James' Favourites
These films bring me joy, make me think, and create wonder. Maybe they'll do that for you too.
The Prestige (2006)
8.5/10
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Perabo, D...
Two budding magicians start out as friendly competitors and end up deadly enemies in this hypnotic, turn of the century thriller from director Christo... Read more
Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut (2005)
7.2/10
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, Edward Norton, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, Marton...
Ridley Scott directed this epic-scale historical drama inspired by the events of the 12th century Crusades. Balian, (Orlando Bloom) a humble French bl... Read more
The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Paul Rodriguez, Annie Whittle, Aaron Murphy, Walton...
In 1967, at the age of 68, Invercargill-born Burt Munro broke the land speed record on the salt flats of Utah, fulfilling a life-long dream and settin... Read more
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Stephen Chow
Starring: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Leung Siu Lung, Dong Zhi Hua
Charismatic Hong Kong comedy legend Stephen Chow's ('Shaolin Soccer') frenetically paced martial arts spoof is a delirious mix of quickfire gags, surr... Read more
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
7.9/10
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Nick Frost, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Penelope Wilton,...
There comes a day in every man's life when he has to get off the couch... and kill some zombies. When flesh-eating zombies are on the hunt for a bite... Read more
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Karl Urban, Gabriel Mann, J...
Solid sequel to "The Bourne Identity", adapted from the second book of Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' trilogy, finds ex-CIA assassin Matt Damon attempting t... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
8.9/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serk...
Director Peter Jackson's triumphant finale to fantasy cinema's most acclaimed series has Frodo, Sam and the treacherous Gollum attempt to destroy the... Read more
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
8/10
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce
The popular Disney theme park attraction inspired this swashbuckling, high-seas adventure from producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The roguish yet charming Ca... Read more
Hero ( Blu-ray ) (2002)
7.9/10
Director: Zhang Yimou
Starring: Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung (Chiu Wai), Zhang Ziyi, Daoming Ch...
Director Zhang Yimou's highly stylized martial arts epic stars Jet Li as a nameless expert swordsman, who tells the ruler of one of ancient China's wa... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
8.7/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Miran...
With the Fellowship of the Ring splintered, the war for Middle Earth continues in the second Tolkien tale from Peter Jackson. As warriors Aragorn (Vig... Read more