HowardRoarkII Reviews

The Double (2013)

Watchable, definitely, if you are a serious movie-nerd (like me!) + a nice surprise here, if you are from Finland!

[8/10 · 26 August 2020]

Sure, like so many pointed out, you think about other movies when you see this one: partly "Brazil" (Gilliam), "The Tenant" (Polanski) and "I hired a contract killer" (Aki Kaurismäki). And hey, the surprise is to see, as a party band, Danny & The Islanders doing East Virginia! This is a gorgeous movie, stylish, very good actors and excellent cinematography. Sad, yes. But relax, enjoy, and give this a chance. Don't believe all the people here that obviously should have watched some Police Academy part 8 instead...

The Hustler (1961)

overrated? well, yes...

[7/10 · 9 March 2017]

Overrated, yes, when I read these reviews. Sure, there are lot's of good moments. But too much seems just hackneyed and frankly there is a lot of scenes that are just unintentionally comical when you watch them today. I am a great fan of older movies, but this is predictable melodrama most of the time. I guess this is what a "deep" movie looks like to people who need to have it all spelled out for them in such a simple way that there is no chance to miss the point. The way the female lead is treated in the film by the protagonists and the scriptwriter is interesting. We can see that feminism has after all, thank God, left its mark on us and our societies. A bit like watching Mad Men. And please, stop calling this "film noir". It's not. Well, it is not a bad movie, as a period piece, and with it's original milieu choices the film has a lot going for it. Kind of an earlier Fat City type of movie. And in it's context of time, compared to many other US-films of the period, it probably is a masterpiece after all. But not by today's standards. Seriously.

Mr. Turner (2014)

Beautiful, absorbing, masterly executed on all accounts

[10/10 · 2 April 2015]

First: if you think the film-event of the year is the latest James Bond, then, obviously you should not go and see this film. (There are so many reviewers here with the opinion that this is a boring, plot less film that this seems to be something needing to be pointed out.) In fact, what we have here is a film with much humour, acted out in scenes and in somewhat appropriately arcane dialogue. There is drama and touching depictions of the human condition. And as for plot, we are given some engaging beautiful scenes from the life of Mr. Turner, as indeed we would have learnt to expect from Mr.Mike Leigh. Personally, if I had to name a favourite Mike Leigh film, it would have been All Or Nothing, but now, after experiencing this rich tapestry of depth, history and beauty, I have to conclude that the film Mr.Turner is so far, for all involved in this project of collaboration, a most profound crowning achievement. Take part of it with open eyes, ears, hearts and minds.

Maskhead (2009)

Like watching red paint dry...

[1/10 · 3 February 2010]

My goodness, was this a mistake... buying this DVD, that is. Well, I can save the empty DVD case, for possible future use. If you thought "August Underground" was kind of a badly made movie, let me tell you, AU is a well produced and high class product. In fact AU is not a badly made movie at all, I think it hits home (and most everywhere else) plus manage to find exactly the spot it is aiming for. "Maskhead" does not. "Maskhead" is not fun, neither intentionally or non-intentionally. "Maskhead" is not disgusting, not sexy (not even if you like bondage-porn, trust me), not horroresque, it is just boring, tedious and utterly pointless and, sorry guys, just kind of void of talent. (Makeup and effects are maybe not so bad...?) But, alas, this has to rate as one of the worst movies ever made, and not worst in any kind of good, camp, so-bad-it-is-good-way. Being boring and stupid is for me the ultimate unforgivable a movie can be... to be honest I watched ten minutes, then I couldn't take it any more but switched to fast forward, stopped here and there to no avail, and finally got to the end. Thank god. So the disc goes in the dust bin, and I will try to forget this embarrassing episode... Believe me, you have a lot more fun and find it a lot more interesting looking out your window, or if you do not have a window, staring at your wall.

Coming Home (1978)

probably ok, but...

[17 April 2003]

Why isn't the 1972 film "My Old Man's Place" (aka Glory Boy) by Edwin Sherin released anywhere? A low budget precursor to this film, it was probably the first anti-war film about returning veterans. I saw it in 1973 and have never forgotten it (or seen it since).