Good Will Hunting ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)

Film: Good Will Hunting
Director: Gus Van Sant
Main Actors: Robin Williams; Matt Damon; Ben Affleck
Year: 1997
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)

With the terrible news about Robin Williams, it felt right to review the film for which he deservedly received an Oscar. He won the award for Best Supporting Actor, and his touching acceptance  speech shows what this meant to a great actor, and incredibly funny man. I adored his films growing up - Mrs Doubtfire is still one of my favourite movies, and one that makes me cry with laughter every time. Its truly sad that someone who bought so much happiness and laughter to so many millions of people was unable to feel the same feelings that he was so brilliant at creating in others.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote this film, and the script is brilliant. Damon plays a mathematical genius (Will Hunting) from a rough suburb in Boston, who works as a Janitor at a prestigious college, who is discovered by an award winning maths tutor, who employs the help of therapist Sean Maguire (Williams) to try and fulfil his potential. For me, the film had it all, there are some extremely funny, laugh out loud moments. The scene where Williams describes how his wife used to fart in her sleep is hilarious, and was a classic example of him improvising at his best. The line was unscripted so Matt Damon's reaction is genuine, and at one point you can see the cameraman lose control of the camera from laughing so hard. There are also some deeply emotional scenes, as well as some good violence, bar fights, and lot's of bad language! There is a strong bond between Hunting and his four best friends, and I also thought that Matt Damon and Minnie Driver had real on screen chemistry.

Looking back I think what is most emotional about this film is the sad reality that perhaps Sean Maguire's sadness in the film is a portrayal of William's own depression. Regardless of that it is a beautiful film, and for me is up there with my favourites of all time, which is why I've given it a resounding 5 stars.

Rain Man ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)

Film: Rain Man
Director: Barry Levinson
Main Actors: Dustin Hoffman; Tom Cruise; Valeria Golino
Year: 1988
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)

This is SUCH a good film. Tom Cruise plays Charlie Babbitt who only discovers he has a brother, Raymond (Hoffman) when his father dies and leaves his fortune to him. Raymond is a deeply autistic savant who lives in an institute, and when Charlie discovers this, he kidnaps him, and the film tracks their progress as he tries to get his hands on the inheritance. Much of the film is improvised, for example the fart in the phone box scene, happened when Dustin Hoffman farted on camera and he and Tom Cruise rolled with it.

I haven't seen a lot of Dustin Hoffman before (apart Meet the Fockers), and I thought he was superb, as was Tom Cruise. Also watching this film gave a first major milestone for the blog, as one of my friends, who has seen bloody everything, hasn't seen this yet, so I'm starting claw my way into that film buff status! 

For a little snazzy knowledge bomb, sales of the Ray Bans Tom Cruise wears spiked shot up 15% following the films release. Also when Dustin Hoffman won Best Actor at the Oscars for this film, it was the first time the announcement was made using the words 'and the Oscar goes to', rather than 'and the winner is'. How bloody fascinating is that!

The film is on Netflix which is always a bonus, and you can see the trailer here. It deservedly won a whole host of awards, such as the Oscar for Best Actor, Director and Film, and I would urge anyone who hasn't seen the film to go see it. It gets a well deserved 5 stars from J Blogs. I'm sure everyone involved in making the film will be thrilled!

The Truman Show ☆☆☆ (3 Stars)

Film: The Truman Show
Director: Peter Weir
Main Actors: Jim Carey; Laura Linney; Noah Emmerich
Year: 1998
Rating: ☆☆☆ (3 stars)

I've seen quite a few Jim Carey films (Bruce Almighty, The Mask, Ace Ventura), and to be honest always found him or his characters quite grinding. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this film and enjoyed the concept and execution. Carey plays Truman Burbank, an insurance salesman who, unbeknownst to himself, is the subject of a reality TV show. I was told the film is a bit of a prediction of our generation which becomes obsessed with glorifying reality TV stars, however the fact that Truman never sought out fame or celebrity, but was thrust into the limelight without realising it, creates a contrast with the desperate, pathetic fame seeking 'stars' of shows like TOWIE, Big Brother, Geordie Shore etc, making Truman an appealing character. Apparently the cast of the film were banned from mentioning Carrey's past films because he got tired of them making fun of his other work!

I've given the film 3 stars, its an easy watch and entertaining but I won't be watching it again in a hurry.   The official trailer is here.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)

Film: The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Director: Sergio Leone
Main Actors: Eli Wallach; Clint Eastwood; Lee Van Cleef
Year: 1966
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)

Last weekend we went to the Everyman Cinema at Battersea Power Station's Power of Summer Festival, sponsored by Heineken, to see The Good the Bad and the Ugly. The setting is superb; being a high roller, I splashed out a couple of extra quid for a 'Premier Pod', which meant we had a bit of shelter from the sun, as well as a waitress to bring us drinks and snacks. There's also a street food festival once you're in - the pulled duck bap was different class. You can find info on which films are showing here. There are films on until mid-August, and would definitely recommend a visit.

So onto the film. I have to say it was really enjoyable and to be honest its hard to know where to start. As a spaghetti western, it was as close to perfection as possible! The soundtrack is beyond catchy, and weeks after watching the film, I'm still humming it!
This is backed up by a very well acted, funny and at times, moving film. Eli Wallach is especially good as Tuco, and is really the star of the show as 'the ugly'. Clint Eastwood is faultless as 'the good', as is Lee van Cleef as 'the bad'. I've given it 5 stars which might be slightly generous, and possibly aided by the setting, and a couple of pints of cider, but I would genuinely urge people to watch this film; so far it's the highlight of the J Blogs 200!