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Wizzums’s Film Reviews

221 Films have been rated or reviewed by Wizzums.

HugoHugo (2011)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Hugo is unashamedly old–fashioned, and a rare treasure. A children’s film this may be, but it is The Godfather of children’s films; a perfectly crafted masterpiece steeped in rarefied class and unmatched beauty. In a word, magic.
DVD $20 $15
In BrugesIn Bruges (2008)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A sharp, savage comedy with acidic wit and a dark heart. It\'s bold, brutal and brilliant.
Before the Devil Knows You're DeadBefore the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Bold, vivid and brilliant. A ferocious thriller that drags you in, with an exceptional performance from Hoffman.
DriveDrive (2011)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) It seems to be a fairytale crossed with a nightmare; the simple sweetness of the central relationship mingled with the chilling horror of a bloody curb–stomp, and it is ultra–stylish, ultra–cool and utterly mesmerising.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Help, TheHelp, The (2011)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) The acting is excellent, but the film itself is limited, condescending and sappy.
Tree of Life, TheTree of Life, The (2011)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Vast and thought provoking. A very beautiful experience.
Blue ValentineBlue Valentine (2010)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) The story is powerful and the direction is wonderful, but it is Gosling and Williams who steal the show with a pair of incredible performances.
French Connection, TheFrench Connection, The (1971)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Intense, brilliantly made thriller with incredible set–pieces and an outstanding performance from Gene Hackman.
Taxi DriverTaxi Driver (1976)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Powerful beyond words. De Niro gives an exceptional performance, keeping the viewer mesmerized throughout a stunning portrait of post–war angst. Haunting, unforgettable viewing.
GoodfellasGoodfellas (1990)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Powerful, insightful and gripping gangster flick. Absolutely incredible.
Blu-Ray $19.95 $14.95
Leon The Professional, TheLeon The Professional, The (Professional, The) (1994)
4 stars (Very Good) Ultra–stylish, with the story and intelligence to match. Gary Oldman is totally unforgettable.
Fantastic Mr. FoxFantastic Mr. Fox (2009)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Absolutely brilliant. Full of signature Anderson quirks and charms, this is sharp, enchanting, hilarious and utterly fantastic.
Social Network, TheSocial Network, The (2010)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Well–made and well–acted with a very strong script.
BiutifulBiutiful (2010)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A sea of heart–wrenching emotion held together by (another) truly incredible and unforgettable performance form Javier Bardem.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Sling BladeSling Blade (1997)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Slow, powerful and methodical. Billy Bob Thornton gives the film true inteillgence, wisdom and grace as he delivers a fantastic script, performance and directorial effort.
Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, TheLife Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The (2004)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Enjoyable film, full of laughs and delightful Anderson details, but the plot is too disjointed for it to live up too earlier Anderson films.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
In the Valley of Elah In the Valley of Elah (2007)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) More subtle than Crash, but also less impacting. Jones is easily the best thing about it, delivering an outstanding, powerful performance.
American GangsterAmerican Gangster (2007)
4 stars (Very Good) Solid all–round, with a powerful lead performance from Washington.
Get LowGet Low (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) It\'s enjoyable, Duvall and Murray especially, but not anything special.
A Single ManA Single Man (2009)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A beautiful reflection of life and love, both visually and emotionally. Colin Firth is sublime.
BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice (1988)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Stunning. Full of flair, style, originality, imagination and jet–black wit.
AppaloosaAppaloosa (2008)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Flat and forgettable. Mortensen, Harris and Irons are wasted. Not bad exactly, but not good enough to invest the time.
No Country for Old MenNo Country for Old Men (2007)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Thrilling, dark, intense and brutal. All of the classic Coen hallmarks are present, including a layer of dark, biting wit. Javier Bardem is unforgettable as he delivers one of the best performances of all time. A truly brilliant, truly faultless film.
RangoRango (2011)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Twisted, off–beat and hilarious. A brilliant homage to a ton of classic films.
Kiss Kiss Bang BangKiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Val Kilmer is brilliant and the story is decent, but instead of avioding convention and clichè, the film instead chooses to highlight it with painfully self–aware narration that tries too hard to be cool and pretty much ruins the experience.
