The Black Cat (1934)

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, two horror greats performing together for the first time in a bizarre tale of Devil worshipers. It is peculiar to watch as it is quite modern, not by today's standards but for the 30's it seems forward thinking. Seeing the two icons square off against each other as neither of their infamous monsters (Frankenstein's monster and Dracula) is a bit of a treat for any lover of classic horror or movie stars. The story is nothing special, a couple honeymooning in Hungary get taken to a house to recover after an accident where their companion meets a figure from his past and discovers some secrets. They are both angry and creepy in very different ways. Fun to watch as a historic on screen meeting.


Like This Watch These: Frankenstein (1931) A classic and great heart breaking performance from Karloff, Dracula (1931) Not as scary as it was when first released but still a gem, The Night of the Hunter (1955) An eerie and chilling depiction of a human monster.

The Dressmaker (2015)

Recommended to me by two very different people, i already had the film but had just not been in the mood, perhaps expecting a slightly dreary, sad love story. But upon watching this film i was delighted to find an interesting and complex story told by vivid characters and some very beautiful outfits. There is sadness, beauty, laughter and joy in this Aussie movie all played to extremes, when the tears start to flow there will be something to make you smile soon after. Some fantastic acting, Winslet is powerful as usual her accent imperfect but that suits the character, Judy Davis and Hugo Weaving are excellent. My only issue is that i am supposed to believe that Winslet and Liam Hemsworth went to school together! she looks good but not that good, it distracted and annoyed me and could have been easily fixed. But watch it please it's an excellent fun drama.

Like This Watch These: Strictly Ballroom (1992) My first experience of quirky aussie films still love it, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) Hugo Weaving is excellent, Moulin Rouge (2001) Fabulous outfits here too and sadness.

The best Graffiti ever What film?

xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)

Ridiculous, balls to the wall fun this latest addition to the triple x franchise may have taken things a little too far. Surfing on motorbikes is when you lose me frankly, some of the silliest but amusing action i have seen in a while. The only difference between this and The Fast and the Furious movies is this has a sense of humour - it has to with such idiotic comebacks such as 'you may need to double flush'. The action takes place in many an exotic location is predictable but still slightly enjoyable as a throwaway background noise kind of film.


Better Than This: xXx (2002) The original, still ridiculous but not quite as much, John Wick (2014) This is action i can believe in, mostly, The Fast and the Furious (2001) Still my fave of all the many Fast movies.

Small Crimes (2017)

 I was really disappointed with this, there was a good trailer and good actors, but no. A good opener turns into a confusing story about someone with zero redeeming features as he truly doesn't give a shit about anyone. It isn't even funny and the crimes committed are never small. Don't get me wrong i love crime films, action and violence but this has none of those really just a dodgy ex cop leaving prison to still be a dick. He is apparently looking for redemption but he is barely opening his eyes. Some good ideas badly displayed.


Better Than This: Triple 9 (2016) A more coherent crime/ dodgy cop drama, L.A. Confidential (1997) Old school glamour, dripping with class and excellent writing, King of New York (1990) This is how to return to life after prison.

Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (2016)

A light-hearted female superhero movie that has laughs, likable leads and not the greatest special effects. Adapted from a 70's TV series this deserves a mention as it's a nice break from the current deluge of hero action, concentrating more on character. The story is nothing new it would have been better to steer away from the predictable duo split up only to come back together when one is in trouble. They should have amped up the comedy as both women are funny and have some great one liners.


Like This Watch These: Mystery Men (1999) Funny but inept amateur superheroes, The Incredibles (2004) Animated superhero fun, Sky High (2005) Childish but funny superhero teens at school, great cameos.

Tangerine (2015)

MUST WATCH Very funny and really well made this story of a transgender prostitute searching for her pimp boyfriend on Christmas eve sounds divisive but its surprises with it's basic humanity. Amazing looking when you consider it was shot on phones and the two leads are fantastic, funny and very rude. It is realistic but not gritty, neither uplifting or depressing it's a simple story told brilliantly. It looks at friendship, love and accepts the transgender characters with the ease that modern times should, in many ways its beautiful with a side of nasty.


Like This Watch These: Pretty Woman (1990) A very romanticized view of prostitutes in L.A., The Skin I Live In (2011) Another must watch, just brilliant, watch without knowing anything, To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar (1995) Enormous, silly fun.

Split (2016)

Billed as having 23 distinct personalities you only meet about 8 so i was a bit disappointed although James McAvoy does a pretty good job of each. Our lead/leads? kidnap 3 teenage girls for the arrival of the 24th identity. It starts well and with the aid of seeing the psychiatrist struggling to prove the 23 personalities in one person to her colleagues it becomes more believable, but as often happens with a Shyamalan movie the end gets a bit muddled. It is watchable if you care enough to find out what happens but sadly very average, enjoyable if realism matters not.


