Way of the Gun

Really enjoyed this film, written and directed by the writer of 'The Usual Suspects'.

The movie follows the exploits of two criminals who have a much sought after shot at a pile of cash. The convoluted plot keeps you interested, and gives you enough information to determine what is happening - which I liked.

There is lot of good dialogue, and good performances, including James Caan.

Best 'Sam Pekinpah' film I've seen in years!

M

Casablanca

Having mentioned 'The Usual Suspects' thought I would mention that I watched this at the weekend, for the first time since seeing it as a lad in the beeb. Great movie, with some wonderful moments by a first rate cast - great turn by Claude Rains.

M

Black Swan

Another good film, but not one I'll buy.

Very effecting, but this is a film that will live in my memory, and the device is such that for me the impact will not be the same second time around.

Natalie Portman gets full marks for the work she must have put in to appear to be a ballerina.

Powerful piece.

M

The Victorian Garden

I usually watch the relevant month every month to see whats what, very interesting indeed!

Fright Night

Always enjoyed the 1980s original, and think the new version isn't too shaby either.

Colin Farrell seems to have gone a bit downhill to end up in this, but puts in a workman-like performance as the fanged terror, with generally good support, esp by David Tennant.

There is enough character screen-time to engage you with the major protagonists.

Frequent laughs and tension.

....I might even buy it.

M

Kill The Irishman

Based on events that occurred in the late 60s and 70s involving unions and racketeering in Cleveland. Ray Stevenson shows his acting chops delivering a picture of a man who combined natural intelligence and violence in a mix that lead him into the path of The Family, and bloody bombing campaigns, as various blockages where removed - permanently.

Good support by some well known names.

I have some concerns with the denouement, in that Danny Greene was a violent killer, and I feel that he is let off somewhat lightly; that Hitler may have loved his mother does not forgive his actions.  Greene was used as an enforcer and debt-collector, and used brutal force and extreme prejudice to carve out a living for himself and his associates.

Recommended; Stevenson shows he can carry a film.

M

13 Assassins

Best samurai film I have seen in 33 years, in fact since I first saw Seven Samurai.

The first half covers the politics in showing a senior samurai why he should kill the half-brother of the Shogun, without directly asking him to do so. He then gathers his team, and manoeuvres the putative victim into going by a route he dictates.

The second covers setting up the battleground, and the battle.

Well worth repeat watching.

M

The Inbetweeners Movie

Not for the sensitive or faint hearted - a gross out movie that does have a heart and lots of laughs, as well a many cringe inducing moments.

M

Just seen this in our local village hall. I wondered how many of the viewers had heard of Gertrude Stein.. ('Hi, Alice'). I thought Carla Bruni was good - actually the idea of using France's First Lady as a tourist guide was pretty neat.

Crash

An ensemble piece that delivers one truly gut wrenching moment.

Worth a watch.

This inventive drama charts the disintegrating relationship between newly married twentysomething Justine and her melancholy sister, Claire, just as Earth hurtles toward certain collision with a newly discovered planet.

Highly recommended.

Not an easy watch, but a superbly acted and scripted slice of a world of violence, despair and grief but with an uplifting conclusion.

Full of the worst swearing and some truly shocking scenes, it's nevertheless a riveting and memorable film. Highly recommended but not for the faint-hearted.

The Wedding Crashers

"We lost a lot of good men out there" "what, at the Lakers?" "well, you know, all the transfers..."

Surprisingly entertaining, sweet but not entirely PC heist film. Good to see these actors doing something different than slapstick again.

EJ

A great bluray update of this classic. No obvious attempt to remove film grain, but compared to the DVD release, the picture is significantly sharper without obvious over sharpening or smearing, and color is better, too. The english subtitles are hilarious too - the two guys talking jive "Shiiiiit", subtitled "Golly".

Cheers,

EJ

Just watched Pirates of the Caribbean 4 , very silly and most enjoyable. "I didn't deserve that"

Grim, emotional and very human drama featuring a stunning performance by Bardem. (Haim, you'd enjoy this I think)

Thanks, I will put it on my Q.

Banned in 1958 at the urging of the USSR, Konrad Wolf's drama centers on two young East Germans who are arrested and forced to work in a uranium mine in Wismut. Wismut has a reputation as wild and woolly as any Wild West mining town, and the newcomers find themselves surrounded by a ragtag group of characters. Tensions are high as longtime anarchists work amidst former S.S. members and Russian officers. Manja Behrens and Ulrike Germer star.

Would love to have seen this one live.

Winky, thanks for the recommendation. I enjoyed the film a lot.

Not the Barcelona most people think of, eh?