The Reel Life of Real Life

Rating: R:15 Genre: Drama, Mystery & Suspense Directed By: Andrew Jarecki Written By: Marcus Hinchey, Marc Smerling Released: December 3 rd , 2010 Runtime: 101 minutes Studio: Magnolia Pictures Summary: Heir to a real-estate dynasty, David Marks (Ryan Gosling) lives in the shadow of his father, Sanford (Frank Langella). He takes a chance at true love when he meets Katie (Kirsten Dunst), a woman of modest origins who sees David's real worth as a person, not just his family's wealth. David and Katie marry and plan to build a life together, but their once-loving relationship deteriorates after David gives in to his father's demand that he work in the family business. Review: Hmm… I think this film is good up to a point, and from that point on, unfortunately not all good things can be said about this tragic ensemble. It kind of becomes something mundane, nothing really to get excited about. Then by the final 40 minutes or so it see...

Rating: R:15 Genre: Drama, Mystery & Suspense Directed By: Darren Aronofsky Written By: Andres Heinz, Mark Heyman, John J. McLaughlin Released: January 21 st , 2011 Runtime: 108 minutes Studio: Fox Searchlight Summary: Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina whose passion for the dance rules every facet of her life. When the company's artistic director decides to replace his prima ballerina for their opening production of "Swan Lake," Nina is his first choice. She has competition in newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis) however. While Nina is perfect for the role of the White Swan, Lily personifies the Black Swan. As rivalry between the two dancers transforms into a twisted friendship, Nina's dark side begins to emerge. Review: One word comes to mind – wow. This is a considerably complex but visually beautiful film. It’s hard to know what is really happening and what isn’t. This makes the film quite confusing. Eventually every scene is...

Rating: PG Genre: Family, Fantasy Directed By: Robert Stromberg Written By: Linda Woolverton Released: May 30 th , 2014   Runtime: 97 minutes Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Summary: As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom. Review: I really enjoyed this film! I thought it was a brilliant take on the infamous Sleeping Beauty tale. We see the evil Maleficent in a whole new light and as is to be expected learning how misunderstood she was. The tables are turning around in this version for everyone involve...

Rating: R:15 Genre: Horror Directed By: David Carson Written By: Bryan Fuller Released: November 4 th , 2002 Runtime: 132 minutes Studio: MGM Home Entertainment Summary: Based on Stephen King's novel. A high-school pupil suffers both relentless victimisation at the hands of her classmates and bullying from her strictly religious, abusive mother. Review: I reviewed the original 1976 Carrie and the 2013 remake around three years ago, not knowing then that there was actually this 2002 remake in existence as well. I only came across it recently when my brother and myself re-watched the original. Having seen both the other two, and having read the book, I think I can confirm that the 2013 one is quite possibly my favourite version. While I like a lot of the original and Sissy Spaceck will always be the best Carrie White, I don’t think it stayed as true to the book as people might be aware of. This 2002 remake of Stephen King’s famous tale, is in ...

Rating: PG-13   Genre: Comedy Directed By: Peyton Reed Written By: Jessica Bendinger Released: August 25 th , 2000 Runtime: 99 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Summary: The Toro cheerleading squad from Rancho Carne High School in San Diego has got spirit, spunk, sass and a killer routine that's sure to land them the national championship trophy for the sixth year in a row. But for newly-elected team captain Torrance, the Toros' road to total cheer glory takes a shady turn when she discovers that their perfectly-choreographed routines were in fact stolen from the Clovers, a hip-hop squad from East Compton, by the Toro's former captain.   Review: I enjoyed this movie. I think I would have loved it in my pre-teen years had I heard of it back then. It’s incredibly light-hearted and surprisingly feel-good. There’s no badness to it whatsoever. For sure something to throw on at the end of a long day you can just have a laugh and smile at...

