mistertcj's Reviews

The Goonies (1985)

3/10

Purely For The Nostalgists Among You, I Think.

23 February 2019

Warning: Spoilers

Simply because of the amount of films that I watch, I do not write that many reviews. However, being a 50 something, watching 'The Goonies' for the first time, I just felt that I had to write one on this occasion.

My wife bought me one of those 'bucket list' scratch off posters for Christmas. A list of 100 films (104 including a couple of trilogies) to watch and I decided to start from scratch (pun not intended) and watch again, any that I had already seen.

I had, of course, heard of 'The Goonies' before obtaining the poster, and had seen the copious amounts of favourable reviews. It is undeniably regarded as a cult classic. I know that a lot of you will undoubtably disagree with what I have to say, but goodness me, I cannot remember the last time that I was so disappointed when watching something that has been classed as a cinematic masterpiece.

Many people have already said that if you are over a certain age and are watching this for the first time.....it might actually not be a good idea. Well, I watched this with my 15 year old son and, I have to say that he wasn't particularly enamoured with it either. With the pedigree of Richard Donner, Chris Columbus and Steven Spielberg, this could have and should have been so much better.

My main gripe with the movie is the SHOUTING!!! After about 20-25 minutes, I was already fed up with it, but I stuck through it and watched it all. Yes, children shouting unintelligibly, and over each other, is excessively annoying, but the adults (to a lesser degree) were also doing it. Having said that, the adult characters were childlike anyway. The chief protagonist in the SHOUTING stakes was Chunk (Jeff Cohen).......quite simply one of the worst characters (if not THE worst) I have ever come across in a mainstream movie. He should have been left in the cave. Other main shouters were Data (Ke Huy Quan), Andy (Kerri Green) Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsay) Francis (the usually excellent Joe Pantoliano) and Mikey (the main character...Sean Astin). Now when the main character has to shout just to calm the others down, it doesn't bode well.

Sean Astin is actually very good, as is Josh Brolin. So you can see why they went on to appear in bigger and better things. Corey Feldman's character was remarkably understated compared to most of the others...and a pleasant surprise.

Due to what I have already said, the plot unfortunately, became almost secondary. Yes, it is pretty lame if I'm honest, but could have been so much better. To think that a massive pirate ship and its treasure could have been laying undiscovered, where is was, is unthinkable (is that a plot spoiler?). Yes, I know the film is for kids, but I'm pretty sure that even the majority of them would think 'hang on a minute!' Sure the 5-10 year olds out there would probably be happy but you have to realise that the main children in this film are actually 12-15 years old, and therefore, the ages of the kids that it should be directed at.

As I said earlier, I have seen many people saying that adults shouldn't be watching this for the first time. That can be said of many other films, all of which I have enjoyed. This though, has to be one of the excruciatingly annoying movies that I have ever seen.

So why have I not given it 1 star you might ask? Reasons......it could quite easily have been better. It started well (shouting aside). And oh.....I loved Sloth!

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Punch (2002)

6/10

Don't be fooled......this is more about relationships than fighting!

23 March 2017

First of all then, my proper mark out of 10 here should be 6.5. I think that a 7 would be too generous for a film which, in the main, is very good indeed. I am not plot spoiling here by saying that the film contains unnecessary female topless boxing. In all honesty, the director could have chosen something completely different to link his characters. But then I believe that he has openly admitted that the audience can make their own mind up as to if the boxing is just in there to titillate the majority of the male contingent of those watching. This, in itself, is basically admitting that that is just the reason why it's there. However, if I were a female spectator, I would feel somewhat uncomfortable. This is unfortunate really because, in the main, the bulk of the story is more one that would appeal to the female movie watcher. I think that what I am trying to say here is that I have marked the film down purely because of the inclusion of the boxing.

It is true that the DVD box and its description are a little deceiving. This is a film far more involved in dealing with relationships. The oh so very close relationship between father and daughter, between the father and his new partner (and how the daughter copes with it), and then the relationship between the new partner and her sister. The box clearly depicts the daughter (Sonja Bennett) as a boxer....well, she isn't. Clearly unstable and ready for fight maybe.....but not a boxer.

I believe that Sonja Bennett received awards in her homeland of Canada for her acting in this movie but I really can't say that she was at all brilliant. Her maniacal display of tap dancing was more funny than anything else. However, I feel that the acting awards here should go to the father (Michael Riley). He was outstanding, and his monologue story about his first meeting with his now deceased wife was so so heart wrenching and beautifully done.

I have to admit that when I read that Sonja Bennett is, in actual fact, the daughter of the director Guy Bennett, i felt just a little uncomfortable by the fact that there are two scenes of nudity involving his daughter, one of which leaves nothing to the imagination. It therefore made me watch the scenes with the directors audio commentary to see what he had to say about them. Happily, he did say that he wasn't in the room when these scenes were shot.

