Robert James

The Napoleonic period has been my favorite study for many years and I have become reasonably well versed on the subject, not that anyone can be fully aware of what life and issues were like in the reality of the time. I think Phoenix was horribly miscast and failed to inspire my vision of Napoleon. Much of the intercourse between him and Josephine could have reality. The battle scenes were plush and the uniforms etc fairly accurate. A potted version with a few comedy type sketches did well to add to a period in Napoleon’s life and apart from a weak Wellington, the supporting cast did well. This review is my own opinion: Ridley Scott is a fine director but he has done better in my view,

Hammer’s performance was one of endurance as well as decent acting. The rest of the movie was mediocre with an odd humor added by a Berber who hangs around Hammer proffering advice to move on. I give it three stars only on account of the two parts I have mentioned. The remainder was an off switch event for me.

A long and often tedious slog the movie strengths lay in the superb acting from every cast member. How Matt Damon could act so boorishly for three hours is amazing. Hurt and Baldwin did good work along with evergreen Gambon. Angelina Jolie did a good job in the role of Clover who had to tolerate a loveless marriage with the zombie like Wilson. Some of the US nasty bits came to light, showing how we could really be as brutal as the Soviets. I must say I was glad to reach the finale but all told, the movie was more to real life scenario than anything Ian Fleming ever wrote. Reserve for rainy day or convalescence.

A particularly dark movie made darker by the environment and decay in the buildings. Ruth Wilson can do no wrong in my book and aces her way through a fairly ponderous movie. The supporting cast was great, tried and tested actors who bring the North of England to light. This movie could be upsetting for some so be warned. The violence threads its way through the,lives of all concerned but Ruth Wilson’s character seems to take most of the hard knocks The ending does bring a touch of gentleness into the story: be pleased for that.

Do not waste any more time than I did on this B movie cobble up that has no Merit at all .

A romping, feel good movie that is very welcome in these uncertain times. A lot of creamy fiction is smothered on the real tale of one man who wanted to start a bank that would help people in the community rather than screw them over. His opinions of a corrupted banking system controlled by greedy elites are certainly shared by many. How banks managed to collapse and lose billions that belonged to regular people rests in the hidden cracks of the banking circus, a controlled and regulated playground for the rich and powerful. The final snub is when their political pals bail them out using the money belonging to the people they happily fleece. Us! Great acting, much Northern English humor and enough schmaltz to make the movie a tear jerker and feel good effort.

I am not a sci-fi aficionado as I see no logic or proof in the ideology but it makes great entertainment for a lot of people so have at it. This had to be so far fetched that the actors may have felt obliged to run off scene cringing with embarrassment: kudos to their professionalism for not doing so. I recall being bored by Doctor Who as a young shaver but at least William Hartnell had empathy with his character and fellow actors. This multi era pot boiler was disjointed at almost every level: some commentators suggest a right wing bias throughout. As it took place in an imaginary East End of London, I would say that a right wing element would have been at home in the prowling grounds of Moseley and his Fascist Black Shirts? And be real: Jews have always faced some form of discrimination overt or hidden, in the UK. Now the Muslims and Hindus have moved in to take it. But this was offered as entertainment, not political education in spite of the sinister future denoting a dystopian Britain. It failed for me in the first instance and did not match “1984” in the second.

Stunted acting, questionable action scenes and well away from the Reacher that came from Child’s pen. I started Series 2 and have decided to find something else, a difficult thing to do on Netflix and some streaming channels. Series 2 of Reacher did little to improve a very low key production. Three stars out of sympathy for the crew members who put this together.

Perhaps the most impactive thing about watching this movie today is that we are all 13 years older. Life really is short. Great movie, great cast although the small window for Liam Neeson in an almost advisory role was really pointless as he does not do what Liam has become known for and expected to do. Any reasonable actor could have played that five minute role and there is a couple of A Team actors to draw any interest needed. The plot kept a decent pace for most of the time and moved locations in line with the story. Crowe ‘s character turns into a multiple killer and robber in order to save his wife from a life in prison and separation from their son. The irony is that she is allegedly innocent of the crime that put her in prison. Crowe removed a pair of criminal cockroaches and managed to pull off an escape to S.America in spite of pursuit by eager cops. That had me rooting for his success even if he did break the law to achieve his ends: it was only a movie. Worth a watch as it entertains thus does its job..

Liam being Liam which he does well. Good supporting cast, far fetched story but some interesting action scenes. The inevitable twist at the end game is best left to all who have persevered with the story for most of it.