Sunday 26 October 2014

Doctor Who: In the Forest of the Night Review(ish)

"It's a human superpower. Forgetting"

I'm lazy at the moment and can't be bothered writing up a full review so here's a quick paragraph write-up that I did off the top of my head:

After the last two weeks brilliant episodes from Jamie Mathieson, we have a pretty crazy premise bringing together Clara, Danny, The Doctor and… a classroom of kids?

And it's pretty bad. It's in the holy trinity of bad episodes from this season (the other two being Robot of Sherwood and Time Heist). I give it a….

5/10, fairly average but watchable episode of the show. The highlight was the next time trailer though….

Sorry about the short review. Oops? I'll be less lazy next time. Maybe.

Friday 24 October 2014

The Locals Film Review

Two best friends, Grant and Paul, hit the country road for a night of fun, but unfortunately take a short cut to their fate… where they meet the locals.

"So are you coming to the party?"

New Zealand cinema… New Zealand cinema tends to be this absolutely wonderful hybrid of five different things:

1. Terrible horror movies
2. Awesome horror movies
3. Lord of the Rings
4. Jane Campion
5. Boy

There doesn't really tend to be any differentiation between the four; literally every film falls into one of the above categories (Braindead is a prime example of awesome horror, Black Sheep is a prime example of not-so-awesome horror, and the rest are pretty self-explanatory). So which category does The Locals fall into? It falls into the category of "terrible horror movies" - the thing is, this one is actually so much fun to watch.

Some particularly memorable scenes include:

- That one time the car blows up because flimsy logic because it looked cool at that point in the story
- That one time the dude randomly knew where the other dude was for no apparent reason
- Apparently this all happened because of real estate. Damn. This is such a deep, thought-provoking, philosophical film…

In all honesty, The Locals is probably something I'm gonna watch a lot of times… but not necessarily for the right reasons. I give it….

6.5/10 - with a tighter script and better directing, this could have been a proper GOOD horror movie - however it falls flat, but remains an entertaining horror movie in that special way only bad horror movies manage.

Josiah Morgan

Sunday 19 October 2014

Doctor Who: Flatline Review

"Life support failing!"

After last week's experience that was Mummy on the Orient Express, writer Jamie Mathieson returns with his second episode of Who history - and it looks like he's a writer to watch out for. Because both episodes he's written have been crazy good so far. As in. Crazy good.

In Flatline, the Doctor and Clara find themselves in 'the time and place you left. Ish' as something is leeching the third dimension from things (and people!) for it's supposed own gain.

The visuals in this episode are stylish as hell. Raising the questions of whether Clara is really a good person or not, as she begins to lie to both the Doctor and Danny, we're slowly beginning to get a part of the bigger picture now… that scene at the end. Ohhhh damn that scene at the end.

I mean what. If you haven't seen it yet nothing happens haha…ahhh.

On the other hand, this is the first episode this season that feels like a fluid story. So props to Mr Mathieson. Anyway. TV reviews are short. Deal with. Also busy. So yeah. Bye.

Josiah Morgan

Wednesday 15 October 2014

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Film Review


Taking place in the American Northwest in the early 1880s, the film dramatizes the last seven months in the life of famed outlaw Jesse James, beginning with the Blue Cut train robbery of 1881 and culminating in his assassination at the hands of Robert Ford the following April. In the time between these two fateful events, the young and jealous Ford befriends the increasingly mistrustful outlaw, even as he plots his demise


"You know I'm real comfortable with your brother. Hell, he's ugly as sin and he smells like a skunk and he's so ignorant he couldn't drive nails in the snow, but he's sort of easy to be around. I can't say the same for you, Bob"

For one thing, this is what Brad Pitt considers to be the best film he's been in. Think about what this means: it surpasses 12 Monkeys, 12 Years a Slave, Se7en, The Tree of Life, Ocean's Eleven… at least in Brad Pitt's mind. There are a few points that must be made to begin with:

This film is beautiful. This is the best western of all time. The score is fantastic. Andrew Dominik does an incredible job of directing here. It's all pretty crazy. 

One of the best examples of the direction (and cinematography) in the film is at the beginning with the train robbery; as the train gets closer to the James gang, and the train reaches the camera… and takes the camera with it. It's a marvel of filmmaking, as is the rest of it's rather hefty 160 minute run-time.

Now… the violence in this is reminiscent of The Godfather - it appears in small bursts, but very GRAPHIC small bursts. And it's so, so, so effective.

Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt give the best performance's of their career. You cannot argue with it. Shhhhhhh. Stop.

Funnily enough, the most affecting part of this movie isn't the assassination itself… it's what follows; finding what happens to Robert Ford after he murders Jesse James. 

If I hadn't seen Calvary earlier this year, I would believe that "The Assassination of Jesse James…."
was the best film of the century so far.

10/10, An absolutely fantastic Western. The greatest of all time (and my second favorite film of all time).

Josiah Morgan






Tuesday 14 October 2014

The Quiet Earth Film Review

A man named Zac Hobson awakens to find himself alone in the world, and in a desperate attempt to search for others he finds only two… who have their own agenda.

"I am GOD!!!"

Ahh, New Zealand films… they're either fantastic (The Piano, Boy) or the slightly underprivileged second cousin to Hollywood (Secondhand Wedding). Luckily, The Quiet Earth falls into the former category - with a brilliant cast of just three actors, The Quiet Earth is a forgotten classic that should really be talked about more…

In the opening act, the whole film relies on a stellar performance from Bruno Lawrence to keep itself afloat. At times, he stumbles, but a lot of the time, you see some fantastic moments that not even the best character actors can manage. One of the most memorable scenes of the film is, indeed, from it's opening act - we see Zac walking down a deserted New Zealand street as it pours down with rain as he plays the saxophone.

The film also sports some interesting thematic and deeper-meaning ideas, although it never toys with them to a great extent: Zac shooting the Jesus statue before he declares "I AM GOD," the moment when he is toying with the idea of suicide etc.

The directing and score aren't anything remarkable, and the effects haven't aged well, however The Quiet Earth is still a solid watch. I won't speak of the ending, no matter how many different ways it may be interpreted, as to avoid spoilers - and I ask that in the comments you refrain from talking about the ending as well, so that the film has it's desired effect.

What's next in my NZ Film Studies class? A cult-classic gothic horror…

7/10 Stars, a solid NZ sci-fi film with it's effect deadened slightly by dated effects and sometimes clunky acting.

Josiah Morgan

Sunday 12 October 2014

Doctor Who: Mummy on the Orient Express Review

"Start the clock!"

