Reviews

Yet another Bond/Harry Palmer homage' or pastiche in parts. The Black Windmill has now become a Don Siegel timeless classic. Overshadowed by miles by Dirty Harry in its day, TBW was a rough diamond twinkling in its wake. Fabulous casting unparallelled and the acting was timed and placed to the second. This movie based on the Egleton novel was true to form in all areas. The story of the Whitehall spook having his son kidnapped while bosses had their own mits in the pot, is compelling and addictive. The film theme score in fairness appears to be a transposed rehash of Fear Is The key (Alastair Mclean) However the genius of Roy Budd is allowed these minor trivialities in such circumstances. Caine is sheer brilliant in his usual manner in these roles, along with Suzmann/Vernon and a whole host of luvvies that went on to stellar TV careers this really is a great "Cribs" movie.

Out of all the Marvel and DC genre movies, Iron Man must top the lot in all areas. A truly fabulous blockbuster of a movie all round. (Definately worth seeing at any time and most definitely worth buying for any home cribs, movie collection). Unfortunately what ruined the celluloid cliffhanger for me, in not making it a stellar 10 out of 10, was the erratic casting, absolutely great in 50% of it, but the other half was dire and un thought of,(Some of the supporting cast,left a lot be desired). Areas of the production was a bit patchy and incoherent, only masked by the noise and fast pace of the story line. The swansong ending of the movie, appeared to be a rehash of "Transformers". The feel,action, sound and music was all reminiscent of last years kiddie blockbuster. For all die hard super hero fans, Iron Man was true to its storyline and comic history. There is no need to allay any attempt, to be smart and try to be clever about the facts and figures, of the life and storyline of Tony Stark.. The movie spelt it out in droves. It could have been perfect, but as with anything metal, it all has its imperfections, the sequel could become in danger, of getting very rusty!!!!!

Oh dear what do you get when you cross a wannabe' Thomas Crown and the heat of Ray Liotta.. Well it wasn't "Heist" This was a 100% load of absolute drivel and a shear waste of everyones time. What were they thinking, oh I know, we made a mistake with canning "Smith" so lets try to plagiarise the show and pretend to do a pastiche cover or remake. This was utter drivel of the worst kind...An attempt to rob three stores in Beverly Hills. Oh just give the stuff away darlings, thats what the TV moguls did when they canned this crap after 5 shows and just as well. Oh by the way, lousy American accent worthy of the Dick Van Dyke Hall Of Fame.

Jackal was one of Freddie Forsyth's big 3 novels (Odessa File/Dogs of War/Jackal) Per Se'. This was a prophetic attempt to portray a "what if", Situation in European history. Disgruntled right wing faction-ite group hires mystery English hit man/travelling sales executive? To kill probably one of the most eminent post war Euro leaders of the modern era. The note of the lack of musical score and direction, in the Zinnemann pastiche was clearly stated here.Mood and sound effect replaced, replaced an orchestral stringed ensemble, to provide the atmosphere to this classic and timeless story. The casting was a bit of a BRIT luvvie fest. With a number of them ala Jacobi/Britten & Denholm going on to great flourishing Beeb careers. Michel Lonsdale Le-Belle (Hugo Drax MOONRAKER) and a small cameo role in (RONIN) to note: Ed Fox was really the only choice for the bard of the title role, in question really. Great ageless piece of celluloid as fresh as the day it was released. Confirms my remarks about the 70s, the most successful and highly creative period in history.

This is the second greatest TV show in the history of the Cathode Ray Tube, next to The Professionals. Only to be ruined by the non want, or desire of the U.S. market. The second series became a rehashed show, which was morphed into the dire Space 1999: Ed Bishop/George Sewell/Peter Gordeno/Gabrielle Drake, Made this monster hit into a timeless unrepeatable classic. The score by Barry Gray was a continued superlative musical masterpiece. Gerry Anderson's first real attempt, at Sci-Fi without the puppets, was a marvel in its own right. Often repeated or copied in flattery, the technology and realism of the ships have no equal. Its a jealousy thing once again and some countries, just did not like the idea that us Brits, could conjure up such a brilliant piece of work. The best advice I can give to any wannabe' Sci-Fi Buff, is by the box set and indulge, in what should have been....Da Da Da Der!!!

