Tuesday, 6 November 2018

The Equalizer (2014)



A man believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her.

Violent vigilante thriller has style ans suspense, and Denzel Washington can really pull off his role as righteous avenger, but all that said, it's still a dubious genre.


Monday, 5 November 2018

The Portrait of a Lady (1996)


It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)



The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.

Probably the best of the Peanuts TV specials and meanwhile a Halloween season classic; story, plot and animation perfectly handled.

On renewed viewing: still love to watch this one every Halloween.


Saturday, 3 November 2018

Eva Green

(ph: Julia Fullerton-Batten)

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Green

Columbus Circle (2012)



An heiress who's been shut inside her apartment building for nearly two decades is forced to confront her fears after one of her neighbors is killed and a detective arrives to begin the investigation.

OK thriller is a Hitchcock wannabe creates some suspense, but the convoluted plot with all its twists is quite predictable.


A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)


On the set: Marlon Brando

Cut Bank (2014)



A young man's life is unraveled after witnessing a murder that he filmed in his rural town of Cut Bank.

Nicely made thriller on Coen Bros. territory has a great cast and a lot going on, but seems a bit lazy and tired.


Thursday, 1 November 2018

Lone Star (1952)


On the set: Ava Gardner

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)



After three years of fighting in the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker concludes his journey towards the Dark Side of the Force, putting his friendship with Obi Wan Kenobi and his marriage at risk.

The birth of Darth Vader concludes the trilogy as a bombastic interstellar opera.

On renewed viewing I still think that Anakin Skywalker's metamorphosis to Darth Vader a bit unconvincing; much of the fun comes from the supporting characters and diverse aliens.

Maltin***: "Long, uneven, but meticulously crafted entry...has some of the same faults as its immediate predecessors, but delivers an emotional wallop as it brings the prequel trilogy" to a conclusion. Yoda dominates every scene he is in - and gives the best performance in the film!"