This is English TV

This is England '88 (2011)

This 3 part mini series from Shane Meadows is the second sequel to This Is England (2006) and stars Vicky McClure. Haunted by the having killed her father, driven away her long term boy friend and struggling to raise her young child a woman has a bad Christmas.

There have certainly been some big events since the last mini series and the series deals with some dark issues really well. The only real downside is that the sub plot with the original central character from the first film seems a little out of place given the new focus of the series. As always director Shane Meadows provides some nice montages as well.

4/5

The Final Entry

Naked Gun 33 1/3: the Final Insult (1994)

Changes behind the scenes mean that Peter Segal comes into direct this second sequel which was the last film for O.J. Simpson before his legal problems. Frank is now retired but goes undercover as one last favour for his former colleagues.

This is certainly the weakest film in the series and you can tell the material is wearing a little thin when a lot of the gags are just parodies of other recent films, not even anything connected to the series. Of course a number of the good elements from the previous films remain but the flaws they had are much more clearly highlighted here due to the weaker script and lack of plot. There is still some fun to be had here but it misses the heights of the previous two films.

3/5

Bring out your dead (peoples furniture)

Please Give (2010)

This independent film from writer/director Nicole Holofcener stars Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall and Amanda Peet. A woman that resells dead peoples furniture feels guilty about her business while her next door neighbours grand daughters wait for their grandmother to die.

While this film is supposed to be a dark comedy there are not a huge amount of comedic moments in the film and it is more about how people view death of others rather than how we deal with death itself. Given the topic there are a number of films about similar themes and this film does not do a huge amount to make it stand out from the crowd but is still watchable if maybe not fully realised in execution.

3/5

Renewable energy?

Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Three years after the original film Leslie Nielsen returns as bumbling police detectice Frank Drebin. President Bush has hired a professor to advise on the future of US energy policy and the big oil, coal and nuclear companies are out to get him.

It was always going to be hard to keep up with the break neck speed of gags in the original film and while this film still includes plenty of funny moments it does fall short on the quantity. What the film does well is still have a few classic jokes as well as not rely on call backs to the original which is often a problem with comedy sequels. Fans of the first film will certainly enjoy this film even if it does fall slightly short in comparison.

3/5

In tents?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010)

Splitting the adaptation of the final Potter book into two films all the usual talent has returned. Plans for the rise of the dark lord are well on there way now and only Harry and his chums can do anything about it.

There is a lot of really nice scenery in this film which is a break from previous films in the series which were pretty much all based at Hogwarts but apart from that it is hard to find a lot to say about this film. This really does feel like part one of two and really seems to lack a lot of narrative drive, our heroes spend a fair amount of time sitting round in tents for example. I would say this is probably the most average film in the series and could really have done with a bit clearer structure of it's own.

3/5

By royal command

The King's Speech (2010)

Based on real events this film from director Tom Hooper stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Prince Albert (the future George VI) suffers from a stammer and seeks help over coming his speech impediment so he can assume a full role with in the monarchy.

There are some really good parts to this film, especially the performance of Colin Firth but also in the growth of the protagonist himself. Unfortunately the script does succumb to diddling history in various places which are not really necessary such as shoe horning in Churchill, changing the reasons for Baldwin's retirement and various other inaccuracies. Where the film does well is hinting at the role of oratory in leadership of a nation and some of the class divide prevalent in inter war Britain.

4/5

Christmas classic

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Directed by Andrew Adamson this is the first in the series of adaptations from Disney and has a cast including Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy and Liam Neeson. Four children are evacuated during WW2 and discover a magic land inside a wardrobe.

There is something about this story that means for a lot of people it will always be associated with Christmas and there are a good number of reasons why which range from the winter setting, the Christian allegory and the references to Christmas in the work itself. Largely faithful to the book this is a good adaptation and probably the best so far in the series. There are a few elements that hint at the film being made in New Zealand rather than England but they are not overly obtrusive.

4/5

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEVIL

Megamind (2010)

DreamWorks animation stable pumps another one off the production line this time featuring the voice talent of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill. After finally defeating his nemesis a bad guy is left at a loss as to what to do.

Taking a similar tack to several other recent animated films there is not a lot that is especially original about this film but the plot is satisfactory enough. Where the film falls down is that it really lacks the humour that you might find in a Pixar film, there are jokes but they are not as plentiful as you would hope. Everything resolves out pretty much as you would expect and while this is not a bad film it is hard not to compare it to better options out there.

3/5

Sour milk

Alien Nation (1988)

This “science fiction” film is directed by Graham Baker and stars James Caan. Aliens have arrived on earth and now live amongst the human population, a human and alien police detective have to work together to solve some murders.

As much as people might like to dress this film up as science fiction it is really just a bland buddy cop film with a gimmick. The plot is pretty similar to every other buddy cop film you have ever seen and fails to capitalise on the unique elements provided by the set up. In the end the problems with the film are more about what it could have been than what it is so we end up with a passable effort at least.

3/5

PAIN

Rocky 3 (1982)

The popular boxing series returned for a third instalment with Stallone in control again and this time introducing the world to Mr. T. Rocky gets soft, losses his trainer and his title and has to make a come back.

In my opinion this film is a vast improvement over the second film in the series. Bringing in a bad guy really helps as the Apollo Creed character never really fit that role and the camaraderie between former rivals Rocky and Creed really helps give the film some personality. Having a plot that is more eventful that then previous instalment is another step in the right direction. This is certainly a return to form for the series.

4/5

Rocky vs Creed 2

Rocky 2 (1979)

After the mighty success of the first film Stallone returns to write, direct and star in this sequel that picks up directly after where the first film ended. Struggling to come to terms with his responsibilities as a husband and father will Rocky return to the ring?

Despite a 2 hour run time this film could really have done with some more plot, it feels like nearly the entire first ¾ of the film is made up of Rocky “rejecting the call” before he has a training montage then fights. It is nice to see the progression of Rocky as a character but the structure of the film is pretty terrible. Obviously after the first film made buckets of money they wanted a sequel but I think more time should have been spent hammering out a coherent script rather than what we get here. In fact if you take out the boxing elements this might have been a better film because they do seem really alien and tacked on the end just to appease expectations.

2/5

Sports film, 1370s style

A Knight's Tale (2001)

History be damned in this jousting film from writer/director Brian Helgeland which stars Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany and Shannyn Sossamon. After his lord dies a young squire takes his place in a jousting tournament.

There are a lot of problems with this film from historical inaccuracies to a rather thin plot but you kind of just have to let that go and enjoy the ride. What does save this film is the support cast as they have plenty of personality and humour to make up for the rather bland protagonist and his predictable love story. In the end you have to take this film as it was meant, which is a fun diversion rather than anything more serious.

3/5

The Winchester

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Cult classic zombie rom-com from Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg that follows on from their work on the TV show Spaced. Shaun is a salesman that wants to win his girlfriend back and survive a zombie apocalypse.

This film is both funny and full of references to other films and those are the corner stones of it's success. It also helps that the film really taps into the lazy but disaffected 20 something generation out look on life as well. Edgar Wright's direction really helps keep the pace of the film going so much so that you probably need to see this film more than once to pick up all the references.

4/5

Ship shape?

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

This is the third instalment in the series of adaptations of C. S. Lewis's series of novels from Walden Media which is directed by Michael Apted. The two youngest Pevensie children return to Narnia with their annoying cousin for an adventure at sea.

For some reason this series has just never quite felt like it captures the magic of Narnia and this film continues in that vein. Despite being well made this film feels decidedly bland and never really engaged me. There are a number of changes from the novel in an attempt to form a more coherent story which will no doubt please and annoy some in equal measure.

3/5

Swan wrestling

Black Swan (2010)

Director Darren Aronofsky takes on the world of ballet with this psychological piece that stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. A young dancer gets her chance in the lead role in Swan Lake but struggles with the role and her inner demons.

This film works really well as both a piece about the pressure on performers and how it affects the protagonists but also as a metaphor for maturing into female sexuality. Even if like me you have no interest in or knowledge of ballet that is no barrier to enjoying this film and in itself is a major achievement. All the elements of the film fit together well and it is easy to see this as a companion piece to Aronofsky's earlier film The Wrestler (2008), about the only bad thing I have to say is that may be the ending of the films is a little too similar.

5/5

Monster marriage

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Following the success of the first film a sequel was ordered up and Boris Karloff returns as the monster. Having survived the end of the previous film the monster wants a “friend” while another scientist wants to replicate Doctor Frankenstein's work.

This sequel is a bit of an odd mix but there are certainly some interesting ideas thrown in there. There is a shaky start and a large section of the monster running around destroying and killing which is not that great but at least the film is not just a rerun of the original plot. The most interesting parts to look out for in the film are the Christian imagery and the speculation of homosexual interpretations to the film.

3/5

Disputed

Irreconcilable Differences (1984)

Marking the first substantial screen role of Sharon Stone this film stars Ryan O'Neal, Shelley Long and Drew Barrymore. An eight year old girl wants to divorce her parents as they are more wrapped up in their own lives.

