Change Your Image
markjayaweera
Reviews
No Time to Die (2021)
A dark Bond film, Daniel Craig is excellent in his farewell to Bond.
I am one of those that saw my first Bond film in the cinema in the early 1980s For your Eyes only as a 9 year old. A lot of people have grown up with Bond over the decades. I am one of them. So it was a real surprise and a bit of a shock to see Bond finally Die at the end. It has never happened before in the 25 Bond movies since and I have over the years seen all of them as movie fan. It is quite incredible to see James Bond movie icon who has entertained millions of cinema goers worldwide for nearly 60 years. This incredible, indestructible almost superhuman character of the big screen literally finally Die a mortal death at the end. Its a shock to realize especially for those of us who have clocked up in age and seen his character cheat death countless times finally die with Daniel Craig portrayal of Bond. I suppose it is inevitable given how dark Daniel Craig played Bond away from the cartoon comic book but highly entertaining Bonds of the past decades where the villains are dispatched. There is a happy ending Bond gets the woman and lives to fight another day. If their is one thing you will learn of Craigs portrayal of Bond is that he is a very mortal Bond. Can be hurt in mind and body and he carries the scars to prove it. He is tormented at the moral ambiguity of his work. Even when he is trying to retire from it all in his hideout in the Caribbean. The bad of this world will find him. Leiter coaxes Bond out of retirement for one last chance to save the world. Bond does save the day but at the cost of his life and at the chance of finally spending his days with his second wife and daughter. He chose to end his life rather than escape this time. Because this weapon had infected him and he knew he could not return to any normal life again where he could finally have some peace with his second wife and daughter. It must have been really emotional for some people who grew up on Bond to see him finally take the journey into eternity. I am sad to see the last of Daniel Craig as Bond. He was the most realistic of all the Bond movie actors. He brought out the darkness of the character but also the very human person Bond character was. Thanks Daniel Craig for your excellent portrayal of Bond. I for one will look out for the next movie Daniel Craig acts in. What a fine actor he is. I saw it today after a long time since I visited a Cinema. I give this movie 8 out of 10.
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
A Great Movie, terrific performances from Alec Guinness, William Holden and Sessui Hayakawa
Wonderful film. The three main characters were played by Alec Guinness, William Holden and Sessui Hayakawa who give some of the best performances of their careers. The interplay between the Japanese Commander and the British commander was especially terrific. Both Alec Guinness and Hayakawa put in superb acting performances which is what makes this such a great film. At the end of the movie both of them discover they are both not so different after from one imperialist country Britain and one from the other Japan. Both fighting for their causes which in their own way turn out to be not so different. Both consumed by the madness of war and have become mad themselves. The only sane individuals was the American played by William Holden who wanted out of WW2 and who was quite funny and provided comic relief in the movie at his disapproval of the British and Japanese commanders, and William Holden character only wanted to return back to his home in America for he has seen enough of the war, and the British Doctor at the camp who has seen enough too. Just a great film showing the madness,brutality and inhumanity and futility of war. The theme of the movie can be summed up by the British Doctor at the end. When he says "Madness Madness". Meaning not just the political leaders are mad but the people who follow them into war are equally mad. In my opinnion one of the best films I've seen.
Little House on the Prairie: 100 Mile Walk (1974)
In my opinion one of the best episodes of the series
Tremendous Awesome Episode. I can see why this series became so popular. The unpredictable frontier life. The strong family bonds. Your fortune depending if you get a good wheat crop this year. The strong work ethics of all the men,women and children which contributes to them having a very good life on the frontier, it's all there in this episode. The friendship and camaraderie of the men who are willing to do dangerous work to provide for their families. I must admit I shed a tear at the powerful ending. When Charles invites the son to visit them and the son who is still a child. Takes responsibility for the farm showing real maturity and strength. Because despite the enormous tragedy of losing a father life must go on. At that moment even Charles played by Michael Langdon almost teared up but held it back. Simply brilliant acting from him. I saw a lot of A Little House on the Prairie during the 1980s on its rerun. I would say to this being the best episode of the lot. Saw this episode today maybe for the first time since I first saw it at some point during the 1980s. Powerful episode due to its ending of a son still a child losing a father.
