A three hour character driven spectacle would be the sentence that comes to mind when thinking of "The Deer Hunter". Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep and John Cazale all allow us to see inside their characters superbly...
[+] Read Full Review

A three hour character driven spectacle would be the sentence that comes to mind when thinking of "The Deer Hunter". Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep and John Cazale all allow us to see inside their characters superbly and the culmantion is a movie that, while easily forgettable if you don't adhere to policy of not allowing your attention to wane and don't understand the complexity of friendships and war, gets you feeling about the characters, and gives a fascinating, albeit chilling, insight into the horrors of guerilla warfare.
The story follows the two steel working Russian Orthodox occupants (Walken and DeNiro) of a Pensylvanina town, and in three acts tells their story from social bliss in America, to the harrowing stage of the Vietnam war, and back to America (one alive one dead) where the remaining friend copes with the mental horrors of the aftermath of the war.
This film is superbly told, and until "Crash (2004)", was the only movie which could pull off a purely character driven script. Buy it, see it, and if you don't like it (which would be a surprising event) Ebay it.

Oscar wins:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Walken)
Best Film Editing
Best Sounf

Oscar nominations
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Streep) (deserved a win)
Best Actor (DeNiro)
Best Cinematography
Best Original Screenplay (deserved a win)

While brilliant acting is put forward by Tim Robbins as "Andy Dufresne", the shy yet clever banker wrongly convicted of a double murder, and Morgan Freeman as "Red", the well respected prison veteran the story can be at time's...
[+] Read Full Review

While brilliant acting is put forward by Tim Robbins as "Andy Dufresne", the shy yet clever banker wrongly convicted of a double murder, and Morgan Freeman as "Red", the well respected prison veteran the story can be at time's a slow, and those with a very short patience (and attention) span, will not be able to slog out the first 60 minutes in which the question "where is this going?" begs an answer, to find themselves at an overwhelming strong and unsuspecting ending.
"The Shawshank Redemption" is set over 20 years in Shawshank Prison and follows the two main characters played by Freeman and Robbins. Accompanying them on their trip through the prison filled with guard high on sadism and religion, is a superb supporting cast managing to hold their own. The plot is cleverly interleaved and a series of unsuspecting events lead to one jaw-drooping climax.

At the 1995 Oscar's this film was nominated for a total of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Leading Actor for Freeman (who would have been more suited to the Supporting category), but on the big night failed to win a single award in the shadows of the years big commercial and critical success "Forest Gump". Although it is currently considered one of the greatest movies made, it is only so because of a superb screenplay and acting, and those two together fail to make a film that overall you could truly appreciate 20 years after watching it.

Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley were perfect in their roles as Captain Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swan respectively but Orlando Bloom was horribly cast.

The movie action is, at times, great but unfortunately it goes too slow, and at...
[+] Read Full Review

Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley were perfect in their roles as Captain Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swan respectively but Orlando Bloom was horribly cast.

The movie action is, at times, great but unfortunately it goes too slow, and at times you can be waiting for something to happen for too long. Gore Verbinski was the perfect choice as director and the music was brilliantly done by Hans Zimmer.

"Twister" stars one of my favourite actresses of all time, Helen Hunt, but it is a poor credit to her name.

The movie consists of horrible incidental music, flat action and too much of the same thing. By this I mean that the...
[+] Read Full Review

"Twister" stars one of my favourite actresses of all time, Helen Hunt, but it is a poor credit to her name.

The movie consists of horrible incidental music, flat action and too much of the same thing. By this I mean that the film has too many scenes involving twisters. You might ask "Isn't that what the film's about?", and yes you'd be right but there is too much Twisters!

Just a cheap pornographic movie that managed to get into mainstream? Almost certainly not.

"Secretary", tells the story of Lee Holloway, a social misfit who takes on the role as E.Edward Grey's secretary, although the term...
[+] Read Full Review

Just a cheap pornographic movie that managed to get into mainstream? Almost certainly not.

"Secretary", tells the story of Lee Holloway, a social misfit who takes on the role as E.Edward Grey's secretary, although the term sexretary would apply more.
The focus of the movie is Edwards dominance over his secretary in a BDSM style, going as far as masturbating over her butt.

Having read the book by John Steinbeck prior to see this feature film, I was disappointed by it's unlikeness to the novel. The novel was a really intriguing read and the film did it no justice.
As a movie in it's own right, I have to say...
[+] Read Full Review

Having read the book by John Steinbeck prior to see this feature film, I was disappointed by it's unlikeness to the novel. The novel was a really intriguing read and the film did it no justice.
As a movie in it's own right, I have to say it's well written and acted. John Malkovich is great as George, as is Gary Sinse as Lennie. 7/10

One of the world's greatest and most moving stories.

Set in rural Ireland in the year 1964 "The Magdalene Sisters" tells the story of four "fallen" women as they navigate the horrendous Magdalene institutions. It's...
[+] Read Full Review

One of the world's greatest and most moving stories.

