marcdrinkwater Reviews

Sexy Beast (2024– )

A muddled start picks up the pace eventually

[7/10 · 15 March 2024]

The film and its cast were a tough act to follow. The series tries to be as stylish but somehow misses the mark on occasion. It feels a little more low rent than the movie and say other similar series such as The Gentleman. However most of the characters are solid and the performances on the whole are good. With a bit of time you can get over some of its flaws, it doesn't seem to know what period in time it's set in for one. But the story picks up and the characters become more interesting and it ends up a decent romp.

Give it time and it finds its way and your patience is rewarded with a solid gangster story.

The English (2022)

A mixed bag

[6/10 · 3 March 2024]

This is a bit of a mixed bag. The cinematography is amazing, soundtrack suits it nicely.

On the whole the performances are great. The subject matter contains real grit and is at times harrowing, harking back to the likes of Cormac McArthys.'Blood Meridian'. Rage Spall is especially engaging.

But the story itself, and the back and forth in time nature of it ends up being confusing. It could have done without it. And there are some elements of the plot that appear arbitrary and yet inexplicable. Either they needed more episodes to flesh it out or it could have been cut completely.

Then there are some of the moments that ruin the illusion a little. For every piece of real grit there's something that's overlooked or brushed over.

The fact that Blunt's character is immaculately dressed and made up throughout being one of them. And the language used at times is not of the period.

It's a compelling watch which at times frustrates.

The Americas with Simon Reeve (2019– )

Absolutely stellar

[9/10 · 25 February 2020]

Simon has that non threatening way about him a la Louis Theroux (the comparison to whom I'm sure he hates) but he gets about the America's cross long beautiful scenery and gets deep into the varying ways of life on the way. From extremes of wealth, weather, politics it has everything.

30 Days of Night (2007)

Modern Vampire

[6/10 · 13 December 2007]

This is a very modern day interpretation of the Vampire flick. A remote town in Alaska prepares for 30 days without sunlight and obviously this is ideal for any gang of vampires with 30 nights of free time on their hands.

The town shuts down and the vampires waltz into town spilling blood and wreaking havoc all over.

The hero of the picture is the town sheriff played by Josh Hartnett and the towns folk, led by the sheriff, gradually decreasing in number, battle for survival as the crew of vampires leave the dead in their wake and seek to eliminate the whole town so's "not to bring attention to themselves" quite! It is an enjoyable picture, there's lots of action and shocks to keep the average slasher fan on the edge of their seats. I did have an issue with the fact that the townsfolk, when met with a gang of albeit "vampire like" murderers, instantly recall all those tricks for disposing of said murderers from their favourite vampire stories- and lo and behold they are right. Also the passage of time seems to fly by, I found it difficult to believe that the action takes place over the said 30 days.

Beyond that its still a good take on the genre. It does lose it's way toward the end and crosses the line between far fetched and downright ludicrous, but then, don't they all? on the genre.

The Girl Next Door (2007)

A Harrowing Story

[4/10 · 12 December 2007]

The beginning of this film immediately spring to mind those, made for TV, true story, movies. Its based on a true story, and the story is pretty horrific.

A girl and her disabled sister go to live with a crazy aunt, and her gang of kids, after the death of her parents. What follows is then a sketchy, shallow and mainly illogical portrayal of the senseless torture and abuse suffered by the girl, at the hands of the crazy woman and her sons.

The narrator, an unwilling child observer to the abuse, suffers inner turmoil as he watches the horror unfold and only ever in an inept manner can he bring himself to tell anyone about whats happening.

Once the premise of the story is set up the viewer is then subject to scene after scene of violent abuse, ever increasing, with little coherence or plot development. There's no explanation for what's happening and little else going on other than set pieces containing the grim deeds of a one dimensional psychopathic aunt.

I felt for the victims of the story, and i have to remember that its telling a true tale, but I can't help thinking that if this was the only way to tell this story, then it probably could have been left alone.