Windmills of the Gods (1988)
Jaclyn Smith is wonderful
Where to begin. This is wonderful TV miniseries thriller another gem from the decade of the American tv miniseries. The 1980s. Full of plot twists and turns. Wonderfully paced and acted, Its two one and a half hour episodes. But there is not a single boring moment to be had. You can watch it in one three-hour sitting and the time will go very quickly. Jaclyn Smith is one of the best American actresses of that decade the 1980s. She shows her considerable talent and beauty in spades. Jaclyn Smith was not on the big screen so much but most of her work was done on the tv movies on the small screen. I saw her excellent performance as Florence Nightingale in the TV movie from 1985 of the same name. By this time she is a mature performer. Robert Wagner was also very good in this. But Jaclyn Smith stole the show and lit up the screen in every scene she is in. I will be checking out her other work from this decade on television as I am very impressed by her as a performer. You can catch this mini series on DVD. Or if you are lucky you could be channel surfing one day and you can pick it up on cable television. Watching this tv miniseries with Jaclyn Smith in the lead role is time well spent in front of the box.
Moment by Moment (1978)
This is an intelligent and unlikely love affair
This movie has been unfairly criticised in my opinion. Movie critics to fans have given the movie a thumbs down. However I watched the movie and came away with a different impression. Which goes to show you never ever listen to others when watching a movie. You watch it yourself and make up your own mind and see if it makes sense to your life. I also have a soft spot for Romance movies of which this is a fine example. Romance movies you know there is unlikely to be unpleasant stuff like violence or horror, and you are taken along for two hours purely on character development and environment.
This is not your straightforward romance movie. In this movie a well off middle aged, middle class woman possibly an architect who runs an architect firm. Trisha(Lily Tomlin) therefore her upper middle class credentials established is a well off wealthy successful woman who has done extremely well in life and she falls in love with a much younger , not well educated down on his luck for much of his life financially poor man (John Travolta). Who had already had a hard life before he met Tomlin where even his parents and relatives forgot his birthday and that he ran away from home when he was 14. Now there are young men in the world who try to woo wealthy women. But Lily Tomlin Character Trisha is far too smart, educated and middle class to be fooled by a young cunning chancer. She comes to realise that John Travolta character Strip is a genuine fellow with a good heart who believes in love the old fashioned way. Which makes Trisha fall in Love with Strip. She also comes to realise that even though Strip is poor he has good personal qualities superior to all the wealthier men like he has known in her life like her previous husband.
Strip hangs around Trisha's summer beach house in southern california. At one point Trisha gives him a hearty lunch at her beach house on a sunny day in southern California overlooking the sea with Trisha as company inviting him to live with her at her summer southern california beach house. Strip genuinely thinks things for him can't get any better than this, can't believe his good fortune that things might be finally looking up for him after a not so successful life..
As their love affair grows and becomes more passionate and steamy. Tensions start arise between Trisha and Strip on the different worlds they come from. When he is disapproved of by Trisha's friends and former husband, he leaves Trisha saying they are too different to make the relationship a success. By the end of the movie Trisha and Strip realise they love each other too much to overcome all barriers. Especially when at the end of the movie. Trisha remembers Strips Birthday. Which makes Strip become very emotional. That's when he realizes Trisha genuinely loves him. They probably afterwards married despite the age and wealth difference and lived happily ever after.
This movie is similar to other movies like Lady Chatterley Lover (1981) or Tom Hanks movie Everytime we say Goodbye (1986) and other movies of a similar vein where a well off woman falls in love with a far less well off man and makes it work despite the financial class differences.
Just the perfect relaxing movie to unwind to after life has knocked you in the face a couple of times. Gives hope that it is possible to have genuine happiness in this life despite the sadness and tragedy in the world.
I give this movie 10 out of 10. For great acting and realistic genuine performances from the two leads. Lily Tomlin and John Travolta. For a great very late 1970s easy listening soundtrack.