To me it feels like this film has the same problem that the characters have, it becomes to obsessed with the lives of the adults involved rather than telling the story of a neglected child. Of course this obsession with their own lives is what leads to the neglect of their daughter but it does not provide an especially interesting point of view to tell the story from and at times feels like it is wandering from the point. I was also not a fan of the ending which implied better relations and a possible future reconciliation which makes it seem like the horrid behaviour of the parents goes unpunished.

2/5

Slick?

Local Hero (1983)

Written and directed by Bill Forsyth this Scottish film stars Peter Riegert, Burt Lancaster and Denis Lawson. An American oil company wants to buy up a small Scottish village so they can demolish it and build a refinery.

What is good about this film is that it does not take the overly done path of villagers not wanting to sell and the outsider being seduced by the local charm. This film is more about human nature with the villagers plotting to get as much cash as possible out of the oil company. There is something very 80s about the film and it certainly reflects the financial greed of the period.

4/5

Olden times

The Court Jester (1956)

When made this was the most expensive comedy of it's time and stars Danny Kaye, Basil Rathbone and a young Angela Lansbury. The throne has been usurped and a former carnival performer tries to help rebels restore the rightful heir to the throne.

While this film does have some funny moments it really has a whole host of problems. Despite having so much money spent on the film the costumes and some of the props are decidedly poor. When it comes to the plot what we get is a mish-mash of different legends based on a fake medieval England which has little going for it. This is probably not the sort of film that will appeal to modern audiences and does not have a lot of redeeming features in the end.

2/5

Conflicted

Miral (2010)

Based on real events this film comes from the novel of the same name, stars Freida Pinto and is directed by Julian Schnabel. A young Palestinian girl is raised at an orphanage during the 1980s and becomes involved in the conflict with Israel.

Touchy subjects ahoy here (Israel/Palenstine and fact/fiction) but I think the major problem with the film comes from the fact that the narrative wanders far too much in the first half before settling on the character of Miral. There are some interesting stories in here but it really would help if they had picked one to focus on rather than the muddle we get here which is a shame as the film has some nice cinematography. While the film does have some hope for the future in terms of the next generation being more likely to solve the problems of the region it does take a fairly one sided view of the problems and does not really attempt to explore complex issues properly.

2/5

Fockers

Little Fockers (2010)

This is the third film in the series of comedy film staring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller which adds Jessica Alba to the previous cast. Son in law and father in law face off again, this time over who will take over leadership of the family.

Did this franchise need another film? At some point you have to wonder why Stiller's character does not just tell his father in law to get lost given all the suspicion and accusations. It would help if this film was funny but the jokes are few and too predictable when they do show up. Maybe it is time to stop rehashing the same film over and over again.

2/5

Which witch is which?

Season of the Witch (2011)

Directed by Dominic Sena this film stars Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman. A plague lies across the land in the 14th century and two knights that have deserted the crusades have to help transport a woman accused of witch craft to a monastery.

This film is unremarkable in a lot of areas, the plot is fairly basic and a lot of the characters are left under developed. There is some nice scenery but there seem to be a number of historical mistakes that stick out in the buildings used. As Nicolas Cage films go this is not the worst by a long way, if you just want to see some stuff get hacked up then it's not a bad film but lacks anything more.

3/5

Say hello to my old friend

Scarface (1932)

Long before Brian De Palma and Al Pacino there was this original gangster film which was directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes. A young man looks to take control of the bootlegging business in his city by any means necessary.

Loosely based on the live of Al Capone this film had a terrible time trying to get by the censors for the realistic violence it showed which while ground breaking at the time does not seem overly violent to modern eyes. While the film is not the most nuanced example of story telling it does hold up even if it could have done with some more character depth in places. In the end this is one of the classic gangster films that highlighted the rising issues with organised crime.

4/5

Not spell binding

Warlock (1959)

Not a fantasy film as the title might suggest, this western stars Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn. A small town wants an end to violence on the streets but is bringing in a hired gunman the answer?

The main thrust of this film is clearly about how to achieve law and order in a town out of control but it does not delve particularly deeply into the subject but is more interested in the relationship between the characters. As a whole the film works pretty well if a little on the long side and as usual for a western the female characters are not the strongest point, we get both the hooker with the heart of gold and school teacher archetypes here.

3/5

Underdogs

The Verdict (1982)

Based on the novel of the same name this film is directed by Sidney Lumet and stars Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling and Jack Warden. A down on his luck lawyer takes a medical malpractice case to try and make enough money to retire on.

While this film is nominally a court room drama it is more about the protagonist seeking redemption through a case no one cares. This is really more of a character study than anything else and on that level it works really well, the court case itself may be a little on the weak side but otherwise the plot is decent. Overall this is a well made film and it is easy to see how it picked up five Oscar nominations.

4/5

Anonymity

Middle Men (2010)

“Inspired by a true story” this film is directed by George Gallo and stars Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi and Gabriel Macht. A businessman is brought in to help two degenerates run their online payment processor company and has to deal with organised crime as well as the FBI.

There is a fairly large cast in this film which acquits itself well but that is probably the high point of the film sadly. When you get an “inspired by” title you know that vast liberties have probably been taken with the truth and the plot here does not really function as a cautionary tale as in the end the protagonist comes up smelling roses by dumb luck despite his various crimes. In the end it is hard to tell what the point of this film is which is a shame as it is well enough made.

3/5

Broadsword calling Dannyboy

Where Eagles Dare (1968)

Based on the book of the same name from Alistair MacLean this WW2 based action film is directed by Brian Hutton with stars Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. An American General who has important plans needs to be rescued from a castle full of Nazis in Austria but all is not as it seems.

This is not the most nuanced film about war but it is unabashed in what it is and really achieves what it sets out to be, a rip roaring action film. Both the castle and snowy mountains of Austria provide a great back drop for the film. What the film does well is build up the tension (particularly in the final half of the film), keeps the audience guessing as to what is really going on for the first half and makes decent use of the female characters who are not just there as window dressing as is often the case in these types of films. Interestingly this was one of the first films to use a front project effect which eventually evolved into what we know as green screen technology.

4/5

Hybrid?

The Dilemma (2011)

Returning to comedy for the first time in ten years Ron Howard directs Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder and Jennifer Connelly. A man finds out his best friends wife is cheating on him and does not know how to break the news.

There are some funny moments in this film but they mostly derive from physical comedy or slapstick rather than the film being chock full of jokes. I actually thought the drama element of the film worked much better than the comedy part with the main character being a recovering gambling addict and his erratic behaviour being mistaken for a relapse adds some depth to the film. In the end I think this film would have probably been better either as a full comedy or a drama rather than trying to mix both elements but it is still not a bad watch.

3/5

Fluffy

Morning Glory (2010)

English director Roger Michell helms this film staring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. A young woman gets the opportunity to revitalise a morning news program that has long been a disappointment to it's station.

The accusation levelled at morning news programs in this film is they lack real substance and you could easily say the same of the plot of this time which is pretty simplistic and unoriginal. Only token thought is spent on the nature of the type of media the film is involved in which does not help matters either. Given the lack of real plot the film has to live or die on it's characters and there is just not enough time create characters with proper depth, I think this concept would have worked better as a television series rather than a film. In the end this film is fluff but at least the execution is pretty decent.

3/5

Bah humbug

Four Christmases (2008)

Seth Gordon directs his first studio film with this Christmas based romantic comedy which stars Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. A couple that have spent three years avoiding their families at Christmas have no way to escape that now and have to live through their nightmare senario.

There are two major problems with this film. Firstly this film is just not funny which is rather a big issue for a supposed comedy, there might be a couple of chuckles in the film but where all the jokes at? When it comes to the plot the problem is that the message behind the film is that having different desires to the social norms, such as not wanting to get married and have kids, is wrong and you must learn the error of your ways. Even if you accept the concept of the film the execution is just a case of going through the motions in a highly contrived and predictable manner.

2/5

You know where I eat lunch

Brick (2005)

First time director Rian Johnson made this independent film for less than $500,000 with a cast including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Nora Zehetner. A high school student's ex-girlfriend is mixed up in some sort of drugs dealing problem and he wants to help her out.

This high school drama is very clearly shot through the lens of film noir and contains many of the usual plot and character elements but in an unusual setting. What could have been a gimmick does work fairly well even if the film is a little fast talking and the plot gets a little exposition heavy at times. In general this is a good first film if not without it's flaws and not especially original.

3/5

Check mate

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Also known as Stairway to Heaven in the US this film from Powell and Pressburger stars David Niven and Kim Hunter. A pilot bails out of his plane over the English channel in the final days of the war, is he dead, alive, concussed, suffering from a brain tumour, does he have survivors guilt or something else?

The execution of this film has some really interesting elements especially in terms of special effects. Mixing between colour and sections in black and white to separate the different planes of existence works well and is no doubt a first in cinema. When it comes to the other worldly sections the special effects to pull of the strange sets like the massive stairway work really well as well given the technical limitations of the period.

