Avatar (2009, Science Fiction Action Adventure) – 8/10 movie review

Cast / crew Writer: James Cameron Director: James Cameron Sam Worthington: Zoë Saldana: Sigourney Weaver:

Avatar (2009) Bad news: Jake Sully, your brother is dead. Good news: Jake Sully, a paraplegic ex-marine, you can take his place in a remarkable program on alien planet Pandora where your mind will be used to control a fully-functioning nine-foot-tall super-athletic alien body. Your mission is to gain the trust of the natives and convince them to move out of their home so that humans can mine the valuable material buried deep underneath. 8/10 This is an impressive action adventure that has a decidedly old-fashioned feel to it while presenting totally incredible technical feats completely invisibly but whose greatness emerges because it is more than the sum of its parts. It’s old-fashioned in that it sticks to tried-and-true, or predictable, story and character beats, isn’t ‘dark,’ isn’t excessively violent and has superb action sequences which have shape and definition and in which you can tell who’s doing what to whom, why and how well it’s going. The technical accomplishment is remarkable. Cameron presents a fictitious world created out of thin air that is completely convincing. You cannot believe it isn’t real; it does not exist outside of a New Zealand PC. Ultimately, however, Avatar is a great film because it is more than the sum of its parts, i.e., despite faults, it, like Titanic before it, works emotionally. This movie contains a single sexual swear word, mild swear words and gun violence, arrow violence and sexuality. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Outlander (2008, Period Science Fiction Monster Action Movie) – 6/10 movie review

Cast / crew Director: Howard McCain Writer: Dirk Blackman Writer: Howard McCain Producer: Chris Roberts Producer: John Schimmel Jim Caviezel: Kainan Sophia Myles: Freya Jack Huston: Wulfric Cliff Saunders: Boromir Ron Perlman: Gunnar John Hurt: Rothgar Executive Producer: Dirk Blackman

Outlander (2008) Norway, 709: Astronaut Kainan crashes onto Earth but amid the wreckage of his ship is a monster that sees the nearby Viking villages are breakfast, lunch and dinner. 6/10 Definition of a good man: confess to planet-wide genocide and bring an unstoppable monster to a village but feel a bit bad about it. This man will also make an ideal husband and king. Typically idiotic Hollywood writing aside, this is a better-than-expected period sci-fi monster movie with decent effects and action. It’s also one of the few movies featuring Vikings that isn’t unwatchable. This movie contains sexual swear words and strong violence, some graphic violence, unpleasant and gory scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

U-571 (2000, WWII Submarine Action) – 7/10 movie review

Director: Jonathan Mostow Writer (Screenplay): Jonathan Mostow Writer (Screenplay): Sam Montgomery Writer (Screenplay): David Ayer Writer (Story): Jonathan Mostow Producer: Dino De Laurentiis Producer: Martha De Laurentiis Matthew McConaughey: Tyler Bill Paxton: Dahlgren Harvey Keitel: Chief Jon Bon Jovi: Emmett Jake Weber: Hirsch David Keith: Coonan T.C. Carson: Eddie Jack Noseworthy: Wentz Thomas Guiry: Trigger Thomas Kretschmann: Wassner Matthew Settle: Larson Erik Palladino: Mazzola

U-571 (2000) World War II: a critical turning point arrives when a German U-boat floundering in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean radios for help. The message is received by both German and US navies and the US embark on a daring mission to recover the code machine aboard the U-boat: the famed Enigma. Disguising themselves as a German rescue submarine, the crew of the S-33 sail toward U-571 in a race against time to capture the machine. All goes smoothly until the real German rescue U-boat arrives and blows the S-33 out of the water. The survivors must scramble aboard the crippled U-571 and fight for their lives to save the code machine and turn the tide of the war. 7/10 Thrilling, and entirely fictitious, World War Two action-adventure that hits all its entertainment targets. It doesn’t really mean anything and, despite being a film about submarines, there is no depth to the screenplay. Instead, a whole pile of WWII clichés have been trotted out and presented for the audience’s entertainment as they revisit old friends: the Executive Officer (Matthew McConaughey) passed over for a captaincy, the salty sea dog (Harvey Keitel), the doomed best friend (Jon Bon Jovi), the scum-of-the-earth Gerry (Thomas Kretschmann), the enemy inability to hit a barn door at two paces, the heroes ability to hit targets despite adverse circumstances, a token black man making token black man comments and I could probably dig up a few more. Nevertheless, Mostow ensures the film remains uncommonly focused and, critically, extremely thrilling. This movie contains mild swear words and graphic gun violence, war violence. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Breach (2006, Conspiracy Espionage Drama) – 8/10 movie review

Director: Billy Ray Writer (Screenplay): Adam Mazer Writer (Screenplay): William Rotko Writer (Screenplay): Billy Ray Writer (Story): Adam Mazer Writer (Story): William Rotko Producer: Bobby Newmyer Producer: Scott Strauss Producer: Scott Kroopf Chris Cooper: Robert Hanssen Ryan Phillippe: Eric O’Neill Laura Linney: Kate Burroughs Dennis Haysbert: Dean Plesac Caroline Dhavernas: Juliana O’Neill Gary Cole: Rich Garces Bruce Davison: John O’Neill Kathleen Quinlan: Bonnie Hanssen Special Consultant: Eric O’Neill

