Starring Miley Cyrus as a private detective, So Undercover is a film you have probably never heard of, and even if you had, if you are above the age of six you know to stay away. This is the kind of movie you really have to wonder what was going through the studio's head when they green-lit it. My guess is they already had a poster made, and then realised what a stupid idea … [Read more...]
Review: Home Alone (1990)
Despite dropping out the Christmas Zeitgeist in recent years, Home Alone remains one of the most quintessential festive films of recent times. It's simultaneous charm and subversive comedy belie the ˜Disneyfied' veneer to produce a film that not only engenders the fabled ˜Christmas Spirit', but one that spawned a decade-long infatuation with the genre of child-focused … [Read more...]
Review: In Bruges (2008)
Fucking Bruges. You'll hear this several times, from various characters in this superb black comedy from writer/director Martin McDonagh (responsible for the excellent Seven Psychopaths). It's hard to find a pairing of words that better summarises the unique appeal of what is one of the strongest debuts of any recent British film-maker. … [Read more...]
Review: Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
When their daughter joins the Peace Corps, the thought of a Christmas alone worries Luther and Nora Krank (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis). A chance spotting of an advertisement makes Luther realise that if they don't spend all the money they usually spend of Christmas, they can instead takes a Caribbean cruise and still end up better off. Thus the Kranks decide to skip … [Read more...]
c: The Film (2012) review by That Film Guy
Based on the popular television character played by Leigh Francis comes Keith Lemon: The Film. Keith Lemon has moved to London to make a fortune from his invention Securipole. While at an invention convention he is given a new mobile phone that "has no buttons." With help of The Fixer, Archimedes (Verne Troyer) Lemon markets the phone by sticking a lemon logo on the back and … [Read more...]
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) review by That Art House Guy
Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is a man with problems. He has just been released from an institution, where he has spent eight months after beating the man who was sleeping with his wife half to death. He has been diagnosed with severe bi-polar disorder and his wedding song is a major trigger causing out of control episodes. Back home, he has move in with his parents and … [Read more...]
Review: Seven Psychopaths (2012)
In 2008, Martin McDonagh released In Bruges. It was the tale of two hitmen, played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, hiding out in Bruges, waiting for orders from their boss, Harry, played by Ralph Fiennes. The film was very highly received, and won a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. It had a limited release in the US, but still managed to gross $33 million on a $15 … [Read more...]
Sightseers (2012) review by That Film Dude
Sightseers is a very difficult film to review, because it's one of those films which you're better off seeing while knowing as little about it as possible. If you go into it knowing nothing, the first big surprise happens about fifteen minutes in, so it's very difficult to talk about it without getting into spoilers. So, in brief: it's very good; clever, twisted, and extremely … [Read more...]
The Sapphires (2012) review by That Film Guy
Based on a play by Tony Briggs of the same name, and inspired by a true life story, The Sapphires is an Australian dramatic comedy set in the late 1960s about a group of aboriginal soul singers. Obviously attempting to grab the same audience as 2008's Dreamgirls, The Sapphires opened strongly in its native Australia before bombing in France. It follows the story of a group … [Read more...]
Hotel Transylvania (2012) review by That Film Guy
Sandwiched between two of the years other big animated films in Paranorman and Frankenweenie comes the Adam Sandler-voice starring Hotel Transylvania. Much like the two excellent films around it, Hotel Transylvania takes horror mythology and turns it into a dramatic comedy for kids. Set within the eponymous establishment, Hotel Transylvania follows owner Dracula (Sandler) who … [Read more...]