Film Reviews by CD

This is the third time I have seen this film over the past 20 years and I have taken different things from each viewing. It is often compared with the film "Deliverance" (which is also well worth watching if you like films around a battle for survival in a hostile environment), but for me this film is superior. The performance of the two lead actors Keith Carradine and Powers Boothe is excellent, and there is a good cast of misfits around them. The plot, camera work and music are very good and the Cajun culture and environment adds a whole dimension of extra interest, particularly towards the end of the film. It is tempting to see the parallels with Vietnam, and the sense of abandonment and isolation that some US soldiers experienced there. Powers Boothe's character raises the suspicion that the luckless reservists have been set up to be lost and hunted down as part of the mission. Whatever the intended context, this is a survival film par excellence which keeps its momentum to the very end.

I am a big fan of Kenneth Branagh but this film does not come to life for me at all. There is the usual challenge in an Agatha Christie novel about casting the array of characters in a believable and interesting way, but added to this is the choice of an extremely gothic set with lots of night shots that makes it hard to see what is going on (despite picture adjustments on my TV). It was hard going to get even to half-way and I struggled with the storyline. There is some good acting and innovative camera work but sadly this is not enough to compensate for a film that seems slow and ponderous.

I was expecting more of a horror film and less of drama, but this is an extremely well made film with excellent acting and an intelligent script. It is subtle and sympathetic in the way it presents all the characters. The children give amazing performances and the whole film is very realistic and convincing with enough small twists to keep it interesting. The photography is also very impressive.

This is a highly accomplished film - great photography and acting all round with a storyline that hangs together. Sidney Poitier shows a hard edge as well as being the voice of reason and Rod Steiger gradually grows as a character to be more than a caricature police chief. The heat and humidity of the South come through nicely, although Sidney Poitier seems to be quite comfortable throughout in a smart suit and tie.

I really enjoyed this old fashioned, very English adventure yarn. The lead actors (James Fox and Bob Hoskins) are excellent and there is a fun cameo appearance from Peter Falk of Columbo fame. The filming, supposedly in Brazil/ The Amazon, is very spectacular and there are some fine dinosaur special effects even though this film was shot back in 2001. A thoroughly recommended family film.

This is my second viewing of this film, which has featured in at least one list of scariest movies in the past few years. It certainly has some spooky moments especially when modern technology gets some demonic interference. One feels very sorry for the main character who you feel has been set up specially for this vigil as part of a grudge against him for leaving his religious calling. There are some dull bits with an extended wavering candle scene, but it is harrowing when he tries to leave the house midway and the end is one of suspense.

This film has a number of strong points, in particular the quality of the lead actors and the vibrancy of some dialogue and scenes.  However it has very little in terms of a plot and the hip repartee becomes a bit tiresome  after a while. I would not describe the film as a comedy.  Worth  a watch for the sharp directing and acting. 

I do no generally watch this type of action film -  it seemed very disjointed and in spite of the good actors, the characters and acting are a bit thin. There are some good moments, particularly in some of the chase scenes, and there is a bit of humour. However, it all seemed a bit stale by the end.

Unfortunately I quickly decided after 15 mins that this was not a film for me. The animation is very clever, but the storyline is a bit limited and I found the voices rather irritating. However it may well appeal for PG Family viewing and it has had good ratings elsewhere.

I found this film rather disappointing, and gave up after half an hour of waiting for the action to kick in. The acting is fine, especially from the leads, but the filming has rather dark lighting that makes it difficult to see much in the indoor scenes. There are several similar scenes with the women characters exchanging insights on the disappearances, but the film fails to ignite.

I was expecting a lighter film with more comedy, but was impressed with the more serious and thoughtful film that I watched. The characters are well defined and the acting is great.  The sadness of the whole situation is well drawn out.  Strangely, the Scottish Island context is quite low profile and the local characters are limited, although the weather gets its share of attention. 

Really liked the amazing landscapes.  The conversations and interviews were less interesting to me, except when the artist talked about his techniques.

The scale and ambition of this drama is amazing.  Superbly acted, amazing sets, music and filming, good plot and narration and a wonderful array of characters - a real gem of a film.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film which exceeded my expectations from the reviews I had read.  It is not overly violent for its 18 rating. The acting and characterisation are good and the soundtrack is terrific in a 1980s way.  There are some absorbing scenes with Dafoe doing the counterfeiting and a top notch car chase towards the end.  William Petersen as the lead is impressively gritty.  There is also some tongue in cheek humour with for example a running chase in which the crook asks the cop why he is chasing him and the cop replies “because you are running away!’  The ending is a satisfying finale.  

Once you get past the sluggish start and rather irritating mannerisms and drawl, this is a wonderful film.  The lead characters and actors are very likeable and the main action scenes are superb.  It is also fascinating to see a view (albeit in a movie but hopefully based on some reality) of behind the scenes, particularly the trials and tests for the pilots/astronauts, the dynamic with their wives and families, and the media and political circus around the 1960s’  US rocket program. It is striking as well to see the lack of diversity in whom was even considered for the space program in the 1960s.  Best seen in a couple of sittings as it is quite a long film, but really enjoyable.