haldon-365 Reviews

The Haunting of the Lady-Jane (2023)

2 Girls 1 Guy and a Canal Boat!!!

[7/10 · 26 March 2023]

A stirring ode to the old school British gothic horror that not only invites you into this quaint and obscure life on the riverside but also does it's best to make you feel like one of the Regulars.. Linton is on form as usual and the odd couple chemistry with Botha is palpable as usual.

Very different strokes from Director Kemal Yildrim but one again he proves that no matter the brush he decides to use he paints a wonderful intriguing canvas.

Haunting of Lady Jane is by no means the perfect movie (are there any) but for every nitpick you could have... there is a gorgeous stirring score to compensate... sensational gothic macabre setups to get lost In and a real sense that this cast and crew are well aware what they making here and who they are making it for.

Break (II) (2020)

Instant Brit Classic

[9/10 · 6 September 2020]

This is a Snooker movie you never knew you needed in your life but more than that this is a story about a young man set in his ways that tells us, it is never too late to make those needed changes without clubbing you over the head with tropey cliche nonsense. Break respects it viewer and commands your respect in return.

The Butcher Baronet (2019)

Quality Documentary

[9/10 · 16 May 2020]

I read the synopsis for this this Doc and thought 'There is no way i will see the end of this' just sounded like a bit of a hodge podge weak concept... I could not have been any further from the truth. The guys who put this together have taken something so simple as finding out and researching the story behind their local boozer and turned it into a compelling Documentary.

These guys are hugely endearing and their commradeire shines through in every scene. I look forward to seeing what the guys do next. I may even do some research on my local pub!!!

Villain (I) (2020)

Fairbrass... Nuff Said

[9/10 · 17 April 2020]

I can't even tell you how happy I was to be wrong about a movie... After watching the trailer I thought Craig Fairbrass doing what he does best in a Brit Gangster Movie.

Villain is more than that. The cockney wide boy crime element is secondary to what is a story with heart, fleshed out human characters and compelling story.

Well written, beautifully shot and superbly performed. A side to Craig Fairbrass less seen, he drew me in and took me on a jaunt. Izuka Hoyle is a revelation too wow.

I loved it, further proof you can't judge by a trailer... or poster!!!

Struck (2019)

Further proof that Budget and star power is not everything

[8/10 · 29 May 2019]

A movie that relies solely on the performance of its actors, A movie that has you thinking it could be one thing but shows you its actually something else, A story that takes an unflinching look into the social conscious.

Writer/Directors Alexander Milo Bischof and Michael Couvaras have come out the gates with an excellent first feature film. Wonderfully written with viscerally real dialogue dealing with some complex real life issues plucked straight from the headlines that if not given care and attention would just have fallen flat. Our core cast of relative newcomers put in performances they can all be proud of and I hope to see more from our young stars going forward.

I Love My Mum (2018)

I feel this could be an instant cult favourite.

[10/10 · 28 May 2019]

Prepare yourself Film Fans, for what could be the best British road trip comedy you will have seen in a long time. A bold statement I know however this Low budget Brit comedy punches way above its weight in almost every aspect and lands an absolute knockout for its viewers.

Often movies like this can just seem like a series of randomly put together scenarios and yes this movie could easily run the risk of being overly silly but I felt like through some spot-on casting, a great script and masterful directing on the part of Alberto Sciamma this movie expertly avoids becoming one of those movies.

Tommy French as Ron is somewhat of a revelation, I will hold my hands up and say that I personally don't think I have seen this actor before and didn't really expect too much but boy did he impress me, the comedic delivery of a lot of his dialogue is superb and I found him completely believable as a sort of fish out of water put upon son who has just about had enough but would still do just about anything for his mum... Including an epic Karaoke jam. Of course French does have a superb Co-star to bounce off in Kierston Wareing who just nails this role, absolutely nails it. At first I was a little put off by the character but 8-10 minutes into the movie I fell in love with Olga and that love only grew. French and Wareing are a match made in heaven.

Who's Jenna...? (2018)

Tracey Birdsall Smashes Another...

[8/10 · 5 June 2018]

I genuinely had fun with this movie, that is once I figured out what Baldinger was doing with some of these characters. Let me explain... There are a couple of characters in this movie that are borderline offensive in almost any situation and for a minute I found myself thinking 'wow theses are characters you really don't need in your movie' however if you give it a minute the movie fully explains itself and pays off a lot of ground work adding a lot of extra layers to characters that could of been mistaken for throwaway Sopranos imitations.

I love Tracey in this role she is having a ball stretching her comedy chops. There is one scene I think you should look out for when Jenna and Johnathan profess there feelings to each other, not only is this a really well written and naturally performed scene but the two leads make it believable and I bought it (Keep and eye on Tracey's face in this scene, that's an actress in the moment).

So yeah I really enjoyed the flick, I was taken aback at moments but that's the sign of a good comedy (your supposed to feel a little uncomfortable). Everyone in it is great in there respective roles, big shout outs to Joseph D'Onofrio and Tracey Birdsall in particular. Its a quick, its funny, its laugh out loud and an easy 90 odd minute light hearted good time. I strongly recommend so get it watched.

King Cohen (2017)

Bloody Brilliant Documentary...

[9/10 · 5 June 2018]

Steve Mitchell has captured a wonderful piece of work revolving around one of cinemas greatest pieces of work as Mitchell takes us from the beginnings of Cohens career on TV in the 60s to his prolific work on Blaxsploitaion through the 70s and 80s to writing one of my favorites of the 90s (Phone Booth) by tackling each project one by one. We hear some really interesting stories from some of the guys who knew him best and get a real good personal loving look at Larry Cohen and his long spanning career.

Monochrome (I) (2016)

Really Good just wish they did that one thing...

[7/10 · 5 June 2018]

Monochrome is a solid solid effort. The movie is great, well acted, well shot and a genuinely well thought out and put together movie. Having said that there is one problem I really had with this film and unfortunately I think it could of been a massively interesting story point, how they would have portrayed it effectively, I have no idea but that's not for me to figure out. Jo Woodcock and Cosmo Jarvis are superb.

Winter Ridge (2018)

A True Brit Gem...

[9/10 · 5 June 2018]

From the jarring intense sound of a car smash followed by opening title I was in... A bonafide True British Gem with all the hallmarks of a true Seat of your chair Psychological Thriller begging the question "what wouldn't you do?". Tense powerful performance from leading man Matt Hookings surrounded by a top notch supporting cast, In this beautifully crafted, gorgeously shot and expertly executed independent must see movie... It's a strong Recommend from me!!!

Redwood (2017)

Paton Smashes it again... Must Watch

[10/10 · 7 May 2018]

A fantastic Low Budget Psychological horror that shows us that the monsters lurking in the woods are not necessarily the scariest thing imaginable. Director Tom Paton turns vampire movies on there head a little while showing complete respect to the genre and giving us something new. Fantastic performances from the leads that really pull you in and have you on the edge of your seat right till the conclusion. Great Flick... 5*s