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AKB48Fan rated Aces High

 Aces High 7/10

4 years, 11 months ago

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

Patriotic young pilots straight out of college lost their lives in literally a few days time in the Air Corps during WWI, due to their inexperience and the stress of this new kind of battle. Squadron Leader Gresham has the unwelcome task of leading the 76th Squadron and also visiting colleges to drum up recruits, all the while knowing he's inviting them to an almost certain death. A very good but depressing movie. Malcolm McDowell is subdued in his performance as Gresham and seems to come out of his cocoon only at the end. This is necessary, I think, for his character to survive in the surroundings of constant tragedy. Peter Firth is naive in the extreme, and this is probably a correct portrayal of a green recruit in WWI, where there was no frame of reference for how dangerous those early airplanes were. The movie shows the viewer just how little the commanders valued the lives of their men by sending them out unprepared and inexperienced, and that they know after one group of fliers is decimated, there is always a fresh batch of innocent boys to take their place. A well done movie with a firm anti-war message.

4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan rated White Water Summer

 White Water Summer 6/10

4 years, 11 months ago

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

An experienced wilderness guide, Vic leads a group of teenagers from the city on their first big outdoor adventure. One of the boys, the sheltered and defiant Alan, resents Vic's tough attempts at teaching them life lessons and clashes with him. After tensions have built up between Vic and his young charges, he is injured in an incident and needs their help so that they all can survive the ordeal and make it back to civilisation. This is a great coming of age tale. The story is told in some sort of flashback, with Sean Astin making comments right into the camera, and then picking up back in the wilderness with him looking a couple years younger. The explanation on that is the movie went unreleased for 2 years and I guess they thought it would be interesting for an older Astin to add commentary on his trek a couple years later. It comes off OK. This movie has a lot of good things going for it. The photography is really beautiful, filmed mostly in New Zealand locations. The music is pretty good too. The big draw is probably the cast, with the obvious audience appeals of Sean Astin and Kevin Bacon. Definitely a good 80's teen flick to catch if you get a chance.

4 years, 11 months ago

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

Dr. Nicholas arrives at the insane asylum run by the eminent Professor Tremayne to hear his absolutely bizarre theories as to how four of his patients ended up there. This Amicus horror anthology is rather silly but still enjoyable. The first story deals with a boy who has invisible tiger as a friend with his parents not believing him until huge claw marks start appearing on doors of their house. It's a pretty decent story. The second tale is about a man who has bought an old picture and a penny farthing bike. The picture has an effect on the man making him want to ride the bike which takes him back to Victorian times. I didn't think this story was rather good to be honest. The third is the strangest story of them all and has a man who falls in love with a tree that's fallen down and disposes of his wife!! The final odd tale is probably the best and has a dinner being served at a house with the guests not knowing that it's human flesh that they're eating. There's one last twist in this movie before it ends though. The cast perform well with Donald Pleasance and a young Mary Tamm (of Dr Who) making appearances. It's not the best Amicus anthology movie but still worth watching for the weirdness of it all.

4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 11 months ago

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

A picture-perfect family is torn apart after Tyler finds a cache of disturbing images in his father's possession. He begins to suspect that the man he trusts most in the world may be responsible for the murder of 13 girls ten years prior. At times extremely effective, deeply disturbing and uncomfortable to watch, this is a relatively satisfying and well made movie but it's also a classic example of a movie that doesn't know when to end - dragging out the resolution until you're willing the credits to start rolling; every scene feels like it's setting up the conclusion until it's followed by yet another and you're left impatiently waiting for the crescendo, which is tedious, frustrating and disappointing. However, the performances sell the entire movie and there's palpable tension between characters in emotionally charged scenes so the conflict is incredibly well done and regardless of its faults, it's still a good movie despite being unnecessarily long and drawn out.

4 years, 11 months ago

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

Growing up on a farm with his elder brother, Mason, Tex McCormick becomes troubled after his mother's death and his father's departure. While Tex and Mason try to live on their own, their individual teen woes threaten their relatively independent existence out in the country. Starring a very young Matt Dillon in one of his earliest main roles, this is a completely by-the-numbers movie. It trudges over cliché after cliché, but it's age and settings sort of let's you forgive it's generic feel. It's core development is a drama of brothers growing up together and looking out for one-another. I liked the movie for it's simplicity and charismatic performance from Matt Dillon. Conversations were honest and occasionally poignant. The supporting cast are fairly good including also a young Emilio Estevez and Meg Tilly. Worth a watch.

4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 11 months ago

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

After being captured for a series of gruesome murders, Horace Pinker, a television repairman, faces execution by the electric chair but a deal with the devil allows him to come back as electricity. Once he changes into his new form, Pinker goes after the detective that brought him down, Lt. Don Parker as well as Parker's adopted son, Jonathan. However, Jonathan's mysterious connection to Pinker through dreams might help track the killer's moves. This horror movie by Wes Craven is mostly a mixed bag. The story has almost no development beyond the initial ideas, turning the movie into an endless series of repetitive chases, and gets increasingly silly as it moves along. There are also too many action scenes which lack credibility to a point where that can't be forgiven. However, there is also a particularly memorable sequence with the villain and the hero entering another dimension and fighting each other while jumping in and out of various TV shows. Performances from the cast are adequate and there are even small cameos from Sam Raimi and Heather Langenkamp (from the Elm Street movies). More cheesy than electrifying I'd say this movie is but unassuming entertainment nonetheless.

