Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  12 January 2024 Certification:  18 Director:  Yorgos Lanthimos Cast:  Christopher Abbott, Suzy Bemba, Jerrod Carmichael, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Mark Ruffalo,  Emma Stone, Ramy Youssef Rating:   79% Review: Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film, Poor Things , is by far his most ambitious feature.  Tackling feminist ideals, a woman's appreciation of her own body and the transition from childhood to young-adolescence - most of which is layered in metaphorical subtext. There is a lot to take in and process fully.  Akin to Mary Shelley's gothic tale of Frankenstein and his monster, Poor Things explores that godlike complex that the 'scientist' has over its 'experiment'. With Bella (Emma Stone) referring to her surrogate father, Godwin (Willem Dafoe), as God. It creates an interesting dynamic between the two that shapes the opening act of the film. There's a certain level of respect and admiration that was never present in ...

UK Release Date:  01 January 2024 Certification:  15 Director:  Sofia Coppola Cast:  Ari Cohen, Dagmara Domińczyk, Jacob Elordi, Lynne Griffin, Tim Post, Cailee Spaeny Rating:   77 % Review: Sofia Coppola's answer to Baz Luhrmann's  Elvis  - there's a world where both can coexist as they give a unique account of the time period. A more intimate and private exploration of character.  Priscilla is an authentic and meaningful narrative ultimately detailing the dangers of grooming for young girls around the world.  Caught up in the whirlwind of excitement and attention, Priscilla's lifestyle completely flipped on its head as she accepted an older Elvis' advances. Somewhat unaware of the position she finds herself in but in the moments of rest-bite Cailee Spaeny plays it perfectly. A feeling of isolation, loneliness and anxiety can all be found solely within her eyes. Subtly making the audience aware of the fear she felt at times.  The film ...

UK Release Date:  13 January 2017 Certification:  12A Director:  Damien Chazelle Cast:  Ryan Gosling, John Legend, J.K. Simmons, Emma Stone Rating:   96 % Review: Continuing with my new found love for Damien Chazelle, La La Land is his examination of being able to follow your passion trapped in the constraints of a charming musical. An exuberant glorification of Los Angeles compared to the cynical narrative present in Babylon . What begins as a glamorous and energetic tale of romance finishes in complete devastation - a metaphorical depiction of betrayal present in the medium of film. La La Land is a punch to the gut. By the end of the film I was left in floods of tears.  The wave of emotion is predominantly down to the excellence of Justin Hurwitz's jazz-centric score - who picked up an Academy Award for his efforts. 'Mia & Sebastian's Theme' is absurdly painful to experience. A heartbreaking piece of music that becomes increasingly delicate as diff...

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 blu...

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...

UK Release Date:  23 September 2011 Certification:  12A Director:  Glenn Ficarra, John Requa Cast:  Kevin Bacon, Jonah Bobo, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Joey King, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Lio Tipton, Marisa Tomei Rating:   72 %                                                                                                                                                     Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love. is a delightful ...

UK Release Date:  26 October 1961 Certification:  15 Director:  Robert Rossen Cast:  Jackie Gleason, Murray Hamilton, Piper Laurie, Myron McCormick, Paul Newman, George C. Scott Rating:   83 % Review: Recently, I was able to see a double feature of The Hustler and The Color of Money on the big screen.  1961's  The Hustler , based on a novel of the same name, is one of the best sports films ever brought to life. Paul Newman is unstoppable in the lead role. It's a masterful performance as hustler, Eddie 'Fast Eddie' Felson. So much heart and emotion spills through the screen, it's truly moving - earning Newman a nomination for best actor at the 34th Academy Awards. He oozes charisma and charm throughout the runtime but is able to dip into an emotional, broken side when needed. The chemistry with Piper Laurie is brilliant to watch on screen. Their relationship isn't picturesque by any means but it's representative of the times. Jackie Gleason adds a lot...

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...

UK Release Date: 31 May 2019 Certification: 12 Director: Nahnatchka Khan Cast: Vivian Bang, Michelle Buteau, Daniel Dae Kim, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves, James Saito, Karan Soni, Ali Wong Rating:   44 % Keanu saves the movie. Review: Always Be My Maybe is nothing new, the story’s been done before and whilst there are a few comedic elements that make the movie enjoyable enough it isn’t a huge revitalisation on the rom-com genre or one that I think I'll ever revisit.  Randall Park and Ali Wong in the two leads, as Marcus and Sasha, are charming and the chemistry between both actors is fine but the problem is that they aren't very funny - bar a couple of exceptions. Park and Wong are starring in a rom-com in Always Be My Maybe but the problem is, I wasn't at all invested in the relationship between Marcus and Sasha. I don't think the actors are entirely to blame for the lack of care about their characters as the script simply doesn't work. The supporting cast aren...

