1941, by Steven Spielberg made in 1979. I fail to understand why this movie got slammed by critics and the like. Yes, it may be dated by today's standards, but I view it as an "old" movie. I reckon that the so called "critics" watched the wrong film, either that, or they did not have an ounce of laughter in their entire bodies. 1941 is a brilliant movie, and has some top notch actors playing the roles. The movies capture the hysteria of the USA after Pearl Harbour perfectly. All though a serious matter, some of the actions of the Americans at that time were probably quite funny to us nowadays. And this is what this movie brings to the viewer, the mad cap panic, the mania of the time. John Belushi {R. I. P.} is fantastic as the crazy airman supposedly chasing Japanese fighter planes. And not for the first time, Mr Belushi is joined by the superb Dan Aykroyd, a passionate patriot tank commander trying to do his job amid this zany hysteria going on around him. Perhaps some may say that "special effects" are rather basic, but this was filmed in 1979; and actually fit the ambiance of the movie perfectly. Personally, I love this movie, and would very much like to watch the original extended version. If you do not laugh throughout this movie, perhaps you need to check to see if you still have a pulse! Immerse yourself in the craziness of this wonderful. Brilliant move. Hollywoooooood!
Reviews
256 Reviews
The Lost City of Z
(2016)
Very moving
22 July 2023
"The Lost city of Z" may well sound a rather lame title, but watching it was rather enjoyable and very moving. A true story, the movie captures the era very well, and from a filming point of view, the feeling of the movie was very realistic and atmospheric. Country to some reviews, I found the acting to be perfect, the characters portrayed in a very realist manner. Whilst being a movie, it does jump around the date line rather quickly, but there is a lot to fit in to the movie. The end product is a rather perfectly filmed, historical drama film, that does not wander off true facts too much. Recommended, and an enjoyable, and moving film to watch.
Rat Race
(2001)
Sorry, but
30 December 2022
So, "Rat race", do you want to hear the truth? This movie is a "rip off" if you like of films like "Cannonball Run" and particularly "It's a Mad Mad Mad World". The similarity to "Mad Mad World" is far too close, although a different ending. The premise of "Rat Race" is basically the same as "Mad Mad World", a group of different people brought together in a race to find the money pot, and they will go to any lengths to try and be the first to reach said prize. Each group of people basically fight against each other in order to win the prize, what ever the consequences, but at the end of they day, they doing it doping it out of pure self greed. Personally, I prefer the original formats, "It's a mad mad mad world" being the pinnacle of the silver screen. Do not alter what is already great. Sadly, this movie does not make the grade. Younger movie buffs should really watch "Cannonball" and "Mad mad world" before watching this "Rat Race" film.
Tower Heist
(2011)
Hmmm
28 August 2022
Hmmm, yes well, "Tower Heist" is a comedy, with some action and crime thrown I for good measure. It is a story that has been played many times in the cinema world, the underdogs get even with the evil rich man. This movie has some good actors involved, such as the legendary Alan Alda {playing the rich bad guy}, Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy {two of the great comedians} Judd Hirsch and the lovely Téa Leoni. The storyline is good, standard but not excellent, and it works well; until towards the end of the movie. For me the ending was weak, but as a movie, it is a good Sunday afternoon "something to watch" type of movie. Cheerful but not brilliant.
Hollywood Homicide
(2003)
Not bad
27 August 2022
This movie "Hollywood Homicide" is one of those movies that don't make it big. Harrison Ford stars in this, and he is a solid actor, but perhaps he should have avoided this one. I do not mean that this film is bad, just Harrison Ford has done better films. This actual movie is OK, it has a sort of decent storyline, and the script works well. There is some comedy injected into the script, plus there is a fair amount of action. It is pointless giving the script, because it has been explained in other reviews, but I will say that this is actually not too bad, it is entertaining and funny in parts. It is a decent movie to watch, but will never be a "cult Movie" status.
