Two Line Review: Google and the World Brain (2013)

Very interesting documentary that will leave you questioning the morals of the world’s big corporations. 

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 6.6/10

Critics Opinion: -

Google and the World Brain - Ben Lewis

Two Line Review: Following (1998)

Nolan’s low-budget, black and white classic, script is beautifully written, scenes shifting until it all clicks into place at the end.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10

Critics Opinion: 7.9/10

Following - Christopher Nolan

Two Line Review: Toy Story 3 (2010)

A very fitting ending to the trilogy that brings tears to the eyes. Strong new characters and themes of abandonment recognisable to all, held together with brilliant animation.

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 8.5/10

Critics Opinion: 9.9/10

Toy Story 3 - Lee Unkrich

Two Line Review: Not One Less (1999)

A great feel-good film that delivers in both a human, emotional drama and in a social and cultural context, with many humorous moments thrown in for good measure.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10

Critics Opinion: 9.5/10

Not One Less - Zhang Yimou

Director Profile: Bryan Singer

Bryan Singer

Known for: The Usual Suspects, X-Men

Author’s Favourite: The Usual Suspects

Critics Opinion: 8.9/10, Public Opinion: 8.7/10

Currently In the Box Office: Jack The Giant Slayer

Opening Weekend: £1,571,481

Most Critically Acclaimed: The Usual Suspects

Won 2 Oscars & 2 BAFTAs inc. Best Original Screenplay

Highest Grossing: X2

Worldwide Box Office Gross: $407.7m

Debut Feature: Public Access

Won the 1993 Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival

Upcoming Projects: X-Men: Days of Future Past

A sequel to X-Men: First Class.

Two Line Review: About Schmidt (2002)

The restrained, subtle performance from Nicholson is the best thing about this wandering, meandering film. Felt slow and aimless with the occasional highlight thrown in.

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

Public Opinion: 7.2/10

Critics Opinion: 8.5/10

About Schmidt - Alexander Payne

Two Line Review: Phonebooth (2002)

Colin Farrell is amazing considering this film is essentially him in a phonebooth, he alone makes the film thrilling and suspenseful, aided by good performances from the rest of the cast.

Thinking Film Rating: 7.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.1/10

Critics Opinion: 7.1/10

Phonebooth - Joel Schumacher

Two Line Review: I, Robot (2004)

A disappointing Will Smith star vehicle. Turned a very interesting Asimov concept into a below par action flick. 

Thinking Film Rating: 4/10

Public Opinion: 7.0/10

Critics Opinion: 5.8/10

I, Robot - Alex Proyas

Two Line Review: Curse Of The Golden Flower (2006)

A feast for the senses! Beautifully shot with an amazing sense of scope, unfortunately at times the family drama plot does not live up it’s technical brilliance.

Thinking Film Rating: 7/10

Public Opinion: 7.0/10

Critics Opinion: 6.6/10

Curse Of The Golden Flower - Zhang Yimou

Two Line Review: 28 Days Later (2002)

A low-budget Danny Boyle classic! Very well realised world with a lot of substance to the story. And the zombies are definitely scary.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10

Critics Opinion: 8.8/10

28 Days Later - Danny Boyle

Two Line Review: 2046 (2004)

Starring the finest of Chinese actors, Wong Kar Wai offers a visually luscious, meditative, wandering film of love and loss. Not for all but perfect for some.

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 7.4/10

Critics Opinion: 8.5/10

2046 - Wong Kar Wei

Two Line Review: Closer (2004)

An unflinchingly close look at the dark nature of love, lust and relationships. Razor-sharp writing with good performances from the four leads, particularly Portman.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.3/10

Critics Opinion: 6.8/10

Closer - Mike Nichols

Two Line Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

An small epic, but with a wonderful sense of adventure and humour. Does credit to the book but is it’s own master. Martin Freeman is the perfect Bilbo Baggins!

