Neither could I, a fantastic film

Hostage (2nd view) - Reasonable hokum-filled thriller starring Bruce Willis as a hostage negoatiator whose family is kidnapped in order to change the outcome of another hostage situation. It's all a bit silly but rattles along enjoyably enough - 3/5 The Grey Zone (1st view) - Tim Blake Nelson directs this drama set in Auschwitz which tells of the Sonderkommando, inmates who were forced to aid the Nazis in the holocaust. There are some powerful moments but the script is peppered with Americanisms, the dialogue stilted and Harvey Kietel sports a comedy accent. Not a bad film but the subject matter is deserving of something better - 3/5

The City of Lost Children (1995), the second film from French directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro proves to be as every bit as entertaining and visually jaw-dropping as their debut Delicatessen (1991). This has circus strongman One (Ron Perlman), whose 'little brother' is stolen by the cyclops henchmen of Krank (Daniel Emilfork), a mad scientist who cannot dream, so he kidnaps children and steals their dreams. So, One sets out with Miette (Judith Vittet), to put a stop to all this. This is one of the most visually amazing fantasy films to ever come from France, it's almost like a fairy tale for adults, (it is quite disturbing), think Terry Gilliam meets Jules Verne. It's a pity Jeunet and Caro haven't worked together since. But, this has some surreal and wonderful moments, like Dominique Pinon as multiple clones, two weird siamese twins and it's setting by a harbour with bright green water. :D 5/5

Doomsday Very very disappointing mess from Neil Marshall not a patch on Dog Soldiers and Descent. It looks he's gone down the Uwe Boll school of film making and ripped off loads of films and put them together. Mad Max, 28 Days Later, Escape From New York, Resident Evil, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Gladiator, The Warriors and apparently Excalibur (according to Aeon) to name a few. 4/10

Savage Messiah (1972), Ken Russell, Britain's maddest but cleverest director, turns his attention to the world of art, and makes a film about the young French sculptor Henri Gaudier (Scott Antony), who at only 18 started an affair with Sophie Brzeska (Dorothy Tutin) a Polish woman 20 years his senior. It is a beautifully shot film, done with the energy and offbeat characterisations you would expect from a Ken Russell film. Plus, to top that all off, a young Helen Mirren make a cameo, and gets naked as well. Something for the horny adolescent male there... :P 4/5

Lisztomania (1975), A prime example of a film so bad, it's brilliant. Ken Russell does another film of a composer, but giving it the same bonkers, modern attitude he'd used in Tommy (1975). Roger Daltrey plays Franz Liszt as if he were a 70's rock star, and it focuses on a supposed rivalry between him and Richard Wagner (Paul Nicholas), how he tried to win the affections of Princess Carolyn of Russia (Sara Kestelman), and even encounters The Pope, (Ringo Starr, in cowboy boots as well!! :shock:) Probabily the most bonkers film ever made, it's the biggest load of twaddle ever made, BUT I LOVE IT!! :D It's visually beautiful, but it shows Russell at his very best with the mad imagery and sex & nudity, (get the tissues out Gentlemen!! :D) But, it has some moments in it which beggar belief!! :shock: Plus, it has a score by Rick Wakeman of Yes, and Daltrey is a good actor as well!! ;) Either 1/5 or 5/5 :D YOU MUST SEE THIS FILM!! I PROMISE YOU THERE'S NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT!! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!!

Wind Chill Very slow average fair which has been seen many times before but then again I only watched it for Emily Blunt. 5/10

Iron Man. Initial reaction is that this is an excellent, exciting film, better than Spider-Man, but not as good as Batman Begins. I don't know anything about the character so can't comment on the faithfulness, but I liked what I saw. I'll be taking lil homer either on the weekend or next week. ********END OF CREDITS SCENE SPOILER******** Well, it wasn't what I expected, but it was bloody good. For some reason I thought it was going to be Ed Norton as Bruce Banner, but maybe Downey Jr has a cameo in The Incredible Hulk. I recognised the name Nick Fury, but not its significance within the larger comic book world, or the acronymic department SHIELD. Where do they fit in? ******END OF SPOILERS *******

