Reviews by Stephen Carty

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)

  Review preview for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

  The Pittster does do his best with a restrained and mature performance, but he's about as shackled by Benjamin's condition as the character is.

  Fantasy about a man who ages backwards, from old to young.
• 
  The Prisoner (1967)

  Review preview for The Prisoner

  One of the most unique shows ever imagined.

  A kidnapped secret agent finds himself trapped in "the village".
• 
  Superbad (2007)

  Review preview for Superbad

  In short, Superbad is super funny.

  An ode to friendship in the final night of high-school leads to a party never to be forgotten.
• 
  Auf Wiedersehen, Pet: Series One (1983)

  Review preview for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet: Series One

  Brilliantly-written, expertly-observed and just as well acted.

  First season of the comedy drama about brickies abroad.
• 
  GoldenEye (1995)

  Review preview for GoldenEye

  Where Goldeneye stands out is when it challenges the typical Bondian blueprint.

  Pierce Brosnan's first outing as the British agent.
• 
  The Wrestler (2008)

  Review preview for The Wrestler

  An instant classic that’s more than worthy of all the lavish praise it’s been getting.

  An ageing wrestler tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, but can he get the ring out of his soul? Plus read what Aronofsky, Rourke and Tomei said about the film.
• 
  Mean Streets (1973)

  Review preview for Mean Streets

  A powerful experience, brimming with raw talent.

  Trouble brews for a smalltime hood in Little Italy.
• 
  Batman Begins (2005)

  Review preview for Batman Begins

  Fuelled by logic and with realism as the key word, Nolan’s vision takes place in a real world far removed from the art deco stylised production of Burton or the lavish fancy dress party on steroids of Schumacher.

  The evolution of mixed up rich kid Bruce Wayne into the Dark Knight of Gotham City.
• 
  Valkyrie (2008)

  Review preview for Valkyrie

  A good, solid thriller that sustains our interest thoughout, but it’s not as great as you’d expect from this collaborative talent pool.

  Story of a plot to assassinate Hitler.
• 
  Tropic Thunder (2008)

  Review preview for Tropic Thunder

  Sadly, despite plenty of obvious effort and passion, this film is not as hilarious as the early clips suggested.

  Actors take their craft a little bit too far in war comedy...
• 
  Transformers (2007)

  Review preview for Transformers

  In short, this is Michael Bay’s most ‘Michael Bay movie’ yet (and that’s saying something).

  Robots in disguise!
• 
  Zodiac (2007)

  Review preview for Zodiac

  More long-distance bounds than well-crafted arcs.

  A cop, a reporter and a cartoonist become obsessed with a serial killer in 1970s San Francisco.
• 
  The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

  Review preview for The 40 Year Old Virgin

  While undoubtedly snort-out-loud funny with many a look-away wince-inducing moments, it’s first and foremost a realistic tale with a sweet centre.

  American Pie for grown ups.
• 
  Chuck: Season One (2007)

  Review preview for Chuck: Season One

  Ineffective blend of action and comedy

  An IT nerd finds himself thrust into espionage after Government secrets are accidentally downloaded into his brain.
• 
  Se7en (1995)

  Review preview for Se7en

  An undoubted modern classic.

  Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are cops who investigate a series of killings connected by the seven deadly sins.
• 
  Paths Of Glory (1957)

  Review preview for Paths Of Glory

  Douglas imposes his presence and manages to walk the tightrope between edgy and intense without chewing up the scenery.

  A soldier tries to stop the court martial of three of his men after a military advance goes awry.
• 
  Superman: The Movie (1978)

  Review preview for Superman: The Movie

  Remains unbeaten in terms of influence and iconic moments.

  Classic comic book adaptation about an orphaned alien who becomes humanity's saviour.
• 
  Strange Days (1995)

  Review preview for Strange Days

  Bigelow delivers a neo noir that hides its hope and redemption under a throbbing veil of paranoia, tension and adrenalin.

  Forbidden memories on disk, yours for the right price.
• 
  Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)

  Review preview for Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves

  Despite some obvious cheese and more than a few slices of ham, this is popcorn of the best kind.

  Kevin Costner stars as the noble rogue in this reimagining of the Nottinghamshire legend.
• 
  True Lies (1994)

  Review preview for True Lies

  True Lies might not be what many expect from James Cameron (given that it’s not thought-provoking or full of copious amounts of water) but it’s undoubtedly entertaining.

  A secret agent comes to suspect his wife may also be leading a double life.
• 
  Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season One (2008)

  Review preview for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season One

  Overall, though Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles certainly isn’t terrible, its biggest problem is that it will always lie in the shadow of Cameron’s unrelenting vision.

  TV series follows Sarah in her quest to save her son from the terminators.
• 
  Two For The Money (2005)

  Review preview for Two For The Money

  It’s hard not to get swept up in the ride.

  The fabulously rich world of high stakes gambling has a dark, manipulative side.
• 
  Point Break (1991)

  Review preview for Point Break

  As exciting as it is good-looking.

  FBI agent goes undercover in a surfer community to try to unmask a group of bank robbers.
• 
  Blade: The Complete Series (2006)

  Review preview for Blade: The Complete Series

  It isn’t just Blade killing a different ‘monster of the week’ every episode (cynically, this would have been more popular), it’s a big inter-connected canvas in the style of The Sopranos.

  The vampire killer sinks his teeth into a spin-off series.
• 
  The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

  Review preview for The Bourne Supremacy

  Character development is marignalised in favour of chore-like shaky-camera action sequences.

  Amnesic assassin is still on the run from the CIA after being framed for a double murder.
• 
  Body Of Lies (2008)

  Review preview for Body Of Lies

  Body Of Lies is so bogged down with plot developments and dull exposition that it doesn't really have time for anything else.

