My Favorite Movies

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

So what's it about? Ranch hand Pete Perkins looks to fulfill the promise to his recently deceased best friend by burying him in his hometown in Mexico.

My thoughts on the movie? Phenominal. My favourite of all time (at the moment :). Truly magnificent. You have to understand the point of the movie to enjoy it. Another superbly written script by Guillermo Arriaga. Both Tommy Lee and Barry Pepper give magnificent performances. Excellent cinematography comprised of stunning scenery and a really creepy but comical soundtrack. All credit goes to Tommy Lee Jones showing that he has exceptional abilities as a director.

Most memorable quote:"Promise me one thing, Pete. If I die over here, carry me back to my family and bury me in my home town. I don't want to be buried on this side among all the fucking billboards."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 21 June 2008

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

So what's it about? Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.

My thoughts on the movie? Absolute greatness. This movie never fails to touch me, whenever i feel like i'm losing hope i watch this movie to regain my hope because it is that powerful. Morgan Freeman makes this movie what it is his performance is nothing short of spectacular. A beautiful movie.

Most memorable quote:"Get busy living, or get busy dying."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: N/A

K-PAX (2001)

So what's it about? Prot is a patient at a mental hospital who claims to be from a far away planet. His psychiatrist tries to help him, only to begin to doubt his own explanations.

My thoughts on the movie? Magical. Very calming movie with a great feel and an awesome sound track that will leave you smiling throughout. Kevin Spacey is superb as Prot and will keep you guessing all the way. One of the most beautiful and interesting movies i have ever seen. Please don't mistake this for a Sci-Fi it is primarily a mystery.

Most memorable quote:"I will admit the possibility that I am Robert Porter, if you will admit the possibility that I am from K-PAX. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a beam of light to catch."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 30 July 2008.

Fight Club (1999)

So what's it about? An office employee and a soap salesman build a global organization to help vent male aggression.

My thoughts on the movie? Life changing movie. Makes a lot of relevant points. Fantastic performances, very well directed and completely unique.

Most memorable quote:"It Is Only After You Have Lost Everything That You Are Free To Do Anything"

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: N/A

The Proposition (2005)

So what's it about? A lawman apprehends a notorious outlaw and gives him 9 days to kill his older brother, or else they'll execute his younger brother.

My thoughts on the movie? One of the best Westerns around. Intense and chilling but also quite calming. Stunning visuals and well chosen/ composed music. Brutal violence and very realisitic emotions. Outstanding acting and superb location. Didn't want it to end, a phenominal movie.

Most memorable quote:"You can never get your fill of nature, Samuel. To be surrounded by it is to be stilled. It salves the heart. The mountains, the trees, the endless plains. The moon, the myriad of stars. Every man can be made quiet and complete. Even the lowliest misanthrope or the wretchedest sinners."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 04 August 2008

Dances With Wolves (1990)

So what's it about? Lt. John Dunbar, exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.

My thoughts on the movie? A massive acheivement and one of the best movies of all time. Some superb acting and absolutely stunning cinematography with some completely breathtaking scenery. An astonishing directorial achievement from Kevin Costner. Probably the most complete movie I have ever seen and there aren't really any words that I could use that would sum up how great this movie is so all I will say is that it is quite simply a Masterpiece.

Most memorable quote:"I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life there is one that matters most. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail and it is good to see."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: N/A

Memento (2000)

So what's it about? A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife.

My thoughts on the movie? Exceptionally unique and very interesting. A very mentally challenging movie just like a puzzle. Brilliantly directed using a style i have never seen before in any movie. Simply amazing performance by Guy Pearce. One of my most favourite movies. Simply put it defines the word "Masterpiece".

Most memorable quote:"We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I'm no different."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 28 December 2006

21 Grams (2003)

So what's it about? The effects that people can sometimes unknowingly have on each others lives and how they are connected in more ways than one.

My thoughts on the movie? An exquisite assault on the mind and the heart. This movie has to be understood in order to be loved. Fine performances from every member of the cast. Very well thought out and superbly told story. Has it's very own feel making it very unique and an excellent part of the trilogy.

Most memorable quote:""They say we all lose 21 grams... who will be next?""

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 16 March 2008

Into The Wild (2007)

So what's it about? It's a true story about a top student who has graduated from Uni and decides to give up evrything he owns and to hitchhike to Alaska to somehow make more sense of his life and the world.

My thoughts on the movie? Perfection! A piece of cinematic brilliance. What a directorial masterclass by Sean Penn and what an outstanding performance from Emile Hirsch. Definitely one of my favourite movies of all time. The movie felt very real and I really felt like I could relate so much to it and throughout the whole movie I was filled with a combination of excitement and clarity, the one and only dissapointment was when it ended i mean i just wanted it to go on and on but like all good things it eventually came to an end and i am left with the memories of what was truly one of the best movies i have ever seen. One of those movies that can change a persons life.

Most memorable quote:"Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 14 March 2008.

Seraphim Falls (2007)

So what's it about? At the end of the Civil War, a colonel hunts down a man with whom he has a grudge.

My thoughts on the movie? Astonishing western and one of my favourite movies of all time. Amazing performances from both leads, Brosnan was unrecognisable and put in a very realistic performance. Gets straight down to business this movie and keeps a good consistent pace throughout. Some marvelous shots of New Mexico in this movie showing it's diversity and harshness. A gritty and entertaining western that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Most memorable quote:"Go as you wish. That which is yours will always return to you. That which you take will always be taken from you."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 23 June 2008.

Babel (2006)

So what's it about? Tragedy strikes a married couple on vacation in the Moroccan desert, touching off an interlocking story involving four different families.

My thoughts on the movie? Brilliant, Very well paced movie. Gives a great insight into different cultures and how they all deal with tragedy. Great example of good story telling and shows how everything is connected and how one event can have a knock on effect. Very good performances and great directing. Excellent addition to the trilogy.

Most memorable quote:"I killed the American, I was the only one who shot at you. They did nothing... nothing. Kill me, but save my brother, he did nothing... nothing. Save my brother... he did nothing."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 23 August 2008

Apocalypto (2006)

So what's it about? As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices. Jaguar Paw, a young man captured for sacrifice, flees to avoid his fate.

My thoughts on the movie? Absolutely enthralling movie, completely unique and massively interesting. I decided to give this a second viewing and i have to say i liked it even more second time around, from the very start right this movie is entertaining and you can really make an emotional connection with the people in it which grows more and more as the movie goes on. The story never gets boring and there are somes scenes of absolute shock and horror that will leave you breathless, the acting is superb and cannot be faulted in any way. A magnificent movie and an absolutley momentus acheivement by Mel Gibson.

Most memorable quote:"I am Jaguar Paw, son of Flint Sky. My Father hunted this forest before me. My name is Jaguar Paw. I am a hunter. This is my forest. And my sons will hunt it with their sons after I am gone. "

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 21 June 2008

Seven (1995)

So what's it about? Police drama about two cops, one new and one about to retire, after a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as his MO.

My thoughts on the movie? An outstanding thriller probably one of the best you will ever see in it's genre. The movie has it's very own feel very dark and intriguing. The movie is quite unique in the fact that you don't really see any of the murders take place but instead showing the aftermath which in this case proves to be more sickening than seeing he actual murders. There where two very solid performances from Freeman and Pitt and the whole movie was very interesting throughout but it was taking to a whole new level once Kevin Spacey appeared on screen he was very convinving as a serial killer and very chilling while making some very relevant points. The movie was very well concluded and at times hard to watch, i think the whole movie was summed up at the end with Morgan Freeman's character saying - Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part.

Most memorable quote:"What sick ridiculous puppets we are / and what gross little stage we dance on / What fun we have dancing and fucking / Not a care in the world / Not knowing that we are nothing / We are not what was intended. "

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 30 July 2008.

Man on Fire (2004)

So what's it about? In Mexico City, a former assassin swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect.

My thoughts on the movie? Again this movie just shows the versatility of Denzel, from father figure to brutal killer. Awesome. Full Review Coming Soon!

Most memorable quote:"A man can be an artist... in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasey's art is death. He's about to paint his masterpiece."

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: N/A.

Freedom Forever, an uncanny vision of the future and one of my favourite movies

A very cool film with a solid story and some good performances

Vanilla Sky (2001)

So what's it about? Can't really say without giving it away so put simply it's about how a car crash changes David Aames life.

My thoughts on the movie? I loved it. Different from anything I have ever seen really and the idea of the whole movie is something I think is quite feasible therefore making the movie more believable. Kept me thinking throughout with the conclusion completely destroying any guesses I had made on how it would end. Some beautiful moments in this movie and a very good soundtrack. Acting was good all round really but it was more about the idea of the movie rather than individual performances. It does what a film should do, it takes you away from reality and makes you believe in the idea it is trying to get across. I would recommend this anyone who is open minded or likes something unique as for all of you people who couldn't understand this movie please just stick to your simple-minded blockbusters.

Most memorable quote:"My father wrote about this in his book. Chapter 1... Page 1... Paragraph 1: What is the answer to 99 out of 100 questions?... Money."

Rating: 4.5/5

Review Date: 11 March 2008.

Leon was a very intense film that had me gripped from start to finish, the kill scenes where great and quite brutal but it was the heartfelt relationship between Leon & Matilda that made this movie better than the others of the same genre, the acting was superb by all the main actors and they made the movie feel very real, the musical content was great too and was used to good effect, the best thing about this movie was it was very complete in that it has the brutal action scenes for the actions fans while also being very heartfelt and offering something for love fans, my advice is that if you have not already seen it then do so ASAP, great stuff 5 stars :)

OMG what an amazing story told so well in this film, i have to admit the film wasn't quite what i expected it to be but instead it was better and is probably the only film that has come close to Shawshank Redemption for me in that it was a complete film with its solid script, fine acting, inspirational music and the list goes on for what i can only describe as a piece of cinematic brilliance, Denzel Washington proved again why he is my favorite actor with probably the best performance i have seen from him.

POWERFUL, EMOTIONAL, MESMORISING, carries a very good message and is very well put together with sum gr8 individual performances, we can all learn sumthing from this movie.

I was left genuinly blown away by reign over me, it was a quite simple film which is a rarity these days and it wasn't a film that makes you laugh so much that it hurts but what it will do is make you smile (and maybe cry shhh!) which is because of the way it makes you feel which is what a film should be all about, it used simple effects quality music and great acting (Don Cheadle was very likeable and Adam Sandler was magnificent) and it is one of the best movies i have seen this year!

A very good movie, very gripping and gritty, Brilliant performances from Cage, Phoenix and Stormare, alot of people say that they found this movie very disturbing which i suppose i can agree with to some degree but it is only disturbing if you are not aware of the fact that there are a lot of sick people out there and because this movie felt very real it gives a good insight into these people, Very suspenseful and controversial i reccomend everyone should see it 5 outa 5 :)

Fantastic stuff, very suspenseful and frightening a proper horror movie.

I loved it, it was my kind of film which i didn't think it would because of its sci-fi elements but they where all very relevant to an extroadanary story, The movie keeps you guessing and doesn't make everything obvious so you have to be clever enough to figure out whats happening and if you can't then you shouldn't be watching it, fantastic acting from Willis and Pitt and some good effects where put to use throughout, a refreshing change from the norm and very enjoyable 5 stars without question :)

One of the first movies i watched with subtitles and i was not not diaspointed, fanatasic plot and a very intense film

The Green Mile (1999)

Directed by: Frank Darabont

Starring: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Michael Jeter, Barry Pepper

So what's it about? It's a story about a man called John Coffey (Like the drink, only not spelled the same) who has been seemingly wrongly accused of a crime and been placed on death row where it is the guards jobs to hand out his punishment for this crime however John is not like any of the other inmates they have had before he has something special about him something that may change there lives forever.

My thoughts on the movie? Magical, mysterious, miraculous just a few of the words i can use to sum up this movie, "this movie" The Green Mile. I could not remember ever seeing this movie all the way through before only parts of it here and there but it was only after seeing it from start to finish that i have come realise its greatness and beauty. Frank Darabont seems to have a great ability for directing this type of movie i mean first Shawshank and then this although i wouldn't say the two are similar in any other way than the fact they are set in a prison because The Green Mile is told from the prospective of the guards whereas Shawshank was focused on the prisoners, also this movie was slightly downbeat and honest in that it showed that miracles can happen but for them to happen someone has to be punished, someone has to pay. There where a lot of beautiful moments in this movie and some really heart warming scenes but there were also a lot of tragic and chilling moments throughout both of which where achieved by the use of stunning visuals and perfectly chosen music. As for individual performances i don't think there was a bad one throughout with Michael Clarke Duncan obviously stealing the show playing one of the most likeable characters i have ever seen in a movie and Tom Hanks looked very comfortable in his role and played it very professionally but i think all of the actors where probably thankful to the director for making their jobs easier by creating a movie that felt very real therefore making their characters more believable.

