- Planet Earth, Blue Planet
Phenomenal.
Genre: nature documentary
Date: 2001 - 2017
Features: David Attenborough
- Lord Of The Rings
Pioneers of filming technique. Exceptional. Detailed world. Struggles to keep up with the books - clear derivative.
Genre: action, adventure
Date: 2001 - 2003
Features: Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, etc.
- Django Unchained
A meaningful account of the black man's tribulations. Appropriate, and well produced - classic Tarantino.
Genre: action
Date: 2012
Features: Jamie Fox, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cristoph Waltz
- Blood Diamond
Gripping, violent. Well executed.
Genre: historical, action
Date: 2006
Features: Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Leonardo DiCaprio
- Shrek
Iconic. Benchmark in CGI development. Excellent.
Genre: CGI, comedy, romance
Date: 2001
Features: Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers
- Star Wars
Iconic, inspired.
Genre: action
Date: 1977 - 2005
Features: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Ewan McGregor, etc.
- Spirited Away
A comment on Japanese work culture. Distorted, intriguing.
Genre: anime
Date: 2001
Features: Daveigh Chase, Mari Natsuki
- Into The Wild
This one hits close to home, as it would for many of you. Elegant, sobering.
Genre: adventure
Date: 2007
Features: Emile Hirsch
- The Book Of Eli
Thrilling choreography, unfortunately the setting is far from realistic. An effective piece.
Genre: dystopian
Date: 2010
Features: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis
- Leon (The Professional)
Wildly controversial, gritty, absurd.
Genre: action, psycho-analytical
Date: 1994
Features: Natalie Portman, Jean Reno, Gary Oldman
- Monty Python
Utterly ridiculous.
Genre: comedy
Date: 70’s
Features: John Cleese, etc.
- Bojack Horseman
Contains remarkably clever lines, otherwise quite humorous. Progressive. Attempts to analyse depression, though loses traction when used as a filler.
Genre: comedy, psycho-analytical
Date: 2014
Features: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Paul F Tompkins, Alison Brie
- Pirates Of The Caribbean
Epic, to the expense of the plot.
Genre: action, comedy
Date: 2003 - 2017
Features: Johnny Depp
- The Godfather
I couldn't finish watching it..
Genre: crime
Date: 1972
Features: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando
- The Breakfast Club
Iconic.
Genre: drama, comedy
Date: 1985
Features: Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, etc.
- Requiem For A Dream
Almost insufferable. Dramatic look at the drug fuelled underworld. Contains an innacuracy.
Genre: drama
Date: 2000
Features: Jennifer Connelly, Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, Marlon Wayans
- Juno
A crash course in early life orientation.
Genre: drama
Date: 2007
Features: Elliot Page, Michael Cera
- Dead Poets Society
Robin Williams’ best known work, inspirational.
Genre: drama
Date: 1989
Features: Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Robin Williams
- Grandma’s Boy
Stoned gamer, reasonably humorous.
Genre: comedy
Date: 2006
Features: Allen Covert, Linda Cardellini
- Slumdog Millionaire
Dynamic, dramatic. Highlights contrasting wealth in India.
Genre: not applicable
Date: 2008
Features: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto
- In Your Eyes
Some bad scripting, low budget. The idea carries - charming.
Genre: romance
Date: 2014
Features: Zoe Kazan, Michael Stahl-David
- Joker
Dark, captivating. Takes an unpleasant shortcut - otherwise worthwhile.
Genre: psycho-analytical
Date: 2019
Features: Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz
- In Bruges
Psychological, dreary, mild humour. Has its moments.
Genre: drama, comedy
Date: 2008
Features: Colin Farrell, Clemence Poesy, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes
- Peanut Butter Falcon
A curious film, mildly uplifting, yet cold and distorted. The brief travels of a downs kid and a compassionate, high strung fisherman.
Genre: altruistic
Date: 2019
Features: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen
- A Fish Called Wanda
A little ridiculous, though worth watching - if I remember correctly.
Genre: crime, comedy
Date: 1988
Features: Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cleese, etc.
- Boondock Saints
Two mad Irish brothers on a quest for justice - religious tone.
Genre: action
Date: 1999
Features: Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery, Willem Dafoe
- Hancock
A hero who succumbs to the human condition, well portrayed.
Genre: action, psycho-analytical
Date: 2008
Features: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman
- TED
A worthwhile premise, reasonably well executed. Funny.
Genre: comedy
Date: 2012
Features: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Mila Kunis
- Cats Don’t Dance
Charming, great soundtrack. Childish. Inspirational.
Genre: animation, musical
Date: 1997
Features: Scott Bakula, Jasmine Guy, John Rhys-Davies, Kathy Najimy
- The Island
An idea, unsurprising progression. Has its merits.
Genre: action, sci-fi
Date: 2005
Features: Scarlett Johansson, Ewan McGregor, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean
- Castaway
Some islands are less than appealing.
Genre: survival
Date: 2000
Features: Tom Hanks
- We’re The Millers
Well written, quite funny, terribly simple plot.
Genre: comedy, crime
Date: 2013
Features: Jason Sudeikis, Will Poulter, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Nick Offerman
- Lilo and Stitch
Iconic childhood movie - loses traction toward the end.
Genre: animation
Date: 2002
Features: Chris Sanders, Daveigh Chase, Tia Carrere, etc.
- Apocalypto
Look, it glorifies violence, there’s little to no plot, it’s low budget and completely unbelievable.. Somehow, somehow! It’s worth watching.
Genre: Action
Date: 2006
Features: Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernandez, Raoul Trujillo
- Ready Player 1
Impressive CGI - not much else going for it.
