Sabotage(1936) A Hitchcock picture based on Joseph Conrad's novel The Secret Agent,and set in and around a cinema,as an undercover policeman played by John Loder plans to foil a plot to plant bombs in London. A generally tense, compact movie, with thrills, humour and one major shock in its 1 hour 15 minute running time,although occasionally the script is a bit flat. There are effective villainous performances from Oscar Homolka & William Dewhurst. Also starring Sylvia Sidney, Desmond Tester, Joyce Barbour, Peter Bull & Matthew Boulton. 7.5/10
Spring Breakers(2012) Four college girls( Selena Gomez,Vanessa Hudgens,Ashley Benson & Rachel Korine) rob a restaurant to fund their spring break. Later, following a brief time in jail for drug taking, they are bailed out by a DJ and all round criminal(James Franco). Despite a reasonable soundtrack and being vividly shot colour wise, this film has very little else going for it. Pretty much plotless, a poor script, repetitive scenes and annoying performances, especially Franco. The only one who comes out with any credit is Gomez, who turns in a sympathetic, fairly believable performance. Also starring Gucci Mane. 4/10
Notorious(1946)
Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman were never better as US agents trying to infiltrate a group of Nazis led by Claude Rains in South America.Alfred Hitchcock uses intense close ups to capture their emotions and constructs every scene in the first half of the film to have a corrosponding scene in the second.Probably the most cunningly crafted suspense thriller of his career.
9/10
(02-02-2017 17:00 )rpj316 Wrote: [ -> ]Notorious(1946)
Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman were never better as US agents trying to infiltrate a group of Nazis led by Claude Rains in South America.Alfred Hitchcock uses intense close ups to capture their emotions and constructs every scene in the first half of the film to have a corrosponding scene in the second.Probably the most cunningly crafted suspense thriller of Hitchcock's career.
9/10
Superb film from my favourite director,needs a rewatch!
Fight Day(2014) Two immigrant sisters( (Norah Shahab & Zahra Shahab) arrive in Canada and end up working for a violent pimp, but one sister has the chance of a boxing career. Despite some shaky direction and camerawork, this film redeems itself, as it is strong dramatically with characters you are interested in. Also starring Archie Kan (overacting a bit), Carrie Schliffler, Victoria Souter, Jayson Therrien, Cuong Tang & Aaron Conrad. 6/10
Hands Of The Ripper(1971)
A strange horror from Peter Sasdy.A young woman seems to be suddenly possessed by the evil spirit of Jack The Ripper,who murdered her mother 15 years previous.Silly in places but the acting from Jane Merrow,Dora Bryan and Eric Porter is good enough to keep you interested.
6.5/10
American History X(1998) Edward Norton plays a neo Nazi agitator in Los Angeles who after serving time for race related killings and having changed his political views, tries to save his younger brother( Edward Furlong) from following his original path. A riveting opening , then moving between black and white(the past) and colour(the present), backed up by a complex, intelligent script. Norton is in a top form, totally credible as his views change, but Beverley D'Angelo as his mother isn't far behind. There's also top performances from Furlong & Guy Torry. Also starring Jennifer Lien, Ethan Suplee,Fairzulka Balk,Avery Brooks, Stacy Keach & Elliott Gould. 7.5/10
Jaws 2(1978)
Any director who had to make a sequel to Spielberg's masterpiece was always going to be up against it,so its a testament to Jeannot Szwarc's skill as a filmmaker that he managed to put togrther a worthy follow up.Despite the trouble on location and arguments with Roy Scheider(who really didn't want to be there)Jaws 2 has some wonderful set pieces and great tension involving the young boat enthusiasts that find themselves as the quarry of another enormous great white shark.The strong performances provided by Roy Sheider,Lorraine Gary and Murray Hamilton steer the film to a thrilling climax.The franchise unfortunately went downhill after this one.
7/10
Passengers 9/10
Loved it
actually wasnt really a jennifer lawerence fan but great performance in this movie. Chris Pratt as well thought were a few gratious arse shots pity didnt recipricate will J laws bare arse although couple of nice naked shots most good bits hidden
very small cast With Michael sheen playing robot bartender and Laurence fishburne makes about a 20 min performance
but almost a 2 hander with Pratt and lawrence