This week's releases

Broken City: Mark Wahlberg stars in this political cop thriller as a man indebted to the mayor who entangles him in a web of lies and deceit whilst investigating his wife.

Full preview here

Stoker: Korean director Chan-Wook Park (Oldboy) is back with this horror about a young woman (Mia Wasikowska) who ends up in a spooky mansion with her mother (Nicole Kidman) and uncle (Matthew Goode).

Safe Haven: From the director of Dear John, comes another romantic comedy about a widower (Cobie Smulders) who falls in love with a new arrival to the tight knit community in which he lives.

Arbitrage: Richard Gere stars in this financial thriller about a man trying to cheat his way to selling his company without revealing the toxic debt whilst also cheating on his wife.

Full review here

Film Review: True Grit

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen

The Coen brothers have an impressive track record and with that comes an air of expectation, True Grit came after 2 so-so films that followed the impressive No Country for Old Men. The second adaptation of the Charles Portis novel of the same name that had previously been made into a 1969 film starring John Wayne.

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfield) wants revenge for the death of her father at the hands of Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), she hears that U. S. Marshal Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is the meanest sherriff so picks him to help her find Chaney who has fled with the Pepper gang into Indian territory. Texas Ranger LeBoeuf (Matt Damon) is also hunting Chaney for the murder of a senator in his state, both groups want to catch Chaney but have different ideas about how and where his punishment should be dealt.

 U. S. Marshal Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfield)

Jeff Bridges is the stand out performer as the one eyed Rooster Cogburn, he is a likeable character who clearly develops a bond with Mattie that he keeps distant in her mind. He's the drunk that you can't help liking but he always pulls through when he is needed, his accent seems accurate for the time. Hailee Steinfield actually won the role over 15,000 other applicants and is impressive as the determined Mattie. Matt Damon is miscast in my opinion, he always turns in a capable performance in whatever he does but here he isn't the right person to play Ranger Lebeouf, a more rugid actor is needed.

It's difficult to create popular Westerns these days but they are starting to have a renaissance which seems to have been started here, they had their day and are quite often looked back upon with disdain but films like this are shaking off that moniker. The plot does lack enough thrilling moments throughout its entirety but overall it is an enjoyable Western and surely that is what they are all about.

3/4 Coen brothers produce an enjoyable light-Western

Film Preview: Broken City

My general dislike of Mark Wahlberg stems from the amount of poor movies he has done where he tends to play the same type of character. But my dislike stems from the fact that he is capable of more, he is better than the usual acting dross like Jason Statham and Vin Diesel. He's put in good performances in films like The Departed, The Other Guys and The Fighter (although I felt the film was over-rated). When I saw that he was starring in Broken City I watched the trailer with skepticism but felt that the premise itself had great potential and that this could be one of the best post-Oscar films this year. The cast also features Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones and the sublime Kyle Chandler.

NYPD Billy Taggart (Wahlberg) is arrested for murder after he kills the man who raped his girlfriends sister, he manages to escape the charges thanks to Mayor Nicholas Hostetler (Crowe) who eliminates incriminating evidence and gets him off claiming self defence. Seven years later Hostetler hires Taggart, who is on the verge of bankruptcy, to find out who his wife Cathleen (Zeta-Jones) is sleeping with but ends up finding out a lot more about the city than he bargained for.

Broken City is released in the UK on 1st March 2013 and the trailer is embedded below:

Full list of Oscar Winners 2013

Here is a list of the 85th annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday in LA:

 1. Best Picture: Argo

2. Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

3. Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook (who tripped up the stairs as she went to collect the award)

4. Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

5. Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

6. Directing: Ang Lee, Life of Pi

7. Foreign Language Film: Amour

8. Adapted Screenplay: Chris Terrio, Argo

9. Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained

10. Animated Feature Film: Brave

11. Production Design: Lincoln

12. Cinematography: Life of Pi

13. Sound Mixing: Les Miserables

14. Sound Editing (tie): Skyfall, Zero Dark Thirty

15. Original Score: Life of Pi, Mychael Danna.

16. Original Song: "Skyfall" from Skyfall, Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth.

17. Costume: Anna Karenina.

18. Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man.