My Science Project (1985)
A much better mid 1980s high school movie than given credit for
I came to know that this movie released in 1985 did not do as well at the box office compared to other teen movies that year. I loved this movie from the first time I saw it in a darkened theatre in the 1980s as a kid. Over the last 32 years since I have seen it many times, including tonight and its still great. All the characters were great Allie was great as was the Italian-American kid vinnie from Brooklyn, who offered great light hearted humour throughout. It was fun them battling every inch of the way from the front door of the school to the time-machine device all the scenes throughout history past and future brought into that school to save Allie lying near the device. It is really another fine time travelling machine without the machine and controls. It was just the engine. I am 47 years old now. Today I still enjoy it having just watched it like I did in the 1980s. It tells me this movie is much better than what it did at the box office in that year or how audiences since have rated it. It has a great story, fun characters and a nice soundtrack. Another forgotten gem from the 1980s. A decade that never disappoints me.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The best movie of the Disney Star Wars Trilogy
This was a wonderful movie that I really enjoyed it. For me its a solid 8. Its the first star wars movie I have seen that has managed to capture to some extent for me the spirit and magic of the original star wars trilogy. Rogue One a few years ago managed it but it was too dark to leave the theatre feeling uplifted. I am old enough to remember seeing in the theatres the original star wars trilogy. All the actors crew and filmmakers associated with this move have done a great job. I like the Disney Trilogy more than the prequels. I never really liked the prequels except for Natalie portman who was terrific and the cameo by Christopher Lee. But Disney have managed to bring back some of the magic of the original. Although the Original will always be the best. This band of Rey, Finn, Po, C3PO and Chewie were terrific as were the cameos by the aging stars of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fischer (R.I.P. Carrie Fisher who sadly passed away during filming of this movie). I hope this is not the last we see of Daisy Ridley she is a terrific actress , Adam Driver was terrific as the villain in this latest instalment of star wars who eventually turns to the good side and redeems himself, as is Oscar Isaac all talented actors who made this trilogy so good. Last Jedi was a real low point,though even that had its plus points like Mark Hamill and some fine set design and special effects, but this movie has redeemed for what went wrong in Last Jedi. The movies I would rate in order as follows.
Number one is Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars (1977), Return of the Jedi (1983), The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Rogue One (2016), The Force Awakens (2015), Revenge of the Sith (2005), Attack of the Clones (2002), The Last Jedi (2017). The Phantom Menace (1999). This was in my opinion 2 hours and 22 minutes of great entertainment. Well done to everyone involved in making this movie.
Miami Vice: By Hooker by Crook (1987)
One of the best episodes of a Brilliant television show.
The glamourous,decadent,stylish,dangerous world of the Miami of the mid to late 1980s that Sonny Crockett inhabits is a lot like Gotham from the Batman comics and films. On the surface things look respectable, people seem who they claim to be dig a little deeper and nothing is what it seems. Nobody seem to be who others think they are they are leading double lives. Such was the case in this excellent episode of Miami VIce from the late 1980s.
Ali Ferrand was a high class prostitute working for the Caprice Escort Service serving financially upmarket clients in Miami. She accidentally witnesses a hit organised by a Miami underworld figure, Kenneth Toagaru on a fellow money launderer. Christine Van Marburg the highly successful Madam of Caprice Escort Services and other business ventures in Miami offers comfort and protection to Ali. However an intense romance with Sonny puts Ali's safety in serious jeopardy. Christine probably was going to reveal all to Sonny and for the Miami Police Dept to offer protection to Ali. Ali Ferrand becomes an innocent victim of underworld machinations. Which deeply upsets Sonny who vows to bring Togaru to justice and makes a deal with Christine van Marburg. During this time Sonny is stunned to learn that the woman he is passionately in love with and wanted a long term relationship with and possibly later marry is in fact a Madam of an escort service. Christine in turn is surprised that Sonny is a cop and his hypocritical sense of morality. When she tells him that both of them are just two sides of the same coin. That it is a shame that Sonny cannot see through his own moral hypocrisy as a cop to continue the relationship with Christine Van Marburg. A lost opportunity for both to find happiness in the future as the turn of events mean the relationship cannot continue as before at least as far as Sonny was concerned.
