[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00LHTGJZI][/pullquote] As film concepts go, Richard Linklater's idea for Boyhood is a brilliant one. Filmed between 2002 and 2013 in short bursts each year, it's the story of Mason, an American kid growing up, following him from pre-school to his first day of … [Read more...]
Review: Dazed and Confused (1993)
[pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Buy&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B004VLZV1C][/pullquote] Richard Linklater's second film Dazed and Confused takes a charming and nostalgic look at teenage life in a small town without sanding off the rough edges. Ignoring typical narrative in favour of a roaming camera-view of young peoples' lives, he … [Read more...]
Review: Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013, French)
Based on Julie Maroh's graphic novel, Abdellatif Kechiche's Blue is the Warmest Colour was this year's winner of the Palm d'Or at Cannes - arguably the film industry's most prestigious award - and became the first film where the prize was awarded to both the director and the lead actresses. It quickly becomes clear why. … [Read more...]
Mud (2012) review by That Film Guy
Matthew McConaughey's resurgence and reinvention in acting continues in the Jeff Nichols-directed Mud. Not content with impressing in the likes of The Paperboy, Killer Joe and Magic Mike, he once again dons his sweaty white shirt to play the titular Mud, a man on the run for murder who befriends two boys Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) and through them … [Read more...]
The Way, Way Back (2013) review by That Film Guy
From scriptwriters Jim Rash and Nat Faxon comes the latest Indy-spirited coming-of-age comedy-drama The Way, Way Back. Awkward teenager Duncan (Liam James) is dragged to a beach house by his mum Pam (Toni Collette) and her new boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell). Watching as the adults in his life regress to their younger days, Duncan struggles to fit in, until a chance bike ride … [Read more...]
Almost Famous (2000) review by That Film Guy
Loosely based on director Cameron Crowe's experiences as a teenage rock journalist for Rolling stone magazine, Almost Famous is a coming-of-age drama set in 1973. … [Read more...]
The Lion King (1994) review by That Film Guy
Arguably one of the most influential Disney animated films of all time released at the tail-end of the most creatively successful period for the production house is The Lion King. Since its original release in 1994 it has been adapted to a successful stage musical, released numerous times in cinemas and received an almost record-breaking run on DVD and Blu-ray. … [Read more...]
Pinocchio (1940) review by That Film Guy
At the heart of the original golden age of animated films came Disney's take on the Italian folklore tale Pinocchio. One of the original feature length animated films it tells the story of the young, naïve sometimes bad puppet created by his ˜father' Geppetto. Taking our young hero and his honourable and caring guardian angel Jiminy Cricket on an adventure that sees him turned … [Read more...]
The Hangover Part III (2013) review by That Film Guy
After the nasty second instalment of the $1b franchise of The Hangover films, fans of the Wolfpack would be forgiven for feeling some trepidation before the release of The Hangover Part III. Gone is the ˜morning after the night before' premise that underpinned all the events of the first two films and instead we are given what is effectively a coming-of-age tale for the … [Read more...]
Excision (2012) review by That Film Guy
There are elements of misfit horror thrillers that are strangely comforting. Sure the outsider has a tough time at school/college/home and never quite fits within the cookie-cutter mold of normality, but eventually, after some dramatic changes to their life they'll find their niche, they home, their comfort. Excision is not that kind of film. At all. … [Read more...]