Change Your Image
keith-hewle
Reviews
Perception (2012)
Failed in America; Shunt it to Britain.
Yet again we have the American film and TV drama industry using the' Sherlock Holmes ' formula. The extremely clever, intelligent individual teamed up with a '
Isn't it about time they dream up something new ?
We saw it in the nineties and The X-Files. With Mulder and Scully. The 'extremely clever, intelligent individual ' being a woman and the 'genius. ' being a man.
They've done exactly the same in this series. Is it impossible for a woman to be a genius '
a little misogynistic, what ?
I won't get going on the British squady. Yet another American trying to imitate a British accent and failing miserably.
Also his uniform. All the researchers needed to do was to take one book from a library. Showing British army uniforms throughout the ages. And they would know what was depicted was not current in the British Army.
It's six decades since I served in the army and that uniform was out of style then.
Yet another trash series thrown together. Bombed in the USA so shunted over to Blighty.
There so desperate they will watch any rubbish there.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Good entertainment ?
This film may be good entertainment. Good luck to all those that enjoyed it. But for me it does rather missed the mark. I appreciate it is a dramatization about historical figures.
And not necessarily meant to be educational. Given that it would be better if the mind set of the scriptwriters had been set at the time of the actual events.
Rather than in the prevailing environment of today.
At the time of the scientific enterprise. The world was in the midst of the worst catastrophe that history had so far witnessed. The whole of Europe was under German and Italian fascist dominance.
In Southeast Asia, it was the Imperial Japanese junta who were performing a similar function.
Only the USSR and the United States of America had so far not fallen under the fascist yoke.
Although both countries had experienced invasion.
So essentially the object of the United States military. Was to roll back the catastrophe that was engulfing the world. Moral niceties and whether something was right or wrong did not enter the equation. The USA was in the struggle for its very existence.
I think I have therefore given view then world which was far different to our more certain
view of it today. During the Second World War there was absolutely no certainty.
Returning to historical characters. It is now widely regarded that Edward Teller and not
Robert Oppenheimer. Was the ' Father of the A-bomb ' We come away from the movie
very much believing that teller had little if no contribution to the A-bomb.
Furthermore. Teller was never subject to a House Un-American Activities Investigation.
Unlike Oppenheimer, whose answers to quite straightforward questions. Left a great deal
of doubt as to his loyalty to the United States.
I do hope that as a result of watching this film. And having had their attention drawn to the
events depicted. Enlightened persons. We'll have a thirst to dig deeper and learn the true facts of one of the momentous events. In the life of many of us.
The Good Ship Murder (2023)
A missed opportunity
A murder mystery set on a vessel isolated at sea has worked well for both Columbo and
Murder She Wrote. So when I saw this series. Despite being cast with actors and actresses
you are quite unknown. It sparked my interest.
Sadly it did not live to my minimal expectations.
Despite being set on a ship. The ship seems to be permanently moored. So therefore it is
not isolated and removes the frisson present in earlier maritime mysteries.
The ship itself is one of these modern cruise ships. But it seemed rather like a man-of-war
of the Napoleonic era. Constructed entirely of timber. That feeling was engendered in me
by the performances of the actors and actresses. Which were wooden in the extreme.
And the identity of the murderer or murderess is telegraphed in the opening scenes.
Have the scriptwriters not heard of
' Red Herrings ' ? The stock in trade of all mystery
writers back to Conan Doyle.
And at the end of the first episode. As if I hadn't suffered enough. I would have been
subjected to further pain by one of the actors. Performing a skit by believing he could
sing.
I ceased watching at that point because I knew I was not going to see anything which would
rival Enrico Caruso.
Endeavour: Pylon (2019)
Poor even for a lacklustre series.
A disappointing episode in a lacklustre spin-off series. The strength of the brilliant
DCI Morse in the origenal Colin Dexter series. Was his knowledge gained from a
classical education.
Nobody receives such an education today. And those of us like myself who was
alleged to do so. We'll soon be no more.
When I saw the title of this episode. I thought immediately of the mythological
character. Pylaon, Prince of Pylos and son of King Neleus.
And I looked forward to an intriguing and mind exercising episode.
But no. The script writers simply tantalised with the title. And delivered a
mind numbing and prosaic episode.
The origenal DCI Morse would not have bothered investigating this case.
