The Hurt Locker (2009)
Kathryn Bigelow’s most noteworthy work since 2005′s Strange Days is an interesting film. While the liberal kids of Hollywood may have struggled with how to approach the notion of a current war film, Bigelow has produced perhaps the best of the bunch by simply eshewing politics to the sidelines, where they incorporate themselves into the … Read more
Two Lovers (2008)
The fourth film from writer/director James Gray, and perhaps the most interesting filmmaker working in the United States at the moment, Two Lovers is a wonderful take on the romantic drama, as well as a step in a different direction for Gray. Perhaps best known for his ensemble dramas, dramas that evoke an uncanny likeness … Read more
Futureworld (1976)
The follow up to Michael Crichton’s Westworld never reaches the highs that its predecessor does, and while it entertains for the first half hour or so, Futureworld is ultimately very disappointing. In the sequel we follow Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner’s journalist stereotypes as they uncover a secret about the soon to be reopened Delos … Read more
Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud (1958)
If the work of Jean-Pierre Melville laid the foundations of the Nouvelle Vague, then one might claim that with Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud Louis Malle concludes with the empty building that would house the movement being fully erected. That Malle would never fully return to the stylistic tone that he helped create is proof if proof … Read more
Up (2009)
While I would dearly love to give UP the write up that it genuinely deserves, I fear that so much time has passed since I initially saw it that I won’t be able to. Alas there is one thing I am certain of; Pixar’s Up is outstanding. The story of an old man, bitter to … Read more
Mesrine – Killer Instinct (2008)
I’m still playing catch up, so please excuse the brief nature of this piece. I hope to be fully up to date by the end of today. One of the biggest hits of the French cinema of 2008, the Cesar award winning double bill comprising of Mesrine – Killer Instinct (L’instinct de Mort) and Mesrine … Read more
Of lesser interest [two]
In a last ditch attempt to rid my databanks of the five films that make up the rest of my holiday/illness viewing I have decided to do one article under the banner of “Of Lesser Interest”. In the run up to Inglourious Basterds I decided to take in a viewing of Reservoir Dogs, having realised … Read more
Soylent Green (1973)
This early 1970′s Charlton Heston starring dystopian science fiction flick left me a little more than wishing for something with a little more substance. While the hook is rather superb, the execution is meandering and dull, and while I have no qualms with the fact that Soylent Green’s twist is one of the most impressive … Read more
G.I. Joe : The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Now that this months article in conjunction with The Cineastes is out of the way, I can turn my attention to the films I saw during my absence. I won’t be spending an especial amount of time on most of these films, as not only is time of the essence, but some of them don’t … Read more
Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987)
What follows is the fourth in a series of essays produced in conjunction with The Cineastes. Louis Malle, the French Auteur whose career spanned more than forty years is a filmmaker that has long escaped the attention of this writer. Alas that has been put straight this week with screenings of several of his most … Read more
