Brian's Reviews
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A pretty decent effort into filming the classic novel. Only the middle "lovey" section drags the film down and makes it overlong. Performances are good but is Robert Redford the rignt for Gatsby? Probably No. But that's a bit picky. Can't wait for Baz Luhrmann's new version.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Not nearly as good as the British film "Blow UP" that it was imitating this is none the less a reasonably enjoyable movie with some good De Palma set pieces. Does the plot have some holes?? Actors are good: Travolta snd Dennis Franz or weak: Nancy Allen. So-so.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Quirky in a good way with terrific performances this film is a delight. I had no idea what would happen next. Stephen Frears has done a great job and made a highly entertaining film.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This was a major disappointment. I lost interest. The story just didn't hold my attention. It was too dark and really not for littlies. The animation, however was brilliant. Would have been better at the cinema but I'm glad I didn't make the effort.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Felt like a hot shower after this shocker of a movie. The grim, totally unrealistic story, the drab colour, the wasted performances..and the language. Without the famous 4 letter word this script would have been very short indeed. I cannot understand the mainly positive responses this piece of c**p received from the critics on release. Wonder what Jamie Durie thought of it???
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Another Steven Spielberg winner. Beautiful story from the book and wonderful stage play of the same name. Great performances and stunning photography. Some of the war scenes are very realistic but this is a keeper for the whole family.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Quirky independent comedy drama which will infuriate some. I enjoyed the great acting from the trio of actors who revel in the improvising allowed by the director. There are some scenes with characters whispering in bed which are very difficult to hear and a lot of bad language so you will need your finger on the volume control. Great location shooting.. in Seattle, I believe.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Worth WW11 drama of Polish heroine Irena Sendler who saved many jews and, therefore, deserves to be remembered. Pity that this 90 minute tele-movie is not big enough or good enough to do her justice. The actors use a variety of Polish accents that are sometimes hard to decipher. This would have worked better as a foreign film with subtitles. However, all is not lost. Anna Paquin is, as always, excellent and the locations looked very authentic. Worth watching. I understand the book is better...which is hardly surprising..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Not de Palma's best but with touches of Hitchcock this one intrigues. Amazing watching Melanie Griffiths that several years later she was nominated for an Oscar?????
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I didn't know about this part of history ie. the Japanese occupation of Formosa (Taiwan) in 1930. Although it is an interesting and violent page of history the film is a let-down. The bloody action is very gratuitous and the acting style is sometimes OTT.The are some pretty poor CGI effects, particularly in the last 30 minutes of a film that is just too long by 40 minutes at least. It was also difficult to pick out who was who. All in all, just interesting.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I didn't expect to like this film as much as I did. I don't know much about Jack Kerouac and did not have a lot of time for stories about the "beat" generation but this languid road movie got me in. Very good performances by Garrett Hedlund, Steve Buscemi and, suprisingly, Kristin Stewart. Sam Riley was OK, also. But this role called for a James Franco type. Beautifully shot. Locations stunning. Recommended for movie buffs only. This is definately an art houe feature.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I saw Kelly Reilly in "Flight" recently (she was terrific) and thought I'd catch up with other stuff she's done.
This, supposed, thriller is highly unbelievable torture porn which doesn't make a lot of sense. It's very dark and would be terrifying if it wasn't so silly. No one has suffered so much as Kelly Reilly (and Michael Fassbender) in the history of cinema. This is a trashy piece. The director obviously saw Michael Haneke's "Funny Games" and thought he'd copy it. Don't bother,
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Very interesting set-up had me in for most of its running time. An unpublished writer finds a manuscript and passes it off as his own. There's lots of flash backs and in the end it gets a bit confusing. The wrap-up disappointed.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Between Atonement and Anna Karenina Joe Wright, the British director made this. It slipped by my radar. How did that happen. This is a brilliant film. Both of the leads are magnigicent and the music and story are inspiring. The extras show the real Nathaniel and STeve Lopez. It's too short but fascinating none the less. Highly recommend this to all.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Two young lovers separated by Customs officials and the Atlantic try to keep the relationship going. The acors are very good but it's hard to stay involved. Loved the ending. Reminded me of "The Graduate" only not as subtle.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
The blood looks so fake in this western, the music score is terrible, Donald Pleasance has such big false teeth he can hardly talk, Candiice Bergen and Peter Strauss over-act, at times the leads look too clean and the teeth certainly look too perfect.....So Ralph Nelson made a lot of mistakes directing this controversial (at the time) movie which takes the side of the Indians for once. (Very rare in the movies).
Howeve,r the locations are stunning and the photography is great and the final message and themes are, still, very potent. If handled with a lot more seriousness in the first 3/4 this could have been classic..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Sorry I couldn't get into this. There is some wit here but I got very tired of it veryu quickly. Don't know who I could recommend it to.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
This film, beautifully shot in remote region of Morocco , is very enjoyable. The story, particularly the singing exchanges, are a little hard to believe but the overall effect is spellbinding. The leading actress, Leila Bakhti is superb and the film contains one very delicate and highly erotic sex scene, the best on screen in years.. Other directors should take note. You don't need to dee the flesh or watch what's happening. See this: you'll see what I mean.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Didn't have much of a clue what was going on but had fun with this one. Locations and special effects were pretty good. I liked the ntroduction to John Carter scenes best. Great to see Bryan Cranston, albeit, briefly.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
This interesting documentary about Facebook if fascinating but could it possibly be true? I don't know but it got me in. The extras give a lot of insight and are as interesting to watch as the film. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Baz Luhrmann's brilliant version of Shakespeare's classic. It was good to re-visit this. DiCaprio was brilliant and Claire Danes at the start of HER career matched him. The Catherine Martin designs and cinematography by Don McAlpine ...amazing. The language is Shakespeare's , the movie is Baz's.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Over-the-top De Palma flick from 1983. Pacino is magnetic and the scenes are staged well and there is much tension, I had to keep watching to make sure all of the bad guys gor their comeuppence...which they did. Don't watch this if you are offendeed by extremely bad language and excessive violence or live in a unit with thin walls.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Another look at this 30 years old classis. I have just returned from a holiday in Cambodia and admire this film greatly. It's not as good as I remember it but still powerful. The extras on the Blu_ray are superb with the real Dith Pran and Sydney Schanberg front and centre.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
The very silly sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's very silly "Phantom of the Opera" is given the Aussie treatment in this stage performance from the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. And what a stunning production it is. The design is fantastic, although it was better to appreciate it live at the theatre, The filming is very inventive and the actors can really sing, If you missed it on stage you should see this. But you have to like musicals and very silly stories.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Gruelling documentary account of the inhuman treatment doled out , by US personnel, to detainees at Abu Graib and Guantanamo. A hard watch. I can't believe that the previous reviewer "Bren"suggests that this should not be shown to the younger generation. These truths should be shown to everyone who can access M movies and isn' that everyone? To suggest that this was "over the top" was way off the mark. Superb but disturbing viewing.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
A classic. Very slow to get going and a little too complicated for it'd own good but it's a brilliant movie and the end is extremely powerful..still.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Wonderful performance by Claire Danes as Temple. Thank you HBO for producing this very entertaining and instructive bio. film. Lovely performances too from Catherine O'Hara and Julia Ormond. Everyone should watch this and learn about the brilliantly autistic Temple Grandin.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Fascinating documentary about famous NY photographer who certainly marches to the best of his drum. Wonderful characters in this doco, none more so than Cunningham himself. A delight.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Slow to start this film took a while to grab me. Performances are terrific especially Seth Rogan and Michelle Williams as the married couple at a crossroads. Sarah Polley is a great director. This is a movie for people who love cinema. There are several scenes that are stunningly photographed that you wont forget in a hurry.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Interesting subject- cult leaders and their brain-washed members. This could have been a terrific movie. It may have been better on the big screen. During some of the dark scenes (and there wer a lot of them) it was difficult to pick out who was who and with the flashing back and forward it became a little difficult to follow. Performances were good but, overall, movie just missed out on anothe star..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Magnificent doco about the terrible Apartheid era in South Africa. Very enlightening and terribly sad.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Although it runs out of gas well before the end of it's short running time, this is pretty entertaining. Some very funny bits.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Don't look for plotholes (there are a few) and,yes, it's a genre thriller so don't expect a lot of realism. Just sit back and enjoy a good Oz movie with great locations (SA) and top-notch acting. Thgree and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
There are some remarkably erotic sex scenes in this French movie which is a little "Dangerous Liasions" - ish. The acting is great, particularly Asia Argento and the Kodi Smits-McPhee look-alike Fu'ad Ait Aattou as the objects of her attention. The pacing is slow but the story is hypnotic.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Pretty weak script and some very hammy acting but there is something going on here that keeps you watching. This is one that could, and, maybe, should be remade. The husband locked in the elevator plotline is ludicrous and laughable. Oddly enjoyable.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Re-visiting this film after 20 years proves that Daniel Day Lewis is the finest actor around and his versatility is astounding. This is a brilliant version of Christy Brown's book and Day Lewis and the young actor, Hugh O'Conor, playing the young Christy are wonderful. Brenda Fricker deserved her Oscar also and Fiona Shaw and all of the others were great also. On my Best Ever Movies list.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Didn't finish this one.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Took me 2 goes to get into this one. Rachel McAdams is terrific and owns this movie which though classified as a rom/com is not that romantic and only sporadically funny. The big problem is Harrison Ford who seems as uncomfortable in this movie as his character is uncomfortable as a co-anchor with Diane Keaton (always good) on a crappy US network breakfast show. And the Clint Eastwood drawl just doesn't work for Ford. I'm thinking Kevin Kline could have been great in this. Watch for Ty Burrell in a small role at the beginning. Disappointing movie overall.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Fact is often stranger than fiction. Some of the scenarios are a little unbelievable in the film based on the early life of Tobias Wolff (would Tobias and his mother walk out of her relationship without taking something from the house?) but it's a small quibble. The tale is interesting, the locations are different from what we usually see and the performances from De Niro, Barkin and an impossibly young Leonardo Di Caprio are suiperb. Chris Cooper shines in a small early role, also.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Hard to believe that director Kriv Stenders would up doing a brilliant job on "Red Dog).
This is probably the worst film I've ever seen. If you want to waste 82 minutes with a bunch of foul mouthed losers searching for a story don't let me stop you. But be warned.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Extremely short, extremely silly, extremely different (if you've not seen C.Guest & Co before) and, occasionally, very funny. The actors, particularly Guest and Eugene Levy and Parker Posey are brilliant.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Superb film version of Arthur Miller's classic play. Acting is fabulous all around but especially from John Malkovich, the amazing Kate Reid and, of course, the far-too-young Dustin Hoffman as WIlly.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Can be a little confusing if you don't know the terrible history of the division in India after British rule ended in 1947. But an absorbing tale of man's inhumanity to man beautifully directed by Deepa Meeta with an excellent cast and great music by A H Rahmann. I'd suggest using the subtitles. When the characters speak in English it's a little hard to umderstand at times. Very good movie.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A brief gay romance in Nottingham provides the crux of this film. I thought that the performances were so naturalistic. Very impressive. Unfortunately, the film was dull in places, however the last 20 minutes packed somewhat of a wallop. One of the sex scenes is pretty full on. Music is good and it is well photographed..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Let's hope that Hollywood never tries to re-do this classic film from 1960. Brilliant black and white cinematography and superb performances from all. This is the best film made of a DH Lawrence book.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
For a film that's over 80 years old this anti-war story still packs a punch. Sure the acting style is over the top (now) but performances are, generally excellent. Battle footage is extremely realistic and there is no Hollywood ending for these German soldiers. Powerful.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This is a truncated version of a French TV mini series. There are many coincidences in Hugo's novel. The truncation of the story increses one's incredulity when characters continue to run into each other in crowded Paris. The low budget, also, shows and the French English accents were a bit "'Allo, 'Allo". Would have loved to have seen the whole thing in French with subtitles. Having said all this, I did enjoy it. And some of the performances were terrific especially Eponine (Asia Argento???) Disappointed that the list of characters and actors at end of Act 11 did not show leading characters Can't wait for the film version of the musical..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Though the plot promise is a "little" unlikely the performances by Sienna Miller and Steve Buscemi are brilliant. This is basically a two hander adapted from a Dutch play? And film. It's terrific. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
There is some fun to be had when you watch this. BUT there are dull passages inbetween. Performances are necessarily over-the-top. Not bad for a rainy Sunday.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Based on incidents in the screenwriters own life, this is a heartfelt,sometimes very funny look at the consequences of a cancer diagnosis. Joseph Gordon Levitt is fabulous in the lead and, although he plays yet another slacker best-friend, Seth Rogan, also, scores a home run. All the rest of the cast is superb. But the film succeeds because of the writing. The ending is a little abrupt but, if you love great acting and writing you will enjoy this film which incredibly, despite 2 Golden Globe nominations-Best Film (musical or comedy) and Best Lead actor (Gordon Levitt) went straight to DVD in this country.. Astounding.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
OMG. THIS IS A SHOCKER Such talent wasted. A low point in the history of Australian movies.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
It may be witty and funny at times but comedies about hit-men are really not my bag so I couldn't get interested. Actors were very good with the exception of the, usually reliable, Joan Cusack (John's sister) who over=acted to buggery.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Daniel Autiel is an unemotional, disconnected violin maker/restorer who has a very unusual passionate relationship with his partner's mistress ..the incredibly beautiful Emmanuelle Beart. Beart is a concert violinist and there is a lot of sensational music in the film. Very French. I enjoyed it.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Fascinating stuff for the first 30 minutes then boredom set in. I did manage to finish it. I really wanted to see the "making of" which I thought may have been more interesting than the film but it in French and was not subtitled .