The sadness for both Sonny and Christine at the end of the episode that they couldn't work things out from the turn of events as they were clearly meant for each other and a good match for each other. Had they married the marriage would have lasted, as Sonny was trying to fix his personal life. Which is appropriate at the end of the episode Simply Red song "Holding Back the Years" is played in the background. The lyrics of the song is there to signify the real tragedy in this episode is that events in the episode prevent two passionate people meant for each other from living happily ever after. Sonny alludes to it and Christine too.
This was a sad and moving ending in a overall tragic story of the episode.Also I had to spare a thought for Vanity's character Ali Ferrand which was another tragedy. As innocent women like her, who are probably bright enough to pursue another safer better career than the one they chose, probably for the same reasons Christine Van Marburg did, ends up taking the more dangerous path in life with tragic consequences. The Simply Red song was alluding to her life too as well as to Sonny's and Christines.and the wrong choices in lifeand Ali Ferrand made.
Indeed the central theme of the episode is alluding to the fact about the wrong choices people make which makes them end up taking the path they take in life. Yes they might achieve some success, but at what price? That is what Sonny was saying when he says I think I have been a cop for too long I seem to have relationships with the wrong people. Or Christine Van Marburg regretting becoming a madam even if the money was good. Or Ali Ferrand witnessing underworld criminality at close quarters due to the nature of her work as a lady of the night. I think that is what the song by Simply Red - Holding Back the Years, was stating for the three main characters for Sonny, Christine and Ali all three had made the wrong choices in life as the lyrics from the song stated because in these characters lives, the love that should have been between Sonny and Christine and another life Ali greatly shortened "nothing had the chance to be good because nothing ever could", when Sonny and Christine and Ali are in essence good people who deserved better in life than the cards they were dealt with which made them make the choices they made that ensured their tragic fates. To me this was one of the most thought provoking episodes in the entire series. I would have given it 10 stars but for the sad ending. I don't like sad endings. I wanted Sonny and Melanie Griffith Character to have a few seasons long relationship. But that would not be consistent for such dark tv series like Miami Vice. In my opinion one of the best tv shows ever made.
The Russia House (1990)
A very good and thought provoking film
This movie is far better than it seems on the surface. Most people who are not up on international politics etc. will find this movie boring. But this movie is not just about a love story. It's about the end of the cold war. Friendships made between people of east and west. It's a rare movie critical of US, British and NATO foreign policy. Of course the central theme of the movie was the love affair between Katya and Blair and how their political superiors didn't get it. That ordinary people on both sides are not interested in the political games played by east and west and just want to get along. Great movie. Actually great performances from all the cast. This had the style of a European made movie rather than the faster paced American made movie. I suspect most of American audiences will find it boring. But continental European Audiences and wider world will acknowledge this fine movie. You have to watch it many times to get the many levels being played out. Only really good films do this and The Russia House is a really good film.
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
This underrated movie is a tribute to the glory that was the 1980s
Rosanna Arquette's shows what a great actress she is besides being a very attractive lady and she looked great in the 1980s, and she is at her best in this forgotten 1980s gem. I have not seen many Rosanna Arquette movies, but of what I have seen of her she comes off very well.
Madonna puts in a fine performance too as does Laurie Metcalf and Mark Blum as well as Aiden Quinn who put in terrific acting performances. We get to relive again the NYC of the mid 1980s and it's a very fun place.This movie has everything that made the 1980s movies so great. The Womens and Mens fashion,Sports, the music,art,theatre,tv,cinema and hairstyles, the colourful and daring and inventive and stylish costumes. The inventiveness, skill, dedication, hard work and professionalism of the actors,actresses and film crews of the 1980s are there to see in this movie. I dislike when people deride the things of the 1980s. To me it was the best decade ever. I just watch this movie and other movies and stuff from that fabulous and fun decade to remind me why.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Doris Day the shining star of the movie
This movie grabs you. Mainly for me because of Doris Day. On the surface some of the things in the movie might seem silly especually James Stewart's rather dull ham acting. But in the hands of a master filmaker like Alfred Hitchcock he can make anything look good. I think this is a movie that shows that an ordinary nice American middle class family, can defy extreme danger and do very heroic and brave things in order to rescue their loved ones. Wonderful acting from Doris Day, who really lit up every scene she was in.. Her all-American lady star charm and spirited performances is the main reason I watched this movie from beginning to end. To be honest I like watching every movie or tv show Doris Day is in. She was a big star before my time I was born in the 1970s, but I can understand why she was such a big star in the 1950s and 1960s. She is just terrific. James Stewart provided a supporting role but to me he was not as good as he was in other vintage films. But the two big stars of this movie are really the director behind the camera Alfred Hitchcock and in front of the camera the wonderful American actress or that era Doris Day.
