Former Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell was determined that his astonishing story of survival against the odds in Afghanistan be portrayed accurately on the big screen and he will no doubt be pleased with Peter (Battleship, Kingdom) Berg's nerve-shredding Lone Survivor. From a soldier's point of view, it gets over the all the fear, panic and tension involved when a mission goes wrong. … [Read more...]
Review: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
After recovering from a a grave injury suffered on duty in Afghanistan, former US Marine Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) is approached by CIA operative Thomas Harper (Kevin Costner). Recruited he goes undercover on Wall Street in a duel role of agent and analyst when he recognises a plot developing involving billionaire Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh) who plans to crash the dollar and bring … [Read more...]
Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Following the conclusion of the mega-franchises of Harry Potter and Twilight, there was a gap in the market to be filled. Various pretenders attempted to lift the vacant crown, but it wasn't until The Hunger Games was released in 2012 that the successor was found. It catapulted the career of lead Jennifer Lawrence, who later went on to win an Oscar, and after only a year since … [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: 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: 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: The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)
A grindhouse-style martial arts film written by, directed by, and starring Wu-Tang Clan rapper RZA, The Man with the Iron Fists tells the story of an ex-slave blacksmith (RZA) in 19th Century China who gets caught up in a conflict between the Lion Clan and their enemies over a huge shipment of gold. The action revolves around a brothel managed by Madam Blossom (Lucy Liu), not … [Read more...]
Riddick (2013) review by That Film Brat
Back in 2000, before Vin Diesel was the big star we know him as today, he starred in a low-budget sci-fi B-movie called Pitch Black. In the film he played Richard B. Riddick, a convict and murderer who was mysterious and unpredictable, not to mention the fact that he was essentially a ninja who could sneak out of everywhere. The film was probably much better than anyone could … [Read more...]
Review: The A-Team (2010)
Nostalgia. We use it as a means of eulogising about the past, and gushing over a sentimentality of the often cherry picked nuggets of historical joy. However, those nuggets are often torn from a whole rock face of mediocrity, banality and boredom. So when Hollywood takes a cult TV show like The A-Team, and turns it into a film, it is nostalgia that is the only reason I can … [Read more...]
Pitch Black (2000) review by That Film Guy
Before Vin Diesel was known for his super-camp driving exploits in The Fast and the Furious he broke through into the mainstream in the David Twohy-directed science fiction action film Pitch Black. … [Read more...]