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Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit
Convoluted, utterly unmemorable threeboot, with a dull Chris Pine and a Branagh double dip.
27th May 2014
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The Killing Fields
A political powerhouse subject, let down by plodding execution and shapeless direction.
Halliwell says: Brilliantly filmed, but probably too strong for a commercial audience to stomach, this true adventure tosses one into the horror of modern war and leaves one reeling despite its comparatively happy ending.***
#JustWatched
#Film
#CSF
#Halliwell
16th May 2014
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Incendies
Intense French-Canadian-Middle-Eastern political drama which burns slowly and winds up tighter and tighter.
16th May 2014
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Blue Ruin
Suspenseful, micro-budget revenge thriller. Solidly handled by first timer Jeremy Saulnier.
16th May 2014
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Pain & Gain
Occasionally amusing muscle-comedy from Michael Bay. Could do with more comedy and less running time.
5th May 2014
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Her
Modern, extremely stylish love story from Spike Jonze that meanders from thought provoking into ponderous.
3rd May 2014
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The East
Engaging eco-thriller, building plausibly around a modern dilemma. Impressive 2nd pic from Zac Batmanglij.
26th Apr 2014
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Philomena
An engaging story and a stand out turn from Judi Dench elevate this otherwise bog standard drama.
25th Apr 2014
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Monsters University
Old School meets Muppets in this Pixar prequel. Needed more Frank the Tank.
20th Apr 2014
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All Is Lost
Intense, lonely, one-man disaster pic. Methodically directed, with an intense turn from Robert Redford.
9th Apr 2014
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Spring Breakers
Accomplished crack at the mainstream from Harmony Korine. MTV meets The Limey in an intense blur.
6th Apr 2014
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Solid coming of age drama, with a great early 90s soundtrack.
5th Apr 2014
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The Bling Ring
Promising modern fable, rendered as superficial and one dimensional as its subject.
30th Mar 2014
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Captain Phillips
Intense modern piracy drama, skilfully handled as Paul Greengrass builds the tension and intensity.
29th Mar 2014
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Before Midnight
Classy, accomplished threquel to Richard Linklater's meandering walking talk-a-thon.
29th Mar 2014
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Lone Survivor
Intense but shapeless Special Ops shoot out with very little to say.
20th Mar 2014
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This Is The End
Stupid post-modern, post-apocalyptic comedy from the frat pack, with the occasional funny moment.
14th Mar 2014
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12 Years A Slave
Intense, harrowing slavery biopic. Steve McQueen leaps forward with a more accomplished hand.
8th Mar 2014
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Sound City
Sentimental doc from Dave Grohl, looking back to better times. Trent Reznor disagrees, but still shows up.
4th Mar 2014
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The Last Stand
Schwarzenegger Lite returns. Decent enough actioner that regresses into an A-Team episode for act 3.
28th Feb 2014
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The Numbers Station
By the numbers small scale CIA drama. Cusack phones it in.
7th Feb 2014
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Welcome to the Punch
Cliche ridden UK crime thriller that plays out like Heat written by the EastEnders staff.
7th Feb 2014
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Salinger
Fascinating, surprisingly action-packed biography of one of the teenage chimpomatic's major heroes.
30th Jan 2014
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The Trip
Subdued, prototype Coogan/Brydon pseudo doc, peppered with top gags. Reviewed here in US movie formation.
26th Jan 2014
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Oblivion
Engaging, original sci-fi. Competently made and solidly realised, but somehow ringing a little hollow.
25th Jan 2014
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One False Move
Tense, brutal film noir. Updating western sensibilities and old-fashioned tension for the 90s.
25th Jan 2014
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The Voices
Intense, thought provoking black comedy, with a seriously dark underbelly.
23rd Jan 2014
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What We Do In The Shadows
Riotous NZ vampire doc. Relentless laughs, and a rowdy performance from the Swerewolves.
23rd Jan 2014
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Cold In July
Tense, witty, southern-drenched thriller. Dexter changes his M.O. and Don Johnson plays it cool.
21st Jan 2014
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The Trip To Italy
Relentless laughs with a dramatic undercurrent as Coogan and Brydon riff their way round Italy.
21st Jan 2014
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Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
Old school indie pic with great script and central performance. Hilarity meets sadness.
21st Jan 2014
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Boyhood
Epic indie odyssey from Rick Linklater, following lead actor Ellar Coltrane through 12 years of high school.
20th Jan 2014
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Young Ones
Uneven indie sci fi from Jake Paltrow with much to recommend. \#Nowaterworld
19th Jan 2014
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The Internship
'Old School' gets a version 2.0 update, with heavy product placement. Everybody learns something.
16th Jan 2014
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The Company You Keep
Solid, old fashioned thriller with great turns from Redford and other veterans + great script.
16th Jan 2014
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Man of Steel
Riddick meets LOTR as Zack Snyder cements his position as the most overrated director of his generation.
16th Jan 2014
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Star Trek Into Darkness
Surprisingly watchable sci-fi, despite the near-parody casting. But then I'm no Trekkie.
11th Jan 2014
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Raiders of the Lost Ark
Breathless story boarding, note perfect script and vintage Harrison Ford. All time top five.
2nd Jan 2014
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Prisoners
Dense, old-fashioned thriller with ratcheting tension and powerhouse turns from Gyllenhaal and Jackman.
31st Dec 2013
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The Departed
Over the top, unsubtle, bombastic and thoroughly enjoyable Scorsese picture. Great script, great turns.
30th Dec 2013
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Bachelorette
Almost edgy female take on The Hangover, with some actual depth.
28th Dec 2013
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Iron Man 3
Dismal CGI superhero farce, with crystal twiddler Robert Downey Jnr turned up to eleven.
28th Dec 2013
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Public Enemies
Sluggish biopic with shoddy cinematography and a lot of wasted potential amongst the style.
27th Dec 2013
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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The bronze medal of Indy movies, but Connery and Phoenix expand the formula.
26th Dec 2013
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The Notebook
Solid, sentimental chick flick that occasionally threatens to paint outside the lines.
22nd Dec 2013
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Prince Avalanche
Charming, thoughtful indie drama with that Paul Rudd that we like. Plus, @EITS soundtrack.
17th Dec 2013
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Rampart
James Ellroy updates his police corruption schtick, with a heavy turn from Woody from Cheers.
16th Dec 2013
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The Iceman
Competent period hit man biopic, that gets a bit distracted by the dressing up box instead of the script.
9th Dec 2013
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The World's End
Another remake of that one @simonpegg / @edgarwright movie. This one's like Dr Who with swearing.
8th Dec 2013
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Syriana
Stylish, classy, sprawling oil epic from Traffic's Stephen Gaghan. Backed up by a great ensemble cast.
6th Dec 2013
Read more 4 star reviews