'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' - Movie Review

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2.5 out of 5 stars)

OK, first things first, I haven't see the first film, but I don't honestly know how much of a difference that should make, seeing as it's been a whole 23 years since Michael Douglas starred in the original film that won him an oscar. Perhaps I should watch it, because I'm pretty certain that it'll be better than this 'sequel'.
OK, second things second (if that's a real phrase), this isn't usually my sort of movie. This was proven to be the case yet again. That of course doesn't mean that it won't be other people's sort of movie, it's just not mine.
I'll be honest, the first 30 minutes of the movie left me fairly baffled, I don't claim to understand or even find interesting the world that stock-brokers or the other ridiculously overpaid financial brains inhabit, even though the movie did a pretty good job of explaining what it must have been like to be on the inside of the near-global-meltdown of the world's financial systems in 2008.
The trouble I found with this movie, for all its lovely camera-work and interesting graphics that punctuate the movie at regular intervals, is that I didn't really engage with any of the characters. They live in a different world, and I didn't feel any connection that Joe Bloggs on the street will be able to relate to.
All in all, I just didn't find anything about the movie exciting, or even captivating or interesting. Not my cup of tea at all, but don't let me put you off, it will appeal to tons of people out there.

'Hang 'em High' - Movie Review

Hang 'em High (3 out of 5 stars)

Made after the Sergio Leone spaghetti western trilogy, this is a very solid western, although in my opinion not in the same league as the Leone made masterpieces.
Nonetheless, this is very gritty stuff, as Eastwood takes the job of a Marshall in order to exact his revenge on a mob who attempted to lynch him. There's also plenty here that parents should be wary about letting their kids watch, much more adult themes (2 teenagers being hung for helping some cattle rustlers).

All in all a very solid western though.

'The Shawshank Redemption' - Movie Review

The Shawshank Redemption (5 out of 5 stars)

An absolute masterpiece. Empire magazine consistently rate this movie in their top 5 of all time, and I have to say that I can't fault that judgement in any way.
Beautifully acted, crafted, directed and photographed, this tale of the strength of the human spirit should last in the memories of anyone who has seen it.

This is borderline perfect movie-making.

'The Expendables' - Movie Review

The Expendables (3.5 out of 5 stars)

Did you used to watch all those classic action movies in the 80's and 90's?

The Stallones, the Arnies, the Lundgrens...? Yes?

Well, imagine taking all the best bits that those guys did, and chucking them all into your movie-blender and giving it a good blast...what you'd then pour out into your glass would be a pint of 'The Expendables'.
Cheesy, funny, outright violent and gory, but above all damn good action-based fun, this is a great throwback to ye olde action era I mentioned earlier.
OK, fair enough, you'd struggle to find anything resembling decent acting in the film, but if you're a fan of the genre, then that's not really what you're looking for, is it??

To my mind, the real stars of this movie are Jason Statham, and a hugely underused Mickey Rourke. Jet Li needs to avoid speaking at all costs, but other than that it's great! Look out for the incredible shotgun action that Terry Crews dispenses towards the end of the movie, brilliant!

'Buried' - Movie Review

Buried (4 out of 5 stars)

A real coming-of-age film for Ryan Reynolds, he is literally the only person on camera for the entire 1hr 34mins, the only other characters in the movie are people he speaks to on the phone that's been left with him.
This is a truly original piece of film-making, it is unbelievably tense and at times very difficult to watch as the whole premise is incredibly terrifying.
I genuinely felt uncomfortable throughout, as the camera work really gives you the feeling of sharing his entire experience, and at times you literally have to remind yourself to breathe.
Certainly not for the faint-hearted, the film is well-paced, with ever-growing tension and even some hideously black humour thrown in, as Paul has to not only try to figure out who put him in this situation and why, but also how he's going to get out, as no-one he speaks to seems to believe his story.
Equipped with only a Zippo lighter and a mobile phone, you find yourself sharing Paul's terror as the phone battery slowly, gradually wears down to nearly zero, and his oxygen supply rapidly runs out.
Chillingly original film-making, this is literally the stuff nightmares are made of.

'Dorian Gray' - Movie Review

Dorian Gray (4 out of 5 stars)

This adaptation of the classic Oscar Wilde gothic novel was, I thought, blooming excellent! Creepy and atmospheric throughout, I also thought the performances were great, Colin Firth is always good anyway, but Ben Barnes was particularly convincing I thought. OK, its not the best 'horror' adaptation the world has ever seen, but for sheer enjoyment value it was hard to fault.

'Frost/Nixon' - Movie Review

Frost/Nixon - (4.5 out of 5 stars)

This is an utterly gripping piece of film-making, with absolute dynamite performances from Michael Sheen and Frank Langella.
The movie chronicles the TV interviews that David Frost not only organised against all odds, but ultimately carried out with the disgraced former US President Richard Nixon, and amazingly got him to admit his part in the Watergate scandal, and apologise to the US public, something no-one else had managed to do.
I think I can categorically say that this wont be up everyone's street, as the subject matter wont appeal to or interest everyone, despite the stunning performances, and I admit I didn't realise the film's brilliance until the final 3rd. An 'important' piece of work, rather than raw entertainment.