jamesart-439-537740 Reviews

The Old Man (2022– )

A great show.

[8/10 · 3 January 2023]

A great show that benefits from every second Jeff Bridges is on-screen.

When it drifts off into sub stories and the like, it loses some of its depth and gravitas a little.

A real example of how having a true actor of calibre and depth like Jeff Bridges can add enormously to a movie, mini series or TV show.

John Lithgow adds incredible support and also brings a lot to the table.

Overall I thought the show has a great premise, fascinating storyline and great acting across the board.

The interplay of past and present and how the past can circle back on you is critical, especially when we make decisions in the past when we are young and strong but those decision come back to haunt us when we are older and weaker.

Great, entertaining show.

Just . . . More Jeff Bridges.

Night of the Juggler (1980)

An energetic action pic, 80's style.

[8/10 · 28 January 2022]

And 0's action pic that has the feel of a 70's action pic.

First time I watched this as a young lad, I was blown away by the non-stop pursuit by James Brolin of his kidnapped daughter.

It was seat of the heels action and I felt quite breathless by the end of it.

Looking back at it after re-watching in 2022 you can see the flaws and distinctive 70's/80's feel, (not that there is anything wrong with that) but if you allow yourself to be in the moment with the movie, it is still an amazing, fast packed pursuit thrill ride, well worth watching.

Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)

A delightfully written and performed film, well worth viewing.

[9/10 · 3 December 2021]

A film of the complications and delicacies of life, and love, that left me feeling . . . Joy.

Christopher Walken absolutely shone in his role of Tony Reily, and truly was the central star within which the rest of the cast and story orbit.

A truly wonderful performance.

The battleground love of the two main protagonists was like a fierce mating dance of love.

Intricate and complicated and confused.

All this wrapped not only in the natural beauty of Ireland, but also in the equally beautiful and sweetly philosophical writing of John Patrick Shanley, who also directed with a sublime touch.

His delicate and gracious turns of phrase were a constant delight as they arose.

It is not a film for everyone, but for those whose life, or heart, has matured will appreciate its soul and gentleness.

Highly recommended.

Cry Macho (2021)

Classic Clint Eastwood as Director

[8/10 · 29 November 2021]

Surprised at the low rating of a film I very much enjoyed, I felt compelled to write a few thoughts.

In a way, in a world of instant gratification, light speed and improbable action and special effect on special effects, I can see why some, possibly most, may not enjoy this film.

It is, has he has demonstrated throughout his directing career, slow paced, thoughtful and simple told.

Old world film making, if you will.

What Mr Eastwood does excel at is drawing the heart and soul from simple ingredients, and Cry Macho is another example of that.

In a way, ii is similar to Gran Torino, and that is not a bad thing.

It is gentle, with a little gruff on the edges.

Edges worn by time and softer.

Not a masterpiece, but gentle, sweet and entertaining fillm making, that I for one, very much enjoyed.

As Time Goes By (1992–2005)

A true Joy & Delight

[2 February 2021]

The tenderness, warmth and delicacy with which this series was written and acted really touches and delights the soul. Perhaps only those whom life has touched may appreciate it (but then there are few that escape unscathed) but it truly is a delight. Love is not just the passionionate inferno of youth, but also of the glowing embers of maturity. All the more so when life has given you edges and to come together anew at an older age, it is harder still to smooth those edges. And that, for me, makes this series all the more sweet. And it IS funny as well. Enjoy.

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2018)

Surprisingly and beautifully heartfelt.

[8/10 · 3 January 2020]

I watched this movie simply because I have been a big fan of Sam Elliot since the seventies. Despite the title and premise the movie is surprisingly beautiful, and delicately heartfelt. Sam Elliot plays his role to perfection, as, in fact, do all the cast.

I found it the whole movie extremely well written and the mood, imagery and acting all worked together to evoke the beautiful writing wonderfully.

In many ways it reminded me of how Richard Curtis (About Time, Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Etc.) is able to bring a sense of heartfelt soul to his films when he has both writes and directs a project.

