Director: Allen Coulter
Starring: Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, Robin Tunney, Molly Parker, Kathleen Robertson, Caroline Dhavernas
Distributed By: Focus Features/Buena Vista International & Miramax Films
Release Date: September 2006
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This is a really good thriller based upon the actual events surrounding actor George Reeves's path to fame as he becomes the first incarnation of Superman on the small screen and tries to shed light on his untimely, mysterious death just a few years later.
Ben Affleck is very good as George and gives him likable and charming qualities throughout that make it easy to see why he found fame, even though it's his death that is at the heart of this story.
The sequence as the studio film him flying is particularly enjoyable as is the scene with the boy scouts discovering their hero in the diner.
Adrien Brody is absolutely excellent as Louis, the small time detective trying to figure out what really happened and he gives a very powerful performance; his scenes with his young son are also very realistic.
With touches of C.S.I. circa 1950 the three scenarios of how George's death may have come about are compelling and each show the various people in his life to have their own agenda.
Diane Lane is a joy to watch as she brings charm and sophistication to Toni and her argument with George regarding Leonore is brilliant and shows that she's not quite as innocent and demure as she seems!
I also really like Bob Hoskins as Toni's husband Eddie and the scene with the two of them and their significant others sharing a meal is both strange and sweetly amusing!
Toni's relationship with Eddie is sensitively played out and you really get a sense of their somewhat reserved love and ultimate respect for each other, despite their marital indiscretions.
Robin Tunney makes Leonore tough and very witty and it's hard to feel any sympathy towards her as she briskly deals with everyone in her life including George.
The 1950's setting is quite beautiful and the tone and pace of the movie drifts along nicely, almost contradicting the sadness that surrounds George's intriguing and dramatic fate.
A lovely movie that ensures George Reeves will not be forgotten!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie
Distributed By: Momentum Pictures/Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: January 2012
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This is utterly heartbreaking and is one of the most compelling movies I've ever seen!
The characters who all seem to be damaged in some way have a soft vulnerability about them and often the most powerful scenes are those in which the actors simply exchange a glance.
The sadness that resides in both Michael Fassbender's Brandon and Carey Mulligan's Sissy is almost tangible and both actors give powerful performances and that doesn't even seem a big enough word to describe their scenes together!
Many of the scenes are filmed in real time and this gives an intense edge to the already raw subject matter.
Carey Mulligan brings a delicate quality to Sissy who is loud and laughing on the outside and quite empty on the inside and her rendition of New York, New York is beautifully moving.
Michael Fassbender brings such depth of emotion to Brandon as he tries to both hide and face up to his addiction and everyone's reaction towards it; he truly is an impressive actor who isn't afraid to bare all!
I also really like Nicole Beharie's performance as Marianne.
Intense, moving and very honest, this movie proudly displays a side of human nature that is usually hidden and makes you care so deeply for these characters and their troubles.
An incredible movie that will stay with me for a long time!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Henry Selick
Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Ken Page, Ed Ivory, Paul Reubens
Distributed By: Touchstone Pictures/Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: October 1993
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A wonderful example of stop-motion animation, this is really beautiful to watch.
Jack Skellington is a truly brilliant character who decides to see what the other holiday towns are about and inadvertently causes calamity in Christmas Town.
Jack's lonely admirer Sally, sweetly voiced by Catherine O'Hara realises Jack's mistake and the two characters band together to save "Sandy Claws" before it's too late.
There are so many creepy characters to enjoy and both Halloween Town and Christmas Town have some enchanting visual moments on offer.
The soundtrack by the wonderful composer Danny Elfman is beautifully atmospheric and he also lovingly lends his voice to Jack's many musical numbers which is a bit of casting genius as he helps to ensure Jack steals the movie and will be forever remembered as it's almost impossible not to sing along!
Filled with Tim Burton's sense of style and unique imaginings, this is a truly inspired movie that brings Halloween and Christmas together for all to enjoy!
~~Nikki~~
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Raúl Juliá, Anjelica Houston, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci, Carol Kane, Jimmy Workman, Carel Struycken, David Krumholtz, Peter MacNicol, Christine Baranski, Mercedes McNab
Distributed By: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 1993
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My favourite of the Addams Family movies, this is filled with dark Gothic humour and a wonderful cast.
Anjelica Houston dazzles as Morticia and continues to make her graceful and witty.
Raúl Juliá is absolute perfection and gives my favourite performance of Gomez on screen and it's such a shame that he died shortly after making this movie.
Christina Ricci excels as Wednesday and has many of the best lines and is great fun to watch during all the summer camp scenes. I also love the over the top sugariness of Christine Baranski and Peter MacNicol as the two camp leaders.
Christopher Lloyd makes Uncle Fester lovable and I particularly enjoy his scenes opposite Raúl Juliá's Gomez, but the star of this movie is the lovely Joan Cusack who brings charm and charisma to Debbie as she tries to find a place in Fester's heart and is wonderfully funny as she tries to bump him off in various ways.
Full of Gothic exuberance, this movie gives us the perfect version of the creepy and kooky Addams Family to date.
~~Nikki~~
Director: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw, Sean Murray, Doug Jones
Distributed By: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: July 1993
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This is a fun movie that I remember from my childhood.
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy all give good performances portraying three witch sisters who hold onto their looks by ensnaring the children of Salem.
Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw give likable performances as Max and Allison the teenagers who accidentally bring the witches back to the present day and Thora Birch is very sweet as Max's young sister Dani.
I also really love the look of the Zombie Billy who is brilliantly performed by Doug Jones!
Disney always do well with this sort of movie and I am very fond of Binx who is really a boy trapped in the form of a cat and am still impressed with the good effects used to make it appear that it's cat talking!
A great Halloween film for kids that adults can enjoy too!
~~Nikki~~
