Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Steven Spielberg

Classic. Instant classic. I watched this in a film studies class, and it has long been one of my favourites. A great start to the franchise. Harrison Ford is spectacular, as he always is, and the supporting characters are well rounded and the villains delightfully evil.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

PS Thank God it wasn't Temple of Doom, I was sat next to a guy who looks the spit of Short Round, and I never could have kept a straight face.

Fight Club (1999) - David Fincher

I had to write an essay on a film, taking into account the Joseph Campbell book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and so I chose Fight Club, because I know it very well, and could write a bit about it. I've been suffering from Writer's Block recently though, so it was more difficult than I had anticipated. I even watched the film with commentary on, whilst struggling for ideas. The commentary was interesting, but a lot of what Helena Bonham Carter was saying didn't seem to fit with the film that was on screen, it was poorly edited into the parts with the boys talking, and that was a real shame, because she made some very good points.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Mighty Ducks (1992) - Stephen Herek

Utter shit. I'm not even going to review the other two films that I was forced by my flatmates to watch in a double bill, because they were equally poor: D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) - Sam Weisman or D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) - Robert Lieberman. This was awful. Just so awful.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) - Adam McKay

It was good, but it makes me wonder when Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are going to complete their 'average American man' trilogy.
Not as good as the original, but still some big laugh out loud moments.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) - John Cameron Mitchell

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

PS Bit expensive on the soundtrack, like.

Streetcar Named Desire (1951) - Elia Kazan

Marlon Brando.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) - Ben Stiller

I am told this hasn't been finished being edited, so I wonder what else could be in store for viewers, when the release date is on Boxing Day over here in the UK. It looked finished to me, it was entertaining, and Ben and Kristen Wiig are perfectly matched as a bit of an odd couple, in a nice way.
The David Bowie references also shined out of the otherwise average film. It was entertaining, but not something I would watch again, even if it was properly edited.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) - Lee Daniels

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gravity (2013) - Alfonso Cuarón

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lolita (1962) - Stanley Kubrick

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Alan Taylor and James Gunn

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Saving Mr Banks (2013) - John Lee Hancock

I am a big fan of Mary Poppins (1964) - Robert Stevenson (and Disney in general), so watching how it was made was a real treat for me. I also spotted a couple of shout outs to the original film, for example, the carousel music is the same as when they are on a carousel in the original. It's little things like that, that show how much care and research has gone into the making of this film. It's a simple film, and is simple to follow, but it is beautifully done. It isn't weighed down with unnecessary back story, like why P. L. Travers moved from Australia to England, it just tells the story at hand, and it may seem silly to say, but it ends at the end: at the premiere, where it should. I don't think that's a spoiler: the film gets made, everyone knows that.
Emma Thompson, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, J. B. Novak and Paul Giamatti are all perfect in their roles, but obviously Tom Hanks plays the hardest, one of the most iconic real life figures of modern times: Walt Disney. As someone who never got to meet Disney, I can't tell whether he did him justice, but from my point of view, he was just the right amount of fun loving blended with charismatic he could be.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lolita (1997) - Adrian Lyne

The critically underwhelming film version of what I can only describe as the book that made me most uncomfortable whilst reading on the bus. It was good, but it lacked both the loveable Humbert Humbert from the novel, and also the sheer shock factor that was also entailed within the novel. I am watching the Stanley Kubrick version on Thursday to compare the two, so expect a longer post soon. Jeremy Irons, however, was believable as the lead role.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Filth (2013) - Jon S. Baird

Scotland has churned out a few good films this year, but none, I guarantee, will be or have been as gripping and entertaining as this. James McAvoy proves once again that he is a deserved BAFTA winning star. Probably the best film of the year.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

In Bruges (2008) - Martin McDonagh

This is McDonagh's iconic masterpiece. It's what Seven Psychopaths (2012) wishes it was, and this film is memorable for more that just its hour and a half long advertisement for Bruges in Belgium. Yeah, it also has in it three actors from the Harry Potter series: Mad-Eye Moody, Voldemort and Fleur Delacour. Ralph Fiennes is likeable, even in his role as the sort of villain of the piece with his own moral code. This film is a must see.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Blues Brothers (1980) - John Landis

I can't believe I've not seen this film with the legendary James Brown and Aretha Franklin in. I love that kind of soul music as well, so this was a genuine treat for me. Dan Aykroyd is perfect in this and I like the way he doesn't make himself the main character. So many cameos to spot, from Steven Spielberg to Carrie Fisher. Just a genuinely feel good film.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Taxi Driver (1976) - Martin Scorsese

A good Scorsese film, but got a little confusing and Robert De Niro doesn't shine as much as he usually does. Sadly.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Four Lions (2010) - Chris Morris

Possibly one of the best films to come out of Britain and made by Film4 for years. Also, Riz Ahmed is one of the British actors to watch in the future. He owns the screen. You mark my words: the boys a star! A near-perfect comedy film, even if the subject matter is a little risqué.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Princess Bride (1987) - Rob Reiner

