Film Reviews by JT

Gripping and enthralling - with more twists and turns than a fairground attraction. In fact so many that I didn't know what the heck was going on some of the time. Having to elaborate with a flashback is my idea of a cop-out, but that's the worst I can say about this. Other than that it is a superb drama and cannot wait to watch series 3.

Re-introducing myself to this film was the best thing I've done for a long time. Al Pacino gives a masterclass in how to act and entertain in one fell swoop, and that's really all you need. However the plot is incredulous enough to keep you enthralled as added bonus, and the characters in support appear to have been just plucked from the New York streets minutes before shooting - not that they couldn't act, but they were so utterly genuine and realistic in their performances. Yep - wonderful.

I wasn't struck by this film - Renee wasn't convincing as Judy, either that or the character just wasn't volatile enough. I expected it to be much punchier. However the cinematography was lovely, so it was very easy on the eye.

I *so* wanted to love this film, even like it at best. Asking for a Quadrophenia 2 was probably a bit much (after all Quadrophenia is my favourite film of all time), but To Be Someone doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence. There wasn't one original idea in it - practically all of it was pinched from previous Brit gangster films and the like (the main protagonist looking directly into the camera to describe other characters is only one example). The "comedy" element - much of which was involving the antics of the brothel and its clients, was frankly just a flatliner. Very sad. Very, very sad. In a way though, I'm glad, as Quadrophenia remains untouched and untouchable, and To Be Someone should be buried where it belongs.

First time seeing this (believe it or not), and the thing that I wasn't expecting and found most striking was the quintessential early-80s-ness of it. Set in the early 80s and made in the early 80s, this is a rare snapshot of this slick, glossy, shiny, dynamic, care-free period in time. Al Pacino, playing, well ... , Al Pacino, is outstanding as ever. Probably an unintentional comedy moment on the disco dancefloor is Michelle Pfeiffer doing something that I guess is supposed to be dancing, but you can be the judge of that. A film-lover's film - for the hell of it.

A joy to watch - superb animation and delicious characters made this a winner for me. I watch this, of course, as an adult, but find it as entertaining as if I was watching as a 6 year old (possibly even more so). All thanks to the clever people who make these!

I got bored of this film within half an hour. Notwithstanding the well-known great actors and actresses that did their best with the script, and a costume designer that must have had a blast being part of it - the story/plot had nothing to keep me entertained or hooked, and I had to do the home equivalent of getting up and walking out.

Gary Oldman's portrayal of Churchill was outstanding, magnificent and quite uncanny. He looked like him, sounded like him and moved like him. The photography and atmosphere of the film took me right back to the time - it was dark, it was shadowy and Europe was being steadily swallowed by a monster that no-one or nothing could stop. Until Winston Churchill was placed in the driving seat. Hitler - your days are numbered. As soon as the film was over I wanted to run out into the street waving a Union Jack and singing the national anthem - and believe you me that doesn't happen often these days ...

Overall, this film fell a bit flat. I only managed to not hit the "stop" button on my remote due to the mesmerising acting by Leonardo (and Brad for that matter), and the general prettiness of scenes. I just didn't really see the point of it apart from that. I like a good story/plot, and this was lacking. I may as well have poured over a book of shiny, slick photographs (albeit world class ones) taken on the set.

Why some (most?) fans thought this an anti-climax when it first came out, I'll never know. After all 8 seasons of GOT, and the constant build up, it gave me the ending I wanted - a satisfying one. There were shocks (in typical GOT style) right up to the end - which was as unpredictable as the story has ever been, but if it had left even one tiny aspect open ended, I would have requested a refund. I can now, after years of torment, sleep soundly.

I didn't expect this to be quite as violent as it was. I don't shy away from that type of thing normally, but this was over and above the norm (and the necessary). As for a plot - fairly inocuous. But was justice served? Probably not. The ending left me a tad unsatisfied. There was an interesting attempt to explain the reasons why the main character was the way he was, by touching on the weird relationship he'd had with his mother. Overall, I wouldn't highly recommend this one.

This film's genre is described as "Action & Adventure". However, there was next to no action, and the adventure part was questionable. And it wouldn't have take them long to learn the script either. Also the possibility that two apparently sensible young guys going off on a walk with no map, water, phones and getting lost - just didn't gel with me, Having said that, there must have been something in it because I kept watching, and managed to survive until the end. So perhaps it was the "something's *got* to happen at some point" element that kept me going. Perhaps it's that Casey Affleck is very easy on the eye. Yes, I'll put it down to that.

I haven't enjoyed myself as much in a long time. I wasn't expecting to like this film - I didn't much take to Bros back in the day, and wondered what on earth they could bring to the film world in this day and age. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I laughed, cried, and everything in between. I think what the lesson (if there is one) in this film is that everyone is human, and even though some are projected into stardom for whatever reason - we remain human and this is what is never take from us, even though the stardom is so often all to brief. These guys weren't shy in showing their vulnerable, touching, down-to-earth, even clueless side - which I loved. As a piece of film it's one of the most entertaining and heartwarming you'll ever see.

I suppose it's just that type of genre that is alien to my comfort zone. It's very pretty to look at, but somewhat shallow underneath. Kind of like getting a half portion of something you're really looking forward to eating - and still being hungry afterwards. The shots of well-known music names were a blessed relief, but not much else to report really.

Didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. Very intense, salt of the earth and real. Superb acting and direction - it could have taken place in one small room and would have still had the power and amplitude. In a strange sort of way I hope humans are still interacting like this in years to come. Although I suspect this is gradually being beaten out of us.