Reminiscent of the screwball farces that thrived in the 1930s and 40s, She’s Funny That Way – Peter Bogdanovich’s first feature in thirteen years – is a strained but entertaining hoopla. Arnold (Owen Wilson), a theatre director, runs into difficulty when he casts Isabella (Imogen Poots), a hooker-turned-actress, opposite his wife (Kathryn Hahn) and her ex-lover (Rhys Ifans) in his new play. Continue reading “Review: She’s Funny That Way (2014)”
A year in the life of rock legend Jimi Hendrix is documented in John Ridley’s ill-conceived and tedious biopic Jimi: All Is By My Side. Jimi (Andre Benjamin) is discovered by Keith Richards’ misses Linda (an utterly wasted Imogen Poots) after playing a gig with Curtis Jackson in New York. Now with a manager, Hendrix relocates to London, where he meets Kathy (Hayley Atwell) and slowly rises through the musical ranks. Continue reading “Review: Jimi: All Is By My Side (2014)”
A Long Way Down, the unnecessary and inexcusably maudlin film adaptation of Nick Hornby’s best-selling novel, turns a darkly funny story about four downbeat individuals – Martin Sharp (Pierce Brosnan), a disgraced TV presenter; Maureen (Toni Collette), a worn out carer to her disabled son; JJ (Aaron Paul), a failed musician; and Jess (Imogen Poots), the compulsive daughter of a politician – who form a suicide pact into a hackneyed, tasteless excuse for a comedy Continue reading “Review: A Long Way Down (2014)”
Adapted from the long-running, hugely successful multi-platform racing series, Need For Speed is the definition of a missed opportunity: a super-charged film that’s potential has been thwarted by an uninspired screenplay, underwritten characters and dull, lifeless action sequences that pales in comparison to a mere iota of what’s been seen and done numerous times in the Fast And Furious franchise – a comparison that proves too obvious to avoid. Continue reading “Review: Need For Speed (2014)”
A rom-com presented from the point of view of three callow, commitment-phobe serial daters, That Awkward Moment has oodles of potential, not least thanks to the combined talents of its up-and-coming cast. Yet the fact that the film is unable to mine any insight or meaning from its slapdash, cliché-ridden and relatively unfunny screenplay renders this an experiment that’s watchable, yet blatantly unremarkable. Continue reading “Review: That Awkward Moment (2014)”
Sam (Craig Roberts) is a wannabe businessman who’s found himself stuck as a bellboy for the Mandarin Oriental and its authoritarian, indifferent manager, when all he really wants is to open a restaurant with his best friend Elliot (Anthony Welsh). When on an errand to a local jewellery store, Sam finds himself caught up in a hostage situation by robbers Cameron (Kevin McKidd) and Clegg (Josef Altin). With the aid of store owner, Charlie (Timothy Spall), and his Continue reading “Review: Comes A Bright Day (2012)”
Fright Night is a bold, bright and fresh remake of Tom Holland’s much loved, and classically supernatural horror. The film centers on Charley Bewley (Anton Yelchin): an awkward teenage boy who has it made with a hot-as-hell girlfriend (Imogen Poots), devoted mum (Toni Collette) and independent American lifestyle. When mysterious Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves next door, it’s up to Charley to protect his family and rid the Nevada dessert of a deadly vampire clan.
While Fright Night may be as unnecessary as remakes come, it benefits from its refreshingly honest level of self-awareness, as well as the numerous Continue reading “Review: Fright Night (2011)”
Empty Screens 