Harlekwin_UK Reviews

The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

Extremely short and a tad predictable

[6/10 · 12 March 2024]

The first ten or twelve minutes of this incredibly short movie are spent on exposition over the previous movie (The Mummy's Hand). The effect is that of a Saturday serial or TV episode.

The plot drives through in a oh so familiar pattern that may have still been slightly novel in 1942. The action is transferred to the USA and theoretically a full thirty years after the previous action. This rankles badly as 1970 appears to be almost identical to the 1940s.

Lon Chaney Jr is almost wasted in the role of The Mummy. It's a controlled performance, that follows well from the last movie, but a bit pointless having such a name in the role in my opinion.

All the leads are okay in their delivery but there's not a lot for them to do really.

An okay movie in the series. Worth watching, especially as it's so short.

Galactica 1980 (1980)

Big drop from the first series

[4/10 · 6 November 2023]

What can really be said?

The cast and production crew probably did the best they could with what is in essence an appalling concept and thus script.

All too quickly the wonderful drama and serious approach of the first series is dropped for an "updated" and "modern" (1980) concept of humour and what can only be called twee.

Super scouts, Flying bikes, super scouts, time travel, nazis, super scouts, Dr Zee, super scouts.

The two leads end up performing a dance routine in the Hannah Barbera stage show.

Dr Zee is some sort of genius child, which is eventually explained as being some sort of inter-dimensional do-hickey-thing-a-me-bob. This is explained in the standalone final episode "The return of Starbucks". Indeed this is the only link between this episode and the rest of the series.

Amongst all this, the Cylons (Remember them? Sort of important to the first series?) hardly make an appearance.

The Cylons do end up at a Halloween party.

Honest.

It's painful to watch the few original cast members try to deliver all this in a believable or coherent fashion.

Alas, they fail. The new cast isn't bad, perhaps a little heavy in the approach but okay generally.

The whole thing isn't helped by basically stopping halfway through the series. Just as the principles of integration with 1980s Earth society. Well, American society at least.

I'm not sure why I've even rated it 4/10. Small moments work I guess.

The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)

Hodgepodge that doesn't work but is fun enough

[6/10 · 26 September 2023]

Curious movie that mixes vampire hunting with martial arts.

That's about it really. An intriguing concept and backstory is allowed to dissipate quickly into a minor adventure story with unnecessary nudity.

An enjoyable movie nonetheless and Peter Cushin is always watchable regardless of what's happening around him.

The fight scenes are well done, if a little stop start. It's as if they're all characters in a D&D campaign awaiting the throw of the dice.

The chief vampires are killed far too easily to be the fearsome evil they are painted as in the mythos the movie is based upon. That leads to the movie feeling like it has let its audience down.

Truly Madly Deeply (1990)

A rewarding movie with a 'truly' moving end, humorous and engaging, highly recommended

[8/10 · 7 September 2023]

Struggling to come to terms with her husband Jamie's passing when he miraculously reappears in her living room!

Struggles with rats and just the drudgery of life ease for Nina (Juliet Stevenson) whilst Jamie (Alan Rickman) is around. But as Jamie starts to bring his new friends home (all dead musicians) and she starts to fall for a new man, Mark (Michael Maloney) it all gets too complicated again.

Although depressing in places the movie is ultimately a rewarding depiction of bereavement and the emotional ties that bind us long afterwards. The fantastical elements are handled in a rooted, real fashion which makes the environment around Nina somehow feel all the more harrowing. But the humorous elements of the script are well played through and this is primarily a love story, possibly two.

Things to look out for: duet with the dead, Jamie's return, a lovable landlord (Christopher Rozycki), Jamie's new friends, quietly understated performance by Michael Maloney

Rating: a rewarding movie with a 'truly' moving end, humorous and engaging, highly recommended.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Horrible and engrossing to watch, a study of salesmen behind the scenes, highly recommended

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Always Be Closing. The salesman's mantra must be followed by four men in a failing office. So a competition is run. First prize is a Cadillac, Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third and fourth are you're fired.

