Some films have the good fortune to be massive commercial successes on their release, while others find an audience after some time, usually being tagged ˜cult classics.' Mean Girls, directed by Mark Waters has managed to achieve both feats. Based on a small part of the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman and blessed with a great young cast, while … [Read more...]
Triangle (2009) review by That Film Brat
Written and directed by Christopher Smith, writer/director of Creep and Severance, as the DVD box is quick to remind us, Triangle is a film I only found out about through pure chance. Someone I followed posted about it and said that it was her goal to make everyone watch this film. I took a chance and put it in, knowing nothing of the plot, or the film itself, other than it was … [Read more...]
The Birds (1963) review by That Film Guy
During the tail-end of his career Alfred Hitchcock began to dabble in the horror genre and over the course of a few years developed two of the finest examples going. In 1960 Psycho was released and became one of his most popular and enduring works, then 3 years later he developed what could ostensibly be called a ˜monster film' in The Birds. … [Read more...]
Rushmore (1998) review by That Film Guy
Following from the success generated from his debut film Bottle Rocket, director Wes Anderson created a film that would give him a more globally recognised level of success from which his entire early career would be built. Rushmore really heightened his notoriety and helped to establish him as the unique film-maker he is today. It also represented the first film of future … [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...]
Old School (2003) review by That Film Guy
For people of a certain age, Old School represents the quintessential University/College film. Like Animal House before it, Todd Phillips' comedy masterpiece engrossed a generation who watched it religiously and it thus it took its place in the canon of great comedies. Being released so close to Will Ferrell's magnum opus, Anchorman, Old School can often be overlooked in … [Read more...]
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) review by That Film Dude
Now this is much more like it. Temple of Doom, while good overall, was a disappointment after the unadulterated brilliance of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and as such the pressure was on to try and recapture the magic for the final film of the trilogy. Last Crusade is not the equal of Raiders. It does, however, come damned close, bringing back the light-heartedness and sense of fun … [Read more...]
Rocky (1976) review by That Film Guy
Rocky is one of the most iconic sports films of all time. A sleeper hit, it became the highest grossing film of 1976 and won the Oscar for Best film, as well as a writing Oscar for star Sylvester Stallone at the 49th Annual Academy Awards. It has spawned numerous sequels, all starring Stallone and is arguably the most recognisable sports film franchise of all time. Loosely … [Read more...]
Monsters, Inc. (2001) review by The Documentalist
The fourth feature from Pixar marked the second departure from the Toy Story franchise and the first time that John Lasseter had relinquished the director's chair. Despite having the biggest budget to date for Pixar, Monsters, Inc. was another huge commercial success proving once again that the kings of animation were not a one trick pony and paving the way for more unique … [Read more...]
Braveheart (1995) review by That Film Guy
Following on from The Man Without a Face, director and 80s megastar Mel Gibson turned his eye toward a historical epic about a Scottish legend; William Wallace in Braveheart. The film was a huge commercial and critical success earning $210m from a budget of $53m as well as winning the Best Director and Best Film Oscar at the 68th Academy Awards. … [Read more...]