Two words: Space Nazis. And now a question: How do you feel about the concept of a movie based around Space Nazis? If you're thinking ˜yes, Space Nazis “ yes, that sounds like the epitome of stupid but fun', you'll probably like Iron Sky just fine. If you're thinking ˜Space Nazis? How patently absurd “ no good can come of such an endeavour,' I'm afraid Iron Sky is not the … [Read more...]
Men in Black II (2002) review by That Film Guy
With the original Men in Black such a roaring success both commercially and critically it was only a matter of time until a sequel hit the screens and that matter of time was five years. Men in Black II, released in 2002 reunited director Barry Sonnenfeld and lead actors Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith as agents J and K, members of the secret agency known as The Men in Black. … [Read more...]
Men in Black (1997) review by That Film Guy
In 1997 director Barry Sonnenfeld, fresh off the success of adapting the classic TV shot The Addams Family, turned his attentions to the world of comic books and a little known title called The Men in Black. Casting Hollywood A-listers Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as the central duo paid dividends as their natural on-screen chemistry helped propel Men in Black to a box office … [Read more...]
Act of Valor (2012) review by That Film Guy
Early 2012 saw the release of Act of Valor, a film involving a team of US Navy Seals sent on a variety of missions to rescue captured allies, eliminate enemies of the USA and generally just be Navy Seals. Act of Valor's unique selling point is that it stars real Navy Seals as opposed to actors and highlights the real tactics used by them when in the field. It is truly a novel … [Read more...]
Children of Men (2006) review by That Film Guy
Dystopian futures are one of the most well-realised forms of science fiction in literature and film. From George Orwell's iconic 1984 all the way to films like The Road Warrior, the idea that we, as a species will inevitably destroy our own civilisation have fascinated and engaged us for decades. In 2006 Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, fresh off dragging Harry Potter and the … [Read more...]
Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2012) review by That Art House Guy
Jeff Who Lives at Home is the latest movie from the Duplass brothers. The brothers are a part of school of film-making that has been named ˜mumblecore' “ while not a conscious movement, it's a term that has been used to group together a number of American independent films and filmmakers. Key characteristics include low budgets and production values and a naturalistic dialogue … [Read more...]
Stargate (1994) review by That Film Guy
It is now common place for successful television shows to be given an outing on the big screen. Everything from The Inbetweeners to On the Buses have seen their small screen characters taking on the silver screen, all with varying quality. Rarer to find however is feature films that have forgone a sequel and instead moved the narrative onto television. The most successful of … [Read more...]
Review: Watchmen (2009)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00450AGFA][/pullquote] Generally considered one of the best and most influential comic books ever written, Watchmen was one of those things that no one ever really expected to see turned into a film, not least because it was in development hell for twenty years … [Read more...]
Potiche (2010, France) review by That Art House Guy
Since his breakthrough movie Sitcom in 1998, writer / director François Ozon's movies have been anything but ordinary. Sitcom itself was a pitch black comedy featuring suicide, incest and a magic rat (no, really), and he followed that up with films such as Swimming Pool and Under the Sand “ both extremely intense psychodramas. In 2003 he convinced almost every leading French … [Read more...]
The Raid (2012, Indonesian) review by That Film Guy
There are some films that do exactly what you expect them to. Contraband was always going to be a by-the-numbers thriller, The Lucky One was always going to be an emotionally manipulative 'love story' and The Raid was always going to be a bog-standard martial arts film. The thing is, it isn't. At all. … [Read more...]