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Category Archives: Reviews
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
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)
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)
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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Tagged 1997, Jean Pierre Jeunet, Ron Perlman, Signourney Weaver, Winona Ryder
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Weird Science (1985)
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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Tagged 1985, Anthony Michael Hall, Bill Paxton, John Hughes, Kelly LeBrock, robert downey jr.
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The Breakfast Club (1985)
“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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Tagged 1995, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez, John Hughes, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald
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Alien³ (1992)
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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Tagged 1992, Charles Dance, David Fincher, Lance Henrikson, Pete Postlethwaite, sigourney weaver
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Sixteen Candles (1984)
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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Tagged 1984, Anthony Michael Hall, Jake Scott, John Hughes, Molly Ringwald
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Multiple Maniacs (1970)
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
Frailty (2001)
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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Tagged 2001, Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe
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The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Despite it being a terribly average movie, Pitch Black has one of my favourite concepts and worlds for a genre movie. The ideas and design are so potent that I can’t help but revisit it every now and again. My … Continue reading
"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 