With a week to make good or be fired Roma (Al Pacino), Levene (Jack Lemmon), Moss (Ed Harris) and Aaronow (Alan Arkin) hit every desperate measure they can think of to make the sales, hopefully with the help of Williamson (Kevin Spacey), the office manager. As time moves on some superb leads are available, the Glengarry leads, but Williamson is only allowed to give them to the top performers. The pressure continues to mount and risks must be made.

Mamet's play translates brilliantly into this studied and difficult movie. The faint of heart will feel for the salesmen's dilemma and the hard of heart will relish the patter and knowing of the procedures inherent in, well, sales. Sometimes hard to watch, there is no doubt that this movie contains some of the finest acting talent available and they pull out all the stops for the wonderful script. How Glengarry Glen Ross was only nominated for one Academy Award is beyond me, losing out big time to Howard's End and Unforgiven.

Things to look out for: the competition announcement, ABC, Alec Baldwin's apparently pivotal role (invented for the movie and not in the play), "coffee's for closers", verbal tennis between the salesman, the desparation of Levene, brass balls

Rating: horrible and engrossing to watch, a study of salesmen behind the scenes, highly recommended.

Pretty Woman (1990)

Chick flick or date movie staple

[7/10 · 7 September 2023]

After breaking up with his girlfriend Edward, an extremely wealthy corporate lawyer, takes up with a prostitute called Vivian, taking her back to his extensive suite at a five star hotel. In the morning Edward ends up asking her to spend the week with him primarily at the hotel, but also at various social events. In return Vivian will be paid $3000.

As Vivian (Julia Roberts) struggles to fit in, albeit temporarily, into Edward's (Richard Gere) world, as the week progresses a real relationship develops between the two. If only their pasts and old friends of each could let them get on with things themselves...

A wonderful date movie, possibly more 'chick flick', Pretty Woman is of course pure fantasy but the two leads pull you from an incredulous opening through this lovely Cinderella story. The humour is also welcome and interspersed throughout the movie. A nice fish out of water comedy but the slant is definitely towards the romantic story line.

Things to look out for: shop keeper snobbery, wonderful hotel manager by Hector Elizondo, horrid and excellent performance by Jason Alexander as Edwards business partner, revenge on the snooty shop keepers, nice to see Ralph Bellamy just a year before he passed away (his final film performance), rose clenched final scene

Rating: chick flick or date movie staple of the last twenty years, recommended.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Very tragic and moving story

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Carpe Diem! Seize the day!

Not something encouraged by Welton Academy for boys. Not until John Keating joins the staff that is.

Keating (Robin Williams), himself a graduate of the Academy, encourages the students in his English lessons to think for themselves and realis that they are powerful people, regardless of what they have so far been told.

His unorthodox approach (standing on desks, walks through the corridors, tearing the introduction from books etc.) startle but enliven a small group of students. These activities also bring both students and Keating into conflict with the school authorities and the boys' parents.

Tragedy is alas not far away as the culture clash is too much for the inexperienced young men. Especially so after they revive Keating's own long gone "Dead Poets Society", discussing and writing different poetry and different aspects of life than they would normally within the strict confines of the school.

Peter Weir's directing skills join all the characters into a complete narrative.

A wonderful Academy Award winning screenplay brought to life by what can only be described as beautiful acting, Dead Poets Society, like Glengarry Glen Ross, is a study of a particular way of life and in a lot of ways painful to watch.

The young actors are exceptional. Most notably Robert Sean Leonard as Neil who is firmly and strictly controlled by his father (another wonderful performance by Kurtwood Smith). Robin Williams performance is not the centre of this movie, rather the young men and their various troubles. The Keating role is a catalyst in this story and brings the movies two morals to the fore:

think differently be your own man Though there is humour, the tragic results of the clash between the traditionalists and non-conformists is what you take away. Where should the blame lie for these events?

