Grand Hotel - 1932

It's always the same here, people come, people go, nothing ever happens...


Grand Hotel is one of those select few movies which I have kept from watching for a long time, I did so because I was worried that because it was so renowned as a masterpiece I may for some reason not like it as much as I thought I should and then the illusion would all be lost. I need not have worried. This film is a masterpeice in every sense. In the plot - the idea of a group of people who don't know each other coming to a hotel and all meeting, the character relationships, the setting, the glamour. I can fully understand why this movie was given such applause when it was released. Many black and white films can be critisised as being dated after they have been out for a few decades, but there is no way this could ever apply to 'Grand Hotel.' After all hotels have and will be around for many more decades to come, and there will always be people checking in and checking out. Such a simple idea, and yet such an ingenious idea for a movie.

Ashamedly as a supposed movie obsessive I had also never experienced Greta Garbo on the screen. 'How on earth not!' I hear you cry, well yet again I was putting it off because I was worried all the hype about her would not live up to my high opinion of her. Happily I was wrong again. Garbo rules the scene. She captures you and then sucks you into her world and you are entranced. I have no doubt in my mind that she is a divine actress in every possible way. She has class, beauty and one of the most expressive faces I have ever seen. She is already, and only after one film, in my list of favourite actresses. Joan Crawford also shines here, she really was a beautiful and talented actress in her day. I have seen many of her later films, but never any from her immediate post-flapper days. Her part is not massive but we are still given the opportunity to see how she reacts and how she performs. Of course it is fairly well known that she is one of the original flappers of the twenties and it is clear to see that she still holds a bit of that persona close to her.

However the one actor that stands out for me is John Barrymore. He alone is breathtaking, and he and Garbo together is nothing short of mesmerising. Being a relatively new fan of John Barrymore I have not seem a lot of his films, in fact to my recollection 'Dinner at Eight' is the only other film in which I have experienced his screen presence. I thought he was brilliant in that but viewing him in this has confirmed for me that he is the epitome of charisma and elegence in the thirties. This film therefore has not only opened my eyes to a fantastic plot but has introduced me to some wonderful actors too which I am over the moon about. To be honest my enthusiam is bubbling over about this film, all I can do is recommend it highly from the bottom of my heart, and plead with you to not just rent it, but to buy a copy, for it will without a doubt be a film that you will want to watch over and over again that will transport you back to the thirties - a time of passion, grace, wit and elegence, they really don't make them like this anymore. Fact.

Rating 6/5

Disaster Movie - 2008

Not another shallow movie.

Having not been exactly bowled over by the pure dumbness of the last few 'movies' I was hardly ripping my hair out with excitement to see this latest installment in the series. However by the end I was in total hysterics. All the jokes for once were actually funny, the impersonations were very realistic (especially Juno and the princess from 'Enchanted') and the movie packed in a fair amount of memorable characters that everybody would recognize. Do not watch this movie expecting it to be an intelligent or thought-provoking experience because it won't be. In fact it is full of the exact things which I normally dislike about moderns films - excessive swearing, toilet humour and half-naked women, but for some reason I really liked it. Give it a go if you want a laugh though, because although filled with the ingredients I mentioned above it is still a clever and comical film with some brilliant and unknown actors who I'm sure will make it big now.

Rating 4/5

Silence of the Lambs - 1991

Believe me, you don't want Hannibal Lector inside your head.

Of course this is the film which everyone was desperate to see when it came out 17 years ago. The type of film where you'd want to sneak into the cinema or get a fake i.d to allow you to do so. And a film that wins 5 Oscars and is nominated 27 times can hardly be bad can it? Well no, its not a bad film, its a terrifying and thought-provoking trip into the mind of a psychotic and deranged serial killer who likes to eat parts of his victims. He is also a brilliant and intelligent man who just might have the answer to another killer's identity and whereabouts, but will he tell? Anthony Hopkins does what he always does and is mesmerising with a tantalising and haunting quality as Hannibal Lector. Jodie Foster meshes well with him as Agent Clarice Starling sent to coax the information out of Lector before there is another brutal murder. The film however would really be half a film if it didn't have Hopkins in it and he remains a flexible and ingenious actor that I have admired for a long time.

