ronarimes Reviews

Pretty Red Dress (2022)

Honest and insightful

[8/10 · 30 June 2023]

This is not the sort of film I would choose to see but I ended up in the cinema watching and enjoying it. The location and Jamacian culture are unfamiliar to me, an Indiginous Rustic, so it was quite an insight into different lives and I understood some of the challenges others face.

Alexandra Burke was brilliant in her acting and her performances. Natey Jones played a weak and wretched character and I had little sympathy for him-I wasn't totally convinced by his performance and wanted to slap him- maybe that is good acting. The others interacted well and were a good background to the story.

A simple story of complicated relationships but very enjoyable to watch.

Border (2018)

A brilliant film for many reasons

[10/10 · 26 April 2023]

I absolutely loved this film. The story line kept me enthralled from begining to end. The scenery was beautifully atmospheric and the make up totally convincing. The acting especially from Tina was outstanding. Both main actors were transformed weirdly yet conveyed their emotions and thoughts clearly. I fully emphasised with Tina and shared in her dilemmas and challenges - for although ugly by our norms she was a good, kind person. The sex in the film was not as we know it but the feeling of ecstasy was the same. The film was beautiful and joyful on many levels and though had the dark and sordid element, in the end the moral message was positive. It was very thought provoking and I will watch it again and probably enjoy it second time round even more.

The Rainbow Jacket (1954)

Delightful

[8/10 · 8 December 2022]

I love horses and the racing world and so that is a bonus but I thoroughly enjoyed the film. The characters were believable and likeable with the backdrop and humour of the stable lads amusing. I read that this was based on a true story and it seems probable - just the sort of thing of that era. Interesting from a social history point of view. It was fun to see Sid James and Wilfred Hyde White in the cameo roles. OK the close up of the riders was a bit unconvincing but it is a film of it's time and I'm rating it 8. I find it strange that one of the two lead actors, Fella Edmonds as the young jockey, scarcely gets a mention.

Valhalla Rising (2009)

Be prepared to be depressed

[7/10 · 6 February 2019]

I found it hard to decide a rating because I think this is a very cleverly produced film, original and extremely atmospheric. From the start the violence is raw and graphic, not my scene at all, but I found myself mesmerised by the strange desperate characters and the surroundings and was compelled to watch on. I was drawn ever more into the dark mood with each ensuing chapter. It was a terrific film - why haven't I given it 10? I couldn't really explain the plot or the story and at the end felt extremely sad. I had a very sad dream and woke up feeling sad and wondering why I had sat through all that, not to have learned anything or to have been inspired - just sad!

Speed (1994)

Just a good fun film

[7/10 · 4 February 2019]

I can't understand anyone rating the film 10, neither 1. The plot is ridiculous but if you can suspend belief, makes for an enjoyable action packed film.

Hell or High Water (II) (2016)

Great everything

[9/10 · 9 January 2019]

A great storyline, which carries the viewer along at a good pace throughout to the more than satisfactory ending. The location footage is brilliant as is the music. I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Of Horses and Men (2013)

An escape to Iceland

[7/10 · 14 December 2018]

This is a film quite unlike any other. Darkly comic. I was transported to the remote community in Iceland and into the lives of the eccentric and amusing characters who lived there. The scenery is stunning and the music and the Icelandic ponies beautiful. Some horrible things happen but somehow acceptable in the extreme conditions. . In this strong community, distances don't prevent everyone knowing everyone elses' secrets. They look out for each other to survive but being human have their rivalries and conflicts. I found the film compelling and beautiful in spite of the events and for the duration shared in another way of life in a beautiful but harsh environment.

West Is West (2010)

A sensitive, thought provoking and very entertaining film

[10/10 · 1 September 2018]

It is easy to see how a teenage boy with a Pakistani father is bullied and reacts by his attitude, resentment and rudeness. In desperation his father takes him to Pakistan to meet his kinsfolk and to his wife who he left 30 years ago to bring up a family. He sent money back for the family but was busy getting on with his other life in UK. I loved the filming in Pakistan and the great music and I understood the man's dilemma who was by no means bad but with a warped sense of right - but then that's the culture difference. A real insight into the Pakistani community who split their lives between the West and the East. Great characters, realistic, fabulous scenes and music and a superb uplifting story with a good dose of humour. I loved it.

