Movie List for 2008 - 39 films!
MOVIES: (39 films in 2008)
-Taare Zameen Par (Bollywood - drama) - 1st January - cinemas - starring Darsheel Safary and Aamir Khan. 9.95/10.
An excellently made and executed film - with superb performances by all, especially brilliant child actor Darsheel. Touching, thought-provoking, tear-jerking and well, well worth a watch. 1
- Enchanted (fantasy, romance) - 3rd January - cinemas - starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. 7/10.
Cute and charming film, with little jokes about the modern day world - but overall a little bit too sweet for an almost-adult. Fine performance by James Marsden as the Prince. 2
- High School Musical 2 (comedy, musical, romance) - 6th January - home (VCR) - starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale - 5/10
Random, cheesy-as-hell with forgettable songs - this has entertainment value because of it's bad-ness. A fun film to laugh at with friends. 3
- Atonement (drama, romance) - 14th January - cinemas - starring James McAvoy, Romola Garai and Keira Knightley 10/10
Excellent period drama which "almost chokes you with it's intensity" - excellent performances by James and the three actresses of Briony Tallis in particular. Beautiful cinematography and music - and overall does justice to Ian McEwan's awardwinning novel. 4
- The Covenant (action, supernatural thriller) - 24th January - home on DVD - starring Steven Strait, Chace Crawford - 5/10 for film. WATCH FOR GUYS ONLY!!
Another random film with an undistinguishable plot - but Steven and the "Sons of Ipswich" put in decent performances, especially in their speedos. ;) 5
- Jab We Met (Bollywood - romance, comedy) - 26th January - home on DVD - starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. 9/10
A cute, fun, quirky, realistic film with fine, restrained performances by Shahid and Kareena. A fun romantic film that will have you roaring with laughter most of the way through. 6
- Jodhaa Akbar (Bollywood - period drama, romance) - 2nd April - home on DVD - starring Aishwariya Rai and Hrithik Roshan 6/10
A beautifully directed and presented film, what let it down was the slow pace of the film's plot, the unrealistic feel of the history (particularly Hrithik's acting as Akbar) and the one-sided nature of the characters. Still, the film had it's moments and can be enjoyed with one finger on the ffwd button of your DVD remote. 7
- Elizabeth (Period drama) - 3rd April - home on DVD - starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen 8/10
The film is beautifully directed and the sets are magnificent, doing justice to Cate Blanchett's superb acting as Queen Elizabeth the 1st, a majestic and superb royal figure who changed the nature of the world by strengthening Britain into the leader of the world. There was a clear emphasis on the ageing of the Queen and her struggles with her "mortal" side - her need for love, and her maternal instinct - some of the emphasis was just overkill, and the emphasis on the "New World" and the heavy Catholicism was unnecessary and probably unrealistic. Well worth a watch for any history buff, though it does not live up to the original film. 8
-Race (Bollywood - thriller, mystery, romance) - 8th April - cinemas - starring Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu, Akshaye Khanna and Katrina Kaif 7/10
I can't say Race is a particularly original film, but the cast, music, scenery and plot work together to create a hot, slick thriller where betrayal is the order of the day in the "race" of life. As long as it is not taken remotely seriously, and you don't look to try and dissect any of the characters - a fun, one-time watch. 9
- The Abduction Club (period drama, romance, comedy) - home on DVD - starring Matthew Rhys and Sophia Miles) 8/10
Pretty rich girls, handsome poor guys, abductions and frollicking around Ireland - what more do you want out of a fun period drama? Whilst the historical accuracy is seriously lacking and the story and dialogues are fraught with cliches - this is an enjoyable, heart warming movie for that rainy Saturday afternoon with the girls. 10
- I, Robot (action, thriller) - home on DVD - starring Will Smith 9/10 11
- Stardust (fantasy, romantic comedy) - home on DVD - starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer 8/10 12
- Becoming Jane (period drama, romance) - home on DVD - starring Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy 7/10
Fine acting by the typically brilliant James McAvoy, and an emotionally intense second half redeemed this movie, which was beginning to drown in the mundane details fo the world created for Hathaway's Jane Austen. Whilst she valiantly attempted the task, Hathaway was not able to lift the mantle of such a fine author, and the film resorts to
As an Austen fan, I would have definitely enjoyed seeing the development of her writing abilities and her keen observances of the social nuances of her time, James' character was a pleasant suprise - the contradictions of hardworking student, caring brother and son and drunk boxer made for a much for interesting individual than Austen. The ending, whilst emotionally heartwrenching, was true to life and leaves you with a feeling of praise for the film, though it did not always deserve it. 13
- Orlando (period drama, arthouse?) - at EE - staring Tilda Swinton, Billy Zane 14
- Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian (fantasy)- in the cinemas. twice. - starring Ben Barnes, William Moseley, Anna Poppelwell, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley 9/10 15
- I'm With Lucy - at school - starring _____________, 7/10 16
- 27 Dresses - starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden 8.95/10 17
- Tristan and Isolde - starring James Franco and Sophia Myles 8/10 18
- Bigga than Ben - starring Ben Barnes 9.25/10 19
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - at the cinemas - starring Harrison Ford, Shia LeBouf, Cate Blanchett 7/10 20
- The Dark Knight - 12th August - at the cinemas - starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart - 9.9995/10 21
HOLY BATMAN. Watch this film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lived up to all the hype and went beyond. Brilliant performances by both Bale and Ledger, with a gripping storyline, powerful dialogue and realistic but not 'graphic' special effects. Really explored the true Batman - a fantastic revisionist movie with all the whizzbangery of any superhero film, but realistic and profound as an exploration of madness, power and the true meaning of the word "hero". The cinematography, whilst 'dark', was absolutely beautiful and the score added much to the atmosphere. Parts during the middle did drag somewhat, and to an extent the film didn't 'flow', but the suprises and the tension just kept coming. :) You sit there at the beginning with a sense of awe and at the end with a sense of hard-hitting reality.
