Tag: Review

Review: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)

Jamie Neish4 Comments

Unable to recover from the untimely death of his brother, Jack (Mark Duplass) is sent to a picturesque cabin on a tiny island by best friend Iris (Emily Blunt). Arriving at the cabin, Jack runs into Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), Iris’ half-sister, who’s taken shelter there after running out on a seven-year-long relationship.

Nursing their respective troubles over a bottle of tequila, Jack and Hannah find themselves sharing a night of passion, only to be rudely awoken by the unexpected arrival of Iris, who’s come to keep Jack company.

Utilising a part-scripted, part-improvised approach, Your Sister’s Sister boasts a Continue reading “Review: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)” →

Review: The Raid (2011)

Jamie Neish7 Comments

Hollywood action films are increasingly becoming paint-by-numbers fare with uninteresting characters and unbelievable scenarios. The Raid, Welsh born writer and director Gareth Evans’ third feature film, hits hard due to its no-holds-barred coercion, unfaltering intensity and desire to do what most action films don’t: surprise its audience from the opening moments to the final fade to black.

Tasked with taking out Tama (Ray Sahetapy), landlord and kingpin to the scum of Jakarta, a SWAT team enter the building complex in which they believe he and Continue reading “Review: The Raid (2011)” →

Review: We Were Here (2011)

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AIDS is an issue that will be, certainly for not too distant future, surrounded by an aura of mystery. Most people understand the seriousness of AIDS and most of the risks that are associated with the disease, but few understand where AIDS came from and how deadly it was when it was in its most erratic form.

In this documentary, aptly titled We Were Here, co-directors David Weissman and Bill Weber examine the San Francisco AIDS crisis of the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Like other films of its nature, the directors opt for a talking head style, Continue reading “Review: We Were Here (2011)” →

Review: The Muppets (2011)

Jamie Neish1 Comment

Over a decade since their last cinematic outing (the uneven Muppets From Space), The Muppets return to familiar territory with the aid of self-proclaimed enthusiast Jason Segel and director James Bobin. Using their absence as the central premise, what develops is a sweet story about reconciliation, friendship and love, with a hefty dose of the laughter and self-referential awareness that entirely encapsulates what makes The Muppets so special.

Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) is the world’s biggest Muppets fan. After being invited on a trip to Los Angeles with best friend Gary (Segel) and Gary’s doting Continue reading “Review: The Muppets (2011)” →