Genre: CGI, action
Date: 2018
Features: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, etc.
- Tropic Thunder
Acceptable.
Genre: action, comedy
Date: 2008
Features: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Brandon T Jackson, Jay Baruchel
Movies [other]
- Fight Club
A wonderful story, built on a fictional interpretation of insanity.
Genre: anarchistic
Date: 1999
Features: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton
- Shawshank Redemption
Life in prison - an otherwise flawless piece, somewhat damaged by one unbelievable instant.
Genre: psycho-analytical
Date: 1994
Features: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins
- Forrest Gump
Must watch, speaks for itself.
Genre: drama, adventure
Date: 1994
Features: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright
- The Matrix
A flawed premise, though the idea of a simulated reality continues to gain traction.
Genre: sci-fi
Date: 2005 - 2009
Features: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
I'm inclined to extend the wisdom others have implored upon me - read the book. On the other hand, they will never know how gripping this movie is, it's true visual impression.
Genre: thriller
Date: 2011
Features: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig
- Palm Springs
Very effective acting. Clever construction. Go in knowing nothing. Hilarious.
Genre: comedy
Date: 2020
Features: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti
- WALL.E
Exceptional animation, compelling plot. Easy to watch, charming.
Genre: sci-fi, animation
Date: 2008
Features: Elissa Knight, Ben Burtt, Jeff Garlin
- Fantastic Mr. Fox
One of a kind, cold, yet pleasant. Good scripting. Watch in company.
Genre: stop motion
Date: 2009
Features: George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman
- The Wolf Of Wall Street
Eccentric, high budget, chaotic, undeniably entertaining. Essentially highlights a human tendency to succumb to greed - though hardly the focus.
Genre: crime, comedy
Date: 2013
Features: Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill
- I Love You, Man
Fantastic parody, largely original, certainly worthwhile.
Genre: bromance
Date: 2009
Features: Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Jason Segel
- Zombieland
It is what it is - sweet, fun
Genre: action, comedy
Date: 2009
Features: Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg
- The Notebook
Love is a curious thing.
Genre: romance
Date: 2004
Features: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams
- A Clockwork Orange
Gritty, dynamic - a sporadic critique of the modern world (it’s evils).
Genre: psychoanalytic
Date: 1971
Features: Malcolm McDowell, Adrienne Corri, etc.
- Weird Nature
A curious look at the natural world.
Genre: documentary
Date: 2002
Features: Ciaran McMenamin
- The Pursuit Of Happyness
Cold, dramatic, heartwarming.
Genre: drama
Date: 2006
Features: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton
- Grease
Possibly THE most loved American movie.
Genre: musical
Date: 1978
Features: John Trevolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
- Soul
A necessary message, seldom so poignantly put.
Genre: animation
Date: 2020
Features: Jamie Fox, Rachel House, Tina Fey
- The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus
Questioning the nature of good and evil. Cold, curious, seems convoluted.
Genre: not applicable
Date: 2009
Features: Heath Ledger, Lily Cole, Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer
- Austin Powers
Oh behave, baby.
Genre: comedy
Date: 1997 - 2002
Features: Mike Myers
- Amelie
Popular french movie, elegant progression. An introverted look at love.
Genre: romance
Date: 2001
Features: Audrey Tautou
- The Apartment
I imagine this is pretty decent, old though.
Genre: romance, psycho-analytical
Date: 1960
Features: Shirley MacLaine, Jack Lemmon
- Aristocats
Everybody wants to be a cat.
Genre: adventure, animation
Date: 1970
Features: Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Scatman Crothers
- Spirit
Not a clear lesson in this one, other than the name suggests. It’s good though. For kids.
Genre: animation
Date: 2002
Features: Matt Damon, Daniel Studi
- The Grand Budapest Hotel
Weird, so weird. Artistic. Has its moments.
Genre: not applicable
Date: 2014
Features: M Gustave, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody
- Life Of Pi
Much like a dream - ridiculous situation, anxiety. There is a book.
Genre: survival
Date: 2012
Features: Suraj Sharma
- The Lego Movie
Fast paced, mildly humorous. Childish, though worthwhile - in a sense.
Genre: animation
Date: 2014
Features: Morgan Freeman, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett
- Bohemian Rhapsody
Worth watching, if you like Queen - to any extent.
Genre: drama
Date: 2018
Features: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton
- About Time
Well written, fun concept. Sweet, easy to watch.
Genre: romance, family
Date: 2013
Features: Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson
- Horrible Bosses
A dynamic idea, well executed, rather funny.
Genre: comedy
Date: 2011
Features: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis
- Coraline
Wouldn’t want to spoil anything - it’s pretty good if you’re in the right mood.
Genre: animation
Date: 2009
Features: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Keith David
- Knocked Up
An interesting take on the classic RomCom format. Somewhat worthwhile.
Genre: romantic comedy
Date: 2007
Features: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd
- Pineapple Express
Action packed stoner comedy.
Genre: action, comedy
Date: 2008
Features: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Dany McBride
- The Italian Job
Classic crime stuff - seen one, seen a few. Oceans 11 is probably better.
Genre: crime
Date: 2003
Features: Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, Seth Green, etc.
- Corpse Bride
Eerie, funny.. though perhaps I’m missing something
Genre: psychoanalytic, animation
Date: 2005
Features: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson
- Napoleon Dynamite
Torture.
Genre: comedy
Date: 2004
Features: Jon Heder, Tina Majorino, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries
- Blade Runner 2049
Dreary, somewhat intriguing..
Genre: sci-fi
Date: 2017
Features: Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas