The Insider(1999)
Russell Crowe proved he could cut it as an action hero in Gladiator,but it's a shame his turn as Maximus overshadowed a more accomplished performance as The Insider's tobacco industry whistle blower,Jeffrey Wigand in Michael Mann's true story based drama.Crow even out acts Al Pacino off the screen
Presenting a stooped,overweight and crumpled man who risks everything he owns in his fight to expose the truth.An amazingly convincing and engrossing transformation.
Director Michael Mann succeeds in telling a compelling story of quiet,real life heroism.
8.5/10
The Ghost Breakers(1940)
A Bob Hope and Willie Best comedy mystery directed by George Marshall which sees Hope and Best taking turns being funny and scared by Noble Johnson's genuinely creepy Zombie.Remade by the same director as Scared Stiff in 1953 with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
7/10
Hamlet (1964) The Soviet version of the play directed by Grigori Kozintsev. Dramatically filmed in black and white, mostly using the Estonian coastline, and inside and outside an impressive castle made of logs and veneer. 7/10
Rushmore(1998)
The joy of this film directed by Wes Anderson,is that it rarely goes in the way that you think it will but always manages to captivate and stay believable.The story of prep school supernerd Max Fischer(Jason Schwartan)goes to places that are funny,dark,surreal and free from clichéd teen movie distractions.Filmed in autumnal locations and backed up by an oddball soundtrack that's as electric as the story itself,a genuine one off comedy that demands(and receives)excellent performances from a then more or less unknown Schwartzman,Bill Murray as a rich industrialist and Olivia Williams as the teacher Max becomes obsessed with.
8.5/10
Captain America Civil War, I found the film very good and highly enjoyable, lots of action and the set pieces and fight and stunt choreography were amazing. The special effects were good too, what i enjoyed about the film is they dialled back the humour which I felt in age of ultron was trying way too much to be funny. Black Panther and Spiderman were a great addition to the film all I like the new Spiderman suit it looks a little too CGI so it looks really smooth rather then having texture to it.
A couple problems I did have with the film were it had similar problems to what BvS had but no where as extreme as it. I felt they could have explained things more especially from the previous films which it doesn't explain and the final act of the film isn't as good as the first half of the film.
The biggest issue with the film is the villian I felt he was totally weak and forgettable it's a problem that a lot of the marvel films have, every hero has to have a good villian look at Die Hard or The Dark Knight, villain's like Kingpin in Daredevil Netflix series or the villain in Jesscia Jones series they have grace, charm and a powerful presence you almost want them to win because of this it's the reason why Loki is so good because he has all of these things his evil, he has charm and commands a presence on screen. Aside from these issues it's well worth seeing you'll get your money's worth and feel highly entertained. 9.4/10.
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford(2007) Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, this is a treat for the brain and eyes, full of stunning cinematography and top performances, Brad Pitt generally underplaying as James, except for occasional dramatic outbursts, Casey Affleck perfect as the naive hero worshipper who often succumbs to sulks. There's good support from Jeremy Renner, Sam Rockwell,Garret Dillahunt and Paul Schneider. The intelligent narration by Hugh Ross is a plus, too 8.5/10
Donnie Brasco(1997)
Mike Newell's film may play like a companion to Goodfellas,but the director was far too smart to make a mere copy.The themes are familiar but the ambience is all its own thanks to a revelatory performance from Johnny Depp as an undercover FBI agent and an authoritative portrait of a tired, cynical hitman low on the Mafia food chain from Al Pacino.The film starts softly,focusing on the slowly evolving trust between the two men.Then it kicks into gear,as gripping as the best of Scorsese,Donnie Brasco is an excellent achievement.An engrossing and violent mob movie with a big heart.
8.5/10
Deadfall (2012) A routine thriller which charts what happens to siblings (Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde) in the aftermath of a heist they take part in. One of the problems is the Bana character is very unsympathetic and also the overcontrived last half an hour. Wilde playing a troubled soul nicks the acting honours, and there's interest in the strained relationship between father and daughter police officers, played by Treat Williams and Kate Mara. Also starring Sissy Spacek, Kris Kristofferson and Charlie Hunnam 5/10
Batman : City Of Scars(2010)
A short 30 minute fan made film written by Aaron and Sean Schoenke and directed by Aaron Schoenke.The Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum and subsequently murders the parents of a young boy,echoing the events that Bruce Wayne experienced which set him on his path.Batman goes after the Joker,letting nothing get in his way but,ultimately begins to address and question his own sanity.A very accurate representation of Batman from the comics done in great style.With a brooding and almost sinister performance from Kevin Porter as Batman and a frighteningly, maniacal turn from Paul Matthew Miller as the Joker.
8.5/10
The Great Gabbo(1929)
Erich Von Stroheim puts in a heartbreaking and disturbing peformance as The Great Gabbo,a ventriloquist who is going mad and uses his dummy Otto more and more to speak for him.Directed by James Cruze and based on the short story The Rival Dummy by Ben Hecht.
8/10