brian21 Reviews

The Assistant (III) (2019)

If you enjoy watching paint dry, this film's for you.

[4/10 · 28 July 2020]

Looks like a low budget film. The acting is good. But oh is it slow. Dragged out to make it last 87 minutes!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Over 2 hours of my life I'll never get back

[3/10 · 14 August 2016]

I didn't like this because it's bleak, has a nonsensical story, and goes on too long.

I hated the Batman costume (and the Superman one, for that matter), think the Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck make the worst Superman and Batman I've seen in the movies.

What did I enjoy however was Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal as Lex Luthor. Also Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman brought some lightness into what was otherwise a dark and unsatisfactory movie.

Too much reliance on special effect, especially the monster that appears towards the end of the movie.

Bring back Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan.... Please!

Caché (2005)

What a waste of 2 hours!!!

[2/10 · 21 December 2007]

I watched this on video and even though it was subtitled I managed to watch most of it at 1 1/2 times normal speed, otherwise I would have been completely bored to tears. As it was I felt as if I've just wasted over an hour of my life with a film that has no complete story line and no satisfactory ending. I was told by a friend before watching it that it was difficult to comprehend. I should have listened. How right they were. There's more fun watching paint dry (and at least you'd understand why the walls had been painted!). My recommendation to you if you haven't yet seen the film is go and do something else. Unless of course you enjoy the feeling of frustration and being let down!

Suzie Gold (2004)

OK, so it's too Jewish, but I liked it!

[8/10 · 8 March 2004]

This is the tale of Suzie Gold, a 20 something Jewish girl in North London. The film takes place in the months leading up to her sister's wedding to a nice Jewish boy. Her family are semi-orthodox, but have traditional views as far as marrying out of the faith. Suzie falls for a non-Jewish guy called Darren. However she cannot introduce Darren to her family because of their perceived attitude.

I and my partner are both Jewish. When we saw the film at the local cinema I suspect that most of the audience were Jewish. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, but my girlfriend hated it thinking it was too stereotypical. To me the film reminded me a little of the excellent TV play The Barmitzvah Boy, and it had a stronger and more believable story than the other Jewish film of recent years, Leon The Pig Farmer.

I thought Summer Phoenix put in a very convincing performance as Suzie Gold - her North London accent was good enough to fool me, and the film was very entertaining.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

At 3 hours long at least it's quicker than reading the book!

[5/10 · 13 January 2002]

I saw the film because it was a box office smash and is likely to be nominated for Oscars. However I really feel that the film is much about nothing. And at 3 hours long it was drawn out. I must confess that I have not read Tolkien's books, and having now seen the film I am not likely to. Yes the film will appeal to children who are into the fantasy world of Hobbits and elves, but as for me (aged 46) I had difficulty in relating to the characters (apart from Elijah Wood who appears to share a common habit of nailbiting!). My feelings about the film are similar to when I saw Star Wars - great special effects but not enough plot to entice me to see the sequel.