Reviews in a nutshell
Alex Garland’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2005 novel, Never Let Me Go, is what film festivals and awards ceremonies were made for. Even though the film of the same name gracefully opened the 2010 BFI London Film Festival in October, delivering an example of understated, ethereal British elegance in its style and cinematography, it has …
This is one of those films that fill you with great expectations, especially with Avatar’s James Cameron at the producing helm, but leaves you thoroughly underwhelmed afterwards. Exciting visions of a watery ‘other-world’ wonder from Cameron, especially with The Abyss reference (Virgil), turn into a lengthy cave-exploring/father-son-hugging tedium. Still, it is based on a true …
There’s been a real lack of film noir offerings in recent years, so it’s pleasing to have the choice of watching one at the box office – even though you may not have realised it from the former whimsical-looking poster. This is a tweaked version of the 1947 film of the same name, starring Richard …
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, picking the right rom-com to see is crucial to setting the right mood. A Little Bit Of Heaven should be on the cards – and with Kate Hudson in the lead, things look particularly promising. But that’s where the love story begins to fade because she’s cast opposite The Motorcycle …
Big cities worldwide draw all walks of life, and therefore, provide absorbing material for film-makers trying to discover another angle in the way they live, breathe and connect their inhabitants. There are some potentially intriguing and original storylines to indulge in, in this collection of 11 intriguing snapshots of life in the Big Apple, but …
Like its title, this is a story full of determination and fighting spirit, set in gritty and meagre surroundings, which unsurprisingly, bolster our empathy for its colourful array of characters. Considering The Fighter has got a few Oscar nods and a Golden Globe for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, alarm bells start ringing of yet …
This may well be a remake of the classic 1972 Michael Winner film that had the rather grander US title of ‘Killer of Killers’, and starred mean machine Charles Bronson, but when The Mechanic has Jason Statham in the lead, it’s another Transporter film, whichever way you (cynically) look at it. Good news for Statham …
Thankfully, Paul Giamatti won Best Actor Golden Globe for Barney’s Version, considering the shameful overlook at the Oscar nominations. ‘Best Achievement in Makeup’ nod for Adrien Morot perhaps, but Giamatti is pure dramedy gold as impulsive, self-depreciating and sarcastic love saboteur, Barney Panofsky. This film touches all the right notes and offers some highly animated …
Javier Bardem receiving a Best Actor Oscar nod for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s haunting Biutiful, after his Cannes Film Festival Best Actor triumph was hardly a great revelation to most. The haunting film in true woeful Iñárritu style, and one set for the first time in his native Spain, is a definite awards contender by any …
