Gattaca (1997)

A genetically inferior man (Ethan Hawke) assumes the indentity of a genetically superior man (Jude Law) in order to pursue his dream of space travel.

This is a Sci-fi drama set in the future where one's life is determined by genetic engineering. Rich people can choose the makeup of their offspring and people are designed to fit into whatever role is decided for them before their birth. But what happens when someone wants a life different from the one chosen for him?

Nasa says that 'Gattaca' is the most plausible sci-fi movie ever and therefore watching this film brings a chilling thought of what could happen if technology is left unchecked. Gattaca is an intelligent thriller that is visually stunning and morally complex and well worth digging up from the archives for another view.

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The Visitor

A widowed college professor travels to New York to attend a conference and finds a strange couple living in his apartment.

A simple story that embraces loneliness, sadness, laughter, heartbreak and ultimately frustration. Richard Jenkins portrays Walter, a college professor who has nothing to live for since the death of his wife. When he travels from his home in Connecticut to attend a conference he plans to stay at his New York apartment only to discover two illegal immigrants, Tarek and Zainab, living there. Walter befriends them and slowly discovers a way to bring joy back into his life. But when Tarek is arrested and on the brink of deportation, Walter and Tarek's mother find themselves fighting a cruel immigration system. This is ultimately a heartwarming film that highlights how immigrants are dealt with since 9/11. Although it seems to end quite abruptly, the film makes a point and leaves you with plenty to think about.

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The Social Network

In a nutshell - the story of how the social networking website 'Facebook' was found.

Directed by two of our absolute favourites, the brilliant David Fincher (Fight Club) and written by the equally brilliant Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing) we didn't expect this movie to fail us and thank goodness, it didn't. It begins in 2003 with a breathless, wordy scene in a noisy bar and, to be honest, we hadn't a clue what was being said because of Jessie Eisenbergs fast paced delivery and the music. Nevertheless we were soon drawn into a story that was totally compelling. Jessie Eisenberg is superb as Mark Zuckerberg and Andrew Garfield as Zuckerberg's best friend, Eduardo Saverin. Although we didn't pay much attention to Saverin at first, by the end of the movie we all felt really sorry for the guy. It is just ironic that Zuckerberg created the world's greatest tool for communicating with people and yet, in reality, he couldn't communicate.

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Source Code

When soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man he discovers he is part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. As part of a government experiment called Source Code he is able to cross over into another man's indentity during the mans last eight minutes of life on the train.

Keen to see this new Duncan Jones movie after the brilliant 'Moon' we experienced a thriller that was both gripping and intelligent. An entertaining puzzle that kept us guessing but wasn't without emotion and a little humour. Some call it Groundhog Day meets Inception. All we know is Duncan Jones didn't disappoint. This movie is brilliant!

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Citizen Kane

Following the death of a publishing tycoon, news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final words.

It was made 70 years ago and by today standards certain aspects are not great, but that's because we are used to seeing great things in movies. But in Citizen Kane everything was, for want of a better word, ground-breaking. Some of the shots are brilliant and the acting is superb.

Still, when we came to watch this movie and comment on it, it was difficult (and not just because each actor seem to speak a thousand words a minute - boy did they talk fast in those days!) because we'd been told, often enough, this was the greatest movie of all time.

It's one of those movies you will enjoy much more when you reflect on what you've experienced. When you consider how old it is, it really is a remarkable piece of movie-making that has truly stood the test of time.

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Due Date

Father-to-be Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jnr) is forced to share a car with wannabe actor Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifiankis) on a road trip back to LA in order to be at the birth of his firstborn.

We all expected this movie to be absolute crap but it was surprisingly funny. Zach Galifianakis is hilarious. There are not many films that truly make us laugh out loud (we're kind of hard to please) but this really did. There were some funny lines that we still keep repeating to each other. Even the way Zach Galifianakis walked was funny. Go see - we command you.

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The A-Team

A group of war veterans framed for a crime they didn't commit, try to clear their names.

Great acting, especially by Sharlto Copley as Murdoch, but the movie felt old and tired and uninspiring. Like it had all been done before - which it had.
Franchise format:
1. Come up with basic plot that can be easily understood.
2. Pay a special effects company millions of dollars to come up with a big CGI filled battle scene.
3. Leave the ending ambiguous in case you want to do a sequel.

But, on the other hand, a fun film that you can go see with your mates or kids and don't have to follow intently.
So it isn't all bad. Just a bit boring....

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Pineapple Express

A process server and his drug dealer go on the run from hitmen and a corrupt police officer when he accidentally witnesses a murder.

The chemistry between Seth Rogen and James Franco works - well. And this has to be Franco's one finest hours. He shines as the hippy drug dealing Saul Silver. We're taken on a ride as Rogen and Franco haplessly try to escape their pursuers while mostly high as kites.

While there are only a few laugh out loud moments the movie is HIGHLY enjoyable. Easy to watch. And the running gag which involves their indestructible friend 'Red' (Danny McBride) is really funny.

Overall a fun movie to watch especially at 4:20

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Seven

David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) are two detectives who become embroiled in a case involving several sadistic murders.

Deeply disturbing to watch, yet compelling. The kind of movie that stays with you for days. You try to shake it off but it won't go. You may even dream about it.

An absolutely brilliant film that'll you hate to watch but love at the same time.

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The Other Guys

Two mismatched detectives (mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell) take the opportunity to fill the shoes of the top two cops in New York after their untimely demise.

Director Adam Mackay and Will Ferrell pull it off yet again with this fun comedy. Bit of slap-stick, bit of satire, bit of idiot humour, action scenes - it's like a smorgasbord of laughter. Brilliantly funny.

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Inception

Imagine a world where technology exists that allows you to enter a human mind through dream invasion.

This film was awesome. I mean like really awesome. Like really, really awesome. Like totally awesomely, awesome! And we're not telling you anymore because we don't want to spoil it (not that anyone reads this blog) So if you haven't seen this movie, go and see it now. I mean NOW. RIGHT NOW!

we're not going to put how many elephants in case this is a dream but it is a high number, possibly a herd.

Zodiac

A San Francisco cartoonist, Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) turns amateur detective when he becomes obsessed with a serial killer known as the Zodiac.

A crime story that draws you into its web and leaves you with a satisfying feeling. At two and half hours long it hardly has a dull moment and when it reaches its inevitable conclusion you actually don't want it to end. The murder scenes are uncompromising and not for those with a weak disposition, after all the director of Zodiac (David Fincher) did do Fight Club.

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From Paris With Love

In Paris, James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) a young employee of the U.S. Embassy is sent to look after the insane and erratic American spy Charlie Wax (John Travolta) whose mission is to stop a terrorist attack.

Produced by Luc Besson this movie is packed with the most excessive and ludicrous gun fighting and violence that it is actually quite brilliant and one of the best action films we've seen in quite awhile. Totally love it and we hope there is a sequel, if only John Travolta can be bothered.

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Best lines:
James Reece: I'm not your driver. I'm your partner.
Charlie Wax: Yeah, you're the chess player. I read your file.
James Reece: You play?
Charlie Wax: Do I look like I play board games?

Cop Out

A 'comedy' about a veteran NYPD cop (Bruce Willis)whose rare baseball card is stolen. Since selling it was his only hope of raising the money to pay for his daughter's wedding, he enlists the help of his partner (Tracey Morgan) to track down the thief (Seann William Scott).

Comedy - was it? Irritating, especially scenes involving Seann Scott William who was really funny...ten years ago! The chemistry here was all wrong. The movie appeared old and tired, even Bruce Willis looked bored, clearly only there for the pay cheque.

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