Film Reviews 
Reviews of films past and present.
Seven Psychopaths (2012): Six Not Seven(26)
Written and directed by Martin McDonagh Seven Psychopaths has a pretty hefty cast list; a wandering storyline and has six, not seven psycho’s in it. I only mention it because a third of the way through the film, it is somewhat obliquely mentioned. The Cast: Michael Pitt … Larry Michael Stuhlbarg … Tommy Sam Rockwell … Billy Colin… Read More ›
When a Stranger Calls (2006):Agonisingly Slow
I remember seeing the original of this film, the 1979 one with Carol Kane as part of one of those Drive-in Special features where you got three films for the price of one. Not too different from the $1.00 a car night where no matter how many hot and sweaty bodies you crammed in the… Read More ›
The Final Rites aka Rites of Passage (2012) Monkey Shines
Looking at the cast list, which was helpfully posted across the top of the video case, I decided to give this one a go. Sure the list says, with Christian Slater and Stephen Dorff which generally means that neither of them, as a rule, will get much screen time. But, au contraire! Christian Slater, while not on screen… Read More ›
Come Out and Play (2012) Mexican Somnambulistic Scares
We all have a picture of life south of the border, Mexico has always evoked images of fiestas and siestas, one meaning to party hardy and the other to have an afternoon nap because of said partying. Things are slower and more relaxed in Me-he-co amigo. So is this little horror film from south of… Read More ›
Jonah Hex (2010) Under-viewed, Under-Loved
I finally got to see this film last night and I will say upfront that, despite having “toe-thumb” and plastically enhanced Megan Fox in it, I kind of liked it. Of course there was a slim chance that I would as it has three of my favourite actors in it; Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, and… Read More ›
Walled In (2009): Architectural Deviancy and Murder
As director Gilles Paquet-Brenner‘s debut feature in the US and based on a French novel by Serge Brussolo, Walled In was perhaps not the best vehicle to show the celebrated French director’s talents. While not a bad film, it certainly doesn’t dazzle or overly impress. With a boogeyman who stays (mostly) off-screen that is a maniacal architect… Read More ›
Ip Man 2 (2010): Continuing the Tale
Directed again by Wilson Yip (for the last time in the series) Ip Man 2 continues the tale of Ip Man and his rise to worldwide fame. There have been less complaints about the film makers “frugality” with actual events this time around. Picking up where Ip Man finished, the film takes place in Hong… Read More ›
Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Almost Old Fashioned Fun
I still remember the moment I saw the trailer for this film. Bradley Cooper is “speed” reading a book; he finishes, slams the book shut; looks at the book, looks up and says, “What…the…f***!” The next shot is the book flying through a closed window. If I remember correctly I spat out a mouthful of… Read More ›
Macabre (2010): Indonesian Slasher Gore Fest
Written and directed by Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto aka “the Mo Brothers” Macabre has the dubious distinction of being the first Indonesian film to be banned in Malaysia because of its overabundance of gore and violence. Despite this mark against it, the film nonetheless won quite a few awards and the lead actress Shareefa Daanish… Read More ›
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): A Gay Buddy Film
After being told by numerous people (well, two at least) that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a dynamite film that showed implicitly that Shane Black was an awesome director before Iron Man 3, I decided to watch it. Especially after seeing a clip from the film that featured Val Kilmer, Robert Downey Jr and Evan Parke… Read More ›
