Sandy’s Film Reviews

656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

Begin Again (2013): A funny, feel–good movie to chase away the blues! Pacy & well–directed.
American Folk Blues Festival, The (1962-1966): Stunning b&w footage of the greatest blues artists in their heyday. A must for any blues fan or others interested black music. It's all solid performance; brief comments on the significance of the musicians & their performances would be a bonus.
This Ain't No Mouse Music! (2013): Interesting doco on Strachwitz & his valuable work releasing American roots music for the masses. Film dodges the issue of how Strachwitz made money to invest in re–releasing this music. There is a nasty feeling that the musicians got no return.
Muscle Shoals (2013): Great movie about producing music in the rural south. As with Standing in the Shadows of Motown, unknown white session musicians helped the great black singers to make hits. How Etta James & Aretha Franklin's songs were created is especially interesting.
What No One Knows (Det som ingen ved) (2008): Densely–plotted gripping action thriller that fails to fully engage, because no characters except Thomas are developed. Worth watching for its claustrophobic post–Snowden style, but forgettable.
Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989): This clever film was a ground–breaker in suggesting that people might be more honest with strangers than with loved ones, for fear of having to be accountable for their actions. Amusing, sophisticated and erotic.; DVD ~~$20~~ $15
Seacoal (1985): Unique and special film about the harsh realities of working–class life north of Newcastle. Documents an extinct industry – collecting coal from beaches to sell that was washed overboard from passing colliers. A fine film..
Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988): Lyrical portrait of working–class family life in 1940s Liverpool, made from Davies' memories and stuffed with period detail. Perfectly detailed in every respect, this is a truly great British movie. Brilliant and very moving. Critics Prize Cannes etc
In Fading Light (1989): Magical movie on being a girl on a trawler in the North Sea. Best film I have seen about the lives of fisher–folk. Captures an English lifestyle and culture that was exterminated when foreign trawlers were given the industry by Thatcher.
Battle of Algiers, The (1965): Among my TEN most–viewed. Indicts colonialism & French treatment of Arabs. Banned in France for showing how military attacks provoke civil reaction. Unmatched portrait of Casbahs, making a case for such houses for extended families everywhere, incl. NZ.

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Sandy’s Film Reviews