The Magic of Belle Isle
(2012)
Lovely
27 August 2022
"The Magic of Belle Isle", what a lovely movie this is. A nice summery easy going film, starring the Great Morgan Freeman. Basically any movie Mr Freeman is in, you can be assured that it will be an excellent movie. This film, also known as "Once More" for some reason, is a beautiful and heart warming movie, a perfect summer feel to it, with a nice easy going storyline. A very enjoyable movie, a "feel good" movie, filled with the wonderful voice of Morgan Freeman, the most soothing of voices in cinema history. This is not your normal Hollywood type movie, it probably "goes under the radar" for most film buffs, but this is a very recommended movie, give it a go, you will enjoy it.
The Forgotten Battle
(2020)
An under rated movie
11 August 2022
"The Forgotten Battle" is a movie that we just stumbled upon, and glad we did. Away from Hollywood type production, this is an excellent movie, filmed where the action took place and from a non American view point, A slightly complex plot, it does present the horrors that war produces. The evil, the good, the suffering, the innocent, the insanity of war. If this movie was a Hollywood production it would not have worked, but because it is very much a European movie, it makes a bigger impact. A recommended movie to watch, no A listed actors, just honest down to earth actors making a very interesting movie.
The Foreigner
(I) (2017)
Unusual
7 August 2022
"The Foreigner" featuring Jackie Chan is an unusual movie, in that, why would Mr Chan want to be in a British Political crime thriller? I feel that it is a very strange choice, and one which could have caused a bit of backlash. A film about an IRA terrorist attack in the capital, London, is one thing, but to the bring in the NI government with strong Sinn Fein/IRA connections is a movie on thin ice. Luckily, we have had peace in Northern Ireland for a great number of years, but this movie will perhaps annoy some factions.
Jackie Chan plays the part really well, as you would expect from the man, but there is not so much fight scenes from him. Is age catching up with him? There are a few good actors in this movie, Pierce Brosnan I thought was very solid. Perhaps the script was not the best, and at times the plot evolved conveniently, but it is an OK movie.
Jackie Chan plays the part really well, as you would expect from the man, but there is not so much fight scenes from him. Is age catching up with him? There are a few good actors in this movie, Pierce Brosnan I thought was very solid. Perhaps the script was not the best, and at times the plot evolved conveniently, but it is an OK movie.
The Contractor
(2022)
Dull
7 August 2022
This movie "The Contractor" never really gets going. From the start, you can tell that this is never going to be good. Time and time again we see these dull movies, they start with wide angle views of people, or wide open spaces, accompanied with slow boring background music. Then the film has close ups of people talking, almost in a whisper, mumbling in low tones, which the viewer struggles to hear properly. This movie had plenty of scenic views, and a lot of people looking but not saying much; it is quite dull to say the least. The plot/storyline is simple enough, a story that we have seen in many movies of the years. Usually, these movies are good, but this one does not capture the moment. There are some good action scenes, brutal at times, but all in all it was a bad scripted not the best acting. The storyline was too simplistic at times, events were too easily achieved, too convenient. This could have been so much better.
American Made
(2017)
Comedy?????
5 August 2022
"American Made" has the category "Comedy" along side it's billing. Not too sure about the comedy aspects, but is is a good action movie. It is based on real events, which, if true, shows the USA security measures as ultra poor. How these events portrayed in this movie where actually able to occur is ming boggling. Does this show how corrupt the USA is; perhaps it does? Getting away from the "based on real events", "American Made" is not too bad as a movie, entertains and a good storyline and leaves the viewer wondering what is fact and what ism fiction.
Werewolves Within
(2021)
B actors?
5 August 2022
I had never heard of all these actors names, and there might be a reason for that. "Werewolves Within" just feels like a "B Movie". Then storyline is basic and obvious, the acting "B" level. Having said that, it actually was not too bad a movie. Very predictable, but entertaining at the same time. Nothing special, but it is watchable.
