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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