DVD Movie Reviews

Laura Linney claimed a Golden Globe for her role as Cathy Jamison in The Big C so you really need to see what the fuss is about for yourself. Cathy is a 42-year-old school teacher who’s ruled by her practical nature but when she learns that she’s dying of skin cancer, all bets are off and she begins living life very differently. Her hunky doctor can’t even give her a definite timeframe on how long she’s got to live but this just gives Cathy more of an incentive to live her life as she never has before. Suddenly, Cathy’s able to throw away the shackles that have plagued her life in the past, filling her with a sense of empowerment. This extends to her being brutally honest with her students, one of which you will immediately recognise as The Blind Side’s Gabourey Sidibe. Enjoy your comedy with a little bit of edge and quirkiness (think Weeds)? Then, don’t miss The Big C.

Prepare to enjoy something a little out of the ordinary with Love Ranch. After all, how many flicks feature a husband and wife team who own a legal brothel? Meet Grace (Helen Mirren) and Charlie (Joe Pesci): their brothel is the first of its type in Nevada and they’re looking to expand their business further so Charlie invites South American heavyweight boxer Armando Bruza (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) to train at his ranch. But when Grace finds herself attracted and pursuing a relationship with the much younger Armando, let’s just say that Charlie isn’t too happy and his jealousy threatens to rip their future business plans to shreds. Although Love Ranch seems a little out there, it’s actually based loosely on a true story revolving around the death of boxer, Oscar Bonvena at the Mustang Ranch back in 1976. Even more fascinating is just how good Mirren is in yet another role that showcases her ability to adapt to any role.

Not all films can be sunshine, roses and lollypops and if you’re looking for a confronting movie with a serious subject matter at its heart, look no further than Desert Flower. Based on a true story, this movie explores the life of Waris Dirie (Liya Kebede) who was circumcised at just 3. Dirie eventually flees from Somalia as an adult where she finds success as a supermodel and social activist and the film tracks this process. In waving goodbye to both Africa and an unwanted arranged marriage, Dirie finds herself in London where she is taken in by a good Samaritan in Marilyn (Sally Hawkins). Soon, Dirie finds a job at a fast food restaurant in order to earn cash but when she catches the eye of Terry Donaldson (Timothy Spall), a famous photographer, the rest is history. Before she knows it, Dirie is gracing the catwalk and speaking out against female circumcision.

Whenever a flick tackles the heart-wrenching subject matter of World War II and the atrocities committed against the Jews, it’s always a dark journey for us as viewers. Sarah’s Key is no exception as we’re forced to experience a range of emotions as American journalist, Julia Armond (Kristin Scott Thomas) discovers what isn’t a pretty picture as she investigates a piece based on the Vel’d’Hiv Roundup of Jews by French authorities in 1942. What starts off purely as research becomes a passion for Julia as her digging uncovers a horrid secret revolving around a Jewish family forced out of their home, which is now Julia’s. But it’s when she starts to learn more about Sarah (Mélusine Mayance), the family’s eldest daughter that the information she learns hits a little too close to home for comfort. Soon, Julia finds herself drowning in a life that isn’t her own and everything that made her world turn once upon a time, seems too far away to remember.

We all loved him as an aspiring musician in School of Rock and here, Jack Black pretends to be a wannabe travel writer in an attempt to win Darcy’s heart (Amanda Peet). She’s the editor of a travel publication and sends Gulliver (Black), who’s really a mail room clerk, on a trial assignment to Bermuda. The angle: a Bermuda Triangle sneak peak. The result: disaster! Yes, Gulliver finds himself on Liliput, an island populated by tiny citizens which makes him big news in more ways than by simply being physically massive compared to everyone else. Soon, Gulliver finds himself playing cupid to Princess Mary (Emily Blunt) and is forced to lead his new friends in a battle against their traditional enemies. But what happens when Gulliver puts all of Liliput’s inhabitants in grave danger (uh oh!)? Based on Jonathon Swift’s 18^th Century novel, Gulliver’s Travels puts a unique spin on a much-loved classic.