creeping_jesus Reviews

My Life as a Rolling Stone (2022– )

Ok

[6/10 · 18 September 2022]

It was, ok. As another reviewer stated, it was sanitised and pretty incomplete.

The Watts part was by far the most inserting (probably because Charlie was an actual human being).

Micks was mildly interesting.

Keith is a flippant caricature of a line animation of himself - ie, ludicrous.

And Ronnie is pretty weak facsimile of that version of "Keef" and in my opinion has added little if nothing to the band beyond being someone for Keith to hang out with.

Fortunately, a lot of the music still sounds as alive and brilliant as it ever did, and as a circus act - they're fairly entertaining.

Overall, Id suggest that 25X5 and Crossfire Hurricane are both better documentaries on this tired, but once brilliant band.

Road to Perdition (2002)

Rivals the Godfather...I think not.

[1/10 · 25 September 2002]

Its a sad comment on how acclimatised we have become to Hollywood schlock when a film like Perdition even rates in the top 100. Sadder still when other members of IMDB can actually equate this film with something as unique and impressive as The Godfather. In reality what we have here is another road movie with a father trying to, and eventually succeeding in connecting with his previously neglected son. It looks nice and the sets are very good but essentially this is just an expensive smokescreen rather obviously placed to distract the viewer from a by-the-numbers plot and a hilariously miscast Tom Hanks ( I told you Im a real actor , I can be downright ruthless as well as cloying). Very dull, dull, dull.

Pleasantville (1998)

Leave your brain at the door

[1/10 · 30 May 2000]

because you certainly wont be requiring it once the film begins.Yet another incomplete plot with pretensions of social commentary added as an afterthought.What rubbish.Luckily I had free tickets so the only thing Im really angry at is the incredible waste of time the whole thing was-not to mention the tragic mess made of a fine Lennon tune(ok, THAT wasnt too bad).Also, as a parting thought, does anybody REALLY think Toby Maguire can act? Really?...no, I didnt think so

Ryan's Daughter (1970)

Leans last great film.

[10/10 · 1 November 1999]

Ryans Daughter is not without fault. Many point to 'poor casting' and a script that can at times appear perhaps a little naive. I disagree, this film has a life entirely of its own and a visual beauty unmatched by even Leans' own applauded catalogue. Anybody who has loved and lost (no, I'm not paraphrasing Spinal Tap) to any serious degree will relate to the power of this moving and simple story. Freddie Youngs'photography is something that ALL film students should be tied down and forced to witness and any serious devotee of Lean should read of the extraordinary hardships the cast and crew were subjected to during the filming of this epic in the marvelous biography on David Lean released in 1997.Ok, I truly love this film (I guess that's obvious) but I have to say that, above all, it is Maurice Jarres' score that will move you more than the doomed affair between Sarah Miles and (whatever happened to?) Christopher Jones. Certainly, Mr Jarre has written other pieces that may be more familiar (Lawrence of Arabia,etc) but nothing in his back-catalogue can compete with these simple, yet powerfully evocative themes. This will remain my desert island flick for all time.