After last weeks events in Kill the Moon, The Doctor and Clara appear to have reconciled their relationship - at least partially - and are now saying 'goodbye to the good times' with a trip to the Orient Express... in space. But once on board, something or someone begins killing off passengers one by one... 

After last weeks emotional Kill the Moon, Mummy on the Orient Express feels like a return to the Russell T Davies era of Doctor Who - this results in a wonderfully steampunk episode, with a Moffat-era twist. And it's brilliant.

Clara is advanced further as a character here - she can officially be called a well-rounded, fleshed out character now.  The character of the Doctor himself shows even more cold-heartedness in a not-so-shocking turn of events.

The design of the Mummy is terrifying, and the guest cast - including a cameo from Foxes - provide stellar performances in what may very well be the best episode of the season yet (on par with Listen).

The visuals are quirky and experimental, especially considering what we are accustomed to. This episode re-affirms Season 8 as possibly the best season of the reboot so far!

Josiah Morgan

Saturday 11 October 2014

The Sacrifice Film Review

Alexander, a journalist, philosopher and retired actor, celebrates a birthday with friends and family when it is announced that nuclear war has begun.


"As if the living I've been doing so far hasn't actually been real life but a long wait for it... a long wait for something real"

Sacrifice made my heart burn.

It hurt the first time, but after seeing all of Tarkovsky's filmography in order (minus The Steamroller and the Violin and Voyage in Time)… it hurts so, so, so much more.

I didn't even watch it with subtitles this time because I couldn't find a version with them, but throughout it's entire (very talkative) runtime, I sat there open-mouthed at the beauty being portrayed in front of me.

Andrei Tarkovsky is not my favorite filmmaker of all time. But he is most definitely the greatest. Ten stars is not a rating I give out easily to films… I reserve it for things I relate to incredibly personally (The Zero Theorem, Dancer in the Dark), for the films I can rewatch hundreds of times without getting bored (The Dark Knight, 12 Monkeys)… and films like this. Films which transcend the medium and leap out of the screen and sear themselves into your heart so purposefully.

I felt so hopeless yet so hopeful during this film. I would like to also extend a thank you to Eli Hayes, the reviewer who introduced me to Tarkovsky and persuaded me to watch his films.

Yet another short review, but that is all that needs to be said.

10/10. Wow.

The Dark Knight Film Review





Why so serious?

Batman raises the stakes pin his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.


"Wanna know how I got these scars?"

Christopher Nolan's sequel to the massively popular Batman Begins opens with one of the most attention-grabbing first five minutes I've ever seen - even on my third time watching the film: a bank robbery by a bunch of criminals as they slowly begin knocking each other off for their boss… until their boss reveals himself to be one of the masked criminals.

After this, the movie slows down for a while - we get character introductions with small bursts of violence as we meet new characters and are re-acquainted with old ones.

None of the above is instrumental, of course, to the success of one of the most perfect films ever created. There are many contributing factors, perhaps, to why this has gone down in history. Heath Ledger is probably the most recognized of these factors, delivering a chilling performance totally deserving of the posthumous Best Actor award he got for it. Along with his amazing performance, the score, Nolan's directing, Christian Bale's performance and the star power of many other big names also in the film…

But there's no denying that without one of the greatest scripts of the 21st century, The Dark Knight wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful as it was.

There isn't much to say about it other than what's already been said… if you haven't seen it yet, what have you been doing? Go do it. Right now. As in. Right. Now.

Josiah Morgan





Friday 10 October 2014

The 5 Most Overrated Films of All Time

1. Forrest Gump


Sure, there's been a backlash against Forrest Gump in the last decade or so from the film critic crowd. But the general public? #14 on the iMDB Top 250. That is all the proof you need. While the Top 250 may not exactly be a representative opinion, it shows how many people still love what is an over-sentimental, highly clichéd film with some contrived plot devices thrown in for good measure. Sure, it's fun. Sure, there's a lot to be gained from it. But it's just not that good. Sorry.

2. Avatar


There's been a backlash against this one as well in recent years - unfairly, due to it being a genuinely good film that will probably be remembered for years to come... but does it really deserve the title of highest grossing film of all time? Obviously the extra pricing of 3D tickets was a factor in this, but there's one glaring fault that perhaps stops the movies chances of being really, really good: it's way too long for it's storyline. You can't argue with that. It's quite simply too long. Many people consider this one of the greatest movies of all time - it's solid, I give you that, but it most definitely isn't worth being considered one of the classics.

3. The Shawshank Redemption


The Shawshank Redemption is one of my personal favorites (well, top 150 territory), so it almost pains me to put it in this list... the fact it sits at #1 on the iMDB Top 250 is proof enough. Watch this movie right after/before watching, say, The Godfather and you will see one which is quite clearly better.

4. Primer


Primer is different to the other films in this list in that it didn't even get a wide release - it was a small, low-budget sci-fi film that became a cult classic due to being a time travel film with accurate science. There's just one problem. It's boring as hell.

5. Titanic


Do I even need to give you any more evidence than the cover? I will anyway:

- It's three hours long
- Half of that runtime isn't even dedicated to the boat sinking
- Ok it's actually a good movie
- But not as great as seem people would make it out to be 
- It's three hours long
- It can be quite slow in parts
- It's three hours long
- It has the most famous nude scene of all time (arguably) and it isn't even a good scene
- Did I mention it's three hours long?
- Oh yeah and at the time it was the highest grossing movie of all time

Enough? Thought so.

Agree? Disagree? If you have any thoughts on the post above, let us know in the comments below!






Se7en - Film Review


Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die.

Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the seven deadly sins in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Detective Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.


"- It's more comfortable for you to label me as insane.

- It's very comfortable"

I'm sure most of you will have heard of or seen this one - David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman teaming up on a movie together isn't exactly something that would go unnoticed.....

I went into Se7en with low expectations, knowing I was meant to like this film - I find The Usual Suspects highly overrated, however I was also meant to like that. There is one major difference between The Usual Suspects, which I didn't like very much, and Se7en, which I enjoyed way way way too much. That difference being that in Se7en, I cared about the characters. 

David Fincher creates a world so cruel, so dark, that the only thing left to hang on to in this film, the only thing left to put your faith into is the characters. Of course, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman need credit where credit is due - Pitt's character could easily have become a stereotypical crime film sidekick, but due to his performance there are small nuances which he puts into his interpretation of the character which totally change the landscape of the film.

Morgan Freeman's character is even more fulfilling of crime film tropes, yet his performance makes you forget about this while watching the film...

In my mind, Se7en is a perfect film - the exact right balance between darkness, humour, character development and action - while it's genre is crime, I can't help thinking that the scenes I will remember in a years time won't be the big setpieces, the car chases, the final scene. What I will remember - truly remember - will be small character moments: the dinner at Mills house when the house shakes springs to mind immediately.

