Author Topic: Movies/Films/TV - Opinions  (Read 500494 times)

Offline cotton

Talking of Paddy Considine I found the follow-up film, Journeyman (2017), about a brain-damaged boxer, to be disappointing (mawkish).  Far better, in terms of a recent boxing film was Jawbone (also 2017) starring the much underused British actor, Johnny Harris.
Yesterday i watched Blitz (2011) starring Paddy Considine and Jason Statham , i found it a very watchable brit action thriller with jason Statham playing a jaded cop with a propensity for dishing out violence and paddy Considine his homosexual superior.  Personally i thought they could have interwoven a bit more action and violence into the story , like the journalist was allowed to get off scott free.

Offline The Film Director

paddy Considine his homosexual superior. 

He's obviously quite versatile then.  :lol:

He was also excellent in one (out of three) episode of the brilliant TV series, loosely based on the Yorkshire Ripper saga, The Red Riding Trilogy (itself based on the books by David Peace).

Offline Ali Katt

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He's obviously quite versatile then.  :lol:

He was also excellent in one (out of three) episode of the brilliant TV series, loosely based on the Yorkshire Ripper saga, The Red Riding Trilogy (itself based on the books by David Peace).
I've got this on Blu Ray. Never got round to watching it.

Blitz I've also seen a really solid popcorn movie. Sort of a throwback to the 70s cop films, but doesn't quite seem grimy enough to me.

Offline cotton

He's obviously quite versatile then.  :lol:

He was also excellent in one (out of three) episode of the brilliant TV series, loosely based on the Yorkshire Ripper saga, The Red Riding Trilogy (itself based on the books by David Peace).
To be fair unless the other coppers didnt have a go at him for being a homosexual you would never know his character was homosexual , he could just aswell been playing a straight character , its not like he turned up for work in a pink ballerinas outfit humming show tunes , so it wasnt a massive stretch as far as acting goes. 
Agree with Ali that its ok but would be better if it was a bit more hardcore and less loss stock in nature.

Offline LLPunting

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Anyone seen 2010 French movie "Student Services"?

Only part way thru and some apposite thinking points for this audience.

Offline Malvolio

I've recently watched Last Holiday (1950) - Alec Guinness plays a man diagnosed with a fatal illness who decides to cash in all he owns and see out the rest of his days in a posh hotel.  It's an entertaining dark comedy (although he doesn't go punting, which would be my reaction in that position).

Offline Ali Katt

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Anyone seen 2010 French movie "Student Services"?

Only part way thru and some apposite thinking points for this audience.
Yes. I can't remember much about it though.

Offline ulstersubbie

Anyone seen 2010 French movie "Student Services"?

Only part way thru and some apposite thinking points for this audience.

No, have you finished watching it. Do you recommend?

Offline LLPunting

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No, have you finished watching it. Do you recommend?

Filmus interruptus I'm afraid, was distracted with searching various areas on AW, GT, VS and links that were thrown up by phone number Google checks.
I would only be recommending for subject matter rather than any artistic merit anyhow.

Offline standardpostage

Viewpoint. ITV mini series. Police drama. 2021.

Watched 2 episodes, and a bit of 3rd episode, then got bored.

Very average, I thought. Stars Noel Clarke.

Set in Manchester.

Offline CoolTiger

Viewpoint. ITV mini series. Police drama. 2021.

Watched 2 episodes, and a bit of 3rd episode, then got bored.

Very average, I thought. Stars Noel Clarke.

Set in Manchester.

He's made into major news today, for all the wrong reasons.

Offline Marmalade

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Anyone seen 2010 French movie "Student Services"?

Only part way thru and some apposite thinking points for this audience.

I thought it was a bit crap as the end is a political anti-prostitution rant. But the earlier part is interesting (typical 'student' but who manages to be both very stupid and whose every booking is with a really fucked up weirdo... cue: isn't-terrible noises.)

Offline LLPunting

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I thought it was a bit crap as the end is a political anti-prostitution rant. But the earlier part is interesting (typical 'student' but who manages to be both very stupid and whose every booking is with a really fucked up weirdo... cue: isn't-terrible noises.)

