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AKB48Fan rated Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow

 Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow 6/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

It is 1700's Britain and the Romney Marsh population don’t want to pay their high taxes so they resort to hijacking various loads of goods and smuggling them here and there for a handsome profit. The whole operation is organised and run by a vicar dressed up like a scarecrow and no one knows who he is except for two of his closest friends. His voice is from the Devil himself, a guttural sound barking orders and laying out complex schemes to foil the king’s men, but it’s his trademark laugh that instills fear in all those within earshot! This movie was originally a 3 part episode on Disney's Wonderful World of Color TV. Basically, it takes a little bit from the first episode and combines it with all of the second and third episode. There is a certain Robin Hood-esque plot to the story, but it really is only superficial. There's a great cast with Patrick McGoohan as the outlaw Scarecrow with George Cole, Geoffrey Keen and a young Richard O'Sullivan appearing. It was filmed on location in Romney Marsh where the novels about Dr Syn by Russell Thorndike take place. It's a shame this movie isn't that well known as it deserves to be. This is a fun adventure story told with great acting and visuals. If you ever have a chance to check it out, give it a go.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Bad Girls Dormitory

 Bad Girls Dormitory 3/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Inmates at a women's prison run by a corrupt warden and her gang of sadistic guards plan a breakout. This is a seriously bad 80's movie. A hilariously sub-par 'women in prison' exploit-trash-o-crap! It's not very exciting and drags a lot but there are some moments for those that like their sleaze such as shower scenes. Everything is awful from the acting to the poor fight choreography. This movie might have it's admirers but I thought it was pretty terrible from start to finish.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Figures in a Landscape

 Figures in a Landscape 7/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Two men are making an escape across various rural backdrops with their hands tied behind their backs. They may have been imprisoned for crimes of some sort, and now authorities relentlessly pursue them through the countryside. Their most persistent nemesis is a black helicopter manned by two people. This exciting thriller doesn't exactly tell you much about the plot. Exactly where the story is taking place, we never do find out. We don't learn very much about our protagonists, so they both remain something of an enigma. The plot is often stripped to the bare essentials; this is a very existential, interesting action-chase-thriller with a straightforward set-up. Robert Shaw and Malcolm McDowell are excellent as the men on the run. It puts them through their paces almost non-stop. One can imagine that this must have been quite a gruelling shoot physically. The cinematography is fantastic which impressively captures some truly breathtaking scenery - deserts, forest, snowy mountaintops, etc. This is a movie that doesn't get the exposure it deserves. It's definitely worth a look.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Live Now - Pay Later

 Live Now - Pay Later 7/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Unsavoury door-to-door salesman Albert Argyle's technique involves bedding his female customers in an attempt to seduce them to buy on credit. As well as being unfaithful to his pregnant girlfriend, the unrepentant Albert is also cheating his boss out of profits, and also trying his hand at a spot of blackmail. Ian Hendry gives a great performance as the cheeky salesman Argyle, who finds that you can buy anything you want, but if you don't make the payments, they can repossess, well, everything: the goods, your happiness, your life, even your immortal soul. Many have said that Hendry's character is similar to that of Michael Caine's Alfie but this movie came out first. What starts out as a comedy seamlessly turns into tragedy without Hendry noticing, and a savage satire of materialism and the credit philosophy. A great performance as well from Liz Frazer. For anyone accustomed to her bubbly characters in other movies, her role in this one will see another side to her. There's also cameos from a young Peter Bowles and Carry On star Peter Butterworth. This is a great dramedy to watch.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Killing of a Sacred Deer

 The Killing of a Sacred Deer 7/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Dr. Steven Murphy is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon who presides over a spotless household with his wife and two children. Lurking at the margins of his idyllic suburban existence is Martin, a fatherless teen who insinuates himself into the doctor's life in gradually unsettling ways. Soon, the full scope of Martin's intent becomes menacingly clear when he confronts Steven with a long-forgotten transgression that will shatter his domestic bliss forever. This slow paced psychological thriller embodies everything that is key to making the viewer feel a lively and frightening experience: it is beautifully shot, with very talented actors, a soundtrack that will give you chilling goosebumps, and an enigmatic plot. While some parts might feel slow or superfluous, this is easily compensated by the rising tension. Moreover, the fright is ingeniously generated through the actors' astute portrayal of character turmoil, and not cheaply made jump-scares or gratuitous violent scenes. It's a great movie if you like biting your knuckles in apprehension and get your nerves all twisted up, not so great if you are searching for fast-paced graphic experience.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Oh, Mr. Porter!