If there ever was a case in point to make about Gangster/film art in history, L.G.F. would be one of 3 cases to put forward, the other 2 being,Get Carter & Layer Cake: I cant see why other IMDb-ers have commented on futility's such as, water running backwards in the swimming pool, when what you have here is the making of two screen idols, coupled with the teaming of probably the greatest film making talent in our history. The music/film score, Francis Monkmon (Sky) fame: Manic orchestral dizzy strings,coupled with the heavy saxophone solo's,puts this film tune theme, up there with the greats of Barry & Roy Budd inclusive: Super-stellar performances from Hoskins & Mirren, make this a must see No 3 of the Bulldog switchblade movies, before your soul, starts feeling the heat or touching the sides of your wooden crate: Helen Mirren (Probably the greatest British female treader of the boards, in our history). Was truly stupendous. Sexy,cohesive and method, on a very weak and poorly written part for her, demonstrated the ability of sheer acting genius: The story is self explanatory and does not require brain surgery to assimilate and nor should it: Now to my case in points 1. If it was not for the late great George Harrison(Same birthday as my dad!) and one or two others, this film would not have seen the light of day(Hand made films). 2. The beginning of the highly artistic 70s started with "Get Carter" the ending of the 70s Long Good Friday was born and subsequently, finished the off the decade! I rest my case in point, regarding the silly 60s. This IMDb was written on a Friday, a long hot sweltering one, wait a minute there's a knock on the door! "Oh hello Harold! Long time no see".

(4th Attempt IMDb:)An awful attempt at portraying probably one of the most important events of our era. A complete hodge podge of work,that deserves derision in parts. The bards playing all parts bar one,looked far too unrealistic and inaccurate: As for Ms O Reilly, Oh Really! Diana was clearly given further mis-justice. The show spent over 10% of its air time listening to Fleet Street/Canary Wharf hacks, B/S-ing about there part in it, further salt, in the already sore wounds. The saving grace of this show, was Patrick Baladi, "Oh my friends, this is a big star in the making". Reminded me, of a more mature and experienced 1970s George Lazenby: I hope Barbara Broccoli was watching?The show appeared rushed and hastily put together. The lack of a decent music score made this work dreary and unpalatable. In the end for this sad and sorry tale, far too much artistic licence was pasted here, which obviously fed the masses, for 120 minutes, during the highly meaningful 10th anniversary.

Absolute celluloid monster CGI-fest of a movie. If your going to play with Computer graphics then do it this way ala' the whole hog. Transformers is a blockbusting stormer of a movie: After being asleep for the last 18 months with the usual Hollywood drawl. Out comes this cataclysmic cracker: The story and concept, is as old as Japanese samurai books, think (5 Rings, by musashi): However this sci-fi electro fest, ticks all the right boxes, in the right places: Megan Fox & Shia LeBouf, oh yes very much bang bang, on target and well worth the side splitting entertainment: My only sour grape is Ron Witwicky/Kevin Dunn. You played the identical stereotypical uncle Sam Pa Pa in "Small Solders". Come on Casting Execs does it have to be that obvious! Rachael Taylor/Maggie Madsen the part was far too overplayed, has anyone told you that Method Acting, does not relate, to you raising your voice or shouting through the whole of the scene, badly directed in my view. The rest of the movie was an action cracker in the most highest of terms. Its going to sell trillions on DVD...Loved Bumblebee in his new set of Camaro clothes,"I want one now": Great,great movie, brilliant story, cohesive, realistic, original. I would like to see it again. TRANSFORM !!!

All the superlatives in the world, will never count or replace the fact of you not seeing this movie. The first and greatest of all the Tom Harris/Hannibal Lektor tales. Brain Cox/Dennis Farina/William Petersen in a Mike Mann film wrapped in the musical score, of Michel Rubini and The Reds...Oh wow I've watched this movie 3 times in the last year still as fresh as ever, on my first outing...Yes there's a little bit of 80s Miami Vice and a small splattering of American Gigolo' in the aura of the movie...The post modernist, beach style white, flat roof houses very much Frank Lloyd-Wright influenced gave credence and method, to the mood scene.Nice piece of work cleverly executed with a near perfect cast. A must for any collection...Also makes good training material, for investigative bodies and enforcement agencies...

Oh dear where can you start? This was a real mess,a plaster board' makeover of the original. An awful attempt to cash in on one of the greatest movies of the 70s. With LL Cool J, Rebecca Romjin, Jean Reno..and the guiding hand of John McTiernan, this should have been fairly good. However it fails miserably on all counts. The Rollerball course was more like a cheap Go Kart/Scateboard Park, for under 5s at a funfair...A far cry from the former Olympic basketball stadium converted in the original movie...The acting, well I've seen better in a cheap bin, in a £1 shop in the UK...Obviously, there was no attempt at method here! I am glad those involved must have been quick to bank their cheques...We will see them on "Cribs" next, showing off their new homes and paraphernalia, probably sporting a Rollerball 2002 poster in a glass frame on some staircase landing...I nearly bought the DVD video, after all the advertising hype...Im glad I did not, I would rather buy £10 of white stewed cabbage and make myself more sick, than I currently am feeling after watching this again...Worst film and my worst IMDb mark Sorry!

