with the story told from the perspective of the three main characters.

However in my opinion, there wasn't enough difference between the perspectives of the characters to justify this creative approach.

It would probably have been better to stick with a more conventional linear storytelling approach, which could have cut 30 minutes plus and reduced the unnecessary repetition.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

First Wonder Woman Film Was Good - This one isn't!!!

[5/10 · 4 September 2021]

Lame story, 1D characters, overlong; everything the first World War 1 wasn't.

Flight World War II (2015)

Cut Price rehash of 'The Final Countdown'

[4/10 · 28 April 2021]

In this film a commercial airliner travels through an unexpected weather event back in time to WW2 Europe (unlike TFC where a US aircraft carriers similarly travels back to the WW2 Pacific).

The concept is good but is let down by the low budget, some wooden acting and severe lack of realism at times. Amongst these, the windows of the jet are shot out and yet there is no rapid decompression.

If you haven't seen the vastly superior TFC it could be entertaining, but if you have seen the former, the limitations of this film are more and more apparent.

Dad's Army (2016)

Like watching a poor tribute band...

[3/10 · 16 January 2021]

...trying to play classic tunes, but without the talent. Would have been not trying to imitate the original cast.

The Big Ugly (2020)

"It's been emotional..."

[6/10 · 17 October 2020]

The film sees Vinnie Jones in a role that you imagine could be Big Chris from 'Lock Stock', 20+ years on. Older, more world weary and finally in touch with his emotions.

A standard revenge story set within an Anglo American gangster setting, the film isn't bad, but could have been much better, given the onscreen talent

Tenet (2020)

If it wasn't directed by Christopher Nolan...

[7/10 · 30 August 2020]

Would folks be raving about this film as much...

In my opinion it's similar to Once upon a time in Hollywood. If it wasn't Tarantino, there'd be star or two less in the reviews.

The premise of the story is good; the special effects excellent, but (for me) the second half of the film gets too confusing and at times it could do with tighter editing.

Other reviewers suggest, or have undertaken, a second viewing to better make sense of everything. And that might help.

Could be a new tactic to increase box office revenue....

Pinocchio (2019)

Missed opportunity for something great- but definitely not for young ones

[6/10 · 23 August 2020]

To see a different take on the Pinocchio story from the established Disney animated story, was something to anticipate.

And although the opportunity was there, and the film makers had all the ingredients, they managed to blow it.

The visual style was there and the creepiness/ weirdness levels turned up to 11 at times, but the slow pacing meant that I at least found things boring at times, and it dropped a star or two in my estimation.

Parents need to check other spoiler reviews before considering whether it will suit their kids - suffice to say Uncle Walt would not have approved...

Ana (II) (2020)

A low key, fun film...

[7/10 · 2 August 2020]

If you're after a fun film, without the OTT action or dumb slapstick profane comedy which blights much of Hollywood's recent output, then this is worthy of consideration.

Good chemistry between the leads, and interesting to see that it's the street smart Ana that comes up with most of the money-making activities/attempts the pair embark on.

Some of the negative reviews seem to stem from the films portrayal of the church organisation the pair encounter, but it makes clear that the activities are those of the individuals involved who see faith as a business above anything else.

Better than the ratings imply

Normal People (2020)

Great story, great acting (but you do want to bang their heads together at times...)

[9/10 · 27 June 2020]

Caught up with this series fairly recently / late, having missed the early lockdown hype and with no knowledge of the source book.

Found it to be a great story to semi-binge over 2-3 days, very well acted by both the leads (excellent) and the supporting cast. Really hit upon (from my memory) the reality and angst of teenage / school / uni romance, but looking at it from the perspective of a 35yr old + viewer, I did have moments of just wanting to bang their heads together and tell them to sort themselves out...

The two clearly fancy the pants off each other (both figuratively & literarily) but are prepared at times to detonate their whole relationship by not talking about their real feelings, or just clarifying what the other had just said or meant. If they had done that the relationship would have been a lot smoother - although the series wouldn't have been half as interesting.

I know I'm a totally different person now to how I was back at school / uni, and maybe youngster today are different to their late 20th century teen counterparts, but I tend to think I'd have acted differently (especially with the benefits of modern 24/7 global communication technology).