19. Documentary (short subject): Inocente

20. Film Editing: Argo

21. Makeup and Hairstyling: Les Miserables

22. Animated Short Film: Paperman

23. Live Action Short Film: Curfew

24. Visual Effects: Life of Pi

Film Review: The Master

Director: Paul Anderson

Within days of its release, the subject matter of The Master was quickly compared to Scientology as Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) promotes ''the cause'' which many think is similar to Scientology itself. The film is set in the same year that Scientology began with many critics saying that Lancaster Dodd is very similar to L. Ron Hubbard who started Scientology after the Second World War. Paul Anderson and Harvey Weinstein both denied that there is any link stating that the film is about a drifter living his life after WW2 where it became common for ex-soldiers to join cults.

Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is a sex-obsessed alcoholic who following the end of World War II who is struggling to adapt to civilian life, he clearly struggles from post-traumatic stress disorder but never receives any help for it given the era. After a few close shaves he stows away on a boat which is owned by Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who is the leader of a movement called ''the cause'' and takes a shine to Freddie. Dodd tries to initiate Freddie into the group by ''processing'' him and turn him away from his violent alcoholic ways whilst promoting his beliefs.

Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) and Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seyour Hoffman)

*possible spoilers ahead*

The acting throughout the film is simply brilliant, Joaquin Phoenix is the star turn as the troubled and vulnerable Freddie whilst Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent at subtly conveying a man of great sympathy and compassion whilst being strangely threatening through his philosophical movement. Amy Adams is also quietly impressive as Dodd's wife Peggy especially during a particularly disturbing scene where she masturbates Dodd over a sink.

Quite often the pacing of the film is quiet slow and this could leave it to be a bit boring but blunt nature of Freddie's character is at odds with the subtle nature of the rest of the film. Like Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene, which also deals with the issue of cults, the true reasoning behind Dodd's actions is never fully explored. Yet the cult in The Master on the surface is a lot less sinister on a physical level but can be perceived as psychologically disturbing when members are ''processed'' and put in touch with themselves in former lives. The ending is a slow build up and slightly disappointing but it still doesn't take away from a intriguing film which has a superb score running right though it.

3.5/4 Superbly acted and subtly unsettling

This week's releases

Cloud Atlas: When it was first announced that the book would be made into a film there was a lot of hype but since then everything has died down after allegations of racism in the movie and whether the film could actually truly convey everything from the book.

Full Preview Here

To The Wonder: Terrence Malick's latest film about a man trying to make one relationship work whilst escaping another.

Full Preview Here

Song for Marion: A British Comedy about a pensioner called Arthur (Terence Stamp) who joins a local choir much to the delight of his wife Marion (Vanessa Redgrave) who hopes it will lift his grumpy ways and make him closer to his son.

The Rolling Picture Awards Nominations

The second year of the prestigious Rolling Picture Awards, last years winner can be found here. I hope to create Awards that recognize some different films that were overlooked or excluded from nominations due to the rules the Golden Globes and Oscars have around eligible films.

Best Picture:

Silver Linings Playbook
Untouchable
Argo
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Detachment
Zero Dark Thirty
The Master

Best Actor:

Joaquin Phoenix (The Master)
Omar Sy (Untouchable)
Francois Cluzet (Untouchable)
Adrien Brody (Detachment)
Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables)

Best Actress:

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty)
Naomi Watts (The Impossible)
Emannuelle Riva (Amour)
Marion Cotillaird (Rust and Bone)

Best Supporting Actor:

Alan Arkin (Argo)
Phillip Seymour Hoffman (The Master)
Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook)
Tom Hardy (Lawless)

Best Supporting Actress:

Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)
Amy Adams (The Master)
Jessica Chastain (Lawless)
Sally Field (Lincoln)
Helen Hunt (The Sessions)

Best Director: 

David O'Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)
Andrew Dominik (Killing Them Softly)
Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano (Untouchable)
Tony Kaye (Detachment)
Kathryn Bigalow (Zero Dark Thirty)

Best Documentary:

Undefeated
The Imposter
Room 237
Into the Abyss
Marley

The Christ Rock in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back Award (Best small role/cameo):

Samantha Barks (Les Miserables)
James Gandolfini (Killing Them Softly)
John Goodman (Flight)
Chris Tucker (Silver Linings Playbook)
Matt Walsh (Ted)

Best Soundtrack:

Skyfall
Killing Them Softly
Lincoln
Marley
Les Miserables

Worst Film:

Beasts of the Southern Wild
Life of Pi
Cosmopolis
Taken 2
Ted
Contraband
Project X
Gangster Squad

Film Preview: Iron Man 3

With Avengers Assemble becoming one of the highest grossing films of all-time, it seems the Marvel comics franchise is as strong as ever. On the back of this they have commissioned a second Captain America film and another Avengers film that will see the group of superheroes reunite again. But before either of those there is Iron Man 3 with Robert Downey Jr returning as the brash and cocky Tony Starks for his third feature film. Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and John Favreau all return for this installment with the ensemble cast also featuring Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall and Ben Kingsley.

Movie Poster

Tony Starks fights one of his toughest battles yet against the powerful Mandarin who looks to find those responsible for ruining his own private world. The underlying story of whether "the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?" is also addressed.

Iron Man 3 is released in the UK on 26th April 2013 and the trailer is embedded below:

Film Review: Pitch Perfect

Director: Jason Moore

All girl comedies are one of the latest things in vogue in Hollywood at the moment, Bridesmaids clearly paved the way as it went onto an impressive performance at the box office as well as praise from critics. There has also been the St Trinian films which also seemed to have been popular. Pitch Perfect comes along as the next in line which follows the efforts of an all girl acapella group at Barden University where there is an unusually high amount of groups all fighting for top honours in local competitions.

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is reluctant to go to college but agrees to for her fathers sake as he wants her to get an education. She is more interested in trying to become a DJ than learning about Philosophy but agrees to continue in college and join a campus group to make friends because her father says he will pay for a trip to LA for her. She decides to join the Bellas after one of the girls hears her sing in the shower and the group of newbies plan to beat their big rivals The Treblemakers whilst Beca is pursued by Jesse (Skylar Astin) who is in the rival group.

The Barden Bellas

Anna Kendrick is an actress I like after her performance in Up in the Air and she is decent here although not entirely convincing as a slightly reclusive indie girl because she is too genuinely nice for the role at times. She becomes more comfortable as the film progresses whilst Rebel Wilson is on usual form as Fat Amy, a role not far removed from her performance in Bridesmaids which was one of the reasons I detested that movie. She is slightly toned down here but it is still increasingly irritating whilst most of the other characters are incidental to the plot itself except maybe for Aubrey the stubborn band leader.

By far the funniest performance was from Elizabeth Banks as one of the commentators for the acapella competitions, she has many of the best lines and the role was like something straight out of Dodgeball with the quirky commentators. Skylar Astin is average as the love interest despite looking hugely like Dane Cook. Overall the film doesn't have enough genuinely funny moments and leaves you with more moments where you hear the joke but really don't find it funny.

2/4 a few laughs and a lot of singing

Film Preview: The Place Beyond the Pines

An impressive cast comes together for The Place Beyond the Pines, a crime drama directed by Derek Cianfrance who is mostly know for the film Blue Valentine that also starred Ryan Gosling and was a heart-breaking tale of a marriage that was failing. In a much different project here, Cianfrance filmed in Schenectady in New York state which is a place that in English actually means The Place Beyond the Pines.