Obviously, a film called the Princess Bride brings the thoughts of some kind of baby girl's chick flick. Thank God, this wasn't what I expected. So much better, and lovely bits of filmmaking, and action sequences and oh gosh, so good. I wish I'd watched this as a kid, because I could really have related to Grandfather reading a story to the kid when sick. Really sums up childhood. It also managed to convey two of my worst fears: fire, and the ocean. Well done, Reiner! Or William Goldman, who wrote the original book.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

American Splendor (2003) - Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini

I'm a big fan of Paul Giamatti, but I don't think even his acting could have saved a film from Harvey Pekar's grumpiness for a whole film. The David Letterman interview section was the only saving scenes of the films, and the only ones that kept me entertained. Whilst Harvey, as a character, is bang on, he's not a very loveable or interesting subject choice to pay attention to for a whole film.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) - Danny Leiner

Everyone's favourite stoner comedy, also known as Harold and Kumar Get the Munchies over here in Britain, where White Castle isn't even a thing. Very reminiscent of parts of Danny Leiner's other stoner comedy, Dude, Where's My Car? (2000), especially as I only realised it was one of his after googling to write the actual director in this review. The slapstick comedies of the noughties, when compared with things like Airplane! (1980) - Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, get much more of a looked down upon feel from filmgoers, although Harold and Kumar still manage to entertain me.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Airplane! (1980) - Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker

A classic piece of American comedy, and Leslie Nielsen's first really memorable and time spanning movie. Slapstick comedy at its finest.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The Graduate (1967) - Mike Nichols

Any film that can have the soothing sound of (silence) Simon and Garfunkel is perfect to me. After having been asked to watch this multiple times by my father and his girlfriend, I struggled to see how it could live up to the hype. Add to that the fact I was very hungover from that morning's drinking session and having been in North Wales as well, then this must be a pretty fucking amaze-balls movie. And it is. Dustin Hoffman is perfect in it, as are the two female leads, the legendary Mrs Robinson in particularly, showing that an older woman can still be sexy and beautiful.
The soundtrack is what really makes the film though. I found myself anticipating in great will for the legendary Mrs Robinson to come on, but every other song was still a treat.
An unbeatable classic movie, and a fine piece of soundtrack from one of the most iconic musical duos.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - Jim Sharman

'Nuff said.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ghost World (2001) - Terry Zwigoff

Does Thora Birch still exist? I haven't seen her in things since the 90s that I can think of. If she's dead or something I'll regret that comment, whilst Scarlett Johansson has gone from strength to strength. All the main stars in this film are good in it, especially Steve Buscemi. Nobody plays lovable loser quite like Steve Buscemi. His role in Reservoir Dogs (1992) - Quentin Tarantino, obviously makes us think of him as a bad tough guy, but there are so many layers in his acting ability, that any film with him in, is dragged immediately upmarket. I just found myself feeling so bad for him in this film, but it's an enjoyable cringe.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - Peter Jackson

This is my personal favourite Lord of the Rings. I'm not sure why: is it Sean Bean? Is it the camaraderie? Is it even the fact that Bilbo is the scariest baddie in this one? (You know what face I mean.) When I was younger, I rewound and rewound that bit just so I could pause it on his scary out of control-nes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cry-Baby (1990) - John Waters

The unmatchable John Waters when it comes to camp and cheesy musicals. Johnny Depp plays it magnificently dark in this underrated masterpiece. Bits don't make sense, but therein lies its beauty. It's sometimes so random, that the entertaining part is wondering what's going to happen next.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Starship Troopers (1997) - Paul Verhoeven

Very easy going film. Big Jim Rennie, also seen in Breaking Bad as Hank had a small role in this. Neil Patrick Harris, yes!

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Mr Nice Guy (1997) - Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Everybody loves a generic Jackie Chan movie, and this is a lovely bit of cheese for between university and Come Dine With Me. Jackie Chan Adventures was everyone's favourite children's show, and this film shows why! A simple thing, but enjoyable, nonetheless.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) - Anthony Minghella

I had no idea of the homosexual undertones of this film, which was probably the correct way to market it: make the message more poignant, so that people with right wing views would still go to see the movie and be a little cultured, rather than not going at all, purely for a homosexual protagonist.
Jude Law is still annoying, and very similar to the way he portrays his character in Wilde (1997) - Brian Gilbert.
I do, however, like watching films where I have no idea what's going to happen, as it makes certain moments (no spoilers) very surprising.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Adventures in Babysitting (1987) - Chris Columbus

Chris Columbus' first ever directorial role. And what a brilliant film. You think it's just another kid's film, and at some points, it does stray into that area. However, there are so many adult jokes and references it had to be rated a 12 over here in Britain. A nice film to watch on a night when there's not much on, and you don't need to concentrate. And Elisabeth Shue is pretty hot as well.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta (1986) - Hayao Miyazaki

Laputa: Castle in the Sky is the first of the Studio Ghibli films I have ever watched, and it did not disappoint. Whilst not as famous as some other big named Ghiblis, I struggle to see how much further they can better this. With an impressive dubbing starring Mark Hamill (who's he?), this is how cartoons for kids should be made.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Prisoners (2013) - Denis Villeneuve

This was a great film. I'm thinking of giving it five stars, just for blowing me away so much, after it had been so hyped as well.

