Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  02 November 2001 Certification:  12 Director:  Alejandro Amenábar Cast:  James Bentley, Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan, Nicole Kidman, Alakina Mann, Eric Sykes Rating:   79 % Review: What a pleasant surprise. Supernatural-horror, The Others , is certainly deserving of a higher appreciation when it comes to discussing modern horror.  Nicole Kidman is tremendous in the lead role. Playing, Grace, mother to Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley), just weeks after her public divorce with Tom Cruise. That doesn't detract from her performance whatsoever as she shines in The Others . Frightened but at the same time completely unhinged. Understandably so, doing everything she can in the film's runtime to protect her children. Amazingly, first-time child actress Alakina Mann is just as good. Perfectly capable of acting alongside Nicole Kidman, looking comfortable in each interaction. Such a fear-inducing performance at a very young ag

UK Release Date:  28 July 2023 Certification:  15 Director:  Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou Cast:  Chris Alosio, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Alexandra Jensen, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Sophie Wilde Rating:   79%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Review: A24's latest sadistic film, Talk to Me , is an absolutely fantastic edition of modern horror. The film plays around with the supernatural sub-genre, manipulating audience expectations to provide some of the most gruesome scares of the decade. It utilises blood as a tool to express pain rather than frighten with inconsistent jerky movements providing more of a scare-factor. Talk to Me truly has to be experienced with an audience to be fully as enjoyed as the terror of the film rings around the screen. 

UK Release Date:  21 July 2023 Certification:  15 Director:  Christopher Nolan Cast:  Casey Affleck, Michael Angarano, Dylan Arnold, Emily Blunt, Kenneth Branagh, Jason Clarke, Tom Conti, Matt Damon, David Dastmalchian, Dane DeHaan, Robert Downey Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Josh Hartnett, David Krumholtz, Rami Malek, Matthew Modine, Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman, Florence Pugh, Jack Quaid, Benny Safdie, Alex Wolff Rating:   97 % Review: With the buzz of 'Barbenheimer' in full effect, Oppenheimer released to a worldwide wave of praise,   Oppenheimer  was easily my most anticipated release of 2023.  Christopher Nolan is my favourite director and t he film is the crowning achievement of Nolan's career to date - combining the meticulous script of Memento , the performances of The Prestige and the stunning visuals of Interstellar . It is his tightest screenplay and has a plethora of personal performances yet he maintains the spectacular style that brought him initial success. Sharing

UK Release Date:  08 May 1992 Certification:  18 Director:  Paul Verhoeven Cast:  Daniel von Bargen, Michael Douglas, George Dzundza, Wayne Knight, Sharon Stone, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Bruce A. Young Rating:   61 % Review:   Basic Instinct consists of an awful, awful script. There are several laughable moments as a result of cringe writing, uninventive and insufferable dialogue. It results in quite a few cast members simply phoning it in or over acting in an attempt to get something out of the wooden material that they have to work with.  The late Jerry Goldsmith composes the film's score. With an illustrious filmography consisting of Alien , Chinatown and Planet of the Apes - receiving a total of 18 Oscar nominations including one for Basic Instinct . Personally, the score feels overused and overwhelming even if it is complete with decent pieces of music.  Michael Douglas is solid enough in the lead role - he garnered fame for similar roles around this time. However, Sharon Stone

UK Release Date:  20 June 2023 Certification:  12A Director:  Wes Anderson Cast:  Bob Balaban, Adrien Brody, Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, Willem Dafoe, Hope Davis, Grace Edwards, Rupert Friend, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Hanks, Maya Hawke, Scarlett Johansson, Edward Norton, Stephen Park, Tony Revolori, Margot Robbie, Jake Ryan, Liev Schreiber, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Jeffrey Wright Rating:   75 % Review: Wes' most visually striking film to date. He has became renowned for his eccentric, quirky style that has taken over the internet in recent months. At the height of his popularity, Wes released perhaps his least accessible film to date - it's not got to win anyone over but fans of his work will thoroughly enjoy Asteroid City . Exceptionally lit monotone shots detailing the production of the play combined with the glorified vibrancy of the play itself. The sets are designed with perfection in mind. Costume designs fit the aesthetic.  Neon greens, vast blues and dry oranges ca

UK Release Date:  21 July 2023 Certification:  12A Director:  Greta Gerwig Cast:  Kingsley Ben-Adir, Michael Cera, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Ryan Gosling, Ariana Greenblatt, Simu Liu, Emma Mackey, Kate McKinnon, Helen Mirren, Issa Rae, Margot Robbie, Alexandra Shipp Rating:   55 % Review: Admittedly, I'm not the target audience - I am a teenage male that can't relate to the problems of a woman in modern society - and women have gotten a lot out of the film, specifically mothers, which is great but Barbie just felt like a strange amalgamation of social commentary and product placement. When tasked with making a film on the issues of toxic masculinity and the empowerment of feminism, whether intentional or not, it is baffling that a man completely stole the show. Before the film had even been released the public were rallying for Ryan Gosling to receive an Oscar nomination at next year's Academy Awards, demanding a solo film featuring Ken. That is the complete opposite

