The Charge Of The Light Brigade (1968) The build up and the actual event in 1854, during the Crimean War. It covers various classes, but focuses principally on two captains played by David Hemmings and Mark Burns. The script is cleverly by turns, witty, bawdy and occasionally rather quirky, and the English ruling classes and senior army figures are attacked for their prejudices,petty rules and incompetence. Despite the moments of humour, it feels pretty realistic too. Trevor Howard probably nicks the acting honours, often scene stealing as Lord Cardigan. Also starring Vanessa Redgrave,John Gielgud,Harry Andrews, Jill Bennett,Peter Bowles, Alan Dobie, Mark Dignam and Norman Rossington. 7/10
Hands Of the Ripper(1971)
When Hammer got around to doing a film involving Jack the Ripper they put an interesting spin on it.Instead of following the usual traditional story,they have the Ripper's daughter visit a psychiatrist to try and deal with her homicidal impulses.An interesting effort from Peter Sadsy with good lead turns from Angharad Rees and Eric Porter.
6.5/10
Cruel Summer(2016).
Not to be confused by the hit song by Banarama,this thriller/horror film is based on a true story about a young Autistic teenager Danny who takes himself on a camping trip in the local woods as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Elsewhere in the meantime gang-leader Nick (played by Danny Miller of Emmerdale) hears false rumours that his recently split-up girlfriend had a fling with Danny.
Overcome with rage Nick decides he wants to find & confront Danny for answers & it isn't long before he finds out Danny is camping alone in the local woods.Nick orders his gang to follow him in his pursuit of tracking down Danny in the woods to teach him a lesson 'he'll never forget'.
Overall I found this film quite shocking not just by what happens but the fact it was a true story.This film follows in the same vein as another British film Eden Lake both with the same concept of feral youths with no respect for humanity run-wild,but overall I found Eden Lake far better than this one.4/10.
The Odessa File (1974)
Jon Voight does an excellent job in this intriguing film about a reporter searching for war criminal who escaped Germany after World War II with the help of an organisation called Odessa. His investigation leads him to Simon Wiesenthal and to a group of Israelis who train him to infiltrate Odessa. The historical setting is 1963 Germany at the time of the Kennedy assassination. This is a very suspenful film, with wonderful performances from the supporting cast as well: Mary Tamm, Maximillian Schell, Maris Schell and Derek Jacoby.
A great hidden gem, that I caught on Film4, so look out for it on there.
4.5/5
Killer's Kiss (1955) A veteran boxer (Jamie Smith) waits for a train and thinks back on the previous two days, starting with his most recent fight. An low budget but effective film noir, Stanley Kubrick's 2nd full length directorial effort. He packs in quite a lot in its 1 hour 5 minute run time, with fine use of flashbacks, striking cinematography, good close up camera work and excellent use of New York locations. The script is spare but fine, the acting decent, with Frank Silvera as the gangster boss the best. Also starring Irene Kane and Jerry Jarrett. 8/10
The Warriors (1979)
A tough New York gang must fight their way back to their Coney Island home turf after they are framed for the murder of a rival gang's leader. Walter Hill's cult favourite looks a little dated now, but the story is an enjoyable and realistic depiction of gang culture of the decade. Memorable dialogue and great soundtrack supports several brilliantly choreographed fight scenes - including one stand out carnage-filled brawl in a subway restroom! The movie spawned several spin-off media including video games and tv series and for me is on a par with Switchblade Sisters (1975) as essential anti-establishment gang warfare fun. Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, David Patrick Kelly and David Harris star. 4/5
Love The Warriors! I'm going to see it at The Prince Charles Cinema on Tuesday night. Can't wait!
The Raid Uncut.
Love this movie it's a martial arts film for grown ups. Not only is it gritty and violent but also the martial arts in this film is fantastic and looks real. Even blows to body or when someone is being cut with a knife look super real, the film is brutal.
9.3/10.
The Girl with all the Gifts (2017).
This is a sci-fi/horror film based on a novel by M.R.Carey set in an apocalyptic future where zombies roam the earth.Locked away in an old army-base a group of soldiers are protecting a group of scientists who are trying to work on a cure by using a group of young gifted part human/part zombie hybrid children as lab-rats.
In the underground bunker of the army-base the young children are kept locked up & the only time they aren't is to attend school lessons taught by young teacher Helen (Gemma Arterten).It is then Helen develops a strong friendship with bright young girl Melanie (Sennia Nanua) whom she believes holds the key to any cure.
Zombies somehow manage to break into the base where a few soldiers led by Sgt Eddie Parks (Paddy Considine),Scientist Dr Caroline Caldwell (Glenn Close),teacher Helen (Arterten) & young girl Melanie (Nanua) manage to escape.It is then they continue in the hope of finding other survivors & a potential cure to save the world.
Overall I found this a good film with good effects & well shot scenes in old abandoned areas like shopping centres,hospitals,army-bases etc much like zombie film 28 Days Later.The story plays out well with a studded cast in Glenn Close, Gemma Arterten & Paddy Considine it's young child actress Sennia Nanua who steals the show in this film.7.5/10.
The Adventures of Robin Hood(1937)
Errol Flynn brings a massive amount of charisma to this full blooded swashbuckler of an action film from Michael Curtiz.Charming from the get go it culminates in an inspiring duel between Flynn's Robin Hood and the brilliant Basil Rathbone as the evil Guy of Gisborne.With wonderful support from Claude Rains and Olivia de Havilland and a rousing score from Eric Wolfgang Korngold.
8/10