neil-douglas2010 Reviews

The Towering Inferno (1974)

Not a disaster at all

[8/10 · 17 April 2024]

Of all the disaster movies of the seventies this along with The Poseidon Adventure were the very best of the genre. Like Poseidon this was helped by a great cast and exceptional set pieces for it's time.

Paul Newman plays Doug Roberts, an architect of this new state of the art building. Unfortunately unknown to him it's been a botched job and sooner than later there's a fire in the building. A disaster looms but step forward the Fire Brigade led by Chief O'Halloran (Steve McQueen). Now the fun really begins with disaster after disaster plaguing the building and it's occupants, of course there's a couple of rotten apples (Robert Wagner and Richard Chamberlain) but that's part of the joy watching their demise.

Newman and McQueen are both excellent in this thriller of a movie but theirs also nice performances from the likes of Fred Astaire and OJ Simpson, this alas was also the end of the great disaster movies of the Seventies and it was left to the Airplane movies to send the worst of them up in the 1980's.

The Hostage Tower (1980 TV Movie)

Perfect for a Sunday afternoon

[7/10 · 16 April 2024]

In this partly written Alistair MacLean adaptation, Mr Smith (Keir Dullea) gathers a team together to capture the Eiffel Tower and kidnap the mother of the US President. Among the team are Mike Graham (Peter Fonda), Sabrina (Maud Adams) and CW (Billy Dee Williams). Unknown to Mr Smith, Adams and Williams characters are undercover for Philpott (Douglas Fairbanks Jr) who has been trying to capture Mr Smith for some time. Graham, who is a bit of a renegade helps Sabrina and CW rescue the President's mother and stop Mr Smith from blowing up the Eiffel Tower.

Whilst nothing exceptional it is nevertheless entertaining enough and perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964)

Hammer goes swashbuckling

[8/10 · 21 March 2024]

Hammer goes historical with this swashbuckling adventure set among the backdrop of the Spanish Armada.

Christopher Lee is the baddie, obviously, as the leader of a gang of pirates who have taken over a Spanish ship after the Armada was beaten. Finding themselves needing repairs they land in Southern England, luckily they are near a village. Telling the gullible villagers that the Spanish have won the war, they easily take the village and plan on rebuilding their ship. Not everyone is helpful though, and what with the drunken and bawdy crew things start to go wrong for them. Lee is his usual brilliant self as the cruel leader of the pirates and it's nice to see Hammer regular get more to do than normal. Of the good guys they're all very heroic but it's Lee that makes the film work, a great Hammer non-horror film.

The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)

Two Roger's for the Price of one

[8/10 · 28 February 2024]

Made at the start of the Seventies and at the end of his role as TV's Saint, this one shows that he can actually act ( we knew that anyway ). It's a case of a doppelganger taking over your life after a near fatal car crash. Nobody believes him, not even his wife (the beautiful Hildegard Neil). When his alter ego starts taking over his life.

Moore is actually pretty good at playing the good/evil roles, so much that you think who is telling the truth.

Pieces of trivia, the guy playing servant Luigi (Kevork Malikyan) would find later fame in ITV's Mind Your Language (1977) and as Kazim in Indiana and the Last Crusade (1989).

A pretty decent mystery thriller of it's time.

Quadrophenia (1979)

We shall fight them on the beaches

[8/10 · 19 February 2024]

Excellent iconic British film centred on a young Mod, Jimmy (Phil Daniels) and his disillusionment in his life.

Everything starts off well though, he loves the mod lifestyle (the music, fashion, pills and the tribalism), but hates his job and authority. When he discovers the lifestyle has it's downside his life spirals out of control.

With mainly a young British cast this is a very well made film with obviously an brilliant soundtrack. Based on The Who LP of the same name and made with the bands involvement, the groups songs play a pivotal piece of the film (almost a character of it's own).

In hindsight many of the cast had great success in their own right in the future mainly in the UK, but Sting was probably the most successful even though he speaks not a word in the film.

Fathom (1967)

If you've got it flaunt it

[7/10 · 14 February 2024]

An enjoyable if frothy spy romp with more twists than a Chubby Checker record and a cheeky performance from the beautiful Raquel Welch. In the days where everyone was making a James Bond spoof this is one of the better ones Filmed mainly in Spain this film certainly gains from the location work and the excellent outfits Raquel wears. She plays the title character Fathom, a skydiver helping detectives pursuing parts for a nuclear weapon. The device is however hidden inside a Chinese figurine called the Firecracker, but all this is a ruse as the figurine has been stolen. Everyone is after it, including Ronald Fraser, Tony Franciosa, Clive Revill and even a young Richard Briers.

Everyone seems to be having a great time making this caper, for me too many twists hampered the enjoyment a little, still a decent effort.

