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Category Archives: Reviews
Born on the Fourth of July (1988)
Something came over me and I had the urge to make my way through the Oliver Stone movies I’ve never seen. Born on the Fourth of July is the biggie. It was nominated for a ton of Oscars and won a few … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Born on the Fourth of July, Oliver Stone, Tom Cruise
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Charley Varrick (1973)
Don Siegel’s Charley Varrick has become a bit of an obscure picture, but it is as quintessentially 70s in its ideals and execution as any other second-tier genre classic of the era. It might not be up there with Dirty Harry but it’s certainly … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Andrew Robinson, Charley Varrick, Don Siegel, Joe Don Baker, John Vernon, Walter Matthau
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The Unbelievable Truth (1989)
My first Hal Hartley movie! A pretty glorious dip into a purposefully off-key world punctuated with a thrilling, mischievous wit. It’s a film that throws down a gauntlet of intent. Like many great stylists, Hartley seems to arrive fully formed. … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Adrienne Shelly, Edie Falco, Hal Hartley, Robert Burke, The Unbelievable Truth
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The Fits (2016)
The Fits showcases a young black cast, predominantly female, in the world of American dance troupes. It is a flaunt of diversity and artistic expression but by no means does it exist sorely for that purpose. Almost an urban US companion … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Anna Rose Holmer, Royalty Hightower, The Fits
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De Palma (2016)
“Holy Mackerel!” – Brian De Palma every two minutes in De Palma. Stylistically, this documentary is not as interesting or daring as its subject deserves (De Palma just sits in a room talking to a static camera?) but as a personal … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Brian De Palma, De Palma, Jake Paltrow, Noah Baumbach
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Green Lantern (2011)
Really not as bad as its reputation would have you believe, Green Lantern‘s biggest offense is that it’s just plain old average. Seeing it for the first time in a post-Batman v. Superman world, it comes across as refreshingly upbeat, colourful and … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged Blake Lively, Green Lantern, Mark Strong, Martin Campbell, Peter Sarsgaard, ryan reynolds
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Microwave Massacre (1983)
Okay. So read the title Microwave Massacre to yourself. You’re immediately picturing a movie in your head right? Well, Microwave Massacre is absolutely not that movie. Totally devoid of electronic kitchen appliance-based massacres, my first instinct was to call up whoever thought of that title and … Continue reading
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Guy Ritchie has a good eye and his visual sensibility is one of the big pleasures of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. The 60s costumes, buildings and overall flavour are a joy to soak up. I enjoyed the performances too. Henry Cavill … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews
Tagged Alicia Vikander, Armie Hammer, Guy Ritchie, Henry Cavil, Hugh Grant, The Man from UNCLE
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Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)
An exuberant burst of genre excess and visual expressionism, Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion is one of the most striking and exhilarating films I’ve seen recently. Starring the monumental Meiko Kaji in one of, if not her most iconic role, the film is … Continue reading
Posted in Movies Watched In 2016, Reviews, Uncategorized
Tagged Female Prisoner Scorpion, Meiko Kaji, Shunya Ito
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Angel (1982)
Very cool and casual debut from Neil Jordan that shows a lot of confidence and craft. It points towards the genre/mundane mashings of Mona Lisa and The Crying Gamewonderfully. What starts out as a nightclub-bound character piece about a Jazz saxophonist suddenly turns … Continue reading
"This Film Should Be Played Loud" 