Best of 2007

Director:Paul Thomas Anderson
Released: 2007
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciaran Hinds and Kevin J. O'Connor
Genre: Drama
Country: US




A story about family, greed, religion, and oil, centered around a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.

Well, first things first, I didn't think that I would come across a film that would have the same impact on me when i watched Atonement. Boy was I wrong! Everything in this film is pure genuis on Anderson's part. Stunning cinematography,acting,score,editing....everything that I want in a film and more. An absolute masterpiece.

There Will Be Blood contains some intresting idelogies about surburben America. Most notably an incredibly isolated one. But two that come to mind are this Anti-Religious theme and Ant-capitalism. We see the character of Plaintiff, who feels uncomfortable around Eli Sunday in relation to his evangelical preching. Daniel Day-Lewis' character is one of a seriosuly repressed man, who wants no more than to own every oil enterprise in the land.

What was so brilliant about this film, which I will probably say again was just absolutly bloody everything. The score I will begin with. Made by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, who for some starnge reason did not get an Academy award nomination for this, produces a score which prefectly relates to the time period. The whole errieness of it and the detuning of the score, adds to the bleak, corrupt atmosphere that we see on screen. Abolutly mesmeriszing. Something which I have to buy very soon. Still have it in my head. So brilliant"

The film also contains huge christian like imagery. For instance Plaintiff, is seen as deriving from hell, ie- we first seen him down in the pit lookin for oil. From there we can see he is a violent, selfish man, who is deterimined to get what h wants. From there on, when he takes the son of another man and poses him as his own-also symoboloses this. There are loads more but I dodn't want to give too much away as it's just blown me away!

Talking of "blowing me away" the cinematography. WOW oh Wow! again I didn't think I would see should sensational cinematography since I watched Atonement back in September. Again I was serisouly wrong. Throughout the film, the colour on the screen changes from dark to seriously light. Again, possibly signifies the changing of mood. One oncredibly piece of imagery is that scene where the oil place is on fire is unbelivably. The colours, is set up perfectly for something spectactualer. I don't have the words to describe it but once you see it you'll see what I mean.

Being a Scorsese fan, I can see hell of a lot of trademarks in here that he uses. For instance the jump cuts in here, that he often uses. These, as I can see from reviews have put people off and confused them a little. For me this is is beauty of the film. It has certainly made be think about how much I take for granted everything told to me in the film. I mean Anderson takes a chunk of vita nrrative information and doesn't tells us anymore. I loved this. Seriouslyy people is a good thing you know. It's something that is original and not often used. People wake up! Anyway, I loved some of the tracking shots in this, not quite beating Atonement but still some unbeliveable scenes in it.

The acting...well just outstanding. Daniel Day Lewis seriosuly pocess the inner-body of his character so well. The John Huston like voice, mannerisms, e.t.c is just mind-blowing. If he doesn't win best actor at this year's oscars-I'l eat my own hat!! I have to say Paul Dano is serisouly under-rated in this role. He brilliantly plays the twin-brothers Eli and Paul so so well. I love his crazy preaching moment...but I can't go into that much. Both actors, Dano and Day-Lewis have brilliant chemistry on screen which shows. I can't understand why Dano hasn't been credited more with his role-only a BAFTA nomination. I guess his is slightly over-shadowed by Day Lewis's performance.

Overall, the length of the film DOES NOT matter, the jump cuts, DOES NOT matter, acting, score cinematograpy all contribute to a sensational, outsanding film which words can't not express. I couldn't keep my eyes of it all the way through, just annoyed me that I picked a crapy version but I will get it on DVD soon.

Go out and see it when you can, you wont be dsappointed. Ignore the negative comments here because they're wrong!! There Will Be Blood gave me the same experience as I had with the brilliant Atonement. One of utter admiration for the director and just all around Wownes...a word I made up right there!

Oh and one quote I will never forget. A great metaphor oil.

I drink you're milkishake.........I drink it up!

10/10

Based on Ian McEwan?s award wining novel of the same name, Atonement tells the story of A British romance that spans several decades. Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.

I?ve waited several months to see Joe Wright?s second feature film ?Atonement? and it did not disappoint. For an only second feature film by 35 old Joe Wright, it?s absolutely astonishing. Directed superbly on all levels. From the stunning Dunkirk visuals, to several Point of view shots empathising each character?s need and feelings at that point, you can?t help but feel intertwined in the story and with the characters. I haven?t seen such an epic of a film since The English Patient, I hope it continues to do well at the box office and worldwide, as it deserved to. I haven?t read the novel, so I will do soon.

There are many sensational tracking shots in this, which I loved. For instance, in the Dunkirk scene, we walk with Robbie and see the devastation through his eyes, just amazing. At the beginning, Briony?s view of Robbie and Celia is done through two perspectives. One being what Briony believe has happened and two the real truth, this creates a dilemma for the audience as you don?t really know who to believe at that point. One shot I loved was of Briony?s eye, an extreme close-up almost giving a clue to the viewer. As I mentioned before, I can not believe that Wright has produced such a masterpiece of a film, in only his second feature.