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Great Aussie drama with vg acting by a cast of known and unknowns. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Powerful depiction of the Japanese massacre at Nanking in '37. Very real, very frightening and superbly acted. The subtitles move a bit fast at times and there are a lot of characters to recognise and remember (whilst reading) but it's worth it. A masterpiece. Blu ray has a "making-of" feature that's almost as long as the film but the subtitles are very difficult to read so I didn't get to the finish. Fascinating, none the less.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Terrific, fast paced movie thyat is best enjoyed sober. Three stories are involved and they do intersect at the most surprising times. This is funny and quirky.. Sarah Polley is just great. Katie Holmes and all of the rest of the cast are superb. This is highly entertaining.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I forgot to mention Guy Pearce in my Part 1 review. He was just great as was Evan Rachel Wood who makes her appearance in Part 4 taking over as the older Veda and matching the younger actress, although it was hard to believe the transformation. Once again, the important business dealings are glossed over for the mother-daughter drama. A pity. But just to see 5 hours of Winslet was worth it. Very, very good period drama with, perhaps one too many parts..
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Clever Muppet movie. Miss Piggy, though usually a star, was underutilised in this. Chris Cooper's bad man rap was screamingly funny. The character Walter is a scene stealer too.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Just fascinating, as always, to watch the great Kate Winslet in action. The property deals and legal jibber re the building business needed a bit more time. Some of the supports mumbled a bit. I got a bit lost. But the family drama is terrific and the era is beautifully evoked. Fabulous music score. The child playing Veda is chilling. I can't wait for Evan Rachel Wood to take over in the 2nd half..which I can't wait to see.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Mans inhumanity to man reached it's terrifying peak in Katyn forest in Russia in 1940. Up to 15,000 Polish officers and citizens were shot in the head and buried in mass graves. When uncovered the soviets blamed the Nazis and it was decades before the truth was known. Andrezj Wadja, the director, lost his father during this massacre.
The film is powerful, especially during it's closing minutes. Unfortunately, for me, there were too many characters and time shifts. I found it confusing in places. Later I watched the lengthy interview with the director. Now, I will watch the film again.
This film demands to be seen. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Missed this in it's brief art-house theatrical run. This is a great movie..but it's not everyone's cuppa. Michael Shannon is a blue collar worker in Ohio who fears a coming apocalypse. He has a history of mental illness in his family. Is he going mad? Jessica Chastain is also excellent as the worried who finds it difficult to "stand-by-her-man" when his behaviour suggests that he is totally bonkers and doesn't deserve her wavering support. Terrific film that will really haunt you..
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Oh what a mess of a movie. Bad scripting, lack of character development, particularly with support players, sloppy direction and so much sentimentality. The movie did not convince on any level- some scenes were ludicrous..the snake escape, the over-the-top zoo inspector, the opening day crowd waiting at the fallen tree. Give me a break. This "Based on a True Story" nonsense has to stop. The real zoo was in England, not America. This should have, at least, been acknowledged at the end. Damon tried and initially the litrtle girl was cute...but she quickly became irritating. One and a half stars. The extra half for Scarlet Johannsen who was very real and warm.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Ed Harris, one of my favourite actors, scores again as the famous composer in a, I suspect, mainly fictional story about a beautiful young woman sent to copy his music for orchestra prior to a preview performance. Of course, the music is great and,surprisingly, Diane Kruger is very good as the young woman. There is some dubious dialogue eg. "haven't had a hard-on since.....". Hardly 18th century talk. But the film is enjoyable mainly thanks to the actors. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Brilliant concept. Fantastic, significantly improvised, scenes about lonely men meeting with a facilitator once a week and "opening-up" eventually. Some of the scenes were a bit unrealistic (the face painting) and one of the scenes with Grant Dodwell's key were puzzling but overall this is a terrific film.but.not for those who dislike very bad, and continuing, bad language. Dodwell is terrific as is Steve Rodgers. William Zappa shines in a small role. All other cast members are great. Le Marquand's character needed more exploration and I see from the extras that a lot of scenes ended on the cutting room floor..
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This has everything going for it. A pirate romp, some good locations, stunts, explosions galore, good actors, a rousing score and enough action for a dozen movies. But it just doesn't work. The story line and script are just not good enough and the mayhem on screen eventually becomes quite boring. Geena Davis obviously did it for love for her then-husband, Renny Harlan, the film's director. Should have read the script, Geena!!!
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Brilliant, gripping and very fast moving thriller which takes a lot of unexpected turns for a prison break out movie. The acting is excellent. The Spanish subtitles are good but you have to concentrate to follow the fast action. Excellent thriller which is highly recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Woeful. Daniel Craig tries but is defeated by the material. Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts are wasted. The plot twist half way through is so absolutely ridiculous that I found it hard to watch to the end. Very disappointing.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
A daring, sensational performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal centres this sad study of a promiscuous, drug and nicotine addicted single mother. Just released from prison this pathetic creature does all the wrong things in an attempt to rehabilitate and win back her young daughter from the care of her brother and his domineering wife. Danny Trujo shines in a sympathetic support role but this movie is Maggie's and she's brilliant. You're never sure where this film's going and it constantly surprises. Loved it.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This tragic documentary about the taking of a baby chimp from it's mother and the experiment to humanise the chimp by teaching it to understand human language by signing is, sometimes, unbearable to watch. Some of the humans behave so atrociously that you want to lock them in a cage. That said this is a fascinating film that should outrage and move you to tears. I could never watch it again./
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I started to watch this film and after 20 minutes or so I turned it off. I had a lot of trouble understanding the dialogue (is it me???) Later I started it again with the subtitles for the hearing impaired (which I don't believe I am) and loved this film, even with the distraction of the titles which I didn't always need. Rachel Weiss is terrific as the Nebraskan cop, Kathy Bolkovac.who takes a position with a company organising peace-keeping security forces in Bosnia after the shocking conflict there. She uncovers terrible corruption and slowly realises that the peace keepers themselves are up to their necks in the slave sex trade. I didn't know how true this story was until watching the only extra- a brief interview with the real Kathy Bolkovac.
Other terrific actors have little to do although Nikolaj Lie Kaas impresses as Kathy's brief love interest. Excellent and very sad and thought provoking.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
SEE IT for the fabulous way that the Albert Hall has been converted into a theatre. SEE it to hear the glorious voices. SEE IT to see the stunning designs and lighting. SEE it for the wonderful costumes. SEE IT for the definitive Christine Daae. Sierra Bogegss is absolutely fantastic and her voice!!!!! DON'T SEE IT iunless you already know that "The Phantom of the Opera" has a ridiculously stupid storyline. How the actors have kept straight faces over the 25 years is a bigger mystery than the story of the Phantom. I'm well aware that I'm in the minority here but I keep wishing the story weren't so ludicrous. By the way, this is not a concert, this is the whole shebang and it looks AND sounds wonderful.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Oh dear. 2 hours later and I was none the wiser. This started out OK. The locations were great.Young Jack Nicholson was VG as usual. Then Maria Schneider came into the film and the story really slowed. Did I go to sleep? There was a "murderer" on the cast list but I didn't see a murder. I guess I must have. Very slow.....ZZZZZZ
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Oh, what a downer. This Belgian film won the Palm D'or at Cannes in 2005. The characters are mostly very unpleasant, the locations are dreary and the "story" takes quite a while to get going. I almost gave up but persevered. I got more interested as it moved toward it's conclusion but, overall, this is not a film I could recommend to many. Two and a half stars for the realism of the performances.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
A lot of fun but a many scenes are,naturally,filmed in the dark.This IS a vampire movie, after all. So it can be very hard to see the action on a home TV. Colin Farrell has a lot of fun as the evil vampire-next-door, Jerry. The show,though, is stolen by David Tennant, brilliant as a Vegas conjurer/magician who holds the key to defeating the vampire mob.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Apart from the unbelievable scene in the toilets (why would so many rabid soccer fans leave the game to go to the loo in the middle of World Cup soccer game???) thia Iranian film is a beauty. Non-professional actors are so real and you learn a lot about foreign cultures by watching foreign films. This is no exception.
The interview with the director in the "extras" is fascinating. 3 and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
This should have been a brilliant movie. It wasn't. The landscape was tremendous, the story was compelling and the actors were good, althoiugh I thought that Rhys-Meyers was miscast. The script was the main problem. Particlarly weak lines given to Radha Mitchell-I con't know how she kept a straiught face. Michelle Yeoh was the standout and David Wenham was good in a small role. He sould have been the lead, after all, this was an Australian funded project. It obviously sank at the box office. Without Quickflix I would never have had the opportunity to see it. Although disappointed, I'm glad to have finally seen this movie.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Brilliant documentary about the famous ballet company. Very satisfying and moving also.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Disappointing. I thought this would be really funny and it is, but oinly in a few places. The movie starts out well but soon becomes so ridiculous I tuned out. The mock non-pc, African Child song was very funny and in the early scenes Rose Byrne was a hoot and stole the show.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
This is the last comic book adaptation movie I will watch. I did enjoy it but, again, it was waaaay too long.
Natalie Portman was excellent as usual and, even though you never saw his face, Hugo Weaving dominated as V.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A shark thriller without the thrills. This is very poorly set up and the execution is unexciting. The actors try but they are defeated, in this low budget shark rip-off flick. This is exactly the same story as Andrew Traucki's previous film "Blackl Water". That was a marauding crocodile and was far more effective..
The underwater shots of the shark with the dangling legs are well done. Can't say anything else is.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Very good actors had a lot of fun. They had more than me. Lots of killing, explosions, fire etc. If that's what you like, plus, I admit. pleanty of humour, you'll love this. I got bored, though my wife didn't (Could it have been my 2 glasses of red??) Mary Louise Parker was very funny in the first half of the movie and Malkovich was crazy, but amusing.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Liam Neeson outfights, outwits and grimaces more than any super-hero ever. It's a preposterous tale. Very, very ordinary and made for the flash,bang,wallop audience who don't mind a bit of torture porn thrown in. Why, Liam, why?
And why was this movie such a success??? One and a half for the frantic pacing.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
At 90 minutes, this could have been brilliant. At 140 minutes it was waaay too long. Brilliant looking movie based on Hellboy comics (?) it had brilliant performances from all especially Ron Perlman in the title role, Jeffrey Tambor Selma Blair and John hurt, always excellent. If only it had been, at least, half an hour shorter. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Excellent remake of foreign flick "Let The Right One in". This one would have been better in a theatre, on a big screen as it's so dark it's hard to see a lot of what's happening on the smaller screen. The performances from the "kids" Chloe Grace Moretz and Kodi Smit-Mcphee are superb. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Brilliant companionpiece to CLint Eastwood's "Flags of our Fathers". Both films are about the battle between the Americans and the Japanese to secure/hold the island of Iwo Jima. They were both filmed at the same time, partly on location on the island. Acting is terrific. Ken Watanabe is superb and the young lead actor, brilliant, too.