  Counter-terrorist thriller about a CIA operative in the Middle East and his US-based 'handler'.
• 
  Dr No (1962)

  Review preview for Dr No

  Sir Sean's blend of masculine charm and cold professionalism make him the perfect 007.

  When a fellow agent is killed in Jamaica, the super-spy finds himself pitting wits against a mysterious new adversary.
• 
  Casino Royale (2006)

  Review preview for Casino Royale

  By focusing on the journey of how a spy becomes the Bond, James Bond we all know, the movie manages the impossible task of coping with all the baggage laid before it and reinvigorating our interest.

  James Bond earns his double zero status and relaxes at the poker table with a mass murderer.
• 
  Boiler Room (1999)

  Review preview for Boiler Room

  Younger infuses Boiler Room with an impressive level of detail.

  Trouble brews at a brokerage firm.
• 
  The Bank Job (2008)

  Review preview for The Bank Job

  Spends time developing its characters beyond mere chess pieces on a board and has a plot that is both complex, yet easy enough to follow.

  The true story of a group of bank robbers who stole more than they'd bargained for.
• 
  Any Given Sunday (1999)

  Review preview for Any Given Sunday

  Drags you into the game to the point at which you’ll be checking to see if you’re jock strap is secure.

  Oliver Stone takes a gladiatorial look at the world of American football.
• 
  All The President's Men (1976)

  Review preview for All The President's Men

  For the patient and intelligent viewer willing to give it a chance or for those interested in the topic at hand, this is cinematic gold-dust.

  The story of the Watergate scandal from the perspective of the reporters who broke the story.
• 
  Back To The Future Part II (1989)

  Review preview for Back To The Future Part II

  The audacity of the plot deserves to be both admired and applauded but there are so many story developments to comprehend that figuring out what the hell a Gigawatt is doesn’t seem so tricky.

  The continuing story of Marty McFly and Doc Brown, in which they discover bad things in the future.
• 
  Back To The Future (1985)

  Review preview for Back To The Future

  One of the most deservedly popular movies in cinema history.

  A time travel classic of supreme comic invention, involving Marty McFly, a mad scientist and a DeLorean motorcar.
• 
  Pride And Glory (2008)

  Review preview for Pride And Glory

  While on the surface Pride And Glory seems to have cynicism coming out of every pore and revolves around the world of dirty officers, at its core it's actually a love-letter to honest cops.

  A family of New York cops is caught up in corruption.
• 
  21 (2008)

  Review preview for 21

  Overall, 21 is certainly not going to change the cinematic world, but it’s lively and believes in itself enough to justify a worthwhile night at the flicks.

  A group of card counting college kids try to take the dealers of Vegas for a ride.
• 
  10,000 BC (2008)

  Review preview for 10,000 BC

  A bland movie that is less dangerous than a plate of nachos with jalapenos.

  When the woman he loves is taken by slavers, a young mammoth hunter sets out to try and save her.
• 
  The Office: An American Workplace - Season Two (2006)

  Review preview for The Office: An American Workplace - Season Two

  The second series improves immeasurably over the first and proves all its doubters - including me - totally wrong.

  More office politics at Dunder Mifflin, in the American version of the Brit hit.
• 
  From Russia With Love (1963)

  Review preview for From Russia With Love

  In only his sophomore effort as James Bond, Sean Connery shows he has already mastered the role.

  James Bond tries to foil a plot involving a stolen espionage machine, and faces off against a deadly assassin. Enjoying a reissue.
• 
  The Office: An American Workplace - Season One (2005)

  Review preview for The Office: An American Workplace - Season One

  Although Steve Carell is an undoubtedly talented actor with fantastic comedic ability, his shouty boss frequently overplays things and lacks the subtlety that made Gervais’ Brent so watchable.

  US Version of the Ricky Gervais hit.
• 
  Ashes To Ashes: Series One (2008)

  Review preview for Ashes To Ashes: Series One

  Overall, Ashes To Ashes isn’t terrible, it is a perfect example of ‘difficult second album syndrome’.

  Gene transfers to the London Met in Life On Mars spin-off.
• 
  Alias: Season One (2001)

  Review preview for Alias: Season One

  Alias is intelligently-written, notably complex and deserves to be more well-known that it is.

  A college grad black-ops spy, becomes a double agent to bring down corruption.
• 
  Max Payne (2008)

  Review preview for Max Payne

  Note for the inevitable sequel: more dragony creatures, sub-world paradox, less John Woo imitation.

  Pulpy noir movies begets videogame begets pulpy noir movie.
• 
  Quantum Of Solace (2008)

  Review preview for Quantum Of Solace

  In the lead, the icy-eyed Daniel Craig is flawless again and is dangerously close to becoming my favourite James Bond (Sean and Roger, I’m sorry).

  Bond is back... and this time it's personal.
• 
  Life On Mars (2006)

  Review preview for Life On Mars

  One of the most groundbreaking television shows in years.

  A police detective in 2006 finds himself in Manchester in 1973.
• 
  Team America: World Police (2004)

  Review preview for Team America: World Police

  Coarse, obvious and largely pointless.

  A disillusioned actor joins a team of five specially selected all-American heroes aiming to thwart evil terrorists in Parker and Stone's attempt to make a Jerry Bruckheimer movie using puppets.
• 
  I Am Legend (2007)

  Review preview for I Am Legend

  Might not be quite what it could have been, but still highly recommendable.

  In the aftermath of a devastating plague, the last man left must fight off those who are no longer human like him.
• 
  Ghost Town (2008)

  Review preview for Ghost Town

  A fine start to Ricky Gervais’ silver screen career.

  After a brush with mortality a dentist finds himself haunted by ghosts desperate for him to help them with unfinished business.