Finally got round to finishing it and yeah, the movie is interesting for the SP pov of the encounters she endures, shame she remained a shallow, weak-willed naif despite having the gumption to becoming an accredited polyglot by remote learning.  The political statement denouement was several dozen eggs over the required recipe.

Offline PunterNumber69

Stowaway on Prime - I got bored and fell asleep.

Offline Gordon Bennett

He's made into major news today, for all the wrong reasons.

ITV have cancelled tonight's final episode. Bit fucking annoying if you've been watching it all week! I recorded the previous episodes with a view to watching it at some point but God knows what will happen now. Don't suppose they can reshoot it and CGI him out if it.

Offline sparkus

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ITV have cancelled tonight's final episode. Bit fucking annoying if you've been watching it all week! I recorded the previous episodes with a view to watching it at some point but God knows what will happen now. Don't suppose they can reshoot it and CGI him out if it.

It's on ITV Hub.

Offline ulstersubbie

Jagten (2012). Danish drama focusing on a false allegation and the resultant hysteria that engulfs a small close knit community. Austere Scandinavian tale that is mostly absorbing, although the ending is a bit enigmatic.

Offline Chorley

I watched Infernal Affairs recently. It's the Hong Kong based film that Brad Pitt bought the rights to so that The Departed could be made. Everyone seemed to rave about it as some kind of edgy masterpiece so as a fan of Asian cinema I thought I'd take a look
I wasn't sure what to think to be honest?  :unknown: Some of it's quit slick and well done, but other bits are like some bad made for tv movie. On balance I'd say The Departed was much better for me. :unknown:
« Last Edit: May 01, 2021, 09:15:22 am by Chorley »

Offline Ali Katt

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The cook, the thief etc
Another dull film from Peter Greenaway with a script by an adolescent school boy. Of course we are told it's a parable for Thatcher's Britain or is it just an excuse to show a bit of nudity and violence. Fantastic in terms of visuals and a great performance by Michael Gambon but that's it.

Offline jimmymac

I watched Infernal Affairs recently. It's the Hong Kong based film that Brad Pitt bought the rights to so that The Departed could be made. Everyone seemed to rave about it as some kind of edgy masterpiece so as a fan of Asian cinema I thought I'd take a look
I wasn't sure what to think to be honest?  :unknown: Some of it's quit slick and well done, but other bits are like some bad made for tv movie. On balance I'd say The Departed was much better for me. :unknown:

That's interesting to hear as I plan on watching Infernal Affairs this weekend. Have heard so much about how great it is. I did enjoy The Departed.

Offline Ali Katt

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That's interesting to hear as I plan on watching Infernal Affairs this weekend. Have heard so much about how great it is. I did enjoy The Departed.
It is great, but there's loads of great Asian action films from that time especially from South Korea. What makes Infernal Affairs interesting is it is about rise and fall rather than just cops vs robbers, but it didn't have Jack Nicholson hamming it up or a Dropkick Murphys soundtrack. Also arguably the last great scorcese film.

Offline sparkus

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It is great, but there's loads of great Asian action films from that time especially from South Korea. What makes Infernal Affairs interesting is it is about rise and fall rather than just cops vs robbers, but it didn't have Jack Nicholson hamming it up or a Dropkick Murphys soundtrack. Also arguably the last great scorcese film.

Or a CGI rat.

Offline Ali Katt

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Or a CGI rat.
It was hilarious. Slightly camp and scary at the same time.

Offline ulstersubbie

The cook, the thief etc
Another dull film from Peter Greenaway with a script by an adolescent school boy. Of course we are told it's a parable for Thatcher's Britain or is it just an excuse to show a bit of nudity and violence. Fantastic in terms of visuals and a great performance by Michael Gambon but that's it.

Have to disagree Ali. I admit that Greenaway is an acquired taste, his films are niche if you like but never dull. The Cook, Thief etc is not his best but there are exquisite moments and a naked Helen Mirren is always welcome. Drowning By Numbers and Belly Of An Architect are my favourites of his. What makes this thread great is the diverse opinion among our members, long may it continue!