Mostly in Japanese with English subtitles. Although in colour the film has a haunting, primarily black and white look. Highly recommended too are the extras.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Brilliant acting (David Wenham, Timothy Spall etc) and a great script make this a great ride but in the end I found it a bit complicated and so I dropped off a star. Who knew that director, Jonathan Teplitsky would direct the brilliant "Burning Man" one of 2011's best movies.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This 2007 vampire movie, supposedly set in Barrow, Alaska but filmed in NZ, has some good things going for it. Great visuals and a couple of sterling "villian" performances from Ben Foster and Danny Huston as the vampire chief.
Unfortunately, without subtitles it was very difficult for me to understand the dialogue and, understandably, this was a very dark film-so sometimes it's difficult to see what's going on. Some interior scenes seemed too bright for a town with no power, but I gues you had to see the actors. Josh Hartnett was good. Melissa George had little to do but look concerned and run about, which she did beautifully.
The extras to this Blu Ray are fascinating and should not be missed.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A very realistic portrait of the times - costumes, locations and lighting all spot-on. The scenes in the boarding school where little Jane is sent are chilling. Mis Wasikowska was brilliant as the teenage Jane. Michael Fassbender is very broody as Mr Rochester. Don't watch this for a fast moving thrill ride. It's very sedate and, maybe, a little slow in places but it's a wonderful film .
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Rowan bbviously needs the money. Otherwise why would he do this rubbish. A few laughs (that you can see coming a mile off) but that's it! Woeful,
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
I'm not really into comic book hero movies but I have to say that this was a great movie, very fast, clever and funny with very good performances- Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci and our own Hugo Weaving who steals the show. Sure the action scenes became a little boring but overall this is an excellent ride.
The extras on the disc are terrific particularly how the transfromations of Chris Evans and Hugo's Red Skull character were made possible.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I like my foreign language movies to be subtitled. This is dubbed. Even the dubbing could not spoil this wonderful movie that is so ingenious and fast paced that the very short running time flies by. See it without interruption for best enjoyment. Great German film with a wonderful central performance by Franka Portente who later went on to star in the Aussie film "Romulus, my Father" and as a Matt Damon "Bourne" girl in the secobd and third Bourne movie.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Cut by half an hour this medieval fantasy flick could have been great. The cast is impeccable and at times the pace is good..but it is far too long. The goat man and Ricky Gervais-very funny.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
An underrated gem. This movie received weak reviews when it came out in 2010. I chose not to see it. What a mistake. This is a superior sword and sandal movie with terrific acting, locations and direction. I watched it twice. The extras are fabulous also. The "cut" chariot race is terrific,
Unbelievably, this film rates only 39% on rottentomatoes.com . I'll never understand why some films sink at the box office and some very poor films are blockbusters. I should have seen this on the BIG screen!!!!!
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A very young Claudia Karvan and Alex Demetriades shine in this tale about a Greek high school teacher who makes the morally dubious decision to have sex with a troublemaking student. Great support cast. Timing is wrong. Movie is a lot shorter than 120 minutes. 3.5 stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Almost perfect Almodovar film. Watch it in one sitting if possible. The relationships between the mostly female cast are complex. Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura are brilliant as are the rest of the actors. Lots of red flourishes (typically Almodovar)-red car, red tomatoes- the cinematography is stunning. No extras. Disappointing.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Take no notice of the review from "Irene "below. It is not relevant to this movie.
A bit of "rude" and "crude" may have helped this movie. Only Ellen Burstyn comes out of this mess with her reputation intact. A boring flick has Colin Firth, with a Texan accent ,trying to take over a small depressed US town and use it as a dumping ground for toxic waste. Toxic waste describes this movie very well.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
A mixed bag this. Some good acting some poor acting. A confusing premise but not uninteresting. Ashton Kutcher is very good.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
This is a pretty good exorcism drama with the usual terrific performance from Laura Linney. It's half horror/half courtroom drama. Never boring. Jennifer Carpenter is very good as the possessed girl.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Brilliant crime drama/comedy with fantastic performances from Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, David Field, Susie Porter, Tom Long and brilliant Steve le Marquand. 4 and a half stars
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Even a mis-fire from Clint Eastwood is better than a lot of movies you see. Opening with a chillingly real (though the water is too clean) Boxing Dat tsunami scene with Cecile de France escaping death and having an out-of-biody experience. Later, back in Paris, she gets interested in the question of an afterlife. This brings her to Matt Damon's George, a psycic. There is another story of an English boy suffering the loss of a twin and Bryce Dallass-Howard who is traumatised by childhood sexual assault.
This film has been compared to "Babel" but, I'm afraid it's not in the same league. Eastwood's score is typically minimalist. The one and a half hour Clint biography is interesting but idoes not contain a complete filmography.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A by-the-numbers recounting of the story of Big Red (Secretariat) America's champion horse who raced, brilliantly, in the 80's.
The race scenes are poorly staged and there is just no excitment. Diane Lane tries hard but is given very little to build on. Other characters are cardboard cutouts.
The extras featuring the real owner of Secretariat are far more fascinating and the real races are tremendous, though, necessarily, not of high quality.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
A great Jack Nicholson-esque performance from a very young Christian Slater and a rising star, Winona Ryder shining this black comedy was hit and miss for me. Definately one the younger generation would appreciate more than I. Made in 1988.How time flies.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Unnecessarily complex Wall Street sequel with some bad casting decisions( Shia LeBeouf, Carey Mulligan what were they thinking?) The movie is far too long and only the vistas of the NY skyline save this one.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
This movie was not made for those in my age bracket, but sometimes teen movies can be fun. This entertained me for the first half hour but then it got tediously repititious and I was bored to death.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kieran Culkin were very good so was Cera but we've seen him do geek so many times now. Recommended for teens and young uns only.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Mumbo-jumbo sci-fi thrille, romance combined that is watchable but forgettable. The extra about Emily Blunt learning to dance is startling though too short.
Shame that she trained and strained to ,successfully, act the part of a seasoned contemporary dancer in a minor movie like The Adjustment Bureau. That said, the NY locations are stunning and Damon and Emily convince as a couple.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Oh, so slow. And unfortunately this DVD does not come with a "subtitles for the Hearing Impaired" option but should. I'm not hearing impaired but the thick Glaswegian accents were in some cases inpenetrable.
Kate Dickie is a good actress-I have seen her on stage during a Sydney Festival, but when you have no idea what's going on, it's very easy to lose interest. I did.
However this won the Jury Prize at Canne on 2006 so who am I to complain.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
An hour in and I'm thinking this is the worst movie I have ever seen. I stuck with it. There was some effective drama in the last third but by then I was turned off. Lars von Trier did redeem himself aomewhat with a couple of his later movies but this is a stinker!!!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Beautifully shot by Aussie Dion Beebe this film about the French Resistance during WW11 just doesn't work. Cate Blanchett (with a mild Scots accent) reads and speaks French so she is recruited to join the fight against the Germans. When she gets to France she (and everybody else) speaks perfect English!!) It's such a jarring concept that I couldn't get into this. But, Cate is terrific and looks great in some stunningly inappropriate designer clothes. Neither Gambon or Billy Crudup register. The children are weak. A disappointment.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Fabulous film for cinema buffs and vampire freaks. Based on the premise that famouse silent director D W Mirneau(?) employed a real vampire, Max Schreck, in the silent classic "Nosferatu". John Malcovich and Willem Dafoe are brilliant. Watched it a second toime with the director's commentary-fascinating stuff.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
What a pity Denzel Washington won his Best Actor Oscar for this grimy, depressing corrupt cop "thriller". He derserved it for other performances in godd films like "Ali" and "Malcolm X". This is the corrupt cop and the rookie formula. And we've seen it all before. Perhaps with not so much foul language.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Brilliant acting by Spacey and a perfectly understated one from the ever reliable Jeff Bridges lift this fantasy/comedy drama about a man who claims to be an alien. I particularly liked the first hour. The alternate ending would have been better in my opinion. But, hey, we loved this movie.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Thought provoking mockumentary concerning the assasination of George W Bush and the aftermath. Concerning bigotry, racism and unjust incarceration ,this have much to provoke discussion.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I watched everything on Disc I. I didn't need to watch more.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I have to admit that I was never ernthralled by Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" album. To me it's quite bloated. Every song gors on too long. Shorter would be better in my opinion. Having said that the arena performances 30 years later were great and it must have been fantastic to see live. This performance filmed at Wembley Stadium is great to watch but the orchestra drowns aome of the singers out and it's difficult to understand the words, particularly the prima donna ,Russell Watson, as the clergyman.
However the extras are worth 5 stars. Fascinating stuff, particularly concerning the aformentioned Mr Watson..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Full of cliches this film is an insult to the real members of the French flying squadron during WW1. The actors keep straight faces and James Franco is always appealing. Some of the scenery is lovely but the script is ludicrous.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
By today's standards this 1946 film is a bit of a letdown. The opening scenes with the young Pip and the luminous Estella (Jean Simmons) are terrific. John Mills and Valerie Hobson look far too old as the same characters "down the track" and the "fight" scenes with the Alec Guiness character and the scene with the funbled hat are poorly handled.
Having said that the photography is terrific and the fire scene with Miss Haversham is stunning. Viewed in historic context this film of Dickens' famous novel is worth considering.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Forget the second star. My finger was shaking in anger at the time I wasted watching this. I am only giving this one. It was so slow. I am a foreign movie lover but this was so boring. Nothing happens until the 38 minute mark and then nothing much until the end. Even as a short film it would have been left wanting.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Brilliant foreign movie about a young Ethiopian Christian boy escaping from a Sundanese refugee camp by posing as a Jew. I wish I had have known more about the dreadfulk history depicted in this movie before watching it. Some of the scenes were confusing and I would have liked toi have been more prepared. However despite this and an unbelievable coincidence in the final scene this was a compelling film about prejudice and strugging to survive in a hostile world, The woman who played the adoptive mother was beautiful.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Enjoyable but not life changing movie version of Dicken's famous story. Was quite engrossed during the first hour. I felt that it fell away after that. Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow were both good value and the always enjoyable Anne Bancroft was a scene stealer.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Beautifully done and highly irreverent this marionette satire is a hoot but goes on too long. The sex schene is priceless. The extra features are most interesting.
Not for your maiden aunt or your Middle Eastern neighbour.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
WTF???? Naomi Watts is superb in this 2001 David Lynch film-her breakthrough role. For the first hour and a half I was engrossed and intrigued. Then, in my opinion, it fell apart and i had no idea what I was watching. Movies shouldn't be this obscure. Melissa George has a small part and Marcus Graham is featured in a good support role.
Whatever happened to Laura Elena Harring and Justin Theroux???
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Chaotic is the word to best discribe this misfire. That the careers of all of the stars survived this mess is a testament to their talents. Miranda Otto shines but this is one that I'm glad I missed back in 1997.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Eccentric mum is dying. Eccentric family gathers at their Port Kembla home. This movie didn't work for me. There were a couple of totally unbelievable scenes (the wheelchair at the beach- the nude father and son routine) that ruined this for me. Great performances from Jeanie Drynan as the mum and the, always reliable, Sacha Horler was commendably brave.
