Sandy’s Film Reviews

656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

Dunkirk (2017): Spectacular, well–made. Realistic, despite the container crane in the background. Everything is nicely painted, but a great war movie despite. Polish troops get no mention, or 30,000 French soldiers left behind. Many more vessels were used than shown–861.; DVD ~~$24.95~~ $18.70
Allied (2016): Brad Pitt is stiff & mummified; the plot is unconvincing. A "turkey".
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017): Extremely good. Guaranteed entertainment! US small–town life, replete with prejudice & violence. Trump territory, but the movie has subtlety. Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes is terrific.
Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962): Fine new print of this long, brilliant & cruel film of one of America's greatest plays. Standard of acting, especially by Katharine Hepburn, sets a standard never surpassed. Powerful, intense & realistic. One of the greatest movies ever made.
Florida Project, The (2017): The children, Moonee, Scooty & Jancey are quite marvelous & despite being the offspring of 'white trash' living on the margin, their escapades and acting quite capture the heart. Many adults show complex kindnesses, too.
Molly's Game (2017): Gripping thriller, not a moment wasted. Outstanding acting, direction & script. Vivid picture of a woman trying to succeed in a man's world where all that counts is "winning". A great film, best of 2018 so far.
Testament of Youth (2015): Realistic portrayal of the great British Pacifist by Alicia Vikander. A very moving story of WW1; the battlefields & the nursing stations. The agony of women at war is brilliantly played by Vikander and well worth seeing for that alone.
House of Pleasures (House of Tolerance) (2011): Crudely 19thC despite machine–wrapped King–size fags, only available 1920 on. Women are slaves, like most such today. Startling end makes one realise this story is not really past, but contemporary. DVD Black & White & Sex is far more informative.
Soundbreaking (TV Series) (Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music) (2016): Fascinating technical PBS Grammy–Award winning PBS doco on the background to the making of popular music. Covers 100 years, but is right up–to–date. Focuses on the most innovative singers, producers & bands. Amazing footage. 425 mins
Tulip Fever (2017): Facile costume–drama filmed in a most irritating style. Historically ridiculous. Hollywood trash. Even Judi Dench makes a fool of herself!

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Sandy’s Film Reviews