Ladies of the Chorus - 1949

The front row of the Burlesque world.

Anyone can see that this is Marilyn's first major role. There is a hint of her innocent sexuality just wanting to burst through although it will be a few more years until we see the Marilyn that everyone remembers with her pouting lips and half-closed eyes. This movie is her rehearsal for the unforgettable movies she goes on to make. The movie centres around the ladies of the chorus and life behind the scenes. Peggy and her mother Mae dance in the chorus and have constant disagreements about men, Mae believing that none are good enough for her daughter and Pegy wanting to prove her mother wrong. However the crunch comes when Peggy meets a man of high class and falls in love, and has to present herself and her mother to Peggy's fiance's mother who is unaware of their Burlesque background ...
A good vehicle for Marilyn, and let's face it, that's why most people will want to see this movie, but not one of her best.

Rating 3/5

The Happening - 2008

We've seen the signs, now its happening.

Why oh why! I hear you scream when I start to review this movie. Surely I wasn't stupid enough to believe that Mark Wahlberg had suddenly become good at acting? Well actually it wasn't that, more that I love M. Night's work and had heard (wrongly) that this was an amazingly powerful and terrifying film. I cannot tell you how annoyed I am that I gave in and ended up watching this film. The acting was so dreadful that at times I felt like they were putting it on as part of some secret joke. Alas no, they are all just dreadful actors (John Leguizamo excluded, for he seemed the only mildly strong actor in the whole movie) especially Wahlberg's wimpering doe-eyed girlfriend, whose acting is so diabolical that I had to leave the room on more than one occasion or else would have done some serious damage to my computer screen. I cannot believe this film has been accepted so gracefully, have people lost the plot when it comes to watching a decent movie? Obviously acting is not a big deal anymore as long as you can remember your lines and run around a bit on the spot staring wide-eyed at the other actors like you're on cocaine. I'm very disappointed in this offering from this so-called talented director, especially the ridiculous ending. No more Mr M, please!!!

Rating 1.5/5

Stranger than Fiction - 2008

He's not ready to go. Period.

I'll be honest, Wil Ferrell annoys the living daylights out of me. Not in this film though. I have to say this was one of his strongest performances I have seen in a long time. Add Emma Thompson whom I adore and Dustin Hoffman and you have a stellar cast of talent. Harold Crick's life is mundane, lonely and boring, he does everything by routine and leaves nothing to chance. That is until one morning when he wakes up and finds a female voice inside his head narrating his life to him...I can honestly say, that this film is one of the strongest and best that I have seen in a while. I see so many awful films that when a good one comes along it really sticks in my mind and I must say I was thinking about this for a long time after it was over. It stuck in my mind as a weirdly 'Truman Show' type experience but with a satirical poke at the anger after a visit from the dreaded Tax Man. In fact Ferrell was so strong in his part that towards the end I was feeling very compassionate towards him. Dustin Hoffman's role was brilliant as well. Just a really good and strongly focused movie. Recommended.

Rating 4.5/5

Igor - 2008

All men are not created evil.

This little animated film looked ever so promising from reviews and blurb, and so I jumped at the chance to decide for myself exactly how good it was. It delivered well, with a no-brainer storyline and some brilliant effects. Cusack's voice is unmistakable although for me it took nearly the entire movie to work out who it was! I liked the storyline, sort of a 'beauty and the beastish' plot involving some evil scientists and magical transforming German women. Although aimed at younger children I still enjoyed this as much as any other animated films - an enjoyable way to spend a morning.

Rating 3.5/5

Bus Stop - 1956

The woman that made him a man!

Although I adore Marilyn in every one of her films I found this one of the stronger due to the brilliant and heart-wrenching performance she delivered. So much of her own life seemed to be evident here that she played her part as though it were real, almost like a mirroring of her own existance and resulted in one of the best performances she has ever managed. Don Murray, as one reviewer on Amazon stated either bowled you over with his performance or made you want to shoot him, I opted to agree with the latter. He really was the most irritatng person in the film by a long shot and I can't believe that Marilyn even managed to act around him without going crazy. That being said, if he hadn't acted in that way, the chemistry between the two of them would have been nothing compared to what it was although I am aware there were many problems between Murray and Monroe off-set. Marilyn really paves the way for other great performances by her role here and proves that she can play more than just a dumb blonde - her life-long ambition.

Rating 4.5/5

The Fearless Vampire Killers - 1967

Who says vampires are no laughing matter?