Jake Gyllenhall has the sort of mouth that always looks like it's smiling, which makes dramatic scenes kind of awkward, especially as he's supposed to be the officer in charge of a kidnapping case. In this, he's very believable as a police officer in the way he draws his gun (reminiscent perhaps of End of Watch (2012) - David Ayer, when Gyllenhall also played a police officer) and his constant twitches made his character a real human being without giving too much away about his back story. Hugh Jackman was equally good, and well supported by the "other" father, played by Terrence Howard. The on screen chemistry between the two was very believable. One, a struggling carpenter, the other, a well to do probable office worker trying to look out for his mate on Thanksgiving, until the tables are turned and Jackman has to use his brutishness to find their kids.

But I think we all know that the real star of the show is Paul Dano, who really puts the performance in. His little screen time really makes us feel bad for the guy, even if he has kidnapped the girls. No spoilers, but I defy anyone to watch this film and not feel horrible for him (even with what he does to the dog - yelp!).

A beautiful film, and you know what? Fuck it: five stars.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Parallax View (1974) - Alan J Pakula

This film made absolutely no sense, but I think that's what it wanted. Only towards the end did I think I "got" it, but then it threw another curveball. It seemed a lot like The Box (2009) - Richard Kelly, in that there's a company that is never fully explained, but behind the adventure. And again, like The Box, I didn't enjoy it.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Friday (1995) - F Gary Gray

I know you don't smoke weed. I know this, but I'm gonna get you high today, 'cause it's Friday; you ain't got no job... and you ain't got shit to do. This movie probably appeals to the pot smokers of the world for this reason, but it's a good laugh, and still very entertaining to watch again and again.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Dead Silence (2007) - James Wan

Very similar to all of James Wan's films in pace and twist reveal (although I did enjoy the twist in this one, and did not see it coming. Topped off with a definite Mike Oldfield sounding version of the iconic Tubular Bells, and you've got yourself a purty good scary movie.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Heat (1995) - Michael Mann

Heat is a lovely film. And Al Pacino and Robert De Niro do not disappoint.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cruel Intentions (1999) - Roger Kumble

Following on from Dangerous Liaisons (1988) - Stephen Frears last week, this film has exactly the same plot, for they are both based on the same book. Some of the characters have had their names changed, and yes, it's a different setting and age, but other than that, there aren't too may notable differences. I enjoyed Cruel Intentions slightly more, only for the reason that it's simpler to follow, being more modern, and who can deny Sarah Michelle Gellar is lovelily set against type as a bad bitch from hell, with a body to die for. Wow.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Thelma and Louise (1991) - Ridley Scott

No idea that this was Ridley Scott, until I watched it. All I know of the film is what I've seen in an episode of The Simpsons and obviously the iconic last scene. It's weird to watch a film when you know how it ends, yet still enjoyable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Midnight Cowboy (1969) - John Schlesinger

A classic film, the only X rated one to win an Oscar; that is it's legend, but it should be known for more than that. Dustin Hoffman shines and steals the show, but John Voight is brilliant as well, and the chemistry between the two is excellent.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rush (2013) - Ron Howard

This film was possibly the best for a while. Chris Hemsworth was believable, but Daniel Brühl makes this film what it it, as the rat faced Niki Lauda. Not a likeable guy, but surely the epitome of human effort and thoughtfulness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clerks II (2006) - Kevin Smith

All this has is dialogue. The most important part of this script is the dialogue, the laughs, and the jokes. That is all there is to it. Randall is the best.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Labyrinth (1986) - Jim Henson

The creator of the Muppets directing a film? Who even knew? Not me, that's for sure. I can't believe it took me this long to watch it. From the first scene, I knew this was no Muppets movie. It incited fear and humour, without aiming at too young an age. David Bowie was cheesy, yes, but the cheesiness makes the film what it is. Well, that and the cast of different characters that don't ever seem to stale, no matter how many similarities (in looks) they have to the Muppets. A couple of the songs drag on a bit, but it worked as a tool for Bowie, even garnering him a number 1 spot in the album chart over here in Britain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dangerous Liaisons (1988) - Stephen Frears

Another lesson. Another movie. I never realised what an amazing actor John Malkovich was until this movie. A classic tale of sex, love and betrayal. So much sex. The original novel was written in the 1700s, so I do wonder how much of the sex was just inferred.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Desperado (1995) - Robert Rodriguez

With every Rodriguez film I watch, I wonder why he's not seen as famous as Tarantino, or the other big league directors. This film is brilliant. Antonio Banderas is famous for more than just Puss in Boots, and Salma Hayek: wow, what a sizzler. Phew.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wassup Rockers (2005) - Larry Clark

Some of the scenes were elongated, and it seems the film didn't know what it was supposed to be in some places: comedy, mixed with drama, in a sometimes surreal way. Either that, or I was just not concentrating properly when I was watching it. Who even knows?
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
PS I know too many people who are the kids in this movie.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - Fran Rubel Kuzui

