Figgy66-915-598470 Reviews

Unhinged (I) (2020)

Edge of your seat stuff

[9/10 · 20 August 2020]

Thursday 20 August 2020 First Film of Choice after lockdown at The Plaza Dorchester - Unhinged. Russell Crowe stars as a very disturbed man who takes offence at a small mistake made by a fellow motorist on the freeway. What ensues is a downward spiral of road rage going very very bad as he targets his victim and everyone she cares about. This is a very tense thriller which even in the simplicity of its plot had me on the edge of my seat with a nervous knot in my stomach throughout. An excellent piece of acting from Crowe - his character becomes increasing more disturbed as his rage takes him beyond all reasonable behaviour. A truly well titled film. If only she had said she was sorry........!!!!

1917 (2019)

Outstanding piece of work

[10/10 · 10 January 2020]

Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester this afternoon - 1917. Throughout the years there have been many films, starring many people, and coming from many different points of view about the First World War. Without taking anything away from those film makers who have come before I can say this was certainly one of the best shot films I have seen for a long time. Following just two soldiers for much of the first half you get a real insight into the life of the individual. Yes we know thousands of men died on both sides but the way this film is shot isolates the very individual struggles and emotions felt by men under direct orders to carry out a seemingly impossible task. Even when surrounded by hundreds of other men there is a sense of aloneness emanating from the screen. I particularly liked how the camera angles changed direction whilst the soldiers were walking, one minute the camera is going backwards, the next it swings round as it allows the men to pass and you almost get a feeling of the cameraman trotting to keep up as they purposely stride along on their mission. Take a moment to look beyond the characters, note the detritus of war lying around, items of clothing, munitions, and so many bodies. Remember this is real, it did happen and note the horror of it all. Lots of big stars in very small parts, look out for Colin Firth, Mark Strong to name a couple. Well done Sam Mendes, you have excelled yourself with this masterpiece.

Cats (2019)

Don't be too hard, look beyond what you see

[10/10 · 23 December 2019]

23 December 2019 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Cats. I believe I'm going to buck the trend here. I loved this film. I loved that I knew all the words, that we got the sort of close ups of the cats that you never would in a stage show, enabling you to get the nuances of the characters, every twitch of the whisker every shake of the ear and every twitch of the tail. There was so much to focus on in every scene the film fair skipped along. I think the casting of so many famous people was a great thing. Who knows how many of them dreamed that one day they might play a jellicle cat, and with extended theatre runs being to costly in time for the actors we got to see people attack very different roles with gusto. I particularly liked Idris Elba as Macavity. Good to see James Cordon and Rebel Wilson portrayed as the larger felines and Sir Ian McKellen as Gus The Theatre Cat was very moving. My favourite song has always be Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat and I was eagerly awaiting this scene, I wasn't disappointed, I have a passion for tap and to see that incorporated along the train tracks was great. At the end of the film I heard someone say that Dame Judy Dench was dreadful, the only dreadful thing was her costume, compared to all the others she looked like she was clothed in fur fabric. She was an old lady playing an old cat and it worked for me. A great score, glorious sets and some beautiful choreography, don't kill the messenger but I loved it.

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

A good hearty sequel

[9/10 · 23 December 2019]

23 December 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Jumanji: The Next Level. Back we go to the land/game that is Jumanji. Spencer is not doing well and having saved the old game console from total destruction he disappears and his friends realise he has gone back inside the game. Off they go to rescue him. So that was a little bit confusing. Forget who was in which body last time, and open your mind to the wonders that include Danny de Vito inside Dwayne Johnson's body. There is some superb acting from Dwayne as we totally see the character of Danny throughout. He's becoming a great comedic talent. Oh and he still smoulders. The game players discover they have new strengths and weaknesses which bring out whole new ways to die. Lots of action and a fair bit of humour provide a good old jolly family film just in time for Christmas. Did I mention Dwayne Johnson still smoulders.