So to conclude.......it is a shame to say that this very good movie could so much have been a great movie. Some viewers should not be left feeling uncomfortable about what is, in essence, a simple tale of relationships. Please give it a watch.

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Gossip (I) (2000)

6/10

America loves a hero.....and this doesn't have one!

16 February 2017

We all love a hero don't we? Either that, or we all like a character that we can route for. The reason why this film bombed at the box office is because this film has neither. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad film at all and the acting from the three leads James Marsden, Lena Headey and Norman Reedus is very good indeed. However, Marsden's character is a complete dick (can I say that? Oops....too late). Headey's is stupidly naive and Reedus's is just plain weird. Oh, and by the way, Kate Hudson's character is extremely important to the plot, but Hudson herself actually has very little to do.

Now then, I do my utmost not to give away any plot spoilers. I try and make my own opinion of a film before reading any negativity about it. I therefore don't read any reviews that give the plot away beforehand......what's the point? Having said that, this film is difficult to describe without giving too much away. For a film of only 85 minutes, it builds up very well and is very well pieced together. Sadly though, and it says a lot for my simple imagination, I guessed what was going to happen before the disappointment of the last 5 minutes arrived. And before it arrived, I said to myself 'surely not.......surely they can't do that with the amount of people that would have to be involved in going through with it'.

Yes.....unfortunately, the ending was very poor (no wonder they made an alternate one). But then I suppose when you guess what's going to happen, it can be disappointing can't it. It was the same when I watched 'The Sixth Sense'

All in all then.......a good, very well acted film that should put an end to Chinese Whispers forever. Well worth a watch.

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Net Games (2003)

6/10

Reading previous reviews, I get the impression that I enjoy everything I watch!!!

14 February 2017

Now then folks, I enjoyed this film and have a feeling that it has never been available on a proper release in the U.K. I acquired an American import just recently and having watched it, cannot understand why it hasn't been available here. It is true to say that some of the reviews do speak very favourably and, in many instances, I can understand that. Granted, some of the acting is appalling.....particularly Lala Sloatman and Monique Demers. It is of no wonder that Ms Demers CV is not very long. However, I feel that the story, in the main, has been well thought out, with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. Sure, the unveiling of the protagonist was a bit disappointing and the sudden transformation from meek housewife to Rambo was a bit over the top, but remember, this film was made in 2003 and if things like this could have happened on the internet then, just imagine who could be watching you now!! Anybody!! You could say that this film was a very big warning of things to come. C Thomas Howell is an extremely accomplished actor and turns in a pretty good performance, as does Sam Ball, and Maeve Quinlan is good fun as the detective. All in all, I thought this to be a good, watchable movie. A little over the top at times sure, but still pretty enjoyable.

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88 Minutes (2007)

7/10

Reviewers make me mad!!! Now it's my turn to do the same to you!!

30 January 2017

I really do have to laugh at some people's reviews at times, and over the years, if I totally believe all the bad press that some (if not all) films receive, it would never ever be worth my while visiting a cinema or buying a DVD ever again. If I see a film, like it, and then see all the bad reviews I am sometimes left thinking 'am I the only one that got it?' or 'am I the only one that thought this was good'. In short, reading too many reviews can drive you absolutely insane. OK, so 88 Minutes received largely negative reviews......especially on IMDb. So at the time of writing this, the film has a rating of 5.9, which I class as just above average (5 is average right?). I am more than just a little annoyed that most of those that gave the film an above average rating failed to review it. However, it leaves me with the conclusion that most people are more than happy to complain, rather than go with the flow. After all, I don't think that here are many films for which I haven't read a review from somebody saying that it's the worst film they've ever seen. 88 Minutes, in my opinion is a good, above average, watchable movie. But some of the contradictory comments on people's reviews did my head in. For example:- Al Pacino's performance............Al Pacino is undoubtedly a brilliant actor. His character in this movie is cocky, self assured, calm and in his opinion, always right. Pacino plays this perfectly, so why do people think that he was out of place? Was there any need for him overstate and overact? No there wasn't. Did he look uncomfortable in his role? No he didn't. To me, maybe the reviewers were expecting some powerhouse acting which they didn't receive. The plot.........come on people!!! It wasn't muddled. It was easy to follow. Throwaway yes, but don't we, every now and again enjoy a film that we don't have to think too much about? Yes we do!! It is true to say there is a certain degree of implausibility about things but people should just look at the movie for what it is.......entertainment. I, for one, was entertained, although I did guess who was behind the killings. I mean come on, even true stories have that certain implausibility factor about them in order to make them entertaining...don't they? The acting........it seems that because Pacino's performance was (rightly) understated, everybody else acted badly. It is true that some performances did not bring out the best in the actors (Alicia Witt and Leelee Sobieski), others were excellent, especially William Forsythe and Neal McDonaugh.

