Reminiscent of the screwball farces that thrived in the 1930s and 40s, She’s Funny That Way – Peter Bogdanovich’s first feature in thirteen years – is a strained but entertaining hoopla. Arnold (Owen Wilson), a theatre director, runs into difficulty when he casts Isabella (Imogen Poots), a hooker-turned-actress, opposite his wife (Kathryn Hahn) and her ex-lover (Rhys Ifans) in his new play. Continue reading “Review: She’s Funny That Way (2014)”
Returning after a year long absence, Pixar hit a home run with Inside Out, an enormously insightful and entertaining animation chock full of heart, humour and verve. Riley finds her life turned upside down when she moves to San Fransisco. Her emotions – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust – do their best to see her through, which is easier said than done. Continue reading “EIFF15 Review: Inside Out (2015)”
Jurassic World – the third sequel to Steven Spielberg’s seminal classic in which John Hammond’s vision has entered the real world – entertains in fits and starts, but fails to produce real thrill and emotion. A decade open and the park’s initial interest has waned, spurring scientists to rear a new mixed-breed dinosaur. But when it mounts its own escape, chaos sets in, which sends buttoned-up manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) – raptor trainer Owen (Chris Pratt) in tow – into the wild to save her two nephews. Continue reading “Review: Jurassic World (2015)”
Insidious: Chapter 3 takes the successful, micro-budget horror franchise back to its beginnings with a lacklustre and extraneous prequel. 17-year-old Quinn (Stefanie Scott) is desperate to contact her dead mother, but when psychic Elise (Lin Shaye) refuses to help, she unleashes a nasty supernatural entity that can only be vanquished by a trip into The Further. Continue reading “Review: Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)”
Empty Screens 