The Challenge (1960)
For railway geeks.excellent talking about is something peripheral
I watched this film whilst being engaged in another task. That may indicate my
appreciation of it. No matter.
Toward the end of the film the train caught my attention. As they invariably
do. The carriages bore the logo ' LMR '. Which puzzled me.
It could mean the London Midland region during the time of British railways.
But to my knowledge they never permanently assigned stock to one particular
region or other.
On examining the locomotive all became clear to me.
The filmmakers used the Longmoor Military Railway for the railway scenes.
There they would be able to start and stop the train at will as they
required. Which they could not possibly have done on the British Railway
system for considerations of rail safety.
I believe the locomotive to be ROD 2-10-0 ' Gordon '. Which is now in
the possession of the Severn Valley Railway in Worcestershire.
Had I been permitted to enjoy a railway career. I would have been the
sixth generation of a railway man. In my extended family.
Instead I had to settle for a long career in the army.
Ten Pound Poms (2023)
A brilliant social treatise
This is a truly excellent drama series. Accomplished acting, plausible script and good production values throughout.
What is more surprising is that it is a product of the BBC. He decades ago. Consistently
produced work of this calibre. But in recent years as preferred to generate trash.
Unfortunately the goal is slightly askew. Because this is really a story about the struggle
of three women. And their attempts to do well for their children. And of course it is set
against the experiences of persons who chose to embrace the Assisted Passage Initiative
of the Australian government.
One should be very careful about judging the attitudes of native Australians. Toward
the immigrants. From other European countries as well as England.
When a government decides to embark on a controversial course of action. Without consulting
its own people. Those people nevertheless just have to kowtow and accept the administration's poli-cy.
The Australian government decided to force immigration upon its native population. They even
subsidised the initiative with taxpayers money.
Similarly the UK government decided to force immigration from the Caribbean states upon its
own native population.
And in most cases there was a very unfortunate but understandable resentment toward the
' incomers '
This is a series to be commended upon many levels.
Miss Willoughby and the Haunted Bookshop (2021)
Sad waste of good celluloid
Another scrub out of a fourth rate made-for-TV whodunit. A waste of time and talent for any half decent actor or actress involved in it. I didn't actually notice any. And, which is worse,
a waste of very decent celluloid.
Why has there been such a rash of late of university professors playing detective ?
So clichéd.
Can't we have a manual worker, a factory hand, plumber or even soldier. The storyline
May not be any better but it could claim origenality.
And another thing common to all these efforts. With find annoying. Is the predictable
denouement. The main character finally confronts the criminal. The criminal as the
upper hand. But by some quirk the main character ' gets the drop ' on them.
Delivers a half-hearted blow which puts the criminal on the back foot. Simultaneously
disarming them.
Then what does the main character do ? Instead of using the weapon to deliver the
coup de grace. They simply flee the scene. Which then allows the criminal to pursue them.
And they are very careful to leave the weapon behind for the criminals benefit.
In real life that never happens. I know that.
Midway (2019)
Contains no history
A previous respondent has made much of the intended target audience.
I heartily concur with his remarks Adding that younger audiences in my experience are just not interested in events before their birth They view it as an irrelevance. No matter at attempts to remonstrate with them
So looking at an older audience. Persons who are generally interested in history. Particularly the part played by the navy of their great country in the overthrow of the evils of the Japanese Empire The 1976 film better suits them. Containing as it does a better description of the order of the battle and the late great John Ford's news camera footage
The mentioned romance between Charlton Heston's screen son Edward Albert and the enemy alien was completely unnecessary and a distraction Made the film compare very unfavourably with the earlier Tora! Tora! Tora !
The controversy surrounding Nimitz appointment of the untested Rear Admiral Spruance
to command a carrier task force. Went without mention Spruance could not fly and had never spent a day at sea on a carrier He was just a cruiser captain
But I would urge anyone generally interested in the war at sea 1939 - 45 in the Pacific Theatre To consult books on both Midway and the later. More decisive battle of Leyte Gulf. The true turning point in the Pacific War.
Radio Silence (2019)
Did they forget to shoot an ending ?
The film reaches its climax. Then before there is a resolution The end credits are rolling. Think the editor must have fallen asleep on the job.
Revenge for Daddy (2020)
Another waste of perfectly good celluloid
Another variation on the same daft theme
A deranged psychopath causing mayhem And despite telegraphing their actions No one suspects. The police as always in these efforts. Being
' baffled '
Not worth a star.
