Wilson (2017)

Woody Harrelson is wonderful in this he is honest and funny, i love him anyway but i just want to look after him in this. Sadly the film isn't great overall but only because there seem to be so many missed opportunities for hilarity or any real emotional depth. The script is well written and everyone is cast well. It is an easy watch but nothing really stands out about it, this story has been told before and better. I watched it for Woody and his performance is worth it.



Like This Watch This: Broken Flowers (2005) The iconic Bill Murray looks up old flames to see who may have had his child, The Edge of Seventeen (2016) Harrelson as the teacher we all wanted, Zombieland (2009) Funny, bloody and full of Woody.

Assassin's Creed (2016)

I really hope the video game is better than the film because there is some boring action going on here, and i love action, never before (i don't recall) have i been this bored watching spectacular fight scenes, disappointing. Adapting video games has never been easy or done that well, this takes itself way too seriously. If you like the game then maybe you see this as a loving homage, but i don't play the game and was mostly bored. It plays like real historic events and i just wasn't convinced.

Better Than This: Warcraft (2016) Not great but at least it embraces the fantasy side of things, Resident Evil (2002) A great zombie franchise even some of the sequels are good, Wreck-it Ralph (2012)(Animated) Amusing and full of old video game characters.

Monster Trucks (2016)

Sometimes i like shit things, i feel bad but if i enjoyed it i cant deny it, this is one of those times. This is not the worst film ever but it ain't no Taxi Driver either, i feel slight shame for liking it. It is predictable, obvious, not as funny as it could be but look how bloody cute that monster is. The action scenes are entertaining and surprisingly well shot. The acting is very Nickelodeon - over the top and aimed at kids. But look at the Monster, look how cute he is, i only want to see him free. Stupid, silly but i enjoyed every moment of screen time with that gorgeous 'Creech' as he later gets called, the rest is forgettable but not badly made nonsense.



Like This Watch These: Pete's Dragon (2016) Far too sickly sweet for me but the Dragon is lush, Robot Overlords (2014) More stupid shit i enjoy, Robots taking over the Earth, yes please, Labyrinth (1986) No shame with this one amazing monsters, great story and DAVID BLOODY BOWIE.

Their Finest (2016)

Way too much is made of the love story, i personally wanted to see movie making during the Blitz from a female perspective. Bill Nighy is very good as are most of the other underused bit players mostly the wonderful Eddie Marsan who we barely get a glimpse of because we are forced to watch endless scenes of blossoming love. If this was billed as a romance i wouldn't mind, and probably wouldn't have watched it but i really looked forward to seeing the difficulties faced during wartime film-making, being a woman in the industry in the 40's not a will they/wont they scenario. I exaggerate, obviously, as this is a good period piece with excellent sets and costumes and a slice of British history not often seen on screen. I just wish the love story had been more secondary than some of the characters and their stories.


Like This Watch These: Hope and Glory (1987) This film has everything, the life of a boy during the Blitz proves exciting and moving, Atonement (2007) A love story with added agony, the scenes of Dunkirk are mesmerizing, Mrs. Miniver (1942) A British family at the beginning of wartime, Greer Garson is lovely.

My Top 5 Christian Slater films

1. True Romance (1993) Outstanding film, i love every second and Slater's best character, ever.
2. Heathers (1988) This School of Bitches needs Slater's JD to turn the tables, murderously.
3. Very Bad Things (1998) If you're going to be an arsehole you may as well go all out.
4. Pump up the Volume (1990) All teens should have a Hard Harry on the radio.
5. Murder in the First (1995) Holds his own amongst some greats in this harrowing story.

A Coffee in Berlin/Oh Boy (2012)

This follows an aimless student spending the day in Berlin, meeting some oddballs, trying to buy expensive coffee and making sense of life. This could have done with a little more humour or maybe i just was in the wrong mood but it could have been hilarious but it doesn't quite get there, some scenes you are waiting for it and it never happens. The lead is likable if a little spoilt and superior and some of his encounters are amusing. Good acting all round his friend the actor is my fave, and it looks great in black and white although this may add to the overall slightly gloomy feeling. Maybe it's just too real, that sense of wanting to be part of the world and it turning out to be a bit shit and then you wonder why you even bother.


Like This Watch These: Frances Ha (2013) A much more positive view of modern life also in black and white, Tiny Furniture (2010) What to do after Uni is an oft asked question that takes a long time to answer, Reality Bites (1994) Yes it does.