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Worth waiting for

[10/10 · 19 December 2019]

19 December 2019 Film of Choice this very early morning at The Plaza Dorchester - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. 42 years ago at the age of 9, I remember queuing up the street and round the corner waiting to get into The Plaza Cinema in Dorchester to watch Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Tonight I attended the the same cinema to come full circle as I watched The Rise of Skywalker. Episode IV was groundbreaking back then and films continue to push the boundaries today. This instalment was certainly one of those films. Putting aside the story for a moment what I just watched was a masterclass in CGI. In a world where we have been introduced to many many new species, races, space vehicles, goodies and baddies we were once again embroiled in a Galaxy of destruction and heroism unsurpassed by any other. Returning to the story we are initially drawn through some of the history of how we come to be where we are and then violently propelled at great speed towards the conclusion of this successful franchise. In my humble opinion I think they've done good. Most of the audience seemed glued to their seats and given the early hour of the morning that we were watching it everyone was captivated by what they were watching. Loose ends tied up, glimpses of old friends and enemies and actually, do we really believe that's the last we will see of this family of resistance fighters.......I somehow think not!!!!

Angel Has Fallen (2019)

Solid third outing

[8/10 · 30 August 2019]

30 August 2019 Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Angel Has Fallen. Mike Banning is President Trumble's most trusted aide.......or is he. When a drone strike takes out the whole of Mike's team and tries to assassinate the president suspicion falls on one of only two people to survive, and since the other is the president, Mike Banning is public enemy number one. This is the third outing for Gerard Butler as Banning and although he's still hot in the role he is definitely older and slower as is Morgan Freeman who plays the president, however in no way does that detract for the pace of the film. Lots of action, lots of explosions and a few unexpected twists and turns. A good third instalment, I would watch it again.

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

QT...... Done it again.... Thank you

[10/10 · 29 August 2019]

29 August 2019 Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In November 2014 Quentin Tarantino stated that he would retire from film making after his tenth film, I hope he didn't mean it because Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is his ninth and I don't think the world is ready for him to stop after the next one. Like Marmite, you love or hate him and his style of film making. The storyline takes time to evolve and the latter stages of the film are certainly worth waiting for. In this film the attention to detail was outstanding. Set in 1960s Hollywood we are treated to a assault on the eyes and ears. Radio footage heard in the cars for example is all original and there are many references to stars and films prior and up to that era. The advertisements, the drinks, the music, fashions and language have all been meticulously portrayed and a swathe of stars are gracing our screen from Kurt Russell to Damien Lewis. Our two main stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo Dicaprio are both exemplary in their roles and both bring a roundness of character and a maturity to their roles as befits the standard of actor I believe they have both grown into. A wonderful piece of film making, thank you Mr Tarantino.

Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

It's ten stars from me

[10/10 · 12 August 2019]

12 August 2019 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Spider-Man - Far From Home. I assume by now that everyone has seen Avengers End Game, but if this is not the case I shall make sure there are no spoilers. Tom Holland, who is my favourite Spider-man to date, returns as the 'sticky' superhero (His word, not mine). Following the events of the previous summer, Peter Parker is travelling to Europe on a school trip where he wants to be normal and plans to woo the girl he fancies, but hey this is the Marvel Universe and events and Nick Fury most definitely conspire to thwart those plans. Enter Jake Gyllenhaal, who I believe nearly played the red and blue web wielding super hero himself when Toby Maguire injured his back whilst filming Seabiscuit. He finally gets his little piece of Marvel magic playing a new superhero, Mysterio. Being a Marvel film I sat through the credits and was amazed to see the units involved making this movie came from London, New York, Canada, Czech Republic and even Australia, taking the Marvel Movieverse truly global. Sad not to see the Stan Lee cameo but heartened to see a dedication to the great man in the credits. Remember people, this is Marvel, stay in your seat until the very end.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Good Guys, villains, chases and explosions