I'm done with the film now, but had to laugh at one on the extras on the DVD. The director stated that this was a 'low budget' movie. OK maybe it is in comparison to some.....but calling $30m low budget is an insult to my ears!!

Anyway.......conclusion!! A good, but not brilliant film that a few more of you have actually enjoyed but not openly admitted. Good grief, those of you that have reviewed think it's so bad, I am left thinking that I have just stepped out of the 'bad movie' closet!!

Watch this movie for what it is........entertainment!!!

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Perfect Stranger (2007)

6/10

Not at all bad.....but Halle Berry disappoints.

18 January 2017

First of all, I would rate this film about 6.5 but it's no way good enough for a 7, so I have rounded down. The movie is quite a riveting 'film noir' with several twist and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat but my main problem with the film is the normally excellent.....the star of the show, Halle Berry. Sure, Giovanni Riblisi can be one of the most classic of over actors but, I don't know what it is about him, but he has this knack of doing it with such style. He does it again here, but it was nothing compared to Halle Berry's performance. To me, she was unusually over the top and very disappointing. And then there's the ever reliable Bruce Willis in, for him, a very different role. But he copes very well as the Mr Sleaze that Halle Berry is trying to bring down for the murder of her friend. Now, I love a film with a major twist at the end and this certainly doesn't disappoint. And the twist certainly hits you suddenly. I hope that I'm not giving away too much here, but when that twist arrived, I wasn't sure whether to be disappointed at the outcome or not. The reason? Because the movie doesn't have any likable characters to properly route for. As I have said, Bruce Willis' character is a sleaze, Giovanni Riblisi's character is creepy, and Halle Berry's 'heroin' is a journalist (need I say more!!!). All in all though, for me, a good film but I was a tad disappointed with the ending.

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Bulletproof Monk (2003)

5/10

Immense fun......but there is some terrible acting.

5 January 2017

I must, first of all, point out that this movie is very good fun and must not, in any way be taken at all seriously. I loved the concept of the story but felt that things were very much spoilt by the overblown, overcontrived action scenes. This was the case from the very first minute. As for the acting......well this turned out to be very much a case of goodies v baddies. Seann William Scott, Chow Yun-Fat and Jaime King (the good guys) all turn in sterling performances. In fact, it looks as if Seann William Scott & Chow Yun-Fat had immense fun making this film and their chemistry is there to see. As for the bad guys.......Karel Rodin, Victoria Smurfit and Marcus Jean Pirae. Well, what can I say? I felt that they were all terrible and all over the top. I was particularly disappointed with Victoria Smurfit, who I had seen many times before and knew her to be a very talented actress. I think that the problem with her character was basically because she had a very over emphasised British accent. Smurfit is Irish, so why the hell didn't they just maintain her natural accent. Worse though, was Marcus Jean Pirae as the underground gang boss. He has no excuse though. His too was an over emphasised British accent.......but actually IS English I believe. As I say, the film was great fun and it was made watchable by the fact that the good (acting) outweighed the bad (acting). It was, by no means, a complete turn off.

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Armstrong (1998)

4/10

Armstrong.....and you're not!!

27 November 2016

Well, seeing as there is no mind boggling plot involved with this movie and other reviewers have given the full story away, together with the fact that they have said all I would say.......there isn't much left for me to put in writing. The film itself is quite an entertaining 95 minutes, but could have been so much better had a lot of the acting not been so wooden. Wooden acting from the lead (Frank Zagarino) and overacting from the villain (Joe Lara) are major problems. The script is pretty lame, the action scenes slow and contrived. Excellent character actor Charles Napier couldn't even save the day.

I have no idea why it was certificated 18.......maybe the certification criteria has changed somewhat since 1998. There is not a lot of swearing and hardly any gore so all I can think is that the certificate is due to leading lady Kimberley Kates' elongated chase scene wearing (on top) just a wet see-through blouse clearly showing off her silicon.

All that being said, I still found it watchable. It's not the worst film I've seen.

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Haywire (2011)

6/10

Good but could have and should have been better.

10 November 2016

With Steven Soderburgh at the helm and a multi A-list line up (Ewen MacGregor, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Bill Paxton & Channing Tatum), this should have been far far better than it turned out to be. That being said, it's largely unknown main player Gina Corano does a fantastic job in the lead role. The extras on the DVD would suggest that this whole project was built around her, which is amazing in itself, using an amazing amount of recognised talent around somebody who was only really previously known as an MMA fighter. She was obviously unphased by all this and easily comes out as the star of the show. The plot is a little confusing at first, but given that it was a mere 88 minutes long, it soon pieces itself together. Most of the main stars roles, apart from MacGregor, are not very big at all but it's not the acting that is the fault here....it's the character building. Basically, there isn't any at all (probably due to the films length), which suggests to me that Soderburgh could have made a longer, more intriguing movie. The films premise is quite intriguing itself, but it's lack of feeling leaves the viewer a little flat. Soderburgh does not however focus on Corano's fighting talents alone.....to me he has helped to create a very good actress and this reflects in some of the films that she has appeared in since.

