Film Review: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (1975)

Director: Milos Forman

Running time: 133 mins (approx)

Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Drama

USA Release date: 19^th November 1975

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 20^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Based on a novel by Ken Kesey, and later a play by Dale Wasserman, this film won 5 Oscars including; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. So it looks like it’s a ‘must see’, which, to a large extent, it is. I did find, though, that as a translation of a novel/stage play to the big screen it did suffer from being just a little too, well, theatrical (for want of a better word). I don’t want to detract from some truly excellent performances, but, as a whole, I did come away very slightly disappointed. As usual, my thoughts after this brief summary.

Full Review Here

OFFICE SPACE (1999)

Writer/Director: Mike Judge

Running time: 89 mins (approx)

Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Comedy/Crime

UK Release date: 19^th April 1999

Watched on Sky+ Friday 19^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film came up in a conversation about Jennifer Aniston, and a claim that she never made a good comedy. Well, this one was recommended to me and, I can concede that, by today’s standards, this is a good comedy. However, Jennifer Aniston does not play one of the leading roles in it. Her performance is good, but I’ll argue that she isn’t the star… although her name does come up second in the cast list. But I digress, it’s a film about office life, and how one individual, with the help of his friends, deals with it. Here’s a brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Full Review Here

Love the 80’s and maybe that’s why I took it easy on the film.

Take Me Home Tonight is a collection of 80’s clichés and that is one my personnel guilty pleasures. Love the 80’s and maybe that’s why I took it easy on the film.

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (2010)

Director: Banksy

Running time: 87 mins (approx)

Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Documentary

UK Release date: 5^th March 2010

Watched on Sky+ Monday 15^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film by street artist Banksy tells the story of Thierry Guetta. As a young man Thierry would film anything, it was an obsession with him. He is a Frenchman who lives in L.A. and one day, on a visit to France, his cousin is making some street art. This fascinates Thierry and he begins to follow all kinds of street artists around L.A., Paris, anywhere he can find them, cataloguing their work and even helping out from time to time. And as he gets more and more into it, he becomes aware of an artist called Banksy, but Banksy is very elusive. Eventually they meet and Banksy lets Thierry film him at work, something those close to him are not too happy about. He is supposed to be making a documentary about street art, but, if the truth be known, he’s just filming… There is more to tell, but I don’t want to give too much away here.

Full Review Here

There is no reason to make nasty sex gags to make people laugh.

Hall Pass is the new directorial effort from The Farrelly Brothers, the same directors who brought us There’s Something About Mary. Hall Pass doesn’t really match up with that better film.

Sadly it just follows the same route towards mediocre PG-13 horror films.

The Rite tries to bring up the topic of exorcism is it real or just a hoax. The film tries to show that and at the same time talk about the faith of a man. Sadly it just follows the same route towards mediocre PG-13 horror films.

Top 10 Movies of the Year - 1992

1992 - Part 3 of the best 21-part list series you'll ever find. Money back guaranteed. (Proof of purchase required)

#10 - The Crying Game

Directed by: Neil Jordan

Though the second half doesn't quite live up to the promise laid in place by the first half, The Crying Game is still a one-of-a-kind drama with some great moments, and a shocking twist.

Atonement (2007)

Let yourself be sucked in by this storytelling achievement, even if it does break your heart because it sure did break mine. Love stories don't come this deep or engrossing, what this is here is something to treasure. A perfectly cast film that brings three characters to the screen that will live on forever. With a true passion for the material Joe Wright brings Ian McEwan's timeless novel to the big-screen, and now even people too lazy to read will be able to experience this journey through time, war, and love.

Full Review Here

Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

If you have an open mind Hobo with a Shotgun can be an interesting experience, some unique people may even find its no-holds-barred attack on taste and society entertaining. Jason Eisener does a brilliant job at creating the authentic cheap-looking feel to this film, with Rutger Hauer's leading performance being more deep than this film would ever want to be. Ultimately it is the extreme violence that makes these types of films such common destinations for cult followings. There are multiple times that its distastefulness gets the upper hand, but violence that is some outgoing and knows how to have fun with itself is just so addicting. Daring, remorseless filmmaking that turns into, slightly organized, chaos.

Full Review Here

Lord Naseby's review of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (with deepest apologies to Edgar Allen Poe)

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious movie of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my dorm room door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my dorm room door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

THE LIVES OF OTHERS [DAS LEBEN DER ANDEREN] (2006)

Writer/Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Running time: 137 mins (approx)

Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Thriller

UK Release date: 13^th April 2007

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 14^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I remember when this came out it got quite a lot of critical acclaim. Of course it never made it to a cinema near me and so when it came up in the TV listings it became a ‘must see’ for me. I’m really glad I saw it, it’s somewhat different to what I was expecting (in a good way). I know there are a few out there that are afraid of subtitles, so I should tell you that yes, it’s in German with subtitles. For me, this isn’t a problem, but with a long film (as this is), I find I sometimes have to take a break to rest the brain for a few minutes. I found it to be a really engaging drama that has some truly powerful scenes and some great performances. Here’s a brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Full Review Here

End of the Week Quickie Reviews 1#

This is something new I thought I'd do for films I have watched in the week, but have not written a full review. Seeing I watch a lot of films, I feel writing two reviews a day is crazy and I want to stay more unique with them. Therefore, to avoid commenting on the same things each time, and not to spend hours reviewing everyday, I will post this every Sunday with short reviews for films.

http://filmmasterjournal.blogspot.com/2011/08/end-of-week-quickie-reviews-1.html

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011)

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Running time: 105 mins (approx)

Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Drama/Sci-Fi

UK Release date: 11^th August 2011

Watched at the cinema Saturday 13^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This must be some kind of record… It’s the third week in a row that my local cinema is showing something I want to see! It is a very rare thing, and something that should be savoured… long may it continue. But I digress, we’re here to talk about Apes. It is seldom these days that I find myself so totally engrossed in a film that time doesn’t matter. This was one of those very rare occasions. I got so involved in the story that people going in and out of the theatre (as they do) didn’t even bother me. I loved every minute of it and have no problem in recommending it to everyone. Here’s a brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Full Review Here