As to the plot, it is an interesting set up and no doubt relevant to the time period given the great loss of life during WW2 but does feel a little contrived at times. I would also have liked to see the film hold it's ambiguity a little better and longer as it does tip it's hand a little too early on. When it comes to the treatment of the “other place” the film handles it really well favouring no religion at all and not taking a turn into a thinly veiled sermon like many films on the subject do.

5/5

It starts with a turd

Barney's Version (2010)

Adapted from the novel of the same name this film stars Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver and Dustin Hoffman. A man lurches through three marriages and various disasters as he tries to give his own version of how he lived his life.

There are some good performances in this film and Hoffman in particular has some great comedic moments, stealing a lot of the scenes he is in. When it comes to the plot the ending is heart breaking but I do think that the film missed out on a big chance to play with the unreliable nature of Barney's version of events given what happens to him in the end. While this is a well made film ultimately you do spend a large part of the film wondering why this story is being told, I think a larger focus on how people perceive Barney compared to how he views himself as well as the issues surrounding his fate would have made a better film.

3/5

Reef Beef

Donovan's Reef (1963)

Shot in Hawaii this is the last collaboration between director John Ford and star John Wayne that also features Elizabeth Allen and Lee Marvin. On a Polynesian island an estranged daughter wants to cheat the father she has never met out of his shares in his shipping company while John Wayne looks out for him.

As with any film from John Ford it is well made but maybe one of the lighter entries into his cannon that was more an excuse to take his friends for 8 weeks filming in Hawaii. There is an undertone of anti racism in this film which forms the core of the plot but is not really explored in enough depth in my opinion compared to Ford's earlier film The Searchers (1956) to really add a serious under belly to the film. With few surprises along the way this is a watchable film that seems to be most interested in having some fun in the sun above anything else.

3/5

Plot as we already know it

Life as We Know It (2010)

This comedy-drama from director Greg Berlanti which stars Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. After a couple die their best friends that do not like each other have to raise the orphaned one year old daughter.

There is a decent premise for a film here, how to cope with the sudden and unexpected responsibility of raising a child but instead this is just used as wrapping to bash out the same old tired romantic comedy plot. What could have been a serious drama is instead a missed opportunity that is more focused on how it sucks that people have to give up their cool lives and how the lead characters should get it on. As a romantic comedy this is probably not the worst you will ever see but that is hardly a recommendation given the depths the genre can hit.

3/5

Punching above it's weight?

The Fighter (2010)

Biographical boxing film today from director David O. Russell which stars Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. A boxer struggles to make a career for himself while his older brother is a drug addict former boxer on the way down.

This film picked up two Oscars for acting and it is easy to see why as Bale and Adams in particular give really good performances. When it comes to the content of the film, it is a boxing film so there is not a lot that is revolutionary here. In the end this is a solid and slightly more mature entry in it's genre that is greatly helped by stand out performances.

4/5

Shallow plot?

Shallow Grave (1994)

Danny Boyle makes his directorial debut with this film staring Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor. After their new flat mate overdoses three friends decide to keep the suitcase full of money he has but paranoia and greed get the better of them.

This film follows a fairly predictable path given the subject matter right up till the end where plenty of double crossing takes place but is still an enjoyable watch. The best performance in the piece is from Christopher Eccleston who goes from being an average boring accountant to creepy, paranoid terror of the flat over the course of the film. The final sequences do lack a little tension which would have really helped the films ending.

3/5

Machete don't text

Machete (2010)

Robert Rodriguez writes and directs this film which stars Danny Trejo, Robert Di Niro, Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez and is expanded from a faux commercial that appeared in Grindhouse (2007). War breaks out in Texas over illegal immigration.

While this film certainly has it's moments it does not really have enough of the over the top silly violence required to carry a film like this. The plot uses illegal immigration as the back drop but never really looks deeply into the issue and is obviously not especially realistic. There are some decent performances from the big cast although Lindsay Lohan playing a drugged out girl that wants to be a porn star probably was not much of a stretch for her.

3/5

Why the long tale?

The Horse Whisperer (1998)

Adapted from the novel of the same name this film is directed by and stars Robert Redford with support from Kirstin Scott Thomas as well as a young Scarlett Johansson. After a serious road accident in which her best friend is killed a young girl and her horse need help healing.

Undoubtedly the best part of this film is the excellent cinematography and stunning scenery, Redford's prior training as an artist really shows through and helps make this film look amazing. The plot itself is not especially impressive, covering the ground you would expect it to without getting overly melodramatic or in depth. Weighing in at nearly three hours long though this film takes a really long time to tell a simple story, it might not feel like it drags but I think you could cut about an hour off the length of this film with ease and it would not have any real affect.

3/5

Forced?

The Delta Force (1986)

Filmed in Israel and directed by Israeli director Menahem Golan this film stars Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin in his final film appearance. An American flight from Cairo is hijacked by Lebanese terrorists and American special forces have to save the day.

Usually these types of action films fall down on having ridiculous plots but this film takes it's cue from a number of real life events and incorporates them to provide a good set up. In fact the best parts of the film are probably those involving the passengers and depicting the hijacking fairly realistically. Where the film gets silly is in the inevitable action sequences at the end where realism is thrown out of the window in favour of Chuck Norris blowing stuff up. It is a shame that the final third gets carried away in what is an otherwise really good effort.

3/5

On the beat

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

Based on the unsuccessful TV series Police Squad this film comes from the team behind Airplane! (1980) and stars Leslie Nielsen. A local businessman wants to kill Queen Elizabeth II when she visits LA, only Lt. Frank Drebin stands in his way.

The plot of this film is not exactly it's strong point but the fact that the script is chock full of gags covers up the cracks well. Nielsen is excellent as the bumbling and unaware of his surroundings protagonist selling all the jokes and performing the slapstick elements with a straight face when I am sure other actors could have gone over the top. This film is definitely up there with the earlier Airplane! (1980) in terms of quality and maybe even fits in more jokes.

4/5

Off the reservation

Cheyenne Autumn (1964)

This is John Ford's final western and it stars Richard Widmark and Carroll Baker with a cameo from James Stewart. Based on historic events in 1878 the Cheyenne leave their reservation in the south to return the land of their ancestors.

Like several of Ford's other westerns this film is shot largely Monument Valley which provides an excellent back drop as always. Other locations in the Nebraska section have some have some great snowy landscapes as well, all in all the films looks as good as you would expect from a John Ford western. The plot and characters are good as well providing a counter point to the earlier use of Indians in Ford's film, here the Indians are not bloody thirsty savages but cheated, starved and mistreated by the US government.

The only real down side to the film is the out of place section featuring James Stewart as Wyatt Earp. Completely out of tone and not really anything to do with the plot of the rest of the film the Dodge City scenes form a real hiccup in the middle of the film that was actually cut by studio executives for the cinema release. Why this part of the film has been restored for later releases is beyond me and it does put a blemish on an otherwise really good film.

4/5

And away?

Up (2009)

Pixar churn another one off the production line with this animated adventure starting the voice talent of Edward Asner and Christopher Plummer. A widower wants to fly his house to Paradise Falls in South America.

What this film suffers from most is the high standards Pixar have set for themselves, while it is in no way a bad film I do think it falls short of the usual level we have come to expect. The best part of the film is the montage at the start showing the time the old man and his wife spent together with life getting in the way of their dreams. When it comes to the actual plot of the film it just feels like a second thought, it may have some funny moments but fails to really spark in my opinion.

3/5

80s Weapon

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Director Richard Donner helms this quintessential 80s buddy cop film staring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. An old cop and a suicidal cop work together to find out why a hooker was murdered.

I was expecting that the plot of the film would be pretty bad given that the 80s was a real haven for action films with terrible plots but while the plot is not especially original it does not get excessively silly. In the two main characters at least the film does manage to squeeze some real characters into the film which is again fairly unusual for the genre. Over all this film is probably one of the best from this period in the genre but is still not that realistic in the end.

4/5

Riding through the glen

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)

Made in England but funded by Disney this version of the Robin Hood tale stars Richard Todd and features a number of other British actors. King Richard is off crusading, Prince John is an evil so and so which leaves only the loyal archer to fight back.

There are a large number of Robin Hood films floating about, what makes this one unique is that it actually has a British cast which seems to be something of a rarity. When it comes to the script sadly it seems to be a case of just cramming in the expected beats of a Robin Hood film rather than telling a clear story or having characters with much personality. Strangely it is Maid Marian that has the fullest character while everyone else just seems to be fulfilling plot requirements or audience expectations.

3/5 not the worst or best version of the tale you will see.

Bombs?

Four Lions (2010)

No stranger to controversy in his work in television writer/director Chris Morris turns to the big screen with a black comedy about Islamic terrorism. A group of British Muslims want to get in on the war on terror but are not the most competent terrorists in the world.

I am sure there are some people that will find this film offensive on general principle but those are the type that are going to find something offensive without even watching it, for the most part I do not really think it is. There are some really funny moments in this film but I am not sure you would say it is consistently funny through out.

