Cherry Tree Lane (2010)

Best movie of this year hands down!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Nine films out of ten I find unwatchable. I don't usually appreciate horror, violence or bad language, I find most of the stuff I see clichéd, unrealistic and have to switch off. Cherry Tree Lane was different, I was drawn in very quickly. The scenario is simple as it would be in real life. It aroused feelings of hate and a desire for revenge, which was fulfilled at the end. There was sophisticated use of camera and editing and yet at the same time it's very raw like a student film. I like the way it plays out in real time, that's also realistic. Though the violence happens off camera, it is still very violent. All in all powerful and disturbing. It's a shame we have to live in a world like this but this film reflects it. Okay, that's enough of that, now back to Bambi!

The film opens with a long static shot of a boiling pot in the foreground and some inaudible conversation happening in the background. I think, OK I get it - this film will be a "boiling over" type situation. And then I wait, and the pot still boils. Then I wait some more, and the pot finally boils over. What could've been an interesting open shot overstays it's welcome and becomes the embodiment of what's wrong with the film itself. A dull film where nothing really happens. After the interminable pot shot, we're introduced to two wholly unlikeable people sitting down to dinner in a very strange dining setup in the middle of a livingroom. Anyway, they bicker and become more unlikable and then the "thugs" show up who are just three teens with minimal amounts of threat levels. Somehow they overpower the couple and then the film comes to a screeching halt as we all sit and watch the characters watch TV, eat biscuits, and watch some more TV. Some action ensues after awhile, but by then you're too bored to give a crap about characters you care nothing about.I won't spoil the film for you, the film is spoiled enough, so I'll just say steer clear of this dullfest. If you're looking for a suspenseful and more believable British film about chavs, check out Eden Lake or Harry Brown instead.

You know that feeling when the film suddenly stops short, you're left with no closure or satisfaction, and as the credits start to roll you begin to wonder why you watched this movie in the first place? This movie leaves that you with that awful taste after watching it. The majority of it takes place within a living room, alongside mindless distractions and unnecessary violence that prolongs an end to this horrid movie; the plot seems to be going no where. And you're continually wondering when this slow, drawn-out buildup finally leads to a climax or resolution, but it is very anti-climatic.I would describe it to the likes of a teenager's first sexual experience; awkward, the other never feeling satisfied or seeing a climax, and a long sigh of disappointment immediately after.

Prosperous professional couple Mike and Christine are settling in for a standard evening of wine, TV and low-level marital hostility when a ring on their doorbell changes everything.Their son Sebastian is in a little trouble with some local boys, who are quite prepared to camp out and wait for him to get home.The resulting culture-clash is raw, revealing and nerve-split-tingly tense......Be warned viewers, this is a grim and depressing movie, one not to be viewed with someone you have not known long.The claustrophobic setting only mounts to the tension, and the feeling of dread right from the moment we see the boiling broccoli, stays with you right until the last reel.There are some predictable moments in the film, The two main gang members are like good cop, bad cop. One having complex/complexion issues, the other being apologetic when the other isn't there.The acting is good, and the camera-work and set is haunting and sometimes quite visceral.There is no way out for anyone in this movie, and even the innocent are doubted in this, many will ask about the final frame 'did he have the knife/axe' or 'was he scared'.The film doesn't let up for the duration, and there were many times i had to heavy sigh, as it was very uncomfortable to watch.But coming from the director of 'from London to Brighton' and 'The cottage', I had a good idea it wasn't going to be a happy experience.Be warned though, if you do want to see this piece, it is good, but you won't feel very good after watching it.