michaelthompsonmcgill Reviews

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

This film had not one redeeming feature for me.

[1/10 · 24 June 2018]

Despite all the positive reviews of this film, I found it absolutely awful.

Yes the special effects were excellent, but the story left a lot to be desired.

They should have called this movie simply... The rise of the Apes.

This movie had no connections whatsoever to previous Planet of the Apes films....

As soon as this movie started in the Jungle where Apes were being chased by their captives, I knew the bottom line.

1 out of 10 from me.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Awful from start to finish.

[1/10 · 15 May 2018]

There was not one redeeming character in this film based on a true story. The film was littered with foul language, and the ending was neither here nor there.

Due to the foul language, I almost turned it off within the first half hour...

This is my own view, others will probably think different.

Into the Storm (2014)

Well made, well acted, excellent special effects.

[10/10 · 16 April 2018]

I read all the reviews, and all the negative ones. This movie was not a disaster flick. It was well made throughout.

This was an excellent and very well acted disaster movie. Easily 10/10. The special effects were top notch.

All it takes to enjoy any disaster movie is a little imagination.

So, grab some popcorn, sit back on your chair, and prepared for a thrill ride.

Lawman (1971)

I found this film to be a plodding and dour affair.

[2/10 · 17 March 2018]

Despite Burt Lancaster; Robert Ryan; and Lee J. Cobb; to name just three terridic actors in this film; I found it to be a plodding and dour affair from start to finish; lacking in soul and personality.; I am a huge Western fan; but I thought that the script; albeit full of philosophical statements; was plodding.

Also Michael Winner directing, gave graphic shots of cows being branded.

Sorry, but this film was not for me.

Becker (1998–2004)

Becker is the smartest cookie on the block.

[26 August 2017]

Ted Danson nails Becker. And Becker is every man..

As an Englishman, I would say that Becker is the sharpest comedy on the block since Neil Simon's The Odd Couple.

When Terry Ferrell left the show it lost something. Becker is a very very sharp comedy, even the canned laughter works, and every character is strong, and the writers are brilliant.

Then the character Bob left the show, and the last series lost something.

Well done to Dave Hackel for creating this character. I for one would like to know what or who gave Dave Hackel the idea for Becker ?, and who choose Ted Danson for the the role of Doctor John Becker ?????

10 out of 10 for this screwball, ultimately farcical comedy.

The Time Machine (2002)

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. This is mine.

[1/10 · 12 August 2017]

I have never read The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, so I cannot compare the original story to this film.

However I can compared this update to the original George Pal Production with Rod Taylor as H.G. Wells.

And frankly I found that this update literally left nothing to the imagination. I found it cold, and shallow.

Simon Wells Directed, but Guy Pearce didn't sell his character of H.G. Wells to me. My imagination was not stirred at all whilst watching this movie, yet I've seen the original George Pal /Rod Taylor version several times, and each time, im hooked, my imagination is fired.

George Pal's 1960 original, with a superb music score by Russell Garcia, added to the atmosphere created in the 1960 original. You had a real sense of Time Travel, and future happenings with the George Pal version.

I give this update attempt 1 for awful.

The Last Challenge (1967)

Oh dear oh dear oh dear!

[1/10 · 12 October 2016]

I never thought I would literally almost fall asleep watching this western.

In no order of merit.

There was absolutely no chemistry between Glenn Ford and Angie Dickinson.

Angie Dickinson spoke her lines as though reading them off a billboard.

Why Glenn Ford took this movie on I for one, will never know because Glenn Ford is up there with the greats.

I found this film totally boring from start to finish.

One of the reviews for this film stated, "At last an adult western".

This in my view was because of the script, it was full of truths about life as a cowboy who is claimed to be fast on the draw, and there will always be a young punk who claims to be faster. That's it in a nut shell.

3 Godfathers (1948)

John Wayne playing a baddie ?. At first I thought no no no.. But then ?????

[10/10 · 2 April 2016]

I've just watched this film, and want to write a review, but don't know what to say, yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Ford and John Wayne, a recipe for success, and was it ?, yes it was.

