Movie Review - Forbidden Cargo

Forbidden Cargo

1954

The Cast

Smugglers disguised as Navy Personnel are bringing French Liqueurs into the country.  Unfortunately, they decided to drop them off in a nature reserve watched over by Lady Flavia Queensway (Grenfell).  Concerned about her beloved bird population being in danger from the transgressors, she informs Customs and Excise of the events.  They send Agent Kenyon (Patrick) to check it out.  This, in turn, leads them to a more important smuggling ring who are about to bring in a large volume of drugs.  Kenyon sets out on their trail, which takes him to the south of France and closer to one of the suspects than he would like.

What makes this such an enjoyable movie to watch is the lightheartedness within the script.  This at first centres around Lady Flavia Queensway.  Since this is played by the great Joyce Grenfell, how else was this going to be played(?).  Then later in situations, especially those between Rita (Sellars) and Kenyon.  However, this is not a comedy film and the drama, intrigue, and suspense are evident in every scene.  All of this is enough to keep the viewer interested.

Then you add in the acting and it's hard to walk away from the movie until it's finished... even to pause it for a toilet break.  The cast is solid and everybody is superb in their roles, though it's Theodore Bikel as Max who stood out the most for me.  There's an air of menace and power to his character whenever he's on screen.  Even when he's playing the guitar to entertain his guests.

Though there are some places in the story that are realistic and believable it's the south of France section that feels a little awkward.  It's hard to believe that Customs and Excise would be able to afford Kenyon's lifestyle as he lives it up, OO7 style.  Though this is forgivable as it progresses the story nicely and it's more than a little entertaining to watch.

If you like your thrillers to have a lighthearted entertainment value this film is right in your ballpark.  I would recommend this to all thriller and suspense fans out there.  It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon after dinner.

I give this a White Line of 7 out of 10.

The Film Clip

Movie Review - Killer Obsession

Killer Obsession

AKA:  Crossfire

2016

The Cast

When National Guard soldier Samantha Harrison (McKee) returns to her hometown after a tour in Iraq, which has left her with a pending "Friendly Fire" charge, she finds "Normal" life is harder than serving in a war-zone.  Graydon (Rozon) is the sole survivor of the team Samantha supposedly gunned down and he's looking for both justice and revenge.  Unable to remember the night in question, Samantha has to rely on the testimonies of her squad; Billy (Koensgen), Bobby (Thebaud), and Jimmy (Lund)...  However, after both Billy and Bobby take their own lives it becomes evident to Samantha there's something darker going on and she sets out to solve the mystery.

This is a very well thought out mystery with strong believable characters that are portrayed respectfully by the actors and actresses.  McKee makes a good lead role and is so subtle in her portrayal, never going overboard on the emotional side, to make Samantha very believable.  I could relate to her outburst of anxiety when she tries to seek law advice.  She just cannot fill in the forms.  You can see all the raw emotion on her face.  Then after she takes flight, back in her car, you can see the relief flood over her along with the sadness and anger at not having been able to complete a simple task.  This is pretty much spot on, as a sufferer of depression and anxiety, I can relate.  Lund too is great in his portrayal.  His character also has as many different flaws that he brings across to the audience in a believable way.  The only thing I would have liked would have been a little more structure and drive to Rozon's character, Graydon.  This could have been used to create a little more unease and suspense, especially revolving around the inevitable twist.  This, however, could have been down to writing or direction, rather than acting.  I must also pay respect too to Thebaud's character, Bobby, who injects the idea of a conspiracy theory into the storyline.  He does this so well, you can see that he's worried about his and his families life.  There are no small parts in this film.

The story, on the whole, is good and flows well.  It does have a few slight flaws.  If you're a fan of mysteries then you'll have solved this one pretty quickly as it's not a great twist.  As I said before, it could have been made better.  The other is the constant bombardment of "getting councilling".  Don't get me wrong, I believe therapy can be a good thing but it's pushed too much within the run of the movie.

The direction is well above standard for a TV Movie and helps to keep the audience's attention, as well as creating atmosphere.  Though I do believe there was a chance missed to make Graydon appear more ominous and driven.  I particularly liked the use of colourisation.  Muddy browns for a melancholy moment and greys for sad and depressing scenes.  Even the flashbacks to the combat looked realistic, even though they weren't on a large scale, which I think actually helped their power.