Unaware of his young and beautiful wife's tragic murder soon before the film was released tothe general public, Roman Polanski decided to cast her in one of the funniest and light-hearted vampire spoofs ever made. Think of every vampire film you have ever seen, then add some hilariously funny characters, such as the hunchback servant who totters about like a loon, and the vampiric cousin with an incredibly funny gay side, of course not forgetting the two main characters - the old, blithering professor who falls asleep everywhere and his timid assistant who cannot escape from any vampire without tripping over his own feet and you have Polanski's best portrayal of a funny vampire film that you have ever seen! One of the reasons this film is such worthwhile watching is that you really can see essences of Cushing, Lee and Lugosi performances in nearly every scene, proving that this film can be a comedy whilst also honouring some of the best vampire talent that we have seen. There is a reason why this film is rated so highly, you just need to watch it to see, make sure you check out the hilarious gay chase scene, it really makes you chuckle.

Rating 4/5

Hammer Horror: Frankenstein must be destroyed - 1969

Your brain will fry...



Peter Cushing, known usually for his downright good characters in the Hammer Horror movies here opts for the anti-good and instead plays a man that could very well be described as mad and mean. Baron Frankenstein's obsession is with a once brilliant doctor who has all of sudden gone mad and been sent to an asylum. By blackmailing an innocent young couple to help him he believes that he can actually cure the madman by replacing his brain with that of another. The only difficulty is getting another brain...

I'm not sure how I felt about seeing Peter Cushing in a part that wasn't good and safe, I have no doubt that he is a very talented actor, however I'm biased towards his other, earlier characters where I feel he fits the roles with greater passion.

Not to say that there aren't many scary scenes in this movie, from opened-brained men on operating tables to hands coming alive under blankets, so there will be plenty of hiding behind a cushion to enjoy!

Rating 2.5/5

Cold Prey - 2006

You'll catch your death.

Something about foreign horror wins me over nearly every time. This gruesome offering from Norway does itself justice in many ways. For one, although I have seen many slasher films set in weird places I have never before seen, this actually was a pretty scary and pretty realistic setting. Some friends who are skiing are forced to take shelter in an abandoned cabin after one of their party obtains a leg injury. For them it is the perfect chance to relax and try to make their friend better, but there is something lurking in the cabin, and it's bloody scary! I jumped more than a few times during this and was more than happy when it was over. The deaths are particularly gruesome and that for me is the perfect slasher movie!

Rating 3.5/5

The Shooting Party - 1985

Nothing can destroy the thrill of the hunt

The Shooting Party came to me because of two very positive reviews. I decided to buy it immediately. I am all for watching films that people I know have reviewed highly but when the film does absolutely nothing for me it puts me off taking any notice of other suggestions. This for me was like watching 'Gosford Park' without the excitment, good acting, or passionate affairs. I for one really enjoyed 'Gosford Park' and also generally love movies that are set in the early 1900s. This movie is supposed to have produced a lot of hype becaue it is set in the autumn before WW1. I just couldn't get to grips with the relationships between the guests or the reaction to the upcoming war. There was something very rigid about the whole thing. Maybe I will watch it again but I see so many films that I will probably find a better one.

Rating 2/5

The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover - 1989

Lust, Murder, Dessert - Bon Appetit.

Wow, for a film that has had such a big deal made of it since its release 20 years ago I can see why people got all excited, or in my opinion freaked out! Something like this movie has never been done before and I do admire that part of it, but the actual plot seems a bit thin. Basically revolving around a thief who owns a posh and decadent restaurant where only the cream of the crop eat, his long suffering wife who finds relief in an affair with a lover and the cook who cooks the thief's meals while at the same time allowing the wife to enjoy her infidelity in secret.... Confused? I was too!I think this film really needs to be seen more than once, because there are so many tiny details that make a lot of sense that I have not noticed in a first viewing. You may think this film sounds a bit typical, maybe a bit of a predictable storyline, but wait until you see inside the restaurant, see the amazingly weird and mind-boggling costumes courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier, hear the oddly haunting music, and see the final stomach-churning scene (seriously it will make you want to vomit) and you'll soon realise that this film is something else, the likes of which could only have been matched by a genius (or a very sick man!).

Review 3/5

The Entity - 1981

You can't hide from something you can't see.

To me this film was somewhere between 'The Exorcist' and 'Poltergeist', but not as good. Another movie supposedly based on a true story with an offering of ghostly happenings that doesn't get my vote. Why? Well because the acting was far too over the top, the story seemed to wander without any meaning and the special effects just made me shudder with nervous laughter. Not a film to be recommended to anyone who actually wants to be scared.

Rating 2/4

The Grass is Greener - 1960

If you can't get even, get civilised.