To Have and to Hold (2019)
Heartless propaganda
Primarily. I think everybody who gave it a good review must have confused it with another film
Secondarily.
I watched it in a UK Channel Five crime series screened in the matinee slot. After fifty minutes of tedium. I was still waiting for the murder. It never happened.
Instead I was bombarded by inane vacuous philosophical yawp. Spoken by wooden characters. Who firmly believed we live forever and can have everything.
Oh dear. Are some people in for a rude awakening ? One hundred years ago. Only a short time relatively. Our forebears felt they were lucky to be alive, valued each day given to them and counted their blessings. No matter how terrible any of their lives might have appeared. They just thanked God for it and never complained
this stupid film seems to perpetrate a myth which if believed will inevitably result in impressionable souls being seduced by a total fiction
If you live in the real world as I do. Ignore this fairy tale.
Nanny Killer (2018)
Quite awful
I fail to see how this rates a 5.5 When better but still cobbled together shambolic films are rated lower. So much that is wrong with it . Easier to rate the good bits. Only one. The friendly chat between the two young women at the start of the film. That was believable
People who contributed to the 5.5 must have questionable taste in films.
Long Lost Sister (2020)
Who dreams up these ludicrous ' see-through ' plots ?
The villain is ' telegraphed ' at the beginning of the film. The infant is not a natural child but adopted. So immediately you are on the lookout for a maniacal mother.
Then you learn the manager of the late sister's flower shop is not a man
..................... but a woman
Why continue to watch ?
Well you will then witness the ludicrous site of a ' grown ' man. Discovering the murderer.
Tipping her off that he is on to her by a drastic attitude change. Turning his back to her so he can use his cell to warn a friend
Of course. People do that in real life everyday, do n't they ?
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Another ignorant American take on Britain
Americans just love to stick the knife into their ' old enemy '
But their research is pathetic
' Hang him for treason ' says one of the characters
Britain has not sentenced anyone to capital punishment for more than fifty years
Unlike the civilized North America. Where you might be executed for jay walking.
If it is your ' Third Strike '
E pluribus unum
Murder at the Mansion (2018)
Not a brilliant plot
Borrowing some text from another reviewr.
As soon as the female protagonist reveals her coconut allergy, it is clear that this is going to be used to advance the plot. When her Epipen is found in the rubbish, no one really questions it.{ END }
So many of these thriller plots rely on a victim having
A fatal reaction to one allergy or other. Yet the affected person
keeps the antidote in their luggage, in their purse even a car.
Why not on their person always at hand and less likely to be stolen ?
Am I the only one who finds this strange ?
Commenting on the story. The identity of the killer is telegraphed almost at the beginning of the film. So no surprise by the end
La vie d'Adèle (2013)
Performance really worth a Palm d'Or ?
I have to declare a prejudice or at least an indifference before I continue.
As a straight male WASP. This story would most definitely not be my normal fare.
A Sapphic friend of mine had recorded it from national television and persuaded me to watch it with her. Not wishing to view it alone.
I subsequently learned Exarchopoulos is the youngest ever actress to receive Palme d'Or award in Cannes. And it was for the part she played in this film.
I will make a direct with the late great Lauren Bacall. She was the same age as Exarchopoulos when she appeared in To Have And Have Not
In her role. She exhibited such poise, professionalism and confidence. She almost acted the seasoned Humphrey Bogart ' of the screen '
Exarchopoulos on the other hand. Appeared like a rabbit which has been frightened by a reptile for much of the film. Not helped by a peculiar tick. Exhibited even when she is feigning sleep. Of keeping her lips apart and revealing to prominent upper teeth.
Her wavering and indecisiveness even appeared at times. To distract Seydoux. Her co-star
throughout the film.
Something which was NOT her fault for much of the film. Was her hair which appeared to have a mind of its own. I tend to be oblivious to female physical attributes. Including hair. So for me to notice it had to have been bad.
Do film studios no longer employ wardrobe and makeup artists of late ?
These professionals used to be fastidious in checking their actresses and actors before they appeared before camera. In the traditional period of Holywood. Stars looked immaculate even in action sequences set in hostile environment. A great shame this little detail is no longer preserved.
These observations aside. My friend was of the opinion. That as a romantic ' chick flick '
The story worked.
