Woman of the Year - 1942 * * * *

One of the 9 famous pairings between Hepburn and Tracy 'Woman of the Year' is a sparkling and quick-witted screwball about 2 sharp journalists on the same newspaper but both with very different views. Tess Harding is a political affairs columnist whilst Sam Craig reports on sport. They met by chance and fall in love. Starting married life together however, Sam realises that Tess's priorities do not seem to involve him as he puts up with continual late night disturbances from Tess's secretary and even his wedding night is spoilt by the arrival of a famous doctor in his marriage boudoir who is intent on conferring with Tess right there and then. He begins to realise if he even wants to be married to such a prestigeous woman.

As with all screwball there are some very funny scenes as well as ones that tug at your heartstrings, but everything always turns out alright.

The Night Listener - 2006 * * * *

Thinking back to this film I've realised how much I want to see it again despite only seeing it for the first time this morning. Robin Williams is a thoroughy excellent actor and didn't disappoint here as Gabriel Noone, a radio show host who becomes entangled in the life of a sick and abused 14 year old boy named Pete who has sent his life story to Gabriel, desperate for his help. What happens next is almost impossible to believe, especially being inspired by true events, and thoroughly disturbing. A real head-scratcher. Toni Collette is also brilliant as Donna, the carer of Pete. Well worth seeing, at least once.

Code Unknown - 2000 * * * 1/2

For years now I have kept seeing this dvd cover on Amazon and wondering what on earth Julietee Binoche was screaming at, thankfully now I have seen the film I know ( although it was nothing to do with what I originally thought) and I must say this wasn't a bad dose of Michael Haneke who previously terrified me with Funny Games and thrilled me in Cache (Hidden). I figure that this film needs to be seen a few times for the viewer to really understand the intricate details of each and every short (there must be at least 20). Some are brilliant (the paper bag throwing incident for one) and others are mind-numbingly boring ( Binoche ironing copious amounts of T-Shirts in front of the tv). As Haneke seems to be a master in his craft I'm pretty sure they are all included for a reason but sometimes it seems a bit difficult to know what the importance of some of them is. However on a plus side the shorts are all so..well.. short that you never get bored.

Cracks - 2009 * * *

This was a very strange movie. Eva Green was certainly the highlight giving a stupendous performance as 'Miss G', the spontaneously and mysteriously exotic teacher at a prestigeous girl's school in 1930s Britain who is idolised (somewhat romantically) by the popular clique of girls. However the arrival of a foreign student Fiamma disrupts both the girls and the feelings of Miss G,but in different ways. Juno Temple is also excellent as Di, the conniving captain of the swimming team, who, after realising that Miss G's affections are wandering from her, resorts to any action possible to rid the school of the new visitor. The subtle lesbian undertones make this film especially dark and eerie, contrasting the wide and open spaces where the film is shot, a bizarre but worth watching film.

The Postman Always Rings Twice - 1946 * * * * *

This was one of those film noirs that I have kept putting off, scared that once I've seen it I will hate it or not appreciate it like so many fans do. Well I've seen it now, and will never question a film noir as not being brilliant. So many elements of this movie are priceless, Lana Turner is tooth-achingly beautiful (I noticed some traits on her that Marilyn Monroe uses) and I was surprised to see that John Garfield is actually quite attractive in a rugged way ( for some reason I've always associated Garfield with someone like Edward G. Robinson or Sydney Greenstreet looks-wise!).

Nick, a drifter comes upon a roadside cafe and applies for a job there after seeing the middle aged manager's stunning wife Cora. Before long, there are sparks between Nick and Cora that cannot be denied and they both decide that they want to be together, whatever the costs... Luscious camera work, a great story, 2 awesome actors, (a shady male and a femme fatale) and all in sensuous black and white, what more could you want for a 5 star 'Film Noir'? Well worth the wait - Film Noir never disappoints me.

One Night Stand - 1997 * * *

I'm embarrassed to say this really because of all the flack that Wesley Snipes receives about his personal life but I really love him as an actor! Here he plays the smooth and cool commercials director Max who, after being stranded overnight at his hotel on a business trip, makes the aquaintance of Karen, an intelligent and beautiful woman who wants a no strings fling. The difference with this film and others about infidelity is that you don't for one second feel anger towards Max, instead mentally egging him on to make a go of it with this woman as opposed to his high-maintainance wife Mimi who cannot stop talking and making a fool of herself at any social function. Exactly a year later, Max returns to New York to visit his sick friend Charlie ( played amazingly by Robert Downey Jnr - he should have received an Oscar for his portrayal of a gay man dying of AIDS if he hasn't already) and bumps into Karen...