Saw IV (1st view) – Third sequel to the very good film that gave us the Jigsaw killer. Continuing the trend of the franchise, this film sees more gore, more outlandish methods of torture, greater implausibility and the tendency to forget what made Jigsaw’s methods reasonable understandable. Still, it’s better than part 3 and it does help to explain a number of plot holes that appeared in that film. It is quite unpleasant at times though. I don’t shy away from the more squeamish aspects of film, and I’ve had my fill of gore via shows like CSI, but even I cringed a few times during this – 3/5 Iron Man (1st view) - Rollicking comic book adventure, which balances perfectly its dry sense of humour with some adrenalin pumping action scenes. It’s a more light-hearted affair than the likes of Hulk or Batman begins, yet far more substantial than say, the Fantastic Four films. Robert Downey Jr. is excellent in the lead, and he’s able supported by Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard. It gets a little overblown near the end but this is great entertainment – 4/5 The Brave One (1st view) – Neil Jordan directs this thriller starring Jodie Foster as a radio host who becomes a vigilante killer after her boyfriend is murdered. More thoughtful than other films of its kind (such as the Danny Dyer twosome of Straightheads and Outlaw) and Foster adds another fine performance to her resume. She’s matched, however, by Terrence Howard who is rapidly becoming a favourite of mine. The Invasion (1st view) – Umpteenth version of the classic science fiction tale by Jack Finney. It lacks the sense of paranoia or fear that previous versions captured and the ending could be considered a cop out, but this is an easily watchable affair with much to enjoy, not least a fine performance from Nicole Kidman. Still, when you consider the director was Downfall’s Oliver Hirschbiegel, you can’t help but think this was a missed opportunity – 3/5 JFK (5th view) – Oliver Stone’s film looking into the assassination of JFK is undoubtedly his best film. In fact, it’s pretty much the best film of most of the people involved. Information overload is the order of the day here and it’s fascinating. Fictionalised and inaccurate an awful lot may be, but it’s still a great whodunit, and even if only 10% of what we hears is true, it’s enough to et you thinking. The use of stock footage interspersed with recreations, black and white photography, newsreels, slow motion, flashbacks within flashbacks, recreating the assassination in Dealey Plaza etc, all help to add to the sense of paranoia, misdirection and confusion. John Williams score is perfect, the gargantuan cast sublime. Just a great film – 5/5

The Jane Austen Book Club (1st view) - I'm always a tad weary when literary discussion comes along. From my own experience it tends to be a bunch of interpretive mumbojumbo and claptrap with no real substance and people trying to delve into the sligh-*test*-('") of instances and look for meanings that aren't there. "I think (insert name here) was trying to show/reflect/put across (insert something here which may or may not be true but actually doesn't make it more enjoyable, accessible or important whatever the outcome)", It just bugs me. "So when Joe Bloggs puts ketchup on his hotdog, it’s obviously a metaphor for his undying love and devotion for his family". I can live without it. The same with film actually. One may even wonder why I'm a member of various film forums. Anyway, for the most part this film manages to avoid such trappings and is all the more enjoyable for it, focussing on the love lives of the 6 members of the book club how they resemble the relationship in Austen's novels. A fine ensemble cast makes this highly watchable, with Emily Blunt and Hugh Dancy being particularly memorable. it's a lighthearted and frothy affair and very enjoyable. It would have benefitted from being longer though, it gives the impression of a film that's been cut down quite, making it hard to care for some of the characters. Small matter though. I probably should read the book now, I've had it for months! - 4/5

Over the past couple of weeks we've watched: The Kingdom Better than I was expecting 7/10 Zodiac Really enjoyed it 8/10 Cloverfield Good film, the shaky filming was hard to get used to, glad I never watched it at the cinema 6/10 Run Fat Boy Run Funny, but not many laugh out loud moments 7/10 Ironman Really liked it 8/10

Speed Racer It was ok but the story's too complex, insane and about an hour too long. The best thing about Speed Racer is Matthew Fox who is great in his role. 5/10

The Right Stuff Fasinating,engrossing a real great film and with the cast above you couldn't doubt it wouldn't be .. 5/5

Speed Racer - It's official - someone else directed Bound and The Matrix for the Wachowskis. I cannot believe how low they've sunk with this movie, it's just... shit. No plot, no direction, a very lazy cast obviously thinking of the kitchen/pool renovation or extra home they're getting out of it. The look is like a Hello Kitty on acid explosion, not at all easy on the eye and headache inducing. This movie has the added bonus of featuring the most annoying child performance since, well, Jake Lloyd. The monkey was also unnecessary and had me thinking of the ethics of performing animals during the screening. For nostalgics of the anime only.