Directed by Clint Eastwood, American Sniper is a true-story war drama about Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), the most deadly sniper in U.S. military history, racking up 160 confirmed kills in his four tours of service. Saying almost anything else could be considered a spoiler, as with most biopics, as it has less of a traditional narrative and has more of a series of events that … [Read more...]
Review: Fury (2014)
Ideals are peaceful, history is violent. Not known for sugar-coating his subject material, director David Ayer once again delivers a slice of brutality in war film Fury. Following on from Training Day and End of Watch his attention is reverted back to the story of a US tank squad left to hold a crossroads alone against a battalion of German SS soldiers. … [Read more...]
Review: Monsters: Dark Continent (2014)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B004JMZH3K][/pullquote] Gareth Edwards' original Monsters, made on a budget that makes shoestrings look pricey, was a highlight of 2010 and something of a sleeper hit. It made enough of an impact that its director immediately graduated to the big leagues with a shot … [Read more...]
Review: ’71 (2014)
Down and out in Belfast [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00IYSEV2I][/pullquote] First-time director Yann Demange hasn't shied away from controversy in his accomplished debut feature '71. Focusing on Northern Ireland in 1971, he and script-writer Gregory Burke have crafted a thrilling, engaging and … [Read more...]
Review: The Monuments Men (2014)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00DHJT4US][/pullquote] Boasting an incredible cast of Hollywood character actors, you could be forgiven for thinking that The Monuments Men was being geared for an awards glut. However a delay in release to put it immediately out of contention and raised concerns … [Read more...]
Review: I Declare War (2012)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Buy&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00EK3EF22][/pullquote] Based around a day in the forest playing ˜Capture the Flag' I Declare War is an independent drama that follows a group of kids who are playing at being soldiers. Focusing on the lengths that some will go to in order to win and highlighting some of … [Read more...]
Top Gun (1986) review by That Film Guy
When discussing iconic films of any decade there is a tendency to look at Oscar winners and highly recommended art house films that will set the tone for the following years. Then, there are films like Top Gun. Released in 1986 it became the highest-grossing film of the year and has seen its legend grow since then. Like many ˜cult' films Top Gun has an impeachable place in the … [Read more...]
Lincoln (2012) review by That Art House Guy
Steven Spielberg is one of the most admired and best loved directors in Hollywood, and undoubtedly one of the most influential people in the movie business. However, there is a suspicion that his powers could be on the wane, after a number of slightly underwhelming films in recent years such as War Horse and the best forgotten Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. … [Read more...]
Private Peaceful (2012) review by That Film Brat
Private Peaceful, based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, is a low-budget British war film. The movie is inevitably going to be compared to War Horse, the other Morpurgo adaptation to come out recently. This comparison would be unfair, however, as not only did Private Peaceful start production before War Horse, but it's actually a much better movie. While the Speilberg film was … [Read more...]
Red Tails (2012) review by That Film Guy
A labour of love for George Lucas, Red Tails is a film that has been in early production for over two decades. Originally planned for release in 1992, it has seen numerous changes in cast and production team in its long journey to the cinema. Red Tails was entirely financed in production and distribution by George Lucas amid claims that no studio would gamble on an all-black … [Read more...]