kevingrain Reviews

Pistol (2022)

Offending the same kind of people all over again

[10/10 · 22 June 2022]

I'm not sure what people are finding to dislike in this but I suppose anything that isn't bland and doesn't conform to their pre-existing image is bound to divide opinion.

I was there first time round, not close to events nor in an extreme way, just reading about punk in the NME way back in 76, going to see a few early bands and being the first in my college to wear straight jeans whilst other shuffled around in flappy flares. Nothing dramatic though, I just liked the music and what they stood for. But even that small gesture offended some.

And now the Pistols are practically mainstream and with Rotten's drift to the right as both a Trump and Farage supporter they have rewritten a version of history in which Lydon was the only one that mattered and the others were just his backing group. Well, the whole point of this series is that is just one view of events, as is the concentration on Sid and Nancy, when Sid made virtually no contribution.

Jonesy and Cookie started the group and this series is based on a book by Jonesy. So let's not be surprised when the first episode is all about him. Where else do people expect the first episode to start? This series really recaptures the essence of the time and as has been pointed out, it's not a documentary. It draws inspiration from real life events, but it's not a Wikipedia account that needs the input of 20,000 know alls to correct the details.

A side note, the first episode put me in mind of Taxi Driver in a weird way in that it created a surreal atmosphere that is not of this time and place. I reckon Danny Boyle has done a great job.

1984 (1984)

The trouble with this film is it was made in 1984.

[2/10 · 8 February 2021]

This film is so very much less than it could have been, rushed out just because it WAS 1984, and because of that, reeking of the 80s. The awful music by the Eurythmics just emphasises the point. Sexcrime? Yes, that's mentioned in the book, but the book isn't about sex and this aspect is too prominent. It's more of a love story, if anything. And of course, it's about freedom, politics, language and the inability to say what you choose. Maybe today, these themes are more relevant and a much better movie could be made. As it is, Brazil was better at being 1984 than this, which explains why it scored higher. I would also give the film a special award for the most conspicious waste of John Hurt's talent.

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Truly awful

[1/10 · 13 January 2021]

The decision to use the original dialogue in a modernised (but now dated) version of the play was ridiculous and arrogant. It sounds forced and totally out of synch with the acting and the lightweight cast cannot pull it off, except maybe Pete Postlethwaite.

I have no objection to Shakespeare being rehashed, like West Side Story, and I even preferred Gnomeo and Juliet to this. Much more.

Aladdin (2019)

Preferred it to the original.

[10/10 · 28 August 2020]

For me, this is Disney's best live action remake. Both I, and more importantly my children, can watch it over and over again. I also think Will Smith was better than Robin Williams in the genie role, if you're allowed to say that. He makes the film.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Beyond awful

[1/10 · 24 October 2019]

And I like Abba. My 14 year old daughter suggested we watch this. We turned it off after 10 minutes. Apparently the young lady is having her 20th birthday (or something, had lost the will to live at this point) and doesnt know who her Dad is, the choice being one of three men her mother slept with on consecutive nights according to her diary. Now most kids would be confused by this, angry even, but no, it's all a great laugh so she invites all three to the Greek island where she lives. Why? Just why? And what has is got to do with Abba?

Also, Pierce Brosnan is horrendous and Meryl Streep can do far better than this. Julies Walters plays the usual character she plays in everything, from Educating Rita to Paddington

Frozen (I) (2013)

An excellent film for those without an agenda.

[10/10 · 19 April 2014]

It saddens me that so many people have added negative reviews of this film based on religious and political grounds. Yes, you know who you are and it spoils this site as an independent guide to help people decide whether to watch movies based on the experiences of others. That's the rant over, and publish it or not, but to be frank, I'm surprised others have got away with ridiculous one star reviews of this film because they've been directed to do it.

I own pretty much all the Disney back catalogue and this is up there with the very best. I have 4 children, two older ones brought up on Little Mermaid, then Aladdin and Lion King, and two little ones who loved Tangled, then watched backwards from there. So, I'll let my 8 year old be the judge: the best film she's ever seen, she says.

Some people say the film was a missed opportunity because Elsa should be the star, or should have love interest, but I love it as it is. Maybe it's because the two sisters are so like my children, in terms of colouring, age gap, character (pulling your eyes open when it's morning!), everything, but I'm sure most Mums and Dads with daughters can see some of their own in these two. Both Elsa and Anna are great, and different, characters. The film is nicely balanced between the two, and nobody is judged as good or bad, right or wrong, except maybe Hans and that man from Weselton (or Weasel Town). And Elsa is strong enough to manage without a man anyway. To make her meet her prince would weaken the story.

Let It Go is a great song, especially the film version (some said there were no stand out numbers) and at times, the score verged on operatic. Maybe some don't like that, but I love opera, so it's a plus for me.

I'll stop there because I'm rambling now, but go and see it for yourself with an open mind. I would struggle to rate it against other Disney films and you don't really have to, just enjoy it for what it is. Let your children be the judges.

The Smurfs 2 (2013)

If you didn't like the first film, why watch the second?

[7/10 · 26 January 2014]

I'm really puzzled by these reviews. Firstly, we have people saying they hated the first film but this is even worse. Excuse me, but what kind of stupid do you have to be to watch a sequel to a film you hated? Then there's people who complain that the film is for children? But hey, what did you expect? Well, I expected the worst, I never liked the Smurfs and I'm old enough to remember that awful song from the 70s. I've seen the McDonalds toys and I was prepared to hate this. But every Sunday we take our children to see a movie for a pound and this is what was on. I've seen Despicable Me 2, Turbo, Monsters University, Cloudy with Meatballs 2 and the Rise of the Guardians over the last few weeks on the same terms. I enjoyed those in varying degrees, but I wanted to give this one a miss. But it's for the kids, not me, so I went along. And I guess what, I actually enjoyed it.

There's no point me regurgitating the plot, but highlights for me were Christina Ricci giving a bit of Wednesday to Vexy, the naughty sister Smurf, the one-dimensional pantomime baddie (he's behind you!) and the cat, which amused me if no-one else. The plot is not believable, according to some. Yeah, and you sat though Despicable Me 2 and Cloudy with Meatballs 2? The plot is consistent with the rules set for the movie, just go with it. And if your children like it, what's not to like for you?