This is my third David Fincher film (the other two being The Social Network and The Game), and is by far the best. I can't wait to see Fight Club, Gone Girl and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, as well as the rest of his filmography.... and judge if they are as perfect as this is.

9.5/10, a clear classic that will be remembered for years to come.

Josiah Morgan


Thursday 9 October 2014

The Top 10 Movies You've (Probably) Never Heard Of

So there are a lot of lists like this out there - of movies that the casual film goer probably hasn't seen. I'm making this here list for both the casual film goers and film-fanatics that are tired of reading lists of movies they actually have heard of before!

I'm not guaranteeing these are movies you won't have heard of - these are all extremely high quality films - but there's a fair chance you won't know any of the films mentioned below.

Let's begin:

1. La Habitacion De Fermat [Fermat's Room] 


In this high-concept Spanish thriller from 2006, four mathematicians are called to an isolated room in the countryside to solve the worlds greatest enigma. But there's one problem. The room is shrinking and will crush them all to death if they don't solve it in time. 

While this may sound like something out of the (actually very good) 'torture-porn' horror film Saw, Fermat's Room is anything but. With absolutely stellar acting and tight plotting, Fermat's Room is well worth the 85 minutes of your time it will take.

2. Dark Skies


In this absolutely insane psychological horror film from 2013, aliens are portrayed in a new kind of light as they become more than "little green men" and become something that could truly haunt your nightmares… 

Genuinely one of the most terrifying films I've seen, with one of the craziest endings in recent film history… reminiscent of The Shining in it's third act, this is an overlooked gem you won't regret watching.

3. Upstream Color 


You may have heard the name Shane Carruth before, in association with his earlier film Primer - a low budget indie time travel sci-fi movie. Upstream Color, however, is a little harder to peg down: is it another low budget time travel film? A science movie? A romance? Hell, an arthouse exploitation film?

We don't know, other than that we love it.

4. Brzmienie Halausu [Sound of Noise] 


Sound of Noise is a high-concept indie musical comedy from Sweden. I will say literally nothing more, because it will spoil way too much. Just go watch it. You won't regret it. A deconstruction of the pretentious critical crowd (AKA me), Sound of Noise is like nothing else you've ever seen before.

5. Elephant 


Gus Van Sant is not an easy filmmaker to pin down. Literally: who else would even attempt a shot-for-shot color remake of Psycho? Many believe that Elephant is one of his best films: loosely conceived around the Columbine massacre, Elephant is a film in which you know how it ends when you begin the film, you know what it's based around. But the difference here is that the film is so meticulously constructed (the film covers approximately a 15-30 minute time period over 90 minutes) that you almost - almost - forget why you started watching, until the bloodbath that closes the film sets in. 

Absolutely one of the most controversial films on this list, it's one of the most realistic true-story films ever made.

6. Ivanovo Destovo [Ivan's Childhood]


Andrei Tarkovsky is perhaps the most beloved of all foreign-film directors, and Ivan's Childhood is his first film, and arguably his most entertaining. To give much more than this away would be a crime, but Ivan's Childhood is a true cinematic experience - if you watch and enjoy this, Tarkovsky's later films Solaris, Stalker and Andrei Rublev are worth watching as well.

7. Compliance 


Compliance is perhaps the most exhausting film you will ever see. It's a tough watch; no matter whose end of the story you're on. Dreama Walker and Ann Dowd both deliver knock-out performances in this inspired-by-a-true-story film directed by Craig Zobel based around a prank-caller who ended up committing multiple acts of sexual abuse.

The tension builds perfectly to an unnerving conclusion which will stay on your mind for days after viewing.

8. The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog 


One of Alfred Hitchcock's earliest films, The Lodger is arguably on par with some of Hitchcock's classic films such as Psycho, Rear Window or Vertigo. Following a family who take in a new lodger to stay with them who fits the description of a Jack-the-Ripper-like murderer on the loose as they try to work out whether the newcomer is dangerous or not. Perhaps the most underrated, underheard of Silent Films ever made, The Lodger uses some of the most creating camera techniques in cinema history.

9. The Babadook 


This entry is sorta cheating. Because you know. The movie isn't out yet. Seeing as I viewed it as part of the NZ International Film Festival this year, I've been itching to rewatch it. But it's nowhere. As soon as it comes out in your area, be it on DVD or in theaters (ok, Australia, you win, seeing as you already have it) go watch it - it's one of the most unique horror films of the 21st century so far, and indeed of all time.

10. Mr. Nobody 


To tell you anything other than the title, poster, or trailer would be a crime. While Mr Nobody is not a film that succeeds on every front, it's certainly one of - if not the - most ambitious films of all time. So, without saying any more, take a look at the trailer for this gem of a film:














The Zero Theorem Film Review


A computer hacker whose goal is to discover the meaning of human existence continually finds his work interrupted by Management: this time; they send a teenager and a lusty love interest to distract him.


"- How do you live with the emptiness?
- One day at a time"

I know I love film. I really do. But sometimes, I forget the feeling when you watch a movie so true, so exactly you at this exact point in time that you don't think anything else could ever be more perfect than this one movie in this one moment. Terry Gilliam's latest masterpiece, The Zero Theorem showed me that feeling again… I can count on one hand the number of times I've felt it. And I loved it.

Andrei Tarkovsky once said that he makes his films to bring people a reason to live, even if they sometimes bring sadness. I feel like Gilliam makes films to fulfill his own devilish desire to deconstruct how his audience view a film, as if he makes them just to fulfill his twisted inner self: in all of his films, at some point, I have felt pure, raw pain coupled with happiness - a melancholy of sorts: the final scene of 12 Monkeys. The Waltz scene in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The final ten minutes of The Zero Theorem. All is for nothing.

The Zero Theorem does, indeed, at times feel like a pointless endeavor, but by the time you reach the end, you will feel like a different person… I hope. Of course, when a movie resonates so deeply with one person, for others, it will not connect on a single level. To quote one scathing iMDB review of the film: "No matter how [Christoph] Waltz boldly reacts with his environs, (and he does try his best), his bald, androgynous character remains a walking enigma resembling Uncle Fester, just as anti-social, awkward, and only this side of believable. Blame the script and Gilliam's overindulgence with the surreal and the director's reliance on mind games"

I understand where this perspective is coming from, however there is a degree of detachment that almost feels necessary to the atmosphere of the film. We are shown a cold, cold world through vibrant colors and Gilliam's usual stylish visuals.

