Reviews by Kyle Ellis

The School of Rock is an enormously entertaining feel-good family film, that is nigh on perfection. The story is great, and doesn't preach in any way, and Jack Black, who I like, although I hated NeverEnding Story 3 which had him in(and wasted him), is outstanding as Dewey Finn, an ex-rocker who is hired as a substitute teacher at a prep school. Joan Cusack gives a very good account of herself as the prim and proper headmistress, and all the children, whom Dewey accidentally discovers their musical talents give strong performances too. The soundtrack is awesome, and the script verges very often to hysterically funny, with some undertone of sensitivity. There are one or two slow bits in the middle half, other than that, it is an exhilarating and hugely enjoyable comedy film. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I thought this a really entertaining film. With a spirited cast, a very good script, a good soundtrack and a nice romance what more could you possibly want? Lindsey Lohan is lovely as Cady Heron, better than she was in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. She is given great support from an excellent supporting cast, from the likes of Tina Fey and Rachel McAdams. The script was dark and humorous, my favourite bit was when all the girls start fighting after they discover that they are being badmouthed in a book. And there is always time for a romance that doesn't always interfere with the story. In fact, my only real complaint is that it gets a little sentimental, but apart from that, an enjoyable and engaging film, with a 8/10. Bethany Cox

Such an amazing film that deserves the accolades and acclaimed hype it's garnered. One of the best foreign language films there is and one of the best films personally seen recently, after a long time of being on my to see list but taking a while to get round to it due to being so busy and going through a difficult phase.

Perhaps 'City of God' is not for everybody. It is not some audience members' idea of being entertaining, and is pretty unflinching, uncompromising and challenges the viewer. It does, with that being said, a superlative job bringing those qualities to life, and there are others, including myself, who judge films by what they set out to do rather than just wanting to be "entertained". There are many hugely entertaining films, while there are others that are clearly intended to be things other than entertainment and either are deep character studies, deliberate mood pieces and poignant dramas and shouldn't be denounced because of stereotypical views of what a film should be like.

'City of God' is very well made, with some stunning and hard-hitting images, even if the budget is not high or enormous. It's all audaciously shot and edited with a lot of gritty atmosphere and sense of tension. The music fits well and has some haunting moments without being intrusive, while Fernando Meirelles's direction, particularly in the visual style, is superb.

The story is not hard to follow, with lots of provoking thought, tension and emotion, while the action is positively explosive, frighteningly brutal and designed with a real meticulousness. In no way either does it glamorise crime and gives an unflinching view of gangland rivalry, provoking comparisons to Martin Scorsese and 'Goodfellas'.

Alexandre Rodrigues and Leandro Firmino da Hora are fabulous in their roles and carry the film and their compellingly real characters adeptly.

Overall, a masterwork. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women' has long been one of my all-time favourite books and love 'Good Wives' just as much. The story is just so charming and fills me with joy and emotion every time, all the major events are memorable, the major relationships beautifully fleshed out and all the characters are interesting and well defined, as well as worth relating to. There is no wonder as to why it is so oft-adapted (and generally very well).

It is such a good story and the characters are so good that it remains timeless regardless of how many it is read and how often it's adapted. The latest adaptation, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, responsible for 'Lady Bird' (one of my favourites from its year), and starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep and Laura Dern (the four biggest names), is the eighth adaptation. And along with the 1994 film with Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon and the 1933 film starring Katharine Hepburn it is one of the best. Some may not be totally enamoured with it as an adaptation, as the chronology is different and there is a lot of back and forth, but on its own terms it left me and my sisters totally satisfied.

Will admit to not being completely grabbed at the start, with it being the worst case of the backing and forthing from Jo's point of view not always working. On the most part this aspect does work surprisingly well, but there were times where it was confusing and not always easy to tell straight away what was the past and what was the present and that was the case with this 'Little Women'.

Although the acting is outstanding nearly all-round, for me Louis Garrel was somewhat bland as Professor Bhaer. The character is not the most interesting character in 'Good Wives' in the first place, but with his role being so small here the character felt very underwritten and Garrel doesn't bring an awful lot to it.