The film follows a motorcycle stunt rider (Gosling) who decides to venture into crime to provide for his wife and children, this puts him at odds with a policeman turned politician played by Bradley Cooper. Eva Mendes plays Gosling wife whilst Rose Byrne stars as Cooper's wife whilst Ray Liotta also looks his menacing self in a film that has a lot of promise looking at the trailer.

The Place Beyond the Pines is released in the UK on the 12th April 2013 and the trailer is embedded below:

This week's releases

A Good Day to Die Hard: Bruce Willis returns as John McClane where he returns to Russia to help his son Jack (Jai Courtney) out.

Full preview here

Sammy's Great Escape: A Belgian animated adventure about two leatherback turtles who become imprisoned in an aquarium so plot to escape back to their home in the ocean. The film is available in 3D as well.

Film Review: Zero Dark Thirty

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

The hunt for Osama bin Laden was a long drawn out operation that took over a decade to complete following the 9/11 attacks, in Zero Dark Thirty we see this relentless pursuit shown through the tireless efforts of Maya (Jessica Chastain). She is called out to Pakistan to see the torture of suspected Al-Qaida operatives in the hope of information on bin Laden and other current terrorists. Her obsession in finding Abu Ahmed who is believed to be a courier for bin Laden reaches fever pitch and threatens her entire career in the CIA.

Maya (Jessica Chastain)

What is an immensely thrilling and tense film about the hunt for bin Laden has been overshadowed by the torture scenes early in the film, it does show a direct correlation between the information gained from torturing prisoners leading to the final death of bin Laden himself. This should bring the debate of torture of prisoners for information to the fore but unfortunately the politicians and critics are criticising the film rather than the actual events, torture was definitely used and based on the available evidence it's impossible to distance it from the success of bin Laden's capture.

Jessica Chastain is impressive as Maya who has to deal with terrorism first hand as well as a sceptical White House towards the information and requests she needs to hunt for bin Laden. The battle of the entire CIA and American government as a whole to capture bin Laden is shown through Maya's relentless pursuit of new leads. We see her struggle to watch the torture inflicted on prisoners by fellow CIA officer Dan (Jason Clarke) but slowly start leading interrogations herself as she becomes hardened to this way of life.

US Navy SEALS attack Bin Laden's compound

A concern going into this movie is that it might be a very pro-American film about how great they were at capturing bin Laden but nothing could be further from the truth. This is a very dirty and gritty account of the officers getting their hands dirty in the hunt for the most wanted man in the world. The depiction of torture could be taken as a criticism of the lengths taken by the US to find their man. The film creates some superbly tense set-pieces as suspected CIA officers are subject of attacks and we see the bombing of an Islamabad hotel unfold, despite knowing the ending you are still completely drawn in by this superb thriller.

3.5/4 gripping and tense thriller which is superbly acted.

Film Preview: To The Wonder

Premiering at the Venice Film Festival in 2012, To the Wonder is Terrence Malick's latest film which features an impressive cast of Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem who is obviously taking a rest from being menacing in the films he's in. With Affleck just finishing Awards season after many awards for directing Argo it will be interesting to see what this film has to offer. The reviews polarizing at Venice as the crowd booed and cheered at the end.

A romantic drama about an American man who rekindles a romance with a woman from his hometown in Oklahoma after he splits up from his wife in France. They are also met by a soul searching priest (Javier Bardem) as well as the ex-wife as they try to keep their relationship together.

To the Wonder is released in the UK on Friday 22nd February 2013 and the trailer is embedded below:

Film Review: She's out of my league

Director: Jim Field Smith

This is the first full length feature film for director Jim Field Smith, his second film Butter is released very soon in the UK. In his first foray he strays into Judd Apatow territory with a romantic comedy that takes out a lot of the expletives but still leaves a lot of the gross out humour in. She's out of my league is filmed mostly around Pittsburgh and features scenes at the airport, Consol Energy Center (Hockey game) and PNC Park (baseball stadium)

Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is a TSA employee at Pittsburgh International Airport who works with his friends who have various jobs around the airport. His friend Stainer (T.J. Miller) flirts towards airline passenger Molly (Alice Eve) whilst Kirk is the only employee who is courteous towards her and gets to meet her again after she leaves her mobile phone at the airport. Kirk starts a relationship with her but struggles with the pitfalls of dating a girl much more attractive than himself and gets help from his friends whilst avoiding his ex girlfriend Marnie (Lindsay Sloane).

