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Reviews
Death Line (1972)
More unpleasant than terrifying
This film will never be broadcast earlier than 2am, even on the really obscure cable channels - it's just that sort of movie. A slow start and plodding middle section are redeemed only by Pleasence, who does his best to enjoy himself as a hard-boiled detective inspector. The only interesting element of this otherwise unremarkable thriller is the 'humanisation' of the monster, a third-generation caveman living in squalor below Russell Square station. It's clear that he still has human emotions, though he can't articulate them. His degradation to a semi-savage is creepy, rather than scary, and the ending inspires none of the cathartic feelings of relief and triumph that horror films usually leave us with.
This Year's Love (1999)
Waste of time
If you fancy spending two hours watching unpleasant, self-absorbed characters shag around and bitch about one another witlessly, see this film. If you want to see it done with style, rent a Barry Levinson film or even an Eastenders omnibus. I found this movie totally pointless; the lack of any sort of climax or resolution makes a point about the aimlessness of the characters but makes for very dull viewing. Ian Hart is terrific but Jennifer Ehle is woeful; I've never seen her play a scene without that smirk on her face. Thank God for Kathy Bates, whose blunt tones are a relief during this movie's posturing.
8MM (1999)
More cliches than Debbie does Dallas
This film wouldn't be so bad if it weren't trying so hard. Schumacher seems to have aimed at taking a long, hard look at the hardcore porn industry but any depth is lost in a string of "action film" cliches. (The final answer to the question "why this violence?" seems to be "because I felt like it" - which could be interesting if done properly, but not when preceded and followed by scenes of the familiar hero-straining-to-reach-gun-behind-iron fence sequence.) Nicolas Cage is a terrific actor but otherwise, why bother?