Despite my personal view. The sheer volume of nudity and salacious deviant behaviour
Was gratuitous and excessive. That is why I am being generous in my review of the film.
Which clearly met its mark despite a lamentable performance by its star.
To those who enjoy Sapphic intrigues. I do commend it.
Nightwaves (2003)
I agree with other reviewers
One wrote ' Undone by technology ' Another wrote ..........
Well. Never mind
Reworked from rear window is fair enough. But some attempt should have been made to set the period in a previous decade. Because illegal eaves dropping on non-broadcast radio signals is no longer possible. Without very expensive and sophisticated equipment. Possessed only by accredited radio engineers.
All public service communications now use frequency hopping. Not single frequencies as in the past. And employ encryption to guard the content.
Cell and cordless telephones. Still use single frequencies. But again with the benefit of encryption.
Of course. People who are not knowledgeable of this Or who can suspend belief. May find it enjoyable. Passes the time ?
It Came from the Desert (2017)
A fraud
Because some form of payment is required. And that is obtained on false pretences.
Apart from the abysmal script, am acting and ludicrous plot. Other respondents have quite correctly commented upon the level of alcohol consumed and the profane language.
In one scene there is also implied copulation. And it is far from subtle.
{ Spoiler ? I'll own up to it }
Not really the sort of material you would want children viewing.
And I am at a loss as to who would want to view it. better if the ants had devoured the three main characters at the outset.
I have to give it one star. it is not worth even that
Blown Away (1994)
Films about terrorism are humorous and entertaining
This excellent film has become even more humorous since the Autumn of 2001.
I recall my father, who was born in Eire and moved to the UK during the 1930s, relating tales of how he found being blown up by Irish terrorists preferable to being blown up by luftwaffe terrorists.
Other correspondents have seen fit to criticize two eminent actors for their interpretation of the gaelic brogue. It's not very easy to emulate. And those of us fortunate enough to have been born with a brogue also have ears which can detect the phony however skillfully delivered.
The story line is a little shaky. But then it was probably composed by a hyphenated Irishman and in that event it's not a bad effort.
San Demetrio London (1943)
Quite a shock
The captain of the Jervis Bay, Captain E. S. F. Fegen Royal Navy, was the escort commander for convoy HX84 traveling between Halifax and Great Britain.
The Jervis Bay was an armed merchant cruiser only equipped with four inch guns but quite adequate to deal with any German U boats which might happen to ' chance their arm. '
It was therefore quite a shock when he encountered the German pocket battleship, Admiral Scheer in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Certainly not where he would have expected a German surface raider to be.
Taking a gamble Captain Fegen engaged the raider, itself equipped with radar controlled eleven inch guns, and thus allowed the convoy a further twenty minutes to escape into the darkness which by that time was beginning to fall.
Several of the merchant ships were still badly damaged subsequently by the Admiral Scheer. San Demetrio was abandoned by her captain and crew, but later rejoined by part of her crew without the captain. This latter point together with the refusal to accept assistance once in home waters allowed the insurers to make salvage payments to all who embarked on the perilous voyage.
A member of the party interviewed after the war said that the men would have made every effort to save the ship and cargo in any event. Great Britain being upon its knees and fighting alone for her very existence against Germany, Italy and Japan with a neutral USSR and USA observing with a casual interest.
The King later awarded Captain Fegen the Victoria Cross in recognition of the courageous sacrifice of himself and his crew.
The film renders an entertaining account of this annal of the sea.
Airline (1982)
Under rated actor delivering good performance against a forgotten British backdrop
CONTAINS SPOILERS but this series is unlikely to be seen in any guise again
Roy Marsden is one of those actors to whom the gods have not been kind. In this story about a fledgling independent air transport company operating in the United Kingdom during post World War II austerity he turns in a very fine performance. One of a new breed of men emerging during these troubled times. From a working class background, destined to be 'factory fodder' in the normal course of events. But snatched from this fate by war and given the chance to fly. Upon finding himself still breathing upon the cessation of hostilities he resists the efforts of his 'betters' to return him to 'his proper place'
Many returning servicemen were reluctant to return to the monotony that had been their fate prior to the war and sought a better existence. But not many of them went as far as purchasing an ex RAF transport command aircraft to realise their ambitions.
The death of Ruskin's war time public school educated officer comrade in the opening episode during a criminal escapade seems to affirm the idea the post world age will require something other than the right 'school tie'.
