Surreal, tragic, absorbing, brilliant.
I want to know: is this a portrait of a man destroyed by the fear of death – and thus a warning? Or is this the expression of the film-maker’s vision of life, in that it is Kaufman who has the tragic and self-destructive fear of death? If it is the former, then 5/5. If the latter then 4/5.
Highly recommended, for those who like films that aren’t run of the mill.
Up in the Air: very enjoyable, moving, satisfyingly ambivalent ending 4.5/5
Slumdog Millionaire: wow! 5/5
Saw VI: I am a completist; I like the premise but not the execution (at least watching it at home meant I could fast forward certain sequences). 3/5
Came out of the cinema fuming – but have been having second thoughts about whether I was right to do so ever since. The first 85 minutes or so are undoubtedly excellent – suspenseful and character driven – and the first ten minutes are hilarious (favourite quote: “Lucifer was the choirmaster in Heaven” no comment ;). The last five minutes, though, threaten to undermine all the previous good work – or do they? Can’t say more without spoilers, but I’m off to do a bit of research as to the director’s intention. At least 4/5
Astonishingly good; possibly the best horror film I’ve ever watched – and calling it a ‘horror’ film misses most of what is good about it. Highly recommended. 5/5
I absolutely loved this, but I could well understand that being an indication of my own idiosyncrasies. Might have been a Coen brothers film. 4/5
Came close to being absolutely brilliant, but a weak ending (not the _very_ end, but the whole denouement) let it down. 4/5
Interesting, absorbing character study, but narratively flabby. 4/5
Good but not great – though the character is quite interesting, and could go somewhere in a sequel. ‘Jason Bourne as a girl’? Pretty much. 3.5/5
Perfect summer action/date movie. 4/5
Brilliant – but slightly too long, and not completely coherent in its conclusion. Kids loved it. 4.5/5