Film Reviews Blog

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

Saturday 2nd September 2023

USA 2023

Running time: 180 mins

Oppenheimer

Director : Christopher Nolan

Film Summary :
Scenes from life of a troubled scientist

Reviewed by rogerco, New Carlton Okehampton on 02 Sep 2023

Review Summary :
and also over-hyped - this is the worst film seen so far this year

Overlong, overloud, overblown, overconfusing and overdull

There is nothing good to say about this turkey. Noisy, Loud, Portentous, Confusing, Boring, and totally pulling its punches. Disjointed storytelling. Ultimately trivialising what could be an interesting story if told better.




Saturday 26th August 2023

Chile 2012

Running time: 118 mins

No

Director : Pablo Larraín

Film Summary :
Story of the 1988 Chilean referendum on getting rid of the dictator Pinochet

Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 26 Aug 2023

Yes to No

Interesting story well told. The ending simplifies the truth somewhat as it took a further 2 years for Pinochet to step down, and of course the campaigns were more complex - the 'Joy is Coming' (translated as 'Happiness is coming'in the film was only one element - although undoubtably an important one.

 But allowing for the need to produce a coherent narrative from a very complex reality this film does a good job of telling its story and giving a glimpse of what it is like to overthrow a totalitarian regime when the opportunity presents itself




Wednesday 23rd August 2023

USA 2023

Barbie

Director : Greta Gerwig

Film Summary :
Barbie World meets Real World through a portal and it is not what the expected
Film Category
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Rated by rogerco, New Carlton Okehampton on 23 Aug 2023

Review Summary :
Yes it makes some good points but ultimately it is here to make you feel that Barbie is ok and Mattel are not evil but just providing fun.



Saturday 19th August 2023

Ireland 2022

Running time: 90 mins

Joyride

Director : Emer Reynolds

Synopsis extract :
At charity fundriser in memory of his dead mother boy finds dad stealing the money raised to pay ...
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Reviewed by rogerco, DVD proj @ home on 19 Aug 2023

No joy to be found on this dismal ride

One star for being Irish and another for being mildly amusing at times - but it doesn't really deserve 2 stars.

Incoherent storyline, cartoonish characters, poorly directed, it is almost complete rubbish. 

Sound so poor we had to turn on the hard-of-hearing subtitles to catch what they were saying - not that they were saying anything very interesting. The oirishness was dialled up to 11 and frankly irritating, Photography competent though.

The director should go back to documentaries, and the writer should try a different line of work. You shouldn't waste your time watching it, its not even bad enough towe worth seeing it to laugh at.




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

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.