Scoop (2006)

Scarlett Johansson as Woody Allen sounds wrong but she does a very good impression of the introspective New Yorker in this England based  mystery/comedy. I love Allen's films, not all but a majority so i always enjoy his scripts and respect that he saves the best lines for himself. A young American journalist thinks she has a big scoop but has to do some detecting to prove the story, it rolls out in pretty predictable fashion. The choice of Hugh Jackman as an English aristocrat is a little hard to stomach, but he isn't terrible, the scenes that make it worthwhile all contain Allen and his star, they spark and his dialogue is at it's best when volleyed between two who get it.


Like This Watch These: Midnight In Paris (2011) Funny, sweet and magical, Owen Wilson as Woody, Whatever Works (2009) Great life motto, Larry David as Woody, Manhattan (1979) Shame he didn't make London look as good as New York is epitomized here.

Freebie and the Bean (1974)

This is an odd one, a buddy cop film where you're not quite sure if they are buddies, what case they are working on or if they should be killing this many people. This film is so 70's it gets away with things modern cop movies cant, they destroy more than the Avengers fighting Justice League would and kill anyone who is near them. The relationship is good they are funny and very offensive to each other, that's what i call friendship. There are far better cop films out there but this feels like the one that wont be told what to do, the rebel if you will.


Like This Watch These: Lethal Weapon (1987) The 80's gave us this classic pair up, the sequels aren't great, Tango & Cash (1989) I love this film it's fun and silly and Kurt Russell is fit, Alien Nation (1988) Mr Caan again trying to get over his prejudices this time with a partner from another world.

Trespass Against Us (2016)

Sometimes an actor can be over used, if they are the next big thing then they snap up all the good roles going and they all get released at the same time and you can't get away from them, especially if you watch as many films as i do. I feel this has been happening with Micheal Fassbender to the point where i have avoided some of his films as i don't want to dislike him. He is really good in this but they all are, even when its just a small role the best people have been picked it would take up too much space to list them. It's basically a story of a man trying to get away from his criminal life and that of his family, they are travellers, this may only translate to English people who experience them usually negatively in normal life. It feels realistic and though it is hard to feel empathy for anyone you do feel Chad's desire for better but he just doesn't have enough about him to just leave. However you may feel about gypsies this is a good film.

Like This Watch These: Snatch (2000) All kinds of crims here, a lighter look at travelling life, The Godfather (1972) Micheal Corleone tries to get out of the family biz, but they just pull him back in, superb, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (2011-?) (TV) I cant get through one episode, but if you want to know what not to do for your wedding look here.

Trolls (2016)

More for the kids really with the non stop colour splashes and silliness, but there are still some titters for the adults. Good voice work from many well known people, Justin Timberlake is not his usual positive self which amused me and James Corden is his usual self in a good way. The songs are well chosen and sung well, but still its all very joyous, so it will really piss you off if not in the right mood. The story is predictable and easy, but it should be it's for kids.


Like This Watch These: Sing (2016) The singers in this are great, The Little Mermaid (1989) My all time favourite Disney soundtrack, i know all the words, The Jungle Book (1967) The new one is good but for songs you have to go original.

Little Sister (2016)

MUST WATCH It must be hard as a parent when your child, as an adult chooses a very different path than you had expected or hoped. Ally Sheedy does an excellent job as the disappointed mother of an ex-goth turned Nun, she is the head of the family and usually stoned. This film was a bit of a surprise i found it funny, moving, interesting and current. This film encompasses many themes, religion and family being two of the big ones, but many other things get a look in too, it's rare to find the returned disfigured soldier as the secondary story. All the actors are good and work together as a family. A sweet family drama.


Like This Watch These: Big Fish (2003) Quirky and sweet, Tim Burton should do more like this, Saved (2004) A Christian high school raises some laughs, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) My favourite filmic family.

Raw (2016)

Nowhere near as shocking and grotesque as i'd been led to believe in some articles (in some early screenings people had fainted or puked, pussies!), but it was as good as i'd heard. I found myself really enjoying this story of life beginning and it not perhaps being what you thought it was on many different levels and will lots of interesting themes running through it. It is not a straightforward horror it just has some elements, it's also a coming of age film and the actors are brilliant very realistic it really made me feel the way i did when i started Uni and no they didn't force me to eat any weird stuff. Starkly shot with an authentic script i highly recommend this film, i will try to make my best friend, who is a Vegan, watch this and see if she agrees.


