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Charlie Wilson's War [2007]

starring: Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, Julia Roberts, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ned Beatty
directed by: Mike Nichols

May 05, 2008
Although I already knew about US involvement in the covert war, it was interesting to see it splashed onto screen - not sure how the US Govt feel about it as it shows them being dragged into helping via Wilson, et al, rather than being proactive about it! The cast do a great job at getting into the skin of the characters they portray. I feel the film portray's Wilson's frustrations very well. Having rented the film, it is one I do feel I would buy. However - along with several comments here - that UNICEF advert at the beginning is incredibly annnoying. Was staggered that could not fast forward it, skip it, or get to the Menu. Never come across that before and it really wound me up as had to endure it. More likely to contrbute to UNICEF as a ... Read More:

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Network [1976]

starring: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy
directed by: Sidney Lumet

March 17, 2003
A rollercoaster ride of a movie. Not a lot of physical action but an awful lot of talking, to put it very mildly. But then multiple Oscar winner Paddy Chayefsky wrote it, so there would be. This guy is one of the most prized screenwriters of all time, and you just know instantly if you are watching one of his movies or not. I say his, because although he never directed, each film he did has his stamp all over it. I won't waste time in praising him or doing him down, but this is very much a Paddy Chayefsky movie. Others have reviewed the movie, the plot and the theme. I'm just going to tell you this is a Paddy Chayefsky movie. Don't be too tired but do have your dictionary to hand if you are folks because this is a Paddy Cheyefsky movie. Get it? ... Read More:

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Homicide - Season 1 [1993]

starring: Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, Ned Beatty

February 26, 2007
Although I have seen all of the episodes of Homicide it was a long time since I watched the first series. Great characters, stories and acting. A nice helping of laugh-out-loud humour as well. I would say it is probably my favourite "cop" series - up there with the (very different) BBC series "The Cops". Prefer it to "The Wire", though that series gains by being less episodic, letting a main story develop.
As for the question of episode order, well I checked the web sites etc. and concluded that episode 3 on the disk should actually be at episode 9. Big mistake. It makes no sense to watch it in this order, as flashbacks from other shows (4 and 5, say) quite clearly refer to what is in episode 3 on this disk. This episode was transmitted out of order ... Read More:

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Shooter [Blu-ray] [2007]

starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Pena, Rhona Mitra, Rade Serbedzija, Ned Beatty
directed by: Antoine Fuqua

September 08, 2008
Sadly, if one could have told this screenwriter to give up thinking and simply write a typical vacuous Hollywood script, this would have been excellent. The plot is solid and keep one's interest while Danny Glover and Mark Wahlberg offer decent performances. The attempts at some kind of contemporary political relevance are awkward and trite, however, really undermining the movie. It was clearly an area beyond the writer's capabilities. The insistent conspiracy theory scaffolding offers absolutely nothing original: the government is evil, all humankind is greedy, there is no justice in the 'Department of Justice' (oh the irony!), oil can explain absolutely everything that has ever happened, and democracy is not democracy - all according to the usual formula. ... Read More:

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Deliverance 35th Anniversary Remastered Deluxe Edition [1972]

starring: Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Jon Voight
directed by: John Boorman

September 17, 2007
Wow. Where do you start with a movie as good as this? The cast are perfect (they've all been in so many movies since, it's hard to believe most of them were unknowns at the time). Burt Reynolds was never better than he is in this movie. If you only know him for his good-ole-boy comedies, you'll be surprised at how good he is here in a serious dramatic role (without his trademark moustache!). He wouldn't get anything approaching the quality of this role until "Boogie Nights."

This film is not just full of memorable moments, they burn themselves into your brain and stay there forever. The deformed, in-bred hillbillies at the start, the "Duelling Banjos" scene with that withered kid, the awful, protracted male rape and the bloody revenge taken ... Read More:

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Deliverance [1972]

starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Ed Ramey
directed by: John Boorman

May 15, 2000
I wasn't expecting much of this film, but in my opinion I thought it was really well-put together. There is excellent scenery and a decent plot about four friends who go camping along the river, and get attacked along the way. Enjoyable to watch and a superb ending. I would buy this film as you grow to like it and it doesn't get tedious. This is a film with twists and sometimes has suspense. It surprised me, I really took a liking to this film. A thriller to be enjoyed.

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Restless Natives [1985]

starring: Vincent Friell, Joe Mullaney, Teri Lally, Ned Beatty, Robert Urquhart
directed by: Michael Hoffman

April 18, 2005
I was growing up in Edinburgh at about the same time as the main characters and was about the same age as them but somehow I missed seeing this film when it came out. I also read the positive reviews here. So I really wanted to like this. For me the acting, production and story telling all seemed a bit amateur and the whole thing could have done with more editing. The location shots of Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland - some of which are no longer around - are fun however.

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Homicide - Series 2 - Complete

starring: Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, Ned Beatty

July 16, 2007
I was growing up in Edinburgh at about the same time as the main characters and was about the same age as them but somehow I missed seeing this film when it came out. I also read the positive reviews here. So I really wanted to like this. For me the acting, production and story telling all seemed a bit amateur and the whole thing could have done with more editing. The location shots of Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland - some of which are no longer around - are fun however.

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The Big Easy [1987]

starring: Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman, Lisa Jane Persky
directed by: Jim McBride

March 08, 2004
Cutting the final scene was idiotic! The thriller element was only ever a vehicle for the romance to which you're now ROBBED of a satisfying conclusion.

Skip this atrocity until it's re-issued whole - which it's bound to be - the seduction scene between Quaid / Barkin is consistantly voted one of the best 'sex scenes' on film.

Menawhile borrow the complete (VHS) version if you have a way to watch it & try the soundtrack or even better visit New Orleans itself...

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The Fourth Protocol [1987]

starring: Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Joanna Cassidy, Ned Beatty, Julian Glover
directed by: John Mackenzie

May 21, 2007
Review only in relation to the DVD detailed below.

The Fourth Protocol ' Special edition '
Studio: ITV DVD
ASIN: B000NDETQU
DVD Release Date: 21 May 2007
Aspect ratio 2.35:1

If you are reading this then your on the hunt of the best version and you may be puzzled as to how many different versions there is available.

Yes I have been there before.

Now unless you have been living in a cave I am sure you have already seen this film on TV but the normal TV version uses the Aspect ratio 1.85:1 { pan and scan } but you will be glad to note that at least ' this version ' has the better Aspect ratio of 2.35:1 so you don't miss anything.

I don't have a clue how special the other versions are but at least ... Read More: