Philip Raby - Front Row Films

Dictator, The

3/10

There's only one problem with Sacha Baron Cohen's new comedy. It's not funny. True, it tries very hard, and is as tasteless as you could ask for (and then some), but it just didn't make me laugh. I managed a couple of slightly surprised chortles, but otherwise, I spent the 83 minutes waiting to be entertained.

Source, The/Source des Femmes La

7/10

Although I disliked Radu Mihaileanu's previous film - The Concert - I am thrilled to say that I thoroughly enjoyed his new film, which is set in the North Africa. You can call it a crowd-pleaser (as was The Concert), but this time it's a compliment.

2 Days In New York

7/10

For spme reason I didn't expect to like this film, which made it a pleasant surprise when I did. I think I imagined some rather self-conscious and tediously arty film, instead of which it's a witty and sweet comedy that Woody Allen at his (long gone) best would be proud of. Read more...

Even The Rain/Tambien La Lluvia

7/10

There's something very refreshing about watching a film which comes without expectations and exceeds your hopes. Iciar Bollain is a Spanish actress who appeared in Loach's Land and Freedom; this is her first film as director, and it is very impressive. Read more...

Raid, The

7/10

The idea of an Indonesian film directed by a Welshman and showing at a multiplex near you may seem like a belated April Fool's joke, but believe me, it isn't. Instead this is a film which can justifiably be said to have raised the bar on action movies by several inches - if not feet.

Dark Shadows

2/10

There's almost nothing good to be said about this film. It combines two major failings - it's pointless and it's dull. Which doesn't make for a very entertaining 113 minutes viewing. I cannot imagine what Burton, Depp et al thought they were doing when they took on the project, but it is a grand folly, best avoided.

Faust

7/10

I am not a huge fan of Alexander Sokurov, but when I saw this in Toronto last September, I was aware that I was watching a film that might be considered a semi-masterpiece, if such a thing exists. I don't know if it's going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it's certainly an extraordinary film. Read more...

Jeff Who Lives At Home

6/10

Jeff lives at home, which is unusual because he is well into his 30s, and has no initiative, drive or purpose in life. He has a minor ongoing feud with his brother (Ed Helms), and his mother (Susan Sarandon) is both frustrated with and indulgent of this retarded adolescent. What will become of them all? Read more...

Goodbye First Love/Un Amour de Jeunesse

3/10

Reading the reviews of this French film by Mia Hansen-Love, you might think it is something you want to see. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm here to tell you it's a film you want to avoid like the plague.

Avengers, The

6/10

There are those who seem to think that Joss Whedon is the saviour of modern cinema, based on his recent post-modern horror movie, Cabin in the Woods, and now this get together of all the Marvel superheroes. I'm something of a sceptic, since although he does inject some flashes of humour, at the end of the day, this is still a big noisy movie in which (mostly) men bash each other endlessly.

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

5/10

It's the music that's the giveaway. It's always the music. You hear the swelling strings, the jaunty pipes, or whatever other flavoured sauce is being dripped over the film, and you know the director doesn't trust him/herself to deliver a story which you can believe in and follow without the aid of regular aural nudges to tell you how to feel. It's depressing, predictable and fatal.

Marley

7/10

There may be rock stars who have sold more records, had more Number 1 singles, or been famous for a longer period, but there is no single musical star whose image and music has reached so far into the lives and culture of the dispossessed and deprived as Bob Marley. This film is a fitting testament to the impact he still makes 30 years after he died.

Mirror Mirror

2/10

Once Upon A Time, long long ago, in a faraway country, there was a young woman who made her name by playing a prostitute with a heart of gold. But now, twenty years have passed, and Julia Roberts is no longer young and fresh, so she has unwisely agreed to appear as the Wicked Queen/Stepmother in a film so bad it should have taken into the forest by the huntsman and chopped up into little piece...

The Pirates! In an Adenture with Scientists, The

7/10

Is there a film studio in the world (or the UK, at least) more beloved of audiences than Bristol's very own Aardman Animation, who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year? No, not really. Which is why it's a pleasure to announce that this is their best full length film yet.

CINEMA NOW

1/14

Current DVD

Setting

March 2012

One Day

3/10

There are so many problems associated with this film version of the David Nicholls novel, that to blame An...

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April 2012

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

3/10

Brad Bird, who made The Incredibles, is the director for this fourth movie in the Cruise-driven franchise....

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May 2012

War Horse

3/10

Here are a few adjectives to describe Spielberg's new film: infuriating, cheesy, magnificent, dull, noisy,...

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Cinema Soon

Setting

May 2012

Tales of the Night

French animated film (using silhouette techniques) which sounds interesting. Directed by Michel Ocelot, who ma...

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June 2012

Friends with Kids

Apparently really quite good comedy drama about a group of friends and their relationships with each other onc...

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July 2012

Electrick Children

Something about the trailer for this film - which I had never heard of before - makes it look very appealing. ...

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Phil on Film: latest articles

Dear Kristin Scott Thomas

Dear Kristin Scott Thomas,

As you know, you are the last word in beauty, intelligence, talent and general cinematic genius, so it is with some sense of nervousness that I suggest that you run the risk of overexposure.

Updated Letters to the Stars

As a brand new bonus for readers of Front Row Films, you can now find updated versions of Letters to the Stars on this site, complete with pictures for those who are not good with names. There are also lists of recommended films.
Read more . . .

On the Video Front

On The Video Front is Bath’s longest running and most successful dvd rental shop. It opened in 1986, and is still going strong. We open at 11 in the morning and close at 8 in the evening, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays we are open from 2 till 8. Our staff are well informed, helpful and friendly. We have a great range of films, old and new, and new titles arrive every week.

Click here for a current list of all our films.

Front Row Films Review

Dictator, The

Source, The/Source des Femmes La

2 Days In New York

Even The Rain/Tambien La Lluvia

Raid, The

Dark Shadows

Faust

Jeff Who Lives At Home

Goodbye First Love/Un Amour de Jeunesse

Avengers, The

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Marley

Mirror Mirror

The Pirates! In an Adenture with Scientists, The

CINEMA NOW

Current DVD

March 2012

One Day

April 2012

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

May 2012

War Horse

Cinema Soon

May 2012

Tales of the Night

June 2012

Friends with Kids

July 2012

Electrick Children

Phil on Film: latest articles

Dear Kristin Scott Thomas

Updated Letters to the Stars

On the Video Front

Movie trailers

Web Links

UK top ten

US top ten