Like This Watch These: Ravenous (1999) Some excellent gory cannibal action with great actors and music too, Delicatessen (1991) Beautifully dark, funny and crazy, Heathers (1988) American schools are always portrayed horribly but it seems to get better when you start killing the cool kids.

Pink String and Sealing Wax (1945)

This is an odd little film that gives you no one to root for and portrays women terribly. Basically an unhappy wife is having an affair an tries to off her husband, amidst this story is a family with a tyrannical father who wont let his children do anything. These two stories are meshed together badly with only the smallest things connecting them, it would be better if they were two separate films. The acting is good, everyone giving their all and its an interesting look at Victorian Brighton. It all seems a little rushed especially the end.


Better Than This: Meet Me In St Louis (1944) One of my all time faves, following a family through a year, another slightly cruel father, Les Diaboliques (1955) An excellent thrilling tale of revenge, The Elephant Man (1980) Harrowing but beautiful.

Dogfight (1991)

Watching anything with River Phoenix in is always tinged with sadness now after he left us too soon, but even though this film is not necessarily positive it is optimistic. A group of soldiers are about to be sent to Vietnam so play a game where they all have to bring ugly girls to a party and whoever has the most unattractive wins - lovely guys. River plays Eddie who meets Rose played by the incredible Lili Taylor, she is shy, trusting, sweet and loves folk music, what then happens is romantic but not in the usual sense.These two work together beautifully it is moving to watch but never gross. I'm not really a fan of Romance on film it is often sickening but this feels true and sweet and i liked the ending.


Lie This Watch These: Before Sunrise (1995) I personally do not enjoy these films but a lot of people do, its romance in one night, American Graffiti (1973) The original High School movie, nostalgic and wonderful, Yanks (1979) A sweet wartime romance.

Mindhorn (2016)

If this picture has not made you laugh already then i wouldn't bother watching this film, because it's full of oddball silliness. Julian Barrett is perfect as a has-been actor who has no idea his light has stopped shining, he is encompassed by a host of superb British actors who aide the humour and story. The plot is your basic 'can this idiot really save the day' as Mindhorn is called upon to help police when a killer will only speak to the TV detective whom he believes to be real. It is delivered via inane comedy and a well written script. It is very reminiscent of many BBC 2 comedies which i say is no bad thing.


Like This Watch These: Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013) To my mind the greatest TV show to movie adaptation, hilarious opening credits, Bunny and the Bull (2009) Gently amusing with a host of funny people, The Mighty Boosh (TV) More crazy comical characters.

Clay Pigeons (1998)

This is one of those quirky 90's movies with a host of up and coming (then) actors, a not terrible script and quite a solid if a little annoying story. What is most surprising is Vince Vaughn, his is an excellent performance of a sly yet cheeky villain and it shows what could have been if he hadn't fallen into a formula that worked and paid well and stayed there stagnating, shame. Otherwise this is watchable and enjoyable little thriller if devoid of any peril and a little hokey. This has a very specific 90's feel to it and i wonder how anyone from the modern generation would react.



Like This Watch These: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) Funnier, grittier and British, Grosse Point Blank (1997) Hilarious, great script, My Cousin Vinny (1992) Another 90's classic, Pesci and Tomei are the best couple.

The Founder (2016)

This is a fascinating and little known story of greed, ambition and ruthlessness of one American businessman (arsehole) taking someone else's nice idea and wringing it dry so he becomes a very very rich man. I found this shocking and i never want to eat from this chain ever again, the brothers pictured above are the Mcdonalds, guess the eatery. The film itself is very good it cleverly makes you like it's main character Ray Kroc, even admire his persistence and then half way through you start to see a different person and by the end i was seething with hatred. This shines a stark light on the capitalism that we see and except everyday and i will not be eating anymore stolen burgers, ever.

Like This Watch These: The Aviator (2004) Decade spanning look at the early working life of Howard Hughes, Malcolm X (1992) Contains one of the greatest pre-death sequences in cinema history, The Social Network (2010) The creation of one of the blights of modern life, and greed being stronger than friendship.

Lights Out (2016)

I love a horror that actually scares, has a hint of reality, doesn't show too much and makes you jump in all the right places and this has all that and unlike many modern horrors is not annoying. The acting is no amazing feat but all play their roles well and again you don't want them to die as they are not irritating. The scares are genuine and the jumps well placed and it never turns comical, a thrilling, easy to watch great little horror movie.


