Skellig (2009)

Director: Annabel Jankel
Starring: Bill Milner, John Simm, Kelly Macdonald, Tim Roth
Genre: fantasy
Certificate: 12
Rating: *****
Review: I recently read the book of Skellig, which my dad had to force me to do. The book alone took my breath away, but then the film came out. I was skeptical of this at first - perhaps they would ruin the book, a little like The Golden Compass. However, when I sat down to watch it, I realised that it was stunningly beautiful, and extremely well-done. John Simm does a great performance, and, of course, so does Tim Roth. Yet, the performance that stands out the most is that of child actor, Bill Milner. He has, of course, been in Son of Rambow, in which his acting was also pretty good. The film does not stick entirely to the book - a lot more is given away about Skellig, and there is a beautiful scene in which Michael jumps off a tower, hoping that Skellig will catch him. All in all, this is a well-done film, and, in my opinion, a classic.

Eden Lake (2008)

Director: James Watkins
Starring: Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender
Certificate: 18
Genre: horror
Rating: **** - good
Review: Eden Lake is, ultimately, another torture porn film. You can see similarities between this and films like The Hills Have Eyes. With chilling performances from Jack O'Connell (whom you may have seen in Skins), this film will make you squirm, and shock you into utter silence. There is, for example, one scene in which you see (extremely clearly) a young boy stick a knife into a man's mouth, and wiggle it from side to side. Another scene - a woman impales her foot on a spike, then has to remove it. This film is not actually as scary as it is made out to be, just extremely gory and distressing. The only scary thought is actually that it could happen. As much as the film is good and exciting, it does stray from what could actually happen in a few places, for example the ending (which is bleak), and also a scene in which a young lad is set on fire. Alive.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Director: Richard Kelly
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Beth Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osbourne, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle
Certificate: 15
Genre: Psychological thriller
Rating: **** - good
Review: Donnie Darko is one of those films, similar to the Underworld series, which does not impress the critics, yet seems to be extremely popular. After watching the film the second time (this time with my friends, so I could discuss it afterwards), I realised just how good it really is. The cast are well-known, and so you can expect the acting not to be poor. The script is inappropriately humourous in some places, and well-written all over - the comedy part, for example the dinner table scene, is hilarious. The plot is complicated (but makes complete sense once you have thought about it), so if you do not like to have to think hard whilst watching a film, this will not be for you. Basically, a young boy, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), sees terrifying visions of a man dressed in a bunny-suit, stating that the end of the world is coming, and decides he must be the one to unravel the strange occurences affecting his school, home, and life. This is a hauntingly brilliant film, which will make you cry, laugh, and shock you, all at once.
Be prepared to question reality.