Film Reviews by HM

Funny and a send up really. Mark Strong doing his usual baddy act; talk about typecast. Entertaining hogwash. May as well just make films like this in animation format, most of the good stuff in it is CGI anyway. The Incredibles were much better films and managed to send the subject up too. However, worth a watch, kids will enjoy it most methinks.

An obscure Zellweger movie based on a true story. The author of Conan the Barbarian and other macho fantasy stories finds himself in love with budding author Zellweger. The love story develops nicely as these unusual people gravitate to each other. Touching, engaging and worth a watch; especially Rene fans. Happy, sad and romantic. Why not? Liked it a lot. Rene has the charisma and femininity to attract most men's attention and doesn't fail this time either!

OK entertainment. If you like Star Wars after all these years go for it. Plot? Characterizations? Forget it, this is kids stuff; bright, breezy and plays out like a shooter or punch up video game. Based on a Manga creation apparently, but actually is a re-run of a popular plot; Privileged rulers live in the sky and mere mortals live a restrained 'big Brother watches' you existence; see Logan's Run, Elysium, etc. Great CGI, switch mind off and enjoy the fun, oh and rollerball makes an appearance too.

Abused woman supports other abused women by punishing their bad boy partners. A kind of sex abuse 'Punisher' concept. The violence is played down but obvious so the impact isn't slash and blood, however, the atmosphere is violent. She has a go at a woman child abuser too presumably to slide the character out of the man hating category.

What she really needs to do is revenge herself against her own abuser; cue show down and chase situation. This movie could have broken new ground but ends up following a few old paths. Closer to Death Wish than a psychological analysis.

I found it entertaining and engaging so worth a watch, I have been bored and let down by better known casts and directors believe me.

Best picture? Err no not really. Entertaining; certainly. Heart warming; definitely. A bit Walt Disney version of 1962 race issues; maybe, but a decent drama for all that and anyway, we know about segregation etc so don't need a complete resume.

Performances convincing, pace of story telling very good. As for the motives for telling this story? Well the black race lobby has done a good job making sure they are in every movie made nowadays, but minorities are just that so let's not overdo it! This story however, stands up on its own and is definitely worth telling, you are with this odd couple all the way and hoping it turns out well, surmounting the difficulties of the time.

This is a USA version of In Order Of Disappearance a Scandinavian movie. Exactly the same but the comedy element overplayed somewhat with a few changes; Gang boss is bullied by his ex whereas in the original he knocks her out with a punch; got to have strong women in Hollywood these days. Brutal violence and comedy are strange bedfellows and the original plays it better although directed by the same guy.

An entertaining watch but if you haven't seen it don't bother and go for the original version; more authentic and blends the humour and violence better.

Remember 'The Killing' TV series? Original Danish version best, USA remake not as good but Yanks cannot be bothered with 'foreign' stuff so original with sub titles to much like hard work eh? Same equation here really. Originals are always best, after all they are what prompted a remake in the first place.

The atmosphere of this movie reminded me of how I felt about Shutter Island, disturbed but engaged. I suspect it could be too grim for most people but when it ends, are you relieved because an unpleasant mood has gone or because you were actually drawn into it and shared the tensions of the characters?

Repulsive, but absorbing, that is the problem; a bit like watching a snake, fascinating but disturbing at the same time. Worth a risk to watch it; yes I think so. Slasher movies are not as squirm making as this is, they are standard pattern pulp. A real life horror scenario is much more disturbing; yes that is the word!

Well, origin stories are always the best ones (well usually) as there is more background stuff. This film particularly so; interesting ideas and history of the character. Then of course it is over to CGI. Good twist in the story line. All in all a decent watch. Cannot imagine the follow up being anymore than an action mash-up. Possibly the introduction of a cross-over character? Frankly I am not looking forward to it, there is not much more you can do with the super hero format for me. Then again, Star Wars still attracts big audiences no matter how bad and dumb they are. I doubt this character will have 'legs' so enjoy this origin film but don't build up your hopes for a cracker follow up.

One big problem; Nick Fury is a solemn character as a mature head of Shield but in this he is a younger and rather silly excitable person a complete personality change. Doesn't work.

Another quirky movie she stars in. She plays the hopeless female like nobody else and succeeds here wonderfully. This type of American comedy drama is the equivalent of the British Rom Com genre. Light but moving, some laugh out loud moments, it engages and delivers this semi-true story of a wronged women leaving her husband and doing a road trip with her two teenage sons. Along the way she meets various 'wrong men' as she attempts to find a husband.

Great fun and worth your while watching. Renee is as attractive and charismatic as ever.

Good fun, funny and dramatic. Not at all historically accurate. However, if you like Black Adder and don't take this seriously, it is a lot of fun and very entertaining. A total send up of the period and it all looks gorgeous. Women rule throughout the film in a ay they wouldn't have got away with really but it is a feminist view of now looking back for a location to hang this set of attitudes. Go on, allow yourself to enjoy it in the spirit it was made.

Hollywood make this film on its own? No chance, it would be crude and lacking in self mockery. A GB culture slice to be sure, although the writing and directing belong to a Brit an Aussie and a Greek!

It must have been tempting to have cartoon baddies in this telling of true events. Instead confusion reigns and parties with conflicting interests collide. The film is accessible for people of all ages and delivers an important slice of Britain's political history, revealing complex background stories. Essentially, the land owning class fear a power grab and revolution, French style, so when Manchester locals hold a rally to demand democratic representation, the militia and regular military are sent to break up the meeting.

The real art of this film is to tell the story from the perspective of participants leading up to the event. In this, it has succeeded admirably. Radicals, cynics, innocents and the guilty rub shoulders. This piece of history comes alive. Hard to imagine why it took so long to be told; not in London I suppose…..

Highly absorbing telling of a story that effects us all to this day.

It must have been tempting to have cartoon baddies in this telling of true events. Instead confusion reigns and parties with conflicting interests collide. The film is accessible for people of all ages and delivers an important slice of Britain's political history, revealing complex background stories. Essentially, the land owning class fear a power grab and revolution, French style, so when Manchester locals hold a rally to demand democratic representation, the militia and regular military are sent to break up the meeting.

The real art of this film is to tell the story from the perspective of participants leading up to the event. In this, it has succeeded admirably. Radicals, cynics, innocents and the guilty rub shoulders. This piece of history comes alive. Hard to imagine why it took so long to be told; not in London I suppose…..

Highly absorbing telling of a story that effects us all to this day.

Low budget; people in space suits in a forest. No special effects and no CGI. Rocket capsule with less sophisticated equipment than a washing machine. Reminded me of early Doctor Who. However, it did engage me with its simple action drama. Dad and daughter are prospectors searching for rare stones but collide with outlaws doing the same thing; not to mention forest locals. This story could transfer to the wild west or the frontier of any place, say, the Australian outback in 19th century, it is that kind of story. A 90 minute quick B movie really.

Enjoyed it.

I remembered part way through this movie why I Ioved Stan and Ollie so much when a kid and why I still do; I smiled in every scene they made and likewise this movie is just the same. It is an affectionate portrait of the two men in their career twilight years. The script is sensitive and respectful to the great men whilst shining a light on their conflicts and friendship. Delightful; see it!

Absorbing movie. A mystery story really, with an imaginative backdrop scenario. I wish more Sci-Fi were like this; I don't need outer space cowboys as in Star Bores or magic super heroes, but some thing actually to do with science. A movie story like this has credibility to my mind. Enjoyed it. Into ray gun fights and spaceships whizzing around? This isn't for you. It is intelligent.

Fine performance by Portman too.