Rating 4/5

Black Christmas - 1974

Throughout the house, a creature was stirring.


Finally getting to experience this film was a great treat for me. Critics have commented on it being dated now but I can honestly say it scared the living daylights out of me much more than the new version of the film made a couple of years ago. What makes it so scary is the fact that to look at it you wouldn't think that it would be. The whole layout, from the costumes to the sorority house wallpaper makes it strangely safe to watch, and I do stand up for it when I say it has a great build-up of suspense and some good acting. So what if it's a little cheesy and people don't wear flares like that anymore? It's still a good film, but the highlight for me is Olivia Hussey who I have studied for many months leading up to my dissertation on Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet and who does a good, substantial job of supporting her fellow cast-mates. She has all the makings of a great actress and I will be interested to watch some other films with her starring. Bob Clark appears to know how to direct a agood slasher flick and I give him credit for that. Black Christmas is credited as being one of the first proper 'slash and stab' movie although many people appear to have overlooked it and instead concentrate on the more famous 'Hallowen' made only a few years later. Do check out the 2006 film of the same name, which although slightly less scary is certainly worth a look.

Rating 4/5

Mamma Mia - 2008

The Summer of your life

Maybe I was watching another film than that which others have recommended saying it is the best film of the year etc for I found this film totally dire. I am not one of those people who dislikes a bit of singing and dancing in a film, far from it, I'm immensely fond of musicals and have a good collection but this was just absurd. I'm not sure what the director was trying to do with this story but they certainly failed if it was to present some brilliant actors in the best light possible. Instead Meryl, Colin and Pierce were actually all presented appallingly! It was like the director was trying to poke fun at the actors for not being able to sing very well and thought it would be great if they could sing and dance manically as much as possible throughout the duration of the film to make themselves look really stupid! Added to which the songs are stuffed into the film at the most ridiculous intervals and the story is pretty idiotic as well! 'How hilarious' I hear you cry, 'I must watch that!'. You'd be mad to!

Rating 1/5

The Orphanage - 2007

The dark cannot hide them.


Guillermo Del Toro is a fantastic director. He is pure genius in fact. And so it is of course a great comfort to know that he helped produce Juan Antonia Bayona's film which had promised to be one of the best films of the year and didn't disappoint. One of the reasons its a good film is the suspense, which I find is generally a lot better in foreign horror than in American. There is nothing wrong with a slasher movie, but I personally prefer my movies to have a slow build-up of tension, something which I have not really seen in any modern horror over the past years except with Alfred Hitchcock's work. This film is very unsettling and does just that, gradually making you feel more nervous as you watch more and more of the movie. The film centres around a woman who, after spending much of her childhood in an Orphanage decides to return many years later with her husband and young son. However her son soon starts complaining that he can see other children at the orphanage and soon after, at a family party, he disappears...
A chilling and emotion-racked ghost story that will make you think for many hours afterwards, proof that there are still directors living and breathing that can deliver a really spine-tingling movie.

Rating 5/5

American Pie - Beta House - 2007

The most outrageous slice of pie!

Why I put myself through this I will never know, I do seem to have a tendency to watch films that I'm told are bad or that I know I shouldn't and for some reason expect them to be good, I am almost never right. I was not right here. Watching films for me is pure bliss and also a way to expand my knowledge of film actors, shooting, directing and camerawork. This is nothing short of a pathetic excuse to show semi-naked women and excessive drinking in an 'American' light. There is really no storyline and I am actually embarrassed to say I've watched this film!I would hope that anyone with a brain cell and an enjoyment for a good quality film will not bother with this turgid excuse for comedy.

Rating 0.5/5

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events - 2004

We're very concerned

I love this film, pure and simple. It has everything in it that I look for in a film: humour, emotion, a great storyline and some unforgettable performances from great actors!