These two problems are vastly outweighed by everything else and the best of everything else is fantastic. Three things are especially good. The production values are exquisite throughout, the costumes are evocative and the settings have a cosiness and charm that reminds me fondly of the period films of films from MGM in the 40s and 50s. The darker look of the present scenes contrast beautifully with the warm looking past ones. Just in case one is wondering, that is a compliment or at least to me it is. Alexandre Desplat is one of the best film composers working today and his score fits the film and the spirit of the story perfectly, the triumphant moments exploding with sumptuous joy and the emotional ones enhanced by the sorrowful-sounding orchestration. Ronan is quite sensational as Jo, one of her best performances to date in a performance that is sensitive and spirited.

Everybody else, Garrel excepted and that was to do with the limitations of the role, also excels. Have not seen Watson better than here, epitomising sympathetic charm even in her desiring of better. Florence Pugh is truly excellent as and the embodiment of older Amy which suited her more than when playing her when younger. While criticisms of her being less convincing as younger Amy where the character is more petulant and spoilt it is not easy not making younger Amy too bratty (especially in the burning of the book incident), it is not hard to see as to why this has been a breakthrough year for Pugh. Eliza Scanlan is a very moving Beth, especially later on, while Laura Dern is a sincere and loving Marmee, Timothee Chamalet is a charming Laurie and has great chemistry with all four leads (especially Ronan) and no other actor for Mr Laurence has made my heart melt more than Chris Cooper. Streep is a very amusing Aunt March.

Regarding the storytelling and character writing, 'Little Women' is a near triumph. The story is heart-warming and moving, although the chronology is different and sometimes coherence is affected the spirit and a lot of the major events of 'Little Women' and 'Good Wives' are intact and with full impact. The transitions from past to present and vice versa are mostly quite seamless. Loved the interaction between the four sisters, which charmed, amused and moved in equal measure throughout, while this adaptation is the best at including and fleshing out the triangle between Jo, Laurie and Amy. Jo and Beth's chemistry was incredibly heartfelt and for me the film's big tragedy was heart-wrenching (same with my sisters and everybody in the cinema in a packed auditorium male and female and of all ages), and having Jo's strength and struggles as a writer mirroring Alcott herself was a clever move and a valid one considering Jo was a personal character for Alcott. Almost all the characters are well defined, with strengths and flaws and how they dealt with their triumphs and struggles. Gerwig directs with great confidence and the script sparkles, the charm and poignancy of the story and Alcott's text never lost or jarring.

Summing up, a great film and what a way to spend New Year's Day. 9/10

I like John Hughes's movies, but Pretty in Pink is not a favourite. It is too short, and the story structure is occasionally too hackneyed complete with an ending that didn't quite convince me. But it was strikingly filmed, with an agreeable soundtrack, snappy script, bouncy pacing and good direction. When it comes to the acting, it is quite good, and the characters are at least likable. Molly Ringwald holds this movie together, and she is very good. Andrew McCarthy and James Spader are also appealing, while Harry Dean Stanton and Annie Potts are sterling. Overall, Pretty in Pink is not a John Hughes classic, but it is worth the watch at least once. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I love Jane Austen, and I love period dramas. This film, while a little too long, was perfect for me. I loved it when I first saw it a year ago, and I still love it now. Sense and Sensibility is a great book by Miss Austen, and this film does the book justice, in my personal opinion. The film looks gorgeous, the camera-work, the locations and the costumes. The script sparkled with wit, subtlety, romance and heartache, especially when Marianne goes out into the rain and gets herself ill. The music is lovely also. The performances were exceptional. Period-film veteran Emma Thompson is lovely here as Elinor Dashwood, and Kate Winslet matches her perfectly in a beautifully-blended portrayal of the tragic Marianne. As for the men, they were very good too. Hugh Grant was exceedingly charming as the male lead, and I have read many reviews criticising Alan Rickman's acting.(not on IMDb though) He may have been older than Miss Austen intended, he was very good also as Colonel Brandon, but not as good as the other three. His style of acting is very suave and charismatic, like Sean Connery and George Sanders. If you've seen him in Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves you'll know what I mean. All in all, a lovely film, maybe not the best period drama, but has plenty of elements that makes it truly memorable. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Am a big fan of Pixar and have been for two decades or so. Have not loved everything they've done, 'Cars 2 and 3' and 'The Good Dinosaur' (to a lesser extent too 'The Incredibles 2') disappointed though certainly didn't dislike any of them. Their best work though are masterpieces, for me the previous three 'Toy Story' films, 'Inside Out' and 'Coco' fit this distinction as do most of their short films.

