Drama > H Drama > 15 years and over > up to 5 GBP

Advantages: True stories do make the best movies
Disadvantages: I can't fault this film

...caught the movie premiere of Ray last night on ITV, the true story following the life of Ray Charles Robinson. The 2004 release saw the man himself heavily involved with the direction of the film, however he sadly passed away a few months before it actually began hitting the screens (Ray was fortunately able to attend a showing of the completed film before it hit the public theatres). When it came to casting, director Taylor Heckford saw fit for ...
...of playing the piano together, Ray stood up and hugged Fox, proclaiming "He's the one... he can do it," obviously referring to playing his character in the film. So as you can see, Ray is no run of the mill film, and this is going to be no run of the mill review. Going into the film I was honestly only watching for reviewing purposes, needing something new to review, but little did I know I was going to be blown away by a film detailing the life ... Read review

Advantages: Story, Acting, Soundtrack
Disadvantages: Not for those that do not like hip-hop/rap

8 Mile Movie: Life has not been kind to Jimmy 'B-Rabbit' Smith (Eminem). His pregnant girlfriend broke up with him and he gave her his car, although he finds out that she was just pretending. He has a dead end job in a car manufacturing plant and because he is homeless he has to move in with his mum and baby sister in a trailer park. But B-Rabbit has a dream, he wants to be a rapper and we see him at the beginning of the film preparing for his ...
...is amazing. Music of 8 Mile: This is just a static picture plug for the music CDs Enimen Superman Video: I like the song, not sure about the video, its ok I guess. Overall: A superb film, well acted with a great soundtrack although not really one for people who are not fans of the man or the genre. © This review is entirely my own work but may have been cross posted elsewhere. MAY also be published under the name sjp1966 on Ciao UK and Ciao US ... Read review

Advantages: Great acting and directing
Disadvantages: Imbalance at times. Have to be in the right frame of mind

This 2000 kidnap drama from director Taylor Hackford has a very good all round package. It has some marvellous scenery and some mood-setting lighting which has given this film some praise. It combines the talents of Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe in roles we would not normally associate them with. The Plot Alice and Peter Bowman are in South America with Peter an engineer working on a project. Peter is kidnapped by some anti-government guerillas and ...
...who must first ascertain whether Terry is alive or not. The emotional turmoil of such an experience is almost too much for Alice, and the kindness and intensity shown by Thorne leads her to feel very strongly for him, and he in turn finds the feeling mutual. The Cast and Performances Meg Ryan is outstanding as Alice. The acting involved in such an emtional character is performed with great skill and attention, and she is very convincing as Alice. ... Read review

Advantages: Unique, contains everything, appeals to emotions
Disadvantages: None-unless this particular genre is not your type

...Lou Gossett Jnr. won an Academy Award for his brilliant portrayal of a tough drill instructor. David Keith plays Zack's struggling fellow candidate. Special features of the 2 disc edition include: "An Officer and a Gentleman: 25 Years Later" Retrospective Documentary "The Cadets Reunite", featurette on stars who played the military officers and the men who inspired them "Return to Port Townsend" visit the town where the film was shot "Lifts Us Up" ...
...introduction from Richard Gere "Military Advisor" Scene analysis Featurette Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford "Officer Candidate School: Inside and Out" "Gere and Gossett: Hand To Hand Combat" Emotional rollercoaster with Zack Mayo being played brilliantly. Grips its audience and is one of the classics. Unique film-definitely recommend. 10/10. ... Read review

Advantages: Quirky, entertaining at times
Disadvantages: Forgettable

...a published author, once a wonder boy, but is now struggling to finish the book he has been writing for seven years. His editor, Terry Crabtree, arrives to chase him on the same day that his wife leaves him. And his affair with the married Dean of his college is coming to a head. Life is to get even more complicated when one of his students shoots the Dean's husband's dog at a party and a female student who is boarding with him comes on to him. Can ...
...his own career at the same time? Michael Douglas plays Grady Tripp, in a role which is pleasantly different from anything else I have seen him do. Tripp is scruffy, flirtatious, lazy and has a liking for the odd spliff, yet somehow manages to be extremely likeable. I don't suppose for a minute that it pushed Douglas very hard, but I found his performance far more natural than many of his others and certainly a lot less pretentious. I also loved ... Read review