My Favorite Movies

I absolutely loved this! I had been wanting to see it for ages, and it did not disappoint me at all. A very original movie, reminded me very slightly of Donnie Darko, but better, I think (and i really liked Donnie Darko, so that's saying a lot!). Michael Pitt is fantastic in this, I cannot imagine anyone else pulling off this role. I can see myself watching this one many times over! Highly recommended!

All time favourite movie of mine. I first saw this back in the 90's on an almost knackered VHS with a bad overdub. Have since purchased the DVD with subtitles and in proper German language.
I am not sure why I love this movie so much, it's hardly a cheerful story about a young teenage girl who slowly becomes hooked on heroin and then becomes a prostitute to support her habit. Maybe it's the 70's setting, the soundtrack including David Bowie and the excellent performances by the young cast.
I recently got hold of the original novel this is based on, which I have been trying to find in English virtually since i first saw this movie. (Not easy to find at all as it is long out of print and only available in other languages). It astounds me that the vastly inferior "Go ask Alice" is still in print. This book seriously should be given to kids to read in school - it would scare the crap out of them and put them off for life. The movie I guess is a little more glamourous as the actress who plays Christiane is a pretty girl and, though it is still pretty gross, particularly by the end, I can understand how there were certain young girls who would try and copy her. (I read a little online about it and apparently this was the case).
The book is definitely better than the movie (Can't believe i am saying that!), but they are both pretty damn good.
This is the best movie about drug addiction I have ever seen.

Really enjoyed this movie, it did get a little long towards the end which is why I only rated it four stars, but it was mostly a moving, funny at times film, great acting and you really did care about the characters. It also had a bit of a twist to the end, definitely worth watching.

This is an old favourite of mine. Have had it on DVD for ages - saw the blu ray going for $13 and decided it was too good to pass up. I put the movie on just to check out the transfer, but as usual got sucked into watching the whole thing. Though it's obviously dated a little, it is still a really good film, still find it moving and enjoy watching it, and the ending with Katherine and Annette always makes me a little teary.
The whole cast is excellent here. I think it may be Sarah Michelle Gellar's best role outside of Buffy - she really is horrible as the manipulative and cruel Katherine - yet so beautiful and compelling, totally convincing that she could pull so many people into her web. Reese Wtiherspoon is just so cute here as is Selma Blair - both looking really young and vulnerable. Ryan Phillippe and Sean Patrick Thomas are also well cast.
Visually the movie is very striking. Though it is a teen film, it looks quite sophisticated and rises above what you would normally expect from this type of movie. Impressive.

This is just a really nice chick flick about 3 sisters, (Lauren Graham, Mandy Moore and Piper Perabo). They have a slightly controlling mother, Daphne, (Diane Keaton), who has been single herself many years and has become worried about Millie (Mandy Moore) and the bad choices she keeps making in men (her sisters are happily married). Worried that Millie will end up alone like herself, Daphne secretly writes an online personal ad and then interviews all the men. Her choice is Jason, a slightly arrogant professional guy (lawyer maybe? Can't remember), but she also meets a charming musician and single dad, Johnny, by chance.
Daphne sets it up so Millie and Jason can meet, without Millie realizing her mum set it up, but Johnny fixes it so he also "Accidently" meets Millie. The rest of the movie is Millie trying to figure out which guy she wants, and the fury when she enevitibly finds out what Daphne did. Okay, it's a no brainier, but I enjoyed this and Millie is a likeable, though flawed character, digging herself into a mess by sleeping with both the guys.
Daphne is also likeable, and sympathetic in her way. A nice story about female relationships with a few laughs and some beautiful looking cakes.

I never get sick of this one. The scene where he sees all the crap in his medicine cabinet and then the singing near the end. LOL. As chick flicks go, it has an interesting plot to it too. Definitely a favourite.

Finally got around to a rewatch of this. This is one of those films I loved at the time, but a dodgy sequel, followed by a third, even worse one had dulled the memory of the original. I haven't watched this one in about three years, and I wondered if there would ever come the day I would want to watch it again, but the day came!
I was amazed again by how good this movie actually was - this is for sure a superior chick flick. Reese is perfectly cast as fluffy Elle who is as bright as she is ditzy. You can not help but like her and darned if I didn't find the ending moving! A great message to this movie about strength and using your brain and there is more to life than men (especially one who doesn't deserve you!). There is still a romantic side to this, Elle does meet a nice guy by the end and Warner gets the boot for once and for all from both the ladies in his life!
Added to this, I loved Reese's hair all through this and all the clothes! I guess the one small cringe moment is the "bend and snap", but it's a small gripe in an otherwise feel good and inspiring movie. There are certainly worse ones for young girls to watch! (and slightly older ones. haha).

Rewatched this one again recently and think I enjoyed it even more than I did when I watched it years ago. Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning make a great pair in this, Dakota as a young girl old beyond her years and Brittany as an eccentric rich girl who finds herself suddenly broke and has to work as a nanny to make money. Brittany really did have an amazing screen presence. It is beyond sad that she died, and Dakota, as always is excellent in this.
A sweet, funny feel good movie with a slightly dodgy ending.

