My Favorite Movies

Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman.

<< "You see, madness is like gravity, all it takes is a little...push" >>

The Dark Knight continues the legacy of Batman. Based a year after his encounter with Ra's Al Ghul and his thugs, the streets remain the same whether Falcone is in jail or not and Batman continues to do what he can with the help of the newly appointed Commissioner, Jim Gordon and Gotham's new D.A, Harvey Dent. Before long a menacing madman called the Joker introduces something into Gotham that no one would have ever expected.

This film has been and will remain an unstoppable force. Massively hyped for years by fans and the general public well before release and now critically acclaimed, Oscar winning and Box Office sweaping, my review is simply a reminder, from both an obsessed fan and a general moviegoer, that this film is beyond anyone's expectations, especially mine and that this film simply...is...masterful.

Everything about the first film is simply and assuredly raised in level here, both in quality, complexity and story; everything is taken in a new direction, yet never forgetting what made Begins so great, just simply expanding and growing around it.

Christopher Nolan has always been one of my favorite directors. A relatively unknown name for a while, he pushed through the indie scene with a powerfully mixed force of complexity and stunning entertainment and rose in recognition, staying true to his direction...and he has simply dazzled me once again on all cinematic levels. To some, it might appear flashy that he has taken hold of the newest technology for the film with IMAX cameras and in the wrong hands it would have just been for show and for money, but Nolan is god behind these cameras and the sweeping, epic scope is deftly handled and perfectly assured, the man is long overdue to be recognized more...and Wally Pfeister once again, dazzles with his thoughtful tone on this epic scale, it adds such a lovely feel and broadens Gotham's seemingly normal first look and the ever dark atmosphere growing underneath.

The Nolan brother's screenplay is simply remarkable and beyond everything I expected from the film. I was one of the men who knew the film was going to be more than just some 'Batman' film. The footage I saw showed it, the dialogue I heard rang true of it and the mythology and the psychology were both there for them to pick and play at...and as I am no doubt repeating in this review, it's more than you would ever expect. In Batman 89, the problem that fell on it was the fact that the storytelling became lax and extremely second-rate, where as the Joker became a first rate character in a showman fashion while Batman, who simply became third rate, seemed to cower in a corner, with very little to tell. Not saying that I hated Batman 89, but at the end of the day it really just remains as a spectacle piece over story. Begins proved that Batman and Bruce Wayne can both equally be powerful forces and complex humans and faces as the basic psychology of the large mythology showed us and TDK continues that power by delving that much deeper into the complexities of human emotions and morals. Morally complex from every angle, its one hell of a raging pathos of real persona's all colliding at every turn, it keeps everything thoughtful, deep, intense and ever so exciting...and not to mention it's also a perfect crime saga that flows with a Shakespearean tone, even under it's 'superhero cover', which many will see it as. Each character is given special treatment and in one word, a 'soul'. Bruce Wayne must now face the facts that his vengeful and pretentious *masks* ultimately are blocking the relationship with his love Rachael and now being with another man, Harvey Dent, seen as the 'White Knight' of Gotham who is the new DA, its harder when he is basically the challenge, he's a man doing exactly what he is doing, but as a man without a mask who is ridding the streets of Gotham of its criminals. Batman has to make that choice on where he stands in Gotham and where exactly his morals have taken him, especially when revenge, the one thing he has pushed himself away from doing, lingers so close. That there is the simplistic overview of the films elements, it delves so much deeper. The Joker is also is never given a major origin story nor is he ever shown where he lies, away from all the grand spectacles he creates...and thank god for that, because the direction of Nolan's vision didn't need it. He's unrelenting, mysterious, methodical, among many other things much like Batman yet so self destructive and simply one hell of a scary, menacing clown that promises anarchy and chaos...and that he delivers.

I can't go on without mentioning something highly under-looked in films...the score. It is the first soundtrack I have ever bothered to sit down and listen to throughout and for good reason. Its a rich force that blends beautifully with the complexities of the films morals and emotions, beautifully adding richness to every epic scene on screen, its up there as one of the greatest pieces of music I've heard on film that can add so much to the moving image, each note displays and represents each character perfectly.

You all knew I was getting to this...the performances. Christian Bale once again proves to be the greatest mix put onto screen for these characters and he has settled in nicely for the 2nd round. As Bruce Wayne, he continues to show the charismatic and often cheeky wit around the way he is seen in city, yet he remains flawlessly human, dark, and troubled and battles the strong emotions with others as we all do. Aaron Eckhart simply blew me away, especially when everyone is going in for Heath. He's perfect...and easily blows Tommy Lee off the face (no pun intended) of the earth. He's got the perfect all American charisma to play this all American man as D.A of a major city and really is a nice threat for Bruce in his personal life, because he is not only similar in statue as the force of Gotham, but also the opposing darkness to his 'White Knight' image...and when Harvey changes into who he is destined to become, Aaron is scary as hell and really compelling and chilling. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great replacement over the horribly sub-par Katie Holmes and is given much more to work with this time around and she blends in just well, showing an intimidating streak where needed as her character should.

Heath Ledger. Let me start by saying that whoever thought his posthumous Oscar win would be a sympathy vote; the truth is, they deserve no audience, nor an opinion. If the man was still alive today, he would wipe all fields with what is quite possibly the greatest villain (and also the strongest form of method acting) to ever grace celluloid...and that will be argued. Equally unexpected and expecting, his performance as the Joker will stand for a lifetime. Sure Cesar and Jack will always have a face for Joker as the showman side of the character, but Heath is the dark side everyone knows from a 50+ year old character. Charismatic, dark, edgy and scary as all fucking hell, he breezes into every scene easily stealing it and delivering something so intense, so unexpected, so real. It's the greatest embodiment into a character that I have ever seen. Heath has studied this role so immensely, right down the it's little ticks and what is now trademark nuances, it's a performance to be remembered forever. A performance delivered by someone who died so suddenly. He can rest in peace knowing that he has now done what he went into the business for.

The Dark Knight is a fucking masterpiece. This is, of course an 'opinion', because no one can stand as being right. It is up there as one of the greatest films I have ever seen and blew my obsessive and very high expectations right out of the water. Moral complex, beautifully captured, deftly controlled, greatly performed...all the elements I look for in a film, put to near perfection. I still can't say that the film is 'flawless' and I ain't going to nitpick at what those minimalistic flaws are, but The Dark Knight deserves the praise for standing on a parallel line to perfection...a film so deserving of everything it gets and a film of such exquisite quality and the fact that it somehow managed to beat my insane expectations, it comes so daringly close for me...as perfect.

98/100

<< "You truly are incorruptible, aren't you? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness...and I won't kill you because your just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever." >>

Directed by: David Fincher.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf, Jared Leto.

<< "Self improvement is masturbation. Now self destruction..." >>

The story follows the narrator of the film, an office employee, a heavy consumer to the world, who suffers from insomnia and does what he can to try and cure it, but when someone gets in his way, it vents up. He soon meets Tyler Durden on a business flight and together, aside from there differences, they put together 'Fight Club', an underground male fight group to help relieve male aggression.

I've seen this film countless times and I think it takes my number 1 spot for that reason. I find it difficult to pick a favorite film and even then I see no film as perfect, but the fact that I can keep re-watching this film and finding something new and refreshing every single time keeps it as one of my 'favorites'.

This film showed me one of my favorite directors...David Fincher. I would also count Se7en as another film that really brings forward the genius (it was released before this), but I saw this first. Key words is really all I can give you for his work here...brilliant, stylish, taut and a very original directional style, even when a lot of it comes from the CGI, his deft control and visual mind are present in every computerized moment and whats delivered is more than just CGI.

Now I have never read Chuck Palahniuk's novel that this film is based on (but I definitely plan to read it), so I can't judge how faithful this film is, even though people say it is. Whether or not the book is more complex and layered or whether it's the other way around...either way, Jim Ehl's screenplay is something astonishing. Many still believe that even though its a film for the mind, the visceral content make it that much more...wrong. The screenplay is complex and chock full of layers. Its thoughtful, controversial and truly outstanding. Its not only a film full of crafty thrills, brilliant characters, superb and thoughtful dialogue and a twist to shock many (your not smart to 'figure' it out before the end, you can only take guesses), buts its so much more...a corporate advert to show the deterioration of man, a consumers guide to how life is, every character action, every frame tells another story about everything we live for, all while keeping you extremely engrossed elsewhere...reading the basic synopsis for this film tells you nothing, it is not just a film about fighting, its about what man is really capable of, because we are blinded by how unreal the world has become, where we aim for unnecessary goals, where we want a certain lifestyle that we don't need, like Tyler Durden says in the film, 'Things you own, end up owning you'...trust me, I am only telling you one small factor of the film here.

The acting is brilliant, although Brad Pitt delivered a strong and weird performance in 12 Monkeys before this, this film showed the world he really is an actor and not just a celebrity. His performance that is darkly hilarious and strangely captivating...and Edward Norton gives the 2nd strongest performance of his career (after American History X), enough said.

Fight Club was a critical success, which is rare thing for a film that is now seen as a 'cult classic', seeing as it flopped at the box office...it got the best of both worlds without the worlds money. I could continue to rant on and on about how much I love this film and how the film stands alone as something great, but I'll stop soon. The film is a masterpiece in my eyes, a film of kinetic beauty and a film to tell so much to so many...many will see this film as a degeneration of the world, but its actually exposing the world for what it is...a nice twist.

96/100

<< "Hitting bottom isn't a weekend retreat. It's not a goddamn seminar. Stop trying to control everything and just let go! LET GO!" >>

Directed by: Sam Mendes.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari.

<< "My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood; this is my street; this is my life. I am 42 years old; in less than a year I will be dead. Of course I don't know that yet...and in a way, I am dead already. Look at me, jerking off in the shower. This will be the highpoint of my day...its all downhill from here." >>

The story follows a seemingly contemporary and ordinary family in a typical suburban town...but nothing is as it seems. Lester is a rather depressed man, Carolyn is a money driven bitch and Jane is a rebellious daughter, who hates her parents...especially her father. But soon things change when Lester meets Jane's best friend and his mysterious new neighbor.

This film can be described in so many words....tragic, beautiful, spectacular, emotional, realistic, insightful, masterful, but to sum all these words up into one sentence...it is a beautiful masterpiece of cinema.

Never before have I seen a film that speaks so much truth and shows so much realism, even when it may not necessarily appear 'normal'. So many things make this film what it is. Sam Mendes really came out of nowhere on this one. A man unknown to film comes along (thanks to Steven Spielberg) and takes the helm and truly creates an outstanding vision for this film that is both beautifully complex and amazing to study. His intricate attention to detail and correct sense of the character really add the perfect mood to what could appear like a very standard looking drama.

Alan Ball, more a writer for TV and stage, sets up his first feature script and truly creates a masterpiece of film literature. Rich, brilliantly likable characters, raw emotion, sharp, witty humor shared with brilliant dialogue. The overall realism and truth behind the film and the care for its characters really make this something to take in; some might say that some of the philosophy presented by its characters maybe pretentious...I see it as truly insightful.

Conrad L. Hall (RIP) really made cinematography that much more to me with this film, it truly is a work of true craftsmenship. When I first saw the film years ago it never occurred to me, but there is so much detail and care in every frame. The lighting is just amazing, there are so many amazing scenes where the characters are just touched up right and it adds such a perfect mood...and the red doorway sequence in the rain towards the end remains completely memorable, what appears to be such a simple setup really is made into something more...a definite deserving Oscar win here. And the score by Thomas Newman, the man behind The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile (just to name a couple), does not disappoint here and has created a very memorable score that is both beautiful and haunting...and relatively simple.

