Larry Crowne(2011) Tom Hanks directed, wrote and played the title role in which he is a supermarket worker who loses his job and decides to enrol in college. An amusing comedy, peopled by likeable and/or interesting characters, smartly performed, the best being Julia Roberts as a rather cynical teacher. Bryan Cranston has a good role as Roberts' husband, with a nice cameo from George Takei,and its an enjoyable, if occasionally predictable hour and a half. Also starring Cedric The Entertainer,Taraji P Henson,Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier , Rami Malek & Gugu Mbatha-Raw. 6.5/10
Godzilla (1998)
This is the first time I've watched the film and to be honest it wasn't great. The CGI some how is worse then Jurassic Park and that film is older because it's a 4K transfer it really shows up how the effects have aged and the acting has was ok. I only picked the film as the steel book had a really nice art work and it was very cheap.
6.5/10.
Eyes Without a Face(1960)
Despite a clichéd exploitation plot(mad surgeon removes beautiful girls face to replace his daughter's disfigured face)director Georges Franju's film is nicely crafted with moments of beauty juxtaposed with all the gruesome goings on.A haunting performance from Edith Scob as the doctor's daughter is the most memorable part of the film,her face hidden by a mask to hide her scared features.Its her eyes that express every emotion.
8/10
Night Boat to Dublin(1946)
Lawrence Huntington directs Robert Newton as Captain Grant.A British secret service agent who has to lead a mission to protect a brilliant professor of science from the Nazis.Well acted and shot with good support Martin Miller.
7/10
Pale Rider(1985) Clint Eastwood directed and starred as a 'preacher' who helps a mining community protect themselves from a greedy landowner played by Richard Dysart. A spiritual, mystic type Western (who or what is the preacher, really) with a pretty good witty script(Dysart gets some good lines) and fine performances from Michael Moriarty,Carrie Snodgrass, Sydney Penny and a fairly early appearance from Christopher Penn. John Russell is impressive as a Marshall in the latter part of the film, which also includes a nicely directed shootout. Also starring Richard Kiel & Doug McGrath. 7/10
Strange Invaders(1983)
A satirical sci-fi film from Michael Laughlin and starring Paul Le Mat as Charlie.A young man who travels to the home town of his ex wife after her disappearance only to find the locals have no memory of her.In his desperation and confusion he tells his story to the media and by doing so,reveals a conspiracy involving an alien race disguised as humans.Clever in places and well acted by co-stars Nancy Allen,Michael Lerner and Wallace Shawn with great made-up effects from Christopher S.Baird but ultimately it has all been done before and better in the likes of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Invaders.
6.5/10
Manchester By The Sea(2016) Casey Affleck plays a Boston odd job man living a mundane life until a family tragedy strikes. This brings unexpected responsibilities, and leads him to reflect on his past life. A realistically, superbly acted piece, where the pauses and silences are as good as the Oscar winning dialogue by director Kenneth Lonergan. The use of the flashback device fills out the film and characters skilfully. Affleck seems to be adept as these unassuming guy roles, and is backed up by an excellent turn from Michelle Williams as his ex wife and Lucas Hedges as his nephew, both Oscar nominated. There's also smaller good stuff from Kyle Chandler,C.J Wilson,Gretchen Mol and Matthew Broderick. Fine cinematography too contrasting Boston with upmarket Manchester, and a varied soundtrack. It's over two hours long, but not a gloomfest, as its punctuated with humour, some dark. All in all, a must see for film fans. Also starring Kara Hayward, Tate Donovan,Heather Burns and Ben O'Brien. 8.5/10
Beauty and the Beast (2017) 6/10 not really my sort of film but my two young nieces enjoyed it, decent special effects and the odd moment of humour but i much prefer the superb animated version from 1991.
Number Seventeen (1932) A detective tracks a gang of jewellery thieves to an old dark house. A bizarre directorial effort from Hitchcock with a so so script, patchy acting and a thin storyline. However, the camerawork is superb with plenty of pre noir shadowy work and some other good visual moments. Supposedly, Hitch, unhappy with the source material, decided to spoof the 'haunted house' genre. There is also an entertaining set piece made with an obviously model train, which was perhaps deliberate. Starring Leon M Lion, Anna Grey,John Stuart, Barry Jones,Donald Calthrop,Ann Casson & Garry Marsh. 6/10
Superman Vs The Elite
Quite violent and Dark for a Superman animated but very enjoyable.
8.9/10.