This film is slated so much in reviews as being the one film that Cary Grant 'just isn't Cary Grant in' and I really don't know why. I find it a perfectly pleasant way to spend a few hours. Granted the actual story is quite ridiculous and seems only to take the mick out of upper class Englishmen for keeping a stiff upper lip even in the face of infidelity, but actually the film is a clever and fairly comic trip into life behind those closed doors of the married couples in England. Cary Grant is great, I will never ever critisise anything he acts in, as he is my favourite actor in the world, and Robert Mitchum is surprisingly suited to the par of the brash, arrogant American who steals the heart of Grant's wife Hilary (played prudishly by Deborah Kerr, the weakest of the three). If you are interested in seeing a supposedly 'typical' English scene then the one to look out for is the one with the duel, in fact it is so absurd that this part of the movie does begin to look like a joke, but it soon picks itself up. A good show of a film, with some good acting and enjoyable moments.

Rating 4/5

Singin' In the Rain - 1952

'The silent movie that caused the death of the talkie'

Everyone has heard of this movie. Even people who know nothing of musicals. The songs are legendary, the stars are the same. Gene Kelly shines on the screen as only he knows how as Don Lockwood playing opposite screen sensation Lina Lamont. Debbie Reynolds does a fantastic job as his upbeat and underestimated girlfriend Cathy. The routines are superb including 'Make Em Laugh' (performed by a hilarious Donald O'Connor, who only made a couple of movies and then disappeared from the screen, what a waste!) 'Broadway Rhythm','Moses Supposes' and of course 'Good Mornin' a song nearly as popular as the title tune. The highlight of the movie is of course Gene Kelly performing 'Singin in the Rain' in that feel-good and happy manner we have come to know and love (although in reality he was suffering from a temperature of over 102 at the time of shooting; you wouldn't have a clue!) This and many other surprises is a rare and glorious treat for all fans of musicals. Something that will stay with you forever. Added to which, there are many sly digs at the silent movie business which I have only just understood now after watching many Silent Films, making me admire the film all the more. The transition from silent to talkie really was a risky process and although a film of fiction, I am sure that many of the problems faced in the movie have been come across in real life by real Directors at the end of the 1920s. The birth of the talkie caused the ruin of many stars' careers, all because their accents coud not possibly fit the mould that their silent characters had created, Jean Hagen is on top form here, as the beautiful and sharp-tongued Lina Lamont, who because of her horribly corse Brooklyn accent has to resort to miming her words to Cathy's voice in a bit to save an already failing picture. This movie makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you sing, and makes you thankful for movies, in short - unforgettable.

Rating 5/5

Thelma and Louise - 1991

Someone said get a life, so they did.

I know Ridley Scott is said to be a fantastic director, but am I alone when I didn't think altogether highly of this movie?Probably. Fine it's supposed to exude womanhood and free spirits etc but I just didn't find much to clasp onto here. A housewife and a waitress decide to go on a road tripand all hell breaks loose when Susan Sarandon shoots a man trying to rape Geena Davis and they end up on the run. Err I feel like this has been done before. The dialogue wasn't up to much and although there were some funny moments, the movie was not consistently good enough to warrent a good high rating although I did like the ending (maybe because they were both getting on my nerves.) Sorry Ridley, better luck next time.

Rating 2/5

Hoboken Hollow - 2005

You won't make it out alive.

As I'd only come upon this movie by chance I wasn't expecting much from it. And as expected I didn't get anything out of it either! Apparently this movie is based on a real story (yeah yeah we know they never come to light)about an infamous Texas ranch in the 1980's where young drifters were picked up when they were hitchhiking and given food and bedding and promised work. However if they don't work up to scratch they won't live to see the dawn. So the story was pretty much that, with awful, pointless cameos of Dennis Hopper and Michael Masden. The acting was over-the-top but also very weak and I didn't enjoy it at all.

Rating 1.5/5

Wishing Stairs - 2003

Watch your step.

I wasn't completely aware when I bought this that it was part of a trilogy namely the third after Memento Mori and Whispering Corridors. However the good thing about Tartan Asia is that each film can be watched individually and not follow as a sequel etc. So this movie was a pretty scary experience for me. A story of a boarding school where girls visit the 'Wishing Stairs' nearby to make wishes regarding love and life. The story goes that if you climb the 28 stairs repeating each number out loud, a 29th will appear and grant you a wish. Something that you can only imagine happening in somewhere like Japan or Korea. I realy liked the idea of this plot, and it does touch upon other fantasies such as The Monkey's Paw etc. I cannot say that this movie is straightforward horror because there are elements in it about relationships and friendships that centre almost upon drama. But the premise is a good, haunting movie about being careful what you wish for.

Rating 3.5/5

Lucky Jim - 1957

Oh Lucky, Lucky Jim!

This movie brings back memories. I haven't seen it for years but even on the new viewing I am still as pleased and moved to laugh out loud that I was then. Ian Carmichael and of course the unmistakable Terry Thomas come together in this hilarious story of university life in 1950s London. Carmichael as the bumbling, careless and unpredictable lecturer and Thomas as the posh English cad who is interested in the gir that Carmichael is!! Chaos as you would imagine is common and most amusing, so stock up on English Breakfast Tea and crumpets and get ready to laugh yourself silly!

Rating 4/5

The Invisible - 2007

Life, death and something in between.

The idea for this film is nothing if not creepy. A teenage boy gets mistakenly attacked by the resident school gang over an earlier incident involving the lead girl stealing jewellery from the local store. She without a moment's remorse leaves him for dead buried in the forest. What happens then is something very weird indeed, for the boy's spirit, obviously on the verge of life or death leaves his body and begins to follow his mother and the lead girl around hoping that somehow the girl will have a change of heart and save him before it is too late. A novel concept indeed and one that has to be seen to be believed. Although I must admit that certain parts annoyed me immensely, many others touched me, and so this cannot be an altogether bad film.

Rating 4/5

88 Minutes - 2008

88 minutes to solve a murder. His own.

Imagine if your received a phone call from someone telling you that you had 88 minutes to live and you had no idea ho they were. What would you do. This is the problem faced by Forensic psychiatrist and college lecturer Jack Gramm who one day takes a call that wil change his whole life forever. Pacino in a very different and complex role to his usual variety with support from Benjamin McKenzie and Alicia Witt and his unassuming students. A good idea at best but not much substance to this movie although in its defence it is shot for exactly 88 minutes (from the time he receives the call and the time he ends it) not speeded up or slowed down, so that we can take the jorney with him as the time goes by. A good concept that falls rather flat by the time we reach the end.

Rating 3/5

Taken - 2008

The time for revenge has come.

Yes yes yes, finally a film with quality actng, quality storyline and an emotional intensity that is so rare in films nowadays. Liam Neeson is outstanding as the ex-bouncer whose daughter goes to Paris for the first time with her friend and is mercilessly kidnapped by unknown men. Such is the acting that even when Neeson is bashing and smashing heads together by the dozen you still feel an enormous amount of pain for him, for his loss. I found this story complex, yet fine to follow and equally uncomfortable when I realised that the route of all the kidnapping was actually very real and common problem nowadays.

An amazing film, one that will really tug at your heartstrings and make you feel glad that you are safe at home.

Rating 4.5/5

Wild Child - 2008

She'll like totaly ruin your life.

Contrary to other reviewers I actually thought this was a pretty funny film. The whole idea of a blonde bimbo from U.S.A moving to go to school in England where pupils actually want to learn is hardly a new idea, but new star Emma Roberts seems to light up the screen with her ultra cheery and crude manner. Not one if your planning on exerting willpower but one definately to watch if you want a silly, pointless giggle.

Rating 3.5/5

Dracula - 1991

True Love never dies

Well I should have said it before, this is what I get for thinking remakes of old and genuinely scary movies may actually be a good reason to switch on for over 2 hours. What a surprise to find out that this movie really held none of the suspension, terror or panic that 'Nosferatu' or 'Dracula' starring Bela Lugosi did. The acting was barely watchable, and I was astonished to find one of my favourite actors Anthony Hopkins in a role that barely supported him. Winona Ryder appeals to me very rarely and here she was just a mess of a part, as was Keanu Reeves as the 'strong and faithful' Jonathan Harker. So faithful in fact that he took part in sexual grinding with three monsterous looking women on a bed in Dracula's castle. I am aware Harker's character is meant to be taken advantage of by Dracual's female vampires but in earlier versions of the story he does not appear to be gagging to have sexual intercourse like he does here. The story of Dracula is meant to be sexual and passionate but here it goes too far. Because of this and because I feel so protective over the earlier films I cannot rate this highly.

Rating 2.5/5

The Jane Austen Book Club

You don't have to know the books to be in the club.

The only reasons I wanted to see this was because of Emily Blunt starring ans also because I figured there would be consistent talk of Jane Austen, whom I adore, but I was sad to say the film really revolved more around relationships of the characters and only centred around Jane Austen for about 15 minutes of the film. Emily Blunt is a fantastic actress, I have seen her in three things now and her fresh vibrant attitude to her characters is really great. I have not read the book of this film and maybe that would have been wise before watching the movie. Some fun performances but nothing to get excited about.

Rating 3/5

Marnie - 1964

All the signs lead to red.