Read no further if you don't want to know more details about this film.

With around 15 to 20 minutes of this film until the end, if you aren't on the edge of your seat, and crying your heart out, you ain't human.

John Wayne is left in charge of a baby, he stumbles and falls after a trek through the desert with his bank robber friends, who die from thirst on the way with him, he reads from a bible then throws it away. Wayne should have got an Oscar for these scenes.

As John Wayne stumbles, her carries the little baby in his arms because he made a promise to the baby's dying mother.

Then John Wayne comes to a town, places the baby wrapped in clothing on the bar.

Its a great and very human film people, watch it, and be prepared to cryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

The Iron Lady (2011)

What the hell was so special about Margaret Thatcher ?

[8 February 2012]

Only either the Americans or British, could / would have wanted to make this film about Britain's worse Prime Minister, ever.

Margaret Thatcher's policies were alien to any country boasting having civilised values.

Here are some of Thatchers policies to prove my point.

She reduced millions of British people to poverty living standards, including the elderly, millions of whom still live in poverty and hardship 30 years on.

Thatcher created mass homelessness via the deliberate creation of over 3 million unemployed as an inflationary tool, and she stopped building council house for people who could not afford to buy.

She also got rid of Britain's manufacturing and industry base.

I cannot understand why Meryl Streep agreed to play her role, because Thatcher did not deserve this films hype.

By today's standards, I could be described as a left of centre Conservative, because the late Ted Heath also despised Thatcher's policies, Mr Heath can be quoted as referring to Thatcher's policies as the unacceptable face of capitalism.

This film about Thatcher hits on her harshness re- the poll tax, but swerves past most everything else.

Thatcher did not care about all the British people, Thatcher only cared about profits, money, and greed.

I would put Thatcher in the same category as Hitler, both took over the reigns of their countries, and both handled the Unions to different degrees, and both made people suffer, the old, the ill, and the disabled.

Under both, these unfortunates were regarded as surplus to requirements.

And the rest is history.

Society (1989)

The rich are born to rule. Fact. Not fiction.

[1/10 · 5 February 2012]

This dreadful, sick, evil, pile of junk, revealed in the last stomach churning 30 or so minutes, how the filthy rich see the rest of us in the lower classes.

It showed that the boy in the family did not fit into his own families world, that he knew nothing about.

And it showed that even the rich are expendable in their own world.

I watched the film to the end, wondering how it possible could end, I was hoping for a hole to appear from the floor, and that these awful people would be sucked into hell, but it didn't happen, their son told them what he thought of them, and he walked out the door.

Suffice to say that the "Society" are the soulless filthy rich, who enjoy treating the lower classes with utter contempt, something like the Nazis treated the Jews.

I cannot possibly give this mess of a film more than 1 star, but in highlighting how the soulless rich feel about the lower classes, I give this film a million stars.

The top 10 per cent I believe, hold the mass of wealth, while the rest of us minions take a great delight in a tax cut now and again, thinking we are hoping to join this bunch of rabble we continually pay homage to in our continued pursuit of wealth.

The rich are laughing all the way to the bank, and to the devil.

Christmas Mail (2010)

Light frothy undemanding fun, with a happy ending

[6/10 · 26 December 2011]

Contrary to one reviewer, I did watch this film, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was lovely, pleasant, romantic, fun, with a happy ending.

Also I used to work for the post office, so I could identify somewhat with the male lead.

I have watched a lot of Christmas films on DVD over Christmas eve and Christmas day.

Most begin with a light hearted Christmas song, or tune, and then they continue light heartedly, and as the stories pick up, they get a we bit more serious, and ultimately at the end there is a lesson learned, all tied up in a lovely story wrapped up in a nice Christmas happy ending.

What more could you want at Christmas.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

A different take on Frank Capra's masterpiece.

[23 December 2011]

Here is my different take on Its a wonderful life.

Potter is Margaret Thatcher, is Ronald Reagen, is George Bush Jnr.

