Water 1985

Starring: Michael Caine

Chaos comes to a Caribbean island when industrialists check it for mineral springs.

This film just doesn't work & it has no right not to work with the writers, actors & musicians who were signed up. The story is actually quite a good idea but all the characters were played so over the top that they descended into caricatures. If they'd played it utterly straight, the humour would have been pointe 7 the whole thing could have been brilliant.

Such a waste.     4/10

Billy Liar 1963

Starring: Tom Courtenay

In a drab North country town, an undertaker's clerk lives in a World of fantasy

Every character in this movie comes across as so genuine. Nothing is over the top apart from Liar's daydreaming scenes, all of which is completely called for. It's amusing, there's so much you can relate to, it's moving & also sad. Julie Christie is delightful as the one person who genuinely understands Liar. So different from anything you see in this day & age.    7/10

Jeremiah Johnson 1972

Starring: Robert Redford

In the 1850's an ex-soldier becomes a mountain trapper.

Beautifully made epic set in the wilderness. Stunning locations, fascinating characterisation & great performances. Touches of humour, particularly where Redford first tries to fish & when Grandpa Walton sends a Grizzly into his shack for Redford to skin. Touching as well as tragic, a great movie with Director & star both at the top of their game.     9/10

Leave her to heaven 1945

Starring: Gene Tierney

A selfish, jealous woman causes unhappiness for those around her, even in her suicide.

From the first frame with the melodramatic music, you knew that this wouldn't be a bundle of laughs. A slow-moving drama that simmered beautifully under the surface. Tierney was excellent as the slightly deranged siren, I would have liked to have known more as to what triggered her desperate behaviour. A movie thatr had a nice beginning, middle & end.      8/10

I was Monty's double 1958

Starring: John Mills

To distract the Nazis in Africa, an actor is hired to act as General Montgomery.

Quite an original idea. My main problem, is I'm ashamed to say that I'm not really too sure what the actual Monty looked or sounded like. That rather dates the film for me although its easy going style along with some nice performances, made it more than watchable. It got rather bogged down in the second half of the film & the capture scene didn't quite work for me. Quite good fun though.      5/10

Creepshow 2 1987

Starring: Lois Chiles

Cheapjack sequel, of no interest whatsoever.

Three short stories by Stephen King. The plus points are they were reasonably well made, quite well acted with some very good special effects. The stories were watchable enough, but the minus point is that they were all utterly predictable with no shocks. I liked the Indian story best followed by the hitchhiker & finally the raft.      6/10

Forty ninth parallel 1941

Starring: Eric Portman

In Canada, five stranded U-boat men try to escape into the US.

Nazis arrive on Canadian soil for the first time & find the Canadians indifference towards the war difficult to take. The constantly moving situations & locations keep this movie interesting. Good performances and a whole bunch of star cameos. A war movie with a difference.     6/10

Doctor in trouble 1970

Starring: Leslie Phillips

Dr Burke inadvertently becomes a stowaway on an Atlantic cruise.

Formula British comedy with no surprises 7 saucy, seaside postcard humour. Most films from this time include either James Robertson Justice, Robert Morley or John Le Mesurier. This had all three. Not very amusing but harmless fun for a Sunday morning.    5/10

Death Race 2000 1975

Starring: David Carradine

In the Year 2000, the World's most popular sport involves motor racers who compete for the highest total of human casualties.

Cult style B movie. All extremely distasteful and exhibited some acting of the poorest quality by the likes of Stallone. Never raised a smile, the cars were nicely put together for any petrol heads. Occasionally this caught my interest and at least it was mercifully short.    3/10

California Split 1974

Starring: Elliott Gould

Two cheerful gamblers get drunk, laid, cheated and happy.

Really hard to en joy this movie. Occasionally a plot line would grab the attention or I'd start to connect with a character. But the constant chatter with 2,3 or 4 people all talking at the same time was a bizarre directional decision. Basically, you ended up taking in very little and at the end I found that I didn't care whether they won or lost in the casino.         3/10

Coroner Creek 1948

Starring: Randolph Scott

A Western crusader tracks down the man behind a stagecoach raid.