UK Release Date: 19 November 2021 Certification: 12A Director: Jane Campion Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jesse Plemons Rating: 81% A definite best picture contender.  Review: I think the best way to describe The Power of the Dog is that it's an interesting film. A character based psychological thriller that takes a while to really get going but once it does never slows down. The tension created by Jane Campion is excellent and it keeps you guessing throughout the movie as to what is really happening and who is in control.  The Power of the Dog is full of Oscar worthy performances. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a sadistic cattle rancher, Phil Burbank, who bottles up his feelings in a character study about masculinity. In all honesty, Cumberbatch is a class above the rest, it's easily his best performance to date and I believe, alongside Andrew Garfield, he's the frontrunner for best actor. He portrays so many emotions throughout the course ...

UK Release Date: 06 November 2020 Certification: 12A Director: Thor Freudenthal Cast: Devon Bostick, Andy Garcia, Walton Goggins, Beth Grant, Molly Parker, Charlie Plummer, AnnaSophia Robb, Taylor Russell, Lobo Sebastian Rating: 65% 'If you can't trust your mind, trust your heart.' Review: Words on Bathroom Walls is a relatively small movie with a budget of just over $9 million that deals with Schizophrenia and the effects it can have. Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition that disables a person from being able to distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality. And I felt that the movie was able to deal with this condition and difficult subject matter brilliantly by putting it on the big screen and displaying Schizophrenia in a positive light - putting out a strong message: that Schizophrenia is an illness but the person affected is not. I also thought the visualisation of Schizophrenia was great, almost drowning out the thoughts of Charli...

UK Release Date: 03 October 2012 Certification: 12A Director: Stephen Chbosky Cast: Logan Lerman, Dylan McDermott, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd, Johnny Simmons, Emma Watson Rating: 87% "We accept the love we think we deserve" Review:  Wallflower - A person who is introverted and is separate from a crowd, usually at a party.  Not really knowing what to say so can come across as socially awkward. This person will blend in and become almost invisible to others. Stephen Chbosky directed The Perks of Being a Wallflower and he also happened to be the author of the book of the same name. I could definitely tell when I looked back upon the movie. You can see that he cared for his subject matter and wanted to make the best movie that he possibly could. He was also able to make it incredibly emotional and it think that it may have been snubbed at the Oscar's not being nominated for a single award.  Logan Lerman stars as Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower , a child suffering from...

UK Release Date: 24 September 1993 Certification: PG Director: Nora Ephron Cast: Tom Hanks, Ross Malinger, Bill Pullman, Meg Ryan Rating: 47 % "Men never get this movie." Review:  As I have said multiple times Tom Hanks is my favourite actor. Even if he is cast as an underwhelming character in a weak movie, he shines. And the role of Sam Baldwin in Sleepless in Seattle is exactly that. I did like t he scene where Sam starts shouting at his son, Jonah. Perhaps one of Hanks' most comedic scenes. The child actor Ross Malinger is another standout in Sleepless in Seattle . For a nine-year old his character Jonah is equally charming and sarcastic.  On the other hand Bill Pullman and Meg Ryan were poor. Bill Pullman's character's laugh went right through me - it was so annoying. I didn't like Meg Ryan's character, Annie Reed, because I didn't warm to her. After all, she betrayed her fiancée for a stranger's voice on the radio. However I ...

UK Release Date: 7 May 1993 Certification: PG Director: Harold Ramis Cast: Chris Elliot, Marita Geraghty, Andie MacDowell, Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky Rating: 70% "Okay, campers, rise and shine." Review: Imagine living the same day over and over again. Well, that is the plot of  the 1990's classic rom-com, Groundhog Day. The main reason Groundhog Day works so well is plain and simple - Bill Murray. He plays weatherman, Phil Connors, who is sent to cover a story in  Punxsutawney to see if Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog, predicts a six more weeks of Winter. To Phil Connors this assignment is beneath his talent and is extremely boring, and as a result he is disinterested, bad-tempered and mean to everyone. But he wakes up the following day to find out he is reliving Groundhog Day again and again. The ever watchable Bill Murray is selfish, self-centred and despicable in the role of Phil, yet somehow still engaging. Reliving the same da...