Both the UK and the USA are Pottersvill's.

Right wing Republicanism, and British right wing Tory's are both hard nosed, profit entrenched political systems.

In It's a wonderful life, George Baily's father runs a lone company, not for profit, but to help people.

George Baily's father is a Socialist, in America, a Social Democrat.

Due to decades of Republicaism in the States, millions are homeless and unemployed long term. This is Pottersville.

Due to the same system in the UK since the 80's, thousands maybe millions are equally homeless, are equally long term unemployed.

It's a wonderful life reveals what can be achieved by one person in a position to help people in his community.

And It's a wonderful life proves the other side of the coin when attitudes change at grass roots level, when the people in charge have hard hearts, just like Potter.

After George Bailey meets Clarence the Angel, and Clarence the Angel gives George Bailey his wish that he wished that he had never been born, everything changes and George Bailey's community become's Pottersville, hard harsh people, trust all gone, love all gone, the soul all gone.

Everything that happens to George Baily in Pottersville, is a direct result of not only George Baily never being born, but also of ruthless Capitalism taking root because everybody is looking after themselves, and not caring about other people.

A Christmas Carol (1999 TV Movie)

Patrick Stewart tried hard, but fails to convey the heartless Scrooge.

[2/10 · 19 December 2011]

I felt sorry for Patrick Stewart playing Scrooge. I felt this actor tried hard to be his own Scrooge, but he missed by a mile. I felt his acting was forced.

But I felt the rest of the cast played it well, and Richard E. Grant as Bob Crachet was superb in his role.

Particularly at the end when Grant picked up a poker to defend himself against his evil boss, Grant was shaking, terrified of his boss, and the atmosphere this one scene created, was for me very powerful.

I suspect this is how every homeless person feels today against those among the British public who behave just like Scrooge, they could not care less, and many homeless people are spat upon.

Those among the British public who behave like this are a disgrace, and they frighten the homeless, just like Grant's Bob Crachet was frightened into picking up that poker.

It is a shame that in my opinion Patrick Stewart was unable to provide his Scrooge with the same menace.

I felt the story was flat, almost boring. I give it 2 out of 10 for a good effort.

But I give Richard E. Grant a full 10 marks for his role, and his wife and children equally so, they were all excellent.

The best Scrooge films by far, is the Alastair Sim version, and the George C. Scott version.

George C. Scott's version is more applicable to today's Society where the homeless people are under the Bridge, and the man asks his wife, "why cant I work to provide for my family", this question was spot on for today, because it reflects today.

And then when George C Scott realises everything, he kneels down and asks, "what have I done" ?, because he realises how mean and short sighted he has been.

And I would say "what have I done?", can also be said of those in our Society that have their heads in the sand, not realising and not caring about anybody but themselves, or the consequences of their actions.

Dead Air (I) (2009)

An intelligent and brilliant piece of film making.

[10/10 · 17 December 2011]

If you don't want to know what this film is about. Don't read any further.

This film is an intelligent, and thought provoking drama, well paced and exciting. This film is not about Zombies, this is a just a small part of the crux of this film which deals with a serious issue.

The main part is that I agreed entirely with every word spoken by the DJ, aside from what the terrorist wanted him to say over the air at gun point.

When the Western World invades Middle East countries under the pretext of getting rid of their dictator's, when it's really all about oil, then we proceed to try and bring Western ideologically driven so-called democracy to the far East, what the hell can we expect ?, to be patted on the back ?????????? Both Britain and America have always played the World's police, whether the far East want us or not.

And in Dead Air, we get a chance to see what might happen now or in the future, when a Terrorist manages through a type of gas, to turn locals into mad men and women, and then the terrorist hijacks a Radio Talk show.

A simple premise that worked well, getting it's point home. But will we Westeners learn ?????????.

Pontypool (2008)

What was this all about ?????????????????????

[1/10 · 16 December 2011]

This film had some rave reviews, but why ? I truly wanted to like this movie, but could not find a thing in it worth liking, I found it a chore to stay with, and although I waited it out to see how it ended, I honestly could not wait for the end.

