Surrogates

A very disappointing film today. Bruce is well passed his sell-by-date and it is predictable hollywood claptrap!! Don't bother!!

The Firm

Another earthy, urban angst ridden film today and I really enjoyed this one. The remake of the Al Ashton's original screenplay, The Firm draws you into the world of football hooliganism and eighties 'Casual' fashion trends. NIck Love (Football Factory) directs a superb cast of eighties ICF members. Staring the fantastic Paul Anderson and boyish charm of Calum McNab we are invited into the inner sanctum of the 'The Lord Nelson' pub and the fighting fans of West Ham United.

This was done so well, with cars, clothes and music spot on. Although not everybody's taste...I really thought the violence wasn't too shocking and it had a BIG moral ending....Nice!!

Fish Tank

Directed by Andrea Arnold (Red Road) and staring Michael Fassbender (Eden Lake), Kierston Wareing and Katie Jarvis (unknown and discovered arguing with boyfriend on train). This is a gritty hard watch.....with more chills than thrills.....and makes you feel lucky at your fortunate upbringing!!! Not for the light hearted!!

Dorian Gray

Staring the brilliant Colin Firth (very sinister in this) and Ben Barnes (Stardust and Nania fame) this is an Oliver Parker film based on the novel by Oscar Wilde. Very Gothic in character and visually erotic, this is tale of eternal youth and the 'ties that bind'.

After a picture is painted, Dorian Gray is tutored into the dark world of lust and desire by Colin Firth, where he engages in every type of carnal pleasure known to man. While those around Gray meet terrible ends.....he remains for ever young.....the only sign of the sins committed is the gradual change/disfiguring of the painting, now stored in the attic.

Although a dark tale, there is fair bit of truth about the effect of sin on the human condition, with fantastic lines delivered with wit and wisdom. The only criticism is the lack redemption offered by the predictable ending.....sad but hollywood....and no understanding of grace!!!

Defiance

Saw this wonderful film last night and thoroughly enjoyed it....great cast (Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell, George MacKay).....brilliant director Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, Last Samauri) and such a fantastic subject matter. A couple of years ago I saw a Ray Mears documentary about the Belarus forest based Jewish resistance and was interested simply because I teach a lot of Jewish Genocide in year 9 and I am always being asked why the Jews didn't fight back.

Although this film is gritty, harrowing and leaves little to the imagination......it is a real watcher and almost a right of passage for anyone wanting to understand our past to understand our future.....great film!!

The Hurt Locker

Got to see this great movie early through the seefilmfirstwebsite last night (two weeks early) and really enjoyed it. In the style of Platoon or Jarheads this was a typical, frank and honest view on war. From it's gritty beginning to it's predictable end the film shows the horrors and yet the humaness of war!!

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (K19 and Pointbreak) and staring Jeremy Renner (think american Daniel Craig) the film follows the a small unit of bomb disposal experts and a renegade officer (Renner) on the varied bombs of modern day Baghdad (car, body and suicide). With a surprising appearance of Ralph Fiennes this is a great 'Boys' movie!! Although it wont get on my 'Movies of the year' list it was banging on the door!!

The Proposal

I was put off by some of the reviews of this film and particularly Sandra Bullock and while I agree the best film she has ever appeared in was Crash, I thought she pulled off a really good, up tight, career minded, spinster Editor.......who is hated by everybody in the office and dominates her poor PA (Ryan Reynolds)!!

OK, it had elements of Green Card and While you were Sleeping but for a excuse to pop out to the cinema on a cheap date with the wife is was perfectly enjoyable....and judging by the laughter from the rest of screen 2....most people were enjoying too!!

I can't remember a single line or scene from the film but we were still laughing about it on the way home.....can't be bad!!!