Category: Review

Review: Young Adult (2011)

Jamie Neish1 Comment

In recent years, American comedies have lost their way. Instead of eliciting engaging, prickly characters that resonate, Hollywood has become stuck in a rut, churning out bland, tedious and sex-obsessed comedies that offer little or no substance (think Bad Teacher and The Hangover Part II). Diablo Cody, in her third feature as screenwriter, subverts this new-fangled tradition with Young Adult, a film that ventures deep into the relatable shadow of human behaviour to pitch-perfect avail.

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), an egotistical and reprehensible ghost writer of an ever-diminishing young adult series, has hit a road block in her life. Disillusioned Continue reading “Review: Young Adult (2011)” →

Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

Jamie Neish1 Comment

Since its conception in 1981, Sundance has been the launchpad for many of the best independent films. Luckily for Sean Durkin, writer and director of last year’s festival stand-out Martha Marcy May Marlene, he found himself in pole position when his psychological thriller about one woman’s escape from a commune became the talk of Salt Lake City.

Told through parallel, non-linear narratives that represent its central character’s rapidly deteriorating mindset, Martha Marcy May Marlene tells of Continue reading “Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)” →

Blast From The Past #2 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Jamie Neish1 Comment

Upon its release seven year’s ago, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang drew wild acclaim from critics and audiences alike, but disappointingly failed to set the box office on fire and faded away quicker than some of the dumbest films around (think Transformers or Cowboys & Aliens, both of which struck the box office jackpot despite critical revilement). Since then, it’s picked up some momentum and found cult status on DVD and Blu-ray, with many admirers, like myself, wondering why this phenomenon of a film failed to catch on in the first place.

Loosely based on Brett Halliday’s Bodies Are Where You Find Them (part of the long-lived series of Michael Shayne novels), the screenplay from Shane Black – Continue reading “Blast From The Past #2 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)” →

Review: The Descendants (2011)

Jamie Neish6 Comments

Best known for writing and directing films featuring strong yet confounded male figures embarking upon life-changing journeys – think Jack Nicholson’s retired soul-searcher in About Schmidt, or Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church’s middle-aged hopeless romantics in Sideways – Alexander Payne makes a long awaited return with family drama The Descendants, admiringly carrying on that theme.

Here, George Clooney plays Matt King, an established Hawaiian land baron. After his wife (Patricia Hastie) suffers a horrific water-skiing accident, he’s forced Continue reading “Review: The Descendants (2011)” →

Review: Coriolanus (2011)

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Coriolanus isn’t the most well-known Shakespeare play, but contains a lot of issues relevant to current political and social concerns.

Caius Martius Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), a brutal hero, swears vengeance on his fellow citizens and is subsequently banished by his mother, Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave). Hell bent on exacting revenge, he offers his life and services to sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler), heading an army capable of wiping out the entire city. Continue reading “Review: Coriolanus (2011)” →

Review: Like Crazy (2011)

Jamie Neish6 Comments

Anna (Felicity Jones), a British student, embarks upon a passionate, life-changing relationship with classmate, Jacob (Anton Yelchin), only to be separated when she overstays her visa and is refused re-entry into the US. Forced apart, Anna and Jacob must battle distance, jealously and their flourishing personal lives to keep their spark alive.

In stripped-back, scrapbook-like fashion, Like Crazy flits between time periods – from when Anna and Jacob first meet in Los Angeles, to their Continue reading “Review: Like Crazy (2011)” →

Review: The Artist (2011)

Jamie Neish3 Comments

Made through his lifelong adoration of the silent era, Michel Hazanavicius’ The Artist is imbued with classicism, wit, passion, love and abundant heart that makes it such a rare yet enjoyable and profound cinematic treat.

In 1927, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is an extremely popular actor, packing out picture houses and charming the socks off anyone who takes an interest. When the mysterious Peppy (Bérénice Bejo), who he stumbles upon at a crossroads in both their lives, rises to stardom, he begins to lose his way and Continue reading “Review: The Artist (2011)” →

Blast From The Past #1: Purely Belter (2000)

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Adapted from Jonathan Tulloch’s novel by award-winning writer and director Mark Herman (Brassed off, Little Voice), Purely Belter centres on two best friends, Gerry (Chris Beattie) and Sewell (Greg McLane). The two teenagers, inspired by their love of Newcastle United, do everything in their power to save the £1000 needed to buy themselves season tickets.

It would be easy to dismiss this upon first glance, but Herman is able to construct a screenplay that defies initial expectations. He deftly mixes hard-hitting social Continue reading “Blast From The Past #1: Purely Belter (2000)” →

Review: Shame (2011)

Jamie Neish3 Comments

Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a highly successful businessman living in New York, is unable to manage his uncontrollable sex life. When his wayward sibling, Sissy (Carey Mulligan), abruptly invades his personal space, Brandon’s carefully constructed world slowly spirals out of control.

Unflinching and relentless, Steve McQueen and Abi Morgan tackle the controversial subject matter head-on, invading every aspect of Brandon’s seedy life through meditative moments – such as a hypnotising rendition of New York, New York from Sissy, which will forever be referenced – and increasingly brazen sexual encounters, rather than unnecessary plot devices and diverting side-stories. Instead of weighing down the narrative by spending time exploring the past that resulted in Brandon and – to an almost equal extent – Continue reading “Review: Shame (2011)” →

Review: The Iron Lady (2011)

Jamie Neish13 Comments

Margaret Thatcher is, and always will be, a controversial figure. In her time it was unheard of for a woman to climb the political ladder, let alone to reach the top and remain in power for as long as she did. Never one for deferring to tradition, she spent her time in office changing society as she deemed fit, with her ruthless, self-assured nature losing voters, friends and colleagues along the way.

To most people, this would be an excellent conceit for a straightforward, politically charged biopic. However, in the eyes of director Phyllida Lloyd Continue reading “Review: The Iron Lady (2011)” →