Offline sparkus

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It was hilarious. Slightly camp and scary at the same time.

TBH I didn't enjoy Gangs of New York either.

Silence was good though.

Offline Chorley

It is great, but there's loads of great Asian action films from that time especially from South Korea. What makes Infernal Affairs interesting is it is about rise and fall rather than just cops vs robbers, but it didn't have Jack Nicholson hamming it up or a Dropkick Murphys soundtrack. Also arguably the last great scorcese film.
I really like the guy that plays the Superintendent. He's obviously Martin Sheen's equivalent in The Departed.

Offline sir wanksalot

Just watched Promising Young Woman on the dodgy box. Quite enjoyable although the ending was a bit Hollywood-ised.

I would also recommend trying to catch the Messiah series which was on Netflix last year

Offline Ali Katt

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Have to disagree Ali. I admit that Greenaway is an acquired taste, his films are niche if you like but never dull. The Cook, Thief etc is not his best but there are exquisite moments and a naked Helen Mirren is always welcome. Drowning By Numbers and Belly Of An Architect are my favourites of his. What makes this thread great is the diverse opinion among our members, long may it continue!
I wasn't expecting it to be a popular opinion. Also loads of 10/10 reviews on imdb, four stars by Roger Ebert, often in best films of the 80s lists. I've also seen Drowning By Numbers - ambitious, but boring. I quite like Prospero's Book for it's visual style and it reminded me a bit of video game Myst. I think what it boiled down for me is it was 30 minutes too long, arguably aged badly, but so have a lot of 80s films, mainly the script trying to cram in words like cock and shit at every opportunity just for shock - it's a bit like a teenage boy drawing willies over his schoolbook to shock his teacher. I think the two worst aspects for me are there are two more fun films with cannibalism: Eating Raoul and Eat The Rich. The second is I recently saw Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (Peckinpah) and The Yakuza Papers (Kinji Fukasaku) and it made me realise just how poor Peter Greenaway is at crafting films by comparison, but he is given not just a cult status but also a master director status, but he can't really craft emotionally believable characters or pace a film properly. His films do look stunning though.

Offline ulstersubbie

The second is I recently saw Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (Peckinpah) and The Yakuza Papers (Kinji Fukasaku) and it made me realise just how poor Peter Greenaway is at crafting films by comparison, but he is given not just a cult status but also a master director status, but he can't really craft emotionally believable characters or pace a film properly. His films do look stunning though.

Two things Ali. The Peckinpah film is brilliant (I think he was terribly underrated as a director, the man made some outstanding films, not least Pat Garrett etc). Greenaway is a director far from the mainstream, he would be the first to admit it and at times probably too obscure even for the art house brigade. His films are stunning in terms of visual appearance, almost like paintings in a certain sense, I agree with you there.






Offline Ali Katt

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Two things Ali. The Peckinpah film is brilliant (I think he was terribly underrated as a director, the man made some outstanding films, not least Pat Garrett etc). Greenaway is a director far from the mainstream, he would be the first to admit it and at times probably too obscure even for the art house brigade. His films are stunning in terms of visual appearance, almost like paintings in a certain sense, I agree with you there.
Difficult to argue with that. There's obscure films I really enjoyed Shinya Tsukamoto's Snake of June is one that divided people. I gues Greenaway just isn't for me. I've got his film Pillow Book to watch at some point which I don't think I will enjoy, but we'll see.

Offline Dickled

Or a CGI rat.
If we're talking about appearances by a rat, this has to be the one.......
External Link/Members Only  :D

Offline Marmalade

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I'm loath to comment lest I get shot down but here goes... (just my opinions)

Quickie: I think Internal Affairs is a good movie that most people will enjoy.

Greenaway, like many auteurs, has done some great and less than great stuff. He's very much a 'film as art' -type director and so allowed to make mistakes as well as quite outstanding experimental stuff. And, a bit like the great Mr Lynch, can be brilliant or a bit tedious. Drowning by Numbers is sufficiently mainstream to be enjoyed by the large number of people at a pinch, and Cook Thief is at very least a film you will never forget, even if you didn't like it.