The Dunkirk, scene is something to be remembered. Watching it at the cinema, I was so taken aback by the extraordinary beauty of the scene. The cinematography is sensational. It captures the mood of that time, so well that you can put yourself in there. What works is that you think what you?re seeing is real, and everything in every frame of that scene. I can?t really describe the words, as it won?t really doesn?t do justice to what I thought of the scene but let?s just say I?m still thinking about it now and will always. Subsequently that scene has to be up there with some of the best war scenes ever created for the silver screen, and I don?t often say that unless it?s seriously something that has left me speechless beyond any recognition- that hasn?t happened. Some other scenes to mention are; Celia and Briony?s estate like house and the scenery and the wartime London are also sensational. Plus, there done in such a way you wouldn?t expect a 21st century film to make.

FULL REVIEW HERE

Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.

I manged to watch this whilst trawling through the internet for films to watch. Luckily I found it! And it's not even released in my country yet. I was not disappointed. No Country for Old Men is one hell of a film, so good I might have to re-rate some other films. For sure an American classic and yes this is a masterpiece. And no American Gangster is not what I first thought it was after watching it. This is the first Cohen brothers film that I've watched. I don't know how I have manged to not watch any of their films but I will now. No Country For Old Men is a character-driven masterpiece. I'm sure I will mention that again in this review.

No Country For Old Men is definatly one of the best of 2007, possibly in my top 5. Not as good as the superb Atonement, but is still sensational. The film's narrative is relativly simple but by the end of the film you come out feeling like you witnessed something more. The film is incredibly stylistic. I mean you find yourself deliving into the scenery because it's just awe-inspiring it truly is. I don't think i've seen such a great film this year since Atonement.

The film plays with your own perception of morality. For instance the tossing of the coin by Bardem's character and Le-Jone's character's perception of morality in this era. The sense that what is real now does not reflect the past is also reflected in the film. Vietnam is often repeated symbolised the "Old Men" in the title. Also symobolising this is "No Country For Old Men." If you see what I mean. Luckily most users on this site, from reading their reviews have picked up on that.

Shot through some humours moments, which is evidently refelcting what would otherwise be in a real-life situation, should not be mistake for "gooy" moments" in the film. As No Country For Old Men is one serious girtty western drama. And for once an American thriller which actaully keeps you thrilled to the very last moment.

The acting in this is something of pure greatness. From Tommy Lee Jone, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Scottish actress Kelly McDonald; No country for Old Men delivers something of pure greatnes, if that's a word, maybe I made it up right there. Javier Bardem, in the first role that I've seen him in, seems to have done his best performance of his career. For sure an Oscar nomination and possibly my vote for winning it. His character's presense and ghost-like ora throughout the film, gives off one chilling performance that I will never forget. I'm still thinking of it now. Josh Broling, who also completes the sensational cast, produces a great performance but is outlclassed by Javier Bardem for me. Tommy Lee Jones is as ever brilliant and will no doubt get an oscar nomination. Also great to see Scot Kelly McDonald complete one great Texan accent. You could hardly regonise her in this.

The cinematogrphy is magnificent. It's the part of rthe film in which you are imeadiatly drawn into. The colours, almost fitting the mood of every scene. The script is expertly crafted to perfecton and will no doubt get an oscar nomination.

What is magnificent about this is that for majority of the film, there isn't much dialogue and much of the character's body language conveys the meaning to you. For instance one scene in the petrol station with Bardem's character and one with Brolin and Bardem's character.

If there's one film that yu see after you watch Atonement....it's this one. Both are just magnificent films. No Country For Old Men goes into American Film history as one of the great films. I'm still in awe of these two great directors. I must watch more of the Cohen's work.

I do't want to say any more about this brilliant piece of filmkaing as I will give bits away...so I will leave you to make your minds up.

Roger Ebert:

"This movie is a masterful evocation of time, place, character, moral choices, immoral certainties, human nature and fate. It is also, in the photography by Roger Deakins, the editing by the Coens and the music by Carter Burwell, startlingly beautiful, stark and lonely. "

*Magnificent Highly recomend*

Director:Andrew Dominik
Released: 2007
Stars: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepherd and Sam Rockwell
Genre: Drama,Western
Country: USA





The last months of Jesse James's life, from meeting Robert Ford, a 19-year-old who idolizes Jesse, to the day Ford shoots him. Jesse's a wanted man, living under a pseudonym, carrying out a train robbery, disappearing to Kentucky, and reappearing to plan a bank holdup with Robert and Robert's brother as his team.

In the words of Lester Burnham;"S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R." I loved every minute of it. the 2 and a half hour lenght flew by. Films of this decade are getting beter and better every year. Seriously for me one of the best of this decade and one of the most underated films of last year.

The Assasination of Jesse James deserved more Oscar nominations than it did. For instance it deserved to be there instead of Juno, which didn't deserve it at all. The film is absolutly mesmerising beyond belief. For one thing I would be sitting there thinking, "hang on I'll just which a few minutes" and suddenly the lenght flew by. What I loved was the fact that, whilst it seems slow, it's meant to be that way. I notice a lot of critiscms of the pace but seriously I didn't ntoice it at all, because of the superb direction, which incidently deserved some Oscar nomination, and the fact you become a part of the story in some way. The use of landscape shots on many occasions and mid-shots emphaise my point and also shows progessions of the characters, in a sense that we see their progression over time and their personalities develop.