Set in rural Ireland in the year 1964 "The Magdalene Sisters" tells the story of four "fallen" women as they navigate the horrendous Magdalene institutions. It's an incredibly moving film and I know it's one of the films I will always remember.
The story is ,however, a disturbing one and not for anyone who can't handle the heat. The scenes involving Crispina a.k.a Harriet are by far the most impacting. Eileen Walsh put forward a great piece of work in that role. Also the other actress who shines out is Nora-Jane Noonan, who manages to portray with relative ease an incredibly complex character.
My one, and only criticism for this film is that although it claims to be based on solid fact, it only based loosely on the truth. Many women form the dreadful institutions have said that life at the hell-hole was much worse than that portrayed in the movie and for this you will leave the screening with immense respect for the real life women who endured these dispicible conditions.

"Titanic" is the highest grossing film ever and if you see it you'll understand why.
This film is great and I really thought Kate Winslet and Leonardo di Caprio had great on-screen heat between them. This film tells the story of...
[+] Read Full Review

"Titanic" is the highest grossing film ever and if you see it you'll understand why.
This film is great and I really thought Kate Winslet and Leonardo di Caprio had great on-screen heat between them. This film tells the story of Jack and Rose, two lovers who cannot share their passion for each other because of society's boundaries. I think it was more of a love story than a tragic disaster, although the ship sinking ship is a really amazing scene.
The one and only problem with this film, as with Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King", was it's length. After two and a half hours you were wondering if the ship simply going to blow up instead of sink, so as to end it in a proper time-frame. Unfortunately that was not so, and I fell the film could have been better edited to a more suitable viewing period. 9/10

Although this was perhaps the best way too end an amazing trilogy, I never wanted the films to end. Unfortunately Peter Jackson seemed to have the same thing in mind and dragged the film out. The battle of Minias Tirith was truly breathtaking with...
[+] Read Full Review

Although this was perhaps the best way too end an amazing trilogy, I never wanted the films to end. Unfortunately Peter Jackson seemed to have the same thing in mind and dragged the film out. The battle of Minias Tirith was truly breathtaking with the special effects, but it was dragged out. First the attack, then the orcs "winning", the the Rohirrim, then the Rohirrin "winning", and finally the elephants. I just got the feeling that Peter Jackson got wrapped up in the storyline, and it could have been better if the battle had been a bit shorter, even by twenty minutes.
All the cast put forward great acting skills except Elijah Wood, who looked as though he was about to burst out laughing in every scene.
Overall I'll give this movie a 8/10 with the marks being lost for the fact that I was forced to make four toilet trips during the screening because of the sheer lenght of the epic. This story is best kept asleep.

Denzel Washington is a great actor. Meryl Streep is a great actress. Put them together and you get this G.R.E.A.T film.

A remake of the 1962 classic this movie satisfied my every need in a film; suspenseful Plot, Great actor, Great...
[+] Read Full Review

Denzel Washington is a great actor. Meryl Streep is a great actress. Put them together and you get this G.R.E.A.T film.

A remake of the 1962 classic this movie satisfied my every need in a film; suspenseful Plot, Great actor, Great actress, great twist. Meryl Streep (can she do any wrong?) makes this film her own and totally deserved the Globe she didn't win.
At times this film is slightly disturbing and isn't a recommended film for kids but if your able to handle the heat of an amazing cast and plot then this is a must see, and a must have for all film collectors. 10/10

"Saving Private Ryan" is a top-notch film.

Tom Hanks shines in the lead role (not a Private Ryan though, that's Matt Damon), as Captain Miller. It's one of the best films ever made and competes with all the great World War...
[+] Read Full Review

"Saving Private Ryan" is a top-notch film.

Tom Hanks shines in the lead role (not a Private Ryan though, that's Matt Damon), as Captain Miller. It's one of the best films ever made and competes with all the great World War II epics. Steven Spielberg's knowledge and expertise is clearly visible through out the whole film, and I was not surprised when he won Best Director at the Academy Awards. I was surprised however that Tom Hanks didn't win the Oscar he was nominated.
Overall "Saving Private Ryan" is a action-packed, and thrilling film and is everything you would ever want in a World War II epic. 9/10.

When I heard of a sequel coming out my immediate though was that they were dragging a good thing out. I was wrong.
Shrek 2 is on-the-floor-rolling-around-can't-catch-my-breath type of funny and is great for all ages. The enjoyable character...
[+] Read Full Review

When I heard of a sequel coming out my immediate though was that they were dragging a good thing out. I was wrong.
Shrek 2 is on-the-floor-rolling-around-can't-catch-my-breath type of funny and is great for all ages. The enjoyable character "Donkey" is back (brilliantly played by Eddie Murphy), and he shines this film up. I also love the addition if Julie Andrews because it's a rare ocassion when she does an animated comedy.
Overall I'd give this comedy an 8/10, with the marks being lost for some way too cheesy scenes.