Kirk (Jay Baruchel) and Molly (Alice Eve)

The early part of the movie which sets the characters up and reveals their personalities is funny as the guys hang out and crack jokes at each others expense. Compared to other movies in the genre this does very well in making you laugh at slightly silly jokes. Unfortunately it doesn't have the material to last and the second half of the movie features the story progressing to a predictable climax without many jokes that are worthy of note, the latter jokes more of a rehash of previous jokes from popular comedies. The ending was a real shame as well as the over the top slapstick chase through the airport was just mindless and not at all funny.

1.5/4 Funny in parts but loses too much momentum by the end.

Film Review: Flight

Director: Robert Zemeckis

This is Zemeckis first film in over a decade that has actually been filmed live and not animated when he released What Lies Beneath. A lengthy advertising campaign preceded its release and the trailer was one of the most enjoyable of 2012. Denzel Washington is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor and the film was also nominated for Best Screenplay.

Captain William 'Whip' Whittaker (Denzel Washington)

Captain William 'Whip' Whittaker (Denzel Washington) is an airline pilot who drinks and does drugs to excess, after doing both in the hours before a flight he flies a plane through some severe turbulence safely but then the plane fails and he is forced to take drastic measures to save the crew and passengers onboard. He survives the crash but has to deal with the fallout from his toxicology report showing that he has alcohol and chemicals in his blood, whilst in hospital he also meets heroin user Nicole (Kelly Reilly).

After an impressive trailer with a superb selection of songs, the film unfortunately is a bit of a letdown after the crash. It takes a long time to weave its way to its slightly inevitable conclusion and at times Denzel's strong lead performance is the only thing holding it together. Flight doesn't exactly use all the clichés surrounding alcoholism but sails very close to them at times. The scene on the plane before and during the crash are incredible to watch which set the tone for the film that was never matched.

'Whip' with Nicole Maggen (Kelly Reilly)

Compared to the trailer its important to note that this is more of a film about alcoholism in society and the real world set against the backdrop of a pilot being involved in airplane crash. The action pretty much ends after the crash as we look into the character of 'Whip' and the many problems that alcoholism has brought him. The back story of Nicole was decent although quite obvious but in the overall context was pointless as she only served to be someone more adept at fighting her addiction this time. The comedy is almost entirely provided by two short cameos by John Goodman as Whip's friend who supplies him with drugs and liquor, a character that was also under-utilized. Plenty of potential that is unrealised as the film grinds to a conclusion.

2/4 good lead and action scenes are let down by following story

Film Review: Star Trek

Director: J.J. Abrams

The eleventh film based on the Star Trek franchise with a new cast and production team as the series is rebooted with the last film before this one being in 2002. Renowned Sci-Fi director J.J. Abrams was on board early in the project.The story takes place in an alternate reality due to time travel by both Nero and the original Spock (Leonard Nimoy). The alternate timeline was created in an effort to free the film and the franchise from established continuity constraints while simultaneously preserving original story elements.

The film works in the back-story of Captain James Kirk (Chris Pine) whilst the crew finally work into their final positions and ranks on board the ship as they fight against the Romulans who are lead by Nero (Eric Bana). I very rarely watched the TV series and haven't seen most of the older movies that were made so it's hard for me gauge the accuracy of this version of the franchise, from reviews elsewhere it seems they tried to stay faithful to the originals which considering the popularity of the show makes perfect sense.

