Control, based off the memoir of Curtis’ wife Debbie (played here by Samantha Morton), is a beautiful, moving, but ultimately flawed elegy to the late singer. Music video legend turned feature film director Anton Corbijn (Nirvana, Depeche Mode, etc.) shot the entire film on location in stark black and white. Visually, this is a gorgeous and mesmerizing film, but where Corbijn fails is his blind desire to make this a study of one man and one man only, a decision that comes at the expense of nearly every other character introduced, including Curtis’ wife herself (a shameful waste of Morton).

An even bigger, and downright unforgivable, flaw is the misguided and joyless approach to Joy Division’s music. We are forced to watch lifeless performance after lifeless performance (and from the footage I’ve seen, Joy Division was anything but lifeless on stage), the only exception being a show where Curtis actually collapses on stage from an epileptic seizure. The band is only seen rehearsing and writing music once (are we supposed to believe music as powerful and influential as theirs just came out of thin air), and we never get a sense of why any of the other musicians are in the band. Corijn seems to strip every character around Curtis of a personality to somehow amplify the “specialness” of Curtis himself. None of this, of course, does the music and art of Joy Division any justice. And this is coming from someone who’s not even that big of a fan.

Sam Riley, who plays Ian Curtis, is the one shining light. He deftly carries the film through some painstakingly slow plot development and meandering story lines, like Curtis’ other love interest, Annik. The biopic, especially the musician biopic, seems to be a task rarely pulled off, and while this is a noble effort, clearly done with much love and respect to Curtis, it unfortunately falls way short of its subject.

6.5 out of 10

Unfortunately for him his personal life needs fixing as well. To make matters worse, one of his firms long lasting cases just suffered from one of the attorneys (Wilkinson) breakdown. Through the course of this movie, Michael is forced to not only try to keep Wilkinson together, but keep defense attorney Karen Crowder (Swinton) from gaining the upper hand, and saving his own personal life from going down in flames.

At first glance I got the feeling that this is another Grisham rip off with a Clooney spin. Within the first 15 minutes I was (as almost always) proven wrong. Tony Gilroy (Director) does a wonderful job moving us through this story and making sure that there are enough twists and turns to keep the viewer interested. Swinton does a great job holding her own against Clooney and I loved Tom Wilkinson taking on the role of the emotionally distraught attorney. Each character shows what Gilroy wanted to portray; principles, morality, and how far dedication will take you.

If I had something negative to say, it would have to be that George Clooney didn’t seem to give this his usual on screen power and lets a lot of the other actors carry him. Still the moods are done well and the ending is not as predictable as you might think. I wouldn’t say rush to the theaters for this one because it’s the kind of movie that you’re going to want to watch when it comes to video (can’t wait for the director commentary). I’d give this one a 7.5/10

Wahlberg did an excellent job in this none stop roller coaster action movie and is truly beginning to shine. I really love movies that portray a government as an evil entity as most of the time, this is completely true. As the story unravels, we’re introduced to the bad guys who we love to hate, but doesn’t Danny Glover look really old?

Almost everything about this movie is perfect. The cast, action sequences, cinematography and editing really emerge you into the twisting plot and the incredible dialog is just the icing on the cake, Another one of those movies you just don’t want to end.

The soundtrack was also magnificent and really fitting with the theme of the film, The drama although a little unrealistic at times, was nail biting stuff. I was very pleasantly surprised with shooter, I think you will be too. Mark Wahlberg is the next Bruce Willis.

I’ll give shooter a very admirable 8/10

[ratings]

This film was based on a true story and successfully pulls on your heart strings. I hadn’t seen so much as a trailer when I sat down to watch this film and was in fact clueless as to what it was about prior to watching it…boy was I shocked to find out it was a total tear jerker! I did however find it to be well written and superbly acted.

This is the type of movie that makes you grateful for what you have no matter how little it may be. Its a story about family about love and about true dedication to strive above circumstances to become more than you are. If this film doesn’t motivate you to try harder at whatever it is you wish to achieve then nothing ever will. It is thought provoking and causes self reflection.

