Category Archives: Reviews

The New York Ripper (1982)

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Ross Birks

An ugly, unpleasant, repugnant film. How much of that is intentional or just down to lazy, misjudged choices on Fulci’s part is hard to say. The New York Ripper certainly has its defenders but I just can’t get into it. Saying that, … Continue reading →

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The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Ross Birks

A seminal “Sunday Afternoon Movie”, especially for Dads. First things first: THAT GODDAMN CAST. Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker, John Cassavetes, good lord. That’s what you call a star-studded ensemble. As great as … Continue reading →

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Okja (2017)

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Ross Birks

Bong Joon-ho’s steady sidestep into blockbuster filmmaking over the last decade without losing a single ounce of his skewed worldview or compromising an inch of his craft continues to absolutely knock my socks off. There are days, like when I … Continue reading →

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I Smile Back (2015)

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Ross Birks

This is essential viewing if just for Sarah Silverman’s extraordinary, transformative performance. It often feels like stunt casting when you get comedians in serious roles for indie films but Silverman bears herself so openly here and is so far from … Continue reading →

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A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Ross Birks

Charlize Theron to Seth MacFarlane in this film: You’re a catch. you’re sweet, you’re funny, you’re smart, you’ve made something for yourself out here! You deserve better than her! (Amanda Seyfried)Me: HAHAHAHAHA. But in all honesty I don’t hate MacFarlane or anything … Continue reading →

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The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1971)

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Ross Birks

Just flat-out one of the greatest debut films ever made. Within the first ten minutes of The Bird with the Crystal Plumage you know you’re in the hands of a born filmmaker. The use of wide-shots in relation to a flurry of … Continue reading →

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Youth (2015)

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Ross Birks

Paolo Sorrentino just doesn’t do it for me. I certainly enjoy the aesthetic eye-candy but why do I find myself so bored during these things? Caine and Keitel make for an enjoyable double act (their combined acting history and status … Continue reading →

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Antibirth (2016)

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Ross Birks

Antibirth feels like a horror film built from an arts and crafts box. Given that it mainly focuses on junkies, deadbeats and drug pushers it’s surprising how bright and poppy the ghastly sights can be. Maybe it shouldn’t be surprising as … Continue reading →

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Silent Light (2007)

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Ross Birks

I’ve gone from seeing zero Carlos Reygadas movies to seeing two in the past week. Silent Light is an especially major and transcendental work, one that I often see on those countless “Best Films of the Century So Far” lists and, honestly, … Continue reading →

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A Bigger Splash (1973)

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Ross Birks

A strange hybrid of fly-on-the-wall documentary with fictional psychosexual melodrama, A Bigger Splash focuses on famed artist David Hockney during the fallout of his breakup with Peter Scheslinger and the creation of his iconic “swimming pool” paintings. On the one hand it … Continue reading →

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