It's a little hard to believe that this is the first proper biopic of Martin Luther King, Jr., but at least it was worth the wait. Instead of trying to track his whole life and all of his efforts as part of the Civil Rights Movement, Selma wisely narrows its focus to a single episode of his campaigns, documenting the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. … [Read more...]
Review: American Sniper (2014)
Directed by Clint Eastwood, American Sniper is a true-story war drama about Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), the most deadly sniper in U.S. military history, racking up 160 confirmed kills in his four tours of service. Saying almost anything else could be considered a spoiler, as with most biopics, as it has less of a traditional narrative and has more of a series of events that … [Read more...]
Review: Foxcatcher (2014)
A big hit at Cannes and likely to be one of this year's awards season heavyweights, Foxcatcher is the true story of reclusive billionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell), who established a wrestling gym at his estate to train the United States team. He invited Olympic gold medallists Mark (Channing Tatum) and Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) to coach the team. … [Read more...]
Review: Pride (2014)
If the idea of Dominic West dancing to win over a group of stuffy homophobic miners makes you laugh, chances are you'll enjoy Pride. A historical comedy that looks back at a group of lesbian and gay activists who supported the miners during the strikes of the 1980s, director Matthew Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford have combined to create something similar in tone to The … [Read more...]
Review: Grace of Monaco (2014)
A 'match made in heaven' is probably how the producers of Grace of Monaco saw their historical drama steeped in Hollywood mythology before it was released. Director Olivier Dahan from La Vie En Rose fame, coupled with Oscar favourite Nicole Kidman who plays Hollywood royalty Grace Kelly and presents her relationship with actual royalty Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Regardless … [Read more...]
Review: Get On Up (2014)
We've all seen plenty of music biopics, so we know how this sort of thing usually goes. There's the rags-to-riches story, the success, fame and riches, inevitably followed by substance abuse and clashing egos driving wedges between the members of the band. Get On Up is, fortunately, just as aware of these cliches as we are, and works very hard to present them in a way we … [Read more...]
Review: Good Night, And Good Luck. (2005)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B002C4I10I][/pullquote] Set during the McCarthy-era USA Good Night, and Good Luck covers the battle between journalistic integrity and the overt bullying tactics of HUAC and the hunt for communist sympathizers during the Cold War. Directed by and co-staring George … [Read more...]
Review: Jersey Boys (2014)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00J9C06F4][/pullquote] Adapted from the stage musical of the same name, Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - how they got together, became famous, and eventually fell out with each other. You know how this story goes: egos clash, … [Read more...]
Review: Lone Survivor (2013)
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: Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
An anti-homophobic fable Dallas Buyers Club, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee tells the story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) a life-loving rodeo cowboy in the 1980s, who discovers that due to one of his many unprotected dalliances that he has contracted HIV and aids. Initially sceptical about the diagnosis, his deteriorating health highlights the truth and he finds himself … [Read more...]