Gratuitous foul language in the bikie mates scene was also a turnoff. Disappointing.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Only the ridiculously convoluted plot spoiled this one. Otherwise this is a very enjoyable, very cleverly written and very funny thriller. Downey Jnr. Val Kilmer and, the underrated Michele Monaghan are all superb.The scene with Abraham Lincoln and Elvis cracked me up!!!Could watch this one again.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Extremely silly but enjoyable bit of absolute nonsense. Two and a half stars. The sushi bar scene was hilarious.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
A depressing movie about 2 adulterous couples. Tedious and pointless. All of the characters are selfish and unlikeable especially Naomi Watts as the sexually charged bitchy wife of Peter Krause, who doen't register at all.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Classic Aussie movie anchored by superb performances by a very young Noah Taylor, a young, brash Ben Mendelsohn and inexperienced newcomer (at the time) Loene Carmen. Braidwood has never looked so beautiful. Every element of this movie works. Don't know how I've missed seeing this til now. Highly recommended.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Although it doesn't lead to a memorable climax, this film about a family grieving the accidental death of the wife/mother is quite beautifully made, though a little drawn out. The acting, particularly from the youngesat daughter, is exceptional.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Almost impossible to believe "true" story about a gay con-man who is still in prison and unlikely to get out. Carrey is amazingly good and McGregor is excellent also. I enjoyed a lot of this movie but found that it was uneven and some of the scams were a bit difficvult to grasp. Worth watching though. Shame it did not get a commercial release-it's miles better than a lot of movies that do. 3.5 stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Provactive, sad and compelling story about a 13 year old victim of peer pressure. The downward spiral of the Leading character is fast-could it happen this fast? I don't know, but mostly this is a convincing story of a single mother losing her daughter.
Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood are brilliant as the mother and daughter and Nikki Reed (who also co-wrote the script from her own experiences) was so convincing I wanted to slap her. Good supporting performances
All teenagers should have seen this. I'll bet very few did. Pity.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Some dodgy wigs and a totally inappropriate music score bring this HBO telemovie down several stars. A simplified version (and how accurate???) of the final years of the American suffragette movement is quite entertaining and Swank and Frances O'Connor and the always reliable Patrick Dempsey are fine. Two and a half stars.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Very interesting and honest look at the phenomenon that is Joan Rivers. Very funny and quite touching in places.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Unusual film about a principled man who loses his job and has to face the prospect of losing everything. This is a well acted, serious film and, although it stretches credibility at times, is very well worth watching.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Woody Allen in "Match Point" mode. Thoroughly enjoyable thriller with a great script, acting, photography and a faboulous score from Philip Glass. And this went straight to DVD in Australia???? Shame.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
An explanation of the causes of the GFC. I still didn't understand it all, but the filmmaker has done us a service. The question is: Have we learned from it? For the sake of the millions of Americans who have lost everytthing I hope so. And I agree, these perpetrators who stole money hand over fist should go to jail.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
For ballet fans and purists only. Very interesting doco about life backstage at the Paris Opera Ballet. Some of the dancing is sublime, as you would expect. But some of it is very modern with horrible, jangly music. There was not enough drama for an absolutely gripping doco. You just go from one rehearsal room to another. A bit long also.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Some good actors redeem this gay love story set in, what appears to be a very clean and colourful part of (South?) London. The 2 leads are quite convincing but some of the other characters are unbelievably over-the-top. Where is the Mama Cass music coming from in the soppy ending???? Disappointing.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Almost always convincing Aussie film about the sex trafficking trade. Sordid and supposedly using transcripts of real cases this film is always interesting. The performances are good.
And Gaynor, in real life the baddies don't always get caught, so-for me- this adds to the realism.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Sam Rockwell was brilliant in this strange movie directed by , and co-starring, George Clooney. I enjoyed it but it was overlong and the questionable espionage sub-plots were confusing. I give it 3 and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Thoroughly enjoyed this "teen" update of the "Dangerous Liasions" story. Phillipe was creepily good. The standout was Selma Blair. Great fun.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Brilliant, near perfect thriller. Many will dislike the ending. With one this would have been 5 stars.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Enjoyable but less so than the other Guest comedies "Best in Show" Waiting for Guffman" etc. Some amusing moments but, overall, I was expecting a funnier movie. Performances are great.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Well made French drama starring British icon, Charlotte Rampling. Strange, mysterious and unsettling. You could not turn this one off midway.
Did it all make sense? Who cares????.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Great American movie from 1995. Beautifully made and acted by a stellar cast-perhaps it's one the ladies would like better than their better halves. My wife and I enjoyed this thoroughly. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A not totally successful coming of age drama set in 2 time frames. Confusing at first and, more so, because a lot of the dialogue is unintelligible. I struggled with this and didn't start connecting with the story until half way in. Acting is good, though the subplot with the ferret(?) was inane and Hugo Weaving "making out" repeatedly with a very young girl; was a bit unsettling. The river town scenery bumped this up to a 3 star movie.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
The set up and the first 40 minutes of this movie are excellent and really got me hooked. But it was downhill from there, quite confusing with lots of handheld camera and running through corridors and woods. The acting was exceptional and the documentary style was quite convicing. Excellent device to not show the cameraman. Pretty good but could have been a classic.
Watch the extras especially the audition piences for the leading girl. Extraordinary.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
That this film went "direct to DVD" will astound you. It is so much better than most of the Hollywood fodder we are fed. Emily Watson is absolutely brilliant at the Communinst professor sent to a Gulag in Siberia for anti Stalin sentiments she was not guilty of.
It's a gruelling movie and apart from an unbelievable coincidence at the end a fantastic film from Marleen Gorris. It is based on the autobiography of the real life Evgenia.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Some haunting scenes in this worthy but depresing drama set on Iraq border just before the American intervention. Some scenes didn't convince though most of the child actors (amateurs, I believe) were good. Beautifully filmed. The narrative was sometimes confusing and this diminished my opinion of the movie. Well worth a look. 3 and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Brilliant animation. Great characters. Fabulous family fare.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Outstanding, at times confronting but, ultimately uplifting documentary about the inspirational leader of a choir in a Johannesburg prison. This is one of the best docos I have seen. I loved it.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Although I did notunderstand almost half of the thick Irish accented dialogue, this film had a tremendous power at the conclusion.
The partly-improvised acting was very real and the settings had an authenticity that Holllywood can rarely do.
The story of the Irish troubles after the great war is a story that needs to be told. A shame then that the lack of clarity in the dialogue robbed it of a higher rating. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Delightfully real script, acted by a group of great professionals. Loved it. Aniston shows, once again, that she is a great actress.
Not for those who like explosions in their movies.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
After a very dramatic and interesting start this film became a turgid, unbelievable melodrama. Clive Owen is good but Angelina Jolie, though good, seemed to be odd casting.. Some good supporting performances but, overall, despite some impressive location filming, this was most disappointing.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Preposterous! Didn't anyone read the ridiculous script. No wonder it went straight to DVD. Can't believe the positive reviews posted on this site.
This is the worst film I have seen in years-saved only by some lush Hawaiian scenery.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
This was a worthy Israeli film about an Israeli hit man on a mission to assassinate a Nazi war criminal. I just didn't buy a lot of the story elements and it just didn't do it for me. Location shooting in Israel and Berlin was impressive.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
This superb documentary on the shocking killing for food of dolphins in a secret cove in Japan will make you very angry. I couldn't sleep after watching this. The slaughter scenes are very hard to take but are absolutely necessary to make us realise the barbarity of the situation. Everyone should see this.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
This fascinating Korean film is a little confusing in places but worth perservering with. A mother will stop at nothing when her mentally wanting son is charged with the murder of a young girl. Beautifully shot. Directed by the man who did the brilliant "The Host"
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Muddled, confusing dysfunctional family drama set in NZ. Multi flashbacks confuse rather than always enlighten leaving one slightly befuddled. Huge red herrings inserted to throw you off the "key" surprise. McFadyen is excellent. Emily Barclay who was lauded for this film spoke so fast she was difficult to understand. NZ locations (near Chrustchuirch?) were a positive. This could have been a very good film but needed a more staightforward approach, in my opinion.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
It took a while to get into this and I nearly gave up a couple of times.. But with patience and the assistance of "subtitles for the hearing impared (I'M not) I got into it and overall enjoyed it. Acting was superlative. Kieran Culkin was surprisingly good. Give it a chance.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Can't fully rate this as the DVD was problematic. Missed some bits at the beginning and then film jammed with 5 minutes to go. Not HAPPY, Jan.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Although everone looks clean, neat and tidy, this old movie hold up well when compared to the gritty, superbly acted re-make by the Coen Brothers. Kim Darby is excellent and easily outshines her male co-stars. Wayne was good but was Wayne. Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper feature in early film roles.Excellent western with superb locations and cinematography.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very long, sometimes confusing tale of corruption, crime and racial tensions inside a prison. Very dark. I'm a lover of foreign films but this one, though well done, did not do it for me.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Despite some serious flaws -overacting in the comic scenes by the male lead and some exaggerated performances in the male support cast-the film moved me greatly. It's too long and the tear ducts are definately manipulated (expertly) but if you are prepared to go along with this story you will be richly rewarded. I watched this the day after news of Japan's devestating earthquake and tsunami. I found it to be unbearably sad.
A more subtle approach by the director would have, possibly, rendered a classic.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Brilliantly done-the trash compactor sequence is genuinely thrilling. But is is a cartoon so I cannot get too excited.
The space character's Spanish makeovre was a hoot. Great for kids and adults.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A very solid western-not action packed, more a character study but very well done indeed.Ed Harris
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A most enjoyable Aussie film set in India, that never got the release, the audiences or the acclaim it deserved.. Great acting from principals and supports. This film takes you to places that you do not expect to go. Very non-formulaic. "Making of" extra featurette is interesting also. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
With the exception of Limelight, ever been a fan of Chaplins and avoided his films for a long time. I shouldn't have. This is truly a classic movie. The boxing secenes are a hoot.The added music is wonderful. The final scene is wrenching. I will have to watch more
(Excellent) - review by Brian
After a dodgy start I found this to be a very interesting drama. How close to the book that it's based on is anyone's guess but as there was a fair amount of involvement by the author herself one would hope that it's pretty honest. Performances are terrific.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Denzel Washington is greatin this as is Clive Owen. It's complex and a bit incomprehensible but, even though it doesn't all make sense, I found it entertaining enough.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Very disappointing sequel (actually a TV series in Sweden) to the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. Confusing, unexciting and ridiculously far-fetched. The yellow sub-titles were very difficult to read. This may have worked better at the cinema.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Kooky, crazy and sometimes inspired. This foul mouthed "musical" about a philandering husband, with a serious smoker's cough, his tarty girlfriend (Winslet) and his long suffering wife (Sarandon) creeps up on you. You'll either like it a lot it or hate it. I liked it a lot. James Gandolfini if fine in the lead role and all other cast members are outstanding. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
If you'r e into drugs, people who smolke incessantly, graffiti, rap music and
some unintelligible dialogue, you may like this. It was too dark for me. Though Ben Kingsley is good as always.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Beautiful Aussie film about a group of friends who assist a friend to die and the consequences. Great acting. This film is hard going but there are some humourous moments. Only the scrabble scene doesn't ring true. Would these characters play scabble. I doubt it.First time director Tony Ayres went on to do Home Song Stories- avery good follow-up..
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This controversial film from Lars von Trier succeeds in many ways and fails dismally in some. The song and dance numbers are jarringly introduced and shot in such a way that you can't see much of what's happening. As Lars admits in the extras he wished that he had had more cameras at his disposal so that the movement could be shown in a clearer fashion. The acting is all over the place..some obviously improvisational techniques were involved. Bjork is so good that she is difficult to watch in places. A stunning performance. The "Sound of Music" amateur production sub-plot is ludicrous. An obviously nearly blind Bjork cast as Maria...oh, please!!!! The jail scenes are powerful, particularly those with the female warder who is superb. Cut by 30 minutes (the musical society sub-plot entirely) and with clarified musical numbers this could have been a much better film.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Superb multi-layered mystery, thriller, romance and winner of the 2010 Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Despite a few stretches of credibility this is a riviting drama with great cinematography and superb acting. You will not turn this one off half way through.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
An unhappily married journalist investigates a century old murder on an island off the coast of New Hampshire. Through flash backs we see the murder story unfold. This is the most interesting part of the movie-Sarah Polley is brilliant, as usual ,as the only survivor of the murderous attack. The modern story of jealousy and infidelity is less interesting and Sean Penn is wasted as the journalist's husband.
Worth seeing for the atmospheric flashbacksand Polley's flawless performance of the Norwegian (?) immigrant.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Slow moving but absorbing Indian film about racial dis-harmony within India. There is some English spoken and the majority of the film is subtitled. The English bits can be hard to pick up, especially from the lead actress and an actor playing an official who speaks so fast it's almost impossible to decipher. Despite these reservations I'd give this 3.5 stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
How could you make a boring movie of the life of Amelia Aerheart?. Mira Nair did. Very disappointing. Some lovely areial shots, though.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Wonderful telemovie which won a heap of Emmys last year including Best drama made for TV and best actress Drew Barrymore who is fantastic and must have had a real run for her money with ci-star Jessica Lange, also brilliant.
We had seen the documentary on the real Edith Beales some time ago. The dramatisation of their remarkable lives is expertly done. This film has been made with love.
Recommended, but see the real Beales in the Doco, also called "Grey Gardens" first.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A year in the school life of a French teacher in a poor class Paris district. Nothing predictable happens. It's so well acted that it's very documentary-like. I was absorbed until the end. Subtitles are well done.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Still powerful after all these years. Tragic story of the Khmer Rouge takeover in Cambodia and the resulting killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent Cambodians. Brilliantly acted and shot. Four and a half stars.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very quirky, Aussie comedy starring the brilliant Noah Taylor.. I enjoyed the first third - the Qld share house- best. The acting is great thoughout-watch for Sophie Lee in the Sydney scenes. She's great. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Never heard of Joy Division and, as it turns out, I don't like their music. BUT this is a brilliant film about a troubled musician. Sam Riley is a terrific new actor and Samantha Morton is heartbreaking as Debbie, Ian Curtis' wife.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Fabulous,tight one-set movie. Like most thrillers, it's a little unbelievable but riveting. Colin Farrell is outstanding.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Moody, Aussie paranormal movie filmed in a realistic doco style which relies heavily on the actors appearing to be "not acting". I must say that like Paranormal Activity 1 and 11 the actors are so good that it's easy to get sucked into the documentary feel that the makers are trying to achieve. Whereas PA 1 and 11 built to a climax, this one fizzled out a bit for me, but I was still riveted. Sadly this one slipped by me when (if) released, so thank god for Quickflix.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Zero budget American movie about 2 hetero guys who agree during a drunken night to make a gay porno movie and enter it into some local porn festival. Right, so straight off it isn't at all believable. But the performances are good and it does cover some male-male issues in an honest way. If only the script didn't sound so improvised all the way through.This was shown in the 2009 Sydney Film Festival but went straight to DVD for good reason.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Once again J Depp astounds. Beautifully filmed and acted. Not for everyone.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very clever spy spoof film for kids and their parents. The script is quite funny and Antonio Banderas, Teri Hatcher and all the adults join in with great gusto. Recommended. 3.5 stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
This movie sneaks up on you. I loved it. Great ensemble cast. Patricia Clarkson is (as usual) outstanding.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Well acted youth oriented Aussie movie based on a real life rape and murder case, I believe. The young actors are good - the teen surfing culture seems to be pretty accurate. Script by the late Nick Enight and director Steven Vidler based on Enright's play staged, originally, by the Sydney Theatre Company. Linda Cropper shines as a single mum. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Dark, gloomy but very atmospheric Australian "western". This on needed more work on the script. Character motivations were cloudy and it was a little hard to follow. Good performances from all, though.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Kooky early Shirley Barratt movie about 2 sad sisters in a miniscule country town fighting over the local DJ who, believe me, is no catch. Great performances but Shirley's 2010's "South Solitary" also starring Miranda Otto is a big leap forward.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
William Hurst won a Best Actor Oscar as the flamboyantly gay prisoner in a South American jail, but Raul Julia is just as good as a political prisoner who becomes his cellmate. It was good to see this 1985 film again. Was it as good as I'd rememembered it to be? Not quite. It is quite slow by today's standards. However it is recommended for those who missed it first time around.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Disturbing but believable film of how violence can erupt in any "game" that men play. A fabulous film experience but not for the queasy.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This, the second disc, from Quic flix seemed to "jam" in the same spots as the earlier copy. However I was able to get through to watch this time "most" of this movie. I did enjoy this but comments about english subtitles being hard to keep up with are valid. Slow moving melodrama with fabulous Vietname scenery is worth a look.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Murky film noir set in N.A. just after Katrina ripped the guts out of it. Nic Cage gives a fantastic performance as the foul mouthed pain and drug ravaged cop. A little hard to follow at the end.
PS: This has nothing to do with Abel Ferrara's superior "Bad Lieutenant".
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Beautiful, but very sad, story of a Palestininan widow figthing to save her lemon grove from Israeli Government destruction orders. The acting is very real. You'll like it if you aren't looking for action and explosions. A great, but simple, story. well told.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Even Ellen Page (and the extraordinary Juliette Lewis) couldn't save this predictable flick. Very disappointing.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Great acting, funny in parts. wish that I hadn't seen the trailer at the movies a number of times- all the funny bits were in the trailer. Just didn't work for me but not hopeless.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Inconsequential but enjoyable movie. Dialogue was a little hard to pick up in some scenes. Some good acting particularly in the younger roles. Some characters were just too over-the-top for me.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Excellent acting from all in this honest but depressing drama.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Exquisite Italian drama about a boy finding accidentally another boy the same age trapped in a pit on a deserted farm. What unfolds is a great tale. This film is highly recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Another brilliant performance by Jeff Bridges. Basinger was good too and the locations were stunning (The Hamptons) The "making of" docos are very well worth watching for movies buffs. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Staright to DVD gem, this. Kate Beckinsale is fabulous (who knew??) as the reporter who refuses to "out" her source and pays dearly for it. David Schwimmer, Vera Farmiga, Noah Wyle, Alan Alda and Matt Dillon all excellent. This is a very good movie that deserved a better fate.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very stylish Korean vampire flick that is too long and a little confusing-especially at the start. Hang in there. It will get bloody before you get bored.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
It's a pity that this true life crime story went straight to DVD in this country. It's a worthy film written and directed by ex-crim Brian Goodman. Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Peet and Ethan Hawke give outstanding performances. It's a little hard to get into and the dialogue is hard to catch-subtitles for the hearing impared to the rescue again!!!!. Boston locations fantastic but for a story spanning many years it seems to be always cold/snowing.Don't they have a summer in Boston??? Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
If you are not convinced that Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth were musical comedy stars of the '50's this won't work for you. It didn't work for me.
Convoluted and muddled- Should have been better
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Disjointed somewhat because this is 2 movies cut down to one. Therefore there are gaps in the story and it spoils what could have been (in it's original form) a pretty good effort.
Photography and most performances are good.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Enjoyable frothy teen musical. Zac Efron has talent. Enjoyable light entertainment.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Well made, well acted sci-fi. If only I could have understood it a little more. I lost patience with it but got through to the end. A bit of a waste of time for mine, unfortunately.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
I didn't understand all of it and the ending was confusing, this Aussie movie had enough going for it to entertain me. Most of the performances were terrific. Excellent cinematography and score. Would have worked better as a straight serial killer thriller but worth watching if you like a challenge.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Disappointing film version of David Williamson play. I agree with DavidS, Ray Barrett was OTT. Husband and wife team Anthony LaPaglia and Gia Carides were excellent but they couldn't save this muddled office sexual harassment drama.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Excellent bio-pic of early ten years of John Lennon. Aaron Johnson (who is, also, brilliant as "Kick Ass") was well cast and Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne Marie Duff as the "mothers" were superb. Difficult at first to pick up the heavily accented dialogue. You may need the "Subtitles for hearing impared" for the first 5 minutes. Recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Lurid, over-the-top version of the Oscar Wilde classic. Ben Barnes is insipid as the early Dorian but when the debauchery sets in, he is much more interesting. Colin Firth, who must make 5 movies a year, is convincing as the mentor who starts Dorian off on his "ride to hell", 9but the ageing-make up is ludicrous0 and Ben Chaplin is sympathetic as the painter of the portrait. Support cast is great. Worth hiring is you like a bit of blood and a few scares.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
So-so rom/com that was not funny at all and was a bit of a fizzer in the romance department. The actors were decent, particularly Isla Fisher who was a charmer. The surprise appearance of Kevin Kline was a bonus. He's always good but he didn't have a lot to work with. OK for a night in with a bottle of wine but glad I didn't pay to see this at the movies.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Loved this at the movies and again on DVD. Great lead actors, very clever script. A thoroughly enjoyable and "different" story about young love. Great soundtrack, also.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I knew nothing about the book-though later I read it at a bookshop (in 5 minutes-it's that short!!!)
I loved the way that the story was presented. The creatures really came to life. Their characters were amazing. Great soundtrack. Not for everyone but 4 stars from me.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Mery Streep does it AGAIN. She is brilliant as Julia Child and so like the real Julia (whom I saw in an old TV clip on U-tube). It's incredible. I always like Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci is just great as Julia's husband. The cameo by Jane Lynch as Julia's sister is a gem and the reaction when Julia receives a letter from her sister with good news is heartbreaking.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I LOVE this movie. Saw it at the cinema and just watched it a second time from Quickflix.
It's a movie that sneaks up on you. I disagree with the previous reviewer. Certainly some of the people that are encountered by our pregnant couple are "obnoxious and disfunctional" (including his parents) but this is balanced by some very real and poignant encounters. I find this movie incredibly funny, incredibly moving and incredibly joyous. Sam Mendes has hit the jackpot for me, again!!! John Krasinski and Maya Rudloph should have gotten Oscar nominations.Soundtrack by Alexi Murdoch is great. I bought the cd the day after I saw the movie! Four and a half stars.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Over-the-top, unintentionally funny and another turkey from Paul Verhoeven. Elizabeth Berkley (the lead) deserved the "razzie" for worst performance by an actress as a whore. This movie is so bad, it's compelling. Lots of nudity, if that's your bag. Because it's entertaining..three stars .
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A classic. Helen Hunt held her own with Nicholson (how many could?) and thoroughly deserved her Oscar. The dog (and Greg Kinnear) were brilliant too. Story? Forget how unlikely it all is and enjoy.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
At the outset I have to say that I am no fan of heavy metal music. I was not interested in this film until I read some glowing reviews. I see movies about serial killers, why can't I see one about heavy metal rockers?.
This documentary, actually, does not feature a lot of music. It's a study of two Canadian friends who since their teens have tried to make it in the rock world....and failed..so far.
It's a great study of obsession and compromise. It held my interest totally. In the end I found it surprisingly moving. Recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A terrific cast wasted in this sentimental, so called, comedy. Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin deserve better.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
I have just seen the US remake with Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Enjoyable but hardly earth shaking story of Coco Chael's early life. The period detail is great. Enjoyable. The ladies will probably love it more. Tatou is beautiful when she smiles, which she doesn't do too often in the first half. I've yet to be convinced that she's a great actress.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I have to admit to enjoying Polanski's later films more than this one. Slow with cloudy character motivations. I didn't get into this, but the stark b
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
It's in my "1001 Movies you must see before you die" book so I thought I'd better take a look. It's an over-the-top western allegory with a touch of "supernatural" thrown in. The design is stunning
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A little bit too much "on the dark side" for me. The central performance of Tom Hardy is brilliant. The images are gruesome, the language is very "in your face" (close your windows and doors so your neighbours don"t ring the police.)
I don't know how this won the best film award at last year's Sydney Film Festival over "Beautiful Kate".
Can't recommend..but if you like in your face.,highly unusual films this may be for you.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Fabulous movie musical. Great on the big screen. Can't wait for the DVD. Day-Lewis is amazing, although to be honest, as a singer he's a great actor. Some critics have complained that the character of Guido is so repellant that it's impossible to engage with the story. Nonsense. I did. I felt a lot of sympathy with his character. A lot of songs from the stage show have been jettisoned but the movie works for me-most of the changes I loved. The cinematography to brilliant. Italy looks fantastic. Great supporting cast of women.Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie and Sophia Loren all have their moments in this stunning movie. I will buy it.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
The political intrigue going on around the young Victoria is difficult to understand-the exposition is rushed. I wish I had known more of the politics of the time before viewing this. Should have boned up. Having said that, I did enjoy this movie. Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend were terrific as Vicki and Albert. The production values were tremendous-deserved the Oscar for Best Costumes. Recommended for you Royalists who know a bit of the historical background. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Don't believe the naysayers who reckon this isn't a good movie. I've seen it twice and I believe that it is the most entertaining movie made in years. It's a rollicking action melodrama and if you view it as such and enter into the spirit you will have a great experience. Nicole Kidman is excellent (as always) and,encouraged by Baz, pulls out all stops and gives a brilliant comic, and poignant, performance. Some of the performers go a little over the top but given the type of movie Baz was trying to make, it all gels nicely.
MY English friends rated this a 5 and so do I.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Very good examination of the immigrant experience in gritty suburban London pre and post 9/11. The actors are wonderful and the story will get to you. The prologue and the flashbacks to Bangladesh (filmed in India) are vibrant. wonderful music too. I enjoyed this immensely. One drawback: Some of the accents were difficult to understand, Subtitles would have been a help.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Impossible to believe that the maker of this, Todd Haynes, would later be responsible for the very well received "Far From Heaven". The Hero and Horror parts have a certain enjoyment, the Homo is dreary and unwatchable. One and a half.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
I was with this film for the first-terrific-half and then it became confusing and unnecessarily violent. That said the opening sequence is brilliant and the two actors cannot be criticised, An interesting film, but not for everyone, especially the faint-hearted.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Peter Jackson's creation of the gorilla KONG in the re-make is absolutely superb. Naomi Watts is brilliant and her reactions to the creature and the relationship that develops is one of the great love stories.
Don't expect realism. This is the story of a 50 foot gorilla who loves on a remote, fog enshrouded, island populated by weird natives and prehistoric creatures. So it's over-the-top but spectacularly so.
Three and a half stars and an extra half for Kong ****.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Typically over-the-top Sam Raimi movie which, once I tuned into the style, was extremely enjoyable. A western with a difference, Sharon Stone stars as an gunslinger out for revenge. Gene Hackman is a brilliant villian , Leonardo DiCaprio , looking about 12 years old, was superb as The Kid and Russell Crowe showed why he, shortly, was to become an A list star. Some superb sequences. Unfortunately my copy froze just at the close so I couldn't see the end titles. Shame. I may buy this one.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I had missed this when it came out 30 years ago. We have come a long way with special effects, since then. However the 1980 effects are quite good. The movie comes to life in the last half hour and the ending is great. I found the first hour of the movie to be quite weak and some of the actors were quite weak. Worth a look if you are into werewolf movies.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Gerard Depardieu is brilliant as the overweight lounge singer and he is matched by Cecile de France as the sad single mother he falls head over heels with. This is a great character study with superb acting. Recommended tp foreign film fans.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Half and hour in and I hadn't laughed once. A smile at Steve Martin maybe, but not a laugh. I was about to give up and then I got my first laugh and then a second. There were a few more but this is not one that would rate on the laugh-o-meter.
Performances are good especially Dax Shepard, Greg Kinnear and Sugourney Weaver in supporting. The Saturday Night Live girls just needed a better script.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Very interesting to see Visconti's first movie, made in 1943- two years before I was born. Although James Cain's novel "The Postman always rings twice" is not credited it is virtually the same story with some twists.
Though slow and dated with the most unconvincing car crash in cinema's history, this is worth watching. The composition of the images is quite beautiful and it is obvious that this was a director who would become one of the greats. There is plenty of erotic tension between the two leads but don't get excited. This was 1943, so the movie is tame when compared to later versions of the novel. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Now that I've revisited this film on DVD, I'm still not sure which I think is the better "Capote" film. Both this and "Infamous" released in the same year cover the same territory. Both are brilliant.
This one appears to stick more closely to the facts. This Perry Smith is much more like the real killer than Daniel Craig (brilliant though he was) in "Infamous". Both Seymour-Hoffman and Toby Jones are terrific as Capote. Seymour-Hoffman deserved his Oscar as, in reality, he is nothing like the real Truman. See both and compare. Five stars.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
Beautifully shot with terrific performances from Michael Dorman, Joel Edgerton
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Steven Soderberg's homage to the black and white war/noir films of the 40's and 50's is brilliant visually. It is easy to believe that this was made at the time of "Casablanca" (which is most closely resembles-particlularly the closing shot). Having said that I found the plot very difficult to keep up with-a clearer storyline and less confusion would have made for a better movie-going experience.
George Clooney looks like he' s wondering what he's doing on set. Blamchett is wonderful, as usual. Tobey Maguire goes all out for a Best Supporting Oscar and doesn't come close. Jack Thompson shows that he is growing old disgracefully. A very interesting and visually exciting experiment that is enjoyable but not that memorable. Close to classic but no cigar.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Hard to believe that anyone could have found this dull!!!
A fascinating biopic of tortured, talented painter Jackson Pollock (Blue Poles anyone??)
Ed Harris is amazing as Jackson and directs as well. He should have got an Oscar (he was nominated). Marcia Gay Harden deserved one too. She got one. But Best Supporting Actress???? She is the LEAD actress for God's sake.
I loved this movie. The best artist biopic ever. Great!!!
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A little like a home movie Wes Anderson's feature is very quirky and not for everyone. The Wilson brothers Owen
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Hard to believe the good reviews posted here. Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan must roll their eyes when mention of this clunker comes up. This is one of the worst movies ever made-so hokey that you stay glued watching in the hope that it HAS TO get better. It doesn't. For instance: Jackman
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
At last a film for the over-6o's. This gem is recommended in Roger Ebert's 2007 Film Guide-He calls it an undiscovered gem. He's right. The senior performers (Joseph Bologna, Len Cariou, Brenda Vaccaro, Sally Kellerman) have all aged naturally. The same can't be said for Dyan Cannon who looks bizarre. However, all act beautifully. This story about seniors, the loss of a partner, starting over and re-discovering sex is beautifully handled. Recommended for the oldies (of which I'm one). We loved it. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Gloomy tale of a pedophile trying to get back into society after a long jail term. Pretty unbelievable that the pedophile (Kevin Bacon-very good) would be allowed to rent opposite a primary school. And didn't anyone else notice the other pedophile hanging around the school??? Performances are good-the film is so so. Pity.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Impeccably produced, beautifully written, costumed spectacularly and very well acted. This is a very pleasant way to while away an couple of hours. The dialogue is delicious, though I didn't like the voiceover-another voice may have made it work!. . Michelle Pfeiffer as the aging prostitute who falls for her friends vacuous son is still extremely beautiful and is very convincing in the role. Three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
The "other" film about Truman Capote. Totally overlooked on its release. Now I cannot understand why. This is a brilliant movie with sensational performances from Daniel Craig as Perry (one of the Clutter family killers), Juliet Stevenson, Sigourney Weaver and Sandra Bullock (as Harper Lee). And Toby Jones deserved an Oscar for his take on Capote, just as Philip Seymour Hoffman did the year before.
Now I have to watch "Capote" again. I'm sure that I'll confirm that this film," Infamous" is the better. Five stars. Excellent, thought provoking entertainment.
(Not to be missed!) - review by Brian
For the first 40 minutes or so this is OK. Then it falls apart and becomes so ridiculous that I now consider watching this as a bit of a waste of time. I love thrillers and I don't mind that they strain for credibility but this one..oh my. Surely the actors read the script and realised this would be a turkey. Aussie actress Melissa George is good as Clive Owen's wife but most of her performance ended on the cutting room floor. She has some good moments in the "Deleted Scenes" extras. Poor Tom Conti-he used to be a big name now he appears in an underwritten role in dross like this. Pity. I remember him as a great actor.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
This is not an easy film to watch. It is an extremely dark and depressing story of a drug, alcohol and sex obsessed cop who is in an incontrollable spiral to doom. The film is ugly, however, it contains an Oscar worthy performance of unbelievable power from the underrated Harvey Keitel. Three and a half stars-see it if you have a strong stomach.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Despite the fact that I had problem with the disc and missed a small section of scene 4, I was totally mesmerised by this film. The mood was intense and eerie and the 2 child performers were very good, especially the girl. I've never cheered for a vampire to come out on top before. Brilliant.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Three and a half stars. A very original and off-beat story. Ryan Gosling was brilliant with Emily Mortimer (the English actress) terrific as Lars' sister-in-law.
Let this one work it's magic on you. It may take a while but it will happen. Don't be afraid to laugh-go on it's OK. Although the situation is sad the film is made to entertain and make you feel good. Recommended for those who don't need explosions in their movies.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Another Aussie gem that I missed at the cinema. Very quirky and certainly not to everyone's taste but a very very enjoyable movie. Ben Lee -it was made for him this role. He was great. Everyone was good especially Christopher Stollery, the always reliable Rose Byrne and Miranda Richardson as Placid's mother from hell.
Highly recommended for cinema lovers who relish a good script.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Two and a half stars. I had loved "The Squid and the Whale" so much that I came to this with a great deal of anticipation.
It started well and I was into it. Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and (even) Jack Black were superb. Unfortunately, the movie became messy in the 2nd half, The subplot with the neighbours, the shoe and the pig's foot had me floundering so I did lose some interest. The stars are for the acting which is superior.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
This is very enjoyable Aussie movie that I missed when released years ago. The film, set in 1939 and , beautifully shot in SA, has very good acting from Bryan Brown, Steve Vidler and Rachel Ward who has never looked lovelier. The character motivations, as the movie heads to a climax are a little difficuly to comprehend and Sam Neill, having fun as the egotistical and over-sexed rake, is not someone you are every likely to meet. I enjoyed this - 3 and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Finally got to see if Marisa Tomei deserved her Oscar. She didn't - though she is the only life in this thoroughly slipshod comedy. A mess with a stupid premise, an appalling script and the worst performances committed to celluloid. Half a star is more like it. For Tomei.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Agree about the disjointed comments but, overall, Marion Cotillard won me over with her fantastic performace. She certainly deserved Oscar.
Very dark (and hard to see) in places but the setting and the cinematography set off the beautiful central performance. Would see this again.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
This is a grim film-with a capital G. Michael Fassbender is fantastic as the IRA prisoner Bobby Sands who went on a fatal hunger strike during the Thatcher years. He lost close to 50 kilos to do the final scenes. It's very hard to watch.
The movie is anchored by a static 10 minutes scene between Sands and the Irish priest to whom he confides his plan to starve himself. It is a brilliant scene. There are many long silent scenes that will bore some.
I watched this with the "subtitles for hearing impared" ON because I fould the accents at the beginning impenetrable. A strong three and a half stars.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Three and a half wonderful stars for this children's fantasy. How wonderful to see brilliant actors like Emily Watson involve themselves with family friendly fare. Thoroughly enjoyable-you'll love the baby waterhorse...we didn't want him to grow up.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Three and a half stars. Enjoyable but a little slow.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I love original, quirky movies. I love Jack Black. I thought Michel Gondry's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" was a great film. I love silly movies (Flying High/The Hangover)
But this movie was just too silly fo words and I couldn't lock into it. A very disappointing experience.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Hard to believe that this was made by Roman Polanski who is responsible for later masterpieces like "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown". Very disappointing to re-visit this but interesting to see one of Sharon Tate's few screen outings.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Three and a half stars. Well acted domestic drama set in the late 40's. Cooper falls for the younger McAdams and rather than tell his wife and have her suffer the indignity of his infidelity he decides to kill her. But things are not as they seem. Brosnan is excellent as Cooper's friend and story narrator. There's not a lot of drama here but the story keeps you involved. Clarkson, as always, is terrific but David Wenham seems miscast as the mystery lover. The "special features" alternate endings are fascinating and would have added interesting codas to the storyline. Brosnan must have been disappointed that they weren't used.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
How disappointing to re-visit one of your old favourite movies and come to the realisation that it's not as good as you remembered. Intermittentently funny with some memorable moments but, overall not the clasic I wanted it to be. Madeleine Kahn is brilliant (she died far too young). Brooks singing the title number is side-splitting.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Disappointing sequel to "28 Days Later". I should know better than to expect total plausibility in a sci-fi flick but this was ludicrous to the point of laughability. Robert Carlyle's children -one looked like a supermodel and the other was totally untalented-were asked to do things that no children would have even dreamed of. Rose Byrne was wasted. Too many dark scenes-and the hand held camera made it nearly impossible to tell what the f---was going on.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Although the comic book blockbusters are not really my cup of tea I did enjoy this-at teast the first 2/3. There were good performances and plenty of much needed humour. I lost interest when the "Hulk" took over in the last reel. The opening scenes in Brazil were very exciting.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Excellent first hour. This is one of the best "zombie" movies ever and has a realism that others have lacked. Danny Boyle should be proud of this one. The filming (on video) is gritty and thrilling. The actors-particularly Brendan Gleeson-are fantastic. Scenes of deserted London are awesome. Some of the dialogue is hard to pick up and the last third is a bit too frantic but a superior film. Can't wait to see the sequel though I'm bound to be disappointed.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Lovely indie film about a lonely dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who inherits an old station house in New Jersey. He becomes involved with 2 other loners and unlikely friendships form. Dinklage is superb as is Bobby Cannavale but the film belongs to Patricia Clarkson. She is always very good. In this, she is brilliant.