Pillow Book is a fantastic idea and really introduces the tattoo as high art, but I did personally feel it dragged a little. I disliked his Prospero's Books. Shakespeare was one of those gifted artists that can simultaneously write for the plebian audience as well as the very learned, and Greenaway in my opinion failed to understand the wonderful depth of Shakespeare and the specific way The Tempest (on which it is based) links into mythology and psychology. Arty it might have been, though for me Greenaway failed in his duty as an artist respecting a greater artist.

Tulse Luper was an ambitious project, and probably better to know what you are getting into before setting aside time for the full trilogy. I think I would recognize the artistry if I had to review it, but it wasn't personally to my taste. I think I've seen Architect, Zed, and Draughtsman, but I can't remember what they were about now so they couldn't have made a deep impression (although I think they were ok).

If I watched one of his films again, or bought one, it would probably be By Numbers as it can be fun. I've seen Cook, Thief twice, otherwise I'd watch that again (it was worth it to see what subtleties I missed the first time).

Offline Dickled

Yesterday i watched Blitz (2011) starring Paddy Considine and Jason Statham , i found it a very watchable brit action thriller with jason Statham playing a jaded cop with a propensity for dishing out violence and paddy Considine his homosexual superior.  Personally i thought they could have interwoven a bit more action and violence into the story , like the journalist was allowed to get off scott free.
Talking about Jason Statham - a couple of years ago I went to see a couple of mainstream movies a couple of weeks apart, Skyscraper starring Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), and The Meg, starring Jason Statham.
I'm not a massive fan of The Rock, but I thought in that movie he was every inch a charismatic movie star, if maybe not a great actor.
He was everything Jason Statham was not in The Meg, and I really do find him to be one of the dullest and dreariest actors around, with a flat monotone voice and the emotional range of a sloth! Totally charisma free, in fact.
Obviously many like him, otherwise there would be no demand for his films, but I just find him a complete turn off.

Offline RogerBoner

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Talking about Jason Statham.
He was kept busy in Crank and Crank High Voltage. Both films are exciting despite Stratham who was out of his depth surrounded by iconic heavyweights in The Expendables. I agree that he has neither charisma nor charm.

Offline ulstersubbie



Greenaway, like many auteurs, has done some great and less than great stuff. He's very much a 'film as art' -type director and so allowed to make mistakes as well as quite outstanding experimental stuff. And, a bit like the great Mr Lynch, can be brilliant or a bit tedious. Drowning by Numbers is sufficiently mainstream to be enjoyed by the large number of people at a pinch, and Cook Thief is at very least a film you will never forget, even if you didn't like it.

Pillow Book is a fantastic idea and really introduces the tattoo as high art, but I did personally feel it dragged a little. I disliked his Prospero's Books. Shakespeare was one of those gifted artists that can simultaneously write for the plebian audience as well as the very learned, and Greenaway in my opinion failed to understand the wonderful depth of Shakespeare and the specific way The Tempest (on which it is based) links into mythology and psychology. Arty it might have been, though for me Greenaway failed in his duty as an artist respecting a greater artist.


:D

Greenaway shouldn't respect another artist, unless he wants to. Failing in his duty WTF?

Shakespeare has been interpreted in different ways over an extended period of time.

Comparing Lynch and Greenaway is dubious at best, although you are probably correct in Greenway being the auteur in comparison.





Offline Marmalade

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:D

Greenaway shouldn't respect another artist, unless he wants to. Failing in his duty WTF?

Shakespeare has been interpreted in different ways over an extended period of time.

Comparing Lynch and Greenaway is dubious at best, although you are probably correct in Greenway being the auteur in comparison.

Are you discussing or just disagreeing?

All I said was that I didn’t like Prospero’s whatsit and at least I hope gave a fairly concise reason for not liking it. That allows someone who might disagree with my view not to be put off. If I didn’t know it was supposed to be based on Shakespeare I would dislike it similarly — the symbolism, in my opinion, is a mess.

