One I really wanted to see at the cinema but missed. Worth the wait.
4/5
Category Archives: film review
There will be blood
This was a magnificent film; a tremendous portrait of a man descending into the depths in every sense. Lots of rich imagery and symbolism to ponder (I especially loved the ‘anointing’ of HW very early in the film). However – and you knew there was a however coming – this is not as spiritually rich as ‘Magnolia’ principally because there was no orthodox view represented; thus no redemption. That was probably the director’s intent, but it is still a disappointment.
4.5 out of 5.
Day of the Dead (Romero)
I’m still slowly working my way through Kim Paffenroth’s book; this is the third in the sequence. (Kim’s book is very good by the way).
This was a good film, and I can understand why it’s counted as one of the classics of the genre, but it’s also extremely slow cinematically. Probably a four out five, just because of the conceptual weight.
The Fog
I was really in the mood for horror films yesterday, but this wasn’t very good. The basic story was sound, so I’ll probably seek out the original John Carpenter, but this was barely adequate. And the blonde girl (who was also in Lost I think?) simply cannot act. She can simper quite sweetly though…
2 1/2 out of 5.
Idiocracy
Videodrome
Eragon
Cloverfield
The Return
I thought this was rather good, but I can’t say too much about why because it would constitute a spoiler (though the ending was by no means unpredictable). It had a lot of quality in it, not least an effective and understated performance from Gellar and remarkable colour tones. Recommended, if you like supernatural thrillers. Four out of five.
Bobby
Very good indeed: sound script, excellent acting, unobtrusive direction (imagine what it would have been like if someone like Scorsese had made it) and running beneath it all a yearning for what was lost and might yet be. There was a spirit of mercy about it that was most affecting and attractive. 4 1/2 out of 5.