HerbieStretch Reviews

The Fall Guy (2024)

Ryan Gosling majors in Lee's role (see that?)

[7/10 · 24 April 2024]

Action and romance with doses of duplicity and deciet combine to make this a broadly appealing and enjoyable romcom.

Film-making and the role of the stuntman are the backdrop of course.

The script is tight - the nerd in me delighted in noticing good use of foreshadowing. No apparently trivial moments go to waste, some passing comments or props reveal their true purpose later as in any well-scripted play or film. I won't be offering spoilers though.

The visuals are well worth it with the viewer also at times invited to figuratively sit next to the crew and catch a glimpse of how stunts are performed.

Enjoyable on many levels, not least of which being the polished performances of Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt and supporting cast.

Essentially a romantic comedy but, traditional males, you won't be disappointed.

Abigail (2024)

Alisha

[7/10 · 19 April 2024]

There is nothing in this film that you haven't seen in a number of other films but it manages, thankfully, to deliver.

It doesn't for my money have as much humour as Ready or Not but does have enough character back story for the audience to know who to support and who to scorn and to emotionally commit to ( as much as you can in a horror flick).

You know what is going to happen once the basic premise is exposed and it's fun finding out how and when, and watching the whole thing play out.

At the centre of it all is Abigail, played expertly and delightfully by Alisha Weir who exploits this platform to showcase her undoubted talent. She is ably supported by the cast to realise this competent effort and make viewing it time well spent.

I believe the film is best watched without prior exposure to the trailer, hard as that is these days, and have also not revealed any content here in that spirit. Enjoy the film.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

"The book is better!"

[7/10 · 20 October 2023]

I was so engrossed by the book that I wanted the film to be as good and it isn't.

If I didn't already know the characters and what happened I would have been confused by the finer but important details - the relationships and dynamics between the characters.

First, what I liked. Robert de Niro, it almost goes without saying, was excellent and Di Caprio makes a decent fist of another leading player, as does the actor who plays Molly. The whole ensemble is up to scratch. The Bureau of Investigation officers are the heroes in this and the lead officer superbly portrayed as a diligent, humble and conscientious detective. The vistas are engaging and this slice of American history is engaging.

Perhaps the story could have been just a little bit tighter, or have I become accustomed to being spoon-fed my plot twists and moments of gravitas?

I still fully recommend the film. It's a story that needs to be told and not forgotten, the victims needing to be rescued from the enormous condescension of posterity.

Murder Party (I) (2022)

Bien.

[8/10 · 13 July 2022]

Jeanne, played by the excellent Alice Pol, is invited to submit a design for an unusual project at the mansion of a games empire mogul. The project is indeed unusual.

While not as slick as Ready or Not, Murder Party is 100 minutes of gentle fun, worth your time. Colourful in the literal sense, the set is pleasing on the eye, the acting is competent and the writing similar.

French cinema comedy is displayed quite nicely in Murder Party. Merci beaucoup.

The Emperor's New Clothes (2015)

Entertaining exploration of a potentially boring subject

[8/10 · 2 October 2021]

Sometimes life is simply not fair. Bad luck can visit us all.

What this film lays bare is that you can work hard all your life, try to stack the chips in your favour by doing that, and yet simply be screwed over by the wealthy powerful who gorge themselves on their wealth and power. It's not just a case of the have-nots being jealous of the haves. It's a case of the haves not being even remotely benign or even grateful to those who work hard all their lives to maintain the wealth creating machines. It's done by smoke and mirrors. The film shows British politicians using key words and phrases to convince voters that they are on their side, understand their daily grind and to convince them that they are their people. It also blows away the notion that the rich are 'wealth creators' as if there would be no wealth, happiness or even jobs in our society if it wasn't for Amazon or Google and the like. The post war period was one of cooperation and relative 'happiness' when CEO salaries were more in line with workers salaries and the taxpayer didn't need to subsidise corporations by subsidising low wages for example or by bailing out failed banks and financial institutions.

The film shows that we clearly live in a society where the wealthy are in control and, by lobbying, donating to, and employing MPs they can make laws that suit them.

One big message from the film is that collective action can work, as a starting point. See the film to see that in practice.

Thank you Russel, you weird combination of knowledgeable man and cheeky child. Keep it up.

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Goes nowhere in particular

[5/10 · 5 June 2021]

Maybe it's difficult to make characters engaging when dialogue is at a minimum. Perhaps it's the lack of depth to the plot that undermines what otherwise could be a decent film. Could it be that I have seen too many classic, quality films that cannot be surpassed and which everything else is judged against. Whatever it is these two Quiet Place efforts have missed the mark for me. I'm not too enamoured by the acting. It's ok, I wouldn't criticise anyone and maybe they don't have much to work with but nor will they win Oscars.

I just fail to see the point or be excited by this theme.

Next please.

Rising Wolf (2021)

Dreary

[4/10 · 9 April 2021]

Solid performance from lead actor and supporting actor, remaining small cast of Russian (of course) thugs passable. Plot bizarre, turgid and barely understandable, pace slow, action barely evident.

