Mac's Movies

UK Release Date: 3 March 1989 Certification: 15 Director: Barry Levinson Cast: Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Dustin Hoffman Rating: 74% Despite the title there was no rain throughout the runtime. Review:  Rain Man released in 1988 - in America - a time where there weren't many, if any, films that showcased autism on a big scale. As a result of this the movie ended up grossing $354 million worldwide and won several academy awards including best actor, best picture and best director.  The plot is quite thin in Rain Man , not a lot actually happens during two hour runtime. It's essentially a road trip. But what makes the movie entertaining and captivating are the central performances from  Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino and Dustin Hoffman. Similarly, to early roles in Cruise's career - before he became the action star that he is today - he plays a fairly unlikeable character in Charlie Babbitt who when we first meet him is only concerned about inheriting $3 million...

UK Release Date: 6 May 2022 Certification: 12A Director: Sam Raimi Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Xochitl Gomez, Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong Rating: 59% Beware - there are some strange spoilers below. Review: I think where the movie fell flat for me was the lack of direction. It's a bit of a mess. The whole plot is essentially Wanda going on a killing spree because her made up children don't exist. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness isn't a sequel to Doctor Strange and it isn't a full exploration of the multiverse either (only choosing to delve into three different universes). So what actually is it? I still don't really know. Sam Raimi wasn't a great appointment in my opinion, it really feels like one of his movies, he just chucks ideas onto the screen.  For me, each time Benedict Cumberbatch appears as Doctor Strange, his performance improves. He embodies the arrogance but also caring nature of the character. Pl...

UK Release Date: 17 October 2003 Certification: 15 Director: Clint Eastwood Cast: Kevin Bacon, Spencer Treat Clark, Laurence Fishburne, Tom Guiry, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins Rating: 84% We bury our sins, we wash them clean.  Review: Mystic River is an excellent crime thriller directed by filmmaking legend, Clint Eastwood. With three outstanding central performances and a gripping story, the film thoroughly deserves all the praise it received.  Sean Penn delivers such a morally convoluted performance as Jimmy Markum. The former Boston mob boss is put through a family tragedy and Mystic River displays his reaction throughout the movie's run time. His emotions often get the better of him but that's what makes him a relatable character. We, as an audience, understand that he isn't a particularly good man but he is simply trying to do the best for his family. Sean Penn thoroughly deserved the  Oscar for   his  poignant and moving pe...

UK Release Date: 25 November 2011 Certification: 12A Director: Bennett Miller Cast: Stephen Bishop, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ken Medlock, Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt, Robin Wright Rating: 93% "It's hard not to get romantic about Baseball." Review: Moneyball has absolutely everything I look for in a sports movie.  And whilst Moneyball is one of my favourite sports movie of all time it's more than that.  The movie's got heart, an endearing underdog story and a fantastic central performance from Brad Pitt.  Speaking of Brad Pitt, regardless of his iconic and legendary filmography - that includes movies such as Se7en and Fight Club - this is the best performance of his career in my opinion. He's cocky and nonchalant as general manager Billy Beane but somehow captivating. I'm not quite sure how he, or the movie in general, didn't win a single academy award despite the six nominations.  The chemistry between Pitt and Jonah Hill is outstanding....