Cop Out
(2010)
Never heard of it
4 August 2022
I had never heard of this movie "Cop Out", but it turned out to be a reasonable film, with some sound humour and a fairly water tight storyline. Not the best of acting, but then again, it is not a Hollywood blockbuster movie. One of those films to watch on a cold rainy Sunday afternoon.
The Heat
(I) (2013)
Hot fun
3 August 2022
"The Heat" is a rather good movie full of laughs and entertaining. Starring Sandra Bullock, a very talented actress, and Malissa McCarthy, a great comedy actress, the two of them complement each other in this comedy action movie. Be prepared for loads of swearing throughout, the two of them create a very humorous film together.
Going in Style
(2017)
Real style
2 August 2022
Oh yes, this movie is is true style. "Going in Style" is a great, enjoyable movie, with two of the real greats playing two of the lead roles. Morgan Freeman is one of those actors who is a joy to watch, and he is joined by the excellent Michael Caine, another actor who can adapt to any plot and script. Alan Arkin completes the trio of characters in this movies storyline, and it is a simple but entertaining story. Plenty of laughs to be had, but there is also a serious note, and that is how elderly people are taken advantage of, how they are ignored and lonely the elderly can be. For me, this film is a little gem, perhaps very over looked, it entertains throughout. The script is great, especially when delivered by so many great actors; perfect actually. It is a real fun movie, I am glad to have watched it.
Welcome to the Punch
(2013)
Really?
1 August 2022
"Welcome to the punch" was a movie that just failed. I had just watched the movie "Heat" and thought that to be slow and lacking good. Script, then I now watch this British film and wonder did they just copy "Heat"? The same thing happens in this film, actors whispering and mumbling their lines, so quite that it was hard to hear what was being said. There are a few shot out scenes which is the action part of this movie, much of the rest was like trading through treacle. And as for the ending, Really??? This movie was going to score higher, until I watched the so called "ending". Waste of my precious time.
Heat
(1995)
A chance lost.
1 August 2022
With this movie, I think that the viewer would be expecting something of an epic, but "Heat" never really got going in my mind. There was a chance to make a blockbuster movie, but somehow it ended up as a chance lost. The storyline is good, but the way it is acting out just seems to be dull, dragging itself through thick treacle. Many times throughout this film, it was hard to hear what was being said, kind of mumbling, whispering, muttering, and even with the sound turned right up, it did not improve that much. There is too much of this low light, mumbling routine all through the film. Of course, there is the big gun battle scene after one of the robberies, and probably this is what makes the viewers remember "Heat" for, but even that could have been done better. It ended up so very "Hollywood" with its never ending magazines, bullets that can only pierce the outer metal of a car door, not go right through the vehicle, civilians wandering around nonchalantly whilst bullets fly everywhere. However, this was the most "Action" part of the movie, and being nearly 3 hours long, the rest of the film just limped along. Could have been so much better, a chance lost.
Analyze This
(1999)
Analysing
31 July 2022
"Analyze This" is a decent movie with some good laughs scattered about it. Robert DeNiro stars alongside Billy Crystal, not the most obvious partnership, but it actually works quite well. It is a solid enough script, the story flows along fluidly, and DeNiro and Crystal pair up well together, creating some good comedic scenes. Perhaps Mr DeNiro is not the best at acting out "crying" as he did in a couple of scenes, but you can not knock him for all of his other acting attributes, he is a class act. He might be slightly "Type-cast" when it comes to playing Italian Mobster roles, but you have to admit, he is really good when he takes on these roles. Billy Crystal has not been an actor whom I paid a lot of attention to, but in this movie he plays his "Shrink" character very well. This is an entertaining movie, and is funny in some bits; watch out for the "shooting the seat cushion", I am sure you will be laughing when watching this comedy.
The Lost City
(2022)
Nice cover
30 July 2022
"The Lost City" is an average type movie, pretty much along the lines of "Romancing the Stone" from the 80's. To be quite honest, it could have been much better, the storyline was not the best; again, it is a take on a previous movie. It is OK, light entertainment as the phrase goes. Watchable, but not great.
