CineRik

Split over two parts, this is a gangster film done right.  Vincent Cassel in the lead is charming, but never shies away from Mesrine’s brutality in order to glamorize his character.  Even at a combined running time of four hours, the story sizzles from start to finish.  Highly recommended.  I flip and spill the beans here.

A superb portrayal of the effects of terminal cancer on a family.  Filled with torturous and exquisite details, as well as an astounding performance by Jesper Christiansen as a dying father, I found this film captivating and cathartic.  My full review is here.

A more impartial perspective from the film makers would have added strength to this documentary about Mexico’s archaic (in)justice system.  Watch it for the facts, but be prepared to filter out unnecessary emotional appeals.  I deliver my full verdict here.

A surreal tale of a Romanian single mother who, when questioned by child services, recounts a story of kidnap, ghostly marching bands and playing Joan of Arc in a Manchester brothel.  Visually extravagant it feels Lynchian in structure, though perhaps trading a little intellectual complexity for emotional availability.  Highly recommended.  I refuse to pimp myself out here.

Michael Moore once again mixes an important message with self-defeating stunts.  Well worth a watch, but be prepared to roll your eyes on occasion.  I prescribe the cure for Moore here.

As lazy with its story as it is excessive in its presentation, Avatar is a huge disappointment from the man who gave us The Terminator and Aliens.  Not a great harbinger for the ‘future of cinema’.  I sink my claws into the film here.

Jason Segel flounders in a role that should have gone to Vince Vaughn.  Unlikable people, impossible relationships and far too few laughs.  Elephants not allowed here.

My second 3D film, and the second I’ve watched without the headache inducing glasses.  Still, this is a film that requires no gimicks to shine.  Selick and Gaiman have produced a proper modern fairy tale.  Follow the trail of breadcrumbs to my review here.

Without the 3D gimmick, this slasher is unbearably bad.  Plus, something has gone horribly wrong in the transfer leaving the characters looking as though they have been green-screened into every scene.  Plus the worst CGI I’ve seen since Leverage.  I don’t have to dig much to find faults here.

Gorgeous visuals couldn’t resurrect my interest in this musical.  Extraneous characters, a lack of catchy tunes and a story which takes the least direct route to its climax possible.  My autopsy can be found here.