The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Enjoyable kids film featuring 'fantastical' creatures; ghouls and goblins and the like. Some nice storytelling in this fantasy adventure.


3.5 stars

The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)

Believe the scores of underwhelming reviews for this disappointing outing on the big screen, for a once superb TV series. Surprisingly little on ''X'' factor, the plot remains the real mystery. Mulder & Scully are fautless though.


3 stars

In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007)

Love, loneliness and jerking off to a photoshopped snap of your best mate's missus .. good times.

4 stars

Annie Hall (1977)

Woody Allen classic with far more smiles & laughs than most "rom-coms" of today.

3.5 stars

Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)

Things We Lost in the Fire, is indeed a slow-burning drama. In spite of the non-linear editing, the narrative is a straightforward one. There are a few good scenes (particularly Benicio Del Toro's character struggling with drug addiction), but the film's pedestrian pace left me largely unmoved. Slight waste of very good acting talent from an average script.


3.5 stars

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

Oscar nominated doco about the Enron scandal. Scandalous.


3.5 stars

The Cottage (2008)

After a mixed reception by the critics, I was intrigued to see how director Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton (2006)) fared with this, his sophomore effort. Pitched as 'comedy/horror', this will never really belong alongside the brilliance of Shaun of the Dead, but still has it's own charm. A very shouty Andy Serkis plays the frustrated con, and Jennifer Ellison's character has a mouth like a truck driver. Destined for averageness, but not too forgettable.


3.5 stars

Talk to Her a.k.a. Hable con ella (2002)

''Talk to Her'' aka ''Two girls in a coma''. Average fare from Pedro Almodovar in my opinion, perhaps because I've seen better foreign language films recently; or maybe because the more esoteric moments of this movie are a touch too self-indulgent and artsy. What do I know though, it did win an Oscar.


3 stars

Ed Wood (1994)

Touching and thoroughly enjoyable biopic about the man many consider to be the Worst Director of All Time*.

3.5 stars

*Surprisingly not M. Night Shyamalan ;)

Happiness (1998)

Comedy/dramedy involving three New Jersey sisters and the interactions of their professional lives and sex lives. This is dark, edgy and comic yet moving. It may be 10 ten years old now, but does not seem at all dated. Recommended.


4 stars

Bad Santa (2003)

Caught this one over the festive period. BBT is perfect as this Xmas anti-hero in a comedy that did actually make me laugh for once.


3.5 stars

The Princess Bride (1987)

Witty and charming fantasy movie from Rob Reiner, that both grown-ups and kids can enjoy.

4 stars

Deliverance (1972)

Don't mess with the locals in deepest, darkest Derbyshire Georgia.

3.5 stars

Iron Man (2008)

Mitch : A perfectly cast Robert Downey Jr. stars in this enjoyable popcorn movie which wets the appetite before the oncoming slew of summer blockbusters. The CGI, comedy baddies and good vs evil are nothing new, but the improvised dialogue gives this movie a surprisingly down to earth tone amid it's far fetched and frequently ridiculous storyline.
4 stars

Janck : Surprisingly good visuals and a genre movie with quirks .. it's all good.
4 stars