This really hurts me, because I am a big Jason Statham fan. The Transporter 2, is a bit like your post virginity encounter, its never like the first and never will be. When our mates in the land of Sam gets hold of anything we do in Europe, they always mess it up big time. I can think of a number of examples. (Dick Van Dyke, trying to be a cockney!) Anyway, back to the movie: Wrong location, silly story already been done in Mission Impossible 2 and XXX. The only thing that held this movie together, was Jason & The amazing Francios Berleand' other than that it was painful and dire in parts. Best bits the opening scene, when the twits in the multi-storey get hammered, just after frank takes his jacket off. Amber Valletta OK, but not nice enough, did not shake my boat, nor Frank's by the look of it. As for Kate Nauta Sorry dear, the producers got it wrong. Lara Croft/Angelina Jolie, is in Tomb Raider and is much more sexy and better looking. Alessandro Gassman, not bad, 2 things going for you. 1. Your part Italian. 2.Good potential in becoming a great Piscean actor, your half way there my friend. Lets face it, films like this are an escape: As Tolkien said, a moment to shut yourself off, from the madness of society and take a break, a mental holiday: What sort of holiday would you like? Pretty girls, south of France/Italy,sun,sea,the smell of fresh croissants, the odd Ferrari/Lambo, racing past you. Or would you like, fried chicken, mud-pie,rack of ribs,some huge ex-pat colonial in an XXXXL flowery shirt saying "Howdy I know you! you're that secret agent". No sorry wrong film, I know I'm being facetious. Transporter 3 next time in London please, during the summer. Can we have Frank driving a Jag, or a Bentley this time. If not, it may be time he hung his leather gloves up.

Oh wow, what a cracker, I was left cold and quivering the other night, after a free bee' from channel 5. What a scorcher of a movie. Plot/cast/script/music can go no wrong. Daniel Craig my friend, you certainly are the big one, I can see why Bond is now your mantle, no problem. Makes American movie actors look quite anaemic and pedestrian really. Only down side, I would say is quite vague parts from George Harris and Sienna Miller. The fight scene with Morty, was about as scary as a teacher performing at a school sports day. But this classic thug chiller is second to Get Carter no problemo'. Wont spoil it for you but I think xxxx is still alive on the steps of the golf club, ready for Layer Cake Revisited. Don't you boys?

Superlative action TV show, possibly the greatest in television history: Absolute classic casting, producing the marriage of tumultuous great artistic talents, in utter sublime compatible and synchronistic performing genre's. This will never be repeated. The Johnson music score spells it out in abundance, one of the great notation scribes ever.Make no mistake every moment of your spare time watching this show is productive, period. Ideal training material, for turning young boys into real men. Jackson/Shaw/Collins oh my good lord, I have lived!!! Ford Capri 3.0 S/Escort RS 2000/Triumph TR7, to name but a few. The live set shooting of this celluloid masterpiece, was second to none and a shock to our mates over distant waters.The girls looked the business and the lads could get on with it. This was the last bastion of the stronghold of the non emasculated male. Oh please can we all return to normality and have our testosterone back? Does everything have to be so politically correct and hormonally oestrogenic. I think I better phone for C.I.5. ........da.da.da.!!!

This was supposed to be number one in the story so far as a prequel, and in my mind it is the best of them all: Hollywood moguls would you please re-edit and include all the deleted scenes, especially the Gun-Gan Sub additions:Absolutely monster movie, with fantastic cast. Anything with Liam Neeson has got to be great: I just cannot fault this movie with or without any want of spite. If you like S/W then this is the one, in hindsight of seeing all the others. Cracking performance from Jake Lloyd as the young Anakin. Where are you now mate, get back in there...Great story line faultless to the core, "The planet core"!!!! Sorry just could not resist. The Pod Race, well sheer genius from the master himself, what more can I really say...No 5 of my all time Dessert Island Top 20. I have surely have lived.

Excellent story well executed with a lot of thought. Decent casting with no wood! Well marketed idea, following a toy format, that goes out of control. Strong performances from all the cast put this fun movie in a league of its own. The moguls got it bang on in this tale of Action dolls on steroids, going out of control, via some weird chip implants.Basically enhanced and launched the career of Kirsten Dunst ( Probably her best role to date ever). Greatly repeated on the box now and quite rightly so. One thats joined my collection for a rainy cold afternoon. Come on Hollywood go spoil it where's the sequel? If not how about a lobby for a much needed TV sequel variant. This is a great conceptual idea, which needs exploration and consideration for such a script.