- The Shipping News -sometime in September - in class - starring Kevin Spacey 8/10 22
- Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na - on Youtube - sometime in August - starring Imraan Khan, Genelia D'Souza 8.5/10 23
- Maid in Manhattan - Term 3 - on DVD- starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes 7/10 24
- Robin Hood: Men in Tights - DVD - starring 8/10 25
- Tuesdays with Morrie -at school - starring 7/10 26
- The Last King of Scotland - on DVD - starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy and Kerry Washington 9/10 27
- Bachna Ae Haseeno - on DVD - October - starring Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Minisha Lamba and Bipasha Basu - 7/10 28
- The Duchess - starring Keira Knightley, Dominic Cooper, Ralph Fiennes 29
- Rock On - ON dvd - November - starring Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal 8/10 30
- Dostana - in the cinemas - starring Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, Abishek Bachan, Bobby Deol 8/10 31
- Mamma Mia! - starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Dominic Cooper 32
- Hancock - on DVD - starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron 8.5/10 33
- High School Musical - starring Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Hudgens 34
- Twilight - starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson 35
- Penelope - starring Christina Ricci and James McAvoy 36
- Wanted - starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie 37
- Little Miss Sunshine - starring Peter Carell, Abigail Breslin 38
- Ghajini - starring Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan 39
BOOKS: (24 books in 2008)
-Taare Zameen Par (Bollywood - drama) - 1st January - cinemas - starring Darsheel Safary and Aamir Khan. 9.95/10.
An excellently made and executed film - with superb performances by all, especially brilliant child actor Darsheel. Touching, thought-provoking, tear-jerking and well, well worth a watch. 1
- Enchanted (fantasy, romance) - 3rd January - cinemas - starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. 7/10.
Cute and charming film, with little jokes about the modern day world - but overall a little bit too sweet for an almost-adult. Fine performance by James Marsden as the Prince. 2
- High School Musical 2 (comedy, musical, romance) - 6th January - home (VCR) - starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale - 5/10
Random, cheesy-as-hell with forgettable songs - this has entertainment value because of it's bad-ness. A fun film to laugh at with friends. 3
- Atonement (drama, romance) - 14th January - cinemas - starring James McAvoy, Romola Garai and Keira Knightley 10/10
Excellent period drama which "almost chokes you with it's intensity" - excellent performances by James and the three actresses of Briony Tallis in particular. Beautiful cinematography and music - and overall does justice to Ian McEwan's awardwinning novel. 4
- The Covenant (action, supernatural thriller) - 24th January - home on DVD - starring Steven Strait, Chace Crawford - 5/10 for film. WATCH FOR GUYS ONLY!!