Breach (2006) 2001: the traitorous activities of FBI man Robert Hanssen are about to come to end after 22 years of betraying his country. Eric O’Neill is assigned to be his assistant in a new department as they attempt to catch Hanssen in the act so that he can be arrested and prosecuted. 8/10 Conspiracy thriller that remains entirely compelling throughout and features an outstanding performance from Chris Cooper as the biggest traitor in US history. Laura Linney is also terrific but Ryan Phillippe is not in the same league. His big scenes feel the teensiest bit forced but it doesn’t undermine the movie. What does nearly undermine the movie is a scene where Chris Cooper’s car is disassembled and has to be quickly put back together. It’s far too reminiscent of the awesome gag in Police Squad (Testimony of Evil) where a massive American car is disassembled and hurriedly reassembled as a compact. Overall, it doesn’t matter as Cooper is so, so good that he makes it work and, with his star, co-writer / director Billy Ray (Shattered Glass) has made a high quality, beautifully-paced movie. This movie contains a single sexual swear word, adult dialogue and violence and brief sex scene on videotape. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Flushed Away (2006, Computer-Animated Adventure Movie) – 4/10 review

Hugh Jackman: Roddy Kate Winslet: Rita Jean Reno: Le Frog Bill Nighy: Whitey Andy Serkis: Spike Shane Richie: Sid Ian McKellen: The Toad Director: David Bowers Director: Sam Fell Producer: Cecil Kramer Producer: Peter Lord Producer: David Sproxton Writer (Story): Sam Fell Writer (Story): Peter Lord Writer (Story): Dick Clement Writer (Story): Ian La Frenais Writer (Screenplay): Dick Clement Writer (Screenplay): Ian La Frenais Writer (Screenplay): Chris Lloyd Writer (Screenplay): Joe Keenan Writer (Screenplay): Will Davies Head Of Character Animation: Jeff Newitt Sam Fell: Liam, Prohpet, Ladykiller, Fanseller David Bowers: Goldfish, Fly, Shocky, Henchfrog #1, Tadpole

Flushed Away (2006) Roddy St. James, a pampered rodent, finds himself in the London sewer and desperate to get back to his posh Kensington residence. 4/10 Clearly trying too hard to be wacky and charming from the off but instantly and never succeeding. I cannot fathom movies that insist we watch cowardly, self-obsessed, charmless fools ("useless, whiny, stuck-up, pompous big girl’s blouse" according to the script) just so that they can have a character arc. Nor movies that deliberately include a mime under the (criminally mistaken) belief that they are hilarious. Still, this miserable quality of work fits in perfectly with Dreamworks Animation’s contemporary output and I suppose, on the plus side, it doesn’t promote bestiality. One thing it proves beyond all doubt is that Nick Park’s efforts with Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run were more than just iconic design. Much, much more. This movie contains mild bad language and mild comic violence. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008, Fantasy Romance Movie) – 5/10 review

Director: David Fincher Writer (Screenplay): Eric Roth Writer (Screen Story): Eric Roth Writer (Screen Story): Robin Swicord Writer (Original Short Story): F. Scott Fitzgerald Producer: Kathleen Kennedy Producer: Frank Marshall Producer: Ceán Chaffin Brad Pitt: Benjamin Button Cate Blanchett: Daisy Taraji P. Henson: Queenie Julia Ormond: Caroline Jason Flemyng: Thomas Button Mahershalalhashbaz Ali: Tizzy Jared Harris: Captain Mike Elias Koteas: Monsieur Gateau Phyllis Somerville: Grandma Fuller Tilda Swinton: Elizabeth Abbott

Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (2008) Benjamin Button is a most unusual man: he was born old and is growing younger. 5/10 So here’s the thing: if Brad Pitt aged normally, the film wouldn’t be any different. As it is, this is a pompous film that is not as revealing as it thinks it is. It feels like a humourless and ridiculously long version of Forrest Gump. It also feels terribly unconvincing in details (for example, a clock that runs backward is made for a train station and everyone just goes ‘okay’) as well as in the romantic arc of the story and in using characters that have modern sensibilities in period settings. Director David Fincher paces things delicately and has made a technically clever production but is ultimately saved by his star, Brad Pitt. Pitt is the sole reason to the watch as he never puts a foot wrong. He never feels unconvincing, he never feels fake; but everything else does. This isn’t a good film but Brad Pitt is worth watching. If you’re curious. This movie contains sexual swear words, adult dialogue and strong gun violence and sex scenes. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Stealth Fighter (1999, Cheap Action Movie) – 5/10 review

Director: Jim Wynorski Ice-T: Owen Turner Costas Mandylor: Ryan Mitchell Ernie Hudson: President Westwood Andrew Divoff: Roberto Menedez Erika Eleniak: Erin Mitchell William Sadler: Peterson Executive Producer: Ice-T Producer: Jim Wynorski Writer (Additional Material And Dialogue): Roger Wade

Stealth Fighter (1999) An ace pilot fakes his own death and re-emerges several years later working for a disgruntled someone-or-other who is attempting to extort the release of political prisoners from the United States. 5/10 What we have here is a vaguely competent direct-to-video movie (by erotic movie director Jim Wynorski as Jay Andrews) and a better-than-average spot-the-borrowed-movie-footage-and-sets game. The movie ends up being surprising fun with gleefully awful dialogue, a President with a Depressing Rectangle Office, a hilarious stealth fighter / F-16 duel and Ice-T looking more like a bad-tempered plumber than an ace fighter pilot. I enjoyed it, but I was probably in the right mood. This movie contains sexual swear words, adult dialogue and violence, some strong but no gore. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Surrogates (2009, Science Fiction Action Thriller) – 6/10 review