 Oh, Mr. Porter! 7/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

A bungling railway worker is given the job of stationmaster at a rundown station in rural Ireland, where his sidekicks are a toothless old gaffer and a portly young loudmouth. This is considered to be one of Will Hay's best comedies that he made with fellow British actors Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt. This is a wonderful classic British comedy. Hay's Porter leads his cohorts and others on a romp on the rails. The script is superior, the jokes come thick and fast, and the absurdist situations are genuinely funny. Hay plays his usual character. It's the go-to movie if you're a first time Hay watcher.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Ghost of Greville Lodge

 The Ghost of Greville Lodge 6/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

A teenager who has only ever lived in children's homes is invited to stay at his great uncle's house, where he notices that there is a great sadness hanging over his great uncle and the housekeeper. He begins to explore the mysterious, labyrinthine house - and discovers locked doors that hide dark secrets. This is a delightful family friendly ghost story. Blending its supernatural heart with a time travelling scenario, the movie goes exactly where you would expect it to go. It's not the scary kind of ghost story to chill the spine, though there is an ethereal eeriness about certain passages that should make the younger viewers tingle with a suspicion of the unknown. The acting is very competent especially from veterans Prunella Scales and George Cole and the period design for the 1939 segments is splendid in its eye appealing efficiency. A movie of this type lives or dies by its ending and thankfully the finale here is very well put together and hits all the right emotional notes. A good movie for all the family.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Kitchen

 The Kitchen 3/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

In the steamy atmosphere of a large West End kitchen, chefs fight, philosophise and finally go berserk, while waitresses pout, dance and have miscarriages. This dull movie based on a stage play about the staff in the restaurant from all over the globe, each of whom faces their own challenges and daily struggles. There are some older men who just want to keep their head down till it’s time to retire; some younger workers who love flirting with the waitresses and having a laugh whenever the opportunity strikes. Then there are the serious ones, who think deeply about life and their lot in it. The movie feels very righteous and I think that's what annoys me the most about it. The cast has a pre-Likely Lads James Bolam among the restaurant staff. The story never held my interest one bit and all the in-fighting/sniping by the staff got very tiring quickly.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Anime Watched In 2019 list

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

A young couple ignores warnings that the luxury yacht they just purchased may be haunted. This low budget chiller is a movie easy to pass over, mainly because of the generic nature of the title. It's only a minor b-movie, and not the best for any of the talent involved, but it is a solid, effective little movie that sets out to do what it wants to do: create an atmospheric mystery-cum-chiller on a non-existent budget, relying on acting, dialogue, characters, and story rather than special effects. There's no action so to speak of, but the movie does contain some admirable acting, an excellent flashback told by a medium of a love triangle gone horribly wrong, lots of tension and a good plot twist. The movie isn't a masterpiece and it's easy to see why it has been forgotten but those that enjoy stories like this should enjoy it.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated A Severed Head

 A Severed Head 3/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Antonia Lynch-Gibbon, wife of upper-crust wine dealer Martin, falls in love with her husband's best friend, noted psychiatrist Palmer Anderson. While both Palmer and Antonia would like to remain in Martin's life, he has some secrets of his own namely, a mistress called Georgie, whom his womanising brother also desires. All the while, Palmer's sister seems to know everyone's business. Directed by Dick Clement, one half of a prolific comedy writing partnership in the UK with Ian La Frenais, I thought this was a comedy horror because of the title but it is nothing of the sort. It's a very unfunny comedy about infidelity between 6 unlikable people. The story is awful and wastes a wonderful cast such as Lee Remick, Richard Attenborough and Ian Holm among others. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, I did make it to the end of the movie. I didn't register one single laugh whilst watching which shows how poor it is. Give it a wide berth.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Counterfeit Plan