I remember vaguely trying to watch this a couple of years ago and being so bored that I switched off after about 15 minutes. However a few days ago I decided to give it another go, partly because I seem to give up on too many films and partly because of my Hitchcock boxset aquired last year that includes Marnie, and I would feel too guilty if I didn't watch that one and saw all the others. Anyway I wouldn't say this film was a blockbuster by any means, especially when you consider such classics as Rear Window and Vertigo (which I have yet to see, but know that it holds high critical aclaim)but it still has something terribly Hitchcockian about it (is that a word?)that makes it perfectly watchable. Marnie is a compulsive liar and theif with an unusual family secret. Sean Connery plays her new employer who, becoming aware of her situation decides to try and help her instead of booting her off to jail. Tippi Hedren's performance is good, but it doesn't pack a punch nearly as well as the brilliant 'The Birds.' It upsets me to have to rate a Hitchcock film lower than 4 out of five because I consider him to be a genius, bu I feel that on the scales of greatness this movie narrowly missed the mark.

Rating 3/5

The Pursuit of Happyness - 2006

It will be worth it.

What a powerful and beautifuly acted movie. Will Smith yanks on our heart strings by acting next to his young son Jaden Smith who is adorable in this tale of unlucky circumstances which come about after Smith's partner walking out on him and her son. Imagine the worst day you could ever have and then multiply that by ten and you have only a shed of how Christopher Gardner feels when he looses his job, is evicted from his home and gets arrested all at the same time. To read reviews you may get the impression that this film is funny, and there are some lighthearted parts, but mostly it concentrates on Gardner's relationship with his son and how he constantly keeps his spirits up and support him, even when they are forced to sleep in a public bathroom. Absolutey heartbreaking but amazingly reassuring at the end. An award winning film.

Rating 5/5

Leatherheads - 2008

In the beginning the rules were simple, there weren't any.

I'm so happy to see George Clooney in a film set in my favourite decade - 1920s and pleased to say he really suits the Jazz age and is able to keep that humour which he carries with him in certain films. Renee Zellweger is infuriating in pretty much any role she takes except for Bridget Jones and I think I would probably have rated this movie higher if she hadn't been in it. However some strong acting and a fantastic soundtrack make this fim good enough for me,, with an added bonus of some really authentic costumes.

Rating 3.5/5

Kung Fu Panda - 2008

Prepare for awesomeness

Supposedly the animated film of the year this cute and funny film certainly kept me entertained for the duration, although I do not agree with such a prestigeous title, when I consider such brilliant movies like Ratatouille and Monsters Inc to be highly superior. Po the panda has always wanted learn Kung Fu but is so lazy that it would never happen, however by a fluke of nature he ends up being trained as the chosen one to defeat enemies at the Jade Palace. Jack Black lends his voice to Po and is suitably amusing. However the film wasn't quite as exciting as I had been led to believe by the fantastic reviews.

Rating 3/5

Eagle Eye -2008

If you want to live then you will obey.



I really love films like this where unknown people are chosen out of millions and thrown together to decipher essages or codes to do with government plots etc. This in essence is a really scary film, not because of blood or guts, but because of how technology is now produced and used. Shia Le Beouf and Michelle Monaghan (whom I find a tedious actress) wind up together after both receiving phone calls from an unknown woman who seems to be abe to track their every move and know all about them. Together they are pushed into terrifying situations by this mysterious woman who can control them by simply speaking to them on the telephone. Fair enough you may find this film unrealistic, I mean episodes like this don't happen, but when you think of the government and also George Orwell's 1984 you almost feel like it could. Brilliant performance from Beouf who I think is going to become a mega star of the screen in the next few years.



Rating 4/5

The Butterfly Effect - 1997

Change the future, through the past.

I know that this is one of those moies that people seem to be bowled over because it deals with time and past events coming back to haunt characters but for me it was a complete mess of situations and relationships. I think the idea of being able to go back in time to change the future by doing things differently is a good concept but a lot of events weren't consistent enough to make any sense. If the plot carried itself properly then there would be no room for holes and misconceptions but sadly this was not the case, and while the film started off well it floundered and fell within the first half an hour.

Rating 2/5

Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny - 2006

The Greatest Motion Picture of All Time!

I'm not sure what to make of this movie. I didn't really enjoy it but there were funny parts. Jack Black teeters on the verge of funny and irritating in his films and in this I found him simply irritating. I realise this is supposed to be the story of how Jack Black and Kyle Gass got together but I still found barely anything to take away from this except the joy that it had come to an end!

Rating 2/5

Felon - 2008

No rules, no hope, no way out.