This is an all time favourite I finally got around to rewatching. I saw it quite a few times after I bought the DVD, but not for a good few years now.
I have to say, it is still excellent. Miranda July has done a great job on this - both as the quirky lead actress and with directing it. This is a true to life little story with believable yet eccentric characters, all well written and all perfectly cast, though I would say they are pretty much unknowns.
Miranda plays Christine, a struggling writing/performer who drives the elderly for a day job. She meets shoe salesman, Richard (John Hawkes) who is going through a relationship breakup and adjusting to only having his two boys part time. There is an attraction between the two, but he is wary of getting involved again as his ex has been quite callous. His boys are also slight troubled. The youngest, Robby, has stuck up an internet romance with an older woman, and he makes her a proposition that i can't believe she accepts. (Obviously she does not realise he is a child). It would probably be revolting if it wasn't so beautifully and innocently written. I also like the teen girls, Heather and Rebecca, who are leading on an overweight older guy who likes to watch them, but doesn't have the nerve to do more than write notes and watch out his window. The young character, Sylvie, is also amusing, as she collects household utensils obsessively so she will have a dowry and glory box ready for her marriage. (Sylvie is about ten years old).
This kind of reminds me of Todd Solondz, another favourite director of mine, but these characters are basically good, where a lot of his aren't so much. A movie about flawed and real people that is sad as well as funny.
I love this movie and highly recommend it!

The full five star rating for this one as it is a movie I loved when I was about 11 and Madonna was my all time favorite singer (that changed two albums in when she became crap, but anyhow, at this stage she could do no wrong). This is the perfect role for Madonna - I guess because she pretty much plays herself. A bit obnoxious, and willing to use her sexuality to get her own way (I never realized how much of this movie she spends in her bra until I re watched it last night. Rosanna Arquette, also perfect here. She is the more relatable character of the two. Still very attractive, but lacking Susan's confidence, which I guess it's so great that it ends as it does.
Won't go on too much as I am sure most people have seen this one by now, but if you haven't, it is pretty much the ultimate chick flick and full of great 80's fashions to top it off.

Watched this again last night (for about the 20th time). Honestly, I never get tired of it.
It is by no means a deep or meaningful film, but it is such good fun, and I just sit there laughing every time, even though I know what is coming and could probably quote the whole thing before they say it.
Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow are perfect as Romy & Michele - two best friends since high school facing the grim realisation that their lives aren't "actually that impressive", and trying very hard to impress their old high school enemies, getting into many situations and scrapes along the way. The end moral of this is be yourself, and really, these characters are so great, you wonder why they would want to be anyone else to start with.
The supporting cast is also excellent. I love Jacob Vargas as Ramon, and Julia Campbell's bitchy Christie (didn't we all know a girl or two like her back in high school?!). Also Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming and Elain Hendrix - really I can't fault any of them.
I really don't care how many people say this is a bad movie, as far as I am concerned, it is a classic!

An all time favourite - still as good 11 years later as the first time I watched it. This really is the ultimate girl movie - good story to it and great cast. This is one of those rare movies where the movie is better than the book. After seeing this, i got it, and I was really bored by it. This movie really bought the story to life and the people they chose to play the characters are perfect. The only thing that constantly bugs me is the artwork - why has Ashley Judd got dark hair when she is blonde in this!!!

This was hilarious. i did not expect to like it as much as I did. The characters managed to be sweet at the same time as totally revolting - no easy thing! Just the "period blood" scene alone nearly had me off the chair laughing. Almost as good as "Knocked up".

This was a great movie - more like a piece of art than an actual film, shot in split screens and slightly out of sequence. It fascinated me all the way through, although I still couldn't say for certain exactly what was going on all the way through it and how much of it was in Tracey's imagination. Ellen Page, as ever, is excellent playing a socially stunted 15 year old with family issues. Highly recommended if you like something a bit different.

I didn't actually know if I liked this one all that much until it got to the end, but it did turn out to be worth watching and very moving. It is not a very fast moving movie, and quite hard to watch at times. Also, more insight into the main characters would have been good as it is a bit hard at times to figure out what is motivating them. I'm not sure on the casting either, although I think Michael Pitt is a great actor, he was a bit understated at times, particularly in the earlier half of this movie, although I could totally believe the character by the end of, so perhaps that was intentional. Keira Knightly just plain looked out of place, she's not a horrible actress, but the whole character just fell flat and didn't have much to do. Again, the ending turned it all around and gave her a bit more substance. Without giving the story away, the message to it is to appreciate what you have.

This movie was excellent - extremely disturbing and certainly wouldn't be to everyone's taste. Jimmy Bennett is excellent as a little boy in foster care who's drugged up, hopeless, too awful for words mother comes back to claim him. What follows is so horrific that it came as quite a relief to do a bit more research and discover the "true story" was in fact a hoax, but all the same, sure there are plenty of people out there this type of crap does happen to, and this was so well done. It has a few cameo appearances in it by various people such as Michael Pitt, Winona Ryder and Marilyn Manson - none of them are in it for more than a few minutes, so not worth renting just to see any of those if you are a fan. I was impressed with Winona's appearance though, it was darkly funny and actually nearly didn't recognise her.

Just rewatched this after a few years of having not seen it, and still think it is a fantastic film. I find I do have *some* sympathy for Suzanne Stone. Okay, she's manipulative and does something inexcusable, but I could literally feel her frustration at being stuck in a small town, in a family that didn't accept or understand her, and a husband who, though sweet, was not truly compatible. So she wanted bigger things for her life than a family in suburbia, is that such a crime really?!
Obviously what she goes on to do is pretty bad, and surely divorce would have been the logical step, but then we wouldn't have much of a movie, and this really is a dark, funny little film. Nicole Kidman is perfect as Suzanne and Joaquin Phoenix and Alison Folland just right as Lydia and Jimmy.
Great black comedy.