What also works well is the mangnificent use of diagetic music which blends into brilliantly with every frame of the film. For example in the final scene gives us a sense of inevitablity if you see what I mean. I think the soundtrack will live with me for days on end so so beautiful. Must buy it soon.

The acting in this is both superb and so well brought about. Brad pitt was excellent, surpassing all my expectations and brilliantly plays the outlaw well and depicts to us a well structed porrait of the famous man. Casey Affleck, well is an absolute revoulation brilliantly plays the so called innocent 20-yeard old to a man who turns into the very man he killed. Possibly one of the underated performances of 2007 and possibly one of my favourites. More than deserved his Oscar nomination. Both Pitt and Affleck have chemistry on screen which helps us as an audience really get a picture of what when on at that time and what sort of a relationship they had. Superb!

The cinematography plays a vital role in the film. The beautiful, surrean planscape created by Roger Deakins, is so vast that you feel engrossed in the film. The various amounts of colours which beautifully define what you are viewing on screen, absolutly magnificent. The narration to some people is off-pointing and some have sated that here. But seriously, you wouldn't know that story if it wasn't there. It helps to deterimine what is going on the the narrtive and helps us to cpmprehend certain derails that can't always be shown on screen. Mangificent filmaking indeed. I hope to see more films like this in the future.

I can';t recomend this enough. Technically superb, brilliantly directed, acted filmed and written. I have to admit that I still feel a little "wowed" if you get my meaning," a similar sort of thing which i felt whilst watching last year's : Into The Wild, Antonement, There Will Be Blood and No Country. All masterful pieces of film-making. All I can se is that I will look forward to the next film by Andrew Dominik, who has crafted one fantastic western and one which I think will be remembered. I will defiantly see more of Casey Affleck's work and I predict another nomination for him in the future.

I feel this film will leave me thinking and thinking about what I have just envisioned for days.

10/10

Re-rated after second viewing

Bourne dodges new, superior assassins as he searches for his unknown past while a government agent tries to track him down. In the follow up to 2002's The Bourne Identity and 2004's The Bourne Ultimatum.

The Ultimatum begins where Supremacy ends as MENTIONED in the picture. It was said Marie died in Januray of that year, making it continued on from the first one. I won't say to much about the end but it's an excellent end to this outstanding trilogy. From the moment that the opening title appeared, I knew we were in for a ride. Paul Greengrass has done it again. Everything we love from the previous Bourne films is here once again: the action, the dialogue, and of course the shaky camera. However for me, that last one was never a problem. I think it adds to the suspense. The Bourne series is for sure one of the best trilogies ever made and rightly so. Withough Paul Greengrasse's direction I don't think we would have though the series to be as good.

I thought Supremacy was excellent this is just another different type of action movie. This is FAR superior to many action films made in the 21st century. It's incredibly authentic and you almost feel like this could be happening now and that it's NOT just your average action movie at ALL!!! Greengrass has brought his documentry-like filmaking to this franchise and turned it into a real "authetic" franchise. For a start Greengrass keeps to what he knows, there is not CGI techniques, most of the driving is done by Damon himself, the car chases are not CGI enchanced, the editing is just superb and adds a whole new dimension to this film. WOW! The quick editing, keeps the viewer into the picture, there's no long-drawn out scenes, which has annoyed me in many blockbusters this summer. The film doesn't have a ton of scenes, CGI or irrelvant sequences in the picture. It's just what a action thriller. film SHOULD be.

There are some intelligent humor here and some fine suspense. The reactions to certain events will have you either laughing(in a good way) or cheering on. (or both) To all those people who object to hand-held camera technique, do you not see how authetic and realistic this is. In Supremacy and this one, you really get a sense of the action that you are watching on screen, rather than a motionless shot which can divert your attention else. A hand held shot keeps you watching and, as I said before makes you feel like your watching a documentry rather than your average hollywwod action film. I just love Greengrasse's technique is just superb!

The acting in this is once again brilliant. the latest addition to the cast, David Strathairn was perfect. I haven't seen much of of him before but I most certainly will catch more of his movies and most importantly, My Blueberry Nights. Julia Stiles is now an acomplised actress and not the teen idol that she was many years ago. I also loved Albert Finney's addition to the cast, played his character superbly as always. And Matt Damon, well....will always be known as Jason Bourne as Sean Connery will be known as James Bond. I hope to see more of his films later this year.

The sequences in this were just amazing. Being in a crowed cinema, after the SUPERB char chase, I heard the audience "gasp" after it finished, showing that the visuals were so powerful that you could not engage into the scene. I loved the fact you could hear the tires screaching and no dialogue was played whatsoever. This adds to the suspense. The Warterloo Station sequence was another brilliant piece of filmkaing. I know that the sequence qas filmed FOR real on a working day, which adds to the realism of the film. I know aswell that when the shots where fired one women actually thought it was gunshots and screamed. I don't think i can ever go into Waterloo station again and no think of that sequence

Overall Ultimatum is the best film that I've seen this year and possibly one of the best action thrillers in recent years. I will have to watch the film again on DVD as it such genuis filmaking. Had Greengrass not directed Supremacy and Ultimatum we would NOT be regarding it as one of the best trilogies in recent years.