I don't see why everyone dislikes this movie. It's not so bad. Cheesy, yes. Not as good as the TV show, of course, but let's be honest, it was never going to be. And whether it is canon or not (it's not), it's the humble beginnings of what is one of the greatest cult shows of all time. Classic.
Must be watched, even if it's just for the Ben Affleck spotting and also a host of different faces that went on to be big: namely, Hilary Swank, David Arquette and everyone's back of the head: Seth Green.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Master (2012) - Paul Thomas Anderson

This reminded me of Scientology's origins, mixed in with a Manson-esque Family vibe, particularly with all the naked dancing and Amy Adams wanking Philip Seymour Hoffman off, only to call him Dad immediately after. It was an OK film. I don't think it deserves all the hype it's been getting; I found it difficult to pay much attention to it, and it dragged on a little.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Only God Forgives (2013) - Nicholas Winding Refn

I really think I need to sleep on this one, but I also want to write this whilst it's fresh in my mind. I finally got around to seeing it, when Cineworld decided to do a special one off showing, thank God. I think this may be an important movie in the future, and I'm glad I've seen it on the big screen.
I am torn between two minds. Firstly, the thing that stands out about this film is the perfectionism and symmetry that occurs in every shot, and I can say, "Every" without generalising. 100 per cent of shots are perfectly made with Stanley Kubrick's rules of symmetry in mind. Refn has done this expertly well, but it is noticeable within the film. However, with the thought that has gone in to all of these shots comes the negative aspects of the film: has too much concentration been put upon what is seen rather than what is happening?
The story lacks a strong narrative. I'm all for keeping a bit of mystery around lead characters, but when a viewer comes away from a film without any kind of answer or even any particular message, googling must be done, and that is a no-no. It's this aspect of the film that makes me wonder if Refn is just fuelling his own ego, by trying to make something as slow paced as Drive (2011), but even edgier. It is slow-paced, sure, but that again is its downfall.
The narrative could be told completely differently, and in twenty minutes or less, and I don't think that it would skimp on the action. Again, like Drive, this film has brilliant, memorable scenes (and shots), but the rest of the in-between is just fodder.
Another point I have to pick up on is the Ryan Gosling top billing. It is in no way, shape or form his film. To me, his character and the sort-of-but-not-quite-explored-B-plot of his erectile dysfunction (or so it seemed to me) was sidelined to the real story of parents and their children, both through his relationship (in every sense of the word) with his mother (played by Kristin Scott Thomas), and between the under-acknowledged Vithaya Pansringarm and his child.
I cannot rate this film, just yet, as I still cannot make head nor tail of it, which means to me anyway, that Refn was at least a little successful in cementing it in my mind for further pondering. MUST REWATCH.

One Direction: This Is Us (2013) - Morgan Spurlock

Why is Zayn Malik the hated one of One Direction? The others seemed to dislike him immensely. He swore, as well! Nothing I wasn't expecting from a film about the world's most famous boyband. It wasn't a great film (obviously), but it was enjoyable and worth a watch when it was free.
Morgan Spurlock summed it up in a magazine article where he said something comparing the way some men see sports to the way One Direction's fans see them. And guess what? It's the same.

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Raging Bull (1980) - Martin Scorsese

This is the finest boxing film I have ever had the good fortune of watching, ever. Joe Pesci: perfect! Robert De Niro: fantastic! All the fight scenes in the ring look fake as anything, but the one between the two LaMotta brothers is really realistic; is this on purpose? I think yes: it's Scorsese's way of showing that this is the one that matters. The bouts are done with no ulterior motive other than selfish. The fights between two brothers is unplanned, and therefore the most important.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We're the Millers (2013) - Rawson Marshall Thurber

Yes. I've seen it again. I just couldn't resist watching Jennifer Aniston's striptease again. Nah, actually, I was guilt tripped into seeing it again. The second time wasn't as good, obviously, but I still laughed at a couple of the jokes.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Magnificent Seven (1960) - John Sturges

This film is a classic, but it didn't entertain me in the slightest. I couldn't concentrate and genuinely though it was boring. It is not deserving of its 7.8 rating on IMDb sadly. It was a disappointment.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

We're The Millers (2013) - Rawson Marshall Thurber

Hello Jennifer Aniston as a stripper. How long I have waited for that little bit of storyline amazement. Anyway, to the film... not an ideal first date film, but hey-ho, as long as it makes me laugh, it's a good film from me. Jennifer Aniston steals much of Jason Sudeikis' limelight, but the real star of the show is the new kid on the block: Will Poulter, who plays Kenny. The kid has done well to come from School of Comedy on Channel 4 to be a familiar face in Hollywood movies. Emma Roberts seemed unnecessary and her character background was never fully explained properly, but what the heck. It was a good laugh and well worth the ticket price. Well in.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) - Paris Barclay

