Breaking new territory and producing a masterpiece in the process, writer-director Richard Linklater brings us Boyhood, an exceptional, years-in-the-making coming-of-age drama that charts the evolution of Mason (Ellar Coltrane) as he weathers the storm of life and matures from boyhood to manhood. Continue reading “Review: Boyhood (2014)”
With a string of hits in the bag (Bridesmaids, The Identity Thief and The Heat), Melissa McCarthy makes her first serious misstep with Tammy, a directionless road trip comedy she co-wrote with her husband Ben Falcone (who also directs). McCarthy stars as Tammy, a hostile, loud-mouthed loser who runs away with her elderly, equally as vulgar grandmother, Pearl (Susan Sarandon), after being fired and learning of her husband’s infidelity. Continue reading “Review: Tammy (2014)”
Canadian director Atom Egoyan’s attempts to dramatise Mara Leveritt’s novelisation of the previously well-documented story of The West Memphis Three is an unfortunately dull, melodramatic and calculable procedural. When three boys disappear, only to be found brutally murdered days later, the authorities’ hold three satanic cult members – Damien (James Hamrick), Jessie (Kristopher Higgins) and Jason (Seth Meriwether) – accountable, even though the evidence isn’t all there. Continue reading “Review: Devil’s Knot (2013)”
Jon Favreau makes a triumphant return to his independent roots with Chef, an infectiously charming comedy about rediscovering oneself through life, love and food. After quitting a high-profile restaurant role, Carl Casper (Favreau, who also writes and directs) decides to start up a food truck in order to return to a simpler way of life, which also includes reconnecting with his son (Emjay Anthony). Continue reading “Review: Chef (2014)”
Gugu Mbatha-Raw shines in Belle, director Amma Asante’s otherwise stiff and by-the-numbers late 18th century period drama. Left under the care of Chief Lord Justice Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Dido Elizabeth Belle (Mbatha-Raw) leads a privileged life, but is still somewhat hampered by the prevailing social attitudes towards her dark skin colour. Never more than intermittently involving, Belle is nicely directed, but severely lacking in depth and conflict. Continue reading “Review: Belle (2014)”
Intelligent and unsettling, Oculus – an expansion of director Mike Flanagan’s similarly titled short film – is one of the better horror films of the past few years. Long after the death of their parents, Kaylie (Karen Gillan) and her brother Tim (Brenton Thwaites), who’s recently been released from a psychiatric hospital, reunite to destroy the mirror responsible for the evildoings in their past. Continue reading “Review: Oculus (2013)”
Adapted from Reif Larsen’s novel, The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet is a vibrant and amusing, if ultimately convoluted cross-county adventure from Amélie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Wise beyond his years T.S. Spivet (Kyle Catlett) lives on a remote ranch. When he’s invited to the Smithsonian to collect an award for his perpetual motion machine, he flees his family – and the sorrow of his brother’s accidental death – and hitches a ride on a freight train. Continue reading “Review: The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013)”
Le Vie En Rose director Olivier Dahan turns his attention to Grace Kelly with Grace of Monaco, an asinine melodrama that wouldn’t be out of place in a bargain bin. Six years after marrying Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (Tim Roth), Grace (Nicole Kidman) is forced to choose between Hollywood and her family when Monaco is catapulted into an international crisis that could end in disaster. Catastrophic from start to finish, Grace of Monaco easily lives up to its reputation. Continue reading “Review: Grace Of Monaco (2014)”
E.L. Katz’ directorial debut Cheap Thrills is a twisted and sadistic horror comedy that brilliantly blends social commentary with debauched hilarity. Newly unemployed, Craig (Pat Healy) drowns his sorrows in a seedy bar, where he bumps into old friend Vince (Ethan Embry). The two soon find themselves in cahoots with a rich married couple, whose promise of money and depraved idea of fun soon exposes their true colours. Continue reading “Review: Cheap Thrills (2013)”
Doug Liman hits the big time with Edge Of Tomorrow, an extremely satisfying and well crafted summer blockbuster. Military officer William Cage (Tom Cruise) is sent to the front line in a planned attack on an invading alien race. But when Cage is killed, he finds himself starting over in a time loop – something that attracts the attention of fellow soldier Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt in kick-ass heroine mode), who carries the answer to saving Cage and winning the war. Continue reading “Review: Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)”
Empty Screens 