George Clooney stars as a financial TV host held hostage live on air in this silly, yet undeniably thrilling slab of popcorn entertainment. The hostage taker is Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell), an irate investor who lost thousands as a result of a tip made by Lee (Clooney). Jodie Foster, who returns to the directors chair five years after The Beaver, is efficient behind the camera; the pace is taut and tension kept high. Continue reading “Review: Money Monster (2016)”
Tomorrowland in part rekindles Disney’s family-aimed fare, only to tumble when a clunky, talkative narrative stops the peppy fun in its tracks. Bright-eyed teen Casey (Britt Robertson) discovers a pin amongst her possessions that, when touched, transports her to a futuristic utopia. Her intrigue leads her to the doorstep of the curmudgeonly Frank (George Clooney), who reluctantly consents to take her there in person. Continue reading “Review: Tomorrowland (2015)”
The culmination of several years of hard work (the film was originally conceived back in 2006), Gravity is an electrifying amalgamation of awe-inspiring visuals, technical innovation and a terrific central performance. Bringing together director Alfonso Cuarón and his son and co-writer Jonas Cuarón, this is a survival story like no other, set against the beautiful, infinitely desolate backdrop of space – one that, in a particularly huge win for IMAX, immerses its audience entirely from start to finish. Continue reading “Review: Gravity (2013)”
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)”
Empty Screens 