I reviewed Mistress America for CineVue.
It’s a fizzy, hilarious and forcefully upbeat cavalcade of incidents. Baumbach’s script, which he co-wrote with Gerwig, zings with effervescence, witticisms and sharp dialogue; the characters talking speedily at one another in a manner that’s equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. Gerwig is a whirlwind of exuberance as Brooke, a multi-hyphenate with an opinion on everything.
I reviewed Trainwreck for CineVue.
The debut of Schumer as both lead actor and writer, Trainwreck breezes in as Amy’s reckless way of life is documented in hysterically crude detail. Her behaviour is refreshingly brazen and subverts the typical opinion in comedies of woman as doting fools, their lives non-existent until they’re swept off their feet.
The loose concept is there but the execution is not in Pixels, the latest film to feature a phoned-in performance from Adam Sandler. Former arcade wizkid Sam (Sandler) hasn’t amounted to much, stuck in a rut as a divorced middle aged nerd. But when aliens misinterpret video feeds of 8-bit classics for a declaration of war, his unique talents are enlisted in an effort to save Earth. Continue reading “Review: Pixels (2015)”
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. – a suave reboot of the 1960s TV series – has style in the bucket loads, and is matched by intrigue and a host of breezy performances. In the height of the Cold War, CIA operative Solo (Henry Cavill) is paired up with former KGB enemy Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) to infiltrate and bring down an organisation harbouring nuclear ambitions. Continue reading “Review: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)”
The latest attempt to cinematise Marvel’s dysfunctional superhero family, Fantastic Four is a frustrating shambles, bogged down by a strained narrative and laughable, exposition-heavy dialogue. An inter-dimensional vault leaves four young upstarts – Reed (Miles Teller), Sue (Kate Mara), Johnny (Michael B. Jordan) and Ben (Jamie Bell) – reshaped with superhuman abilities. Their only hope of recovery is back the way they came from, putting them in direct contact with an old friend. Continue reading “Review: Fantastic Four (2015)”
Tom Cruise resumes his role as action star in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, a fun but patchy fifth instalment in the spy series. When the IMF is denounced by the CIA in light of recent events, Ethan Hunt (Cruise) must resort to fundamental smarts – and the help of old friends and potential new allies – in order to stop deadly network The Syndicate in its tracks. Continue reading “Review: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)”
The loveable yellow critters from the Despicable Me franchise are spun-off into their own adventure in Minions, a cutesy rush of colour and slapstick that ultimately disappoints. In a time pre-Gru, the Minions have become despondent, struggling to matter without an evil henchman to serve. Stuart, Bob and Kevin mission to find one is rewarded when they cross paths with female supervillian Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock). Continue reading “Review: Minions (2015)”
Marvel’s latest outing Ant-Man, which sees their smallest superhero receive the big screen adventure treatment, is an entertaining, yet notably modest affair. Ex-con Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is recruited by biochemist Hank Pym (Michael Dougas) to stage the perfect heist, all with the help of a suit that’s tiny in size but substantial in power. Continue reading “Review: Ant-Man (2015)”
For the fifth year in a row, I made my way to the Edinburgh International Film Festival, armed with my press pass and a hunger to see what this year’s crop of films had to offer. And, all in all, it was a strong year. There were many highlights, including Inside Out, which restored the festivals long-standing relationship with Pixar, and 45 Years, writer-director Andrew Haigh’s follow-up to Weekend. Continue reading “69th Edinburgh International Film Festival Wrap-Up”
A long-standing relationship is put under severe pressure by past revelations in 45 Years, writer-director Andrew Haigh’s tragic, yet masterful follow-up to the acclaimed Weekend. Days before their forty fifth wedding anniversary celebrations are due to take place, Geoff (Tom Courteney) receives an unexpected letter that drags up suppressed feelings, leaving Kate (Charlotte Rampling) out in the cold as feelings of envy and exile steadily consume her. Continue reading “EIFF15 Review: 45 Years (2015)”
Empty Screens 