Mac's Movies

As it's Christopher Nolan's 52nd birthday today, I thought there was no better time to rank his filmography - excluding Following , as I am yet to see it.   He's not only my favourite director but he's also a visionary in his industry. He's constantly adapting and telling complex stories whilst making some of the best films of the 21st century. One premise that has followed Nolan throughout his career is his obsession with time, w hen asked why Nolan is interested in time: "Well because I've always lived in it. We feel very trapped in it. It's like we try and hang on to the moment, we take photographs of everything. We desperately want to hang on to this reality and it recedes. What time travel allows us to do is to say ok, but what if we could? What if we could preserve that moment? What if we could revisit that moment?" And that creativity and genius filmmaking is what sets him apart from other directors. 10. Insomnia 09. Tenet 08. The Dark Kn...

UK Release Date: 23 September 2005 Certification: U Director: Hayao Miyazaki Cast: Chieko Baishô, Tatsuya Gashûin, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Haruko Kato, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa Rating: 62% A mediocre Studio Ghibli film.  Review: Having to read 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Dianna Wynne Jones a few years ago for a Book Quiz, I despised every second but after my successful viewing of Princess Mononoke I thought I would  give the movie a chance. Whilst the theatrical version of Howl's Moving Castle is a huge improvement, it's still a huge let down compared to other Studio Ghibli films.  As is to be expected with a Ghibli film the animation is out of this world. Every single shot is so sleek, it isn't hyper-realism animation, and yet it feels like it belongs in the world that's been created. That's simply due to the time and care that the animators put in to bringing to life frame after frame. It was revealed recently that every year Studio Ghibli create twel...

UK Release Date: 26 October 2011 Certification: PG Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Daniel Mays, Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis Rating:   87% I need Red Rackham's Treasure.  Review:  For context I'm a huge fan when it comes to Belgium comic writer Hergé's most famous creation, the young reporter, Tintin. Maybe it's because I could relate to him as someone who looked just like me but I've absolutely loved him since I was about six or seven. I've read every story in the comic series, I've seen the 90's animated series multiple times, I played the Wii game based on this movie when it came out with my brother and my dad. And most notably I teamed up with my dad to dress up as the inseparable duo of Tintin and Captain Haddock for Halloween one year. So although I can't remember I'm almost certain I went with my dad to see The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn at the cinema.  Again, not know...

UK Release Date: 10 November 2006 Certification: 12A Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: Christian Bale, David Bowie, Michael Caine, Rebecca Hall, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Perabo, Andy Serkis Rating: 83% "Are you watching closely?" Review: On paper  The Prestige  is the perfect film. It has a terrific twist that comes out from absolutely no where, Nolan produces technical brilliance and there's an immense cast. However, the fact that no character comes across as likeable during the runtime makes it difficult for me to latch on to anyone and prevents me from loving  The Prestige .  Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman play competing magicians (Alfred Bordon and Robert Angier respectively). Alongside, Leonardo DiCaprio these are two of the greatest actors of this generation. They both play the role exactly as described - they're both unlikeable and selfish men that destroy each other and the people around them in an insane obsession to suceed. And that's...

UK Release Date: 08 June 2022 Certification: 15 Director: Jeremiah Zagar Cast: Robert Duvall, Anthony Edwards, Ben Foster, Juancho Hernangomez, Queen Latifiah, Adam Sandler, Kenny Smith Rating: 69% Adam Sandler at his brilliant best.  Review: Hustle is the latest in line, following on from Uncut Gems , of films that are redefining Adam Sandler's career as a serious actor. And he makes this film work with his subtle and understating performance as basketball scout Stanley Sugarman. Sandler's also heavily involved throughout the production and that thoughtfulness and care taken with the movie bleeds through onto the screen. His love for the game is evident and it only heightens his brilliant performance. He does his usual comedic beats but it's never overwhelming and emotion is favoured instead.  Sandler's chemistry with newcomer, Juancho Hernangomez (Bo Cruz), is the best aspect of Hustle . They have the heartwarming moments that help form a real bond between the two...

UK Release Date: 18 January 2002 Certification: 15 Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Ewen Bremner, Tom Hardy, Josh Hartnett, Jason Isaacs, Ewan McGregor, Sam Shepard, Tom Sizemore Rating: 75% Leave No Man Behind.  Review: Ridley Scott ensures technical brilliance in every film he's involved in and that's no different in the case of  Black Hawk Down . The overall film doesn't hold up to some of his other features -  Alien ,  Blade Runner  and  Gladiator  - but technically it's just as good. The editing and sound is immersive for which it won an academy award for both. And the dull grey and green colours help blood stains and explosions pop that little bit more.  Whilst the ensemble cast assembled for Black Hawk Down is incredible, very few characters have any development due to conflicting  screen time. Josh Hartnett does a great job as the leading man giving a convincing display of a soldier who is out of his depth. S...

