londonpaul Reviews

Lords of the Deep (1989)

It just couldn't be any worse, or dull!

[1/10 · 7 October 2023]

The only reason I watched this movie was because it was listed as one of the 1980s water creature movies along with Leviathan, DeepStar 6, and The Abyss.

As the movie had such good company, I thought I was in for a good movie too. Unfortunately I was not. There couldn't be anything more dull and more contrived and just plain rotten acting demonstrated right in front of you than this movie.

Luckily the producers, or whoever is responsible for the font on the opening credits, didn't notice that the font made the words almost impossible to read, and this was probably welcomed by anyone listed in those credits, so that no one would know they were involved with this movie.

Take my advice, give this movie a wide berth. Even DeepStar 6 was actes better.

Magpie Murders: Episode #1.1 (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

So far, so good......but......

[7/10 · 2 May 2022]

Having just tonight finished the book, I was very very happy to be able to find the mini series available. With the book very fresh in my mind, I settled down to watch episode one with high hopes. Which were pretty much fulfilled.

However, someone should've reminded the writer (whom I think is a wonderful writer and I'm a big fan of his books and TV series) or have reminded the producer, or have reminded someone, anyone, associated with this miniseries, that the character of Joy is white with blond hair! I certainly hope the remainder of the series is not filled with any more politically-correct mumbo-jumbo that seems to be jammed down our throat at every opportunity lately.

No Time to Die (2021)

Very disappointed!

[6/10 · 8 October 2021]

I was so looking forward to this movie I can't begin to describe how disappointed I was. As previously mentioned in other reviews it is a good thriller and action movie but definitely not a James Bond movie. When I got home I immediately put on the DVD of Spectre in order to get rid of the taste of this movie. And to make matters worse, the producers fell into the trap of political correctness and added a black female 007. I sincerely hope this is the last effort in the bond franchise.

The Ghost Train (1941)

Ruined by Arthur Askey

[3/10 · 22 January 2019]

I was so looking forward to settling down to a nice creaky English ghost story. I was very disappointed. There was no reason whatsoever to have the unwarranted intrusion of that so-called comedian Arthur Askey. A previous reviewer indicated that he stole every scene he was in but in actuality he ruined every scene. A big disappointment overall.

Midsomer Murders: Breaking the Chain (2016) Season 18, Episode 3

"Breaking the Chain" didn't play fair!

[5/10 · 5 February 2016]

I have been a fan of Midsomer Murders since I saw the first episode and have all the episodes on DVD and re-watch them from time to time, and it's one of the very few TV shows I look forward to every year, but I have to say I was very disappointed with "Breaking the Chain."

The writers did not introduce clues and evidence pointing to the killer until the very last minutes of the episode, leading one to think they had no idea whatsoever themselves who the murderer was going to be, and out of desperation just picked someone at random and wrote in the needed evidence at the end of the episode.

I cried FOUL when this occurred, it wasn't fair to the audience, and showed very poor writing on the part of the writers.

This ranked way up there with failed mystery writers who introduce new characters in the last chapter of a book and that person turns out to be the murderer.

The addition of the new girl pathologist who thinks far too much of herself doesn't work either, you'd think she's out to prove something, to make herself more than she is, sometimes to the point of condescension towards her superiors, instead of meaningfully contributing to the storyline.

Also gone is the chemistry and the playful banter that pervaded the previous episodes, that between Barnaby and his wife, and between Barnaby and his current partner, and for sure between them and the pathologist.

I hope the show gets new writers, and before they write a single line are made to watch all the previous episodes so they know what audiences expect and write that way.

Timeline (2003)

A total DISAPPOINTMENT and a total WASTE of a good book

[2/10 · 13 December 2015]

I am nearly done the book and so looked forward to seeing it on film so I started watching the movie.

I was so thoroughly disappointed, disheartened and dismayed by the first 26 minutes I had to stop.

I was becoming more and more upset by what the producers and writers had done to a great Crichton story with each passing minute. I am *aghast* at what they did to the story, leading me to wonder if they'd read the book at all.

Normally you can't go wrong with a movie made from a Crichton book, some could be better that's true, but generally it's a Crichton movie. But not this time.

Save yourself the great disappointment and upset, DO NOT BUY OR WATCH THIS MOVIE.

If you're keen on time travel movies I suggest "Primer" or "Time Lapse."

And While We Were Here (2012)

A waste of a good title.

[7/10 · 22 August 2013]

I just finished watching this movie, having watched it because I was intrigued by the title -- sometimes titles just hook me right off the bat and make me want to see if the movie lives up to the expectations the title created -- and I enjoy watching Kate Bosworth ever since the Young Americans TV series in the Summer of 2000.

