23 December 2010
19 December 2010
Chugyeogja (2008) aka "The Chaser"
Soon to be remade by the team that brought you The Departed screams the the cover.. screw that and just watch this version for another fine film to come out of Korea (it's no Oldboy tho).Janck 4 stars (Aug '09)
Dark central themes and grisly violence are no strangers to Korean cinema, and The Chaser is no exception. Raw and energetic performances enliven this macabre tale.
Mitch 4 stars
18 December 2010
The Ghost (2010) aka The Ghost Writer
Pierce Brosnan plays ex-PM Janck 3.5 stars
Plotted and paced like a book itself, there is nothing overly gripping or cinematic about the Ghost, but a satisfying ending left me in good spirits.
Mitch 3.5 stars
12 December 2010
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
This starts off with early promise, but lack of real suspense and tension left me with weekend engineering works rather than runaway express. Middle of the tracks viewing.3 stars
Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
Michael Moore always manages to speak to my inner pinko, but he too often speaks to my inner narcoleptic as well.
11 December 2010
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Enjoyable enough CGI fest, but not a patch on the charming original if truth be told. Ralph Fiennes is the highlight as Hades in this style over substance fantasy epic.3 stars
4 December 2010
London (2005)
Not the city, the girl. Played by Jessica Biel. And she's hotter than July. And a heartbreaker. Love's a bitch. A familiar cast (Biel, Evans, Statham) in an unfamiliar ensemble 'drama' that tries a little too hard to be deep.
3 stars
30 November 2010
Heartless (2009)
The devil is in the detail as Jim Sturgess enters into a deal with demons in East London.
28 November 2010
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Mindbending imagination adventure, which is actually better than it sounds. Has it's own fantasy charm in what proved to be Heath Ledger's last on screen adventure. Trippy.3.5 stars
27 November 2010
The Lovely Bones (2009)
Good visual imagery, but surprisingly little emotion to leave any lasting impression. Standout performance from Stanley Tucci, but doesn't rescue this from averageness.3 stars
Splice (2009)
A film so so-so that I can't even dream up a glib review.. and that is the biggest crime with Splice.
21 November 2010
Män som hatar kvinnor (2009) aka "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Very much like an extreme episode of Inspector Morse.
13 November 2010
11 November 2010
Predators (2010)
Makes the forgettable AvP movies even more forgettable without being spectacular itself.
6 November 2010
Edge of Darkness (2010)
Not quite as edgy or as dark as hoped but still a fairly solid thriller that ticks most the boxes.Janck 3.5 stars (Sept 2010)
Solid and enjoyable thriller that packs a punch and entertains throughout its runtime.
Mitch 3.5 stars
The Killer Inside Me (2010)
Dark and controversial, usually a recipe for success, but in this case leaves you wanting that little bit more.
31 October 2010
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
More Jabberwocky than Cheshire Cat smile.Janck 3 stars (March 2010)
Delivers in the colourful and quirky way you would expect, that this is almost the 'norm' for a Tim Burton effort. Is a visual treat to behold though.
Mitch 3.5 stars
30 October 2010
24 October 2010
Fong juk (2006) aka "Exiled"
Wild shootouts just about keep this confusing crime flick ticking along, but I expected more.
The Road (2009)
Not got the T-shirt.Janck 3.5 stars (Aug 2010)
Bleak; desperately so. This downbeat drama is well made, but difficult to know who you would recommend this to. Heavy going.
Mitch 3.5 stars
23 October 2010
The Informant! (2009)
Rat Damon!Janck 3 stars (Sep '09)
Entertaining enough dramedy starring Matt Damon with a 'tache. Incredulous and amusing.
Mitch 3.5 stars
17 October 2010
A Single Man (2009)
Touching and poignant human drama dealing with one man's innermost thoughts and sense of loss. What could have been downbeat is actually cerebral, and a fine supporting cast combine well to give Colin Firth an Oscar nomination.4 stars
16 October 2010
Kick-Ass (2010)
If there was ever a film that needed a Lion essay review then here it is.. sweary kids, dark humour, and plenty of kick ass action make for a real knockout feature.Janck 4 stars (Apr '10)
Funny and action-packed in equal measure, you cannot help but root for the introvert protagonist; duty bound to bring a new kind of superhero to the fore. Destined to annoy a legion of Daily Mail readers; I for one am hoping for a sequel.