A very gripping, thought provoking film, no easy feat since it mainly only has two actors in it and most of the movie takes place in one room! Of course it helps that one of the actors is Michael Pitt - honestly I am yet to see him put in a bad performance in a movie. He is fantastic in this one as Randy, a teenager sentanced to 25 years in prison for a minor offence, playing the character with such vulnerability and honesty that you really feel for him. The part at the end where his cellmate gives him the speech about why he is his friend (not wanting to say too much and spoil it for anyone) is really horrifying because this guy is pretty much a monster, but there is actually truth in what he says as well. I found myself thinking about this one long after I had watched it and feeling very unsettled by it. Excellent and highly recommended.

Definitely one of Reese Witherspoon's best roles. She is perfect for the part of overachiever, Tracey Flick. I have to admit to a certain fondness for Tracey. I have seen this movie many times over the years, and though all I have seen it with find her awful, I have always seen her in a quite sympathetic light. I think this is due to how Reese plays her. Yes, she is grating, but there is a vulnerability to her also.
The rest of the cast are also good. I find Matthew Broderick totally sniffling here - I dislike his character more than Tracey's! (Matthew plays him well, I just don't like the character at all). Also Chris Klein and Jessica Campbell. Just a really good black comedy set in high school. Well worth seeing.

All time favourite of mine that I have not watched in a long time. Rewatching it was just as good - I love the honesty of this true story and the flaws of Bev, played wonderfully by Drew Barrymore. I know a lot of people do not like it, but a lot of people seem to want everything to be nice all the time, especially in movies, and people aren't like that in real life.
The story is set over about thirty years, starting in the 60's when Bev is a child and going through to the 80's when she is in her 30's. During this time, we see that she was a precocious child with a talent for writing who finds herself pregnant in her teens and married to the father of her son, who is not a guy she probably would have found herself with under normal circumstances. Bev's dreams of going to uni are crushed and her relationship with her father strained as she tries to make a go of her life. Needless to say, she is not the best mum and the issues of resentment towards her child are dealt with very honestly and well. It makes her unlikeable to a lot of people, to me it shows she is human. I don't think you ever seriously doubt that she loved her child, even when she doubts it herself, but certainly there are times that she hasn't liked him, and honestly, I think most people would have felt the same, such as the situation where her son blows her interview for her. Though you do feel sorry for her son, after all none of it is his fault, he is only a child and it seems he has way too much responsibility way before his time, you also feel sorry for Bev as you see yet another dream die for her. (Well, I did anyhow). After all, she was practically a child herself when she became pregnant.
The cast are all excellent here. It was sad to watch Brittany Murphy in this as Fay, Bev's best friend, who also finds herself pregnant and married off at a young age (yet somehow she comes out of it better than Bev does). Brittany was such a good actress and is perfect here. Steve Zahn also excellent as Bev's husband, Ray, who ends up a junkie. Nice small role by Sara Gilbert as one of her school friends and Adam Garcia also cast well as Bev's adult son.
This movie does somehow manage to have a nice ending. I know a few people consider it corny, but I liked it. I liked that things did pick up a little for Bev in the end, and that her son, Jason, found happiness (with a very young Maggie Gyllenhaal. I did not even remember her being in this, which shows how long ago I watched it!), and was able to feel less responsible for his mother. I have not read the book it is based on, so I am not sure how true this is to that, but a really inspiring true story.

Had recently started reading the book this was based on, and wanted to rewatch the movie, which I saw years ago and loved.
I have to say, the book is way more detailed, so anyone who likes this movie really needs to check it out. That said, however, is still a damn fine movie!
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is really one of the better male actors out there and he pulls off the role as troubled Neil perfectly. The whole cast are outstanding, actually - Elisabeth Shue as his mum, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Avalyn (who is quite different to the book Avalyn) and even Michelle Trachtenberg is fantastic as Wendy.
It is not a pleasant topic, (child abuse), and it does not gloss over anything, while still being a beautiful movie to watch and very real.

Nice chick flick style movie with a darker theme and a bit of an ick factor watching Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alec Baldwin get together. (I mean, honestly, as well as being a control freak, the guy was over twice her character's age!). I did enjoy this movie though and liked the realistic end to it.

Well, I think it's safe to say if you are a man, avoid this one like the plague!!! With it's wedding theme, (not even my favourite thing to sit and watch in a movie), even I had a few doubts about how good it would actually be. Well I enjoyed it a lot, but I would have to say it was down the the performances rather than the actual story, which was pretty standard and predictable. A movie should be in trouble when it's highlight is a montage of Katherine Heigl trying on bridesmaids dresses, but somehow it does work. Go and see this if you just feel like some light, enjoyable fluff.

An all time favourite of mine that I have loved since I was about 12 years old... I wonder how much of an unbiased review this will be....
Admittedly, on a re-watch last night, (and it's probably about the 100th re-watch in my life - the only thing that surprises me about this one anymore is the soundtrack on the remastered DVD, as I watched my old, now retired, VHS copy so frequently that the changed soundtrack they used on that is ingrained in my head - I can acknowledge a few flaws. Most obvious is that Jake the dream guy is not actually that much of a catch at all. A guy who lets his passed out drunk girlfriend drive home with a teenager he just met, who can barely drive - yeah, that's a keeper. And let's not start on Long Duk Dong - very PC, I don't think! (Having said that I love Long Duk Dong!).
On the plus side, Molly Ringwald as Samantha, who's parents are so busy thinking of her sister's upcoming wedding that they forget it's her 16 birthday, is just fantastic. Also great is Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Ted and Haviland Morris is actually quite sweet as Caroline.
This is just all round a great 80's movie, one of my favourites from John Hughes. Not quite as great as Pretty in Pink, but certainly on it's way there. I don't know if it would be as much loved by teens today, but luckily they have some great films of their own such as Easy A, which reminded me a little of this even though the story is nothing alike (maybe because they "borrowed" some of the (great!) soundtrack. I love the ending too with Jake at his car and then Samantha blowing out her candles. A sweet movie with enough angst to be relatable, but an ending that will leave you smiling.