The film was like watching paint dry.

I admit I don't normally watch this type of film, I just thought I would watch something different in the run up to Christmas.

A guy on a local radio station, being made to realise that something is happening out on the streets.

And this was it.

This was one big boring waste of time as far as I am concerned.

The Mist (2007)

Clever & intelligent & could happen one day for those with imagination.

[10/10 · 12 December 2011]

The Mist is by far the most intelligent, and imaginative sci-horror movie that I, as a life long movie goer, have ever seen, in fact if anybody reads this and they know of what they believe to be a better film in the same genre,, I would like them to contact me and let me know, my email address is [e-mail].

The film's core is in a supermarket where everybody is community spirited, then the mist appears, and this is when things begin to happen.

This film keeps you guessing, right up to the gut wrenching end.

The actors are superb in their roles, there are scenes which will make you want to punch your way into the TV screen, there is a bible puncher who rallies up a crowd who are hell bent on finding a scapegoat for the crisis they are all in.

Although I have ticked "contains spoilers", I do not want to give anything else a way.

But I will finish by saying if you reading this like intelligent, well scripted sci-fi, then this movie is for you.

As you get into the film, it unfolds and takes you over, you will be on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The Mist was adapted from a Steven King book, but as I am not into books, sorry about that, I cannot compare.

This movie is so brilliantly played, with an excellent story line, and a kick in the gut ending, I just wish I could find other sci-fi movies that are similar.

Altered (2006)

Utter junk from start to finish.

[1/10 · 11 December 2011]

I cannot believe the positive reviews for this dreadful movie.

I had read the reviews and they encouraged me to watch this absolute load of trash.

I enjoy sci- fi because it's the unknown we are dealing with, but this movie was simply garbage from start to finish, and the alien I could have built myself in a garden shed, it was laughable.

This sci fi horror was basically a non starter for me, and the guy who had his insides pulled out by this alien, surely should have been dead, and not alive screaming his head off.

Okay we all have different tastes in films, but I cannot understand anybody thinking this film was brilliant, which one of the reviews stated.

Knowing (2009)

This is one excellent. Imaginative movie. Which could happen

[10/10 · 27 November 2011]

I have read a lot of totally negative views about this film, and so I can only say that some people simply have no imagination.

"Knowing" works at every level. It is a brilliantly executed film. And the final is breathtaking.

I watched this film with my wife and we are not easily pleased movie watchers.

I find myself being critical of the negative reviews, because I am astounded at their lack of imagination.

Without imagination, we would never have had The Time Machine thanks to Herbert George Wells. This is just one example.

Another is Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters". Imagination is the key word here, and so many reviewers did not have any whatsoever.

Knowing kept my wife and I on the edge of our seats, it was clever, it was imaginative, it was first class.

All Mine to Give (1957)

The hardest heart will be crucified watching this movie

[9 November 2011]

I give this film 10 out of 10, when in a way it is not up for scoring points because of it's subject matter, based on a true story.

However, because this is a review of a movie I saw decades ago and have never forgotten, the review says I have to vote, so it's a 10, it cannot be less.

This movie is based on a true story which makes it all the worse, even writing this review puts a lump in my throat.

I defy anybody to watch this movie without weeping out loud, the ending is a killer.

If you watch this at Christmas and you have a good heart and soul, it will either put you off your Christmas, or it will make you value what you have, no matter how much that is by today's highly materialistic and in many cases, selfish standards.

The hardest heart will be crucified watching this movie.

People who spit on the homeless, people who believe the elderly are a burden on the State, people who believe the unemployed are wasters and scroungers, these sad people will be crucified by this movie.

This is without doubt the saddest movie ever, ever, ever, made.

I defy anybody reading my review to watch this film on Christmas Eve, and then try to enjoy your Christmas.

Because watching this movie will put everything in perspective, if it does not, you reading this have no heart and no soul.