I was interested throughout the entire film, there were no dull spots though it is not a fast paced movie. I’d say its a great film for anyone to watch and encourage you to set aside the 77min to do so. I give this one a enthusiastic 7.5/10

I found myself riveted on the screen and nothing could distract me as the story and character development unfolded. Like any film review you don’t want to take anything away from the person yet to see it but I can say it’s one hell of a climax…

Not often a film leaves you with your mouth wide open, this one did. I’d associated with one particular character in an extremely negative way throughout, as we all do in society, only to find the power of empathy at the end. Now that is some achievement and sadly something that isn’t done too often.

Most definitely in my top 100 and deserving of a 9/10

[ratings]

I’m still in shock I managed to sit through all 81 minutes of it. This sham of a crime / drama movie needs to be taken off any shelves and burned in a large open field so the stench of crap doesn’t pollute anything else….

I’m not even going to give you a basic plot outline for this one, nor list any of the flaws in this movie, what I am going to do is give it a rating of 2/10 and hope the rest of you don’t waste those precious 81 minutes of your life as I did. Horrible Horrible movie.

[ratings]

About 90% of this movie was filmed with hand held cams. The in your face, 12 cuts per second editing add to the suspense and drama. Normally I’m not a fan of this style of direction (refer to Michael Bay’s Transformer action sequences) But It works flawlessly setting the pace for this movie.

Lets talk about the cinematography, This film is stunning. Shot on location in London, Madrid and New York, The wide angled shots of the most popular scenery to the slick “zoom-in” aerial photography added to this movies arsenal of visual appeal.

The Score was magnificent, from the somba Spanish drum rhythms to the underground Techno from New York, this film has it all.

Although some of the fight scenes were over edited, the fact that the movie held the same flow throughout and kept a ridiculously fast pace for 2 hours is an incredible achievement in my eyes. I don’t recall ever being so immersed in a movie hoping for it to never end…

The acting was what has become expected of these huge name A-list stars and everyones performances was right on the money. I didn’t see a single letdown in this movie. Nothing, for me, this is the easiest 9/10 I think I will ever give. you must see this movie.

[ratings]

A journalist investigates a series of murders that follows the discovery of an unpublished novel by Charles Dickens in the cellar of an old Thames pub. Gradually he becomes obsessed with unraveling a century-old murder in the pages of the manuscript. Only when he has done so, with the help of a mysterious beach-combing tramp who stalks the Thames foreshore, is he able to solve the modern murders

There are some really nice touches bringing the 19^th century into the 21^st and vice versa, some of which might not strike you at the time. The story revolves around a lost manuscript of Charles Dickens, cleverly revealed throughout the course of the film. Derek Jacobi’s handling of two characters is pretty impressive, while Vinny Jones gets on with solving the riddles. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep the viewer entertained. It’s certainly not a blockbuster but a pleasant film nevertheless. User Review Rating: 6/10

[ratings]

Not so Mr Brooks. You don’t want to give too much away when you review a film because it always takes away any surprise elements for the viewer, but let’s just say this is Costner in a role not seen before…

Mr Brooks is quite a suspenseful thriller with some juicy twists. Well cast, very well played and leaves you with plenty to think about. User review: 7/10

[ratings]

It’s the emotional tale of a dying woman, played by Redgrave going back over a failed love affair some 50 years prior as conveyed to her daughters.

The script is very touching without being smarmy and the photography is superb adding just the right atmosphere. It’s a story of mistakes that are regretted and eventually seen for what they are. Through the tale Nina (Collette) finds her own resolutions as Ann reveals more and opens up.

I have to say, despite this being a terrific film I just don’t understand why the casters had a blue eyed Redgrave being portrayed earlier as a brown eyed Danes, it was the only thing that irritated me in an otherwise good film. User review: 7/10

[ratings]