The acting is probably the best you'll ever see in suburban drama...and in film for years. Kevin Spacey steals the role and gives the performance of his career and it certainly deserved him his Oscar...and a place as one of my favorite actors. He show such dedication and calmness in his role and portrays his character with such skill and naturalism, that a lot of the time, definitely method acting at its finest...and the role isn't even something you would expect is. Annette Bening was nabbed of her Oscar here, but that does not mean she didn't do well. She exceeded all my expectations and shined in her role, next to Kevin Spacey on screen in there screen time together, there is so much spark.

What more can I say? Nothing. Simply put, American Beauty is an American Masterpiece...no scratch that...a Cinematic Masterpiece.

95/100

<< "It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in." >>

Directed by: Michel Gondry.
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst.

<< "Random thoughts for Valentine's day, 2004. Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap. I ditched work today, took a train home to Montauk...I don't know why, I'm not an impulsive person. I guess I just woke up in a funk this morning. I gotta get my car fixed. It's god damn freezing on this beach...Montauk in February, but only at Joel. Page is ripped out...I don't remember doing that. It appears this is my first entry in two years. Sand is overrated, it's just tiny little rocks...if only I could meet someone new." >>

The story starts on Valentine's day, Joel Barish skips work and heads for the shore. He meets Clementine Kruczynski first on the beach and later at the train station and they fall in love...but they do not know that they were once a couple in the past. He soon finds out that Clementine had erased him from her memories, so he does the same...but soon realizes that he still loves her during the erasing process and does everything he can not to lose her.

That synopsis won't make sense to you first time viewers...good, that means you can take in the film with a fresh mind. But I also look back at it and say the same thing...but it will make sense once you see this beauty.

Charlie Kaufman, a name you need to remember. Although he's been on the writing scene for decades and showed himself with Being John Malkovich in 1999, this film to me is his masterwork. A simple outline for a story, everything you hear from a typical romance...a man realizes he loves the woman who broke it off with him and he tries everything to get her back...but given such a refreshing boost with not only the idea of memory erasing, but so much more. Written with such a sharp hand, smart, thorough, emotional and funny, the dialogue is full, acute and real, sharing such emotion, humor and a rare equality with the rest of the films vibrant core...Charlie won the Oscar, I can see why.

Michel Gondry is now an instant favorite of mine. Its the first film I have seen by him...but wow. He truly understands Charlie's vision and makes it his own. What amazes me about him is that all camera tricks, anything that may look like it was a special effect....wasn't. A lot of it was done by himself by simple camera movements and lens changes and the rest was done in the editing room. Such a pure visionary and someone who understands the human core of the story and its amazing characters...exactly what was needed to make this amazing script work.

I can't go on without mentioning the performances. Kate Winslet once again gets stripped of an award with this film and its the most shocking. Her deft ability to flick the switch fluently with her characters personality is astonishing to watch and she has just the right quirks to pull it off perfectly. Jim Carrey delivers the role of his career. He has tried dramatic roles in the past but none like this. A character of such complex emotion, he taps the quiet side of the character with such depth and his facial work is a brilliant addition to the characters broken soul...and of course we get the odd Carrey moment, but thankfully its never his usual over-the-top persona and we laugh naturally at his ability to do so well. They are also both a very unlikely couple, but they work so well together and appear to have so much chemistry.

Unique, tragic, beautiful, masterful. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a masterpiece in the most simplistic word. In a world where the concept of love is fluffy and horribly clichéd in films, Eternal takes it, fucks with your mind and creates something so highly original, yet so poetic, whimsy and beautiful. One of my favorite films of all time.

94/100

<< "How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd." >>

Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron.
Starring: Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Claire-Hope Ashitey.

<< "I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to hope for?" >>

The year is 2027, society and the human race faces emanant extinction when they lost the ability to procreate 18 years before. England is the last country battling on through the chaos that is now society, until ex-activist Theo is called upon by his revolutionary ex-wife Julian, to transport a young woman, mysteriously pregnant, across the boarder to 'The Human Project'.

In 2006, a year of such amazing films, one film was terribly overlooked, with Martin Scorsese taking Best Director and The Departed taking Best Film, you would think those were the highlights...and although that film deserved both Oscars, Children of Men should also have been considered.

The film is a landmark in filmmaking, plain and simple, people can try and deny it, but they will remain wrong...Alfonso Cuaron has created a masterpiece. Co-writing the script, he brings forward a lot of social and controversial 'what if' questions, on the way of the world, government control, among other things. The script proves to be so brilliantly structured and well plotted while rising powerful questions and messages of society and mankind and a study of hope...the ending to me remains the only way it can, many don't like it leaving too many things unanswered, but thats the idea, why have a filmmaker answer societies questions for you when he will no doubt get slammed?

I still can't believe Alfonso Cuaron wasn't at least nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Director, it is a disgrace. He has created such an outstanding, unique, bleak and surreal vision of a very possible and realistic future. He has created a landmark with his technical style, as always, he uses a lot of steadicam work to keep up close and personal with the action, which of course isn't anything new, but the camera team are brilliant and the outstanding achievement is in the little use of editing, given it a major 'real time' effect. There are many key scenes that involve long tracking shots that just astound, the pure realism and brutality of the work and the masterful control from Alfonso Cuaron, especially in a particular 6 minute tracking shot over a very large area....I bet the script looked good to the producers, but Alfonso has created a vision beyond anything we have seen, its just groundbreaking. To add to the realism and poetic shots of the film, the cinematography adds the perfect atmosphere and dread to this film.

The acting is brilliant, Clive Owen has always been able to carry a film, thankfully with the film being a masterpiece already, he doesn't need to, but he delivers a very sustained and subtle performance and he is given the chance to do brilliance, it's quite possibly his best. Michael Caine is brilliantly witty in his small screen time, but he shines.

No words or reviews of mine can sum this landmark film up, its a disgrace that the Academy looked past some key elements of the film (directing) and even the Best Film nomination wasn't in site. One of the very best film of 2006, which is certainly a tough crown to hold, especially with the many brilliant films released that year....but Children of Men deserves it more than any. A Masterpiece.

96/100

<< "The world was stunned today by the death of Diego Ricardo, the youngest person on the planet, the youngest person on earth was 18 years, 4 months, 20 days, 16 hours, and 8 minutes old." >>

Directed by: Lars Von Trier.
Starring: Bjork, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare.

<< "You know, when I used to work in the factory, I used to dream that I was in a musical...because in a musical, nothing dreadful ever happens." >>

Full review coming soon.

97/100

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson.

<< "My momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they go, where they've been. I've worn lots of shoes. I bet if I think about it real hard I can remember my first pair of shoes." >>

1994 was one of two years in the 90's that created some of the greatest modern films of our time. 1994 consisted of Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption, both up for the Best Picture category, along with other categories at the Academy Awards. One film had to win and it went to Forrest Gump...and for good reason.

The story follows a simple man named Forrest Gump. A very lanky man with such a small IQ, over a span of three decades, we are shown the extraordinary life of this simple man and the historic, American events he has encountered...or stumbled through.

The opening sequence sets the perfect tone and angle for the film; we are shown our title character, Forrest Gump on a park bench, with muddy shoes that tell a little bit about what he has done, where he has been, and with a short cropped haircut, distant eyes and a book in an out of place suitcase on Curious George, simplicity at arms length.

We are never introduced to the man to laugh at him for the way he is, instead, Robert Zemeckis shows the film through the eyes of Forrest himself, he is the most likable and decent character to ever grace the screen and we laugh right alongside him at his perspective on life.

I could sit here and state how far fetched and very fictional the film is, but you should already know that, but the fact that we fall in love with this character so much, every implausible point is so easy to look past.

The screenplay by Eric Roth is magic, like a modern fable. Based on the novel by Winston Groom, I cannot judge how it was adapted, that's not what I am here for. He has built up such a simple character with such a complex and epic life that the film as a whole falls right into the latter. His dialogue is cheeky and as you would expect with most of the dialogue and the voice-overs coming from the main characters mouth and narratively brilliant and thoughtful. The humor is built up on his views on things and the way he explains it all...it's brilliantly comical and witty, in it's oddball way (and the fact that Forrest helped create the song 'Imagine', gave Elvis his moves, was there at the Black Panther rally and alerted people of the Watergate Scandal is classic). The structure is so skillfully weaved, it may contain many sentimental setups in its messages, but the weaving of historic events with this brilliant character makes it all the more enjoyable and meaningful and the fact that it still remains to be one of the few films to make me cry purely, shows its stance over cinematic sentimentality.

The score is perfect. Like the tone of the film, its simple, yet so poetically rich and powerfully moving and remains memorable to this day.

Robert Zemeckis is only one of two perfect choices for this film. At the time of release I probably couldn't say that with his track record then, but looking back now, it's easy to say. He is himself here of course, aiming for the heart where he can and including his typical shots of vast scenery and having a lot going on in any one scene with a lot of attention to detail, but it shows amazing control and works very well, especially during the few war sequences.

Visually, the film is quite unexpectedly groundbreaking. The many visual effects of this film that received the Academy Award showed a jump in its time with it's merging of Forrest with old footage. It is impressive and if you have the DVD then certainly watch the 'Making Of' to see how it is all done.

Tom Hanks = Forrest Gump, simple as that. If anyone can sit there and say someone else better suited for the role than I would love to hear it...but I never will. He was no A-List star at the time but had won 'big' with his comedic performances in such films as Big, but this was and still remains his defining role. Not only are his characteristics so unique and spot on, his charm is captivating and he delivers one of the deepest and most emotionally rich roles of his career, it really is a masterwork and an unforgettable performance.

Forrest Gump is one of the most inspirational and genuinely emotional films of the 90's and is still unbeatable. A film that has spanned generations in such a short amount of time...and it's a film to teach them. A turning point in our characters continuing understanding of his differences in relation to someone close to him still brings tears to my eyes. Forrest Gump remains in my top 20 films of all time and will do for a long time...and it remains a masterpiece.

92/100

<< "My momma always said, Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." >>

Directed by: Frank Darabont.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, William Sadler, Bob Gunton, James Whitmore.

<< "There are places in this world that aren't made out of stone. That there's something inside...that they can't get to, that they can't touch. That's your's." >>

The story follows Andy Dufresne, a New England bank accused of murdering his wife and her lover. Set for 2 life sentences back-to-back at Shawshank Prison, he bonds with an aged old man named Red and the years that follow he starts to gain respect from his fellow inmates and bring hope into those walls.

One thing that I have always found great is that you get a lot of first time screenwriters/directors out there with a lot of talent, but never really do you them make there masterwork first time around... but Frank Darabont has done so. He isn't a first time writer, been around since the mid eighty co-writing some rather classic B grade horror sequels and remakes, this is his first time directing and writing something big. Based on the Stephen King novel, to this day it is still arguably the greatest adaption and arguably the best film of all time.

A rather simple tale, a tale of hope, redemption, deception and friendship at first glance, which it is, but the film contains so much more, so much more underneath that I don't think you can take it all in on your first viewing. Each scene flows beautifully and with such grace and assurance and for being classed as 'inspirational', theres never a cheesy or unnecessary moment. Like I mentioned before, Frank Darabont surprised many with his first feature film as director/writer and its something he will always be remembered for. His assured direction is epic and stunning, portraying the brutality, emotion and unexpected beauty behind these concrete walls and his screenplay never feels stretched (being based on a very short story), it may just seem like a prison film, but its a stunning, timeless morality tale of hope, friendship, deception...and its truly thoughtful, shocking and emotion right down to the core.

The performances are just amazing from
the leads. I never have really seen Tim Robbins as a brilliant actor, even looking at his films recently I don't really...but this performance here proves to me that he can be. The descriptions written about his character are made for him, if he didn't talk throughout the entire picture he would still deliver what he did here. His face and eyes display the soul of this character, at first glance you can't tell whether the man can be trusted or not, he shows the innocence in those eyes of his but look deeper and might just see somewhat the opposite...a solid performance overlooked by many. Morgan Freeman became what he is today thanks to this film. Sure he had some very solid performances beforehand, but I can surely say he wouldn't be so well respected by so many today if it wasn't for his surefire, charismatic performance as Red...and Tim and Morgan both have such great chemistry and spark together on screen together and they add depth to the emotional punches, especially Morgan Freeman's classic narrative voice.

The Shawshank Redemption is many things,but it can be look at in just three simple ways: The best prison film of all time, one of the best inspirational films of all time and one of the greatest films of all time.

91/100

<< "Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time." >>

Directed by: James Cameron.
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton

"Just tell me one thing, Burke. You're going out there to destroy them, right? Not to study. Not to bring back. But to wipe them out"..."That's the plan. You have my word on it."..."All right, I'm in."

'This is a review of the Extended Special Edition.'

The story follows Ripley, still aboard the Nostromo. She is discovered by a deep voyage team who take her to safety. Once she awakens, she is given the knowledge that she has been in hypersleep for 57 years. Not only is she labeled as deranged for her story on the death of her crew and the destruction of the ship, but she soon learns the planet in which she encountered the Alien has now been inhabited by humans. Soon, communication is lost and they send in a team of marines to deal with the situation, with Ripley as there adviser. But not only does she soon face the horror of her past, but she also discovers something much bigger.

I think it's safe to say that if you want a great sequel made, call James Cameron. His presence on the film is more than welcome and he does what every sequel should do...and that is to take it in a whole new direction. Where Ridley Scott's Alien was a Gothic, nightmarish horror film, Aliens is a grandeur action thriller, filled with intense action, suspense and humor.

The film is full of 'Cameronisms', from the nuanced colors and tone, to the trademark lighting strikes to resemble a futuristic world, thankfully he doesn't stop there. Shared with some extravagant set design and eerie cinematography, everything is bigger and in some ways, better. The first half consists of the buildup of the marines, they are clichéd cutouts of every action star, but it is never a bad thing, because that's the point. We are thrown a lot of witty, big headed humor to keep us entertained, with the knowledge that they are simply bait...but tough ones to add to the intensity later in the film.

Ripley is back and this is where she became the icon she is today. With the Extended Special Edition, the film has 17 minutes of added footage...I have not seen the original cut, but I can tell what has been broadened. Not only is Ripley given more depth, range and presence, but she is given an emotional core. The narrative is really rich and strong, where not only is Ripley transformed throughout the film, but she creates a bond with a young girl, who is that core that has suddenly become missing in her life...it really adds a human quality to the film to make us care. For the action fans, you won't be disappointed. Once the aliens appear in all there glory (and with superior FX), they test the characters every chance they get and the intensity and action sequences are kept at a high, right up until the iconic ending battle.

The acting is a solid step up. Although Michael Biehn practically plays the same character from 'The Terminator', Bill Paxton delivers well balanced, big headed comic relief with the best lines, as does Jenette Goldstein while being one tough woman and Carrie Henn is the cute and effective side character...but it's Sigourney Weaver's time to shine. With a deeper character to work with, she delivers one of her most committed and strongest roles of her career and really carries a presence on screen that hardly any 'heroine' has beaten since.

I don't think anyone can tell you which is the better film out this and the one that started it all, although within the same saga, they are completely different styles...where Alien focused on a slow, tightly drawn direction that delivered tense atmosphere and scares, Alien's simply goes all out in a stylistic way with action, suspense and humor. For me, I enjoyed Aliens more, not because it was action based, but because of the richer narrative and better central character, who is given more depth as a human and a heroine and her connection with a young girl. A memorable, action packed masterpiece.

91/100

<< "That's it man, game over man, game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?" >>

Directed by: William Friedkin.
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Jason Miller.

<< "Mother, whats wrong with me?" >>

The film shows us three stories. One follows an actress, who is at the top of her game. She has to temporarily move to Washington D.C with her 12 year old daughter Regan to film a new movie. Although her husband and she have divorced, she still manages, after a days worth of shooting, to come home and have a very healthy and strong relationship with her daughter. Before long, Regan's innocent personality and behavior start to change dramatically. The second shows a priest/psychiatrist, one who is slowly starting to doubt his faith in god and at the same time, having to deal with his mother's terminal illness. And the 3rd follows an elderly priest, one who appears to be long retired and is slowly withering away when he is summoned upon to fight this threat that he might have just battled before.

Many that know me should know this by now...I truly respect and love horror, but I am always saddened by the fact that it's a misjudged genre. Filmmakers of this time think that to make a horror film, you treat the audience like there stupid with a similar stupidity. Lack of character to the point of insulting our intelligence, all so the script can create situations that rely on cheap, talentless "jump scares" and "loud noises" to try and scare an audience...along with a lack of vision and skill. There are many ways a horror film can work; the three main elements should be considered...atmosphere, tension and overall, genuine scares...but also a greater understanding of character and exactly what sort of point you are trying to get across, enough to truly scare an audience deeply...The Exorcist is one of those rare classics that has it all.

The Exorcist, even after 30 or so years, still stands the test of time and is still classed as "The Greatest Horror Movie Ever Made", and I have to completely agree with them and feel pity for those who are blinded of its true greatness. The fact that people can't seem to see the film for what it truly is and always refer to the fact that it has been parodied many times over the decades. Of course, these people are in the minority thankfully. The great thing is that it still manages to shock after all these years. With a lot of older horror films, they tend to lose there momentum and that "spark" that made them so great when they were released, usually because of a decline in quality, the enhancements of CGI and the like nowadays and sometimes, the fact that a more modern film has done better...this still is no case with The Exorcist, which is the reason it will remain powerful.

I'll start with the visual aspects of the film. William Friedkin's direction is something to cherish and is highly underrated. He understands the material so well, managing to push the characters presence as the driving force underneath the slick production values and amazing atmosphere, while balancing all those with the shock value moments to bring out the most intensity available. The cinematography is pure brilliance. Having now worked more in that area through film school, I can really sit down with this film and drool over the moody lighting, the amazingly shot moments where simple pools of light, dark shades and frames covered in such an amazing hues, it really is a dazzling achievement and another driving force for the movies quality.

The screenplay remains one of the best in its genre without any doubt. Intertwining three different stories, three different backgrounds isn't the easiest of tasks, but Blatty has done so with such skill and understanding, where every character is given its due and none are ever left in the dust, each given fully fledged stories and backgrounds. The combined stories make up the darkest of dramas and that is really what it is, underneath the shock values. Sympathy is still kept at arms length when most characters do become victims to help the films frightening moments, but each character is shown as something stronger. The mother is the more powerful of the bunch, a truly caring woman who even with a failed divorce and a big career as an actress that drains her, she still manages to find the time to come home and be with her daughter...and that relationship in the film is fully realized and a real gem. The daughter is the hardest to watch, obviously. An innocent and creative girl with such love and kindness for everything and everyone around her, ultimately pulled into this abyss. Even amongst the layers of evil put through you, you can still see a small girl pushing to get out. The young priest who is losing his faith and struggles to care for his aging mother and the elderly priest, withered beyond repair, a man who still adventures, is put up against a familiar power for the last time.

The performances are brilliantly fitted and really push these characters forward. Ellen Burstyn has always played the estranged figure put through traumas, watching her inhabit the character here with such a deep understanding for motherly love and what can be seen as the deepest of traumatic experiences, she blew me away. Max von Sydow is always a force onscreen and he carries such a presence and warmth as this character, that when the time comes, we as the audience feel his power. Linda Blair...is simply remarkable. It's a performance that will stay with everyone for many more years to come. Its quite sad to know that it wasn't easy for her to grow up after such a performance, but what she had to go through, from what can be seen as a lot of physical assertion, a lot of makeup and dialogue and ideas that should be shielded from someone so young, she truly pushes through and delivers something you would see in the most seasoned actors, a hallmark performance indeed.

The Exorcist stands up to its title of "The Scariest Movie of All Time", even to this day. A film that still stands the test of time and will for many years to come, A film of such visual excellence and intensity, a film that truly scares underneath all the shock values with its powerful storytelling and its full characters, matched with outstanding acting by all.

A masterpiece of cinema.

92/100

<< "There is one outside chance for a cure. I think of it as shock treatment - as I said, it's a very outside chance... Have you ever heard of exorcism? Well, it's a stylized ritual in which the rabbi or the priest try to drive out the so-called invading spirit. It's been pretty much discarded these days except by the Catholics who keep it in the closet as a sort of an embarrassment, but it has worked. In fact, although not for the reasons they think, of course. It's purely a force of suggestion. The victim's belief in possession is what helped cause it, so in that same way, a belief in the power of exorcism can make it disappear." >>

Directed by: Jonathan Demme.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine.

<< "It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again." >>

If there was ever a film truly deserving of the word 'masterpiece', this is it. The 90's was a strong era for thrillers, personally Se7en remains my favorite, but The Silence of the Lambs takes a very close second place and it deserved every Oscar it got.

The story follows a very beautiful, ambitious but complicated young FBI agent, who is assigned to save a young woman kidnapped by a psychopath who skins his victims. To truly understand the mind of a killer, she talks to one of the known serial killers out there....Hannibal Lecter. Some see him as a monster for his actions, but he is also a very smart, taunting and clever manipulator who can read people, but Clarice must first build her confidence and his, to get anything out of Hannibal.

Everything about this film is first-rate and near flawless. Jonathan Demme delivers a masterful and controlled direction, he understands the different elements of the script and works them to his advantage. It jumps from the brilliantly complex, psychological character study of each powerful view, to a chilling horror film, with thick tension and some very chilling and memorable sequences (who hates night vision goggles now?).

Ted Tally's script is adapted brilliantly from Thomas Harris' novel. You may wonder why I say that since I've never read it, but from what I hear, Ted's screenplay is superior. As I mentioned before, its a brilliant and thorough character study, with a lot of the chills coming from the intensity of these characters and then it forms in a chilling horror film that has the upper hand on its characters, such a brilliantly written piece of material.

The performances from both leads are some of the best of the 90's, they delve so well into each character and there confrontational scenes are thrilling and intense to watch, as they both build each others trust. Anthony Hopkins creates one of the best performances of the 90's and remains an icon with his role as Hannibal Lecter, its his skill with delivering the strong dialogue, his stance, his daunting face...and those eyes, he immerses this complex role and its scary. Jodie Foster proves as always, that she was (and still is) a brilliant young actress at that time, she understands the many levels of emotion of this character and does it justice beyond any other actress who could have taken the role...and the chemistry between her and Anthony is amazing.

Complex, intense, chilling, unrelenting. A brilliant psychological character study and horror film that works brilliantly on so many levels. To many, it remains the best thriller of the 90's, for me, it is second (after Se7en), but that is still a damn good thing and the Academy made a brilliant choice with accepting this film. A Masterpiece.

93/100

<< "Well, Clarice...have the lambs stopped screaming?" >>

Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman Katie Holmes.

<< "People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored I can be destroyed but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting." >>

Batman Begins reboots the legendary comic book character we all know...Batman. Lost away in a Chinese prison, he meets a man, Henri Ducard, a dangerous ninja who works for Ra's Al Ghul, who mentors him to find out who he truly is, many years after his parents are murdered and when Gotham is falling to pieces.

I was never a very big fan of Batman as a child. I mean sure, being a kid, I distinctly remember having some action figures among other iconic figures but it was never an obsession...and as I got a little older, I watched all the previous Batman films (yes unfortunately, all). The main thing that drew me to this film in pre-production I'd say, among the other things we were promised, was Christopher Nolan's name on it and his decision to create the origins for Batman, to fill in all the blanks of the 70 year old mythology, something that no doubt sounds intriguing.

The movie is close to being a true masterpiece, my opinion of course and as you all know, critically received as well. Christopher Nolan has created a movie so respectable, so poetic, so theatrical and so faithful to the title character and with such incredible depth, that it will please any 'film goer' or fan. In previous adaptions, mainly Burton's pieces, Batman came in like a ghost and we accepted the character because of his name and his basic 'mythology' as such...and with any comic book character and film, you can suspend your disbelief and enjoy the extraordinary world. Nolan has seen the human flaws of this character, rich in morals and with a stand on his beliefs and created a back story so fulfilling, setting him up in a much more realistic world makes it that much more.

The draft script was written by David S. Goyer and big credit to him for creating what is such a great base story with stunning core ideas and even though both Goyer and Nolan did further idea searching, based on Nolan's final rewrite, the script is very much full of Chris' sharp, intellectual writing based in reality and brilliantly developed characters.

The flaw of Burton's Batman was the fact that aside from all the, shall we say, 'amazing spectacle', he was simple a third rate character. As a visual figure, he can across in a grandeur fashion and everyone will remember Burton's films for that, but as a character, Batman was never given the stance he deserved, the intricacies or the morals. Nolan's is very much the Batman we all wanted to see. Questions on moral judgment seep through every scene, really delving deep in many core, powerful elements. Justice, revenge, finding ones true self and the power of connection between people. Now even with this great focus on our leading man, the plot never ceases to be strong and the dialogue never stays too mature or serious for too long, with its nice touch of dry wit...and not to forget the additional developed character of the film which was lacking in previous films, Gotham itself.

Having said that, another key achievement of the film is the cinematography. Wally Pfister adds exactly what is needed for both character and story. Any vivid contrasts and colors are completely removed to be replaced with grungy, murky tones...which are just perfect. A dark, gritty and intense atmosphere, it adds tone to Bruce Wayne's consciousness and quite importantly, Gotham's depression, where the city is simply being eaten from the core up. The set design is superb; there's no eccentric fantasy based sets like in the first film, Gotham is finally made into a realistic and gritty world, pulled to an underworld.

Now I am blabbering about all the amazing technical features of the film without mentioning Christopher Nolan's direction, the man to lead it all. He has a brilliant assurance with his vision which is made only the more better that he co-wrote the script, he deftly balances character and spectacle with such grace. His action sequences are where the film falls just a little. I have since seen and read about his reasonings for making the action (mainly the fight sequences) the way it was and it makes great sense, but from a viewers viewpoint, its really fast cutting and you just hope for a little more. On the other hand though, the car chases and the like are brilliantly shot and certainly thrilling, its just that one nit-picky thing I raise in what is otherwise a superbly cut film by Lee Smith.

The acting ensemble is amazing, with Christian Bale creating what I see as the very best Batman/Bruce Wayne ever put onto film, which is a hard title to take after Michael Keaton. He has a powerful essence on screen that is needed and his sheer commitment and range he gives to both roles is everything that is needed for these fully developed characters. Michael Caine is the perfect Alfred, he is a true British bloke through and through and he adds the right charm, care and dry humor to his role. There are also some very fitting and strong performances from Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman (genius) and a small role from Morgan Freeman...the only piece that doesn't fit is Katie Holmes, who delivers a relatively sub-par performance. Set for the role as an assistant DA, a character with powerful charisma and strong morals, Katie Holmes is a bad choice.

I think I've said all I can say about this film and no doubt I've missed something. Batman Begins is simply a near masterpiece. Christopher Nolan has created a world that was really needed for such a character. He has made a flawed superhero nearly flawless (while still maintaining its thoughtful flaws) and kept full focus not only on Batman, but the dark veil that is Gotham, by making it realistic, gritty and another character in itself. Easily up there as one of the best comic book films ever made and the perfect direction for the remaining installments.

94/100.

<< "It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me." >>

Directed by: Ridley Scott.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed.

<< "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife...and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." >>

The story follows Seizer Marcus Aurelius in his final days of reign over Rome. His son, Commodus, a man with lack of moral, is to take his place only by Marcus' word, but when he turns and says that Maximus, a general, is to rule to restore the power to Rome, Commodus kills his own father, orders Maximus' family to death and Maximus is captured and used as a Gladiator, where Maximus aims to seek out revenge.

'Are you not entertained?'...I still most certainly am after watching this film countless times, it is now time for me to review the film the way it should be. Now in many cases, I believe the film is terribly underrated and I go against people and agree with this film winning best picture for many reasons. I cannot judge how historically accurate this all is, a lot of it does feel stylized and modernized and people believe that the bloodshed makes the film....but that is never the case. Sure Ridley Scott shoots the film with skill and experience and his battle scenes are great and bloody, but its his distant shots of war and Rome; and the close personal conflicts of characters where he is at his most powerful.

The screenplay delivers more than just memorable battle sequences, its a developed story of betrayal, honor, secrecy and the lengths we will go to to have our revenge. The dialogue is brilliantly written and strong in deliverance from its actors, there are many memorable lines that will last a long time. The cinematography is like another layer of the story, its reflects it so beautifully, from the lack of color during battle to represent life and hope lost, to the beautiful range of bright colors used to represent the hope and beauty of Rome.

The acting is a major highlight of the film, with Russell Crowe delivering a commanding and powerful performance, Joaquin Phoenix tapping into the depth of his character and being quite captivating and strong supporting roles by Connie Nielsen and Oliver Reed...and the always outstanding Richard Harris.

Another film I could go on and on about, many people are blinded by the violence and bloodshed that they don't see the true brilliance of this film. A masterpiece that will remain memorable for many years to come.

89/100

<< "The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Striking story! But now, the people want to know how the story ends." >>

Directed by: Luc Besson.
Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman.

<< "Leon, what exactly do you do for a living?"..."Cleaner"..."You mean you're a hit man?"..."Yeah"..."Cool." >>

This is a review of the Uncut Extended Version.

This movie is not even available in my country, which is why I have never seen this film until now...and it still continues to piss me off, when we are subjected to all these typical brainless, shit Hollywood action movies, when we are missing out on a true masterpiece such as this.

I have only ever seen Luc Besson's works such as The Transporter, that is how hard it is to find his other 'unknown' films here and I enjoyed that film to an extent, it was stylish and mindless fun, but nothing could prepare me for what I was about to see.

The story follows a professional assassin, one who lives alone and behind his eyes, he has a terrible past. One day his next door neighbor, 12 year old Mathilda, has her family brutally murdered and he takes her in and teaches her his trade.

Now that may sound like it could just be shallow and wrong, about teaching some minor about killing, it most certainly isn't. The film has depth, it has amazingly developed characters with human qualities, we learn a lot of Leon and his past, how human he really is and how he cares for this young girl, who is certainly grown up, but still catching up in age.

It is rare when an action film focuses on its story and its characters and not many mainstream audiences tend to want that in an action film, especially when they are deprived of the action. That's fair enough and all, depending on your mood and how much action you really want, but we need to have a balance with films like this. Leon may have very few action sequences, but by god are they brilliantly executed and very memorable, the final 2 sequences alone, one involving a lot of cops and the other with the two main characters at the entrance of the building (I won't give that away) left me breathless and even cheering very hard at the final one.

Luc Besson, along with his shockingly deep, smart, crafty and very well written script, directs the film with excellent control and flair, each scene is thrilling and masterfully done.

Jean Reno is in the role of his career and he is outstanding. His role requires a lot of range from being a believable professional hitman to a human full of emotions, he is perfect. Natalie Portman is in her very first role here at the age of 13 and she is brilliant, she adds another level of heart and emotion to the film, this could possibly be her very best role. Gary Oldman is again, like in all his roles, brilliant, playing a Beethoven loving, drug-taking, bent cop...but he also has the creepy essence of a deranged and mentally unstable man.

If you ever see this film, make sure it is the extended cut, you are introduced to 20 minutes more film that adds the necessary depth and emotion to each character. It is a masterpiece that not many will see and its one of the best action films I have ever seen.

92/100

<< "I like these calm little moments before the storm. It reminds me of Beethoven. Can you hear it? It's like when you put your head to the grass and you can hear the growing and you can hear the insects. Do you like Beethoven?" >>

Directed by: The Wachowski Brothers.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving.

<< "I know why you're here, Neo. I know what you've been doing... why you hardly sleep, why you live alone, and why night after night, you sit by your computer. You're looking for him. I know because I was once looking for the same thing. And when he found me, he told me I wasn't really looking for him. I was looking for an answer. It's the question that drives us, Neo. It's the question that brought you here. You know the question, just as I did"..."What is the Matrix?"..."The answer is out there Neo, and it's looking for you, and it will find you if you want it to." >>

The story follows a computer hacker named Neo, who discovers that the world around him is not as it seems as he is delved into the real world and must learn his fate, or learn to control it.

I have seen this film countless times now and it always remains the same to me. It stays extremely welcoming when you know that something new came along and changed the face of film for the new millennium...and The Matrix has done that and will remain the landmark film, especially when no film has been able to top it.

The Wachowski Brothers have given us a movie that will be remembered for many years to come. There amazing visual flair and control together is surreal and dazzling. They clearly throwback to some of the great kung fu movies of the last few decades in there hyperkinetic style, yet its never a rehash...simply a rebirth. They create countless angles and setups that I remain baffled at the work put into it...and the editor clearly had a ball with the footage as every unique and brilliant angle has been melded so nicely and paced well, it only adds to the excitement already brewing under the surface. Along with some groundbreaking special effects (that still remain great), they have created a very unique world, they have reintroduced 'bullet time' into the new millennium and it works amazingly. They understand there action and style very well and mix them together brilliantly with high class choreographed fight sequences and action sequences...even the cinematography is alone, dazzling and creates a thick and intriguing atmosphere in the film.

I could continue to talk about the style of the film, but that isn't what makes it whole, its everything the brothers have given in there script that raises the film to where it is today. So full of rich and brilliant ideas, it questions life as we know it and creates answers through its thoughtful, original and complex plot on what we have always asked in the world. We are told to believe there ideas and that could have been a bad thing, but the dialogue is sharp, the ideas are carefully thought out and the use of metaphors is great.

The acting ensemble is surprisingly strong. Carrie-Anne Moss, in her first big role shows great acting control and molds a sweet kick ass female driving force. Hugo Weaving shows how he can take any character and fully realize its true meaning and amaze us...and he does so here with his trademark character, where every line of dialogue he delivers is giving meaning by his great performance. Keanu Reeves...a man I love to hate. Someone so wooden and emotionless in nearly every role, you would expect it here...not quite. He has some shoddy patches that he can't quite overcome, but he delivers the performance of his career here. He manages to add some acceptable depth to his character and breezes through some of the dialogue without us questioning his performance...but its when he delves himself into the fight sequences that he really shows a presence, I can't imagine anyone else playing 'Neo'.

The Matrix is simply a masterpiece. It has every element you want in a film of its kind, even film in general...and it does so so brilliantly. Brilliantly paced and directed with such skill, flair and thought, giving the editor a wild time with the countless angles to create something stunning. Visually groundbreaking, action packed and one hell of an original, complex, thought provoking string of ideas melded nicely into a very strong, entertaining film. Up there in my top films.

89/100

<< "Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?" >>

Directed by: Steven Spielberg.
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Ryes-Davies, Ronald Lacey.

<< "Doctor Jones, we've heard a lot about you"..."Have you?"..."Professor of Archeology. Expert on the occult and how does one say it? Obtainer of rare antiquities"..."That's one way of saying it." >>

The story follows our first encounter and expedition with Indiana Jones, a man of many talents and faces....Archaeologist, Adventurer, Teacher. He is hired by the US government, who tell him of Nazi archaeological activity near Cairo and his expertise is required to see what it is about. Indiana soon realizes it has to do with the Ark of the Covenant, the chest that carried the original 10 commandants and anyone who possess it will be invincible. On his journey's, he meets an old flame and encounters many obstacles along the way.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg....two legends of there time (with Steven still leading 20 years later), I personally hate George Lucas for many reasons and have held off seeing the Star Wars films for many years because of that, but I love the Indiana Jones films and as many have said "There will never be another film like Raiders"...and for good reason.

No doubt in my mind that this film will stay memorable for another lifetime, Steven Spielberg and Lucas' trusted writer, Lawrence Kasden have created a masterpiece of the adventure genre. Any iconic or memorable moment you may have seen or heard of will have some sort of connection with Raiders. Steven Spielberg's direction is in one word....'fun'. Of course, from a man like Steven, there is more, but that one word really does sum it up. He takes the bulky script, full of ideas and keeps the pacing tight and fast and there is never a dull moments between the inventive and humorous chase and fight sequences, with many visual jokes added that are truly memorable (who wishes they had a gun in a sword fight?).

Lawrence Kasden is certainly a great writer at this time (can't say much for him now) and with help with creative ideas from Lucas and Spielberg, he writes in a very iconic and memorable character and they never take the focus off of him. He throws in many action sequences, twists and obstacles to face and it never lets up on being exciting.

Harrison Ford is the key of this film and without him, the character wouldn't be as iconic as he is still today. Through his whole career, he has never pulled off such a witty and striking performance as he did as Indiana....and with strong supporting performance from the dazzling Karen Allen and the comical John Rhys-Davies, the film stays even more elevated.

A pure classic and such an inventive and fun film, no matter what age you are, you are sure to get something out of this. If you fail to smile throughout this film, you are missing out.

90/100

<< "The Bible speaks of the Ark leveling mountains and laying waste to entire regions. An army which carries the Ark before it...is invincible." >>

Directed by: Ridley Scott.
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm.

"Alien life form. Looks like it's been dead a long time. Fossilized. Looks like it's growing out of the chair. Bones are bent outward, like he exploded from inside."

The story follows a commercial mining ship known as Nostromo carrying 7 crew. As they are returning to Earth, the ships brain, known as 'Mother', intercepts what seems like a possible SOS call from a distant planet of unknown origin. The ship descends towards this planet only for the crew to find a deserted spaceship containing a chamber full of thousands of eggs...but when one of them hatches and the thing aside attacks one of the crew, against orders, they take him back to the ship for examination, but what follows is something more horrifying then they ever would have imagined.

As much as the sequel 'Aliens' is widely known and loved, Alien is the film people will continue to remember, the one that started it all. Made in 1979, looking back you do notice some small technical flaws, but Alien was a film ahead of it's time and it is something on Ridley Scott could have made. The opening sequence really sets the tone perfectly, slow camera panning around a dark and atmospheric ship, we get a unsettling sense of the emptiness, we soon see a computer working through data and soon find the crew all in hypersleep. The movie may be too slowly paced by todays standards, but this film would have never worked otherwise. With its intricate and groundbreaking set design, bleak cinematography and atmospheric lighting, Ridley Scott's slow, but tightly drawn direction and pace make sure we know the characters, feel there presence and there way of living and the minimalistic sequences of a view of this creature make it that much scarier, the fact that it is unknown to the audience and to the characters we get to know, we feel there horror with the continuous shocks the creature presents.

The monster is only seen in few scenes and its only a mere insight of what is to come and leaves you on the edge for the next film. The creature FX are beyond its time, although some slight noticeable flaws in movement, the overall feel and look are impressive and create such a memorable and iconic character.

The acting is tightly woven and introduces us to someone iconic as well. From the tone-perfect performance from Ian Holm and the equally balancing supporting roles, the character of Ripley breaks through as the heroine at the end and Sigourney Weaver breaks the barrier for greater things to come.

Slow, atmospheric, intense, scary......A classic film in every right that is still as effective as it was back in 1979. Many have classed it as a masterpiece in the past few years and it comes pretty darn close!

89/100

<< "That's the only way. We'll move in pairs. We'll go step by step and cut off every bulkhead and every vent until we have it cornered. And then we'll blow it the fuck out into space. Is that acceptable to you?" >>

Directed by: Scott Frank.
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Isla Fisher, Carla Gugino, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode.

<< "My old man used to say to me, probably the only thing we ever really agreed on, was that whoever has the money has the power. You might wanna jot that down in your book. It's something you're gonna need to remember." >>

The story follows Chris, he pretty much has everything, a wealthy family, great friends, a beautiful girlfriend and he is a top athlete...but when a fatal car accident changes the lives of those in it, everything changes. Not only does Chris have to live with the damage he has caused, but he also has a brain injury which effects him from remembering things for long periods of time. Now, with a completely different lifestyle, he takes a simple job as a janitor at a bank, which causes a chain of events to lead him to ultimately get caught up in a planned heist.

'They don't make films like they used to'. You will probably hear that from many people and I have to agree with them wholeheartedly (for the most part). Hollywood has turned into a problem child, the one you can't fix and a majority of movies made in modern society are an insult to what films should be...The Lookout is the opposite and reminds us that brilliance is out there.

Scott Frank has always been a brilliant writer, from Minority Report, the best film of 2002 to some classic heist/mob related films (Get Shorty, Out of Sight), this is Scott as his personal best. At first glance, it may appear like a heist film, it isn't. For a good 80% of the film, it is a character drama, a very rich and realistic study on how changes in life can really effect you. Everything is so well written...thoughtful, brilliantly executed and quite emotional...and the extremely likable characters help that. But what drama we are shown is also balanced with thrills and the surefire intensity works brilliantly as well.

Scott Frank makes his directional debut here and although its not necessarily a doorway from a unique visionary, Scott knows what he is doing, he knows the story and his characters well and how to bring out the best in them, with great range and executing every element perfectly...and with a great little noir touch.

The performances are what you would hope for. Although some actors are a little underused in the background, it doesn't ruin anything. Jeff Daniels is strangely cast as a blind man but with his deft control and as always, brilliant acting, he delivers. Joseph Gordon-Levitt still isn't known to the public just yet, mainly because he has done many independent films...but they are missing out. Not only does he inhabit the role to a tee, but he shows a rare range for his characters differences throughout the film and he is mesmerizing because of it...he will go a long way.

This is what film making is all about, when the mainstream audience require big action flicks to satisfy there little minds, films like this slip through unseen. A brilliantly smart and rich character study full of intensity, care and emotion and with some of the most likable characters you can have, a surprisingly rich score from the always pleasing James Newton Howard, a brilliant directional debut by Scott Frank and another strong performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, The Lookout is like a little masterpiece, to remind us that great films can still be made, you just have to look.

90/100

<< "I started skating again. I'm not as good as I used to be, but I'm okay. What happened that night along Route 24 is a part of me now. I just hope that one day Kelly will be ready to see me again and I can finally tell her what I've only been able to say in my dreams. Until then, all I can do is wake up, take a shower, with soap, and try to forgive myself. If I can do that, then maybe others will forgive me too. I don't know if that will happen, but I guess I'll just have to work backwards from there." >>

Directed by: Spike Lee.
Starring: Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster.

<< "My name is Dalton Russell. Pay strict attention to what I say because I choose my words carefully and I never repeat myself. I've told you my name: that's the Who. The Where could most readily be described as a prison cell. But there's a vast difference between being stuck in a tiny cell and being in prison..." >>

Review may contain spoilers.

The story starts with a man in a cell, he tells us how he is planning the perfect bank robbery, and then enters a gang into a Manhattan bank, they hold people hostage, work fast and know what they are doing. From there, a smart, but unlikely detective with a history is put on the case as the negotiator. A man named Arthur Case is then called upon, the banks president, who is told that one of his banks is being robbed; he instantly becomes focused on only one thing, a safe deposit box at that bank...numbered, but not in record. He wants more than anything for this box to remain safe or disappear forever, so he hires a strong minded broker to help him. Confrontation of these characters occurs and we are slowly shown what exactly this robbery is all about.

Newcomer Russell Gewirtz turns in a script that appears conventional and mainstream at first glance, but it proves to be so much more than that. In a film based on a bank robbery, you would expect the film to focus on just that, this film doesn't. Now many will see this as a bad thing, which might explain why the mainstream audience didn't quite take this film well, but all I can do to them is point the finger. Russell's screenplay is so amazingly well written and crafty, he starts the film with an address from the main bank robber, he tells us to listen carefully, so we do, he tells us a little about when, where, how and why, but we are left in the dark on knowing exactly what he means, from there the plot twists and turns at every corner, proving to be smarter and stronger each time, until one of the shocking ends that explains it all...this is about the time where you slap yourself for not having guessed it earlier, this just shows us how clever he is and how he works the script around our minds, playing us right up until the final scene, a sign of a truly engaging thriller. Not only that, he provides a lot of character confrontation (which Spike Lee works wonders with), gives them strong dialogue and wit and the great thing is that these characters prove to be very smart, witty and interesting.

Spike Lee was the strange choice for such a film, I can't deny, he is a brilliant director, but I couldn't see what a man such as himself could bring to the plate. He shuts us up and shows us that he can create an amazingly well crafted film on any budget or genre, from his earlier independent classics to his more recent 25th Hour...and now Inside Man. He chooses some brilliant camera angles and shows such professionalism and directs with such energy...and he can't help but throw in some flair and references to Film-Noir, include some 'in-your-face' humor and some of his brilliant trademark shots.

The acting trio in this film is some of the best actors in Hollywood, Clive Owen is hidden for most of the film but his voice and deliverance of his dialogue prove to be strong and captivating, Denzel Washington is...well Denzel Washington, but that's a brilliant thing. He delivers spot on performances in everything he does, no matter how similar they may be, and aside from Training Day, this is one of his most fitting roles and he proves, as always, to be a powerful leading man. Jodie Foster is more of the 'sub-actor' here, seeing as she is in few scenes and on screen no more than about 15 minutes...but as we all know by now, she is anything but, a 'sub-actor'. She delivers one the most unlikable roles in the film, but does so with such skill, experience and control. There are also some confrontation scenes between Denzel and Jodie that are electrifying, you are watching two outstanding actors playing at each other with such strong dialogue and it can be quite intense.

Out of the many brilliant films made and released last year, some people may have forgotten this, but to be as honest as possible, this film proves to be one the best films of last year...and one of the most deserving. Many people fail to see what makes this film so brilliant, I guess that is what splits dumb from smart, wrong from right and mainstream from the rest of us.

92/100

<< "Well detective, there are matters at stake here that are a little bit above your pay grade. No offense"..."Well, why don't you just tell the mayor to raise my pay grade to the proper level, and problem solved." >>

Directed by: Neil Marshall.
Starring: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone.

<< "It hasn't got a name. It's a new system. I wanted us all to discover it! No one's ever been down here before." >>

Now this a review of the Original Unrated Cut I ended up buying from america a while back and it just came out into theaters and I just had to see it in theaters to get the full effect and thank god they showed the uncut version, so here is my very thorough, very long review to show everything about the film and even to show the haters how outstanding this film really, really is...here it goes...(MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS, I'LL TRY NOT TO, IF I DRAG ON OR DON'T MAKE SENSE, I'M SORRY...I'LL SPLIT THE REVIEW UP).

DIRECTION/WRITING:
I'll put these two in the same category seeing as it is the same person...Neil Marshall, the man who bought us the surprising cult classic Dog Soldiers...I want to shake his hand for making such a brilliant film. I love how he took something that sounds cliched and cheap on paper and makes the film work on so many levels. The movie starts with a certain incident, which nicely grabs your attention and never lets go till the very end. Neil shows great tension in this opening scene, using some great lighting and sound techniques in the hospital scene along a 'jump scene' (I will come back to that later). Then for the next 30 minutes Neil fills the screen with 6 women (and I mean women here, mature women, I'll get back to that) and slowly and surprisingly develops them up until they enter the cave...and from there, the darkness, the claustrophobia, the fear of complete darkness sets in and Neil Marshall does so damn well creating atmosphere, tension, and claustrophobia, which made me feel like I was there and my chest felt heavy, that's the honest truth (and this is all done before any 'creature' hits the screen) and man does it help when you are in a theater full of people. One thing I will mention as well is the dark...in any horror film, you usually have a 'villain' or an 'adversary' or some kind of force that the character/s are 'fighting' against, now many people who have seen this will probably think the 'dwellers' are the adversaries, but they aint. Neil Marshall made an excellent decision using the dark to his potential here, in everyday life, a lot of people are afraid of the dark, it can definitely scare people and also make them feel enclosed and claustrophobic, so using the dark in this film was the best thing as it is basically already a developed character and is used to its full potential. Now back to the 6 women, in every cliched, teenybop horror film nowadays, the 'girls' are in there teens, have jock boyfriends, get naked every 5 minutes, have sex when they can and make stupid decisions every turn. This movie isn't like that, the leads are all mature women, in there 20's, they are thinkers, they are smart and when they use there head, they don't make wrong moves. Now for people who have seen this, they are probably thinking 'but they did make some wrong moves'...I'll admit they did but think about why they did...for example, one scene where one of the characters is trying to swing across a large opening and there only way forward is through the passage, meters across from the cliff face. She uses her rope gear to make a sort of bridge for the others to pull there way across, she is using all her strength, holding onto the rocks above her, trying to add little clips into the rocks to hold the rope in place and she suddenly sees an old clip, it appears to be at least hundred years old and she clips her clip onto that...that appears to be a very bad move, which it is but think about it, the only reason she did that is because she is struggling to hold on and not fall into the abyss and she saw an easy way out. Anyways, then you get to see the 'dwellers', I won't say anything about them, but the final 30 minutes is certainly a homage to a lot of old creature films (Alien is one film that springs to mind) and for the gore hounds, you will be surprised by the nice amount of gore and how well it looks for the budget they had. And then the ending, Neil Marshall certainly creates an unforgettable one, now if you see this film, make sure you see the uncut and original, because the cut US version is a different ending and takes the film down a few notches, but the uncut ending is unbelievable, very surprising and lets just say that the message it brings across fits the film all so nicely together.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Amazing is all I can say, the lighting techniques and effects they use are original and unique and they use it in such a way that the darkness is still there.

SCORE:
Creepy and effective, it doesn't make sudden noises like in Hollywood horror, a lot of the time, a silent buildup helps the film and in fast moving scenes, its definitely a great homage to old old 80's horror scores.

SCARES:
Now its a horror film obviously, so I am guessing you want to know how they are in this film (I MIGHT REPEAT MYSELF HERE)...it has a few sequences where they use cheap jump scares to get all the little girls jumping out of there seats...now I tend to hate them, they are cheap and for the filmmaker, if they 'RELY' on it, they have no talent for horror...but they are OK to use IF the tension before them is built correctly, when they come unexpected and put to the right use and they are only used once or twice to help get the audiences attention for the genuine scares to follow, this film does have its share of them, but they are not relied on at all, they are built up correctly and they are also followed by great atmosphere, terror and claustrophobia, which works so well especially when you try to slow your heart rate down after one jump scare but you can't because it is followed by intense claustrophobia. This is everything a horror film should be and it is extremely rare nowadays that you actually get one that actually has the main 3 elements of horror (atmosphere, tension and genuine scares).

I think that should do it, to finish it off, I shake Neil Marshall's hand for making a very effective, amazingly paced, well developed, intense, claustrophobic, gory horror film that works well on so many levels and ultimately is one of the best horror films I have seen in a very long time.

92/100

<< "The noise she's making, she'll bring every one of those things down on her head"..."As long as it's not on mine." >>

Directed by: Je-gyu Kang.
Starring: Dong-Kun Jang, Bin Won.

<< "I wish this was all just a dream. I want to wake up in my bed, and over breakfast, I'd tell you that I had a strange dream. Then I would go to school, and you and mom would go to work." >>

The story follows a family in 1950's South Korea. You have the mother who owns the noodle shop, working hard to feed her family, Jin-tae, the oldest brother is a shoe shiner and is the same as his mother, works hard to support the family, especially his 18 year old brother Jin-seok, who plans to go to university. When word of war breaks out, Jin-seok is in the age range to become a solider and is sent away without word. Jin-tae hears word of this and fights his way onto the train and goes along to do everything he can to send his brother home....but what follows will test the brothers human nature and sanity.

Je-gyu Kang is really a genius at what he does, being both writer/director on this film, he brings some amazing things to the plate. The concept around this war expertly created, many realistic themes such as sanity, friendship and family are tested by each beautifully formed character and the horror of war is put against them and we feel it. Although it really does aim for melodrama, you can't help but be swept away with it and you soon realize that there is an emotional core beneath Je-gyu pulling at your heart strings.

The battle sequences are intense and about as close to realism as we have seen since Saving Private Ryan. It isn't big flashy Hollywood style where you have over the top explosions shot from countless angles, the dirt flies, the gore feels real and the bullets hit hard...and this is all put against some beautiful and moody landscapes shot beautifully and tragically by the cinematographer.

The acting though I do feel two ways about, during moments of silence, the actors expressions are put to the test and its emotional, but there are times when the sound comes back and it all seems a bit too over-the-top, hence the melodramatic way they wanted to go with the performances.

Many compare this to Saving Private Ryan and there is nothing similar except for the concept of war. If I was to compare, than I would say that Saving Private Ryan is the American masterpiece on war, while Tae Guk Gi is the Korean masterpiece. Not only is it a horrifying and searing look at the Korean war, but it is also an emotional and powerful look at humanity, family and love.

87/100

<< "Wills are for dying people. You've got to be strong." >>

Directed by: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
Starring: Catherine McCormack, Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Imogen Poots.

Wow......that word keeps coming to mind after I saw this film....and I only finished watching it a few hours ago. In the past few decades, there have been many films that either reinvent a genre, or continue it and keep it consistant and fresh, like in my 'Sunshine' review, I mentioned that 2001: A Space Odyssey was the Sci-Fi film of the 60's, Alien and Aliens was the 80's and Sunshine was for the new decade.......Now with Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Alien and Aliens........comes 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later.....if you haven't clicked onto what I mean yet....as much as I hate to say it....this is a superior film to the original.

This time around, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland step out of there positions and give someone new a shot, which at the end of the day, may have been a bad choice, but they took Executive Producers positions to make sure this movie doesn't get ruined and they did search well and found someone amazing.....Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. He is reasonably new to many, his last feature film was a Spanish film named 'Intacto' (which I haven't yet had the pleasure of seeing) and that received great praise and I can see why.

28 Weeks Later takes place....well 28 Weeks after Britain is infected with the Rage virus, American troops have landed and are there to rebuild the civilisation. As you may guess, something does go wrong and the virus is unleashed unexpectedly. We are introduced to a new set characters, all realistic and we follow there story and struggles through the film. What is kept in this film from the first is the humanity of the characters and the nicely created situations that they have to face....what is added is more developed and consistant characters and we feel for them more. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo was an amazing choice for this film, he understands the material well and never, ever delves away from the vision and into cliche....if you were to take the direction of Danny Boyle, mix it with Peter Jacksons earlier work and also add something new, refreshing and exciting, you have Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. He keeps the pace going and never slows down for too long, he manages to stay consistent with his characters and never lets them be bogged down by anything else, his gritty vision is extremely impressive and he never fails to explore his camera work and bring us something different.....and not to mention he amps up the gore to please any gorehounds out there. The cinematography is amazingly well done and adds a nice layer of dark atmosphere....and what I was really impressed by was how controlled the 'scares' were. Now for people who know me, they know that the majority of the time I hate these cheap talentless 'jump scares' they use in hollywood movies to get people scared....it is amateurish and cliched and should only ever be used sparingly in a film as long as the tension is high and only used to help once or twice to get the audiences attention for the real genuine scares to follow....this film appears like it might rely on these 'cheap jump scares', maybe....but they are nicely placed, layered in tension and completely unexpected...as well as the horror coming from the choices the characters have to make, the amazing vision behind it all adds some extremely creepy scenes to the mix as well. The prosthetic effects as well as the addition of CGI was amazing and it certainly will make the gorehounds happy. The acting is top notch, with Rose Byrne giving the cast a run for there money and showing amazing potential as a new actress, she has only recently been in 'Sunshine' but her performance here is great and she fits perfectly into her role. Robert Carlyle proves once again how consistant he is and works the many layers of his characters extremely well....and we are also introduced to 2 new talents with alot of potential....Mackintosh Muggleton and Imogen Poots. And to finish off my very long review, I can't forget to mention another extremely amazing and memorable score.

Overall...I hate to say it, especially when I love the original, but this film is one of those rare sequels that are superior to the original, the film is more consistent with its characters, the acting is top notch, the direction is amazing and unique and drenched in atmosphere and he produces some extremely memorable sequences (one in particular involves the infected and a helicopter....whatever you may think it would look like, I bet you will be wrong). One of the best films of the year (and I have seen films in the 100's already).

Directed by: Oliver Dahan.
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Gérard Depardieu, Clotilde Courau.

"The most astonishing immersion of one performer into the body and soul of another ever encountered on film."

Those of you who have seen and reviewed the film, no doubt put this snippet of a review on there's, so don't mind me being a bit repetitive, but I have reason too. Sure, Marion Cotillard is masterful here (that word still doesn't cut it) and I'll cover that soon, but many don't also realize the brilliance of the film itself.

The story follows Edith Piaf, as you may already know. We are shown her troubled childhood, from her abandonment as a young girl to her life in the circus, to her instant success in her 20's. From there, not only did she have her ups and downs with her career, she had her problems with alcohol and drugs, her battle with rheumatism and her deal with love, all leading to her early death.

