Sandy’s Film Reviews

97 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

A Hijacking (2012): Filmed on actual ship nr Mombasa with its sailors. Terrible ordeal for owners, crew & loved ones over many months. Management knew sailors personally and communicated by sat phone. Somali violence truly scary & film much grittier than "Captain Phillips"; DVD $19.95
Diplomacy (2014): Well–acted & compact. Clever script. Everyone who loves France should see this film. The youth of the soldiers adds realism. A beautiful film revealing courage in unexpected places.
I Do: Or How to Get Married and Stay Single (Prete-moi ta main) (2006): Starts with characteristic slightly silly French humour but fast becomes more amusing. Gainsbourg is, as usual, perfect & Chabat certainly has the nose for his role. Like the all great French comedies this gets steadily better & funnier. Great!
Patu! (1983): Well captures the spirit. Courage & determination. Terrific to have such a key moment in NZ & SA history recorded. Schoolkids great, activists inspiring, politicians despicable! Freedom & solidarity of protestors unbreakable. Needs subtitles.
Idealist, The (2015): Interesting but amateurish drama–doc, mixed in w/some contemporary 1968 shots. 1957 US–Denmark agreement NOT to have nuclear weapons in Greenland is kept secret by Danish & US politicians of the time, a great betrayal of trust. A warning for NZ!
Trouble With You, The (En liberté!) (2018): Brilliant spoof in the best French manner. Layers interwoven with seeming 'normality' until you don't know which is true! Surrealistically circling back on itself like 'Groundhog Day' but funnier, with many tricks. Highly recommended.
Celebration, The (Festen) (1999): An incredible performance. Right into the dark hearts of the bourgeoisie. Interesting extras.
In a Better World (2010): Interesting, intense, but not really profound.
Brothers (2004): Choppy plot. Cruel and pointless. "Afghanistan" is ridiculously green! Realistic take on PTSD. A mercenary officer volunteered for Afghanistan, what did he expect? British were defeated 5 times in 19thC, then Russians, so what did Danes expect?
In the Name of the Father (1993): Brilliant cast; a great true story.

Main menu

Section navigation menu

Sandy’s Film Reviews