Director: Jonathan Mostow Bruce Willis: Greer Radha Mitchell: Peters Rosamund Pike: Maggie Writer (Original Graphic Novel): Robert Venditti Writer (Original Graphic Novel): Brett Weldele Writer (Screenplay): Michael Ferris Writer (Screenplay): John Brancato James Cromwell: Canter Ving Rhames: The Prophet

Surrogates (2009) In a world where almost everybody uses a surrogate (a robot perfectly communicating with their brain) to conduct their daily life, FBI Agent Tom Greer is stunned to find himself investigating a homicide (there hasn’t been one for years). And it’s not just the crime, it’s the manner: a surrogate operator was killed when their surrogate was killed; something that cannot possibly happen. 6/10 Feeling oddly broken, this takes some nice ideas and doesn’t waste them exactly, but zips through so fast that it feels like it doesn’t make sense (the movie is under ninety minutes long). The two super-powered action sequences are edited to barely-functioning oblivion as is the law in 2009. However, it is genuinely refreshing not to have that most ridiculous and well-worn of plot devices, the machine that gains sentience (the technology concept is clear and adhered to and we get all sorts of other hope-you-won’t-notice continuity shortcuts), and it is remarkable how welcome the true human faces of beardy Bruce Willis and a fat, bearded dude are amongst the not-quite-human surrogate population. It provides an odd sense of relief, probably a bit like seeing someone real after looking at the unsettling manufactured face of 2009 Nicole Kidman for too long. Along with that feeling, it definitely does strike an emotional nerve (I remembered Willis’ character name after the movie, a good sign), albeit weakly, but the technical and editing deficiencies nearly stopped this movie working at all. This movie contains strong violence, strong fantasy violence, unpleassant scenes. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941, Romantic Fantasy Movie) – 5/10 review

Robert Montgomery: Joe Pendleton Claude Rains: Mr. Jordan Evelyn Keyes: Bette Logan Writer (Screenplay): Sidney Buchman Writer (Screenplay): Seton I. Miller Writer (Original Play) "Heaven Can Wait": Harry Segall Producer: Everett Riskin Director: Alexander Hall

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) Up-and-coming boxer Joe Pendleton is killed in an air crash just before his shot at the world title and insistently remonstrates with the officials in pre-Heaven that it wasn’t his time. When they check, it turns out he was right – he would have survived except for the over-eager messenger taking him too soon – and try to return him to his body only to find it has been cremated. 5/10 While the fantasy element and jumping off point for the plot are interesting, almost nothing else in the movie works. The romantic element is awfully, horribly unconvincing and the police procedural element is toe-curlingly embarrassing. There is, however, agreeable fun friction between Robert Montgomery’s wrongfully plucked-from-his-not-so-certain-death boxer and Edward Everett Horton’s pluckee and Claude Rains amiably strolls around as the eponymous Mr. Jordan. This movie contains mild adult dialogue and boxing violence. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987, Super-Hero Movie) – 4/10 review

Director: Sidney J. Furie Christopher Reeve: Superman / Clark Kent Gene Hackman: Lex Luthor Movie Series Instigator: Alexander Salkind Jackie Cooper: Perry White Marc McClure: Jimmy Olsen Jon Cryer: Lenny Sam Wanamaker: David Warfield Mark Pillow: Nuclear Man Mariel Hemingway: Lacy Warfield Margot Kidder: Lois Lane Writer (Characters’ Creator) Superman: Jerry Siegel Writer (Characters’ Creator) Superman: Joe Shuster Writer (Story): Lawrence Konner Writer (Story): Mark Rosenthal Writer (Screenplay): Lawrence Konner Writer (Screenplay): Mark Rosenthal Producer: Menahem Golan Producer: Yoram Globus Susannah York:

Superman IV: Quest for Peace, The (1987) Superman volunteers to remove all the nuclear armaments in the world and guarantee world peace. Lex Luthor spots an opportunity to use Superman’s preferred disposal site, the Sun, to create a Nuclear Man. 4/10 If Richard Lester took the series to the point of death and placed it in a coffin, the incredibly untalented Sidney J. Furie (a man who has never made a good film and, yes, I have seen The Ipcress File) hammered the final nail in, placed the coffin six feet under and buried it. On the moon. In slow-motion. While Christopher Reeve as Superman and Clark Kent remains definitive, this movie is rescued by the unfettered awesomely immodest genius of Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor. Whenever he’s on-screen spouting about his staggering amazingness, the film is fun. There is also a kernel of an interesting idea here as Superman exercises his godship and wades into human affairs but what ended up on screen doesn’t make an apeth of sense. Elsewhere, this is so rubbish that you rather feel sorry for it. This movie contains fantasy violence. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.

Duplicity (2009, Industrial Espionage Romance Movie) – 3/10 review

Julia Roberts: Claire Stenwick Clive Owen: Ray Koval Tom Wilkinson: Howard Tully Paul Giamatti: Richard Garsik Producer: Jennifer Fox Producer: Kerry Orent Producer: Laura Bickford Writer: Tony Gilroy Writer: Tony Gilroy

Duplicity (2009) Two ex-secret agents try to con a duelling pair of big businessmen out of $40 million. 3/10 This probably sounded really clever in Tony Gilroy’s head but he doesn’t manage to get it down on paper or up on screen. His principle saviour is Clive Owen (Julia Roberts looks ill with her sunken eyes) who makes most of his scenes feel fun even when they’re not and you’re not terribly interested in what’s going on. The opening credits are a bit of a hoot as two middle-aged men have a handbags-at-dawn fight in super-super-slo-mo (150 frames-per-second) but that’s the only interesting thing in a transparently-plotted (who’s fighting who at the start), woefully unconvincing, generally useless movie. This movie contains mild adult dialogue and brief violence and sensuality. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Idle Class (1921, Chaplin Comedy Short Movie) – 8/10 review

Charles Chaplin: Copyright Holder: Charles Chaplin Edna Purviance: Composer: Charles Chaplin Writer: Charles Chaplin Producer: Charles Chaplin Director: Charles Chaplin

Idle Class, The (1921) A lonely tramp arrives in town, unaware that he is the spitting image of a rich socialite, and, while playing golf, meets the woman of his dreams. 8/10 Top drawer Chaplin effort which features frequent moments of comic brilliance that can only be classified ‘genius’. Chaplin pulls out a continuing series of totally unexpected and rather brilliant sight gags starting with hiding behind a newspaper (funnier than it sounds) and continuing with his astonishing golf swing and a couple of surprising golf ball lies, a terrific little chase sequence and a wonderful ‘not-happy’ punchline (or should that be kickline) ending. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All.

Sunshine (2007, Science Fiction Horror Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Daniel Boyle Writer: Alex Garland Producer: Andrew MacDonald Rose Byrne: Cassie Cliff Curtis: Searle Chris Evans: Mace Troy Garity: Harvey Cillian Murphy: Capa Hiroyuki Sanada: Kaneda Mark Strong: Pinbacker Benedict Wong: Trey Michelle Yeoh: Corazon

Sunshine (2007) The Sun has stopped. Seven years after a previous mission failed to create a new star, a second mission, Icarus II, is closing in on delivering it’s payload when the distress beacon of Icarus I is picked up. 7/10 This is generally a superior science-fiction but the appearance of a SPOILER horror movie monster (apparently not eating for seven years gives you superhuman strength) for the last section does weaken the experience considerably. If it had stuck with the mission-gone-wrong template and continued to stick with the difficult decisions and how the crew resolves their dilemmas, the whole might have been more satisfying. Nevertheless, it is a visually wonderful film with perfect pacing, solid thrills, committed performances (Chris Evans is outstanding) and a lot of convincing science fiction. Unusually, the entire film replays over the end credits; It might have been cool if they had been the eight minutes talked about early in the film with the success or failure of the mission only apparent if you sat through them. This movie contains sexual swear words and brief graphic violence, gory and unpleasant scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Valkyrie (2008, WWII Military Coup Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Bryan Singer Writer: Christopher McQuarrie Writer: Nathan Alexander Producer: Bryan Singer Producer: Christopher McQuarrie Producer: Gilbert Adler Tom Cruise: Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg Kenneth Branagh: Major-General Henning von Tresckow Bill Nighy: General Friedrich Olbricht Tom Wilkinson: General Friedrich Fromm Carice Van Houten: Nina von Stauffenberg Thomas Kretschmann: Major Otto Ernst Remer Terence Stamp: Ludwig Beck Co-Producer: Nathan Alexander

Valkyrie (2008) 1944: not all of Germany believes in Hitler as much as, well, Hitler does. Some realise drastic action must be taken to prevent continued damage to Germany and to bring an end to World War II. Key to this will be Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the assassination of the Führer himself. 7/10 Highlighting a new area of German history for me and dramatising the last attempt by Germans to assassinate Adolf Hitler and bring a premature end to World War II, this is a slightly unsatisfying movie which, however, works emotionally. The reason for this is clear and superficially simple: Tom Cruise. Elsewhere, Bryan Singer paces his movie without peaks and doesn’t assure consistent performances for some of the cast. This finds them occasionally screaming lines for no obvious reason (especially early on) or rendering the wrong emotion for a given scene (Stauffenberg’s executioner, for example). But Tom Cruise brings the quality he brings to all his movies: absolute commitment. He makes the movie work, just as Stauffenberg is attempting to make his coup work, through sheer force of will after making sure everything required for success is in place. While Valkyrie isn’t the award-winning masterpiece many were hoping for, it is yet another interesting, worthwhile and quality addition to Tom Cruise’s filmography. This movie contains a single sexual swear word and mild unpleasant scenes, gun violence. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Blake Edwards’ Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978, Comedy Movie) – 7/10 review

Peter Sellers: Chief Inspector Clouseau Herbert Lom: Chief Inspector Dreyfus Dyan Cannon: Simone Robert Webber: Douvier Robert Loggia: Marchione Paul Stewart: Scallini Music Composer: Henry Mancini Writer (Screenplay): Frank Waldman Writer (Screenplay): Ron Clark Writer (Screenplay): Blake Edwards Writer (Story): Blake Edwards Producer: Blake Edwards Director: Blake Edwards

Blake Edwards’ Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) When the hapless Chief Inspector Clouseau survives an assassination attempt that, unlike the previous eighteen, is believed to have been successful, he uses his death as the ultimate cover to go underground and discover his killers. He finds out that the French ‘mafia’ are responsible and are also planning a multi-million drug smuggling operation. Via a series of ridiculous disguises and comic situations can our hero save the day and bring the people responsible to justice? 7/10 Much-sniffed at comedy sequel but I think critics are paying too much attention to technical things that wouldn’t be noticed by most in the audience. What they would notice is faultless playing by Sellers with brilliant support from a (now) experienced cast, the best credit sequence of all the Pink Panther movies, delightfully fun music from the legendary Henry Mancini, and a good number of very funny scenes. Sadly, this would prove to be the last good, fun, completely non-distasteful film that Blake Edwards would make. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance. Links Previous: Blake Edwards’ Return of the Pink Panther

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005, Animated Romantic Fantasy Movie) – 7/10 review

Producer: Tim Burton Johnny Depp: Victor Van Dort Helena Bonham Carter: Corpse Bride Emily Watson: Victoria Everglot Albert Finney: Finis Everglot Joanna Lumley: Maudeline Everglot Christopher Lee: Pastor Galswells Director: Tim Burton Writer (Characters’ Creator): Tim Burton Writer (Characters’ Creator): Carlos Grangel Writer (Screenplay): John August Writer (Screenplay): Caroline Thompson Writer: Pamela Pettler Director: Mike Johnson

Corpse Bride, Tim Burton’s (2005) Fleeing a disastrous wedding rehearsal, Victor Van Dort practices his vows in the woods outside town and accidentally slips the ring onto the hand of a dead young woman who rises out of the ground and responds with "I do." Oops. 7/10 Magnificently animated (from frame one, it’s so good you won’t believe or even notice it was animated), voiced and designed, this is another fun, warm and wacky entry into the canon of Tim Burton but there’s not much flesh on these bones. (Sorry.) This isn’t in the same class as Burton and Elfman’s timeless masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas. Danny Elfman’s okay songs largely tell you nothing while the dialogue too often tells you stuff that you had already discerned or felt. But at least you do feel it, especially with the unexpectedly beautiful final shot, while "I’ve got a dwarf and I’m not afraid to use him" may be destined for quotable classic status. This movie contains mild adult references and mild unpleasant scenes, violence. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.

Reign Over Me (2007, PTSD Drama Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Mike Binder Adam Sandler: Charlie Fineman Don Cheadle: Alan Johnson Jada Pinkett Smith: Janeane Johnson Liv Tyler: Angela Oakhurst Saffron Burrows: Donna Remar Donald Sutherland: Judge Raines Robert Klein: Jonathan Timpleman Melinda Dillon: Ginger Timpleman Mike Binder: Bryan Sugarman Producer: Michael Rotenberg Producer: Jack Binder Writer: Mike Binder

Reign Over Me (2007) Dentist Alan Johnson runs into old college room-mate Charlie Fineman. Alan knows that Charlie suffered a deep tragedy but is shocked to see how psychologically traumatized he is, insisting that he remembers nothing of his family and previous life. 7/10 Though it’s woefully unconvincing in places and Sandler keeps part of himself in his big emotional scene, this is still a highly worthwhile film with interesting and positive messages for the viewer with regard to friendship, marital fidelity, and grief. Critically, charismatic, handsome, speaking-in-his-own-voice, good actor Don Cheadle turned up for this one and single-handedly compensates for any negative elements. For videogame fans, they will be delighted to see Fumita Ueda masterpiece Shadow of the Colossus featured prominently and cringe violently everytime it is misreferred to as Shadows of the Colossus. This movie contains sexual swear words, strong adult dialogue. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, Disney Movie) – 8/10 review

Director: Mark Dindal Producer: Randy Fullmer Writer (Story): Chris Williams Writer (Story): Mark Dindal Writer (Screenplay): David Reynolds Supervising Animator Kuzco / Kuzco Llama: Nik Ranieri David Spade: Kuzco / Kuzco Llama Supervising Animator Pacha: Bruce W. Smith John Goodman: Pacha Supervising Animator Yzma: Dale Baer Eartha Kitt: Yzma Supervising Animator Kronk: Tony Bancroft Patrick Warburton: Kronk Lead Animator Chicha: Doug Frankel

Emperor’s New Groove, The (2000) Arrogant Aztec emperor Kuzco rules his empire with a whim of iron. But when he annoys his witch advisor Yzma one time too many, she turns him into a llama and takes over the kingdom. With Kuzco now exiled and lost in the mountains he turns to chunky peasant Pacha for assistance but the last thing the emperor did before becoming a llama was order the destruction of Pacha’s house and village to make way for the emperor’s new summer retreat… 8/10 While this is undoubtedly less technically showy than most of Disney’s immediately previous output (such as Tarzan and Dinosaur; though this is still a fantastic-looking, brilliantly-animated movie), this is a remarkably fun and funny buddy-buddy movie that is not a typical Disney formula film (no story songs) and shows that the classic animation studio is still leagues ahead of its would-be competitors. While the good character Pacha is a little clumsy, Kronk is hilarious ("squeakity-squeak") and Yzma is satisfyingly reminiscent of classic Disney villains Cruella De Vil and Madame Medusa. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All. Links Next: Kronk’s New Groove

Kronk’s New Groove (2005, Disney Direct-to-DVD Movie) – 6/10 review

Director: Elliot M. Bour Director: Saul Andrew Blinkoff Producer: John A. Smith Writer (Story): Tony Leondis Writer (Story): Michael LaBash Writer (Story): Tom Rogers Writer (Screenplay): Tom Rogers Patrick Warburton: Kronk Tracey Ullman: Ms. Birdwell Eartha Kitt: Yzma David Spade: Kuzco John Goodman: Pacha Wendie Malick: Chicha John Mahoney: Papi John Fiedler: Rudy

Emperor’s New Groove 2, The: Kronk’s New Groove (2005) Having left Yzma’s emply, Kronk is happy in his new life but news of a visit from his Papi sends shockwaves into his happiness. 6/10 A big, pleasant surprise, this Disney direct-to-DVD sequel is not horrifically awful in any way. It is generally nicely animated, has decent songs, keeps moving quickly and is almost always lots of fun. While the Kronk-loses-the-girl half is not quite as good as the Kronk-loses-the-house half, it’s still entertaining and, as a whole, this is easily recommended as a cheap Disney DVD that doesn’t quality as torture in the developed world. Note: this was John Fiedler’s last film. This movie contains mild nudity. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All. Links Previous: The Emperor’s New Groove