A routine Western rolled off the Randolph Scott production line. This didn't really have anything to set it apart from many other Western's (Man arrives in town seeking revenge). Possibly slightly more vicious than some, but lacked originality.        4/10

The Great St Trinian's train robbery 1966

Starring: Frankie Howerd

The staff of St Trinian's is infiltrated by would-be train robbers

St Trinian's is all the rage at the moment following the remake. This is one sequel to far in the originals. All the essence that made this series work had disappeared and we were left with some poor characters, the headmistress was particularly annoying. Frankie Howerd bought some nice touches and his timing as ever, was spot on. The end sequence with the train chase went on about 5 mins too long. Watchable, but instantly forgettable.       5/10

Reach for the sky 1956

Starring: Kenneth More

Douglas Bader loses both legs in a 1931 air crash, learns to walk on artificial limbs and flies again in World War 11.

Utterly inspirational movie, Bader's courage and determination made me feel utterly inadequate. A light hearted, bouncy feel drives the movie along & at over 2 hours, I wanted it to keep going, very unusual for me. More is charming and bordering on the charismatic, all the other characters are rounded and utterly believable. Only the flying sequences were slightly unrealistic.     9/10

The Great Rupert 1950

Starring: Jimmy Durante

A family of impoverished acrobats are assisted by a pet squirrel which proves lucky in more ways than one.

Now, I've seen a lot of movies & thought that I'd pretty much seen it all, but a dancing squirrel? Let's just say that I was worried after 5 minutes as to just what I'd be watching. But this settles down to be a charming movie. Sure, the plot line is as implausible as you can get, but it's great fun. Jimmy Durante is a natural entertainer and there are some cracking one-liners and catchy little musical numbers. The whole thing comes together nicely at the end, I loved it!      9/10

The Life and times of Colonel Blimp 1943

Starring: Roger Livesey

A British soldier survives three wars and falls in love with three women

A tour de force for Livesey, he portrays his character brilliantly with Anton Walbrook proving to be a perfect foil for his blustering Englishness. Deborah Kerr is a delight throughout in this lavish, light hearted epic. So much to enjoy, but why did it have to be so interminably long?      5/10

Flying tigers 1942

Starring: John Wayne

American airmen fight the Japs over World war 11 China

Not the most interesting of films. It never seems to be going anywhere until the last 10 minutes. Wayne goes through the motions as usual but brings no personality to his character, All a bit unbelievable really.        4/10

Miss Sadie Thompson 1953

Starring: Rita Hayworth

Vigourous semi-musical remake of Rain a good star vehicle, but not otherwise notable.

This movie is all about Rita Hayworth. Sure, she can act, sing & has definite star quality. Unfortunately this is not enough, as the plot is as thin as it is unbelievable and the rest of the cast are generally wooden.    4/10

The Man with the gun 1955

Starring: Robert Mitchum

A gunfighter in search of his estranged wife becomes lawman of a lawless town.

A reasonable Western with a well paced plot & a good set. The only problem is that this story has been seen 100 times before. Man single cleans up a town single handed. Worth  view though.      6/10

Plenty 1985

Starring: Meryl Streep

After World war 2, the career of a neurotic society woman has parallels with the problems of western Europe.

Meryl Streep is as usual, breathtakingly good. The first 45 mins are compelling, but the film never really gathers pace and drifts somewhat, changing in location and time with only tenuous links guiding the audience along. A strong cast helps the piece. It's a movie to be watched for the acting rather than the plot.   6/10

The Battleship Potemkin 1925

A partly fictitious account of the mutiny at Odessa, an episode in the 1905 revolution.

For entertainment in the 21st century, this is a non-starter. As a piece of cinematic history, this is fascinating. The classic scene on the steps at Odessa still shocks today. A masterpiece considering it's nearly 100 years old. I'd seen clips at the MOMI in London, but I urge anyone interested in cinema to see the whole piece.       5/10