johnrowb Reviews

Way Upstream (1987 TV Movie)

Like 'Deliverance' on the canals, but funnier

[21 September 2010]

I saw this a couple of times back in the late 1980s and would love to see it again. Very funny, at times darkly so. Surreal. A sort of 'Deliverance' on the UK canals?

Odd situations... strange plot twists. The actor who plays the madman is quite convincing, but it's well acted all round.

Originally shown on the BBC (maybe it was a 'Play For Today', I can't remember). And that is about all I can type about this one from memory, so bear with me while I try to fill up IMDb's ten line minimum review requirement.

There we go. Recommended. BBC please re-transmit this one!

The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971)

Not a complete waste of time, with one jewel amongst the rough.

[5/10 · 13 March 2009]

Don't give up on this one after the first story or two. Wait for the segment featuring Harry H. Corbett (it's a mini-classic).

As for the rest of the episodes in the film - very hit and miss. Strangely enough, I did not find the Spike Milligan silent 'Sloth' episode funny at all. The sections with Leslie Philips and Ian Carmichael/Alfie Bass were slightly above average.

Not a complete waste of time, with one jewel amongst the rough.

Need to type three more lines of text before this capsule review will get to be submitted as at this present moment IMDb will only accept 10 lines of text minimum. Time for a change. Make it 6 or 7.

Please Sir! (1971)

As good as an Ealing Comedy in its own way

[9/10 · 28 June 2008]

Highly under-rated British comedy with many memorable characterisations, not a bad script, and a wonderful feel-good factor.

John Alderton is pretty much faultless as Hedges - this is fine comic acting.

Especially enjoyable if you grew up in the 1970s. Standout sequence for me is when Hedges (and we) think 5c have gone to bed for the night and he heads off to the pub with Price... only to bump into his pupils there. Nicely done.

Other amusing sequences also, and I can sum up the film using an expression of Dennis's (one of the characters)... "Yeah! Double NEAT!!"

BBC2 Playhouse: Caught on a Train (1980) Season 7, Episode 1

Darn near faultless

[10/10 · 14 January 2007]

Since it's first showing, I have seen this film about five times over the intervening years, just yesterday acquiring the DVD. It's a 'must-see' classic piece of television drama (but very much a 'filmic' experience). The quality of the writing, acting and direction are pretty much near faultless. Watch, appreciate, and don't let anyone disturb you for its 80 minutes running time. Ban all talking in the room if you are watching it with others.

And now, some fill-in to make this review 10 lines in length (why does IMDb insist on a minimum of 10 lines for a review?). With such a requirement, one has to waffle if one does not wish to go on at length and encapsulate one's feelings about the film in question in a mini-review. IMDb, please alter this ridiculous requirement of 10 lines minimum personal reviews. Short and succinct and "to the point" should be the order of the day. Many noteworthy film review books (not Halliwell's by the way) have four or five line length film reviews, and that does not in any way detract from their readability or opinion or contribution.

Poor Pretty Eddie (1975)

Tacky and (intentionally) funny.

[5/10 · 15 February 2006]

Just seen this film on the new 'Movies4Men' channel on UK digital satellite. Judging by the time it was shown (7pm), and the obviously chopped editing - this was a heavily-cut PG version.

So, I guess I got a flavour only! But the adjective that springs to mind when summarising this film is "weird". Yes, it's the weirdest movie I've ever seen.

I did not realise that Slim Pickens had no chin.

The lead actor (whose name I have forgotten already) has the most annoying smile of all time, and once you have seen it, his facial expression will stay with you for ever.

Good old Shelley Winters as reliable as ever.

But the story! Who thought this one up! Why did the leading lady just not escape from the nightmare? Some scenes are priceless (notably the tomato-eating one mentioned above). Towards the end we must have the greatest parade of rednecks ever. I mean, these people make the dudes from 'Deliverance' look normal.

If you're curious, it's worth checking out. Art it ain't though. Tacky and (intentionally) funny. Just don't expect logic.