Exciting Trailer: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest

Director: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes

              Saoirse Ronan

              Tilda Swinton

UK Release Date: 2014

Two Line Review: Now You See Me (2013)

An entertaining magicians show with a good ensemble cast. Starting well and maintaining a quick pace, the film did get bogged down with unnecessarily long action sequences, but finished solidly.

Thinking Film Rating: 7.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.3/10
Critics Opinion: 5/10

Now You See Me - Louis Leterrier

Two Line Review: Rat Race (2001)

A great cast and some funny gags make this easy-going flick a joy to watch, and to quote, even 12 years on. Light hearted fun that most of the family can enjoy! "It's a race, it's a race!"

Thinking Film Rating: 7/10

Public Opinion: 6.3/10

Critics Opinion: 4.4/10

Rat Race - Jerry Zucker

Two Line Review: Batman Begins (2005)

Easily the weakest of the trilogy, with an unconvincing villain and action that is a little too far-fetched for this writer. A solid blockbuster that is enjoyable, but completely over shadowed by it's sequels.

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

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

Batman Begins - Christopher Nolan

Exciting Trailer: These Birds Walk

These Birds Walk

Director: Omar Mullick, Bassam Tariq

UK Release Date: Not Yet Known

Two Line Review: Seven Swords (2005)

A reasonable spin on the classic 'Seven Samurai' tale. The action sequences are solid if a little fantastical, but there is a lot purely included for shock value. Only for the martial art film enthusiast.

Thinking Film Rating: 5.5/10

Public Opinion: 6.1/10

Critics Opinion: 2.5/10

Seven Swords - Tsui Hark

Two Line Review: Spirited Away (2001)

Welcome to a world of extraordinary characters and vividly realised visualisations. This is a timeless classic, helmed by the legendary Miyazaki, that requires a number of viewings to take it all in.

Thinking Film Rating: 10/10

Public Opinion: 8.5/10

Critics Opinion: 9.7/10

Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki

Two Line Review: Ashes Of Time (Redux) (1994)

This film is certainly style over substance and, if viewed as such, is a sumptuous and stunning visual affair, made for the big screen. For fans of Wong Kar Wai's work, this is compulsory viewing.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7/10

Critics Opinion: 7.8/10

Ashes Of Time Redux - Wong Kar Wai

Two Line Review: Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Brilliantly off-kilter cult film of high school romance, featuring some fantastic characters and performances that really bring the film to life, as well as some Sweet dance moves.

Thinking Film Rating: 6.5/10

Public Opinion: 6.8/10

Critics Opinion: 7.1/10

Napoleon Dynamite - Jared Hess

Two Line Review: Captain Philips (2013)

Tom Hanks leads a brilliant cast in an absolutely must see film! With well-developed characters, the scenarios and action never feel overdramatised. Get ready for an intense two hours!

Thinking Film Rating: 10/10

Public Opinion: 8/10

Critics Opinion: 9.4/10

Captain Philips - Paul Greengrass

Two Line Review: I Give It a Year (2013)

With some funny moments and a great performance from supporting actor Merchant. The unusual twist where you actually root for the leading couple to divorce makes this much more com than rom.

Thinking Film Rating: 5.5/10

Public Opinion: 5.7/10

Critics Opinion: 5.5/10

I Give It a Year - Dan Mazer

  

Exciting Trailer: Philomena

Philomena

Director: Stephen Frears

Starring: Judi Dench

              Steve Coogan

              Michelle Fairley

UK Release Date: 1st November 2013 

Two Line Review: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

A very theatrical retelling of the well-known story that was maybe a little too over-dramatic and over-sexualised. That said, the production and costume design were great, as was Anthony Hopkins.

Thinking Film Rating: 5.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.4/10
Critics Opinion: 8.0/10

Bram Stoker's Dracula - Francis Ford Coppola 

Two Line Review: Les Misérables (2012)

Unfortunately this all felt too much - perhaps works best in a cinema setting? However, the costumes, and production design were incredible and Hathaway showed her amazing singing talents. 

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10

Critics Opinion: 7/10

Les Misérables - Tom Hooper 

Two Line Review: Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

Starts slowly but if you stick with this amazing film, it takes you on intriguing journey hunting the mysterious Rodriguez, and finds more than it could've hoped for. An incredible documentary!

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Public Opinion: 8.1/10
Critics Opinion: 9.6/10

Searching for Sugar Man - Malik Bendjelloul

Two Line Review: Match Point (2005)

This film combines rather half-hearted performances with a strangely cast lead actor and familiar storyline of infidelity, albeit with an overly dramatic (and almost unbelievable) ending. 

Thinking Film Rating: 3/10

Public Opinion: 7.7/10

Critics Opinion: 7.7/10

Match Point - Woody Allen

Two Line Review: Entrapment (1999)

A standard 90s crime thriller with average performances from Connery and Zeta-Jones, not helped by a below par storyline and complete lack of chemistry between the two leads.

Thinking Film Rating: 4/10

Public Opinion: 6.1/10

Critics Opinion: 3.8/10

Entrapment - Jon Amiel

Two Line Review: The Hurricane (1999)

While this film contains another impressive performance from Denzel Washington, the other characters are relatively weak. The film relates interesting themes but is let down by the telling.

Thinking Film Rating: 6.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.4/10
Critics Opinion: 8.3/10

The Hurricane - Norman Jewison

Exciting Trailer: Dom Hemingway

Dom Hemingway

Director: Richard Shepard

Starring: Jude Law

              Richard E. Grant

              Demian Bichir

UK Release Date: 15th November 13

Two Line Review: Ip Man (2008)

If viewed for the story, this film will leave you disappointed, as it is overly patriotic and idolizing. If viewed for the martial arts and choreography, prepare to be stunned. Donnie Yen on top form.

Thinking Film Rating: 6.5/10

Public Opinion: 8.0/10
Critics Opinion: 8.4/10

Ip Man - Wilson Yip

Amazing Adverts: TalkTalk TV: Date Night

A great advert for date night with TalkTalk TV.

A very sweet little animation.

Exciting Trailer: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Ian McKellen

              Martin Freeman

              Benedict Cumberbatch

              Richard Armitage

UK Release Date: 13th December 2013

Two Line Review: Robin Hood (1973)

One of Disney's underrated classics, a nicely paced story that really is for children but is a guilty pleasure for parents too. 

Thinking Film Rating: 6.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.5/10

Critics Opinion: 5.0/10

Robin Hood - Wolfgang Reitherman

Two Line Review: Blackfish (2013)

An incredibly impassioned, moving and important documentary. An emotional argument that makes bold statements about our relationship with nature. It has the power to make a difference.  

Thinking Film Rating: 9.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.8/10

Critics Opinion: 9.8/10

Blackfish - Gabriela Cowperthwaite