Film Reviews by GI

A standard horror thriller where a group of naïve students get lured into playing a game in an ancient, dilapidated church in Mexico and find that a demon forces them to continue playing or face instant death. There's the usual grisly scenes and the inevitable search for a way out but all in all the film offers little that's new or original. Indeed in many respects it's a mediocre affair and has a lacklustre ending. There's been a lot better films built off the same idea.

A quite nasty thriller with a story and plot that has been done before and better, Steven Spielberg's Duel (1971) for instance. Essentially a road rage themed film that misses a trick or two mainly in that the basic idea of road rage sparking off the events is lost because of the silly idea to give the bad guy a backstory that sort of explains his behaviour. This has the effect of undermining the premise of the entire narrative leaving it as just another psychopath film. Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is having a stressful day and a minor loss of temper with another driver (Russell Crowe) results in him stalking not only her but her family too because he's basically unhinged. Shocking deaths, nasty violence and the girl in distress doesn't enhance this film, and while it rattles along at a reasonable pace and exudes some entertainment value it's a tired plot that is predictable and even has a ridiculous coda that is almost worth a groan.

Adapted by director Billy Wilder from Agatha Christie's celebrated play this is the quintessential courtroom drama and a film with so much intrigue and twists in the plot they even put a request in the credits not to reveal the story. Full of tour de force performances from stars Tyrone Power (in his last film, he died a year later aged only 44), Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton, who is exceptional here, this is a must see film. A true classic of cinema. Laughton plays Sir Wilfred Roberts, a famous barrister, who despite recovering from a heart attack agrees to defend Leonard Vole (Power), accused of murdering a rich widow. Sir Wilfred is convinced of his client's innocence despite overwhelming circumstantial evidence of his guilt. But the prosecution call a surprising witness which threatens the entire defence and Sir Wilfred suspects something isn't right. The main courtroom of the Old Bailey was faithfully reproduced as the main set where most of the film takes place and there's also small clues to the films puzzle if you are on the ball to spot them. It matters not because this is such a cleverly told tale that it keeps you hooked throughout and in many ways it's a whodunnit. Added into the mix is a good dose of humour especially in Laughton's grumpy barrister and his feud with his domineering nurse played by his real life wife Elsa Lanchester. Brilliantly written, edited and directed this is a fantastic film, remade a few times but this is the one to seek out it's a real joy.

Uninspiring addition to the Marvel Cinema Universe and the superhero genre which is a shame because there's an originality to the character of Venom and Tom Hardy who is the only good thing about the film. However where he injects some grounded humour it is nowhere near enough to lift this tired narrative into anything remotely memorable. By the time the damp squib of an ending occurs you'll be glad it's over (although it isn't there's a mid credits extra scene setting up the inevitable sequel to come). But like a lot of these films they always end up with just a big punch up and here it's a short and dull one. The story is a science fiction based one where nasty, insane and rich scientist Drake (Riz Ahmed) has managed to find alien creatures on a comet and had them returned to Earth. These are called symbiotes and they need to merge with a host to survive. One escapes and joins with disgraced journalist Eddie (Hardy) and gets a liking to stay on earth but first together they have to take down Drake who has merged with a very nasty alien intent on destroying everyone. There's some fun around the middle of the film where Eddie and Venom have to come to terms with each other but it's a small glow of fun in an otherwise average film so lets hope the sequel to come can lift the whole thing.