Recommended to serious moviegoers.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Three and a half. Very funny. Anne Bancroft was a delight-she should have done more comedies. Charles Durning also very good and Mel is always good. I enjoyed this very much.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Another early Winslet oddity. Certainly not hideous and just a little bit kinky but not very successful in my opinion. The locations are exotic and interesting but the story meanders. Kate's children are wonderful but I did have trouble understanding what they were saying at times. As usual Kate is earthy and very believable in the role of the meandering mother "searching" for some meaning to life. Oh, and there's also the obligatory nude scene for Kate. So that's a plus.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
You have to be absolutely nuts about dogs to love this movie. It's definately one for the kids. Great to see "heavy hitter" Don Cheadle in this one though I must admit he looks embarrased at times.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I can understand why this appealed so much to teenage girls. It's a very well done teen vampire love story. Just not my cup of tea.
I won' t be hanging out for the sequels.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Three and a half. Another good Aussie film that died at the box office. Undeservedly so-but I think I know why. The title "Ten Empty" is the worst in movie history. The subject matter is bleak and depressing. Why are Aussie filmakers obsessed with dark stories?
That said this is a very good first time film from actor, Anthony Hayes (co-written with Brendan Cowell who also appears in a support role). The story is hardly original but the way that it unfolds is. The actors are all very good: Geoff Morrell, Jack Thompson, Blazey Best, Daniel Fredrickson etc etc. All good -there are no fake moments here. Recommended if you want a gritty, black Aussie drama. The making-of doco is very intersting also.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
This is no masterpiece but the 3 erotic short stories are "interesting", The third is quite raunchy but this is not X material. A couple could watch this and it may do the trick.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Powerful acting in this film about a woman who needs are very strange. (Self-mutilation, anyone?)Would have given more stars if the ending had have been more satisfying.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Kate Winslet has made some fine movies of late: "Revolutionary Road", "The Reader" "Little Children". I missed some of her earlier movies. This was one that I wish I hadn't bothered with. Kate is fine- she does a great Aussie accent and looks great without her clothes but, Jane Campion, what were you thinking? This is a total mess of a movie. Harvey Keitel would be wise to take this off his CV.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
3 and a half stars. Very enjoyable kids flick combining live action and animation. Amy Adams is a delight and James Marsden and Patrick Dempsey give great support. The songs are goods especiallyy the catchy number in Central Park. Recommended for the whole family.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A moving study of America, post 9/11, and a lonely widower who finds purpose in life when assisting an "illegal" couple. The acting is sublime and understated and while the story is very sad there is a satisfying uplift in the final frames that leaves you feeling that you have just spent 2 very worthwhile hours. Highly recommended to serious moviegoers.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Good but, unfortunately, not another classic like "Rosemary's Baby". This is an atmospheric but uninvolving psychological thriller. Wonderfully filmed and a bit creepy but it all becomes a little tedious in the end.
Supporting actors are badly dubbed which is annoying.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Follow up to "In The Mood For Love" does not quite match the earlier film. But it is wonderfully composed and shot with exquisite music and performances. A little too slow and a little confusing to make 5 stars, but a great experience nevertheless.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Ridiculous, extremely silly, but thoroughly enjoyable live action movie for kids (and dog lovers).
We have a chihuahua so we had to get it out.
Poor Jamie Lee Curtis-reduced to this. I'm sure she had fun though. We did too.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A very long, but beautiful, film. This is cut from the original 5 hour version and Bergman was, apparently, unhappy with it. Nevertheles, the sumptuous beauty of the production and the acting show that this one fully earned its 4 Oscars (Foreign film, cinematography, Set and Art direction).
Sure it meanders at times and a couple of developments are puzzling but I can recommend this to film buffs if, like me, you missed this when released in the 80's.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Can't quite work out why this has a viewers rating of 3.5 when all of the reviews are 5 or 4 stars.
Anyway..
This film is one I had seen years ago, but could not remember so clearly. I'm on a Day-Lewis kick at the moment so I rented this.
An absolute classic and one of the instances where an English speaking actor affects a European accent and it works beautifully. This erotic tale set mostly in 1968 Prague (but shot elsewhere because of it's strong anti-communist sentiments) is a stunning achievement. Day-Lewis as Tomas, the womanising brain surgeon, Juliette Binoche as the innocent who falls deeply in love with him and Lena Olin as his passionate but independent artist lover are all wonderful. Look for Stellan Skarsgard in an early support role. Brilliant. I'll watch it again.
"Making of" doco explaining how archival footage was used with the actors is very interesting.
4 and a half stars.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Formulaic. Predictable. A definate chick flick. The puppy was good.
My wife had read the book, I hadn't. We both thought the movie was totally forgettable.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Three stars for the performers. Let down by the script. The plot has promise and the first half hour is amusing but then the film runs out of steam. I've always liked Schwimmer but this part is Ross-lite.
Paltrow,as always, is appealing.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
If you can overlook the plot device that has a young bride of a well connected Danish family choosing to tell the assorted guests at her wedding breakfast that the man she calls father is, in fact, not her biological father, you will love this.
I couldn't overlook it. It just didn't make sense to me that this would happen.
So why 4 stars??? Because aside from this unbelievable development, this is a superb story that is extremely well acted.
Mads Mikelson (from Casino Royale) is a teacher in an orphanage in a Mumbai slum. The CEO of a big Danish corporation is thinking about a multi-million dollar sponsorship of the orphanage-but insists on Mikelson meeting with him in Copenhagen before green lighting the deal. He has ulterior motives. Mads and the CEO's attractive wife may have been connected years earlier. Find out what happens. Rent this. Just accept that brides might do some stupid things on their big day!!!
(Excellent) - review by Brian
What was Richard Gere thinking? And Diane Lane? This is an appaling tear-jerking romance that fails on every level. Gere looks disinterested. Lane fares better. The guesthouse location was superb.
One star for the guesthouse.
PS. My wife quite enjoyed it...so go figure.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Age has not wearied this movie. Charming slice of life in small Swedish villages. Although I wanted to strangle the the boy at times, his performance was winning. One that you could see over and over. Highly recommended for foreign movie buffs.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
The old master, Sidney Lumet, does it again- proving there's life in the old dog yet.
This is a brilliant melodrama that tells a very gripping story of a crime gone wrong. The acting is amazing-I've always loved Seymour Hoffman, and Albert Finney, but Ethan Hawke is a revelation here. Supporting roles are very well cast too. Marisa Tomei (who shines in "The Wrestler"), Amy Ryan (fresh from her Oscar nom for "Gone,Baby,Gone" and Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) are superb.
Without a couple of (minor) plot improbabilities toward the end, this would have been a 5 star movie.
The "Making of" extra is very good-watching Lumet work with such economy is a lesson to all.
Highly recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Three and a half stars. I was one of those many people who found Sally Hawkins' Poppy too annoying, too silly. I really wanted to shake her. But then as the movie reached the hour plus mark, the tone changed and, in the end, I applaud her brave performance.
Eddie Marsan's off the wall, depressed and finally psychotic driving instructor is amazing. Their final confontation is an acting tour-de-force.
I didn't like "Sercrets and Lies" or "Topsy Turvey". Vera Drake was chilling and this one is, also, a Mike Leigh winner..untimately.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
3.5 stars. Kids (and adults) familiar with the Dr Seuss Who story will love this. Others may be a bit puzzled. Great animation and voice work from Jim Carrey, Seth Rogen etc. Jult long enough at just under 90 minutes-a joy for the whole family.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
...Three and a half. At last an American comedy that is funny, especially for movie lovers. This spoof of the rags-to-riches rise of singing sensation Dewey Cox covers every cliche in the book and, maybe, creates some of it's own. John C Reilly at last gets a star turn and he milks it for all it's worth.
Almost consistently hilarious-and very, very silly this may not entertain everyone but it sure did me!!!
Hate to say it but "I love Cox".
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
And a half. Disturbing Spike Lee drama about a crim about to go into the clink for 7 years for drug dealing (he should have gotten more!!!). Brilliant acting from Anna Paquin and Barry Pepper among others. Agree that the central character was hard to care much about and what was he doing walking about having been convicted and sentenced for a serious crime??? Will have to check American law.
However this is filmed in Lee's inimitable style and, though long, I enjoyed it. The ending is amazing.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Despite the fact that my disc "froze" many times during my viewing, this movie STILL got to me. A strong examination of race relations in a low class area of Brooklyn the movie points the finger at everyone and is more powerful for that.
PS: I have reported a problem via the unsatisfactory problem reporting system on line- If you can get a new copy to view, I can recommend this to serious moviegoers.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Fully deserving it's Best Foreign Picture Oscar, this is a very authentic looking and very well acted film . The subject of Jewish counterfeiters surviving in concentration camps by printing money for the Nazis is thought provoking and the film does not use any sugar coating. Highly recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
No wonder this went straight to DVD. The usually reliable George Clooney bombs out with this ill-concieved throwback to the wonderful days of screwball comedy. A comedy with few laughs about the impossible-to-understand sport of American football. I agree with the overindulgent criticism levelled at Clooney by an earlier reviewer.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
and a half. Excellent Aussie late 90's gem with three fantastic central performances and wonderful Andrew Lesnie cinematography. The dual story lines can be a little confusing at first but my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this highly original home-grown drama.
I wish I had coaught this at the cinema. Highly recommended for film buffs.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
and a half. Very enjoyable movie about the cold blooded killer, Ripley. Malkovich is perfectly cast as Ripley and Dougray Scott proves that he can act as Ripley's victim/pawn. The locations are stunning. The only disappointment is that dastardly Ray Winstone (as brilliant a baddie as Malkovich) gets his justly deserved cumuppence off-screen!!!
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
The second Aussie croc movie made in the last 18 months. Greg McLean's "Wolf Creek" follow up -"Rogue" sank without a trace. This one did not even get a release in Sydney to my knowledge.
It deserved to. Made on a miniscule budget ($1M) this movie (shot at Oatley NSW and South Hurstville) looks fantastic and, although, the beginning is predictable what happens next is not!!!
I was gripped. The actors Maeve Dermody and Diana Glenn and Andy Rodoreda are very convincing and the blending of the croc footage with the actors is quite incredibly well done.
For a marauding animal flick this is very good.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A very well made (and acted) film. Unfortunately I saw it on a small screen TV and couldn't clearly see the subtitles for the many foreign language scenes in the movie. This made the film very difficult to follow especially in the last 3rd. If you didn't see it at the movies, wait until you can watch it on a big screen.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Utter crap. Sacha Baron Cohen is the only saving grace. Very unfunny.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
This was a worthy Oscar winner-absorbing story and a very well made doco.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Great animation. Jack Black's voice work is fantastic. The story, unfortunately, is not that strong. Even at less than 90minutes I thought it was a little long. Disappointing.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Half a star. A train wreck of a movie. Be warned - there are no big stars in this picture. Those offered parts must have read the script. It is devoid of any wit. How did this get funded? Why did I rent it? I must have read a decent review somewhere. If I find out where, I will seek revenge for my wasting 90 minutes of my life. Utter crap!!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
This could have been a great movie about the little known code breakers in England during WW11. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it wasn't. The set up was very good, and the explanations of the code breaking machines was clear enough, but then the complicated plot twists were rushed and for a long time both me and my wife were thinking "What the hell is happening?". At the end it, kind of, all made sense but the weak action resolution (budgetary restraints probably) and a pallid leading man-Dougray Scott- together with some hard to believe developments let it down. Interesting to see Kate Winslet before she hit the big time.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
This was a comedy? I cannot understand the excellent reviews that this is receiving on your website. This was a "comedy" that did not deliver one laugh. The situations were unamusing, the actors were all pretty weak- even Hawaii didn't look good.