UK Release Date:  05 December 1997 Certification:  15 Director:  James Mangold Cast:  Peter Berg, Noah Emmerich, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport, Sylvester Stallone, Frank Vincent Rating:   66% Review: 1997's Cop L and is a film of its time. Back when investigations into the police force were seen on screen every few months - Internal Affairs , L.A. Confidential and Training Day . Cop Land may lack originality, but for the most part it's a solid crime film.  The cast is stacked. Full of big name, A-list actors akin to that of one of Scorsese's works. Yet, it's Sylvester Stallone that steals the show with a terrific performance. Sheriff, Freddy Heflin, hindered by being partially deaf is portrayed superbly by Stallone. Emotionless, unwavering and torn by inner turmoil. The audience is continuously  rooting for Heflin despite his unadventurous persona. Harvey Keitel and Robert Patrick are both decent enough villains, menacing

UK Release Date:  19 February 1981 Certification:  18 Director:  Martin Scorsese Cast:  Nicholas Colasanto, Mario Gallo, Cathy Moriarty, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent Rating:   87 % Review: The film that saved both Martin Scorsese's career and life. A biography of Jake LaMotta's life, one of the most famous boxers of his time - for both the right and wrong reasons -  Raging Bull  is a character study masked as a sports film. From a filmmaking standpoint this is outstanding. Some exceptional camerawork which isn't really a surprise considering it's Scorsese. The way he shoots that dolly of LaMotta whilst he's in the ring is absolutely iconic, emphasising his descent into madness and inability to deal with both jealousy and anger. That whole scene in fact is simply riveting cinema.  The decision to have the film play out in black and white benefitted the viewing experience for me. Distinguishing Raging Bull from other works of the time. Acting as a symboli

UK Release Date:  14 February 2020 Certification:  15 Director:  Céline Sciamma Cast:  Luàna Bajrami, Valeria Golino, Adèle Haenel, Noémie Merlant Rating:   95 %                                                                                                                                                                                         Review:   What a beautiful film. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is mesmerising. Every scene, shot and frame is displayed as if it is an artist's masterful work, their most esteemed painting. The whole film is painstakingly though out in terms of colour, lighting, backdrop - meticulously crafted in a stunning manner. Claire Mathon's cinematography is simply gorgeous. One of the best looking films of the 21st century.  The dynamic between the three central women is spectacular. Firstly as a friendship - Marianne, Héloïse and Sophie form a close bond. Their rapport bleeds through the screen, never failing to put a smile on my face. But the roma

UK Release Date:  10 July 2023 Certification:  12A Director:  Christopher McQuarrie Cast:  Hayley Atwell,  Tom Cruise, Henry Czerny, Cary Elwes, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames Rating:   66% Review: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One released last week to nothing but positive reviews and opened to $310 million worldwide. The troubled production was well documented with filming halting several times as a result of COVID-19. An infamous rant from Tom Cruise leaked online due to the frustration. Criticised for his aggressive approach but praised for his attitude towards following the strict guidelines.  However, despite the controversy that surrounds him, it can't be denied that Tom Cruise is the last of a dying age of cinema, the last true movie star. He's a great actor - demonstrating that early on in his career as he worked with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick and Paul Thomas Anderson - but for th

UK Release Date:  25 July 2018 Certification:  12A Director:  Christopher McQuarrie Cast:  Alec Baldwin, Angela Bassett, Henry Cavill,  Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Vanessa Kirby, Michelle Monaghan, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames Rating:   86% Review: This is how you do an action film. Not many are able to hold up against the fierce entertainment of Mission: Impossible - Fallout . A well executed plot, paced with expert precision leads to easily the best entry into the franchise.  Stunt work is absolutely mystifying. Each sequence appears to be more death-defying than the last as Cruise and co attempt to up the ante. Tom Cruise became the first actor to ever perform a military HALO jump (High Altitude, Low Open) after arduous training spanning the course of a year. The way in which it is shot is spectacular - a cameraman skydiving alongside Cruise with a Red Weapon 6K camera strapped to his head. It's followed up by an impressive bathroom brawl that took weeks to film and an