Some of the crew of The Enterprise

The overall back-story was mixed, Chris Pine was arrogantly annoying as Captain Kirk and a bit cliché in the way he finally worked his way up from wayward maverick to Captain but the story behind Spock, played by Zachary Quinto, was a lot more interesting and well developed. Although the relationship between Quinto and Pine on-screen is one of the films strong points as they move from stubborn adversaries to respected friends.

Parts of the plot did have a feel of having been there before in terms of what happened in characters back story and the film seemed to deal more with action packed set-pieces rather than scientific or philosophical question like its predecessors. But the film is still entertaining as an overall picture and sets itself up nicely for the sequel that is released later this year.

2/4 Entertaining yet formulaic sci-fi thriller

This week's releases

Wreck-it Ralph: The latest animated comedy by Walt Disney is based on the computer character whose aim is to shed his bad guy image for destroying everything, the trailer showed a funny self help group featuring numerous computer games baddies like Bowser and Mr Robotnik.

Hitchcock: Anthony Hopkins stars in the story behind the making of the classic movie Psycho and his marriage to Alma (Helen Mirren)

Full Preview Here

I Give it a Year: From the writer of Borat and Bruno (yes I stopped reading too), a romantic comedy about the first year of marriage. Nat is successful whilst her husband Josh is a struggling writer but can they last that tough first year? I think the bigger challenge will be lasting till the end of this movie.

Warm Bodies: A zombie romantic comedy starring Skins hero Nicholas Hoult who is part of the undead who forms a relationship with Julie (Teresa Palmer) as he tries to protect her from the undead. Can he save her and the rest of human civilization from the zombies?

No: In a week with a lot of top releases, its this Spanish film that is my pick of the week. A local ad executive is tasked with coming up with a campaign to defeat General Pinochet's 1988 referendum in Chile. A bold plan is conceived to free his country from oppression.

Film Review: Lincoln

Director: Steven Spielberg

A 2012 American historical drama about the final four months of Abraham Lincoln's life, it is based on the book 'Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln' by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The main focus is Lincoln's attempts to have the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the United States House of Representatives. The thirteenth amendment was to outlaw slavery in America as a previous proclamation did little to help the freedom of many slaves throughout the country.

The acting in the movie is absolutely superb, Daniel Day Lewis has once again proven that he is one of best actors in the business with his method acting style. He is a joy to watch and is probably rightly sweeping up the awards at the moment. Sally Field as the First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln is also excellent playing a fragile lady whilst being one of the most outspoken women of the time.

Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day Lewis)

Overall the film is difficult to stay interested in throughout it's entirety, there are some interesting discussions and stunning set-pieces but the plot doesn't have much in it to surprise you at all. The whole piece lacks refinement at time and just doesn't have the flair that you expect from a Spielberg picture, which even in his recent films which I have disliked, has still been evident. The role of the blacks and minorities in abolition of slavery is greatly simplified to suit the cause of Lincoln the great President which is also a a great opportunity missed.

I've been a critic of his in recent years but unfortunately this film feels like a vehicle purely to garner award nominations. It feels like a yearly attempt for Spielberg to create a film that is incredibly likeable for the Oscar crowd without it being a particularly well-written or engaging film. It feels like a film with great potential where many opportunities to create a masterpiece for the ages was squandered.

1.5/4 superb acting is let down by an unengaging and cumbersome plot

Film Review: The Sessions

Director: Ben Lewin

Written and directed by Ben Lewin, he hasn't returned to work on the big screen since the 90's but produced the screenplay after reading an essay by the real Mark O'Brien on his life. O'Brien was a poet and journalist who contracted polio and was paralyzed from the neck down for most of his life, the film is based on his life as he neared 40.

John Hawkes plays the lead role of Mark O'Brien who confined to an iron lung and decides that he wants to lose his virginity before he reaches 40. He hires a sex surrogate called Cheryl (Helen Hunt) and relays his experience to a local priest played by William H. Macy.

