When her cyber-bullying crosses over into the real world, teenager Laura Barns kills herself publicly. Unfriended takes place on the one year anniversary of her death. Five teenagers (or archetypes) - Blaire (the protagonist) (Shelley Hennig), Mitch (the protagonist's boyfriend) (Moses Jacob Storm), Jess (the protagonist's best friend) (Renee Olstead), Adam (a boring guy) (Will … [Read more...]
Review: Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Fifty Shades of Grey. Ever since its release in 2011, you can barely say the first two words of the title without getting in a heated debate between the vocal fans and the even more vocal detractors. This very website did an article on the subject, so in this case I will not repeat the views of others. … [Read more...]
Review: Son of a Gun (2014)
Part of a growing movement of gritty Australian thrillers comes Son of a Gun starring Ewan McGregor and Brenton Thwaites. It marks the directorial debut of wirter Marcus Avery. … [Read more...]
Review: Whiplash (2014)
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 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: The Babadook (2014)
You can't get rid of The Babadook [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00OPUUFQU][/pullquote] "If it's in a word, or in a look, you can't get rid of the Babadook" utters Essie Davis' strained mother Amelia in the latest crowd-funded horror that marks the directorial debut of Jennifer Kent. Expanding … [Read more...]
Review: Nightcrawler (2014)
If you had to describe Dan Gilroy's first film Nightcrawler in one word, it would be sleazy. A contemporary take on the voyeuristic films of old like Psycho and Peeping Tom this brings the action to modern day Los Angeles, a city in decay where news networks vie for the most shocking footage available from freelancers called nightcrawlers. These people have cameras, cars and … [Read more...]
Review: ’71 (2014)
Down and out in Belfast [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00IYSEV2I][/pullquote] First-time director Yann Demange hasn't shied away from controversy in his accomplished debut feature '71. Focusing on Northern Ireland in 1971, he and script-writer Gregory Burke have crafted a thrilling, engaging and … [Read more...]
Review: Gone Girl (2014)
You don't know what you've got till it's... [pullquote cite="" type="left, right"][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B00JLC4W0C][/pullquote] Following his mixed attempts to adapt the best-selling novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, David Fincher casts his directorial eye to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. Adapted to screen by the author … [Read more...]
Review: The Harvest (2013)
Childhood should be spent without responsibilities or restraints, to know what it is like to have friends and to laugh and play. Stephen Lancellotti has written The Harvest, a tale of stolen childhood and desperation set in suburban America. A family struggling to cope with their terminally ill son, are seen to be doing the best they can, with the resources they have whilst … [Read more...]