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Author Archives: Ross Birks
Something Wild (1986)
Every time I rewatch this it jumps up like twenty places in my favourite movies of all time. The transition of tones is utterly jaw-dropping. A film so full of character, ennui, optimism, spontaneity, sadness and sheer life. If my … Continue reading
Posted in Favourite Movies, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged 1986, Jeff Daniels, Jonathan Demme, Melanie Griffith, Ray Liotta
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The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
The Deep Blue Sea seems to come out of the gate at fever-pitch with a booming score and sweeping crane shot, both foreshadowing the sheer heights of emotion this story will eventually reach. As a browning postcard of wartime Britain it … Continue reading
After Earth (2013)
As much as I love Shyamalan and often find ways to defend his misfires, there’s no getting round the fact that he absolutely lost his way here. Regardless of Jaden Smith’s acting chops – he clearly doesn’t have the goods … Continue reading
A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
A Prairie Home Companion, Robert Altman’s final film, is a delight. It proves, as Altman’s career is testament to, that sometimes all you need to make a great film is a rugged and well-oiled ensemble. Showcasing the director’s penchant for busy … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged 2006, John C. Reilly, Kevin Kline, Lily Tomlin, lindsay lohan, Maya Rudolph, Meryl Streep, robert altman, Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson
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Breakdown (1997)
An impressive 90s open-road thriller that streamlines its thrills into white knuckle simplicity. Part The Vanishing, part Duel and peppered through with some backwoods grit, Breakdown nevertheless excels on its own B-movie tarmac. There’s a physicality to this kind of … Continue reading
The Perfume of the Lady In Black (1974)
A steady, well told psychodrama stirred into a mid-70s euro slasher that rarely wobbles into the sloppiness so many of these films are prone to. It’s very well told with a brave, authentic performance by Mimsy Farmer at the centre … Continue reading
Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
As far as American gialli go, Eyes of Laura Mars presents itself as something of an ideal. Stylishly directed by Irwin Kershner, front loaded with a star-studded cast and hung on a tastily absurd concept – she sees what the … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged Brad Dourif, Eyes of Laura Mars, Faye Dunaway, Irvin Kirshner, John Carpenter, Raul Julia, Tommy Lee Jones
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Brazil (1985)
Legitimately one of the most comprehensively realised filmmaking visions ever committed to celluloid, Brazil is a movie stacked with aesthetic bric-a-brac and glued together by madcap paranoia. Surely Gilliam’s crowning achievement and the greatest display of his talents. Here he … Continue reading
Posted in Favourite Movies, Reviews, Rewatch
Tagged 1985, Jonathan Pryce, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
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To Die For (1995)
Gus Van Sant never really gets the credit he deserves as a stylist. As someone who got into his work primarily through his austere “Bela Tarr Period” I’m always struck by how formally inventive and playful a lot of his … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged 1995, Danny Elfman, gus van sant, Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon, Nicole Kidman
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Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
Reading the synopsis for Hellraiser: Hellworld I was excitedly hoping for the franchise’s own version of Tron. Sadly, Tron this is not. It’s not even Tron: Legacy. The videogame thing is merely a set-up to get a bunch of thankless … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged 2005, Doug Bradley, Henry Cavill, Lance Henrikson, Rick Bota
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"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 