M (1931) Review

Directed by: Fritz Lang

Genre: Art House, Mystery & Suspense

Runtime: 110 Minutes

The thing that makes “M” so great is the official film noir quality it has and its thrilling plot. “Fritz Lang” was one of Germany’s best directors and was an immensely important one too. “M” is certainly one of his best as is “Metropolis”. Featuring a young Peter Lorre, who was surprisingly distinguished in his role in the film, the story is drenched in great suspense. This is one of Lang’s final films made in Germany as he emigrated in 1933 (I assume because of the Nazis) and “M” remains one of his most important films. This is one of Lang’s greatest works and is everything you could ask for in film noir.

http://filmmasterjournal.blogspot.com/2011/08/m-1931.html

COWBOYS & ALIENS (2011)

Director: Jon Favreau

Running time: 118 mins (approx)

Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller

UK Release date: 17^th August 2011

Watched at the cinema Saturday 20^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I was intrigued by this one when I first heard about it almost a year ago. In recent weeks I have seen the trailer several times and this has only intensified my interest. Despite a few poor reviews from across the pond I was still determined to make my own mind up (as I do with most things) and so when it came up at my local cinema I was there. While it’s neither the greatest Western ever made, nor the greatest Sci-Fi film ever made, I still found it very entertaining, exciting and just about everything you’d want to fill a damp Saturday afternoon. I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

Full Review Here

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