The Baudelaire children, after being orphaned are sent to live with their distant relative Count Olaf who only seems interested in getting his hands on their fortune. Jim Carrey as usual is hilarious yet vaguely scary as the Count, and Meryl Streep is fantastic as Aunt Josephine, the third visit on the orphans' journey as they discover some unfortunate facts about each relative. One of the reasons I like this film is because it can appeal to children who are enthraled by the scary locations and humour and adults for, well the humour and the underlying message which it undoubtably has. As someone remarked to me, it has all the fantasy elements of an animated film, without the actual animation. Acting from the 2 young children is also superb, especially Emily Browning as the intelligent and caring Violet. There is something haunting and unsettling about this film, but you really have to watch it to understand what I mean.

Rating 4.5/5

National Lampoon's Chirstmas Vacation - 1989

Yule crack up!

What better film to watch around Christmas time than this! It never fails to amuse and although I am only just reviewing it now I have seen it without fail every year! The idea of Chevy Chase mounting the side of his house in the vain hope of putting lots of lights gets me everytime! There is something really sweet and touching about this film even though Chase plays a moronic character who never seems to get anything right and cannot help but drop things or fall over!

However its a very funny film and its something which should only be watched once a year, but every year without a doubt!

Rating 4/5

Friends with Money - 2006

You can get by with a little help from your friends


This was a nice light-hearted film. The cast was good and I'm always interested to see Jennifer Aniston in films so that I can compare her with her 'Friends' character Rachel whom I feel she has now been typecast as. Although her character in this wasn't entirely different it was nice to see her take on another role.


Three friends who although married are having problems with their husbands at the same time are trying to get their fourth friend who has no stable job and no partner to come out of her shell and have a good and fullfilling life. What follows is a series of funny and touching episodes as the for friends break-up, make up and discover how important friendship can be.

Joan Cusack is fast becoming a favourite of mine and I thought she was very quirky in this, in fact probably the best out of the four characters.

Rating 3/5

Iris - 2001

Her greatest talent was for life

If you know of the acclaimed and brilliant novelist Iris Murdoch then you will want to see this.

Iris Murdoch was an extremely talented and prolific writer. Her relationship with language was extraordinary and this film focuses on both the young and mesmerising Iris and the old, declining and Alzheimer-ridden Iris, portrayed perfectly by Winslet and Dench. It also focuses on Iris's long and towards the end, long - suffering relationship with her husband John Bayley, (Jim Broadbent shining as the devoted partner). The acting was brillint from all three people, although I do wish that there had been a bit more time spent on the young Iris, as the majority of the film concentrated to a greater extent on Iris's final years which although true, was pretty depressing.

I found that Jim Broadbent really stood out in this film for me and his acting was incredibly poignant and personal. Fantastic acting and a really emotional storyline.

Rating 4/5

Patrick - 1978

You don't need to speak to communicate

Patrick is a weird film, I saw it a year ago about 2 am but could never remember the name, which was a shame because I desperately wanted to see it again, so it was with delight that after lots of research I managed to buy it on DVD.

After being traumatised into a coma by his mother's death, Patrick begins to communicate with a young nurse via telekinesis, the trouble is, he is rather more interested in her than she is in him and doesn't take kindly to her other colleagues...

A suspenseful and thrilling movie that can still scare me now, and there is not a trace of blood in sight.

Rating 3.5/5

American Psycho - 2000

The mask of sanity is about to slip

Known worldwide as a cult classic (and understandably so being that the book was banned for a time in America as being to violent and sexually depraved) this film certainly shocks and horrifies because of its horrendous yet strangely comical overview. The absurdity of psychotic terror and a strange, lulling sense of reality makes for a very unsettling and uncomfortable film.

Christian Bale is the investment banker who by day listens to Phil Collins on his walkman, and by night scours the streets for sexually exciting women who he can commit disgusting and depraved sexual and murderous acts on.