9/10

*Highly recomended watch*

Director:John Carney
Released: 2007
Stars: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh and Gerard Hendrick
Genre: Drama, Music
Country: Ireland





A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

Well, I don't think i've seen a film quite like this before. I've seen the odd musical, not quite like this but "Once" has left me feeling speechless and in such a great mood. One of the best of 2007 for sure.

Once's narrative is very simple. There are no character names for our two leads, and the guy refers to the girl as "herself", which shows how irrelevant the character's names are and that we can understand the character perfectly without that. You are able to follow the story along very well and often realte to the characters. I love the way the camera pins in on the character, which makes you imeaditly focus on them rather than whether you follow the story or not. Just brilliant. Which proves you can make a superb film with a low budget and make your audience perfectly content.

Seriously, I didn't expect Once to have an affect on me at all. There's just something about the music which makes you take notice and almost reflect on your own life, everything around you seems utterly meaningless. The songs are incredibly powerful and enagaging that what everis happening in the narrative, you couldn't care less about.

The two main leads, as I said before are two people you can releate to. Girl is stugglinh to make ends meet after moving to Ireland and Guy, a Hoover repair man who's trying to get a record deal, whilst dealing with the loss of his girlfriend. Both are trying to work their way up the social ladder. They both love music and that's what eventually brings them together. You can see throught the film the chemistry between the two leads, which is possibly why I was able to feel for both characters a lot. It's not supring both are a couple outside this film, they seem to be a perfect match.

One another thing, which I enjoyed about this film was the scenery arounf Ireland. Despite being filmed on a low-budget, it seemed to add to the film's authenticity and made think that this could be happening anyway, anytime rather than your typical girl-meets boy type film. The fact it's filmed in Ireland, does make it seem that more real aswell as it's not everyday a film comes out from Ireland, quite like this.

Once is one of the best films of 2007 and possibly one of the better musical type films that you'll ever seen. Authetic, vibrant and engaging and will leave you feeling incredibly happy after you've watched it.

NOTE: I may end up rating this 5 stars, as I was left speechless after watching this

Highly Recomened viewing

Director:Ryan Fleck
Released:2007
Stars : Ryan Gosling, Jeff Lima, Shareeka Epps and Nathan Corbett
Genre: Drama
Country: USA




Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is an eighth-grade history teacher in an inner-city school deep in the heart of Brooklyn. He eschews the provided curriculum in favor of off-the-cuff, but deeply heartfelt lectures about the importance of understanding history, rather than just memorizing it. He speaks primarily of dialectics, the tensions between two opposing forces. He is torn between his desire to change the world and his increasingly desperate realization that he can't, at least not in the grand, awe-inspiring ways that he envisioned as an eager, idealistic college student.

Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to watch this when in came here in the UK back in April 2007, because it naturally shows in cities in not in my town. Luckily I was able to rent it out on DVD and watch it this afternoon. I knew I would like it and I was exactly right.

Half Nelson may appear to be on the outsight a typically clichéd American inspirational film. Well it just isn't. I have to admit that I thought it might be but towards the middle of the film, it just burst with originality. For a start our main character Dan Dunne, played by Gosling is hooked on drugs and his apartment isn't the kind of apartment you would expect from a teacher. I loved the fact that he owned a cat rather than a dog, often considered "man's best friend." Dunne also heavily relies on drugs but his job as a teacher, does make him hypocritical and there's also a sense of irony. His job possibly accelerates from his addiction to drugs and the school often doesn't have any students who graduate at all. That alone does symbolise something. Dunne, as we are believed to know that he constantly strives to fight against the injustices of the world. This is shown, in particular, in one scene in which he rants about the Weapon's of Mass Description (Iraq) to someonbody he doesn't know. Dunne also constantly teaches in such a way that isn't known to many of his fellow teachers. That demonstrates the original look on this topic. We aren't seeing a teacher who is flawless; Dunne has many flaws and wants to make a difference in the children.

Half Nelson, for me is one of the most realistic films I have seen for a while. It's also flawless on all levels as I just felt like I was watching something that I would see in everyday life. Nothing was clichéd, inaccurate or over indulgent just the sort of film that I want to see. It's depiction of people who expertise their emotions in such a regressive way it incredibly realistic, as I have just said on many occasions.....yes I may rant a bit here. This is also shown to us in such a brilliant way that you understand every bit of emotion from every character.

The acting in this is truly remarkable. Naturally Ryan Gosling shines as Dan Dunne and produces a character that, despite his flaws you still mange to like him. So deserving of that Oscar nomination that I hope he picks the right sort of films in the future. I will try and see Lars and the Real Girl soon. Supporting roles from Shareeka Epps, in particular was also brilliant. I felt like towards the end of the film both characters were very similar indeed. You can see the character of Dunne tries to make in difference in her life in the hope that he does something that he couldn't do for himself. Very hard to believe the actress was infact 8 months younger than I am and playing a 13 year old. I will be looking forward to any of her films in the future.

Half Nelson is also incredibly well written, and as I said before so well done that it's more believable. The film also contains some marvellous cinematography often reflecting the mood and atmosphere within most scenes in the film. I just wish Americans would make more compelling stories like this about people, in real circumstance out of the, let?s say the usual structure of society-that we are often depicted in many many American films in particular. These sorts of films will draw in the audiences; I guess it?s just not always the case a film like this comes along.