Conclusion: This is what a movie should be about for me it is truthful but adventurous it doesn't need to use high speed chases or over the top CGI or any other cheap tricks to make the audience like it instead it just lets the story do the work in what is one of the most heart warming movies i have seen.

Most memorable quote:" People hurt the ones they love. That's how it is all around the world. "

Rating: 5/5

Review Date: 16 March 2008

has a very weird effect on you, great acting fantastic film, u wil neva want to take drugs afta watching this.

What a great movie, Hopkins was mesmorizing and scary!

Very intense movie with some great cinematography and well made characters, i thought the movie was magnificent but i have to admit i didn't not get the ending until i had watched it over and over again but when i finally got it i finally realised the point of the movie and the message it carries which for me turned it from a great movie to an almost perfect movie, surely one of the best movies of the year :)

The Machinst (2004)

Directed by: Brad Anderson

Starring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian, Michael Ironside

So what's it about? It's about a guy called Trevor Reznik who has not slept for a year the only problem is he isn't sure why.

My thoughts on the movie? I viewed this movie for a second time and because I already knew where it was going and how it ended I was able to focus more on other aspects of the movie rather than trying to figure out how it would end. I think the way the movie was shot was very relevant to the character because it felt very dark and pale and because each scene was chosen perfectly and consistently used dark characteristics it gave the whole movie fluency and a sense of realism, the soundtrack was just an extra addition the movies feel by using very eerie but humorous sounds to acheive the desired effect. This wasn't your typical fast paced edge of your seat thriller but instead it was a very intriguing and clever thriller making you eager to know why and how Trevor Reznik got it this situation and with every scene that passes you get that much more closer to knowing but not far enough so you can guess. Now obviously Bale put a lot into this part physically I mean he was completely wasting away and it is all credit to him for committing himself so much to the part however for him to then to put in the performance that he did while in that condition was really something else I can only imagine how difficult of a role it was to play and for me it was his best ever performance.

Conclusion: The Machinist is creepy and intriguing while also being darkly humorous and fantastically well thought out, it will keep you interested throughout building you up to what is a gripping and chilling climax.

Most memorable quote:"Right now I wanna sleep. I just want to sleep."

Rating: 4.5/5

Review Date: 9 March 2008.

One of Jim Carreys finest movies unique to anything else i have seen and it certainly makes you think :)

one of jim carrey's best films takes on a very unusual role and pulls it off no probs.

OMG what a movie, it managed to keep a fast pace throughout while also keeping me very interested, and the acting was superb in particular from Kevin Bacon who was almost unrecognisable by the end of the movie and as i keep saying after seing his movies he is a very underated actor, loved this movie 5 stars :)

"Wouldn't it be funny if the devil looked just like you?"

Outstanding, i am actually a little speechless after just watching this movie so maybe after i have had time to reflect on it i will be able to add more to this review, the movie was stunning and carried a perfect pace and it didn't need violence and blood but instead used total honesty to show the brutal and harsh reaity of what is happening to the world, the performances all round where superb and Tommy Lee Jones just excels again i mean the guy is getting better with every film he is in, i would reccomend everyone to see this movie by any means possible because it is quite an eye opener but when you do see it don't focus completly on the story otherwise you may miss the actual point of the whole movie which is highlighted none more so than in the last scene, a simply magnificent movie ;)

A very underated film i thought, i didnt have many expectations before watching it and by the end i was blown away with a riveting performance from Bale which made me realise his talents but also the other memebers of the cast where great too, the movie told the story well and made it feel very real, superb stuff :)

"ln life for every action there is a definite and distinct reaction."

Bought this for £3 and what an absolute bargain it proved to be a truly wonderful movie, i am glad i liked this movie because it is not the type of movie i usually go for but that just shows the power of the film, I can't think of anything that was wrong with the movie or anything i would do to change it the cast was chosen to perfection and each actor put in a magnificent performance none more so than Kevin Bacon who really became the character he was playing and throughout the film he was unrecognisable which is a sign of a great actor, the story wasn't totally unique or anything but it was the way in which it was told which proved to seperate it from other films of the same genre, there was a great deal of suspese throughout the movie held down mostly through the emotional aspect and the first 20 minutes or so where probably some of the most intense scenes i have ever scene, it is a tale of victory and triumph and it solidifies the fact that fear just holds you prisoner i would reccomend everyone to see it at least once because it really is an over looked gem of a movie that will take your breath away :)

Denzel puts in the performance of his life, such a versatile actor!