Strip Nude for Your Killer (1975)

Well made Italian slasher with no Brazilians

[7/10 · 29 January 2024]

IF you take away the nudity and the dubbed english language (I'd rather have heard the Italian original) this is actually a decent european thriller from the mid seventies.

It's kind of stuck in the middle of the Shaft/Temptations music of the early 70's and the slasher film of later in the decade. Story wise it starts with a woman dying on an operating table, and then people affiliated with her start getting bumped off, starting with the doctor in charge. She was also a model so people at the agency end up dead.

Star wise, there is only one person worth watching and that's the charismatic Edwige Fenech, possibly too good for this film, but alluring all the same.

Ghost Rider (2007)

If Elvis was a superhero

[7/10 · 16 January 2024]

A different kind of superhero movie from Marvel with Nicolas Cage playing his version of Elvis again, even with the leather jacket circa 1968.

Cage plays stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze who has made a deal with the Devil (Peter Fonda) to help heal his father. Alas his dad soon dies but Johnny still has to go with the deal. He is now the Ghost Rider and he has to destroy Blackheart, the Devil's son.

Of course there is a love interest in the form of Eva Mendes, but she has little to do. Thankfully Sam Elliott is on hand to almost steal the film as only he can.

A decent film and a sequel followed in 2012.

Halloween Kills (2021)

The IQ of Haddonfield keeps getting lower

[7/10 · 9 January 2024]

Having said that though, the dafter the films get the more you want to watch them. The Predecessor, Halloween (2018) I actually saw at, the cinema, but even though that too was silly it was a very good horror film. This one starts pretty well but soon gets bogged down by stupid characters. By now Jamie Lee's career is unfortunately now centered on this franchise. Shame because she's a far better actress than this. The same could probably be said for Judy Greer. As for the film itself we all know the score by now, this time with a vigilante mob after Michael. Maybe they'll get their wish in Halloween Ends.

Sea of Love (1989)

Excellent Sex Thriller

[8/10 · 12 December 2023]

Amazingly Pacino only made five films in the eighties and along with Scarface this is his best effort. He plays Frank Keller, a detective whose wife has left him for a colleague.

A serial killer is on the loose and the Police believe the culprit is a female. Teaming up with Detective Sherman (John Goodman) they set up blind dates to track down the suspect. In comes Ellen Barkin as Helen Cruger, could she be the killer?. Obviously Pacino and Barkin become romantically involved, but because the acting is so good the viewer tosses away the daftness of the storyline. Whilst both leads are great credit to Goodman for being the comedy the film needs and not overdoing it.

Avalanche (1994)

Certainly not a 1994 movie

[5/10 · 26 November 2023]

One thing for sure is this is not a 1994 film, I've just watched it on Talking Pictures here in the UK. According to the channel it's a 1969 film.

Anyway onto the film and it's not really a great movie, and a short one at that. With a title like Avalanche you would expect a little excitement, but sadly no. The dialogue is a little sloppy and the film looks like it has been redubbed. Set in Switzerland a small town is being evacuated because of pending avalanches. A little girl, Maria, goes missing and five kids go looking for her followed by three concerned adults.

It's not the kind of film where anything nasty will happen and the girl is rescued at the end.

Switzerland looks stunning though.

Gold (1974)

The new Bond almost strikes gold

[7/10 · 22 November 2023]

A pretty above average thriller starring the new James Bond, Roger Moore. Roger plays Rod Slater, a foreman at a South African Goldmine, when there's a disaster at the mine Slater is made the new man in charge. Little does he know but this is a rue to drown the mine in water, thus closing the mine and sending Gold prices skyrocketing through the world. The man behind this is Manfred Steyner (Bradford Dillman), who along with other rich gentleman plan to make loads of money through this disaster.

Steyner's wife Terry (Susannah York) is a pawn in her husband's game. When Slater is seducing Terry that is when the mine is to be blown up.

There's definitely pieces of a Bond movie in this, but it also shows the difference between the miners (mainly black) and the rich owners (mainly white). Whilst this doesn't spoil the film, you do notice it (not that South Africa was the only country to discriminate in this way).

A decent effort from Roger.

Assassin (1973)

Gritty British thriller, one of the best seventies efforts

[8/10 · 21 November 2023]

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this gritty thriller from 1973 starring the ever dependable Ian Hendry. He is the Assassin of the film, but he's haunted about his last case which didn't go well. Hendry is excellent as the loner assassin (they usually are) given the case of murdering a Government official who is suspected of passing on national secrets.

The film is set in a grey seventies type Britain, just like Get Carter from 71, and their's a kind of sadness about Hendry's character. You suspect this will not end happily for him.