Half Nelson is one remarkable film that draws upon the hard realism of society. It also depicts a teacher who is out of the normal constructs of a stereotypical teacher that we are often shown and one which is still inspirational, despite his flaws. We are also shown a relationship between the teacher and a student, which doesn?t in any way feel inappropriate or unnecessary but showing that both can make a difference o each other. I can?t recommend this enough. Ryan Gosling gives a sensational performance which should never been forgotten. Go out and rent it now. A Masterpiece for me.

A serial killer in the San Francisco Bay Area taunts police with his letters and cryptic messages. We follow the investigators and reporters in this lightly fictionalized account of the true 1970's case as they search for the murderer, becoming obsessed with the case. Based on Robert Graysmith's book, the movie's focus is the lives and careers of the detectives and newspaper people.

Being a David Fincher fan over the last couple of years I can safely say that this is up there with Se7en and Fight Club. Now in the imdb top 250 movies of all time, Zodiac manges to keep the audience on edge despite the movie being 2 and half hours long. That certainly didn't bother me. One brilliant piece of filmmaking from Fincher, the best of this year so far.

Zodiac contains a lesser-known casts than other Fincher films. We see Anthony Edwards of ER fame, Mark Ruffalo, Brian Cox Jake Jake Gyllenhaal and robert Downy Jr. All produce some brilliant acting and well...... just perfect for me. Gyllenhaal playing a role I don't think I've seen him before, really played the character well and Downey Jr was also another highlight. I would expect some awards for acting in the future.

Zodiac is superply shot through CGI and some brilliant locations. In particular the kaes win which the murders are commited. I loved the way the lightning reflected onto the car, in one scene, really making the atmosphere feel tense and increbly dark. Another example is the opening scene as we do not now the identty of the person in the car. One brilliant long shot follows where we see the characters point of view. Absolutly superb.

Zodiac is fut sure different to other works by Fincher and showed similarities of "All the President's Men" which I like a lot. It fitted in brilliantly with the period of time as we heard various news cats, radio bullitins and real life accounts of what went on at that time. For me this helped enormasly as I am not aware of the events at that time.

Fincher once again delievers a brilliant script with some quick-dialogue and at times witty ones. What helps here is that every scene is not too long and the pace moves along fast. JUST SUPERB!

For a movie that is intensely dark and creepy it is amazing how funny Zodiac is. I actually laughed out loud during several points in the film. I never laughed once during Fight Club and that was a movie that seemed to be constantly trying to elbow you in the ribs. The humor is allowed to grow organically out of the characters and situations. Fincher has employed a consistently light touch for such heavy material. Extreme and pressured circumstances, like the ones these characters find themselves in, always breed dark humor. Fincher allows for this humor to come out and far from weakening the story it actually strengthens the tone of the film. For once Fincher allows his technique to serve the performances and the story he is trying to tell and not the other way around.

Overall Zodiac is up there with his other works but, for me, Fight Club remians his best work. However this is outstanding filmaking that everyone should see.

Highly Recomended

An actress's perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted as she finds herself falling for her co-star in a remake of an unfinished Polish production that was supposedly cursed.

After watching Lynch's Blue Velvet and Muholland Drive, I gave up hope of ever liking one of his films again. Boy was I mistaken. Inland Empire offers a world into the subconcious of the main protagonist...which, by the end of the film, feels like your own. With the stunning colours, which Lynch often uses, you start to relate the images to the dreams and imaginations that you might have had. You travel with Niki and feel the same thoughts as she does, which is a must for a film for me. Inland Empire is an absolute bloody masterpiece for me. For once the errie storyline I understood, and every segment which was switched at the beginning to another part of the film made abosolute sense. I still feel wowed and in or of this film which was truly mesmerizing stuff.

Some of the scenes, would otherwise have made me clueless, inabled me to follow the film perfectly and understand it. The camera work, done almost hand held and almost with a documentry like feel...makes it all the more realistic. You can see much more movement in this film than his others, giving an almost voyeuristic feel. He also uses many close shots, and as always, obscure framing allowing ambiguity and confusion. The sudden moments of suspense and shock are done so so well that it will make you jump our of your seat-which is what happened to me. Almost a Hitchcock feel it it all.

The three hour lenght makes no differance at all because the film moves in an out of itself with no regard for time. As each character questions time, so do we as the viewer-which is what I mentioned before. This film had made me realise how great Laura Dern is. She's in 95% of the film and beautifully plays her character well and morphs in and out of each state of the character so so well. Also a notable mention to Jeremy Irons who also played his character well.

The narrative is one psyholological journey as the main protagonist attempts to explore the reaonsing behind the clues around the environment. From the people with rabbit heads to the switching of the narrative, you're feeling the journey with her and forgetting th three hour time.

If there's one David Lynch film that you should see....Inland Empire is the one. If you haven't got round to watching this incredible man's work start with this one and work your way backwards. Lynch may not be the easiest filmaker to comprehend but for sure there's a films of his that you will understand.

A modern masterpiece and one that's gone straight into my top 30 films. Still thinking of it now.

