Amanda Barnes (stopitgoaway)

Twisted Nerve doesn't seem to have a great reputation, and while the film (like its lead character) certainly does have some problems, I enjoyed this one in spite of them. The main problem people seem to have with this film (so much so that the filmmakers actually had to tack on an apology before the film starts!) stems from the fact that it seems to be professing that siblings of mongoloid children were more likely to become psychopaths. This idea is somewhat silly and I can see why it would bother some people; but seriously, this is just a thriller and while the idea is unlikely and misguided, it didn't bother me too much. It also should be noted that 'nurture' plays a big part in the lead character's mental health problems. The film focuses on Martin Durnley. His mother treats him like a child, his stepfather dislikes him and his mongoloid brother is institutionalised. He meets a young girl named Susan Harper, who takes pity on him (or rather, his alternative personality 'Georgie') after a shoplifting incident. But this soon leads to obsession for the troubled young man...

If you go into this film expecting something deep or brilliant, you will be disappointed. As mentioned, the point that the film tries to make is not well imposed and not much else about the film has any depth. Still, as a thriller it works well. The main influence for the film is clearly Hitchcock's masterpiece 'Psycho' and the two share a lot in common. The central character is interesting for the fact that he's so strange. Hywel Bennett really succeeds in creating a character that is both bizarre and completely sinister. The supporting cast isn't as great in terms of performances, but the two leading ladies are much nicer to look at. Hayley Mills delivers the typical young British female lead, while Billie Whitelaw is the real standout for me as the young girl's mother. Twisted Nerve also features a memorable tune, and possibly takes influence from Fritz Lang's M as the lead character often whistles it. The film flows well throughout and delivers the intrigue from the character actions and the situation rather than through suspense. I can see why this film is not often hailed as a classic; but if you're looking for an interesting watch and don't care about some silly ideas, Twisted Nerve comes recommended.

He's been quiet for a while but Mel Gibson is banking on a career resurrection with this movie version of the classic BBC conspiracy thriller (what is it with Melvin and conspiracies?). With a screenplay by William "The Departed" Monaghan, this should be worth a glance at least. Ray Winstone co stars.

Thomas Cravens 24-year-old daughter Emma, his only child, is killed on the front steps of his home.

At first it appears that Craven was the intended target. He soon uncovers evidence that leads him to think differently, and decides to pursue the information at all costs. He learns his daughter led a secret life that led to her murder.

He quickly finds himself confronted with a shadowy world of corporate collusion with government-sanctioned murder. In the process he collides with a secret government operative, Darius Jedburgh, whose job is to clean up and hide any remaining evidence.

Craven's singleness of purpose in finding answers about Emma's death becomes a transforming experience that changes his life...

From the first look at the trailer, you would be forgiven in thinking that this was an action movie, and you would be seeing Gibson circa Lethal Weapon, Ransom, and even a little bit of Payback. And it's directed by the man who is responsible for rebooting Bond twice.

What you get is an intelligent, sometimes harrowing story of a man who loses everything in a blink of an eye, and his daughters death is just the start of his journey to uncover the truth. Having not seen the original BBC version before, i went into the cinema relatively unaware of what was going to happen, but if you are a parent, you will understand that some of the flashbacks that Craven has during the film, are very upsetting and emotional.

Gibson is in one of his better roles, and in his first film in eight years, he still has the screen presence to justify his above title name credit. But he doesn't hold the film on his own, he is very ably supported by a brilliant Huston, and Winstone, who has to be one of the most mysterious characters i have seen on screen for a while.

Gibson holds the narrative by making Cravens character very angry, yet very human, you can tell in some scenes, he is still very much a man with a lot of love, and although he is violent in one instance, he shows terrific empathy in others.

As many people have stated, it's not very action orientated, but the film would have been lost if it had have been. The few scenes of violence stay long with you after they have been shown, you know that Cravens daughter is going to get killed, but nothing prepares you for the actual event.

All in all it's a very intelligent film, with a cracking script and some wonderful characterisation, and it's more than nice to see Gibson back on the screen.

I'm sure my readers will appreciate that I rarely give a movie more than 3 stars, und this is only the 4th time in my blogging career that I have given 5 stars, so I'm sure that you will understand that this movie must be some great revolution in the history of movie making... in fact, I would venture to say it is very nearly the "perfect" movie... It was with great anticipation that I went to view this movie, after reading that nearly every reputable movie magazine gave it a 5 star rating... I knew for certain that I was in for something amazing! I had to travel a little way as my home cinema wasn't showing it, but it was well worth it, und I would recommend it to all of my readers, even if you aren't a fan of the Vampire genre! ***Synopsis*** Oskar, a bullied 12-year old, dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can't stand the sun or food and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when he realises that Eli needs to drink other people's blood to live he's faced with a choice. How much can love forgive? Låt den rätte komma in or Let The Right One In is a story both violent and highly romantic, set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982. Written by John Nordling, Producer Starring: Kåre Hedebrant, and Lina Leandersson Directed by: Tomas Alfredson ***Fantasy Take*** Excellent fantasy movie, yet not too weird as to alienate the average viewer... ***Storyline: 5 Stars*** Brilliant story, based in a perfect fairy-tale style, simple und easy to follow, yet leaving you as if you had had the most filling meal in your life! ***Graphics: 4 Stars*** Hey, it's not really that kind of movie, but for what it is, the graphics certainly do what's needed of them... ***Acting: 5 Stars*** Oh, just perfect actors! Especially the little girl (Eli), who was both sweet, but still quite freaky at times! ***Music: 4 Stars*** Excellent music, though I would have liked a catchy theme tune to hum on my way home... ***Emotions: 5 Stars*** Excellently emotional throughout, I was completely wrapped! ***Conclusion*** Well, in conclusion... It's basically perfect... need I say more? Enjoy, nazdrovia

"It must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own" I'm an adopted child and that quote quite fit in my persona, but I'm not here to talk about me, I'm here to talk about Orphan and goes... Kate and John Coleman, VERA FARMIGA and PETER SAARSGARD, have two children, Danny, JIMMY BENNETT, and Max, ARYANA ENGINEER, who is deaf; a baby was still-born, and, still saddened by that loss, the Colemans decide to adopt an older child, settling on a 9-year-old orphan, Esther, ISABELLE FUHRMAN, who comes from Eastern Europe. Esther proves to be a problem child, manipulative, devious, jealous ? and possibly murderous, I feel very fit to Esther, except the murder thing. This horror film about an evil child is at times genuinely unsettling and contains a not-to-be-revealed twist which I certainly wasn?t expecting. Though the plot mechanics are familiar from dozens of similar films (The omen, The Bad Seed, The Good Son), the acting is unusually strong, especially ISABELLE FUHRMANN as the very nasty Esther and little ARYANA ENGINEER as Max. One of the good things about ORPHAN, which is directed by Jaume Collet-Sera, is that it takes itself quite seriously and manages to bring a surprising level of originality to the potentially familiar material. At two hours plus it?s much too long for this sort of exercise in suspense, but it?s several cuts (if I may use the word) above the average.