There are two Paul Andersons currently operating in Hollywood, and they seem to be almost polar opposites. Paul W.S. Anderson is seemingly the go-to guy for formulaic trash with no directorial imprint “ movies that look like they could have been directed by anyone. Paul Thomas Anderson's films, by contrast, have his personality stamped all over them “ from scene one you know … [Read more...]
Conan the Barbarian (1982) review by That Film Dude
Let me tell you of the days of high adventure! Made at the height of the '80s fantasy boom, Conan the Barbarian remains pretty much the best film the genre has to offer that isn't The Lord of the Rings. While Arnold Schwarzenegger had been in films prior to Conan, it was this film which put him on the map as a major star; his acting is rubbish, but he was still pretty much … [Read more...]
Alex Cross (2012) review by That Film Brat
Alex Cross is an action-thriller based on the best-selling book Cross by James Patterson. The books (now totalling at nineteen) revolve around the titular detective, Alex Cross. He is famous for using deduction and logic to catch criminals rather than fighting or violence. You know, like every single literary detective since Sherlock Holmes. The books were previously adapted in … [Read more...]
Killer Joe (2012) review by That Film Guy
We are told from the opening credits that Killer Joe is based on a play by Tracey Letts, but also a film by William Friedkin. The latter is far more apparent than former judging by the viciously satirical, yet utterly compelling way in which the story unfolds. Chris (Emile Hirsch) owes $6,000 to a local criminal. Poor, unemployed and lacking in other options, he suggest to his … [Read more...]
Sightseers (2012) review by That Film Dude
Sightseers is a very difficult film to review, because it's one of those films which you're better off seeing while knowing as little about it as possible. If you go into it knowing nothing, the first big surprise happens about fifteen minutes in, so it's very difficult to talk about it without getting into spoilers. So, in brief: it's very good; clever, twisted, and extremely … [Read more...]
The Sapphires (2012) review by That Film Guy
Based on a play by Tony Briggs of the same name, and inspired by a true life story, The Sapphires is an Australian dramatic comedy set in the late 1960s about a group of aboriginal soul singers. Obviously attempting to grab the same audience as 2008's Dreamgirls, The Sapphires opened strongly in its native Australia before bombing in France. It follows the story of a group … [Read more...]
My Brother the Devil (2012) review by That Film Doctor
My Brother The Devil is the debut feature film by Sally El Hosaini, and tells the story of two brothers living in the gang-ruled, drug-afflicted estates of Hackney. The younger of two, Mo, (played by the amateur actor Fady Elsyad) idolises his drug-dealing older brother Rashid (James Floyd), but as he gets drawn more into his world, he realises and uncovers truths which causes … [Read more...]
Wordplay (2006) review by The Documentalist
The New York Times crossword is an American institution and is completed by millions of players every day. To most, it is just an easy way to pass some free time and how well they do is not important. To others however, the speed of completion and how this compares to others is incredibly important - enough in fact to have spawned the sport of competitive crosswording. While … [Read more...]
Argo (2012) review by That Film Guy
Based on real-life events and the improbable story of the rescue of on-the-run US embassy workers in Iran in the late-1970s, Argo stars and is directed by Ben Affleck and co-produced by George Clooney. In many ways Affleck's acting career has a similar trajectory to Clooney's and it's interesting to see their directorial careers continue this similarity. Both started as … [Read more...]
Hotel Transylvania (2012) review by That Film Guy
Sandwiched between two of the years other big animated films in Paranorman and Frankenweenie comes the Adam Sandler-voice starring Hotel Transylvania. Much like the two excellent films around it, Hotel Transylvania takes horror mythology and turns it into a dramatic comedy for kids. Set within the eponymous establishment, Hotel Transylvania follows owner Dracula (Sandler) who … [Read more...]