*Highly Recomended*

Director:Olivier Dahan Released: 2007
Stars: Marion Cotillard,Sylvie Testud, Gérard Depardieu and Clotilde Courau
Genre: Biography, Drama , Music
Country: France / UK/Czech Republic



An un-chronological look at the life of the Little Sparrow, Edith Piaf (1915-1963). Her mother is an alcoholic street singer, her father a circus performer, her paternal grandmother a madam. During childhood she lives with each of them. At 20, she's a street singer discovered by a club owner who's soon murdered, coached by a musician who brings her to concert halls, then quickly famous. Constant companions are alcohol and heartache. The tragedies of her love affair with Marcel Cerdan and the death of her only child belie the words of one of her signature songs, "Non, je ne regrette rien." The back and forth nature of the narrative suggest the patterns of memory and association.

Excellent film depicting the extroidinary life of Edith Piaf. Contains one stunning performance and great direction, photography and a great score. I absolutly loved it!

More to follow.....

In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East

First things first I have to admit that I didn't think of this film before I watched it. However once I watched it I throughly enjoyed it and unexpectidly. For a start I don't think I've ever seen a Ridley Scott film as good as this, since.....well the sensational Blade Runner.

Scott produces a well structed film, with a well thought out feel of the 1970's, almost makes me feel like I was there. What I loved was the overlapping of many scenes, with the historial events of that period for the Americans(for instance; America's entry to Vietnam, Nixon's claim that America's biggest problem is drugs.) It was just perfect. The soundtrack blended brilliantly, with the events on screen and didn't feel over-thetop at all, or in your face. Done exactly right.

American Gangster also works because of the star power; The great Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe. Also a notable mention to Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is popping up in my hollywood films these days. Washingtonplays him as classic family man, cold businessman, and charming man-of-the-community. But what is amazing is he does it so naturally, with presense, which is why I'm sure he'll be receiving an oscar nod come next year for one truly amazing performance. Crowe is also great is this film, but just not to the standard of Washington. I'm sure he'll get a best supporting nod aswell.

American Gangster is one of this year's. It is inpeccably directed and acted. Contains some brilliant cinematography, a great script.

*Recomended watch*

Director:Michael Moore
Released: 2007
Stars: Michael Moore
Country: US
Genre: Documentry

Documentary look at health care in the United States as provided by profit-oriented health maintenance organizations (HMOs) compared to free, universal care in Canada, the U.K., and France. Moore contrasts U.S. media reports on Canadian care with the experiences of Canadians in hospitals and clinics there. He interviews patients and doctors in the U.K. about cost, quality, and salaries. He examines why Nixon promoted HMOs in 1971, and why the Clintons' reform effort failed in the 1990s. He talks to U.S. ex-pats in Paris about French services, and he takes three 9/11 clean-up volunteers, who developed respiratory problems, to Cuba for care. He asks of Americans, "Who are we?"

An incredibily insightful look into the American Healthcare system which leaves me glad to be a British Citizen living in Britain.

Review coming soon....

Year:2007
Director: Shane Meadows
Country: UK
Genre: Drama
Stars: Andrew Shim, Frank Harper, Jo Hartley, Stephen Graham and Thomas Turgoose



Roland Rat, Margaret Thatcher; Rubik's Cubes, the Royal Wedding; aerobics, skinheads... It's 1983, and the schools are breaking up for summer. Shaun is 12 and a bit of a loner, growing up with his mum in a grim coastal town, his dad killed fighting in the Falklands War. On his way home from school where he's been tormented all day for wearing flares, he runs into a group of skinheads, who against expectations turn out to be friendly and take him under their wing. Soon Shaun discovers parties, girls and snappy dressing, and finds some role models in Woody, Milky and the rest of the gang. But when an older, overtly racist skinhead returns home from prison, the easy camaraderie of the group is broken, and Shaun is drawn into much more uncomfortable territory. Based largely on his own experience as a youngster, this is Shane Meadows' most mature and fully realised film. Handling the complexities of masculinity, violence and race with sensitivity and a lightness of touch, it's hard to imagine a film that would better capture the mood of the time, or that could have any greater an understanding of the allure of being part of a gang

Review coming soon

Director:Florian Henckel-Donnersmarck
Released: 2007
Stars: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Muhe, Sebastian Koch and Ulrich Tukur
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: Germany




The horrifying, sometimes unintentionally funny system of observation in the former East Germany. In the early 1980s, the successful dramatist Georg Dreyman and his longtime companion Christa-Maria Sieland, a popular actress, are big intellectual stars in the socialist state, although they secretly don't always think loyal to the party line. One day, the Minister of Culture becomes interested in Christa, so the secret service agent Wiesler is instructed to observe and sound out the couple, but their life fascinates him more and more

The Lives of Others was 2007?s Best Foreign Language Film winner and I totally agree with that. Despite most people believing Pans Labyrinth was a sure winner, for me this is just far superior in every respect. For a start the film lives up to the trailer. What I saw in the trailer was exactly what was in the film and more. Just the perfect film in ever respect and just a flawless piece of work. I?m not completely familiar with the context behind this film, only bits and pieces. I was about one when the Berlin Wall came down and only studied parts of the GDR whilst studying German. Now I gain a full picture of exactly what happened. This in turn shows just how brilliantly it depicts life under GDR rule and the situations that many people faced at that time. The Lives of Others towers above many German films that I?ve seen this decade. The artistic flair. Pace and the direction just make it one of the best films of this decade as well.