This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen.
If I could have given minus stars I would have.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Wonderful Scorcese film of the last days of Jesus, though not based on any of the gospels but on a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis (Zorba).
Beautifully filmed (in Morocco) with a great cast. Who would have thought Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel and Barbara Hershey could be so compelling as Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene respectively? A classic.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
-And a half. This is not an easy movie and you have to watch it sober otherwise zzzzz. . The film raises many questions about American involvement in foreign lands. I wish I had seen this at the movies. The scenes in Afghanistan were night scenes and were very difficult to see especially as the two actors are dark skinned (the great Derek Luke and Michael Pena). A bigger screen would have helped.
Streep is (as usual) great as the jaded media personality. Cruise (one of my favourite actors) is just right as the Republican "big-wig" trying to sell a new foreign policy initiative. Only the scenes with director Redford and his slacker student are disappointing. Not enough dramatic moments. However, I believe that, this is a movie to see again.
Very thought provoking.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
The opening "fake" movie trailers are priceless. It's downhill from there although Robert Downey, Jack Black, Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey are fantastic. Stars are for the actors.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Enjoyed the first half hour-the eerie deserted NY scenes were fantastic. It lost me a bit from there but overall I enjoyed it. Smith and the dog were very good.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Enjoyable kids movie. Good to see Jodie Foster relax and enjoy herself.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A great story beautifully told, photographed and acted. A liitle bit difficult to hear some of the dialogue -a minor drawback. Whatever happened to Madeleine Stowe???
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very enjoyable to re-visit this old movie, having just seen a theatrical version of the same story. Disregard the age and settle back to enjoy a really good yarn.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I have to admit that comic book adaptations are not my cup of tea but because of the hype I felt I had to give it a go. Comic book adaptations are still not my cuppa, but, I have to admit that this was better than most. Robert Downey Jnr. was terrific and the script had some beaut one-liners. Gwyneth Paltrow was, as usual in my opinion, "on the money" as Pepper Potts-the best character name I've heard in a long time.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Two and a half stars. The story behind the making of this movie is, perhaps, more interesting than the story IN the movie. Aussie Benjamin Gilmour has never made a movie before. He took himself off to Pakistan to make a documentary and ended up with a feature about a young boy who works with his father in a gun making business. The boy longs to better himself by going to school. His father is against this idea. That's the story.
I was hooked for the first 30 minutes. There is just not enough conflict in the story to hold the interest and I'm sorry to say I got bored in the end.
Great to see the remote locations and the filming is great. The actors are mostly inexperienced and, unfortunately, it shows in some cases. Iwanted to like this more than I did.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Disappointing early Ang Lee movie. Not very believable and some of the acting was very uninspiring.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Extremely disappointing movie. Slow, difficult to understand a lot of the dialogue, depressing and, for me, pretty uninteresting. Only one star.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Low budget Aussie thriller. Did it make sense? Not all of the time but the performances were terrific and it held my interest.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Very entertaining, and beautifully acted love story. Chick flick? Maybe, but I enjoyed it very much. Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler nailed the all important opening scene which I watched over and over.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Highly entertaining movie dealing with a couple from Calcutta who marry by arrangement and then move to NY to set up a new life. Great story, acting and photography. The extras are very good on this DVD also. Especially the "round table" master class with film students and the makers of this film. Highly recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I'm quite a film buff..so how come it took me thirteen years to come to "Trainspotting"?????
I don't know but, at last, I've caught up with it.
As confronting as I'd been led to believe, very well acted with language to shock your maiden aunt, this is a 4 star movie.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
-and a half. I've just read the punter's reviews on this movie and -I'm a bit shocked. I can agree tnat sometimes it was hard to hear the whispered dialogue (especially from the painfully starved Jeremy Davies) but I thought that this was a very well done story about human endurance and courage. Slow and boring? I didn't find it so.
Bale is terrific and Steve Zahn is a revelation.
The extras on this DVD star Werner Herzog and show that he goes to extraordinary lengths to achieve his vision-that he inspires actors to but their bodies on the line shows the depth of respect they have for him.
Just short of being a classic.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Let me start by saying that the PG rating for this movie is, in my opinion, inappropriate.
As a great fan of Wong Kar Wai's "In the Mood for Love" I sought out this earlier effort. Once again, the film is fantastic to look at - the framing is superb and the use of colour/black and white is brilliant.
The protagonists in this gay love story, however, are so irritating that the movie didn't always hold my interest. Their on again-off again (literally) realationship and their constant dummy spits grew tiresome.
For the technical side of this movie, I give 2 stars. I wish it had been better.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
As quirky as they come. A very entertaining movie for broad-minded folk. The acting of the 2 leads James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal (and a supporting Jeremy Davies) was fantastic. I'm not into S
(Excellent) - review by Brian
What was Todd Haynes smoking? The acting was very good and the movie was often interesting but it was too arty farty for me. Very disappointing.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Preposterous Aussie serial killer outback yarn that makes no sense whatsoever.Well photographed, you keep watching hoping that it will improve. It gets more and more unbelievable. supposedly inspired by Hitchcock's Rear Window? I hope Hitch never saw it. Stacey Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis are both good but they are acted off the screen by the dog.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Richard Dreyfus, what were you thinking? I guess good roles for mature age actors are hard to come by. But didn't you read the script.
This is a predicatable, cliche ridden "Mr Chips" movie where nothing remotely resembling reality ever happens. Dreyfus, despite all, gives a great performance. He ages beautifully in the film. Nobody else does. It's laughable.
Very poor soap suds.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
I just watched this movie-which I badly wanted to see on the big screen-and then read the QUickflix reviews. Those who say this is a slow movie are, in my opinion, way off the mark. I, also, must take exception to the remarks about Reese Witherspoon. This is an ensemble cast movie. Her role was pivotal but she is not the focus. Someone expecting a central Oscar calibre performance from Reese may be underwhelmed. To my mind she was very, very good and fit in well with the other exceptional actors.
Australian Dion Beebe (cinematographer) and director Gavid Hood should be pruud of this one.
I wish I had seen it on a cinema screen but,even so, it was magnificent movie.
Another fabulous movie ignored at the box office. Shame.
PS: Extras on disc are worthwhile.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very enjoyable but over-hyped Rusian movie. The boy is very good but I agree that credibility is strained at times. It shows us a very different world that we have not seen on screen before. Acting is good-sometimes over the top. Worth watching but no masterpiece.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
In my opinion this is much more than watchable. Sure it's indians and horse soldiers and there's lots of shooting but it does pose some serious dilemmas-some like racism, still relevant today. The cinematography and the acting by Burt (always good) Lancaster, Bruce Davison, Richard Jaeckel and all involved (except the boy) is exceptional. Highly recommended.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Unrelentingly grim and depressing. This Romanian movie set in 1987 about 2 girls seeking an illegal abortion for one of them is no picnic. Very well acted but dark., dark, dark. You will want to see it through to the end and then need a very stiff drink.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I'm an Anh Do fan. On the telly he comes acorss a a very pleasant and charismatic fellow. (although he was well out of his comfort zone on "Thank God, You're Here")
Sorry Anh, this movie is a shocker and you helped write and produce it so you don't have anyone else to blame. This is a very predictable, tired, badly acted movie about the underdog team that succeeds against all odds. I found it very depressing. Another step backwards for the Aussie film industry. One star for Claudia Karvan who is totally wasted in this.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
-and a half. Very entertaining chick flick. Streep is, as usual, magnificent. Emily Blunt is great and Anne Hathaway holds her own against them and looks great too!!!
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
A disaster. The critics were right about this one! Only Gene Kelly saves it from getting NO stars. What a sad end for such a great performer.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
-and a half. Very interesting sci-fi horror story about how humans can turn on each other in a crisis. Great ending. I enjoyed this a lot. Marcia Gay Harden was excellent.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
I had avoided this movie believing that I didn't want to see a racist vigilante story. Wow, I was surprised. It was much, much more than that.
An excellent movie-and a very frightening one. Douglas is very good as is Duvall and all concerned.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
And a half. A nice movie with very good acting. Rickman is always good and Sigourney Weaver passes a very tough test. She is convincingly autistic. Interseting and recommended.
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Well, David Croenenberg, I finally caught up with this twisted mess that you made a few years ago. I have loved some of your movies but this, in my opinion, is crap.
Another reviewer asked "What's the point?" I don't believe there is (was) one.
Holly Hunter and James Spader must have needed the money.
No wonder we've never seen (the very sexy) Deborah Kara Unger since. She's probably in hiding!!!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Brilliant, left field, Aussie movie that I, and most of the population, missed when released. The performances were just great and, although most of the main characters were relpulsive creatures, you had to sit out the language and loud, atrocious, music to see how it panned out. The detective's marriage plot was not finalised to my satisfaction, though.
Very, very good.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Brilliant Korean mutant monster movie-thoroughly enjoyable though a little hard to keep up with the stunning visuals and read the subtitles. Well worth the time.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Nic is good as usual, but Will Ferrell is so OTT he unbalances the movie. Shirley Maclaine is utterly wasted. A few laughs but not very many. Disappointing.
(Maybe) - review by Brian
Is this the worst movie ever made? I suspect it's way up there with "Country Life" and "Shoes of the Fisherman".
Will Ferrell wrote this and thought it was funny? Will Ferrell then acted in it and thought he was funny? He was pathetic. Christina Applegate (who was not bad) should get herself a new agent). Only one laugh in the whole movie. Dumb, dumb, dumb!!!!
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Michelle Pfeiffer was brilliant in the early scenes. When she changed into Catwoman, the movie went haywire and down the toilet. Michael Keaton is totally uncharismatic as Batman and Danny de Vito is waaay over the top. (what else could you do if you were playing the Penguin?????)
(Maybe) - review by Brian
What a shame that this picture seems to be only known for the naked steam room fight-brilliantly staged though it is. This is a very, very good film about the sex slave trade and the Russian mafia in todays London. The acting is terrific. Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts very, very good. Also Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl. Both top notch.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Very good doco of the life and music of the brilliant Joni Mitchell. I was disappointed that the child thread was not followed through until the end and then we didn't learn why and when Joni abandoned her baby and how old was she when it happened. A flaw, for me, but I enjoyed it very much.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
A brilliant documentary about a fascinating and puzzling subject-Norma Khouri the author of "Forbidden Love". A true story-NOT.
One of the best documentaries in years and the extras (for once) are worth watching.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
I wanted to get into this movie. I couldn't. I very rarely give up on a movie. I did with this. Maybe it was the 2 glasses of red, but I just couldn't get interested. What the hell was going on? I don't know and I didn't care enough to find out.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Another searing indictment of America the home of the brave and the land of the free. Difficult to swallow that the systems in the other countires are as perfect as depicted, however, it's quite clear that they are streets ahead of the US of A.
Moore manages to inform, condemn and entertain at the same time. I will never complain about the Australian Health system again. Another winner from Mr Moore.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Much better than reviews had made me expect. Nocole Kidman was terrific (as usual) Close and Midler also were very good. Settings, costumes and score were noteworthy. Opening credits outstanding.
HoweverI much preferred the story as a thriller (as filmed earlier in the 60's(?)) rather than a comedy.
Not a masterpiece, but entertaining..
(Worth watching) - review by Brian
Beautifully shot love story - slow moving but very, very beautiful. Great score. I'll possibly buy it.
(Excellent) - review by Brian
Terrible. The worst movie ever made?
Close. I didn't get through it. No stars.
(Don't bother!) - review by Brian
Extremely violent and confronting this story of racial hatred and prejudice is tough.Will it appeal to the neo-Nazi?. Unfortunately, probably-so I was very uncomfortable with some scenes (the store raid, for one)
The actiong, especially from Edward Norton, Furlong, Elliott G