2006
Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is having a hard time providing for his family. The hospital scanner business he put all his life savings into is not proving popular and he can't sell them! His wife Linda (Newton) is having to work day and night to feed their son Christopher (Jaden Smith). This is causing a great strain on their relationship. Chris sees how apparently happy all the high flyers are working in the Dean Witter Stockbroker building and after seeing an application for an apprenticeship, decides to go in for it! It will change his life.
I absolutly love this film. Will Smith is on top form here. One of his best. The scene in the toilet shows just how good an actor Smith can be if given the right project. I think it also helped that he was playing dad to his own son, which must have affected him on a personal level. Jaden is fantastic as the son........although for some reason he was a better actor then, than he is now....how that happened i don't know. More of an ego now? Thandie Newton....will she ever play a character i like? She is an absolute *&%$* in this...but that's why she is good.
Music is fantastic...the theme song is lovely...and now im sitting humming it in my head haha!
9/10
"WHAT WE DO IN LIFE ECHOES IN ETERNITY"
Thursday 23 February 2012
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Bosque de Sombras (The Backwoods)
2006
Gary Oldman, Paddy Considine, Virginie Ledoyen, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon
Paul (Oldman) and his wife Isabel (Gijon) have friends Norman (Considine) and Lucy (Ledoyen) to stay at their home in the Basque region. Some of the locals are not entirely friendly and when Paul and Norman find a young deformed girl hidden away in an old abandoned house in the forest, a game of cat and mouse ensues to get the girl to safety.
This could have been a fantastic film. Had echoes of Straw Dogs and Deliverance. I very much enjoyed hearing Gary speak in Spanish, he seemed to enjoy speaking the language. The music was good and very atmospheric, as was the cinematography. Monsoon rain in the middle of a forest and men holding guns to each others heads is always a winner.......
However, i hate loose ends in stories that never get rectified. And this is where the film falls....which is a shame, as i enjoyed it!
7/10
Gary Oldman, Paddy Considine, Virginie Ledoyen, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon
Paul (Oldman) and his wife Isabel (Gijon) have friends Norman (Considine) and Lucy (Ledoyen) to stay at their home in the Basque region. Some of the locals are not entirely friendly and when Paul and Norman find a young deformed girl hidden away in an old abandoned house in the forest, a game of cat and mouse ensues to get the girl to safety.
This could have been a fantastic film. Had echoes of Straw Dogs and Deliverance. I very much enjoyed hearing Gary speak in Spanish, he seemed to enjoy speaking the language. The music was good and very atmospheric, as was the cinematography. Monsoon rain in the middle of a forest and men holding guns to each others heads is always a winner.......
However, i hate loose ends in stories that never get rectified. And this is where the film falls....which is a shame, as i enjoyed it!
7/10
Monday 20 February 2012
Pay It Forward
2000
Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, Jon Bon Jovi
Trevor(Osment) is a quiet kid, starting year 7 at school. When his new teacher Eugene Simonet (Spacey), sets a year long assignment for them to do something that will make the world a better place, Trevor comes up with the idea, pay it forward. He will help three people and they in turn will help another three and so on! However, as a child, Trever soon realises the world is not that simple.
A cute little film with a not so cute little ending. It was very unexpected. Haley was in his element as a child actor at this point and was just about to be seen in AI! Helen Hunt is surprisingly good as a trailer trash alchoholic mom. Spacey is fantastic as usual as the quiet but highley intelligent Eugene.
A fantastic score from Thomas Newman....i instantly recognised his work.
8/10
Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, Jon Bon Jovi
Trevor(Osment) is a quiet kid, starting year 7 at school. When his new teacher Eugene Simonet (Spacey), sets a year long assignment for them to do something that will make the world a better place, Trevor comes up with the idea, pay it forward. He will help three people and they in turn will help another three and so on! However, as a child, Trever soon realises the world is not that simple.