I am expressing opinions: not claiming to be ‘correct’. I would say both Greenaway and Lynch treat film as an art form, in contrast say to budget-reliable entertainment of Spielberg. Of course we can say all film makers are artists if you wanted to pick that statement apart.

What I like about Greenaway and Lynch is that they have both used a degree of experimental film-making, while still for the most part being more accessible than directors whose work is primarily experimental. What I like about Spielberg (at least some of his movies and what I think the man will go down in history for) is creating a dreamworld on a scale almost unimaginable before, and letting me sit back and enjoy it passively, relaxing, switching off and not having to think too much.

Look stubble, I think you like to be a big noise on the film thread, and that’s fine. But I’m not interested in a barney with you or anyone else. I’m happy to fuck off for another six months if you just want to argue.

Offline Marmalade

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Elle (2016). Controversial film that generated much debate on its release, particularly from feminists. Bold, audacious cinema that revolves around rape and revenge. Isabelle Huppert the outstanding French actress of her generation, once again gives a powerhouse performance.

I agree about Huppert, she really powered the film for me, and I’ve enjoyed most of Verhoeven’s films that I’ve seen with the exception of Showgirls.

There does seem to be a slight glut of revenge films more recently though: the one that has really stood out for me was Revenge (2017) which I found edge-of-the-seat stuff. As LLP also remarked on Student Services, the transformation between dumb blonde and super-intelligent woman is a bit of a double-take: but Revenge is such a good thriller that doesn’t really matter.

Offline ulstersubbie

Are you discussing or just disagreeing?







Look stubble, I think you like to be a big noise on the film thread, and that’s fine. But I’m not interested in a barney with you or anyone else. I’m happy to fuck off for another six months if you just want to argue.

Discussion actually.

I am not the big noise on this thread. Lots of other members have contributed, Ali katt, film director, Sparkus, xtro etc. I won't respond to your posts anymore and you do likewise, end of.

Offline The Film Director

Shouldn't have to say it, as it is in the thread titlle, but this is all (and only) about opinions, nothing more, nothing less.  It's not as though we're searching for some sort of objective 'truth' or 'correctness', as it doesn't exist.

Offline Dickled

Shouldn't have to say it, as it is in the thread titlle, but this is all (and only) about opinions, nothing more, nothing less.  It's not as though we're searching for some sort of objective 'truth' or 'correctness', as it doesn't exist.
Totally agree, although it's an interesting topic to think about.

External Link/Members Only.

Offline PunterNumber69

Chernobyl - missed this when it was first shown.  Excellent.

Offline The Film Director

Totally agree, although it's an interesting topic to think about.

External Link/Members Only.

That's an interesting link certainly .... albeit many people use cinema as a means of escaping from reality.

Offline winkywanky

Netflix - My Octopus Teacher.

I found this film to be utterly enchanting. It's a wildlife film with a twist. As the title suggests, the Octopus reveals itself to be a very intelligent, and actually engaging animal.

Narrated and shot by a South African photographer and filmmaker, who loses his mojo and rediscovers it when he meets the octopus in question. There is a relationship of sorts. He is deeply affected. The octopus is all at once intelligent, fascinating, fascinated, leading a solitary and ultimately selfless life. Oh, and cute, and wanting to connect with other intelligence. Narrator reconnects with nature and also enhances his own personal and family connections as a result of his love, yes love, for the octopus.

We probably all know octpuses are intelligent little fuckers, even without referring back to that poor little critter stuck in a tiny tank all those years ago, making 'predictions' in some football tournament or other.

I dare you not to be at least a little moved. And frankly, totally fucking amazed at the sheer beauty of this creature, which looks like an alien from a far galaxy (which in a way, it is).

Highly recommended.

Offline Dickled

That's an interesting link certainly .... albeit many people use cinema as a means of escaping from reality.
Or perhaps finding a form of reality they wish to embrace.
Alcohol sometimes has a similar effect on me.

Offline Davey Dykes

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Netflix - My Octopus Teacher.

I found this film to be utterly enchanting. It's a wildlife film with a twist. As the title suggests, the Octopus reveals itself to be a very intelligent, and actually engaging animal.

