Tag: Movie Review

REVIEW: Attack The Block (2011)

Release Poster - Optimum Releasing
Release Poster – Optimum Releasing

The following is a review of ‘Attack the Block’, a Joe Cornish film.

I am going to level with you here: Yes, the only reason why I went back and watched this film was because of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. John Boyega, one of the new stars of said Star Wars-film, had his feature film debut in 2011’s Attack the Block, and went on to win the Black Reel Award for ‘Best Actor’ for his performance in the film. I am so happy that I watched this film. It is so damn entertaining. Continue reading “REVIEW: Attack The Block (2011)” →

REVIEW: The Leisure Class (2015)

HBO Films - Release Poster - The Leisure Class
HBO Films – Release Poster – The Leisure Class

The following is a review of Project Greenlight’s ‘The Leisure Class’, an HBO film by Jason Mann.

Project Greenlight is an HBO documentary show about the process of filmmaking, in which its producers grant a huge opportunity to a writer or director. Jason Mann won the 2015 season of Project Greenlight as a director, and he even got to film his own script with a budget of $3 million. By watching the documentary show we were led to believe that every thing was wrong from the get-go. While it does seem like the show was presented more as a reality program than a documentary show, the final product is as problematic as the production processes presented in Project Greenlight. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Leisure Class (2015)” →

REVIEW: SPECTRE (2015)

Theatrical Release Poster – Eon Productions – Columbia Pictures

The following is an updated* review of Eon Productions’ SPECTRE, a Sam Mendes film.

James Bond – Agent 007 – is a legendary film character from a legendary film franchise. A franchise that, through the good and the bad, has been obligatory viewing for all film enthusiasts. Daniel Craig’s run of films has been rather memorable up to this point. The fantastic Casino Royale was a fresh modern update of the franchise, for various reasons Quantum of Solace was a disappointing follow-up, whereas the thrilling Skyfall brought the Craig-era back on track. Unfortunately, though decent, SPECTRE — the 4th Craig-era Bond-film — doesn’t stand out as one of the best in the franchise.

Continue reading “REVIEW: SPECTRE (2015)” →

REVIEW: Sicario (2015)

Theatrical Release Poster – Lionsgate – ‘Sicario’

The following is a review of ‘Sicario’, a Denis Villeneuve film.

I had a lot of expectations going into the theater to watch Sicario. The spectacular cast isn’t the only thing you should be excited about. Denis Villeneuve, the director, is one of the hottest new directors in the world. His last three films (Prisoners; Enemy; Incendies) have been some of my favorites in the years that they’ve been released, and Villeneuve is directing the hotly-anticipated Blade Runner sequel soon. In short, I expected Sicario to be one of the best films this year – I was not disappointed.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Sicario (2015)” →

CLASSIC REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Theatrical Release Poster – By Roger Kastel

The following is a classic review of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, a Irvin Kershner film. Expect spoilers.

The space opera fairytale that is Star Wars continued in May 1980. What met audiences was a very different film, which did not continue with the same mood that Lucas had ended A New Hope on. In many ways, The Empire Strikes Back is a completely different film than A New Hope, and, quite frankly, it is the film that made Star Wars a franchise. Continue reading “CLASSIC REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)” →

REVIEW: Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Netflix – Release Poster – Beasts of No Nation

The following is a review of the Netflix Original Film ‘Beasts of No Nation’, a Cary Joji Fukunaga Film.

In 2005, Uzodinma Iweala’s novel Beasts of No Nation was published. Now, ten years later, it has become the first major Netflix Original Film. Cinematically, this is Cary Joji Fukunaga’s baby. Fukunaga is best known for directing the first season of True Detective, but also wrote and directed Sin Nombre, a critically acclaimed immigration thriller from 2009. Similarly, Fukunaga took on more than one role in the creation of Beasts of No Nation – but he is not just the screenwriter and director, he also served as the cinematographer on the film. But how did this Netflix project turn out? It just so happens that this is one of the most powerful films of 2015. Continue reading “REVIEW: Beasts of No Nation (2015)” →

REVIEW: Crimson Peak (2015)

Universal Pictures – Theatrical Release Poster – Crimson Peak

The following is a review of ‘Crimson Peak’, a Guillermo Del Toro film.

Guillermo Del Toro is a fastidious filmmaker, and has been known to master the horrific and the gothic in both his writing and directing. Del Toro is also a visually focused director, and Del Toro is at his best when he is able to build his storytelling on the strength of a beautiful set. Why am I telling you this? Because it pleases me to say that Del Toro is back. Having now seen Crimson Peak, it pleases me to state that Guillermo Del Toro has not crafted a more beautiful world since his 2006 fantasy masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth. Continue reading “REVIEW: Crimson Peak (2015)” →

REVIEW: Midnight In Paris (2011)

Sony Pictures Classic – Theatrical Release Poster – Midnight in Paris

The following is a review of ‘Midnight in Paris’, a Woody Allen film.

Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris was one of the best films of 2011, and the first of two location-pieces from Allen in succession – with the second one being From Rome With Love in 2012. Today we take a look back at what probably should have won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 84th ceremony – the modern classic – Midnight in Paris. Continue reading “REVIEW: Midnight In Paris (2011)” →

REVIEW: The Martian (2015)

20th Century Fox – Theatrical Release Poster – The Martian

The following is a review of The Martian, a Ridley Scott film.

In 2011, Andy Weir self-published his first ever novel, The Martian. The Martian was envisioned as a very realistic science fiction novel, and it eventually became quite a hit. Then, in 2013, 20th Century Fox optioned the film rights, with Drew Goddard announced as the scriptwriter, and, later, Ridley Scott was announced as the director. One now hoped that Goddard’s talent and Scott’s experience could make The Martian a solid film. Thankfully, it is much more than that – The Martian is one of the best films of 2015. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Martian (2015)” →

REVIEW: The Walk (2015)

TriStar Pictures’ Theatrical Release Poster for The Walk (2015)

The following is a review of The Walk, a Robert Zemeckis film. The reviewed film was seen in IMAX 3D.

The Walk follows the street artist Philippe Petit (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and shows us how he evolved into a legendary high-wire artist. Along the way, he meets a lover, friends, and partners – and together they all embark on a mission to illegally perform a high-wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center back in 1974. Petit becomes particularly obsessed with these towers, and this obsession threatens to end the group. Their great coup changes all partners, for better or worse, and this coming-of-age coup ends up revealing what Petit’s obsession truly means to him. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Walk (2015)” →