The Reel Life of Real Life

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan Written By: M. Night Shyamalan Released: January 20 th , 2017 Runtime: 116 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Summary: Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all of the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the wilful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him -- as well as everyone around him -- as the walls between his compartments shatter. Review: The first thing I have to say about this film before anything else, is how fantastic an actor James McAvoy actually is. The amount of different characters he had to play one after the other through the simplest and sometimes subtlest of changes in posture, expressions, accent, was something to see.  ...

Rating: PG Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Kids & Family Directed By: Richard Donner Written By: Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus Released: November 29 th , 1985 Runtime: 115 minutes Studio: Amblin Entertainment Summary: When two brothers find out they might lose their house they are desperate to find a way to keep their home. They find a treasure map and bring some friends along to find it. They are all out looking for the "X" and trying to get away from a group of bad guys who also want the treasure. Review: This little 80s gem has become something of a classic, hasn’t it? Up until just recently it was one that I had not yet seen I’m almost ashamed to admit. Now that I have, I’m torn between whether I think this is all deserved, or whether the film is more mediocre than it’s hyped up to be.   The story has such lovable characters. These are the driving force of the whole movie. Without them, there would be no The Gooni...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Drama Directed By: Thea Sharrock Written By: Jojo Moyes In Theatres: June 3 rd , 2016 Runtime: 110 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Summary: Young and quirky Louisa "Lou" Clark (Emilia Clarke) moves from one job to the next to help her family make ends meet. Her cheerful attitude is put to the test when she becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker left paralyzed from an accident two years earlier. Will's cynical outlook starts to change when Louisa shows him that life is worth living. As their bond deepens, their lives and hearts change in ways neither one could have imagined. Review: Emilia Clarke is brilliant! Such a great actress. I enjoyed this film more than I thought I would because of her. Her character is so bubbly and clumsy. I love her outfits as well, they’re all so bright and bring so much colour to the film! She’s so bouncy and quirky, it’s impossible not to fall ...

Rating: PG-13 (for some strong language.) Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Directed By: Rob Reiner Written By: Aaron Sorkin In Theatres: Nov 17th, 1995 Runtime: 113 minutes Studio: Columbia Pictures Summary: With the end of his first term in sight, widowed U.S. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) knows that overwhelming public support will guarantee his re-election. But when he falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), Shepherd's supporters question the relationship, and his approval ratings drop. As a rival presidential candidate goes on the attack, Shepherd must choose between his political career and his love for Sydney. Review: This film combines comedy with a well-rounded bunch of characters in a wonderfully sweet love story that’s full of light-hearted energy from the word go. Michael Douglas is a great lead, giving the president charm and down to earth qualities. One of my favourite scenes was that between him...

Rating: R (for strong language and content relating to drugs, sexuality and suicide) Genre: Drama Directed By: James Mangold Written By: James Mangold, Lisa Loomer, Anna Hamilton Phelan In Theatres: Dec 21 st , 1999 Runtime: 127 minutes Studio: Sony Pictures Summary: Set in the changing world of the late 1960s, "Girl, Interrupted" is the searing true story of Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), a young woman who finds herself at a renowned mental institution for troubled young women, where she must choose between the world of people who belong on the inside -- like the seductive and dangerous Lisa (Angelina Jolie) -- or the often difficult world of reality on the outside. Review: This is a very good film. Might not be everybody’s cup of tea…But it’s very, very good. With many tougher issues raised, it might not be the easiest to watch (although it’s no “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, I’ll tell you) but with two exceedingly talented actresses a...

Rating: G Genre: Animation, Drama, Kids & Family Directed By: Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson Written By: Ward Greene, Ralph Wright, Don DaGradi, Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi In Theatres: June 22 nd , 1955 Runtime: 76 minutes Studio: Buena Vista Pictures Summary: This Disney animated classic follows a pampered cocker spaniel named Lady (Barbara Luddy) whose comfortable life slips away once her owners have a baby. When, after some tense circumstances, Lady finds herself on the loose and out on the street, she is befriended and protected by the tough stray mutt Tramp (Larry Roberts). A romance begins to blossom between the two dogs, but their many differences, along with more drama at Lady's household, threaten to keep them apart. Review: This film is so cute. From the moment Lady is born to the later spaghetti scene…aww.  It’s like an epic romance (much like our Romeo + Juliet) for the canine community. I did after all, watch i...

Rating: PG Genre: Drama, Musical  Directed By: Herbert Ross Written By: Dean Pitchford Runtime: 107 minutes Studio: Paramount Home Video Summary: Moving in from Chicago, newcomer Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal. As he struggles to fit in, Ren faces an uphill battle to change things. With the help of his new friend, Willard Hewitt (Christopher Penn), and defiant teen Ariel Moore (Lori Singer), he might loosen up this conservative town. But Ariel's influential father, Reverend Shaw Moore (John Lithgow), stands in the way. Review: The success of this film is quite surprising because it’s quite a cluttered film. The story isn’t the most wonderful of stories to grace a screen. It’s a bit messy, a bit contrived. If it stuck to one idea and stayed with it, it would work a lot better. But instead it tries to do too much and at the end of the...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts Directed By: Paul Schrader Written By: Paul Schrader, Monte Merrick Runtime: 90 minutes Studio: TAFT Entertainment Pictures Summary: A Cleveland brother (Michael J. Fox) and sister (Joan Jett) rise with a rock band while coping with personal problems. Review: I think this film takes a while to get into…The plot, while realistic, is a little bland…in my opinion, at least. It’s mostly in the beginning though. It picks up and when it does it becomes something to be recommended. Every character has their flaws, and the more they begin to unravel, the more engaging it gets. It’s a grim story, if you’re looking for something uplifting, you’re not going to find it here. It’s depressing, there is no two ways about it. This is not the best film in the world, but in some ways it's underrated.  However, it’s got two great leads in Michael J Fox as Joe and Joan Jett as Patti. They both work really w...