Film Reviews by HM

Clever analysis of life's unfairness and selfish perspectives on moral issues (deep). As usual Allen's one-liners fit perfectly, although they ought to be out of place (shallow). The story is gripping as a thriller and an emotional ringer. What would you do? Does the nice guy get the girl? Is it all life's rich tapestry or a kick in the groin?

We all have to swallow the effects of other people's actions and plot to perpetrate harm to others interests to further our desires. So we can commit crimes and especially misdemeanors. The scripting is tight with no flab whatsoever. I found it to be gripping and an education. Much recommended for those that like intelligent cinema; one of Allen's best.

Starts well, but ends up as nonsense. The humans build a wall to defend a compound and then store highly inflammable fuel next to it so the slightest thing blows the whole lot up 'James Bond finale fashion'. Very silly. Hopefully last in series. Basic amusement I suppose but it wears thin by the end.

Well it was OK but dwelt on minutiae. The big picture didn't come over, not least the small flotilla of civilian boats which wouldn't be adequate. No sign of the German outlook on the event. A Spitfire can shoot for 36 seconds in total. the planes in this film seemed to be able to reload themselves!

Entertaining none the less but somewhat short of a blockbuster. A bigger budget needed to give this the full treatment.

Somehow Allen's jokes/one liners work in this serious drama about emotional entanglement within a family and self doubt over desires. Wonderfully done and a classic. Haven't seen it? Well make sure you do, also Michael Cane's finest hour. You won't be anything less than addicted from the start, witty, well observed and absorbing; unless of course you are primarily into Guardians of the Galaxy 2 type films.....

Well the 5.1 sound isn't that good Blu-ray fans and the music is a bit screechy. However, the story and performances are top of the tree. Leone didn't get all his first choice actors but the whole cast gels perfectly so the film just got lucky! The music score is the real star giving gravitas to each scene. Leone cannot 'do women' so they are portrayed, as usual, as a whore or Madonna; very Italian (bear in mind this film is mid-sixties).

Hard to believe people have not seen this movie, but westerns are not popular now so younger peeps may have ignored it. Do see it as the 'Man with no name' trilogy re-wrote what a western is, normally, Mexican Hispanics are treated as gun fodder, but here the European origins of American culture are on show. Also, westerns had been a celebration of triumphant America values as the power emerging from the second world war on top and nothing much to do with the actual west. Leone sees a very different America and one which probably surprised Americans!

Hardly in competition with the original which had no CGI just crude special effects but was 10 times the film this is. However, it moves along keeping your interest by action and its good looks. Lazy plot and the kind of baddie monsters we have seen so many times. Glad I saw it at home and didn't go to the trouble of visiting the flicks.

Recommended as a basic 'give 'em what they want' movie.

What a disappointment; Prometheus hinted at an interesting story to come but it just ended up as an 'aliens are after you' chase movie. As with previous Aliens movies the surviving new character is bumped off before the start of the new script so the continuity is wrecked and the story stands alone. Added to which one would have thought the Earth expedition would comprise an intelligent crew, not this bunch of dimwits. A poor story, time to wrap this franchise up methinks.

Wonderful performances and a lively script delving into the background of the Poppins author. It would have been enriched by a peep into Disney's brain makeup too. Enjoyed every minute, much recommended for viewers who like intelligence as well as sentiment in their movies.

An excellent novel becomes and excellent film. Set in the late 18th Century or thereabouts, you find yourself interested in the social manners of the day before being drawn into an emotional conflict. Who is good or bad? Who is misguided? You may find yourself reflecting on your own preferences as the script manipulates your innate sense of justice and moral code.

The tired X Men series comes to an end, or at least it should. Hopefully the youngsters seen in this movie will disappear or maybe become a TV series? This movie is heartfelt but more violent than its predecessors, also makes use of heavy bad language. Basically it is a chase movie, very exciting and ruthless in its disposal of likable characters. A more adult outlook than previous efforts.

Action, tension and chase on an adult level just about sums it up. I found it engaging and entertaining throughout.

Very silly and then some! Sure it is ridiculous on purpose but clichés; baddies cannot shoot straight etc. For the kids really

Daft premise undermines the serious subject. Lots of movie stars whose charisma saves the day. Does give the brainbox a work out, but indulges in silly stuff which could have been left on the cutting room floor.