THE VIKINGS (1958) is a superior historical epic, which sees half-brothers - played by Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis - battle it out for a kingdom in England.  I wasn’t too impressed by most of the poster designs for this film, but - as is so often the case - the Japanese version has some interesting composition and a better use of colour.  

THE VIKINGS (1958) is a superior historical epic, which sees half-brothers - played by Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis - battle it out for a kingdom in England. 

I wasn’t too impressed by most of the poster designs for this film, but - as is so often the case - the Japanese version has some interesting composition and a better use of colour.  

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I love submarine movies. The cramped locations, buried beneath tonnes of water, with only the thin metal walls of the boat to protect you from drowning, creates an immediate and unique intensity.

So, I was looking forward to BELOW (2002) a WWII set submarine horror, directed by David Twohy (Pitch Black) and with a script by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream). Unfortunately, the film didn’t live up to my hopes. 

It tries hard, and there’s some nice touches, yet despite all the dangers inherit of being in a submarine, it fails to translate this into creating any actual fear. 

It’s a bit like a genteel ghost story: unsettling, spooky, just not scary. 

1 note

You’d think it’d be hard to make a bad film about a vampire Nazi trying to make Hitler immortal, but somehow Uwe Boll manages it with BLOODRAYNE 3: THE THIRD REICH (2010).

The most irritating aspect is that it could actually have been a decent, dare I say it, good film. However, the script is absolutely dreadful. Even when making allowances for the DTV realm this film is operating in, it’s terrible.

Clint Howard and Michael Pare may never win Oscars, but they’re decent enough actors. Unfortunately, there’s just nothing they can do with the mouthfuls of drivel they’re required to say. 

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DETECTIVE STORY (1951) stars Kirk Douglas a cop who just can’t bend his principles, even though it results in the destruction of his career and marriage.  Originally a stage play, the film does not feel very cinematic and William Wyler’s direction does little to imaginatively use the limited number of sets.  However, Kirk Douglas gives a mesmerising performance as the self-immolating detective. Around this time, in films like Champion, Douglas really could burn the celluloid with the intensity of his performances - and I love him in this. Most of the poster designs for Detective Story are rather uninteresting, typical examples of poster design from the period. However, I do like this design.

DETECTIVE STORY (1951) stars Kirk Douglas a cop who just can’t bend his principles, even though it results in the destruction of his career and marriage. 

Originally a stage play, the film does not feel very cinematic and William Wyler’s direction does little to imaginatively use the limited number of sets. 

However, Kirk Douglas gives a mesmerising performance as the self-immolating detective. Around this time, in films like Champion, Douglas really could burn the celluloid with the intensity of his performances - and I love him in this.

Most of the poster designs for Detective Story are rather uninteresting, typical examples of poster design from the period. However, I do like this design.

1 note

New review: THE MATRIX (1999) we ruminate on the weight trajectory of Laurence Fishburne’s cinematic career as Carrie Anne Moss finds out that, like the Matrix, her career doesn’t actually exist…..

New review: THE MATRIX (1999) we ruminate on the weight trajectory of Laurence Fishburne’s cinematic career as Carrie Anne Moss finds out that, like the Matrix, her career doesn’t actually exist…..

New review: THE PEACEMAKER (1997) our reviewer has an awkward moment of self-realisation whilst watching this rather beige thriller: “It’s nice to know that, like the bottom drawer of my bedside cabinet, Clooney and Kidman also have things they are probably ashamed of.”  

New review: THE PEACEMAKER (1997) our reviewer has an awkward moment of self-realisation whilst watching this rather beige thriller: “It’s nice to know that, like the bottom drawer of my bedside cabinet, Clooney and Kidman also have things they are probably ashamed of.”  

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New review: We take a look at the ‘mockbuster’ 2012: Ice Age, parts of which may seem familiar to Roland Emmerich….

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22 BULLETS (2010) stars Jean Reno as a retired gangster, who thinks he’s left his criminal past behind. But after he’s gunned down and left for dead, he hunts down those responsible in predictably brutal fashion. 

All told, this is a disappointing film. The film does nothing to make you care as for the fate of any of the characters. Apparently based on a novel, it would be interesting to know more about the source material.

There are some hints within the film of plot strands which may add depth to the characterisation and story. However, they look like nothing more than nods in the direction of the source material, no doubt sacrificed in order to turn in a straight forward 2-hour revenge thriller. 

I find it easier to forgive a film which tries and fails, than one which plays it safe and still fails. A dispiriting, pointless film. 

3 notes

Don’t be fooled by the fan-made trailer for THE CASSANDRA CROSSING (1976). It’s actually a rather a disappointing disaster movie.

The first hour is pretty good, as Richard Harris tries to stop a virus spreading on a train. However, to give the film a suitably dramatic ending the story suddenly branches off in another direction - with the key plot point revolving around the quality of the Polish government’s nation rail infrastructure.

If you’ve ever wanted to see Burt Lancaster shout down the phone and bang the table about the quality of bridge maintenance in the Warsaw Pact, then this is the film for you.

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Cracking double chopper fireball in DARKMAN (1990), as we take a look at Sam Raimi’s quasi-comic book film in our new review. Have a read over on our blog…..