The Queen of Acting and Accents. Meryl Streep has the ability to take a role, turn it upside down... and produce brilliance. She's better than Hepburn in so many ways and her thirteen Oscar nominations don't give the slightest credit to her acting...
[+] Read Full Review

The Queen of Acting and Accents. Meryl Streep has the ability to take a role, turn it upside down... and produce brilliance. She's better than Hepburn in so many ways and her thirteen Oscar nominations don't give the slightest credit to her acting brilliance. Watching her, you struggle to find anything bad about her performance. For example, in the Devil Wears Prada, she gave her character so much more depth and humanity than was portrayed in the book. True brilliance.

I love this movie! It's great entertainment for people of all ages from eight to eighty. Jada Pinkett-Smith, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller, and Chris Rock provide great voices, especially Pinkett-Smith as the personality-soaked hippo Gloria....
[+] Read Full Review

I love this movie! It's great entertainment for people of all ages from eight to eighty. Jada Pinkett-Smith, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller, and Chris Rock provide great voices, especially Pinkett-Smith as the personality-soaked hippo Gloria. Overall the movie is great but I did feel at times that the graphics could have been a bit better. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, as is most people.

The Dalai Lama. Most people think he is just 1 man. But there has been 14 Dalai Lamas. Tenzin Gyasto is a particularly special one.
Tenzin has brought Buddhism to more people than Buddha himself could have imagined. He has shown the world...
[+] Read Full Review

The Dalai Lama. Most people think he is just 1 man. But there has been 14 Dalai Lamas. Tenzin Gyasto is a particularly special one.
Tenzin has brought Buddhism to more people than Buddha himself could have imagined. He has shown the world the plight of his beloved country, Tibet. He has made his religion the only major one to bridge gaps with science.
He is the travelling Dalai Lama, having visited all 6 inhabitable continents. A truly great man who allows his religion to meet issues half-way. For example, abortion. Other religions such as Christianity and Muslim condemn it yet he is willing to be neutral about it, not condoning nor condeming. On homosexuality he dosen't call it b;asphemous. Again he meets it half-way and says that a loving relationship between two men or two woman is, a loving relationship one it's not sexual.
Overall an inspirational man and if the world was more like him, peace would be riot.

How is she famous? A question that has baffled many a critic since day 1 of her stardom. The family? No her parents and grandparents may be rich but people dont say "Paris Hilton, of the Hilton hotel chain". Career? No, Paris hasn't done a decent...
[+] Read Full Review

How is she famous? A question that has baffled many a critic since day 1 of her stardom. The family? No her parents and grandparents may be rich but people dont say "Paris Hilton, of the Hilton hotel chain". Career? No, Paris hasn't done a decent days work in her life and her knick-knack jobs in "The Simple Life" don't count as she whines and complains about the job when she does it for only 1 day. The socialism? Yes you've hit the jackpot. She is famous for socialisng. Paris Hilton, the socialite. Yes, by socialising I mean going to clubs getting intoxicated moving to another club ,dancing, maybe flirting and then going home. A typical night in her life. Then how the money you ask? Modelling. Yes walking up a strech of path, walking back down, twirling and then returning to the room. Endorsements. Say every so often that your favourite drink is Pepsi. Wear Louis Vitton sunglasses. Say you got your dress from Bettys Boutique. Books. Yes, the heirhead has wrotten an autobiography. With 283 pages. And less than 200 words. Full of pictures. Her with her hair blowing around the place. Her sitting in a chair. Naked. Her smiling. Her smiling again. Her smiling with red lipstick. Her smiling with purple lipstick.

While some of the media chose to portray her as a humanitarian godess we are forgetting the fact that she stole Jennifer Anistons husband of 3 years and used to wear a vial full of her boyfriends blood around her neck.
She shows little...
[+] Read Full Review

While some of the media chose to portray her as a humanitarian godess we are forgetting the fact that she stole Jennifer Anistons husband of 3 years and used to wear a vial full of her boyfriends blood around her neck.
She shows little remorse for the fact she stole someones love and quite frankly I don't see why people like her.
Her role as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider was absolutely dismal and her Oscar winning performance in "Girl, Interrupted" was breathtaking. And by breathtaking I mean it was so bad it literally made you want to have your breath taken and die.
She hasn't even apoligised to poor Jennifer Aniston for stealing Brad. Overall I think as a person she is dreadful.

Laura Harris was born on Novemeber 20th 1976 in Vancouver, Canada is best known for her portrayal of grim reaper Daisy Adair in the cable series "Dead Like Me" and as Marie Warner in the spy drama 24. She is a stunning blonde who is underused. [+] Read Full Review

Laura Harris was born on Novemeber 20th 1976 in Vancouver, Canada is best known for her portrayal of grim reaper Daisy Adair in the cable series "Dead Like Me" and as Marie Warner in the spy drama 24. She is a stunning blonde who is underused.
Her first role was Loni in an adaptation of Stephen King's novel "It".
Laura has her own production company with a friend, Rocket Chicken International Pictures, which has produced the film Come Together in which Laura played a leading role.
Laura can speak both French and Spanish.
She's sometimes credited as Elizabeth Harris and Laura E. Harris.