Category: Drama

LFF: The King’s Speech – 5*

At any other time in recent years, a film about the Royal Family would only prick the interest of some at the UK box office. But with two royal weddings on the cards this year, there seems to be renewed domestic interest in our famous British family. Tom Hooper’s film, The King’s Speech, could not …

LFF: 127 Hours – 4*

An hour-and-a-half film about a man cutting his arm off to save his own life sounds like an intriguing concept alone. Coupled with the fact that said film is none other than the latest in Oscar-winner Danny Boyle’s (Slumdog Millionaire) arsenal and stars Golden Globe winner James Franco (Milk) should raise interest and awareness further. …

The Next Three Days – 3*

Paul Haggis is a master of tension building, from Crash to In The Valley of Elah, putting his characters through the emotional mill, and challenging preconceptions. On face value, his latest film, The Next Three Days, starring heavyweight Russell Crowe, is a surprisingly toned-down affair and a true popcorn flick. But it still has a …

Love and Other Drugs – 2*

Let’s be frank: This is a film for dedicated Jake Gyllenhaal and/or Anne Hathaway fans because both are paraded in their full glory and look hot to trot (just see the poster) – even the latter, which is tad unsettling, considering she plays a Parkinson’s Disease sufferer on stage 1 of the illness. Now, that’s …

Gulliver’s Travels – 3*

Jack Black is an acquired taste. Let’s face it; if you’re not a fan, you wouldn’t even contemplate going to see a film, which is effectively another stage for self-depreciating Blackmania. The only issue is whether as a fan of the tale of Gulliver’s Travels, the version from director Rob Letterman – the man behind …

The Way Back – 3*

With highly respected film-maker Peter Weir (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) behind a new adventure, you know you are in for a visually stunning treat, born of meticulous planning and hard graft to get it factually right. The Way Back is no exception to the Weir catalogue of cinematic triumphs, a …

LFF: In Our Name – 4*

It seems that once having seen images of war first-hand, it’s impossible to lead a ‘normal’ existence on Civvy Street. This is certainly the case from personal experience, and writer/director Brian Welsh’s second feature, In Our Name, would have you believe this, too. In fact, as the media is quick to remind us, it appears …

Monsters – 4*

For a film with such an emotive title that conjures up all kinds of stereotypical sci-fi imagery of Earth being taken over by extraterrestrial life forms, Monsters by documentary film-maker Gareth Edwards is quite the opposite. It’s actually a surprisingly tender relationship study between two humans that blossoms amongst nature of the Earth and alien …

LFF: Rare Exports – 4*

It’s silly season again, and the thought of yet another Santa movie thrills some and has others gnawing the furniture in despair. But writer/director Jalmari Helander’s alternative Christmas tale, Rare Exports, is one you’ll not forget in a hurry, based on two short films. It’s designed to challenge the schmaltzy, commercialised holiday season head on, …