UK Release Date:  31 July 2015 Certification:  12A Director:  Christopher McQuarrie Cast: Alec Baldwin,  Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Tom Hollander, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames Rating:   76% Review: For the majority of the Mission: Impossible franchise the films continue to improve in quality, a testament to the  enthusiasm and passion from everyone involved in each entry. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation is no different. It's bolder, it's increasingly demanding but yet the film somehow retains a strong sense of originality.  Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation  unexpectedly ups the ante from Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol . Tom Cruise may have dangled off the Burj Khalifa in the previous addition, a commendable feat unlike anything seen before, but that's next to nothing compared to what Cruise puts himself through in this film. He hung onto the outside of a plane during takeoff, learnt to hold his breath underwater for up to six minutes a

UK Release Date:  26 December 2011 Certification:  12A Director:  Brad Bird Cast:  Tom Cruise, Samuli Edelmann, Vladimir Mashkov, Michael Nyqvist, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Léa Seydoux Rating:   70% Review: 2011's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is when the franchise truly became the action behemoth that it is renowned for being today.  After a five year hiatus from Mission: Impossible III , many were quick to assume that Tom Cruise was too old to continue in the role.  However, this is Tom Cruise hitting his peak. The  stunt work he throws himself into is absolutely absurd. Why on earth would anyone sit down one day and think let's scale the Burj Khalifa? Filmed predominantly with the use of an overhead helicopter depicting Tom Cruise strapped to a safety harness as he ascends the tallest building in the world. It's a phenomenal showcase of Cruise's dedication to his craft. An exhilarating spectacle built to entertain. The action as a whole takes a

UK Release Date:  04 May 2006 Certification:  12A Director:  J.J. Abrams Cast: Billy Crudup,  Tom Cruise, Laurence Fishburne, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Michelle Monaghan, Simon Pegg, Maggie Q, Ving Rhames  Rating:   62% Review: Mission: Impossible III saw a return to form for the action franchise after the mishap of Mission: Impossible II . With a whole host of fresh faces both in front of and behind the camera,  a new breath of life helped Ethan Hunt's story stand out from his previous outings. Firstly, rest in peace Phillip Seymour Hoffman. That man could act. It is by far the best performance within the series. Convincingly menacing with every action, Owen Davian poses a realistic threat to Ethan's morals and ideals. His relentless nature for suffering is frightening. He is never challenged, more feeling bothered and inconvenienced by it all. The new additions to Ethan's crew are entertaining. Really enjoy both Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Simon Pegg as

UK Release Date:  07 July 2000 Certification:  15 Director:  John Woo Cast:  Tom Cruise, Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, John Polson, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, Dougray Scott Rating:   29% Review: Mission: Impossible II is the only mis fire of the whole franchise. Brian De Palma choose not to return to direct the sequel - quoting, "One of these is enough." In the case of this film that statement would be correct, a massive step down in quality from its predecessor.  With a whole new team of writers behind the development of Mission: Impossible II (bar one)  the film   completely mischaracterises Ethan Hunt. In the first, Hunt is a little cocky but he has an undeniable charm surrounding his persona. Whereas, with this outing he's unbearable. Jealous throughout, rude to his crew and making frequent bad decisions that result in life-threatening consequences.  Thandie Newton and Dougray Scott give two of the worst acting performances I've had the m

UK Release Date:  05 July 1996 Certification:  PG Director:  Brian De Palma Cast:  Emmanuelle Béart, Tom Cruise, Henry Czerny, Vanessa Redgrave, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristen Scott Thomas, Jon Voight Rating:   68% Review: Quintessential 90s cinema. A film that kickstarted a continuous action franchise that has since grown in ambition, stature and quality. Based on a TV series of the same name that first aired in 1966, Mission: Impossible released 30 years later to, at the time, record breaking commercial success.  Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt. There is near to no separation from actor and character. Although the stunts get more extravagant and death-defying as the franchise progresses, his dedication at this early stage is unreal during his first real delve into the action genre. Deciding to hang on top of a moving train for the benefit of the film.  Even from the first entry, Cruise was involved in the making of Mission: Impossible as a producer investing time and care into the materi

UK Release Date:  02 June 2023 Certification:  PG Director:  Kemp Powers, Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson Cast:  Brian Tyree Henry, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Daniel Kaluuya, Shameik Moore, Jason Schwartzman, Hailee Steinfeld, Luna Lauren Velez Rating:   90%                                                                                                                                                                                          Review: Arguably, the biggest release of 2023.  Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hit cinemas five years after the rapturous success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and briefly held the  title of greatest film of all time on Letterboxd (now sitting ninth).  A gorgeous feat of animation. An astonishing achievement and the pinnacle of animated filmmaking. Each frame is painstakingly rendered with excellent hand drawn work from an extraordinary team of animators. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse manages to immerse the audience into t