Mitch 4 stars
10 October 2010
5 October 2010
The Box (2009)
Wacky, bonkers, or even preposterous, but Richard Kelly still manages to push more buttons with The Box than your average turgid Hollywood flick.
2 October 2010
29 September 2010
26 September 2010
25 September 2010
A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Drugs, government control and cat and mouse antics make for a heady, and trippy cocktail. Deliberately patchy, though visually impressive, the overall sense is still one of cinematic inertia. Hats off for trying something a little different though.3 stars
Brüno (2009)
Howlingly funny at times, Brüno doesn't deviate far from the successful formula set down by BCLoAfMBGNoK, but will still have you chuckling days later..Janck 4 stars (Jul '09)
I was hoping for a stinging satire on the Fashion Industry, but instead of Funkyzeit, this was actually quite shite.
Mitch 2.5 stars
19 September 2010
9 (2009)
Wonderfully dark post-apocalyptic rag-doll dystopia animation. Tim Burton is on hand to produce, but full credit goes to writer/director Shane Acker whose Oscar nominated short secured funding for this full length feature. Does not pack the emotive punch of DisneyPixar, nor is it as polished, but the set pieces entertain throughout.3.5 stars
18 September 2010
The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
George Clooney movie based on a book by a Guardian journalist.. it should be the best film ever but ends up just being a thoroughly decent one instead.Janck 4 stars (Nov '09)
I'm sure the book will be better, but the decision to go with a comedy rather than documentary approach is well received in a tale of where the truth really is stranger than fiction. If you can't bleat them, join them.
Mitch 3.5 stars
12 September 2010
Surrogates (2009)
High brow Sci-Fi concept + Bruce Willis + Lights + Camera + Action = Popcorn Blockbuster (with awesome surround sound).3.5 stars
2 September 2010
Green Zone (2010)
"Bourne goes epic" screams the cover.. decent enough but can't help but think Bourne might have been better off staying at home and watching The Hurt Locker instead.
28 August 2010
Un prophète (2009) aka "A Prophet"
I often like to complain when a film is anything over 90 minutes long (if it's good enough for football then it's good enough for movies) but even at over two and a half hours long I didn't want A Prophet to end.. profonde douceur.Janck 4.5 stars (Mar '10)
Gritty French prison drama which i wanted to love, but ending up liking a lot. Some superb performances are marred by a script this is meandering and, at times, unfocussed. Though do not let that detract from a solid drama that kills the rest of it's Hollywood peers.
Mitch 4 stars
21 August 2010
Up in the Air (2009)
Sharp and witty, what's not to like?Janck 4 stars (Jan '10)
Top flight drama with a 'just doing my job' George Clooney and a star-stealing performance from Anna Kendrik who was Oscar nominated in this role. Clever, fresh, recommended.
Mitch 4 stars
15 August 2010
Shutter Island (2010)
I've been waiting for Mitch to write an intelligent and worthy review for Shutter Island but no dice, so it falls to me to write a glib one instead.. You'd be crazy not to like it.Janck 4 stars
A cinematic delight; the cloak and dagger backdrop of the fifties seems a perfect era for Scorsese to craft an intriguing thriller right from the off. Compelling, cryptic filmmaking that you'd be mad to miss out on.
Mitch 4.5 stars
The Losers (2010)
An elite governement unit seek revenge (like the A-Team) after being framed for a crime by shadowy military powers (like the A-Team), ending with an explosive set-piece in the Los Angeles Docks (like the A-Team) but, with Stringer Bell (unlike the A-Team). The Losers wins.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
A ripping yarn, with a decent bromance to boot, which sets up the franchise nicely.Janck 4 stars (Dec '09)
Better than expected Guy Ritchie vehicle (or horse and cart) in which Holmes and Watson have many a 19th Century adventure. Bravo.
Mitch 4 stars
14 August 2010
Out of Sight (1998)
Still oozing cool twelve years after release, I may even go so far as to call it a Nineties classic?
12 August 2010
Taken (2008)
MITCH : Liam Neeson is well cast in this tale of kidnap/revenge. Like many a modern day action thriller however, this is heavily Bourne influenced; but certainly much better than the average vigilante movie. 3.5 starsJANCK : I wasn't.
8 August 2010
Public Enemies (2009)
Think Heat not quite at boiling point.Janck 4 stars (Jul '09)
Cops and robbers 1930's American style.
Mitch 3.5 stars
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