Film Reviews Blog

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

Saturday 12th August 2023

Italy 1956

Running time: 91 mins

The Rooof

Il Tetto

Director : Vittorio De Sica

Film Summary :
Newlyweds needing a place of their own find that if the can put up a house overnight without the police finding it and it has a door and a roof then it can't be demolished
Film Category
The 1950s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, Streamed proj @ home on 12 Aug 2023

Lightweight realism

Lightweight picture of housing problems in Italy in 50s. Excellent natural performance by Gabriella Pallotta as Luisa (the newlywed wife)- only 18 at time of filming. Interesting views of Rome and the fishing village where her parents live, and overcrowded housing where Natale's family live.



Saturday 29th July 2023

UK 2021

Running time: 94 mins

Belfast

Director : Kenneth Branagh

Film Summary :
Growing up in a time of troubles
Film Category
The 2020s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 29 Jul 2023

Growing up in a time of troubles

D0 not watch the "alternative ending" on the DVD - its a Kenneth Branagh wank. Aside from that it is probably the best film he has ever been involved with. Great music from Van the Man as well.

It quite a gentle drama of family life in a poor initially unsegregated area of Belfast in the 1960s. Possibly a somewhat romanticised view of community before neo-liberalism destroyed everything, but the characters are good and interesting and the boy Buddy (Jude Hill) is excellent. Its a story of those who ultimately decided to leave, rather than delving into the politics or the lives of those who decided to stay.

Charming rather than gritty social-realism, but that can be okay - there are other films about the harder side of The Troubles.



Friday 28th July 2023

2023

Running time: 105 mins

To the Last Ukrainian

unlisted director

Film Summary :
Documentary about the sources of the war in Ukraine and the European responses
Film Category
The 2020s
Film Tags

Rated by Roger CO, on 28 Jul 2023



Thursday 27th July 2023

USA 2022

Running time: 104 mins

How to Blow Up a Pipeline

Director : Daniel Goldhaber

Film Summary :
A group of young eco-activists blow up an oil pipeline in West Texas
Film Category
The 2020s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, Streamed proj @ home on 27 Jul 2023

Enjoyable eco-thriller with happy ending

Andreas Malm's excellent book of the same name dealt with why to do it, this film shows how to make it happen. The 8 characters all have a different back-story and motivation, they are all more-or-less young, and have all reached a point where it seems like the logical thing to do. Together they form an effective team with the usual interpersonal tensions sometimes getting in the way. 



Saturday 15th July 2023

2022

Running time: 110 mins

The Banshees of Inisherin

Director : Martin McDonagh

Film Summary :
In an isolated Irish island community two friends fall out with tragi-comic consequences
Film Category
The 2020s
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD tvscreen @ Woodfield on 15 Jul 2023

Review Summary :
A strange tale about male friendship and change

Strange & unlikely but oddly compelling

Obviously well photographed and directed 'tis a slender and unlikely tale but oddly compelling. Touching and exploring several deep questions - am I a dull fellow, what is a friend, what is the meaning of our endless numbered days with all of the civilised baggage stripped away by the limitations of the environment in which the characters operate - pertpetual sunset, minimal social contact - there is something of the Samuel Beckett about it.



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