Body Rock (1984)
Body Rock doesn't deserve the negative reviews it got
When I first saw this movie, I thought this movie was excellent. It gave me the same sense of an exciting dance movie that Saturday Night Fever delivered.
I do not understand all the negative reviews, some people are hard to please out there or they would probably like something that I would probably think mediocre or uninteresting.
This movie was interesting. It had a good storyline and I could relate to the character of Chili. Similar to Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever.
This movie was as good as Saturday Night Fever if not better. It deserved more popularity worldwide given how big a global smash hit Saturday Night Fever was. Lorenzo Lamas' character was as interesting as John Travolta's. Both playing young charismatic artistically very talented but down and out men struggling in New York trying to use their considerable talent to get the big break in life that will open a door to a better life. I think we all can relate to those aspirations. Like in Saturday Night Fever we get a glimpse of New York life and the party night life of the late 1970s and Body Rock in early to mid 1980s of these affable and good hearted young people trying to make it in life despite their challenges. This movie had a wonderful 80s dance music soundtrack and great dancing as good as if not at times better than Saturday Night Fever which was released 7 years earlier. I really like the young characters in this movie. They were good people who refused to be screwed by the music business. There were good acting performances all round. I since learned that the attractive partner of Chilli played by Michelle Nicastro passed away in November 2010 at the middle age of 50. May she rest in peace she was a fine actress in 1980s TV and Film drama. Sadly many talented young actors, actresses and Music stars of that era have passed away in the 21st century as that decade recedes further and further into the mists of history. However the music and movies of the 1980s will long into the future. I am talking hundreds of years into the future, yes the 1980s were that good, as future generations discover what an exciting decade in history in music, fashion, culture, drama, tv, movies and art the 1980s were. There will never be another decade like it it was unique.
I give this fine movie from the 1980s 10/10
Strangers When We Meet (1960)
Kirk Douglas, Barbara Rush and Kim Novack at their best.
This is an extremely well acted movie. We also get a glimpse into the lives of middle class suburban Los Angeles couples of the late 1950s early 1960s. The tail end of late 1950s Eisenhower's America. Special mention must be given to Barbara Rush and Kim Novack for stunning and realistic acting performances. You could almost believe they lived these lives.
We have Kirk Douglas who plays an architect. Barbara Rush is his devoted, attractive, intelligent and sophisticated suburban middle class wife. Living well in their large house in a sunny Los Angeles suburb of the early 1960s. Kirk Douglas's character seems to have got it made. Has a good well paying job. Lives in a nice house got kids, has a wonderful devoted and capable wife to him and his kids. Yet we see everything is not as it seems. He is not totally happy with his marriage. Despite having a wife (Barbara Rush) most men would be lucky to have. He feels his wife does not truly understand him.
He one day while dropping his kid off to school. Spots Kim Novack and immediately is attracted to her. She initially turns down his advances, because she too is living a middle class life and is devoted to her husband. But she too is not happy in her marriage to her husband who lacks the passion to her that she is looking for. Douglas and Novack in their affair managed to find for a brief moment genuine happiness. Who no doubt realised that they both really should be married to each other. But their life paths would not allow it as they are already married. Even though they know if the word got out. It could be devastating for their lives and those around them. Douglas supposed friend Walter Mattau pushes things to a head. When he makes a play on Douglas's attractive wife. It naturally did not work, but it made the devastated Barbara Rush realise that his husband to her shock was unfaithful to her.
