29 June 2008

Dirty Harry (1971)

Dirty Harry uses his gun to enforce justice, whilst sticking two fingers up to the pinko hippies of the time, and keep the people of San Francisco from harm.

3.5 stars

Beowulf (2007)

Better than expected CGI adaptation based on a manuscript poem which is, like, thousands of years old. Of course you could pick holes in this if you wanted to, but I enjoyed the action and blood & guts too much to simply dismiss this as a 'cartoon'.




4 stars

26 June 2008

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) aka "Harold & Kumar Get the Munchies"

What? Harold and Kumar? I know what you're thinking, why am I watching some half baked stoner movie .. well H&K isn't going to change the world but it will make you laugh (or at least grin), especially so when it pokes fun at racial stereotypes. NB Thanks to this movie the missus will from now on be known as "Twinkie", this earns it an extra half a star.

3.5 stars

22 June 2008

The Corporation (2003)

This documentary piece about the psychopathic nature of a modern day corporation definitely has an interesting and, at times, worthwhile message. However, at almost two and a half hours long this cut would've benefited no end from some more concise editing.

3 stars

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

When a film is this so-so I struggle to write a glib review, which is the real crime of Elizabeth 2.

2.5 stars

17 June 2008

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Team Affleck combine effortlessly both in front of and, thankfully for Ben, behind the camera. This kidnap whodunnit plays out very well on screen; a modern day morality tale that never gets too preachy.


4 stars



The Wire Watch: Amy Ryan turns in an Oscar nominated performance, Michael K Williams has a bit part, and Wire co-writer Dennis Lehane wrote the novel.

In the Valley of Elah (2007)

I'm pretty sure that Paul 'the guy who made Crash but not the naughty one about carnal relationships' Haggis had a deeper message here about the mess in Iraq, but I just couldn't get over how much Jason Patric in specs looked like Martin O'Neill. Seriously, watch it just for that.

Janck 3.5 stars


Underrated drama that will pass many by due to it's unsnappy title. Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron shine in this outstanding drama. Recommended.


Mitch 4.5 stars

Empire of the Sun (1987)

It's definietly a Spielberg movie, but one of his more grown-up features despite the main character being played by a young Batman.

3.5 stars

15 June 2008

The Savages (2007)

Some great acting, but a subject matter more for grown-ups that hopefully I won't relate to for a few years yet..

Janck 3 stars


What could have been an altogether depressing movie, somehow felt poignant and necessary. Nobody's perfect.


Mitch 3.5 stars

14 June 2008

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indy once again comes up against the Nazis in this lighter and altogether more fun sequel, when compared with the previous outing. Connery provides the wisecracks, whilst Ford sticks to cracking the whip.

4.5 star

Stardust (2007)

It's magic.

4 stars

10 June 2008

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Probably the weakest of the original trilogy. Indy and Mr Round aside, this prequel lacks any interesting or likable characters, unlike Raiders or Last Crusade, and not much of a plot. Having said that this is still causal racism and action adventure of the highest order, with Ford never looking better as Indiana Jones.

4.5 stars

5 June 2008

π (1999) aka "Pi"

4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42 4 8 15 16 23 42.

3.5268349721974809 stars

3 June 2008

Clerks. (1994)

Cult movie which is probably best appreciated by American college kids, rather than twenty-something professionals (14 years too late), although still made me smile.

3 stars

1 June 2008

Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Particularly enjoyable performances, from Tom Hanks as Charles Wilson and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust Avrakotos, in this sharp drama about once upon a time America and the Mujahideen played nice.

4 stars