UnforgivenUnforgiven (1992)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A ferocious masterpiece of a Western. Eastwood has yet to top this as an actor, or a director. He, Hackman, Freeman and Harris are all brilliant, as is the script and the outstanding direction.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Spider-Man 3Spider-Man 3 (Spiderman 3) (2007)
1 star (Turkey) Flat–out awful. Raimi adds absurd humour which could have worked, but only in a completely different film, such as a horrible song/dance number. Too many characters and poor acting doesn\'t help.
Spider-Man 2Spider-Man 2 (Spiderman 2) (2004)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) An improvement over the original mainly because of a fantastic turn from Alfred Molina as Dr Ock.
Spider-ManSpider-Man (Spiderman) (2002)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Flashy but conventional with the acting ranging from entertainingly hammy (Dafoe, Simmons) to flat–out awful (Maguire, Franco).
Patriot GamesPatriot Games (1992)
3 stars (Good Enough) Competent in some places, slow and laggy in others. Sean Bean provides the most entertainment as the IRA terrorist baddie.
Kung Fu PandaKung Fu Panda (2008)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Fast, flash and fun, with a lot of heart and some stunning animation.
Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire (2008)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) It rides on convention, but it rides high, with plenty of flair and emotion.
Shakespeare in LoveShakespeare in Love (1998)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) The script, acting and visual flair are all sublime.
Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, TheCurious Case Of Benjamin Button, The (2008)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Solid directon and acting, but its too long and too Forrest Gump–like to be truly impacting.
Grizzly ManGrizzly Man (2005)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A mesmerising, devastating and tragic portrait of a man who\'s immense passion is so misguided that he harms rather than protects the animals he loves.
BabelBabel (2006)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) The individual stories are fantasic, but the structure muddles the experience. It probably would have been better in a series of short films.
JunoJuno (2007)
4 stars (Very Good) An appealing, quriky gem, full of life and emotion.
BraveheartBraveheart (1995)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Dodgy in places, but overall, an iconic epic full of emotion and spectacle.
Ocean's ElevenOcean's Eleven (Ocean's 11) (2001)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Witty, entertaining and pretty damn cool.
PredatorsPredators (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) Actually pretty solid, entertaining stuff.
PredatorPredator (1987)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A fun and surprisingly tense actioner.
DVD $15 $11.25
Jurassic ParkJurassic Park (1993)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) The best Hollywood blockbuster ever.
Gone Baby GoneGone Baby Gone (2007)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Powerful stuff. Moving and intense with a perfect ending.
Alien vs. PredatorAlien vs. Predator (AVP) (2004)
1 star (Turkey) A laughably poor effort to revive two iconic franchises. It will cop the most loathing from fanboys, but the overall poor quality is evident to all.
Terminator, TheTerminator, The (1984)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Exciting and satisfying actioner.
Terminator SalvationTerminator Salvation (2009)
3 stars (Good Enough) Average and ultimately forgettable. Worthington is flat and Bale is growly, as per usual.
Terminator 2: Judgement DayTerminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) It has a good go at connecting with the audience, with sometimes dubious results, but the action is still great.
Monty Python and the Holy GrailMonty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) It dulls a bit over age, but Holy Grail is still packed with iconic comedy moments.
Fighter, TheFighter, The (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) The cast is great, but this is pretty much a run–of–the–mill boxing film. There\'s nothing new here.
King's Speech, TheKing's Speech, The (2010)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A solid crowd–pleaser with fine period detail and excellent performances from Firth, Rush, Bonham Carter and Pearce.
Black SwanBlack Swan (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) Portman\'s performance is sometimes the only thing that keeps the film from being almost laughably melodramatic.
AliensAliens (1986)Aro Favourite
3 stars (Good Enough) A successful genre change makes for a fine action film, but it fails to match the greatness of the first.
Crazy HeartCrazy Heart (2009)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Bridges is brilliant, and Gyllenhaal almost matches him, but otherwise the film treads through convention after convention.
Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's EndPirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End (2007)
2 stars (Good Try) The entertainment and charm that was found in the first film is almost completely lost here in a needlessly over–complicated and ultimately stupid plot.
Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's ChestPirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest (2006)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Still entertaining, but the plot begins to drag.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black PearlPirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Hugely enjoyable. Depp and Rush are great.
HeatHeat (1995)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) De Niro and Pacino are good, but it is the stellar shoot–outs that lift an all–around solid film.
Schindler's ListSchindler's List (1993)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A rich, powerful and haunting experience with an excellent cast, including an incredible Fiennes. Well worth a look.
DVD $20 $15
ScarfaceScarface (1983)Aro Favourite
3 stars (Good Enough) Pacino is entertaining, and the film has some great moments, but it is very patchy in both pace and quality.
