The feature debut of brothers Zeke Hawkins and Simon Hawkins, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place is a confident, if recognisable, noir thriller. In the final days before leaving for college, Sue (Mackenzie Davis) and Bobby (Jeremy Allen White) all of a sudden find themselves caught up in murky waters when BJ (Logan Huffman), Sue’s boyfriend, steals from his boss’ safe. Continue reading “Review: We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (2013)”
Plucked straight from the headlines, Abel Ferrera’s controversial new film Welcome To New York features a terrific performance – warts and all – from Gérard Depardieu. He plays Mr. Deveraux, a sleazy, power-hungry and sex-obsessed businessman whose hedonistic lifestyle is upturned when he’s convicted of molesting a hotel housekeeper. Continue reading “Review: Welcome To New York (2014)”
Writer and director Hong Khaou makes a lasting impression with his feature debut Lilting, a profound and intimately executed low-budget drama. Mourning the death of his boyfriend (Andrew Leung), Richard (Ben Whishaw) makes attempts to connect with his partner’s mother (Pei-pei Cheng), a Chinese-Cambodian woman who’s completely oblivious to her son’s true sexuality. Continue reading “Review: Lilting (2014)”
After the substantial success of The Inbetweeners Movie, the awkward foursome – Will (Simon Bird), Simon (Joe Thomas), Neil (Blake Harrison) and Jay (James Buckley) – are back for a sequel that’s solidly entertaining, even if it does reek of fatigue. In desperate need of an escape, Will, Simon and Neil splurge their savings and student loans on a trip to visit Jay in Australia – a trip that quickly turns sour. Continue reading “Review: The Inbetweeners 2 (2014)”
Hide Your Smiling Faces, a detailed and compelling American coming-of-age drama, marks the feature debut for writer and director Daniel Patrick Carbone. Last week, I – acting on behalf of Centrefolds & Empty Screens – was lucky enough to speak to Daniel over the phone about where the inspiration came from, his thoughts on his filmmaking experience and how it was to shoot a scene with a real-life bear. Continue reading “Interview: Daniel Patrick Carbone, Hide Your Smiling Faces”
With a line of successful franchises already set up, Marvel take a risk with their latest, Guardians Of The Galaxy, a largely unknown comic book property. It’s safe to say their bet has paid off, with director James Gunn delivering a ludicrously entertaining space-set adventure that fizzles with humour, rat-a-tat interplay and marvellous action set pieces. Continue reading “Review: Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)”
Nicolas Cage’s career bears many similarities to a see-saw in that one minutes it’s up (The Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call – New Orleans) and the next it’s down (Trespass). Joe, his latest film that teams him up with director David Gordon Green, is definitely one of the former. Joe (Nicolas Cage), an ex-con whose determined to keep his violent past in the past, crosses paths with Gary (Tye Sheridan), a 15-year-old boy with problems of his own. Continue reading “Review: Joe (2013)”
Earth To Echo, Dave Green’s feature debut, is an admirable attempt to replicate the classic family adventures of the 80s. Instead, what’s delivered is an uneven mishaps that lacks heart, soul and, most importantly, originality. Forced to leave their neighbourhood, friends Tuck (Brian Bradley), Alex (Teo Halm) and Munch (Reece Hartwig) spend one last night together. Continue reading “Review: Earth To Echo (2014)”
With films like Fly Me To The Moon and A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures already under it’s belt, Belgium’s nuWave Pictures makes its best film yet with The House Of Magic, a 3D animated adventure that boasts dazzling visual flourishes and character creations, but not much else. When indoor cat Thunder (Murray Blue) is abandoned, he seeks shelter in a mysterious house owned by an old magician (Doug Stone) and his wacky playmates. Continue reading “Review: The House Of Magic 3D (2013)”
Empty Screens 