What starts as a pretty awful incident where a man (Stephen Dorff) confronts an intruder trying to burgle his house leads to a hefty jail sentence for attempted murder which becomes absolute hell. Dorff plays the innocent man painfully realistically and we are transported to a brutal world of violence and abuse where the prison guards are almost as violent as the inmates. Harold Perrineau is brilliant as Lt Jackson (I spent most of the film going 'are you sure that's not the guy from Romeo and Juliet?' It was!) I find him a really stimulating actor who can get right into his parts, almost like a method actor, it is a shame I haven't seen more of his films.

Some great acting on all parts, although seeing an ageing, overweight Val Kilmer as Dorff's cellmate is a rather scary experience, no more Iceman there.

Rating 3/5

Step Brothers - 2008

They grow up so fast.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the idea of two 40 year old men becoming step brothers sounds pretty unfunny but when it's Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly you have to laugh. Both sons find a mutual friendship in becoming step brothers after their divorced parents find love with each other and will go to any lengths to make sure they stay together... This film had me laughing out loud and I do recommend it to anyone who has a sense of humour or a soft spot for keeping their children staying at home years longer than they should!

Rating 4/5

Hammer Horror's: The Viking Queen - 1967

The most barbaric spectacle brought to the screen!

One should always be curious about a film starring a woman with no second name. And indeed this film, whilst compared to the popular 'SHE' flopped abominably at the box office. Carita, the young Finnish star of the movie does a good enough job as the Viking Queen Salina, but something seems to be missing here. Other characters are paper-thin and the relationships do not seem to mesh well together. I am personally very interested in the Viking and Roman relationship and so was hoping for something that may resemble a realistic situation. I don't actually think any of this had a shred of reality in it. I woud probably choose this over SHE regardless of the fact this did much less internationally than the other.

Rating 3/5

Hammer Horror's: The Reptile - 1966

The Terror of the Reptile!

What a weird film. Actually a pretty scary attempt at horror. A young married couple move to a village to the husband's recently deceased brother's house. The locals are weird and have a problem with the couple being there, and are also uncomfortable about the way his brother died...Some unsettling scenes here and a humourous performance from John Laurie as Mad Peter.

Rating 3/5

Hammer Horror's: The Horror of Frankenstein - 1970

Brilliant and misunderstood scientist finds a way of experimenting.

Months and months ago I stayed up very late to watch a film on tv based on Frankenstein and never gt the chance to see the title. This weekend I found with delight that my Hammer Horror dvd collection included the very same movie! I really like this version of Frankenstein and was captivated with this until the end. The acting is actually really strong, especially from Ralph Bates as Frankenstein and regardless of Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee's absence, I still found this movie to be much better than other Hammer films.Would definately watch it again.

Rating 4/5

Hammer Horror's: SHE - 1965

SHE must be obeyed.

Apparently this movie was a universal success on it's release, and while there are moments (and costumes!) worthy of aclaim, the storyline appears to waver slightly in parts, and the lead character is the most obnoxious man I have seen so far in Hammer Horror, constantly flitting form one woman to the next without a shred of regard for their feelings. Obviously I'm looking at this from a female perspective as I'm sure any man watching would think of him as some kind of stud. Ursula Andress was suitably beautiful as SHE but her part did not really give us enough of a glimpse into her character, and I know that she didn't return for the sequel which will mean that when I finally get round to watching that I will have to adjust myself to the new actress in her place. This film could never be seen as anything other than a fantasy, non realistic and non factual, however it does have a nice Hammer feel about it and it is worth a look.

Rating 3/5

Pineapple Express - 2008

Put this is your pipe and smoke it.

Seth Rogan seems to be in everything at the moment. And sometimes he can get on my nerves. However this movie (unlike the horribly unsuccessful 'Hard Boiled' ) did pack a few punches with some funny scenes including a stoned Seth Rogan climbing a tree imagining he'sitting on a big fluffy bear and the obviously gay friend of his drug dealer who will not die, regardless of the amount of bullet wounds in his body. Some of it is mediocre piffel and will appeal more to young teenage boys who enjoy weed, but there is enough humour in this movie to keep most people happy. James Franco is a most amusing character who I would like to see in other films, no one can act as a drug dealer in a more refined way.

Rating 3.5/5

The Day the Earth Stood Still - 1951

From out of space, a warning and an ultimatum!