[9/10 · 12 August 2019]

12 August 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw. Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) form a dysfunctional partnership to save the world. What's not to like? Eye candy for the girls (and no doubt some of the boys) action for the boys (and the girls), a frankly ridiculous plot, nothing really new.....our heroes on a tight time schedule to save the world ...... but the whole thing works. Admit it, we love car chases, explosions, good guys, bad guys, the whole caboodle, it began with cowboys and Indians, took us into space fighting aliens and as long as there are writers to reinvent the whole time , our film industries around the world will continue to flourish and draw the audiences to the cinemas. This film was very watchable, and although directed by David Leitch the producers numbered one Statham and one Johnson. Idris Elba made an outstanding bad guy (I personally think he'd made a great Bond). Did the Fast and Furious title make me watch it.....probably, but it was a film on its own, not as compelling as the rest of the genre but a good watch nonetheless.

The Lion King (2019)

Didn't disappoint

[10/10 · 29 July 2019]

29 July 2019 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - The Lion King. It's been a year of live action remakes for Disney, first we had Dumbo, then Aladdin. This third outing brings us that world stage and screen phenomenon The Lion King. I heard a discernible intake of breath as those iconic first notes of Circle of Life burst out on the surround sound and felt rather than saw the settling of bottoms on seats as people made themselves comfortable to watch this newest version of the classic film. We were not disappointed. As in Jungle book, it was a little strange at first to see the animals talking in a live action film but I found myself very quickly drawn into the story and forgot I was watching something so lifelike yet fake. The animation was incredible. The voices well suited to the animals, if I had to make one complaint it was the lack of Rowan Atkinson as Zazu. My favourite scenes had to be the ones that included Timoon and Pumba, somehow they transferred their cartoon versions into lifelike real creatures and as with the lions and the hyenas the close up of their eyes were beautiful, enabling you to read real emotion in them. The audience ranged from about 5 to 85 and there was even applause when it ended. Totally worth waiting for.

Yesterday (III) (2019)

Great film

[9/10 · 29 July 2019]

29 July 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Yesterday. Imagine if you woke up in a world that didn't remember The Beatles. What would you do with that knowledge. After a freak blackout which caused him to be knocked off his bike by a bus, Jack Malik wakes up in hospital in precisely that situation. Malik, played by Himesh Patel, along with his longtime friend and manager Ellie (Lily James) are struggling to get his musical career off the ground. Post accident Jack finds nobody remembers The Beatles and not aiming to conquer the world he sets himself on a path to share their songs with the masses. He is at best a mediocre musician, but with a little help from his friends, and Ed Sheeran, he becomes bigger than.......well....Ed Sheerann. This is great example of how the great machine can take over and how a little cog is made to seem so insignificant, when in fact it's the little cogs that work hard to keep the whole thing together. From the stable of Danny Boyle this is a refreshing film, without profanity and violence and is a great watch from start to finish.

Aladdin (2019)

Much anticipated, did not disappoint

[10/10 · 24 June 2019]

24 June 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Aladdin. I've really been looking forward to this film. Lover of Disney I'm enjoying the transition from animation to live action. I read a lot in the press and on social media about the good and bad points of Will Smith playing the Genie. He has in no way spoiled the memory of Robin Williams, instead he has brought his own level of blue to role, giving us the familiar character with the Will Smith twist. Mena Massoud who plays Aladdin could literally be the animated version brought to life, it was so like the original Disney character. The new arrangement of the songs was sympathetic to the originals, Abu and carpet were still a great double act and the opulence of Agraba was grand even in poverty. I loved this film it did not disappoint.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

Non stop from start to finish

[9/10 · 30 May 2019]

Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Continuing from the final scene of the last episode, Chapter 3 finds John Wick running for his life after killing a member of the International Assassin's Guild. With a huge bounty on his head everywhere he turns he finds someone trying to kill him. This film is high octane and most definitely not for the squeamish. My only criticism would be that some of the fight scenes were a little too long, but that's a small niggle in an otherwise good film. Halle Berry along with her two canine bodyguards was a firecracker who stormed through the story as if the devil himself was after her. Non stop from start to finish, this film kept my interest right until the end credits. A good couple of hours well spent.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

CGI masterpiece

[8/10 · 30 May 2019]

30 May 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Godzilla: King of the Monsters. very much in the genre of Clash of the Titans, we find ourselves watching clash of the monsters. This is very much a film for those who love extreme epic battles fought by the gargantuan. The CGI is something else. Used in most films these days it still has the power to awe. What come from the minds of the writers, directors and producers is brought to life by these keyboard computer magicians. Not the greatest of plots but who needs it when it's visually stimulating. One thing I did love was the use of the Osprey throughout the film, although some of the landing and take off scenes were pretty unbelievable. If you're a monster fan, or more to the point if you are a Godzilla fan you will love this film.

Long Shot (2019)

Entertaining, made me chuckle but not laugh out loud funny

[8/10 · 13 May 2019]

Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Long Shot. An unlikely pairing of Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron in a romantic comedy that somehow works and keeps you entertained. If a film is billed as a comedy it has to be really well written and executed to have me rolling in the aisles and this film certainly didn't do that, however there were more than a few laugh out loud moments. There was also a good if light hearted plot. Theron plays the lifetime crush of Fred Flarsky (Rogan), having once been his baby sitter she is now the Secretary of State of the United States of America and way out of his league.......or is she??? Hired by Theron as one of her speech writers against the well meaning advice of her closest aides, Rogan turns from an uncouth lout into something more special, yet retains much of his loutishness. This film reminds me very much of Dave starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver in so much as it marries up two of the most unlikely people, one practically unattainable and one of the so called common people. I seem drawn to comedies that cock a snook at the American political arena, but they make for some entertaining watching and this one certainly fits the bill. A pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

A Dog's Journey (2019)

You need tissues for this one!!!!

[9/10 · 13 May 2019]

13 May 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - A Dog's Journey. So this is a sequel to A dog's Purpose and if you taken one thing to the cinema with you, make it a box of tissues because unless you have a heart of stone you're jolly well going to need to crack them open. If you don't like showing emotion in public wait for the DVD because I cried like a baby (a very quiet baby). It is the continuing story of Bailey/Molly/Big Dog/Max who remains committed to finding his special human through all his/her reincarnations. Although he had different bodies, different names and even a different gender his memories and his heart remained that of Bailey and this was a touching tale of him keeping his promise to his best friend all those years ago. Some great camera work showing close ups of the amazing language a dog projects with his eyebrows. Lovely film.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Amazing

[10/10 · 29 April 2019]

Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Avengers: Endgame. For once I am at a loss for words. I have just sat through three hours of an absolute roller coaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, there was shock, relief, and sorrow and just a little bit of awe. I have an immense amount of praise for the writers being able to draw the threads of the story together to produce such an outcome. For those of us that love the Marvel universe, I say Wow!!!!! I really can't think of anything else to say without a huge bunch of spoilers so I'm just going to say, if this is your thing......it was awesome......please go any watch it.....then go and watch it again!!!!

Dumbo (2019)

A new telling of an old favourite

[9/10 · 29 April 2019]

29 April 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Tonight Dumbo. The live action (and CGI) version of one of Disney's much loved animations has hit our screens with all the pomp and circumstance of one of the grand old circuses. You all know the original story as told by Disney in 1942 but this new version highlights the greed and indifference that can be shown to animals by some humans, and how they can treat their fellow humans. However Karma is out to get you and without giving anything away, those people that deserve it certainly get their comeuppance. The CGI is amazing and the emotion shown in the elephants eyes is quite superb. I really did find myself believing an elephant can fly. Danny DeVito is in his element in a part like this and it is a joy to see him on the screen again. An exciting film for adults and children alike.

Vice (I) (2018)

Interesting

[9/10 · 12 February 2019]

11 February 2019 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Vice. Films about history and especially political history are by very definition part fact, part fiction. Nobody can know what goes on in a person's head, and very few people reveal what is said behind closed doors. The public is told only the facts they want you to know and yet films of this ilk are regularly produced and we go and sit through them. As a film this offering was ok. It was compelling to watch and the cast, especially Christian Bale took on the persona of their characters extremely well. I took a look at a Dick Cheney interview and think he must have spent a lot of hours studying his mannerisms because to me they seemed spot on. This film is the story of Dick Cheney's rise to the position of Vice President of the United States of America and how he gathered a team around him to be the kind of man he was. A superb performance from Amy Adams as his wife Lynne, and Steve Carell playing Donald Rumsfeld, but my hat goes off to Sam Rockwell for his portrayal of George W Bush. He nailed it 100%. If you like films about the political history of the USA this is an interesting watch. I thoroughly recommend you give it a go.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Animated perfection

[10/10 · 12 February 2019]

11 February 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - How To Train Your Dragon - The Hidden World. Another outing in the extremely successful franchise finds Toothless and Hiccup trying to save the people and the dragons from a ruthless Grimmel who is out to destroy or control all dragons, throw in a dragon shaped love interest for Toothless and there is a lot to fight for. It is amazing the passion and emotion you can get from an animated character, especially one that cannot speak. The amount of communication derived from the eyes of a dragon alone is outstanding, combine that with noises, music and movement and you have a whole range of character that bring a story to life. The Viking characters we have known and loved from before return and bring with them a whole range of endearing and extremes of themselves, annoying is very annoying, stupid is vastly stupid and large is excessively large but you love them all, and the dragons too. Once again we have an animated film that has such emotional moments that it can make you shed a tear.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Animated perfection

[10/10 · 12 February 2019]

4 January 2019 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Green Book. I thought it was a strange title for a film then I realised as the film progressed that the Green Book was a thing, and as I sat captivated throughout this entire film I found that it never ceases to amaze and sadden me how humans treat fellow humans based on colour alone. This is a story inspired by the true friendship that developed between Tony Lip, a working-class American Italian from New York and Dr Don Shirley, a black pianist who employs Tony to be his driver for a tour of the Deep South where racial prejudice is right at the forefront of their whole existence. This film was exquisite, a tale of two men who are as far apart as can possibly be, one street smart, rough and ready, the other a highly educated and cultured person. They began as boss and employee and slowly formed a true and lasting friendship. Viggo Mortensen played Tony Lip and delivered a quite amazing performance. He combined the brash Italian character, with someone who had strong family values and a deep sense of good about him, even though he took the job just for the money he developed as a character as the film went along. Mahershala Ali, who played Dr Shirley was elegant and dignified throughout. This is a film I would happily watch again and again.

11 February 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - How To Train Your Dragon - The Hidden World. Another outing in the extremely successful franchise finds Toothless and Hiccup trying to save the people and the dragons from a ruthless Grimmel who is out to destroy or control all dragons, throw in a dragon shaped love interest for Toothless and there is a lot to fight for. It is amazing the passion and emotion you can get from an animated character, especially one that cannot speak. The amount of communication derived from the eyes of a dragon alone is outstanding, combine that with noises, music and movement and you have a whole range of character that bring a story to life. The Viking characters we have known and loved from before return and bring with them a whole range of endearing and extremes of themselves, annoying is very annoying, stupid is vastly stupid and large is excessively large but you love them all, and the dragons too. Once again we have an animated film that has such emotional moments that it can make you shed a tear.