Oliver Dahan deserves a round of applause. Not only has he created a respectable biography underneath a masterful performance, he has created a technically outstanding film. His screenplay does suffer a little from being a little too short and cutting past some small aspects of Edith's life, but it is otherwise full of a brilliant understanding of this mysterious women and done with such emotion and depth. His direction is impeccable, he chooses some wise shots and the perfect camera styles and setups for each emotion being radiated off the screen...and with some of the very best editing I have seen in years, there are many key montages and shots that blend together so well with such respect and meaning (the sequence of Edith's loss and then suddenly walking onto stage to sing), if you don't notice these, then you are missing out.

The soundtrack couldn't be done any other way. I half expected a top composer to come in and create his own score for the film but it would have not worked. The score consists of Edith Piaf and that's it...and with the perfect placement and the right songs for many key scenes, it really adds the emotion and intensity to the film that the songs hold already by themselves.

The performances...first, to be nice, all of the smaller performances by many spanning over the decades of the film are great, with not a bad egg in amongst them all, they are all outshone and slightly forgotten. Marion Cotillard has done brilliance beyond imagination. I could certainly be clichéd and say that she deserves the Oscar, which she is bound to win, but its more than that. This performance deserves a whole new category...at the end of the day, it isn't acting...its channeling. From the cute shyness of her early years, to her emotional struggles in her 30's, to her quirkiness in her late years, Marion Cotillard IS Edith Piaf. From her look over the decades, to her movements, right down to the persona of the role, Marion is brilliant, outstanding, masterful...no words of mine can sum it up. 'Hall of Fame' really does call her name.

At a solid 140 minute running time, La Vie En Rose could have been a lot to take in, but with the brilliant structure, the outstanding editing, the respectable, thoughtful and technically brilliant direction...and the best performance in decades, La Vie En Rose is an engrossing, respectful and truly is the perfect Edith Piaf biography. Up there with some of the best films of the year.

90/100

<< "Americans want beauties, not me. I'm not the Parisian bombshell they expected. Can you see me as a chorus girl? Where's my feather up the ass? They think I'm sad, they're dumb. I don't connect to them." >>

Directed by: Sarah Polley.
Starring: Julie Christie, Olypmia Dukakis, Gordon Pinsent.

<<"I'd like to make love, and then I'd like you to go. Because I need to stay here and if you make it hard for me, I may cry so hard I'll never stop.">>

The story introduces us to elderly married couple Fiona and Grant, of 44 years, who are still very much in love since they day they got married. Fiona has Alzheimer's and is slowly deteriorating away at such a young age, it has come to the point that they must send her to a nursing home. There, she is left for 30 days to adjust away from Grant (or as such, the other way around) and when he goes to visit, he must deal with the pain of what she has come to and the strange affection Fiona has built with another male patient.

No words of mine can describe the sheer beauty and brilliance of this film, a film deserving of Oscars, that I hope this time next year, the film will be recognized by a wider audience.

The strongest element of this film is most certainly Sarah Polley, a young actress of 28 years old doing her first directional/writing feature debut and she is wise beyond her years. She has created a poetic masterpiece that is so pure and so well developed, the dialogue is amazingly strong and thoughtful, she injects such humanity and heart into every element of this picture that she seems to finally be a light in dark Hollywood.

Julie Christie has only ever been a name to me, being the age that I am, I don't think I have had the pleasure of seeing her films to see why her name is praised so much...now I can see why. She delivers one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, powerfully poetic performances in many years, she shows such great range and her experience shines through on screen, if she doesn't win the Oscar next year, then it will be a disgrace.

The supporting cast is also very strong, from the humorous ex-sports caster and cheeky elderly woman, to the simple roles of silence from the patients, but the standout is Gordon Pinset. Another actor I wish I had seen along time ago. He has a very tricky role that requires a lot of depth,control and most of all, believability...and he hits it right on the head. Its all in his eyes and his face, he shows wisdom in his years, his face appears very detailed to show a hard life, his eyes have so much love and loss in them, that he steals every scene he is in.

Unforgettable, poetic, deep, moving, thoughtful, heartwarming, heartbreaking...no words of mine can do this film any justice, it needs to be seen and loved. A masterpiece.

90/100

<< "I think all we can aspire to in this situation is a little bit of grace. " >>

Directed by: Danny Boyle
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Cliff Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne.

<< "Our sun is dying. Mankind faces extinction. Seven years ago the Icarus project sent a mission to restart the sun but that mission was lost before it reached the star. Sixteen months ago, I, Robert Capa, and a crew of seven left earth frozen in a solar winter. Our payload a stellar bomb with a mass equivalent to Manhattan Island. Our purpose to create a star within a star." >>

I never rate films with a 5 star rating. For me, its like saying that a film is perfect, which is impossible. No matter how close movies come, it should never be rated with 5 stars, realistically. My personal 4.5 rating on a film is saying that the film is near excellence, even masterpiece...Sunshine boarders this rating.

The story is as follows...50 years from now, the sun is dying and mankind faces extinction. Seven years prier to the events of this film, the first crew known as Icarus traveled to the sun to attempt to reignite the sun with a bomb, but failed and lost contact. Seven years later, a new team of 7 leave Earth in a solar winter and set out with the same mission in mind, to reignite the sun...but when complications arise and a distress signal is heard from the 1st Icarus, a question is risen...what exactly happened within the Dead Zone?

As people should know, a lot of genres are going downhill; there have only ever been few films in the past few years that compliment or refresh its genre, while the rest fail miserably. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's recent project, 28 Days Later, was a needed film that successfully revived the zombie/horror genre. With Sci-Fi, few films have done the same. 2001: A Space Odyssey did it in the 60's and Alien and Aliens in the 70's and 80's. With Sunshine, it is THE Sci/Fi film of the decade that successfully revives the dying genre.

Danny Boyle once again proves that he is a visionary director with incredible range and he completely breaks the barrier that he has raised in his previous films, even with films of recent years. The film is expertly directed and brilliantly controlled, there are many sequences where the film goes quiet and it requires something to keep the audience from losing the excitement...with Danny's brilliant camera angles and techniques, his unique visual style and the way he portrays it with such beauty, he keeps the film flowing...the man deserves an Oscar (but he has way to much tough competition and is bound to miss out).

As with any direction, it isn't always about their vision that makes a film, it is also about their control over their actors and rarely do you get directors these day's who can do that...but Danny helms some great performances delivered by Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans and Rose Byrne. Not to say that the rest of the cast is bad, they all do a great job...but Cillian proves how his on-screen presence is worthy of a leading role, Chris Evans steps up a notch filling his character with the necessary emotion and the right tone and Rose Byrne is giving the opportunity to work with the brilliant presence she holds.

It looks like I am just complimenting Danny Boyle at this moment. Sure, he is a big part of it all, but there are so many more great things about this film. The overall production values, from the art direction to the production design and the visual effects, are absolutely spectacular...and along with some superb cinematography that captures the right shades of color for the tone of the film, the Academy is bound to recognize these areas.

Alex Garland, the man behind 28 Days Later, covers unknown ground here with the plot and does so with great depth, while also complimenting films such as 2001 and Alien. With the help of Danny Boyle, the pacing is perfect and never slows and when it appears like it does, Danny jumps in and does his thing. Each character is developed slowly throughout the film. They are smart and most importantly, they feel real and the emotion is there when needed and the great thing is, like 28 Days Later, with every situation or obstacle that the characters face, their humanity is tested.

The small downfall for the film is the change in tone in the final quarter. Where the first 3/4 were a brilliant character study, this final quarter does decide to go for the 'slasher flick' feel...but what doesn't ruin it is the original idea set out by the film makers that stays strong right up until the very satisfying conclusion.

Sunshine, as a beautiful whole, successfully revives the declining Sci/Fi genre and creates a film of unique visual style and depth and comes extremely close to being perfect, which is top marks for me. Part of my personal top 20 films of 2007.

90/100

<< "By the time you get this message, I'll be in the dead zone. It came a little sooner than we thought, but this means you won't be able to send a message back. So, I just wanted to let you know that I don't need the message because I know everything you wanna say. Just remember it takes eight minutes for light to travel from sun to Earth, which means you'll know we succeeded about eight minutes after we deliver the payload. All you have to is look out for a little extra brightness in the sky. So if you wake up one morning and it's a particularly beautiful day, you'll know we made it. Okay, I'm signing out and I'll see you in a couple years." >>

Directed by: Wes Craven.
Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund.

I love true horror, the main reason I love it so much is because it is rare to get in films and when I find them, I am instantly happy and it makes me think 'at least there are some out there in this Hollywood system'?.ones I have found to work is a majority of Japanese horror (won't go into it) and a lot of horror films from the 70's and 80's?.A Nightmare on Elm Street is one of those classic horror films that understands how to create true horror.

From director and writer Wes Craven, this film gave him his name, although he did The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes before this, there was no spark in them except for excessive exploitation, but this film is different. He has created a character we can fear, although this film is formula (didn't this film create it?), this character is something we can fear, the traits of the character and how he works, he prays on the fear of his victims in there dreams?.we all dream. The film is filled with amazing tension and creepy atmosphere?.and not to mention some truly disturbing imagery and kills that are setup amazingly well and they are bound to stay with you. The acting is actually pretty shoddy from the leads, Johnny Depp, in his first role isn?t the worst, but it?s a start, but we have Heather Langenkamp who displays nothing great at all. Robert Englund is the strong point, although I prefer his portrail of Freddy Krueger in number 3 (read that review for why), he has certainly added something to Wes Craven?s great design.

This movie will always remain a classic, it is followed by about 6 sequels (with only one being strong?..number 3) and none will ever outdo this one, although flawed, the film does amazingly with a low budget and Wes Craven has created a horror icon and that is shared with some genuine tension, truly creepy atmosphere and disturbing kills that will stay with you.

Directed by: Brad Bird.
Starring: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Peter O'Toole.

<< "Although each of the world's countries would like to dispute this fact, we French know the truth: The best food in the world is made in France. The best food in France is made in Paris. And the best food in Paris, some say, is made by Chef Auguste Gusteau. Gusteau's restuarant is the toast of Paris, booked five months in advance." >>

Every time Pixar releases a film, it's a miracle. In a world where the common man watches shit films, its great to know that a rare gem is giving them something great...and us others are bowing at there feet for putting a foot in the right direction. Pixar has always been on the right path and they cross every line with each new film...Ratatouille is a defining film.

The film follows a rat named Remy, he is not like other rats, he doesn't rummage through garbage and eat anything he can find; he is different. He has a keen sense of smell for fine foods and he knows what ingredients are needed to make fine cuisine. He admires the finest chef in town, Gusteau and when he hears of his tragic death, fate leads him to the restaurant and to a bumbling idiot Linguini, who is hired as the garbage boy in the restaurant. When Linguini messes with the soup, Remy takes it upon himself to get into the kitchen and fix it, but when he is caught out and Linguini is to dispose of the rat, he realizes Remy understands everything he says and that he is the one who can cook. From there, they create a plan to make Remy cook without being noticed as a rat.

