Janck: Mitch and I were chatting the other day about how when watching some films you are already mentally preparing a review before the credits roll.. this is one film not to be taken so lightly. As a viewer you are invited into the (very) personal lives of two students Otilia and Gabita, over the course of just one day in Communist Romania, whilst they arrange and participate in a dangerous and illegal abortion. Similar in tone to Lilja 4-ever, however I feel 4 Months.. is a finer accomplishment.
4.5 stars
Mitch: Hard-hitting, emotive drama. The unforgiving camerawork places the viewer in the heart of this powerful story. Bleak and desaturated, this remains an important piece of cinema.
4 stars
29 May 2008
4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile (2007) aka "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days"
26 May 2008
Disturbia (2007)
The second film I've seen in recent days to have a 360 cameo. Some good bits, when the film it decided it wanted to be a thriller rather than an episode of Gossip Girl, but nothing ground breaking.
3 stars
The Grudge (2004)
Having not seen the Japanese original this was decent enough fare, and had the missus shitting herself in suspense.
3 stars
L O S T WATCH : Ethan makes Toshio's list.
25 May 2008
The 11th Hour
I always thought of Leo DiCaprio as the wet fopp from Titanic, but these days after movies such as The Departed and Blood Diamond I've a newfound respect for him. Especially so after the fascinating, and equally frighting, green documentary The 11th Hour. Being a bit of a hippy myself, these are issues I'm already acutely aware of, hopefully a Hollywood A-Lister will persuade more people to adopt a greener lifestyle.. otherwise it's fingers crossed our grandchildren evolve gills ;)
4 stars
We Own the Night (2007)
NYC crime drama set on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Some nice set-pieces, especially the thunderous (and wet) car chase.
Janck 3.5 stars
Thinking man's NYC crime drama in a much saturated genre. Set in the 80's (without a shoulder-pad in sight!), it's cops and robbers, but more character driven than you'd expect.
Mitch 3.5 stars
24 May 2008
Balls of Fury (2007)
The high points were the Xbox 360 product placement and Margaret Quigley's short shorts.
2 stars
22 May 2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Janck: I had a bad feeling about IJ4 when it was first announced after years of rumours and development. However, the final result is great fun and another treasure in the series, with the good most definitely outweighing the bad. IJ4 even gets slightly political at times with a subtle reference to deforestation, and a more obvious one to the dangerous era of McCarthyism. This is no Phantom Menace.
4 stars.
[spoiler]The much anticipated return of Short Round didn't happen - surely he'd have got a wedding invite ?!?[/spoiler]
L O S T WATCH : Alan Dale takes time out from Ramsey Street and looking for The Island to appear as an army General.
Mitch: As I overheard someone walking out of the cinema say "I prefered it when I didn't know where the story was going....". Cornier than a corn field, and plot holes you could drive a bus through, Indy is probably the coolest teacher ever. (Part time anyway). Entertaining popcorn flick; go see it on the big screen.
4 stars.
21 May 2008
The Brave One (2007)
Average vigilante drama in which Foster appears in almost every frame of the 122 mins runtime. The viewer is asked to suspend disbelief more often than is necessary; although I have seen plenty worse revenge flicks.
L O S T watch: Naveen Andrews pops up in the unlikely role of Foster's screen boyfriend.
3 stars
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
I missed Boyz n the Hood during it's 90s heyday and coming to it seventeen years later I couldn't help but feel the film was a little dated. Still the movie contains some strong acting, and an even stronger message.
3.5 stars
20 May 2008
Oldboy (2003)
Oldboy is the perfect example of the exciting and brave cinema coming out of Asia in recent years, so much so that another Hollywood remake is tentatively in the pipeline (see The Departed, The Ring etc..). A stunning tale of vengeance that gets inside your brain - and then deals a real hammer blow to the senses..
5 stars
18 May 2008
In the Cut (2003)
I was on the fence regarding In the Cut until the line "no sense of cock whatsoever", at which point I decided I quite liked it, hence..
3 stars
Nines, The (2007)
That this movie contrived to be exactly ninety-nine minutes long tells you a lot about the film. Shame I was only interesting in what was going on for about nine seconds.
2 stars
Mitch: Forgettable, esoteric drama. The question is, if you could invent three worlds, why invent these three? WHY?!
2.5 stars
17 May 2008
Blood Diamond (2006)
Nicely shot tale of man's quest in search of the uncut 'pink' diamond, and each character's angle for doing so. There is enough action and adventure here to keep the film ticking over at a nice pace. There should have been more Jennifer Connelly in it though. You can never have too much Jennifer Connelly. No stand out performances per se but a good, solid picture none-the-less.
4 stars
Janck: It is Africa by numbers in this enjoyable enough DiCapro vehicle.
3.5 stars
14 May 2008
Lilja 4-ever (2002) aka "Lilya 4-ever"
Lukas Moodysson takes us on a bleak and brutal journey about the harsh realities of human trafficking and forced prostitution facing many young women desperate to escape the former USSR. A powerful and moving film.
4 stars
12 May 2008
11 May 2008
Child's Play (1988)
A pint-sized angry red head terrorises a local community.. No I'm not talking about Gary Megon's tenure as Nottingham Forest manager, but 80s horror icon Chucky in this so-so horror pic.
2.5 stars
Back to the Future (1985)
The Eighties seem to be making a bit of a comeback right now with the new Indiana Jones film about to be released, a Ghostbusters videogame coming soon, Thundercats being revived for a movie and even talk of a Goonies sequel.. But will they stand-up to the originals? I doubt it and lets hope the timeless classic Back to the Future is one they leave well alone.
4 stars
10 May 2008
Ne le dis à personne (2006) aka "Tell No One"
A tense and exciting thriller from Guillaume "The Beach" Canet. The frantic pace holds your attention and the twisting plot line together nicely until the films climatic ending. Très bon.
4 stars
7 May 2008
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)
Fascinating recollection of the various Apollo spaceflight missions to the Moon and Arizona desert during the 1960s and 1970s. Focusing on the astronauts themselves, this documentary manages to avoid being cheesy (unlike this review) and leaves you marveling at the extent of mankind's giant leap.
4.5 stars
Se, jie (2007) aka "Lust, Caution"
If extremely naked Chinese sex makes you feel uncomfortable (yes Emily Tang [sic], I do mean you..) then Ang Lee's story driven thriller may not be your cup of green tea. However, you will be missing out on a rich, beautiful and satisfying film, despite the fact it is subtitled. *winkyface*
4 stars
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