Andrew Devonshire Reviews

12 Angry Men (1957)

No bombs, no car chases but edge of the seat stuff none the less

[10/10 · 18 September 2002]

This film is superb, in fact as Shakespeare once said "Its the bees' knees". The film captivates the audience from the beginning. Each of the twelve jurors are introduced to us as they are introduced to themselves. The characters are well draw out and individual, each with his own personality.

The tension of the characters draws the audience in from the start. We imagine that the case is open and shut, 11 me saying guilty and 1 not. We feel the discomfort of Henry Fonda as the other characters belittle and mock how he can see any reasonable doubt in the case. But we also share his victories and the enthusiasm as he proceeds to refute or add doubt to the arguments for guilty and are captivated and draw in as other jurors begin to see doubt in the proceedings.

The audience can also see the arguments for guilty and wonder if Fonda's character is correct in saying that he doubts. Yet they also feel the shame of the characters as he disproves that a previously sound theory is iron tight, joining his side as members of the jury do.

On top of this they are wonderfully woven in human elements such as the misconceptions that influence people and the growing tension between different characters. This is brought to life even more by the amazing performances, Fonda, Lee J Cobb and Joseph Sweeney are of particular note.

I started watching this film on a bored relaxed laying about day but by the end i was on the edge of the seat with my hands on my knees feeling more tense than a politician on results day.

How a film should be made. Modern directors take note(thats ur telling off for the day) 10/10

Jurassic Park III (2001)

Pass the oxygen cylinder I need air.

[7/10 · 19 July 2001]

I just got back from seeing this movie ten minutes ago and I'm still needing to catch my breathe. This film is almost non-stop action from start to finish.

Having seen the last two films this one is able to hold its head tall amongst them. I liked the first one, but at times found it too talky and more character based, using action only at short intervals. The second film on the other hand didn't even stop for biscuits. It was two hours of action.

The third film I liked because it was more like the third film in that respect. It moved from one edge of the seat scene to the next, but also balanced with enough time to get to know and like the characters, the second film's biggest failing.

This film, unlike the last two, also scared the Cornflakes out of me (I'm glad I don't get enough fibre or the theatre would have smelt like left overs at a bull fight). The fast pace made any dinosaur appearance a popcorn spilling scare, and the will they/won't they escape scenario made the entire thing all the more tense.

Bottom Line - If you want a heart warming oscar winning drama (apart from get a life) look elsewhere, but if you want an all out action flick that won't let up for a second this is your movie and role on part four. 8/10

Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998)

Phantastic (sad fan pun) film (Possible mild spoilers)

[8/10 · 27 October 2000]

I don't know why people complain about this film so much, it is easily as good as the other Phantasm Films.

This film, as usual, contains brilliant acting from the four leads, especially Reggie Bannister(who is God in the horror film genre, with Bruce Campbell as Jesus), and Angus Scrimm's aging appearance just add to his performance, (let's face it he look old, which is cool for the evil bad guy). The action scenes are excellently staged and the make-up is the best ever.

I find all the complaints about this film laughable and stupid.

1. Not enough revealed about the Tall Man's origins, despite promises. What do you what? An autobiography, with detailed plans for his world domination (which part 5 promises if it's ever made). What is revealed is enough to show evil comes from good, perhaps a metaphor for the Tall Man's quest for Mike over the ears.

2. Lack of action/gore. Rubbish!!!!!!!!! I'm going to sulk over this statement. Reggie (God) Bannnister is one mean Zombie-thing ass kicker. Reggie's entire journey to find Mike goes from one gun battle to another. And as for gore, there's more yellow custard flying around here than an Oscar losers after dinner party.

3. Bad script/direction. What a load of sh#te. This is one of Coscarelli's funniest scripts, loaded with wit ('this won't hurt a bit...Well...maybe just a little bit.' person hearing this then screams, priceless). And as for direction we need look no further than scenes featuring the Almighty, sorry Mr Bannister, the Motel Room scene is excellent, especially the end:

CREATURE:(ON THE FLOOR)Wait, we aren't finished yet! REG:(RAISING GUN)Sorry baby, but YES WE ARE! (GUN FLIES AT SCREEN AND BLACKOUT CRUNCHING NOISE)

4. Finally the end. Another cliff hanger, noting is resolved, no clear winner (again) main characters face death, how will they get out of this? Wait ten years for another installment. What's the problem, this is the best way to end the series if part five never comes - Reg aimlessly fighting for his friend's life, Mike Helpless to prevent his fate and the Tall Man appearing to be the Evil victor, but we know the good guys will win, don't we? This is just the perfect ending as it embodies the entire themes and events of the series. And should it lead to a part five it is also a brilliant cliff hanger.

I'm not saying that this film is perfect,the results of part 3's cliff hanger are disappointing, as are the ideas that Mike has about his 'abilities', but it is still a very enjoyable film. The desolated future scene is a Reg (God) send, apparently done without permission or blocking off the street, as are the flashbacks of unused part one scenes, the final one is very effectively haunting.

Let's hope this leads to part five, if it's even half as good as this. I saw part three first in 1994/5 on Sky and at the end thought 'Our heroes can't be left like this, Mummy (I was 12) how will they escape?' she told me to wait and see. Six years later I finally know. As good as this, part five would be well worth the wait twice over.