Cheryl (Helen Hunt) with Mark (John Hawkes)

What results its an incredibly sweet and thoughtful film about the life of Mark O'Brien, the film does a good job of avoiding all the clichés and ends up being an incredibly refreshing film in the genre. John Hawkes puts in an excellent performance as the kind natured Mark O'Brien and did extensive research into the topic to be able to act the role effectively. The film received two standing ovations at the Sundance film festival where it debuted and has deservedly received much praise since including award nominations. The whole film produces a warm glowing feeling inside as you reach the end and even features what surely is a cameo from Sacred Heart Hospital in Scrubs as well.

3.5/4 enjoyable and light hearted film

Film Review: Eight Men Out

Director: John Sayles

Based on the book by Eliot Asinof which was written in 1963, it is all based around the Black Sox scandal from 1919 where eight members of the Chicago White Sox took bribes from gamblers to intentionally lose the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Many analysts have said that this was one of the darkest moments in sports history, especially in America.

The film tells the story from the players side as they go through the World Series and the sacrifices they have made to play for the penny pinching owner of the White Sox. They need the money and feel this is the best way to earn it whilst other players feel that if the game is being thrown then they might as well be in on the payout, Buck Weaver (John Cusack) plays third base and refuses to throw the game making it hard for the other players.

1919 Chicago White Sox

It is portrayed as a much more personal story, we see the players side of things as they are intentionally denied bonuses for reaching milestones by the owner who insists they are dropped so they fall just short. The players are all thinking of their futures and their families so decide to make money by throwing the game, the wider impact on the sport is slightly played down until near the end. The subject of match-fixing is still a hot topic in the world of sports today after scandals in Cricket and Football recently.

The ensemble cast is well assembled, D.B. Sweeney captures the naivety of Shoeless Joe Jackson whilst David Strathairn as Eddie Cicotte accurately portrays an aging pitcher nearing the end of his career who knows he has a family to look after when his baseball days are over. Charlie Sheen also appears in a smaller role as a young Happy Felsch. It's an enjoyable movie about a rather un-enjoyable topic.

3/4 an intriguing baseball movie that is relevant too many other sports.

Film Review: Chinatown

Director: Roman Polanski

A neo-noir film directed by the revered but controversial director Roman Polanski, it was a project that Polanski was unsure about because it would involve him returning to Los Angeles for the first time since his wife's murder. The strength of the script persuaded him to come back and take up the project. The film was known for cementing Jack Nicholson's position as a top Hollywood actor as he was seen as a rising star at the time of the film's release.

Evelyn Mulwray hires J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson), a private investigator, to watch her husband to see if he is cheating on her with another woman. After he photographs her with a young woman he thinks he has solved the case but the photos in the newspaper make the real Evelyn Mulrway (Faye Dunaway) come forward saying that Gittes can expect a lawsuit. After realising he was set up, Hollis Mulwray is murdered and Gittes realises he was set-up for a reason and that the answer possibly lies in Hollis' opposition to building a new dam near Los Angeles.

Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) and Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway)

The story is thrilling at every turn, the story of infidelity of Hollis Mulwray throws Jake Gittes into a corrupt world of water management with shady oligarchs everywhere. It unfolds beautifully to a fascinatingly twisted finale which eventually reveals why the film is called Chinatown. The backdrop of the desert surrounding Los Angeles is incredibly beautiful whilst David Lynch cited that the score from the film is his favourite of all-time.

Jack Nicholson is superb as the cocky and self-confident private investigator, the entire story follows what Jake does and there is rarely a scene that he is not present. We never know anything different in this story that Jake and that is part of the secret as to why it is such a superbly crafted story. We're not waiting for him to find out what we already know, we are trying to guess as much as he is. Roman Polanski even pops up in a cameo role as the henchman who slices Jake's nose for being a nosy kitty cat.

A superb film that will be considered for my top 10.

4/4 sublime mystery that unfolds beautifully