A surprisingly good movie!

The Spanish Gardener - 1956 * * * * 1/2

The film has been on non-stop on FilmFour and I always miss it or decide it's not what I want to see that particular day. However on Saturday it was exactly what I wanted to watch and so with bated breath I began watching the movie, honestly not expecting much. However by the end there were tears streaming down my cheeks as I contemplated how utterly brilliant the story was and how excellent both Michael Horden and Dirk Bogarde were. Harrington Brande (Horden) and his son are relocated to a beautiful villa in Spain and it is decided that a gardener must be employed, enter Dirk Bogarde. Before long Nicholas (the son) is close friends with Jose (Bogarde), helping him weed the garden and plant flowers. Brande however is desperately jealous of the close bond his son forms believing it to be a sign that his son no longer loves him and decides to do anything he can to part the two.

Michael Horden plays his part exceedingly well and although this is only the second thing I have seen him in ( the first being 'Whistle and I'll Come to You' ) I'll definitely be looking out for more of his work. Dirk Bogarde is on top form as usual and plays his role with heart-breaking results. The ending caused me to reach for the tissues and I am so happy I watched the film at long last.

Amores Perros - 2001 * * * *

Roughly translated as 'Love's a Bitch' or in other places 'Loves Dogs' ( or is it Dog Lovers??) this film was tipped continuously as one of the greatest foreign films of the last decade. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, this film tells three stories that are all connected by a dreadful car crash and explores the feelings, loves and lives of the main characters. I felt that this film started off slowly and I was a one stage considering turning the thing off, but by the time I had seen the beginning of the 2nd story I was hooked, and by the 3rd story I was thinking that this was indeed one of the greatest foreign movies I had ever seen. Towards the end we are shown the series of events that leads each of the characters to that particular point and I must say the direction and fast-packed action really took my breath away. This film really needs persevering with, especially due to the fact that it is longer than many normal movies, but once you have cracked the beginning you will be on the right course for a brilliant movie, painstakingly concocted by a director I have never heard of ( always a joy to discover new talent). The only thing I would say about this film is that there are some horribly gruesome scenes involving dog-fighting and it is quite obvious that the fights are real, therefore a bit of discretion or eye-covering is in order, but do not turn the thing off!

Madman -1981 * *

Not pertaining to be fickle in any sense I feel I must agree with a review I read on amazon where the person claimed this was the ugliest cast ever seen in a film. I mean the actors really were dreadfully unattractive and had the most gormless faces I have ever had the misfortune to look at. Added to which the characters in this 'horror' movie were so incredibly stupid that I rooted for the killer the whole time. I mean realistically, if you hear a story about a serial killing maniac whilst you are huddling around a camp fire whose abandoned house is a foot away from where you are sitting you would hope that a sane individual would not decide it was 'fun' to wander off for a look in the house whilst everyone else has gone away. The acting was dreadfully slow and repetitive and I couldn't have cared less if any of the group had lived or died. Do not even attempt to watch this film, even if it's free, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Jules et Jim - 1962 * * * *

Finally I have found the movie that Audrey Tautou goes on and on about in 'Amelie' whilst she is at the cinema! ( you remember; the scene in the cinema where Amelie explains to the audience that she looks out for the insignificant parts of a film that other viewers miss, such as the fly on the window in the corner of the shot whilst the two main characters are in the middle of a passionate embrace). Jules and Jim is really a lovely film. It starts off in my opinion rather slowly but soon progresses to an excellent rate, rounding itself off with a very sad ending. Jules and Jim meet one day in a cafe and realise that they have everything in common - politics, literature, arts, theatre and this cements their relationship from then on. Soon afterwards they meet the carefree and fun-loving Catherine (played wonderfully by Jeanne Moreau) and from then on their relationship and the way they view their lives will never be the same again.

Catherine is a totally intriguing character - shallow and fickle, yet joyous and passionate, and I think Moreau was the perfect choice to play her. Although not a particularly beautiful or intelligent character she somehow captivates both men with an effortless charm, free to do with them what she chooses.

Many viewers immediately jumped to the conclusion the Jules and Jim's relationship was of a homosexual nature and I think you really need to study the film carefully to see that this isn't the case. They love each other yes, but as the closest and best of friends who would do anything for each other, a love that appears to have been made redundant in modern-day films ( anything more than a smile to another male in a recent film would insinuate the possibility of romantic behaviour) which is a huge shame, although it just makes films like this even more beautiful. This film is dying to be watched, so do it a favour and do just that.