If ever proof were needed, which of course it isn't, of Dame Judi Dench's acting ability then Philomena will go down as a masterclass in poignancy and depth from one of the finest actors to have lived. Adapted from the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee, itself based on a true story, Philomena is deftly directed by Stephen Frears from a script co-written by star Steve Coogan. … [Read more...]
Review: Escape Plan (2013)
Arguably the two biggest 80s action icons of all time, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, are finally teaming up for a full movie together. While they technically already did in The Expendables 2, that was more of an extended cameo for Arnold and this is the first time they've ever shared top billing. Both actors have had comeback films this year in the form of The … [Read more...]
Review: Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Following the success of the Kenneth Branagh directed original, Thor: The Dark World continues the trend of the tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the differences between Asgard and Earth and perhaps surprisingly brings more laughs than any other Marvel film to date. … [Read more...]
Review: Ender’s Game (2013)
You can't help but feel a little bit sorry for the big cheeses at Summit Entertainment when it came out that the author and producer of their new blockbuster, Ender's Game, was at the forefront of such controversy. (Don't feel that sorry for them though, Orson Scott Card has been writing about this stuff since the nineties). … [Read more...]
Review: Turbo (2013)
Turbo is the latest Dreamworks animation which follows the antics of Turbo the snail (Ryan Reynolds) whose love of motor racing has him daydreaming of being a famous racing driver, much to the annoyance of his brother and co-workers. … [Read more...]
Review: Captain Phillips (2013)
Like no other modern director of mainstream movies, Paul Greengrass captures the geo-political spirit of the times while keeping his films very personal. That's harder than it sounds. Marshaling action, fights and explosions and still making a film intimate and engaging is quite a trick. From his Bourne films to United 93 and Green Zone, Greengrass pinpoints and examines the … [Read more...]
Review: Romeo and Juliet (2013)
˜Never was there a story of more woe' than the new Romeo and Juliet. Expecting a passionate whirlwind of tragedy, love and desire, I'm afraid to say that Julian Fellowes' adaptation was anything but. Instead I watched a cheapened, dumbed down, version that failed to inspire a generation with the greatest love story in the English Language. … [Read more...]
Review: Sunshine on Leith (2013)
Following on from the success of his directorial debut Wild Bill, Dexter Fletcher turns his attention to adapting a stage musical. Sunshine of Leith is a musical drama set in Edinburgh to a soundtrack composed entirely of songs by The Proclaimers. … [Read more...]
Review: Machete Kills (2013)
While you don't quite have to switch your brain off to appreciate this Robert Rodriguez directed offering, you may just enjoy the ride a little more if you do. Rest your analytical muscles for the 107 minutes and let Machete Kills make you laugh out loud, consider the ridiculousness of it all and wait with excited glee for what might be coming next. In other words, let it … [Read more...]
Review: Filth (2013)
Forget good cop-bad cop, it's just bad cop-very bad cop in this wild, thrilling adaptation of Irvine Welsh's satirical novel, Filth. James McAvoy is brilliant as bent cop Bruce Robinson who, thoroughly depraved and debauched, shags, snorts, drinks and deceives his way through his chaotic, angry, nihilistic life. … [Read more...]