The it does end on a fairly sad note for the central characters but I am not sure it does enough to look into the real issues at hand even if the film does stand against fanaticism. In the end I do feel a bit like the soft option has been taken in a few areas and maybe this could have been a better film but it is certainly very British in it's treatment of the subject matter.

3/5

Hole

Rabbit Hole (2010)

Based on the play of the same name this low budget drama stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. Eight months after the accident that killed him a married couple are trying to come to terms with the death of their four year old child.

This is a well made film that manages to sensitively deal with a subject that could easily stray into melodrama. There are some good performances from the cast, especially Kidman but it is hard to find anything revolutionary or new that the film adds to the topic. In the end the message is everyone has to deal with grief in their own way which while true is not a new idea.

3/5

A date with the past

High Noon (1952)

Directed by Fred Zinnemann this western stars Gary Cooper and has the first major role for Grace Kelly. Avoided and abandoned by his friends and ageing marshal waits for the past to arrive on the noon train.

Built around the idea of the story being portrayed in near real time the film uses this devise to build up the tension of the impending arrival of violence. The tension rises nicely as clocks are present in a lot of shots to keep the viewer informed of how time is running out. Over all this is a well made film even if some of the music does seem slightly dated to modern tastes.

What the film is really about is the red scare and persecution in Hollywood of suspected communists, indeed following the making of this film writer Carl Foreman was himself blacklisted. The way the community turns on the protagonist works really well as a metaphor for the treatment of those seen to be causing problems and how it would be best for everyone else if they just “went away”. At the time a number of people felt the film was un-American but the idea of the individual at odds with the community is one of the central themes of the genre.

5/5

Strike?

Made in Dagenham (2010)

British cinema today with a film from director Nigel Cole based on real events which stars Sally Hawkins, Miranda Richardson and Bob Hoskins. It is 1968 and the female workers at a Ford car factory in London strike for equal pay.

When you are condensing real events to a film you often have to use composite characters for some of the roles but it is a real slap in the face to history when even the main character is a fictional composition as well. No doubt the fight for equal pay is an interesting one and this film is not badly made but it is a real shame that history and realism seem to have been chucked out the window in favour of a more simplistic film.

2/5

Thrills in Venice?

The Tourist (2010)

This romantic thriller stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp with support from Paul Bettany and Timothy Dalton. A banker has stolen a load of money from a gangster and his girlfriend enlists a tourist to help throw off the various people after the money.

The best way to sum up this film would be to call it a missed opportunity. There is a great selection of acting talent on show with little to show for it, Johnny Depp is particularly under used and Venice provides a beautiful back drop (probably the best thing in the film). When it comes to the plot it is wobbly at best and I would not advise trying to think to hard about it otherwise holes start to appear. In the end this is a watchable film but really should have been miles better.

2/5

Avast ye!

The Black Swan (1942)

There are no ballerinas in this film, Henry King directs Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara in this swashbuckling pirate piece. England and Spain are at peace now so former privateers in the Caribbean have to go straight, but not all want to.

Other than being one of the early films to be made in colour there is not a lot that is remarkable about this film. About all the plot points you would expect are covered and this is very much a by the numbers film. The characters are as simplistic as the plot and just about manage not to stray into being dubious stereotypes but Maureen O'Hara is little more than a damsel in distress who starts out hating the hero before marrying him.

3/5

Zulus, thousands of 'em!

Zulu (1964)

Michael Caine had his break through role co-staring alongside Stanley Baker in this film from director Cy Enfield. It is 1879 and 139 British troops are surrounded by 3-4000 Zulu warriors.

British imperialism of the Victorian period is a sticky subject which this film largely side steps in favour of focusing on the nature of war rather than the specific reasons for this one. While some characters do have bigoted views the film is largely respectful to the men on both sides of the conflict. There are some great performances and the scenery is truly stunning, the cinematography gives a real sense of Rorke's Drift being surrounded not just by the Zulus but also by the imposing landscape.

The problems with the film come largely from the fact that in large swathes historical accuracy has been thrown out of the window in favour of telling a better story. Changes to events are mostly kept to a minimum as the historic set up is dramatic enough but the changes to characters are where the problems lie. Some of the character changes do allow for the more balanced view of the film but unfortunately a number end up tarring historical figures pretty unjustly, the most common example being Henry Hook.

4/5

Devil's Angels

We're No Angels (1955)

One of the more unusual Christmas films reunites director Michael Curtiz and Humphrey Bogart along side Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray. Three convicts on Devil's Island escape and stuck in the local store while trying to get off the island.

This is a light hearted comedy which does not have the most complex plot of all time but manages to carry off it's own kind of charm. The highlight of the film is Bogart and Ustinov playing their characters to perfection despite the fairly sparse nature of the comedy. If you have to watch one Christmas film about escaped convicts on a desert island then this is certainly the one I would recommend.

3/5

A fistful of CGI

The Warrior's Way (2010)

East meets West in this western staring Jang Dong-gun, Kate Bosworth and Geoffrey Rush. In a bizarre western town there is a three way face off between carnival performers, cowboys and ninjas.

Visually this film has it's moments even if unfortunately all the scenery appears to be CGI, but the world the film takes place is certainly unusual and at least looks interesting. The problems with this film pretty much all come from the weak dialogue, rudimentary at beast plot that takes a bit too long to get anywhere and some decidedly dodgy acting. It is a real shame when you have an actor like Geoffrey Rush to criminally under use him, he is barely in the film at all.

2/5

Needling

Puncture (2011)

Like many legal dramas this film claims to be “based on a true story” and stars Chris Evans. Hospitals will not buy a new safety syringe because there is a monopoly on medical purchasing so some lawyers take up the case.

For a legal drama there is not a lot of court room action and seems to be caught between being a legal drama and an issues film. The most interesting character in the film is the lawyer with a drug problem but while we see the affects it has on his life we never get to find out the reasons for it which is a real shame. In the end this is a fairly average film that highlights the problem at hand but does not do so in an overly entertaining way.

3/5

Recycled

London Boulevard (2010)

Based on the novel of the same name this adaptation from writer/director William Monahan stars Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley and David Thewlis. Recently released from prison a young man tries not to return to a life of crime.

There is not a lot of originality about this East End gangster film which recycles a lot of the usual clichés, including the ending which will not be shocking to the audience as it is designed to be as you have seen it plenty of times before. The most interesting character in the film is the reclusive actress who sadly prophesies her own down fall when bemoaning the poor supporting roles women have in modern cinema. It does not help that there are some deciedly dodgy accents on show, most notably from Colin Farrell. In the end I would have much rather seen a film about Knightley and Thewlis's characters than what we got.

3/5

Unremarkable

Unstoppable (2010)

“Inspired by real events” this film is directed by Tony Scott and stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson. There is a run away train filled with explosives, who can save the day?

As you would expect from a film with such a high budget it is very well made in terms of the effects used. It would seem that the “inspired by real events” title is used as a license to diddle with the facts in the name of increased drama but realistically there is not much depth to the film. While the film does not feel long it does take a long while for our heroes to actually get involved in the events of the day which probably makes the film longer than needed.

3/5

Dead boring?

The Evil Dead (1981)

Director Sam Raimi broke onto the scene with this low budget horror film that stared Bruce Campbell and was edited by one Joel Coen. Five college students go to spend some time in a cabin in the woods and run into some evil spirits.

I have to say that I found this film to be a real disappointment. You expect some corner cutting given this is a low budget first time effort but the real lack of any plot depth or characters was a big let down. The special effects are passable given the nature of the film but other than that it is hard to for me to find many positives.

2/5

Railroaded

Aces 'N' Eights (2008)

Made for TV (never a good sign) this western stars Casper Van Dien, Bruce Boxleitner and Ernest Borgnine. The rail road is coming and some people do not want to sell their land.

It is hard to find much good to say about this film, the plot is a combination of clichés and over used ideas with various holes and parts that just do not seem to be thought through. Most of the characters lack any depth, the acting is poor, the dialogue is not up to much and the direction is just annoying. About the only redeeming feature of the piece is that the sets and locations are not bad given this film was probably made on a low budget.

2/5 hard to find a reason to watch this.

Hard Graf

The Battle of the River Plate (1956)

Based on real events this film from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger stars Anthony Quayle and Peter Finch. A German heavy cruiser faces off against three Commonwealth cruisers in the early part of WW2.

While this film is largely told from the point of view of the Allies it does give a fair portrayal of the German captain who is shown as a professional naval officer rather than a Nazi caricature. What stands the film apart from most naval war films is that it mainly uses real war ships rather than model work and that is a vast improvement even if it is fairly obvious an American ship is used to portray the German raider. Over all this is a well made effort that largely sticks to the facts which is in sharp contrast to the modern trend of forcing fictional narratives into real events.

4/5

Don't mess around with Jackie Brown

Jackie Brown (1997)

This is the third film from director Quentin Tarantino and is based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, the large cast includes Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Forster. An air stewardess is caught between the law and her gun selling boss.