Well, how the mighty retain their might. Kings of taking-the-piss comedy Shawn and Marlon Wayans' first outing is everything you'd expect. Not as finely tuned as Scary Movie (2000) - Keenen Ivory Wayans, but still a worthy asset to their CVs. It's exactly what you'd expect from one of their films: a few laughs, not much plot that makes sense.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Goodfellas (1990) - Martin Scorsese

Everyone's favourite Ray Liotta film. Even if it is Ray Liotta's film, Joe Pesci steals the show as the lovable psychopath Tommy 'How'm I funny?' DeVito, even bagging him an Oscar for his work. Purely a brilliant film, and the ending is superb; it really makes you question how you feel about the protagonist, who Ray Liotta does play down to a tee. Scorsese has done it again.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pain & Gain (2013) - Michael Bay

Michael Bay should stick to stuff like this. Simple minded action film with a healthy amount of humour, with characters brought to life by some pretty fine actors. Probably his best since the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence days. I really enjoyed this film. It wasn't too difficult to follow, and much of the action was fast paced and interesting to watch. The fact that this is based on real life events makes it all the more disturbing, which Bay reminds us multiple times throughout the events.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

You're Next (2011) - Adam Wingard

I think this may be the last horror I watch for a long while. I don't enjoy jumpy films, especially when that's the part that's supposed to be scary. This film was pretty good for a slasher movie, nothing to write home about, but still... Wingard gives us some truly terrific death scenes, and whilst the twists are expected, they are still interesting, and we find ourselves caring for the characters more than we probably would for another appalling ghost story.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Way Way Back (2013) - Nat Faxon and Jim Rash

A directorial debut that's as smart as it is funny.
Not many loose ends are tied at the end of this film, but it still warms the heart, and Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell play perfect polar opposites that keep the audience interested in both areas of storyline.
Just a lovely film, that rings true for anyone with a background of divorced parents and their new partners, or anyone with an unrequited first love and the like.
Basically, it's a movie for anyone: stupendous.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

SPOILERS Kick-Ass 2 (2013) - Jeff Wadlow SPOILERS

Yes, it has taken me a while to go and see this. I am aware.
It was a good movie, yet very different to the comic. I haven't read the Hit Girl solo outing yet, so a lot of the storyline to me was completely different to Kick-Ass 2 the comic. Maybe the Mindy (Chloe Grace Moretz) as a normal girl was explored more fully in that one. But therein lied the film's downfall. Most of the B plot was interesting, but seriously the solution of the sick making stick. That was a little too slapstick for my liking, and a bit crude.
Other than that, the Union J jokes were funny, and Mindy's crush on Dave (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) was realistically played out, with everyone thinking he was a pedophile.
The pedophile thing was a good and clever way of writing out the character of Katie, because, as most fans of the comic know, it wasn't such a happy ending for her and Dave in the first comic, let alone the second one.
Making Night Bitch the victim of the Mother Fucker's attempted rape was unnecessary, but I do think the toning down of that same scene from the comic book was needed for the movie market or for fans of Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who played him. A light hearted film such as this, couldn't have that one minute, and the next, make a joke about pubescent teenage girls fancying musclebound men. Jeff Wadlow, who also adapted the comic to screenplay as well as directed, barely just got away with the killing of Mr Lizewski. The same goes for the beheaded dog/Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey) scene. It would have dampened the film, and made it an 18, missing out on a key demographic that the film is aimed at.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

PS No matter how good friends you are with someone, you would not be their friend anymore if they helped a supervillain kill your father. Unrealistic!

Hell Ride (2008) - Larry Bishop

Hell Ride seems like a way for Larry Bishop to live all his dreams: he's a biker, a star and director in a movie, and he also just has sex with lots of women. It gets points for cheesiness, but everything that it does, Machete (2010) - Robert Rodriguez does far more superiorly and in a much more interesting fashion.
This film was hard to understand, and its main redeeming factor was that I couldn't place where I'd seen the character of Comanche before. And then it hit me! Eric Balfour was Jesse in Buffy the Vampire Slayer's pilot episode, who died, sadly.
Other than that, the age range of the actors and characters was a little too unbelievable.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Green Street (2005) - Lexi Alexander

I often wonder when watching violent films, if the actor is right for a role, and Elijah Wood, I feel, was not. He seems too hobbit-y to play such a strong and tough character. His boyish blue eyes and camp demeanor were definitely not right for the part of a football hooligan. Sorry. OK film, though. Maybe my lack of interest in football severed my judgement.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Kidulthood (2006) - Menhaj Huda

This film has so much hype, that it was difficult for me to imagine it being as good as it's legend suggests. Luckily, it didn't disappoint. Noel Clarke is a tremendous actor when written so well, and by himself as well, but Adam Deacon is the obvious breakout star, yet it still took him another six years to win a coveted BAFTA: the Rising Star award.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shutter Island (2010) - Martin Scorsese

Aside from his short, The Big Shave (1968), I think this may be the first Scorsese film I have ever watched. I know: bad film student, but a brilliant movie to introduce me to Scorsese's work. It was stunning, and the twists and turns were perfectly done by Scorsese in his own mise en scene style. I look forward to more of the same, the dramatic mix up of style and auteurship when I watch his others.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rebecca (1940) - Alfred Hitchcock