Premise that the environment is our saviour laudable but cliched.

Not worth watching, as boring as Divergent.

I was the only one in the cinema and I'm not surprised. I started tapping out tunes on the arms of my chair to entertain myself.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Powerful subject, almost light-hearted at times; worth watching.

[8/10 · 5 February 2021]

I struggle to define the genre. Not a "great" film but a well spent couple of hours and I highly recommend it. A serious subject given the 'Hollywood treatment,' almost lightly presented bubblegum which should (but doesn't) undermine the message. The plot kept me interested enough , never knew where it was going. I'd like to see more of the lead, she was accomplished. Thank you for this film!

The Dry (2020)

Don't miss this.

[8/10 · 18 December 2020]

Eye-catching vistas, heroes, villains, red herrings and good-looking actors doing realistic acting. This story runs along nicely with good use of flashbacks to bring storylines together. Having not read the book I did not know what to expect and actually had to clarify a couple of things via a web search afterwards when a crucial discovery went straight over my head. I left the cinema happy to have spent money on this film, knowing that I'd seen a good one.

Dead in a Week Or Your Money Back (2018)

Dark Comedy

[7/10 · 7 December 2020]

Tepid beginning but gets better. Not one for special effects junkies, a gentle comedy if one with a theme of assassination and suicide can be that. Christopher Eccles shines in support, Freya Major is just lovely and the remaining cast hit the right notes. Even manages to be philosophical without preaching.

The Game Changers (2018)

Entertaining and a great way to start redressing the balance.

[9/10 · 18 May 2020]

For decades the meat and dairy industries, among others, have bombarded us with misinformation about the supposed 'necessity' of their products. We need meat, they said. Milk is a necessity, they said. (Doctors were even paid to tell us that smoking was good for us, that's how reliable industry-backed information can be). At last, there is a riposte and thank God for The Game Changers. We eat too much meat and dairy, far too much. Intensive agriculture contributes to lack of biodiversity which will wipe out our species if not stopped. Athletes can perform at top level on a wholefood plant-based diet with not a drop of milk in sight, not a morsel of meat passing their lips. What? We were told that wasn't possible. We were lied to. If athletes can do that what about the rest of us? Watch the film and make your mind up. It's a big step in the right direction.

The Gentlemen (2019)

Comical gangster malarky

[27 January 2020]

I really liked this film, a light-romp through fictional London gangster land, laced with humour throughout. Not entirely convinced by Hugh Grant's gnarly, camp investigative journalist nor Charles Humman's gangster character but it didn't matter as it was nevertheless a pleasure to watch them. Humman's tower block raid was a gem of a scene. The film holds your interest from opening credits to closing credits, the action riveting (but not overdone) when it needed to be and the dialogue and character interplay clever, fresh and funny without exception. The finale is satisfying and, as Hugh Grant's character might say, "I DO hope there's a sequel. With me in it." I might well go and watch for a third time before it finishes its run.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Amazing

[9/10 · 9 November 2019]

The finer points of cinema critiquing bypass me so I'll tell it how I find it. This film dovetails well with The Shining, evokes the original and develops the story really well. Fans of The Shining will love the references to that, as I did, and fortunately they are not relied on to carry the story. This plot has merit of its own. I found myself thinking words like 'amazing',' 'excellent ' and just 'gorgeous' as characters or features of The Shining emerged. I can't really fault it. I loved it.

High Life (2018)

Realism in outer space

[9/10 · 2 September 2019]

An interesting take on our species' exploration of space within the limits of our physical and emotional endurance.

In other words, how do we manage a mission with such astounding potential benefits for the human race when the chances of success are questionable?

High Life gives you one option.

Not being a fan of soft boyish Robert Pattison I had misgivings which were quietly forgotten as the film progressed. His main character needed to be hard, responsible, gentle and empathic and he just about edged it.

The other characters are played with honesty.

The unfolding of the drama by degrees - so that we become more aware of the history and purpose of the mission as time goes by - is done well.

The soundtrack is haunting and foreboding, the visuals/cinematography - what do I know about that, but basic, bare, minimal, yet optimal are words I would use.

Not for the faint-hearted but I might watch again. I like stories which acknowledge the fragility and sometimes brutality of our existence but hold out hope for humanity.

Child's Play (2019)

Not really horror

[6/10 · 23 June 2019]

An enjoyable tale, more humour than horror, I don't recall once being nervous or the slightest bit tense. Acted competently by all concerned, including the doll. You can even empathise with the doll at times. The writing was acceptable! The mum is yummy and the Andy character is done well. Although it was cliched it didn't get boring.

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Margot and Saoirse. What's not to like?

[8/10 · 25 February 2019]

Call me fanboy but with these two in leading roles I don't care about the plot. But ok, I'll attempt a review. The film focuses on the relationship between the queens, what motivated them, their romances, personal ambitions. Very Hollywood. As a history graduate it would be easy for me to dismiss the film on those grounds alone but no, this is just a movie after all and we're here to enjoy it. Well acted, well shot, a plot that moves at a nice pace, enough intrigue to satisfy, and an interesting part of British history. Good support from the supporting actors. Watch it and be satisfied.

