Sandy’s Film Reviews
656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.
Their Finest (2017)
Intense, moving, complex & poignant drama brilliantly acted by Gemma Arterton & Bill Nighy. A film within a film on the making of a 'politically correct' movie about Dunkirk during WW2 when women came to the fore in many roles. 117 minutes, recommended.
Jasper Jones (2016)- Apart from the outstanding performances of all the young stars, it's the great karri trees of remote SW Australia which make this gem shine. Pacey & complex plot flawed only by the Aussie list into melodrama at times. Strongly recommended.
- DVD $29.95 | Blu-Ray $34.95
Colossal (2017)
Not in the same class as Timecrimes, but still witty & unexpected. Convincing New Hampshire small–town losers with big houses & small brains. Beautiful Anne Hathaway carries the show. Lots of fun, recommended.
Promise, The (2016)
Melodramatic style & contrived romance muddy what could have been, for $90m, a great historical epic. Spanish landscapes, architecture & costumes are realistic but the one scene that could have provided some explanation of these tragic events was deleted.
Nina's Journey (2006)
Riveting true story of the only 2 who survived of 400,000 in the Warsaw Ghetto. Polish actress Grochowska stars but the movie also says how Jews were killed by some Poles as well as Nazis (called "Aryans" here). Intrepid women dominate this fine movie. 
Her Whole Life Ahead (Tutta La Vita Davanti) (2008)- Smart, funny & moving. This laugh–out–loud comedy also manages to say something worthwhile about the plight of graduates today & questions the wider purposes of higher education.
Belle (2013)- Outstanding cast; important & perhaps partly true story. Covers the period ten years after Cook & Banks were first in NZ, with Cook recording positive comments about Maori & Banks busy spreading venereal diseases in Tahiti – an age of contradictions.
Basic Instinct (1992)- Facile plot & unlikeable characters but entertaining enough.
Unfaithful (2002)- The marriage is never deeply explored, just skated around. We are to believe that Diane Lane is motivated by sexual desire alone (possible) but that such nuclear suburban families might be unworkable is not considered. Characters are shallow.
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Technically impressive & well–acted by Scarlett & Juliette. Unfortunately the silly plot doesn't match the production. Not recommended.
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