Film Reviews
- Freedom Writers CERT 12. Based on a true story and starring Hilary Swank. This centres around racial tension in an American school. I think that this is an extremely poignant and positive film.
- The Big Blue CERT 15. This is the story of two boys who were brought up in Sicily. Its how their lives went in separate directions and then they reunited. It focuses on free diving. The ocean scenery and music are out of this world.
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly CERT 12. A true story. The editor of Elle Magazine becomes paralysed from the neck down and as a consequence can only blink with one eye in order to communicate. A remarkable French film - hence the sub titles!
- The Shawshank Redemption CERT 15. A very well known film. Set in an American jail it tells of one man's desire to live and get through this living hell no matter what.
- Nims Island CERT (U). This focuses on a little girl who lives on a tropical island. Her father goes missing and it tells how she copes. The wildlife is amazing - especially the pelican.
- Man on a Wire CERT 12. This is based on the life of Philippe Petit and his successful attempt to wire rope walk between the Twin Towers in New York. It is quite a long film but is amazing.
- Rat Catcher CERT 15. A dark film - so it has to be Scottish! this is set in the 70s in a deprived area of Glasgow. It tells the story of a young boy growing up in to this poverty.
- Ghost Town CERT 12. Starring Ricky Gervais, this is the story of a rather grumpy dentist who has a near death experience. Its a romantic comedy and I like it because Gervais is the main character and is at his most cutting and obtuse!
- The Bucket List CERT 12. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman know that they are dying and that they don't have long to live. Its a film about these two characters meeting and coming to terms with this and what they do in their last few months. Its a comedy with a hint of darkness!
- The World's Fastest Indian CERT 12. Based on a true story, Anthony Hopkins has a dream to set a new land speed record on his motorbike. A story showing how tenacity can win out!
- The Breakfast Club CERT 15. A brat pack movie from the 80s, a film about pupils in an American High School being detained on a Saturday. A combination of fun and sadness as their relationships with each other and their families is examined.
- Cool Runnings CERT PG. Again a film based on a true story - this time Jamaica's first Olympic bobsleigh team. Its main star is the late John Candy. A very funny film.
- Philadelphia CERT 12. Starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Antonio Banderas, this is a film about the prejudice against Aids that was particularly emphasised in the 80s. An extremely powerful, sad and thought provoking film.
- Layer Cake CERT 15. Its hard to believe that this is only a 15! Starring Daniel Craig, this story revolves round drug dealing in England. A very slick film with lots of humour - and violence.
- A Good Year CERT 12. If you like France you will adore this film. It starts Russell Crowe an extremely selfish and money orientated banker. He inherits a vine yard in France and his life changes - eventually for the better. Basically a romantic comedy.
- Wall Street CERT 15. Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen and Daryl Hannah star in this film about greed in the city in the 1980s. An extremely engrossing film.
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off CERT 15. Another cult 1980s film. This tells of some pupils who truant from school and decide to go in to city centre Chicago. A fun film.
- Bridge to Terabithia CERT PG. The story about two children growing up in America. Its a fantasy adventure which is extremely imaginative and is based on Katherine Paterson's award winning novel. The book is used as an educational text in many American schools.
- Meet Joe Black CERT 12. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt and Clare Forlani this film is about an angel coming to earth to experience what death is like.
- Flashbacks of a Fool CERT 15. Joe Scot (Daniel Craig) becomes a massive Hollywood star in this film. He hears that a childhood friend has died and this film is about how he comes to terms with it. Its extremely dark in places but well worth watching.
- The Green Mile CERT 18. The story about a giant of a manwrongly accused of murder. The film examines the relationship between him and his jailers.
- Million Dollar Baby CERT 12. Starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman, this is the story of the relationship between a would-be woman boxer (Swank) and her trainer (Eastwood).
- Into the Wild CERT 15. This film is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless. A young man leaves his family and tours America in order to find his destiny.
- Smart People CERT 15. Dennis Quaid stars as a cantankerous widowed professor. The film concerns the relationship that he has with his immediate family and the doctor that he meets and falls in love with.
- A series of Unfortunate Events CERT PG. This stars a huge list of very well known actors, the principle one being Jim Carrey. The film revolves around Count Olaf (Carrey) trying to con his relatives out of their fortune. The scenery in this film is fantastically creative and Carrey is at his best.
- Pay it Forward CERT PG. Stars Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. The idea is that a young boy has a determination to make the world a better place. He has an unusual way of doing this! A truly wonderful film.
- Nanny McPhee CERT PG. A nanny with magical powers sorts out seven badly behaved children. Stars Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Lots of fun, but has some wonderful thought provoking moments in it.
- Slumdog Millionaire CERT 15. A Mumbai teenager brought up in terrible slums, manages to win the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"
- The Wind that Shakes the Barley CERT 15. A film about the troubles in Ireland in the 1920s.
- Shooting Dogs CERT 15. A deeply moving film about the genocide that occurred in Rwanda. Stars John Hurt.
- Grizzly Man CERT 15. Original footage of a man who lived in for thirteen summers with Grizzly Bears in Alaska.
- The Secret Life of Bees CERT 12. The story of a young girl who has a terrible childhood and as a consequence runs away and is taken in and looked after by the bee keeping Boatwright sisters.
- The Soloist CERT 12. The true story of a journalist who finds on the streets of Los Angeles a homeless, classical music prodigy.
- My Name is Khan CERT 12. A story about a man with Aspergers Syndrome who loses everything and through his travels across America eventually gets it all back!
- Selena PG. The true story of Selena Quintanilla-Perez a singer who followed her dreams.
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