collierandy Reviews

Wonderful Days (2003)

My all time favourite animation

[10/10 · 22 December 2023]

I've watched many, many films and plenty of anime/animated films. My opinion is Sky Blue (it's English title) is near perfection. A mix of excellent cell and CGI animation it has everything. Great plot, not too long and a fantastic soundtrack, the piece accompanying the finale is so moving. I say near perfection and that's only because the English language voices could have been better, especially the main character Shua, but it's a minor quibble. I do know you have to be a bit careful about which version you watch and I can only speak for the DVD version that was available in the UK via Tartan. Highly, highly recommended.

Desperation Road (2023)

Don't listen to the haters, this is good, slow but good

[8/10 · 13 December 2023]

I've read the book and this was a solid adaptation, not too surprising as the author is also the screenwriter. It's an old fashioned brooding drama set in Mississippi (though filmed in Kentucky). I thought the cinematography was excellent and unlike some reviewers I really liked the soundtrack it was really effective. I note the lead actor also sings the end song too. Yes it is a bit slow but this is a drama not an action film. All the acting was accomplished. Willa Fitzgerald shows true talent and good to see her in a serious role after Reacher. Very recommended, just remember it's a drama.....

Special Forces (2011)

An action film but with a typical French angle...

[5/10 · 9 December 2023]

Normally I avoid French films. I've tried them in the past and just find them too serious, too earnest or with a strange habit of feeling as if it is obligatory to introduce light, comedy moments regardless of the subject matter or genre. However, seeing a French action movie on Prime about special forces in Afghanistan, I thought let's give it one more go, maybe I'm wrong, and this will eschew my preconceptions....... Incredibly, no. All the above were still there, together with some far too frantic editing in the first 20 mins which started to make me queasy as the scenes kept jumping around and cutting away. The action sequences were well executed and I'd imagine the tactics shown are pretty realistic.

Well, apart from one sequence when, and I'm no special forces expert, the gung-ho approach and free firing, standing up and not seeking cover seemed very unrealistic This is my last French film.....honestly......

Trouble in Mind (1985)

A forgotten cult classic

[10/10 · 7 March 2023]

I've always loved this film. It's often classed as an arthouse movie given the director, however it's more mainstream. It has a great atmosphere throughout, with the eponymous RainCity (well, Seattle actually), and it's set in a near future (or is it an alternate future?). Excellent acting throughput and cool soundtrack courtesy of Mark Isham and Marianne Faithfull. I especially like the performance of Divine, not so much over the top, just completely suited to the role. The touches of humour almost make it a comedy, but at its heart it's a story of redemption, love and heartbreak, in a city where it mainly rains or has been raining.

Breakers (2019– )

Hidden Gem

[9/10 · 25 May 2022]

Came across this by accident on Amazon Prime. Started off thinking it was intriguing though a bit low budget. However quickly got hooked and watched all episodes. A unique take on the 'reliving the same day' scenario. Well worth a watch.

Reacher (2022– )

Just like the books: Lightweight and entertaining

[7/10 · 10 February 2022]

Certainly an improvement on the films, Alan Ritchson certainly feels like the Reacher in the books. This was entertaining, if not quite as good as hoped for. Pleased there will be a season 2.

Midway (2019)

Entertaining, if cliched....

[8/10 · 29 January 2022]

This is a throwback war film, with the exception of its heavy reliance on CGI. At times the action sequences look like cut aways in a video game. Pretty much every war film cliche is ticked off too. That said, I enjoyed it. It's entertaining and the history is interesting and from what I've read, fairly accurate too.

Wrath of Man (2021)

Good, solid, just lacks the old Ritchie

[8/10 · 13 December 2021]

This is a well made action thriller and I enjoyed it. However as a long time fan of Ritchie's work (well, let's forget King Arthur and Aladdin), this is his second film after The Gentlemen that I've felt a bit disappointed with. He's not including his trademark idiosyncratic style of directing. It's all rather mainstream. Maybe that's simply the direction he's now choosing or the studios are requesting. Either way it's a shame. Good film, just could have been directed by anyone.

Man Down (I) (2015)

Unexpectedly good and moving

[8/10 · 23 November 2021]

I was expecting a relatively straight forward war story with some sort of apocalyptic theme. I was surprised however that this had so much to do with PTSD, and also the level of acting and drama involved. Great performances all round and truly moving. Recommended.

StartUp (2016–2018)

Great find...

[9/10 · 22 November 2021]

Scrolling through Prime Video, thought I'd give it a go and.....wow, what a series. Was totally hooked after episode one and quickly binged watch all seasons. Great acting and screenplay, really entertaining.