Green Book (2018)

A wonderful film

[10/10 · 5 February 2019]

4 January 2019 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Green Book. I thought it was a strange title for a film then I realised as the film progressed that the Green Book was a thing, and as I sat captivated throughout this entire film I found that it never ceases to amaze and sadden me how humans treat fellow humans based on colour alone. This is a story inspired by the true friendship that developed between Tony Lip, a working-class American Italian from New York and Dr Don Shirley, a black pianist who employs Tony to be his driver for a tour of the Deep South where racial prejudice is right at the forefront of their whole existence. This film was exquisite, a tale of two men who are as far apart as can possibly be, one street smart, rough and ready, the other a highly educated and cultured person. They began as boss and employee and slowly formed a true and lasting friendship. Viggo Mortensen played Tony Lip and delivered a quite amazing performance. He combined the brash Italian character, with someone who had strong family values and a deep sense of good about him, even though he took the job just for the money he developed as a character as the film went along. Mahershala Ali, who played Dr Shirley was elegant and dignified throughout. This is a film I would happily watch again and again.

The Favourite (2018)

Well that was weird

[8/10 · 4 February 2019]

4 January 2019 First Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - The Favourite. Watching The Favourite was like reading a book of short stories, you just find yourself absorbed in one scene and then it ends. I think that was possibly the weirdest film I've ever seen and I have no idea if it bore any resemblance to true historical facts, but I found it strangely compelling. Olivia Coleman is a supreme actress and played the part of Queen Anne with a flair that was quite remarkable. I'm not sure if I would watch it again but with a distinct air of disbelief I found myself completely entranced by the shenanigans taking place in the screen. Rachel Weiss was stunning as Lady Sarah and Nicholas Hoult was quite dashing as the foppish Harley, who grew more ridiculous as the film progressed. One thing to note, there were a vast number of wigs in this film, quite large and quite ridiculous, and it makes you wonder how many wigmakers went out of business as fashions changed back in the day. An interesting outing and an odd way to spend a couple of hours.

The Mule (2018)

A directorial masterpiece from Clint Eastwood

[10/10 · 31 January 2019]

31 January 2019 Film of Choice at The Plaza this afternoon - The Mule. Clint Eastwood stars as Earl, veteran, lover of his award winning lilies, divorced, broke and estranged from all of his family except his granddaughter. Picked on by an opportunist at a party he finds himself with a new job, a Mule for a Mexican drug Cartel. At first he is unaware of the cargo he is carrying in his old truck but as the film progresses events unfold to put him in danger for his life. This film was an excellent vehicle for Eastwood, he plays a guy who is at rock bottom but still very much a feisty old codger not willing to give up. We have three threads running throughout the film, Earl's story, his family, and thirdly Bradley Cooper's character Colin Bates, a DEA agent who wants to bring down the Cartel. We didn't have to sit through high contain car chases, and big gunfights, this film was a lot gentler than that, and even those necessary antagonistic scenes that come in all drug cartel movies were handled almost sympathetically. A great performance by Eastwood, and a great bit of directing by him too. Incidentally, keep an ear out for the soundtrack, a good selection of country music including the beautiful Don't Let The Old Man In, by Toby Keith. A great watch.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

A joy to watch

[10/10 · 23 December 2018]

Sunday 23 December 2018 Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Mary Poppins Returns. This is just what Christmas needs, a well made, well written and well timed sequel to a decades old family favourite. Mary Poppins Returns was a joy to watch in every way. Emily Blunt brought a lot of herself to the title role but also sympathetically recreated Julie Andrews' originally portrayal. There was no attempt to reuse the old classic songs yet the score incorporated many bars of familiar music. The new songs were all pleasant to listen to and the words and melodies lingered after hearing them just once. The character of Jack was a recreation of Burt but in no way trying to be the same character. Look out for some famous names like Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Meryl Streep and even Dick Van Dyke. This sequel was like watching a new film in your old pyjamas, and should be watched many times. Treat yourself to a present and enjoy a fanciful couple of hours with the Banks Family and Mary Poppins this Christmas, you won't regret it.