Tuesday 27 January 2015

60 Second Film Reviews #16



Quick movie reviews, without the waffle. 60 Second Film Reviews is a regular feature where I compile together brief reviews of recent films I've watched at home or at the movies - and generally couldn't be arsed didn't find time to write a proper review for.

This month, we have Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, 20,000 Days on Earth, and A Long Way Down. 

Monday 26 January 2015

Casting Call: The Last of Us



The Last of Us is one of the most highly-acclaimed video games of all time. Upon its release in June 2013, Empire Magazine commented that The Last of Us "may also prove to be gaming’s Citizen Kane moment – a masterpiece that will be looked back upon favourably for decades." 

It is no surprise then that since Naughty Dog's best-seller hit shelves that a movie adaptation has been quietly brewing behind the scenes. Despite the release date not being confirmed yet, The Last of Us movie is definitely happening - and that got me thinking about who should play who in the movie that could finally prove video game adaptations don't have to be shit.

Here's what I came up with...

Sunday 25 January 2015

Film Review: American Sniper



American Sniper is a biopic about the deadliest sniper in US military history, Chris Kyle. Across four tours in Iraq, Kyle (who is played by Bradley Cooper) racked up over 160 confirmed kills and saved the lives of countless American soldiers.

Directed by Clint Eastwood and nominated for six Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Actor for Cooper), American Sniper is a slick but simplistic look into the psyche of Kyle, one that feels a little too skin-deep to really hit home.

Thursday 22 January 2015

Birdman Backlash (VOR)



Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the clear frontrunner this Oscar season, a critical darling that has racked up nine nominations for next month's annual awards show. 

From the daring cinematography to the revelatory performances and bitingly satirical screenplay, Birdman has got critics across the globe falling head over heels on every level.

Bearing this in mind, how come I've been reading so much negative backlash on Facebook and from audiences who've seen the film? What is it about Birdman that has got audiences and critics so divided?

Monday 19 January 2015

Film Review: Birdman



Birdman (or to use its full title, Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a dark comedy/drama from director Alejandro G. Inarritu. It sees Michael Keaton play Riggan Thompson, a fading movie star who is writing, directing and starring-in his own Broadway comeback.

It's a front-runner in this Oscars' with nine nominations under its belt - so, how does it stack up?

Sunday 18 January 2015

Film Review: Two Night Stand



This is not the Miles Teller film you're looking for, but maybe it should be. 

Ok, confession time - I took to iTunes to hunt down the digital release of Whiplash. Turns out, I have to wait until February for that particular one so instead I watched Two Night Stand, another film that stars Miles Teller. It's a rom-com though. So I was doubtful from the outset.

Anyway, let's dive right in. What's the deal with Two Night Stand?

Saturday 17 January 2015

Film Review: Into The Woods



Into The Woods is a Disney musical adapted from the Broadway show of the same name. It's a retelling of several classic fairytales that intertwine with one another - Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel to be exact. 

Witches, giants and magical kingdoms (no teddy bear picnics though), Into The Woods is an enchanting adventure that, whilst sporadically entertaining, doesn't wholly impress.

Thursday 15 January 2015

Oscars 2015: The Nominations



You know why we're here - to talk about the Oscar nominations, or more specifically, which films weren't nominated and really should've been. Which film(s) do you think missed out on some lovin'? Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below!

Sunday 11 January 2015

Film Review: Taken 3



Back in 2008, the original Taken was something of a revelation - set against the grimy backdrop of the Paris criminal underworld was Liam Neeson, an Oscar nominated actor best known for playing Oskar Schindler and Qui-Gon Jinn, getting his knuckles bruised in a MA15+ Eurothriller that didn't pull any punches. 

Fast forward to 2012 and the follow-up, Taken 2, failed to live up to the original by rehashing the same plot and removing blood and bone-crunching action from the equation.

Now, in 2015, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is back for a third time in Taken 3, the final instalment in unlikeliest of action franchises. This time, Bryan is framed for a crime he didn't commit and must work outside the law to protect those closest to him. So, how does this third spin of the wheel measure up? Is it as good as the first?

Saturday 10 January 2015

I'm Spinnin' Around (VOR)



This post contains spoilers for the final season of Breaking Bad. You have been warned. Bitch.

Having just finished watching Breaking Bad for the first time (FYI: Believe the hype, it's without a doubt one of the best shows ever made), my attention immediately turned to where I can get my next TV fix.

With my head still immersed in the world of Walter White, meth labs and New Mexico, I soon found myself hunting around for all the information on upcoming Breaking Bad spinoff, Better Call Saul, which centres on the immensely popular side character, Saul Goodman.

Whilst the whole things sounds good, and I'll certainly check it out, it made me wonder - is it really...necessary? How can a mere spin-off compare with the original?

Sunday 4 January 2015

Film Review: Night at the Museum - Secret of the Tomb



Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the third and final film into the family film series and sees Ben Stiller reprise his role as Larry Daley, a night guard at the Museum of Natural History in New York who protects the exhibits that come to life during the night.

Thursday 1 January 2015

My 11 Most Anticipated Films of 2015



With 2014 already rapidly disappearing into the past, I'm kicking off the New Year by looking at what 2015 has in-store for us cinephiles. 

From killer cyborgs to British secret agents and the long awaited return to a galaxy far, far away, 2015 has a whole host of exciting new and returning prospects lined-up - and I'm going to go through which 11 films I'm most excited for over the next 12 months.

What are you most looking forward to in 2015? Let me know in the comments below!

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