4 years, 11 months ago

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4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Chase a Crooked Shadow

 Chase a Crooked Shadow 8/10

4 years, 11 months ago

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

A man shows up at Kimberley Prescott's Spanish villa claiming to be her brother. Trouble is is that her brother, Ward Prescott, died in a car accident a year ago... This is a belter of a movie with a brilliant plot that keeps you guessing right to the end. Director Michael Anderson carefully builds the suspense, ensuring that what we think we know may in fact not be the case. The twists and jolts are deftly handled and the finale is a delightful bolt from the blue. The cast are mostly effective with some people calling Richard Todd's performance too wooden, but he needs to be restrained here, he is after all playing the character's cards close to his chest. Herbert Lom has authoritative presence as the policeman being pulled both ways of the mystery. This is an exciting and gripping thriller and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

4 years, 11 months ago

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

A part-time Tokyo call girl Akiko finds an unlikely connection with an old retired sociology professor. Whilst living her double life as student and escort girl her relationship with her hot-headed, blue collar boyfriend reaches boiling point. This movie is about the first pangs of love, the period when two people begin the process of understanding the other. In this case it is the old professor who unexpectedly finds himself falling for the young girl. The script and the director uses the seedier side of Tokyo to tell a tale of loneliness and discomfort within a sprawling and uncompromising city. This is not a movie for all tastes. Each scene is long and laborious, many scenes are of simply the characters waiting for the other to appear on screen. But if you are willing to stay the duration you may be rewarded with a touching if some what incomplete love story. The abrupt ending of the movie may also frustrate viewers as well.

4 years, 11 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 11 months ago

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

The story is about a mother of two Agnes, who seems more of less content with her family life but on her birthday is presented with a jigsaw puzzle. Her life is so predictable she knows what her husband will say before he does. Completing this puzzle seems to give her a sense of achievement which she doesn't seem to be able to find anywhere else in her life. This sets her off on a mission to find more puzzles to complete and opens up a new life for her...possibly. The tone of the movie is somewhat offbeat and also have to suspend your disbelief for the story to work. It takes a while before you notice the movie is set in the present day. The main character is somewhat strange as well, its unclear if her quirky behaviour is supposed to be due to a sheltered life or something like Aspergers/OCD. It's very much a story told from a female perspective at the expense of her husband. There is more a little bit of selfishness in the main character which to me makes her less sympathetic. Kelly MacDonald turns in a good performance as Agnes. It's an interesting movie and worth the watch although how you respond will largely be down to whether you find this a movie about someone who is blinkered and selfish or someone escaping from a humdrum life of family responsibility. You decide.

4 years, 11 months ago

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4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Anime Watched In 2019 list

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan posted a image

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan added 3 items to their collection

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to Hit Or Miss? Good Or Bad? 2019 Movies Watched list

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Chimpanzee

 Chimpanzee 6/10

4 years, 12 months ago

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

Deep in an African forest lives a family of chimpanzees, including a baby named Oscar. Displaying the playful curiosity and ingenuity of fellow primates, Oscar and his family navigate the forest's complex territory with relative ease. Usually, the world is a playground for Oscar and his young comrades, but when his family encounters a rival band of chimps, he is left to fend for himself. However, a surprising ally steps in and changes Oscar's life forever. I wasn't sure what to expect of this documentary movie but I knew it wouldn't be anything as good as something with David Attenborough narrating. I would describe this movie as half brilliant documentary and half cheesy kids movie. I wasn't quite sure what to believe was natural footage and what was some sort of staged animal wrangling or CGI. Ultimately this movie delivers a touching story of a young primate and his tribe. Though somewhat contrived at times there are many, many moments of genuine intimacy that tug the heartstrings and also make you wonder how in the world they got these shots. Thankfully there's a bit of explanation at the end. Tim Allen is just OK as the narrator. I wouldn't call this a must-see nature documentary. Good to watch once and then you forget about it.

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Anime Watched In 2019 list

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 12 months ago

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

A young gambler who exposes a gang of gambling crooks finds he's a marked man when they try and force him and his wife out of town. This isn't a well known Shaw Brothers movie but the storyline is typical of the tragic endings that they were famed for. It's an action packed movie with a high body count and tons of blood. Yueh Hua is great as the smooth and sly Luo Tian Guang. He's so clever and self assured that you know he's bound to end up badly at some point or other. After he's framed, tortured and just barely saved from execution, he heals his wounds, and in the finale, goes after the nasty thugs instigating a vicious slaughter that sees Luo take an extreme amount of punishment. He's beaten, stabbed with bayonets and shot around a dozen times and still manages to take out a handful of guys before collapsing from his massive wounds. Shek Kin will be familiar to martial arts fans as Mr Han from Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon and here he also plays a nasty villain. The crimson stuff flows freely throughout but it turns into a huge bloodbath by the end. Shaw Brothers fans should seek this out as it's well worth watching.

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Release the Spyce

 Release the Spyce 7/10

4 years, 12 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to Anime Watched In 2019 list

4 years, 12 months ago