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
29 June 2008
Dirty Harry (1971)
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
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