And in second place

So, film of the year continues. To those regular readers who remember my earlier praise, it should be no surprise that at two we have "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".


A genuine British gem with an amazing British cast led more-than-ably by Gary Oldman. Solid performances all around, but Colin Firth, Kathy Burke, Tom Hardy are all good. In fact, scratch that, it's almost unfair to start naming people as everyone involved is excellent.


Thoroughly tense, even when there's very little "action" taking place on the screen. Everything takes place in the minute details, the slightest look can mean everything, a small action tells a whole story.


Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.


My post-film review can be found here.

Disney Does Dickens

Due to a barrage of busy Christmases, I never saw Disney's A Christmas Carol when it came out at the cinema nor when it was released on DVD. I've only just caught it as it hit my Sky Box (really not a euphemism).


Based on the classic Dicken's text, which incidentally is one of my favourite stories, this motion capture version sees Jim Carrey play Scrooge along with all the ghosts, ably supported by Colin firth and Gary Oldman.


It's good fun and they've kept to a lot of the original text. Where it goes off the rails is the scenes between Carrey delivering the classic lines, which involves (but isn't limited to) Scrooge being shrunk and chased around London by the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. It's weird and unnecessary, and feels like it's only in there because the animators wanted to show off the cool stuff they could do.


As versions of A Christmas Carol go, it's nowhere near as Scrooged, which I'll be watching on Christmas Eve, as I do every year.

Five Stars

“Super 8” finally has competition.

I saw “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” the other night and now there’s another five star film that’s been released this year. I won’t give a plot synopsis in case I accidently spoil anything, but it’s a brilliant film, filled with gripping performances and palpable tension.

Gary Oldman is outstanding (and I would expect to definitely be in line for a BAFTA) and is ably supported by a who’s who of British acting talent including John Hurt, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Toby Jones, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch and Kathy Burke.

Like I say, I don’t want to spoil anything, but I can’t recommend it enough – go and see it.

What are you still doing here? Go!