The film to me appears so terrifying because it shows just how far one person can go from being a sociable, friendly man to a vile and mentally deranged monster. One could not believe that a man like this could exsist in this society. Bale's performance is terrifying yet gripping surreal, for while this man is a psychopath he still maintains a tidy house and goes out to lunch daily with his collegues.

Not a film for anyone who cannot stand the sight of blood because there really is a lot of it and the violence/sexual acts can really get a bit much sometimes, but as far as performances go, the movie is one you must see, if only for the twisted mind of a young man.

Rating 3.5/5

Creature Features

Having recently put myself ashamedly through not one but 2 films featuring a giant octopus followed by half of a film about a large spider which was about all I could bear, I call upon readers to consider any films about terrifying creatures that they might have seen, maybe, well.. large spiders in 'Eight Legged Freaks', or 'Arachnophobia', or maybe the old favourite killer shark in 'Jaws'? Let me know about your most dreaded movies right now!

Octopus 2 - 2001

Why on earth I decided to put myself through the sequel to 'Octopus' I will never know. Maybe a temporary relapse of concentration. It was appalling. Whereas the first one had been so bad it had been funny, this film was just plain bad! The plotline made no sense whatsover and the acting was abismal. Very rarely are sequels better than the original and this was most apparant here. There is no recommendation here for this film in any form, I would not even recommend it for a laugh, simply a poorly constructed joke of a film.

Rating 0.5/5

Octopus - 2000

There is no escape under the sea.


Anyone who has seen 'Jaws' will know the terror that an underwater creature can bring to an audience of excited people looking to be scared. However I didn't experience anything like the same amount of horror when I watched 'Octopus'. In fact it was more farcical than scare-tactic. As far as I could gather from the plot, a group of people spend a lot of time underwater in a submarine going nowhere rather fast. In fact this maybe something to do with the fact that they are transporting a known terrorist who has successfully blown up a major building in America and for some reason they choose to take him in their submarine (I suppose it is less destructive than taking a plane, although you can still take someone hostage whether in sea or sky so it's not exactly a clever concept). However, halfway through the trip, the inevitable happens, and the terrorist, complete with awfully phoney German accent, turns on the crew forcing them under gun-point. At roughly the same time a large octopus appears, ready to eat as many crew members as possible. There is no point in divulging anymore of this 'thrilling' sea story (mainly because that is about the jist of it) because I don't want to give everything away, but it maybe worth a look, simply for the humour factor which will have you behind your sofa, in hysterics.

To Die For - 1995

All she wanted was a little attention

I have always considered Nicole Kidman to be an understated actress, although her wide range of roles hardly presents a person who is scared of change. I had been keen to see this ever since I became a fan of Nicole Kidman and I have to say she is perfect at portraying a slightly evil, yet astonishingly beautiful character who can switch from one persona to the next in a matter of seconds. This film centres around her character Suzanne who after becoming a weather girl for a local radio station, decides she will do anything to be famous, too bad that her layabout husband does not seem to support her. Does she really need someone like that? Wouldn't it be nice if he just disappeared...?

This satirical black comedy from director Gust Ver Sant really shows Kidman off to be a versatile actress. Parts of the film are Kidman (supposedly in a newsroom) talking to us, the audience about her life and opinions, which is a particularly clever section of the film to include. Doing so allows the audience to be the first people to know what Kidman is thinking before she tells any of her on-screen aquaintances. Matt Dillon is unrealistically boring in his part as Kidman's husband and Joaquin Pheonix doesn't fare much better as the weird teenager obsessed with Kidman who will go to any lengths to show her. Kidman is the star however as usual and quite literally, steals the show!Only negative thing I wil say which affects my rating is that the story takes to long to get properly started and the everything seems to happen at once soon after which is not the way a film should go.

Rating 3.5/5

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's beginning -2008

Only one story begins under the sea



I was very impressed by this sumptious and beautiful prequel to the Little Mermaid. How lovely to be able to see Ariel's journey from childhood told from Ariel's point of view. We are even introduced to Marina, who later becomes the terrifying Ursula after being shunted to one side of King Triton while Sebastian the Crab takes full credit for everything. We also learn a little bit more about Ariel's mother and how she died which is a vital credit to the film in order for us to understand both the King and Ariel's feelings in the original movie. We see some old friends in this movie, and some new ones, and I am very happy to say this was a great prequel to a great movie.