Some other random notes I made during the film:

- Matt Damon was so damn good as Management 
- Ben Whishaw's face makes me happy
- Even the costuming in this was perfection
- So many questions I still have, yet know the answers to…
- Tilda Swinton rapping is a clear high point
- Gilliam's directing oh my god the visuals are beautiful
- Acting the acting in this is so good, the way Christoph Waltz walked reminded me of Nosferatu
- Matrix references are always a plus
- Amazing amazing amazing thematic exploration of this generation

This movie came to me at the exact right time in my life and it reinforces Gilliam as perhaps my favorite director (I toss up between Gilliam and Aronofsky)… I wholeheartedly believe that The Zero Theorem is his masterpiece, and if he ever manages to top this, I will be totally, utterly dumbfounded.

10/10 Stars, a visual treat, a scripted masterpiece, fantastically acted and imaginatively, delicately crafted, The Zero Theorem is an experience you won't be forgetting any time soon.

Josiah Morgan, 2014 








Wednesday 8 October 2014

Josiah's Film Collection

In our first proper post, which will be quite long, we will be detailing what is in Josiah's DVD collection - the films, their synopses, the special features contained on the disc and all that jazz. If Josiah has viewed the film, then we will provide his star rating out of 10 at the end of each film. This post will be relatively long - so be warned.

Let's begin! All films are alphabetically ordered.

-------------------------------------------


12 Monkeys (1995)

Directed by Terry Gilliam

129 Mins, Color

A lone time traveller from the year 2035 must solve a riddle that may save his people... but it may also take him to the brink of madness. Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe and Brad Pitt star in this brilliant sci-fi masterpiece from Terry Gilliam

After the world's population is devastated by a killer virus, survivors must live in dank underground communities. Cole (Willis) 'volunteers' to travel into the past to obtain a pure virus sample, thereby helping scientists develop a cure. Along the way, he crosses paths with a beautiful psychiatrist (Stowe) and a one-card-short-of-a-full-deck mental patient (Pitt). But the race is on, as Cole searches for The Army of the 12 Monkeys, a radical group linked to the deadly disease. 

With unforgettable performances and imaginative special effects, 12 Monkeys is a modern-day classic laced with Gilliam's trademark wit and dazzling visual style.

Special Features:
- Featurette: The Making of 12 Monkeys
- Feature commentary with director, Terry Gilliam and producer, Charles Roven
- Production notes
- Theatrical trailer
- Biographies cast and crew

Star Rating: 
10/10 stars

Alice (2009)

Directed by Nick Willing

240 Mins, Color

From the creators of Tin Man comes a magical look through the looking glass at Alice's fantastical wonderland.

After her fiancé is kidnapped, judo instructor Alice Hamilton (Caterina Scorsese from TV's Missing) chases her abductors and tumbles into the fantastical Wonderland - where she discovers humans are drained of their valuable emotions.

With the Queen of Hearts (Kathy Bates from Misery) hot on her trail, Alice isn't certain which of the many characters of Wonderland she can trust to help her escape - and maintain a level head.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
7/10 stars

Annie (1982)

Directed by John Huston

127 Mins, Color

The movie of 'tomorrow'!

Broadway musical based on Little Orphan Annie comic strip. A young orphan girls adventures in finding a family that will take her.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
5/10 stars


A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Directed by Richard Linklater

100 Mins, Color

What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? From the novel by Philip K. Dick - the sci-fi legend whose works-to-film include Blade Runner, Total Recall and Minority Report - comes A Scanner Darkly, brought to screen by filmmaker Richard Linklater and with an edgy graphic-novel look.

The time: just beyond now. The place: suburbia. The story: a twisted, funny tale of people hooked on Substance D. And of a government that destroys their citizens - their rights, their relationships - in order to save them. Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Rider and Rory Cochrane play strung-out friends terrified of each other and of spies. Keanu Reeves plays a spy who's also one of the friends... until his two personalities begin to split. Enjoy the paranoia. Nobody's watching you. Really.

Special Features:
- Commentary by Screenwriter/Director Richard Linklater, Keanu Reeves, Isa Dick Hackett (daughter of Philip K. Dick), Producer Tommy Pallotta and Philip K. Dick historian Jonathan Lethem
- One Summer in Austin: The Story of Filming A Scanner Darkly
- The Weight of the Line: Animation Tales
- Theatrical Trailer

Star Rating:
8/10 Stars

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Directed by Andrew Dominik

160 Mins, Color

Everyone in 1880s America knows Jesse James. He's the nation's most notorious criminal, hunted by the law in 10 states. He's also the lands greatest hero, lauded as a Robin Hood by the public. Robert Ford, meanwhile, is a nobody. That, however, isn't something the ambitious 19-year-old will settle for. He'll befriend Jesse, join his gang and gain his confidence, and eventually become his downfall.

Friendship turns to rivalry and the quest for fame becomes obsession in this gripping epic produced by Ridley Scott, examining the last days of America's most famous outlaw, and featuring outstanding performances from Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
10/10

The Aviator (2004)

Directed by Martin Scorsese

170 Mins, Color

Imagine a life without limits...

Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning biopic about the life of film-maker and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes from 1927 to 1947, during which time he became a successful film producer and an aviation magnate while simultaneously growing more unstable due to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
After a scene from 1914, which may explain his later fear of dirt and disease, the film starts in 1927 during Hughes' filming of the World War I aviation film Hell's Angels. He's 22 years old, has inherited the family's fortune and tool company, but wants to spend his time making film instead. However, he soon finds himself just as involved in the aviation industry, buying an airline and developing new planes.

Special Features
- Commentary by Martin Scorsese

Star Rating:
As of 8 October, 2014, have not watched.

Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy (1985-1990)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

111 Mins, Color/103 Mins, Color/113 Mins, Color

Presented by filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg, directed by Robert Zemeckis, and starring time-travellers Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the phenomenally popular Back to the Future films are back! Digitally re-mastered and packed with additional footage and features, you'll be able to relive the adventure time and time again.

Special Features:
Back to the Future Part I:
- The Making of Back to the Future
- Making the Trilogy Chapter 1 - A Retrospective Look featuring Cast and Crew
- Feature Commentary with Director/Writer Robert Zemeckis and Producer/Writer Bob Gale
- Hilarious Outtakes
- Deleted Scenes
- Original Make-Up Tests
- Did You Know That? Universal's Animated Anecdotes
- Production Archives
- Storyboards to Final Feature Comparisons
- Theatrical Trailer

Back to the Future Part II:
- Back to the Future Part II Featurette: A Rare Behind the Scenes Look
- Making the Trilogy Chapter 2 - A Retrospective Look featuring Cast and Crew
- Hilarious Outtakes
- Deleted Scenes
- Hover Board Test On Location
- Production Archives
- Storyboards to Final Feature Comparisons
- Theatrical Trailer

Back to the Future Part III:
- Making the Trilogy Chapter III - A Retrospective Look featuring Cast and Crew
- Hilarious Outtakes
- Deleted Scenes
- ZZ Top Music Video Doubleback
- Production Archives
- Storyboards to Final Feature Comparisons
- Theatrical Trailer

Star Rating:
8.5/10 stars 

Batman (1989)

Directed by Tim Burton

126 Mins, Color

The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker, who has seized control of Gotham's underworld.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014 has not been viewed

Batman Returns (1992)

Directed by Tim Burton

126 Mins, Color

Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different light. Selina Kyle, Max's secretary, is thrown from the top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman - a mysterious figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. 

