Author Archives: Ross Birks

Rumble Fish (1983)

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Ross Birks

One of my favourite Coppola movies made during that sweet-spot period in his career (the 80s) where he just tried to see how weird and experimental he could get until the bankers shut him down. Shot back to back with The Outsiders (both … Continue reading →

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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Ross Birks

The older I get the more Ferris Bueller comes across like a massive cunt.  Still, this is probably my favourite John Hughes movie and one that had an especially potent impact on teenage me. Looking at it through cinephile eyes … Continue reading →

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10 Rillington Place (1971)

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Ross Birks

What an unpleasant movie. Utterly relentless in its nastiness, the whole thing is grounded by a handful of exceptional performances. Richard Attenborough disappears into the role of mass-murderer John Christie to the point where just looking at him made me … Continue reading →

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Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Ross Birks

Much like Alien3, Alien: Resurrection is a far better movie than its reputation suggests. Joss Whedon’s script is as quippy and swashbuckling as you’d expect whilst doing a solid job of recovering the series from the ultimate downer of Alien3 … Continue reading →

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Weird Science (1985)

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Ross Birks

Well, it’s definitely Hughes’ weirdest movie. A few things: – This is the last time Anthony Michael Hall looked anything like Anthony Michael Hall. – I totally forgot about the explicit references to The Hills Have Eyes and The Road … Continue reading →

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The Breakfast Club (1985)

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Ross Birks

“A movie about a bunch of stereotypes who complain that other people see them as stereotypes.” – Pauline Kael on The Breakfast Club I think the thing a lot of people struggle with, but rarely talk about, is how a certain … Continue reading →

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Alien³ (1992)

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Ross Birks

Everyone considers Alien³ a stain on both the Alien franchise and Fincher’s career (himself included) but his fingerprints are all over this thing. I mean, its surely one of the most nihilistic studio movies ever made. The cold-blooded way they … Continue reading →

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Sixteen Candles (1984)

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Ross Birks

John Hughes’ first film as writer and director has both aged really well and terribly. The good stuff: Hughes’ knack for 80s teenage vernacular is still wonderful. Obviously teens didn’t really talk like Hughes wrote them, but as a stylised … Continue reading →

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Multiple Maniacs (1970)

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Ross Birks

Don’t worry, the irony of seeing Multiple Maniacs, my first John Waters movie, via a pristine new HD restoration courtesy of the Criterion Collection is not lost on me. There’s no doubt that seeing Waters’ movies, especially these early ones, … Continue reading →

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Frailty (2001)

Posted on March 18, 2017 by Ross Birks

Frailty is like the greatest Stephen King adaptation that isn’t adapted from a book by Stephen King. Watching this movie, with its pulp-mystery structure and literate archetypal characters, gives me the same feeling I get when I read a lot … Continue reading →

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