The Deep (2012)

A real life drama

[9/10 · 28 February 2018]

This film is based on a real life drama where an Icelandic fishing vessel sinks and 5 crew are drowned. The 6th member of the crew survives hours in bitterly cold sea and swims miles to an island where he is rescued. The acting is brilliant and a realistic portrayal of the fisherman's ordeal. I also liked the before and after build up of the main character's lifestyle and the setting of Icelandic folk living in basic and difficult conditions but sharing a camaradie and kinship. Scientists were baffled as to how this apparently unfit man survived the extreme conditions and he became something of a celebrity and underwent investigative tests in America and UK. In the end he returned to his old ways of life but I think as a wiser and better man. He was a simple hardworking regular guy who survived extreme conditions through metabolism but also his dogged determination. I found it particularly moving to see footage of the real life person.

Copycat (1995)

Almost brilliant

[6/10 · 11 February 2018]

Almost - but not. Great acting by Sigorney Weaver and an appropriate music score. The plot started out well and I was pretty terrified, gripped by the drama - and then it went silly. I know it's a fictional story but no need to be so inplausible and ridiculous. It changed from being an exciting thriller into a black comedy and I felt short changed.

Edge of Eternity (1959)

An entertaining film in spite of it's low budget

[8/10 · 11 February 2018]

The plot was good and the setting in the Grand Canyon made it atmospheric and visually compelling. At the onset I was dubious about the dated backdrop filming and the corny music score but it was very easy going on the eyes and I enjoyed the film right through to the conclusion.

Run Wild, Run Free (1969)

A condition understood

[8/10 · 11 January 2018]

Mark Lester plays the part beautifully of an autistic child. When the film was made in 1969, little was known about autism. The child is locked inside and unable to communicate or understand the ways of people around. Ahead of it's time, we nowadays accept and understand that animals relate to human vulnerability and judge the true nature of the person. Young Philip is aggravating and irritating to those who he has to live with. The parents try hard to help but are unable to get a satisfactory relationship with the boy. Being accepted by the horse helps the child to communicate and understand the meaning of relationships. When Philip harms the falcon inadvertently, he is stricken with grief. Fiona Fullerton is totally believable in her role. I think all the actors were first class. It's a beautiful and realistic story and a study of life with autism. The scenery is wild and beautiful yet chills the soul when the fog falls. A very enjoyable film for young and old.

Bancroft (2017–2020)

A dark and compelling thriller

[8/10 · 16 December 2017]

I had to review this after reading such a negative opinion. I watched the first episode with 4 other friends and we were all totally hooked. So much so that we continued to follow through, guessing only at the outcome. None of us predicted the final twists and that was what held our interest. The series was refreshingly different and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Good strong acting.

Halls of Montezuma (1951)

An engrossing film

[9/10 · 29 November 2017]

The majority of WW2 films are corny, sanitized and sickeningly trite. This is one of the most realistic I've seen. Great acting and study of characters that make for an engrossing film. Having watched and read both film and book 'Unbroken', I felt it portrayed the storming of the island as described by the eye witnesses of the time. Some of the scenes with the Japanese prisoners were less believable but it deserves a much higher rating than shown.

Instinct (1999)

Disappointment

[4/10 · 31 October 2017]

I read the book Ishnmael, upon which the film is based so was curious to see Instinct. The book had a very profound and thought provoking message about our place as humans in this world. Anthony Hopkins is very type cast- his role resembling Lecter in Silence of the Lambs and others he's been in. The 'baddie' prison staff were almost comically bad and the Assessor so very good and nice. I only watched the first half but what with the story build up and then the doe eyed looks pass between daughter and Assessor I could foresee the outcome. The film trivialized a serious message. A difficult task which fails.

The Grey (2011)

gripping nevertheless

[8/10 · 16 October 2017]

OK I fully appreciate that the depiction of wolves' behaviour is ridiculous likewise if you consider some of the actions of the men. BUT the film held my interest throughout and I thought the acting was first rate. Very realistic the way the characters develop. Too much bad language is a bore and this film must come at the top for the number of times the F word was used. However, the type of characters portrayed would probably have spoken that way - they were a rough lot! A nice change avoiding a trite and tidy ending. Overall I enjoyed the film very much and would recommend it.