Things to look out for: Robert Sean Leonard is exceptional, Kurtwood Smith plays the tough stern father well, the first of Mr Keating's classes with the boys, tearing the poetry book introductions out, painful interrogations by the headmaster, the final act of defiance

Rating: tragic and moving story, very highly recommended.

Roman Holiday (1953)

Tender and enjoyable romantic comedy, a story of impossible love perhaps

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

A journalist is given the opportunity of a lifetime when he meets a Princess as she steals away, rebelling against the constraints of court life. But will he recognise her and give her away?

Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) fails to recognise his charge, but does let her sleep in his apartment as he goes to work. Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) then becomes the subject of a bet between Joe (who he now recognises from a photo) and his boss Hennessy (Hartley Power). Get an interview with the Princess or be fired.

Another fish out of water comedy, romatantic drama and a sort of finding yourself tale merged together that in Roman Holiday into a wonderful heady cocktail. Comic chases and fight scenes, hidden cameras and a slow realisation of growing respect, even love; this movie could have been made anytime and would have been a hit. With the right cast... Peck and Hepburn seem to thoroughly enjoy there roles. If they didn't then they are even better actors than everyone thinks they are.

Things to look out for: moped ride, dodging her bodyguards, a sleepy Princess waking up wondering what happened the night before and who this man she's woken up with is, a wonderful turn by Eddie Albert as Irving - Joe's photographer friend.

A Place in the Sun (1951)

Dark morality play - recommended

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

George is working his way up his uncle's company. When he meets Angela and falls head over heals for her instantly his life really appears to be going places. The trouble is George already has a girlfriend, Alice, and she isn't willing to go quietly.

As George (Montgomery Clift) contemplates his options Alice (Shelley Winters) reveals a secret that will destroy his dreams.

A chance comment by Angela (Elizabeth Taylor) gives George an idea frightful idea of a way out...

Dark and disturbing, this movie isn't to everyone's tastes but the excellent acting and a well put together script combine to create a complete narrative around the hopelessly lost George.

Things to look out for: Angela's story that gives George his terrible idea, Shelley Winter's wonderful performance, Raymond Burr's forceful prosecutor, the final goodbye letter

Rating: dark morality play, recommended.

To Catch a Thief (1955)

A charming romantic comedy

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Years after his last burglary, John "The Cat" Robie is wanted by the police for a new string of robberies. Can he convince the authorities of his innocence, or must he catch the thief himself to prove it?

Robie (Cary Grant) escapes from the police with the help of some ex-resistance friends, mainly the daughter of one Danielle Foussard (Brigitte Auber) and convinces insurance agent H. H. Hughson (John Williams) of his innocence. Robie and Hughson set out to capture the copycat red handed, the only way they can think of clearing Robie's name.

Deducing the pattern of the robberies, they follow a likely target, the wealthy widow Jessie Stevens (Jessie Royce Landis). When she too is robbed her daughter Frances (Grace Kelly) is quick to blame Robie. But her mother believes his innocence too and they little group hatch a plot.

A charming romantic comedy, To Catch a Thief is one of the best Cary Grant movies, and that is saying something. The cast is excellent and breathes life into the characters. John Williams is wonderful as the Insurance Agent trying to look after his clients' interests.

Things to look out for: Humorous and romantic scenes between Grant and Kelly, driving dangerously along the coast/cliffs, roof top chase, market chase scene, unmasking a conspiracy, cat burglar with a wooden leg(?), Grace Kelly is stunning throughout

Rating: very funny and fun with it, extremely entertaining, highly recommended.

From Russia with Love (1963)

A excellent outing for the Connery Bond, highly recommended

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Bond can obtain a Russian encrypting machine, and from a beautiful young clerk. But a SPECTRE hangs over them... The young encryption clerk Tatiana (Daniela Bianchi) is asked to perform a top secret mission to seduce a British secret agent. She accepts, as there appears little choice, but has no idea that actually she is working for SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion). Her contact is the infamous Rossa Klebb (Lotte Lenya), her target James Bond (Sean Connery).