Rush Hour 2
(2001)
Hong Kong comedy!
24 July 2022
Q1§"Rush Hour 2" comes along 3 years after the original "Rush Hour" movie, and brings together two comedic characters again. This is another really entertaining, funny and action packed film, with Jackie Chan doing what he does best, athletic and energetic martial arts fight scenes. How he does some of his stuff is bewildering. He really is amazing to watch at times. A good storyline, the plot is pretty good, and it has similar laughs to the first "Rush Hour" movie. And then there are the fight scenes that Mr Chan performs so very well, and there are plenty fights going on in this film. If this movie does not make you laugh, you had better check to see if you still have a pulse!
Rush Hour 3
(2007)
Part 3
24 July 2022
"Rush Houe 3" continues the partnership of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, they really bounce off each other, a great paring. The storyline is OK, it has the action, the laughs and the expected martial arts fight scenes. Somehow though, this third movie did not stand up quite as well as the first two. When you have had the same comedy, the same action the same fights in Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, then you kind of know what to expect in Rush Hour 3. That does not make this movie bad, it is fun to watch, and Mr Chan is as good as every with his performance in fight scenes, it is just a little predictable. But if you do like Jackie Chan films, as I do, then you will enjoy this movie. The scene with Chan and Tucker's characters with Master Yu and a Mr Mi will have you giggling, very good; hopefully not offensive to anyone.
Don't bother.
23 July 2022
"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" is just the same storyline as the first and second "Mummy" movies, just with a different location. The storyline is actually worse than the other two movies, and to be quite blunt, this should never have been made. Apart form some good CGI scenes, the script is bad, as is the acting. This film fails on many levels.
The Mummy Returns
(2001)
No need for a second
18 July 2022
"The Mummy Returns" when it should have stayed at home, wrapped up tight! This sequel never really felt right, there was the humour, and a lot of fairly good special effects {for the year it was made}, but the plot, the script was just dull. The inclusion of the Scorpion King along with Imhotep just fell flat on it's face, too much conflicting storyline. The script just did not come up to standard, which the first movie achieved quite well. This film should not have been made, or, if you will, should have been made much much better than it was.
Rammstein: Völkerball
(2006 Video)
Awesome
16 July 2022
"Rammstein: Volkerball" is quite simply excellent. A few years old now, the film covers a live gig in France, and what a gig it was. If you are wanting entertainment and excitement when watching a live gig, you can not go far wrong with this film I would give it a score of 20 or more if I could, it is really awesome to watch. There are different editions of this tour, you can have DVD with CD, even a deluxe version with a photographic booklet, but one good thing on the DVD is the extras, which show the band in a few other live venues, just a track at each one. Having seen Rammstein live during a tour in England, I can confirm that this film is truly superb, but the DVD just lacks the heat from all the pyros!! Grab some beers, turn the volume right up, and enjoy.
The Mummy
(1999)
Entertaining
16 July 2022
"The Mummy" is an enjoyable entertaining movie that never seems to dull down no matter how many times I have watched it. It is a little dated now, but the special effects are still rather good considering. There is a good chemistry between the lead actors and this helps the film roll along nicely. Plenty of entertainment and a good splash of humour as well great sets and a pretty good script. John Hannah and Omid Djalili are excellent throughout the movie, and Kevin J O'Connor's character is fun to watch. This really is one of those movies that you can watch time and time again.
Birds of Prey
(2020)
Could be better
16 July 2022
"Birds of Prey" is another one of those movies that you feel could have been a lot better than it was. It was OK to a degree, but there is an awful lot of mindless violence ; no wonder the USA is such a manic place! The acting in this movie is far from perfect, and Ewan Mc Gregor is an actor I really like, but I thought his contribution to the film was rather poor. I understand that this movie is from a comic boom style creation, so you can forgive the ridiculousness of the plot, but I found the whole film to be rather flat.
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