I was so smitten by the writing of The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot I just had to wait for the credits to see who wrote it and discovered Robert D. Krzykowski both wrote and directed it, a la Richard Curtis.

In truth I had never heard of Robert D. Krzykowski before but by virtue of his work here I very much hope he writes and directs again. And again.

Changeland (2019)

An Interesting peice of work.

[8/10 · 8 July 2019]

Seth Greens' Changeland was an interesting experience. Unlikely to appeal to all tastes it is nevertheless a fascinating study of a certain kind of man, one that is sadly becoming something of the norm nowadays.

A casual pace, along with some beautiful cinematography, adds to the downbeat mood of the main protagonist. (But not the mood of the film as a whole, which feels slightly more hopeful.)

Seth Green really delivers an incredibly subtle performance as forlorn Brandon.

Breckin Meyer also adds greatly to the dynamic and brings a great deal to the friendship between these two.

I found the writing to be incredibly delicate in how it drew out and depicted the friendship between these two main characters.

Indeed the writing in it's entirety showed great restraint, dignity and subtlety.

Having only seen Seth Green in a couple of things I was very highly impressed with how he wrote, directed and starred in this intriguing film about a man losing love but, hopefully, finding himself.

Tomb Raider (2018)

Great action, of the girl yet to become the woman.

[6/10 · 23 June 2018]

Oh, my, the action was intense with many 'when will this girl catch a break' moments. Overall a pretty damn good action movie. Alicia V puts in a very physical performance. Though many stunts were physically impossible it is remarkable the level of physicality she brought to the role. In the inevitable comparison to the originals I can only say that Angelina Jole WAS the women Lara Croft was to become, while Alicia V is the girl yet to become the woman, but showing the traits that will one day bring her there. Overall a pretty good movie, but one that, strangely, makes you appreciate the original even more.

Tombstone (1993)

Real Men, in all their aspects.

[20 April 2018]

Having just re-watched this, 25 years after its' release I can only say that it truly is a classic, dealing with classic themes, classic villans and classic( and not quite so classic) heroes.

Kurt Russel, truly at his physical peak, with movement, squint, glance and demeanor demonstarting the pinacle of the typical american here.

Val Kilmer, in a smaller but sublimely brillant turn, is every bit the hero. As Kurt Russell was in EVERY aspect of his role, Val took a wholelly diferent approach and also made his role every bit as rivetting, but in it's antichical format. Val Kilmer was mesmerrising in a way vastly diferent to the way that Kurt Russell was eqally messmerising.

It was a true tour de force from both.

Bill Paxtton is, well, Bill Paxton and the movie is the better for it.

Even more the case for Sam Elliot whose western essense seems to trickle naturally from his pores.

Watch out also for Thomas Hayden Church in a minor role as well.

Overall, a rip roaring tale. Thoroughly engaging and extremely well told.

Modern audiences may find it male centric, but, hell, so was the old west.

A modern classic, well worth aquainting yourself,with and immersing yourself in.

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Middle of the road adaption, with modern action sequencing.

[6/10 · 1 August 2017]

This remake of The Magnificent Seven is bogged down by some weird vibe I had trouble putting my finger on. Overall it should have been great,but left me underwhelmed.

I thought that maybe my memories of the original had been brightened by youth and time, so I went back and re-watched it.

And while watching the original it hit me. The characters in this remake are simply poorly defined and with little depth. Hell, even their appearance was similar, with this modern trend of half whiskers/stubble, tending to help blend the characters as well.

In the original every character was brightly defined and very individual.

With this new one I found I ended up not really caring about them at all. The one with potential was Ethan Hawkes character, but they whipped past his death as if it were nothing.

In the end I think it really comes down to knowing the art of good story telling.

The original did it extremely well and told us a grand tale of interesting folks. This new one did it less well and told us about some things some guys did.

The Love Guru (2008)

Better, far better, than the ratings and reviewers might suggest

[7/10 · 16 January 2017]

The Love Guru is actually as funny as any of the Austin Powers movies. It is cleverly written and is a LOAD of fun.