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 8.2/10

Critics Opinion: 6.5/10

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Peter Jackson

Two Line Review: Titanic (1997)

A film that was assured success with Cameron at the helm, but who is the prettiest, Kate or Leo? An epic masterpiece that is truly timeless.

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10

Critics Opinion: 8.8/10

Titanic - James Cameron

Two Line Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Full of heart and charm, with moments of happiness and bitter sadness. Brilliant performances from the veteran ensemble, with some sharp writing.

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 7.2/10

Critics Opinion: 7.8/10

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - John Madden

Two Line Review: The Shining (1980)

Deeply disturbing and unforgettable. Nicholson at his very best! A harrowing journey of one man's decent into madness with perfect direction from Kubrick. 

Thinking Film Rating: 10/10

Public Opinion: 8.5/10
Critics Opinion: 8.3/10

The Shining - Stanley Kubrick

Two Line Review: The Number 23 (2007)

Weak psychological thriller lead by an unusually average Jim Carrey performance. Story tried to twist and turn but with a weak concept started and ended unsatisfactorily.

Thinking Film Rating: 3/10

Public Opinion: 6.2/10

Critics Opinion: 0.8/10

The Number 23 - Joel Schumacher

Two Line Review: The Flowers Of War (2011)

An unflinching, brutal look at the harrowing events of war. Beautifully shot with a lot of emotion, but let down occasionally by Bale’s acting.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.5/10

Critics Opinion: 4.1/10

The Flowers Of War - Zhang Yimou 

Two Line Review: Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Brilliantly written with great performances, particularly by the irrepressible Steve Buscemi. A film all about the dialogue, the low budget just improves the storytelling.

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 8.4/10

Critics Opinion: 9.6/10

Reservoir Dogs - Quentin Tarantino 

Two Line Review: American Beauty (1999)

Both highly entertaining and highly thought-provoking. An incredible piece of work that takes characters we know from everyday and takes them apart.

Thinking Film Rating: 10/10

Public Opinion: 8.5/10

Critics Opinion: 8.8/10

American Beauty - Sam Mendes

Two Line Review: Drive (2011)

Fantastically shot, brilliantly acted, smoothly played out storyline, this film has it all. A cool, stylised film, with intense moments of action. Very highly recommended!

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 7.9/10

Critics Opinion: 9.3/10

Drive -  Nicolas Winding Refn

Two Line Review: The Prestige (2006)

Interesting premise, a thriller dipping it’s toe into sci-fi, with themes of obsession. It is gripping and suspenseful - until you think too much about logic of the plot.

Thinking Film Rating: 7/10

Public Opinion: 8.4/10

Critics Opinion: 7.6/10

The Prestige - Christopher Nolan

Two Line Review: Terms and Conditions May Apply (2013)

You may have sold your soul to Apple! Very watchable investigative storytelling that will leave you cautious of all these nasty big companies. Highly recommended. 

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: -

Critics Opinion: -

Terms and Conditions May Apply - Cullen Hoback

Two Line Review: Chronicle (2012)

What would really happen if a trio of teens gained superpowers? A well thought out and believable story with some fantastic acting, despite the occasionally weak handheld camera style.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.1/10

Critics Opinion: 8.5/10

Chronicle - Josh Trank

Two Line Review: Cloverfield (2008)

A new, refreshing angle on the monster genre, and generally the handheld camera style aids the overall atmosphere. It did take a while to get rolling though.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.2/10

Critics Opinion: 7.7/10

Cloverfield - Matt Reeves

Two Line Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

That it broke the martial arts genre into the Western world says it all. An amazing small epic, blending brilliant production design with amazing choreography and performances.

Thinking Film Rating: 10/10

Public Opinion: 7.9/10

Critics Opinion: 9.7/10

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Ang Lee

Two Line Review: Life of Pi (2012)

Watch on a big screen! This film will take your breath away with incredible landscapes and a worthy performance from newcomers Suraj Sharma and Richard Parker.

Thinking Film Rating: 10/10

Public Opinion: 8.1/10

Critics Opinion: 8.8/10

Life of Pi  - Ang Lee