First of all let me tell you now that I am known for disliking Sci-Fi movies. In fact it is ironic when I am so open to other styles and genres of film that I am rather narrow-minded when it comes to them. Quite simply you would need to pay me to watch anything Science Fiction related, so it was with almost blind trepidation that I became interested in this movie. I am aware there is a recent blockbuster version out at the cinemas now but that wasn't the one I wanted to see. This B movie from 1951 was a perfect example I think of a quality movie. And here's the thing - the fact that it was sci-fi didn't bother me whatsoever. In fact I have to say this is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. When I mentioned in my last review that just because a movie is a B movie does not mean it cannot have substance, it couldn't have been more appropriate for this contrast. Both were B movies, only one cut it for me. The idea of a spaceman visiting earth may sound a bit unlikely to you but trust me, the story to this film is consistant and strong the whole way through. The effects were visually brilliant as well for a film done so many years before special effects were known and I think credit really should be given. I am quite interested in UFO type phenomenum and alien-type beings masquerading as human beings was a frightening thought for me, although the message brought was one of peace, not violence. I found great rapport with the 'space man' who had come to earth to try and stop the people from becoming too violent. He was polite, friendly and intelligent, in fact everything you could wish from an alien. A really action-packed film with some great acting and a solid plot.

Rating 4.5/5

Special Inspector - 1938

I am afraid there was nothing in this film to keep me interested and sadly, although just over an hour, this film was in the middle of putting me to sleep. Rita Hayworth didn't even leave a memorable impression in this movie. In fact I wish she hadn't even been in it because she let herself down being in such a poor quality and poorly made production. There is talk that we have to mae allowances for this movie because it's a B film. Err...no, just because a movie is not A list does not mean it cannot be a good story and a good plot with steady acting, and so I feel that is just an excuse. Do yourself a favour and don't even consider it, there are plenty of good quality movies out there.

Rating 1/5

The Family Man - 2000

What If...

Having chanced upon this movie one Saturday afternoon I decided to give it a go, regardless of the fact that Nicholas Cage took the main role. Surprisingly I found it a refreshing experience to see him in a film where he is forced to take stock of his responsibilities. The whole film revolves around a what if... scenario. On Christmas Eve, Cage, a wealthy businessman is given a 'glimpse' into the life he could have had if he had chosen love instead of money. Tea Leoni is annoying in any role and I'm sorry to have to categorise her like that but I have never seen her in anything where I have liked her character. Don Cheadle pops up occasionaly as the guardian of Cage and does a good job in his role. There are elements of 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'A Christmas Carol' in this movie and I enjoyed seeing a film where the character has to examine his own life, few films go that far.

Rating 3.5/5

Lonely Hearts - 2007

Love Can Be Murder.

I don't know about anyone else but I found this movie an awfully poor adaptation of the Fernandez/Beck story. Another film I've seen - 'The Honeymoon Killers' stuck closely to the script and generally portrayed a much more realistic interpretation of who these people were. I was surprised that Salma Hayek was chosen for the role of Martha. Beck was over 200 hundred pounds and hardly a beauty and so it was clear this film was made in the Hollywood vein, a habit of going off the plot and putting stunning actresses in parts of people who are supposed to be hideous just to get the movie to do well in the box office. I don't feel this film worked, I had no empathy with any of the characters, even John Travolta's who was dealing with the suicide of his wife. All the parts seemed wooden and I found the story to have too many gaps in it. For someone not aware of the real life case I would probably say this is a good enough movie, but for me I picked up on too many errors.

Rating 2.5/5

Passenger 57 - 1993

What would you do in my position?Er..kill myself?

I ashamedly admit that I really enjoyed this film! I know it's looked upon by some as any awfuly fake and cheesy Snipes movie but I thought it did just fine. Particularly interesting was the terrorism plot especially as nine years later events like that would take place in America. It seems that the idea of terrorism on planes has never been a new thing. I think Wesley Snipes is a pretty decent actor and his performance in this movie has made me want to see him in some other stuff. For some people the fact that Snipes had some unfavourable press relating to his private life has created a negative opinion of him but I think in cases like this it is best to simply look at him as an actor and not judge his acting on his personal life. A great movie for people who love action and fast paced adventure.

Rating 4/5

The Host - 2006

It wants to feed...

Forgive me, but 'The Host' lacks something. It is neither scary nor dramatic and seems instead to be a poor excuse for a farcical experience. I buy into the whole 'scary creature coming up from the dark water' thing because that's one of the reasons I wanted to see the film, hoping for a loch ness monster style creature, and the blurb on the back of the DVD case made it seem even scarier than that, however the only moments where I had a little jump were near the beginning of the film and the rest of the time was a long haul, with screaming and running and children covered in gunk, towards the end I was starting to feel sorry for the monster! A miss from around the globe.

Rating 2.5/5

Let's Make Love - 1960

The Millionaire or the comedian, or both?

