S Gill Reviews

Happy Days (1974–1984)

Unremittingly Boring

[12 January 2001]

Plot Summary - The dullest family in America live through the 1950's raising their children with the aid of a Middle-aged loser who lives above their garage.

I don't think I ever saw an episode of this show that didn't bore me to tears, however when it was repeated recently I thought that I should give it another chance. I wish I hadn't bothered, it really is as dull as I had first thought. A complete waste of airtime.

The Day Mars Invaded Earth (1962)

Low budget suspense

[6/10 · 31 December 2000]

This film was a pleasant surprise and reminded me of "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" and "The Shining" both in plot content and, more particularly, the methods used to build atmosphere and suspense.

The film struggles to overcome its budgetary constraints and suffers from some rather wooden performances from the limited cast. It is unfortunate that when dealing with such a small cast a below par performance is a great deal more obvious than it would be in most films. A case of not enough flowers to hide the weeds.

I was surprised to see comments from another viewer who attributed this film to the UK, as far as I can see there are no links to the UK. The writer was Canadian and the cast, director, studio and locations all American.

It's certainly worth 70 minutes of your time to give this production a chance, if nothing else it is a refreshing change from the hideously unconvincing "rubber monster" flicks that were so prevalent in this genre.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Brilliant example of mass hypnosis

[2/10 · 3 September 2000]

This film is awful

I'm sorry to say it but all of those people who say "if you didn't enjoy it it's because you have no imagination", rubbish. Those who didn't enjoy it are simply honest people with sufficient imagination and intelligence not to be swept up by one of the most successful marketing machines of all time.

Usually when I comment on a film, even a bad one , I like to find something nice to say about it. On this occasion however the only plus I can think of is, at least it wasn't any longer.

CHiPs '99 (1998 TV Movie)

Like meeting an old friend again

[4/10 · 13 May 2000]

CHIPs hasn't been aired here for nearly 15 years and I never realised that I missed it until I saw this film. If I'm entirely honest I didn't think much of CHIPs 99, the charm of the film only really comes from the memories which it conjures up. I do however wish they'd repeat the series, they've done every other 70's and 80's series several times, many of them much less deserving than CHIPs.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Best tribute to an original since "Speed 2: Cruise Control"

[4/10 · 8 April 2000]

The sun is out the birds are singing, summer looks like it's just around the corner and I feel great. All of this puts me in a sufficiently generous frame of mind to give this film 5 out of 10.

When will film makers, and the less imaginative members of the movie going public, stop making and praising films on the basis of "fantastic special effects". Without a decent story line and character realization there is no point in churning out this rubbish other than to keep the merchandising wagon rolling.

Ja Ja Binks was pointless and unfunny, apparently insulting to many people and worst of all he actually looked like a special effect. Yes he was a tribute to modern SFX technology but he LOOKED computer generated Even Ray Harryhausen's creations were more convincing thirty plus years ago. Ewan McGregor wasn't too bad and Natalie Portman put in a decent performance but somebody should have told Liam Neeson that the cameras were rolling because he looked as if he was hanging around waiting for them to start.

Anakin Skywalker? They're trying to tell me he's going to become Darth Vader? Vader is supposed to be terrifying not annoying. There was nothing in the character realization to tantalize us with prospects of a darker future. Yes I know this is only the first of a trilogy but by the time they got to the pod race I was hoping the pretentious little git would crash and burn so that the story could move on at last.

The Fourth Protocol (1987)

An excellent thriller

[8/10 · 19 February 2000]

Doc Who has this all wrong. This film is not "about a KGB agent sent to destroy england and eliminate NATO", nor is it an action film. It is instead a very well crafted thriller about the politics of the cold war and the continual power struggles within government, in this instance the Soviet government. The nuclear device which would "destroy about 2sq miles" was merely designed to bring about the removal of US bases within England and destabilize NATO. The film is more about political repercussions than it is about explosions, a point which some viewers obviously missed.

Michael Caine gives his usual solid performance and Pierce Brosnan doesn't embarrass himself as the ruthless Soviet agent. My only criticism of this film would be that the final few scenes fail to provide the conclusion that the story deserved.

8/10

The Postman (1997)

What's the problem?

[8/10 · 25 January 2000]

The first I knew of this film was when I saw it on the shelf of my local video library, I therefore watched it without hearing any of the negative comments. I have to say I thought it was an excellent film, great cinematography a good script and well acted. I am glad that it was a wet afternoon at home and the video library didn't have much choice left or I would have missed a real treat. It's nice to see Mr Costner can still turn out a decent film after the hideous mess that was "Waterworld".

Se7en (1995)

Pass me a torch

[4/10 · 25 January 2000]

I know this is supposed to be a "dark" thriller but for God's sake couldn't the budget have stretched to at least one light on the set? Through half the film you have to squint to see what's going on, and anyone who couldn't guess what was in the parcel at the end of the film must be a total moron. 4/10

House of Frankenstein (1997)

Utterly dreadful

[1/10 · 22 January 2000]

What can you say about a production where the astute hero cop finally realizes his girlfriend is a werewolf when he catches her chasing rodents through the woods in her nightdress?

This film is hysterically funny, unfortunately I don't think this was the director's intention.