Life of David Gale, TheLife of David Gale, The (2002)
4 stars (Very Good) Spacey and Winslet\'s considerable talents lift an already solid, if a bit predictable, thriller.
TrackerTracker (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) Winstone, Morrison and the scenery are all great, but the quality of the script veers wildly from solid to soap–opera levels of dull and over–done.
ThorThor (2011)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Big, flashy and entertaining. Its not original, but it still feels fresh and exciting.
City LightsCity Lights (1931)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Literally poetry in motion. Chaplin brings joy and heart to the screen in his best ever outing.
Good Morning, VietnamGood Morning, Vietnam (1987)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Robin Williams gives an incredibly funny and touching performance. He lifts the film above the clichè that is apparent elsewhere.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Gangs of New YorkGangs of New York (2002)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) The story is a bit long and contrived, and Diaz is horribly miscast, but Daniel Day–Lewis dominates the screen with an iconic performance and the costumes and art–direction are both excellent.
BoyBoy (2010)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Funny and affecting. An inspired of examination of the father–son relationship. Eketone–Whitu steals the show as the titular Boy\'s younger brother.
Bourne Ultimatum, TheBourne Ultimatum, The (2007)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A thunderous conclusion to the trilogy, packed with action, excitement, intelligence, heart and soul.
Bourne Supremacy, TheBourne Supremacy, The (2004)
4 stars (Very Good) A great follow up that matches Bourne\'s first outing, now with added Kiwi in Karl Urban!
Bourne Identity, TheBourne Identity, The (2002)
4 stars (Very Good) Fast, intense and action–packed, but with is also has a brain, and that\'s what makes it so special.
Iron Man 2Iron Man 2 (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) Solid, but it doesn\'t live up to the promise of the first as it cycles through convention and clichè. Rockwell and Rourke make the best impression as the two villains.
Iron Man Iron Man (2008)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Sharp, fresh, exciting and a ton of fun.
DVD $15 $11.25
Reservoir DogsReservoir Dogs (1992)Aro Favourite
3 stars (Good Enough) It makes its intention to be cool painfully clear, referencing pop culture and film trivia every few minutes. Its works in places, but overall it tries far too hard. The soundtrack is excellent though. I\'ve got it on my IPod...
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Up in the AirUp in the Air (2009)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Clooney is sensational and this is an all around great movie, with lots of laughs and sobering turns.
Shaun of the DeadShaun of the Dead (2004)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A real riot, full of laugh–out–loud moments, and its a damn fine zombie film to boot.
Blood DiamondBlood Diamond (2006)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) DiCaprio and Hounsou ensure that this has enough heart and soul to lift it above the ordinary action film.
Intolerable CrueltyIntolerable Cruelty (2003)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) It doesn\'t come together with the usual Coen brilliance, but it is still miles ahead of the dull tropes of the rom–com genre.
Thank You For SmokingThank You For Smoking (2005)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A snappy, savvy and searing black comedy.
Burn After Reading Burn After Reading (2008)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) It isn\'t as seemlessly brilliant as other Coen films, but it is still a hugely enjoyable and wonderfully acted black comedy.
Source CodeSource Code (2011)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Flashy, intelligent and exciting. It doesn\'t have the depth, impact or sheer brilliance of Moon, but this is still way above average for the sci–fi/action genre.
AlienAlien (1979)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Visually spectacular and insanely suspenseful.
Blues Brothers, TheBlues Brothers, The (1980)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A great film great laughs and brilliant music.
Dancer Upstairs, TheDancer Upstairs, The (2002)
3 stars (Good Enough) Competent, but generally slow with only Javier Bardem\'s performance lifting it from the doldrums.
Poster (VG) $12.95
Shawshank Redemption, TheShawshank Redemption, The (1994)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) It is powerful and emotional, but when I look back at it, I can\'t really remember why.
Once Upon a Time in the WestOnce Upon a Time in the West (1968)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A grand, dazzling and sweeping epic.
Men in BlackMen in Black (1997)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Sharp, imaginative and mostly funny. Tommy Lee Jones in particular is wonderful.
GladiatorGladiator (2000)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A true epic; full of adventure, beauty and heart.
Hudsucker Proxy, TheHudsucker Proxy, The (1994)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) While the overall film is a softer effort from the Coens, its still full of wonderful and hilarious moments.
ChinatownChinatown (1974)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A hard–boiled, smart and well acted detective thriller. Nicholson in particular is brilliant.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
PlatoonPlatoon (1986)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Sheen seems to falter somewhat with carrying the film, but Berenger and Dafoe are fantastic and the overall film is superb.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Heavenly CreaturesHeavenly Creatures (1994)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) An emotional, affecting and ultimately disturbing film with a sharp script and intense performances.
Godfather Part 3, TheGodfather Part 3, The (1990)
3 stars (Good Enough) It looks great, but the film lags in all the wrong places. The absense of Duvall is strongly felt. The last two films were building up to a confrontation between his and Pacino\'s characters, and this seems like a big let–down.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Godfather Part 2, TheGodfather Part 2, The (1974)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Matches the original in every way. De Niro in particular is outstanding.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Godfather, TheGodfather, The (1972)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Vivid, superbly crafted film full of brilliant performances. While I didn\'t like it as much as most, it is still a must see experience.
MonstersMonsters (2010)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) An insightful, original and satisfying road movie with clever sci–fi elements and great chemistry between the leads.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
What's Up, Tiger Lily?What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A largely successful experiment that is mostly hilarious in a clever and unexpected way. This kind of thing should be done more often.
Empire of the SunEmpire of the Sun (1987)
4 stars (Very Good) A well crafted epic with a great debut performance from Christian Bale that he is yet to match.
DVD $19.95
Good Will HuntingGood Will Hunting (1997)
4 stars (Very Good) A well written, well acted and satisfying film
DVD $19.95 $14.95
King KongKing Kong (2005)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) It drags in more than a few places, but Peter Jackson\'s passion project makes up for it with breathtaking spectacle.
DVD $15 $11.25
Sting, TheSting, The (1973)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A classic, fun–filled film with a classic soundtrack and rewarding story.
AmelieAmelie (2001)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A light, whistful and enchanting film full of vibrant life, humour and charm.
DVD $14.95
Silence of the Lambs, TheSilence of the Lambs, The (1991)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Hopkins gives an over–acted but contextually perfect performance, Foster is outstanding and the film is at is best when it explores the dynamics between the two.
Pink Floyd - The WallPink Floyd - The Wall (1982)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A bizarre, harrowing and unforgettable experience.
Being John MalkovichBeing John Malkovich (1999)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A really bizarre film, but it works for the most part, with one brilliant scene when Malkovich enters Malkovich\'s mind and Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich....
Girl, InterruptedGirl, Interrupted (1999)
4 stars (Very Good) A well–told, affecting film with great performances from Ryder and Jolie.
William Shakespeare's Romeo and JulietWilliam Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (Romeo + Juliet) (1997)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A brilliant revival of the Bard\'s work, with effortless style and the wonder of the original dialogue.
Lost in TranslationLost in Translation (2003)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) The script, Murry and Johanssen are all excellent. A clever and subtle film with emotion and soul.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Henry VHenry V (1989)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A highly entertaining and well–made spectacle.
Dead Man WalkingDead Man Walking (1996)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) A solid film, lifted by a great performance from Sarandon and an exceptional and raw turn from Penn.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Life Is BeautifulLife Is Beautiful (La vita e bella) (1998)
5 stars (Exceptional) Hilarious and heart–breaking. Essential.
Road To PerditionRoad To Perdition (2002)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Beautifully shot, with great performances and a solid script.
NetworkNetwork (1976)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A brilliant script, with brilliant performances. Intelligent and thought–provoking.
Wrestler, TheWrestler, The (2008)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Rourke is sensational, and overall the film is an emotional powerhouse.
DVD $15 $11.25
Battleship PotemkinBattleship Potemkin (1925)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Still extremely powerful, even this far on. A damn sight better than many films that have sound and colour. The Odessa steps sequence is still brilliant and iconic.
Letters From Iwo JimaLetters From Iwo Jima (2006)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) A very affecting, human war film, with great scenery and a top–notch cast.
Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross (1992)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Savagely funny with a brilliant ensemble, with Lemmon as the highlight.
Incredibles, TheIncredibles, The (2004)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Funny, fresh, clever and entertaining for children and adults.
American SplendorAmerican Splendor (2003)
5 stars (Exceptional) Giamatti is superb in this entertaining, funny and affecting biopic.
SnatchSnatch (2000)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Hilarious and fun–filled film packed with violence, dark humour and off–kilter performances.