Not one of Marilyn Monroe's strongest films but this film still proves to be a laugh with some comic moments and special cameos from both Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby. By now it is fairly obvious that Marilyn is heavily reliant on pills and alcohol, for in many scenes she appears vague and half asleep. As a fan of hers I cannot say that she is 'past her best' because that was never the case, but certainly some of the charm and tenderness about her is by now a thing of the past. Interesting to note as well was that she was having an affair with Yves Montand during the making of the film and there are moments where the chemistry is very real.Tony Randall if I am not mistaken played a role in one of Doris Day's movies and is a good source of amusement here. Songs aren't spellbinding and neither are the half-hearted dance sequences but there is still a nice feel to this movie and it does deserve to be seen if only to see Monroe in her second last film.

Rating 3/5

HellBoy - 2004

From the dark side to our side

I cannot believe that this joke of a movie was directed by the same genius who directed Pan's Labyrinth. There was nothing credible about it. I am sure that I should have read the comic book or something but I don't believe that reading a book before I see the movie is necessarily going to make the film better. The movie should be able to survive alone. This movie doesn't. This film to me signifies one specific age group: young teenage boys, in that aspect it's very narrow-minded. In fact it's complete drivel.

Rating 1.5/5

Dark Water - 2005

The Mystery Of The Darkness Will Consume Your Life

Dark Water as someone reviewing it mentioned is not so much a horror film, it is more a film about dealing with relationship issues such as divorce, single parenting and coming to terms with a new life. The film itself is moderatly haunting, although Jennifer Connelly as usual seems to play equally turgid characters who don't have much going for them. Her daughter however is as cute as a button and I personally think she steals the movie. I have yet to see the Japanese version of this film but given my experience with other American versions of Japanese movies the foreign ones always come out far superior.

Rating 4/5

BadLands - 1973

Love and murder, two things they did not know a lot about.

Badlands will for me always be the film with that annoying song. The one that in fact True Romance uses as well through most of it's movie even though the two films are based on the same thing, killing sprees of the young. Can they not find another song maybe? Or is the duplicity intentional? It's pretty eerie to see a very young Martin Sheen hit on Sissy Spacek as 15 year old girl especially when now they both look ancient. The horrible thing about this movie is not the acting, for that from both sides is pretty excellent, but instead for the crimes that were committed by the two individuals as though they were playing a game, with such frightening carelessness that it was certainly a wake-up for people all over America. In that aspect alone this movie speaks a very strong message. As I mentioned above True Romance is a more modernised version of this movie and although directed by Tarantino, I found this one to be far superior so if you were going to choose then this would be the movie to go for.

Rating 4/5

Stardust - 2007

A star falls, the chase begins.

Well 'Stardust' was one of those films that I felt needed to be saved for a time when I was totally in the mood to view it or I may end up missing out on some of the fantasy elements. This chance came along last saturday evening after having had the dvd for nearly six months still in its packaging. This film truly is magical. There is not a dud character in the entire movie and that is saying something pretty fantastic. Even newcomer Charlie Cox acted his little socks off to the best of his ability. The highlight for me and everyone else in the room was of course Robert De Niro who acts as camp as Christmas without a shred of embarassment, a true gem. Claire Danes also lights up the screen (snigger snigger) as the fallen star who becomes involved with Cox as he sets out to find her and take her back to his love, played cattily by Sienna Miller.
Other well known actors pop up from time to time including a facially disfigured Rupert Everett and those two funny blokes from Green Wing (can anyone rememeber their names?!)A star studded cast makes for a lovely evening in front of the box and a motion picture that no one will forget.

Rating 4.5/5

Private Benjamin - 1980

The Army was no laughing matter,

Having seen this ages ago and aquired a DVD of the movie that is somewhere under my bed I was happy to say that viewing this again after about 6 years is still an enjoyable experience like it was at the frst viewing. Goldie Hawn has the natural talent of perfectly timed comedy and it shows in a big way here. Her character, although infuriating at first (she thinks the army is like a private hotel)turns out to be loveable and you as a viewer only want whats best for her. This I find very rarely in movies nowadays, instead I tend to empathise more with characters in much older movies.

Rating 4/5

The Witches of Eastwick - 1987

Something wicked this way comes ...

Ok lets get this straight, I had assumed when purchasing this movie that the talent of at least one of these four starts would have been enough to at least keep the film from drying up in the first half an hour. What I got instead was hardly any worthwhile acting and a film that, well, dried up in the first half hour. I desperately continued to watch in case it got substantialy better but it never did and I was left feeling really cheated that this movie had been one raved about by many people I know as being 'great fun!' Er, 'no fun' would be more like it. I like Nicholson as an actor but felt he really missed the boat here and came across as nothing other than a pervy old, and slightly balding man.

Rating 2/5