Lemos Reviews

Yellowstone (2018– )

Sopranos of Montana

[8/10 · 4 August 2023]

A mix of the Sopranos meets Sergio Leone's Once upon a time in America meets One upon time in the West but in this case in the reality of life in Montana. Substitue urban New Jersey for rural Montana and you have a very similar storyline. Great script, sharp dialogue, genuine character development and earnest acting elevates this TV series from your daytime mediocre soap-opera. But soap-opera it is albeit one you will cherish watching. Much like the Sopranos this may be occasionally over the top, but who cares when you're gripped in it's tale of stories of "faca e alguidar" as they say in Portuguese.

The Pogmentary (2022)

5 Episodes too long

[1/10 · 23 June 2022]

Not a ManUtd fan, so for reasons I can't even justify to myself was hoping to endure the viewing & get some meat or substance from the player's point of view.

Utter dross PR tool all of it enabled by Amazon.

Normal People (2020)

Genuinely emotional & Brilliant. One of the best screen depictions of Chemistry & True Love ever captured and portrayed.

[8/10 · 19 March 2021]

Spoiler alert - so please don't read if you have not watched it. My immediate gut instinct, having binge watched it, (albeit a bit late to the party), over a two night period, was a gut-felt, knee-jerk reaction - a 10 out of 10. Having gotten over this emotionally led first-time reaction, I have knit-picked some of the other characters, mostly those that crucially impact on the two main protagonists, their hang-up and unwanted flaws. We know far too little about Marianne's family. Not only about her deceased father, but the one factor costing this review a 2 points ratings less, mostly her brother Alan (a vile, cartoonish, non-dimensional, superficial evil character). And then there's her Mother. Uff! In sharp contrast, Connell's Mother is succinctly & morally defined in a brief moment, early on in the series. Brilliantly portrayed. The same could be said for Marianne's last Trinity College Uni boyfriend Jamie, and rather wastefully given the onscreen presence of Sebastian De Souza as a an actor, very little about her first Uni boyfriend, the character Gareth. Even before the last episode ended, I sensed they would find a way to drag it on to a 2nd series (a sign of our times) , smiling once I was in the knowledge of the ending they arrived at. Pretty much leaving us all hopeful of a happy ending but with enough suspense to leave us doubtful, a curious anticipation for more. Hopefully the 2nd series will drag some important protagonists, so they can be more rounded 3-dimensional characters, be they whatever they may be. If that happens hopefully I can change this review to that ultimate 10 compliment. I truly hope it happens, as I think it truly deserves the best accolades possible.

Irresistible (I) (2020)

Funny and enlightening moments - but in the end all a bit of a cop-out

[6/10 · 22 January 2021]

Jon Stewart presents ... the Jon Stewart political light philosophy. Great at pointing out the sheer ridiculousness of today's politics and certain aspects of the electoral system with some very funny, entertaining, satirical moments and dialogue. The final message is the price of this win-at-all-costs attitude plus the sheer wastefulness of the political game, mainly in America, but not exclusively in America anymore. Ultimately it hopes we can all collaborate and come together in peace and harmony across the ideological political divide. The sad cop-out is most folks with any ounce of fairness, decency and respect know this should really be the final outcome but ironically Jon Stewart is none the wiser in showing us mere mortals how we can genuinely change the rules and achieve this - unless we all come up with a devious and cunning plan to cleverly scam money from all political party's donations kitty bag. Yes I know - it's only light entertainment.

The Con is On (2018)

Worse movie I have ever seen

[1/10 · 15 May 2019]

No plot, no acting. Seems as if the fictional characters and the real-life actors are in a parallel universe - drunk, drugged or just catatonic. Dreadful dross. Have no idea how Tim Roth & Uma Thurman got duped into playing these roles.

The Revenant (I) (2015)

Couldn't take my eyes off the screen even when it made for uncomfortable viewing. Riveting

[9/10 · 17 January 2016]

I must be one of the few who watched Man in the Wilderness a 1971 film starring a proper hard-man in the form of actor Richard Harris (some might recall a film A Man called Horse), loosely based on the life of Hugh Glass, the same character of The Revenant, main contender for several Oscars 2016, starring pretty-boy, ... okay it's now more pretty-man Leonardo di Caprio. Curious to see how Signore Di Caprio would handle being a truly believable frontier man, have to compliment him with a huge "Bravo Signore" - a job well and truly well done. If he doesn't nail the Oscar for best actor this time around, don't know what other role will ever do it for him. Kudos to the Director and the Cinematography, some of the best I've ever seen. It's at times an uncomfortable viewing but never for one second did I find myself not riveted by what was on the screen. Now all that is left to fully appreciate The Revenant, I will just need to watch it when it's released on Blu-Ray/DVD so I can press the sub-titles button so as to finally get understand at least one word of Mr Edward Thomas Hardy's dialogue and performance.

Country Strong (2010)

Nice little gem of a movie

[8/10 · 1 August 2011]

Rented this on Blu-ray and didn't really think I was going to enjoy it. Not a huge Paltrow fan, don't really like country music, before this film had never paid full attention to Garrett Hedlund. With all this negative pre-conception I found this film well cast,well acted, well scripted and quite enjoyed all the the country tunes. Garrett Hedlund was a revelation in this role, and he can carry a mean tune to boot and all. In light of the recent Amy Winehouse death couldn't help identifying the parallel themes, sort of a premonition of the similar circumstances that led the the young soul singer's lamentable early death. Can't figure out why it doesn't have slightly better average score on IMDb ranking - if fully deserves more. Well done to all those involved in this bitter-sweet love story of a movie.

Just Go with It (2011)

Sorry Adam & Jennifer - You've wasted 2 hours of my life

[1/10 · 14 June 2011]

Whilst I wouldn't regard myself as a Sandler fan, I've watched most of his films over the years, and some are even excellent to barely acceptable - a fairly good record considering the amount he has put out since he started. Just Go With It, well, I won't mince my words is just atrociously bad - badly acted, badly directed, badly scripted. In fact I would go far as to say this was my razzie awards film of the year. I guess the clue was already in the title, possibly pleading fans for patience whilst watching it. Sorry Adam & Jennifer, this was sheer self- indulgent dribble, poor and very weak. How the hell Nicole Kidman got caught up in his script, beggars belief or any decision of good common sense. Was she forcibly made to do this? I see no other reason for her wanting this role. The script is so full of utter implausibilities, so stupidly riddled with holes, (not at all funny as Sandler can be), I felt insulted, violated, when watching this film, squandering 2 precious hours of my life which could have been occupied with much anything else - that's how meaningless of any entertainment value I think this piece of utter junk is worth.

Dan in Real Life (I) (2007)

Steve Carell's best role

[8/10 · 24 May 2011]

Saw this recently on free TV, extra nice touch that it was also broadcast as an HD version. Why is this of an potential importance? Well, having read some of the slightly negative reviews, and having on several occasions nearly picked it up for home rental, nothing appeared to convince me that I needed to see it. The truth is I was pleasantly surprised, not by the plot, the luvvy-dovy, hunky-dory cliché family values portrayed on screen, or the role Juliette Binoche (albeit she is always good to watch on screen) reprises once again. None of these. My personal surprise was watching Steve Carell doing a sort of half-serious role, half-comedic role. I thoroughly enjoyed the dark humour dialogue and his portrayal of this character. Because of this, this romantic comedy rises well above many others of the same genre. Well worth watching if not just for the sheer escapism from our own lives.

Taking Chance (2009 TV Movie)

Dignified and upstanding about human life and human loss

[9/10 · 26 January 2011]

This is a poignant film that does not take sides, does not have a political bias or a political agenda with regards to the wrongs or the rights of going to war. All it shows is the respect that should be shown to the casualties of war, be it normal citizens or the soldiers that carry it out. The movie has large big chunks of silence, the images saying or portraying far more than any words could ever do, depicting dignified, respectful moments, quite often from total strangers: for the bereaved, the friends and families of those that have paid the ultimate price in war. We all need to remind ourselves that regardless of how we feel about many wars, the sad fact is that once it arrives, we forfeit human lives and almost inevitable human pain and suffering to carry out this dirty work. All the film asks is that we show respect,to be upstanding for those that pay such a huge cost with this form of hurt and loss.