Rating: PG-13 (adult situations/language) Genre: Comedy Directed By: John Hughes, John Hugues Written By: John Hughes Released: June 11 th , 1986 Runtime: 103 minutes Studio: Paramount Pictures Summary: Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) wakes u one beautiful morning in Chicago with the decision that school is not the place to be today. Thus, he convinces his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) to “borrow” his father’s irreplaceable red Ferrari before kidnapping Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and the three set out for a day of fun and games across town. In the meantime, the school principal (Jeffrey Jones) is after him, as is Ferris’ sister, Jeanie (Jennifer Grey), both sick of Ferris’ unwitting ability to get away with everything! The film is directed and written by John Hughes and is one of his funniest comedies. Scratch that. One of the funniest comedies out there. Review: This is a brilliant movie. What else can be said? Ferris Bueller, is, ...

Rating: R:18 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense Directed By: Mary Harron Written By: Mary Harron, Guinevere Turner Released: Apr 21 st , 2000 Runtime: 97 minutes Studio: Lions Gate Films Summary: In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. The cast is filled by the detective (Willem Dafoe), the fiance (Reese Witherspoon), the mistress (Samantha Mathis), the coworker (Jared Leto), and the secretary (Chloë Sevigny). This is a biting, wry comedy examining the elements that make a man a monster. Review: First off, I loved the design of the opening credits. It was so satisfying. The simplicity, the colours, the music, the timing – everything. There was a humour and even a shred of elegance while building the idea of bloodshed to come. In a way it mirrored the character’s personality wonderfully. The music was fun too. Lot...

Rating: PG-13 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Directed By: Richard Loncraine Written By: Adam Brooks, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin Released: September 17 th , 2004 Runtime: 98 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Summary: Frustrated at his own failures and disillusioned with professional sports, tennis player Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) resolves to retire from competition and become an instructor at an exclusive private club. But when Colt receives a surprise wild-card berth in Wimbledon, he can't help but enter the tournament. Soon, Colt meets Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst), a beautiful American tennis player with an upcoming match of her own, and finds the inspiration he hopes will turn his luck around. Review: This is a really sweet natured film. I would say it’s pretty hard to go wrong with it. A sweet romance, some funny moments to make you smile, a warm plot with heart. If rom-coms are your thing then this is one worth adding to the list. ...

Rating: R:15 Genre: Drama, Romance Released: April 15 th , 2017  Runtime: 100 minutes Studio: Indigo Film Summary: Based on the 2007 novel by Nick Hornby, Samuel, a 16-year-old skateboarder, dreams of moving to California to go pro until he meets the girl of his dreams and gets her pregnant. Review: I enjoyed this film a lot more than I was expecting to! The characters were all very likable and at times relatable. Everything felt realistic. While I was initially confused by the structure, as the film went on I liked it more and felt it brought some originality to a storyline that has probably been done umpteen times in movies and tv shows. Once Samuel learns that his girlfriend wants to keep the baby he begins to experience vivid dreams about how his life has adapted to this. His mind remaining in the present day, these flashforwards are confusing to him as he tries to catch up on what he has missed in the intervening years. Then returning to th...

Rating: NR Genre: Mystery & Suspense Directed By: Michael Thelin Written By: Rich Herbeck Released: March 4 th , 2016 Runtime: 80 minutes Studio: Uncorked Productions Summary: A young boy (Joshua Rush) tries to protect his two siblings when their new baby sitter (Sarah Bolger) starts to reveal her psychotic nature. Review: Suspense was built subtly but surprisingly well. The film had a huge sense of unpredictability. You really get a sense you could be expecting anything to happen. It’s twisted, dark and creepy. But it’s all done subtly and none of it is in your face. It’s hard to figure out what’s going on. We’re being fed clues but it takes a while for them to fully add up in any coherent way. We’re kept guessing which is always great! There was one big twist that would have been far bigger had the name not been Emilie. I think, while the name sums up the whole movie fairly, narrowed the room for surprise in this regard. Also, I’m inc...