A cute little film with a not so cute little ending. It was very unexpected. Haley was in his element as a child actor at this point and was just about to be seen in AI! Helen Hunt is surprisingly good as a trailer trash alchoholic mom. Spacey is fantastic as usual as the quiet but highley intelligent Eugene.
A fantastic score from Thomas Newman....i instantly recognised his work.
8/10
Saturday 18 February 2012
Silent Hill
2006
Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean, Laurie Holden, Deborah Kara Unger, Alice Krige, Jodelle Ferland
Rose and Christopher Da Silva (Mitchell and Bean) have a problem in their young adopted daughter Sharon (Ferland). She sleep walks and puts herself in great danger. She also talks about a mysterious place called Silent Hill in her sleep. Rose believes that to cure the problem, she must take Sharon to Silent Hill. On route, they are involved in a car accident while trying to outrun a police bike. Rose wakes up and find Sharon is gone. She ventures into Silent Hill in search of her daughter and finds things not as they should be.
Based on the popular computer game of the same name but updated to a Hollywood style, Silent Hill is a very freaky film full of ethical (yeah i seem to like ethics right now) questions about religion and personal blame. I really enjoy it and i know there are some who would say, oh it's nothing like the game...well it doesn't have to be. It's enjoyable as a stand alone film. The sound effects can be frightening, and im not usually one who gets scared but there are a few squirm in your seat moments. The grotesque deformity of Silent Hill at night, is one of the most frightening aspects of the film and makes you feel uneasy but that is the point.
Acting wise Radha Mitchell does well as any mother would, worried about their lost child. Jodelle Ferland is fantastic as the young girl. She is an incredibly creepy actress. Others i can't really comment on or i will ruin the storyline :)
8/10
Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean, Laurie Holden, Deborah Kara Unger, Alice Krige, Jodelle Ferland
Rose and Christopher Da Silva (Mitchell and Bean) have a problem in their young adopted daughter Sharon (Ferland). She sleep walks and puts herself in great danger. She also talks about a mysterious place called Silent Hill in her sleep. Rose believes that to cure the problem, she must take Sharon to Silent Hill. On route, they are involved in a car accident while trying to outrun a police bike. Rose wakes up and find Sharon is gone. She ventures into Silent Hill in search of her daughter and finds things not as they should be.
Based on the popular computer game of the same name but updated to a Hollywood style, Silent Hill is a very freaky film full of ethical (yeah i seem to like ethics right now) questions about religion and personal blame. I really enjoy it and i know there are some who would say, oh it's nothing like the game...well it doesn't have to be. It's enjoyable as a stand alone film. The sound effects can be frightening, and im not usually one who gets scared but there are a few squirm in your seat moments. The grotesque deformity of Silent Hill at night, is one of the most frightening aspects of the film and makes you feel uneasy but that is the point.
Acting wise Radha Mitchell does well as any mother would, worried about their lost child. Jodelle Ferland is fantastic as the young girl. She is an incredibly creepy actress. Others i can't really comment on or i will ruin the storyline :)
8/10
Friday 17 February 2012
Being John Malcovich
1999
John Malcovich, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Cusack
Craig Schwartz (Cusack) isn't really living the high life, stuck in eternal unemployment as noone wants a professional puppeteer these days, and with an unattractive and whiny wife who he lost interest in a long time ago. He takes a filing job on the 7 1/2 floor of a very odd office bulding for an equally odd boss. After knocking a file behind a cabinet, Craig stumbles up the portal into the head of John Malcovich.....should he tell anyone about this and make something of his dreary life?
One of the oddest and most enjoyable films i have ever seen. It must have been quite a good feeling to be John and have have a whole film written about being inside of his head. Everyone gives a fantastic performance and Diaz is almost unrecognisable as the ugly and confused Lottie.
The score is fantastic and really emphasises how music can be used to convey our emotions when words are not enough.
