The Reel Life of Real Life

Rating: R:18 Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense Directed By: Andy Muschietti Written By: Chase Palmer, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Gary Dauberman In Theatres: Sept 8 th , 2017 Runtime: 135 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Summary: Seven young outcasts in Derry, Maine, are about to face their worst nightmare -- an ancient, shape-shifting evil that emerges from the sewer every 27 years to prey on the town's children. Banding together over the course of one horrifying summer, the friends must overcome their own personal fears to battle the murderous, bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise. Review: As horror films go, this is a pretty damn good one! I think I prefer it to the original. I was afraid they wouldn’t make a good job of it, but they really did. It has everything you could want in a film – jump scares, romance, well developed characters, 80s music (even if it is inappropriately used), 80s setting, blood and gore but not too much ...

Rating: PG Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy Directed By: Kenny Ortega Written By: Mick Garris, Neil Cuthbert, Greg Beeman, Kenny Ortega, David Kirschner In Theatres: July 16 th , 1993 Runtime: 95 minutes Studio: Buena Vista Pictures Summary: After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal. Review: This is such a fun Halloween movie! All the characters are eccentric and lovable. The action is non-stop, well-paced – very entertaining.  The three witches are the best part of this film. Who doesn’t love Bette Midler?...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Directed By: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa Written By: Dan Fogelman In Theatres: July 29 th , 2011 Runtime: 118 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Summary: Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a beautiful wife, named Emily (Julianne Moore). Cal's seemingly perfect life unravels, however, when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is adrift in the fickle world of dating. Enter, Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), a self-styled player who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies. Review: This is a smashing rom-com. One of the better ones by a mile. With a genuinely witty and clever script, a fantastic cast, and twist ending that pays off in dividends – you are in for a very enjoyable watch. Emma Stone is fab as usual. Not one of my fa...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Action & Adventure Directed By: Tim Burton Written By: Warren Skaaren, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Sam Hamm, Warren Saire In Theatres: Apr 6, 1990  Runtime:   126 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Summary:  Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman who calls himself "The Joker" (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger). Review:  This was a great film!! I never watched any of the Batman movies until just a few days ago and after watching this one I don’t know why! It’s a great movie!  Jack Nicholson stole the whole show. He was fantasti...

Rating: R:18 Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense Directed By: Quentin Tarantino Written By: Quentin Tarantino In Theatres: Oct 10 th , 2003 Runtime: 111 minutes Studio: Miramax Films Summary: A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempts to murder her on her wedding day. Fuelled by an insatiable desire for revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party, and four years of her life. After devising a hit list, The Bride sets off on her quest, enduring unspeakable injury and unscrupulous enemies. Review: We watched a scene from this in college recently. I’d heard a lot about it but never watched it so my curiosity was peaked enough to give it a go. And as revenge stories go, this is a good one. Well we are left with no uncertainty as to what to expect from this...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Directed By: Adrienne Shelly Written By: Adrienne Shelly In Theatres: Aug 10 th , 2007 Runtime: 107 minutes Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Summary: Jenna (Keri Russell) works in a diner in a small Southern town and is a genius at creating luscious desserts, but her marriage to an overbearing lout (Jeremy Sisto) makes happiness impossible. When she discovers she is pregnant, she makes plans to skip town before her condition is obvious. However, she begins an affair with the new town doctor (Nathan Fillion), who is the only one who knows her secret.  Review: This is a nice quirky little film. It’s cute and although fairly predictable fairly early on, enjoyable nonetheless. The characters, particularly our lead, Jenna, are really sweet and homely. It reminds me a lot of “Doc Hollywood” …the small country town where everybody seems to know everything about everyone kind of setting – as well as the strong ...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Comedy, Romance Directed By: Greg Beeman Written By: Neil Tolkin, Michael Tolkin, Frank Deese Runtime: 90 minutes Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Summary: Teenager Les Anderson (Corey Haim) thinks his life can't get any worse after he flunks his driver's exam, but he's wrong. Even though he didn't receive his license, Les refuses to break his date with the cool Mercedes Lane (Heather Graham), and he decides to lift his family's prize luxury car for the occasion. Unfortunately, Mercedes sneaks some booze along and passes out drunk, and a confused Les makes the bad decision of enlisting his rebellious friend, Dean (Corey Feldman), to help. Review: This isn’t the worst movie ever made, but there’s not a lot is to be said about it. It’s at the very pretentious and contrived side of 80s teen movies. The characters are one dimensional and completely predictable. All they care about is their ability to ...

Rating: PG Genre: Comedy, Kids & Family Directed By: Penny Marshall Written By: Anne Spielberg, Gary Ross Released: June 3 rd , 1988 Runtime: 98 minutes Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Summary: After a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he heads to New York City and gets a low-level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner (Robert Loggia) of the company leads to a promotion testing new toys. Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), takes a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy. Review: This film is a big bundle of joy. Although the concept of the story is as old as time, it’s a very sweet story we can re-watch again and again.  Tom Hanks can portray a very childlike quality better than many actors I’ve watched ons...

Rating: R Genre: Comedy Directed By: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris Written By: Michael Arndt In Theatres: Sept 8 th , 2006 Runtime: 110 minutes Studio: Fox Searchlight Summary: The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) and a grandfather (Alan Arkin) -- puts the fun back in dysfunctional by piling into a VW bus and heading to California to support a daughter (Abigail Breslin) in her bid to win the Little Miss Sunshine Contest. The sanity of everyone involved is stretched to the limit as the group's quirks cause epic problems as they travel along their interstate route. Review: This film is a ray of sunshine. The plot is simple, carried through by a wonderful array of lovable characters. It has a positive and light-hearted feel throughout, despite dealing with some tougher topics. A feel-good watch for sure, with quite an unforgettable twist!  Olive is a wonderful cha...

Rating:  PG Genre: Comedy, Television Directed By: Rodney Amateau, Rod Amateau Written By: Larry Mintz, Alan Eisenstock Runtime: 96 minutes Studio: Hill-Mandelker Films Summary: TV movie starring Michael J. Fox as the average high-schooler JJ Manners who must compete with popular snobbish student Beau Middleton (Anthony Edwards) for the affections of the lovely Beth Franklin (Nancy McKeon). Major shenanigans ensue, including a destructive robot and more than one wild car race. Review: This is a surprisingly entertaining movie! It’s actually really good. There are a lot of characters. And a lot of little storylines being built up throughout, some intertwining…This is why I think it could have made a fab TV Show, as well as being a fab movie. There was potential there – I think, at least!  There are also a few familiar faces. Most namely, Anthony Edwards, Crispin Glover, and Michael J Fox. This pre-Back To The Future film teamed up Mi...