A Single Man, Saw 3D, Source Code

#1 - A SINGLE MAN

Stars - Colin Firth, Nicholas Hoult, Julianne Moore

Director - Tom Ford

Memorable Quote - 'Just get through the goddamn day.'

Review - This is such a beautiful piece of film work. It's so clear that this was directed by a fashion designer; the colours were so brilliantly arranged, with the characters even explicitly telling us the meaning of the casts over each scene, and the overall look is fantastic. Everything is so carefully put together, and the plot itself is both intriguing and emotional. The acting is, of course, fabulous - a glance at the cast list should tell you that - and I really can't praise it enough. As a directorial debut this is a pretty fine piece of work. Thoroughly recommended - and I would add that Hoult puts in something of a smouldering performance, that should not be missed by fans and/or admirers. It will raise your heart rate substantially. If you have not seen it yet, make sure you do. 5/5

#2 - SAW 3D

Stars - Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, some other guys, Chester Bennington

Director - Kevin Greutert

Memorable Quote - 'Game over.'

Review - I... used to like the Saw franchise. I did. I found it an amusing exercise in 'what would I do' situations. Then it was sort of amusing how the participants in each trap would do the exact opposite of what they should do, generally screaming a lot, and thus seal their own fate or that of someone else. However, somewhere along the line something seems to have gone wrong. I'll blame two things here - greed, because knowing people will give you money for a half-hearted effort might convince you to go ahead with it, and the advent of 3D, since that seems to be an excuse to put in special effects and forget about the plot. For that precise reason, I have not watched a 3D movie at the cinema; I watch them on my normal television screen, because I want to watch a movie, not a Disneyland ride. And truthfully, once the effects are taken away, there isn't much to this. Even the gore is unconvincing, right from the prosthetic body being severed in the first trap to each spray of blood. There are about five thousand goofs, Jigsaw is revealed to have had ANOTHER accomplice (seriously, did he even make enough traps to have that many people helping him without knowing each other?), and someone it was implied was very dead before just pops up like that, with no satisfactory explanation - simply some filler about Jigsaw being caring/evil again. Completely bored of this now, and I've just lost two hours of my life I can't get back. And why the hell was Chester Bennington in this?! Ridiculous. 2/5

#3 - SOURCE CODE

Stars - Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright

Director - Duncan Jones

Memorable Quote - 'What would you do if you knew you only had one minute to live?'

Review - Whew. This one is very exciting. Following Captain Colter Stephens, a helicopter pilot who must relive the same eight minutes of another man's live over and over again in order to find out who the culprit is behind a terrorist attack in which the man died, the film can at times be harrowing, at others touching, at others still it makes your heart race. You find yourself becoming the backseat detective, second guessing what he ought to do or what you would do in the same situation, all the while ultimately rooting for Stephens to save the day. With a couple of twists that will keep you on your toes, it does not stop going for a moment - only two points I would call into question: the explanation of the mechanics of the source code and how the events can change within a memory is not satisfactory, and a couple of lazy flashes in the middle where we do not actually see any action. Other than that it is perfect, pushing all the right buttons in the right ways, until you cannot help but cheer as Stephens takes his final ride into the source code. Gyllenhaal's performance is exquisite as ever. A superb film which needs to be watched. 4.5/5

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True Grit, There's Something About Mary, Dead Poet's Society

#1 - TRUE GRIT (2011)

Stars - Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin

Director - Ethan & Joel Coen

Memorable Quote - 'Mister Cogburn, in your four years as a US Marshal, how many men have you shot?'

Review - I've not got around to seeing the original yet, though a review will follow at some point. This, however, is what can only be described as a masterpiece. Westerns in the 21st century are few and far between, and while some are brilliant, others fall short of the mark. This, however, is the best I've seen yet. Bridges is magnificent as the gruff old marshal who really truly cares for the runaway child who forces herself into his care, and Damon puts in a performance that will put his critics to shame. Steinfeld is eye-catching and convincing, able to challenge the already well-established actors on her own ground. Cinematography, direction, all of it is perfect, and it's enjoyable in all ways. The only flaw comes towards the end, as poor greenscreen work fails to match the background with the action of Rooster and Mattie riding. If only they had just bothered a tiny bit more, this would have been an easy 5 rating. 4.5/5

#2 - THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

Stars - Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, Chris Elliott

Director - Farrelly brothers

Memorable Quote - 'Frank and Beans! Frank and Beans!'

Review - From the moment that the film kicks off with a little spoof song about Mary, performed by Jonathan Richman(a repeated theme throughout), and Ben Stiller's re-teenaged face appears, you know that this is going to turn out to be a pretty damn funny film. Despite the annoying, slightly passe fake dog fighting scenes, the story is both cutesy and hilarious, as Ted fights to win back the love of his life, Mary, battling against fake architects and cripples and hives-suffering stalkers. Some of it is silly, yes, some of it highly unrealistic; but some of it, such as Ted winning the trust of Warren and his declarations of love, verges on the heart-warming. Stiller has come to be known as an actor that can provide world-class comedy performances no matter where he crops up, and this is no exception. See it now - it will brighten your day. 4.5/5

#3 - DEAD POET'S SOCIETY

Stars - Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, et al

Director - Peter Weir

Memorable Quote - 'Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.'

Review - This is something that really ought to be seen by everyone, just because it's a beautiful film. Just about every single line is quotable, and the storyline itself is uplifting. Following a group of boys in a stuffy all-boys' school, their lives are changed with the arrival of a teacher whose methods encourage them to think for themselves instead of letting their lives pass by uneventfully. Recreating an old secret society sets into action a chain of events that will have you laughing along with them - until one of the boys is forced to make the choice between his dream and his father's wishes, and finds himself unable to do so. Although the conclusion is tragic, and the aftermath brings up some uncomfortable questions about guilt and conformity, one boy's final act of defiance will have you cheering until the credits. What more can I say? See it for yourself - you won't be disappointed. 5/5

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