UK Release Date: 3 November 2017 Certification: 15 Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Raffey Cassidy, Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, Nicole Kidman, Sunny Suljic Rating: 67% A24's most disturbing and bizarre film.  Review: After having some time to reflect and digest A24 film,  The Killing of a Sacred Deer I still don't truly know what to think but I'll try to translate my thoughts across here in this review. One thing I do know is that this is a thoroughly metaphorically complex film that will need to be viewed multiple times to be fully appreciated.  Colin Farrell plays Steven, a surgeon with a wife and two kids - a normal life. The Irish actor teams up with Greek filmmaker, Yorgos Lanthimos, once again after The Lobster . It's a frustrating performance for me because he does what he's asked too but his character ended up making a few idiotic choices. Thats more on the writing than Farrell's acting. Nicole Kidman, on the other hand, is brilliant. She's a ...

UK Release Date: 31 May 1996 Certification: 18 Director:   Joel Coen Cast: Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Harve Presnell, Kristin Rudrüd, Peter Stormare Rating: 78% "Ya, ya betcha." Review:  1996's Fargo is perhaps one of the best of the Coen Brother's career. Their quirky filmmaking and strange characters are present as always but there's a certain subtlety about the film that sets it apart from anything else like it.  The characters brought to life in Fargo are all worth studying. You can tell almost every aspect of each of their personalities from one action. Frances McDormand obviously deserved all the plaudits for her performance as simpleton Marge Gunderson, winning an Oscar. Her character is so straightforward and yet she is one of the most relatable characters ever brought to the big screen. William H. Macy stars as Jerry Lundegaard who can't be described as a 'bad guy' as his intentions are understandable, if stupid. ...

UK Release Date: 22 February 2022 Certification: 12 Director: Ron Howard Cast: Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Russel Crowe, Adam Goldberg, Ed Harris, Josh Lucas, Christopher Plummer Rating: 76% 'The only thing greater than the power of the mind is the courage of the heart' Review: Some mesmerising performances are at the heart of the film. Russel Crowe plays Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. John Nash. It's a beautiful performance (pun intended) that encapsulates the sheer intelligence of Nash whilst also bring a sense of vulnerability to the role that makes him easy to empathise with. However, he's outdone by Jennifer Connelly who won an academy award for her performance. Her performance feels so personal due to her love and care for her husband. She firstly, helps Nash discover who he truly is and later on helps him rediscover that during his most challenging period dealing with paranoid schizophrenia. The supporting cast are all up to standard as well. Paul Bet...

UK Release Date: 26 October 1990 Certification: 18 Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Lorraine Bracco, Tony Darrow, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Frank Sivero, Paul Sorvino, Mike Starr, Frank Vincent  Rating:   92 % "As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster." Review: Goodfellas is the ultimate crime flick. Despite the rushed conclusion (my opinion) Martin Scorsese's film, based on a true story, is often considered as one of the best of all time.  Criminally, this is my first viewing of a Scorsese feature. With instant classics like  Taxi Driver  and  Raging Bull  as well as modern classics like  The Departed  and  The Wolf of Wall Street , he's viewed as one of the greatest directors of all time. I think what makes him stand out is his reliance on returning actors (Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci back then and Leonardo DiCaprio since the 2000's).  What makes Goodfellas not only an iconic movie but an a...

UK Release Date: 6 May 1988 Certification: PG Director: Wim Wenders Cast: Curt Bois, Solveig Dommartin, Peter Falk, Bruno Ganz, Otto Sander Rating: 68% "Why am I here, and why not there?" Review:  Recently, my local arthouse cinema was showing a rendition of Wim Wenders film, Wings of Desire . The German foreign feature is an exploration of the qualities of human life through the eyes of an angel, Damiel.   Bruno Ganz plays Damiel flawlessly. From the sense of longing for both a romantic relationship and the desire to become human to the delight and wonder of subtle details synonymous with living. It was a performance that exceeded all my expectations due to it's elegance and complexity. It absolutely baffles me that with such a delightful outing, Ganz would go on to play Adolf Hitler in Downfall 15 years later. Otto Sander is much more understated as Cassiel but is just as good, showing a great deal of range with limited screen time. He makes you feel real anguish w...