A beautiful film. Truly beautiful. The relationship between Laurence Olivier's character and Joan Fontaine, particularly towards the end, was perfectly done to show the tension and arguments that most relationships have: the ups and downs, and the etceteras. Hitchcock does this very well, and the fact Olivier did not actually like Fontaine comes across in a few angry scenes. When compared with the ones where they are seemingly in love, Olivier's position as one of the great actors is cemented. A good film.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) - Sharon Maguire

I am sad that I will never direct a scene as iconic and as ruddy brilliant as the fight scene between Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant are two of the greatest British actors of the modern era, and this scene just gets me every time, with a fantastic soundtrack of It's Raining Men by the Weather Girls. Oh yeah!

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) - James D. R. Hickox

This one was only slightly better than the second instalment. It was nice that it was different from the previous two, in a different setting altogether. The actor who played Eli, Daniel Cerny, was the best thing about it, genuinely believable when possessed by He Who Walks Behind The Rows, and his speeches were very good pieces of monologue.

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992) - David Price

Yeah, I bought the boxset of Children of the Corns so I'm hoping for at least one to be as good (if not, better) than the original. This one wasn't great. The deaths were cool, I suppose, but the teen angst lead was really irritating, as were most of the characters until the love interest entered the storyline: she was gorgeous.

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

SPOILERS Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) - Thor Freudenthal SPOILERS

I have read most of the Percy Jackson books, but this was at least four years ago, and the first movie Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010) - Chris Columbus wasn't too memorable, other than that I thought it was quite good, and an alright adaptation, considering all the changes that were made.
This version was less so. There was too much packed into the hour and forty-five minute run time. Nathan Fillion's cameo was a particular highlight of mine, particularly with the Firefly reference; it made me laugh.
I feel as if the film dumbed it down a little bit, unnecessarily. The Polyphemus problem was solved too easily with Nobody not even mentioned once. If you don't understand what I mean, go and read Homer's Odyssey, you Philestine! But I'm sure there was meant to be a scene with Aries and Aphrodite, or maybe that's the next one. Anyway, there was too much missing from this one, and it's bad that as a person who doesn't remember the books too much, I can notice this.
A bit of a disappointment considering I enjoyed the first one so much.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013) - Declan Lowney

The message in this is hidden through layers and layers of Steve Coogan's comedy genius, and there wasn't a spare five minutes without laughter. Unlike most TV shows getting a film, Steve Coogan has waited just long enough for this film to be made, so that it still resounds as funny, and the audience does want more. What's more is that it is believable and doesn't aim too high above it's station. As a long term Partridge fan, I was not disappointed.
It's nice to see Colm Meany back in a starring role as well.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The Lone Ranger (2013) - Gore Verbinski

I think the other critics are being unnaturally unkind to this film. It's a good movie, sure, a little slow in parts, but the action sequences (mostly on trains) are stunning to view, and amazing feats of filmmaking.
As a big fan of westerns, I noticed references to The Searchers (1956) - John Ford, Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) - Sergio Leone, Back to the Future Part III (1990) - Robert Zemeckis and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) - also Sergio Leone, amongst others; they're obvious if you watch them, and shots are made into lovely homages. Go and see it.
Ignore the other critics, if you like Westerns especially, go and see it!

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Les Misérables (2012) - Tom Hooper

I think this gets better every time I watch it.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

PS Anyone who doesn't like this film, or fails to cry, is a Philestine.

Ali G Indahouse (2002) - Mark Mylod

Not Ali A, not Ali B, not Ali C, not Ali D, not Ali... E, not Ali F, but Ali...
This film is simple, but hilarious, a definite clue of the greatness in store for Sacha Baron Cohen, and Martin Freeman who also crops up as part of Ali's West Side Crew. A genius look at the culture of British teens and those in their early 20s.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Children of the Corn (1984) - Fritz Kiersch

I am a big fan of both this movie and the fourteen or fifteen page short story by Stephen King it is based on. A lot more gore would be necessary to make it more interesting and maybe a better end-of-film reveal of the villain (He Who Walks Behind the Rows) would be a definite improvement.
George Goldsmith did an excellent job on the screenplay, expanding the story to last for 90ish minutes.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Five-Year Engagement (2012) - Nicholas Stoller

This film was one of the more enjoyable rom-coms I've watched, ever. It was genuinely funny, and many of the jokes weren't the usual rom-com-y stuff. The party at the start is also the best theme for a fancy dress party I have ever heard of and I will be stealing it for my own use at some point in the future.
Jason Segel shines as per usual, with his writing skills proving once again he's a force to be reckoned with in future writing awards.
I enjoyed the film immensely and found myself cheering (not literally) on the main couple, and hoping for a happy ending, something that doesn't usually happen for me in rom-coms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The Magic Sword: Quest for Camelot (1998) - Frederick Du Chau

