coombes-87311 Reviews

Across the Waters (2016)

I couldn't disagree more with the other reviews - give this film a chance!

[8/10 · 9 September 2018]

** We watched the version of this film called Across the Water with English Subtitles. **

I couldn't disagree more with the other reviews. This film covers a period of Jewish history in WWII I was not personally aware of. It concerns Jews escaping the Nazis from Denmark to Sweden.

The film follows one family and their Journey. The performances were strong and as much as the Script was not over wordy it didn't need to be and would have been innappropriate. The cinematography was mainly done in a hand held style with great use of close ups which enabled the director to convey emotion. The extreme close ups when the family were hiding gave a feeling of claustrophobia which conveyed the situation at the time. Both myself and my Wife suffer from migraines and extreme ShakeyCam can trigger this. This film however did not cause any issues.

Overall this film is written well with strong performances. Don't expect some overly fast paced quick cutting experience. The pace of the film enables you to feel for the family. Yes you may not know the full family history but that is not needed to tell this gripping story.

As someone who has a great interest in the subject matter I would highly recommend this film that tells a lesser known story of that period. If this is a genre that interests you then I think you'll find this a good film also, it's certainty going to be one that we buy a copy of to add to our collection.

Extinction (2018)

Like a Baggy episode of the Twilight Zone

[6/10 · 28 July 2018]

Not sure those giving this a 1 star review have really seen a really bad movie because this wasn't one. It starts as can be seen in the trailer with a man having dreams that seem to be predicting some sort of Alien invasion. No one believes him but then it happens and the story develops from there.

This film is no Shakespeare but as an enjoyable romp. The production values are pretty high and the acting is of a good level. I felt though that it was more of an episode of the Twilight Zone that had been expanded into a film. In some ways it would have been better as one of these as the script could have been snappier and some of the needless and draggy opening act could have been trimmed.

I've seen people complain about the 'annoying' children and their actions in the film. If though you think logically how they act is well within the bounds of children that age and considering the events around them there actions are understandable.

There is though one scene near the end that makes no sense. Let's just say if your life was in danger would you really stop and do this.

This film would not stick up to multiple viewings but if you have a couple of hours to kill you could do far worse

High-Rise (2015)

A Narrative Mess

[2/10 · 21 November 2016]

Well that was disappointing. So JG Ballards novel really was unfilmable. This film really was a narrative mess.

The first 30 minutes had the making of an interesting film. Tom Hiddleston as always put in a great performance as did the other actors but even that couldn't rescue the mess that was the narrative. We rarely walk away from films but at the 80 minute mark we just decided not to waste any more of our life on it. The violence and sex rather than being a shocking metaphor for the downfall of society was just plain dull and boring.

Gorgeous visuals and good acting cannot save poor plotting and style over substance. It's a shame they didn't make the film the trailer was of.