Batman must attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding what must be done with the Catwoman.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

Batman Begins (2005)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

134 Mins, Color

In Batman Begins, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan explores the origins of the legendary Dark Knight. In the wake of his parents' murders, disillusioned heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. With the help of his trusted butler Alfred (Michael Caine), detective Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and his ally Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Wayne returns to Gotham City and unleashes his alter ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses strength, intellect and an array of high-tech weaponry to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

Special Features:
- Inner Demons Comic
- Batman - The Journey Begins
- Shaping Mind and Body: Christian Bale's transformation into Batman
- Batman - The Tumblr: Reinvention of the Batmobile
- Gotham City Rises
- Saving Gotham City
- Genesis of the Bat
- Confidential Files

Star Rating:
8.5/10 Stars

The Dark Knight (2008)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

145 Mins, Color

The follow-up to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in his continuing war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organised crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves effective. But soon the three find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces Batman closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante. 

Heath Ledger stars as arch villain The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart plays Dent. Maggie Gyllenhaal joins the cast as Rachel Dawes. Returning from Batman Begins are Gary Oldman as Gordon, Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.

Special Features:
- Gotham Uncovered: Creation of a Scene
- The Dark Knight IMAX Sequences
- Gotham Tonight: 6 Episodes of Gotham's Premier News Programme
- The Galleries

Star Rating:
9.5/10 Stars


The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

160 Mins, Color

Eight years ago, after assuming the blame for DA Harvey Dent's death, a disgraced Batman (Christian Bale) mysteriously vanished. But everything changes with the disappearance of a cunning cat burglar (Anne Hathaway) and the arrival of Bane (Tom Hardy), a ruthless madman. Bane's reign of terror forces Bruce out of his self-imposed exile and into the ultimate battle for Gotham City's survival... and his own.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
9/10 Stars

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman

111 Mins, Color

Witness the end of civilisation unfold as hostile alien invaders attack the planet. As people everywhere watch the world's great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. Now it's up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they've ever encountered, in this epic sci-fi action film.

Special Features:
- Behind the Battle
- Aliens in LA
- Preparing for Battle
- Creating LA

Star Rating:
3.5/10 stars

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Directed by Arthur Penn

111 Mins, Color

They're young. They're in love. And they kill people.

Bonnie and Clyde is based on the true stories of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Parker who in the 1930's began robbing banks in all the main US cities until they were killed. The film takes on the aesthetically movement of New Hollywood.

Special Features:
- Unspecified, although whole second disc specifically for them

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

Braindead (1992)

Directed by Peter Jackson

81 Mins, Color

From the writer of the original Twilight Zone comes the most terrifying film ever!

In a showdown of man vs. machine, Martin plunges into a chaotic nightmare trying to save his mind from the megalomaniacal corporation!

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

Cat's Eye (1985)

Directed by Lewis Teague

94 Mins, Color

From the macabre imagination of Stephen King comes this twisted trio of terrifying tales. Three intertwined tales of horror, linked by a mysterious stray cat who is searching for a small girl he has been sent to protect. The cat encounters a sinister New York doctor who will go to any lengths to find success and an enraged millionaire seeking vengeance for his wife's adultery, before finding the child he is looking for.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
5.5/10 Stars

Cloud Atlas (2012)

Directed by Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski, Tom Tykwer

172 Mins, Color

Six stories spanning centuries. One soul. Tom Hanks and Halle Berry lead an all star cast featuring Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, Zhou Xun, Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant in interwoven tales as time shifts between past, present and future,

As characters reunite from one life to the next, their actions generate consequences: A killer evolves into a hero. An act of kindness inspires a revolution. Cloud Atlas combines science-fiction, drama, mystery, action and romance into a film that's "utterly, wonderfully epic"

Special Features:
- Featurette: A Film Like No Other

Star Rating:
10/10 Stars

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Directed by David Fincher

159 Mins, Color

Directed by David Fincher (Zodiac, Fight Club) and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett as time-crossed soul mates Benjamin and Daisy, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a time-traveler's epic adventure into the joys of life, the sadness of death and a love that endures beyond time.

Special Features:
- Commentary by David Fincher

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Directed by Ron Howard

168 Mins, Color

When The Da Vinci Code exploded onto cinema screens around the world, fans of Dan Brown's best-selling thriller saw the quest to solve history's greatest mystery come to life. But now, you can experience The Da Vinci Code movie like never before, with this all new extended edition available only on DVD.

Over twenty five minutes of thrilling new footage edited back into the film takes you deeper into the excitement, the intrigue and the controversy of the story that became a global phenomenon.

Special Features:
- The Filmmakers Journey: 2-part documentary takes a revealing look at the making of the movie
- A discussion with author Dan Brown
- Magical Places: Feature looks at the films spectacular settings and filming locations
- 7 additional featurettes include a look at the first day on the set, the cast, the soundtrack and descriptions of the film's codes and symbols

Star Rating:
5/10 Stars

Déjà Vu (2006)

Directed by Tony Scott

121 Mins, Color

Academy Award winner Denzel Washington (best actor, Training Day) joins forces with blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer and mega-hit director Tony Scott for Déja Vu - the powerful, fast-paced action thriller with a spectacular, mind-bending twist.

Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, federal agent Doug Carlin (Washington) gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime. But can it help Carlin change the past? Hold on to your seat for an explosive and intriguing thrill ride you'll want to experience again and again

Special Features:
- Surveillance Window
- Extended Scene

Star Rating:
6/10 Stars

Disturbia (2007)

Directed by DJ Caruso

100 Mins, Color

Even on this quiet, tree-lined street, no one is safe... especially from the savage killer next door. Welcome to Disturbia.

Living under three months' house arrest, Kale Brecht (Shia LeBeouf, Transformers) passes his days spying on the neighbours. It's all fun and games until things take a horrifying turn for the worse. Kale is convinced his neighbour next door is a serial killer - but he can't prove anything, can't convince anyone and can't leave his house without triggering an alarm. Enlisting the help of his friends, Kale is determined to expose the truth - but have they all taken on more than they bargained for with a cold-blooded murderer on the loose?

With nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, Kale and his friends are in a race for their lives in this electrifying thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Special Features:
- Commentary with DJ Caruso, Shia LaBeouf and Sarah Roemer
- The Making of Disturbia
- Deleted Scenes
- Serial Pursuit Trivia Pop-Up Quiz
- Outtakes
- Music Video: Don't Make Me Wait
- Photo Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

Donnie Darko (2001)

Directed by Richard Kelly

111 Mins, Color

October 1988 and small town USA is about to witness the end of the world. It's home to Donnie Darko, a brilliant but troubled teenager, plagued by terrifying visions which he alone knows the meaning of.

With his class mate and soul mate Gretchen and a mysterious ex-teacher, nicknamed Grandma Death, he must unravel the strange occurrences affecting his school, his home and his life before a horrifying spectre known only as "Frank" leads Donnie to the edge.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
9/10 stars

The Extra Man (2010)

Directed by Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman

103 Mins, Color

Louis Ives (Paul Dano, There Will Be Blood) fancies himself a young gentleman fashioned after his heroes in the books of F. Scott Fitzgerald. He dresses the part - favouring neckties, blue blazers and sport coats. But he also has a penchant for women's clothing, a weakness that leads to him losing his job at a Princeton day school. He heads for New York City where he rents a room in the madly discombobulated apartment of Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline, Definitely, Maybe), a failed but brilliant playwright, who performs with great style the duties of a "walker" - an escort for the rich widows of the Upper East Side.

The two men, separated in age by more than 40 years, develop a relationship as irascible mentor and eager apprentice, which leads to a series of urban adventures - encountering everything from a leaping lion to a wildly jealous hirsute neighbour to drunken nonagenarians and an entrancing green-obsessed young journalist (Katie Holmes, Thank You For Smoking).

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
7.5/10 Stars

La Habitación De Fermat [Fermat's Room] (2006)

Directed by Luis Piedrahita, Rodrigo Sopena

88 Mins, Color

Pi meets Cube!

Four mathematicians who do not know each other are invited by a mysterious host to spend a weekend trying to solve a great enigma. They are given the names of some of the most important mathematicians in history, and the only thing they know about their host is his pseudonym: Fermat. The meeting point is an abandoned house; and the place that has been arranged for them turns out to be a shrinking room that will crush them if they do not discover what connects them all and why someone might wish to murder them.

Special Features:
- Theatrical Trailer
- Image Gallery

Star Rating:
9/10 Stars


Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Directed by John Hughes

99 Mins, Color

Sorry, not here! Instead, high-schooler Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), and his best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck) are off on the spontaneous romp through Chicago known as Ferris Bueller's Day Off. 

Special Features:
- Getting the Class Together
- The Making of Ferris Bueller's Day Off 
- Who is Ferris Bueller?
- The World According to Ben Stein
- Vintage Ferris Bueller: The Lost Tapes
- Class Album

Star Rating:
8/10 Stars

Flightplan (2005)

Directed by Robert Schwenke

94 Mins, Color

Filled with heart-pounding suspense, this Hitchcock-like psychological thriller stars two-time academy award winner Jodie Foster and features an outstanding supporting cast featuring Sean Bean

Flying at 37, 000 feet in a state-of-the-art aircraft, Kyle Pratt's (Foster) six-year old daughter Julia vanishes without a trace. Or did she? No one on the plane believes Julia was ever onboard. And now Kyle, desperate and alone and fighting for her sanity, can only count on her own wits to unravel the mystery and save her daughter.

Special Features:
- The In-Flight Movie: Making of Flightplan
- Cabin Pressure: Designing the Aalto E-474

Star Rating:
5.5/10 Stars

The Fountain (2006)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

92 Mins, Color

What if you could love forever?

Incredible cinematography and powerful acting from Hugh Jackman and Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz, director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For a Dream, Pi), weaves a tale about one man's quest for the "Tree of Life" which will give eternal life and save his wife who is dying of cancer in the 21st century.

For one thousand years Tom Creo (Jackman) has lead three parallel lives, 16th century conquistador Tomas, 21st century Dr. Tom Creo and 26th century astronaut Tommy Creo, all with the same goal to save the woman he loves. This is a story about a love that never dies. While living these lives, Tom gains an understanding of love, life, humanity and his own mortality. This is the love affair that transcends time.

Special Features:
- Life on Ship
- Spain in the 16th Century
- The Future
- Death and Rebirth
- The 21st Century
- New Spain
- The Interview
- Inside the Fountain
- The Endless Field

Star Rating:
10/10 stars. A stunning film.

The General (1926)

Directed by Buster Keaton 

75 Mins, Black and White

Based on events from America's civil war.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
10/10 Stars

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

192 Mins, Color

This brilliant companion piece to the original The Godfather continues the saga of two generations of successive power within the Corleone family. Director Francis Ford Coppola tells two stories in Part II: the roots and rise of a young Don Vito, played with uncanny ability by Robert De Niro, and the ascension of Michael (Al Pacino) as the new Don. Reassembling many of the talents who helped make The Godfather, Coppola has produced a movie of staggering magnitude and vision, and undeniably the best sequel ever made. Robert De Niro won an Oscar, the film received six Academy Awards, including Best Picture of 1974.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

The Godfather Part III (1990)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

163 Mins, Color

One of the greatest sagas in movie history continues. In this third film in the epic Corleone trilogy, Al Pacino reprises the role of powerful family leader Michael Corleone. Now in his 60s, Michael is dominated by two passions: freeing his family from crime and finding a suitable successor. That successor could fiery Vincent (Andy Garcia)... but he may also be the spark that turns Michael's hopes of business legitimacy into an inferno of mob violence.

Francis Ford Coppola directs Pacino, Garcia, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Eli Wallach, Sofia Coppola, Joe Mantegna and others in this exciting, long-awaited film that masterfully explores the themes of power, tradition, revenge and love. Seven Academy Award nominations for 1990 were the result, including Best Picture.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

The Guard (2011)

Directed by John Michael McDonagh

97 Mins, Color

On the west coast of Ireland, Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges, Gangs of New York, Braveheart) is a small-town cop with a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humour, a dying mother, a fondness for prostitutes and absolutely no interest whatsoever in the international cocaine-smuggling ring that has brought FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle, Ocean's Eleven, Crash, Iron Man 2) to his door.

Although he seems more interested in mocking and undermining Everett than in actively working to solve the case, Boyle finds that circumstances keep pulling him back into the thick of it. He soon realises that he needs to take matters into his own hands and the only person he can trust is Everett... and so the scene is set for an explosive finale.

