salty-9 Reviews

Horatio Hornblower: The Fire Ship (1998 TV Movie)

Adventure on the high seas

[7 June 1999]

Quite an interesting story from the makers of 'Sharpe'. The plot, based on the novels of C.S. Forester, is well acted, especially from young Ioan (Titanic) Gruffudd. The cast, including Derby actor Robert Lindsay, is well suited. The story runs at quite a good pace and the plot keeps you on the edge till the end. Hopefully I.T.V. will make another series of this good sea faring adventure.

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Why can't those nasty little aliens leave Ellen Ripley in peace.

[7 June 1999]

Jean-Pierre Jeunet certainly got in the mood for this Alien installment and ended up resurrecting the main character, Ellen Ripley. But, what would an Alien film be like without Ripley? The characters in this film, such as Winona Rider's 'Call' and Dominique Pinon's 'Vriess' are great, and for once, some of the cast survive to the credits. Definitely better than the previous installment, this is a film that makes itself quite at home in the Alien saga.

Crooks Anonymous (1962)

A comedy classic

[8/10 · 7 June 1999]

This has got to be one of the most least reviewed films of the century. It deserves far more praise than it actually gets. The cast is excellently cast for the roles because they all look so convincing as criminals, especially Stanley Baxter as Brother Widdows. Definitely one of Leslie Phillips most finest films, definitely the one to watch for good old black and white comedy.

Horatio Hornblower: The Fire Ship (1998 TV Movie)

Classic sea fairing drama!

[28 May 1999]

Since the series of Hornblower began, I have waited quite anxiously for the next episode. The cast is excellent, the plot well thought out, and the battle scenes terrific. Ioan Grufford is excellent as the young Horatio Hornblower, and it's good to see a Derby actor such as Robert Lindsay back in a major role. Definitely worth watching this episode as it is one of the best for drama and action.

The Outsiders (1983)

A good transfer from novel to big screen

[28 May 1999]

This film has all the qualities of S.E. Hinton's novel. Throw in a slightly changed plot and a couple of actors who will make it to the big time and you have the basis for quite a relatively successful film. The plot is a bit thin at times and the rumble at the end of the film seems rather impossible, but I enjoy this film as it is a film with a difference.

Death on the Nile (1978)

Great plot with an unthinkable ending

[28 May 1999]

I've never seen myself as an Agatha Christie fan, but this film changed the way I look on the 'whodunnit' mysteries. The cast is one of the finest ever assembled and Peter Ustinov is perfect as Hercule Poirot. Good to see Angela Lansbury in a quite a different role as a drunken women about to be ruined. The plot is very intelligent and the ending is absolutely unbelievable, it really showed how intelligent Agatha Christie really was. A must see for all murder mystery fans!

The Last Train (1999)

A chilling suspense story

[27 May 1999]

There was too much hype over this series at the start, but as the series continued there was no advertising at all. However I really quite enjoyed this series. For once it is the common British public trapped in an apocalyptic tale. From start to finish you hang on to every emotion and problem that the survivors suffer. Incredibly moving in parts and quite chilling, this story was certainly worth the £4 Million to make it, Carlton T.V.'s highest ever payment to produce a show. Great story with a number of interesting twists at the end. Definitely worth watching.

Species II (1998)

Waste of time compared to first film

[27 May 1999]

If the Species team were encouraged by the success of the first film, then they must have lost all of their marbles in making the second. The acting is terrible, the plot confusing, and the cast looking like they have just been their to make up the numbers on the film. The actual idea seems good, and the start was not too bad, but as the film progressed, I lost the story and the film just became to stupid and bizarre. Special effects seem to be the only strong point of the film. Overall, this film has been rushed and it is clearly a big waste of time. Only worth a look if you are seriously curious. If you have seen the first, you will cry at the poorness of this one.

Armageddon (1998)

Better than critics want to believe

[27 May 1999]

I think the critics have really slated this film way too much. Okay the acting is not at high standards, but I enjoyed this film quite much. Like the summers other comet-disaster film, Deep Impact, this film has quite a disappointing ending, but it does not stop me from giving the praise that this film actually deserves. Touchstone pictures would have done a lot better if they had looked more widely for their actors, although Bruce Willis is not as bad as many think.

Bean (1997)

A poor transfer on to the big screen

[27 May 1999]

Everyone who has seen the T.V. series of Mr Bean knows how funny it can be. Unfortunately for Mel Smith, Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson,the big screen outing for the most weirdest Englishman on the planet is a great disappointment. It seems that the idea of a crazy, zany man wrecking havok all over California is not many people's cup of tea. Although there is a good cast, many of the jokes used in the T.V. series are used in the film. A poor introduction for the television series, but 'Bean' mania has taken off in America.

Twister (I) (1996)

Definitely not going to suck the open-minded film-going public up.

[27 May 1999]

This film loses me from the start. Although, the science of Tornado's is kind of explained, you have little clue of what many of the characters actually do. I feel sorry that good actors such as Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt got caught up in this. The plot is thin and absolutely stupid at times.

Can you actually believe they're planning a sequel!

