Film Reviews by RP

Sunday afternoon on tv in the old days used to have a war film showing. As kids we used to happily sit down and watch the film and let the often silly plot lines pass us by for the excitement of the adventure on view. This is just such a film. Admittedly with a bit more swearing and the odd exploding head. The fact it is based on a true story just makes it even more Boys Own Adventure fare. It may not engage the adult audience that much but it has its moments.

After the highs of the first three series. This fourth season felt a bit bitty. Only the last episode had a hurried explanation for what happened at the end of the last season. Plus one other episode that felt meaningful. Otherwise it all felt a bit like filling the hole with dirt dug up from another hole nearby. Too much naval gazing without ever finding a continuity. Oddly the only season that has so far felt dated.

Diana Dors is often remembered by the roles she played later in life. But this film reminds us what a good actor she was. The film has a cast that makes every part, big or small, meaningful and important. The story of a good girl driven bad is not so interesting as the scenes in the prison itself. The Prison Guards waiting with the condemned criminal. Passing the time, with their own small bits of life and interests. While awaiting the all too meaningless waste. Often over looked but a film that should be among the very best of classic British cinema.

An assassin can have their brainwaves transferred into the inner circle of those that are to be killed. The only way back is for them to die themselves. Seems simple enough. But when something goes wrong and the assassin has problems finishing the task we have a whole plethora of confused identity. There is a nice twist and the plot is well acted with plenty of well known actors playing their parts convincingly. At times we have a Hammer House Of Horror amount of blood and gore but for all that I enjoyed the film. Good twist and plenty of questions about identity and what it means. Next time I raid the chocolate and biscuits I will know it isn't really me. I have been taken over.

At times an overly simplistic version of events in a brief period in Jean Seberg's life. But well worth watching if only as a brief education to the times that are portrayed. The character portrayals are well done if a little one dimensional. The frustrated, neurotic and ultimately tragic figure comes over well enough.

There may and probably will be a better film made of the life and times of Jean Seberg. Nevertheless, I didn't think this film was quite as bad as critics at the time and since would have us believe. Especially for those who know nothing of the times or the famous people portrayed.

Based around the Star Trek Discovery period although not exclusively. These short episodes cover everything from the birth of the Tribbles to the day Spock first arrived on The Enterprise. Mainly live action but with a few animated episodes as well. The popular Star Trek franchise is long overdue some snack size episodes to enjoy. Some work better than others but there isn't a wasted episode as such. Extras on nearly all episodes give a nice background to the making. Not necessary to be a fan as all of the episodes can stand by themselves But it helps the enjoyment if you know the background. Enjoyable addition to the World of Star Trek.

This season starts and finishes with more intrigue and more doubt and more double dealing than most series pack into several years. For the first time we see Raymond less secure than he has been with less trust for those around him. With the loss of a favourite character last season, this season introduces a new replacement that slips in nicely. More back story to investigate in the future no doubt.

A baddie that may not be a baddie but is too easily able to infiltrate into the lives of our hero does feel a needless plot weakness but soon the show returns to galloping ahead. The established cast and characters are now strong enough to be entertaining even with plot weakness.

The season ends with an episode that was put together despite the nightmare of the Covid pandemic stopping production. The surreal nature of the episode and the additional computer animated scenes actually work well enough. The cast and crew bookend the episode to remind us what a weird World we live in beyond the intrigue of The Blacklist.

Ralph Richardson is perfect as the Butler to a French Diplomat. The Butler and his wife keep the embassy house going and clean and tidy The Diplomats young son with little to do but keep little creepy crawlies as friends and pets, finds a friendship with the only adult that will give him the time of day. But the wife has little time for mess or the young boys pets. She seems to have little time for her husband either.

With the Diplomat away, the house relaxes. But while the boy wants to play, the Butler has formed a relationship with a young secretary. After a shocking accident the boy is torn between what he thought he saw and his friendship with the Butler.

