Category Archives: Film Review

Review: Big Hero 6 (2014)

The latest from Disney is a colourful and undemanding superhero romp. Much like the film’s main draw Baymax, BIG HERO 6 is bouncy, endearing and funny, but perhaps doesn’t offer much extra once its fairly limited aims have been satisfied. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Oscar Review: Boyhood (2014)

BOYHOOD is not a masterpiece. And yet it’s probably still worthy of an Oscar in 2014, a pretty patchy year in film overall. Judging by the pattern awards shows so far seem to be following it’s all-but a shoe-in for … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Gone Girl (2014)

GONE GIRL is a solid mystery, a satisfying examination on the ins and outs (mostly outs) of relationships, but it’s a truly great film about the power of the media image and its complete and utter dominance in contemporary society. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Into the Woods (2014)

Musicals, like comedy films, are very difficult to review. Musical taste, just like what makes you laugh, is such a subjective thing. Generally you’re either a Stephen Sondheim fan or you’re not. For me, INTO THE WOODS isn’t a great … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Lucy (2014)

Well, I guess I should be grateful that it was all in focus and the film itself was mercifully short. Aside from that, LUCY, Luc Besson’s latest attempt to return to his 1990s form fails in spectacular fashion. Lucy (Scarlett … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014/15)

Matthew Vaughn has delivered another very enjoyable action-comedy that never quite reconciles certain tonal dissonances, but makes up for it with energy, style and confidence in abundance. Eggsy (Taron Egerton) has a tough life. His dad died when he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review: Maleficent (2014)

MALEFICENT’s opening narration: “Let us tell an old story anew and see how well you really know it” might as well be the House of Mouse’s filmmaking mantra at this point in time, and basically gives them license to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review: Foxcatcher (2014)

Director Bennett Miller’s movies tend to take a sideways view on real life. Everything about his filmmaking style is restrained, but the stories he chooses to tell (or re-tell) are so odd and remarkable you really couldn’t make them up. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Review: Birdman: or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Often the films that are not entirely successful end up being the most interesting, especially when they are attempting something new. BIRDMAN is one such creature, an ambitious and sometimes jarring exploration of the id and the ego filmed as … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Review: The Theory of Everything (2014)

How do you sum up the life of such an extraordinary human being? Director James Marsh, writer Anthony McCarten and principle actors Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones prove that you have to start from a place of emotion, and THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Film Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment