jjackson1968 Reviews

The War I Knew (2014)

Enjoyable. Non-typical WWII movie.

[8/10 · 21 March 2016]

My wife and I attend many film festivals, we love independent films. With this being a WWII story, my wife didn't want to see this movie. By the end she enjoyed it more than I did (and I thought it was a good movie). It was very entertaining and- to use her words -"not a typical war film". We can not understand why some of these reviews have been very dismissive. It may be because this movie has a small portion of dialogue in German and French. As we don't speak these languages we don't know if the actors were doing a good job or not at speaking correctly. I guess that was the intention -to put the audience into the shoes of the English speaking soldiers. We found it very enjoyable.

Best Little Whorehouse in Rochdale (2011)

British comedy at it's best

[9/10 · 13 October 2012]

We saw this film at the San Diego Film Fest. I wasn't expecting much but my partner wanted to see it. I'm glad she dragged me to it. This is a film full of humour and women's in jokes about men and sex. My partner laughed more than me (and I laughed a lot). This story had heart and that is not usual for most comedies. We cared what happened to these guys. The four lead actors were so endearing, and typically British. The girls auditioning to join the brothel was a joy to watch. My partner got hiccups she was laughing so much.

Not enough "feel good" movies around but this is one of the good ones. We would see it again when it comes our way.

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

Documentary/ mockumentary

[7/10 · 28 December 2010]

Exit Through The Gift Shop is a documentary...or is it? That is the debate. Does it matter if this film is one or the other. Either way, it is entertaining. It shows that in this age of visual eye-candy and ridiculously high budgets a film can be made and succeed. I feel half the fun of this film is wondering if such a strange mix of obsession, art, and humor can be real. Life is all of the above and that is real. If we make a documentary does it have to be heavy and serious? I have watched numerous documentaries and features, more than I would have liked, this was worth it. As many films can be, it was a little long but enjoyable.

Another Year (2010)

Acting at it's best. Nominations will follow.

[8/10 · 28 December 2010]

Another Year is the kind of film an actor wishes they had been in and any director wishes they had made. Mike Leigh's skillful directing is at its peak. Long, lingering shots of the characters angst (which normally frustrate the audience) are achieved in an effortless way. The acting is so flawless that it is difficult to find fault. The story is simple and meandering...but it works, and works incredibly well. Another Year will not be to the taste of the young kick-cutting action packed generation. It requires a mature audience or an audience that have at least pondered about what their life would be like after their forties.

This will gain nominations and should win Oscars.

Rebels Without a Clue (2010)

A very enjoyable romp!

[7/10 · 12 October 2010]

We saw Rebels without a Clue at the Cannes Marche screening in May. This dark comedy is not without fault (but what film can't be picked apart), occasionally the acting is slightly uneven. No more than Angelina Jolie's performance in Changeling (does that make her a bad actor, or Clint Eastwood a bad director? I think not).

If you enjoy watching UK films, with their quirky humor (I'm originally from the US), try to watch this entertaining film. The setting on the moors is stunning, and strangely fits right in with the natural and witty dialogue. I have only been to the moors in the north of the UK once but it is breathtaking. After spending many years in the business, having to watch many films, I find it refreshing when I can watch an original, truly independent, and entertaining film. Well done.