A satisfying film with lots of actors popping up who are well recognised from old British films. Sonia Dresdel, who plays the wife, may occasionally break into being a pantomime villain but She does it well enough and all the cast make this a perfect Sunday afternoon type watch. The sort of film British studios once did so well. Very glad to see this again and still a great film.

Your parents are proud of you. You worked hard at school. Now you have the job that you hope will lead you onto reaching your ambition. But you have to put up with a few setbacks along the way. Working long hours,trivial paper work, mind numbing monotony. But this job will lead somewhere. Then you have to clear up the bosses office. The jewelry off the floor, the odd stains on the couch. But this job will lead somewhere. Then a new young assistant, pretty and naive, an ex waitress gets an assistants job. 'The Assistant' does its best to wring any hope out of young ambition. Complain and it is you writing an apology. Every one knows what is going on and there is plenty of gossip. However it doesn't do to complain. After all you'll be safe. 'You are not his type'. The job will lead somewhere?

I understand that this film isn't to everybody's taste. Nothing major happens and the story is a familiar one. But it is well done and the frustration of The Assistant is well realised. A million miles between the hope and the reality. Just like most peoples lives.

Original and well crafted prequel series. In a World where England is in the midst of Political upheaval and criminal gangs. Albert Pennyworth in torn between small time crime, marriage, a past life in the army that comes back to haunt him and outside influences in the political and royal confusion. Racing along between action and sadness all the many characters are memorable. One doesn't even need to know the backstory of what is to come in the future of Albert Pennyworth to enjoy the series. But if you are only too aware of what becomes of Albert, the series adds to the enjoyment. Cracking atmospheric series that hopefully will continue in season two to live up to this seasons promise.

Shame that the powers that be decided to pull this Battlestar Gallactica prequel after just one season. We had Mafia type rival families, religious battles for total domination and what would have been a nice start as we saw the birth of the first skin job. But sadly ratings eventually defeated the series. I suppose it did become a little ponderous at times and too slow for those expecting battles and big stage space opera. But I enjoyed it and at the end of the series there is a glimpse into what might have been had we been allowed to continue the journey. Well worth a watch in the expectation that this is a different animal and telling a different story than its famous long running older sibling. Or should that be more famous child? But not to be and if only for curiosity, now worth a look. So say we all.

One of those films I hesitated to put on my long list of DVDs. I mean it is a comedy horror thriller. They never work that well. But in the end when you snort at Melanie Scrofano's character every time she is on screen and have to look away when Samara Weaving's character is climbing up a ladder and there is a close up of a nail at the top. Well it actually works well if you know what you are getting into. It is fun and silly and entertaining. It shouldn't work but it does. It is just annoyingly entertaining.

Hadn't seen this film for some time and was delighted to catch up with it again. If anything Night of The Generals is even better than I remember. With so much acting talent on show it is a great reminder how a fairly standard plot can be magnified into something special. Peter O' Toole brought his unique style playing one of the Generals suspected of being a killer. In a War that is brutal and has death as a badge of honour, who cares if a prostitute is brutally murdered? Omar Sharif does and despite the mayhem of War is determined to find the killer.

The side plot of the attempted killing of Hitler adds to the confusion with Donald Pleasence, Charles Gray and Tom Courtenay adding to the acting class on show. A great film and a delight to see it again.

Multi layered plot and acting make this an entertaining series. It may be worth having the subtitles on as the deep Southern Drawl takes away from some of the finer points. Make sure you watch to the very end as well. If you can enjoy the long car driving sequences and persevere through the nothing much happens until it does bits. Then it really is worth the effort. Disturbing and enjoyably sharp.

A fun followup to the first film ten years ago. I am not quite sure why some found it not as successful and even tired. But I found it funny and entertaining and the new characters added to the enjoyment. Zombies have been done to death, but that doesn't mean the return of the original cast and new additions didn't make for a romp worth seeing. Zombies being slaughtered while the characters battle with their own insecurity was always fun. It was never supposed to be more than the sum of its parts and it all adds up to a light 90 minutes of light hearted slaughter.