Special Features:
- "Behind the Scenes" Featurette
- Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Outtakes
- Short Film - The Second Death

Star Rating:
8/10 Stars


Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Directed by David Yates

147 Mins, Color

To know the future, you must return to the past.

As Lord Voldemort tightens his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds. Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven. Harry suspects perils may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
8/10 Stars

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

Directed by David Yates

125 Mins, Color

In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

Special Features:
- Focus Points
- When Harry Left Hogwarts
- The Goblins of Gringotts
- The Women of Harry Potter
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
- Pottermore Preview
- Additional Scenes

Star Rating:
7/10 Stars

The Hunger Games (2012)

Directed by Gary Ross

137 Mins, Color

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she's pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Special Features:
- Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games phenomenon
- The World is Watching: Making The Hunger Games
- Letters from the Rose Garden
- Controlling the Games
- A conversation with Gary Ross and Elvis Mitchell
- Propaganda Film
- Marketing Archive

Star Rating:
7.5/10 Stars

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

Directed by Terry Gilliam

118 Mins, Color

Directed by visionary genius Terry Gilliam, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus features Heath Ledger in his last role, plus a stellar cast including Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. Dr Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) is an immortal who leads a travelling theatre troupe. Their props include the 'Imaginarium' - a mirror doubling as a magic doorway into a world that makes your wildest dreams a reality.

Parnassus's immortality has come at a price however - he will lose his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) to the Devil himself (Tom Waits) unless he persuades five more souls to lose themselves in the Imaginarium...

Special Features:
- Feature Introduction by Terry Gilliam
- Heath Ledger & Friends
- Heath Ledger Interview
- Heath Ledger Wardrobe Test with optional Commentary by Terry Gilliam
- Director's Commentary
- Deleted Scene with Optional Commentary by Terry Gilliam
- Building the Monastery
- Behind the Mirror
- UK Premiere Featurette

Star Rating:
9.5/10 Stars

Inception (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

142 Mins, Color

Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in this sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the world of dreams. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the best there is at extraction: stealing valuable secrets inside the subconscious during the minds vulnerable dream state. His skill has made him a coveted player in industrial espionage but has also made him a fugitive and cost him dearly. Now he may get a second chance if he can do the impossible: inception, planting an idea rather than stealing one. If they succeed, Cobb and his team could pull off the perfect crime. But no planning or expertise can prepare them for a dangerous enemy who seems to predict their every move. An enemy only Cobb could have seen coming.

Special Features:
- The Inception of Inception
- The Japanese Castle: The Dream is Collapsing
- Constructing Paradoxical Architecture
- The Freight Train

Star Rating:
8.5/10 Stars

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Directed by Louis Leterrier

108 Mins, Color

This explosive, action packed adventure in one of the all-time most popular super hero sagas unfolds with a cure-in-reach for the world's most primal force of fury: The Incredible Hulk.

Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is living in the shadows, scouring the planet for an antidote. But the warmongers who dream of abusing his powers won't leave him alone - nor will his need to be with the only woman he has ever loved, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler).

Our brilliant doctor is ruthlessly pursued by The Abomination, a nightmarish beast of pure adrenaline and aggression whose powers match the Hulk's own, and a fight of comic-book proportions ensues, threatening New York City with total destruction!

Special Features:
- Feature Commentary with Director Louis Leterrier & Tim Roth
- Deleted Scenes
- Alternate Opening
- The Making of Incredible Hulk
- Becoming the Hulk
- Becoming the Abomination
- From Comic Book to Screen

Star Rating:
6.5/10 Stars

Into the Wild (2007)

Directed by Sean Penn

142 Mins, Color

Into the Wild is inspired by the true story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a young man who abandons his life of comfort to pursue the freedom of life on the road, a quest that leads him to the Alaskan wilderness and the ultimate challenge of his life. Screenplay and directed by Sean Penn and featuring an all-star cast including William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener and Hal Halbrook, Into the Wild is "one of the best movies of the season"

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
10/10 Stars

It (1990)

Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace

181 Mins, Color

In 1960, seven outcast kids known as 'The Loser Club' fight an evil demon who poses as a child-killing clown. 30 years later, they are called back to fight the same clown again.

Special Features:
- Commentary with Dennis Christopher, Tim Reid, John Ritter, Richard Thomas and director Tommy Lee Wallace

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

124 Mins, Color

When a gigantic Great White Shark starts to menace the small island town of Amity, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

Special Features:
- A Look inside Jaws
- Storyboard Comparison
- Deleted Scenes
- On the Set: 1974
- Outtakes
- Shark Facts
- Gallery

Juno (2007)

Directed by Jason Reitman

96 Mins, Color

Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.

Special Features:
- Commentary with director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody
- Deleted Scenes
- Gag Reel
- Gag Take
- Cast & Crew Jam
- Screen Tests
- Four Featurettes

Star Rating:
7.5/10 Stars

La Vita È Bella [Life is Beautiful] (1997)

Directed by Roberto Benigni

116 Mins, Color

A Jewish man has a wonderful romance with the help of his humour, but must use that same quality to protect his son in a nazi death camp.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating
9.5/10 Stars

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Directed by Peter Jackson

171 Mins, Color

A meek hobbit of the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring and dark lord Sauron.

Special Features:
- Unspecified, but on a whole separate disc

Star Rating:
7.5/10 Stars

Mao's Last Dancer (2009)

Directed by Bruce Beresford

117 Mins, Color

Mao's Last Dancer captures the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity, the pain of exile, and ultimately the triumph of individual endeavour over ideology. Filmed in China, the US and Australia and with a brilliant performance from Chi Cao as Li Cunxin, Mao's Last Dancer is an exhilarating exploration of what it means to be free.

Special Features:
- Behind the Scenes Making Of
- Photo Gallery
- Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical Trailer

Star Rating:
7.5/10 Stars

The Matrix (1999)

Directed by Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski

131 Mins, Color

PERCEPTION: The everyday world is real.
REALITY: That world is a hoax.

Special Features:
- HBO First Look Special
- Follow the White Rabbit
- Take the Red Pills
- Filmographies

Star Rating:
8.5/10 Stars

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Directed by Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski

132 Mins, Color

72 Hours until 250, 000 probes destroy Zion and it's inhabitants.

The countdown is on.

Special Features:
- Preload
- The Matrix Unfolds
- The Freeway Chase
- Get Me an Exit
- Enter the Matrix
- What is the Animatrix?

Star Rating:
7/10 Stars

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

Directed by Nick Cassavettes

109 Mins, Color

Anna Fitzgerald looks to earn medical emancipation from her parents who until now have relied on their youngest child to help their leukaemia-stricken daughter Kate remain alive.

