Film Reviews

This is a selection of my thought on the films I have seen recently.

I have only started to review the films as I have watched them since setting up the web site and so the reviews are limited at the moment...but give it time and they will multiply!

American History X
Edward Norton and Edward Furlong.
18
This film tackles the difficult subject of racial hatred and the gang culture in modern day America. A very powerful film; to be watched and learnt from rather than as entertainment. It is not for the faint hearted as violence is preveilent, yet the violence is often needed to assert the deep issues. This film portrays a man's journey over three years and as you are led into his mindset many questions should be asked about society today. Well acted on a true; and therefore sensitive issue. Recommended.

American Pie
Jason Briggs, Eugene Levy, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Seann W Scott, Chris Klein, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Tara Reid, Natasha Lyonne.
Unrated
I liked American Pie it is funny and sometimes sweet and a bonus is that although it is an 'American teen movie' it is not too predictable. The cast are good and do look as though they are 18 not 25 like in some cases. Although the DVD says it has extra footage I don't think that it is easy to tell unless you know the cinema version scene by scene! Overall this is a good movie to watch with friends!

Anita + me
Meera Syal, Kathy Burke, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Mark Williams, Anna Brewster and Chandeep Uppal
12
You'll like this film if you enjoyed 'East is East' or 'Bend it like Beckham'. Set in Toddington near Birmingham it is the story of an Indian girl's (Meena) life in 1972. Struggling to come to terms with life as the only Indian girl in her sheltered community, Meena attatchs herself to the blonde girl who moves in next door (Anita). Anita symbolises all that Meena wants to be; blonde, carefree and accepted. This film has moments of humour, like the funny grandma, but is sometimes lacking in action. Worth watching but you should be in no rush to run out and buy it.
(Reviewed by my friend Laura and myself)

Anger Management
Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson and Marisa Tomei
15
This is a film about a man (Adam Sandler) who contains his anger internally and so is required to join an anger management group headed by Jack Nicholson. At times the plot seemed as though it was lacking in direction yet all the loose ends were tied up at the end. Several humerous moments helped compensate for the more patchy areas of the film. Patience required but worth watching to the end.
(Reviewed by my friend Emma and myself)

Being John Malkovich
John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener and John Malkovich
15
Being John Malcovitch is a wierd film. It can't be classified into a particular genre instead it is what ever is made of it by the individual, it could become a deep exploration of the innerself at times or simply an example of peoples excentricities. Watch it if you are feeling deep or simply bored but don't watch it if you want to have a laugh and a giggle as it will just be a waste of time. More a film to say you have seen, rather than enjoyed.

Boys Don’t Cry
Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny
18
This is a true story about a boy trapped inside a girl’s body. Set in America in 1993 Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) moves from Lincoln to Falls City to try and escape from herself but her real identity unfolds with tragic consequences. This is an emotional story about self discovery made all the more poignant by the fact that it is true. Well acted on a difficult subject. The only thing that I felt was left untied at the end was the role of Candice.

Bruce Almighty
Jim Carey, Samuel L. Jackson and Jennifer Anniston
12A
Bruce is given God like powers in an attempt to show him that it is not easy being God! As with all Jim Carrey films this is funny but it has a nice love story to it aswell. Carrey does the usual classic faces but to a lesser extent and so proving he can do straight scenes when neccessary. This is a light and enjoyable film that I would recommend as it made me come out of the cinema smiling!

Charlie's Angels - Full Throttle
Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Cyia Batten, John Cleese, Demi Moore, Matt LeBlanc, Bernie Mac and Crispin Glover
12A
This movie is full of non-stop action, brilliant stunt sequences, a few laughs and a varity of costumes. I thoroughly enjoyed the film which kept me entertained throughout, always wanting more. It's definately one of the best movies I've seen recently. The storyline is straight forward allowing for all those ass-kicking moments, but we are told more about the Angel's which I liked. Just one question - who was the greasy hair-pinching guy? Summary - It's the must see movie of the Summer!

Chicken Run
Mel Gibson,
PG
Painstakingly created by Nick Park the man who invented Wallace and Gromit this is a great family film. There is a strong storyline and delightful characters, complete with bobble hats. There are also plenty of laughs for all the family, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't like this film. Credit goes to Nick Park and his team for the work and time which must have gone into building all the charaters and the sets out of plastercine! After you've watched Chicken Run you'll be hooked time and again!

