Three years after the release of Steven Spielberg's mega-hit Jaws came its sequel, Jaws 2. Quite why studios felt that the story of a giant shark needed a second installment, other than the potential financial rewards, is anyone's guess. But Roy Scheider returned as the lead character Chief Brody, although the majority of the other main cast did not and neither did Steven … [Read more...]
Kill List (2011) review by That Art House Guy
Kill List is a low budget (approximately £500,000) British thriller/horror movie, that was shot in Sheffield and released towards the end of 2011, directed by Ben Wheatley. It was trailed with the prominent use of a curious, unexplained symbol “ something like half occult sign, half rifle sight, which hinted at some of the mysteries to come. … [Read more...]
Review: Prometheus (2012)
The wait is finally over. Prometheus has landed. For months leading up to its launch Ridley Scott's first foray back into science fiction for three decades, Prometheus was teased and trailed with outstanding viral videos letting slip small pieces of information about the film that 'shared DNA' with his 1979 masterpiece Alien. While this is true to an extent, those expecting a … [Read more...]
Alien3 (1992) review by That Film Guy
1992 saw David Fincher's step into a project late, with an unfinished script and attempt to keep the Alien franchises' streak going with Alien3. Previously a rock music video director, Fincher has gone on to make some visually stunning films like Fight Club and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but he cut his feature film teeth on Alien3. Following on from Ridley Scott's science … [Read more...]
Silent House (2012) review by That Film Guy
Based on the original Uruguayan film Le Casa Muda (The Silent House), the abbreviated Silent House is an American remake. Claiming to have been shot in one continuous take, Silent House follows Sarah (Elizabeth Olsen) who visits a Victorian lakehouse with her father and uncle to renovate in preparation for sale. The house is in a terrible state and Sarah's father and uncle … [Read more...]
Face/Off (1997) review by That Film Guy
Released around the same time as Con Air and The Rock, Face/Off completes a trilogy of action films in the late 1990s starring Nicolas Cage. Directed by famed Hong Kong action film connoisseur John Woo, it represents one final hurrah for the seemingly dying breed of action films that were so popular from the late 1980s. In coming years comic book films would surpass the modern … [Read more...]
Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) review by That Film Guy
Initially premiering at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Martha Marcy May Marlene, directed by newcomer Sean Durkin, was a huge critical success. The direction and lead performances from fellow newcomer, Elizabeth Olsen (a younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley) and John Hawkes earnt the trio and the film itself numerous independent film festival awards and nominations, and on … [Read more...]
Review: Taken (2008)
Liam Neeson, a man known for his dramatic turns in films like Schindler's List and Rob Roy, has managed to create a fall-back position as a gruff, aging action hero. Ever since Star Wars: Episode I “ The Phantom Menace he has picked up roles as a take-charge action veteran and he has never been more impressive than in Taken. Inspired by an idea by Luc Besson, who also acts as … [Read more...]
Review: The Fugitive (1993)
In the 1960s, the television show The Fugitive was hugely popular. This lead to a rather nostalgic modernisation in 1993, when Harrison Ford took on the role of the eponymous fugitive, Dr. Richard Kimble. After seeing Under Siege, Ford decided that he wanted to work with the director Andrew Davis, who he thought could bring the thrilling action film to life. This proved a … [Read more...]
Review: Headhunters (2012, Norway)
Scandinavian thrillers are massive at the moment, be it in book form, on television or in cinemas. The phenomenon seemed to begin with Steig Larsson's Millennium trilogy, and was followed up by Henning Mankell's Inspector Wallander novels, which were adapted into TV dramas in both their native Swedish and an English version starring Kenneth Branagh. Norwegian crime novelist Jo … [Read more...]