I can't even remember when, where or how I first found out about Riding The Bus With My Sister. All I know is that I will never, ever forget it. It's sort of like my JFK moment, if you replace President is publicly shot in the head with: Rosie O'Donnell does funny walk in denim shorts. … [Read more...]
The Sweeney (2012) review by That Film Dude
If you like Ray Winstone and the kind of films he tends to make, you'll probably like The Sweeney, as it's pretty much exactly what you'd expect. Based on the '70s TV series of the same name, it's a refreshingly uncomplicated and enjoyably violent police drama. It's nothing special and not terribly memorable, but it's fun while it lasts. … [Read more...]
Lawless (2012) review That Film Dude
Adapted from the book The Wettest County in the World by Frank Bondurant, Lawless tells the story of the author's grandfather and granduncles, the Bondurant brothers. An 18 rated, gangster/western hybrid, it's something of a rarity these days, and the fact that a period piece aimed at the adult market was able to finally get made, a previous attempt to produce it having … [Read more...]
Anna Karenina (2012) review by That Film Dude
There have been many adaptations of Anna Karenina, Tolstoy's alarmingly massive novel about high society in imperial Russia, often considered one of the greatest novels ever written. This latest comes to us from director Joe Wright with a screenplay by Tom Stoppard, and stars Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Johnson. … [Read more...]
Made in Dagenham (2010) review by That Film Guy
Loosely based on the real events, Made in Dagenham sees Rita O'Grady (Sally Hawkins) positioned into a position of responsibility during contract negotiations with trade unions during the late 1960s. She suddenly finds herself leading her colleagues in a strike, influenced by floor manager Albert (Bob Hoskins) and demanding equal pay to their male colleagues. The resulting … [Read more...]
Blood Diamond (2006) review by That Film Dude
Set in 1999, during the Sierra Leone Civil War, a fisherman named Solomon (Djimon Hounsou) is captured by the Revolutionary United Front after they massacre his village. Forced to work panning for diamonds, which the rebels intend to sell overseas to buy weapons, he discovers the largest diamond the revolutionary leader (David Harewood) has ever seen. During a government raid … [Read more...]
Friends with Kids (2012) review by That Film Guy
Written, directed and starring Jennifer Westfeldt, Friends with Kids is a dramatic comedy released in 2012. When friends Jason (Adam Scott) and Julie (Westfeldt) begin to experience the call of parenthood, they decide to have a baby together. Their copules friends Ben (Jon Hamm) and Missy (Kristen Wiig) and Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and Alex (Chris O'Dowd), who have recently … [Read more...]
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) review by That Film Guy
Based on a screenplay by Lorene Scofaria (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World starts with an announcement that the World will end in three weeks when a meteor crashes into Earth. Dodge (Steve Carell) is in a car with his wife during the announcement, and she promptly gets out and runs away. While trying to cope with the news of his and … [Read more...]
Magic Mike (2012) review by That Film Guy
Channing Tatum may be a star on the rise, but in Magic Mike he plumbs the depths of his history to get into the eponymous lead character, a male stripper in Tampa, Florida. Tatum has talked about his desire to highlight some of his experiences as a 19-year-old stripper, and when the opportunity to star in a film on the subject he got involved as a producer. Originally planned … [Read more...]
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) review by That Film Guy
Loosely adapted from the 2003 novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada was a box office smash taking over $325m from a budget of $35m. The Devil Wears Prada follows Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a college graduate and aspiring journalist who gets a job as a co-assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the editor of the World's most famous fashion … [Read more...]