The Fast and The Furious
Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Rick Yune, Jordana Brewster and Ja Rule
15
This is for anyone who likes a film with cars and the thrill of speed, with the odd love story in it. As with most movies, the end is predictable but there are enough avenues in the film to keep you entertained. A good movie to watch with friends so you can drool over the boys, girls or cars! Recommended.

2Fast2Furious
Paul Walker, Tyrese and Eva Mendes
12A
A good sequal to The Fast and The Furious especially as it is a film in it's own right. Although returns people have said that it is not as good because Van Dieseal isn't in it but I think that it would have weakened the story line to have both charaters together again. More cars, boys and babes with a now all to common drug barron to provide the story line. Probably not as good as the first simply as in being a sequal it lacks originality. Worth watching and a must see if the first Fast and The Furious was enjoyed.

Gone in 60 seconds
Nicolas Cage, Robert Duvall, Giovanni Ribisi and Angelina Jolie
15
After waiting a while to watch this film I was a little disappointed to find it was really just a run-of-the-mill flick. The tensions present between the characters aren't played upon as much as they could have been which reduces any empathy for the characters. A few good stunts and some nice cars help to make up for the lack of excitement. Watchable especially if this is your kinda movie.

Lilo and Stitch
U
For all those who love disney this is a must see! It is funny and sweet with an original story which is not usually common for a disney film. The music is also great, you will be singing Elvis for the rest of the day! Additionally, unlike most disney films (maybe with the exception of Hercules) the bad guy is still likeable so there is no need to be scared (like maybe with Ursula in the Little Mermaid!!) Great fun for kids and adults alike!

Matrix Reloaded
Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving
15
The second instalment of this trilogy contains more action and stunts than the first. Despite other claims though it does still allow for the story to develop without just being a series of special effects.Some scenes however do linger on these action sequences meaning the story is paused for longer than I would have deemed necessary. Yet with all the outstanding work which has gone into this film I think that a little showing off is excusable! The Matrix Reloaded explored more of the world beyong the Matrix both physically by visiting Zion and through more characters, especially the love between Neo and Trinity. A worth while film, especailly if the Matrix was enjoyied. We are kept in suspense for the third instalment of this incription, when hopefully all will be revealed.

Not Another Teen Movie
Joel Gallen, Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, Jaime Pressly, Eric Christian Olsen, Mia Kirshner, Deon Richmond, Eric Jungmann, Ron Lester and Randy Quaid
15
A funny film as long as you have seen most of these films; 'She's all that', 'Never been kissed', 'Cruel Intentions', American Pie', and '10 things I hate about you', as the movie basically mocks the predictability of these films. The fact that it is crude in most places means it is not a film to watch with the parents but instead with a bunch of mates. Good for a laugh.
(Reviewed by my friend Laura and myself)

Orgazmo
Trey Parker, Matt Stone
18
I think that this film is everything that it aspires to be: funny. It is however mostly something to smirk at rather than roll about with laughter. There is little story line but what there is is suprisingly well maintained throughout tying the scenes together. Don't rush to see it but just watch it for a laugh with mates when you're chilling out.

Pecker
Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Lili Taylor and Martha Plimpton
18
'Pecker' is full of excentric characters who are all captured by Pecker as he takes pictures of his life and the people within it. Funny as a result of the people rather than the storyline it is a film exploring Pecker's values and decisions and how they effect those around him. Worth watching.

Scary Movie 2
18
Disappointing just doesn't start to describe this film! Scary Movie itself was quite funny, although crude in places, building on such films as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. However, this time the filmakers must have been so thin of material that I only saw things from about 2 scary movies and instead other films such as Titannic crept in which in my opinion don't even have one toe dipped in the 'scary' genre! The film didn't even capitalise on the movies it did use instead charaters were just running around doing nothing and so for one of the first times I was actually bored during a film. This is definately a film to avoid at all costs unless as use as a sleep aid!

Starship Troopers
Casper van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Muldoon, Michael Ironside.
18
My main thought about this movie is that I have never seen so many arms and legs flying about without bodies! The film seems to rely on blood and gore so for anyone who likes this it is a good movie but for those who like a story this is probably not the best film to see. The DVD shows the deleted scenes which told us more about the characters and in my opinion would have improved the film instead of just nonstop battles. Saying this I did enjoy the film and was impressed with the effects which worked very well. A film to watch if you want to just sit back and not need to concentrate very hard!