The bait is not only the girl but also a Lektor encryption machine, the true target of the machinations of SPECTRE. Though if Bond is framed or assisted along the way that would do nicely after the loss of Dr. No.

They even get another Soviet involved, Donald Grant (Robert Shaw), to hunt and kill Bond.

Cue the thrills and spills, girls, cars, brawls, girls, spies, gadgets, guns and girls. Bond is back.

The girls look good in this Connery's second outing. Not surprising as they include three former beauty queens. Daniela Bianchi stands out though.

Wonderful spy thriller with a nice touch of humour. The characters are well drawn and the script has some quirks that work well. For example, Bond doesn't appear for an absolute age and Grant hardly speak (though he is eloquent and thoughtful when he does).

Things to look out for: well worked opening sequence, spy trying to escape,

Rating: love Bond, excellent outing for the Connery Bond, highly recommended.

Rose Red (2002)

High production value doesn't quiet pay off, worth watching though

[7/10 · 7 September 2023]

A researcher invites a group of psychics to a supposedly haunted house. The idea is to establish a connection to the spirits within Rose Red.

It isn't long before they succeed and a terrifying force is unleashed upon them. The spirit of the former own, Ellen Rimbauer (Julia Campbell) s the least of their worries. Can Professor Reardon (Nancy Travis) and her motley crew even survive the experience?

Technically this is a mini-series and TV adaptation, not a movie. This does show in the quality of the production and cinematography. However this is not enough to ruin this piece, indeed it somehow adds a closeness to the work that is hard for big budget movies. Having said that though, the cost of this TVM is a reported $30 Million +. That means that the Rose Red mansion itself is truly stunning.

There are other, better, psychics versus haunting movies, Thirteen Ghosts for example, but this is nicely done and though there are few surprises along the way the movie has a deserved cult following. But at four hours, the movie lacks an edge that would have made it stunning. It is not as perfect as the price tag or Stephen King's aspirations should have made it.

Things to look out for: Stephen King's cameo, library floor, unusual meat in the fridge, the gorgeous house itself, the statue in the garden, the arboretum

Rating: worth watching over an afternoon, recommended.

It (1990)

Nice adaptation, but not perfect

[8/10 · 7 September 2023]

What if a force existed to show you your worst fears? What if It could make them real?

A group of children fight an evil that lurks under Derry, Maine. None of the adults believes the stories or can even see the terrifying creature or it's tricks. It is up to those kids to fight It.

As time passes, the remaining members of the "Losers Club" forget their horrific childhood. For some it is essential even to think that it could not have happened, it was a bad dream.

Mike Hanlon (Tim Reid) remembers. He stayed behind to keep an eye on their home town in case It returns. Now, 30 years later, children are dying once again and he must ask his friends to fulfil the vow they all made so long again. It is once again up to them to destroy It.

Another TVM adaptation of a Stephen King story and for the most part very well done. Both sets of actors, young and old, perform excellently and they are believable. Each character comes across, in their own ways, as a victim of their experiences and even of life itself. Preying on children the entity takes the form of Pennywise the Clown, a wonderfully menace filled performance by Tim Curry.

The only real downside is the lack of imagination used to represent the final version of It.

Things to look out for: Tim Curry is excellent, Early roles for Seth Green and Emily Perkins, lovely chemistry between all the actors, chased by werewolf, each of the gang's reaction to the news that "It's back.", moving pictures in photo album, stained bathroom.

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003 TV Movie)

Probably only interesting to those that have seen Rose Red

[5/10 · 7 September 2023]

How did Ellen Rimbauer end up haunting the Rose Red mansion?

At the turn of the 20th century an oil baron builds a huge mansion for his new bride. But what secrets lie in its creation and what terrors are await the young woman as she lives out her life in Rose Red?