Rating 4/5

Sweet Home Alabama -2002

Sometimes what you're looking for is right where you left it...

Wow was I surprised by this. What a truly lovely, funny and extremely moving film!The plot doesn't sound up to much and you would be forgiven for thinking this was a typical chick flick, but it's not. Some parts of it actually had me close to tears!

Reese Witherspoon plays Melanie, a girl who has escaped from her Alabama roots in favour of the big lights of the city. Seven years on and she has a successful job and a man who adores her, and when he proposes she says yes. The only thing left to do now is to head back home to tell her parents, and ask for a divorce from her current husband...




This film really is something else, and its really romantic as well without being overly soppy. Witherspoon performs well although you do notice some familiar traits from her acting skills that are made obvious in other films as well but that may not be so much of a bad thing. This is still a really enjoyable film which teaches you that you must always follow your heart, not other people.

Rating 4.5/5

La Cienaga (The Swamp) - 2001

I should like to say that I am a huge fan of foreign films and this by no means prejudices whether I like the film or not. In amazon people who rate foreign films with low marks are sometimes critisised as not being clever enough to understand a film in subtitles when in fact sometimes the story is just not very gripping. I found this with Lucrecia Martel's anything but interesting story - La Cienaga. Contrary to the popular opinion of many art film buffs (again from amazon) that a film like this has many layers which need to be dissected and interpreted, I simply found it a rather turid excuse for an art movie. Understandably the film is set near a swamp, while it appears, a heat wave is occuring over the entire city which probably doesn't make the smell of the swamp any more appealing. At the same time we see the relationships of the nearby occupants slowly disintegrate as the heat becomes even more uncomfortable. Forgive me if I am wrong but in my mind that is not the most exciting or tantilizing of stories, and the acting I'm afraid is pretty much the same.

Rating 1.5/5

Monte Carlo or Bust -1969

It was a race to the finish...if only they could finish!

Despite frequent similarities to the (in my opinion) far superior 'Great Race' also based on a car race starring Tony Curtis I still have to give this film credit. Some of it is mediocre but then again some of it is hilarious! And with Tony Curtis against the quintissentially english Terry Thomas who is always comical this movie cannot help but be amusing. Curtis and Thomas are each competing in the famous Monte Carlo rally and are both intent on winning, be it through snow, water, mud or any other form! With added comical richness by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore and the lovely Susan Hampshire who captures Tony Curtis's heart, this is a fantastic film to watch if you want to see some of the best 60s actors in action!

Rating 3.5/5

College Road Trip - 2008

They just can't get there fast enough!

After what started as initial apprehension about this film I was immediately in hysterics over Martin Lawrence and especially the irritating and nauseatingly nice character played by Donny Osmond! Lawrence's daughter Melanie is at that time in her life where she is thinking about university, the trouble is, where she wants to go and where he wants her to go are two different things! Being a cop, Lawrence is desperate for his daughter to enrol close by so that he will always be able to protect her, while Melanie has her heart focused upon studying law at a university roughly 700 miles away from home! Can her father realise that she is not a little girl anymore and let her grow up?Fat chance when you have a comedy like this! When Melanie's friends invite her on a road trip so that she can drop by and visit the university along the way, Lawrence thinks this is a fantastic idea, of course, he'll be going along too...

Compared to other teen comedies in this vein I actually found this very funny, in fact I was laughing out loud and in serious risk of waking up the rest of the house! I don't know what it is, whether it is Martin Lawrence's expressions or just the general idea of the story. I really liked it!

Rating 4/5

Live Flesh (Carne Tremula) -1997

Life, love, desire... and everything in between.

