raybatchelor Reviews

MI-5 (2015)

more Bourne than Bond with a dash of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[10/10 · 24 May 2015]

Considering weighty blockbusters like Mad Max which I felt was too rushed and lacked empathy for anyone good or bad - I so miss the original. Avengers, which lacked Coulson and had too many quips from just too many characters and should have had Iron Man making more of these, as he's actually good at sarcastic wit. Then come Spooks, underrated and the underdog and blows the blockbusters out of the water. Harry Pierce's finale twist is amazing and the storyline for Ruth concludes. Very satisfying if you have watched all the series on BBC or elsewhere. Spooks and Kingsmen-the Secret Service both prove this is a great year for this genre.

Wonder Boys (2000)

tobey is great

[10/10 · 28 January 2001]

What a wonderful boy Tobey turns out to be in this film. This is a gem of a picture. The sexual connotations are played extremely well and Tobey Maguire's naievity makes the eventual bed scene highly enjoyable though lacking in graphic detail. Lots of cunning and deception on his part and Michael Douglas's ability to present himself as a corruptor leaves you thinking that there is no real innocence in any of the players.

Farewell, Home Sweet Home (1999)

Almodavar meets Bunuel meets Lynch

[10/10 · 21 August 2000]

A superb blend of Parisian life akin to Almodovar's in depth analysis of life in Madrid. The surrealism of the Marabou and the end sequence adds the Bunuel touch. For good measure add a series of superb characters who would not have been out of place in any of the Twin Peaks episodes. More Calvados please and another movie as good as this one - a rare visual event.

Queer as Folk (1999–2000)

best TV show in the world

[7 November 1999]

Pity there's no points system to give this show a clear ten out of ten. Aiden Gillen is superb as Stuart the lead role. However beware adopting him as a role model. But for those of us who are already Stuart-like just sit back and grin. Craig Kelly, who had a bit-part in Titanic, is memorable as Vince. In fact so much so that I was calling him Vince on set, just recently. Charles Hunnam as Nathan already has an appreciation society and in Queer As Folk breaks taboos that will keep this show controversial for may years to come. Fine scriptwriting from Russell T Davies makes 'Tales of the City' look very tame indeed - utmost respect to Armistead