Greenberg (2010)

Unlikeable, unremarkable, dull, boring, mostly annoying main character

[3/10 · 26 January 2011]

Life is wasted on people, remarks our main character in the film. I would go further and say that life is wasted on the character Greenberg. Can't grasp why anyone thought this character would be at all interesting - in any manner, shape or form - be it in a positive or negative sense. OK, so he is a little messed up, but wait for it; aren't we all in some way? OK, so he is also a bit of a smart ass, rather selfish most of the time and he is also total jerk. Does this make him worthy of mention.If he is so interesting then aren't we all? Hopefully no one will think it important enough so as to sit through one and a half hours of our dreary boring lives, possibly sprinkled with one or two interesting or likable moments, possibly doing some unselfish deed and action, that most humans enjoy during their existence. Big deal.

Unthinkable (2010)

A thinking man's film for our era - Best of 2010

[10/10 · 14 January 2011]

Never thought Hollywood would have the courage to actually take on the moral dilemma, as set out in this screen plot. Never thought Hollywood would allow this sort of grown up, please don't insult my intelligence ending. This film deserves far more recognition than it has received up to now. I predict it will be a cult status film sometime in the near future, and I think it is perfectly set to be adapted for the stage, so won't be surprised to see it running on Broadway and the West End in the near future. This film has entered straight into my all-time top 10 films, even taking into account some small flaws in production values, some continuity issues, some minor plot holes, even some possible miscasting (taking into account that the actors are mostly all excellent). It has done so because it confronts face-on, moral issues we all want to shy away from. Bravo!

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Wow! They've done it again.

[10/10 · 25 July 2010]

As a grown man the original Toy Story has always made it on on my personal Top 10 list. Our 2 kids, now teenagers, have grown up watching Toy Story as well, and it is great to see them admire and love them all, as they grow they seem to appreciate them even more and more, perhaps as they reflect on their own childhood. When Toy Story 2 came out, my own expectations were that it would probably be an okay, possibly good sequel, but it would never quite match the original. I was wrong - it was as good as the original. Toy Story 3 is the first film I have seen in this new era 3D (Imax 3D to be precise), so perhaps that has given it an extra little edge, but I was once again completely blown away by the rehash of the characters, the narrative, the fabulous story and imaginative script. It has comedy, drama, romance, thrilling frightening moments, real tear jerking stuff. Wow! They've pulled it off once again. Now how the hell do I fit the 3 Toy Story movies on my all-time Top ten list.

The Last Station (2009)

Let down by TV production values, instead of the big screen treatment it deserved

[5/10 · 12 July 2010]

Whilst most recent TV production values and budgets are of a much higher quality than what they used to be a few year's ago, this film appears to have been produced with those tatty old style TV production values. The excellent cast of actors do their very best with the somewhat superficial thin script, but this period piece deserved a larger and more epic scale treatment than what it obtained from this production. Leo Tolstoy is one of the most influential icons of our modern epoch, and his writing helped shape the mind of people such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King, but you will not understand how this was at all possible after seeing how Tolstoyans are portrayed in this film. Whilst the main subject matter is the relationship between the couple and Tolstoy's ideals and admirers, the latter are treated as some sort of cult, with few redeeming qualities. This undermines and detracts from the main debate and understanding of Tolstoy's ideas. A Lost Opportunity - this could only have really disappointed the great man!

The Hurt Locker (2008)

Apocalypse Now for this generation?

[9/10 · 2 February 2010]

Whilst not immediately obvious or comparable, one cannot but remember certain scenes of the Hurt Locker as a modern update to scenes in Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket or The Deer Hunter. In many ways all what we view, is an update on new realities of this particular war, the desert barren God-forsaken terrain, the new tactical mindset and mind games and the physical human challenges facing this new type of adversary and war. But most of all I loved not being preached at. The film did not take sides, instead focusing on the brave men who do the dirty job on behalf of what we wrongfully or rightfully interpret as defending our western values, and the other side that feels it has nothing to loose in fighting what they perceive as a invasion of their own value system. Much like the Vietnam War it shows that whilst some of the principles we are fighting for may be in part justified or comprehensible, the means used, certainly confuse the issues at stake and ultimately the ends we are trying to achieve . This film helps us understand what war we are raging, so it is engrossing from beginning to end - all it asks is that we understand each soldier's own incomprehension, confusion and misgivings but ultimately honour their courage and professionalism and those who pay the ultimate price in defence of their work, duty and obligation.

