The Informer(1935)
Shot in three weeks for $243,000,The Informer is a powerful evocation of the fog shrouded streets of Dublin during the days of the Black and Tans.John Ford directs the massive Victor McLagen as Gypo Nolan,who sells our his best friend,a Sinn Fein man for a few pounds.The dull witted Judas is then overwhelmed by the consequences of his treachery,taken prisoner by his former comrades,tried in secret and executed.
8/10
Philadelphia- 1993, directed by Jonathan Demme, with Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Jason Robards
9/10
I can't believe I had never seen this movie before....a touching, meaningful and well acted movie. For those who don't know, the plot centers on Andrew Beckett, a brilliant young lawyer, partner of a prestigious law firm in Philadelphia. Beckett hides his homosexuality and - especially- his disease (a form of cancer AIDS-related) from other members of the law firm. Long story short: eventually this disease is discovered by other partners, and consequently Beckett is fired, although other partners accuse Beckett of the loss of an important document. Beckett , however, is convinced that someone deliberately hid this document, to give the firm an excuse to fire him. Beckett begins to search for a lawyer to represent him in a lawsuit against his former law firm. Several attorneys reject the case, not wanting to have to deal with a homosexual aids patient.Finally a lawyer named John Miller agrees to represent him, despite the fact he is disgusted by gays, and frightened by the disease..again, long story short....during the trial Miller's attitude towards Beckett changes, while Beckett's health worsens drastically. As the trial goes on, various partners of the firm take stand, claiming Beckett's incompetence. The firm's defence humiliates Beckett accusing him of "sexually- deplorable behavior" (homosexual relationships), suggesting that , due to these behaviors , Beckett cannot be considered a "innocent" victim of the disease. Beckett eventually wins the case, but dies few days later.
I'd suggest everyone to watch this movie.
Honorable mention for Hank's great acting.
Lost in America(1985)
Writer,director and star Albert Brooks' best film,Lost in America was one of the first "yuppie nightmare" films of the 80s.A yuppie couple(Brooks and Julie Hagerty)ditch the rat race to find the american dream.A bit like Easy Rider but,in a Winnebago.Every scene is a gem but watching Brooks,who's like a more uptight Woody Allen trying to bribe a concierge into getting him a room or Hagerty blowing their entire nest egg in Vegas are the pick of the bunch.
9/10
Room 237(2012)
Rodney Ascher's in depth documentary exploring fan's interpretations of Stanley Kubrick's horror film The Shining(1980)is absolutely engaging and quite frightening if you are inclined to think the various theories are true.Altogether there are nine different theories presented about the meaning of the film,the most interesting being(in my opinion)that Kubrick left a series of clues that tell us he is confessing to filming the moon landings for NASA.Another couple of points of interest are that the Kubrick family had nothing to do with the making of the documentary and Kubrick's former assistant,Leon Vitali has said that all the theories have no merit whatsoever. Decide for yourselves.
7.5/10
Midnight Run(1988)
Jack Walsh(Robert De Niro),an ex cop turned bounty hunter has five days to haul former mob bean counter Jonathan Mardukas(Charles Grolin)across America.Its easy money,a "midnight run"-were it not for the Mafia goons,FBI agents and other bounty hunters following his every move.The sight of De Niro in a comedy pops few corks these days but his first foray into lighter fare made Margin Brest's road movie one of the years most enjoyable surprises.Dennis Farina is a hoot as a crime lord and sreals the show with some cracking insults and one liners.
9/10
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I did enjoy this it felt big....looked & sounded great!!
But....on a personal note,bit disappointed that we "Almost" had a brother as the hero....LOL...just...didn't....quite....make it!!!
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8/10
DeadPool
Favourite film I've seen this year...there's nothing I didn't like about this...
9.5/10 (Maybe one thing I didn't like) I'm not having "Wham" mate....
"Time To Make The Chimi-fu**ing-Changas”
Ran(1985)
Akira Kurosawa's wife of 39 years died during the making of his samurai take on King Lear. But such was the elderly director's dedication to finishing his project that he only took one day to mourn her.He'd spent 10 years dreaming of making Ran and at the age of 75,was suffering from failing eyesight,meaning his assistants had to frame shots for him.His sumptuous retelling of Shakespeare's tragedy doesn't suffer at all.Clocking in at just over 3 hours,its a weighty watch,but the eye watering visuals are the viewers reward.Amazing that one of his cinematic high points came 40 years into his amazing career.
9/10
This Is Spinal Tap(1984)
How much funnier could Rob Reiner's heavy metal mockumentary be?The answer is none.None more funny.The film didn't make waves on its release.But some of those who did see it were bamboozled into believing that it was real.Quite simply,its one of the funniest films ever made.
9/10
Step Brothers(2008)
John C Reilly and Will Ferrel star as two middle aged men children that have to live with each other when their parents get married.I personally think this is the funniest film Ferrel has made.Although it never seems to get as much credit as Anchorman or Talladega Nights.
8/10
Bird(1988)
Lifelong Jazz aficionado Clint Eastwood directs this film about the music of Charlie "Bird" Parker.Steeped in the soaring talent and shattering lows that characterised that musician's life,he presented a raw, intense biopic that was only the second film he'd directed in which he didn't play the lead.Instead that job went to Forest Whitaker, note perfect as the man who was in only in control when he was performing on stage.Astonishing that neither Eastwood or Whitaker were even Oscar nominated for their efforts with this excellent film.
9/10