Three years after the release of Steven Spielberg's mega-hit Jaws came its sequel, Jaws 2. Quite why studios felt that the story of a giant shark needed a second installment, other than the potential financial rewards, is anyone's guess. But Roy Scheider returned as the lead character Chief Brody, although the majority of the other main cast did not and neither did Steven … [Read more...]
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) review by That Film Guy
In the late 1970s and early 1980s there was none more celebrated producers and directors than Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. One had created the 'Summer Blockbuster' with release of Jaws, the other had created Star Wars, a franchise so popular that it is still on peoples favourite films list to this day. In 1981, shortly after the release of Spielberg's biggest box office … [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...]
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) review by That Film Fatale
After a great deal of anticipation and hype Universal Pictures finally releases its big budget take on the Disney tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; however this time armed with the edgier title Snow White and the Huntsman. 2012 has seen the revival and remakes of many Disney classics, including the less than impressive Mirror Mirror, a PG take on Miss White's troubled … [Read more...]
Kill List (2011) review by That Art House Guy
Kill List is a low budget (approximately £500,000) British thriller/horror movie, that was shot in Sheffield and released towards the end of 2011, directed by Ben Wheatley. It was trailed with the prominent use of a curious, unexplained symbol “ something like half occult sign, half rifle sight, which hinted at some of the mysteries to come. … [Read more...]
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2008) review by That Film Guy
It's amazing how far franchises can fall. Horror film sequels are known for their diminishing returns, everything from Friday the 13th to A Nightmare on Elm Street have seen each sequel get worse and worse, but the record for the furthest fall has to be the Alien franchise. After Ridley Scott's masterpiece in creeping horror to James Cameron's all out actioner, their sequels … [Read more...]
Alien3 (1992) review by That Film Guy
1992 saw David Fincher's step into a project late, with an unfinished script and attempt to keep the Alien franchises' streak going with Alien3. Previously a rock music video director, Fincher has gone on to make some visually stunning films like Fight Club and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but he cut his feature film teeth on Alien3. Following on from Ridley Scott's science … [Read more...]
Alien: Resurrection (1997) review by That Film Guy
The fourth instalment of the increasing bloated and mishandled Alien franchise was released in 1997. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Alien: Resurrection took the franchise in a drastic new direction after the critical mauling that Alien3 received and under the Frenchmen's gaze became a much comic take on the Alien Universe. A great deal of this humour comes from a script penned … [Read more...]
Ponyo (2008) review by The Documentalist
Studio Ghibli has been producing hit animations for nearly 30 years and through Hayao Miyazaki has created some modern classics, most notably 2001's Spirited Away. While Miyazaki is at the heart of much of its output, he only occasionally turns his hand to feature length animations such as 2008s Ponyo. … [Read more...]
Harry Brown (2009) review by That Film Dude
Harry Brown is an odd film. It feels like the sort of thing that would have been made in the 1970s in the wake of Dirty Harry and Death Wish, and it's hard to believe that the fact that the main character is called Harry is a coincidence. It's not that bad a film, but it just doesn't feel like it belongs in the 21st Century; its message is essentially that violence can solve … [Read more...]