DIRECTOR - Michael Winterbottom

A good Thomas Hardy adaptation, needless to say, don't expect a happy ending. This film is quite hard going but very good!

An interesting film based on Madchester in the early 90?s. Fact and fiction go hand in hand but the visualization of some of the industry?s best and funniest rumours make it worthwhile viewing. The suicide scene was also handled very tastefully.

Who would have thought, a film with shagging and some of my favourite bands in it being a load of old crap! Michael Winterbottom is a good director, what was he thinking? A study of a relationship seen through the context of real sex and are not bound by religious considerations? No. I suspect it was more to do with Winterbottom being able to say 'I was first' and then boasting to his mates down the pub. The whole thing is stagnant and unsexy, even the footage of the Brixton Academy concerts where unexciting, a real let down as I have had quite a few memorable nights there in what is usually an amazing atmosphere

A difficult one this. It is very clever, brilliantly satirical and so layered, it is something quite revolutionary. So it is safe to say Michael Winterbottom has actually achieved something to match his heroes Fassbinder and Herzog. Is he as good a director? Nearly, but for every good film he makes, he makes a couple of duds. Coogan and Brydon are great together, they've more than proved that on telly - the supporting cast is ace, Moran being one of today's greatest comedians. To cut to the chase for once - It just wasn't very funny. Witty but I was never close to laughing. First rule of comedy: Make the audience laugh. Second rule: No one likes a smart-arse!

A Mighty Heart is a story worthy of telling and it has a message worthy of spreading. Michael Winterbottom was a good choice then as his style works well here and he's not exactly known for shying away from the subject matter. This should have been a brilliant film but it's not, it's just ok. Why? Angelina Jolie. Her very presents hinders the production. It's no secret that she played a big part in getting the film made (and guess who co-produced) but it just distracts from the story. No doubt she had the best of intentions but I can't help but think there is a little bit of ego involved. This is a true story full of heart-wrenching emotion, suspense & political intrigue. It should have evoked emotion and interest but it didn't, it just smiled sweetly at the Academy award panel and said 'Look, Angelina curled her hair, kept her boobs in, put on a French accent and didn't wave a gun around. She even cried once! Award please'. Luckily they didn't take the bait but a few others did. To say that this is her best performance to date doesn't say much about her acting. A real missed opportunity. On the plus side the supporting cast are very good and It looks great, I am still a little disappointed with Winterbottom though.