John Nash is a brilliant, though socially awkward, mathematician and with his latest work he has achieved the acclaim that he so needed, but John is also prone to delusional behaviour, and when a mysterious stranger asks him for his help to thwart a conspiracy against the Stars and Stripes, John becomes increasingly obsessive, a state of mind that begins to push away all those he holds dear, even his loving wife. Very loosely adapted from a true story "Beautiful Mind" is the bog standard slickly
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BRONSON (2007)
Certification15 Our Rating
Michael Peterson was born in 1952 into a well off Luton family, "As a boy he was a lovely lad. He was obviously bright and always good with children. He was gentle and mild-mannered, never a bully – he would defend the weak" (comments from his aunt). Somehow something went seriously wrong and he has spent 34 years incarcerated at Her Majesty's pleasure, 30 of them in solitary confinement. He has renamed himself Charles Bronson and is proud of the one thing he has in his life: his reputation as t
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CHAPLIN (1992)
Certification15 Our Rating
Robert Downey Jnr demonstrates his prowess by giving a riveting performance as the little master. The cast delivers despite a disjointed narrative, and Chaplin's fall from grace, brought down by McCarthyism is very moving. Kevin Kline is excellent as the flamboyant Fairbanks Jnr.
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COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER (1980)
Certification15 Our Rating
Superb biopic of legendary country singer Loretta Lynn. Sissy Spacek, who incidentally has a belting voice, deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar for her moving portrayal of the naive Kentucky farm girl who became a singing superstar against all the odds, while Tommy Lee Jones is dynamite as her husband Doolittle. Beverly D'Angelo is also a revelation as Loretta's close friend, the late great Patsy Cline. An inspirational rags-to-riches story, only to be avoided if you have a strong aversion to
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GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR HUNTER S THOMPSON (2007)
Certification15 Our Rating
A reverential tribute to the wacko and anarchic master-blaster of Gonzo Journalism; from his early days as investigative reporter and writer of 'Hell's Angels', his drug-fueled 'Fear and Loathing' episodes, the '68 Chicago convention, his bid to become sheriff of Aspen, Colorado, his coverage of the 1972 George McGovern campaign and onto his eventual decline as a writer. A must see for anyone interested in finding out more about this unique character who has so enlivened us with his writings.
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I'M NOT THERE (2007)
Certification15 Our Rating
An intriguing premise; take Dylan's music as an inspiration and using six different actors (one a young black boy, another a woman) loosely re-enact his life from childhood to venerable and venerated troubadour of the 20th Century. The possibilities of ‘I'm Not There' going horribly wrong were always going to be high but Todd Haynes manages to pull off a fascinating, hypnotic, original tale of a living icon and while the performances, with out exception, are excellent, it is Kate Blanchett's tur
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LOVE IS THE DEVIL: STUDY FOR A PORTRAIT OF FRANCIS BACON (1998)
Certification18 Our Rating
A fascinating biopic of Francis Bacon, concentrating on his relationship with George Dyer, a burglar whom he caught in his house and promptly seduced, whose amorality and innocence he found attractive and whom he introduced to his Soho pals. Dyer's bouts with depression, his drinking, pill popping and nightmares strain the relationship in this clash between the arty, boozy Soho set and the East End criminal fraternity, as does his pain with Bacon's casual infidelities. Bacon paints and talks wit
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MAN ON THE MOON (1999)
Certification15 Our Rating
Based on the life of eccentric and tortured American prankster and comedian Andy Kaufman, this is a powerful and absorbing comedy drama with a spot on performance by Jim Carrey in the lead role.
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MY LEFT FOOT (1988)
Certification15 Our Rating
Christy Brown was an Irish cerebal palsy victim who overcame his severe handicap to become a talented painter and author with just the use of his left foot. Daniel Day Lewis is totally and utterly convincing as Brown - using method acting he became Brown and his thoroughness makes the film a great one.
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NIXON (1996)
Certification15 Our Rating
A typical Stone epic, tracing the rise and fall of the US's most unpopular president. Opening with the Watergate break-in, we flash back in time for an in-depth study of the bastard, played with riveting charisma by Sir Anthony. I can't say it's often I speak ill of the dead but watch with malice...
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