Special Features:
- Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical Trailer

Star Rating:
7/10 Stars

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012)

Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence

179 Mins, Color

It is 1842 and local choirmaster John Jasper hides a dark secret that plagues his dreams. Jasper is obsessed with the beautiful Rosa, who is engaged to his beloved orphan nephew Edwin Drood. At night, under the influence of opium, Jasper dreams of murdering Edwin so Rosa can be his.

The arrival of twins Helena and Neville Landless marks a turning point in all of their lives. Smitten by Rosa and instantly disliking Edwin, the hot-tempered Neville struggles to hide his feelings and the pair quarrel. In a drug-fuelled moment, Jasper sees an opportunity to make his dreams reality. He can murder Edwin, blame Neville and claim Rosa for himself. The next morning Edwin is missing and Neville is under suspicion. Did Jasper go through with his plan?

Special Features:
- None

Star Rating:
5/10 Stars

Oliver! (1968)

Directed by Carol Reed

153 Mins, Color

Musical adaptation about an orphan who runs away from an orphanage and picks up a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
7/10 Stars

The Producers (1957)

Directed by Mel Brooks

85 Mins, Color

Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his accountant Leo Bloom plan to make money by charming little old ladies to invest in a production many times over what it will actually cost, and then put on a sure-fire flop, so nobody will ever ask for their money back - and what can be a more certain flop than a tasteless musical celebrating Hitler…?

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
As of October 8, 2014, have not viewed

School of Rock (2003)

Directed by Richard Linklater

105 Mins, Color

He just landed the gig of his life: 5th grade.

Fired from his band and hard-up for cash, guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn finagles his way into a job as a fourth-grade substitute teacher at a private school, where he secretly begins teaching students the finer points of rock 'n' roll. The school's hard nosed principal is rightly suspicious of Finn's activities, but Finn's roommate remains in the dark about what he's doing.

Special Features:
- Commentary by actor Jack Black and director Richard Linklater
- Kid's Commentary
- Lessons Learned in School of Rock
- Jack Black's pitch to Led Zeppelin
- Kid's Video Diary: Toronto Film Festival
- MTV's diary of Jack Black
- Theatrical Trailer

Star Rating:
7.5/10 Stars

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

Directed by Edgar Wright

108 Mins, Color

Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omg, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams - literally. But, there's one catch to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)… he has to meet and defeat her seven evil exes!

From genre-smashing filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) comes the amazing story of one romantic slacker's fight to POWER-UP.

Special Features:
- Deleted Scenes
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The Outtakes
- Feature Commentary
- Technical Commentary
- Cast Commentary
- Galleries

Star Rating:
8.5/10 Stars

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

107 Mins, Color

A boy who communicates with spirits who don't know they're dead seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist.

Special Features:
- Featurettes
- Deleted Scenes

Star Rating:
8/10 Stars

The Social Network (2010)

Directed by David Fincher

115 Mins, Color

David Fincher's The Social Network is the stunning tale of a new breed of cultural insurgent: a punk genius who sparked a revolution and changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever. Shot through with emotional brutality and unexpected humor, this superbly crafted film chronicles the formation of Facebook and the battles over ownership that followed upon the website's unfathomable success. With a complex, incisive screenplay by Aaron Sorkin  and a brilliant cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake, The Social Network bears witness to the birth of an idea that rewove the fabric of society even as it unravelled the friendship of it's creators.

Special Features:
- Audio Commentary with David Fincher
- Audio Commentary with Aaron Sorkin and cast
- How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? - A feature-length documentary in four parts
- David Fincher and Jeff Cronenweth on the Visuals
- Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter and Ren Klyce on Post
- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and David Fincher on the Score
- Ruby Skye VIP Room: Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown
- In the Hall of the Mountain King: Reznor's first draft
- Swarmatron

Star Rating:
9/10 Stars

Solaris (2002)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

95 Mins, Color

George Clooney turns in a stellar performance in this remake of Andrei Tarkovsky's 70s classic Solaris directed by modern film legend Steven Soderbergh.

Aboard a lonely space station, orbiting a mysterious planet, terrified crew members are experiencing a host of strange phenomena, including resurrected phantoms from their pasts. And when psychologist Chris Kelvin (Clooney) arrives to investigate, he confronts a power beyond imagining that could hold the key to humanity's deepest dreams… or darkest nightmares.

Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by Steven Soderbergh and James Cameron
- Two Featurettes
- Script

Star Rating:
8.5/10 Stars

Stand By Me (1986)

Directed by Rob Reiner

85 Mins, Color

As four young boys set out on an adventure to find a dead body, their trek becomes an odyssey of self discovery.

Special Features:
- Isolated track of Songs and Score
- Commentary with director Rob Reiner
- Walking the Tracks: The Summer of Stand By Me
- Stand By Me Music Video
- Talent Profiles

Star Rating:
9/10 Stars

Sucker Punch (2011)

Directed by Zack Snyder

105 Mins, Color

From filmmaker Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen), action fantasy launches from the vivid imagination of a young woman whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Locked away against her will, Babydoll (Emily Browning) has not lost her will to survive. Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four fellow captives - reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) and fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) - to band together and try to escape their terrible fate at the hands of their captors.

Special Features:
- Sucker Punch Animated Shorts
- Sucker Punch: Behind the Soundtrack

Star Rating:
7/10 Stars

Terri (2011)

Directed by Azazel Jacobs

101 Mins, Color

Starring John C. Reilly (Talladega Nights, Step Brothers) in a stand-out performance, Terri is a tender-hearted comedy about what it means to be a teenager.

Sensitive, overweight and awkward, Terri is painfully aware that he is definitively outside the inner circle of high school life. Resigned to his status, Terri is surprised when his tough-talking high school vice principal, Mr. Fitzgerald (Reilly), takes an interest in him. Under Mr. Fitzgerald's tutelage, Terri befriends a pair of fellow misfits: Chad, an edgy loner whose rebellion masks his own insecurities; and Heather, a sexually precocious girl whose beauty proves to be a trap of it's own.

Although the three teenagers are vastly different on the surface, their status as outcasts in the rigid high school hierarchy helps them find an unexpected imperfect bond.

Special Features:
None

Star Rating:
8.5/10 Stars

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To sum up, all of the above movies (except maybe Battle: Los Angeles, Déja Vu and Flightplan) are worth checking out. Particular highlights of the collection are The Fountain, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Stand By Me, Into the Wild, Donnie Darko and 12 Monkeys.

I'll see you tomorrow with a review of Andrei Tarkovsky's Sacrifice 

- Josiah Morgan