There have been a lot of films which focus on a teacher/student dynamic, with the brilliant, inspiring teacher doing everything they can to help bring out the hidden potential in their young proteges. Movies like Dead Poets Society and The History Boys tend to focus on unconventional, eccentric teachers who don't stick to the established curriculum and inspire affection and … [Read more...]
Review: The Rover (2014)
Following in the rather large Australian, dystopian footsteps of Mad Max comes the end-of-the-world action-drama film The Rover. Directed by David Michod it manages to cast Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson in his continued efforts to distance himself from Hollywood franchise cinema and everybody's favourite ex-Neighbour-turned-Hollywood star Guy Pearce. … [Read more...]
Review: Maps to the Stars (2014)
The bizarre pairing of David Cronenberg and Robert Pattinson are back with Hollywood-targeted dram Maps to the Stars. Declaring anything Cronenberg does anymore as bizarre might seem a bit redundant, but there is something about him getting his hands on the floppy-haired ex-Twilight lothario and making him do weird things. … [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: The Skeleton Twins (2014)
It has long been known that comic actors can make great dramatic actors, and in The Skeleton Twins it is the turn of Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig. They prove more than equal to the task, but what a shame the rest of the film is such a huge disappointment. … [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: The Drop (2014)
Puppyhead [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=0349140723][/pullquote] What a shame that The Drop stands as actor James Gandolfini's final film, being that he barely stretches himself in this by-the-numbers crime thriller. There's ˜gangsters' all clichéd and grim, a quiet normal protagonist and a series … [Read more...]
Review: Horns (2014)
The Devil Inside [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=057512069X][/pullquote] Former child actors seem to have a new strategy going. While some have their famous roles and then cannot be seen as anything other than that for the rest of their career, new child actors seem to be savvier to this dangerous … [Read more...]
Review: Fury (2014)
Ideals are peaceful, history is violent. Not known for sugar-coating his subject material, director David Ayer once again delivers a slice of brutality in war film Fury. Following on from Training Day and End of Watch his attention is reverted back to the story of a US tank squad left to hold a crossroads alone against a battalion of German SS soldiers. … [Read more...]
Review: Starred Up (2014)
Porridge with nutcases [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00IYSEV2I][/pullquote] Director David Mackenzie and lead Jack O'Connell combine to present a brutally realistic and sometime sentimental view of prison life in Starred Up. … [Read more...]