I remember seeing this film years ago, when I was very small. It may have been at the cinema when it first came out, or maybe not. I apparently liked it enough to get the bedsheets of it, and would always have the side of the pillow with the dragons on facing me, until after my mother had tucked me in, then I would change it, so that the girl was facing me. I think she was one of my first crushes. Don't judge; I was about five.
Anyway, upon this viewing, it wasn't a great film. Sure, the two dragons had some comedic one-liners, and the blind dude was an interesting enough character. The emotional part of the story at the beginning, welled me up, so I am gonna give it five stars. Piers Brosnan voicing King Arthur was a nice surprise, as was the cast that should surely have made this a must-see back in the days when it first came out.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Lost Boys (1987) - Joel Schumacher

It's a real shame that Joel Schumacher isn't recognised as well for this film as he is for the less great (but still enjoyable, to me anyway) Batman & Robin (1997) and Batman Forever (1995).
This film is an iconic vampire movie, and helped to reboot the entire genre. Not a single vampire writer or filmmaker that I am aware of, doesn't cite this as one of their influences. I draw from interviews with people like Joss Whedon and Neil Jordan for this fact. It's a brilliant movie, made ever more entertaining by the comedic personalities of the Frog Brothers and Corey Haim's character, as well as Schumacher himself as the auteur, mixing dark humour and gothicness with pure and simple gore. AN enjoyable watch for any horror fan.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

PS The gang of "Lost Boys" really reminds me and a lot of people of a group of youths in St Helens, which is why we watched it...

Dredd (2012) - Pete Travis

I was not expecting it to be this good, especially as a non-fan of the original film, nor of the comics. But it was very entertaining, and reminded me of a futuristic Serbuan Maut (The Raid) (2011) - Gareth Huw Evans, but in English.

 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Wilde (1997) - Brian Gilbert

There were so many in-jokes I probably didn't get due to not having read many of Oscar Wilde's works. The only ones I am familiar with are The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, which I did get the references to.
Stephen Fry was the perfect choice to play the playwright himself and was very believable in the role. Jude Law was acceptable as his young, spoilt lover. Overall, a fairly average film.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Heat (2013) - Paul Feig

It was better than expected, and better than Paul Feig's last directed hit: Bridesmaids (2011), which I was disappointed by to be quite honest.
The Heat however, is a breath of fresh air, when it comes to buddy movies. There aren't many that can pull off female leads in a cop action film, and this manages to do just that.
It also didn't rely too heavily on emotions and stuff like that. It concentrated on the action and the comedy, and therein lied its genius. Even the very minor subplot of Sandra Bullock's character's loneliness was rushed through, to keep the adrenalin pumping.
Paul Feig did a similar thing with this film that Todd Phillips did after his The Hangover (2009) was an unprecedented success: he took the breakout star, Zach Galifianakis and paired him in a buddy movie (Due Date [2010]) with a popular well known actor, Robert Downey Jr. In this case, it's Melissa McCarthy who is the breakaway star of Bridesmaids really, and the well known actor is Sandra Bullock. Hopefully, this means (like it did for Galifianakis), more fame and fortune for Melissa McCarthy, who is a breath of fresh air in female comedy films.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) - Wes Anderson

Yes. It's nice that this has all of Anderson's little quirks, and it's funny to watch the characters behave exactly like they would in a live action film, but overall, not one of Anderson's best.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) - Wes Anderson

I enjoy this film, particularly the latter sections, but I don't know if I quite "get" the whole point of it. What is Anderson trying to say? Is it about any particular filmmaker? Is it Anderson predicting his own future? Or is it about the genre of documentary in general as a dying art form? Who even knows?
I do like the David Bowie music translated into Portuguese. Seu Jorge makes the soundtrack an important part of the film, and it is very enjoyable to hear these brilliant beautiful songs in a different language.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The World's End (2013) - Edgar Wright AGAIN

Third time's the charm. I'm really getting the film a lot more on repeat viewings. I've followed it for years now, waiting for it. And it still does not disappoint. Awesome!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

SPOILERS The Wolverine (2013) - James Mangold SPOILERS

Possibly my least favourite X-Men movie. It was OK, but just not in the same league as any that came before it.
The only scene that did seem to entertain me as much as I assumed the film would, was the after-credits scene with Magneto and Professor X! GO PATRICK STEWART AND SIR IAN MCKELLEN! It truly makes me look forward to X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) - Bryan Singer, which will hopefully make up for this disappointment.
Hugh Jackman was good, as always.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The World's End (2013) - Edgar Wright

Second viewing. Just as good. I noticed slightly more stuff this time, for example the noise from the fruit machine used in Shaun of the Dead (2004) and a few references to games of chess. I spotted Gary King, Andy Knightley and another character had the last name of Prince. Eddie Marsan's character lived at Bishop's Gardens, or something of the sort. I will try and look out for more on repeat viewing.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dawn of the Dead (1978) - George A. Romero

Probably the best zombie film ever made. Genuinely a brilliant film about consumerism. The two hours flies by.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The World's End (2013) - Edgar Wright