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006, WWII Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Clint Eastwood Writer (Screenplay): Iris Yamashita Writer (Story): Iris Yamashita Writer (Story): Paul Haggis Producer: Clint Eastwood Producer: Steven Spielberg Producer: Robert Lorenz Writer "Picture Letters from Commander in Chief": Tadamichi Kuribayashi Editor "Picture Letters from Commander in Chief": Tsuyuko Yoshida Executive Producer: Paul Haggis Ken Watanabe: General Kuribayashi Kazunari Ninomiya: Saigo Tsuyoshi Ihara: Baron Nishi Ryo Kase: Shimizu Shidou Nakamura: Lieutenant Ito

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) Iwo Jima will be critically important to keeping Japan out of American hands but the overwhelming force and lack of reinforcements mean that, for the soldiers charged with its defence, it is a death sentence. 7/10 Eastwood delivers his traditional strengths of delicate pacing, good performances and lack of gratuitousness but has no point to make and fails to make the movie militarily or strategically interesting. He also fails to present the Japanese custom of suicide instead of surrender with any conviction (despite some impressively horrible suicide-by-grenades) and makes it clear that he thinks that is a stupid idea. Maybe in hindsight and the cold light of day it is, but in the middle of war and in a culture where you are directly serving a god (the Emperor), morality and reasoned thinking very much take second place. Instead, Eastwood places our sympathies with a young man who doesn’t want to die and dumps in an wise and understanding commanding officer to lead them all; making this just another American war movie except nobody speaks English. This movie contains occasional sexual swear words and graphic gun violence, gory and extremely unpleasant scenes of suicide. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links Companion movie: Flags of our Fathers

Flags of our Fathers (2006, WWII Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Clint Eastwood Writer (Screenplay): William Broyles, Jr. Writer (Screenplay): Paul Haggis Producer: Clint Eastwood Producer: Steven Spielberg Producer: Robert Lorenz Writer (Original Book): James Bradley Writer (Original Book): Ron Powers Ryan Phillippe: John "Doc" Bradley Jesse Bradford: Rene Gagnon Adam Beach: Ira Hayes John Benjamin Hickey: Keyes Beech John Slattery: Bud Gurber Barry Pepper: Mike Strank Jamie Bell: Ralph "Iggy" Ignatowski Paul Walker: Henry "Hank" Hansen Music: Clint Eastwood

Flags of our Fathers (2006) A seemingly simple picture of an American flag being raised atop a mountain on Iwo Jima captures the public imagination and the heroes who raised it are wheeled out to promote the purchase of war bonds to finance the war effort. 7/10 While it’s never quite satisfying on a psychological level – it looks like it’s going to ask interesting questions but doesn’t and looks like it’s going to supply revealing insights but doesn’t – this is, nevertheless, a fine, interesting war film that balances the traditional horrors and thrills of the battlefield with the necessary and rarely-mentioned need to pay for it all. As expected of an Eastwood film, the performances are very good, the tone is just right and the pacing is delicate; it has the feeling of a carefully crafted work of art. It’s probably a little let down by a script which insists on a moderately complex structure for no obvious reason and leaves the audience continually wondering who is narrating now and who the old guy is – ie, technical questions – instead of simply connecting to the story. This movie contains mild swear words and extremely unpleasant scenes, graphic knife violence, graphic gun violence. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links Companion movie: Letters from Iwo Jima

The Prestige (2006, Period Mystery Movie) – 9/10 review

Director: Christopher Nolan Writer (Screenplay): Jonathan Nolan Writer (Screenplay): Christopher Nolan Writer (Original Novel): Christopher Priest Producer: Christopher Nolan Hugh Jackman: Robert Angier Christian Bale: Alfred Borden Michael Caine: Cutter Scarlett Johansson: Olivia Wenscombe Rebecca Hall: Sarah Andy Serkis: Alley Piper Perabo: Julia McCullough David Bowie: Tesla

Prestige, The (2006) Professional magicians Robert Angier, The Great Danton, and Alfred Borden, The Professor, are intense, bitter rivals whose animosity becomes heightened when Borden performs the "greatest magic trick ever" and Angier knows he must know the secret. Whatever it costs. 9/10 Employing a technique that works a billion times better in books than on-screen is a trap that many filmmakers have fallen into. Perhaps, even, it only works in books. So why is Christopher Nolan’s brilliant period mystery about feuding magicians so joyously absorbing regardless? Perhaps because there’s always more going on. For example, what appears to be the central plot point isn’t (how the trick The Transporting Man is performed). Remarkably, the movie works as a mystery with a twist that’s delightfully imaginative and macabre to those who do and do not work it out. Early on, you’re told how The Transporting Man is done, only it tells you nothing. Ultimately, it’s all wheels-within-wheels with the biggest wheel, SPOILER Tesla (wonderfully realised by David Bowie), never explained at all and you probably only genuinely realise this after the movie. It is simply, magic, and, despite Scarlett Johansson, so is this film. This movie contains unpleasant scenes, brief but strong gun violence. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

JCVD (2008, Fictional Real-Life Drama Movie) – 8/10 review

Jean-Claude Van Damme: JCVD Writer: Mabrouk El Mechri Director: Mabrouk El Mechri Writer: Christophe Turpin

