Brothers (2009)

"Only the dead have seen the end of war"

Oscar hopeful from Jim Sheridan

Wow. Was expecting the usual Oscar bait and the story started out like I knew what

was gonna be the end result, but I forgot I was watching a Jim Sheridan picture.

Sheridan, who directed 'In America', amongst others, has crafted an exquisite film

that builds to a crushing resolution, but not quite as clichéd as the trailer makes out.

With an Oscar tipped performance from Tobey Maguire as the stand-out, the entire

cast give their all to their roles. A special mention must be made of Bailee Madison

who plays Tobey and Natalie's older daughter with a illuminating presence for one

so young.

The film explores the nature of guilt and forgiveness in a way that is satisfying and

thought-provoking and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

9 out of 10

The Hurt Locker (2008)

"There's enough bang in there to blow us all to Jesus. If I'm gonna die, I want to die comfortable."

Second film in and another by a female director!

Kathryn Bigelow's eighth film in a directing career that has seen many highs

is very close to, if not, her best film. An intense action drama where Jeremy

Renner's Staff Sergent William James takes over Bravo Company's Bomb

Disposal Unit in the final days of their rotation.

James is a loose cannon and recklass, but excellent at his job. The film is

remarkable for being essentially the same set-up through-out, but your nerves

will be on edge as the BDU try to survive another day.

Top notch acting, especially from Renner, who is set to be a big star, and tight

direction make this one of the best films of the last year.

9 out of 10

Whip It (2009)

"I like smart girls. That's why I married your mama. Well, that and I knocked her up"

My first movie of Twenty-Ten, and it got me.

'Whip It' is the directorial début of Drew Barrymore, based on the 2007 book 'Derby Girl' by Shauna Cross who also wrote the the screenplay. Starring Ellen Page, who incidentally dropped out of 'Drag Me to Hell' to appear in this picture, as Bliss Cavendar, a rebellious Texas teen who throws in her small town beauty pageant crown for the rowdy world of roller derby.

Marcia Gay Harden, who I loved in 'Miller's Crossing,' plays her disapproving mother and Daniel Stern her easy going father. On the roller derby side we have Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore and Zoe Bell as Bliss' team mates and Juiliette Lewis as her evil rival. They all adopt stage names so we get wonderful concoctions such as Babe Ruthless, Eva Destruction and Bloody Holly.

Its a typical set-up with a teen growing up and rebelling her mother, making new friends, hurting old ones, meeting a guy and yada, yada, yada . . . but the script is witty, the acting great and the directing hitting all the right notes. It helps that everyone seems to be having the time of their lives and the roller derby scene looks a hell of a lot of fun.

Based on this evidence Drew Barrymore is deft behind the camera and I, for one, will be looking forward to her next directing gig.

8 out of 10

January 2010 - UK Cinema Releases

A new year starts and looking at the first month of the years cinema releases, its looking good. A couple of the Oscar hopefuls get their UK release, a couple of big star blockbusters, a 3D re-release and a British film. When I get round to watching them I'll post a mini review.

6th January

Daybreakers

8th January

Exam

Mugabee and the White African

The Road

15th January

44-Inch Chest

The Book of Eli

Up in the Air

22nd January

A Prophet

Armoured

Brothers

Ninja Assassin

Toy Story 2 3D

29th January

Edge of Darkness

Precious