British viewers will spot a few familiar faces in this enjoyable thriller, from Ray Brooks, Caroline John and Frank Windsor to Celia Imrie (probably most famous for UK comedy Dinnerladies made many years later).

The People That Time Forgot (1977)

Patrick Wayne vs the Dinosaurs

[7/10 · 20 November 2023]

A pretty decent follow up to 1974's "The Land that Time Forgot" starring John Wayne's son Patrick. His role as the hero Ben is probably the least likeable role in the film (not his fault I add, it's just the way the character was written). Anyway Ben is on a mission to find his old friend Bowen Tyler (Doug McClure) who went missing in the first film. Helping him on his mission are pilot Hogan (Shame Rimmer), writer Norfolk (Thorley Walters) and photographer Charly (Sarah Douglas). These parts are all played with great fun especially Rimmer and Douglas who herself would find global fame as the villain Ursa in the first two Superman films.

This is an enjoyable film, even it's special effects won't ruin this film for you. Perfect for a sunday afternoon.

Batman Returns (1992)

The Cat gets the cream

[9/10 · 16 November 2023]

The second of the Modern Batman movies ups the fun compared to the original and also has better characters. This time we have three "villains" in Max Shreck, the Penguin and Catwoman.

In a beautifully made movie from Tim Burton (at his best) he gives two of three a back story to give us some sympathy for their plight. Michelle Pfeiffer is delightfully playful as Selina Kyle, an employee of Christopher Walken's Shreck. After he pushes her out of a window, the unfortunate Kyle is brought to life by her beloved cats and soon turns her into the sexy Catwoman. The Penguin (Danny De Vito) was thrown into the river by his disgusted parents as a child, but now he has returned to reek vengeance on Gotham City, quite a tragic figure at times it's easy to feel sorry for him.

Batman himself is almost a secondary character in this one, but again Michael Keaton plays the part well. Unfortunately this was the last time he played the role and the franchise suffered for the rest of the decade until Christian resurrected the role in the 21st Century.

Never Say Never Again (1983)

Bond-Lite, but it could've been worse

[7/10 · 8 November 2023]

The unofficial Bond movie of 1983 and a remake of 1965's Thunderball, some would say what's the point. Luckily the official Bond movie of 83 (Octopussy) was just as above average as this film. Connery is back as Bond after a 12 year gap and he's obviously still pretty good and still younger than Roger Moore. The bad guy is Largo, this time played by Klaus Maria Brandauer, and he's fine. The best character in the film though is Fatima Blush, brilliantly played by Barbara Carrera, just the right side of overplaying the part.

On the down side Rowan Atkinson's part is just a little bit silly for a Bond movie, but in all a decent effort on a lower budget to Octopussy.

Night Teeth (2021)

Certainly helped by three likeable leads

[8/10 · 24 October 2023]

I thought the trailer looked good so I thought I'd give it a try, most Netflix films are at least interesting. This is no exception.

The three leads are so likeable that the plot doesn't really matter, Benny (Jorge Lindeborg Jr) is chauffeur for the night for two mysterious ladies. The scary Zoe (Lucy Fry) and quieter Blaire (Debbie Ryan) are really vampires out on a mission for their boss Victor (Alfie Allen). In their way is Benny's brother Jay (Raul Castillo), and Benny has to choose whose side he's on.

It's an enjoyable film with likeable performance from Lindeborg Jr and Ryan, a fun vampire movie.

Play Dirty (1969)

I wasn't expecting that

[8/10 · 20 October 2023]

Excellent but forgotten Michael Caine thriller where he's up against the odds again. Set in North Africa during the Second World War, Caine plays Captain Douglas sent to lead a special mission to destroy a German fuel depot because of his skills working for British Petroleum. His colleagues unfortunately a unit of convicted criminals, usually you wouldn't care for their mission but Caine is so good at times you forget their mission.

Obviously in the end up you don't care if the group get killed, infact the only death you care for is the kidnapped German nurse. The end was a shock for me anyway, but came with the feel for the film itself, no one wins in war.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Decent nothing more

[7/10 · 12 October 2023]

After the pretty enjoyable Goldeneye this is something of a slight disappointment. Brosnan is still good as 007 but the problem lies elsewhere.

The plot is Bond against media mogul Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce), a lightwieght bad guy, as are his henchman including Stamper (Gotz Otto). Love interest is Carver's wife Paris (Terri Hatcher), but she's not in the film long, so that's nil.

Good things, well there mostly when Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) is in the movie, the film would've been far better with her in it more. Nice gadgets and always great to see the original Q. The theme by Sheryl Crow is also one of the better recent entries.

Kleo (2022– )

One of the best Netflix foreign series

[9/10 · 10 October 2023]

At last a German version of Killing Eve, a series which was a great success in the UK recently. There are differences obviously but for me the feel of the pieces were similar (this is not a bad thing).