How is this rated so low?! For a tv movie, this is very well done, and so moving! This is the true story of Alison Gertz who gets AIDS from a one night stand. It shows how she deals with the grief and turns it around to help others. I could not imagine who else could have done a better job than Molly Ringwald in this role.

How did I miss this one until now?! Fantastic movie, black comedy with a bit of horror thrown in. Angela Betis as May manages to be likable at the same time as downright scary!

Excellent. Everything "Twilight" failed to deliver. The idea of an American remake makes me shudder, though.

I actually expected this movie to really be bad, so what a pleasant surprise I got! I had read the book and found it just okay, I certainly didn't think it would convert well into a movie or be all that interesting. Adding to my fears was the casting of Owen Wilson, I mean who can take that guy seriously, honestly! The first ten minutes or so weren't great and I thought "here comes a long, tedious one and can't even leave because I'm at the cinema with my mum!". But this movie really picks up once Marley comes into it - all the dogs are great, Owen Wilson, to my surprise, does pull off this part, and Jennifer Aniston, of course, I always find quite a good actress. As well as many really funny parts with Marley misbehaving, it also shows realistically the difficulties of raising a family without the Hollywood gloss that I loathe so much in a movie. Some of this film is actually hard watching in between the laughs, and so much better for it. Never have I heard an audience laugh so hard and then literally cry at the end. I found this so moving as I think anyone who has lost a pet would do. One of the rare occassions where the movie was better than the book. Excellent.

Fantastic film. Anyone who is, or has ever been married, should see this. Disturbing, and moving and also very relatable.

Idiotic. but actually quite an original idea for a comedy, and scarily enough with more adult children staying home for longer I can see it as being not too far off the mark! I found it quite funny. What a pair of idiots. LOL.

Very disappointing. I just can't understand why this movie was kind of bad. Great cast, and from the producers of Knocked up, didn't think this one could fail. There were some really funny bits in it, but it just wasn't consistent. Parts of it dragged, or you just wondered why they were in there. I found myself actually bored in places and for some horrible reason it kept reminding me of "The heartbreak Kid" (Not a good thing!).


1/3/09 - Would like to revise my original review after many repeated viewings of this at home. Maybe I just expected too much of it the first time I watched it. Have seen it about four times since and really enjoyed it.

I have put off watching this one for about two years now, because I knew I would be compelled to review it, and honestly I didn't know how I could possibly write a review that would do my all time favourite movie justice. This is a movie I have loved since I was 12 years old and could not even tell you how many times I have watched it over the years. Put it like this, I have watched it so many times, I know what they are going to say word for word before it is said.
Put simply, this is the ultimate 80's teen movie. If it ever gets remade, I will projectile vomit. There is just no way they could ever find actors who are as perfect for the roles as they have here.
The story is pretty simple - it follows Andie (Molly Ringwald) who is from the wrong side of the tracks and lives with her unemployed father, her mother having left them when she was 14. There is a part of me who still wants to be Andie and can identify with her. To this day she still looks great in her op shop fashions.
Andie has a best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer) who is really cute and quirky and totally in love with her, but though she loves him as a friend, it is rich Blane (Andrew McCarthy) that she pines for. When it seems that Blane returns her affections, the problems really start. Duckie is devastated and Blane's rich friends won't accept her.
There is not a whole lot more to the story, but it really works well. The characters are so relatable, the supporting cast is just excellent. Annie Potts as Andie's boss at the record store she works at part time after school, James Spader as Steff (love to hate him), the bitchy girls and Andie's best friend Jena (Alexa Kenin). Also the cameo at the end by a very young Kristy Swanson (how much did I love that implied ending for Duckie!).
I love the clothes, the soundtrack is perfect. The only thing that has changed for me over the years is that I used to really wish that Duckie would get the girl, but over time I have gotten to like Blane and can see why they wrote the ending the way they did. The end scene is very romantic, even to a cynic like me!

Great chick flick. I had zero expectations on this one, so it was a nice surprise. I didn't quite love the "mother nature" character, but it's a small gripe. Michelle Pfeiffer looks great in this, I had no trouble buying that the younger guy would go for her. Also I was impressed with Saoirse Ronan as her daughter. Between this and "Atonement", I think she is definitely an actress to watch. This was a nice light film with lots of funny bits, (Stacy Dash as the "Go girl" actress is hilarious), which never drags or gets boring.

I love this movie. Absolutely never get tired of it. The best vampire movie ever made. I love everything about it from the way it is filmed in grainy black and white, to the soundtrack, the performances, particularly Elina Lownsohn - perfect. I must have watched this about ten times now.
If you like Vampire movies, then you must see this.

Much better than expected. Goes a little bit deeper than a usual chick flick, and cast is excellent.

I really expected this to be crap, but was astounded to actually enjoy it. This was a really funny movie and Zac Efron is surprisingly likeable in it. Leslie Mann is also really funny. It runs out of steam a little towards the end and rushes to finish, but on the whole, very watchable and a bit more intelligent than I would have given it credit for.