Although included in the Stephen King Collection the story is actually written by Ridley Pearson for both printed and broadcast media. Technically, the film is based on the characters created by Stephen King.

The shorter format, just 85 minutes, allows the story to move more fluidly but as a result perhaps more is left to the audience to decipher. The purpose and motive of Rose Red are there, if you look hard enough. It is a direct prequel of Rose Red, both as an explanation for/of the research by Professor Reardon and the actual events many years before.

Things to look out for: wonderful sets and atmosphere, a house playing with the minds of those around them, understated (as required) performance of Lisa Brenner

Rating: interesting to those that have seen Rose Red, ok.

Salem's Lot (1979)

A worthy adaptation of a long book, recommended

[8/10 · 7 September 2023]

Two new arrivals in Salem's Lot cause a flutter in the small town. One a returning prodigal son the other a mysterious stranger. But the mysterious stranger has an even more mysterious partner and the prodigal son a secret past. When two young boys are attacked and one goes missing suspicions are raised and a town looks for answers. When the other boy becomes the victim of a vicious anaemia few suspect to true and horrifying nature of the boy's illness.

Ben Mears (David Soul) has returned to his childhood home to lay to rest the ghouls, shots and spectres of his traumatic early years. He takes time to re-establish old friendships and even manages to spark up a romantic attachment to Susan Norton (Bonnie Bedilia).

Richard Saker (James Mason) is a stranger in town who rents the old haunted house at the top of the hill (the source of Mears' childhood fears) and opens an antiques shop in town as part of a retirement plan for himself and his partner, Kurt Barlow (Reggie Nalder).

These two are pitted against each other and many friends a going to be caught up in this epic struggle between good and evil.

Salem's Lot is my favourite Stephen King novel. This is my favourite of the two TV mini series adaptations.

David Soul is surprisingly efficient and believable as the returning author looking for his next story (and get one personal comfort from the experience) and plays well against James Mason's vicious and cold vampire's assistant.

As a TVM the special effects aren't stunning but they work and the setting and atmosphere are suitably unsettling. It isn't surprising that the talents of James Mason steal huge swathes of the movie but there is enough screen time to allow the rest of the cast to show what they are made of. All do well.

The choice of going for a Nosferatu style vampire is inspired and carried off enigmatically by Reggie Nalder. If ever an actor deserved a movie of his life it is probably Nalder - look him up.

One nice touch here is the time spent to set up each character.

Oh, and make sure you're watching the longer version, the short 107 minute version is poorly edited.

Things to look out for: Ethereal performance by Ronnie Scribner as a 'junior' vampire preying on his best friend, James Mason steals the show, Fight faith and will, Ed Flanders as the local doctor (they're always doomed, aren't they?), self motivated cargo, mysterious attack on a grave digger, "Open the window, Mark!", vampire in a rocking chair

Rating: worthy adaptation of a long book, recommended.

The Shining (1997)

Hello Danny I've been waiting for you

[6/10 · 7 September 2023]

Boo!

An alcoholic writer takes up a post as winter caretaker of a sprawling mountain hotel.

His family in tow, all seems perfect. All seems quiet.

But the Overlook Hotel has other ideas.

Danny Torrence (Courtland Mead) accompanies his father to his new post and meets Halloran (Melvin Van Peebles), the Overlook's cook. Halloran tells Danny that he 'shines', a form of psychic power.

It appears Halloran isn't the only one to notice Danny's gift and the Overlook reaches out to the young boy but he is warned by a series of vision (and a manifestation of his 'shine' that he calls Tony) of the troubles ahead so the hotel is forced to take another route. Slowly the isolation and quiet unnerve his fragile father, Jack Torrance (Steven Webber). This makes him easy prey for the Overlook and slowly it takes over the author, all the time trying to reach out to Danny.

Adapted from the book by the author himself, Stephen King's re-imagining of the characters places them more closely to where he intended and thus also the story. Although King is significantly happier with this version there is an edge to the Stanley Kubrick version that seems missing here. The setting is appropriate and their is nothing fundamentally wrong with the TV Mini-Series. Perhaps before watching it is advisable to re-read the book and judge it from that. The menace is there but I think I'm going to have to watch it again.

Things to look out for: masked ball, REDRUM, "Hello Danny I've been waiting for you. We've all been waiting for you!", REDRUM, "Come down here and take your medicine", the beautiful hotel itself, REDRUM,

Rating: good enough but slightly less disturbing than it should be, ok.

Storm of the Century (1999)

Give me what I want and I'll go away

[6/10 · 7 September 2023]

As a huge storm hits the isolated town of Little Tall Island, a stranger comes to town with a simple message.

But what does the stranger (Colm Feore) want and can the police (Tim Daly) keep the town together with the biggest snow storm any of them has experienced and these dark threats hanging over them?

As people start dying it seems increasingly unlikely.

A morality tale that seems to be missed by many Stephen King fans, this story is well written. There are some moments in the written for TV Mini-Series that don't quite ring true but on the whole a well crafted TVM. The finale should resonate for any parent out there and there are huge hints at the purpose of the stranger throughout, if you look for them.

Things to look out for: finale, the decision put before the town, loads of spooky effects, nice animated cane handle, spotting Stephen King

Rating: good enough though not quite as disturbing as could have been, worth watching.

Batman (1989)

highly enjoyable masked / caped crusader fun

[8/10 · 7 September 2023]

With Gotham City overrun with organised and opportunistic crime and a police force either too corrupt or so out manned that it cannot defend it's citizens, a new approach is required.

Enter the costumed vigilante. Enter Batman.

But Batman is really the millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and as the fame of the crusader increases, so does the interest of the press.

One such is Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), along with Alex Knox (Robert Wuhl). As romance blossoms between Bruce and Vicki though a new and unpredictable danger is born out of the violence of Gotham's gangs. The Joker is in town and he's he'll bent on taking over and have a lot of fun along the way!

First the bad stuff, they should never have made the Joker an identifiable individual. This ruins the mystique surrounding the character. Of course, like many comic fans, I'm not convinced by the casting of Jack Nicholson as the Joker. He does a good job but lacks a spontaneity that I think the role requires.

Keaton was an odd choice too - at the time. The success of Beetlejuice probably sold him and director Tim Burton to the producers. Both do an excellent job though, deep and thoughtful. Distant.

The minor characters are played well and the City itself is just about brooding enough, though occasionally lacks menace. I guess even the hardest cities have to have lighter moments?

Things to look out for: lovely imagery in the Wayne Manor and Batcave, dining date with the a playboy, dining date with the Joker, Batsignal, some wonderful lines for the main protagonists, wonderful Michael Gough as Alfred, good turn by Tracey Walter as Bob (Jack Napier's top goon), Batmobile, Joker's special beauty products

Rating: highly enjoyable masked crusader fun, highly recommended.

Batman Returns (1992)

Outlandish and creepy, highly recommended

[8/10 · 7 September 2023]

A baby is born to Gotham city. His privileged and rich background though means nothing to him.

A freak he takes on the persona of an animal.

Not a bat, a penguin!

Batman struggles as three disparate enemies join forces against him through resources, guile and violence. The real victim of course is Gotham City.

Max Shrek (Christopher Walken) is a business magnate whose quest for power and wealth leads to the creation of two outlandish villains.

One he creates out of the creature who rises from the Gotham sewers, gives him respectability and then pushes him for mayor. Thus the Penguin (Danny DeVito) gains access to almost unlimited resources.

The other he creates by mistake as he attempts to get rid of his secretary, Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), who's learnt how his scheme for wealth really works. She survives a high-rise fall and, traumatized, takes on the identity Catwoman.

Meow!

As Batman takes on these two supervillans, Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) takes on Shrek.