Better Than This: Primal Fear (1996) Edward Norton excels as alter boy with a secret identity, Me, Myself & Irene (2000) A much lighter and funnier view of split personalities, Identity (2003) Not the greatest or most clever but entertaining.

Murder Party (2007)

Not as horrific as it sounds, actually quite funny and different to most comedy horror films. A group of artist's decide to kill a man and sell it as 'art' they are totally useless and misguided which only leads to some ridiculous scenarios. This debut by Jeremy Saulnier shows his great ideas and a great future, he really has an eye for excellent non gratuitous yet essential violence. For an independent movie the special effects are great especially the mask worn by Saulnier's constant film companion Macon Blair. The acting is believable and better than most indies, well worth your time if you want some blood soaked laughs.


Like This Watch These: Blue Ruin (2013) Saulnier's second effort about a man getting revenge for his family is dark brooding and superb, Green Room (2015) Patrick Stewart as a nasty Nazi - yes please, An American Werewolf In London (1981) The ultimate comedy horror.

Shoot The Piano Player (1960)

Whatever the story of Truffaut's film they do always look spectacular, whether this is because of the beauty of black and white movies generally or just his keen eye for making the everyday filmic. This is a film of many sides, the basic story is of a pianist in a bar being chased by some crooks after his brother but it delves into so much more, the pianists previous life and where it will go now are excellently sandwiched in. Relationships are elegantly explored either between lovers or kidnapped child with his captors and the script is expressive and flows well. A sad but pleasing look at life lived on the precarious side.


Like This Watch These: The 400 Blows (1959) My personal favourite of Francois Truffaut's films, a sad portrayal of a child ignored, Breathless (1960) Infamous crime story written by Truffaut, The Night Of The Hunter (1955) Stunning black and white tragic tale.

Krisha (2015)

Struggles with addiction are often portrayed on screen with a certain agenda, but this feels like more of a personal story. This family drama makes you feel part of the family (helped by the camerawork) , although one who doesn't know the details of the estranged Krisha the emotions it permeates are visible yet subtle. Set during a reconciling Thanksgiving weekend Krisha tries to hold herself together for the ultimate feast, but you can see the tears at the seams breaking bit by bit, and its saddening and not easy to watch. The central performance is excellent even amongst some hammy TV movie bit players she is annoying but loveable you really do feel for her and try to encourage her not to go down the route she inevitably does.


Like This Watch These: Rachel Getting Married (2008) The only time i have liked Anne Hathaway as an in rehab sister of the bride, Glassland (2014) The difficulties of caring for an addict, Half Nelson (2006) A student tries to help her teacher stay off drugs.

Weiner (2016) (Doc)

This film proves two things, politics is not about the'issues' but media based judgement of your personal behavior and men are dicks. Sorry guys but i just cant see a female in the public eye replying to texts with a pic of her crotch (though covered.) This disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner is quite brave in my book firstly for not changing his name and secondly for coming back after being caught sending racy texts to women to run for Mayor. I personally dont think what he did was that bad at all i am positive politicians do worse things daily that aren't publicly shared. Sadly his ideas seem good but the media just goes on and on about his 'scandal' at one point a passer by says she just wants to know what he will do for her city, not who he texts. Very interesting.

Like This Watch These: Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) Interesting and scary view of post-tragedy American politics, The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014) A very sad story of injustice in the search for truth, 13TH (2016) A look at America's unjust justice system.

The Boss Baby (2017)

Getting Alec Baldwin as the voice for the titular baby is bloody perfect, he really makes the film he has so many brilliant lines this may earn a rewatch.  The underlying story is sweet without getting too sickly, a child is afraid of losing his parents love to a new baby, and the amusing tale of BabyCorp sending spy babies to stop puppies stealing all the love. All the voices are good, Jimbo is great as 'the muscle' and the script is spot on "cookies are for closer's" there are lots of great one liners just for the adult viewers. Thoroughly good fun.


Like This Watch These: Sausage Party (2016) Not one for the kids, silly, funny and very rude, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) Still very funny and obscene, Toy Story (1995) Funnier for adults but kids love it too.

Dont Grow Up (2015)

A nice surprise to watch an understated and realistic zombie film, this has good production value and quality young actors. A group of youths in some kind of facility are deserted by their counsellor they realise why when they visit the town and discover all the grown ups slaughtering the young. The teens are not annoying and not too crazy, they are believable. The pace is good enough to get to know your characters before the action, no dragging here and though more action would be nice when it happens it is very good. With the influx of zombie action i find myself enjoying the subtler side, a strong story littered with some gut-wrenching deaths.


Like This Watch These: 28 Days Later (2002) Beautiful slow build to terror, The Returned (2013) The aftermath of an infected world, World War Z (2013) Not great but has a heart and the Israel set piece is worth a watch.