This is not Tarantino's best film but it is still a decent offering with plenty of his directorial signatures sprinkled through out the piece. The plot is decent with more double crossing than you can shake a stick at but is not really interesting beyond it's superficial level. What is probably the best thing about this film is the great performances from the cast, especially Grier who really carries the film well.

4/5

African goals

Africa United (2010)

First time director Deborah Gardner-Paterson makes her début with this Africa based film. A diverse group of kids from Rwanda travel through Africa to try to get to the world cup.

What is really good about this film is the way it shows the issues Africa faces such as AIDs, war, prostitution and poverty through the eyes of children. There are a lot of serious issues involved but the fact that they are experienced by children who do not really understand then fully stops the film becoming too heavy, retaining a light comedic note but does not trivialise these important issues either. I am sure there must have been a temptation for the film to stray into sappy territory but it manages to stay clear of that mostly even if it offers few answers to the problems it highlights.

4/5 a unique look at the problems Africa faces.

Do directors dream of further recuts?

Blade Runner (1982)

Based on a story from Philip K. Dick this adaptation is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Harrison Ford. A man is charged with hunting down and killing a group of renegade replicants (robots that appear human) that have come to earth against the law.

As a piece of film making this is a stunning effort. The dirty lived in look of the future world has inspired many following films and was revolutionary at the time. Much of the films plot is influenced by film noir and a lot of the lighting in the film also echoes this. Visually the film is very impressive, the special effects work well and the whole concept of the world the film exists in is filled out perfectly on the screen.

When it comes to the content of the film it is suitably rich in theme even if the plot itself is a little sparse. The nature of humanity, mortality and how the artificial life forms fit into this are the main points of discussion. As mentioned previously the plot draws heavily on the ideas of film noir with a fatalistic protagonist, femme fatales and an antagonistic police captain which fits in well with the gritty-future look the film has.

5/5 it should be noted I watched the final cut version.

Planes, unoriginality and autmobiles

Due Date (2010)

This is a comedy road film from director Todd Phillips staring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galiflanakis. Up tight man and wacky/annoying man that have just met take a road trip after being put on a no fly list.

There is not a lot of originality about this film which draws a lot of comparisons to Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). What little content there is sticks to common formulas and provides little in the way of humour or mad cap incidents. While there are few positives in the film it is also hard to find any real negatives as the direction and performances are at least average even if they have little to work with.

3/5

Hang on, lads; I've got a great idea.

The Italian Job (1969)

Classic British cinema from director Peter Collinson today that stars Michael Caine, Noel Coward and Benny Hill. A gang of British thieves plan to steal a load of gold from Italy while the Mafia have other ideas.

This is not the best written or original heist film of all time, the characters are all fairly empty but the film more than makes up for that by having character itself. What the film does do is capture the quintessentially English nature of the period and the general view an island nation has to the rest of Europe. When it comes to the final car chase it borders on silly but is hilarious, iconic and part of what made the Mini Cooper a car that has stood the test of time. There are some great lines and it is the comedic nature of the film that helps carry off what otherwise would be an unremarkable film.

4/5

All change at the station

Brief Encounter (1945)

Before he turned to directing vast epics David Lean directed this adaptation of a Noel Coward play staring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. A married housewife and doctor have an affair after a chance meeting at a railway station.

There is something very British and reserved about this film, while it does reflect some of the attitudes of it's time it still captures human nature that is present even today. The restrictions placed on people by the class structure is clearly one of the under running themes as the more working class characters in the background get up to all sorts while the middle class main characters are expected to hold themselves to higher values. You can not also help but wonder if the film is an allegory for the situation homosexuals given Coward's sexuality and the laws of the time.

Probably the best part of the film is the subtle performances of the lead actors. I also think that the limitations placed on the film by the era it was produced in help make a better film as modern films on infidelity tend to become absorbed in the act rather than the circumstances and characters.

4/5

Route-ine

Route Irish (2011)

Director Ken Loach brings this thriller from frequent collaborator Paul Laverty to the big screen. Following the death of his best friend in Iraq a former private security contractor thinks there is something fishy going on.

This is a fairly standard thriller with few surprises along the way and covers much of the same ground that is common in a lot of Iraq war based films. Unfortunately neither the script nor the acting is especially good meaning this is on the weaker end of a fairly cluttered spectrum. Maybe for once Loach would have been better off working on a bigger budget with more established actors.

2/5

Number two

I Am Number Four (2011)

Director D J Caruso adapts the teen book of the same name with assistance from Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg that stars Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron. Aliens send kids with special powers to earth and they are hunted by bad aliens.

Why? Why, why, why did this film get made? The simple answer is every one wants a hit teen franchise to print money for them these days. Apart from the modern trend for fast cut and confusing action sequences the biggest problem this film has is that the plot is pretty empty. So little of the mythos of the world involved is revealed it is impossible to get invested in what is happening. It does not help that nearly all the characters are completely bland and devoid of personality as well.

2/5

A well used trail

Tracker (2010)

This British-New Zealand collaboration stars Ray Winstone and is directed by Ian Sharp. In 1903 a Boer veteran of the recent conflict looks to start a new life in New Zealand and tries to get some money by tracking down a Maori accused of murder.

As with all films shot in New Zealand the scenery in this film is stunning and is probably the best attribute the film has to offer by a long margin. The plot is not especially original, the usual elements in a slightly different setting and the script is not particularly strong. When it comes to the acting some of it is ropey to say the least, Ray Winstone's attempts at an Afrikaner are patchy at times but not the worst thing in the film.

3/5

Explosive

The Hurt Locker (2009)

Winner of six Oscars this film is directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars Jeremy Renner. A bomb disposal unit in Iraq gets a new member after the previous team leader is killed in a bomb blast.

Films based on the war in Iraq have been a mixed bag so far to say the least and this is certainly the most realistic in terms of the conflict it depicts in the background even if the actions of the main characters stray into the realms of fantasy a fair amount. Putting worries about realism aside this is a tense film about characters who live their lives on the edge and in that respect is very well made. Certainly this is a good film, maybe the successor to The Deer Hunter (1978), but maybe not as good as all the praise it has received.

4/5

False reputations?

Easy A (2010)

This teen comedy stars Emma Stone and includes support from Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow. A girl at high school lies and gets a reputation for sleeping around, she enjoys the attention she starts getting.

Female sexuality is a good starting point for a film and sadly how women are treated based on perceived sexuality is still a relevant issue but I am not sure this film ever really hits the nail on the head. Emma Stone is very good in the lead role and there are some good comedic moments but in the end it does feel like the film wasted a good opportunity to be something really good. The film has a number of references to John Hughes films and it is easy to see how it fits into that tradition of film making.

3/5 could have been much more

Magic

The Illusionist (2010)

This animated film is based on an unproduced script from 1956 by French mime, actor and director Jacques Tati. A struggling magician who meets a young girl who becomes enthralled by his act and runs away with him.

There is some controversy surrounding the origins of the script but whatever the case it is a sad piece about unappreciated artists and father/daughter relationships. Despite pretty much having no dialogue the film works really well and the melancholy nature of having a daughter figure grow up and leave the father seeps through the ending of the film. The animation is also excellent with 50s Scotland looking especially nice. This film is well worth a watch.

4/5

Pixar-lite?

Despicable Me (2010)

For once we have a computer animated kids film that is not from Pixar but Universal and stars the voice of Steve Carell. A villain plans to steal the moon after a rival one ups all the other world villains by stealing a pyramid.

There is not a huge amount of originality in the themes behind this film but it is still a very affective effort even if it probably steals a lot from Pixar. The “family good” message is pretty obvious and decidedly common in children's films but there is still plenty of humour to entertain even adult viewers. Probably the best part of the film are the villains little yellow minions that get up to various helpful/hindering actions, hopefully their origins get explored a bit if there is a sequel.

4/5

Commanding achievement

The Ten Commandments (1956)

For his last film director Cecil B. DeMille directed a partial remake of his own earlier silent film of the same name which this time stars Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner and Anne Baxter. Moses grows up an Egyptian prince but finds out he is a Hebrew and is then charged with freeing his people from slavery by God.

Everything about this film encapsulates the word epic, from the cast of thousands, scope of the piece to the near 4 hour run time. The special effects still hold up for a large part with is very impressive given the limited technology and the integral part they play to the film. Some of the early sequences involving the building of the Egyptian city are especially impressive. About the only downside to the production of the film is that some of the acting is a little hammy, especially from Anne Baxter.

When it comes to the subject matter what you get here is a biblical story rather than maybe a more polished piece of entertainment. The narrative takes a meandering path that is not based solely on the bible but also on other sources such as information from the Qur'an. This is clearly an amazing achievement in film making but the content is not necessarily to everyone’s taste.

4/5

Questionable?

Executive Action (1973)

In his last film appearance Robert Ryan stars alongside Burt Lancaster in this quasi documentary thriller. A dramatization of how a conspiracy could have been behind the assassination of JFK.

