Movie Reviews, Put a bit of culture into our lives

Since the progeny have now left home, Mrs Nick & I have started going to the cinema, and we could do with some recommendations, otherwise it's pot luck and Guardian reviews!

So, rate your movie experiences for me please. I'll kick offwith the three we've seen this year. feel free to disagree.

Stars out of five please.

Casino Royale ****
Different kind of Bond film. Heavy on action, less so on special effects and totty, thankfully. An enjoyable romp.

Night at the Museum **
Crap, basically, rescued only by Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan. I wonder if the Americans will understand Ricky Gervais/

Miss Potter ****
I was dragged along to this, and found it to be a delightful film. Well shot, bit twee at times, but thoroughly enjoyable

Haven't seen any yet this year, although I saw Casino Royale last year and enjoyed it hugely.

I'd also recommend Flushed Away to anyone that thought the best bit about the Toy Story films was the green aliens. One word: slugs.

4/5 for each, although people with an aversion to 'kiddie' films should knock at least one off that for Flushed Away...

I saw The Last King of Scotland last night and enjoyed it a lot, particularly Forest Whitaker's portrayal of Idi Amin. It got a bit gruesome near the end though. ****

Has anyone else seen Pan's Labyrinth? I really loved it.

Children of men was pretty great too.

I saw perfume: story of a murderer and i thought it was a bit dull.

I saw Pan's Labyrinth. I'm really not sure if I liked it or not though... I was kinda confused.

I thought Pan's Labyrinth was great. It was like two stories in one...if some people are put off by the fantasy element, it was as much about the Spanish civil war as anything else.

Children of Men was grim but great. The Departed was disappointing (watch Infernal Affairs first and you'll see why). Apocalypto was good. Eragon was like a poor childrens story. Casino Royale was ocake. I think that covers most of the films I've seen at the cinema recently, I'd recommend Pan's Labyrinth and Children of Men the most.

i didn't think pan's labyrinth was confusing, and i'm rubbish at films!!

children of men was great.

Saw "Venus" last night. Don't believe the reviews, it's basically a "tart with a heart" movie, nice poignant moments, with a touch of pathos, but not very good.

Mrs Nick loved it!

** only two stars, I'm afraid.

It appears I have my own sad little thread. aaaaah! Nevermind!

Notes on a Scandal (chosen by Mrs Nick - I wanted to see Deamgirls)

The plot was a bit far fetched (would a teacher as attractive as Cate Blanchett really want to sh@g a 15 year old?), and the researchers obviously watched one back episode of "Teachers" to find out what classroom life was like.

Plum performance fom the Dame as an embittered spinster, but the film as a whole failed to live up to expectations, and the ending was just crass.

Three stars only I'm afraid ***

(Oh, and "Hot Fuzz" is released Feb 16 - I expect to see a plethora of reviews please!!!)

It's actually out on the 14th, even though that's a Wednesday. Can't wait to see it.

Have been really slack with cinema-going lately... I will contribute to this eventually!

I'll be seeing Hot Fuzz when it comes out as well.

Until recently, Clearlake's Wikipedia page said that Jason Pegg (singer) was the half-brother of Simon Pegg. Completely untrue but I didn't put it there and it amused me so I never bothered to change it. His brother IS called Simon Pegg but it's not that one.

Hot Fuzz *****

Believe everything you've read, and go along for a good laugh. Highly recommended! So many one liners and cameo appearances that I'll need to get the dvd to find what I missed.

Sad Git Cinema Update.........

Saw Mischief Night last night...............

Typical Channel 4 "It's Grim Up North" gritty comedy/melodrama with loads of swearing and drugs, offending every stereotype you could imagine. Out of the "East is East" stable via "Goodness Gracious Me", this is actually not a bad film at all. Very feelgood ending, but made me belly laugh in places, especially when they bundled the OAP drug dealers into the boot of the Omega!

4/5 **** Worth a visit

Has anyone seen The Science of Sleep? I wanted to but didn't get round to it and I might be too late now...