Average Rating:

.

The Golden Compass [2007]

starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards, Ben Walker, Freddie Highmore
directed by: Chris Weitz

April 28, 2008
Great special effects, but not a very good story, looks like it was trying to prop up the poor storyline with the special effets and the actors.
In all a disappointing movie.

Average Rating:

.

The Spiderwick Chronicles [2008]

starring: Seth Rogen, Freddie Highmore, David Strathairn, Martin Short, Mary Louise Parker
directed by: Mark Waters

July 14, 2008
I would highly recommend this film. The story, plot and setting are wonderfully magical and the computer generated characters were brilliant.
I loved it. It's as every bit as entertaining as a Harry Potter film. Thankfully it was nothing to do with spiders at all but a wonderful fantasy film about Brownies, Sylphs, hob goblins, trolls and all manner of ugly fairytale baddies who the children have to face to protect a magical book.

The reason I would only give it 4 stars though is it did not hold the attention of of my 3 children aged 8 and under at all. I can only assume to really grab the attention the child needs to be slightly older. The only other slight gripe I has is the American accents of the twins was terrible and really grated. The ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

August Rush [2007]

starring: William Sadler, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Williams, Terrence Howard, Freddie Highmore
directed by: Kirsten Sheridan

March 31, 2008
Superb, what a joy, very emotional certainly need the tissues at hand but all for the best possible reasons. For those of you who remember sitting
with the family watching the sunday afternoon films on TV this one's for you.
Excellent performances all round especially Robin Williams and Jonathan
Rhys Meyer. Impressed to learn that Rhys Meyer sang the songs himself-probably buy the sound track.
One of those films I will certainly watch over again.

Average Rating:

.

A Good Year [2006]

starring: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Freddie Highmore, Abbie Cornish
directed by: Ridley Scott

May 07, 2007
Gentle, predictable but beautifully shot. I loved this film. Yes you can guess the ending within the first 5 mins, but the characters are wonderful - even the 'bit parts' - and the shots of the French countryside are beautiful. You don't always need high octane action and clever twists to make a movie worth watching.

Grab a bottle of wine and a few nice nibbles, curl up on the sofa and enjoy.

Average Rating:

.

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (2 Disc Deluxe Edition) [2005]

starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor
directed by: Tim Burton

November 21, 2005
In this adaptation from Roald Dahl's novel, Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands) stars as Chocolate maker Willy Wonka, who offers 5 kids across the world the chance to win a tour around his chocolate factory.

It is amazing to see how times can change in the film industry, particularly in the animation aspect. If you were lucky enough to catch the original film with Gene Wilder in 1971 then you would have really appreciated the thought and dedication that went into the film. The effects and acting were stunning, none more so than Wilder. Now we find it hard to find a film without heavy dollops of animation, particularly in the fantasy genre.

Yes the graphics in this Tim Burton adaptation are good, as is his direction, but there is no real beating the original.
Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Arthur and the Invisibles [2007]

starring: Robert De Niro, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, David Bowie, Freddie Highmore

June 25, 2007
I actually shudder in a Pavlovian response when I see this movie is showing on TV. It is a terrible film whose only redeeming feature is that my child loved it. It will be enjoyed by children but adults? the decision, to watch or not to watch? remember you will lose a potentially crucial 90 or so minutes of your life in the process.
Madonna plays a spoilt princess and her whiny nasal voice starts to grate very quickly. For once she is all too convincing. I actually enjoyed the Club scene with Snoop Dogg as a welcome break in the dire proceedings. All the characters and their dialogue seemed to have been created with an intent to irritate, irk and annoy. Perhaps this film should be seen in order to preserve the equilibrium, it is so bad you will enjoy the good all the more by comparison. ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory [HD DVD] [2005]

starring: Johnny Depp, Anna Sophia Robb, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham-Carter, David Kelly
directed by: Tim Burton

May 14, 2007
I actually shudder in a Pavlovian response when I see this movie is showing on TV. It is a terrible film whose only redeeming feature is that my child loved it. It will be enjoyed by children but adults? the decision, to watch or not to watch? remember you will lose a potentially crucial 90 or so minutes of your life in the process.
Madonna plays a spoilt princess and her whiny nasal voice starts to grate very quickly. For once she is all too convincing. I actually enjoyed the Club scene with Snoop Dogg as a welcome break in the dire proceedings. All the characters and their dialogue seemed to have been created with an intent to irritate, irk and annoy. Perhaps this film should be seen in order to preserve the equilibrium, it is so bad you will enjoy the good all the more by comparison. ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Five Children And It [2004]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker, Freddie Highmore, Eddie Izzard
directed by: John Stephenson

March 21, 2005
The five Children and it

This enthralling children's classic has been converted into blockbuster screens. An emotional adventure tells the tale of five children who when evacuated due to world war one find a secret tunnel in the forbidden greenhouse in their cousins manor. As the story progresses the children discover the sand fairy or `it' buried in the magical beach through the tunnel. 'It' helps the children discover that what they want isn't necessarily what's best for them in the long run. The fairy grants them one wish each day and due to their father being away at war their wishes are often far-flung and drastic, events quickly spin out of hand....

This movie is carried along by the young child star Freddie Highmore who also played Charlie in Charlie and the chocolate ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Two Brothers [2004]

starring: Guy Pearce, Jean-Claude Dreyfus, Freddie Highmore, Oanh Nguyen, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud

December 06, 2004
I found this film very moving and emotional. the beauty of these magnificent tigers is true greatness of the big cat family. the film opens with the two young tiger cubs and leads on to what happens to them when they become separated from there parents. the male is shot dead and the mother fakes her death and gets away. it shows just how cruel and heart-less mankind is to these animals. it is a great and very beautiful film. the real stars of course are the tigers and at the end the brothers are re-united with there mother a very moving and beautiful array of colour that these tigers have I recommend this film for all animal lovers and the beauty of tigers in general

Average Rating:

.

Women Talking Dirty [2001]

starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Gina McKee, Eileen Atkins, Kenneth Cranham, James Nesbitt
directed by: Coky Giedroyc

March 08, 2004
This is a prime example of British comedy. Witty, sharp and always a little dry!