svendaly Reviews

The Velvet Underground (2021)

Peel quickly and don't see

[7/10 · 16 October 2021]

Oddly limited in scope. I knew it was a standalone two hour job but found myself doubting that- given the first half was given to pre-band. This was of course fascinating.

But we end up with a 20 minute breeze through the Doug Yule era and I adore those albums.

No reformation covered either.

Visuals wonderful - but bizarre sound mixing (at least for my experience anyway) which meant you couldn't hear the commentary over the music so I had to watch with subtitles on. Which gave an interesting experience in realising that "my" Velvets lyrics have subtle, distinct differences to those that are apparently true.

No Time to Die (2021)

Long and tapered

[7/10 · 15 October 2021]

I did find this very satisfying but the last hour somewhat dipped into formulaic Bondery, albeit with a novel if somewhat hyperbolic ending.

Some nice twists and nods to past films (yes we got the IHMSS one the first time, no need to repeat it) but they definitely appeared to be parodying even themselves with the setting for the climax and for the two dimensional villain.

Jesus of Nazareth (1977– )

Mixed - compelling when hits the mark

[7/10 · 4 April 2021]

Some really iffy production quality here - and the sound on the DVD I saw this on was truly woeful - but when it hits the mark when Powell arrives and the larger set pieces are delivered it comes up a notch. The editing shows, but with sterling support from the likes of Olivier, Steiger and Holm, Robert Powell truly is remarkable. Difficult to imagine him being bested in the role (setting aside the racial disparity - something that is quite glaring as a whole, the mix of accents being amusing at times)

WandaVision (2021)

Adventurous detour that doesn't hold its nerve

[7/10 · 31 March 2021]

Unlike most of the reception (at least early doors) I enjoyed the early episodes immensely - the creeping sense of the reality behind the illusion, what was outside the fake sitcom world, I thought promised something that could be genre-bending. Alas it couldn't sustain it. The conceit was pretty much your first guess, the "real world" sequences were woefully stiff (it's a comic book so I always give them some slack) and the villain (whilst a genuine Marvel character) being an actual Salem type witch was just a bit flat. But decent effort.

Can't Get You Out of My Head (2021)

Seriously compelling and depressing

[8/10 · 31 March 2021]

As with all his films, could genuinely we watched without the commentary, with some fantastic visual and aural detours.

The content itself is maddeningly disorientating and - if true (and this is key) - simply depressing and draining of hope in mankind and it's future. But who knows really. A lot of probably is right though - sleep tight!

Sylvia (2003)

Is this fair to anyone, is it true?

[6/10 · 30 March 2021]

I'm no expert in the real history of this relationship - albeit well aware of the blame attached to Hughes, the background to this being focussed on in this admittedly attractive looking rendition. Previous suicide attempts by Plath are discussed by the character, but given this and what was inevitably a condition that she had, diagnosed or otherwise - is it right to paint her as a jealous housewife driven to despair, or as Hughes creating the reason for her suicide? The reality is inevitably much more nuanced and richly detailed, but this seems to be enough for this film. Both Paltrow and Craig are well cast on looks, Craig can't seem to stick to the Yorkshire accent however. There is a drab, greyness to it at times that adds to the feel - but really think Plath at least deserves more.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Won't go back for the second half - woeful waffle 84

[4/10 · 30 March 2021]

It's overlong at 2.5 hrs. On paper at least, watched first half with the intention of picking up the following evening but I'm really not going to bother, given the paucity of any real appeal as a film. Female director, female lead, the premier female superhero - and we get this? Really?

Blitzed! (2020)

Loving Examination of a moment in time

[7/10 · 29 March 2021]

I've read another review which points out the lack of context in this, whether backwards to the roaring twenties, 60s or glam (apart from Bowie) or forward to the likes of Leigh Bowery. All fair, but the detail and stories in and out of this moment in place and time will compel anyone of an age to remember the modern romantics.

Some key players but the cast of talking heads has a limited scope. The star still feels like Steve Strange, who doesn't figure as sadly passed in 2015.

The Assistant (III) (2019)

Opaque depiction of a Weinstein figures tyranny

[8/10 · 29 March 2021]

It's not about Weinstein clearly but it might well as be. The demon exec is never really shown, other than through the subservience and fear that ripples through the staff, resulting in erratic responses in how they carry on working for the company.

The Happy Prince (2018)

A somewhat deflating denouement

[6/10 · 29 March 2021]

How much of a bellend must Lord Alfred Douglas have actually been? He gets royally painted as a horrid figure in both this and by Jude Law in Wilde?

I always thought Wilde was in a bad way right from when he came out of Reading. Not quite so, according to this but the decline is rapid as he retreats to the margins, with the drink and despondency reflected in a depressing run of episodes and the reminder that his talent had left him. Everett impresses.

King Rocker (2020)

Endearingly rendered portrait of an iconoclast

[8/10 · 29 March 2021]

I've heard Stewart Lee (and Michael Cummings on one) on a round of podcasts promoting this so am well versed on the challenges they had in funding to get this made - as well as it being impossible to distribute in a Covid world.