I don't think I will ever, ever get tired of this one. It is Drew Barrymore's best movie and Adam Sandler's (although I acknowledge that's not saying a whole lot!). Everything about it works - the 80's setting, the soundtrack, the funny and sweet story, the great cast. Robbie and Julia are the sweetest couple in a romantic comedy ever and it is just one of those films you can watch over and over and still not be sick of it even when you can quote all the lines before they happen.
Have just rewatched it for about the 100th time and had a pleasant surprise to see there is an extra scene in the blu ray "Totally Awesome" edition. (Okay, so I am easily made happy!).

Have just re-watched this one again and honestly never get tired of it, although I can acknowledge it is not a film that would appeal to everyone. This is beautifully filmed and cast - especially Michael Pitt and Eva Green.
Despite the topic, this film manages to have an innocence to it, which slowly turns to tragedy by the end. Impressive.

I liked this one a lot, especially how it did not jump to the predictable ending, which made it something a bit different. All the cast are great in this. Jennifer Garner's character is a bit... dare I say it.. yucky... and kind of a control freak psycho. Generally I like her, but not in this film! It did make me wonder about the baby's future. The film isn't perfect, but it is funny and keeps you interested.

There are no words for how much I love this movie! It is pretty near perfect as far as I am concerned. I even own the graphic novel this movie was based on (and I don't do graphic novels and comics). I'm sure Enid gets compared to Juno, and while it's a fair comment, and I loved Juno as well - Enid was first, and therefore best!
Scarlett Johansson also shines here as Rebecca, and Steve Buscemi as the nerdy Seymour. I don't know what it says about me that I can totally relate to all three of these characters.
On a more shallow note, I absolutely love every single outfit Enid wears in this (aside from the green haired punk look!). Definitely a movie for outcasts and misfits. Perfect.

I saw this movie a few days ago and it is still stuck in my mind, which shows how good it was, because I watch a lot of movies (too many!), and I've usually forgotten them two minutes later! All the female characters in this are well written and believable and while it's not always a happy story, it's written with a lot of warmth and wit. Kerri Russell is excellent as Jenna, even though the character is not perfect, you still hope she can improve her situation all the way through the movie. The male characters are all pretty horrible (or crazy!), so it is quite a feminist movie, and without giving the end away, I did like how it wrapped up and that she was able to find herself and become a stronger person. Can't wait to watch it again on DVD!

This was so funny. First ten minutes or so didn't think it was going to be very good, but then it really picks up. Good chick flick . Couldn't stop laughing at a few of the bits in this. Didn't really like Gerard Butler, but I could overlook that.

Appreciated this much more after having been to Tokyo. Have amended my original review. Really enjoyed all the shots of Tokyo and could relate much more to this.

Love this movie, so funny and could really relate to it when I first saw it. Not sure if a younger person watching it now would like it as much. Maybe one for GenX.

A little hard to get into, but once I did, really enjoyed this movie. Probably not the greatest movie, and certainly nothing all that new, but the 80's setting really worked and there was something a bit more quirky than your usual teen flick about all this. Kristen Stewart is good, though playing her usual type. Jesse Eisenberg not really my favourite, I think someone else cast in his role could have been an improvement.. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig play their usual type of characters and are really funny here.

At times revolting, but entertaining horror film. Liked it.

I was surprised by how hilarious this was, I actually laughed right through the whole thing. It reminded me of a French "Superbad", though different. All of these kids seemed like total dorks, it was actually refreshing to watch at teen movie where the kids aren't like little supermodels. It also had a very 80's feel to it, though it is set in present day. Would highly recommend it.

Near perfect - I was very pleasantly surprised with this one. Even though it appears to be a murder story at the beginning, it definitely ends up being more about the two main characters to the point you don't even care at the end when you don't find out who the murderer was.
I found Gloria Grahame totally compelling in this. Humphrey Bogart is also good, though pretty unlikeable, which I assume is intentional. One of the best old movies I have ever watched.

I really enjoyed this one. Usually I can't stand anything even remotely sports related, (my husband nearly choked at me describing this as a sports movie, but it kind of is!), but this one I really liked and heaven help me, I think I could even follow the rules of the "game".
Ellen Page is, as always, fantastic, this time in quite a different role for her. Drew Barrymore, not in it as much as might be expected, but still really good. This movie just had a lot of energy and girl power and was funny as well. I can tell I will be watching this one many, many times!

Another depressing English movie about a family who are all pretty much no hopers, and you can see the daughter, who this focuses on, turning out the same way. There is some hope when she ....SPOILER... shows some sense for once in this movie and walks away from working in the strip joint, but since she's taking off to drive around Wales with a no- hoper guy, you can pretty much see the way her life is going to end up. I felt a lot of compassion for all three of the women in this, the horrible mother and sister included, because life is so grim, and you can pretty much see the cycle has just carried on from the mum's upbringing, raising her girls the same way.
I liked this a lot. All the cast do a really great job and I actually found it funny in places as well, not sure if it was meant to be or not.

This was one of my favourites growing up. Looking at it again now, I am not sure people watching it for the first time now would find it as good, but it was for it's time, and I still enjoy a rewatch. Drew Barrymore really was a good actress, even when she was younger.

Not Jennifer Aniston's best, but kind of liked it. Both characters in this are kind of dysfunctional, which appealed to me, and I did like the setting at the motel. Don't know how many more times Jen can play a pregnant woman, though.

