Sandy’s Film Reviews

656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

In the Heat of the Night (1967): Outstanding film won 5 Oscars in 1967. Stunning performances by Sidney Poitier & Rod Steiger have never been surpassed. Memorable title song written by Quincy Jones sung by Ray Charles. Gripping plot with nasty characters who'd be Trump supporters today.
Lolita (1962): Dated. Fine acting by all, but the tension that should hold this famous story of sexual obsession is lacking. Perhaps Kubrick is not strong on complexity. One of his weaker films.
One Day (2011): Beautiful Anne Hathaway carries the movie; Jim Sturgess is an unfunny Hugh Grant–type. Dissonance between the strength of the two characters weakens the film along with the sentimental plot. Screenwriter can't distinguish love & sex. Easy watching.; DVD ~~$15~~ $7.50
Loulou (1980): Disturbing, but very brilliant!
I, Daniel Blake (2016): Too few stars available! Should have been on TVNZ already, this gritty moving portrayal of the Kafkaesque "social welfare" system is totally relevant to NZ today. Neither left–wing nor pessimistic, it should be seen by parliamentarians and everyone else
Impressionists, The (TV Mini-series) (2006): Interesting, beautiful & moving. Doco–drama of the lives of the revolutionary artists, their circle and their work. Actual paintings could have been better reproduced but the famous scenes are well shown in real life. Lovers of all art should see it!
Inspector Soneri: Fog and Crimes (Nebbie e delitti) (2005): Subtle & intelligent police thriller in 12 separate hourly episodes on 6 discs, best watched in sequence. Each seems better than the last. Better than similar programs because of great acting & gripping plots. Perfect for winter watching!
Last Station, The (2009): Romantic without being idealistic thanks to American author & performance by British actors in tidy Germany. Unique Russian spirit, intense religious sensibility & turbulent feeling of this period only 7 years before the Revolution dissipated.
Gloria (2013): Unsatisfying, but not without merit. A dash of Argentine humour might have helped!
Sunset Song (2015): Beautifully filmed & well–acted story of hard life on a Scottish farm in the years before & during WW1. A film for adults, not families. Agyness Deyn is very good and withstands the cruelty of her family with courage. Recommended.

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Sandy’s Film Reviews