The New World: Criterion Collection

After completing The Thin Red Line (1998), filmmaker Terrence Malick began working on a film about Che Guevara and his failed revolution in Bolivia (that was eventually made by Steven Soderbergh) but after financing fell through he was offered The New... 

Terminator Salvation (Blu-Ray)

This review refers to the Blu-Ray version of Terminator Salvation. When the idea of a fourth Terminator movie was first floated around, it met with much scepticism. The third Terminator, Rise of the Machines, was so bad that any thought of another movie... 

I’m Not There: Two-Disc Collector’s Edition

If you want to do a decent biopic on a musician it helps to have their approval (or that of their estate) so that you have access to their catalogue of music. This has gotten harder with the debacle that was Oliver Stone’s take on The Doors (1991).... 

Harsh Times

Once again Christian Bale disappears into another role, demonstrating how he is not afraid to play an unlikable character. Jim is certainly an amoral piece of work and Bale attacks the role with his customary gusto playing the character as a cocky, super-confident... 

The Prestige

In the cinematic duel between two films about 19th century magicians, The Prestige (2006) certainly had the advantage over The Illusionist (2006) with big name stars, a large budget and a major studio backing it. The film was directed by Christopher Nolan... 

Batman Begins

The fact that it took eight years for a new Batman film to be released illustrates how freaked out the studio was over the commercial and critical failure of Batman and Robin (1997). Warner Brothers gave the franchise a much needed rest while they quietly... 

The Machinist

After seeing Christian Bale all buff and beautiful in American Psycho (2000), it comes as quite a shock to see the physical transformation he underwent for The Machinist (2004). No trickery was done with CGI or make-up to convey his gaunt, emaciated appearance.... 

Equilibrium

In the near future after WWIII, the powers that be decide the only way the human race can survive is by the curbing of all emotions thus quelling man’s violent warmongering. To this end all citizens are on a mandatory self administered drug intake,...