Category: Review

Review: The Raid (2011)

Jamie Neish7 Comments

Hollywood action films are increasingly becoming paint-by-numbers fare with uninteresting characters and unbelievable scenarios. The Raid, Welsh born writer and director Gareth Evans’ third feature film, hits hard due to its no-holds-barred coercion, unfaltering intensity and desire to do what most action films don’t: surprise its audience from the opening moments to the final fade to black.

Tasked with taking out Tama (Ray Sahetapy), landlord and kingpin to the scum of Jakarta, a SWAT team enter the building complex in which they believe he and Continue reading “Review: The Raid (2011)” →

Review: The Woman In Black (2012)

Jamie Neish2 Comments

The Woman In Black is the latest release in Hammer’s modern revival, coming hot on the heels of less-than-stellar fare Wake Wood, Let Me In and The Resident. Loosely adapted from Susan Hill’s novel of the same name by up-and-coming screenwriter Jane Goldman, The Woman In Black attempts to reclaim the spark that’s been missing from modern day horror productions through an eerie atmosphere and slow-burning minimalism.

Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a solicitor and father, is sent to a secluded village on the East Coast of England to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased Continue reading “Review: The Woman In Black (2012)” →

Review: We Were Here (2011)

Jamie NeishLeave a comment

AIDS is an issue that will be, certainly for not too distant future, surrounded by an aura of mystery. Most people understand the seriousness of AIDS and most of the risks that are associated with the disease, but few understand where AIDS came from and how deadly it was when it was in its most erratic form.

In this documentary, aptly titled We Were Here, co-directors David Weissman and Bill Weber examine the San Francisco AIDS crisis of the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Like other films of its nature, the directors opt for a talking head style, Continue reading “Review: We Were Here (2011)” →

Review: The Muppets (2011)

Jamie Neish1 Comment

Over a decade since their last cinematic outing (the uneven Muppets From Space), The Muppets return to familiar territory with the aid of self-proclaimed enthusiast Jason Segel and director James Bobin. Using their absence as the central premise, what develops is a sweet story about reconciliation, friendship and love, with a hefty dose of the laughter and self-referential awareness that entirely encapsulates what makes The Muppets so special.

Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) is the world’s biggest Muppets fan. After being invited on a trip to Los Angeles with best friend Gary (Segel) and Gary’s doting Continue reading “Review: The Muppets (2011)” →

Review: A Monster In Paris (2011)

Jamie NeishLeave a comment

Filmmakers everywhere appear to be feeling nostalgic for the heyday of cinema. Last year alone we were treated to three big cinematic treats revelling in the sumptuousness of the early 20th century: Midnight in Paris, The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec and Hugo. This year, from French animator and director Bibo Bergeron, comes A Monster In Paris: a pleasingly concocted ode to Paris and early cinema – the work of George Mèliés in particular.

An introverted cinema projectionist, Emile (Jay Harrington), and his pronounced inventer friend, Raoul (Adam Goldberg), find themselves responsible for a monster, Continue reading “Review: A Monster In Paris (2011)” →

Review: The Grey (2011)

Jamie Neish3 Comments

When Joe Carnahan burst onto the scene with the tough and nervy Narc, many were suitably impressed and hoped he would stick to this style for his future efforts. Unfortunately he was lured by Hollywood’s purse-strings, stumbling with Smokin’ Aces and The A-Team. While these still showcased some of his usual stylings, they were far too over-the-top to embrace. This year, he’s back in familiar territory with survival thriller The Grey.

Liam Neeson is Ottway, a hunter working on an oil drilling plant in Alaska, using his rifle to protect the workers from the wolves. After his plane home crashes Continue reading “Review: The Grey (2011)” →

Review: Carnage (2011)

Jamie Neish1 Comment

Featuring four very different characters cooped up together in a New York City apartment, Carnage – Roman Polanski’s take on Yasmina Reza’s Olivier award-winning stage play – is every bit as claustrophobic, caustic and darkly amusing as you’d expect. It also marks somewhat of a departure for Polanski, being very much the antithesis of his previous effort, The Ghost.

Forced together by their respective children’s playground scrap, two sets of parents, Michael and Penelope (John C. Reilly and Jodie Foster) and Alan and Continue reading “Review: Carnage (2011)” →

Review: Man On A Ledge (2012)

Jamie NeishLeave a comment

Man On A Ledge is, well, apart from being one of the worst titled films of the past few years, a relatively by-the-numbers, cluttered fare that director Asger Leth imparts in a passable, yet ultimately bland, attempt to breathe new life into the tepid thriller genre.

Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), an ex-cop and criminal at large, books himself into a fancy suite at the Roosevelt Hotel, New York. Rather than basking in his luxurious surroundings, he instead chooses to climb out onto the window ledge Continue reading “Review: Man On A Ledge (2012)” →

Review: Chronicle (2012)

Jamie Neish7 Comments

Superhero films are Hollywood’s biggest obsession. Since perhaps 2000, they’ve churned out in excess of twenty of them – from big-budget blockbusters (Spider-Man), to more low-key, DIY efforts (Super). Stripping things right back to basics, and adopting the found-footage approach that has worked so well for the horror industry, Chronicle proves that you don’t need a big-budget or cutting edge software to achieve cinematic effects. Hell, you can even do it better.

Andrew (Dane DeHaan) is an outsider. Violently abused at home and rejected by the popularity model at school, Andrew decides to record every aspect of his life Continue reading “Review: Chronicle (2012)” →

Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

Jamie Neish5 Comments

A sequel of sorts to Journey To The Center Of The Earth, albeit with only one returning character (Josh Hutcherson as young explorer Sean Anderson), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is breezy fare at best, neither offensive nor game-changing.

When Sean decodes a signal sent by his missing grandfather, Alexander (Michael Caine), he recruits his mum’s new boyfriend, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), to accompany him on an adventure. Enlisting Gabata (Luis Guzmán) and his Continue reading “Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)” →