Edgar Allen Poe was one American's most prominent writers. Famous for his Gothic-themed detective stories as well as explorations of the human psyche, his work has been a constant source of inspiration in Hollywood for decades. In The Raven, director James McTeigue explores Poe's work from the point of view of the author in his final six days of life. Supremely aptly Poe's … [Read more...]
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) review by That Film Fatale
Steven Soderbergh brings back the comedy crime caper in the last instalment of the Oceans Trilogy, Ocean's Thirteen. Danny (George Clooney) and Rusty's (Brad Pitt) very own rat pack once again bring in fresh faces, losing Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones, and gaining Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin who are working together once more. Pacino's talent and skill as an actor can … [Read more...]
The Crazies (2010) review by That Film Guy
Based on the 1973 George A. Romero film of the same name, The Crazies is part of a large collection of horror remakes that have been released in recent years. Much like Friday the 13th, or Rob Zombie's Halloween, this take on The Crazies clearly hoped to elicit some decent box office success by trading on a cult title. What is a pleasant surprise it is then, that this is one of … [Read more...]
Ocean’s Twelve (2004) review by That Film Fatale
Steven Soderbergh gives Oceans Twelve the international treatment in the much anticipated sequel to the 2001 star-filled Oceans Eleven. Sticking to the formula used in the previous movie, but with a few special additions “ Eddie Izzard, Vincent Cassel with brief appearances from Robbie Coltrane and Bruce Willis (ingeniously casted as himself). This time the game has changed and … [Read more...]
Infernal Affairs III (2003, Hong Kong) review by That Art House Guy
Please note: Due to the connected nature of the movies, it's not possible to discuss Infernal Affairs III without giving away key plot points for Infernal Affairs I and II. Infernal Affairs II was a fine sequel (or rather, prequel) to the original movie, but the box office results showed that what really elevated the franchise was its two star names in the leading roles “ … [Read more...]
Ocean’s Eleven (2001) review by That Film Fatale
Heist films are few and far between when looking in comparison with other genres, then there were the Ocean's Trilogy. In a day and age that trilogies seem to be taking over the book and film world, it only seems fitting to look at these particular three. Ocean's Eleven, originally a Rat Pack film from 1960, has now become much more, with Steven Soderbergh essentially sexing up … [Read more...]
Red Dragon (2002) review by That Film Guy
The character of Hannibal Lector has been ingrained in public consciousness over the course of five films. The Silence of the Lambs (technically the second film starring the character) won Oscars and firmly established it's lead actors as bankable stars. It's follow-up, Ridley Scott's dreadful Hannibal almost killed any further films dead, but a year later Brett Ratner stepped … [Read more...]
Hannibal (2001) review by That Film Guy
Following the commercial and critical success of The Silence of the Lambs, it is surprising that the sequel Hannibal took a decade to come to the big screen. With original director Jonathan Demme and lead star Jodie Foster both gone, in step Ridley Scott and Julianne Moore, who on paper are more than capable. Thomas Harris' novel Hannibal, on which the film is based was a … [Read more...]
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) review by That Film Guy
Based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs has become one of the most recgonisable thrillers in the last 20 years. Sweeping the Oscars big five awards (Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay) at the 64th Academy Awards, it also became a commercial success taking over $270m from a budget of $19m. It … [Read more...]
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) review by That Film Gal
In Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Quentin Taratino's bloody revenge saga comes to a less bloody conclusion, as The Bride (Uma Thurman) confronts her attackers with words as well as swords. Building on the short glimpse of the wedding day massacre in Vol. 1, Vol. 2 shows us the sequence in full. Leader of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad ˜Bill,' (David Carradine) visits The Bride during … [Read more...]