This film is very much a “how it could have been done” rather than an effort to make accusations and it takes a fairly unemotional look at the subject matter. Drama and tension are marginalised for a more clinical approach and this does help give the film a more serious and realistic tone. While the film does not really look at any of the big questions that surround the assassination of JFK it is a decent watch.

3/5

Not Kevin's gate

Dances With Wolves (1990)

Kevin Costner makes his directorial début while staring along side Mary McDonnell in this western that picked up 6 Oscars. A US soldier goes out to live alone in Indian territory and makes friends with the Native Americans.

The plot and characters of this film are fairly simple but the film still manages to fill it's 3 hour run time without feeling slow or full of padding. Mainly what the film does is provide a good snap shot of a way of life that has since disappeared and some great shots of the landscape. Maybe taking it's cue from Stagecoach (1939) the most impressive sequences is the buffalo hunt which was achieved before the proliferation of CGI when film makers actually had to do stuff for real. The film may lack a little depth but Native Americans were long over due a fair portrayal in cinema.

4/5

Political gifts

Casino Jack (2010)

Based on a real life scandal this film stars Kevin Spacey and is directed by George Hickenlooper. The ego and greed of a lobbyist get the better of him and he ends up involved in various scams and crimes.

I suspect this film does not necessarily stick amazingly close to the facts as it runs under the “inspired by real events” tag but it seems that the more unbelievable elements of the story are the ones with the basis in real events. Given the serious nature of the content it is a bit of a shame that the film is more satirical than a serious look at corruption in politics but the film is still very watchable.

3/5

American International

The American (2010)

Dutch director Anton Corbijn helms this film from British writer Rowan Joffe that stars American George Clooney and Italian Violante Placido. An American hitman/gunsmith hangs out in Italy on one last job.

There is a strong influence from spaghetti westerns on this film, particularly that of Once Upon a Time in the West (which slightly spoils the ending when it is directly referenced in the film). While the plot maybe a smidgen on the thin side and not especially original this is a really well made film with some great cinematography. You have probably seen a number of similar films and this is a type that Hollywood churns out often to a good standard but very few look as good as this one does.

4/5

Film without a point

Man Without a Star (1955)

Kirk Douglas stars in this western that was one of the first films made by his own distribution company. An experienced drifter takes a young kid under his wing and gets caught in up a range war.

The major problem I have with this film is that it is based around the central topic of open range or wired off private land but really fails to pick a side. While the central character may eventually end up on the wire side it is completely against his personal belief that open range is better which he never changes. Some of the script and plot also clearly reflect a less mature period of story telling as well with an over simplistic nature that hits you in the face.

2/5

Swenglish scares

Let Me In (2010)

Matt Reeves directs this remake of the Swedish film Let the Right One In (2008) which stars Chloe Grace Moretz. I have previously reviewed the original here: http://qedmoviereview.blogspot.com/2011/08/swedish-scares.html

There is not a lot of departure from the original in this remake which is both a strength and a weakness. While the film is really well made and retains the feel and tone of the original you do have to wonder why you would watch this version rather than the original, presumably the only reason is if you are too lazy to read subtitles. It is hard to find any real fault with this film and as such you could probably watch either version and not miss anything from the other.

4/5 same again

Getting noticed

Young Winston (1972)

This film is based on the early life of Winston Churchill and is directed by Richard Attenborough with Simon Ward in the lead role. As a young man Churchill seeks to make a name for himself after his father's fall from politics and his mother's loss of the family money.

While at the time Simon Ward was an unknown actor the cast for this film also includes Robert Shaw, Anne Bancroft, Ian Holm, John Mills and Anthony Hopkins. The film certainly provides plenty of action and adventure as well as covering the main events of Churchill's early life but it does seem to be more about covering these events rather than showing how they shaped the man. Some important events such as Lady Churchill losing the family fortune and Winston meeting his future wife are barely mentioned at all, let alone how they affected Churchill.

3/5 average biopic

Check out

Across the Hall (2009)

Director Alex Merkin expands his own earlier short film to feature length with this thriller starring Mike Vogel, Brittany Murphy and Danny Pino. A man who thinks his girlfriend is cheating on him calls his best friend to come to a hotel and help him confront the girl and her lover.

I was really impressed by this film, the non linear story telling may feel like a bit of a gimmick to start with but it really helps frame what could have been a fairly unoriginal plot. The way the plot is executed helps the many twists you would expect from a film of this type work. There is plenty of tension and atmosphere in the claustrophobic environment of the hotel. About the only let down is that the performances of the actors are fairly unremarkable.

4/5

The King

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Based on the Kipling short story of the same name this film is directed by John Huston and stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine. Two former British soldiers in India during the Victorian era plan to travel North and carve out their own kingdom.

Like much of Kipling's writing this piece is about Imperialism and the British Empire, particularly in India. The adventures of the two main characters act as a metaphor for differing British attitudes to Imperialism showing both the negative as well as the positive intentions of those involved. Both Caine and Connery give good performances full of personality and the film is very entertaining.

4/5 classic escapism.

Room Service

Somewhere (2010)

This is the fourth film from Sofia Coppola and stars Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning. A film star lives in a hotel, sleeps with various attractive women and spends time with his daughter.

There are inevitable comparisons to be drawn with Lost in Translation (2003) as this film has a number of similar themes, loneliness and isolation. What is good about the film is the performance of Elle Fanning and the father/daughter relationship but otherwise the film does feel rather empty. While the film does draw a good character portrait it is pretty slim on development and resolution. In the end this is a watchable film but does feel very slow and repeats a lot of themes that Coppola did better in Lost in Translation.

3/5

Bright lights?

Skyline (2010)

Special effects specialists the brothers Strause direct this alien invasion film which stars Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel and Donald Faison. Some people are trapped in an apartment complex when aliens want to kill everyone.

The problem with this film is that it is pretty much just an advert for the directors special effects company. There is a distinct lack of plot and character on show here and while the visuals effects are nice they are unable to cover over the fairly obvious budget limitations the film is working under. What could have been a claustrophobic and intense film is ultimately nothing of the sort.

2/5

Comedy with two left feet

Dance Flick (2009)

The Wayans family pull another parody film off the production line, this time staring Shoshana Bush and Damon Wayans Jr. A girl from the suburbs ends up at an inner city school, some dancing happens.

I have not seen a lot of the films that this film sets out to parody which probably does not help matters but it does seem like someone forgot to include the funny here. There are a few funny moments but largely the parody elements included do not actually seem that funny and are just included for the sake of having a reason to make the film. Most of the “humour” included seems to come from the standard Wayans style of jokes and has little to do with the main subject matter.

2/5

KKKKKHHHHHHHHAAAANNNNNNNNNN

My Name is Khan (2010)

This Bollywood film is directed by Karan Johar and stars Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. A Muslim man with Asperger's syndrome moves from India to the US and has to deal with the changing attitudes of Americans to Muslims in the post 9/11 era.

Before we even really get to the content this film has problems. Either the film is about an hour too long or is two films jammed together. The first 1/3-1/2 of the film is a romantic comedy in the style of Adam (2009) and the second half is more of a Muslim version of Forest Gump (1994) set in the last 10 years. While the first part of the film is well executed it probably should have been vastly shortened given that the meat of the film is all in the second half.

What the majority of the film is about is western misconceptions and fear of Islam in the modern era. While the film does not get overly preachy it does stray into melodramatic territory on occasion. It is interesting to see a different point of view on the topic but it is a real shame there are very few positive western/white/Christian characters in a film and while the message may be that there are only good and bad people, people are not divided by religion I do wonder if the film missed some of it's own message.

3/5 an interesting if flawed film

Fishing

Alamar (2009)

This Mexican film is set in Banco Chinchorro, a coral reef off the coast of Mexico. A young boy spends some time living with his father and grandfather,who are fishermen, shortly before he is due to move to Italy with his mother.

What this film does excellently is capture a snapshot of a way of life that has probably changed very little for hundreds of years. There is some great scenery and the film definitely captures the way the family co-exist with their environment. On the down side the film really lacks a plot and comes across more as a documentary than a dramatic piece, the characters also lack a strong personality to make up for this. Maybe this project would have been better executed as a pure documentary than a quasi piece of fiction, either way the short run time and exotic locations make the film watchable.

3/5

Needs to grow up

Cyrus (2010)

Brothers Jay and Mark Duplass write and direct this comedy-drama staring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill and Marisa Tomei. A divorcee meets a single mother but their relationship falls foul of the woman's 21 year old son.

There are elements of this film that are good but I am not sure it really knows what it wants to be. I thought the relationship between the main characters provided a good base but the comedic elements were not pushed far enough to be a full comedy. The wobbly faux-amateur camera work was just annoying and seemed pretty pointless. In the end despite the positive elements this film just feels like wasted potential.

2/5

Sea dog

The Sea Wolves (1980)

From the same team that made The Wild Geese (1978) this war film stars Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, David Niven, Trevor Howard, Barbara Kellerman and Patrick Macnee. An ageing group of soldiers look to do their part in WW2.