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

A different Star Trek adventure.

[27 May 1999]

After the relative disappointment of Star Trek : Generations, the Star Trek crew bounce back with this rather entertaining interstellar adventure. Patrick Stewart is much better in this film than the last and he manages to allow his character ( Jean-Luc Picard) to expand into a very human (and non-human) role. Jonathan Frakes directs well and makes you jump quite often as the crew fight the deadly Borg aliens. Even if you have never seen Star Trek, this will make you curious. Unfortunately for Jonathan Frakes, his next Star Trek film, after the praise for this one, would be a relative disappointment

Independence Day (1996)

Enjoyable and well worth watching

[27 May 1999]

'Independance Day' is one of my all time favorite films. Not because it is realistic, simple, or funny, but because it is a film that one can get into quite easily. Okay, its not real, but let your mind slip into last gear and you can really enjoy what could be a very possible threat. The well known cast certainly makes you want to cheer for the good guys, and Will Smith's Captain Steven Hiller is all the qualities we see in a hero. But it has to be the end of the film which makes you glad you watched, especially with Bill Pullman's speech that makes you cheer to the end.

Star Trek: Generations (1994)

The final voyage of Captain Kirk and the beginning of a new era!

[27 May 1999]

I've seen this film a number of times and I believe it can be seen as one of the best. The film is quite imaginative in seeing the transition stage of the star trek torch being passes from one generation to another. But the most poignant bit of this film is in the action packed last 30 minutes where Captains Picard and his predecessor Kirk meet. The Kirk era is killed at the end of the film to the dismay of the audience. Good in its ideas but the next generation crew lacks the adventure that the original cast had for the last 30 years.

Rocky V (1990)

Disappointing ending to a great series

[27 May 1999]

The final episode of the Rocky saga doesn't see Rocky in the ring. Good acting is wasted by a weak plot. I always enjoyed the Rocky films and this one does still give that edge that only they can give. As I have mentioned, it is quite disappointing that we do not see Rocky in one last ring fight. Instead there is a dirty street brawl which does not reflect the quality of the Rocky series. Still this film does some small justice and its amazing that the cast managed to stick with it for so long. Watch it.

Nuns on the Run (1990)

Unbelievably Hilarious!

[27 May 1999]

This has got to be one of the most funniest films I have ever seen. All right, the plot is a bit over the top but it is just so funny! Robbie Coltrane and Eric Idle perfectly fit the bill of bungling villains and they spark off each other from the start. In my mind, these two are probably the best double act in a film for a long while. Camille Coduri is great and Lila Kaye is absolutely hilarious as Sister Mary of the Annunciation. A definite must see!

Alien (1979)

The start of one of the greatest series of Sci-fi films of all time!

[27 May 1999]

This has to be one of my favorite films. This film is the base for H.R. Giger's nasty aliens which destroy the life of one unfortunate woman. The most memorable moment has to be when the alien explodes from Kane's (John Hurt) chest. From then on, Flight Officer Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) will suffer forever. Sigourney Weaver is excellent as Ripley, and there should also be a mention for a wonderfully human performance by Tom Skerritt (Captain Dallas). Although the film definitely does not to seem to follow logic, We never discover where the aliens come from, as in a home planet) this film trips along at quite a nice pace. A must for sci-fi fans, this film will get you hooked on the Alien series!

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

A cinematography triumph

[27 May 1999]

In terms of direction, acting and cinematography, this has got to be one of the finest films ever made. From its desert sweeping camera shots, this is a very detailed and well thought out biography of Colonel T.E. Lawrence, who in his 3 years in Arabia during the First World War, succeeded in uniting the Arab Tribes against the Turks. The cast is that one of the finest ever assembled for the film. Peter O'Toole is well cast as Lawrence, Omar Sharif is a great Sheriff Ali, and I.S. Johar plays a wonderfully human Gasim. Winner of seven academy awards, this is a film that everyone should see.

Crooks Anonymous (1962)

A Comedy Classic

[8/10 · 27 May 1999]

This is an old black and white comedy that has not had a high recognition factor tied to it. A basic comedy that is easy to follow, a delight for all ages. Very amusing in parts, especially of Leslie Phillips as Captain Pierrs Oban Forsdyke and Stanley Baxter in a memorable performance as Brother Widdows. Classic!

A Night to Remember (1958)

A straightforward story of the Titanic

[27 May 1999]

'A Night To Remember' certainly captivates the whole story surrounding the world's fascination of the Titanic. The plot concentrates more on actual events rather than playing around with fictional characters waiting for the inevitable. Although the special effects of the day are not too convincing, Director Roy Ward Baker shows the sheer terror of being on the sinking ship. For the time, the sets used were brilliant, and they still are. Kenneth More is great in the lead role as Second Officer Lightoller (very different from the one portrayed by Jonathan Phillips in James Cameron's Titanic) and a special mention should go to a young David McCallum as Wireless Officer Bride who is ever so simple and human. James Cameron should have looked at this film and considered whether he could have based his story on more actual events rather than a fictional romance. This film is a must for all Titanic fans, especially ones who want to see a documentary style film on the subject.