Like the synopsis says '...the film, based on a popular Indian novel, marks a significant point in Ray's career, as it bears the influence of Western film on his directorial style.' This was obvious to me from the onset and unfortunately not a good thing in my opinion. I've seen a few Ray films since though and it seems that it is short lived. I found the over dramatic ending to be quite hard to swallow and it certainly took away from my overall enjoyment. A good film but certainly not the best from Satyajit Ray but then he set his own standards very high.

Gulliver's Travels is a classic piece of literature that has gone through a few different incarnations and much like say A Christmas Carol, it's nice to see the different ways people tell the same story. This version was fine, I quite like what they did. However, if you are not a fan of Jack Black, and I have to say the more I see him the more I dislike him, then you probably wont like it. Why can't he do something different, why can't he act. Honestly, if only he and Jason Segel had swapped roles then this film would have improved 100%. The supporting cast was good but only Chris O'Dowd really embraced his character and subsequently steals the show.

Unfortunately the criticism that this film has received is deserved. It is pretty boring and just plain laughable at times. I really wish I'd read the book first as I've heard it's quite good, I've even got it on the shelf but this was on TV and I thought I'd give it a go. It's no LA Confidential that's for sure. Josh Hartnett does no wrong as such but he doesn't really do much at all, same goes for Aaron Eckhart too I'm sorry to say. Hilary Swank started out well but then turned into the most stupid character of all time, Fiona Shaw is hilarious as her mad mother, turning would should be a gritty drama into a pantomime and Scarlett Johansson spends the entire film trying to play a good actress instead of actually acting well. I believe she thinks all she has to do is pout, indeed, when in doubt...
By the time the film ends and you know 'Who done it' you past caring (or believing). Not Brian De Palma's best film.

A beautifully directed tale of an old man whose stubbornness and pride have got the better of him. Chhabi Biswas plays the Landlord well, a man who is the last of his kind who is too reluctant to move with the times to the point where it drives him mad, the only pleasure he has left is his music. Ray's description of the film is of the 'deteriorating life of an old country nobleman' and one can easily feel sympathy for the character. That is until you see the levels of luxury is is used to and the very little he does to earn it. It's a brilliant story of contrast and a melancholy look at the passing of time and tradition. The music and extended dancing scenes are great.

This is the film equivalent of seeing a cover band of your favourite group. It's the same songs but not quite as good but you still like listening to them. This is Die hard 3, Speed, 12 Blocks, Blown away, The Rock..the list is endless, it's simply a mash up of all your favourite action films with a WWE wrestler in the lead role. Should be absolutely horrible yeah? Well, no, it's not horrible but it's very easy to watch and somewhat of a guilty pleasure, although one watch is all you need. Better than The Marine anyway but John Cena's girly running is worth watching for alone.