The plot for this film may seem fairly unrealistic but it is based on real events of a British attack on a German ship in a neutral harbour during WW2. Despite the large and interesting cast this film has a number of problems and those mostly stem from the script which takes far too long to get going, offers little in the way of personality and generally wastes the talent available. There seems to be a lot of pandering to perceived audience expectations as Roger Moore's character for example is nothing more than a second rate James Bond.

2/5

Incidental?

Yangtse Incident (1957)

Based on real life events this film from director Michael Anderson stars Richard Todd and has a cast including William Hartnell. In 1949 China is in a state of civil war and a British ship is attacked on the Yangtse river.

This film is similar to a number of other black and white war films made in Britain during the period in that it sticks largely to the facts and does not get overly involved in the characters or their back story. There are some moments of tension but for the most part the film is more documentary and less cinematic, overall it is a watchable if unremarkable effort.

3/5

Robbing in the hood

The Town (2010)

For his second film as a director Ben Affleck returns to Boston and crime with a cast including himself, Jon Hamm and Rebecca Hall. The net is closing in on a gang of robbers while one of them wants to break free from his life of crime.

There is not a huge amount that is original about this adaptation but it is very well executed. All of the action sequences are decent and there is a good amount of suspense through the film. While the character relationships are pretty common to many films in the genre they hold up well enough and provide a decent foundation for the film.

4/5 slick crime drama

Silence is golden?

The Thief (1952)

This Cold War spy film stars Ray Milland and is directed by Russell Rouse. A nuclear physicist is working as a spy for an unnamed foreign power, will he be caught or can he get away?

What is unique about this film is that there is not a single line of dialogue in the whole film. While the film works as a coherent story even without the dialogue it does appear to be just a gimmick in this case and wears thin pretty quickly. The only way you can hold the attention of the audience if you are doing an experiment like this is to fill the film with atmosphere and tension which is unfortunately lacking in the execution of this film. Maybe certain film makers are over indulgent when it comes to the use of dialogue in their films but I was just waiting for this one to end barely 20 minutes into it.

2/5

Taking the mikey?

Extract (2009)

Mike Judge returns with to work place comedy with this film staring Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Kristen Wiig and Mila Kunis. The owner of a flavour extract company has problems with his marriage and a potential work place law suit.

Compared to Mike Judge's previous films this effort really falls short, it lacks the over all humour of Office Space (1999) and the clear concept of Idiocracy (2006). While there are some funny moments there is not a lot to cover the largely weak plot. I think the main problem stems from the fact that the central character is a successful person with problems, we all prefer to root for the underdog like the factory worker rather than the factory owner.

3/5

Dead famous

World's Greatest Dad (2009)

Robin Williams stars in this black comedy from writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait. A teacher's son is an arse hole that no one likes before he tops himself and becomes revered by people.

Despite this film doing the dreaded direct to video release it is actually pretty good. What the film is mainly about is the posthumous veneration of people and celebrity culture and it does this pretty well even it does take a little while to get to the point. The downside to the film is that I am not sure it really pushes the boundaries of either dark humour or satire far enough to be really funny which is a shame as there is plenty of good set up here.

4/5

Who are those guys?

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Based very loosely on the lives of the real life outlaws of the same name this film from director George Roy Hill stars Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Katharine Ross. After years of robbing the rail road two outlaws are chased out of the country.

If anything what this film is about is friendship and character as it is not very historically accurate or especially serious. What makes this film is the comedic slant and performance of the two lead actors. Like many of the great westerns there are hints of the end of the west as Butch and Sundance are no longer tolerated but pursued by the faceless LeFors. There are some really great lines, stunning scenery and a soundtrack that although completely anachronistic is strangely fitting.

4/5

Aces full, Mike

Rounders (1998)

John Dahl directs Matt Damon, Ed Norton and John Malkovich in this cult classic poker film. A young law student loses all his cash at cards and has to run up $15,000 in a few days to clear the debt of a friend recently released from prison.

This film may stick fairly closely to a common format used on sports films but it has more than enough texture and style to cover the slightly derivative basic plot. As the bad guy Malkovich nearly steals the film with his crazy Russian and there is a great supporting cast with John Turturro, Famke Janssen and Martin Landau. What makes this film a cult classic is that it really nails the sport it is covering and just oozes character even if Matt Damon's performance is a little understated.

4/5

Cheese touch

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)

This American children's film is an adaptation of a book by the same name the cast includes Hit Girl from Kick-Ass (2010). An 11 year old has problems settling in at his new middle school and making friends.

There are some funny moments in this film but the main problem is that the central character is a dick. Sure the kid may be picked on a bit but really I think it is hard to have any sympathy for him given the way he treats other people as well and that is a major stumbling block for a children's film in my opinion. Ultimately I did not really have much interest in what happened to the main character and the jokes were barely enough to paper over the cracks.

2/5

Moms

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

This comedy-drama from director Lisa Cholodenko stars Annette Benning, Julianna Moore and Mark Ruffalo. The kids of a lesbian couple want to meet their sperm donor father.

There are a few surprising things about this film, mainly that it is funnier than I expected and it manages to not be at all preachy. What I like about this film is that the characters are real people with plenty of flaws, which is something Hollywood often sadly over looks. Having said that the film manages not to be preachy it does seem that what we end with is more of a character study than a story for a reason but this is still a decent film.

4/5

Revolutionary

The Battleship Potemkin (1925)

This Soviet era propaganda film based on the 1905 mutiny on the title ship is directed by Sergei Eisenstein. After mistreatment and being made to eat rotten meat filled with maggots the crew of a Russian battleship start a communist uprising.

Why is this silent film considered so important? The answer is montage. These days we take the idea of montages for granted but Eisenstein was the pioneer that created the idea of cutting together different shots that created a collage in film to express emotion and metaphor. This film is the first real example of montage put into practise and it does so during the famous sequence of the massacre on the Odessa Staircase.

As a story this film is obviously going to have some problems given that it is a propaganda piece and thus likely not historically accurate in every sense, it is unlikely there was even a massacre on the Odessa Staircase for example. Silent film is not the easiest thing to watch for a modern audience but that is not to say the film is not entertaining. Clearly this is a milestone film but I do think it is a little over hyped in terms of being a true great as we know the content is flawed representation of history.

4/5

Car crash

Driven (2001)

After many years writer/actor Sylvester Stallone got his racing project to the screen with director Renny Harling and co-stars Burt Reynolds, Kip Pardue, Til Schweiger, Estella Warren and Gina Gershon. A veteran driver is brought in to help a young hot shot win the ChampCar World Series.

Any sports film lives or dies on it's depiction of the sport involved and this film is just terrible in that respect. There are physics bending crashes that are so obviously CGI it hurts as well as events that are just so stupid they have no place in a serious film. While there are some promising elements in the set up and character back story it is all ruined by the idiotic execution of the film.

2/5

Empty

The Broken (2008)

Lena Headey stars in this British horror film from writer/direct Sean Ellis. Following a car crash a young radiologist starts having nightmares and mental problems, is she going nuts or is something more sinister happening?

This is a superbly directed film that really oozes tension showing off all the tricks of the trade, the problem is that is all you can say is good about this film. What little plot there is is fairly derivative, there is no real explanation for what happens in this invasion of the body snatchers lite effort which is a real shame as it shows a lot of promise. The characters ultimately have no depth or personality at all and merely exist to walk through the scary set pieces.

3/5

How long do you cut a piece of rope?

Rope (1948)

Director Alfred Hitchcock adapts the play of the same name for the big screen with star James Stewart. Two young men murder a friend then have a party straight after to see if they can get away with their crime.

What is interesting about this film is that it is shot to appear as one long take which is a real achievement when you consider the cameras of the time were large, bulky and could only contain 10 minutes worth of film at a time. As an experiment in film making I think the film works pretty well even if you can spot most of the transitions they are not jarring.

The plot is adequate and holds a decent amount of tension, which Hitchcock is well known for. It would have been easy to over use the idea of having the body constantly under threat of discovery but as you would expect from Hitchcock he knows what he is doing and uses this sparingly. Inspiration for the plot came from the real life Leopold and Loeb murder but I do not think that the idea of committing the perfect murder just for the sake of it really provides enough depth to make this an excellent film.

4/5

Worth a proper gander?

Five Graves to Cairo (1943)

Director Billy Wilder adapts a Hungarian play to WW2 setting for this film which stars Fanchot Tone and Anne Baxter. A British soldier is trapped behind enemy lines in North Africa and has to pose as a waiter in a hotel.

Given when this film was made it is not hard to spot it was part of the propaganda effort and some of the dialogue is clearly for political reasons. The plot is a little unrealistic, supposing that the Germans would have known in 1937 that they would have been fighting a war in Egypt at some point. There are also a number of ropey accents on show as American actors fill in for British and French characters.

2/5

I'm Johnny Knoxville...

Jackass 3D (2010)

Johnny Knoxville and friends return along with the help of some special guests for another selection of stunts. Snakes, rams, bulls, Africanized bees, planes with jet engines and various other times help make up the stunts this time out.