V for VendettaV for Vendetta (2005)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Super stylish as well as intelligent, this is an action film that is a cut above the rest.
Road, TheRoad, The (2009)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A very bleak, but compelling depiction of the future with a brilliant performance from Mortensen.
MongolMongol (2007)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A spectacular, brutal, fierce and beautiful historical epic. It is everything Braveheart so desperately wanted to be.
Paths of GloryPaths of Glory (1957)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Stunning anit–war film. Full of pitch–perfect drama and emotion.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Sea Inside, TheSea Inside, The (Mar Adentro) (2004)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Sad, but powerful and inspirational. Bardem\'s performance is a landmark in cinema history, unmatched in power and heart–wrenching emotion. One of the best performances of all time from an extraordinary actor.
Wall-E Wall-E (2008)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Beautiful. Absolutely spectacular. The first 40 minutes is an amazing throwback to silent films, the rest is a stunning Pixar adventure.
ZodiacZodiac (2007)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Brilliantly made and told murder mystery. The atmosphere is incredible and the performances are great. A film that rewards the patient viewer.
Good, the Bad and the Ugly, TheGood, the Bad and the Ugly, The (1967)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) In a word, brilliant. Beautiful scenery, great performances, an incredible score and a spectacular ending are among the many things that make this a landmark of the genre, as well as films in general.
Inglourious BasterdsInglourious Basterds (Inglorious Bastards) (2009)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Basterds is relatively free of the Tarantino clichè of over–indulgent film–geekiness and what little there is is disguised as period detail, making this by far the most enjoyable of his films to date. Waltz is also sublime.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Man Who Wasn't There, TheMan Who Wasn't There, The (2001)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Sharp and stylish, with the usual Coen marks of quality. Great performaces from Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand and Scarlett Johansson.
UtuUtu (1983)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Incredibly entertaining New Zealand epic full of fun and a spectacular cast, Anzac Wallace being the highlight.
ChopperChopper (2000)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A brutal but hilarious and enjoyable faux–biopic lead by a brilliant Eric Bana.
DVD $29.95
Blood SimpleBlood Simple (1984)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A scorching debut from the Coens, full of colourful characters, suspenseful mystery and sinister humour.
Rear WindowRear Window (1954)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A bona–fide classic. Incredibley intense and rewarding with a sublime James Stewart and an enchanting Grace Kelly.
A History of ViolenceA History of Violence (2005)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) The atmosphere throughtout the film and a couple of scenes in paticular seem a little off, but a brilliant lead performance from Mortensen and great supporting turns from Harris and Hurt make up for it in spades.
Barry LyndonBarry Lyndon (1975)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Visually impeccable. Brilliant direction and a great cast makes every second of its three hour run time a real treat.
LolitaLolita (1962)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Full of intrugue and jet–black humour. An absolute pleasure to watch.
CrashCrash (2005)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Yes, it\'s pure Hollywood, but it\'s Hollwood at it\'s very, very best, with a great cast and some truly heart–wrenching moments.
Donnie BrascoDonnie Brasco (1997)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Depp is great, Pacino isn\'t constantly shouting and the script is full of tension and a surprising amount of humour. A hugely enjoyable gangster flick.
Raising ArizonaRaising Arizona (1985)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Gleefully quirky, wildly original and extremely funny.
Truman Show, TheTruman Show, The (1998)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A smart, insightful dramedy with a brilliant sense of style and heart as well as a stunning performance fom Carrey.
DVD $19.95
City of GodCity of God (Cidade de Deus) (2002)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Moving, action–packed and gripping. A real treasure.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
PsychoPsycho (1960)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Absorbing and creepy even now after thousands of inferior copy–cats have dulled the genre.
Three KingsThree Kings (1999)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A bomb–bastic, darkly funny war film unlike any other.
RushmoreRushmore (1998)
5 stars (Exceptional) Sharp, witty and hugely enjoyable, with wonderful performances including a career–best from the brilliant Bill Murry.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Winter's BoneWinter's Bone (2010)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A haunting, beautiful film, carried by an intensely powerful, unforgettable performance from Jennier Lawrence.
Departed, TheDeparted, The (2006)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A rip–roaring modern gangster film packed full of violence, intelligence and wit.
2001: A Space Odyssey2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) An incredible film that is still unmatched in terms of scope, vision and spectacle.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
SevenSeven (Se7en) (1995)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Stylish and brutal, Fincher delivers a brilliant trio of performances from Freeman, Pitt and an incredible Spacey, as well as an edge–of–your–seat dectective mystery with a shocking, unforgettable ending.