Also, having been to Ischia many years ago, I hoped it would remind me of my sojourn.

From the trailer, I was expecting a gentle romance in a faraway picturesque island between two people who have found each other.

Wrong.

Instead we have a travelogue featuring a woman looking for fun who finds it by having a fling with with a bored college kid. Granted, he is good-looking but she could have picked just about any other kid off the street considering how little chemistry there is between the two. We're not even entirely certain what prompts her to do this considering how much her husband -- in his own way -- loves her, and she must him. I don't think the movie can even be considered romantic fluff because there isn't any fluff. Romantic or otherwise. Or sensuality. We aren't even made to care what happens.

During the movie I wondered to myself what Woody Allen would have done with this.

I was disappointed with the waste of such a good title.

Murderous Intent (2006)

Surprise! A good movie for once.

[8/10 · 15 February 2008]

A friend of mine in France suggested I watch this movie seeing as I enjoyed Sturridge's (Nigel) performance in "A Waste of Shame" and was pleasantly surprised considering all the duds I've seen lately.

What I thought started out to be one of those moody, atmospheric boarding-school inter-relationship art-house melodramas turned into a well-done, well-photographed and well-written and for sure well-acted engrossing movie -- far from being dull as some others have commented -- with just enough little plot twists without going over the top and leaving the audience totally confused. Sometimes these told-in-flashback movies don't turn out too well because there's oftentimes not enough information supplied during the rest of the movie to support the big surprise at the end: you feel cheated and tricked because you didn't see it coming. Not so here. If you pay attention and watch closely, you're not at all surprised by the closing scene on the train, and think it was inevitable.

The chemistry between the two leads, Alex and Nigel, is a treat in itself to witness, more so because the developing relationship builds slowly instead of Nigel winning Alex over to his train of thought right off the bat: you're never sure if Nigel won.

Watch this movie, you'll enjoy it. Believe me, it's far from dull.

Death at a Funeral (2007)

Funniest movie I've seen in a very, very long time!!

[9/10 · 27 November 2007]

Sometimes directors use their funniest bits right at the beginning to make you think there's more funny stuff to come but there isn't: they've already used their best stuff. Not so in this movie. And even when you thought it couldn't be any funnier, without giving anything away, the best was saved for the last. I was sick with laughter at what you might call the climactic funny bit in the last five minutes of the movie. Although there are quite a few plot lines to keep track of, as there are many couples each with their own story, they're all intermixed with each other, but only the audience knows it. During the movie, my friend pointed out that it reminded him for all the world of a Robert Altman masterpiece, where he can manage a large cast with a variety of subplots and still keep the audience interested, not unlike what he did in "A Wedding." This is for sure one movie you'll find funny each time you watch it. And don't be afraid it's one of those high-brow have-to-think-about-it funny English comedies because it isn't. Everyone will enjoy this movie, although they might have left out some of the strong language so a larger audience could watch it. It's the funniest movie I've seen in a very long time, and you'll think the same thing.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Wonderful fun movie for fans of old "film noire" detective potboilers

[8/10 · 21 April 2006]

Watched this movie without knowing anything about other than Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer were in it. I was pleasantly surprised: their chemistry is fantastic. I found myself looking forward to their next on-screen appearance together. The rapid-fire banter between the two of them, while irritating in some movies, is what makes this movie. Apart from letting the viewers in on what's going on and helping them solve the mystery along with the detectives, the banter allows you a greater view into the character's personality. This is important since we don't know anything about them, there isn't a backstory upon which to base their actions. The narration by RD Jr. is also a plus as events happen pretty quickly and you need it to keep up. Lastly, all the gay jokes at Kilmer's expense are in no way derogatory, they just add to the fun. A great movie, a great way to spend an evening, thoroughly enjoyable!

Wild Reeds (1994)

A beautifully and touchingly made teenage drama

[9/10 · 22 June 2002]

Director Techine once again has made a beautiful movie, this time concerning a group of teenage friends in southern France in the early 1960's. Techine uses the Algerian war as a catalyst for the interaction between the 4 friends. As the movie unfolds, each friend discovers how they're involved with one another, in dramatizatons that the French are so good at. Techine makes good use of the idyllic, pastoral French Pyrenee countryside to compliment the personal dramas unfolding in it. You can almost smell and feel the summertime around you. A touchingly-done coming-of-age film for all ages, not just teens. So successful was the pairing of Rideau and Bouchez that they went on to make several other movies together, one of which was directed by Gael Morel, one of the stars in this movie as well.