Total Recall is a remake of a film of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzenegger released in 1990, itself based on a short story by Philip K. Dick entitled We Can Remember it for You Wholesale. This version of Total Recall differs from the short story and original film by setting its action entirely on Earth rather than on Earth and Mars. It deals with the same themes of … [Read more...]
The Imposter (2012) review by That Art House Guy
I like to imagine that at some point in the last few years there was a meeting of documentary directors. I can see it held in a smoky pub (let's not worry about how they got around the smoking ban), and in that meeting they decided that, when dealing with factual subjects, it's ok to drip feed the information through to strengthen the narrative and it's ok to reveal things to … [Read more...]
ParaNorman (2012) review by That Film Guy
Following on from the success of Coraline, Laika Studios have released an original film directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell entitled ParaNorman. Using the same stop-motion methods of its predecessor, ParaNorman is a pastiche, satire and homage to 1960s horror films and the John Hughes films of the 1980s. Originally pitched to Disney as an idea, it was eventually created by … [Read more...]
The Expendables 2 (2012) review by That Film Guy
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00D48ZPPA][/pullquote] Beefcake Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) returns along with the rest of his ragtag band of mercenaries, The Expendables in the originally titled sequel The Expendables 2. Gone from the original are Mickey Rourke and after a brief cameo, Yin … [Read more...]
Step-Up 4: Miami Heat (2012) review by That Film Guy
Back we go to the land where people don't talk about their problems, they DANCE about their problems. Step-Up 4:Miami Heat follows the tried-and-tested formula of the previous instalments and pretty much every dance film ever made. Emily (Kathryn McCormick) a girl from the good side of tracks whose struggling with a lack of imagination in her dance routines who falls for Sean … [Read more...]
The Bourne Legacy (2012) review by That Film Guy
After a solid start the Bourne franchise has grown with each instalment, culminating in The Bourne Ultimatum, the epitome of sleek spy action film. The increasing success both commercially and critically can largely be placed at the feet of director Paul Greengrass, who stepped in for the last two films. His obvious chemistry with the character of Jason Bourne, played … [Read more...]
Brave (2012) review by That Film Guy
Following on from the commercially successful, but critically derided Cars 2, animation house Pixar have created another original film entitled Brave. Wanting to create even more ground-breaking graphic design, Pixar stripped away their old animation software and built it anew for the first time in 25 years and Brave stands as the first film to use the Dolby Atmos sound format. … [Read more...]
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) review by That Art House Guy
In 1970, Sixto Rodriguez, a construction worker from Detroit, released his first album Cold Fact. Those who had worked on it were really excited about it “ and predicted big things for the singer songwriter whose impassioned lyrics reminded them of Bob Dylan. Reviews were good, but nobody bought the album. It was the same with his second attempt, Coming From Reality. Sales were … [Read more...]
The Three Stooges (2012) review by That Film Guy
The Farrelly Brothers, best known for Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary and Kingpin return to directing with a reboot of The Three Stooges. The original films revolved around three friends Larry, Moe and Curly who get up to all sorts of hijinx because of their naïve, clumsy and socially awkward ways. … [Read more...]
The Lorax (2012) review by That Film Guy
Theodore Seuss Greisel is an American children's fiction icon, having made his name with books like Horton Hears a Who!, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat. Recent years have seen a mixed bag of cinema releases based on these favourites, the latest of which is based on The Lorax, a cautionary tale about the dangers of sacrificing nature in favour of … [Read more...]