James' Talk

Death at a Funeral

Without a doubt the best laugh I?ve had all year! Alan Tudyk (Steve, the Pirate from Dodgeball) is my new hero! He is INSANELY funny as the hapless Simon who accidentally ingests a hallucinogen just before the funeral begins and what follows as a result absolutely had me dying with laughter! This movie is as much character as it is action-driven and is very well executed. Funny, funny, funny ? and then some!

Antwone Fisher

A remarkable tale based on a true story, I was gripped from start to finish. Derek Luke, I thought played a fantastic part and it was a good performance from Denzel too, who also Directed the film.

An emotional account of how someone's present circumstances are a result of their past, facing your fears and forgiving to enable you to move on.

VERDICT: A great film which I definitely recommend.

Amores Perros

Utterly brilliant! Completely worthy of all it's praise. If you like films where various stories intertwine then this is an absolute must.

The acting, the plot and pretty much everything about this film was gritty and realistic.

VERDICT: You do need patience with this film, but one I definitely recommend people to see

Ronin

A much better film than I remember this being, with a plot that's fast and sometimes hard to keep up with comes great acting by an all star cast, some of the best high speed chase scenes ever to appear in films, terrorism, betrayal, great twists and turns and action packed.

VERDICT: An action thriller that will keep your mind alert and addrenalin pumping

Under Suspicion

A unique investigation story into two young murdered girls, this is an extremely powerful and controversial part for Gene Hackman,which for me has to be his best role to date.



The filming mainly takes part in one room, which is a hard thing to do, to keep the concentration of the audience, but apart from the first five minutes (just warming up) I was drawn to the story all the way through. There were some clever little flashbacks based on hypothesis which worked really well.



This is my second viewing of the film and I enjoyed it probably more than the first time, as my rating has gone up.



This definitely has my recommendation.

Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)

A very strange and bizarre film, which is certainly original and fresh. The wonders of Amelie's imagination were fantasticalled created for the audience to follow throughout the story.

This maybe one to watch a couple of times, what with the sub-titles, you sometimes miss the visual importances of the film.

VERDICT: To watch a truly original film, give it a watch.

8MM

Great film! I enjoyed this from the very first time I watched it. With scenes of a slightly pornographic nature, thi smay not be everyone's type of film, however that side of things is very much part of the plot rather than the focus of the story. There is certainly the best Private Detective story I've ever seen and although there is plenty of action in the film, Nick Cage doesn't look out of place as a more serious actor.

My absolute favourite role of Joaquin Phoenix', this is the first film I'd ever seen him in. Even James Gandolfini takes a reletively small role in this.

A cleverly put together story.

VERDICT: Unless the nature of the plot really puts you off, I'd say this is a 'must see' film

The Shawshank Redemption

One of the most outstanding films ever made. Brilliently written, well casted, by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.

Adaped from book to film, each twist accurately calculated, which will not fail to bring a smile to your face. A very powerful on screen relationship between the two main characters, which only adds to the depth of this amazing tale.

VERDICT: For the small minority that haven't seen this film, be prepared to be blown away.

Charlie

From scrap metal to a South African mine, the life story of Charlie Richardson is certainly an interesting one. A notorious 'businessman' in London's swingin' sixties, with police on the payroll.

Don't let the fact that Luke Goss takes the leading role in this (yes he was the drummer in the 80's group Bros). He actually doesn't do too bad a job.

You can't mention the Richardson's without mentioning their rival ''The Krays' who are mentioned and shown briefly in this film.

You can never be quite sure with these type of films how much is still concealed or that what has been revealed is in fact the complete truth.

VERDICT: I think it's probably a film that a lot of Brits would find interesting, not sure if it would interest non-Brits? Maybe you could let me know?

Midnight Express

Ever been to a Turkish prison? This film does seem to go on forever even though it's just under 2 hours long. An excellent performance from Brad Davis and an excellent story based on true events, this film kind of has a big moral to it, that one stupid mistake can change the rest of your life. The film highlights both mental and physical brutalitiy from police and how laws vary from place to place.

VERDICT: If you have the patience to watch this then you'll find it a great movie

Mystic River

Directed by Clint Eastwood and boasting an all star cast of some of Hollywood?s most talented Actors. This is Hollywood minus the Hollywood glint, it?s down to earth, believable, with some impressive performances all around, in particular, Tim Robins, Sean Penn and Marcia Gay Harden.

This Murder mystery, turned vigilante storyline is tough, raw and deeply personal.

The brilliance of the film is that it doesn?t just build to a climatic ending, there are some pretty big things that happen throughout the film that make a huge impact.

One of my favourite films that I have watched over and over.

Taxi Driver

A film of absolute brillience, I last watched this iflm in my teens when I just didn't get the greatness of it.

Robert De Niro was outstanding as the character Travis Bickle, living in a bit of a fantasy world, ever so gradually turning himself mad from the lonliness and too much time to think. He's angry about the world he lives in and the scum that breathe the same air as him. Although a relatively short role, Jodie Foster playing a 12 and a half year old hooker is just another excellent performance to add to her list. She was probably the best young actress out there.

This film will have you glued to the screen. There's no doubt that in Robert De Niro's career as an actor, that this one of his finest performances.

VERDICT: I just can't promote this film enough, it's an absolute must see and one of the best performances of all time.

Stir of Echoes

it's this type of film that has made Kevin Bacon a more interesting actor in the last few years. This is a reallygood film from start to finish, the supernatural dealt with in a natural way. Clever storyline.

VERDICT: A definite recommendations, certainly my favourtie Kevin Bacon film

The Number 23

Despite it?s depressing tone throughout, The Number 23 develops into an impressive conspiracy, mystery, psychological Thriller. I tend to find Jim Carrey?s serious roles more entertaining and find the films he chooses and the roles he plays very intense and thought provoking.

There was a hint of Graphic Novel style added to some of the film too, which worked pretty well.

This film, perhaps, isn?t for everyone, but if you like Thrillers, that get into your head and add an element of unpredictability, this film may be your kind of thing.