If you like a war drama with an interweaving mystery to solve this is the film to watch.  I really enjoyed the film and would be happy to watch it again at some time...

I give this a cold and calculated 6.75 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - A Colder Kind Of Death

A Colder Kind Of Death

2001

The Cast

There are a lot of pokers in the fire in this story of political corruption, which makes for an interesting film.

Six years ago, Peter Kilbourn was murdered by the side of the road.  Finally, the case is reopened when an alibi recants his statement and admits that the main suspect in the case had committed the crime.  Kevin Tarpley is arrested.  All throughout the interrogation he apologises but never revokes his innocence in the murder.  However, when he is being transferred Tarpley is shot and killed by a sniper, making Joanne Kilbourn (Crewson) suspect ulterior motives, so she sets about tracking down Tarpley's murder in the hopes of resolving her husband's.  This is the beginning of a complicated, though well structured and nicely interwoven, story where everyone could be a suspect and possible murderer.

For the most part, Turner does an okay job with the direction.  Opting for a standard style so as to let the story speak for itself.  It would have been nice to have a few interesting camera pans instead of the usual kind.  The pace is steady as well.  Once again this is okay for this type of story, but a few peaks of tension wouldn't have gone amiss.

All of the actors and actresses did well in their portrayals of their characters, though a couple did stand out for me.  Kari Matchett makes a really good bad girl - I'd love to see her in more tough girl roles.  Robin Dunne, who would've been put to good use in a few more scenes, had a presence and his slightly comedic character helped to lift the mood of the film and stop it feeling stale.  When these two were on screen the film skipped up a notch.  That said, none of the other actors and actresses was anywhere near bad; even the smaller parts were interesting.  I particularly liked the Hair Dresser and the School Principal.

However, it is the story that carries the film and as such makes the reveal hard to solve.  This is why, I would recommend this to all Mystery & Thriller Lovers, Armchair Detectives, and Whodunnit Pundits.  This is a political conspiracy I challenge you to solve.

I give this an unpolitically correct 6 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Killer Assistant

Killer Assistant

2016

The Cast

Love is eternal.

Suzanna Austin (Zucker) is a successful magazine editor.  Used to working by herself, her boss, Janet McAlper (Baron) assigns her an assistant, David (Eaton), after noticing how stressed she's been getting.  David appears too good to be true and as time progresses Suzanne begins to believe he's got an ulterior motive...

I really liked this story for its characterisations.  Tilson and Wakefield have created a well structured and ingenious tome.  Suzanne is a strong career-minded woman, who can be relied upon to get the magazine out... but not to be a great mother or wife, as she spends most of her time at work.  Then when David's character enters the story we get to see how the stress of her work and family life help her to become suspicious and paranoid.  This starts off small but builds up fast, to the point she's worrying about her own sanity.  Add the element of her family getting to know David and actually trusting him, into the mix, and this keeps the story interesting... at times, actually engrossing.

The good thing is, both the lead actor and actress are great in their performances and bring their characters to life; giving the film and story strength.

Though Boyle does add a couple of nice shots the filming is pretty standard, which is okay when you have a good cast and an even better storyline.  However, it would have only strengthened the movie to make it more engaging for the audience.  Thank God, he's better at manipulating the pace.  Boyle is good at building the tension and atmosphere from a simmer to a full boil.  This starts right at the beginning with the "Years Earlier" scene up to the climax.  He also throws in a couple of peaks along the way, giving the audience a rollercoaster ride.

I'd recommend this to all Mystery Lovers and Armchair Detectives worldwide.

I give this mysterious soul-mate a 6 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Lies And Deception

Lies And Deception

2005

The Cast

Jean Brooks (Amick) is surprised when Detective Ortuso (Calabretta) turns up on her doorstep with news of her husband's death.  This is a shock as her husband died five years earlier.  The mystery grows deeper as the dead man's identity is proven to be Jean's Husband Sam (Thibaudeau).  Unable to help her, Ortuso recommends P.I. Eddie Fate (Walker).  They set out to discover what Sam had been doing for the missing five years.

