Edge of Darkness

The Edge of Darkness is a film adaptation of the 1985 BBC tv series. The film stars Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone. The film is directed by Martin Campbell and is produced by Michael Wearing.

The film is about a detective (Mel Gibson) who is investigating the murder of his daughter (Bojana Novakovic). Along the way he has to uncover political conspiracies and cover-ups on his investigation. As the story unfolds he learns more about his daughter that he has not had much of a relationship with.

I thought that this was a fairly good film. I thought that it was gripping, intense and had twists throughout the film. I thought that Mel Gibson was very good as the leading role and gave a powerful performance that showed various sides of his acting abilities- both emotional scenes and some action. I thought that he was very believable. Also I thought that the plot was fairly good- it was interesting for the duration and Gibson managed to keep the up the pace of the film. Some parts became slightly silly and unbelivable but was still enjoyable to watch.

Overall I enjoyed this film because of its gritty style and the performance from Mel Gibson was one of his best recently.

A good thriller

Film Rating: 7.5/10

Brothers

Brothers is an American drams/war film that stars Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman. The film is directed by Jim Sheridan and is based on the Danish film Brothers by Susanne Bier in 2004. Tobey Maguire received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the film.

The film is about Sam (Tobey Maguire) and his brother Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal). Sam is a Marine who is about to be sent off on his 4th tour of duty. Sam is a family man who is married to Grace who he has loved since high school. They have two young daughters – Isabelle and Maggie (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare). Th film starts off with Tommy being released from prison. He is being collected by his brother Sam.

Sam returns to Afghanistan and news soon comes that his helicopter has crashed leaving him presumed dead.

The film then focuses on the various relationships between the family members back in the USA – mainly between Tommy and Grace.

This film is very moving with some great performances from the cast. Tobey Maguire is brilliant in this film and is extremely convincing. This is one of the best performances that I have seen him give. This film is full of drama, heartache and emotion. Jake Gyllenhaal also gives a very good performance.

Overall i really enjoyed this film and found myself absorbed by the story.

Film Rating: 8/10

The Boys are Back

I just saw the Boys are Back which is a film directed by Scott Hicks, produced by Greg Brenman and stars Clive Owen. The film is based on the book ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ by Simon Carr. The film features a score composed by Hal Lindes and the soundtrack is by Sigur Ros.

The film is about Joe Warr played by Clive Owen and his life in Australia. He lives with his son and the film takes place shortly after his wife has died from cancer. It’s a very sad film in parts and focuses on Joes relationship with his youngest son. His older son who lives with his divorced wife comes to stay with him in Australia.

Overall i thought that this film was extremely good – it was a heartwarming, happy, feel good film that really was worth watching. I was extremely impressed with Clive Owens performance. It was interesting to see him playing a different role to what we are used to see him in.I also thought that Nicholas McAnulty who played the youngest son Artie was very good.

Also the setting for the film was beautiful and was shot in some stunning locations.

I loved this film and  would strongly recommend that you go and see it.

Film Rating: 9/10

Legion (trailer)

Legion is a 2010 apocalyptic-thriller film that is directed by Scott Stewart. The original screenplay was written by Peter Schink and was rewritten by Scott Stewart. The film stars Paul Bettany, Kate Walsh and Dennis Quaid.

After God loses faith in humanity, the archangel Michael who is played by Paul Bettany, who has become a fallen angel, is the only one standing between mankind and Armageddon.

Precious (trailer)

Precious is based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire and is an American drama that is directed by Lee Daniels. The films cast features Gabourey Sidibe as the main character, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz in supporting roles.

All About Steve

All About Steve is an American comedy which is directed by Phil Traill and was produced by Sandra Bullock, who is also the main character in the film. The title is a pun on the 1950 film – All About Eve.

The film is about Mary Horowitz who is played by Sandra Bullock. She is a crossword puzzle designer for a local newspaper. Mary is awkward, quirky and struggles to have a social life. She is set up on a blind date by her parents and meets Steve Mueller who is played by Bradley Cooper. He is a cameraman for a news channel. Mary becomes obsessed with him.

She decides to persue Steve and follows him across the country as he goes to various places to cover different news stories. On her journey she begins to make friends and becomes appreciated for who she is.

I thought that this film was just ok- it had some occasional funny parts. Marys character is quirky and bizarre which was funny at times. unfortunately the plot was very basic and the comedy fell flat at points.

