Review: We Were Here (2011)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)” →

Super Bowl XLVI Trailer Round-Up

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From 20th Century Fox to Universal Pictures, Disney to Warner Bros., Hollywood went all out with their Super Bowl placement trailers last night, with most of them dazzling (The Lorax looks super sweet, but not a patch on last year’s Despicable Me), and only a few missing the mark (Battleship, anyone?).

The night’s biggest winner, though, was The Avengers. Joss Whedon proved that he was the ideal man to assemble all the Marvel figureheads (bar Spider-Man) together in one film and have them fit oh, so perfectly together. Oh, and the back- Continue reading “Super Bowl XLVI Trailer Round-Up” →

DVD Releases: February 6, 2012

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Midnight In Paris (Review)

Director: Woody Allen

Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams & Kathy Bates

Synopsis: A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better. Continue reading “DVD Releases: February 6, 2012” →

Review: Man On A Ledge (2012)

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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)” →

US Box Office: February 3 – 5, 2012

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Chronicle soared to victory at the US box office this weekend, fending off competition from The Woman In Black and Big Miracle. Josh Trank’s low-budget superhero-come-found-footage film reaped the rewards of its terrific reviews to a very impressive £22M haul, edging out horror remake The Woman In Black ($21M) by the skin of its teeth.

Last week’s big hitter The Grey fell two places to three with $9.5M, while The Big Miracle, Universal’s whale weepy starring Drew Barrymore, drew a more than Continue reading “US Box Office: February 3 – 5, 2012” →

Review: Chronicle (2012)

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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)” →