It's just too tempting to say Out Of The Furnace and into the fire to describe Scott Cooper's slow burning thriller which sees two brothers in a downward spiral which sees their lives go from bad to very much worse. It's a film that takes its time, perhaps too much time, to tell its story but we stay with it thanks to compelling performances from Christian Bale, Casey Affleck … [Read more...]
Review: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
After recovering from a a grave injury suffered on duty in Afghanistan, former US Marine Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) is approached by CIA operative Thomas Harper (Kevin Costner). Recruited he goes undercover on Wall Street in a duel role of agent and analyst when he recognises a plot developing involving billionaire Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh) who plans to crash the dollar and bring … [Read more...]
Review: Primer (2004)
Shane Carruth seems to be a pretty determined kind of individual. The kind of person that, once he decides something should get done, it gets done, regardless of how difficult that may be. He also seems to be the kind of person who gets things done his way, or no way at all. I don't know Shane Carruth, but the fact that Primer ever got made suggests this first aspect of his … [Read more...]
Review: JFK (1991)
In every discussion of conspiracy theories, one historical event and figure comes up time and time again. United States President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed on November 22nd 1963 by a lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald. That is if you believe the findings of the Warren Commission, which it is clear that director Oliver Stone does not. His 1991 film JFK sought to show the … [Read more...]
Review: The Untouchables (1987)
The decade is the 1920s, via a stylized 1986, the town is Chicago and notorious gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro) is at the height of his criminal power. Holding the city in his firm grip, his constant acts of violence alert the FBI who place young Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) in charge of the flying squad with his sole mission to be to bring down the kingpin. After initial … [Read more...]
Review: Gravity (2013)
Just above the Earth, 3 astronauts are performing routine upgrades to a satellite. Veteran Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) is enjoying the final moments of his final mission, Shariff (Phaldut Sharma) is horsing around with his umbilical-like chord and Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is attaching a prototype to the satellite, annoyed by the other twos behaviour. They then receive a … [Read more...]
Prisoners (2013) review by That Film Guy
Prisoners is the first English-language film from Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, most famous for the 2010 drama Incendies. Taking a stellar cast of Hollywood favourites, Villeneuve creates a complicated, in-depth thriller that is at times packed with edge-of-your-seat tension. … [Read more...]
The Call (2013) review by That Film Brat
The Call is a high concept thriller based around 9-1-1 operator Jordan Tuner (Halle Berry). One night, Jordan gets a 9-1-1 call from a girl who says there is a man in her house. After indirectly causing her capture, Jordan blames herself for her abduction and gives up her job on the floor after the girl is found dead. Six months later, Jordan is a teacher, showing the new … [Read more...]
The Wicker Man: Director’s Cut (1973) review by That Film Journo
The Wicker Man is the perfect cult film, one that comes with its own ready-made mythology and bizarre history. Its subject matter alone - a pious Christian policeman investigating the disappearance of a young girl on a remote Scottish island that's home to a pagan community - would have been enough to have raised eyebrows on its release in 1973. Add to this the mystery … [Read more...]
The Factory (2012) review by That Art House Guy
I have this strange compulsion. It happens when I'm tired “ maybe on an aeroplane, or browsing Netflix on a plan-free Saturday. What happens is, I see a John Cusack movie (generally a thriller) from the last couple of years, that I haven't really heard of and I think Yeah, that could be ok “ I'll give it a go. Experience has taught me that this is a mistake, but still I … [Read more...]