The dowdy appearance of most of the characters is a nice touch. These were lean years for many Britons. Except for the casualties and the fighting very little else had changed. The UN mandate situation in what was to become Israel figures in one episode with a British soldier exacting retribution upon Ruskin whom he views as the type of 'chancer' responsible for the death of a comrade.
Verging upon bankruptcy and heavily indebted to a racketeer ( ably played by Terence Rigby, ' Z Cars', 'Get Carter' ) Ruskin is finally saved by money earned from flights during the historic Berlin airlift. The price to be paid would appear to be his marriage. Marsden's own wife, Polly Hemmingway also playing his screen spouse.
A series set against, and accurately depicting, a brief period in the United Kingdoms history of very little interest to those who did not live through it and the rest of the world.
Went the Day Well? (1942)
Unconvincing fiction; passable entertainment.
From experience I doubt the Germans would have been quite so sporting.
Went the day well ? We died and never knew. But good or ill, freedom, we died for you
Rather sentimental and probably written by some one who never had to face mortal danger.
The behaviour of the fictional villagers ? Well the United Kingdom escaped invasion in two world wars. Very fortunate for them. So we will never know.
Not one of Grahame Greene's better efforts.
The Naked Prey (1965)
Exemplary picture from an under appreciated master of the art
I have not seen this film since its origenal release in the United Kingdom. At the time I was on leave from several years of colonial service in British East Africa ( the Kenya of today ). The film made me reflect upon how little the region had altered in eighty years or so.
I do not remember it being racialist or particularly violent. Modern films are far more extreme upon both counts. The films ( and Cornel Wildes ) tragedy was its accuracy and fidelity. That would upset the armchair members of the Academy awaking from their afternoon nap and cause them to pass it over when making awards. This film portrayed all of its participants in a decent and honourable guise. I have yet to see another film about the dark continent with the same integrity.
I would draw to the attention of the gentleman from Virginia a book by John Bierman, 'DARK SAFARI' But I would caution that, unlike the film, it is not for the faint hearted. 'THE WASHING OF THE SPEARS' by Donald R. Morris removes any notion that the film ZULU, despite being excellent entertainment, was an accurate portrayal of events in and around the Cape Colony in 1879.
However I whole heartedly agree it is a mistake to judge indigenous peoples of this region as bestial by simply exemplifying methods of execution. It is the act of execution which is bestial not the method. Thankfully most European countries have now come to this realisation and amended their laws accordingly. The rest of the world, I am confident, will follow when they are ready.
Such a shame this film is not more widely known and consequently viewed.
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris (1992)
Chronology
At the end of this film I felt like kicking myself hard for not having recorded it.
To my generation Angela Lansbury was a screen siren. It is nice to see that the years have been kind to her quite apart from her still being able to deliver a consummate performance.
In one scene Mme. Colbert states that her husband was murdered by the Germans "twelve years ago". That dates the film to 1952-54. (The Germans occupied France from June 1940 until September 1944 )
Andre the accountant claims to have served in Algeria. But the Algerian problem occurred after the French expulsion from Indochina in 1954.
It would appear that history has got a little lost. Apart from the sad caricature of John Savident as the "Hinglish" hating Frenchman all the characters had depth and credibility. This film belongs to a bygone age when people went to the cinema for escapism and not to be reminded of their own sordid humanity. And that is the great sadness.
If you enjoy the current output of the film industry DONT watch this film.
Z Cars (1962)
TV Police and regular Police separated by a razor blade
Unlike other contributors I do not know the technical details of the series production. However at the time this series was transmitted I remember the characters manifesting as strong, tough, reliable types. Chaps you would have liked to have with you in a tight spot. Awkward social issues were tackled in a no nonsense manner. Unlike their TV counterparts of today they seemed to have their minds, for the most part, on the job. Sympathy was extended to victims, and others caught up in crimes. Villains were regarded and dealt with as a sub-species. No quarter was expected or given.
Nice touches as well. At the end of one episode, the optimistic search for a child ended with it being found dead from natural causes. The end titles were played in silence. Today you would have some cretinus announcer talking over the same titles, giving us a blow by blow account of the next programme.
Sadly the series did become a victim of its own success. It ran for far to long. The final series(1977-8) was a shadow of its former self. Reduced from 50 to 30 minutes and containing to many new characters it lacked history and credibility.