Butterfly Effect, TheButterfly Effect, The (2003)
5 stars (Exceptional) A solid lead, a twisty, engaging plot and a ton of dark humour make for a pretty damn spectacular film in my opinion. Then again, it can\'t hold a candle to a certain time–travelling teen and his psychotic rabbit.
Animal KingdomAnimal Kingdom (2010)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Sensational. An enthralling, brutal gangster film. A shining example for the genre.
Dead Poet's SocietyDead Poet's Society (1989)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Brilliant, inspirational and uplifting.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Town, TheTown, The (2010)
4 stars (Very Good) Affleck proves himself as a director and Jeremy Renner steals the show with a spectacular performance as an unpredictable bank robber.
Batman: The Dark KnightBatman: The Dark Knight (2008)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Heath Ledger is phenomenal and takes the Joker in a direction never seen before, but apart from him and an overlooked Gary Oldman, it is nothing more than a solid crime film, with the Batman element being entirely forgettable.
Batman BeginsBatman Begins (2005)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Nolan's direction and the script is solid, but Cillian Murphy's talents are underused, Bale's Bruce Wayne is stale and the film is entirely forgettable.
Batman ReturnsBatman Returns (1992)Recommended
3 stars (Good Enough) Nowhere near as good at the first Burton installment, but still solid and full of style and excitement.
BatmanBatman (1989)
5 stars (Exceptional) Easily the best Batman film, as well as the best superhero film, ever. It boasts a wonderful visual style and score, Keaton as the best Bruce Wayne ever, and an incredible performance from Nicholsen.
Clockwork Orange, AClockwork Orange, A (1971)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A violent, disturbing vision that will shock you to the core.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Big FishBig Fish (2003)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A wonderful, enthralling fantasy.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Full of fun, humour, music, wit and charm. An unforgettable comedy classic.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Serious Man, ASerious Man, A (2009)
5 stars (Exceptional) Not only is this full of the Coen\'s trademark dark humour and expert craftsmanship, but it is their most grounded, mysterious, wise and ultimately human film to date.
Elephant Man, TheElephant Man, The (1980)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Truly inspirational and moving without manipulation or clichè. Incredible.
Seven Samurai, TheSeven Samurai, The (1954)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Beautiful, powerful and epic, with unique characters and awesome action.
Green Mile, TheGreen Mile, The (1999)
4 stars (Very Good) A tad lenghty, but full of power and emotion as well as an often overlooked, but brilliant supporting performance from Sam Rockwell.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) Beautiful and compelling but it doesn\'t quite match the power and spectacle of Zhang Yimou\'s \'Hero.\'
Last Samurai, TheLast Samurai, The (2003)
3 stars (Good Enough) Wildly inconsistant as it veers from spectacular to very, very dull.
10,000 B.C.10,000 B.C. (2008)
1 star (Turkey) Stupid, stupid, stupid. Sooooo stupid. Laughably stupid in fact.
AvatarAvatar (2009)Recommended
1 star (Turkey) Pretty visuals do not make up for flat, uninteresting characters and an atrociously boring and unoriginal story.
Gone with the WindGone with the Wind (1939)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A real classic of incredible craft and sweeping beauty that deserves credit for being compelling enough to hold one\'s attention for a full four hours.
DVD $24.95 $18.70 | Blu-Ray $24.95 $18.70
Swimming with SharksSwimming with Sharks (Buddy Factor, The) (1995)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Full of dark, devilish humour with a screen–swallowing performance from Spacey.
Let The Right One In Let The Right One In (2008)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Absolutely incredible, full of suspense and style as well as a truly touching and compelling story.
Edward ScissorhandsEdward Scissorhands (1991)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Truly beautiful and heartfelt, with a wonderful cast and an incredible visual style.
Cry-BabyCry-Baby (Cry baby) (1990)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A fun, camp, hugely enjoyable classic with hilarious performances and an awesome soundtrack.
There Will Be BloodThere Will Be Blood (2007)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Daniel Day–Lewis dominates this film with an incredible sense of power and purpose. He is matched by a superb story and beautiful camerawork.
Proposition, TheProposition, The (2005)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Bold, brutal and brilliant with an exceptional script, director, cinematography and cast.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Barton FinkBarton Fink (1991)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Full of iconic characters and moments, with biting humour and a real sense of humanity and wisdom.