The amazing Jella Haase is brilliant as the lead character Kleo Straub.

Kleo is an East German spy who kills targets for her employees, but is falsely imprisoned by her bosses. After 3 years and the collapse of the GDR Kleo starts her murderous revenge on anyone who betrayed her.

Like Killing Eve it's played so well by everyone with just the right amount of humour, action and murder to keep the viewer interested.

A second series is on the way, let's it doesn't follow Eve's ever diminishing interest as that would be a sin. I have every faith in Kleo.

The Lair of the White Worm (1988)

Decent shocker from Ken Russell

[7/10 · 7 October 2023]

Being a Ken Russell film you'd expect it to be strange but visually stunning, and in this way it certainly succeeds.

Angus Flint (Peter Capaldi) finds a fossil whilst excavating at a convent run by two sisters Mary and Kate. Angus meets James (Hugh Grant), a local Lord of the Manor. A pocket watch is found belonging to one of the girls fathers. Also appearing in the story is the seductive Lady Sylvia (Amanda Donohoe), as a strange vampiric being. The fossil is actually of a serpent and Lady Sylvia is connected to it. Good prevails I think.

Visually interesting as you would expect from a Ken Russell film, it's the performances that count. Donohoe is excellent as the femme fatale, Grant is great as the English gent (something he would become famous for, but Capaldi steals the film with s brilliant performance as Angus. Greater things would occur for Peter later in his career.

GoldenEye (1995)

Bond enters the 90's belatedly but with a nod to the past

[8/10 · 5 October 2023]

After the two more serious Timothy Dalton movies (which I liked) the first Brosnan takes us back ever so slightly to the Moore era. Not too far though for this film introduces the new M, played by Judi Dench. Moneypenny also gets a wee makeover with Samantha Bond playing the part with great humour.

Onto the baddies, the usual renegades but all played very well, especially Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp who ooses lethal seduction. Sean Bean also shows that he can be a decent foe, when he's used to being the good guy.

The storyline is the usual one, maniacs trying to control the world but Bond prevails as usual, we wouldn't expect anything less would we.

Another three Brosnan Bond films would follow but I think this is the best (or at least the most sensible).

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

Don't read books (especially from a haunted house)

[8/10 · 2 October 2023]

Enjoyable horror mystery film with a likeable cast that keeps you entertained throughout. Set in 1968 with the backdrop of Vietnam and the US elections of late that year, it's Halloween again and the three friends, Stella, Auggie and Chuck are out on Hallow's Eve. They get in trouble with Tommy and hide out at a Drive In where they meet Ramon, who's hiding to escape the draft to Vietnam. They end up at a Haunted House where Stella (Zoe Colletti) takes a book from the house. Bad move as the book starts writing horrific stories about her friends and they go missing. It's all about Sarah Bellowes, who was mistreated by her family in the past. To stop the books stories Stella promises to write Sarah's true story, by the end of the film Stella, Ramon (Michael Garza) and Chuck's sister Ruth are still trying to find their friends, a sequel perhaps.

I liked this film and hope they make a sequel.

The Lost Continent (1968)

Hammer goes all out fantasy adventure

[7/10 · 12 September 2023]

Sometimes even Hammer goes away from it's horror roots, true it always had, especially with it's psychological thriller.

In this one Eric Porter plays the lead character Lansen, the captain of the ship, but also out to make one last paycheck. You see the ship is carrying a mysterious cargo that is dangerous if it gets wet. Great idea putting it on a ship, quickly the crew mutiny and leave the ship, leaving some crew members and civilians.

When they reach a mysterious island they get involved in a religious cult (don't they all) and only escape when they dethrone their leader, who is a young boy.

It's an interesting film, especially Eric Porter who goes from being the villain to the hero in 90 minutes. The rest of the are also good, especially James Cossins and Hildegard Knef (who is the only totally likeable character in the film).

North Sea Hijack (1980)

Bond with a Beard kinda works

[7/10 · 28 August 2023]

This is an enjoyable adventure thriller starring Roger Moore that's perfect for a Sunday afternoon, plenty of daring do all that's missing is a decent baddie.

Set in the North Sea, it's all about the hijacking of an oil rig by a group of mercenaries including Anthony Perkins (badly miscast in my opinion). Luckily for Britain, and their female Prime Minister (very apt at the time) we have an ace card up our sleeves. Step up Ffolkes (Moore) and his counter terrorist gang save the day and overpower the bad guys.

Ffolkes' character is definitely chauvinistic, especially with the secretary, he prefers cats seemingly. The other characters are nothing to write home about though Lea Brodie shows a bit of spirit as crew member Sanna.

In all a very well made film that's hard to dislike, even Roger's beard and Where's Wally hat.