Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) (VG)

Apologies in advance for my forthcoming lack of activity.

Southland Tales (2006)

Richard Kelly's chaotic mess of a movie with dubious casting choices has largely been panned by the critics and shunned by audiences.. However, I found myself enjoying this tale which deals with explores themes such as politics, pop-culture, religion and the apocalypse. Worth watching, if only to make your own mind up.

4 stars

Notes on a Scandal (2006)

Very BBC, very English, very 3 stars.

3 stars

Rendition (2007)

Solid, though unremarkable war-on-terror one-man-caught-in-the-middle drama/thriller. Very much 'seen it all before' viewing save for an interesting 'narrative mechanism' rather than a twist.

3.5 stars

The Proposition (2005)

This one slipped through the net a while back, so was pleased to catch it on Channel 4.

Bold, bloody, bleak, barren, brilliant. Engaging performance from Guy Pearce.


4 stars

King, The (2005)

The always watchable Gael García Bernal stars in this troubling drama, which centres on revenge (hmm, on second thoughts maybe revenge is the wrong word.. this film is clever than that), incest, and family life in Small-Town USA.

4 stars

Street Kings (2008)

Good cops, bad cops, guns, drugs, the chain of command, black, white. But it simply aint no Wire.


3.5 stars

The Castle (1997)

Cult Aussie comedy about one man's battle to save his home from demolition by the expanding airport. The Kerrigan family is wonderfully brought to life in this tale of 'it's not a house, it's a home.' Subtle gags and amusing narration throughout.


3 stars

Straightheads (2007)

Brutal brit-flick clocking in at 76mins. Whilst lacking in character depth and narrative, this revenge story contains several strong scenes. To the point.


3 stars

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

I mean, it's not like you actually see it going in......


3.5 stars

Squid and the Whale, The (2005)

Another name for this feature would've been The Squid and the Tenenbaums.

3.5 stars

L O S T WATCH : Miles pops up as the school therapist.

Half Baked (1998)

Three potheads hatch a plan to bust their other stoner friend outta prison after he unknowingly feeds and kills a diabetic police horse. Somebody give a writing Oscar to Dude Where's My Car? please......



2 stars

Eastern Promises (2007)

Concise is a word I once heard somebody use to describe David Cronenberg movies, and it's a very accurate description of this St. John Street set thriller. Well crafted, with an engaging story (if a little violent in places, although Cronenberg does have a history of it..) this picture is well worth viewing.

Janck 4 stars


Underated crime drama with Aragorn and Naomi Watts (who delivers an impossibly good British accent). Nicely directed, and despite the 92 mins feature runtime, this film still manages to interweave various layers of story, and subtlely delivers twists and turns.


Mitch 4 stars

Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The (2007)

Quite breathtaking cinematography (especially the opening train robbery at Blue Cut, a stunning sequence of shots), great story and top notch acting .. all the ingredients for a fantastic film, and thankfully rookie director Andrew Dominik pulls it off producing a gem of a movie.

Janck 4.5 stars


Some of the best cinematography I've seen in years. The way this is shot truly puts the viewer in the heart of the story. This movie will be overlooked by many; but word of mouth should ensure this lives on in the memory, much like Jesse James.

Mitch 4 stars

Good German, The (2006)

A dame in need of transit papers, and only her American pre-war lover can save her.. Kinda like Casablanca, but in 1942 they couldn't say "cunt" in movies.

4 stars

Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007)

After being frozen for a number of years Futurama is back with this full length feature. Very much an extended episode of the show, which in fact will be chopped into four for the broadcast season, but this is no bad thing. Great cameos from Hedonism and Kwanzaa Bots.

3.5 stars

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Two homosexuals attempt a bank robbery in Brooklyn, when things go wrong they take the staff hostage and plan an audacious escape by jet to Wyoming.

3.5 stars

American Gangster (2007)

Disappointed. Perhaps it's because now any cops/dealers story I won't be able to help but instantly compare with the deliciously rich and intelligent television series The Wire (the appearance of Idris Elba doesn't help with that..). However, this movie lacked any real suspense and felt a bit ambitious .. maybe the story of Frank Lucas would've worked better as a five season TV show..

Janck 3 stars


Nicely plotted and well paced despite it's 2 hrs 30 mins runtime. I'd heard mixed reviews before I watched this one; this biopic somehow felt very solid with it's beginning-middle-and-end structure. No gimmicks, or cheap tricks and some fine acting from the two leads.

Mitch 4 stars