Enjoyable British B based on a script by Aussie Rex Rienits which was adapted for TV as Bodgie. Sidney Talfer's casting in the lead gives the piece integrity - not a pretty boy, he does seem to be a spiv. Susan Shaw is too good looking to be his girlfriend really but she's a good actor, and very easy on the eye.
This is stripped back, quick, atmospheric. It was Ken Hughes' first credit as director and he does well. There's not an ounce of fat on it. It was probably too much of a coincidence that the girl blackmailed went to Shaw's hairdressing salon. It only clocks in at an hour.
Sunday, July 05, 2020
Movie review - "Sonic the Hedgehog" (2020) **1/2
A very good story - solid set up, empathetic Sonic being lonely, the rings is a great macguffin. The script dialogue has too many gags - it was like it was given the sitcom treatment. Jim Carey is splendid - his jokes come from character. No one else's seem to. James Marsden is fine - I just wish it was someone better, someone to match Marsden - Adam Pally probably would've done a better job. Some very good animation.
Movie review - "The Violent Enemy" (1967) **
An under the radar movie - one of a few action/thrillers made by Trio Film, a short lived company. I watched this mainly because it was directed by Don Sharp the Aussie, who also dealt with IRA stuff in Hennessy.
This has a great start and finale. IRA expert Sean Rogan (Tom Bell who I wasn't that familiar with but good) is busted out of prison for a mission. It's blowing up an electrical factory. He doesn't want to do it but sort of mopes around and then does it.
The middle act is a little dull despite a strong cast - people talking about the Troubles, and everyone being sympathetic to the IRA but not the methods. I read an item in the book which called Rogan an "IRA Hamlet" - which is true. But we never get inside his head - why he joined up, why he softened. This needed to be dramatised somehow - to have him fall in love, or to meet his estranged son or something. He has a sort of relationship with Susan Hamphire who is a character of great potential - the daughter of a rich man caught up with the romance of the struggle... but she feels undeveloped. She just sort of hangs around.
Quickest fix - give him an ex girlfriend who he reconnects with... she carried his kid. He reconnects with the kid. Maybe the girfriend is killed off. Have Hampshire's character as more of a fanatic.
The acting is strong - Philip O'Flynn especially as a grinning cop but also Ed Begley as an IRA fanatic determined to use violence (in a few years that character would achieve his dream), Noel Purcell as an enormous beard.
The Irish settings help. The direction is fine.
This has a great start and finale. IRA expert Sean Rogan (Tom Bell who I wasn't that familiar with but good) is busted out of prison for a mission. It's blowing up an electrical factory. He doesn't want to do it but sort of mopes around and then does it.
The middle act is a little dull despite a strong cast - people talking about the Troubles, and everyone being sympathetic to the IRA but not the methods. I read an item in the book which called Rogan an "IRA Hamlet" - which is true. But we never get inside his head - why he joined up, why he softened. This needed to be dramatised somehow - to have him fall in love, or to meet his estranged son or something. He has a sort of relationship with Susan Hamphire who is a character of great potential - the daughter of a rich man caught up with the romance of the struggle... but she feels undeveloped. She just sort of hangs around.
Quickest fix - give him an ex girlfriend who he reconnects with... she carried his kid. He reconnects with the kid. Maybe the girfriend is killed off. Have Hampshire's character as more of a fanatic.
The acting is strong - Philip O'Flynn especially as a grinning cop but also Ed Begley as an IRA fanatic determined to use violence (in a few years that character would achieve his dream), Noel Purcell as an enormous beard.
The Irish settings help. The direction is fine.
Saturday, July 04, 2020
Movie review - "The Devil Ship Pirates" (1964) ***1/2 (re-watching)
It's one of those movies that force you with the baddies and the plan is so bold at times you hope they'll pull it off.
There are plenty of other strong ideas - most of the ship's crew were former pirates keen to go back to their old life, there's a goody-goody noble on board (Barry Warren) to provide conflict with the captain (Christopher Lee), the British town includes a quisling type as well as an injured young man.
The cast is well above average - its a good chance for Christopher Lee who does well, and Andrew Keir is in there as well as Michael Ripper (in dark make up).
The filmmakers put ship action up the top to try and cover the fact that there's no ship action until the end. There are some sword fights.
It doesn't quite get there as a classic - I felt it could with another draft. Maybe there are too many characters to service. Or not enough emotional relationships. Perhaps we needed a love triangle involving Warren, lee and a girl - the female characters feel very undercooked. A local lady who falls for Lee/Warren could have made the difference. Maybe a more villainous/treacherous local?
Movie review - "Captive Women" (1952) *1/2
The sort of movie boomers would have affection for having watched it as a kid. It doesn't age well and doesn't impress though the central idea is bold - a post apocalyptic tale involving a fight between two rival camps. There's lots and lots of talk about religion - people act as if they're in a South Seas tale.
The top billed actor is Robert Clarke but actually Ron Randell is more of the hero - a principled leader of the mutats who romances a girl from the other tribe.
Not well directed, silly outfits, lumpish dialogue. Randell is effective. He should have played more leads in America. I wonder why he didn't - he had the looks and could act well enough.
The top billed actor is Robert Clarke but actually Ron Randell is more of the hero - a principled leader of the mutats who romances a girl from the other tribe.
Not well directed, silly outfits, lumpish dialogue. Randell is effective. He should have played more leads in America. I wonder why he didn't - he had the looks and could act well enough.
Book review - "Caravan to Vaccares" by Alistair MacLean (1970)
The movie adaptation was bad but this was an enjoyable tale - a mystery man meets up with a woman and investigates why gypsies killed someone. The atmosphere of the Spanish setting is well evoked - bullfights, small hotels, caves, hot plains.
The normal dashing hero, and I got the two lead women mixed up, but a bright villain killer and I enjoyed the enigmatic Duke. It feels like a novel rather than a film script. A strong entry.
The normal dashing hero, and I got the two lead women mixed up, but a bright villain killer and I enjoyed the enigmatic Duke. It feels like a novel rather than a film script. A strong entry.
Friday, July 03, 2020
Movie review - "The Brigand" (1952) **1/2
I didn't mind this - better than Lorna Doone with a stronger story and support cast. It's ostensibly based on an Alexander Dumas tale but surely the greater inspiration was The Prisoner of Zenda.
The lead offers an acting challenge to Anthony Dexter who can't do it. He was a handsome enough guy cast as Valentino by Edward Small and Small gave him a few more chances. At times Dexter works - he's believable as a lounge lizard king not so much as the decent officer who imitates him.
A lot of plot but the basic impersonation is solid. Anthony Quinn adds clash, dash and verve as the villain - he should have played the lead he would've been marvellous. Ron Randell would have been better too - he's got a thankless part as a sort of helpful officer, a little like the role David Niven played in the 1937 Zenda.
There's bright colours and action. I wasn't wild about Jody Lawrence as the dopey princess but Gale Robbins was a lot of fun as a horny aristocrat.
The lead offers an acting challenge to Anthony Dexter who can't do it. He was a handsome enough guy cast as Valentino by Edward Small and Small gave him a few more chances. At times Dexter works - he's believable as a lounge lizard king not so much as the decent officer who imitates him.
A lot of plot but the basic impersonation is solid. Anthony Quinn adds clash, dash and verve as the villain - he should have played the lead he would've been marvellous. Ron Randell would have been better too - he's got a thankless part as a sort of helpful officer, a little like the role David Niven played in the 1937 Zenda.
There's bright colours and action. I wasn't wild about Jody Lawrence as the dopey princess but Gale Robbins was a lot of fun as a horny aristocrat.
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