The sequel to the moderate successful, but critically panned Fantastic Four was released in 2007 and reunited the original cast and director Tim Story. Drawing influence from a number of classic stories from the original comic book run, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer takes the action from New York to London to outer space, taking $289m from a budget of $130m along … [Read more...]
Fantastic Four (2005) review by That Film Guy
Based on one of Marvel Comics longest running title, Fantastic Four was released in 2005 and was the third major studio comic book release of the year following Batman Begins and Elektra. Directed by Tim Story it took over $330m at the box office from a budget of $100m making it a mild commercial success. … [Read more...]
Good Vibrations (2012) review by That Film Dude
Good Vibrations is the story of Terri Hooley, a Northern Irish DJ who founded the shop and record label of that name in the early 1970s, which was instrumental in introducing Irish punk groups to mainstream UK attention. Set against the backdrop of Ireland's Troubles, the film charts Terri's successes and failures at managing his shop and his life, and does so to a fantastic … [Read more...]
Margin Call (2011) review by That Film Guy
Investigating a fateful 24 hours in 2008 when the financial bubble burst, Margin Call is a Wall Street thriller focused on a particular floor of a prestigious financial institution. As the truth behind years of financial gambling came to light, over 80% of a risk analysis floor are let go from their jobs, most notable of the unfortunate few is Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci) a man … [Read more...]
Rocky IV (1985) review That Film Guy
Nine years after the original instalment, Rocky IV represented quite the turning point in the franchise. The original was a genre-defining masterpiece that introduced the world to an edgy, unique character and set the benchmark for all future sports films. By Rocky IV the films had become everything that the first railed against. Cliched, predictable and completely soulless, … [Read more...]
Red Dawn (1984) review by That Film Guy
After the height of the Cold War, Hollywood showcased a group of young talent in the invasion, war drama Red Dawn. Supposing that a collection of communist states have joined together. The film charts the birth of a resistance force formed from a high school American football team called the Wolverines. Based on the novel Ten Soldiers and co-written by John Milius, Red Dawn was … [Read more...]
Red Dawn (2012) review by That Film Guy
Now that the remake bandwagon is in full swing, it's not surprising that films of all sorts of quality and cultural impact are getting the up-to-date treatment. Cue Red Dawn, a vehicle for rising star, and Loki-botherer Chris Hemsworth who inherits the role from 80s icon Patrick Swayze. This time it's not the Russians, Cubans or Nicaraguans, but rather those ˜dastardly' North … [Read more...]
The Paperboy (2012) review by That Film Guy
Director Lee Daniels follows his breakthrough hit Precious with The Paperboy, a trashy Southern exploitation thriller based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Pete Dexter. When idealistic journalist Ward Jansen (Matthew McConaughey) returns to his hometown in Florida with writing partner Yardley Acheman (David Oyelowo), he plans to help exonorate death row inmate Hillery Van … [Read more...]
Faster (2010) review by That Film Guy
Following his run of family-friendly films, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was clearly keen to get back to more adult, muscle-flexing fair. Enter Faster, a throwback to the pulp action thrillers of the 1970s directed by George Tillman Jr. and co-starring Billy Bob Thornton and Maggie Grace. … [Read more...]
Welcome to the Punch (2013) review by That Film Doctor
British films tend to have a certain stereotype associated with them. Bridget Jones' Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The King's Speech, there's a certain ˜Britishness' that's expected from UK-made films; that is, if they are to be successful. This says more about the cultural pastiches that circle the globe than the quality of UK films, yet there is certain ˜recipe' for a … [Read more...]