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colin-johnson150
Reviews
Brimstone (2016)
obscene
A distasteful movie, such that I can't think of another human being that I would be comfortable watching this with.
From the get go, you are told in no uncertain terms that this is to be one of those cliché feminism films, yes one of those black and white men = bad women = good, to be shovelled down the audience's throats from start to finish with the subtlety of a cow pat.
Alongside this, paedophilia, and incest cling to every nook and cranny, throw in some animal slaughter porn for good measure, and we have a nasty minded, mean spirited and repulsive produce.
Blair Witch (2016)
Scream and scream again
Contained little of the atmosphere expected of such a project, although the film tries a little to create, it somehow misses the mark by falling back on cliché set pieces.
The location was successful, was interesting and delivered claustrophobia quite well.
For me, the real hammer blow to the whole effort was the incessant splitting of the group, walking around the woods shouting each others names in wobbly over done 'scared' voices. It seemed to develop into a competition into who could scream a persons name in the weirdest way. You can just picture the casting! Camera work was equally off the mark, OK! we get it, it's a home movie doc type thing, but the shaky cam thing is just rammed down the viewers throat from start to finish, and badly distracts the viewer. On several occasions I found myself looking away from the screen to rest my eyes, it's really that bad.
The two big different ideas fell flat, the perpetual night time, and the underground tunnels gave the impresssion that their inclusion was merely to offer something different, but neither contributed in a positive way.
I regret being so negative about someone's work, a work that I myself have no clue how to approach or create, and I appreciate the talent of those involved.
Green Room (2015)
Boring throughout
The premise is sound enough (almost).
Punk band invited to gig at a skinhead convention? Don't think so The basic flaw can be lived with as artistic license, but as the narrative unfolds, it becomes more and more incredible. The acting is sound enough but is completely undermined by the unimaginable actions and reactions as events unfold.
I couldn't get to the end as I gradually lost interest in continually struggling to persuade myself to ignore the gaping holes and the mindless decision making of the characters.
In the end, it's all very mediocre stuff more suited to cable TV than general release. As the action takes place exclusively within a shed, there's no real cinematography to ease the boredom.
Dirty Grandpa (2016)
Flogging a dead horse
What has happened to this guy? Biggest fan since Meanstreets, and have to say that these unfunny comedies are ruining a great legacy. Surely to have agreed to this he must be totally unaware of Bad Grandpa.
I wish him to go back to what he does like no other. Dear Hunter, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, King of Comedy, Cape Fear & so on.
I have to admit that I managed only thirty minutes of this dreary dreadfully unfunny business, every punchline has been done to death. Even the premise is old hat. De Niro's is in it, must be different right? Couldn't be more wrong, just formulae Benny Hill 'comedy' with added embarrassing dialogue.
Very sad to see, the best of De Niro is long gone. It doesn't have to end this pitiful way
A Walk in the Woods (2015)
Slightly OK to watch, awkward performances
Wasn't aware that the film was based on a popular book, I guess in retrospect this explains in part why two extremely talented actors became involved in what was essentially a sub par film.
I very much enjoy outdoors films, mostly for the location scenery and cinematography. This is what attracted me to the film, but little use of location or scenery was in evidence. I very nearly turned it off when the bad weather snow scene contained hilarious fake snow.
The 'humor' throughout the film seemed to revolve entirely around references to supposed previous sexual exploits of the two elderly central characters, remember 'Flori from Florida? Remember Louise from Louisiana etc.. etc.. one huge yawn!! When will film-makers realise that grown men don't talk this way. The audience are not all pubescent teenagers so please try a little harder to formulate dialogue remotely interesting to people over the age of seventeen.
Overall, the film had little to retain the viewers interest apart from the big name cast, although Redfords acting was surprisingly forced and wooden. I lasted about 43 minutes and then decided to go to sleep as I wouldn't be missing much. It wasn't awful, but barely watchable.
Buddy Hutchins (2015)
Embarrassing
Watched all the way through on my own. Boy was I glad no-one else was there or the embarrassment factor would have shot through the roof. I was embarrassed watching this alone!
The language is simply unacceptable, often crude and very inappropriate. It's not shocking, it's not cool, clever or remotely believable. It's downright offensive and embarrassing, just don't watch this with anyone you care about.
Basically a rip off of the 1993 Michael Douglas movie 'Falling Down', but without the style or decent dialogue. Bad day gets worse, much worse as the leading character descends into psychosis.
After the Fall (2014)
Moral dilemmas, liberation and responsibility
Enjoyable throughout, each character is portrayed with quality and skill, even those with small rolls enhanced the film with realism.
