Body of Lies (2008)

Location hopping CIA/terrorism thriller is solid, but unremarkable; and plays out as expected for the most part. Crowe and DiCaprio deliver good performances, but their characters are too two-dimensional to display anything Oscar worthy. Good, but not great.


3.5 stars

La pianiste (2001) a.k.a The Piano Teacher

Sitting firmly on the stool of ''disturbing World Cinema'' Michael Haneke's (Caché , Funny Games) La pianiste showcases a mesmerising Isabelle Huppert in one of the most unsettling movies I have seen in a long time. This blend of classical piano art-house and dark subject matter truly allow you to 'react' and 'feel' in a way few Hollywood movies can do these days. Despite some narrative implausibility, La pianiste more than holds its own and will no doubt strike a deep chord with those who wish to seek out challenging cinema.

5 stars

Burn After Reading (2008)

Slightly disappointing, not quite the movie gold this should and could have been. It felt a bit slow and a bit lazy in parts, I think the Cohens were somewhat on autopilot after the success of No Country, which is shame but this is not to say it's film is without charm.

Janck 3.5 stars (Oct 2008)


Superb black comedy which may be passed up by the masses, but then again not, due to a crafty misselling of Messrs. Clooney and Pitt. Definitely more Coen brothers than Stepbrothers.

Mitch 4 stars

Gomorra (2008) aka "Gomorrah"

If you thought Italian organised crime was all guns, goomahs and Goodfellas then Gomorrah will come as a brutally real slap in the face .. madonn'!

Janck 4 stars (Feb '09)




Gritty antidote to the scores of Hollywood mafia movies. Lacks structure, but adds to the realism.


Mitch 4 stars

Blindness (2008)

At times frustrating and lacking in vision, Blindness does have it's moments, the cinematography being particularly stylish. If dystopian and Ruffaloian is your thing keep an eye out for it.

3.5 stars

Appaloosa (2008)

Slow burning Western from Ed Harris, with decent cinematography. Several lukewarm characters ensure this is by no means a classic though. Awful American accent from Jeremy Irons by the way.


3 stars

Eagle Eye (2008)

Far fetched and poor man's Enemy of the State. Flawed blockbuster, but still watchable.


2.5 stars

Married Life (2007)

Short and kinda sweet, perfect for a lazy Saturday night. It's decent.

3 stars

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Not quite a full re-boot of the franchise (many obvious nods to the previous films take care of that), but this is more entertaining fare from the Terminator series. As the battle of humans vs Skynet rages on, there is plenty here for fanboys with some expected wry humour, set pieces and explosions (not just with Christian Bale on set between takes!). Looks good on the silver screen and will certainly have its detractors, but I agree with Empire and give this:

4 stars