Furthermore challenges around available footage plus the amused frustration created by finding out elements of story that Lloyd either forgot or hadn't bothered to tell them - with the difficulty on having the opportunity to include these. His friendship with The Ramones is an example of this, albeit they managed to pull off getting this included via Danny Saltzman.

What they have managed to cobble together is a charming ride through the life and career of a real outlier. Lee's relationship with Lloyd is truly one of warmth and really helps the engagement throughout.

So listen to the band!

The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Breezy run through of a horrific tale

[7/10 · 24 February 2021]

Really eye opening exploration of the madness of Spears's life - or how it was turned that way by, it seems, outside influences namely the machine of showbusiness The conservatorship system certainly seems ripe for exploitation but, perhaps as might be expected, no clear verdicts here on the truth behind this specific application. The behaviour of the press and paparazzi - and their willingness to justify it - astounds

End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)

Tremendous rock doc

[8/10 · 8 February 2021]

It's not a short film but flies by in typical Ramones style. Has all the juicy bits, the sadness and the bitterness. Fantastic ride

Sound of Metal (2019)

Stunning meditation on sound

[9/10 · 31 January 2021]

Wonderfully uncommon subject matter, beautifully acted and explored - what are your people and your kind. Sound is a key feature in this film so don't watch through a laptop speakers. Riz Ahmed is fantastic yet understatedly realistic. Loved this

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Revenge thriller with twists

[8/10 · 30 January 2021]

I admit to pretty much scoring this one based on my wife's review as I was fairly "tired and emotional" by the end, having to rewind and watch the end twice and still missing bits from my memory today. She loved it however, and it was very engaging the extent I saw

Palm Springs (2020)

Excellent time hop comedy

[8/10 · 29 January 2021]

It's all been done before of course with Groundhog Day, but this very funny outing transplants the fun out into the desert and finds new tweaks and nuances to the formula. We are left with a very funny film, with some deep considerations of the general futility of life, and making the best of what you have

Saint Frances (2019)

Charming if overly sentimental comedy

[8/10 · 18 January 2021]

Sweet little film that wears its politics proudly without making them remotely a key part of this enjoyable indie flick. Great script by O'Sullivan and she shines at the centre of this winning comedy drama

First Cow (2019)

Slow but satisfying muddy fur trapper western

[8/10 · 18 January 2021]

Slow on pace but rich in attention to detail, this starts of atmospherically but brings out an element of mirth and sentimentality. Enjoyable cameo from Toby Young adds to the enjoyment. A couple of wildly OOT plot devices on coincidence or timings are forgiven. Hints perhaps of a relationship between the protagonists that is not explored - nor really needing to - heading to a trailed denouement that doesn't sink the heart too much, such is the subtlety of this uplifting little gem

The Godfather Part II (1974)

The greatest American film ever made?

[10/10 · 18 January 2021]

...so says Sam Mendes, and who am I to argue? The cliches aside, sequel being better than the first etc, but what a follow up. Difficult to imagine how satisfying it would have been seeing this at the time. The look and feel is the same. The sepia tint of the backstory even more pronounced. Terrifically understated performance from De Niro. Pacino's blank, dead eyed stare stands out from the fresh faced youth flashback at the end, sat with his family that he saw dead or driven away

Small Axe: Mangrove (2020) Season 1, Episode 1

Piss-boilingly true courtroom period piece

[8/10 · 7 January 2021]

Some great performances, Kirby as Darcus Howe particularly bringing to the life such a well-known figure. It's a TV movie so relatively light on production values, and some of the police characters were grotesquely cartoonish, but certainly a gripping two hours

Uncle Frank (2020)

Charming yet sentimental

[7/10 · 3 January 2021]

Highly enjoyable but finishes with a somewhat unbelievable happy ending - perhaps there could have been equal criticism had it gone the other way. Impressive work from Bettany to get us there, with strong support. Still cannot fathom that, facially anyway, Lillis isn't related to Anna Friel

The Godfather (1972)

Masterpiece

[10/10 · 3 January 2021]

Tempting to give this less than ten so there's room to take it up a notch for part 2, but would be spuriously ungenerous. Almost cliched with the horses head, "offer he can't refuse" and "sleeps with the fishes". Even now, nearly 50 years on, the period detail for the time it is set seems oddly even more valid

The Straight Story (1999)

The most beautiful, sweetest Lynch movie

[9/10 · 13 August 2020]

...and arguably the simplest and most conventional. Wonderfully acted, achingly scored and shot, it's a real slow road movie - if it doesn't make you think about what it means to be old, then you are still (too?) young

Punk Revolution NYC (2011 Video)

Tremendously detailed treatise

[9/10 · 13 August 2020]

There's remarkably limited licensed music here, and little of the main protagonists as talking heads, nevertheless - helped by the copious length (this is one for the serious student) - this is a fascinating study of the scene that started it all

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)

Bleak and brilliant

[8/10 · 13 August 2020]

Fairly sobering view of abortion in America, fluctuations of available support based on geography, demographic and exposure to pro-life factions within the very pregnancy clinics available locally. Impressively and sensitively acted, shades of the Romanian film of last 10 years of which the name escapes me