Film Reviews by BE

Mainly hired this movie to watch Philip Seymour Hoffman - one of America's 'greats' - and he doesn't disappoint. Quite an interesting storyline and well acted by Tom Hanks in the lead role. Understood to be a true story although some parts if it suspend belief. I should imagine that some licence has been taken with this movie and suspect Charlie's character was probably more lacking in personal morality than was presented on screen. Ho hum!

I didn't find the scenario of a mother trailing back and forth across a frozen river, mostly in the dark of night, to assist with getting illegal immigrants into the country either uplifting or entertaining. I realised she was down on her luck and needed money to pay for her new extra wide mobile home. That said, I found difficulty in empathising with her plight due to the way she was getting the money to pay for it.

I found the violence and mental torture in this individual scenario during the 1967 black uprising so gruelling, I had to watch this movie in stages. If you like this sort of storyline, it was very well done with excellent acting. Judging by the songs listed in the credits, you'd not be wrong in thinking you maybe had watched a musical! Apart from the staged ones, most of the songs went unnoticed by myself. Outstanding in his performance as a bad policeman was Will Poulter (of The Revenant fame). An alarming fact was that the story was based on true incidents. These and the failure of the legal system to get justice, are an indictment on America's historic treatment of black people.

A chillingly realistic 'horror' movie without the blood and gore. Extremely well presented with excellent acting from the two female leads (mother and daughter). I wasn't sure what to expect as the storyline started off quietly and then the tension gradually built up. Very well worth a watch.

Bit of a long drawn out storyline with little consequence. A lot of the film follows a young female doctor around tending people with health issue, whilst investigating another issue. Very nicely acted by Adele Haenel but little in the way of excitement.

Seen at the cinema, a superb movie by English director Martin McDonagh. Although filmed in America, it is apparently classed as an English movie. Superb acting, especially from Frances McDormand, the movie is full of humour, sadness, and all human emotions. Just when you think the storyline has settled down, it takes an unexpected turn. You'll need a strong stomach with the language but it's totally in context with the characters. A joy to behold. I have already seen it twice at the cinema and may yet go again. I picked up more on the humour the second time of viewing. I shall also leave it on my hire list to watch again when it is released on DVD. Deserves more than the maximum five stars!

Although it just stops from erring on the side of 'mawkish' towards the end, this is a very enjoyable, funny and emotional piece of work, sometimes interspersed with sadness. Beautifully acted by all the cast, including the cat, it presents as seamless entertainment. I had a smile on my face almost all of the way thru it plus some laugh out loud bits.

A beautifully measured performance from Rebecca Hall as Christine, a tv journalist and newsreader. Ultimately very sad as unable to cope with a stagnant career and unfulfilled personal life, she chooses to end it in front of television viewers, watching the news bulletin. Miss Halls is riveting to watch and being the daughter of Peter Hall (one time Director of the Old Vic etc.), would have made him very proud. Also ten out of ten for the very authentic attire and equipment circa 1970s, lack of a disruptive screen score (apart from appropriate pop songs heard over the radio), quiet colour and a very realistic film setting. Very well done.

Generally a good movie about an undercover FBI agent and the mafiosa. Divided loyalties arise when Donnie Brasco strikes up a rapport with gangster 'Lefty'' - this opposes the duty he has to his employers, the FBI. A well made movie although the insinuated ending is contrary to what happened in real life. Usual classy performances from the likes of Al Pacino and Johnnny Depp. Although made twenty years ago, being set in the 70's, it hasn't dated.

Although nicely crafted it is quite a lethargic movie. Most of the viewing time was spent waiting for something to happen. I would liken it to watching paint dry but was taken aback when the paint hit the fan at the end! Filmed in the beautiful city of Venice, although it was filmed twenty seven years ago, I did wonder how they had managed to avoid all the tourists that must have been around even then.

Another unusual storyline directed by the magnificent Susanna Bier. A traumatic scenario around the repercussions of infant death, thoughtfully acted out by an excellent cast. Camera work is excellent too. Not an uplifting movie but thoroughly recommended.

Interesting to watch the dynamics between husband, wife and the supposed 'other woman'. Gerard Depardieu gives an unusually measured performance as the husband although Fanny Ardent and Emmanuelle Beart play the predominant roles. A simple storyline which holds the attention throughout due to the seamless acting ability of the main stars.

Authentically filmed in the jungle and mangroves of South America but unfortunately, not my cup of snake venom! A simple tale, albeit a trifle long. Well acted, especially by those who looked indigenous to their surroundings. It wasn't clear that the film involved two different historic periods. I found out after I had finished watching it although it wouldn't have enhanced my enjoyment (or not) of the film.

Jamie Bell and Annette Bening give Oscar worthy performances in this wow of a film. May not be everybody's cup of tea but you'd be hard pressed to deny the brilliant performances. It was also a good representation of life and fashion in the 70/80s and I didn't spot any continuity errors! It was so much better than My Week With Marilyn which came across as artificial. The movie stayed with me long after I left the cinema.

Three hours of 'watching paint dry', thinking I must get a titter out of this somewhere along the line. Wrong! Anything less funny I've yet to see. After all the effusive reviews I had read regarding this movie, I'm left thinking 'the kings new clothes'?