The Paperboy hasn’t exactly had the best life, yet it’s become all the more appealing because of it. Adapted from Pete Dexter’s 1995 novel of the same name by director Lee Daniels and Dexter himself, The Paperboy centres on Wade Jansen (Matthew McConaughey), a reporter who returns to his Florida hometown in order to investigate a murder case involving death row inmate, Hillary Van Wetter (John Cusack). Continue reading “Why I Must See The Paperboy”
Stephen Chbosky makes his directorial debut with an adaptation of self-penned coming-of-age novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Knowing the material inside out and with the help of a talented cast, Chbosky is able to craft a realistic, amusing and nostalgic drama that’s not afraid to touch on darker themes. Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a talented teenager starting his freshman year at high school in the wake of his friends sudden suicide and a dark history. Alone and frighteningly introverted, Charlie is taken under the wing of Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), two Continue reading “Review: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)”
I was first introduced to Spanish actor turned director Gael García Bernal through Bad Education. I had already watched – and subsequently fell in love with – All About My Mother and was inspired to watch Pedro Almodóvar’s other films by my then film teacher Claire Doyle, the first of which ended up being Bad Education. And, as if by magic, my love for Gael was born. He had the talent, the look (boyish charm mixed with rugged handsomeness) and the, erm, body. And, for what it’s worth (quite a lot, ashamedly) he looks amazing in drag. Continue reading “The Delirious Beauty Of Gael García Bernal”
Chilean writer and director Pablo Larraín’s thought-provoking and captivating No, which is loosely based on an unpublished play written by Antonio Skármeta, focuses on the media campaign that played a significant part in military dictator Augusto Pinochet’s downfall from Chilean rulership. It sharply brings to a close Larraín’s trilogy of Pinochet-centric films, which also includes Tony Manero and Post Mortem. Continue reading “Review: No (2013)”
Jonathan Levine, writer-director of 50/50 and The Wackness, turns the zombie movie sub-genre on its head to successful, heartwarming and humorous results with Warm Bodies, an adaptation of Isaac Marion’s best-selling post-apocalyptic novel. In a world ravaged by an unknown plague that’s left most of the population as undead, brainless corpses, R (Nicholas Hoult) is a unique specimen: a zombie who maintains a peculiar sense of humanity. R’s new-found existence, which mostly includes pacing and grunting, is overturned when he meets survivor Julie (Teresa Palmer) – and consequently falls for her. Continue reading “Review: Warm Bodies (2013)”
Short films have never had quite the same attention placed upon them as feature length films. However, with a new scheme launched by New British Cinema Quarterly, in partnership with independent distributors Soda Pictures, it seems that’s set to change in a very positive way. The Joy Of Six, a collection of six short films from up-and-coming British talent, offers a unique and innovative way for audiences to discover and potentially embrace the short film format. The six shorts, starring Peter Mullan, Judi Dench and Tom Hiddleston amongst others, range in length and quality, though Continue reading “Review: The Joy Of Six (2013)”
Without the unstoppable strength and forward momentum of Pixar, Disney have always struggled to break free of their tried and tested formulas – the ever-successful Disney Princess brand being the most obvious – and explore new, contemporary ideas. Wreck-It Ralph, however, which was masterminded and directed by Emmy-winner Rich Moore, sees the studio come crashing into the 21st century with a film that’s as stylish, colourful, sharp-minded and witty as it is bang up-to-date. Continue reading “Review: Wreck-It Ralph (2013)”
Anti-rom-com’s have become more and more popular in recent years, with films such as (500) Days Of Summer, Celeste And Jesse Forever and Going The Distance exploring relationships in a realistic way not often captured in the traditional and formulaic rom-com’s we’ve come to accept as the norm. The latest of which, I Give It A Year, hails from first-time director Dan Mazer, who’s best known for scripting Sacha Baron Cohen comedies Borat and Brüno. Continue reading “Review: I Give It A Year (2013)”
Sometimes I worry that my life revolves too much around film. I’m not a particularly sociable person and I spend most of my days in darkened rooms watching other people – characters, rather – live their lives, as tragic or as blissfully happy as they are. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? But then, film has always been a massive part of my life, from embarrassing cinema trips as a little ‘un to covering film festivals as the budding writer I am today. And I honestly Continue reading “Wonder In The Dark”
Lincoln, based in part on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team Of Rivals: The Political Genius Of Abraham Lincoln, sees director Steven Spielberg dramatising the 16th President of the United States’ final few months in office to varied results. In 1865, as the American Civil War nears its conclusion after four years of bloody combat, Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) takes it upon himself to pass the landmark constitutional amendment and rid America of slavery: the main reason Continue reading “Review: Lincoln (2013)”
Empty Screens 