If you do not know what to expect by now then you only have yourself to blame if you watch this film and end up turning off in disgust. The stunts range from disgusting, juvenile, offensive, stupid, funny to hilarious and what you end up with is a mixed bag that will likely hit or miss depending on your own sense of humour. You probably will not want to admit you find this film funny but there are just about enough funny moments and camaraderie between the cast members to make up for the various parts that make you want to vomit.

3/5 viewer be warned on the nature of the content

Making a killing

Burke and Hare (2010)

John Landis directs Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis in this black comedy inspired by the lives of the famous Scottish serial killers. In need of money and finding a gap in the corpse market two men start up their own “surgical supplies” business.

Probably the best thing about this film is spotting all the cameos from British actors which includes Christopher Lee and many others. From the opening titles the film makes it clear that historical accuracy is not a major concern and given this is not a serious film with plenty of laughs it is not hard to get on board with. In the end this is a funny if unremarkable and not especially memorable film.

3/5

Blind faith

Daredevil (2003)

Long time fan of the Marvel comic of the same name Ben Affleck stars in this adaptation alongside Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell and Michael Clarke Duncan. A blind man in Hell's Kitchen works as a lawyer by day and vigilante by night.

This is one of the darker Marvel adaptations out there and is also one of the less popular despite managing a good box office return. Probably the weakest element of the film is the script which is average really and lacks a strong plot. Generally this is a well made film with decent performances from the cast, it is just a shame they had so little to work with.

3/5

Bank and bankability

Becoming Jane (2007)

Based on the the historic figure Jane Austen this film stars Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy who are directed by Julian Jarrold. Budding young writer Jane is encouraged to marry as her father is a Reverend with little money or standing to secure her future.

As someone who lives in the area that is depicted it is a real shame to find out that the film was shot in Ireland and not locally. When it comes to the historical accuracy of the film we may well be on wobbly ground as this is more an embellishment of real events at best. The plot itself is not bad but is not especially remarkable either. Despite being fairly well made it is hard to take the film especially seriously as ultimately it is just a historical romance trying to cash in on a tenuous link to the name Jane Austen.

3/5

M-m-m-m-monster

Frankenstein (1931)

Loosely based on the Mary Shelley novel this classic Universal monster film stars Boris Karloff as the monster. A young scientists leaves his university and fiancée to dabble in the dark arts of creating life with monstrous results.

This film is relatively short and does not stick especially closely to the original novel, in it's time it was far more shocking than a modern audience would find it leading to heavy censorship in some states. While the film does lack a lot of the depth of the novel it is probably decent enough to frighten young children although older viewers will probably find it fairly weak.

3/5

Status

The Remains of the Day (1993)

Producer/Director team Merchant Ivory adapt the novel of the same name for screen staring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. During the inter war period the lord of the manor tries to secure peace for Britain with Germany while the butler and housekeeper have an unrequited relationship.

What this film is mainly about is the constraints of social status and position, because of his professional role the butler has become unable to express his feelings either to the housekeeper or to the lord of the house on politics. The script and story are really well crafted and work well without being melodramatic, where the film falls down is I honestly have no idea what the housekeeper sees in the butler. If you can suspend your disbelief on that issue though this is a really good film.

4/5

Punches

The Kid (2010)

This British biopic from actor/director Nick Moran stars Rupert Friend, Natasha McElhone, Ioan Gruffudd and Bernard Hill. A young boy deals with abusive parents and tries to find his way in the world.

This film could really have done with a longer run time as it does feel like some of the early parts of the story are giving fairly short shrift with Bernard Hill and Ioan Gruffudd in particular having small parts. What is impressive is how well Natasha McElhone skanks up, I thought her performance was a real departure from the usual roles she takes. Obviously the story of abused boy comes good is not a nice one in places the film is well made and does an adequate job telling the story.

3/5

Sucks?

Vampires Suck (2010)

Serial producers of parody Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer turn their attention to the latest series of angsty vampire films. A girl moves to a new town and falls in love with the local vampire boy.

Not being a teenage girl I have not seen any of the Twilight films or read any of the books so this parody is facing a bit of an up hill struggle to begin with. There are some funny moments and this film is not as bad as I expected but having said that it is probably too specific in what it is parodying rather than focusing on being a more rounded out general comedy. This is not as bad as some of the other films from the same team but in the end that is not exactly a ringing endorsement.

2/5

That facebook film

The Social Network (2010)

Jesse Eisenberg stars in this real life story from director David Fincher that was nominated for 8 Oscars. A student at Harvard creates the worlds most popular stalking website and gets sued a bunch.

The genius of this film is clearly in it's execution, a film about a website and law suits does not jump out as the easiest topic for a film. Managing to create a film that is consistently entertaining and does not get lost in the dryness of the details is certainly an achievement. It really helps that the script retains a lot of humour and the main character has a strong personality to carry the various deposition scenes.

Where this film does fall down is in the murky world between fantasy and reality. We know this film is based on true events but it does appear to take a decent amount of liberties with actual events. John Ford was a proponent of “When the legend becomes fact print the legend” to mitigate for artistic licence but when you are the one having the first say then you do have some responsibility to the truth in my opinion. You can still make a good fictional tale with a basis in reality without having to pass off fantasy as reality, Citizen Kane (1941) is a prime example of this.

4/5

dun dun dun!

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)

This is the sixth Basil Rathbone film as Holmes and is based on the story “The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual”. Doctor Watson is working at a stately home that has been converted to treat patients suffering from shell shock when there is an attempted murder.

Compared to the three preceding films in the series made during WW2 this one involves the least propaganda and is much more what you would expect from a Holmes story in terms of being a murder mystery. The plot itself is not especially unique but is acceptable and the family riddle/chess puzzle works fairly well. In the end this is a fairly average film but one of the better in it's series.

3/5

Bull headed

Raging Bull (1980)

Based on the true story of boxer Jake LaMotta this film stars Robert De Niro and was directed by Martin Scorsese. A fighter struggles with his demons and the Mafia while trying to get a championship fight.

There are a whole host of boxing films out there and plenty that deal with similar plots, the link between organised crime and boxing especially. What this film does differently is get the camera up into the boxing ring rather than leaving it stuck out in the crowd like it's predecessors. As a character LaMotta is certainly dominated by his dark side but we have no explanation for how he became so controlled by his insecurities, inclusion of some of LaMotta's childhood would have really helped round out this film as a biopic.

4/5

Soulless

Soul Men (2008)

In one of his last films Bernie Mac stars alongside Samuel L. Jackson in this buddy road movie. After the death of the more famous third member of their singing group the two remaining members reunite for a memorial concert.

Like most similar films while there are funny moments the script lacks any real originality and has only token depth to the characters involved. There is just about enough funny to go around but pretty much everything about this film is the same as a number of other films from the same genre. Isaac Hayes also makes a final screen appearance in this film as he died shortly after filming was complete as well.

3/5 unoriginal comedy

Burning desires

The English Patient (1996)

Adapted from the novel of the same name by director Anthony Minghella and staring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe and Kristen Scott Thomas this film picked up nine Oscars. A young nurse cares for a dying man with horrible burns in a monastery in Italy during the closing stages of World War 2.

So as this film won nine Oscars it goes without saying that it is really well made, especially the make up for the title character which could really make or break a film if it looks bad. There are some really great locations and performances from the cast, just in general the film looks excellent. The ideas of nationality and ownership that run through the film work well as well as the themes of healing. Given that there is a lot of switching between time periods there is the possibility for the editing to become disorientating or confusing but again it works well.

Inevitably there are some changes and omissions from the novel and I think these both add and detract from the film. While the film does a good job of capturing most of the ideas of the film it does lose some of the subtleties. Changing the back story for the Caravaggio character does make his character work better for the direction the film takes. The real shame for me is the diminishment of the part Kip plays as one of the major themes of the piece is to do with nationality, it is also disappointing that Hana gets less of the spot light as well.

5/5 a really well made and thoughtful piece.

Cast escape to Greece

Escape to Athena (1979)

Produced by David Niven's son this film stars David Niven, Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, Claudia Cardinale, Stefanie Powers, Richard Roundtree and Elliott Gould. During 1944 in Greece a POW camp commanders plans to loot ancient treasure are hindered by his prisoners, his superiors and the resistance.

This is a fairly light war film which relies on star power and comic relief to get by. There are some really nice sequences in the opening moments of the film which are shot using a helicopter but sadly the rest of the film does not live up to the early promise. In the end this is a watch-able if not especially funny film.

3/5 not the greatest ww2 action film out there.

Fakes

Irma Vep (1996)

Chinese actress Maggie Cheung stars as herself in this predominantly French language film that is a satire of the French film industry. Everything falls apart during the remake of a silent film as the director has a nervous break down.

While this film may be a satire it is not especially funny and does become a little confusing. I am not sure if something gets lost in translation but ultimately the film does feel a little bland. Yes, some directors are much more interested in satisfying their own egos by creating impenetrable films that they claim are intellectual but this film does not really go far enough into lampooning the process in my opinion.

2/5