60-second cinema

7 out of 10 Hitler, eh, he was crackers, wasn't he, or was he? This film sets about trying to get the bottom of this question, detailing the last few hours of his life in his bunker in Berlin as the red army approached. The film, some would say rather controversially, answers the question early on with his pie fight with Himler coming as the starting credits fade. What follows is a romp through the final desperate hours of a ridiculous regime as they all, but their leader, seem to have grasped the fact that they’re buggered. The film has many memorable and chilling scenes, such as Dr Goebbels’ wife killing her own children rather than letting them fall into Communist hands. And the bit where Hitler’s dog is given cyanide for a laugh, with some superb acting by the dog. Anyway, if you’re interested in the madness of what went on in that bunker in Hitler’s last hours, this is for you. I would, however, also recommend Das Bunker und Laughs for a ve...

8 out of 10 Despite stylistically showing its age at times, this is a remarkably good film. I was surprised — not just at the amount of tit on show, but at the quality of Ewar Woowar 's performance and the way in which the film made you question your own preconceptions. What makes one religion any more valid than another? Reassuringly, however, that was answered by the end of the film, for me at least. Not sure I'll bother with the re-make . I can't imagine it lives up to this.

7 out of 10 The Warriors is a cult classic, and despite various recommendations I wasn’t really looking forward to it. Set in New York, the film starts with a mass gathering of gangs in The Bronx. When a gang leader is killed, the finger is pointed at ‘The Warriors’. What evolves is a tense chase movie as the gang attempts to get back to Coney Island with thousands of rival gangs and Police after them. It all sounds very macho, but it really isn’t as brutal as you might think. The film is shot like a comic book with transitions between scenes combining live action with a style that seems way ahead of its time. The violence is also very comic book; think the 60’s TV series of Batman or the A-team. The casting of unknowns works in the film’s favour, as the characters seem genuinely tough. None of the cast went on to become big names in Hollywood (although Twin Peaks fans may recognise the leader of the Rogues, a sterling performance from a young ...

6 out of 10 It's hard to rate a film when its key plot point is revealed to you in advance by a tw*t on the radio. I still remember it — I was driving home from Tesco on the A1 and I screamed blue murder at the idiot. Watching the film now, I was only able to view it the way someone would the second time around — with an academic interest in how they pulled it off. It's just not the same. Attempting to ignore this obvious handicap, I still thought the film was ok. Toni Collette , I really liked (especially having just come off the back of watching Little Miss Sunshine), but the direction of the other characters' scenes often felt clumsy. Especially those of Bruce Willis. He's acted far, far better in the past. Overall, I can't help feeling this M. Night Shyamalan guy reckons he's a bit better than he really is.

7 out of 10 A comedy so gentle that, at times, it almost fades into the background, this Kiwi film is nonetheless a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half. I've seen it likened to Napoleon Dynamite quite a few times, but the elements they share (characters with a childlike, limited self-awareness) are arguably less than those that set them apart. The film follows Lily, a socially awkward girl with a crush on Jarrod, one of her customers in a burger bar, from their first real meeting to their subsequent relationship ups and downs. Jarrod himself isn't exactly in with the in-crowd, despite thinking more highly of himself. Anyway, things bounce along gently enough throughout, with both characters going on something of a journey of self-enlightenment. Interspersed with the understated dialogue and general oddness are small stop-motion animation sequences that further lend the film an extra helping of quirky charm. Perhaps the most charming feature, however, is the perform...

5 out of 10 Hollywood is always on the lookout for a great comedian. So when someone appears in a very funny film, they then get them to appear in a string of absolute rubbish. Take Steve Martin in a Man with 2 Brains and then... Robin Williams was in Good Morning Vietnam and then .... Will Ferrell. Well, I had never seen him in anything funny, so I was looking forward to this because this is apparently the film. Well, after watching this film, all I can say is “oh dear”. I think I laughed out loud only twice. In summary, poor. Come on, Will — if you really are a great comedian, do something intelligent rather than just acting stupid.

6 out of 10 Surprise Surprise this is not an intellectual thinking man's film but a good bit of brain candy. As brain candy goes it is no where near the best but at least the film continues the Die Hard series attempts to have something different. The plot line involes virtual terrorism something you just would not expect in a Steven Seagal or Jean-Claude Van Damme movie. In summary this unfortunately is not Die Hard or even Die Hard 2 but at least it is considerably better than Die Hard 3.

8 out of 10 As I loved the first two parts of the Bourne trilogy, I was relieved that the final installment rounded it off nicely. While you could accuse it of just being one long action sequence, its consistently high tempo simply made it feel like the final third of a single film. One highlight to mention: Ultimatum has one of the best fight sequence I’ve ever seen in a film. Gritty, lengthy and far from clean, it balances realism with just enough Hollywood flourishes to make it really stand out. :) By the end, anyone hoping for the film to tie up all of its forerunners’ loose ends might be disappointed. It does just enough to resolve Bourne’s odyssey, but no more. And, for me, that was just right. A great end to a great series. :)

5 out of 10 I’m starting to think that Ben Stiller plays the same person in every movie he makes. Same goes for Will Ferrell . That’s not necessarily a bad thing — both tend to make me laugh — but the novelty’s wearing off. Yep, I think that’s all I need say.

7 out of 10 One strange film. Not quite Twin Peaks strange, but strange enough. Blue Velvet follows the tale of Jeffrey Beaumont ( Kyle MacLachlan ), a young man drawn into a murder investigation by a curiosity he really should keep under control. His chief suspect, Frank, is one twisted individual, but is just one part of the weird and seedy underworld that comes to light. In other words, classic David Lynch territory. Some of the acting is really quite stilted IMHO, but don’t let that put you off. There are still some great performances to be had, not least that of Dennis Hopper , playing Frank. It’s the voyeuristic curiosity that the film engenders that’s the real winner, though.

2 out of 10 An incredible story of a man and woman who, after being assaulted and raped respectively, seek revenge on their assailants in a most brutal manner. Unfortunately, that’s ‘incredible’ in the sense of ‘lacks credibility’. Still, at least you get to see Scully with her kit off, thus satisfying the curiosity built up by years of sexual tension in the X Files. Oh, and there are some spectacular continuity gaffes to enjoy. Overall, a bit of a crap film. (Apologies for the base content in this review.)