Was in two minds when hearing that there was going to be a fourth 'Toy Story' film. Am somebody who would see the latest Pixar film, regardless of critical reception, at the earliest opportunity, not for nostalgia but for being an animation fan and having appreciation for high quality stuff. But it is very understandable that people are saying that they questioned the point of this being made and that 'Toy Story 3' was a perfect end, that was the very first reaction felt when first hearing of it. Those who weren't bowled over by this shouldn't be crucified for feeling underwhelmed and feeling that it was unnecessary.

My aforementioned initial reaction was still not completely quashed finally seeing 'Toy Story 4' for myself. Thought actually it was still a good film, namely on its own, but if quickly getting any comparisons out of the way it is quite a bit below the quality of the first three 'Toy Story' films and as far as Pixar films go it's towards the bottom in my opinion. Which is actually not a bad thing, it says a lot about how brilliant much of their work is. A lot of great qualities, but the disappointment from some is understandable.

The story is a slight one and can feel over-stretched, especially when in the latter antique store scenes. This is the only 'Toy Story' film where the pacing was flawed in my view. It is a shame too that most of the original gang are underused and their material not being much of note.

Buzz didn't have the same spark and it was like those involved had not remembered what made him so memorable. The ending is proof that the ending of the third film was the perfect note for the 'Toy Story' films to go out on, because this one is one of the most anti-climactic and unsatisfying-in-outcome for any recently seen film (for me that is).

However, the animation is superb and the component that actually improved with each film, although that in the first is ground-breaking. Was transfixed by the vibrant colours and rich background and character details, toys and humans. The antique store and fairground settings are vividly done. It was great to have Randy Newman back on board again, not easy to imagine a 'Toy Story' film without him and the magic hasn't been lost. Reprising "You've Got a Friend in Me" was a genius move and that was what stuck out most memorably in this particular regard.

Enough of the dialogue is witty and sharp, 'Toy Story 4' is far from laugh a minute but it is a long way from humourless. The best laughs coming from Ducky and Bunny, Duke Caboom was fun too. 'Toy Story 4' is not without soul either, found Gabby to be one of the Pixar's most empathetic and interesting supporting characters of their 2010s output (a "villainous" character that is not really a villain). Forky is likeable and his chemistry with Woody, on top form, is charming. It was great to see more of Bo Peep and her personality more developed, a mix of sympathetic and sassy. Her chemistry with Woody, which one really feels, is one of the film's biggest pleasures.

Voice acting is terrific, Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, Christina Hendricks and Tony Hale standing out. Didn't recognise Keanu Reeves either.

Overall, good film but not a great one. 7/10

A Fistful of Dollars is not quite as good as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly from the Three Dollars trilogy(or Once Upon a Time in America and Once Upon a Time in the West), and I also think the film that inspired it Kurosawa's Yojimbo is the superior film. That said, that is not down-grading A Fistful of Dollars in any way, it is still a truly great film. As with all Leone's it is incredibly well made, the scenery is epic and looks gorgeous and the extreme close ups really helps to enhance the unrelenting violence. Ennio Morricone's score is wonderful with its minimalist style really fitting with the movie. The story is both elegiac which helps to give that feel of mystery to the Man with No Name's character and thrilling with the violence and the camera work. Leone's direction is as ever superb, as is the acting. Clint Eastwood became an international superstar and you can see why, he oozes charisma and his idea to make The Man with No Name mysterious with minimal dialogue proved to be a great one. Of the supporting cast, Gian Maria Volonte is especially impressive, as Ramon he snarls very convincingly. All in all, a great film. 9/10 Bethany Cox