grickards55-1 Reviews

That Man from Rio (1964)

That Man's A Hit.

[6 September 2011]

A friend recommended this film to me, as I hadn't seen it and I enjoy spoof films. I was surprised that this film was, or is not, widely known, or admired. It is the kind of film that they just don't make anymore, a film that everyone can enjoy, with a handsome hero going through all sorts of fantastic adventures for the woman he loves. It seems unbelievable that some people have given this film a low rating for it has everything that a good film should have; a personable hero, fast-pacing and excitement. It is also very funny and, at times, very suspenseful, but it is also bright and breezy, with never a dull moment. It is the perfect film for everyone.It definitely get's a ten in my book. I will watch it again and again.

Rough Cut (1980)

A Brilliant Film.

[10/10 · 5 November 2007]

This a brilliant film, a sophisticated comedy thriller in the 'North By Northwest' and 'To Catch A Thief' mould. I have always thought that Burt Reynolds was at his best in comedies, and his performance in this delightful film proves my point. David Niven adds his usual strong support in the role of the craft Chief Inspector Cyril Willis, (What a great name), and Lesley-Anne Down adds the required sophistication and glamour in necessary quantities. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Patrick Magee as the Nazi pilot. The script is extremely literate and funny, and the locations are glamorous and sophisticated. A great movie that I hope will come out on DVD. I musn't forget Nelson Riddle's brilliant score, orchestrating the work of Duke Ellington into a remarkable and hummable score. Can anybody please tell me if a soundtrack exists for this brilliant film? Also, who originally sang the song, 'Boogie, Let's Boogie'? Any help really will be appreciated. Thanks, Gaz.

On the Beach (1959)

A film that captures the essence of Nevil Shute's great novel.

[8/10 · 4 October 2007]

A film about the end of the world is going to be neither happy or have one coming out of the cinema with a big beaming grin on one's face, but then On The Beach was never meant to be that kind of novel or film, and it was very courageous of Stanley Kramer to make a film about just that subject. I have read Nevil Shute's excellent novel and I found it tremendously moving for it is about ordinary people facing an extra-ordinary, and very tragic, event namely the end of the world. John Paxton's screenplay, for the most part, captures the essence of Nevil Shute's great novel, even though, as with most screenplays, he takes certain liberties, namely the end of the story, which in the book has Moira taking the tablets whilst sitting in her car, after Dwight has departed. This has a grim finality that, for some reason, Mr Paxton changed, although the banner reading,' Brother, there is still time', is inspired. Mr Paxton also blows up the romance between Dwight and Moira into Hollywood proportions, which tends to defeat the exercise rather, and the over-use of Waltzing Matilda becomes annoying to say the least. It would have been much better to have brought it in for the final few moments of the film, and give the excellent Ernest Gold full control of the rest of the score. The casting, for the most part, is excellent; Gregory Peck is excellent as Dwight, as are Fred Astaire, a very young and unspoilt Anthony Perkins, and Donna Anderson, but Ava Gardner is rotten as Moira, totally miscast and out of her depth. The film has some very chilling scenes; the deserted San Franciso and the Power Company, the lone sailor fishing who has chosen to die in his home city, and here, Mr Kramer has added a touch of humour with the appearance of the periscope appearing and a conversation ensuing between Dwight and the sailor, the deserted streets of the Australian city and, of course that banner. A very brave and commendable attempt to bring to life a classic novel that almost comes off. I think all war mongers should see this film, it is just as timely today as it was then.

On the Beach (2000 TV Movie)

Really awful rethink.

[1/10 · 4 October 2007]

Quite frankly, I think that this television rethinking of Nevil Shute's superb, and very moving book is, for the most part, awful. The screenplay has, more or less, jettisoned all the tragic components, and appealing characters of Mr Shute's great novel, in favour of bringing the story up to date, so much so, that the producers might as well have commissioned an original story and screenplay. The 1959 version was, for the most part, much more faithful to the original novel than this sorry effort. 'Truth to tell, neither version does justice to the book, although at least Stanley Kramer's version tries it's best to capture the dignity and quiet heroism of the ordinary characters facing a tragic consequence. The only thing in favour of this rethink is that the facts are brought up to date and we are shown how the mob would react to the end of the world but, apart from that, I will stick to the original film version, despite nearly being driven to distraction with umpteen variations of a theme on Waltzing Matilda, and the terrible miscasting of Ava Gardner. And talking of miscasting, this TV version has more than it's fair share of that; Armand Assante, who has as much charm as the holocaust he is involved in, Rachel Ward who seems all at sea with her part and, like Miss Gardner, is totally wrong for the part of Moira and, surprisingly, the usually excellent Bryan Brown is another casualty of the miscasting department. A1, however, are the brilliant special effects; the scene of a devastated San Francisco makes one's jaw drop, the nuclear dust like falling snow, and the dead victims are the only memorable moments, and as for the end, ugh!!!! The scriptwriters should have been shot for writing such dross and slop, the ending in the book is much more powerful. Maybe one day someone will make a remake that does full justice to a magnificent novel that is just as timely today as it was in the late 1950's.

Caprice (1967)

Engaging spy romp.

[10/10 · 9 March 2007]

So many people hate Caprice, including Doris Day herself, that I was quite surprised, when I finally saw it, to find how enjoyable it was. Admittedly, it is not high art or even subtle, but it is an engaging spy romp, in true '60's fashion, with Doris and Richard Harris exhibiting nicely judged performances. They make an excellent team and look well together. Richard Harris is, admittedly, not renowned for comedy roles, but the character of Christopher is surely meant to be rather sinister. The script makes certain that we don't know whether to trust him or not. I think his is a very underrated performance. The fashions and make-up are truly of the period, and there are some very exciting and funny set-pieces. I'm all in favour of films like Caprice, which set out to entertain, and I will certainly watch this film again and again.

Invasion (2005–2006)

Invasion invades U.K. TV Screens.

[5 March 2006]

Well, Invasion has finally invaded our TV screens here in England. What started out as a gripping serial, has now degenerated into the usual let's drag it out scenario. 22 Episodes with very little revealed each week? Forget it. Also to blame are dodgy acting and scripting. It's a pity that Sean Cassidy didn't take a lesson from the Taken series', which was absolutely brilliant. Mr Cassidy has seemingly taken his ideas from such classics as Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, and The Invaders, but without the originality of either of those classics. It is such a shame that all that money and talent has been wasted on what must have seemed a good idea at the time. 10 episodes would have been just right, or a three hour movie even better.

War of the Worlds (2005)

Flop of the Worlds

[1/10 · 9 July 2005]

So, Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, finally arrives in a blaze of publicity and super hype, which means that the film would either be brilliant, or rubbish and, I'm afraid, for me, it is the latter. What a movie Mr S could have made; a spectacular sci-fi story with fantastic effects from I.L.A.M. I think the film falls down badly by trying to emulate a 9/11 scenario, instead of making it a straight forward science fiction tale, and also by starting the film in New York, instead of Boston, then working it's way to New York. There are too many close-ups of Tom Cruise, and too much time spent with him warring with his obnoxious off-spring, which just slows the film up. Tim Robbins, as a modern-day Ben Gunn, seems to belong to another film, and again the film drags. Also, there are very few moments of true menace, and certainly nothing shown to make sense of the title. To me, those involved seem to have had no idea of what to do with the whole enterprise. It is a pity that the film fails, for there was plenty of scope for a film of the first order. I would recommended the original version of the film, which had plenty of suspense and menace, and you really cared about the characters. As a footnote, did anyone notice that film's original stars in the final scene; Gene Barry and Ann Robinson? I haven't seen any reference to these two stars in reviews and articles. How quickly people forget.