In the 80s there was a clutch of VHS tapes which performed the function of “films to put on when we’ve come back from the pub”: Robocop, Spinal Tap, Quadrophenia, Blade Runner, and Predator. The requirements for these films is that they appeal across tastes, had quotable dialogue, some cool… Continue reading
After Black Panther and Infinity War, the second AntMan outing returns to more mediocre form. It has our hero coming to the end of his house arrest after the Captain America: Civil War shenanigans. Inevitably his resolution to see it out is tested when Hope Van Dyne requires him to… Continue reading
Let’s get it sorted all the things this film isn’t. It isn’t an effective neo-noir thriller, despite some well constructed shots and a love of neon. It isn’t a complex, multi-layered narrative that demands the viewer to construct the pieces. It isn’t a beautiful evocation of cityscapes. So it’s not… Continue reading
With Ron Howard directing a Lawrence Kasdan script this is conventional, safe, entertaining Hollywood. It can be viewed as a fairly straightforward cowboy or heist movie, and that in essence tells us the appeal of Star Wars, and in particular the Star Wars universe to Disney. For decades the western… Continue reading
There is a good film to be made about privacy and permanent surveillance. This isn’t it. The opening sequence of what a society where everyone has Google Glasses embedded in their heads would be like, is well executed. Every person is immediately identified, adverts are brought to life, information is… Continue reading
Everything about this movie is HUGE, as if Simple Minds, U2 and Springsteen had combined at the height of their bombastic pomposity for a world tour lasting 17 years. The cast, the budget, scope, special effects and ambition: huge. Of course, the inherent problem with a movie of this size… Continue reading
Not having read the original novel, and not being much of a gamer, I went into this without much of the baggage that many have. I figured this would mean I might enjoy it more, because I had no geek nirvana that it was betraying. And, sure, it’s an enjoyable… Continue reading
John Krasinski directs and stars in a taut, post apocalyptic movie, the premise of which is that any sound is usually followed swiftly by a violent death. It’s a great set up for a film, as you rapidly become aware how much of human activity necessitates making sound – communication,… Continue reading
If Garland’s Ex Machina was revisiting the claustrophobic sci fi horrors of the 70s such as Demon Seed and Silent Running, then Annihilation sees him taking on the more expansive, existentialist legacy of 2001, Solaris and Stalker. This is where a film that has many elements to recommend it, comes… Continue reading
There are some aspects of Del Toro’s monster love story that are nigh on perfect. At the top of this list is Michael Shannon’s portrayal of the malicious, deranged authoritarian Strickland who so easily could have been a two dimensional character. He adds the kind of depth and friction that… Continue reading
