Film Reviews Blog

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

Sunday 10th August 2025

UK 2024

Running time: 125 mins

Conclave

Director : Edward Berger

Film Summary :
Selecting a new pope
Film Category
Film Tags

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 10 Aug 2025

Boys and their Power Games

Portentous, self-important tosh. A very well written and filmed drama but ultimately pointless and tedious.  

Essentially it is a jury-room drama (12 Angry Men etc) in red robes. Obvious from the start that the rank outsider would get it with a pointless surprise at the end




Saturday 2nd August 2025

Denmark 2010

Running time: 118 mins

In a Better World

Hævnen

Director : Susanne Bier

Film Summary :
Friendship of two boys has consequences for their families

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 02 Aug 2025

Mostly excellent

The acting by the two young boys was first rate, and the supporting parents not bad. 

The Africa scenes didn't really gel into the story, if there were supposed to be parallels with the main story they weren't clear to me, although they were good in themselves. And we never found out what the other dad did in London.

Perhaps there were actually three films here that should have been a trilogy - the boys' story, and the two dads stories.




Friday 1st August 2025

USA 1952

Running time: 113 mins

Viva Zapata

Director : Elia Kazan

Film Summary :
Story of Emelio Zapata's role in the Mexican revolution

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 01 Aug 2025

Review Summary :
The classic Hollywood storytelling often seems a little disjointed. Focuses on Zapata

Revolutions are never simple

The role of the tall englishman advisor is an interesting story in itself.

Marlon Brando barely recognisable.




Friday 25th July 2025

Germany 2008

Running time: 150 mins

The Baader Meinhof Complex

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex

Director : Uli Edel

Film Summary :
True story of the anarchist group in late 60s early 70s Germany.

Rated by Roger CO, on 25 Jul 2025




Monday 21st July 2025

UK 2006

Running time: 121 mins

The Wind That Shakes The Barley

Director : Ken Loach

Film Summary :
Irish rebellion and civil war 1920-23 from point of view of two brothers

Rated by Roger CO, on 21 Jul 2025