A quick apology....I am sorry for doing the briefest of reviews for these recently seen five films, but I have been rather inundated what with work, especially with it being Christmas, and also getting ready for the Festive season. I hope that you will still get an idea of what I thought of these movies.
"Creed" showed that although the film series was getting on for being 40 years old, that there was still plenty of fight in the boxing material. It became both a Box Office and Critical success, and with a great performance from Stallone, earning him a Golden Globe, and an Oscar nomination.
Now we have the sequel, which for anyone who has seen the previous movies, will know that we are revisiting the past, and in an inspired idea, we see the Son of Apollo Creed come face to face with Son of Ivan Drago, he being the man responsible for his Father's untimely death.
Rocky is set against the match, and advises Adonis Creed that he has nothing to prove, but Creed knows that if he is to keep his Title, then he must face the Russian.
Some Critics have said that this pales somewhat to the first "Creed" film, but I disagree. I think it is every bit as good. Stallone again gives a beautifully understated performance, and Michael B. Jordan is great as the young upcoming Boxing Champ.
Its a knockout.......9 out of 10
My other half is a huge gamer and was not impressed with the first 'Ralph' film, saying that there were not enough in-jokes for gaming fans. I cannot comment on this, but rest assured we both thoroughly enjoyed this sequel, with great animation, and laughh out loud moments. There is a small section where it loses its way towards the end, but pulls it back for a good finale.
A vast improvement, and a sequel that is better than the original....8 out of 10
Much has been made of the probable impending retirement of a true Hollywood legend, with Actor & Director Robert Redford leaving the Cinematic world.
In this swansong of a film, based on real life exploits, he plays an aged man, who along with two equally aged friends, robs banks. What leaves the Police so baffled, is that any Bank staff involved, always say how charming they are during the robbery, and that Redford does it with a smile. A real gentleman of the Thieving Fraternity. Along the way he meets typical American Housewife SIssy Spacek, and forms a friendship with her. Casey Affleck is the face of the Police, and is hot on Redford's trail, with they get their Man? That would be telling.
Some have speculated about a possible Oscar nomination for Redford. It is a good role, but overall I felt it was Redford being Redford, that Gentleman of the Screen, playing a Gentleman on Screen. It made no major demands of him as an actor, bhut was still highly enoyable.....7 out of 10
Through no fault of its own, this film (which I got to see 2 months ahead pf general release) almost turned into a disaster. The screening I attended showed the film with subtitles, which for a foreign language is fine, but I find it very distracting when used on a English language film. Am I the only one who thinks like this?
I knew nothing about the subject matter, especially as it was a secret screening. The start of the film did little to arouse my interest, showing a racist and homophobic Italian, Tony, working in a nightclub.
When the Nightclub has to close temporarily Tony has to set about finding some employment, and ends uo being Chauffeur to the lead Pianist of a touring Jazz trio. Naturally a white man driving a black Jazz painist is going to raise eyebrows, it probably would in certain States now, let alone 50 years ago. Tony also acts as a bit of a muscle man if things get heavy. But given the time despite being the star of the show, segregation is still rife, and our Jazz player, Don Shirley, has to find a particular hotel to stay, where Blacks are accepted, There is a road guide which highlights such hotels, it is called the Green Book. He also finds that despite playing in lavish venues, he may all too often have to use a utility room to get changed.
The film looks at racism, and homophobia, and it is a very unlikely friendship that blossoms through the film. It struck me that it was a bit like "Driving Miss Daisy" but in reverse.
Great performances from Viggo Mortensen but especially Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley. It wasn't until the end of the film, that I found it was based on a true story. One to enjoy.....8 out of 10
Battles for precious Tulip bulbs, a painting commission and love in 17th Century Amsterdam, not the most enticing subject matter for a film, hut none the less it makes for a really good film. When the Tulip became popular, the demand for bulbs was high, and if you got a really rare bloom, you could command a very high price.
Add to the mix a local well to do Man and his younger wife, who seems unable to conceive, and the plot begins to thicken, especially when the wealthy Husband commissions a local young artist to paint their portrait, and the Painter and the young wife fall for each other.
There is a wealth of acting talent, with Supporting Actor Oscar Winners like Alicia Vikander, Christoph Waltz and Dame Judi Dench, not to mention a favourite actor of mine, namely Jack O' Connell.
I was pleasantrly surprised.....7 out of 10