Things end well for Douglas as his wife forgives him as she realises he is the only man he could be with. The final scene is extremely moving as Douglas and Novack realise that they both could not find the true happiness in each others arms as their life paths are already well set. They realise it is too late for them. Had they both met earlier before they got married. They realise they could have been husband and wife two people who found true love and perfectly understand each other in a way their current other halfs can't. A devastated Douglas returns back to his wife and a devastated Novack decides to end the relationship as it has become untenable. The movie shows that some people realise their perfect partners are married to other people and that their opportunity for happiness is lost forever. This movie is a tragic and moving story of two people who due to their personal circumstances could not live happily ever after. I give it 9/10. Excellent movie.
Above Suspicion (1995)
Final movie of Christopher Reeve before the tragic accident
It's ironic to watch a movie of himself fully healthy and playing a disabled chair bound person. Not soon after this movie one of the movie screen most loved actors Christopher Reeve met a tragic fate which led him to be paralysed and severely shortened a very fit and healthy individual life by several decades passing away in 2004 at the relatively young age of 52. After an incredibly tough 9 year battle with his paralysis. A lot of the reason he was able to cope is because of the loving support of his wonderful wife Dana Reeve. It's one of the few movies probably the only movie where this wonderful husband and wife couple of Christopher Reeve and Dana Reeve acted together in the same movie.
She herself not long after Reeve's death contracted cancer and passed away in 2006 at the relatively young age of 44. My opinion is that she and Reeve were extremely close. Reeve's passing may have hastened an early death of Dana Reeve too. It's incredibly tragic that two good and beautiful people departed this world so early and denied us many more years of their great talent and company. RIP Christopher Reeve and Dana Reeve. You both are very much missed who are old enough to remember the wonderful Christopher Reeve. However Christopher Reeve will live long after his passing in his movies.
The movie itself is very good and Christopher Reeve is excellent in it too. It is a movie however that deals with very dark subject matter. Of things that can go on in affluent suburbia. Christopher Reeve plays a well off chief police officer named Dempsey who lives in a house in an affluent suburb who leads a team to apprehend a gang of dangerous and armed drug smugglers. Unfortunately the raid doesn't go according to plan and Christopher Reeve while trying to apprehend a drug dealer gets shot below his bullet proof vest and hits his spinal cord paralysing him for life from the waist down.
The paralysis however brings about a change in Dempsey. Apparently he was always aware that his wife and his brother were getting it on so to speak. The paralysis however brought out a jealousy which gave him the motive to commit a crime. Being an ace police officer he knew how to set everything up and cover up his tracks from the law.
One of his colleagues was suspicious and gets on his trail. At the end of the movie we see Dempsey evade justice and walk free. The final scene shows him looking at a photo of his wife and brother and grieving for their loss. Probably realising the gravity of what he has done. Denying himself the love of a brother and wife due to his dark nature getting the better of him.
I was uncomfortable with the subject matter. But Reeve and Kim Katrall's performances in particular were excellent. It is a shame I did not hear about this movie before I was a twenty something in the 1990s and saw a lot of movies from that decade but somehow missed it. The 1990s was also economically a very good decade for America and we see that reflected in this movie as a Chief Police officer can now afford to live well in an affluent middle class American suburb. I give this 8 out of 10.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Robin Curtis - The star performer of The Search for Spock
Star Trek III is a fairly good sci fi adventure film. Although by now in 1984 movie going audiences especially in north america were getting tired of the late 1970s and early 1980s sci fi movie boom. Like the disco boom in music it was seeing its last days. This movie is not as good as Star Trek the Motion Picture or Star Trek The Wrath of Khan. Certainly audiences going to this picture in 1984 would have felt let down after being spoilt by a golden age of sci fi movie making in the preceding years. Still it is a pretty good film. Exploring interesting concepts of like life after death and terraforming. The real stand out is Robin Curtis, who is wonderful in this movie. Nichelle Nichols was good too. You can tell it was a movie made in 1984 because both the women Robin Curtis in vulcan make up for the part and Nichelle Nichols were sporting the permed 1980s womens hairstyles which was at its height in popularity in this era. Anyway I always thought women fashions and hairstyles in the 1980s looked better and sexier than any other era. This era was my favourite for movies and music and sports. Also finally the special effects by ILM were pretty good too. I give it 6/10 for Robin Curtis and Nichelle Nichols, the story and the special effects.
