SDaltonMead Reviews

Cosmic Sin (2021)

Galactic struggle ; beyond sense.

[4/10 · 20 March 2021]

To proclaim this as a (DvD), movie masterpiece, would streach anyone's mental capability.

Amidst last 4 of 12, (since 2018 for Willis), this Sci-Fantasy film, shows every hallmark of being drastically under prepared once the principle actors were informed of the Pandemic restrictions pending & whole production went into 3 takes only mode.

Around which some of the world's fastest editing must have been given only most rudimentary quality control.

Real challenge for viewers is to comprehend the plot, and where the movie develops some creative purpose.

It's production features elements akin to being a poorly realised 'Steam-Punk', story ineptly re-styled towards a convention centre cos-play re-enactment.

Considering the strong evocation of themes within 'Edge of Tomorrow' and corresponding good visuals of Bruce and Frank, in enhanced armour; yet devoid of any true nihilist wit, the weakness surely resides with having a bland script.

Putting aside, the main cast, manages to elevate slightly roles that would otherwise go completely ignored. Short co-star parts are common in established sci-fi / action films (especially female), and we are granted here two contrasting women co-stars that have to be given attention otherwise you miss key movie themes.

Action scenes vary from generic to plain idiotic, so we can only hope stunt people attached get granted a hefty sympathy vote towards their next projects.

Lastly, the soundtrack. Yes, it actually has one. Again, with contracted time involved, sound engineering must've been stressed to amass most basic of effects, such that during the few tracks played through scenes barely any emotional synchronicity can be found.

With minimal scenes, the movies bankable featured actor, actually doesn't do himself any harm, nor favours. Placing Bruce's performance firmly aligned with 'Last Man Standing', just below 'Armageddon'.

Overall - A par-boiled and half plucked turkey, that stands a slender chance of being that elusive future un-discovered stars mythical rare gem.

The Legend of Bruce Lee (2009 Video)

Tremendous attempt at a full 'Dragon' biopic.

[7/10 · 30 January 2021]

The source of this 3hr long escapade into portrayal of 'Bruce Lee's life, is a weekly screened 50 episode series, released October 2008 into mainland China., which creativity runs beyond the reality of his 32 years.

2020 will by global influence, be most associated with its 'Pandemic', for many interested in the 80th year of 'Bruce' , inevitably this DvD movie will have the chance to receive wider viewing.

Much, could be said regards to the impossibility of making a oriental depiction, upon such a 'Westernised', influential person of Chinese lineage. Here we see how the 2008, production wished to portray 'Bruce Lee' upon reflection; back heroically towards themselves.

Limited by having only 1 actor in leading part, 'Danny Chan', does root his performance of character and manner, very well. Equal to the focus achieved by 'Jason Scott Lee', although it makes the earliest years depicted strange from historical context., where the wider cast family roles are merely a fleeting expression of post-WW2 moderateness, rather than the international aspiring Hong Kong, family of virtue that wanted an obedient son.

Praise must be given to the effort of the editing team, achieving a commendable meld of such length of footage down into just over 3 hours. Typically, translation from Mandarin, into other languages does again have issues, but the subtitling was at least above average, ensuring much was comprehendable, even if not entirely factual.

As a singular movie, the storyline travels in many divergent ways beyond into more 'value orientated' scene's , traditional family structure, and stronger expressed way of traditional 'Martial Teaching', that does both conflict with known history and sadly repels understanding by European/American customers of our generation.

Having, IP Man, with long venerable wizard like beard, assume Taoist monk personna was nearly a complete parallel of 'Inception', alternative reality of a WW2 era survivor. It was a tragic re-write, that modern Chinese audience, could have been spared.

The portrayal, by 'Michelle Lang' , of 'Linda Caldwell' (wife/mother), seems far to slight in balance to being both a pupil of 'Bruce Lee', a romance, or as most supportive person to 'Brandon & Shannon Lee', during formative years to gain merit beyond actual presence. Chances are drastic edits have much to explain here, from the presumed last 10 episodes ( 450min ) of the series.

During, the most recognised phase, transition between urban Seattle, immigrant student into celebrity teaching guide and eventual film star, here besides the string of solid Martial Artists, giving credible life to all action scenes, most show little understanding of the specific people.

Relegating them to combative stereotypes, that barely shows the influence each encounter had upon 'Bruce Lee'. The roles of 'Daniel Inosanto' & 'Ed Parker', being given ridiculously small sections., bridged by a soundtrack of whimsy tunes musically.

The final result, (adjusting favourably for every slender mC2F's in cast), is a puzzle. Despite the great level of achived message, and strong fighting skills shown, it's a chess game of entertainment that eager students of the genre/phenomena will be better served by reading., Kicking and hitting the books.

Lad: A Yorkshire Story (2013)

The Country rarely best viewed.!

[7/10 · 15 September 2018]

Opening with panorama's of near autumnal Yorkshire Dales, viewers are strongly tipped that this is a family friendly movie with youthful stars acting-out as the very metaphorical incarnation of 'Last of the Summer Wine', if they'd had a preference for reading the 'Beano' comics for decades.

The central family 'Proctor's, are compelled to transform itself after a deeply tragic occurrence, and the many stages of this transformation, denial, anger, revenge, struggle, conflicts, acceptance, sacrifice; it sedately paddles its way as a central plot theme, like a canoeist upon a large stream. The nuances are highly subtle, such like experiencing a long hiking trip with sounds that resonate with a soundtrack that has the faint echoes of 'Ry Cooder's, 'Paris Texas', theme.

The plot really shifts gear when the troubled boy is given community service with the local town's park ranger, meets rangers fiesty grand-daughter Lucy., older & several years more mature.

While the younger son., is the lead., and does have a very authentic and compelling ability reminiscent of scene's that occur during 'Billy Elliott'., or 'Oliver'., the elder brother provides the truncated comedic element very early but is denied any real substantial impact by the plot's progression.

As the friendships start to build and begin to create a new stability for the wayward youth, the Mother, played excellently by 'Nancy Clarkson', asserts strongly with biggest dramatic scenes that just lift the film when the plot starts to meander too much., almost casually revealing the family hobby for amateur geology.

The generally mundane elements of countryside life are melodically uplifted by some marvelous camera work & cinematography.

The park ranger, eventually reveals that he has several unique family changes to make himself, which is going to further upset the troubled youth's sense of identity.

A chance community village competition reveals a highly artistic level of the teen's ability with the local rock's,

which acts as a bridging moment leading to the final dramatic revelations of the movie.



While the acting is paced well throughout the movie, it rarely rises above the mundane to show any ability to penetrate above the glory shown in the choice of wonderful locations of the hills and dales.

A film, certain to appeal to those who find 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', and 'Hangover' sequel's too spicy as they regularly prefer 'Countryfile', 'Neighbours' and 'Casualty'.

Overall a puzzling and meaningful quality production that's firmly in the middle despite not having any 'Malcolm'.