This is an enjoyable movie all throughout.

Humour is in a similar vein to the Asutin powers movies, though, apart from a few crass bits, I thought on a higher level still.

The production values are very high, it is nicely edited and shot and Mike Myers and the other actors look like they had a fun time making it.

And it shows.

It is a fun, fun movie.

How it managed to get such a low rating is totally beyond me.

So many sanctimonious, know it alls commenting as if they are toff nosed art critics.

Stuff 'em.

It is almost like the Tulip Bubble and other instances of mass madness and lemming like behaviour. Sad that Mike had to be on the receiving end of it.

Don't trust them. Hell, don't trust me. Just watch the first five minutes at least, as it is straight into the style of the movie.

A small investment in time to make up your own mind.

Parts Per Billion (2014)

A subtle, mature, end of time love story.

[9/10 · 20 May 2016]

A strangely compelling, end of world tale, that could easily have gone astray but did not, due to the intimacy of the relationships told through exquisite writing and performances. Told in a mosaic fashion that builds to create a beautiful whole, the film first intrigues and then, inch by inch, draws you in. Wonderful performances all round from veterans and newcomers alike. ( Always a sign of an excellent director.) Frank Langella, Gena Rowlands shine in the mature, understated way of older greats. Josh Hartnett also brought something special to his role, as did Rosario Dawson. But it was Theresa Palmer who brought an exquisitely luminous and fragile element to her role and really brought true soul to the whole movie. An actress well worth keeping an eye out for.

A movie that transcends its not so uplifting subject matter to somehow create an uplifting movie, in a melancholy kind of way. Welll worth a deeper look.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Exhaustingly Brilliant.

[9/10 · 1 June 2015]

Wow! What a total thrill ride. I came out of the theater quite limp with exhaustion.

The heat of the chase and the tension barely let up and was so wonderfully executed by Peter Weir and his talented team as to beggar belief.

It was immersive and had great mythological traits running through it.

Charlize did a most wonderful job, as did Tom Hardy, of whom I am a big fan.

However, beyond the action and the brilliance of the story telling I quite simply missed Mel Gibson.

He is capable of bringing to a role a deep, guttural element that transforms acting into being and I could have easily imagined this being centered 20 years on from the last Mad Max with a grizzled, bitter Max that only Mel could have imparted.

An opportunity missed, I truly do believe.

However, that does not in any way take away from the massive undertaking and brilliant, adrenaline fueled, film making that Mad Max: Fury Road is.

See it and be amazed.

Sherlock (2010–2017)

Brilliant adaption that is made even more so by Benedict Cumberbatch & Martin Freeman wonderful interactions. ,

[9/10 · 27 November 2014]

One of my 'must see' shows, and there are VERY few of them.

Modern day Sherlock and his faithful companion.

Brilliant story lines. Brilliant Acting. Pretty much everything brilliant.

First 2 series were particularly brilliant, with Moriarty bringing weird, camp, malevolence to the scene.

The third series, while equally great on the acting and story sides, let itself down ever so slightly, by the over use of gimmicky editing.

I hope the upcoming 4th series leaves that aside and continues with the simply brilliance that is Sherlock.

Cannot recommend highly enough for fans of Sherlock Holmes, mysteries and great television in general.

This Means War (2012)

A hell of a ot of fiun.

[7/10 · 20 July 2014]

I was spurred out of my usual lethargy to write this review on reading other reviews which painted a less than enthusiastic portrait of this fun movie.

While we are used to Reece Witherspoon having more to work with in other roles she made the most of her screen time and was cute and sexy and fun to watch.

The real star in this movie was the brilliant, and very enjoyable, interplay between Chris Pine and Tom Hardy, who both put in great performances.

They have a terrific screen chemistry and their very funny feuding and game of one upmanship was a true delight to watch.

I suspect that they had a wonderfully fun time making this movie because it really shows on the screen.

Yes, the plot may have been a little predictable in places, but it was all executed very, very well.

Overall, a terrifically fun movie that I would highly recommend when you just want to sit back and be amused and entertained.