Well for my £4 from Blockbsuter, I thought I would vent my disappointment, on what could have been another Washington masterpiece: Allow me to give a short lesson in Deja Vu! Sorry for the pun...As a composer of great music (Myself!) we all know there are only 7 notes to a music scale, upon a number of varying differentiations...Therefore, the old saying, "That song sounds like so and so", occurs!...This movie was 7 films rolled into one...1.Minority Report 2.Enemy of The State 3. (Seven) 4. (24) 5.Back To The Future (Without the comedy) 6. Telefon 7.Timecop: Hollywood must have thought I'm bored today, what shall we go and do? Lets spend a few hundred million on a movie, to make a few hundred million! This was the season of boredom. Have we been here before? Mr D's acting pace, was a poor attempt in timing to change characters, that have been played before. Good but not convincing enough I'm afraid: Val Kilmer and John Caviezel stole the show here and good on them!!! How IMDb can say that Casino Royale' is similar viewing, beggars belief...Must go now I've been here before, perhaps its Deja Vu!!!

This is the big one, out come all the Barrack Room hacks. Here we go!Possibly the second best Bond Film of all time, depicting the prequel/pro-log of the infamous, wet and dry disposal expert on behalf of Her Majesty. The casting of Dan Craig was spot on no doubts here,as the man delivering the box of chocolates, after disposing all the usual wannabe delivery boys. Great story from Fleming possibly one of his best, based on a number of various alleged war time tales of experience. The casting and storyline was fluent and cohesive, to the point of total originality. I am unsure on the "Vesper Lynd" depiction, but after watching the movie on my 10th outing, I think I get the message. One sad point for me personally was the film score, which was its only issue. The opening title theme was a very good piece of work, which was slightly spoilt to the fact that the composer should have let someone else perform it. Admittedly they themselves are an allegedly world acclaimed vocalist and writer. The opening title credits were the best in Bond cinematic history: Great storyline. A little bit of useless information, which will have astrologers jumping for joy. The other great Bond new boy with a similar story line was George Lazenby "Virgo" Sun sign. Opposite polarity to Daniel Craig "Pisces" (The best by the way, I'm one too!)David Niven Casino Royale Bond spoof was a "Pisces". Eva Green "Cancer" Ideal paring for and match for a Piscean in Synastry: Someone got it right doing their homework, or did the Cards just give them a "Straight Flush".

Along with Civvies (Lynda La Plante') This was one of those alleged controversial BBC dramas during 92, that has disappeared of the face of the earth possibly canned, "I wonder why"? Reasonably, good emotional love story, with implications, that launched and enhanced two very good careers for Boardwalkers. Shame we cant see it again, but this is now a political hot potato, in the current climate. In hindsight, it was good to see a national institution, push the boundaries of art in various forms.The bed scenes in this tale of relationships were realistic and cultured, akin to the rubbish that is produced today. The story portrays an individual with responsibility, allowing his natural feelings to overtake, what was considered normal or acceptable judgement. Basically a tale of Human Nature, at its most raw and unpredictable state.

A strange and esoteric piece of work that came out roughly the same time as another controversial tale,that was screened about the RAF. Civvies was a booster launch pad show for, the fabulous and talented Jason Isaacs, now a massive star. The ending was strange, I did not get it, maybe it was not my genre'. Being an ex-serviceman, I sympathise with the story of lost desolation, coupled with a rough tough attitude, about the boring mundaneness off civvy street, after service life. I cant understand why this show is not repeated but I do know why. Give it another go Beeb! You might get a whole new perspective view, on a good piece of work.

Quintissential superlative love ballad out of the Love Story mould, only Ali Magraw and Ryan O'Neal have aged somewhat slightly...Yet there are no corny moments in this short story style paperback tale. Yes the Italian accent was good, by the premier classic bard performance of Ms Streep. For once good Ole Clint got it bang on target, without the use of his .44 The 8 note melody line to the film score, is an irregular syncopated scale movement, in which I once witnessed a TV interview in where Eastwood stated, that he had this piece floating in his head, ala stream of consciousness... All writers have these moments. The story bode well of the bored but loving house wife grabbing her halcyon moment of life...This was a tearjerker extrordinaire second to none...The brief moving scene of Clint getting soaked, while looking on to his love encounter was superlative and gave credence and credit to the fact that this movie deserved accolade allround in which it rightfully did so. Made Gone With The Wind look totally ancient and out of place.