Pedro Almodovar has produced a very weird, yet powerful film. From the first scene of the birth in the bus you can tell immediately who directed this film. A number of characters are entertwined in different ways and during the film we explore their relationships involving infidelity, obsession and abuse. Almodovar's characters are so real and believable that you find yourself on the edge of your seat wanting to know what the outcome is.

Watch this if you want to see Almodovar in action providing some of the best Spanish cinema!

Rating 3.5/5

Lady For a Night - 1942

I wanted to escape my kind, the ones I thought were trash to be with you, the rich people, now I know that you are the trash...

This film shocked me given that I didn't even know it exsisted until recently. John Wayne was not the lead, but the supporting part which was also a shock! The lead was given to feisty and fun-loving Joan Blondell, who as the Memphis Belle of Wayne's club decides she wants to leave that kind of life behind and find solice with a rich and society-driven man. She does so and moves into the ominous and eerie 'The Shadows' - the name of the house where her husband lives. The rest of his family are not welcoming or happy that he has taken a wife, nor one of such low standard. Events however take a turn for the worse as Blondell realises that she isn't quite as welcomed into the wealthy society life that she thought she would be...

An enjoyable film, but not one that will really stand out in my memory in months to come. Worth a watch to see Joan Blondell perform 'Up in a Balloon Boys'!

Rating 3/5

The Man Who Knew Too Much - 1956

A little knowledge can be a deadly thing.

Hitchcock can never disappoint, that is a fact. This movie, although the remake of the 1930's film of the same name is still as heart-stopping, tense and and powerful as the first. James Stewart is a favourite of Hitchcock's and has appeared in many other brilliant films of his including 'Rope', 'Rear Window' and 'Vertigo'. He is as usual, superb in this movie of spys and betrayal set in the colourful surroundings of Marrakech. Stewart and Day are a normal married couple, set to enjoy a few days in the mesmerising city with their son before setting off back home. They even meet another seemingly normal American couple while they are there who offer to help look after their son while they sightsee. However something goes very wrong and soon Stewart and Day are caught up in a web of deceit and murder...

I did find myself comparing scenes from the original to this, but I am so relieved to say that they are 2 very individual films which can both be enjoyed, regardless if you have already seen one or the other. The storyline is very slightly different in this version but there are still similarities which you will notice, or if you are new to the whole story then you will find some jaw-dropping action and amazing intrigue.

4.5/5

You Belong to Me - 1941

Are there many female doctors as beautiful as you?..No doubt...The time I've spent being well!

I was so pleased with this film because I had desperately wanted to see it for ages and it did not disappoint! Henry Fonda falls literally into Barbara Stanwyck's arms, a qualified doctor who is passionate about her job, whilst Fonda is passionate about....well, nothing! Being a millionaire he doesn't have to work, and when he spontaneously proposes to Stanwyck he expects her to give up her job, but she has other plans. Gradually (well after 4 days of marriage) the cracks are beginning to show, with Fonda's increasing paranoia over Stanwyck's long list of male patients getting too much to bear...

An extremely funny screwball, although some reviewers have critisised it as being too dated now. I personally feel that it has barely dated at all, and is still as funny now as I'm sure it was then!

4/5

A Walk to Remember - 2002

2 lives brought together then torn apart.





This film had been the topic of much conversation when I was at college and everyone had been desperate to view it. I finally experienced it for myself nearly 5 years later a day ago and can honestly say I have no idea what all the fuss was about! Mandy Moore temporarily abandoned her candy-sweet girl persona from the world of cheesy pop and took up the role of Jamie in this adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel who meets Shane West's character of Landon who, in contrast to her intelligence and gentleness is arrogant and careless. However a friendship is formed and Landon becomes close to Jamie, unaware that she is hiding a terrible secret...

The character interaction may have been good, but I'm afraid I felt the intensity needed for this type of story was seriously lacking. Having not seen Mandy Moore in any other movies and having been a fan of her bubble-gum image image since she began singing I feel that she is maybe better sticking to singing instead of acting. I will try to watch another of her movies and then set a comparison between them before I truly make up my mind, but for this movie I have to say it will be getting a (probably surprisingly)low mark from me.