Shining, TheShining, The (1980)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A film packed with incredible intensity and atmosphere without reliance on gore, its one of the few horror films I can watch and enjoy. Genuinely frightening with incredible acting, brilliant direction, it is also surprisingly intelligent and resonant.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Star TrekStar Trek (Star Trek XI (Reboot)) (2009)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) For someone with absolutely no intrest in the franchise, this is a really sharp, exciting and fresh experience.
Out of the BlueOut of the Blue (Aramoana) (2006)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A haunting, resonant masterpiece with an incredibe sense of humanity and spirit. Not just the best New Zealand film, but amongst the best period.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan (1998)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Apart from a really, incredible Normandy Landing scene, it\'s a pretty standard war film populated with stock–standard characters.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Black Hawk DownBlack Hawk Down (2001)Recommended
4 stars (Very Good) Makes up for flat characterisation and dodgy politics with absolutely riveting action.
Men Who Stare at Goats, TheMen Who Stare at Goats, The (2009)
4 stars (Very Good) A truly hilarious film with great performances from Clooney, Bridges and Spacey that is let down by a pretty shoddy ending.
300300 (2006)
2 stars (Good Try) Far too much style and nowhere near enough substance
A-Team, TheA-Team, The (2010)
3 stars (Good Enough) Surprisingly entertaining, but forgettable reboot, with Copley being by far the best thing about it.
District 9District 9 (2009)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A wonderfully original and clever sci–fi, with stunning special effects and an absorbing performance from Copley.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Hurt Locker, TheHurt Locker, The (2008)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) An expertly made, almost painfully suspenseful film, with compelling drama, heart–pumping action and a truly brilliant lead performance from Jeremy Renner.
Four LionsFour Lions (2010)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A film that is both hilarious and tragic. It will leave you shaken.
Prestige, ThePrestige, The (2006)Aro Favourite
3 stars (Good Enough) The story is solid and the visuals are wonderful, but the two leads and the final twist left me disinterested and unimpressed.
MementoMemento (2000)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Nolan\'s finest film to date with a brilliant, complex narrative and another fine turn from Guy Pearce.
InceptionInception (2010)Aro Favourite
4 stars (Very Good) While it doesn\'t quite achieve its ambition, Incepton is none the less an excellent film. A triumph or originality and character in the usually tepid waters of the Holywood blockbuster.
Sucker PunchSucker Punch (2011)
1 star (Turkey) At its best, Sucker Punch is dull and uninspired. At its worst, it\'s trashy and downright offensive. A messy, mindless, boring and sexist pile of trash.
JarheadJarhead (2005)
3 stars (Good Enough) While there are some beautiful shots and some solid acting, it\'s tone ranges from dull to unappealingly harsh, and that\'s not due to the film\'s lack of action; it simply fails to engage on an emotional level.
Shutter IslandShutter Island (2010)
5 stars (Exceptional) A dark horse from Scorsese that turns into an intense, thought–provoking thriller with a stellar turn from DiCaprio.
MagnoliaMagnolia (2000)
5 stars (Exceptional) An emotional rollercoaster ride with a top–notch ensemble cast and the most heart–breaking sing–along in cinematic history.
Eastern PromisesEastern Promises (2007)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A simple but well made and rewarding film with a great supporting cast and an exceptional, Oscar–worthy turn from Mortensen. Easily the best gangster film of the last decade.
Fight ClubFight Club (1999)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Fast, funny, dark and stylish, with excellent performances from Pitt, Bonham–Carter and Norton.
Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, TheThree Burials of Melquiades Estrada, The (2005)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A powerful tale of friendship and redemption which is perfectly reaslised with an excellent cast and director.
Ed WoodEd Wood (1994)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A real pleasure, full of charm, quirkiness, emotion and personality. This is both Depp and Burton at their very best.
Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetSweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A wonderfully dark, atmosphereic film that relishes in the gore and black humour. A real delight, with a fantastic cast. The songs aren\'t half bad either.
DVD $20 $15
Half NelsonHalf Nelson (2006)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Insightful, powerful and deeply moving. This film is anchored by an unspeakably brilliant, heart–rendering, emotional powerhouse of a performance from young Ryan Gosling.
DVD $24.95 $19.95
American BeautyAmerican Beauty (1999)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Beautiful cinematography, a screenplay laced with dark humour and tragedy, and a game supporting cast all wrap around an absolutely spectacular, heart–breakingly moving performance from Kevin Spacey.
