Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  01 January 2015 Certification:  15 Director:  Alejandro González Iñárritu Cast:  Lindsay Duncan, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts Rating:   47% Review: Winner of three Oscars, including best picture and best director at the 87th Academy Awards, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is essential viewing for any modern cinephile.  A fading actor (Riggan Thomson) struggles to be taken seriously following his retirement as superhero, Birdman, attempting to mount a comeback with a Broadway play before succumbing to his alter ago towards the end. The film acts as a metaphorical representation of Michael Keaton's career after he portrayed the caped crusader in 1989's Batman and returned this year in The Flash .  First of all, the camera work is exquisite. Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography is extraordinary. He is given numerous instances to simply show off his e...

UK Release Date: 15 December 2005 Certification: 12A Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Jamie Bell, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Kyle Chandler, Colin Hanks, Thomas Kretschmann, Evan Parke, Andy Serkis, Naomi Watts Rating: 75% "It was beauty killed the beast" Review: Peter Jackson's direction is the reason King Kong works as well as it does. He's well known for his extraordinary CGI work in The Lord of the Rings and that is no different here.  Despite some of the movies flaws  King Kong  is a technical marvel to behold.  Whether it's giant insects, dinosaurs or of course Kong himself. Andy Serkis obviously motion captures Kong and he adds emotional depth the character. It's the most humanised Kong has ever felt and I loved it.  The rest of the cast may not match Serkis' performance but there are a few standouts. Jack Black is an incredible villain (I  believe he's the main antagonist of the movie). You love to hate his character, failing...