Suicide Squad - 8/10.
Some aspects were much better than I expected, others were more disappointing. I'm happy to say that the critics are most definitely full of shit, this film had its weak points sure, but was still entertaining. Margot and Will stole the show, as everyone has being saying, the Joker should have been used just in the flashbacks imo, so even less than his already cut scenes. The story wasn't as good as it could've been, but overall it was very enjoyable.
Hopefully the Harley Quinn solo film will have limited Joker interaction, I know, they are characters that will always be connected, but she is so entertaining ( Margot
) that he isn't needed. I like what they are saying about where the film may be going, so her not being in his shadow and the possibility of other female DC characters being involved.
The Delta Force -7/10 good old fashioned 80s action with the main man Chuck Norris and a surprisingly strong supporting cast.
Next Goal Wins (2014) In 2001, American Samoa lost 31-0 to Australia, the biggest defeat in international football. Ten years later, they prepare for the South Pacific Games, followed by qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, the latter under charismatic and passionate coach Thomas Rongen. An inspiring, interesting documentary also covering the island's culture, beliefs and recent history. There is some superb camerawork in the match highlights too. Well worth watching. 8/10
Blackout(1950)
A classic crime noir,an ambulance drops a blind patient at the wrong address where he finds a dead body.A superb plot brilliantly acted out by Maxwell Reid and Dinah Sheridan.
8/10
The Masquerader(1933)
Richard Wallace's drama about a politician,who enlists his doppelganger cousin to take his place in public so he can get away from all the stress boasts some fine performances from Ronald Coleman and Juliette Compton.
7/10
Blue Ruin(2013) A Kentucky man sets out to kill the man( surprisingly released early from jail) who murdered a family member, but things rapidly escalate. Best described as revenge thriller/art house film, director Jeremy Saulnier has an excellent way with visuals, while lead actor Macon Blair turns in a quietly complex performance,covering intensity, determination,fear and sometimes stupidity. There are many scenes with no dialogue but the ones that do have, the lines are not wasted, with the odd bit of dry wit. Also starring Devin Ratray, Amy Hargreaves,Kevin Kolack & William W Thompson. 7.5/10
The Muppet Christmas Carol(1992)
A warm,funny and surprisingly faithful adaptation of the Charles Dickens story which was published on December 17th 1843.Featuring some great musical numbers and Michael Caine in imperious form as Scrooge.
8/10
Champion(1949) Kirk Douglas(100 yesterday) plays boxer Midge Kelly in a noir chronicling his rise to fame. Douglas brings his charisma to an unpleasant character,thus you are always interested in his progress. He is given excellent support by Arthur Kennedy as his brother and Paul Stewart as his manager. Marilyn Maxwell does a good turn as a femme fatale, and there are some trademark hard boiled noir lines and fine shadowy camerawork. The final fight scene is particularly dramatic. Also starring Ruth Roman, Lola Allright & Esther Howard. 8/10
Black Hawk Dawn (2001) Its 1993, and in the protracted aftermath of the Somali Civil War, US Marines attempt to capture two Somali rebel warlords, but things go wrong and a rescue bid is required. A beautifully shot film, and typically of director Ridley Scott, he has an excellent handle on the action scenes, which are relentless and feel seamless. They are broken up by scenes at the base camp, dialogue between the Marines(this is nothing special) and quiet, thoughtful or grim moments on the battlefield. The film makes no moral judgement on the validity of country involving itself in another's war but focuses on the realities of the war on the ground. A large cast includes Josh Hartnett(impressive), Sam Shepherd,Ewan McGregor & Tom Sizemore. 7/10
The Blue Dahlia(1947)
With a superb script from Raymond Chandler,George Marshall's thriller just needed a bit more noir in the direction to make it a true classic and back up the wonderful performances from Alan Ladd,William Bendix and Veronica Lake.The plot is very twisty,a naval hero(Ladd)returns home to find his faithless wife partying up.When she's murdered,he naturally becomes the prime suspect.If the climax seems a bit unrewarding,blame they US Navy.As they vetoed the original choice of killer.
7/10