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 ...