Massive hot off the press 'Ray Liotta' led thriller, only to be canned by the moguls for some odd bizarre reason. Oh dear Mr Hollywood haven't you got it wrong big time. How many series of 24, Yawn!!! ER went into cardiac arrest since Clooney left: Smith is a fantastic concept with an electrifying cast and genre'. I did not get the bit in the first series with one of the team popping the 2 bodyguards on the beach. But don't you wish that was you on occasions? Great story well executed script, very much in the Winner/Bronson, "The Mechanic" mode. I could look at Virginia Madsen all day and not get bored. I suppose there's no point in getting a petition up to have it back on the tube!

Well, What can you say, about this monumental mid - 70s classic. I rest my case already. Norman Jewison's, Kubrick style homage' sporting classic, based on the short magazine story by William Harrison. I was at school at the time and my seniors were raving about it, along with other 70s icons of fear and intrigue. James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams (Probably the most beautiful, talented actress, ever on celluloid). John Beck, (Later Dallas fame). Even a short cameo from Ralph Richardson, which was a classic understatement in itself. The game, well what prophecy. oh yes! realistic in its entirety. Buy the DVD and watch the extras on it, the conversion of an old Olympic sports pitch, into a futuristic marvel. Whatever they were taking in the film, depicting the recreational substance of the future, must have rubbed off on the artistic genre' to the creativity, of this classic wonder. Can I have some please? The acting was first class, not a cringe in sight. Oh why can they not make movies like this anymore? !!! As for the 2002 remake dear oh dear, someone forgot the plot and I don't mean the script.

Another T.C. vehicle movie, this time in the comedy/morality mode. Cruise reprises some old characters from previous celluloid to create Jerry Maguire. Very much a mix of Joel (Risky Business), Brian Flannagan (Cocktails), Charlie Babbit (Rain Man) and Mitch McDeere (The Firm) rolled into one quite entertaining package. Zellweger, as the love interest at her absolute finest! forget Bridget: Cuba Gooding Jr in his well deserved Oscar Acadamy award winning role, as the frustrated NFL front man, was impeccable. This is a moral tale tinged with a funny theme to it. Whether in real life uncles Sam, reality would prevail, only the great one himself knows. But nevertheless, this was a thought provoking 139 minutes, that was well worked, scripted,edited and cut.I would watch this movie over and over again, cuddled up to my lovely wife, with a packet of popcorn any day!

There have only ever been 3 good ones and this is the best of the 3, the others being The Spy Who Loved Me! & Casino Royale'2006: Lets start by saying this movie marked the end of the silly 60s, into what was and is now regarded, as one of the most creative periods in our history, the 70s. George Lazenby is Bond! The voice, the hairstyle, the body, the charisma, the total package!Never mind the acting pedigree or his short acting background at the time, this was the movie. If you lived in East Anglia UK, you could not see this movie for years, as it was constantly screened on London TV. I was green with envy with school-friends, that had 2 TV aerials. Telly Savalas, Dianna Rigg, Louis Armstrong plus the gadget less story, what a combination. OK I hear the purists shouting expletives, on reading this. The constant statement that this movie did not gross enough at the box office, is futile. 8 Million cost, grossing 80 Million, nice earner in my book.Every scene is near bard perfect. The story, the action, the girls, just eek-ed quality,cosmopolitan charisma. That hooded blue cagoule, George wears in the ski scene, is a real fashion statement, of the gentlemen action man, at his best. The music, the love story. The haunting opening scene was just magical. It will never be repeated, it is not meant to be! It was history and synchronicity,to the brand, explored at its best. To all of this movies critics, all I say to you, is that you obviously have not explored, what Flemming was trying to portray with Bond. George Lazenby, displayed to us what James Bond is and should have been.

Well well! I told myself so! The Davinci Code was and is probably one of the most over hyped pieces of celluloid in the last 10 years. Well done Mssr Brown, with the book,one wonders, how many of the 40 million or so readers, went traipsing around Europe, seeking clues to the H.G. After reading the tale. The movie! Massive disappointment, something told me not to bother with going to see it on cinema, after renting it, I can see why! Being part Venitian I feel some what bemused, as to what all the fuss was about: This tale of ode, appeared to be nothing more than an empty vessel: Without Jean Reno and Audrey Tautou, the film would have been related to the cheap bin on release! The lead role cast was not appropriate and should have gone to someone like Michael Caine. The ending was rushed, faster than the finish to a Formula One race: very poor indeed, (National Treasure 2) please instead.