10/10
John Malcovich, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Cusack
Craig Schwartz (Cusack) isn't really living the high life, stuck in eternal unemployment as noone wants a professional puppeteer these days, and with an unattractive and whiny wife who he lost interest in a long time ago. He takes a filing job on the 7 1/2 floor of a very odd office bulding for an equally odd boss. After knocking a file behind a cabinet, Craig stumbles up the portal into the head of John Malcovich.....should he tell anyone about this and make something of his dreary life?
One of the oddest and most enjoyable films i have ever seen. It must have been quite a good feeling to be John and have have a whole film written about being inside of his head. Everyone gives a fantastic performance and Diaz is almost unrecognisable as the ugly and confused Lottie.
The score is fantastic and really emphasises how music can be used to convey our emotions when words are not enough.
10/10
Wednesday 15 February 2012
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
2001
Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Conner
A young couple trial a mecha (robot) boy as a new child for them as their son is terminally ill. However, when the boy's human mother (O'conner) imprints on David (Osment), ethical implications are put into place and David will stop at nothing to get the unconditional love of his mother.
I have always loved this film, even if the ideas within it still freak me out 11 years later. Should we give emotions and feelings to robots who don't have the ability to control them? Should we rely so much on technology? and when robots become old should we desecrate them in front of a baying crowd for our own sick pleasure? The Flesh Fair has to be the most disturbing aspect of AI!
The acting by Osment is heartbreaking, he was certainly one of the best child actors of his time. Jude Law plays one of his best characters in one of his best performances as a sex robot with a heart......
A disturbing look into the future, with a heartbreaking ending.
10/10
Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Conner
A young couple trial a mecha (robot) boy as a new child for them as their son is terminally ill. However, when the boy's human mother (O'conner) imprints on David (Osment), ethical implications are put into place and David will stop at nothing to get the unconditional love of his mother.
I have always loved this film, even if the ideas within it still freak me out 11 years later. Should we give emotions and feelings to robots who don't have the ability to control them? Should we rely so much on technology? and when robots become old should we desecrate them in front of a baying crowd for our own sick pleasure? The Flesh Fair has to be the most disturbing aspect of AI!
The acting by Osment is heartbreaking, he was certainly one of the best child actors of his time. Jude Law plays one of his best characters in one of his best performances as a sex robot with a heart......
A disturbing look into the future, with a heartbreaking ending.
10/10
Monday 13 February 2012
I Robot
2004
Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood
Set in a futuristic Earth (2035), where Robots are seen as another race and live peacefully alongside humans, while also being used as, well slaves. These robots are three laws safe, they can't kill a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to be harmed. They must do whatever a human being tells them as long as it does not conflict with law one. They can also defend themselves, if it doesnt conflict with the first two laws. Detective Spooner (Smith) is a cop who through a terrible series of events, doesn't consider the robots our friends. When he is sent to investigate the murder of the father of robotics, Alfred Lanning (Cromwell), on the eve of the distribution of the new upgraded NS5 robot, his life turns into a game of cat and mouse and ethics and paranoia!
Although it is a Hollywood Blockbuster and stars Will Smith, I Robot is an incredibly intelligent film. Working alongside the idea of whether it is ethical to give robots human feelings and emotions, because like us they will evolve and learn to manipulate them, for better or for worse.
The music and cinematography is excellent. It draws you in and has someexcellent action sequences.
Bad point is Bridget Moynahan, pretty, but not the best actress in the world.
9/10
Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood
Set in a futuristic Earth (2035), where Robots are seen as another race and live peacefully alongside humans, while also being used as, well slaves. These robots are three laws safe, they can't kill a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to be harmed. They must do whatever a human being tells them as long as it does not conflict with law one. They can also defend themselves, if it doesnt conflict with the first two laws. Detective Spooner (Smith) is a cop who through a terrible series of events, doesn't consider the robots our friends. When he is sent to investigate the murder of the father of robotics, Alfred Lanning (Cromwell), on the eve of the distribution of the new upgraded NS5 robot, his life turns into a game of cat and mouse and ethics and paranoia!
