Film Reviews by KW

Interesting film about a native returning to his home town in post revolutionary Portugal and the emotions he unlocks in the young and resentment from those trying to adjust to the new world. At times I found it beginning to get clogged down, whilst on occasions it became vibrant with its opening of opportunities for the younger generation. In the end I found it watchable but felt that 19-25 minutes could have been cut from the film and still got the message across.

Like a previous reviewer the Albert Finney Gathering Storm was a far better film than this one, but where this film is about how Churchill became the PM and held on, the earlier Finney gave you so much more in-depth reasoning for the need for Churchill to replace Chamberlain as PM. If there is to be a follow on film then the role Lord Halifax played as our Ambassador to Washington from 1941 to 1946 must be a front runner!

A very enjoyable film with a stellar cast highlighting issues as one grows older and societies acceptance of them. A stellar cast made this film watchable and such were their performances it would be inappropriate to single any one of them out as they were all so pivotal to the film.

Interesting Movie script let down by trying to add an extra 20 minutes to the run time. Decent acting from the cast and some of the location shots were great but they were not enough to make the film a good one.

Interesting film covering an initiation ceremony in South Africa and the interaction of two of the leaders looking after those be initiated and one of the young men to be initiated. Clashes of personality did not help and whilst watchable I could find no empathy for any of the lead characters. Social anthropology students may find this film fascinating!

It takes an awful length of time to get to the action, and at times I found my mind wandering as the story line did not have enough depth to sustain it until the denouement of it!

I got so bored with the film I ended up using the fast forward button to finish it quick. If there was satire it missed me completely.

3 of the films stood out for me, the Animated Half a Life, The Colour of his Hair, based on a film script that was never made by a family member of Lord Montagu of Burley and AIDS: Doctors and Nurses Tell their Stories. Of the remainder some were more watchable than others, but compared to some of the recent issues in the series this was a far better collection and did not have me wondering why I had chosen the disc to watch!

An interesting film covering the relationship between Gloria Grahame and a provincial UK actor Peter Turner primarily in Liverpool with Grahame lodging with Turner's parents in Liverpool, superbly played by Julie Walters and Kenneth Cranham, and a host of A list cameos led by Vanessa Redgrave. Whilst watchable it did not grab the heart strings and try as hard as they could the leads were not able to hold my utmost attention during the viewing. As a period piece though it was thought provoking!

Interesting film that has too much going on at times and you need to view it at least twice or maybe three times to get the full impact of it.

One outstanding acting performance deserving the awards it won, plus a very cultured one from Woody Harleston, and a script that could have done with some serious editing to produce a film befitting the acting and visual shots on show.

As a fan of the original play I am curious as to how film makers go about converting it to a film. In this instance it was OK but felt that the supporting cast were the real stars. Visually to look at, it was first rate and the supporting cast were exceptional and special credit must go to Toby Jones, but for me the problem was that I could connect with Sam Claflin characterisation of the officer commanding the unit and this left me at times, wandering away from it.

Its was a joy to rewatch this classic from 2000. The emotions I first felt when I first watched it were awakened again and I sat back and let the film sweep over me. Excellent acting from the cast and the lead actors were exceptional. If have not seen this film is a must that you do so and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

An interesting film about a french writer down on his luck and looking for inspiration who moves to London and becomes a male escort whilst at the same time collecting experiences that will in due course become part of a book he writes. Interesting to see so many British actors starting out their characters with minor roles in the film. At times it does look dated and acting standards have improved as well, but watchable.

Interesting bio pic film covering the small band of Jewish people who survived the world war 2 living and working in Berlin. Well told and the performances of actors recreating the life of the actual people were excellent. If you have an interest in the period a film well worth watching.