James' Favourites
These films bring me joy, make me think, and create wonder. Maybe they'll do that for you too.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
7.4/10
Director: Brad Bird
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton
In the exciting fourth entry in the successful action series, an attack on the Kremlin leaves IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team falsely a... Read more
The Trip (2010)
7/10
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Starring: Steve Coogan, Claire Keelan, Margo Stilley, Rob Brydon
After Steve (Steve Coogan) is commissioned by The Observer to review half a dozen restaurants, he decides to plan a trip around the North of England w... Read more
Man on Wire (2008)
7.8/10
Director: James Marsh
Starring: Philippe Petit
In 1974, 24 year-old tight-rope walker Philippe Petit performed an illegal high-wire walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Often ref... Read more
In Bruges (2008)
7.9/10
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, Jeremie Renier, T...
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are two hitmen whose last job didn't go so well, prompting their boss (Ralph Fiennes) to send them to the beautiful... Read more
No Country For Old Men (2007)
8.1/10
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Starring: Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Kelly Macdonald, T...
Four Academy Awards - including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor, went to the Coen Brothers' riveting adaptation of Cormac McCart... Read more
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray
Not having spoken since their father's funeral a year earlier, three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman) board a train travelli... Read more
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
8/10
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn, Albert Finn...
Another relentlessly energetic and intriguing entry in the Bourne pantheon, this time from director Paul Greengrass who maintains a suspenseful immedi... Read more
Hot Fuzz (2007)
7.9/10
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Bill Bailey, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman, Paddy Considine, Steve Coogan, Kennet...
The lads that brought us zombie spoof 'Shaun of the Dead' turn their attentions to the British bobby in this cameo-packed mickey-take of the cops-and-... Read more
Amazing Grace (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Michael Apted
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon...
The incredible true story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), who fought for years, along with other anti-slavery campaigners, to ban the trans-At... Read more
Casino Royale (2006)
8/10
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Giancarlo G...
The new Bond is not only blonde, but he does an awful lot of running. Daniel Craig has chipped off the suave, sophisticated facade of previous Bonds,... Read more