Rating 2.5/5

Bambi 2 - 2006

A father's love, a son's courage

I don't really have a lot to say about this movie. It is no way near as good or intense as the first, but then again this movie is supposed to be set in the middle of the first film so that is something to confuse people! There wasn't really a lot happening in this animation, Bambi's father does his best to look after and support the headstrong little deer with hardly any result. It is hard to critisise a Disney film, and I would only be saying that the story wan't particularly strong, certainly not that the animation wasn't up to scratch, because it always is! It was a sweet insight into the life of Bambi but it didn't grab me sufficiently for me to rate it highly!

Rating 2.5/5

Monkey Business - 1952

A good buy? Well goodbye to you!

What better way to spend the evening than indulging in this light-hearted comedy from the hilarious director Howard Hawks. Containing three of my favourite actors (Grant, Monroe and Rogers) this enjoyable story centres around Cary Grant's character Barnaby, a research chemist who invents a new type of pill supposedly developed to enable people to never grow old. Mayhem ensues when the pill is accidently taken by first Grant then Rogers resulting in a hilarious concoction of scenes that truly take advantage of Hawks' trademark screwball comedy. Monroe's part as Grant's secretary is perfectly acceptable and Roger's slightly weary role as wife to Grant does in fact turn out to be very funny, proof that Rogers could do more than just dance. It is Cary Grant who as always steals the show, evidence in my own opinion that there is not one film I have seen him in where he hasn't either moved me, romanced me or made me collapse with laughter on the floor!

This film is a fantastic experience, combining satirical comedy and some great personalities based around a very silly and fluffy plot. A lovely movie to watch anytime and seeing Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant in a film together for me is just the best feeling in the world!

Rating 5/5

The Love Guru - 2008

Don't look at me with that tone of voice!

I am awfully disappointed with this film, which is a shame because I really value Mike Myers as a comic actor and find his other films hilarious (Austin Powers, The Cat in the Hat). Not having seen the earlier film 'The Guru' leaves me unsure as to whether this is a remake or a totally different story! Myers' portrayal as the Guru is mildly amusing but nothing special. I personally ound the stand out performances were from Verne Troyer and the hilarious, cross-eyed Ben Kingsley. Although beautiful, Jessica Alba's acting abilty is strictly limited to the same mediocre parts which is a shame but nevertheless a reality. The story itself was such a blur that I could not give you a thorough analysis of the plot, simply that it revolves around a Guru who makes people laugh and talks about sex. Not exactly a riveting plot and to be honest I found it hard to keep my attention focused throughout the movie!

Although the brief appearance of Ben Kingsley was great, it wasn't enough to warrant a good mark for this movie.

Rating 2/5

The Hound of the Baskervilles - 1959

Beware of the moor when the moon is high...

Nothing is quite so satisfying as watching this terrifying and exciting film on a saturday afternoon when the rain is tipping down outside and feeling thankful that you do not live near a moor!

Peter Cushing does a memorable performance as Sherlock Holmes and is rapidly becoming one of my favourite actors, also appearing in many other Hammer Horror productions. You may feel that a film cannot be truly terrifying unless it has blood, gore and massacre, well this film proves that this is not the case, and in fact some of the scariest films rely simply on atmosphere and tension. Lord Baskerville invites Holmes and Watson to Baskerville Hall to investigate the legend of the hounds that claim lives on the moor. Surely they are just fictional? Of course Holmes is always one step ahead of the rest...

I think Peter Cushing is one of the best representations of Sherlock Holmes that I have seen, (Basil Rathbone being the other). He acts with charm, wit and intelligence. The acting is strong, the story is strong, what more could you want?

Rating 4/5

Irresistible - 2006

A secret is not safe if the truth has a witness...