The film also stars Thomas Haden Church and Ken Jeong. I felt that the story became lost in parts throughout the film.

Overall I thought that this film was just ok. It was sweet and quirky mainly because of Sandra Bullock. It had the odd funny parts throughout the film. This film is at similar standards as other films such as Two Weeks Notice.

Film Rating: 6.5/10

The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli is a 2010 american post-apocalyptic film that is directed by the Hughes brothers, written by Gary Whitta.

The film stars Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis. The film was released on Jan 15th 2010.

The film is about the world thirty years after a nuclear apocalypse event and the film follows a character called Eli played by Denzel Washington who is travelling to the west on his own. On his journey he encounters various enemies and has to fight them off.

In search of supplies he arrives at a town which is ruled by Carnegie played by Gary Oldman. Carnegie has gangs who are searching for a book, though the gangs don’t understand why he wants the book.

This film has a plot that has been used so many times before- such as i am legend, the road, etc. So at first i wasnt sure how original this film was going to be. The film had a unique style in terms of its visuals. Eli is alone in a sparse, empty world that at times seems completely inhabitant. I thought that Denzel Washington gave a very good performance. I also thought that Gary Oldman was good playing the role of the ‘bad guy’.

Although the film had a fairly generic plot it still had some good plot twists towards the end and also had some impressive action and fight sequences throughout. This a good post-apocalyptic film that is worth seeing but in my opinion it doesn’t quite reach the standards of I am Legend or The Road.

Film Rating: 7.5/10

Up In The Air

Up in the Air is an American comedy- drama that which was directed by Jason Reitman and co-written by Reitman and Sheldon Turner. The film is an adaptation of the 2001 novel ‘Up in the Air’, written by Walter Kirn. The film centres on a corporate downsizer and his travels. It follows his life (George Clooney) and philosophies aswell as the people that he meets along the way.

Reitman wrote the parts specifically for George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride, Melanie Lynskey, Amy Morton, Sam Elliott and Zach Galifianakis.

This film has had a lot of hype and has been nominated for a lot of awards at the Golden Globes including Best Actor for George Clooney and Best Film.

Overall I enjoyed this film- I thought that it was interesting how the viewer follows the main isolated character and the way that his personality changes through the film. I thought that the film was heartwarming, funny and also sad in parts. It’s a feel good film and the actors all give very strong performances. I also thought that the dialogue was quick, witty and very funny in parts.

The only criticism I felt was that the plot slightly loses its way about three-quarters of the way through but finishes well.

Overall I was pleased to see this film and i thought that George Clooney gave a very good performance.

Film Rating: 8/10

Its Complicated

It’s complicated is an American romantic comedy which is written and directed by Nancy Meyers. The film Stars Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. The film also features John Krasinski and Lake Bell.

The film is about a woman called Jane Adler who runs a bakery and has been seperated from her ex husband for 10 years (Alec Baldwin). She has three children. She suddenly finds herself becoming involved with her ex husband and things become even more complicated when she meets an architect who is redesigning her house (Steve Martin).

Overall i thought that this film was very funny. It’s also got a very good storyline that doesn’t ever seem to become too farfetched and is genuinely convincing. The film focuses very much on the relationships between Jane and the two men in her life and the complications and dilemmas that she has to face. The film is charming, heart warming, funny and moving in parts.

This is an all round feel good film that I think will be enjoyed by a range of viewers. It’s worth going to see

Film Rating: 8/10

The Road

The Road is directed by John Hillcoat and written by Joe Penhall. Its based on the 2006 novel of the same name by American author Cormac McCarthy. The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee. They play father and son in a post-apocalyptic world. It was filmed in Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Oregon.

I thought that this was a fantastic film that was both visually amazing and emotional. I thought that Viggo Mortensen was very good as the lead character and Kodi Smit- McPhee was also very impressive. The film is about how they go about surviving in a dying world that is full of chaos.Its genuinly creepy and disturbing in parts and I would say that its one of the best post apocalyptic films that i have seen.

The film is also about the relationship between the father and son- he tries to teach his son what is right and wrong as they are confronted with a series of moral issues and situations.

Overall i thought that this film was visually brilliant, tense, scary, emotional and thought-provoking

This is a must see

Film Rating: 9/10