What is amazing that this is director; Florian Henckel-Donnersmarck?s debut. Just incredibly hard to comprehend that such attention to detail, characters, script pacing of the film is just magnificent. The attention to detail of every scene, for instance the interrogation chamber to the scenes in which Ulrich Muhe?s character is observing Sebastian?s Koch is once again just brilliant. There are also some fine examples of editing, with Dreyman and in which we see Dreyman and Wiesler, with the observation scenes. What I just loved was the inter-cutting of the two scenes with the attention to every frame, witted with the brilliant music you hear on the trailer. Just some fine examples of film-making, which I wish we see more often. It?s such a shame that this wasn?t given a wider release. It was not at my local cinema, but at the nearest area specialised in Art House cinema. It really deserved to have a wider release, to just show the context of the film and depict it to a wider audience. Just such a shame films like this aren?t given a wider release.

The Lives of Other?s is a well crafted thriller and quickly grasps the underlying social and psychological factors of the context within the film. Dreyman is an elegant, dashing figure, who is dating a prominent figure within the Art world. Wiesler is a more preserved character, who believes in what he is doing and the political aspect to it. However further into the film there are changes which I won?t give too much away. What is chilling is the seemingly normal life that each member of the stasi Police believes this to be. This in turn is depicted but the brilliant photography of ?80?s Germany. You feel transported to that era and feel engaged with every scene in the film.

The acting in this film is just magnificent. Ulrich Muhe?s performance is just incredible. I know that he was filming whilst suffering from Stomach Cancer, which is just not noticeable on screen. His performance is so captivating that he?s the character of the film that you pay more attention to right from the beginning of the film up until the end. Also a notable mention to Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch, who also did superbly well.

I don?t want to give too much away but the ending of the film is one that I did not expect at all. For a start I almost shed a tear and just hoe emotional it was. Just showing how well crafted the characters were into his film. You just relate to them so so well.

The Lives of Others is not only a masterpiece of German cinema but one of cinema?s rue great films. From the incredibly script to acting it delivers on all levels. I seriously can?t recommend this enough, just outstanding stuff and a film I don?t think I?ll ever forget.

Director:Guillaume Canet Released: 2007
Stars : Kristen Scott-Thomas, Guillaume Canet, André Dussollier and François Cluzet
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Country : France



The pediatrician Alexandre Beck misses his beloved wife Margot Beck, who was brutally murdered eight years ago when he was the prime suspect. When two bodies are found near where the corpse of Margot was dumped, the police reopen the case and Alex becomes suspect again. The mystery increases when Alex receives an e-mail showing Margot older and alive.

Tell No-one is based around the American novel by Harlen Coban and certainly has elements of an American thriller in it. Tell No One is a well crafted film with some great acting and some brilliant cinematography. Tell No one isn't a flawless film but certainly a pretty good one at that.

One thing that struck me about the film was how familiar the story felt. I?m sure I?ve heard this type of plot before, which possibly dampens its chances f being a little more than 8/10. It?s not original but it has its own way of telling this type of story. The script is at times, tense and compelling. Most notably when Alex is on the run, unaware as to why he is suspected of murder. The film is set in the summer, obviously the warmer part of the year, giving a little edge of symbolism to the film. Some characters do repeat the fact its hot, adding to the situation in the film if you see what I mean. Tell No One has some elements of the classic French-New Wave genre. For instance there are examples of camera glare and slow-motion techniques, which is often used by many Hollywood directors today. This French New Wave type of genre, used well in Trauffet?s Breathless adds realism to the film, makig it believable to the audience. There are often examples of the hand-held camera technique which also adds that little bit extra to the film. Some of the problems that I noticed was the fact there was no question as to why Alex?s wife might have been murdered nor what else was happening around in every frame of the film. There are also, at times no explanation as to who?s who in the film, which character is which and so on. That got me a little confused. The revelation at the end, told at gun-point had little impact or tension as I watched it. However most of the film was thoroughly well crafted, acted and directed as I said before.

The heart of the film and the driving force of the film are the charcters. Alex, played by François Cluzet brilliantly plays Alex and carrys the film throught the two hours running time. Brilliant! Supporting actors such as English actress Kristen Scott-Thomas(who has lived in France since she was 19) also carries her character well. What was interesting was seeing her speaking French fluently, which of course I haven?t see her do before. I might have to find another French Film that she was in. A Notable mention goes to the lovely Guillaume Canet of The Beach fame and Love Me If You Dare, which is what I might watch next. He does an amazing job on direction here, which keeps the film from spiralling seriously out of control. I?m sure if this film were ever to be made in the US or the UK, The film would possibly seem average and not really worthy of anything at all. I would have to say that the photography, acting and the fact it?s in French slightly raised the bar for me-still not sure why. I can only hope that it?s no re-made as I think it would ruin it completely!

A thoroughly enjoyable thriller with some elements of Hitchcok, French new wave and a slight Hollywood impact as well. I recommend it to one and all!