Sometimes a film comes along which really knocks your socks off and I have no doubt that 'Irresistible' did just that, being surprised at how much tension and passion exceeded from this movie. Hosting some very fine actors including the glorious recently established star Emily Blunt, this movie tells of Susan Sarandon's character Sophie, a professional illustrator who starts to believe that her husband's assistant Mara (Blunt) is obsessed with her, although there is no actual proof. Little things don't start to add up though, like a misplaced dress which the neighbour swears a woman was wearing who went into Sophie's house... And so it continues, Sophie gradually feeling she is being stalked, and with no support from her husband (Sam Neil) who actually has feelings for Mara anyway, she begins to think of ways to gain the proof she needs...
This movie was fast paced and brilliantly acted, although nearing the end of the film I started to resent Sarandon's peculiar psychotic complexion and feel sorry for Mara instead. I must say that the highlight performance of this film was Emily Blunt whose acting I thought was just astounding and it appeared to be Neil and Sarandon who were the back up characters.

There was no way to know what would happen at the end of this film which is what makes it all the more atmospheric, and the beautifully haunting score really is the icing on the cake.

Rating 4/5

Manhattan - 1979

Who do you think you are, god?... Well I have to model myself on someone!

Having just watched Woody Allen's iconic and beautifully photographed film 'Manhattan' I am in two views. On one hand I am bowled away by both the Gershwin score which features constantly throughout the film (especially featuring the mesmerising 'Rhapsody in Blue') and also the amazing black and white cinematography which made the film so famous at the time. However on the other hand is Woody Allen's irritating and manic character whch seems to be portrayed not just in this but also in his earlier work 'Annie Hall.' I know many people see Woody Allen as a marmite actor - you either love his quirkiness or hate his non-stop repetition and over the top 'comic' jibes. I can't say I agree with either, for there were moments when I raised a smile, but there were also times I considered turning the film off because of his whiny attitude to love and relationships. However I did find Diane Keaton particularly humourous like I did in 'Annie Hall', where in both she portrays Woody Allen's intellectual and beautiful object of desire (Allen and Keaton were nearing the end of their personal relationship by the time this film was shot). However, despite Keaton's hilarity and Allen's bumbling absurdity I have to say that if it wasn't for the breathtaking cinematic portrayal of Manhattan city in the first four minutes of this film I would be giving it one less star.

Rating (because of the cinematography) 3/5

The Master of Suspense

The purchase of a massive boxset of one of my favourite Directors - the one and only Alfred Hitchcock has caused some major excitement in my house. Although I have seen a few Hitchcock masterpieces before on crackly old VHS it is fantastic being able to own the majority of his best work in a 14 disc boxset so that I can view them anytime I want! I am embarassed not to have seen all his but happy as well because I am trying to save them as long as I can to suspend my enjoyment (limiting myself to one every friday night!)

Treat yourself this Christmas and buy it now on amazon.co.uk!

What's the best of the best!

I would like to invite people to talk about their favourite film or films of 2008! Any genre and any type, they don't even need to be well known ones, as you know I am averse to anything! You can have as many favourites as you like as long as you give me a little bit of information about each and explain why you think they are so great! Who knows, you may be persuading me to watch your favourite film!

Tinkerbell - 2008

Tink - the bell was added later!

Let me start by talking about the beautiful and quirky little animated film which has captured all our hearts this year, I am of course talking about Disney's newest addition to the pack - Tinkerbell. Now before Peter Pan came into the picture, there was a little unknown named Tink, who although clumsy was kindhearted and sweet to all the other fairies in her world. Her sadness though was at not being allowed onto the 'mainland' (London to us mere mortals). With a little pinch of fairy dust, we follow her journey in just under an hour and fifteen minutes which is hardly a long film, and are joined along the way by some familiar voices like Lucy Liu and Angelica Huston and of course the unmistakable Jane Horrocks.

I'm not a big fan of long films and usually find an hour and forty minutes is usually about right for my viewing pleasure, however this film appeared a trifle short for me, but then again it is aimed at children who are usually only happy with a quick stint of moviedom and so it maybe a good length. The content is cleverly animated and a nice story, something great if you don't want to use your brain for an hour or so.

Rating : 4/5