Cinematography, direction production, all very skillful, although I can't claim to understand everything, particularly the Coyote and the meandering shots of wilderness on the horizon.
Thought provoking and challenging, the film continues to ask questions long after the final credits roll.
*slight spoiler* The main characters journey through conformity through liberation, and then ultimate responsibility is a refreshing change from the all too often one dimensional 'stars' today.
Looters, Tooters and Sawn-Off Shooters (2014)
Is it a comedy?
Convinced this was a bad comedy, I.M.B.D. informs us that this is actually a BRUTAL crime drama! They can't be serious, really? BRUTAl? Crime Drama? In reality, there is nothing BRUTAl, or remotely dramatic in this boring effort that invents a whole new level of cliché.
I literally laughed out loud as each of the old boys entered the screen, the cliché cockney sparra bad guys, bald fat-heads, screwed up wrinkly faces etc. etc...
No, this MUST be a comedy, it is isn't it????????? I made it through 40 minutes starting at 1.30am as I couldn't sleep. Well, that did the trick for sure.
No, really, it is a comedy isn't it? you know, taking a rise out of the plethora of embarrassing 'British' gangster/ hooligan nonsense, god forbid they get international air time, what will they think of us.
A real steaming pile to add to the already towering steaming pile of British bull****
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Stays with you forever
Watched for the first time in 2014, it's a film that compels further study. The work demands deep self reflection from all but those to fearful of what they may find.
The wonderful things that people here on IMDb have said are truly a testament to the power of this film and to the capacity of human empathy and love to eventually triumph.
The contradictions of many organised religions, and 'civilised' societies is truthfully and painfully considered, together with the sometimes invisible capacity to hate that lies within us all.
The final scene depicting the children's message to me is the most powerful scene of the film. It' offers hope for Helen, and gives her the motivation to carry on.
I'll watch it again and again to evaluate my own motivations.
Locke (2013)
Thought provoking film for grown ups.
I found myself struggling throughout to understand the Character, until about one hour into the film. Until then, questioning my own perceptions, interpretations and feelings about the character as he develops. Satisfied with a settled understanding of the character and eager to observe the last thirty minutes unfold, quite unsure of the likely outcome.
A real breath of fresh air that revitalises a jaded mind, (especially after watching Jarhead 2, and Lone survivor), I had all but given up hope of ever seeing anything other than formulaic conveyor belt fodder.
A complex movie that requires constant attention in order to understand the subtle characters, yeas we see only one, but we observe his relationships with many others over the cell phone and as such, develop our own perceptions of the nature of the other characters.
An intelligent and subtle film that demands your attention, and if you're lucky enough to become immersed in the life of the main character, the real-time time-line seems much shorter than the 1.5 hour film.
Excellent all round.
Lone Survivor (2013)
Another generic rootin tootin gung ho
Official, the Taliban are the new Hollywood Nazis. Swarms of the bad guys eager to blindly offer themselves up as cannon fodder. Dozens of the critters, one after the other stupidly walking out from behind cover to offer themselves up in the memory of John Wayne and Ronald Reagan.
One shot is all it takes for these mortal bad guys, yet are heroes take shot after shot and refuse to bow out of the fight. Jumping down mountains and over cliffs Rambo style.
As Bill Hicks once said, "go to sleep America, here, watch American Gladiators".
Inbred (2011)
Top class film for horror fans
Gods own country breeds some odd missionaries. Having lived in Yorkshire for the past forty years, the phrases sounded hilarious and familiar in equal measure and were an absolute hoot. Not to mention the characters that drew an awkward wry smirk of familiarity.
As soon as the Southern Comfortesque shin-dig appeared on screen, it created one of those very rare moments when I laughed so much it hurt! The version I saw may have been cut in at least two of the gorier places, but even this couldn't dampen my enthusiasm for this excellent gem of a film.
The acting was top notch with a real stand out performance from Seamus O'Neill in particular.
Superb film, best horror movie I've seen for years.
More please?
Between the Canals (2011)
Enjoyable, shameless copy
I watched this film before reading any reviews, and was immediately suspicious after the first set piece of Jonny and the dustbin.
The main character made an enviable mirror image and obviously studied the Jonny from Meanstreets Character in detail.
The film I think would have reaped benefits from a more subtle influence rather than a direct ape.
The main Character in particular compels empathy, and the bleak environment will seem all too familiar to UK Towns and Cities not just Irish.
The dialect is difficult to comprehend at times, but is authentic and worth the effort to understand.
All the same, I found the film compelling and enjoyed the characters.