A.I Artificial Intelligence (2001)

A highly advanced robot child yearns to be a real

 

Starring Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law.

Written by Brian Aldiss ( short story) and Ian Watson ( screen story)

and Steven Spielberg ( Screen Play).

Directed by Steven Spielberg

 

 

Not my cup of tea. Maybe it is more aimed at a younger age group. But not my kind of film.


I found this to be too far fetched and the story was long winded and the plot was all over the place. The special effects are great and the acting was good but the plot let's this one down in my opinion. To use the analogy of a book, there was absolutely nothing to keep me wanting to turn the pages. It lacked a hook or I didn't have any desire to know what happened next. Plus I didn't really like any of the characters whatsoever, apart from the cute bear! Jude Law's character was simply annoying. I don't think I've seen him in anything good yet.

Great effects, shame about the plot.

6.6/10

Les Combattants ( 2014)

Starring Adele Haenel and Kevin Azais


Written by Thomas Cailley and Claude Le Pape


 

Directed by Thomas Cailley

It's a while since I've watched a foreign subtitled movie and this is one of those hidden gems that you sometimes find on the TV listings.


It's a boy meets girl romance with a difference. It's quirky, wonderfully understated and quite mesmerizing to watch. This is a gentle film without any big plots or car chases but I really enjoyed it. It's well written with a nice touch of humour throughout.

Good film.

8/10

The Call Of The Wild: Dog of the Yukon (1997)

The Adventures of a dog called Buck

Starring Rutger Hauer and Richard Dreyfuss ( Narrator).

Written by Jack London ( Novel), Graham Ludlow ( Screenplay.)

Directed by Peter Svatek.

This is a case of a really good book being totally diluted.


Jack London's classic was beautifully written from the dog's perspective and was an incredible read.

Sadly everything that made the book great has been lost in this film adaptation. It just felt like I was watching a trailer for the actual book. The beauty of the book simply didn't come across and we are left with something that is threadbare. The narration was probably an honest attempt to see the movie through the ayes of Buck but it was quite irritating.

Not great.

6/10

Charade (1963)

A man is murdered and the hunt is on for his money.

Starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant

Written by Peter Stone ( Screenplay) and Mark Behm

Directed by Stanley Donen

I recorded this a few months ago but never really fancied watching it. I was expecting it to be a bit boring and old fashioned but it's actually a very good film.

It has a bit of everything. A bit of comedy, a bit of romance, some good action scenes and a great plot. I also really liked all the location filming. It also has a great soundtrack by Henry Mancini.


It keeps you guessing all the way to the end and is full of twists and turns. It's the first time I've watched a Cary Grant movie and he plays a good part and looks a bit like George Clooney. Audrey Hepburn is adorable and also plays a good part in this great film.


I love a movie with a great ending and this is one of them.



9/10

Imaginary Playmate ( 2006)

 

An imaginary friend turns bad.

Starring Dina Meyer, Rick Ravanello and Cassandra Sawsell

Written by Christine Gallagher

Directed by William Fruet.

This is an average low budget movie with a predictable and familiar plot to thousands of other haunted house movies. It's better than I thought it would be but it's still pretty average fair. Dina Meyer plays a good part but the rest of the cast could well have been stolen from any old soft porn movie that's ever been made. It's a bit of fun but also instantly forgettable and the ending was also predictable and could have been foretold after about ten minutes.


Nothing new here but it was okay. A decent story spoiled mainly by a low budget.

6.5/10

The Aviator ( 2004)

 

 

     The Story of Aviator Howard Hughes.

 

 

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale.

 

Written by John Logan.

Directed by Martin Scorsese.

 

I can see why this movie has won so many oscars. It has all the right ingredients. Great acting, great cinematography, great photography and it is undeniably and unreservedly a Martin Scorsese movie with all of his trademark style and artistry. It's one hell of a production which I'm sure had the Oscar Nominations Board purring and salivating non-stop round the clock.



It is fascinating and it is an interesting watch but for me it's too long and a little bit boring. Just because a movie wins lots of Oscars doesn't necessarily mean it's an exciting movie and this fits into that category. It reminded me of Citizen Kane and I'd go as far as saying that it's basically the same kind of thing produced for a more modern audience. And that movie was pretty boring too.



 

This is a film I can appreciate on many levels but it's lacking a decent hook and a good dollop of excitement.

 

7.5/10 for the acting and production values.

14 Films

Here are 14 films that I've since watched but haven't had time to review them


Trainspotting 10/10 Brilliant


The Adjustment Bureau ( An okay sci fi.)


Source Code


This Boys Life ( Second time I've seen it and it's a great movie.) 10/10


13 Rue Madeline.


Good Luck Chuck.


First Snow.


Abbot & Costello Meet Dr Jeckyll and Mister Hyde.


Abbot and Costello Meet The Keystone Cops


Abbot and Costello Meet The Mummy

Star Trek

Meet The Fockers

NonStop ( Liam Neeson) 7.5. Average action suspense.


Girl Interrupted ( Winona Ryder,Angelina Jolly.) Love this one. 10/10