 The Counterfeit Plan 4/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Criminal mastermind Max Brant blackmails a former forger to get back into criminal business with him. His daughter arrives to the house and tries to persuade her father to stay away from the sleazy Brant. This 50's British crime noir about a large-scale counterfeiting operation didn't do that much to me. It's reminiscent of many crime flicks but one big problem is I found it very dull. The movie takes its subject very seriously, sharing many details about the complex work of counterfeiting. It might be interesting for some people to learn about paper pulp, chemicals, ink and watermarks but it was nearly enough to make me go to sleep. I'm sure many will enjoy this movie but as I've said before I found it painfully boring.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

A man and his teenage daughter travel to an alien moon with a contract to mine gems in the moon's poisonous forest. The daughter is forced to face other people in the forest, as well as her father's greed. A simplistic, lean, minamalist sci-fi. Where this movie really shines is the atmosphere. The creators have brought to life a completely believable world much akin to Ridley Scott's Alien universe. The performances are also great. Especially from Pedro Pascal and newcomer Sophie Thatcher. However, where the film is lacking a bit is in characterisation. You are able to get behind the characters as they strive to complete their task, but you never really get to know them. This may be a conscious choice, but I feel that the movie could have benefited from more fleshed out characters. Overall, Prospect is a great exercise in sci-fi world building and I'd say it's a very safe bet for any hardcore sci-fi fan.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

An opportunist British newsman starts promoting a young typist from local beauty contests to a global competition. One of the earliest movies to expose the sordid, media-drenched world of competitive beauty pageants. Director Val Guest does a fine job showing how easily a young woman from a humble background can get sucked into the cut-throat scramble for fame and luxury, and Janette Scott is appropriately wide-eyed and pretty as the central character, who quickly ditches her fiance and working-class family in exchange for a bit of glamour and excitement. The movie does drag a little bit in the second half and a good 25 mins should have been cut to make it flow better. There's a small cameo from Sid James as a beauty contest judge. An interesting curio and a largely forgotten movie in the UK.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Passenger

 The Passenger 7/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

David Locke is a world-weary American journalist who has been sent to cover a conflict in northern Africa, but he makes little progress with the story. When he discovers the body of a stranger who looks similar to him, Locke assumes the dead man's identity. However, he soon finds out that the man was an arms dealer, leading Locke into dangerous situations. Aided by a beautiful woman, Locke attempts to avoid both the police and criminals out to get him. This is a movie about someone in the midst of an identity crisis, it's about someone who wants to free the shackles of who they are. This is one of the most subdued performances I've seen from Jack Nicholson. Here he feels like a character that has depth and struggles. It was refreshing to see him in a role like this rather then being a caricature of himself. Maria Schneider also does a good job as Nicholson's accomplice. The main problem I had with this movie was it felt a bit lifeless. The movie is technically sound, and it looks gorgeous due to being shot on location. When I was watching the movie I couldn't work out if it was meant to be a thriller or a character study, in the end it's more of a character piece. Overall, The Passenger is visually beautiful, with a great performance from Jack Nicholson, but the story didn't connect with me.

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated On the Fiddle

 On the Fiddle 6/10

4 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

Horace Pope is just an everyday street peddler when the authorities pick him up for practicing his trade. Not wanting to go to jail, Pope invents a story about enlisting in the military, which convinces the judge to send him to the Royal Air Force instead of prison. Since it happens to be during World War II, Pope pulls every scheme and scam he can with the help of his new soldier friend, Pedlar Pascoe, to avoid actual work, but he can't shirk his duty forever. This is a perfectly charming little service comedy, with the added bonus of co-starring Sean Connery just before he attained fame in the role of James Bond. Even better, Connery plays totally against type, as an ingenuous, somewhat stupid-but-likable serviceman. Alfred Lynch is the real star, though, playing a weasely British version of Sgt. Bilko, running numerous scams with his dim-witted buddy Connery. It's funny. Imagine American service sitcoms such as "McHale's Navy" and "Sgt. Bilko" crossed with the gently loopy charms of Ealing comedies, and you'll get an idea of the tone of this movie.

4 years, 7 months ago