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grantndownie
Reviews
Screen One: Money for Nothing (1993)
The October house partnership
Good early 90's piece of teenage Britain when we had a Torie government and the Stone Roses where really big. Oh how times change, him from the press gang once again type cast as the funny crazy mate who hatches a bet with a sensible clever friend. All in all the plot works well and Martin Short turns up too just before father of the Bride. I remember enjoying this immensely and as well as a good amount of laughs the characters are people most teenage boys can relate too. The immortal line "I cant make the deal because i've got to get back to school on Monday" Was classic. And the part with bellboy was also great. Just a pity this has'nt been on more.
Rogue Farm (2004)
Putting Rosshire on the map
Excellent piece of Scottish animation with a familiar yet interestingly futuristic twist. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Scotland were few people remain alive and very little will grow. A couple try to survive on a remote farm with their dope smoking talking dog. It sounds an insane idea but is carried off superbly well, the landscape is barren and eerie and really hits home the loneliness of living in an area like this. I also found the fact that it is set in Scotland in an area not unlike in features to were i grew up all the more intriguing as it made me think about how i would survive in a similar situation. I'd definitely make sure i had a dog like that too. The main theme as the story develops is depression, loneliness and despair at the state the planet is left in.
Screen One: Alive and Kicking (1991)
Lenny Henry being serious!
I watched this film the one and only occasion, that i am aware of, that it was shown on TV in good old blighty. It stars Lenny Henry as a dislikable drug dealer and addict who has only two interests in life. Firstly to make money and secondly to maintain his habit. Robbie Coltrane is excellent in support as the tough social worker who tries to get him clean and and leave his heroine related past behind. I have to admit it was strange seeing Lennie Henry a well known comedian in such a gritty role but he strangely revealed in it and as the plot developed his character began to become more and more human under his social workers help. Furthermore they a kind of friendship develops as they avoid certain scraps together. A good social study of early 90's Britain.
Timeline (2003)
What a load of Pish
Bad acting, bad plot, bad costumes, bad set design, no point. What is Billy Connelly doing still trying to act? He's never been in a good film and if he continues like this he never will. He should go back to comedy. Unfortunately he's in diminishing returns as far as thats goes too. Seems like Anna Friel will never break into the big time either a career that was at one point so promising has never picked up steam what a pity. The the token second Scottish guy what? I have never seen such an unrealistic medieval setting and how could all the French suddenly speak English? Don't waste your time with this nonsense i watched it at a friends house with beer and was wanting to turn over to the bad remake of 13 ghosts. Yes its that bad bro.
Manhunter (1986)
Great Psychological Thriller
I was unaware of the existence of this film for sometime which is why i found it such and intriguing watch. "Red Dragon" despite being a credible prequel to "Silence of the lambs" is inferior in a number of ways. Manns direction creates an uneasy sinister overtone that is maintained throughout which is enhanced by the tacky 80's soundtrack and set design. The film concentrates on the character of Agent Graham and his inner demons before introducing his nemesis Dollarhyde late in the film cleverly constructing tension between them. Noonen is much more convincing as Dollarhyde and looks and acts far more out of place in social terms than Fienes did. William Peterson is strangely excellent as Will Graham too.He manages to brilliantly portray a flawed hero, his neurotic tendencies making him a first class agent but drawing closer and closer to the personality of the killer. I have never been overly impressed with his performances in CSI but maybe in younger days he just tried harder. Dennis Farina is also good in support. But lastly what really gives the film its edge is the relatively brief performance of Brian Cox. Although most will agree Hopkins played the part better in "Silence of the Lambs" the other films which he reprised the role in where almost parody's of the original character. Cox play it as an evil, superbly intelligent character who you are genuinely afraid off. The tension during his scenes is notable.
Watership Down (1978)
The second most depressing film i have ever seen!
I used to see this a lot as child, the first time i watched it i was probably as young as 4. It tells a very relevant and interesting story about friendship, the naivety of youth and the unsuspecting character of animals. The problem is i can only see this film for what it is now and back in my younger years it just upset me and i'm sure it mentally scarred my whole generation. The fact it is a cartoon full of cute rabbits means that parents think its fine to show their children. The problem is loads of bad things happen to them.
I have only seen it once in the last 10 years and on that occasion it was in between Christmas and new year so naturally a great few of beers had been consumed and in the seen where Hazel is shot by the farmer (not helped by Art Garfunkel's title song) i cried so i suppose that proves that this film is touching, effective and at times uplifting. But not for kids.
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
The best War film ever made!
I have a lot to say about this unsung classic but, as i assume you all go, i never read long reviews so i'll keep it short. This is simply the best war film ever made. At the very least the best second world war film ever made. This is firstly due to the outstanding cast featuring a good selection of cameo's. Anthony Hopkins is amazing as always as the doomed John Frost, Micheal Caine does another turn in his Zulu role as a toff cavalry officer and the great Sean Connery is once again himself (at least this time he plays a Scotsman). And shed loads more. Another reason it is so good is the fact it includes all who were involved. The British, the Americans, the Germans and even the Poles. Rather than just portraying the Germans as evil Nazi's and have the Americans winning the war. The film portrays a military disaster and the allied forces trying their best to overcome the mistakes of warfare. And contains a particularly poignant ending. And lastly before i go on all day the drop scene is brilliantly filmed in pre CGI gays.
Saving Silverman (2001)
What was the point
A total waste of time for any film maker. It was supposed to be a comedy of some sort. At least so i'm told. Every attempt at humour featured the same loathsome, crude, slapstick rubbish that often fills the poorly contructed comedies of today. I did however find one piece of mildly amuseing script writing in the part when Neil Diamond turns up playing himself as he did in the jazz singer. That was a crap film too but at least on this occasion his bad acting worked. Tomcats is the only equally awful comedy i've seen. So don't waste your time with this nonsense, Jack Black is only good at one thing and will disappear as soon as he tries to be serious and makes a succession of flop films.