ronfirv Reviews

Free Fall (I) (2013)

Far Better Than Expected

[7/10 · 2 February 2014]

I decided to buy this DVD last week when it was first released in UK, apprehensive in some ways it would be another run-of-the-mill gay movie. I need hardly have worried, as it turned out to be a very high quality production. I liked choice of actors, and it was well directed. Full plaudits to Riemelt and Koffler both ideally suited to the allotted roles. The script was credible and authentic to our times. However, I would have been happier had we seen Marc and Kay socialising more often in everyday pursuits as they would have done during their brief affair, lunching, trips into the countryside,trips to a cinema or theatre, but all we saw were jogging outings in the woods, having sex in Kay's apartment, and a night in a gay disco. Their love, thus for me, was not as firmly established as I would have wished ideally. As it stands,the affair is left to look like sexual attraction only. Kay did declare his love for Marc but it was only on the final time, that I was beginning to believe it, yet, am still pondering what drew Kay to Marc and vice versa,and why did both fall in love, other than the obvious physicality of both guys. In conclusion, a very good little film, gives much food for thought many hours after viewing, always the sign of a movie at the top end of its market. I would like to see more gay/bi-themed films of this standard and will be looking for others with Riemelt and Koffler in the future.

Age of Heroes (2011)

A very good adventure film

[5/10 · 12 June 2011]

Sean Bean as good in this film as he usually is, and Danny Dyer(Rains) surprisingly convincing as the cheeky,rebellious British soldier. Good early scenes up in Scotland,& a good opening scene with Danny & his platoon in northern France heading for Dunkerque and later memories, once the film is set in Norway in winter, of "Heroes of Telemark". There was one quite harrowing scene where the local villagers were shot by the Nazi Occupying Forces, but the ending fell flat. Nonetheless, will seek out the sequel in 2012. Recognised a young Guy Burnet (as Riley)but he was unable to add little to this movie as far as the script allowed the guy; he gifted an OK performance however, as a"tommy"fighting for King&Country. This was a standard WWII movie with good stunts and action scenes,and I spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon viewing it - far from time wasted.

Bishonen (1998)

Was entranced by this film

[8/10 · 1 June 2011]

I managed to buy this DVD when I was based in HK in the late 90's, a time of my Life I loved and will never forget. The movie is based on a true story, partly, when a society playboy DID take numerous photographs of serving, young Police Officers, many of whom worked in the Happy Valley Police Station on HK Island ; I read the Press reports in 1995, and I had a flat a stone's throw from this police Stn. I recognised, indeed frequented many of the bars and cafes featured in the film, and met Terence Yin (KS in the film) in Staunton's Bar in Central on HK Island, and he kindly scribbled his autograph for me in 2001. The street Life of the Territory is lovingly filmed by the director, Yonfan, (whom I saw often in HK) and choice of actors ideal, excepting the cameo role by the Western film critic. Daniel Wu does well in his role of Sam, showing his unhappiness when required and his young modesty and loyalty to Jet(Stephen Fung, rumoured in the 90's to be bisexual in HK) when he felt he should be, but Jet was immature and realised too late he did love Sam and was for a time loved in return. It accurately portrays gay life in HK pre-Handover and the background music is haunting. This film will forever be for me my memento of my happy years in HK and the many friends I knew then, and may well be others who are gay and were based in the former Colony. Finally, in some ways it is a film about a lost love and a missed opportunity for a deep and lasting love over fleeting sexual encounters and the superficiality of many gay/bi relationships. Come the end of the film, I really was choked up. The subtitles are well enough done and not the distraction referred to by another reviewer here ; definitely buy this DVD for a romantic film, in a romantic city setting, and a period of Time now gone.

Freight (2010)

Good effort but poor result

[3/10 · 18 April 2011]

I hesitate to add lots negatives here but, poorly scripted, all characters were not established, so was left wondering till later in the movie who was who. Mediocre acting all the way, but good special effects and quite good fight scenes. The political points well rammed home (probably unintentional) but all I wanted to watch was a darned good gangster flick. Didn't get it. If you want a good flick try London Boulevard, not this one. Not authentic and OTT. Met Matt Kennard (Sonny) several months back, who worked hard to get in shape, and he is a fitty (no acting there), came across at the time as a really nice chappie, but this is not his best effort and know he can do better given a classy script, plus acting alongside widescreen experienced actors. Another involvement with a flop like this and it will run a mega risk for him of tarnishing future career prospects. In a nutshell finally, loose ends galore, and 'mucho' disappointed. Still waiting on a gangster flick classic sometime ; maybe their days have come & gone.