Road Trip (2000)

So funny it should carry a health warning

[7/10 · 22 October 2000]

This is without a doubt one of the funniest films that I've seen in years. Forget American Pineapple or There's Something About Margaret(a statement of how far better this film is), because this is far funnier.

Without complicating the gross out plot with the so many men fall for one woman or the 'Let's have sex before leaving college' (I don't say Prom because it's an American thing and I have no idea what it is, you should explain these things in Films, the rest of the world is daft) type of plot, the writers come up with a simple cross country drive with vomit inducing laughs.

The four main characters are so funny in either their dead-pan or over the top reaction that the entire cinema was laughing, something that I have never witnessed before, the supporting cast are also brilliant especially Tom Green, who is so under used that its a sin (he is by far the real star and funniest in the film), the psychotic Fred Ward, whose growing insanity is a joy to watch and the pervy motel clerk who just had me rolling on the floor.

The sex humour was far (I say far an awful lot, don't I?) more beyond that of any resent film that I nearly had to throw up (you'll never look at a hospital nurse the same way again).

This is a laugh every fifteen second (never mind a minute) film you'll love it from beginning to end.

Circus (2000)

Best British Film of the year so far

[6/10 · 9 August 2000]

Despite the unjustified negativity that this film has received I found it to be very entertaining and often hilarious in parts. It was original and has been one of my favourite films this year.

It seems impossible in recent years to comment on a British crime film without mentioning Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, supposedly one of the best of 90's British films, so why brake from that tradition because I found this film to be greater in every respect. The lines were funny because of the characters, not because of sarcastic wise cracks or insults. The bad guys were bad and the good guys were good, yet in Lock Stock there was such a viciousness that I didn't know with characters to sympathize with.

This film is more like the old British crime films such as The Italian Job than Lock Stock could ever be. However, I did feel that the inclusion of so many American characters to reach that market was a bit too much, which the other films didn't feel the need to do.

To enjoy this film don't go expecting to see a gritty realistic crime film, although many scenes are gory, just watch a comedy about crime and gangsters and you'll enjoy it more. Viewed as a comedy first is how the film works, apart form Eddie Izzard and John Hannah I don't know how big any of the British cast are in America, but in the UK many of them are famous for having their own comedy series, Brian Conley in particular removed any doubt from my mind about how good the film was, because he was able to turn his comic image on its head and use a brilliant performance as a weapon on an unsuspecting audience.

Enjoy this film as it really is - THE BEST BRITISH MADE FILM THIS YEAR!

A Return to Salem's Lot (1987)

Lack of Horror is made up for and bettered by Great Humour

[7/10 · 25 June 2000]

Having seen the first film and enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to see the sequel, however, I couldn't believe the out come.

The only thing that connects this to the first film is the title and setting, anything after that is Cohen's own creation. Which is a good thing.

The more depressing first film with it's downbeat ending is replaced by a much more comic film with great dialogue.

The special effects are poor, however, the joy of this film is in the writing and humour. Samuel Fuller as Van Meer is particularly good and is given the best lines in the film.

For an excellent well made horror film watch Salem's Lot. For a hilarious comedy horror look no further than A Return To Salem's Lot.

Bad Taste (1987)

GORY, VIOLENT, BLOODY, SICK, HILARIOUS

[7/10 · 15 June 2000]

Peter Jackson proves in his first film his ability as a film maker, in the one man army of writer/director/actor/producer. His early trademark gore is so over the top that even the person with the weakest stomach can't help laughing.

The acting is terrible, which for some weird reason adds to the effectiveness of the film, Jackson in particular is very good as Derek.

The action scenes are very good for a film that was made on almost no budget.

See it, vomit at it, laugh out loud at it! Jackson at his early best!

The Fear of God: 25 Years of 'The Exorcist' (1998 TV Movie)

Scarier than the film.

[9/10 · 4 June 2000]

This is a well made documentary about the Exorcist. The contributions of all the cast and crew make for a fascinating watch.

Unlike the film, the real life events describing the deaths and bizarre events during filming were genuinely disturbing, helped by the cleverly chosen clips and deleted scenes.

However, I was disappointed that Mercedes McCambridge's contribution was deleted from the video release.

If you liked the film, watch this documentary, you'll view it in a far different light.

The Exorcist III (1990)

One Word; BRILLIANT!

[9/10 · 4 June 2000]

From beginning to end I loved this film. George C Scott's performance is so powerful and emotional that he makes all the events seem believable. His magnificent screen presence makes every scene seem epic in its own right, and I could watch his speech on belief over and over.

Ed Flanders is also brilliant as Father Dyer, replacing Rev. William O'Malley from the first film. With some of the funniest lines in the film, instead of the coldness that other films often give to religious characters, the viewer is drawn to identify with him and his believability.

The supporting cast are universally excellent, each well realized and written. Each one is given their own unique stand out scene, making me wish more use had been made of them. Brad Dourif in particular is excellent in his role during the short times he is on the screen.

William Peter Blatty also proves his capability as a director, an area he is not seen enough in, with wonderfully scary and suspense filled moments.

Where this film succeeds is in not trying to out do, or even equal, the first film. In this way it succeeds in making a very entertaining mix of horror, suspense and humour.

Skip Exorcist 2 and go directly to this, 'The first true sequel' to the classic original, a brilliant peace of film making in its own right.