Sequels are often a significant disappointment and although there are dud moments this film bucks that trend. It isn't better than the original but is as good. Different though. Creepy is an understatement for Danny DeVito in this and Michelle Pfeiffer oozes in so many ways across the screen, Meow indeed.

Things to look out for: Wonderful opening, sexy Michelle Pfeiffer steals the movie at times, two secret identities uncovered, Penguin's toys

Rating: Outlandish and creepy, highly recommended.

Batman Forever (1995)

mindless cartoonish over-the-top fun, enjoy, ok

[6/10 · 7 September 2023]

Batman faces up once again to two adversaries but this time, he gets help. Whether he wants it or not.

Batman finds that at times he can be his own worst enemy, potentially even create his own new challenges.

When Edward Nigma (Jim Carrey) is fired by Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer) over fears his invention would be dangerous he becomes the Riddler and forms an alliance with Harvey "Two Face" Dent (Tommy Lee Jones). Two Face himself blames Batman for his horrific injuries, which themselves led to his mental instability.

When Two Face is responsible for the deaths of all but one member of the Flying Graysons acrobatic troupe, young Dick Grayson (Chris O'Donnell) looks for revenge.

Can Bruce control the youngster And defeat this anarchic duo?

Rather strange movie this. The scenery and general photography is highly exaggerated and cartoonish which is such a departure from from the first two movies it actually feels crass.

Val Kilmer's only outing as The Bat isn't that strong but good enough. Chris O'Donnell is a good, if perhaps too old choice for Dick Grayson. To be frank, Jim Carrey makes this movie the fun it is. That is not to put down Tommy Lee Jones too much. I like him as an actor and enjoyed his performance but it missed the mark by just a fraction.

All the normal gadgets and such - though the Batmobile is awful in this one.

Things to look out for: good background footage of Harvey Dent, some well delivered lines and scenes from Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman as the eye-candy (for the gentleman at least), look out for Drew Barrymore / Ed Begley / Jon Favreau / Rene Auberjonois

Rating: mindless cartoonish over-the-top fun, enjoy, ok.

Batman & Robin (1997)

Camped up nonsense, poor movie - watch once

[2/10 · 7 September 2023]

As two Supervillians independently threaten Gotham City, Batman and Robin fight amongst themselves. What they need is a teenage, ditsy blonde in figure-hugging armour!

Mr Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to create a Winter Wonder Land. Desperately unhappy after his failure to cure his wife of a rare illness, Professor Fries becomes Mr Freeze.

Gotham becomes more crowded when Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) turns up with super-powered henchman Bane. Her ability to control men-folk causing trouble for the Bat-Household as Dick (Chris O'Donnell) and Bruce (George Clooney) argue over the virtues of Poison Ivy. Cue guest Barbara Wilson (Alicia Silverstone) to take on the improbably persona of Batgirl.

First things first. There is little that can redeem this movie. The acting is dire in places and only average everywhere else. However, if you take this in the spirit as a camped up version it still has merit. Schwarzenegger is incredulous as any form of professor. George Clooney must have been directed to play down on this, which is required for the part but it's such a flat performance you would what the instruction actually was.

Fun but poor movie

Things to look out for: puns galore, umm- struggling after that, a frozen Gotham City, Poison Ivy's hair, see if you can spot Elle Macpherson, see if you can remember where you've seen Michael Reid MacKay before (he plays Antonio Diego), Pat Hingle and Michael Gough deserve a mention for sticking with the franchise through all four movies

Rating: calmed up nonsense, poor movie - watch once.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Keep it secret, keep it safe!

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Frodo Baggins has inherited his uncle's ring but this small and insignificant gift, the least of rings, could bring about the end of Middle Earth.

Hobbits, Elves, Man and Dwarves must put aside their differences and combat a common enemy.

Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) has no idea of the danger represented by his precious ring that he won from Gollum (Andy Serkis) so many years before, or he'd never have left it to his favourite relative, Frodo (Elijah Wood).

Gandalf (Ian McKellen) finds out and tells Frodo. Then a dangerous race to safety by four small hobbits begins.