Usual Suspects, TheUsual Suspects, The (1995)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A film that is always remembered for its legendary ending, but should also be credited for its solid direction and great cast. Kevin Spacey is utterly fantastic.
AladdinAladdin (1993)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Beautiful, smart, stylish, entertaining and all–out brilliant.
Big Lebowski, TheBig Lebowski, The (1998)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) A brilliant cast and a supremely smart, quirky script make for one of the most entertaining and hilarious films ever made.
DVD $20 $15
MoonMoon (2009)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Rockwell is astonishingly brilliant, and Duncan Jones\' smart script and direction make Moon someting very special. Oh, and the Kevin Spacey robot is pretty cool too.
True GritTrue Grit (2010)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) While the trademark Coen wit is still very much present, it is the performances that carry this simple but well–told story. Damon is perfect and Bridges is exceptional, but its young Hailee Steinfeld who steals the show with a revelation of a performance.
Twelve MonkeysTwelve Monkeys (12 Monkeys) (1996)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A perfect mix of intelligent sci–fi, compelling characters, emotional impact and dark, quirky humour and style.
Miller's CrossingMiller's Crossing (1990)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Dark, complex and violent, with classic Coen humour and memorable characters.
L.A. ConfidentialL.A. Confidential (1997)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) An immaculate film with a gripping, twist–filled story. Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey are highlights of the near–perfect cast.
HeroHero (2002)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A visual masterpiece, with stunning set pieces and fight scenes that are some of the most beautiful ever put to film. Supplemented with a compelling story and great performances from the cast.
Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, TheAssassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The (2007)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A majestic masterpiece of a film. Brad Pitt proves his worth as an actor with a haunting, unforgettable performance. Affleck, Rockwell and Renner add their considerable talents to this thoughtful and beautiful film that strikes every note perfectly.
Fifth Element, TheFifth Element, The (1997)
5 stars (Exceptional) It may not be for everyone, but its style, action, intelligence and heart, make, for me, an incredibly loveable and endlessly entertaining sci–fi adventure.
DVD $14.95 | Blu-Ray $19.95
Full Metal JacketFull Metal Jacket (1987)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Kubrick delivers a thoughtful and disturbing film which explores the themes of war in ways that have never been matched. Without a doubt the best war film ever made.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Pan's LabyrinthPan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del fauno) (2006)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A sublime film which delivers both dazzling visuals and a deep, powerful emotional impact.
Dr. StrangeloveDr. Strangelove (or; How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) (1963)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A brilliant, striking film with iconic characters and a dark, witty story that balances perfectly between subtlety and absurdity. A hugely enjoyable and utterly hilarious gem of a film.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Royal Tenenbaums, TheRoyal Tenenbaums, The (2001)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) A beautiful, poignant mix of emotion, dark humour and irresistible qurikiness. The brilliant screenplay is lifted even higher by the incredible cast, perfect soundtrack and Anderson\'s talent for portraying both style and substance in equal measure.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Funny, moving and immensely powerful, One Flew Over Cuckoo\'s Nest is a genuine classic, with a brilliant lead performance from Jack Nicholson.
DVD $24.95 $18.70
Donnie DarkoDonnie Darko (2001)
5 stars (Exceptional) An incredible trumph of a film that affects both the head and the heart. The sum of all its perfect parts makes a truly special film.
DVD $19.95 | Blu-Ray $24.95
FargoFargo (1996)Recommended
5 stars (Exceptional) Exceptional on pretty much every level including the stunning cinematography, a career–best performance from McDormand, but it\'s greatest asset is the sly, subtle, dark and hilarious screenplay and direction form the infallible Coen Brothers.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Lord of the Rings - The Two TowersLord of the Rings - The Two Towers (2002)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Breaks all notion of being the \'tricky middle one\' in the trilogy with grand, sweeping imagery, thrilling battle scenes and a great ensemble cast.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Lord of the Rings - The Return of the KingLord of the Rings - The Return of the King (2003)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Brilliant, brilliant, billiant. A stunning conclusion to the landmark triliogy.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the RingLord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) With a perfect balance of spectacle and story, its an incredible, unmissable epic.
DVD $19.95 $14.95
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)Aro Favourite
5 stars (Exceptional) Beautiful, flawless film–making. And absolute triumph on every level, from the acting to the screenplay to the direction. In my opinion, the best film ever made.

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