Utterly bizarre Scottish indie film dealing with voyeurism and some darker Oedipus themes. Highly original, although there is simply too much here in terms of unrealistic behaviour from many of the main characters. This one will polarise viewer opinion. Fair play to Jamie Bell for picking a role so far removed from Billy Elliot though.
Thoroughly enjoyable, much more so than expected .. a bloody good Vampire romp ;-)
A sobering documentary about a side of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge that thankfully most of us never have to face. A series of interviews with people all reflecting on the lives of loved ones who jumped from the bridge.
Weird ... check. Helena Bonham Carter ... check. Wonderful ... check. Helena Bonham Carter again ... check. Danny Elfman music ... check. It can only mean one thing, a Tim Burton film, although sadly not one of his best.
"Tonight" whispers Henry VIII in a chat up line guys everywhere will wish they could emulate with as much success. Any sense of fun quickly disperses however, in an unpleasant on screen soup of child birth scenes and family hatred. A touching film in places, but it doesn't quite decide what it wants to be.
Frank Darabont seems to have a gift for turning Stephen King texts into entertaining screen time and The Mist proves no exception. This cinematic version of the novella that inspired the Half-Life games evokes some strong primeval fears. The fabric of society is on the brink as creatures from another dimension dish out the gore in the setting of a small town American super-market. The major flaw for this reviewer is the shock ending which is too nihilistic in this context. But overall, entertaining stuff.
Difficult to decide what to make of this movie about a college graduate's decision to abandon convention and live life on the road as a "supertramp". Whilst having some beautifully shot scenes, and genuinely moving moments, Chris comes across as rather more selfish than he does idealistic.
Heavily slanted but thoroughly enjoyable documentary from everybody's favourite poking-the-hornets-nest-with-a-stick filmmaker, Michael Moore.
This one slipped through the net a few years back, but it's a worthy addition to Spielberg's more "serious" pictures. The film's message is topical; and seems as important now as it did in 1972.
Nominated for a Golden Globe, Maggie Gyllenhaal is sublime in this "trying to get my life back" tale of a young woman just out prison. The main struggle is, of course, with herself and her craving for normality and stability walks a rocky road. It reminded me of a female Half Nelson. Worth a look in if you're in the mood for a character driven drama. (Surely an Oscar nomination for Gyllenhaal can't be far away.....).
This epic tale of the rise and fall of the Banda della Magliana's Roman empire of drugs, money, girls and political movings is a gangster story straight from the Scorsese school of movie making. It's a shame that the film didn't go into more detail about some of the 'strategy of tension' conspiracies touched upon, but at 147 minutes long I think they are best saved for another movie.
Christian Bale delivers a first-rate performance as an honourably discharged ex-army ranger. Friendships and trust are tested to the limit in this frantic drama set in the backdrop of South Central LA.
