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Author Archives: Ross Birks
20th Century Women (2016)
I was kinda lukewarm on Beginners. Mills’ quirky style felt somewhat artificial and twee but I think 20th Century Women has made me reconsider him. It’s that moment in a director’s career where you stop comparing them to other directors and start realising … Continue reading
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Titanic (1997)
I was seven years old when Titanic dominated pop culture in 1997 and 1998 and it became one of the most important and formative movies of my life. And not just because of Kate Winslet’s breasts. There’s nothing wrong with making movies … Continue reading
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House IV (1992)
Man this was boring. William Katt returns as his character from the first House in a glorified cameo for no reason whatsover. It’s such a dead and stagnant movie that never really gets going. It feels more like a showreel of early … Continue reading
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House III: The Horror Show (1989)
Apparently a House movie in name only, at least over here in Europe. In the US this is merely The Horror Show, a film completely unrelated to both House and House II: The Second Story aside from the fact that it features a house and human beings … Continue reading
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Man on Fire (2004)
Aesthetically, Man on Fire is one of the most important things to happen to action movies in the 21st century. Hell, Tony Scott in general is one of the most important things to happen to action movies period. But still this film … Continue reading
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House II: The Second Story (1987)
I really didn’t like the first House so went into this sequel with a lot of trepidation. Imagine my surprise then to find that this is a far superior movie in almost every way. It really has nothing to do with the … Continue reading
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House (1986)
Much like producer Sean S. Cunningham’s own Friday the 13th, this is a pretty average movie that has somehow gained a place in horror fandom, albeit a few tiers lower. It’s not an especially effective movie, nor a very memorable one. … Continue reading
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Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
The production design in this thing is so goddamn vicious. Also Coppola’s use of old-school opticals and silent-movie techniques pleases me to no end. It’s an aesthetic extravaganza and one of those movies you put on just to exist inside … Continue reading
Pretty in Pink (1986)
Definitely lacks John Hughes’ visual dexterity by not having him behind the camera but his voice in the characters has ensured Pretty in Pink is regularly discussed as a key part of his canon. After rewatching it between a bunch of his … Continue reading
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Lol (2006)
Joe Swanberg’s second film is far more enticing than his first, Kissing on the Mouth, mainly because it has a bit more of something to say. LOL sees Swanberg looking around and assessing the state of things in 2006, notably our increasing reliance … Continue reading
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"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 