I really had fun writing that brief synopsis, because the plot is always everything I ask for in film...originality. I hate to pinpoint people, seeing as the entire Pixar team are genius and they all add there touch to each film, but Brad Bird is the main man here. The craftsmanship on the film is masterful; Brad has written a script so well polished that it proves to be some of the best material written by Pixar so far. He mixes in so many ingredients with such skill, such likable three-dimensional characters, brilliant timing in its humor, both witty and slapstick and strong dialogue that adds depth to the characters. Any slightly predictable or sentimental moments are never finished badly and they choose how to create them wisely.

The animation is as three dimensional as its characters, it is some of the best I have seen and it just keeps getting better and better. There is such exquisite detail on every character, every scenery shot and every prop. The human characters look they did in The Incredibles, but the incredible detail on there emotions and facial movements make them so much more.

The cinematography is outstanding, they have captured every angle and corner of Paris perfectly with such beautiful color and imagery and it sends chills down your spine.

The voice acting, as always in a Pixar film, is exceptional. Everyone provides a soul to these characters with skill...I personally think the Academy should nominated an actor here for there work on this film...and that actor is Peter O'Toole, who voices the critic Anton Ego with such depth and understanding for this lost cause...it's quite astounding.

I could go on with this film and I know it would deserve it, I certainly took my time writing this review and even then, I don't feel I have given it justice. One of Pixars finest films to date, and in my top 10 best films of 2007.

92/100

<< "This is me. I think it's apparent that I need to rethink my life a little bit. What's my problem? First of all, I'm a rat. Which means, life is hard. Second, I have a highly developed sense of taste and smell." >>

Directed by: James Cameron.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong, Linda Hamilton, Joe Morton, Earl Boen.

<< "Three billion human lives ended on August 29th, 1997. The survivors of the nuclear fire called the war Judgment Day. They lived only to face a new nightmare...the war against the machines. The computer which controlled the machines, Skynet, sent two Terminators back through time..." >>

'This is a review of the extended edition.'

The story takes place 10 years after the events of the first film. Sarah Conner is locked away in an insane asylum for her rage and her belief of the Terminators and the war and John Conner, aged 10, is a young rebel who lives with foster parents. But soon, two terminators are sent back in time, one to try and eliminate the threat once again and the other to protect.

Thank god the studio used there heads for once. They got James Cameron back to create a sequel to the landmark first film and sequels are always questionable for many reasons...but he has taken everything many steps ahead and has created a masterpiece that still remains as the best action film of the 90's...and the greatest to me.

What really surprised me with this film was how superbly written the screenplay is...its like the adult version of the first, richer, more layered and much more mature. Not only has he created more three dimensional characters, who are thoughtful, realistic and really likable, he has created a solid human story, something you don't always see in action. Injected with humor, emotion and personality, it touches brilliantly on some very important themes...and what makes it that much more is the fact that the two main central characters are a child and a Terminator, two polar opposites, yet so alike and they are worked together in the way you would hope and crafted so well.

Of course, I can't go on without mentioning the side that most moviegoers would expect from this film...action and effects. James has really stepped up. Shared with a much vaster array of technical enhancements (and more equipment based on the credits), he crafts the action sequences so well and edited just right, they are quick, intense and well spread out...and remain memorable to this day. The special effects are simply groundbreaking for its time and remain just as stunning 17 odd years later...it will continue to stand the test of time. The prosthetics's and cyborg designs show just how much of a jump 7 years can be from the first film. Stan Winston and his team have really done what no one thought could have been done and they deserve all the credit they can get (RIP Stan).

The villain I should include above, but I thought i'd make a separate section for it. Although the Terminator was a tough one in the first, this new T-1000 is fully developed, we are shown its full weakness and also its advancements over the T-101 and it is seen as a true threat, even when it is merely on screen much throughout until the key scenes.

What I had mentioned in the first film was that I didn't exactly like the acting from Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton, they did what they did but never really showed anything for the characters except a rather thin portrayal of there 'persona's'...well theres no change here for Michael Biehn, thankfully he is only in a 2 minute dream sequence....but what really surprised me was the vast improvement in Linda Hamilton's acting...almost to the point of excellence. Her character along is tougher and stronger mentally and physically and Linda shows great commitment to both sides and really stands strong on screen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger creates an even better performance, even if he isn't much of an actor, he has enough charisma to pull through and make the role...and Edward Furlong shows promise in his little role, also very charismatic and likable, he showed major potential for future roles, which hasn't happened...pity.

The film is truly one of James Cameron's masterpieces. He took notice of his flaws from the first film and improved upon them and past so many expectations. One of the greatest action films of all time, but also one hell of a movie.

88/100

<< "It cant form complex machines, guns and explosives have chemicals, moving parts, it doesn't work that way, but it can form solid metal shapes"..."Like what?"..."Knives and stabbing weapons." >>

Directed by: Tim Burton.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Vincent Price.

<< "The years spent in isolation have not equipped him with the tools necessary to judge right from wrong. He's had no context. He's been completely without guidance. Furthermore, his work - the garden sculptures, hairstyles and so forth, indicate that he's a highly imaginative...uh...character. It seems clear that his awareness of what we call reality is radically underdeveloped." >>

If ever a film could last a lifetime, this would be it, beautiful, poetic, funny, gothic, heartwarming and heartbreaking, 17 years on and it is still loved by every new generation and even though I am now grown up, it still remains a favorite of mine.

The story follows a man who lives up in a mansion on top of the hill overlooking a small village, he has lived there ever since he was created by his inventor, who died suddenly before he could finish his creation, leaving him with scissors for hands. One day he is found and introduced into the neighborhood.

Tim Burton has created a elegant masterpiece here. An original fable that can be told to kids of any age. His visual style is at his very best here, using an amazing range of color tones to add another level of storytelling to the film, he has created an ordinary and very conventional town, where order and ordinary is the key, where the men go to work at the same time, where everyone knows each other ...and then they are given an extraordinary character. The story is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, they have created a character so complex, someone who has been ripped away from society his whole life, he is dressed in black and his skin is pale to symbolize his sorrow, he is different from others because of his hands and as much as he tries to fit in, he can't...symbolism is the key in this film.

One of the films stories is about an outcast of sorts, but it is a true love story at its core and that is shared with the great chemistry between Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp. Winona Ryder is just about as annoying as she ever is but she is elegant and boost enough unexpected charm to make her worthwhile. Dianne Wiest gives a lovely, warm performance, balanced by some hilarious performances from Kathy Baker and Alan Arkin, but the star of the show is most certainly Johnny Depp, who is at his one of his best here and delivers a very heartwarming, sweet, hilarious and memorable performance.

Danny Elfman works wonders with Tim Burton, he has created a poetic and very haunting score that still remains his best.

I have adored this film, like many others, since I was a young and always saw it as a feast for the eyes. Now, grown up, I see it as so much more. A classic it is and even that word isn't enough, I use the word 'masterpiece' a lot and rarely do I mean it....but Edward Scissorhands IS a masterpiece.

89/100

<< "You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did. If he weren't up there now... I don't think it would be snowing. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it." >>

Directed by: Pedro AlmodóvarStarring: Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo.

<<"Are there things I should know and don't?" >>

I had never seen a film by Pedro Almodóvar before I saw this film and I could kick myself countless times for looking past his name in the past. Such a rare talent and such a brilliant gem of a film, I feel it hard for me to find another Pedro Almodóvar film that could top Volver.

The story follows a group of Spanish women spanning over three generations, we have Raimunda, a beautiful Spanish woman with a young daughter and an (very quickly I might add) unemployed and drunk husband. Her sister, Sole, a mysterious young women, lives alone and works as an independent hairstylist for women. Their parents died many years ago in a fire but they still have their auntie living close by, who continuously talks of her mother as if she was still alive. When the aunt dies one day, an unexpected guest turns up from their past and from there unfolds a tale of mystery, suspense, lies and deceits.

Women...you can tell Pedro Almodóvar loves them, as 90% of his characters consistent of them. The only males seen or heard of are portrayed as scum, but never in an offensive way. Within the first 10 minutes of the film, you instantly fall in love with these characters.

Pedro Almodóvar has created a complex and very human character study. He touches upon many elements and genres throughout the film and he succeeds in everything he aims for, masterfully and with such grace. As I mentioned before, Volver is a brilliantly written and very human character study, each character is given careful consideration and depth and there is never a sub-character left behind...there is one in particular who can be seen as the core of the film, someone who creates the emotion and provides the completely unexpected and shocking twists and truths.

Pedro Almodóvar is also amazing behind the camera, where he captures his colorful characters, the vivid scenery shots...and just color in general beautifully on screen, he has such a respect for women and he lets them radiate on screen...and there are moments where he gives us amazing angles to explain certain elements of the story....you just need to be paying attention!

What came as a surprise was the solid acting ensemble by all the women, I half expected Penélope Cruz to outshine everyone on screen and that isn't always the case. Carmen Maura, who from what I have heard is a common star in Pedro Almodóvar films, shows great control and range in her very mysterious and complex role and Lola Dueñas is very captivating...but the women I shouldn't overlook here is Penélope Cruz. For one, she is absolutely beautiful and radiant in this film, she has always been a natural beauty but she is beyond words here. She delivers the most controlled, mature, vastly ranged and emotionally powerful performance of her career and proves to be at her very best in her home country, every English speaking film she has starred in hasn't done her a slight bit of justice.

Another brilliant gem of a film overlooked by the Academy (thank god they recognized Penélope's brilliant performance), Volver is a complex and very human character study and a range of genres and elements weaved brilliantly and masterfully controlled so well by Pedro Almodóvar. One of the best films of 2006 (its a large list, but it fits perfectly in there as one of the best).

87/100

Directed by: Judd Apatow.Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann.

<< "Marriage is like a tense, unfunny version of Everybody Loves Raymond, only it doesn't last 22 minutes. It lasts forever." >>

The story follows a young stoner without a job and a women on the verge of a career breakthrough, but through one unexpected night, they meet in a bar, get very drunk and have sex...8 weeks later, she finds out she is pregnant.

From the writer/director of The 40 Year Old Virgin, I did go into this with great expectations, but never expected Judd Apatow to exceed his debut film...boy was I wrong.

This is everything I ask for in a film...now saying that makes me sound a little hypocritical as there are so many films out there, all different styles, all aiming for different things...but what I mean in terms of film is a story with depth, sophistication and pure enjoyment.

Judd Apatow has grown tremendously as a filmmaker since his debut, The 40 Year Old Virgin. In terms of comedy, it is outstanding. The dialogue takes from every angle of pregnancy, partying, marriage, relationships, love, parenting, even drugs (and even some references to film) and hits the nail on the head with its very consistent, witty humor that had me in hysterics through the entire film...and then on the other hand we have amazingly likable characters, developed ideas, a brilliant understanding of relationships and how they are never perfect and the film has real heart.

The cast is very strong, Seth Rogen proves to be a pretty decent front man, but doesn't compare to Steve Carrell (but the on screen time with Paul Rudd is brilliant, the chemistry between them two is great). Katherine Heigl surprised me with quite a shining performance, although it's hard to see the chemistry between her and Seth Rogen (thankfully the characters are so well developed, we don't see it), she puts in a very focused performance.

This is everything a comedy should be and everything a film should be underneath. The subject matter will turn some people away and the dialogue will not be for everyone, but its never exploitation, the dialogue is meaningful, the humor is consistent and hilarious, the characters are likable, the structure is perfect and Judd's understanding of the many elements he aims for makes this film so much more. An outstanding mature comedy with heart and depth.

89/100

<< "Do you ever wonder how somebody could even like you? The biggest problem in our marriage is that she wants me around. And I can't even accept that? I don't think I can accept pure love." >>