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Sewers Of Gold(1979)

A really good crime drama from director Francis Megahy about a group of fascists who intend to finance their activities by committing a daring bank robbery.Nicely paced and shot with a great cast including Ian McShane,Warren Clarke and Christopher Matthew.

7.5/10

The Train (1964) A exciting, tense, intelligent thriller set in the days before the relief of Paris in WW2. A German colonel (Paul Scofield) intends taking valuable paintings on a train to Germany and a French resistance fighter(Burt Lancaster) plans to stop him. A battle of wills between these two characters superbly played as you'd expect by these actors, the fine script finds time to delve into the differing motives and opinions of the French resistance and people. Also starring Jeanne Moreau, Suzanne Flon,Michel Simon (an excellent cameo), Wolfgang Preiss,Albert Remy,Charles Millot & Jacques Marin. 7.5/10

Jack Reacher, I haven't read the books just movie so can only judge it from the film, but Tom Cruise was a bad ass in this and highly enjoyed. Can't wait for the sequel in the next week or two. 9.3/10.

I Am Slave (2010) A teenage girl from a war torn African country is first enslaved there and then in London, from where she attempts to escape. Meanwhile her father is trying to find her. A short (1 hr 15 min) and fairly thinly plotted film which does fill out as time goes on. A strong lead performance from Wunmi Mosaku with good support from Isaach De Bankole (as her father), Ludna Azabal & Hiam Abbass. The native soundtrack is also striking. Also starring Igal Naor & Nonso Anozie 6.5/10

Riding High(1939)

A comedy from director David MacDonald about an eccentric man who disturbs the sedated peace of Victorian England to help a struggling blacksmith win a bicycle race and the heart of the woman he loves.With excellent performances from Claude Dampier,John Garrick and Helen Haye.

7.5/10

The London Film Festival at the temporary venue Embankment Garden Cinema:

Bleed For This(2016) The true story of late 80s/early 90s boxer Vinny Pazienza who overcame obstacles, such as changing weight category and a terrible car crash to achieve success. A strong lead performance from Miles Teller, backed up by the excellent Aaron Eckhart as his trainer and a larger than life supporting role from Ciaran Hinds as his manager/father. The film feels right whether its the boxing bouts, gym scenes or family life in Rhode Island. It covers Pazienza's recovery in some detail and although there is not a lot of emotion on display, when it does happen, its all the more striking. Also starring Katey Sagal & Jordan Gelber. 7.5/10

Darkman(1990)

Before Spiderman,Sam Raimi had a go at the comic book superhero film with Darkman,based on his own original and violent story.Liam Neeson is in good form as Peyton Westlake,horribly disfigured by callous villains who blew up his laboratory.Peyton returns as Darkman with vengeance on his mind.Also featuring Frances McDormand as Julie Hastings.

7/10

Operation Valkyrie (2004) In 1944, a group of German officers, dismayed the direction the war is going in, attempt to assassinate Hitler. Made four years before the Hollywood version starring Tom Cruise & Kenneth Branagh, this is a less lavish film, with not so much emphasis on the pre planning of the attempt and more on the human side. The aftermath is covered in similar detail to the later film. For me, the excellent Sebastian Koch, who plays Stauffenberg the officer with the eye patch puts in a more sympathetic and human performance than Cruise. Also starring Hardy Krueger Jr & Nina Kunzendorf. 6.5/10

London Film Festival BFI Southbank

Hell Drivers(1957) A very nicely remastered version of this crime drama, as ex con Stanley Baker joins a truck driving firm that certainly bends if not breaks the law. Baker was a superb actor and is in top form here, with Peggy Cummins as the firm's secretary, a sort of femme fatale and Patrick McGoohan excellent as the bullyboy foreman. Exciting lorry chases intersperse with humourous and intelligent dialogue with an excellent supporting cast of British actors. The only slight weaknesses were parts of the fight scenes which seemed staged or over rehearsed and a rather rushed ending. 7.5/10

Before the film there was an interview with star Peggy Cummins, I hope I'm as entertaining and humorous if I make 90!

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That is a good film

Little Men(2016)

Set in New York,director Ira Sachs' latest film is about the bond shared by two teenage boys amidst the bitter dispute raging between their parents.Sachs goes into great detail and uses forensic character studies to highlight themes of class and gentrification that really hit home on an emotional level.Young lead actors Theo Taplitz and Michael Barbieri really steal the show but they're supported wonderfully by Greg Kinnear,Jennifer Ehle and Paulina Garcia.

8/10