richardwillner Reviews

The King's Man (2021)

Muddled - reasonably enjoyable but confusing

[5/10 · 1 January 2022]

This isn't a bad film but it's very oddly written and directed. As I've seen with other reviews I agree that it doesn't quite know what it wants to be.

Is it a serious statement on war and particularly the horrors of WWI? Is it a tad comedic, particularly the three nation leaders? Is it an action movie?

I enjoyed parts and Ralph Fiennes was just excellent as always. Rasputin was a dark, terrifying character; Gemma Arterton's as wooden as you'll likely see.

All in all, parts were really good fun; parts were laughably poor. Almost as if the story was shared among two or three people who then came together and said 'yeah, that will do'.

Yesterday (III) (2019)

Could have been ok

[4/10 · 9 July 2021]

To begin with you think it's a relatively interesting idea - and then you realise it's just someone's concept for a bog standard rom com.

Ed Sheeran is actually pretty good - he's probably a better actor than you'd think. I'm not a fan of his music but he plays his role well.

The scene with 'John Lennon' is shockingly bad and, in the end, the film struggles to go anywhere beyond getting boy and girl together.

And then there's Ben Swayne being a Russian...oh my.

On the plus side, enjoyed seeing Gorleston sea front - that was fun.

Human Traffic (1999)

Spot on

[9/10 · 23 January 2021]

I've watched this so many times and it always delights.

A journey of one of your best nights out, capturing all elements perfectly.

Funny reading critics' reviews. If you've not been there and worn the T-shirt then you just don't get it. And that's what makes this so good - it speaks to those who have had nights like this.

Funny, fantastic music and certainly not Trainspotting lite as some plonker of a critic called it - they're completely different films about entirely different topics.

Human Traffic won't be enjoyed by the masses but for those who it resonates with it is one to be watched over and over.

The Last Dance (2020)

Enjoyable but flawed

[7/10 · 19 September 2020]

For a sports fan this is an enjoyable series. You get close to the one of the greatest sports stars of all-time and learn quite a lot along the way.

But let's call it what it is: MJ branded content. It's not a documentary - it's the story how Johnson wants it told.

And that's fine as long as you view it in that way. Clearly you're not getting the full picture but it seems the only way to get this sort of access in sport now is to agree to this sort of series.

A good watch but you're left knowing you haven't been given the full picture.

Joker (I) (2019)

Stays with you for a long time

[10/10 · 6 November 2019]

Watched this a few days ago and I still think about it. I'm not going to go into any pretentious stuff but prefer to say that this is just a fantastic film with an amazing lead performance. It's not enjoyable, per se, but wonderfully compelling. You're on edge all the way through the film and it's not a pleasant sensation but, by Christ, it stays with you. Just well done to all involved

Nativity Rocks! (2018)

Gives us all hope

[7/10 · 24 November 2018]

Two things: 1) My five-year-old loved it 2) This film gives all amateur film-makers hope. If this can be made then anything can, so for that reason it should get decent marks.