The magnificent Melissa McCarthy stars as Susan Cooper, a CIA agent who has been out of the field for 10 years, working intelligence in the “basement” with friend Nancy (Miranda Hart). Will she be able to remember her training, combat her awkwardness and save the world (or at least America)?
Written and directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Heat), expect laughs explosions and some seriously butt-kicking action. Jude Law, Rose Byrne, Jason Statham, Peter Serafinowicz and Alison Janney make up part of the ridiculously talented supporting cast.
Leon (Jean Reno) a reclusive professional assassin reluctantly takes in a young girl, Mathilda (an 11 year old Natalie Portman in her feature film debut) after her family is murdered by a corrupt FBI agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman).
Written and directed by the truly talented Luc Besson (The Fifth Element), this is part buddy film, part shoot-em up action drama. There is even a little romance.
It is beautifully shot, completely compelling, exciting and quite simply a wonderful film. I am not surprised it has made it to #27 on IMDb’s Top 250 List.
Ashburn (Bullock), an uptight FBI agent, is paired with Mullins (McCarthy) a rough-around-the-edges street cop. They must learn to work together to bring down a ruthless drug lord.
Director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) and writer Katie Dippold (currently writing Ghostbusters (2016)) work together brilliantly, bringing in the best bits of cop dramas and buddy comedies to create the best action comedy of recent years.
This is not a “nice” film nor a “girly” film, but one which will have you laughing for days.
Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas star in this romantic action adventure about a novelist (Turner) who sets off to rescue her sister from Columbian smugglers. On the way she encounters a soldier-of-fortune (Douglas) and becomes embroiled in an adventure she could never have imagined.
I’ll admit to being rather sceptical going in to this, but it is actually brilliant. Think Indiana Jones, but with more romance and a three dimensional female lead. Why all adventure films aren’t like this one, I don’t know. A wonderful escapist film, and it’s on Netflix.
Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke… You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.
In 1997, this actually appeared in the classifieds section of an American magazine.
Three journalists (Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni) attempt to find out the truth about Kenneth (Mark Duplass), the recluse who placed it.
There are wonderful characters, so prepare to be moved. Don’t expect explosions. It’s very human, with a grounded level of action and adventure, and a dash of deadpan humour.
Following on from The Avengers (2012), we catch up with the gang still coping with the fallout from Loki. Stark (Robert Downey Jr) more than most.
I won’t give away any more plot. The script is as full of humour, emotion, action and fully formed characters. There’s action, romance, family ties and a whole lot more besides.
The cast is wonderful, as always. Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner are all superb. James Spader is in his element as the ultimate artificial intelligence, Ultron.
One of the few examples of the first in film franchise not being the best.
Don’t let this put you off. It is a brilliant movie and a corner-stone of 1980s action Sci Fi.
An indestructible cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is set back from the future to murder Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a waitress who’s unborn son will lead the humans in an war against the machines. Meanwhile a soldier from the future (Michael Biehn) is determined to protect her.
James Cameron’s casting is sublime. Arnie’s unsurprisingly realistic as the emotionless robot. Complete with stop-motion animation, this is an epic action.
If you are looking for an entertaining Sci Fi with an awesome cast, look no further.
Written and directed by the profoundly talented Luc Besson (Leon), it stars Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, a taxi driver in the 23rd Century who must help “perfect being” Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) save the world and escape from the evil Zorg (Gary Oldman in the most amazing headpiece you are ever likely to see). Chris Tucker makes an appearance as Ruby Rhod, the universe’s most annoying radio DJ.
It has action, comedy, romance, music and some very repeatable one-liners (MULTI-PASS!). This is a no-brainer.
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, “In this world, Elwood, you must be” – she always called me Elwood – “In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.” Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.
Elwood P Dowd
I love Jimmy Stewart. I should get that out of the way to start.
So, it came as a surprise when I stumbled over this feature a couple of years ago that I hadn’t seen it sooner. Since first watching it, I have bought it for at least three separate friends and family members and am compiling a list of others I think need to see it.
Mr Stewart plays Elwood P Dowd, a well-liked man in a small town who happens to be best friends with Harvey, an invisible six-foot rabbit. Elwood describes Harvey as a Pooka, a creature from Celtic myth. Chaos ensues as Elwood’s eccentric sister worries about the affect of his actions on her daughter’s marriage prospects. His sanity is questioned and what follows is a farcical romp of a tale, with Elwood at it’s cool, calm centre.
Stewart is delightful in this role: being charming and introducing baffled family and friends to an acquaintance only he can see seems to be the part he was born to play. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but was robbed by José Ferrer.
In 2008, this film was ranked number 8 in the American Film Institutes top ten list of fantasy films. Honestly, despite its stiff competition, I’m only surprised it didn’t come higher. This film is sublime.
To me, this is the perfect movie. Socio-political commentary? Check. Set in an alternate universe? Check. Aliens? Documentary-style camera work? Check. Familial ties broken by an unforeseeable disaster? Check. Endearing hero? Check. Romantic love? Check. Action movie style special effects? Check. It even has exploding cows. Seriously, what more could you ask for in Sci Fi film?
Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 years after an alien spaceship appeared over the city, its inhabitants, “Prawns”, are now considered refugees and are living in slums segregated from the rest of the city. This, Neill Blomkamp’s phenomenal first feature, is an absolute must-see.
cinemescope 