The All New Book & DVD Review Thread (And Gift Hints)

[Steve]

Watched Nuremburg last night, most excellent! 


Apart from Freddie Mercury being in it obvs. 

  does seem a weird bit of casting for a very tragic figure.  But then they had Judy Garland in that 1961 film about same events and she was absolutely brilliant.

Any more happy Christmas themed fillums in the pipeline?

[Barman]

Watched Long Shadows last night...

A few weeks ago it had good reviews (now 5.5) but they must have been fake as it was unbelievably shite.

I've no idea where the high mark reviews originate from but they're obviously fakes. This film is utterly boring drivel with no redeeming value. The sets are cheap, the script is so dull it's impossible to find anything of interest. It's like a soap opera in a western setting. It's almost all just talking in rooms like a play but nothing seems to happen. When there's action it's all just not entertaining at all. I recommend watching this if you're suffering from insomnia. Or watch it to see that Jacqueline Bisset is now very old. She is the only actor I recognize in this extremely slow and uninteresting mess of a film. I had to fast forward to look for some action but nothing of interest. Some kid trying to save a girl from a brothel.... nothing original at all.

[Barman]

Watched Fackham Hall last night... Most excellent, a real spirit lifter! 

Return of the Parody/Spoof Comedy Genre
The Davenports face possible eviction from Fackham Hall unless one of their daughters is wed and continues the family line.

This period-piece spoof of Downton Abbey has all the elements of a classic parody. It has all the spoof comedy styles: slapstick, innuendos, dirty jokes, and general corniness. The one hour and thirty-seven minute runtime is mindless fun and requires little thought. Check your brain at the door and stream this comedy for an old-school laugh.

[Barman]

Watched Goodbye June last night... Excellent tear-jerker with some amazing acting from Helen Mirren and Timothy Spall... 

A powerful tear jerker.
June collapses early one morning and is rushed to hospital. Her son and two of her daughters are given the news that her health has taken a turn for the worse. Eldest daughter Helen arrives, and the siblings' deep problems quickly surface.

Most companies have the idea that Christmas films should be uplifting, heartwarming or fun. Not Netflix. Their idea of a Christmas film is a family feud at the bedside of a woman in hospital.

I didn't love it, but I did like it. For many, it'll perhaps be a little too close to home. It's reflective, almost painful, but there are some humorous moments and realistic elements too. Grief does strange things - fear and guilt can make people selfish and cruel, often forgetting the person at the centre of events.

The script is very good, with natural dialogue and interactions. June is very ill, but still sharp and full of plain speaking. Connor is adorable, a caring, sweet-natured son who's always there. I could easily have locked Molly in the operating theatre. Johnny Flynn is at his best, and fair play to Andrea Riseborough too - so good.

Helen Mirren - what can you say? Only a few months ago she was cracking murders in 'The Thursday Murder Club', looking amazing. Here she presents an entirely different character, and her acting is on another level.

I loved the scene where Jules and Molly finally have to confront one another, and the ending naturally had me in tears. Winslet, Spall, Colette - all on point. You have to credit the casting director for such a strong ensemble.

Nice to see a positive presentation of the NHS. I'm not sure Hallmark will be pinching this formula for its syrupy Christmas films next year. Perhaps it would have been better suited to a random Saturday in August.

Sad, quiet, reflective - a Christmas film very much unlike any other.

[Steve]

  probably won't get me rushing to the cinema but interesting to see Kate Winslet now directing - seems she done well.

[Barman]

probably won't get me rushing to the cinema but interesting to see Kate Winslet now directing - seems she done well.

She did indeed! 

[Barman]

Watched Schindler's List last night - first time in many years.

Amazing movie (obvs.) but even more moving having visited Kraków and Auschwitz relatively recently... 

[Barman]

Have watched some shit films recently, too shit to even bother mentioning how shit they were... 

But I watched Sketch last night and really enjoyed it! 

Yes, it is a kids film but I liked the concept and it is good fun... 

[Steve]

Have watched some shit films recently, too shit to even bother mentioning how shit they were... 

But I watched Sketch last night and really enjoyed it! 

Yes, it is a kids film but I liked the concept and it is good fun... 

You're not alone  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sketch_(2024_film)#Reception

[Barman]

Watched Hamnet last night - absolutely stunning! 

A devastating film.
William and Agnes Shakespeare must continue with life after a devastating occurrence. Life, however, offers no pause for grief; Agnes still has other children to care for, and William must continue working. Their relationship begins to buckle under the strain, each processing loss in very different ways.

This film takes you on one hell of an emotional journey. I genuinely wasn't expecting to come out of the cinema feeling like this; it's a powerful, bruising experience, and at times an emotional rollercoaster.

One thing to be aware of is the pacing. The film is deliberately slow in places, but the pauses and silences have real substance. What struck me most was the devastating realisation of grief it presents - not softened or romanticised, but shown as something corrosive and damaging, an emotion for which no cure exists.

It feels unusual for such an astonishing film to be released in January. Sadly, the cinema was virtually empty on opening night; around a dozen people at most, which felt like a real shame for a film of this quality.

Visually, it is breathtaking. Considerable effort has gone into making the era feel authentic, and it shows. The film is beautifully crafted and very, very well made.

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal deliver outstanding performances, and it would be no surprise to see awards recognition. The supporting cast are equally impressive, contributing to a uniformly strong ensemble.

There's also a quiet sense that this experience casts a long shadow. It puts into perspective why some of Shakespeare's later work took on a much more sorrowful tone; Macbeth, Othello and King Lear would all follow these events.

In summary, this is a very sombre film, superbly acted, and emotionally devastating. Thoughts of it linger long after the credits roll.

[Barman]

Watched Hellfire last night... Utter shyte... 

In my defence, when I selected it the IMDB rating was 8.6 - I see it has now fallen to a more realistic 4.9... 

This sums it up...

A college boy's script without much depth and minimal financial investment.

Talking of shyte, I watched The Housemaid the other evening which gets a surprising 6.8 on IMDB... 

Even fast forwarding through some tedious detail didn't redeem it... 

I watched it so, you don't have to
Wasted potential and terrible plot. The story doesn't even attempt to hold back the truth. It just throws everything in our face and be done with it. There's no chemistry between the main/side characters. And why was "Michele Morrone" even in the film?

Amanda Seyfried has acted well but Sydney sweeny has given stoned face acting and emotionless dialogue delivery.

Is about right IMHO...

[Steve]

In fact you watched them so we don't have to

[Barman]

In fact you watched them so we don't have to

 

[Steve]

Hellfire isn't released in Europe yet 

[Barman]

Hellfire isn't released in Europe yet 

Perhaps they read my comments...