HAPPY Christmas

Amber's Story (2006 TV Movie)

Don't take this movie at face value.

[24 October 2011]

Amber's story was not for me about a child murderer who was never caught, it was about modern America's attitude to raising children where the mum has to work, while leaving her child to be looked after by someone else.

In which case this "someone else" was a relatively disturbed old man who could see how the little girl he was asked to look after while his mum worked, was not being cared for properly by her own mother.

This true story demonstrated the mum's irresponsibility toward her own little girl, because mum needed to work to pay the bills.

How we in the western world solve this problem of latch key children is another issue.

Because in the ideal, young children need two mature stable parents to raise them.

Young children should never be left with strangers, no matter how friendly they might be.

Insidious (I) (2010)

Not a bad film of it's genre. It depends on what you believe about the world you live in.

[24 August 2011]

If you accept there's another dimension, another world somewhere in the ether, then this movie is right up your street.

In many ways it is better than Poltergiest which I believe to be the best film ever of it's genre.

People who didn't get anything from this movie in my opinion have no imagination.

There were plenty of shocks, and the acting was average.

But what I'm looking at here is a movie based around the subject matter.

I guess it depends on what you believe about the world you live in ?

Network (1976)

If only we could see ourselves ?.

[10/10 · 7 June 2011]

Network was not so much a satire about television. It was more a glorious send up of the American, and English viewing public.

Peter Finch is superb, his dialogue is spot on, and his sheep like studio audience sit there like morons, stunned by his insight and his intelligence.

It is the same in England, garbage shows with audience participation, with banners being held up to tell the audience when to clap.

HOW MORONICALLY BANAL IS THIS ?????????????? Television feeds off the American and British public's need to be spoon fed garbage.

And it's too late to do anything about it.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

This film sums up how how the American and English free press fool their gullible readership.

[10/10 · 3 June 2011]

My summary says it all.

The American Republican press, and the British right wing tabloids are running our individual country's to the detriment of the little guy who has fighting spirit, who has something to say, who will not be brought and sold, but for the benefit of appealing to their politically docile readership.

Mr Smith Goes to Washington is without doubt Frank Capra and James Stewarts masterpiece.

The movie speak volumes about the way both America, and the British public are manipulated by the so-called free press, but in truth a brainwashing doctrine.

James Stewart plays his character to the hilt, you feel for him as he takes on the big boys, after realising he has been duped.

This truly is an excellent production that had the studios reeling from the American establishment when it was made.

Mr Smith Goes to Washington, should be made again, and I know just the actor to take on James Stewarts roll.

Alec Baldwin.

The Company Men (2010)

Well, you voted for the system, didn't you.

[10/10 · 3 June 2011]

Whenever I watch movies about America's free market it never ceases to amaze me that the people losing their jobs because shareholders profits come first, are always shocked. Why are they shocked ?, they know the system they voted for.

The American's have had the free market since the 60's, downsizing is nothing new.

There must be thousands of homeless people on the streets of New York City who once had jobs, a home, and a spouse, but the American political free market system got them, because shareholders profits are priority.

I found The Company Men predictable.

And I found myself wishing that all American's losing their jobs for the profit motive, finished up with the ever so nicely nicely Ben Afflicks position at the end, having finally found a job.

But in a real life situation, of which there are millions, how long for I must ask ? I give this film 10 out of 10 because it highlighted the adverse consequences of the American dream.

But I give this film 1 out of ten for everything else.

Meteor (1979)

An excellent movie at all levels. Well thought out. Intelligent.

[10/10 · 2 June 2011]

There are reviews of this film on here that are too intelligent for their own good, because they are boring.

Meteor is an excellent film in it's simplicity, because what happens, could happen.

There is an all star cast whose names you will know, and Ronald Neame the films director, handles things with intelligence.

Sean Connery, and Karl Malden lead from the front, their character's expertise, carries this film.

What we have here is an intelligent, well thought out story of what could happen, and the consequences arising from this.

A thoroughly good movie throughout. The best of it's genre without a doubt.