This is a slow burner of a mystery film as the twists and turns unravel slowly.  However, this works well within the confines of the story and it allows the actors to shine.  Everybody does a good job with their characters, though I think Amick's portrayal is a little lax and lazy.  I would've  expected more emotion coming from a person in her predicament.  Walker does a respectable job with his character and keeps his portrayal engaging, for the viewers.

Belanger directs the film to an average standard.  There's no wonderful or iconic shots or camera angles in the movie.  He doesn't even use filters to change the atmosphere and mood, opting to work in optimal light at all times.  This isn't a bad thing, it doesn't detract from the film but it doesn't add anything new or interesting to keep the audience's attention.

Though it's not too original or adventurous in it's filming I still found the movie enjoyable.  For a TV Thriller, it's worth at least one viewing, though I'd only recommend watching it if you have nothing else to watch.

I give this undead dead husband a 5.5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - My Daughter Is Innocent

My Daughter Is Innocent

2017

The Cast

When two high school friends realise they're going out with the same guy it puts a strain on their relationship.  One of the girls, Amber (Sarah Fisher) is happy to walk away from Alex.  While Kelly (Hannah Vandenbygaart) decides he's preferable to her best friend.  Upset and wanting to understand why he'd do such a thing, Amber sneaks out of the house for a meeting.  The next morning Alex is found injured at their meeting place.  With his future looking bleak the girls are questioned by Detective Grayson (John Koensgen).  Unfortunately, when he dies, Amber is charged with his murder and her mother, Lisa (Victoria Pratt), takes it upon herself to solve the murder.  With the help of her friend and Kelly's mother, Heather (Christina Cox), they start to delve into the man's sordid life.

This is a nice little film that probes into the relationships between mothers and daughters, between best friends, and their lovers.  This adds quite a few contrasts and gives more depths to the story, which in turn, keeps it interesting.  

Then you have the characters themselves.  For the most part, the characterisations are perfect and everybody has their own traits and their way of doing things and coping with stressful situations.  Though I do feel a little sad for Vandenbygaart.  Kelly should be one of the major characters though she gets overlooked too much.  Had their been more between her and her mother it could have only strengthened the story and film.

You could also use this movie to warn girls about the perverts that troll the internet.  Both Amber and Kelly meet Alex online first, though he's using aliases (another twist that could have been utilised more).  The thing that made me uneasy was the age of the boyfriend.  This guy was no boy.  He even worked at a bar and picked up whomsoever was around.  With the number of victories he could get from the bar alone why does he need schoolgirls?  Pervert.  I can understand somebody wanting to knock him off.  The list should be endless.

The actresses and actors are good in their portrayals and Max McGuire directs well.  Even though the twist in the tale is quite obvious it shouldn't detract from the enjoyment of the film.  I'd recommend this tale of murder and mystery to all Armchair Detectives everywhere.

I give this one night stand gigolo a 6.25 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - The Third Alibi

The Third Alibi

1961

The Cast

This is now one of my favourite films.  As a writer, you come across a story once in a while that you wish you wrote... this is one of mine.

Marriage isn't going well for Norman Martell (Payne), though his wife, Helen (Dainton), has no idea about how he feels.  Norman is so discouraged that he has an affair with Helen's stepsister, Peggy Hill (Griffiths).  Upon hearing the news that Peggy is pregnant he tells Helen he wants a divorce.  Unfortunately for Helen, when he can't get a separation he and Peggy form a plan to kill her...

Even though the twist is telegraphed early on it's not the climax, that you know is coming, that sells this film.  It's the story, acting, and direction.  All the cast give solid, credible and realistic performances.   No one actor or actress is better than the rest.  And even though the pace is steady throughout it's the combination of timing, writing, and great characterisations that makes the ending perfect.  All the pivotal and important elements weave together at precisely the right time.

One of the best things for me is the ending itself which is delivered like a punchline.  Which is fitting, especially if you like dark humour and believe in karma.  I admit to actually saying, "Oh Yeah," out loud, along with the closing line, which is really easy to figure out... with a huge grin on my face.

I loved this film... actually, loved this film.

It's with that affirmation in my heart that I recommend this murder mystery to all out there.  If you don't enjoy it then there's summat up wit'ya.

You even get a free song from the marvellous voice of Cleo Lane - you can't get any better.

I give this dysfunctional family affair a heartfelt 7.75 out of 10.

The Trailer