Like This Watch These: Don't Breathe (2016) Not as scary but a nice little chiller, Sinister (2012) Still one of the scariest modern horrors for me, The Babadook (2014) Creepy childhood fears come to the surface.

Spartacus (1960)

Old semi religious epics never really do it for me, but i needed to watch this as the only Kubrick film i hadn't seen and having just read Kirk Douglas' biography (very entertaining) i wanted to see the infamous movie. I struggled to find the Kubrick that i love, though some scenes are beautiful and belong to him it is obvious story and script were not in his hands. The high calibre of acting on show is great highlights are the expertise of Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov, and the loveliness of Joan Simmons. Kirk comes across pretty much as he did in his book, a very confident, brave man who beats the odds, him being of Russian- Jewish descent it took quite some determination to get where he did, though he never had to fight the Roman Army.

Like This Watch These: Paths Of Glory (1957) A better Kubrick/Douglas collaboration led by Stanley, Gone With The Wind (1939) Love amid the American civil war, this is what i call an epic, Django, Unchained (2012) Dicaprio's arsehole plantation owner is astounding.

The Sapphires (2012)

An entertaining but not silly film, it has good music, believable characters, real life issues and gentle laughter sprinkled all over it. Chris O' Dowd is perfect as the likable yet almost hopeless band manager and the four leads are all different but similar enough to convince as a family. A simple tale of an actual true story you hope all the best bits are real, even if not it's still fun, funny and enjoyable. It gently touches on some big historic issues, but they are a mere backdrop for a more personal human story during a time of War and inequality, which seems reasonable.


Like This Watch These: The Commitments (1991) Outstanding music and hilarious characters, The Blues Brothers (1980) One of the best musicians filled films ever, 20 Feet From Stardom (2013) (Doc) Interesting look at those behind the music, the backing singers who didn't quite make it to the front of the stage.

Aftermath (2017)

I'm not sure what i expected from this tragic tale of life after the devastation of a mid-air crash of two planes but i was very very sad, not depressed but i felt sorry for everyone on screen. I don't know how closely this adheres to the real life case but it's like being witness to an event that you have no control over and everyone loses something. The acting is good, seeing Arnie so down is akin to seeing your Dad cry over something you are not crying about and Scoot Mcnairy looks soul destroyed throughout. The only thing is there is no real pay off, so in that way it's very realistic as life will and does go on but with much agony.


Like This Watch These: Maggie (2015) Arnie again as a grieving father wins me over, Flight (2012) The crash is shot tremendously, Rabbit Hole (2010) A couple dealing with the death of their child in different ways.

Table 19 (2017)

A nice surprising, not sickly sweet, amusing bit of wedding drama, not usually my kind of thing but it won me over with the excellent casting and by not doing the most predictable thing they could have. Anna Kendrick's character bravely attends the wedding of a friend whose brother and best man just dumped her, and i thought i could tell you the rest of the movie but it's subtler than that. Some obvious things happen but not really in the usual way, no farcical catastrophes or fights during the wedding just things to be got through or worked out. The gang at table 19 are perfectly cast and entertaining this is the table i would want to be at.
 

Like This Watch These: Pitch Perfect (2012) Kendrick again funny and some great pipes, Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Still my favourite Richard Curtis film, excellent swearing, The Wedding Singer (1998) The laughs and 80's setting stop this being too saccharine.

T2 Trainspotting (2017)

It must be very difficult to make a sequel to such a beloved and of it's time film such as the original Trainspotting because it will never be better or necessarily come close. It's nice to see the old characters again if somewhat depressing, it feels like when you visit your hometown and see all the people that never left tinged with sadness. There are so many looks back at the original as if they had too many ideas, so just dotted references everywhere, it would have been better had they just picked a few and made them stand out. Sick Boy (i cant call him Simon) and Spud are the two best and truest characters, the others seem a little forced. I knew it couldn't live up to the hype but it isn't totally awful so watch for a bit of selfish nostalgia.


Like This Watch These: Trainspotting (1996) A superb slice of history, i cant imagine watching this now not having experienced the time, Shallow Grave (1994) Boyle's stunning debut, A Life Less Ordinary (1997) Not brilliant but i like it more after re-watching it a few times.