Reviews in a nutshell
Unlike Charles Ferguson’s Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job that made your blood boil at the sheer gall of the games played financial institutions and leading persons involved, ex-Merrill Lynch employee and writer-director J.C. Chandor’s new thriller, Margin Call, serves a token of sweet torment on the money-grabbing scoundrels that kicked off the financial crisis. It’s 2008, …
If ever a film was openly seeking Oscar recognition, it’s Steven Spielberg’s latest solemn contender, War Horse, coming hot off the heels of his recent fun family adventure, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. No stranger to evoking emotions when he so desires in his dramatic cinematic offerings that include Schindler’s List, …
As the title suggests, Rodrigo García‘s deeply affecting new drama, Mother and Child, lays bare the life-changing force of motherhood with dynamic bittersweet, harrowing and raw moments from its stellar cast. Annette Bening gives one of her most enigmatic and painfully frank performances yet that cuts direct to the core. The story follows three women: …
If you are looking for something utterly unique and totally charming this holiday, to be transported back to when cinema first captured the hearts and minds of audiences in its glory days, French writer-director Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist is simply a joyous breath of fresh air. Its old-fashioned romance and drama – as depicted in …
Visionary French director Luc Besson is no stranger to developing utterly compelling stories centring on intriguing female protagonists, and delving into the make-up of their psyche during their individual struggle, from adults (Nikita) to children (Leon). Therefore, with the story of what made one of history’s most iconic female figures, Burmese pro-democracy fighter Aung San …
Tom Cruise reviving his Ethan Hunt, special agent role for the fourth time was bound to raise a few eyebrows, considering the hit-and-miss reception of the other three films, the continuity clangers, the formulaic plots and daft set-pieces. The other films also take themselves a little bit too seriously – like their star. But thanks …
Continue reading “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol ****”
So striking and unique was Swedish actress Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of 21st century anti-heroine Lisbeth Salander in the original 2009 film that director David Fincher and screenwriter Steven Zaillian already had their work cut out adapting author Stieg Larsson’s complex first book of his Millennium trilogy as an English-language film. The plot is so complex …
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle might be turning in his grave at the use of his work, but if he had a sense of humour, he might appreciate Guy Ritchie’s more contemporary, humorous interpretation of his British sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, and certainly admire Robert Downey Jr’s eccentric turn as the infamous detective again. What is certain …
Sundance winner Another Earth is as ambiguous as its trailer, but at its indie heart is a tale of tragic redemption, rather than apocalyptic sci-fi curiosity. Listen carefully to the trailer voiceover, as this is one girl’s journey laced with an otherworldly presence. On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet to Earth …