JCVD (2008) Things are not going great for Jean-Claude Van Damme at the moment. His movie career is on the wane, he’s got money troubles and his daughter is being taken away from him by the courts. To sort out his cashflow problem he stops off in a Belgium post office and, to onlookers surprise, robs it. 8/10 Astonishing drama that sees Jean-Claude Van Damme play, quite brilliantly, himself. While we get the point of some of the scenes long before they are over (JCVD being the self-obsessed star barging his way into the post office), the staggering awesomeness of the premise never ceases to delight and have you glued to the screen and there are several scenes that are genuine classics. The monologue is the obvious stand-out but the opening action scene punchline and cigarette scene are fun and the dream finalé is a much-wanted joy (roundhouse kick, yay!). At the end of the day, though, it’s JCVD himself and his quite brilliant performance in an outrageously wonderful concept that sticks in the mind. Probably the only thing that’s really missing is JCVD’s bum. Nevertheless, a must-see for JCVD and film fans. This movie contains sexual swear words and gun violence, melee and martial arts violence. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005, Courtroom Drama Horror Movie) – 7/10 review

Laura Linney: Erin Bruner Tom Wilkinson: Father Moore Campbell Scott: Ethan Thomas Jennifer Carpenter: Emily Rose Colm Feore: Karl Gunderson Joshua Close: Jason Mary Beth Hurt: Judge Brewster Henry Czerny: Dr. Briggs Shohreh Aghdashloo: Dr. Adani Consultant: Dr. Felicitas D. Goodman Producer: Paul Harris Boardman Writer: Paul Harris Boardman Writer: Scott Derrickson Director: Scott Derrickson

Exorcism of Emily Rose, The (2005) Father Moore is charged with the negligent death of Emily Rose. He says she was possessed by demons and attempted to treat her spiritually; the prosecution says she had an unusual medical condition which could have been treated using drugs. 7/10 Intriguing and scary horror courtroom drama that takes inspiration from a true-life case (a book about Anneliese Michel by Dr. Felicitas D. Goodman, credited as consultant) and successfully balances a skeptic and believer viewpoint with the shock tactics and monstrous subwoofer requirements of a modern horror movie. It succeeds in being thought-provoking on the topic of demons and may prompt you to do further reading on the matter (you can even listen to recordings of Anneliese Michel online) and, though it leans toward demonism as an explanation (probably because it is scarier), it also clearly presents the medical opinion SPOILER that wins the case. While this is definitely a horror movie, a more reportedly accurate drama of the case, Requiem, has also been filmed. This movie contains a mild swear word, bad language and intense and scary scenes, car accident violence. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

The Fountain (2006, Romantic Fantasy Drama Movie) – 6/10 review

Director: Darren Aronofsky Writer (Screenplay): Darren Aronofsky Writer (Story): Darren Aronofsky Writer (Story): Ari Handel Hugh Jackman: Tomas, Tommy, Tom Creo Rachel Weisz: Isabel, Izzi Creo Ellen Burstyn: Dr. Lillian Guzetti

Fountain, The (2006) A conquistador attempts to force access to the temple of the Tree of Life. A scientist races to find a cure for his wife’s cancer and hits a breakthrough using material from a tree in Central America. A man and a tree in a bubble in space is traveling to a far nebula. 6/10 What is it about film directors’ personal films and getting their lead actors to shave their heads? That said, there is some real quality here, principally from Hugh Jackman, who really connects emotionally with the part and the audience. There is also a stand-out scene when his character uses the sap of the Tree of Life to repair a stab wound, the film generally looks quite striking and it’s definitely a film worthy of discussion for film students. It’s the kind of film that no-one in their right mind would green light as a commercial prospect but that 20th Century-Fox and Warner Bros. can be proud to have in their catalogue as an intriguing piece of art that works on a level higher than a series of images flickering before your eyes; a movie that should be made and watched, even if you don’t like it or understand it. This movie contains a sexual swear word and graphic violence, gory and unpleasant scenes, an unexpected sort-of-unpleasant scene and sexuality. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003, Fantasy Action Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Gore Verbinski Writer (Screenplay) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Ted Elliott Writer (Screenplay) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Terry Rossio Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Ted Elliott Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Terry Rossio Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Stuart Beattie Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Jay Wolpert Writer Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Jay Wolpert Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer Johnny Depp: Jack Sparrow Geoffrey Rush: Barbossa Orlando Bloom: Will Turner Keira Knightley: Elizabeth Swann Jack Davenport: Norrington Kevin McNally: Joshamee Gibbs Zoë Saldana: Anamaria Jonathan Pryce: Governor Weatherby Swann

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, The (2003) The pirate crew of the Black Pearl are delighted when they find the last piece of cursed gold. Local blacksmith Will Turner is less happy, however, as they also took the love of his life along with them. He determines to rescue her but needs the help of someone who knows the pirates better than anyone else: the recently incarcerated pirate and former captain of the Black Pearl Jack Sparrow. 7/10 Fun, with truly astonishing special effects and a delightful Johnny Depp. Geoffrey Rush is charismatic in support and Keira Knightley is luminous throughout. The writers and director applaudably treat the project much more professionally that expected and make a great job of taking nothing (a park ride) and successfully theming a movie and characters and story around it. It is a bit too long, however, and the movie ends twice rather weakly. This movie contains mild swear word and strong bloodless blade violence, a gory scene, unpleasant scenes. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Links Next: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008, Animated Comedy Action Movie) – 5/10 review

Ben Stiller: Alex Chris Rock: Marty David Schwimmer: Melman Jada Pinkett Smith: Gloria Sacha Baron Cohen: Julien Cedric "The Entertainer": Maurice Andy Richter: Mort Bernie Mac: Zuba Alec Baldwin: Makunga Sherri Shepherd: Mom Will.I.Am: Moto Moto Director: Eric Darnell Director: Tom McGrath Writer: Etan Cohen Writer: Eric Darnell Writer: Tom McGrath Head Of Character Animation: Rex Grignon Tom McGrath: Skipper Eric Darnell: Joe the Witch Doctor, Poacher #2 Tom McGrath: Lemur Chris Rock: Additional Zebras