Narrated and shot by a South African photographer and filmmaker, who loses his mojo and rediscovers it when he meets the octopus in question. There is a relationship of sorts. He is deeply affected. The octopus is all at once intelligent, fascinating, fascinated, leading a solitary and ultimately selfless life. Oh, and cute, and wanting to connect with other intelligence. Narrator reconnects with nature and also enhances his own personal and family connections as a result of his love, yes love, for the octopus.

We probably all know octpuses are intelligent little fuckers, even without referring back to that poor little critter stuck in a tiny tank all those years ago, making 'predictions' in some football tournament or other.

I dare you not to be at least a little moved. And frankly, totally fucking amazed at the sheer beauty of this creature, which looks like an alien from a far galaxy (which in a way, it is).

Highly recommended.

I'd never have had a clue about this if you hadn't have mentioned it. Sounds right up my street so I shall be seeking it out.

Cheers Dude.  :thumbsup:

Offline Ali Katt

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Chernobyl - missed this when it was first shown.  Excellent.
It is brilliant, easily one of the best series in the last few years.

Offline tantric talents

Nomadland
Oscar winning film about economic displacement of a woman who roams around  America for a while in a motorhome
Watched it with the OH who gave up half way through as she found it too depressing. I suspect after all the economic Covid Shit our family has been through in the past year.
It certainly did have a certain post Great Depression feel about it.
Undisguised positive product placement with the big A river was involved as the protagonist worked in one of their warehouse centres for a while.
Frances McDormand played herself again. Not a bad thing as she is a compétant actress, but I feel ultimately overrated.
I actually found the film quite gratuitous and I feel the Oscar awards say more about assuaging the guilt trip “suffered” by the privileged academy world than any true sympathy for the situation of “poor America” and proferring real solutions to those problems.
That said there were some beautifully filmed parts accentuating bleak desert terrain etc although I felt the editing was somewhat disjointed in places.
Perhaps I am being too harsh but it ended a 6.5/10 for me.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2021, 10:27:53 am by tantric talents »

Offline winkywanky

I'd never have had a clue about this if you hadn't have mentioned it. Sounds right up my street so I shall be seeking it out.

Cheers Dude.  :thumbsup:


Yes, my tentacles extend everywhere  :hi:  :D.

I'm not giving too much away when I say that the maker of the film describes them as arms. Which of course they are in effect. I don't particularly like 'humanising' animals but in this case, with the sheer level of intelligence involved, it seems appropriate.

Offline Chorley

Netflix - My Octopus Teacher.

I found this film to be utterly enchanting. It's a wildlife film with a twist. As the title suggests, the Octopus reveals itself to be a very intelligent, and actually engaging animal.

Narrated and shot by a South African photographer and filmmaker, who loses his mojo and rediscovers it when he meets the octopus in question. There is a relationship of sorts. He is deeply affected. The octopus is all at once intelligent, fascinating, fascinated, leading a solitary and ultimately selfless life. Oh, and cute, and wanting to connect with other intelligence. Narrator reconnects with nature and also enhances his own personal and family connections as a result of his love, yes love, for the octopus.

We probably all know octpuses are intelligent little fuckers, even without referring back to that poor little critter stuck in a tiny tank all those years ago, making 'predictions' in some football tournament or other.

I dare you not to be at least a little moved. And frankly, totally fucking amazed at the sheer beauty of this creature, which looks like an alien from a far galaxy (which in a way, it is).

Highly recommended.
See my previous review. Yes it is excellent and looks amazing- but watch it again and tell the South African guy isn't borderline creepy and massively up his own arse?  :unknown:

Offline winkywanky

See my previous review. Yes it is excellent and looks amazing- but watch it again and tell the South African guy isn't borderline creepy and massively up his own arse?  :unknown:

Apols Chorley, I hadn't seen your recommendation  :hi:.

Yes, the filmmaker did come across as a bit weird. Whether he genuinely is weird, is trying to sell his film just a bit too hard (for the Netflix dosh), or was simply at such a low point in his life before he made this film, before this endearing cephalopod turned his life around, who knows?