Arthur & Claire (2017)

Life affirming drama.

[29 September 2018]

Two souls with a common purpose clash. Shot mainly in Amsterdam the story has a nice backdrop to the serious subject matter. The story of each character is revealed bit by bit until the viewer has an understanding of the motives of each. The actors do their bit - both believable, never shallow or crass and giving the theme of the film the thoughtfulness and respect it deserves. Humour and pathos delivered well.

Cold War (2018)

Cold War, warm story.

[8/10 · 29 September 2018]

A story of a star-crossed lovers, with a passion that has the power to destroy them both. In gorgeous, cold war black and white the movie is evocative of that period in Poland and France while telling a timeless story. There are interesting musical scenes throughout and a cinematic glimpse inside the cold war Eastern bloc from this director's point of view. Joanna Kulig is excellent as Zula, I wish we could see more of her, and Tomasz Kot a perfect accompaniment! Great to see such quality emerging from Poland and hopefully giving the local talent some recognition internationally.

Together Forever - Secrets of 50+ Years of Marriage (2018)

Real life provides the most meaningful drama.

[8/10 · 29 September 2018]

A well paced, often humorous, often sad look at four lifelong relationships from four different countries. 60 years and counting. The characters are sympathetically presented and the viewer can but admire the story of each of the four couples from USA, Japan, Germany and India. Despite the rich and intriguing cultural differences and the differences in dynamics between the partners in each couple, there is one similarity - as well as deep respect and love, the message is clear. No such longevity is achieved without a willingness from both parties to overcoming what might otherwise be insurmountable hurdles. I hope to watch this film again, perhaps on DVD. It is an inspiration.

Rare Exports (2010)

Enjoyable Christmas Yarn. Of sorts.

[10/10 · 2 October 2017]

Interesting angle on the Christmas film from Finland. Limited number of main characters, shot on a budget with what for all I know are local actors and all the better for it. A familiar plot (what plot isn't?) done well. You can almost feel the snow blowing into your living room from Tromso, so curl up at night in front of the fire (preferably but not necessarily on Christmas Eve) for the best effect. Have fun. If this is what Finland can produce, let's see more.

The Beguiled (2017)

Atmospheric, story well told and acted.

[9/10 · 7 September 2017]

From the opening scene of the sun-drenched woods of the deep south to the always-in-doubt ending (unless you saw the original, and that pleasure awaits me) this movie is in the tradition of well-plotted and well-acted story line which relies on the watcher's thoughtful engagement and the authenticity of the acting to give the film its impact. No special effects here or unrealistic action, just good solid performances from the cast and a good story. The costumes and sets look interesting and authentic, so what's not to like about a good historical drama with a bit of sexual tension and an uncertain outcome?

Lady Macbeth (2016)

Intrigue, tension, outrage!

[9/10 · 7 September 2017]

Wonderful historical drama with sexual desire as its central story- driver. Catherine rebels against the staid, stifling and abusive patriarchy of the wealthy family into which she has married. Which is like saying that hurricane irma will bring some overnight wind and rain to parts of the country. Watch her go. By engaging with the characters and their motives you find the story intriguing. Great period setting and costumes, a well spent hour and a half.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017)

Excellent

[10/10 · 1 September 2017]

It is so easy to ignore climate change if you passively receive 'news' from the mainstream media. I never saw 'An Inconvenient Truth' so this was an introduction to Al Gore and his beliefs. As such it was so powerful that I decided to buy the DVD when available even while I was watching this film - I need to remind myself that climate change is happening. The arguments are presented here in an easily-digested form and with striking footage of the effects of global warming. The ten years that have elapsed since the first documentary have only enhanced the credibility of Al Gore and his arguments and he is able to demonstrate that on occasions. The film makes it clear that addressing climate change cuts across political parties, religions and nations. Please see the film.

Lion (2016)

Soulful tearjerker

[9/10 · 28 January 2017]

Good, understated acting in a gripping human interest story against a backdrop of modern day real world grit which should shame and anger us all. I was actually moved to tears, after initially fearing that the film would be a weak and slushy, sentimental drama so typical of the genre. Sure, there are moments when the viewer's emotions are manipulated - as in every film - but who wouldn't be moved by these events? Sensitively handled, the story is so well told that we are with Sheroo all the way and left wanting to know more about the real story and characters. This happened so recently. More films like this, please.

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016)

Great tribute.

[9/10 · 21 September 2016]

A movie that brings a freshness to old material with new interviews, unseen footage and enhanced sound and images. A real tribute. Don't go expecting an epiphany or any gritty revelations, this is a story retold with love and one suspects, awe. It does what the title says and focuses on the touring and the music with helpful and not over-intrusive commentary along the way, and helps the viewer to understand how the band came to their decision in 1966. It is not difficult to imagine that the band finished touring last year, such is the care and attention that has gone into enhancing the images. I loved this film, unashamedly.