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria leave Madagascar and crash land in Africa, right where Alex originally came from. 5/10 Depends how funny you find ritual sacrifice, inferred inter-species love / sex (something DreamWorks’ Shrek and Bee Movie also did; kid’s movies that promote bestiality?) and extreme violence against and from terrifyingly designed grannies. As a tiny kid movie, it does work but for anyone in double-digits, it only just staves off boredom and features what feels like a cut-and-paste screenplay from other, equally unimaginative, franchise stimulators. Terrific animal character visual designs are the selling point here but the principle artistic merit of the movie is to help you appreciate contemporary Pixar, Aardman and classic Disney even more. This movie contains mild bad language, mild adult dialogue and extreme comic violence. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All.

Get Smart (2008, Comedy Action Movie) – 5/10 review

Director: Peter Segal Steve Carell: Maxwell Smart Anne Hathaway: Agent 99 Dwayne Johnson: Agent 23 Alan Arkin: The Chief Terence Stamp: Siegfried Terry Crews: Agent 91 David Koechner: Larabee James Caan: The President Executive Producer: Peter Segal Executive Producer: Steve Carell Writer (Characters’ Creator): Mel Brooks Writer (Characters’ Creator): Buck Henry Writer: Tom J. Astle Writer: Matt Ember Consultant: Mel Brooks Consultant: Buck Henry

Get Smart (2008) After all their agents are compromised, CONTROL is left only with Agent 99 (fresh from facial reconstruction) and newly promoted star analyst Maxwell Smart to combat the conniving evil of KAOS. 5/10 It feels mean to say that there’s two-and-a-half minutes of fun with the minimum required imagination in-between to fulfil the running time but, even though it’s just entertaining enough, the vacuum of intelligence, a disdain for the audience and an uncertain tone (is he a doofus or not?) really use up goodwill generated by the stars Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson. And will somebody please give Dwayne Johnson something amazing to be brilliant in. Remarkably, his fun feature film debut The Scorpion King remains his best starring role. This movie contains mild swear words, mild adult dialogue and violence, some extreme violence and a homosexual sex joke. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

A Countess from Hong Kong (1966, Romantic Comedy Movie) – 6/10 review

Writer: Charles Chaplin Director: Charles Chaplin Marlon Brando: Ogden Sophia Loren: Natascha Sydney Chaplin: Harvey Tippi Hedren: Martha Patrick Cargill: Hudson Margaret Rutherford: Miss Gaulswallow Charles Chaplin: An Old Steward Music Composer: Charles Chaplin

Countess from Hong Kong, A (1966) A Russian countess stows away on a liner headed for America and complicates everyone’s life. 6/10 A mistakenly-cast Marlon Brando (original choice Rex Harrison would have worked a treat) catatonically drones his way through this romantic comedy which is otherwise smooth and good-looking (Sophia Loren in outsize pajamas, cool) but thin on both romance and comedy. This is Chaplin’s final movie as actor or director and it’s a shame he didn’t finish his career with Limelight. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.

Superman (1978, Movie) – 10/10 review

Producer (Presents credit): Alexander Salkind Marlon Brando: Jor-El Gene Hackman: Lex Luthor Director: Richard Donner Christopher Reeve: Superman / Clark Kent Ned Beatty: Otis Jackie Cooper: Perry White Glenn Ford: Pa Kent Trevor Howard: 1st Elder Margot Kidder: Lois Lane Composer: John Williams Writer (Characters’ Creator) Superman: Jerry Siegel Writer (Characters’ Creator) Superman: Joe Shuster Writer (Story): Mario Puzo Writer (Screenplay): Mario Puzo Writer (Screenplay): David Newman Writer (Screenplay): Leslie Newman Writer (Screenplay): Robert Benton Creative Consultant: Tom Mankiewicz Associate Producer: Charles F. Greenlaw Executive Producer: Ilya Salkind Producer: Pierre Spengler Writer (Additional Script Material): Norman Enfield

Superman (1978) Kryptonite baby Kal’el is sent to planet Earth to save his life before the planet Krypton itself is destroyed by a nearby Sun.The baby is discovered by the Kent family and brought up as a ‘normal’ human but here on Earth he has extraordinary talents and strengths. After the death of his adopted father, the now Clark Kent is impelled to go North and learns about his real identity. He decides to use his powers for good and is given the tag Superman by love interest Lois Lane. However, super criminal Lex Luthor has plans to destroy all of California in a landscam deal and has discovered a way to prevent Superman stopping him. 10/10 Superlative fantasy action adventure; easily my favourite movie. Even thirty years on, this is the greatest superhero movie ever made and, yes, you will still believe a man can fly. It’s greatest achievement, however, is that the movie has such a clean, good core; Christopher Reeve’s brilliant performance has an innocence with no darkness, no dishonesty, no possibility of corruption. Even Gene Hackman’s villain is effective and fun without being horrible or graphically violent. Thirty years on, filmmakers and writers have simply forgotten how to make superhero movies without extreme violence (see Superman Returns). That said, they also appear to have forgotten how to edit action sequences, how to portray character, how to tell a story, and how to have a point to your movie aside from generating money. The fact that this movie can never be matched for it’s heart due to the deterioration of the world’s morality and ‘movie violence solves everything’ ethos makes Superman even more special. This movie contains mild adult dialogue and scary scenes (being buried alive). Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.