So definitely recommended, and maybe the frustration at the characters decisions is actually part of the viewing experience.

Greed (I) (2019)

Greed maybe good - but it's not funny!!!

[5/10 · 23 February 2020]

The overall message of the film about the fashion industry and its cheap overseas workforce is interesting. But as a comedy it didn't work for me.

If you like Coogan you're better off rewatching some of his other films or the series with Rob Brydon.

And waiting until this hits the TV / streaming services.

Berlin, I Love You (2019)

Compendium of short stories

[7/10 · 8 February 2020]

With so many stories, some are going to be better than others, but overall a nice vibe - whether this is the real Berlin or not. Worth watching.

Richard Jewell (2019)

Eastwood champions the regular guy again

[8/10 · 1 February 2020]

In the UK 🇬🇧 had heard about the 1996 Olympic bombing, but nothing about the investigations afterwards.

Interesting story, and good to see Eastwood champion the ordinary guy against the authorities in the same way he did with Sully and 'The Miracle on the Hudson'.

The Gentlemen (2019)

No Wedding & Loads of Funerals...

[8/10 · 4 January 2020]

Guy Ritchie is back in his movie manor of gangsters and plot twists.

Hugh Grant is a revelation.

Go see it. Nuff Said.

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

If you're a casual Star Wars fan (& not a fan boy)..,

[9/10 · 21 December 2019]

.... then you'll probably enjoy it.

In my opinion a decent ending to the 9 Star Wars films. Good action and moved the story on to its conclusion.

There may be subtleties or details that i missed or showed inconsistencies from the other films, the books, the video games or the toy figure sets... but for a casual fan like myself, nothing to get hung up about.

Best thing, remember that these are all kids films about wizards and robots, ignore all the comments ( inc mine) and go see it for yourselves.

At the very least it'll give you 2.5 hours away from the holiday madness....

Watchmen (2019)

No preconceptions

[4/10 · 14 November 2019]

Haven't seen the film or read the comic books, but from the trailer Watchmen looked interesting.

Two episodes in; no thanks. Confusing plot & unlikable characters.

Seems like an opportunity missed.

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Terminator- No Future

[7/10 · 2 November 2019]

The third best of the Terminator films.... but miles behind the first two.

Decent action sequences and some interesting nods to the original and T2, but IMO the story/ spinoffs / reboots has run its course. Situation critical- time to shutdown

Gemini Man (2019)

Decent Action Adventure Film....

[7/10 · 16 October 2019]

....No more; no less....

The trailers give away the basic premise but if you're after an undemanding trip to the cinema, go see it....

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Rambo showing John Wick the way....

[7/10 · 20 September 2019]

Same motivation of revenge, same level of blood & guts, but more variety in offing the bad guys and more humanity at the core...

Maybe John Wick #27 will be more like this...

Downton Abbey (2019)

For the Fans...

[7/10 · 15 September 2019]

A great sequel/ update from the TV series, for the fans in the UK and worldwide.

There are a few story points that could be developed into a second movie or TV special, if the figures add up.

Overall a good story although the servants revolt storyline was out of character with the series and seemed a bit forced.

Easy way to spend a couple of hours...

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

If anyone other than Tarantino had made this...

[7/10 · 23 August 2019]

I think the reviews would be at least two stars less....

Meticulous attention to period detail, slow-paced and with sporadic ultra violence. Another QT alternative history story, like Inglorious Basterds.

Not likely to make the Top 3 list of QT films for many people. Worth seeing but don't rush.

Anna (II) (2019)

Decent action/ spy story

[8/10 · 16 July 2019]

Close enough to be based on/ a homage to Nikita (1990) without being a repeat of that story. A decent spy / assassin story with action and double-agents, accentuated by shuttling back and forth through time. Recent Atomic Blonde & Red Sparrow films make it seem more familiar- but still worth a watch.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

Same ol.... Same ol

[5/10 · 24 May 2019]

Seemingly a picture for the video game generation where the main character(s) off baddies using the same moves again & again, just in slightly different locations.

Really enjoyed the first Wick film, but from then it's got too same-y with the sequels. 'Two shots to the chest, then one to the head x 1000.'

The Wick series could have been so much better; pity it hasn't been...