Although it is a Hollywood Blockbuster and stars Will Smith, I Robot is an incredibly intelligent film. Working alongside the idea of whether it is ethical to give robots human feelings and emotions, because like us they will evolve and learn to manipulate them, for better or for worse.
The music and cinematography is excellent. It draws you in and has someexcellent action sequences.
Bad point is Bridget Moynahan, pretty, but not the best actress in the world.
9/10
Tuesday 7 February 2012
The Big Lebowski
(1998)
Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski,(Bridges) is a down and out bum who occasionally partakes in a bit of bowling. After a misunderstanding over some random hitmen urinating on his living room rug, he is thrown into a world of kidnap, ransom and violence, which the cool casual "dude" is not used to.
Why it has taken me so long to see this, i do not know. Actually i do, i was too young (11 when it came out) and didn't fancy sitting listening to my mother go "ooo" after each expletive. I would have never heard any of the bloody film haha. It was absolutly hilarous. Enjoyed every minute and Jeff Bridges had me in stitches with his cool dude attitude......he was so cool, i think a gust of wind would have just blown him over.
John Goodman is extremly annoying, but i think thats the point.....he almost reminded me of his other extremely annoying character in Arachnophobia. That is why i liked him :)
The supporting cast give as good as it gets....and it's quite sad to see what Tara Reid was, to what she is now.
Great soundtrack, just an overall great film.
10/10
I wonder if they ever did win their bowling tournament?
Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski,(Bridges) is a down and out bum who occasionally partakes in a bit of bowling. After a misunderstanding over some random hitmen urinating on his living room rug, he is thrown into a world of kidnap, ransom and violence, which the cool casual "dude" is not used to.
Why it has taken me so long to see this, i do not know. Actually i do, i was too young (11 when it came out) and didn't fancy sitting listening to my mother go "ooo" after each expletive. I would have never heard any of the bloody film haha. It was absolutly hilarous. Enjoyed every minute and Jeff Bridges had me in stitches with his cool dude attitude......he was so cool, i think a gust of wind would have just blown him over.
John Goodman is extremly annoying, but i think thats the point.....he almost reminded me of his other extremely annoying character in Arachnophobia. That is why i liked him :)
The supporting cast give as good as it gets....and it's quite sad to see what Tara Reid was, to what she is now.
Great soundtrack, just an overall great film.
10/10
I wonder if they ever did win their bowling tournament?
Saturday 4 February 2012
The Wrestler
(2008)
Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson ( is a washed up professional wrestler way past his prime. No wife, a daughter who doesn't want to know him and declining health. When a heart attack nearly kills him, Randy has to reavaluate his life and figure out what his priorities are.
If ever a film was specifically written for an actor or actress, The Wrestler is it. Randy Robinson "is" Mickey Rourke. It must have been a sense of deja vu for Rourke when reading the script. Fantastic soundtrack and cinematography. Rourke is heartbreaking. His beaten up and broken face shows a weathered and battered life. Marisa Tomei provides his female equivalent as an aging exotic dancer who just can't bring him into her life other than a customer at the club she dances at. Evan Rachel Wood is fantastic as Robinson's beaten down and mentally unstable daughter. They have amazing chemistry.
I havenot watched Milk yet, but i can categorically say Rourke should have won the Oscar. Political views and un pc acceptance speeches should not stand in the way of beautiful and perfect acting. The acadamy need to concentrate on what they are watching and not what goes on behind the scenes. Unless it is horrendously bad of course.
10/10
Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson ( is a washed up professional wrestler way past his prime. No wife, a daughter who doesn't want to know him and declining health. When a heart attack nearly kills him, Randy has to reavaluate his life and figure out what his priorities are.
