Empty Screens

Review: Real Steel (2011)

October 11, 2011 Jamie Neish1 Comment

Part futuristic robot boxing drama, part redemption story between a father and his long-lost son, Real Steel – based on Dan Gilroy’s short story and unsurprisingly executively produced by Steven Spielberg – excels at one, but flounders on the other.

Washed-up former boxer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) has found a new calling in the form of steel robot fighting. When his robot loses, and he nears rock bottom, he reluctantly reunites with estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to rebuild and train a potential championship heavyweight robot. As the stakes rise, Charlie and Max rediscover their similarities and get one last Continue reading “Review: Real Steel (2011)” →

UK Box Office: October 7 – 9, 2011

October 11, 2011 Jamie NeishLeave a comment

1. Johnny English Reborn – £4.9M

2. The Lion King 3D – £2.7M

3. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – £1.1M Continue reading “UK Box Office: October 7 – 9, 2011” →

DVD Releases: October 10, 2011

October 10, 2011October 26, 2011 Jamie NeishLeave a comment

The Beaver

Director: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and Anton Yelchin Continue reading “DVD Releases: October 10, 2011” →

US Box Office: October 7 – 9, 2011

October 9, 2011 Jamie NeishLeave a comment

1. Real Steel – $27.3M

2. The Ides Of March – $10.4M

3. Dolphin Tale – $9.1M Continue reading “US Box Office: October 7 – 9, 2011” →

Review: Midnight In Paris (2011)

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011 Jamie Neish5 Comments

Woody Allen’s 41^st film, Midnight In Paris is a light-hearted comedy set in the city of love: Paris, marks somewhat of a return to form for the exalted writer-director. Though not without its flaws, it’s a charmingly low-key affair that exudes a certain level of enjoyment that’s been missing since the critically-acclaimed Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Gil (Owen Wilson), a successful Hollywood script writer experiencing a mid-life crisis, and his fiance, Inez (Rachel McAdams), travel to Paris with Inez’ wealthy, conservative parents. After realising how little in common he has with his prospective family, Gil heads off into Paris alone, where he not only Continue reading “Review: Midnight In Paris (2011)” →

Review: Tyrannosaur (2011)

October 7, 2011October 8, 2011 Jamie Neish3 Comments

Tyrannosaur, actor come filmmaker Paddy Considine’s expansion upon his critically acclaimed yet seldom seen short film Dog Altogether, is no easy watch. Centered on issues of loneliness, domestic abuse and poverty, it’s a distressingly blunt British drama with a level of honesty that’s rarely seen.

Plagued by brutality and an inner turmoil that’s leading him towards self-destruction, Joseph (Peter Mullan) happens upon Christian charity worker Hannah (Olivia Colman), who, at first, seems like the perfect antithesis. As their relationship deepens, dark secrets about their respective personal lives boil to the surface, with potentially devastating consequences.

While Considine has unquestionably asserted himself in the film industry as a brilliant actor through his attentive and honest attitude towards the characters he plays and the stories these inhabit, it’s still surprising to witness him slip so comfortably into his roles as Continue reading “Review: Tyrannosaur (2011)” →