Another random film with an undistinguishable plot - but Steven and the "Sons of Ipswich" put in decent performances, especially in their speedos. ;) 5
- Jab We Met (Bollywood - romance, comedy) - 26th January - home on DVD - starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. 9/10
A cute, fun, quirky, realistic film with fine, restrained performances by Shahid and Kareena. A fun romantic film that will have you roaring with laughter most of the way through. 6
- Jodhaa Akbar (Bollywood - period drama, romance) - 2nd April - home on DVD - starring Aishwariya Rai and Hrithik Roshan 6/10
A beautifully directed and presented film, what let it down was the slow pace of the film's plot, the unrealistic feel of the history (particularly Hrithik's acting as Akbar) and the one-sided nature of the characters. Still, the film had it's moments and can be enjoyed with one finger on the ffwd button of your DVD remote. 7
- Elizabeth (Period drama) - 3rd April - home on DVD - starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen 8/10
The film is beautifully directed and the sets are magnificent, doing justice to Cate Blanchett's superb acting as Queen Elizabeth the 1st, a majestic and superb royal figure who changed the nature of the world by strengthening Britain into the leader of the world. There was a clear emphasis on the ageing of the Queen and her struggles with her "mortal" side - her need for love, and her maternal instinct - some of the emphasis was just overkill, and the emphasis on the "New World" and the heavy Catholicism was unnecessary and probably unrealistic. Well worth a watch for any history buff, though it does not live up to the original film. 8
-Race (Bollywood - thriller, mystery, romance) - 8th April - cinemas - starring Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu, Akshaye Khanna and Katrina Kaif 7/10
I can't say Race is a particularly original film, but the cast, music, scenery and plot work together to create a hot, slick thriller where betrayal is the order of the day in the "race" of life. As long as it is not taken remotely seriously, and you don't look to try and dissect any of the characters - a fun, one-time watch. 9
- The Abduction Club (period drama, romance, comedy) - home on DVD - starring Matthew Rhys and Sophia Miles) 8/10
Pretty rich girls, handsome poor guys, abductions and frollicking around Ireland - what more do you want out of a fun period drama? Whilst the historical accuracy is seriously lacking and the story and dialogues are fraught with cliches - this is an enjoyable, heart warming movie for that rainy Saturday afternoon with the girls. 10
- I, Robot (action, thriller) - home on DVD - starring Will Smith 9/10 11
- Stardust (fantasy, romantic comedy) - home on DVD - starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer 8/10 12
- Becoming Jane (period drama, romance) - home on DVD - starring Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy 7/10
Fine acting by the typically brilliant James McAvoy, and an emotionally intense second half redeemed this movie, which was beginning to drown in the mundane details fo the world created for Hathaway's Jane Austen. Whilst she valiantly attempted the task, Hathaway was not able to lift the mantle of such a fine author, and the film resorts to
As an Austen fan, I would have definitely enjoyed seeing the development of her writing abilities and her keen observances of the social nuances of her time, James' character was a pleasant suprise - the contradictions of hardworking student, caring brother and son and drunk boxer made for a much for interesting individual than Austen. The ending, whilst emotionally heartwrenching, was true to life and leaves you with a feeling of praise for the film, though it did not always deserve it. 13
- Orlando (period drama, arthouse?) - at EE - staring Tilda Swinton, Billy Zane 14
- Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian (fantasy)- in the cinemas. twice. - starring Ben Barnes, William Moseley, Anna Poppelwell, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley 9/10 15
- I'm With Lucy - at school - starring _____________, 7/10 16
- 27 Dresses - starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden 8.95/10 17
- Tristan and Isolde - starring James Franco and Sophia Myles 8/10 18
- Bigga than Ben - starring Ben Barnes 9.25/10 19
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - at the cinemas - starring Harrison Ford, Shia LeBouf, Cate Blanchett 7/10 20
- The Dark Knight - 12th August - at the cinemas - starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart - 9.9995/10 21
HOLY BATMAN. Watch this film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lived up to all the hype and went beyond. Brilliant performances by both Bale and Ledger, with a gripping storyline, powerful dialogue and realistic but not 'graphic' special effects. Really explored the true Batman - a fantastic revisionist movie with all the whizzbangery of any superhero film, but realistic and profound as an exploration of madness, power and the true meaning of the word "hero". The cinematography, whilst 'dark', was absolutely beautiful and the score added much to the atmosphere. Parts during the middle did drag somewhat, and to an extent the film didn't 'flow', but the suprises and the tension just kept coming. :) You sit there at the beginning with a sense of awe and at the end with a sense of hard-hitting reality.
- The Shipping News -sometime in September - in class - starring Kevin Spacey 8/10 22
- Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na - on Youtube - sometime in August - starring Imraan Khan, Genelia D'Souza 8.5/10 23
- Maid in Manhattan - Term 3 - on DVD- starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes 7/10 24
- Robin Hood: Men in Tights - DVD - starring 8/10 25
- Tuesdays with Morrie -at school - starring 7/10 26
- The Last King of Scotland - on DVD - starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy and Kerry Washington 9/10 27
- Bachna Ae Haseeno - on DVD - October - starring Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Minisha Lamba and Bipasha Basu - 7/10 28
- The Duchess - starring Keira Knightley, Dominic Cooper, Ralph Fiennes 29
- Rock On - ON dvd - November - starring Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal 8/10 30
- Dostana - in the cinemas - starring Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, Abishek Bachan, Bobby Deol 8/10 31
- Mamma Mia! - starring Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Dominic Cooper 32
- Hancock - on DVD - starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron 8.5/10 33
- High School Musical - starring Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Hudgens 34
- Twilight - starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson 35
- Penelope - starring Christina Ricci and James McAvoy 36
- Wanted - starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie 37
- Little Miss Sunshine - starring Peter Carell, Abigail Breslin 38
- Ghajini - starring Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan 39
BOOKS: (24 books in 2008)