Director:Michael Winterbottom Released: 2007
Stars: Angelina Jolie,Alyy Khan, Dan Futterman and Archie Panjabi
Genre: Drama
Country: US/UK



On January 23, 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl is to fly from Karachi to Dubai with his pregnant wife, Mariane, also a reporter. On the day before, with great care, he has arranged an interview in a café with an Islamic fundamentalist cleric. When Danny doesn't return, Mariane initiates a search. Pakistani police, American embassy personnel, and the FBI examine witnesses, phone records, e-mails, and hard drives. Who has him? Where is he? There's also the why: because of U.S. abuse of prisoners at Guantanimo, because of a history of Journal cooperation with the CIA, because Pearl is a Jew? Through it all, Mariane is clearheaded, direct, and determined.

As part of my 2007, A Mighty Heart came up on my list. I have to admit that I can only remember bits about the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl back in 2002, so this film kind of educated me a bit more. What I noticed was that it tells the story in such a way you might not have seen it before. Perhaps on a way it needed to be.

Both Angelina Jolie and Dan Futterman look like their characters in real life, which adds to how believable the characters are and hoe pleasurable your viewing experience is. Well, A Mighty Heart is a very good film. It's never going to be outstanding as it's a true-life, so you know the ending. Nonetheless, it's a well crafted film and contains some brilliant performances. I loved some of the cinematography of Pakistanm which showed beautifuly the landscape.

Angelina Jolie produces a brilliant performances as Marianne and so does Archie Punjabi in supporting role.

Definatly worth a look as it decpicts one of the fiirst post 9/11 kidnappings.

*Recomend*

Director:Tony Gilroy
Released: 2007
Stars: Tom Wilkinson,George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Sydney Pollack
Genre:Drama/Thriller
Country: USA





Michael Clayton is an in-house fixer at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach, & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder, Marty Bach. Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture, and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class-action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life

Well having watched most of the Oscar nominated films of 2007, I can safely say that this is up there with at least top 6 of last year. It's has everything that I want in a film and more. The key here for me is orginality in the plot. The script is conducted so so well and the orginality in this makes it gripping to watch. But it also makes Michael Clayton, a more character driven story. The plot is just part of the film...after all the film is titled " Michael Clayton"

I have to admit that legal dramas are films I enjoy watching from time to time. Films like wall Street or Erin Brockovich, for me are good films in their own right but Michael Clayton is a whole different cattle of fish. As I said before the film is orginal and has some smart dialoguemwhich at times can often be diffcult to comprehend. But the beauty of the screenplay means that I just sit and watch every frame in this film, with every word spoken. This film has something which imediatly makes you compelled to watch it and perhaps I'm still not quite sure what that may be. There are films around that make me sit up and watch and Michael Clayton is not exception. The beginning of the film may but a lot of people off but once you precedd tho the end of the film you won't be disappointed. perhaps aswell because it's not your average legal drama.

The acting in Michael Clayton is something I particularly enjoyed. Having three of the main actors gaining Oscar nominations is only one factor in this. However for me the highlight of the film was Tom Wilkinson's performance as Arthur Edens, who brilliantly portrayed the Manic depressive attorny, on the brink of sabotaging the U North Case. His performance was the highlight of the film and one that seems to have been seriously underated by many crtics. Tilda Swinton, another English actor, also brilliantly played her character well and deserves all the credit she gets. Clearly George Clooney was going to get something as he was in the title role...perhaps I might think differently of his performance with a repeat viewing of the film at some point in the future.

Direction by Tony Gilroy is intelligently done. For one thing the scene in which Clayton stops to gaxe at the three horses on the filed, certainly has some element of symbolism in that. I loved the opening monlogue by Arthur Edens which opening up the film brilliantly and added a certain sense of what was to come in the film. We also see glimses of foggy climates, which mirror the emotions of Michael Clayton. All done so so well.

Overall Michael Clayton is as good as a lot of people have been saying. It's smartly written, directed, acted photography and well paced. I hope you like it as much as I did. But don't come to the film with the assumption that you are viewing an average legal drama, as it's all about one man Michael Clayton.

Enjoy!

Highly Recomened

Director:Stefan Ruzowitzky Released: 2007
Stars: Karl Markovics, August Diehl, Devid Striesow and Martin Brambach
Genre: Crime / Drama / War
Country: Austria / Germany



The Counterfeiters is the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. Salomon "Sally" Sorowitsch is the king of counterfeiters. He lives a mischievous life of cards, booze, and women in Berlin during the Nazi-era. Suddenly his luck runs dry when arrested by Superintendent Friedrich Herzog. Immediately thrown into the Mauthausen concentration camp, Salomon exhibits exceptional skills there and is soon transferred to the upgraded camp of Sachsenhausen. Upon his arrival, he once again comes face to face with Herzog, who is there on a secret mission. Hand-picked for his unique skill, Salomon and a group of professionals are forced to produce fake foreign currency under the program Operation Berhard. The team, which also includes detainee Adolf Burger, is given luxury barracks for their assistance.

A well-deserving Best Foreign Language film winner! One of the most intriging films that I have seen.

Review to come soon

Director:Sean Penn
Released: 2007
Stars: Catherine Kenner, Emile Hirsch, Kristen Stewart and William Hurt
Genre:Drama, Biography
Country: USA



Based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life

Seriously I didn't expect to feel so much about this film, absolutly breathtaking. Need some time to think about it more.

Review to come at some point....