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Watch the TV series The Tudors instead

[3/10 · 28 December 2008]

Every time an historical event or adaptation is put on our screens we expect some degree of historical inaccuracy, dramatical freedoms, mostly perhaps to allow for a limited time a film can run. This historical adaptation is just plain poor and awful. In fact this film perfectly illustrates why Hollywood is in dire trouble if it continues to produce nosh like this. Over the past years, we are now offered TV shows with high production values, good actors, well scripted stories. This recent TV production has raised the bar and expectations of viewers. If Hollywood and cinema production still thinks it can continue to factory produce material such as this, I certainly fear for it's future. Take this film and compare it to the series recently shown on UK TV - The Tudors. There is nothing in the Tudors; costumes, acting, screenplay, editing, script, etc, etc., that is not better than this.

Notes on a Scandal (2006)

Everything but the old bag

[8/10 · 24 June 2007]

Whilst not wanting to reduce this film to the mere genre of a being just a thriller,(it's much more than that), I cannot go without commenting on how sinister, how deeply disturbing, even frightening, this character actually looks on screen. Judi Dench is fantastic, sinking her teeth deep into and absolutely relishing the role. Cinema has portrayed stalking before, used both genders, mostly heterosexual love-crazed individuals, but this take is different: it's very intelligent, smart, witty and quite unexpected. Frightening, because we share her most inner thoughts commenting cruel impressions of other people, those thoughts we all know are undeniably true, but cannot say. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The Break-Up (2006)

No, no! This is definitely not your usual teen romantic comedy

[8/10 · 10 November 2006]

I can understand why many, led by certain expectations they have of the usual Jennifer Aniston roles, might have found this a tad uncomfortable. This movie is a cynical but unfortunately quite truthful, very grown-up, very bitter-sweet romantic comedy. The chemistry between the two stars is natural and genuine, deep down it is very heart-felt; not your usual lovy-dovy, mushy stuff. The two share something special, but in a world where it is difficult to let go of one's selfishness and personal space, a war of attrition starts-up and eventually spirals out of control because neither partners are willing to give in to the other, both materially and emotionally, to what in essence are two domineering individual personalities. I also think it's a genuine on screen first, a confession of sorts, on how the modern, emancipated, far more mature female psyche really thinks and in the end manipulates many a relationship. This come at a hefty cost: the end of many a good relationship, and the real emotional conflicts that many women endure with this type of stereotypical insensitive and immature alpha male behaviour, but most of the time, totally oblivious to women's feelings, bloke reactions. It's a Women from Venus, Men from Mars cinematic interpretation.

A History of Violence (2005)

A Revenge flick a la Steven Seagal by Cronenberg?

[5/10 · 25 March 2006]

I fail to understand what all the hoopla is about this latest Cronenberg film. I've watched most of his films and this was by far the most disappointing. It's basically a revenge plot very similar to the recurring theme in most of the stuff made by Steven Seagal. Granted both the main actor and actress do a better job, but for example Ed Harris and William Hurt must surely only be paying back some favour they owed Cronenberg. The school scenes especially are just pathetic and basically rudimentary. I really did not fully grasp what all the violence and history of it was really about, or why it was called for by any/all of the characters that carry it out. Pointless nonsense!

The United States of Leland (2003)

Was this an attempt at an American Beauty sequel or prequel?

[6/10 · 11 January 2006]

This movie immediately reminded me of the fantastic Sam Mendes film -American Beauty; that is with regard to it's tone, general feel and pace. In many aspects it shares some common ideas with the above mentioned film, but alas several of the actors including Kevin Spacey, Lena Olin and even Don Cheadle (who seems to be in every ensemble movie nowadays)are a bit of a let down. Comparisons also stop here; I felt let down by the disconnected narrative, the lacking in delving deeeper into the characters depths and a final plot which is just a mere convenience as an end to a means. Disconcertingly overall this film does not stand up to close and careful scrutiny. With a good cast, (all the youngsters are actually quite good with their performances) I felt slightly let down by what could have been a good premise for a great film.