The Good Liar (2019)
Two veteran British actor and actress carry the movie
I decided to watch this movie because I am a big fan of veteran British actress Helen Mirren. Who has been the best of British acting talent for four and a half decades a veteran of many American, European and British movies over the years. Having spent significant amount of her life in America, UK and Europe. I knew this movie with her as the lead would be good. I did not realise it would be this good. To watch Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen do their stuff is proof all you need to make a terrific movie is two superb actors as the leads with a good story with a Hitchcockian twist. Ian Mckellen a character far more darker and evil than we thought. He plays a dark and evil person but who hides who he really is by being a A Good Liar. Who is a master con man and cons millionaire investors out of all their funds. I won't spoil the ending except to say that Helen Mirren is not the next easy target victim Ian Mckellen character thinks she is. Helen Mirren character herself has a history and the movie is really about how Helen Mirren character skillfully traps the unsuspecting conman and he at the movie gets his comeuppance for all his crimes. The movie is a classic good vs evil tale and the good played by Helen Mirren at the end triumphs and we all cheer our heroine played by Helen Mirren. I would recommend anyone to see this movie than nothing else to see two superb veteran British actors who have graced the movie screens for decades at the top of their game give one last performance. Most of this movie gives most of the screen time to these two stalwarts of movie acting which was an excellent move on the part of the director. Because we get to see a lot of the wonderful Helen Mirren for one last time. Hopefully Helen Mirren makes more movies. But she is quite old now but still has a lot sex appeal. So we don't know for how long Helen Mirren will continue to be in movies. I remember Helen Mirren from as far back as the 1980s when she acted in the American sci fi movie 2010 as a Russian space commander. Any role she does she plays brilliantly. Just a terrific actress over the years.
Red Dawn (1984)
Terrible film but does have a good soundtrack from Basil Poleidouris
I agree fully with the film review commenter here Markmark70. Now don't get me wrong. Its no exeggaration that to me the 1980s was my favourite decade. Its one of the few decades in history. Where there was great music, great movies, interesting and nice fashions. Ok people might not agree with me on this. But people actually dressed well and sharply in this decade like they did in the 1930s or 40s,50s. They took a keen interest in their appearance. Hence the many interesting hairstyles of men and women. But they were stylish and never looked naff or downright embarrassing like the hair styles and dress fashions of the early to med 1970s etc for example.
That said there were some annoying things about the 1980s. Like annoying blatant right wing propaganda movies like these. Badly made, Badly acted which made no deep points accept that they blame and hate the Russians becuase look how evil they are. Come to think of it the Mainstream media is doing the same again in the 21st century the last 10 years as a new cold war has been brewing again in the last decade or so with Putin in power. I thought the cold war ended in 1991. Ok there was a cold war going on between east and west in the early to mid 1980s. Still they could have made a more thoughtful movie. This movie was just blame dumb from start to finnish. I did like to see a young Charlie Sheen, Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey and Lea Thompson but they have been given a bad script and a terrible directed movie which made little sense. The handsom 80s young couple Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey did redeem themselves 3 years later from this disaster of a propaganda movie by acting in the thoroughly harmless and enjoyable 80s flick Dirty Dancing.
I would have given this movie 1 star but for the very good soundtrack by Basil Poledouris. One thing the 1980s never let you down in is the music and sound department it always delivered.
Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase (1990)
Shelley Long is a very talented actress
We saw Shelley Long in Cheers and a number of other 1980s and 1990s tv shows and movies. But she did act in a little known made for tv movie called Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase which was aired on American Television in May 1990. It is a shame its not more widely known. Because it deals with powerful subject matter. It also shows the remarkable Truddi Chase played brilliantly by Shelley Long. In one of the best performances of her career. Showing she is more than a gorgous face but a brilliant actress. There is good supporting roles too from Truddi Chase as a child and from Truddi Chase husband and her Psychotherapist.
Last Christmas (2019)
Charming Movie with great soundtrack
**Contains Spoilers**
Disregard what the critics in the mainstream media say. It just goes to show you have to watch a movie yourself and make your own mind up about it rather than go on what so called critics say. I personally found this movie a very enjoyable charming little movie.
