Articles Posted in the " Film Reviews " Category

  • OSS 117: Lost In Rio

    Michel Hazanavicius’ sequel to the French hit Nest of Spies, OSS 117: Lost in Rio is a lame, laugh-free excuse for satire. Taking its cue from offensive stereotyping and an inability to decide if it’s screwball or satire, Jean Dujarin’s secret agent neither tickles your funny bone or provides action-based thrills.


  • Still Walking

    Still Walking is quite simply a masterclass in creating subtle, hauntingly moving family drama, and anyone watching it will have a hard time forgetting the relationships it presents us with. It’s rare to come across such a low-key minature masterpiece and is a very welcome reminder of the understated wonder that good cinema can create.


  • Pineapple Express

    You know what you’re in for when you pick up Pineapple Express at the DVD store. It’s a typically zany outing featuring Seth Rogen in his usual sarcastic misfit role, but the boy does it well – this time he’s on the run with his pot dealer after the two accidentally witness a drug ring murder. Sounds serious, but don’t worry, it’s actually far from it – Rogen pushes the boundaries of the ridiculous to extreme degrees in his chuckleworthy screenplay.


  • Frost/Nixon

    King of the American historical epic Ron Howard returns to form with Frost/Nixon. Based on Peter Morgan’s Tony-award winning Broadway play, the film chronicles ex-US President Richard Nixon’s infamous admission of wrongdoing in David Frost’s interview series in 1977. Howard’s intimate dual narrative draws you expertly into the lives of both the interviewer and his subject, while Michael Sheen and Frank Langella inhabit their characters with studied perfection. Despite its somewhat dry subject matter, you’ll find yourself fascinated by this battle-of-wits tale by the time the credits come up.


  • Fireball Review

    Fireball is a film that will more than satisfy those out for a new spin on the traditional gang-action brawl. It’s frantic, blood-thirsty and action-packed whist managing to pack in some original fight sequences that are great to look at. However, if you’re looking for action with brains behind the fists, this isn’t the game for you.


  • Daybreakers

    Warning – don’t go and see this film expecting another Twilight. The vamps in Daybreakers belong firmly to the old school of demonesque bad guys who have overrun the earth and must be hunted down with machine guns, exploding crossbows and other such gore-porn paraphernalia. The action is set 10 years in the future, where the human population has been infected with vampirism and blood has become as big a business as Coca-Cola. It’s up to Ethan Hawke’s erstwhile hematologist to save the population from themselves, but mostly he just ends up shooting a lot of stuff.


  • Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

    Based on the beloved 1978 children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett, ‘Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs’ is a comical fantasy about one man’s pursuit of his dreams. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s computer-animated film is also a colourful morality tale about the gluttony of the west where bigger is apparently always better, especially when it comes to icecream


  • Aliens in the Attic

    This silly alien romp brings out the earth-saviour in every kid and shows the grownups who are really in control. Though not the most polished of kids flicks out at the moment, this comedy still manages to shine with a strong cast, fast-paced action and humour to put us adults firmly in our place.


  • Fame

    There are standout performances from talented newcomers and brief moments of pathos from screen veterans. But that’s not enough to save this poor man’s High School Musical from becoming a pale, homogenised version of the exuberant original.


  • UP

    A million balloons, a flying house and a talking dog. Disney and Pixar team up once again to bring us yet another graphically and visually dazzling animation. Showing both in 2D and 3D, it’s the cocktail of action, adventure and comedy with an added shot of good morals we can normally expect from this prosperous pairing.