The Island (2005)

Michael Bay surprise!

[7/10 · 7 January 2006]

I have enjoyed most of Michael Bay's films, not because they are clear-cut works of art, but mostly because they have always been high on the adrenalin, male-driven testorene action levels. I was never under any illusions that most of his body of work would ultimately test the grey matter. However, not withstanding the above statement, The Island is a notable exception - contains all the ingredients that have made him notable, plus a great thought-provoking storyline including star performances from most of the actors. If closely scrutinised the plot contains some glaring incongruencies, but overall it is mostly smart and intelligent and is expertly filmed and interpreted. If you enjoyed Blade Runner, Gattaca, Minority Report, Articial Intelligence, then check this movie out - you will not be disappointed.

Laurel Canyon (2002)

Sexual attraction and curiosity can influence all types.

[7/10 · 24 October 2004]

I hesitated somewhere between a reasonably serious film and a soft-porn rating. It swung one way. Well, mainly because the characters and the acting are above-average, three-dimensional, well-developed & quite believable. Those not take a stretch of the imagination to get caught up in the situations that occur in this film. So hey presto ... those who always go on about wanting to watch soft-porn with a story should maybe check this out. The film is about a 60's hippy mother and her stuck-up uncool son. Throw in a hunky cool-looking rock-star, a sexy girlfriend, an attractive working companion with a foreign bad-accent and hmmm ... It never really has enough time to explore all these discrepancies but nonetheless it supplies us with some titillating dialogue, great sexual tension and innuendos and some original love-triangles. Wants to be taken seriously but somehow misses the mark. Nevertheless makes for an interesting couples (or perhaps a potential menage a trois), good entertaining late evening's viewing.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

It's only a mockumentary!

[5/10 · 7 August 2004]

After watching Michael Moore's latest work I decided to surf the web so as to verify the veracity of the statements and images of this film.

It has always amazed me how much analysis and dissection goes into each frase that is uttered by Michael Moore. I am a long-time fan, ever since Roger and Me, and have always approached his works with a sense of humour, watching them as tongue-in-cheek "mockumentaries", not as objective, scientific fact-filled and full-researched serious documentary work. To me it's just another form of entertainment. Above all Michael likes to provoke, to highlight issues and people he does not particularly sympathies with. His populist, slightly opportunistic approach may not be to everyone's intellectual and rational liking but underneath all this provocation he is ranting and raving on about many serious and pertinent problems.

He throws mud around in the hope that some of it will stick. It's his favoured method of research, after all one cannot expect the full collaboration of the subjects or the issues he is going after. We have tabloid newspapers, tabloid TV and now tabloid documentaries- At least Michael makes tabloid look respectable.

Being There (1979)

Sellers most sublime role

[29 March 2004]

This is a movie to be slowly savoured. A sly smile will accompany you throughout this film.

Below the surface of this calm, very subdued and incredulous journey that seems to be totally real and at the same time totally ridiculous, lies a sharp social and political satire. It is also challenges our perception of what makes certain people so greatly admired. Is it what others previously tell us about them, is it their clothes and poise, their mannerisms, their appearance? Are people sometimes as great as they are made out to be or the we carry a bag of pre-conceptions about a person not really analysing them from point zero?

Grab a ride on this spiritual journey sublimely directed by HAL ASHBY

ONE LAST NOTE Peter Sellers was robbed of an Oscar in this truly memorable performance.

In the Cut (2003)

Mishit by Jane Campion

[3/10 · 19 March 2004]

By now we are all more or less familiar with Ms. Campion's filming style and tempo. While she has been successful with this style on previous occasions this time I think this was a total mishit. Meg Ryan wallows through the movie in a poetic trance, Ruffalo can't make up his mind if he's a tough or a sensitive cop, the killings are totally unexplained and unmotivated, the sex scene are limp and bland, with porno type dialogue, no chemistry whatsover between the actors, I could rant on forever and ever. In fact I so disapointed with this movie that I could nit-pick on it all day. Okay so Meg Ryan plays against type. Wow! I personally think she should stick to her day job.