The movie has a surprise at the end which I am not going to fully reveal. Suffice to say that this movie is similar to the 1990 American movie Ghost. That of a love story between a woman and man who died and became a ghost.
I thought the two lead actors Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding did a fine job in the movie two talented actors. This is a charming love story of tragedy and hope of some Londoners set in London.
Emilia Clark as Kate is a young Londoner who works at a Christmas souvenir shop in the run up to Christmas, with ambitions to become an artist and follow in the footsteps of her hero. The 1980s British pop icon George Micheal. Henry Golding Tom Webster a fellow Londoner works at the local homeless charity. Tom Webster interest in her and eventually knowing that Kate despite her outward happy bubbly outlook is hiding the deep unhappiness inside the unhappiness of her home life and the fact that she did do as well as her sister in life who became a lawyer as her parents wished, Because kate had different ambitions to become an artist and was already auditioning for acting and singing roles and had applied for one of the art schools in London. Not going to say what happened in the movie except Tom Webster comes along when she was at her lowest ebb showing the elusive nature of finding happiness. That just being a human being in this world is hard and Tom fully understands fully what Kate is going through. Tom also tells Kate the reason why he works in the Homeless Charity is because that is where happiness and fulfilment can be found. When as Kate says at the end. "Happiness can only be found when you help others." What a wonderful message from a movie to send out. Kate joins the Homeless Charity and helps out and she found her unhappiness slowly dissipated gaining fulfilment from helping others less fortunate than herself a gift Tom showed her. Kate and Tom fall in love.
Later she goes and visits Tom at his apartment or flat as they say in London. To discover an estate agent their. To her shock she discovers from the estate agent that Tom Webster was the previous owner and was killed while cycling in London.
Tom is revealed to be the one who's heart was donated when he was killed while cycling in central London. Then ending had similar tones to the ending of 1990 American movie Ghost. This is a charming move and I for one enjoyed and took away an important message away from the movie. Finally, it's great that talented George Micheal is remembered nearly 3 years after his passing. I believe George Micheal will get the recognition finally that he didn't really get when he was alive for being truly great artist. Like Emilia Clarke says in the movie George Micheal an extremely talented artist, who was under appreciated in his time. The movie ends with a carving of Tom Webster on the wooden bench after Tom visits Kate for the last time.
The Blue Lagoon (1980)
Blue Lagoon one of the best films
****Contains Spoilers*** First of I have to say Blue Lagoon is one of the best films I have seen in my life. It is now one of my favorites. Because once in a while a rare movie comes along that deals with the human condition, relationships between men and women, desire to raise a family. Their child like innocence is endearing in a harsh world. Yet they survive against the odds. Few movies deal with real issues like this. A movie about the human condition.
IMDb's rating is far too low. This movie deserves a solid 8. The very least 7.5. Outstanding movies with a outstanding story like the Blue Lagoon deserve a much higher rating on IMDb.
Rarely does a film comes a long and you invest so deeply in their characters. You have to see the movie yourself to know what I mean. While the movie is outstanding, my only complaint if there is, is the movie could have gone for another 10 minutes. To give us some details about what became of Richard, Emmeline and their son at the end.
No I don't think they died at the end. However the movie forces us to draw our own conclusions. They probably survived. Was re-united with their father and moved back to San Francisco or Boston. It would have been nice if the made a proper movie sequel. Where after they are rescued they show a bit about Richard, Emmeline and their son their life back in America. After returning did they get married. You want this family to live happily ever after because you emotionally invested so much in their lives and this very moving story. How did they re-integrate after so many years living on a desert island. I would hate to think our innocent hero's, Richard and Emmeline died after all they have been through. A great film. Congrats to all involved in making this movie, 37 years after it was made. This timeless movie with a timeless story has lost none of its resonance or emotional impact.
Flash Gordon (1980)
One of the most imaginative films committed to celluloid
A truly visionary achievement. By all involved in this fastasy/sci-fi adventure. Great acting performances. Colourful set design. skilful direction. Topped of by a wonderful rock soundtrack by queen.Yet all the time giving the impression of a film that does not take itself seriously. It's camp entertainment at it's best and the film knows it.
Pure entertainment in the tradition of star wars.
A must see!