Along the way they pick up a stranger, Strider (Viggo Mortensen) and seven other friends that compose The Fellowship of the Ring!

For all its flaws compared to the source material this is without a doubt a cinematic marvel. Glorious vistas (of New Zealand) and breath taking special effects lead the viewer through the twists and turns of Tolkien's first LOTR novel.

Much is skipped in order to reduce the story down to an acceptable length, personally I'd have preferred a six movie version o match the original 6 novels planned by Tolkien.

The only real problem with the contraction is that you don't quite feel any friendship or closeness between the Hobbits, a precious theme of the books, as too much of the journey to Bree is skipped.

Having said that, once the Fellowship is formed and Moria looms (and beyond) you forget that and the movie is simply glorious. The losses of Gandalf and Boromir (Sean Bean) are palpable.

Things to look out for: Moria, death of Boromir, wonderful tricks and effects to get the character scales correct, a knife in the dark, elves, dwarves, trolls, orcs, evil Bilbo, Viggo Mortensen is surprisingly effective as the lost King, surprising turn by Hugo Weaving as Elrond

Rating: very, very well done, very highly recommended.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Magical stuff as we move on from the tragedies at Moria and the Falls of Rauros

[9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Frodo, Sam and The Ring move on from the tragedies at Moria and the Falls of Rauros (though they have no knowledge of the latter) and pick up an unlikely guide along the way.

The rest of The Fellowship make the decision to help aid the kidnapped Hobbits, Merry and Pippin. Moving into the the lands of the Horse Lords though they find treachery and destruction around them, far from the influence of Sauron in Mordor. Thus a new enemy rises to challenge them.

Saruman (Christopher Lee) is close to unleashing his plans to overrun the Rohirrim when Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas arrive.

Frodo and Sam are hopelessly lost in pathless hills when they allow Gollum to be their guide has their situation become even more precarious?

Not really a sequel this as the story is simply split into three volumes. I have heard people be disappointed with the lack of a proper conclusion to the movie but that's shortsighted.

The adventure continues with more dramatic scenery and bigger battles as the scope widens and the true scale of what's at stake finally becomes apparent. With more creatures to play with the effects teams really get there teeth into the story. The Ents are a marvel!

Things to look out for: Christopher Lee was born to play Saruman, those Ents, Dead Marshes, battle of Helm's Deep, Miranda Otto's lost Eowyn and Bernard Hill as her father - Theoden, Orthanc, The Black Gate, not forgetting we finally really get to see Andy Serkis' Gollum, it goes on and on...

Magical stuff, very highly recommended.

Halloween Ends (2022)

Halloween (finally) ends and ends well

[7/10 · 8 July 2023]

This is not a perfect movie but it's good enough and should bring to a close the franchise authentically.

The antagonists comes to a suitable sticky end, protagonists do their stuff and overcome (most of) their struggles.

The final trilogy works well and the follow-thru from the original is well done.

No problem with acting, special effects, and set pieces throughout.

The intro of a mentor/apprentice setup plays out okay, and the new antagonist has and keeps their own nuances and foibles. Right up to the end.

The thing that may let it down is the supernatural element specifically introduced and later discarded both for plot convenience. It allows a rapid final showdown but just feels like the script has left the track a little.

Enjoyed the movie nonetheless.

The St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959)

Intriguing but hard to rate highly

[7/10 · 27 May 2023]

Early Steve McQueen movie.

These early real crime dramas can be quite hit and miss and this movie is no exception. There's definitely decent sections and elements to plot and movie generally but perhaps the whole is brought down by just a tad too many overly long scenes of dialogue that weigh the movie down and don't add much (perhaps) to the heist planning, the paranoia of the characters, or the setting.

The actual robbery is a surprisingly short segment of the movie.

Lastly, as always there's the inevitable digressions from the real life story it's based on but this mostly forgivable, though can grate.

Interesting movie but not a classic by any stretch.