I have to admit, my main reason for going to this was that I had a free pass. Though I'd heard okay reviews for it, it was not a movie that overly excited me.
First ten minutes or so i was feeling very tired and really couldn't get my head around what was happening (not that this movie is overly complicated - it is involved, and you do have to concentrate, but it's not one of those movies that are confusing just for the sake of it). I think I just found it that way initially due to my insomnia problems - not always a good mix with subtitles! The first thing to grab my attention was Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth - what an excellent performance - I found both the actress and the character enthralling. There was a lot that wasn't explained about her, and I think it works well that way. She's tough and you wouldn't want to mess with her (there's one very graphic scene with a guy who does - think that one will bring tears to a few eyes!), but you can sense there is some vulnerability there, and a difficult past is hinted at, but not fully revealed.
Slowly but surely I got sucked right into this one. it is long at about 2 and half hours, and it does feel long, but not as long as it actually is, if that makes sense. There is a an awful lot going on here, a few different stories running - I guess the book must be long, because it feels like they fit an awful lot in here, and they really have done a good job with it. This is a thriller, drama, kind of a romance (very kind of!) all rolled into one. The ending left it wide open for a sequel, so hopefully that will happen.
Highly recommend this one!

I don't think anyone in their right mind would call this a good movie, but it is a lot of fun and has a good cast. Some of it is so bad you don't know whether to laugh or cringe. Definitely falls into the guilty pleasure category.

Have been wanting to see this for ages, but doesn't seem to be getting released over here (anytime soon, anyhow), so ended up ordering the DVD from the US. I was surprised to see it was deleted already and had to buy it from a private seller. It is almost like this film is too shocking for some people and is being made to disappear.
Well, obviously it is not a nice topic, a coming of age story about a young girl, played by Dakota Fanning, who's lives with her alcoholic father, who may or may not be abusive, and her extremely religious Grandmother who is just oblivious to a lot of things. Music is her outlet and when she hears Elvis is coming to town, her and a friend come up with a questionable plan to score tickets, which leads to a tragedy.
Dakota, as always is fantastic. I have a whole new respect for her as an actress after watching this, although I have always liked her. She plays plucky Lewellen with such strength and truth that this almost ends up being an inspiring story. (Almost).

This was one of the best French movies I have seen in a long time! Half of it is from Angelique's point of view (Audrey Tautou), such a happy, sweet girl that you really feel bad for her that she's being messed around by this married jerk. It is at this point, very visually pretty to look at - lots of reds and hearts, and of course Audrey is very beautiful. Then it switches as .....SPOILER....... Angelique decides to kill herself, and the story starts over again, giving you the chance to see what actually happened from point of view of the married man. Suddenly you realise Angelique is not exactly all she seems!

I had low expectations on this one, so I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. Similar in tone to Buffalo 66, this deals with people who don't quite fit in, and while the plot is small, it has a lasting impact. Liked it a lot.

Loved this movie! As someone who did not really know the music or story of The Runaways, all this was new to me. It mainly focuses on Cherie Currie,(Dakota Fanning), as it is based on her book. We see how 15 year old Cherie is discovered in a night club for having the right look, abandoned by her mother shortly after, and gets thrown into a world she is too young for. I have to say Dakota totally steals the show here.
Kristin Stewart is also very good as Joan, virtually unrecognisable as Bella here! This is really a role where she has managed to shake off the typecasting. There is nothing weak or pathetic about her here - her Joan is extremely tough and prickly.
This is a really good movie for anyone who enjoys films about bands, 70's stuff, or just girl power.

Considering I walked into this movie not expecting a lot, I really enjoyed it. I don't really get into video games, and this was pretty much one come to life - but it was so interesting and quirky it had me right from the opening titles.
There was so many great characters in this. Alison Pill as Kim was the standout, closely followed by Knives, (I am not sure who the actress was, but she was excellent) and of course Michael Cera as Scott.
I can see why some people may not like it, as it is very disjointed, (intentionally), it plays out like a graphic novel, which is not surprising considering it is based on one. I have not read the novel, so I cannot comment on how closely it follows it. To me it was up there with Ghost World. Quirky, funny and very original.
Check it out, you may be pleasantly surprised!

Excellent teen movie - one of the best I have seen in a long time. I have seen Emma Stone in a few things as a supporting actress and found her good - in this she is outstanding. I think she will go a long way.
As well as having an intelligent and interesting storyline for a teen film, this has enough nods to 80's movies to keep an older audience as entertained as a younger one. The whole cast is excellent including Lisa Kudrow, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson and Amanda Bynes.
What makes this film so good is that it has a real heat to it. I'm sure many of us can relate to Olive as a rumour goes way out of control and she finds herself shunned and getting deeper into it as the film progresses. The unexpected part is how Olive runs with it with a pluck that you can't help but admire. It has a theme common to a lot of 80's films such as "Can't buy me Love" which advocates being true to yourself, (and in fact features a snippet from that movie, and several other 80's classics, showing where the roots of this story came from). The use of some of those 80's songs throughout this is also very effective.
I really loved this film and can't wait to see it again, but in the meantime I have a sudden urge to drag out Sixteen Candles again!

Above average horror/thriller. I really thought this would be crap, the inclusion of Melissa George really didn't inspire me to think otherwise, but I have to admit, I was really impressed with her in this one and may have to rethink my opinion!
I can't really go into too much detail about the story without giving things away (besides, don't think I could really explain it if I tried) but check it out, you will understand what I mean!
Very original idea for a story, did not see the twists coming and kept me surprised and on the edge of my seat at all times. Actually it kind of did my head in. No one is more surprised than me by how good this movie actually was!

One of the best female characters I have seen in a movie in a long time! I absolutely loved Isabelle Huppert here as the eccentric Babou. Lolita Chammah is also good as the daughter who is so embarrassed by her mother she has decided not to invite her to her wedding. (She is also Isabelle Huppert's real life daughter, and they do look a little alike which made it more believable). I could not personally see what she was so embarrassed about - I thought Isabelle looked fantastic all through this, and as for her behaviour, she showed more decency than all the so-called "normal" people. I would be very happy if I wound up like that at her age! (What am I saying, I think I am on my way there now. LOL. There wasn't one outfit there that she wore that I wouldn't have worn!).
Babou gets a job selling dodgy time share units to prove to her daughter that she can be responsible and a parent to be proud of, which brings about some interesting situations. The one flaw was that the ending felt a little rushed, but on the whole, this is a good movie about a mother and her daughter learning to deal with each other as adults rather than mother and daughter and to accept each others flaws.

Hard film to review. I can see where the criticism comes from - there is a lot of nudity here, some of it unnecessary, and usually focusing on young teen girls. Based on this and some of his other films, it wouldn't surprise me if Larry Clark had a bit of a perverted streak. However, that aside, he has done some damn good films, and this is one of them.
It is a very stark film and I guess it has something to say about how one bad decision, (and it is a bad one), can ruin your whole life - not that these out of control teens seem to have a lot going for them to start with, and this is a true story. Bloody hell, more reasons to never have kids. Ever.
The cast are really effective here. Michael Pitt, as always, excellent. Bijou Phillips and Rachel Miner also good (Lisa is beautiful bit kind of scary as well here). What makes this story conflicting is that the guy who was killed really isn't a nice guy. He had beaten and raped both these girls, as well as beaten his best friend. (Nick Stahl was a great choice for the "Bully" - he has kind of a creepy quality). So you kind of do want to see the back of him, while at the same time having to acknowledge that his death was a tragedy and there had to be better ways to deal with his behavior. Larry Clark has been very clever here as he doesn't play any of these characters for sympathy especially. You don't get much of a background story on any of these people. He just films their actions, and leaves it to the viewer to decide who is right and wrong.
Very good film, but, as with a lot of films I have rated highly, will not be for everyone.

While undeniably slow paced, I loved every minute of this film. It felt like it ran for a lot longer than it actually did, probably because of the slow pacing, but I never got bored with this or wished it was over.
The story is pretty slight - it is about an actor, Johnny, who is obviously becoming depressed and disillusioned over the fame thing, while being unable to pull himself away from it.
The one stabilizing thing in Johnny's life is his 11 year old daughter, Cleo, portrayed wonderfully by Elle Fanning. (Another one to watch, I think she is just as impressive and talented as Dakota). Cleo lives with her mother, who we never see, but the pair are not together and Johnny has Cleo over infrequently. The relationship between the two of them is nice to watch. Cleo seems mature for her age, and it is never made clear if she is aware of her father's indiscretions or not.
Although the ending is left to your imagination, it appears that Johnny comes to a turning point.
Beautifully filmed, well cast, just a really good movie which will appeal to all who like a movie which takes time to build and asks you to draw your own conclusions.

Definitely falls into the "WTF??!" category, but loved every minute of it! Anyone who can't stand a movie which doesn't explain itself or tie everything up really needs to avoid this, but if you don't mind having your head twisted and you like things on the dark side, you need to check this out right now.
Natalie Portman plays Nina, a ballerina with some serious mental issues and a creepy ass mother. She is still living at home aged 28 and seems to have the personality of a 12 year old. She is picked to dance as the White Swan, but is too prim and proper to play the black swan. (I am not familiar at all with ballet or this particular dance, so anyone who is needs to excuse me if I did not sum that up well!). Without wanting to give too much away, (not that I really could explain this if I tried!), Nina goes down a very dark path and her personality starts to change to suit both sides of the character she is dancing. Perhaps...
Really can't say too much else or I might ruin it for someone who hasn't seen this yet. Just wow... seriously.... wow!
Some of this is also quite funny in a black way. My favourite scene was when she was doing her homework and turns around and her mother is asleep in the chair. Nearly fell off my own chair laughing.
Creepy, uneasy, scary, funny. Seriously, make sure you see this one!

A rare case where I have actually upped my original rating of 4 stars to 4 and a half after a rewatch! This really is a creepy little film and well worth a watch even now.
I did not previously appreciate how good Mia Farrow actually is in this. I really warmed to her 60's housewife character - so glamourous, (well, until the awful haircut), and liked the overall kitschy feel this movie had. (Although I assume it would not have been kitschy at the time). I also felt that the 60's setting works well here - I could not imagine a woman of today, if this was to be remade, just putting up with a lot of what she did (if it was to be remade now it would be heavy handed and something along the lines of "Sleeping with the enemy" satan style I would imagine!). Mia Farrow really has a naivety and sweetness to her that works well with the character.
This movie is more about what you don't see than what you do. It has an overall creepiness to it once the pregnancy begins. The entire cast are excellent here - the creepy neighbours and John Casavetes as the husband.
An excellent suspense/horror film. Well worth a look!

