Boring, very. Story, lack of. Excellent set pieces, yes, engaging flow, no. Absolutely the most ludricous goobledegook ever - 'the causality is an integral function of the anomaly' - what utter s***e. And not a lot to add the premise already viewed. British viewers will no doubt be amused to hear a certain characters resemblance to our very own David Brent. Overall - somebody forgot to turn the crap detector on...
Reviews
7 Reviews
Spider-Man
(2002)
Great if you don't mind spiders and heights
17 July 2002
Good Hollywood action movie, enjoyable within its limits. Great performance by Willem Defoe as Green Goblin. The romantic subplot dragged a bit but otherwise no complaints really for this kind of movie. See it on the big screen if you can.
The Mummy
(1959)
Worthwhile but lacklustre Hammer
2 June 2002
I'm going against the majority of views expressed here and not raving about this movie although its certainly better than the 1999 remake.
Not one of Hammers best despite good performances by Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee - it never really develops any tension until late on. Much of the camera work/editing is turgid and the atmosphere nosedives when Cushing/Lee are not onscreen. The poor indoor 'outdoor' sets also spoiled the atmosphere. Hammer did a lot better both before and after this one.
Not one of Hammers best despite good performances by Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee - it never really develops any tension until late on. Much of the camera work/editing is turgid and the atmosphere nosedives when Cushing/Lee are not onscreen. The poor indoor 'outdoor' sets also spoiled the atmosphere. Hammer did a lot better both before and after this one.
Cut-Throats Nine
(1972)
BOMB!
27 April 2002
Warning: Spoilers
No real plot to speak of, bar a drawn-out trek through snowy mountain scenery (one of the film's few assets).
An endlessly repeated musical refrain accompanies the gruelling (for the viewer) plodding movements of the cast which are punctuated by the odd cheesy episodes of ultraviolence - a close up of a fire scorched 'victim' reminded me of that great English November tradition of small boys who use a homemade dummy to scrounge money off passers by -"a penny for the Guy, mister?"
SPOILERS
The film's conclusion is brought about by the mysterious appearance of some powerful explosives (!).
As Leonard Maltin would say - BOMB!
An endlessly repeated musical refrain accompanies the gruelling (for the viewer) plodding movements of the cast which are punctuated by the odd cheesy episodes of ultraviolence - a close up of a fire scorched 'victim' reminded me of that great English November tradition of small boys who use a homemade dummy to scrounge money off passers by -"a penny for the Guy, mister?"
SPOILERS
The film's conclusion is brought about by the mysterious appearance of some powerful explosives (!).
As Leonard Maltin would say - BOMB!
The Big Gundown
(1967)
Excellent Spaghetti Western with a rousing score.
3 July 2001
What I liked about this film was an intriguing storyline, superb music by Ennio Morricone and Lee Van Cleef. The action scenes are almost on a par with Leone's films and Van Cleef is top-notch (more convincing as a 'good guy').
After watching my tape of this film, I found out that it was a (badly-cut-by-Columbia) 84 min version. This would explain some confusing sections of the dialogue/narrative.
I'm told that the fuller versions (there is one of 114 min) are superior. Let's hope this film gets a decent treatment on DVD (hello Sony-Columbia) - it certainly deserves it more than most.
After watching my tape of this film, I found out that it was a (badly-cut-by-Columbia) 84 min version. This would explain some confusing sections of the dialogue/narrative.
I'm told that the fuller versions (there is one of 114 min) are superior. Let's hope this film gets a decent treatment on DVD (hello Sony-Columbia) - it certainly deserves it more than most.
The Big Gundown
(1967)
Passable pasta western with a rousing score
20 November 1999
What I liked about this film was its music (Morricone) and Lee Van Cleef being in it - I don't find much else to recommend it for except perhaps Neves Navarro as the widow. The plot is along familiar lines but there is far too much bad dialogue and not enough action to sustain interest - even Van Cleef sometimes fails to shine due to some awful lines. Worth seeing for the score and if you like Lee Van Cleef.
The Great Silence
(1968)
"That western in the snow"
16 September 1999
"That western in the snow" - was my brother's response when he heard that I'd finally tracked down a copy of THE GREAT SILENCE, a.k.a. THE BIG SILENCE (I first saw it 10 years ago on BBC2's 'Moviedrome').
If you like Sergio Leone's films (such as THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY and A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS) then you'll probably enjoy this film by Sergio Corbucci. Violence, shooting, cussing, strange costumes, haunting music, trademark camera angles and the Italian style go to make up one of the best (lost)westerns I've ever seen.
These films aren't to everyone's taste, but THE GREAT SILENCE is worth watching just to hear the main theme tune which is a fantastic work of latterday composition - it sounds daft but I nearly cry when I hear it sometimes. By turns the score is dream-like, stylish, menacing, bizarre and even ridiculous (twanging sitar-like sounds). This is my favourite piece of Ennio Morricone's music.
As I said before the main reference points for this film are those of Sergio Leone, except for the snow-laden setting and the distinct lack of humour( THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY still makes me laugh, despite countless watching). Having said that this film has a distinctly original atmosphere of it's own, brought out in the brilliant and shocking ending. the director went to great lengths to preserve his radical finale (particularly unpopular with the producer) - there is a version of the film with a cop-out ending.
In short then, this is a great movie despite all the shortcomings of the particular genre( I'm not saying anything)- I once read that the term "Spaghetti Western" was a derisory one used by American film critics - but I can't think of any American westerns as enjoyable as some of these Italian films.
If you like Sergio Leone's films (such as THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY and A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS) then you'll probably enjoy this film by Sergio Corbucci. Violence, shooting, cussing, strange costumes, haunting music, trademark camera angles and the Italian style go to make up one of the best (lost)westerns I've ever seen.
These films aren't to everyone's taste, but THE GREAT SILENCE is worth watching just to hear the main theme tune which is a fantastic work of latterday composition - it sounds daft but I nearly cry when I hear it sometimes. By turns the score is dream-like, stylish, menacing, bizarre and even ridiculous (twanging sitar-like sounds). This is my favourite piece of Ennio Morricone's music.
As I said before the main reference points for this film are those of Sergio Leone, except for the snow-laden setting and the distinct lack of humour( THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY still makes me laugh, despite countless watching). Having said that this film has a distinctly original atmosphere of it's own, brought out in the brilliant and shocking ending. the director went to great lengths to preserve his radical finale (particularly unpopular with the producer) - there is a version of the film with a cop-out ending.
In short then, this is a great movie despite all the shortcomings of the particular genre( I'm not saying anything)- I once read that the term "Spaghetti Western" was a derisory one used by American film critics - but I can't think of any American westerns as enjoyable as some of these Italian films.
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