If ever a film was specifically written for an actor or actress, The Wrestler is it. Randy Robinson "is" Mickey Rourke. It must have been a sense of deja vu for Rourke when reading the script. Fantastic soundtrack and cinematography. Rourke is heartbreaking. His beaten up and broken face shows a weathered and battered life. Marisa Tomei provides his female equivalent as an aging exotic dancer who just can't bring him into her life other than a customer at the club she dances at. Evan Rachel Wood is fantastic as Robinson's beaten down and mentally unstable daughter. They have amazing chemistry.
I havenot watched Milk yet, but i can categorically say Rourke should have won the Oscar. Political views and un pc acceptance speeches should not stand in the way of beautiful and perfect acting. The acadamy need to concentrate on what they are watching and not what goes on behind the scenes. Unless it is horrendously bad of course.
10/10
Friday 3 February 2012
Withnail and I
(1987)
Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths
Withnail(Grant) and Marwood (McGann) are two unemployed actors living in London in 1969. Bored with life and relying on drugs and slowly driving each other crazy, they decide to embark on a holiday to Withnail's gay uncle Monty's (Griffiths) holiday cottage in Penrith. However, living a country life, is not quite what they imagined.
Possibly one of the funniest films i have ever seen in my life and one i frequently quote. Based on a true story and really captures the end of the sixties. The soundtrack is fantastic with a little bit of Hendrix thrown into the mix. You have to feel sorry for Marwood who is trying desperatly to get out of the rut but can't because Withnail is always there scuppering his chances. As coarse and dirty as Withnail is, its impossible not to love him by the end.
10/10
Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths
Withnail(Grant) and Marwood (McGann) are two unemployed actors living in London in 1969. Bored with life and relying on drugs and slowly driving each other crazy, they decide to embark on a holiday to Withnail's gay uncle Monty's (Griffiths) holiday cottage in Penrith. However, living a country life, is not quite what they imagined.
Possibly one of the funniest films i have ever seen in my life and one i frequently quote. Based on a true story and really captures the end of the sixties. The soundtrack is fantastic with a little bit of Hendrix thrown into the mix. You have to feel sorry for Marwood who is trying desperatly to get out of the rut but can't because Withnail is always there scuppering his chances. As coarse and dirty as Withnail is, its impossible not to love him by the end.
10/10
Donnie Darko
2001
Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Daveigh Chase, Drew Barrymore, Holmes Osbourne, Mary McDonnell, Patrick Swayze, James Duval
Donnie Darko (J Gyllenhaal) is a young schizophrenic man who is saved from being crused to death one night by an aeroplane engine by the manifestation of a giant bunny rabbit called Frank. Frank tells him the world is going to end in 28 days and sends him off on a path which Donnie himself questions but has little control over.
Probably one of the first cult type films i ever saw and loved ever minute. Not quite sure i understood it all. In fact, im not quite sure i understand it all 11 years later haha.
It is atmospheric, the music is amazing. For Whom The Bell Tolls can make me cry every time .
Jake Gyllenhaal is fantastic and has such great on screen chemistry with his sister. He is very cute and dorky in his big screen debut and gives a little hint of the hearthrob which was to come.
It takes a good few viewings but is a little gem of a film, about growing up and making the right choices in life!
10/10
Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Daveigh Chase, Drew Barrymore, Holmes Osbourne, Mary McDonnell, Patrick Swayze, James Duval
Donnie Darko (J Gyllenhaal) is a young schizophrenic man who is saved from being crused to death one night by an aeroplane engine by the manifestation of a giant bunny rabbit called Frank. Frank tells him the world is going to end in 28 days and sends him off on a path which Donnie himself questions but has little control over.
Probably one of the first cult type films i ever saw and loved ever minute. Not quite sure i understood it all. In fact, im not quite sure i understand it all 11 years later haha.
It is atmospheric, the music is amazing. For Whom The Bell Tolls can make me cry every time .
Jake Gyllenhaal is fantastic and has such great on screen chemistry with his sister. He is very cute and dorky in his big screen debut and gives a little hint of the hearthrob which was to come.
It takes a good few viewings but is a little gem of a film, about growing up and making the right choices in life!
10/10
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