To sum up....I found this quite a good spy thriller, but in the main I was left a little disappointed when there was so much talent on show.

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Assassin's Bullet (I) (2012)

6/10

Not as bad as all that!!!!

25 October 2016

A short time ago, I was given a box of DVD's, some of which I have never even heard of. I have made a point not to be influenced by reviews, so made it a specific task of mine not to go on to IMDb until I have finished watching the movie. Sofia (or Assassins Bullet) was certainly a movie that I'd never heard of and, being a sucker for most movies filmed in continental Europe, thought I'd give it a view. When finishing the film, I have to admit to being surprised at the average rating on IMDb and the poor reviews. At the end of the day, it wasn't as bad as all that. I found it very intriguing and have to admit, without giving too much away, didn't suss about the belly dancer straight away. Elika Portnoy certainly turns in a very good performance as the female lead. It was good see Christian Slater as it seemed ages since I'd seen him and Donald Sutherland was what Donald Sutherland has become of late in his movies.......sly, artful, deceiptful. Is he one of the good guys...or is he bad. I think we all know which is favourite!! My main fault with the movie though is that there were certain areas where I actually worked out certain situations after I'd finished watching it.....important things that were never fully explained but needed to be. This is quite difficult to describe without giving plot spoilers, so I will stop there. Sofia was filmed in Bulgaria by a mostly Bulgarian crew. It certainly opened my eyes as to what a fascinating multi cultural country it is. I never realised...but given it's proximity to Turkey, i suppose I should have known better. Anyway, Sofia is certainly not the best film ever made and contrary to other reviews, it's definitely not the worst. This intriguing little thriller is definitely not a one star movie.

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Vampyres (1974)

4/10

Apparently a cult classic horror...and I can see why.

25 September 2016

Now then, before watching this movie, I had never heard of it, let alone discovering that it is apparently a cult classic. So, cult status aside, I will endeavour to add to all of the reviews from people that undoubtedly know more about the film than I do. Therefore, I am just reviewing as I saw it....nothing else. It certainly wasn't a bad movie at all and didn't have me reaching for the stop button for one moment. It was intriguing without having a mind-blowing plot. And despite other reviewers saying how good some of the acting was, I myself found that the only decent acting performances to speak of were from Brian Deacon and the unrecognisable (well it was 1974) Michael Byrne. Yes, there was a certain degree of nudity, but not really any more than the amount rearing its head in the Hammer films of the time. And yes, I can see why it was 'butchered repeatedly' (as it mentions on the case of the DVD) when released. So, I can only guess that it is the titillation, the gore and the censors that resulted in this receiving much higher praise than it deserves. In fact, some of the acting is very wooden, particularly from its main male star Murray Brown and the two leading lady Vampyres, Marianne Morris and Anulka. As I have already said though, this wasn't bad enough for me switch off....it is still worth a watch, just to see what all the fuss was about at the time of release.

** As an afterthought, I thought that I would add that I only discovered the film in a box of DVD's that I was given. having read the background of the it's various releases, the version that I saw was the Blue Underground release....an American DVD, that I was very surprised to find worked in my DVD player. The extras contain an excellent and more up to date interview with the two leading ladies. Though their memory of where the main location was is completely wrong.

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The Almost Perfect Bank Robbery (1997 TV Movie)

5/10

Not half as bad as I thought it would be....and Shields is pretty good.

20 September 2016

Having recently been given a big box of DVD's, I thought to myself, as with most things, that I would save the best until last and start off with the bad. This was the first out of the box and I have to admit to being very pleasantly surprised. Now, a mark of 5 out of 10 may not prove my point.....and here is why. As soon as I started watching I said to myself 'Channel 5 (UK) afternoon TV movie', without knowing at the time that was exactly what it was. Supposedly based on a true story, the plot is very thin and very much a no brainer. However, there are 4 very well know stars in the film which was very much a coup for a TV movie. And it's 3 of these 4 that pull this movie through. Alessandro Nivola has a minor 'stooge' role, but Brooke Shields' very purposefully overacted ditsy performance is pretty good........if just a bit annoying at times. In fact, it seems that all of the main 3 women's roles were overacted. I have no idea why. Dylan Walsh is good as Shields hapless boyfriend and Rip Torn was..........well, Rip Torn really. I don't have to 'plot spoil' here as the films title totally says it all.

All in all, an above average TV movie with a good cast and good performances.

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