Film Reviews Blog

This page only shows films that have a review. By default in date order of reading with newest at top

Saturday 26th February 2022

USA 1991

Running time: 130 mins

Thelma and Lousie

Director : Ridley Scott

Film Summary :
A weekend break turns into a road trip to hell and glory
Film Category
The 1990s
Film Tags

Rated by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 26 Feb 2022

Review Summary :
Definitely a classic


Saturday 19th February 2022

China 1997

Running time: 108 mins

Pickpocket

Director : Xiao Wu

Film Summary :
A pickpocket in China
Film Category
The 1990s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, Streamed proj @ home on 19 Feb 2022

Review Summary :
Totally unsympathetic lead character rather mars it

Vaguely Interesting

The depiction of life in small town China post Mao is interesting but the entire film is spent following this useless loser around which is not at all interesting. He just mooches through life.

Somewhat reminiscent of Ken Loach or Mike Leigh's films providing a slice of life with amateur actors and improvised/workshopped dialogue, but without anyone the audience can identify with (even if we don't actually like them) it fails to engage as a narrative. 



Saturday 12th February 2022

Italy 2013

Running time: 145 mins

The Great Beauty

La Grande Bellezza

Director : Paolo Sorrentino

Film Summary :
writer Jep wanders through high society Rome
Film Category
The 2010s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 12 Feb 2022

Review Summary :
Sumptuous to look at, but to what end?

Not a Great Film, but not bad

The photography and mise-en-scene is excellent, luxurious. The story, such as it is, is slightly confused (whose funeral was it, what happened to Ramona). Some laboured comedy - the cardinal more interested in his food recipes than spiritual matters. No hints of the dark side of the face of luxury and privilege.

 



Sunday 6th February 2022

Average rating from 2 reviews

South Africa 2006

Running time: 101 mins

Catch a Fire

Director : Phillip Noyce

Synopsis extract :
Based on true story of an apartheid era black man who gets terroristed by a white investigator and ...
Film Category
The 2000s (the noughties)
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 06 Feb 2022

Review Summary :
Watched again and rated the same

Still pretty good

Wasn't sure if I'd seen it before when I put it on but eventually started to recognise it. Still worth seeing again



Thursday 3rd February 2022

filmed in New Zealand 2021

Running time: 126 mins

The Power of the Dog

Director : Jane Campion

Synopsis extract :
Two brothers running a successful ranch - Phil (Benedict Cumberpatch), the man's manly one, and ...
Film Category
The 2020s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, Streamed proj @ home on 03 Feb 2022

Review Summary :
Four wonderful performances from the leading cast, and first class direction.

Looks good, performers good, story good.

Some acceptable changes made to Thomas Savage's book to fit the story in to a filmable timeframe means some loss of nuance. Fantastic locations and camerwork do justice to the first rate actors.

The book was notable for its exploration of Phil's repressed homosexuality which wasn't as much to the fore (barely present) in the film.



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