Nine years. Nine long years. It has been nine years since Shaun of the Dead (2004) first came out. It has been nine years that I have waited for the trilogy's finale to come out, so in my review, I will do my best to do it justice, but remember, this is a fan boy's perspective, so could be a little (a lot) biased.
So, to start with, let's get this out of the way... I was NOT disappointed. That's right, ladies and gents (all one of my followers; I know who you are), this movie did not leave me wanting more. It was a worthy completion, and I am still unsure on which of the blood and ice cream trilogy is the best and not so best.
Hot Fuzz (2007) feels like the odd one out to me, due its more realistic nature than the other two (no matter how much I believe in zombies) and lack of apocalyptic themes, but I suppose The World's End could be, due to its reliance on Simon Pegg to be the Funny One, as apposed to Nick Frost playing the slacker with the best lines in Dead and Fuzz. Don't get me wrong, he is good in this, brilliant in fact, but in the other two, he was always the show stealer. The other three co-drinkers in TWE also seem to set this apart from the others due to Fuzz and Shaun being solely based on those two actors and their adventures (not counting Liz, who is (being honest) just there as rom-com fodder-I don't even agree with myself there, because Shaun of the Dead is such a perfect movie; I'm just making a point, shush) whereas this film concentrates a lot on the protagonist (who is often also the antagonist to himself, as in the others) and his relationship with his friends.
It was nice to see Paddy Considine as kind of a lovelorn character instead of his usual gritty self. He seemed to take quite a central role. Is this a step in the direction his career is going? Uphill and onwards to uber fame (better than regular fame, not as good as superstardom)? With roles in films like this, and more directing work, it's a definite possibility! The same can be said for Eddie Marsan and Martin Freeman, who are both becoming more familiar in both American and British films.
I did expect more lines to be quotable and more throwbacks to Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, but the film itself didn't lose anything by not having them. The fence part (not a spoiler, it's in the advert), where Simon Pegg jumps a fence and it falls down, was needed for old times sake, even if it does seem a little pointless. The ending was differently done to the other two as well, no fade out and then fade back in a while later, like at the end of Fuzz and Dead, which I kind of pined for. I won't make a list of everything that was missing, because there was a lot, but I was not disappointed with this. They weren't flaws. If I'd gone and seen what I had expected, I probably wouldn't have been as surprised and as happy with it.
I am seeing it again soon, so look for a future review, picking the film apart in more detail. It saddens me to think that such a great trilogy of films is over, but does it really have to be? Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright could write another one! They're both young and approaching high points in their careers; that doesn't mean that the trilogy couldn't become a series for the imaginative duo. With The World's End as a conclusion, they have alleviated any pressure that was on them for a brilliant and beautiful finale. And for that, I congratulate them, and just as a fan, for not disappointing (are you reading this Christopher Nolan, cough, The Dark Knight Rises (2012) cough?).

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

PS I don't think any director gets five stars on all his films by me, other than Edgar Wright.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) - Wes Anderson

Still the best film ever. I notice new things every time I watch it! After all this time, always.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monsters University (2013) - Dan Scanlon

I went to see this with a friend, who hadn't seen the original (I know, right?), and I don't know whether she quite appreciated some of the finer details, like I did. An example of this would be when Randall takes off his glasses for the first time, and he pulls that Randall snarl with Steve Buscemi making ample sound effects. Don't worry! That's not a spoiler! It is good, but not in the same league as the original.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This is the End (2013) - Evan Goldberg

This was a good laugh! And it feels that there's a hint of realism in Jay Baruchel's character. Danny McBride is the best character and/or person in this film.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Submarine (2010) - Richard Ayoade

Following on from the other day's rewatch of Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - Wes Anderson and sticking with the theme of young love in indie films, I got the family to watch this British modern classic. I think they preferred this one, due to it's setting in the 80s when my parents actually grew up, and its humours a lot more mainstream and atypically British. Obviously, they're both amazing films, but for different audiences.

I think, overall, I prefer Submarine, due to its self aware narration format, which I like, particularly when one looks at the in jokes with camera technique, for example, 'the biopic of my life will only have the budget for a zoom out' (cue zoom out from Oliver). Craig Roberts, who plays Oliver, is also a reason why this film is brilliant. He plays pubescent teen so perfectly and with so much feeling, yet ever so subtley.

Also, something I never noticed before is that there is a poster in the background, when Jordana and Oliver go to the cinema, advertising one of Sight and Sound magazine's top ten films of all time: La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc [The Passion of Joan of Arc] (1928) - Carl Theodor Dreyer (not a prequel to a Mel Gibson film). Just a nice little spot, was that.
On first watch I've never got the thrill of the music in this film, but this watch, I would like to hail Alex Turner as the genius he is, both for this soundtrack and his bands!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - Wes Anderson

I don't think my family quite "got" this film. But I love it just the same on second and third watch. What a brilliant film. I look forward to Anderson's next venture: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Internship (2013) - Shawn Levy

Not a bad film, a couple of decent laughs, and good on screen chemistry between Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. A nice film to watch when you're down.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

PS It just made me want to work at Google. It's seems mad!