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Reviews
Parting Shots (1998)
It's so bad it's brilliant
As strange as it might seem I can see Parting Shots becoming something of a cult classic. It's by no means a quality film, but there is something about it which is rather endearing, if not slightly bizarre and off beat.
The plot is in principle both original and funny, alas it wasn't realised to its full potential.
That said the truly all star British cast is enough to keep this film moving along at a steady, wistful pace.
Thewonderful Chris Rea got panned for his performance in the movie, but given that it was his first proper shot in front of the camera I thought he was actually quite good. And let's be honest there is no way he is the worst actor in the world - that accolade remains with Steven Seagal.
On one of those rainy days if you want a chortle, and something to chill out to with a glass of wine then do give this film a chance. Its not a classic, it's no blockbuster but you might just be pleasantly surprised.
One hopes that Chris Rea will pursue acting further, he was a little wooden in this, but enjoyable all the same. Felicity Kendall is sexy and fun, Bob Hoskins and John Cleese shine in their cameo roles as does Gurkha sweetheart Joanna Lumley. Peter Davidson is his usual reliable self but the best performance has to go to Oliver Reed who was simply fantastic.
All round not bad little Brit flick, by no means as shoddy as some would have you believe - go watch it!!!
London's Burning (1986)
A fantastic film - The original that spurned the Popular ITV Drama
Londons Burning the Movie! If you were a fan of London's Burning in its hey day, before it got over dramatised and silly, (thanks to ITV demanding that all ITV dramas get more gritty and feature more stunts in a bid to attract more viewers) then Londons Burning the Movie is will be a real treat.
Featuring many of the now familiar Londons Burning cast which reads like a who's who of famous British television actors the film is hard hitting compulsive viewing from the very start.
Jack Rosenthal (who sadly passed away this year) knew exactly how to write hard hitting , on the edge of your seat, dramas with just the right amount of comedy to keep things ticking along nicely.
Designed to be a one off -made for TV - movie, the film was that popular it spurned the popular ITV drama of the same name, which ran for many years before being axed in 2002.
The plot is based around the life and times of Blue Watch, Blackwall Fire Station East London.
Firstly there is Jose - London's first female firefighter,(remember the film was made back in the early eighties)how will the lads cope with a woman on their patch? Then there is the fantastic array of incidents and emergencies to respond to and of course the hilarious practical jokes and general tom foolery firefighters are famous for - adding some great comedy moments.
The screenplay is truly brilliant,and the observation of the characters portrayed is very accurate indeed.
The cast really get across the message that despite the practical jokes, the teasing , and general tomfoolery a fire crew is not just a group of "laddish" testosterone fuelled males, but a committed group of people who would do anything for their colleagues, they are a team who are more like a close knit family, the fire service family, a family which relies on each other to keep safe in the most dangerous situations.
The film climaxes with a thrilling on the edge of your seat scene that jeopardises the crew... I won't spoil it - all Ill say is watch it - the plot line is simply electric - a great story interwoven with many sub plots to keep things in top gear all the way through.
Compulsive viewing - fantastic film which was ahead of its time when released back in the early eighties as it was the first ever dramatisation portraying a British Fire Crew.
Batman (1989)
A wonderfully dark and provocative action packed film
Many people were dismayed to hear that Michael Keaton was chosen to play the lead role in the Hollywood big screen remake of Batman, after all he was best known as comedy actor and hadn't had many serious mainstream acting roles until that point.
But Keaton was about to show his critics that he was more than qualified for the part. Playing a remarkably restrained and wonderfully thought out dark portrayal of batman Keaton was quickly accepted by hardcore Batman fanatics to be the ultimate Bruce Wayne.
Keaton's Batman was a dark and deep character; a man tormented by the tragic murder of his parents which he witnessed when just a little boy.
Keatons Batman was obsessed with avenging his parents murder by fighting crime and making the dark streets of Gotham safe.
And for its worth Keaton's Batman is still the best, Val Kilmers batman was well intended but no where as good and George Clooney's attempt at the part is simply laughable in comparison.
The whole atmosphere of the film is complimented by Jack Nicholson on blistering form as the Joker,Batman's ultimate nemesis. Jack Nicholson is playing , well, Jack Nicholson but its a role he was born to play. Again the Nicholson followed Keaton logic of deepening the role and showing various sides to the character.
This was no longer comic book stuff - this was for real, no "Blam" "Biffs" or "holy Cows" in sight - this was Batman grown up! And what thrilling viewing it was.But despite being that brilliant Hollywood blockbuster, it still retained that child like excitement you can imagine a schoolboy felt when reading the original comics.
The film is enthralling, exciting and wondrously atmospheric. It has to be one of Tim Burton's masterpieces. The cityscapes and soundtrack are simply spell binding.It Will become a classic.
Burton wasn't chosen to direct any other Batman films due to a disagreement with the films management team which is a great shame as Batman was never the same again.
The final scene of the movie brings the whole atmosphere, darkness and power of the film together. Vicky Vale gently strolls up a dark alley accompanied by an epic soundtrack into Bruce Waynes car. The Chauffeur Alfred explains that Bruce Wayne may be late.
The camera pans away to reveal Michael Keatons Batman defiantly standing high on a dark roof top looking out toward the great Batman symbol stamped on the sky before him.
Batman will forever be the Guardian of Gotham City and this iconic scene ensured that Batman became one of the best loved Big Screen Superheros alongside Superman.
Keaton reprised his role in the sequel "Batman Returns" but the magic had started to drain away, and Keaton knew it was time to jump ship. Val Kilmer was drafted in to revitalise the ailing syndicate but Batman was quickly turning into more of a laughable cartoon like film rather than the dark mysterious atmospheric well produced predecessors.
There was talk of a new batman movie in 2005 with Keaton and Burton being re-united but as yet a rumour is all it seems to be.
Dark City (1998)
A wonderfully dark elaborate and original film
Dark City is, as it's title suggests, a wonderfully dark film. The plot line is refreshingly original and one equally as a magnificent as "The Matrix" If you enjoyed "Batman" or "The Matrix" series of films then you will simply love this movie.
A species of aliens kidnap humans and place them in an experimental world far from earth to unlock the secrets of the human soul for their own survival. Each human specimen is implanted with life long memories and go about daily life blissfully unaware that they are part of a sinister experiment.
Everday,at the stroke of midnight, each human strangely falls into a deep sleep and is then implanted with a new set of memories. A specimen might be a bank manager one day married with three kids with elaborate recollections of how he grew up, joined a bank and rose through the ranks to become manager, and the next day wake up to be a serial murderer who has memories of killing hundreds of people over several years.
John Murdoch (Played by the remarkably restrained Rufus Sewell) is one human specimen who doesn't go to sleep at midnight and begins to discover the truth of the alien race playing god with people's minds.
Its a wonderfully complex and intricate film with a very strong cast including the very underrated Ian Richardson as the head of the alien race, and the brilliantly menacing Richard O'Brien as his "right hand man" and William Hurt as a cop who also finds out the truth about the world in which he lives, and helps Murdoch's overthrow the strange alien beings.
A chilling and provocative film which deserves more credit than it got! Go watch it now!