I have been wanting to see this one since I first saw it advertised a few years back. Just seemed to be one that I never came across at the video store, or remembered to look for. When it was finally shown on SBS a few months back, I taped it, and, you guessed it, forgot all about it!
Finally stumbled across it again today, (gotta love a public holiday), and finally I can say I have seen this lovely movie.
I heard it described as a very romantic film. It is and it kind of isn't. Though there is a lot of romance and romantic themes in it, it is firmly based in reality. There is potential for almost all in this film to have a romantic ending, but not all get it........SPOILERS........ Particularly sad in the case of the older lady caring for her old mother with dementia - you literally see her lose her courage. Pretty heartbreaking to think she missed her last chance at happiness, but on the other hand, you have to admire her selflessness in choosing to care for her mother.
Mostly this follows the lives and friendship of four women and is based around the beauty salon three of them work in. It is set in Beirut, which also gives this movie a little something extra - I found this both exotic and totally alien to my own life. You could say this is a far cry from a friendship movie such as the Sex & the City films. This somehow had more substance, while still being quite a feel good movie.
The main character Layale is involved with a married man, which obviously leads to tears. She becomes obsessed with his wife, Christine, who is such a lovely person even Layale kind of likes her, much to her confusion. Meanwhile, Layale can't see that the policeman who works across the road is secretly in love with her and a really nice guy.
Nisrine is about to be married and has a secret - her husband is not her "first" (I can't imagine this being a scandal in a SATC, but here it is, again, very different culture), and she decides to take some extreme action to hide her secret.
Rima is a lesbian and is attracted to a beautiful customer to the beauty store. This relationship is implied more than seen, but done nicely. I guess maybe that would be more scandalous in this culture also.
And Jamale is an ageing aspiring actress who is divorced and feeling her age so badly she has resorted to taping her face and lying about still getting her period to make herself seem more youthfull. Her audition screen test is funny and also heartbreaking. I really felt for all the women in this movie. Really, really beautifully written characters and story and leaves plenty to your own imagination and interpretation.
I will definitely be adding this one to my collection!

Saw this sometime ago and really enjoyed it, so was glad to see it going really cheap on Amazon.
The rewatch was just as good. Great cast including a very young Kristen Stewart. I liked how the stories about the three sets of neighbours all wound together. Though it is a drama, there is some black humor there as well. The Barbie doll in particular made me laugh. Very realistic with that hair - kind of creepy actually!

Excellent, but devastating film. I had heard that it was about a marriage break up, but I didn't realise it would be so bleak. (I mean, the usual thing in a movie would be hit a rough patch and work it out, or break up, but someone better is waiting in the wings. This movie doesn't go either of those routes!).
It is really quite gritty and realistic. There is no glamorizing or sugar coating here. The cast don't look beautiful the whole time, the filming is occasionally a little off focus, sound a bit muffled - all of this adds to it's realness. I think anyone who is, or has been married could relate to this.
I have to give both Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling full credit for their portrayal of these honest and flawed characters. It must have been emotionally draining doing this film - it was hard enough just watching it!
The saddest thing is that the problems this couple had were not even that bad.

This is an old favourite of mine. I upgraded from VHS to DVD quite some time ago, but never quite got around to rewatching it until now. What can I say? This is one of those rare movies that I think I enjoyed more over time rather than think it is not as good, or like it as a nostalgia piece.
This is for sure one of Fairuza Balk's best roles - she is an actress I think could have gone a long way, I am surprised she wasn't more successful. She is perfect here as Shade, living in a caravan park with her mother and her troubled older sister, Trudi (Ione Skye - also a good role for her).
I think the good thing about rewatching it now is that I can identify now with all three of the women, rather than just the daughters. These are very well written women characters, and this film has a lot of depth.
Donovan Leitch is also excellent here as Darius, and also the guy who plays Javier (I am unsure who he is). The rest of the men don't fare so well here, but this really is a movie for and about woman. Highly recommend it and have changed my original score of 4 to 5!

I must have watched the worst copy of this going - one of those $2 store jobs with scratchy sound and picture, lines, blotches, you name it, and I still found this compelling. I can only imagine what it must be like to watch it properly. I think I will have to track down a decent copy online and I must check the book out too as apparently that was much more detailed.
Bette Davis plays a horrible, but beautiful woman with a grating English accent (other reviewers seemed to think it was accurate). I could see how Philip kept falling for her even though she was absolutely heinous! The scene where she is screaming at him that she wiped her mouth every time he kissed her was especially awful.
This would be one of my favourite older movies so far, can't believe I had this dvd for about two years and only just watched it!

Really good rom com. I think I preferred it to the similar "No Strings Attached", although in all fairness, I enjoyed that one too. Mila is just a better lead than Natalie - it is down to her that this movie succeeds as much as it does. Justin Timberlake, so not a favourite, but he is okay here, amazingly enough. Still would have preferred a different romantic lead, but I could just about watch him without vomiting, as expected!
This has some really funny and nice bits in it and a few little cameos. Also nice to see Jenna Elfman in something, and Emma Stone's small role was hilarious as always.
Of course has the predicted happy ending, but is really nicely done. Check it out!

Have actually upped my rating to 4 stars from 3 1/2 - very unusual for that to happen - usually the other way round!! I can't really remember watching this the first time.... well, only vaguely... though I guess I must have as i have the dvd in my collection. Really enjoyed this the second time around, as I couldn't remember it too well at all, I had forgotten all the twists, so it was still a surprise rewatching it.
I found this very well done - the filming is quite stylish, the cast really good (maybe with the exception of Matthew Lilliard who I can never quite take seriously, but he plays a bit of a joker as usual anyhow, so I could wear this one). Josh Hartnett very convincing and works really well with Diane Kruger as Lisa - found them both really enthralling here. Quite an erotic film without being overly graphic. Rose Byrne I also found quite sympathetic - won't say too much about her character here!
Above average thriller, nice to look at, and never lags or gets dull. Enjoyed this a lot!