Film Reviews by BE

Stripped bare of the usual Hollywood schmaltz, this movie was a winner for me. Seamlessly directed by Oren Moverman, unusual camera shots and with Richard Gere as you've never seen him before. I would class this as an art house movie as the only real drama is cerebral as opposed to action. Not for everybody but a very thoughtful piece of cinema.

I approached the movie with some trepidation as am usually wary of American Oscar winners but found it to be a top class movie. Excellently directed by Tom McCarthy and superb acting by all of the cast. I wasn't fully aware of the subject matter before I watched it but gosh, what an eye opener! Especially the information given at the end of the movie. Two hours well spent.

Hugely enjoyable comedy from director Paul Weitz with Lily Tomlin playing the centre role to perfection. Not your usual 'try for a laugh a minute' American trash comedy but a well scripted, thought out movie with a good storyline. More of these please.

An original little movie, well acted and seamless throughout. It will have you baffled and mesmerised at the same time, swinging between reality and fiction. You may want to watch it twice to get the full intricacies of the storyline

A French art house movie it's not, although I suspect that was the intention. If you like watching paint dry and mainly wooden doll acting from Angelina Jolie Pitt, watch this.

A strangely mesmerising black and white rendition from director Michael Haneke. What appears to be an idyllic community just before the First World War is emotionally torn asunder by untoward goings on. Never gratuitous, there are deaths, torture, destruction, violence and paedophilia in this very long movie. Reasons for these acts are not always clear and the perpetrators largely remain unknown and unpunished. There is an underlying theme throughout of Teutonic control, both mentally and physically plus man's dominance over what he sees as his inferiors ie women and children. The film is interspersed with some very sweet scenes but in the main, these are few and far between. The acting is superb, it flows at a very easy pace and the costumes look very authentic. Engrossing for discerning movie buffs, the film stays with you long after it has ended.

I got completely lost with the storyline and judging by the reviews of others, obviously didn't appreciate the movie or the acting. I hired the movie because I am a great fan of Gerard Depardieu but found it to be very dark, violent in the extreme extremel and beyond my comprehension. I have given it three stars regardless as its failure to engage me possibly rests with myself.

Excellent direction form Bernardo Bertolucci and good camera work but failed to hold the attention over five hours. Costumes appear to have been made from man made uncreasable fabric which detracted from the authenticity of the period. Gerard Depardieu and Robert De Niro played their parts well whilst Donald Sutherland appeared to be a throw out from the silent movie era, with his teeth taking on a life of their own! Beware of some very violent scenes some of which include animal cruelty. An Italian movie in English which didn't flow very well. Whilst actors lip synced with the dialogue, this appeared to have been added after the film was completed. Strange.

The very funny trailer is deceiving. This depicts the beginning of the movie which hereinafter descends into real kids stuff. Very little for the grown ups unless you like numerous and tedious manic chases thru NY traffic by a plethora of animals with a dearth of any strong characteristics. Seen at the cinema. Very disappointed although I understand it is highly rated by all those under ten!

Very little story, mainly a scenario around drug addicts and their 'habit' destroying their lives. Understood what they were going thru but to all intents, they had very self absorbed and narrow vision and not really deserving of empathy. That besides, it was very well acted. Excellent direction from Darren Aronofsky, albeit with reminiscences of Train Spotting and Sunset Boullevard.

An interesting movie interspersed with non fictional dialogue from psychologist, Henri Laborit. A joined up story of four characters which sets you thinking about how and why we react to situations in everyday life. You may need to watch it again to fully understand the presented behavioural processes. Contains a few scenes which won't go down well with animal lovers.

A truly engrossing and powerful movie. Brilliant acting by all of the cast and exceptional camera work. Directed by Susanne Bier who never fails to impress. There is one extremely disturbing scene which is not for the faint hearted but it is integral to the plot. I cannot praise this movie enough.

Posing as a 'coming of age' movie but jogs along into becoming a mystery with quite a rushed ending. Sound is muffled at times and as usual with American movies, sometimes difficult to decipher the dialogue. Unfortunately, there was no access to subtitles. Apart from the husband/father looking like a cut out dummy (and a bad one at that), the acting was good. A shame this could not be said about the 'syrups'!

Just watched. Rather weird. The whole family appeared to be unstable. I didn't enjoy it as much as was envisaged although Kirsten Dunst quietly took the lead role and gave an excellent performance. Charlotte Gainsbourg is an uncomplicated actor and always good to watch. I also liked Stellan Skarsgard and remembered him from 'River' the televised English detective series screened last year (2015). Watch out for other big names in supporting roles.

Billy Connolly does well with this unusual subject matter. If you don't mind the expletives, it's good fun, watchable and should hold your attention until the end.