Goliath (2016–2021)

Excellent, despite a dip with season 3

[9/10 · 22 November 2021]

Overall this was thoroughly enjoyable. The acting was great, Billy Bob Thornton is as good as ever, and Nina Arianda's Paddy is a standout character. For me the last season was the best. Noticeably more stylishly filmed, and felt like there was a larger budget to spend. I loved the setting of Chinatown for Billy's apartment and the almost constant rain. I see it as seasons 1 and 2 building the characters, but still with interesting storylines. Not sure what happened with season 3. The basic storyline could have worked, it just felt like someone going through the motions, and don't get me started on the dream/drug sequences. However definitely worth preserving for the fourth season.

Battle Los Angeles (2011)

Cliched, over the top........and very entertaining

[9/10 · 28 October 2021]

This was never going to be Oscar material, but if you want a pure escapism action film, then this is for you. Excellent special effects that stand up with time.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Enjoyable

[8/10 · 31 August 2021]

Ok so not a classic, but highly watchable, and Finn Little is definitely a star in the making, great actor.

The Outpost (2019)

Good first half, excellent second half

[10/10 · 18 August 2021]

Impressive all round. Although the first half may be slightly formulaic, it does build characters and show the mundane nature of warfare. The main attack, detailed in the second half is executed brilliantly. The direction really is excellent and shows the true confusion and bravery of battle. It feels pretty realistic too and a fitting tribute to those Americans who lost their lives.

El Candidato (2020– )

Enjoyable, if dark (literally)

[8/10 · 14 May 2021]

This is a solid series. It feels authentic, good acting and plot. My main gripe is the lighting. It's like on a number of occasions the lighting crew didn't turn up and the director just decided 'Well let's just not bother with light then'. Even with my tv on Dynamic and the curtains closed, I struggled to see some of these dark scenes. Hope they fix that for season 2.

Hunter Killer (2018)

Could have been much better

[5/10 · 13 February 2021]

Action sequences are competently executed but overall disappointing. Actors are very much just going through the motions, and some of the dialogue is very cliched. The plot itself is pretty simplistic but even so it's pretty unrealistic.

Tenet (2020)

Enjoyable but hard to understand..

[8/10 · 11 February 2021]

It's rare I watch a film and genuinely struggle to work out what's going on most of the time. This in my view is probably the hardest of Nolan's films to figure out. I got the general premise but trying to get your head round the detail is near impossible. As per other reviews, a second viewing would certainly help, and having subtitles on! Some great set pieces, cinematography and acting. Just expect to be turning to anyone you are viewing with and asking a lot "'Er what...?"

Greenland (2020)

Very entertaining

[8/10 · 6 February 2021]

I enjoyed this. It was very well acted and unusually for a 'disaster' movie, time was spent on the characters. Yes, a few plot holes when you really start to think about it, but entertaining.

Need for Speed (2014)

Excellent.....for racing action

[8/10 · 28 January 2021]

If you choose to watch this movie, the chances are that you are doing so to watch slick, exciting racing of super cars. If so you won't be disappointed. This is a well produced, well directed action film that had some truly spectacular racing action, made even more realistic with the minimum use of CGI. If on the other hand you are looking for added drama, relationship development, nuanced acting and subtlety, then you are going to be very, very disappointed....

7 Days in Entebbe (2018)

Well produced but flawed and inaccurate

[6/10 · 27 January 2021]

Acting and production are all competent but the actual rescue mission is crammed into the last 10 minutes or so almost as an afterthought. It misses a number of facts including the destruction of several Ugandan planes and many more Ugandan soldiers kills than the impression given...

The Way of the Gun (2000)

Could have been a classic, but.....

[6/10 · 19 November 2020]

Great gun play and action sequences but over long and boring in places..

Patriot (2015–2018)

Superb. Best series I've seen for a long time.

[10/10 · 3 November 2020]

This was an outstanding series, both seasons. I was gripped from start to finish. Definitely not an out and out comedy. Yes there are some great subtle, understated comic moments, some which had me laughing out loud, but there is also plenty of drama and pathos. All of the characters were just so memorable and the production values were top quality. The script was so clever. I especially liked the symmetry with which a lot of shots were framed.

Boggy Creek Monster (2016)

Quite interesting but poor production

[5/10 · 28 October 2020]

Watchable certainly but annoying production. Specifically the sound, interviews with the ex sheriff and museum curator are almost incoherent. Makes you think though that there could well be some out there....

Downsizing (2017)

Good concept but a let down

[5/10 · 4 October 2020]

I liked the idea of this and was attracted by the trailer. The first half of the film delivers, but falls flat in the second half with the 'relationship' between Matt Damon and Hong Chau, to the degree you even forget that they are 'small' characters. Pity.

The Gentlemen (2019)

Good, but not one of his best

[8/10 · 24 September 2020]

I enjoyed this, it was fairly typical Guy Richie underworld in London, but it lacked his usual sparkle. Very little of his usual touches which make his films stylish but not pretentious (in my opinion). Hugh Grant is excellent. So pleased to see him playing a sleazeball....good film, just not excellent...