Category Archives: Film Reviews

Conan the Barbarian Review

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‘The epic tale of child sold into slavery who grows into a man who seeks revenge against the warlord who massacred his tribe.’

With the new Conan movie coming out recently, I’ve spent a chunk of the last few weeks delving back into the original stories, movies, and the MMORPG Age of Conan to give myself the best chance for comparison. Conan is one of the best-known characters in fantasy fiction, and a lot of people have tried to capture the spirit Robert E. Howard’s original adventure tales.

So does the original Conan Continue reading →

Green Lantern Review

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‘A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.’

Given that Warner Brothers in their infinite wisdom decided to release Green Lantern locally over a month after the US release, I’ve had plenty of time to hear how much people don’t like this movie. Reviews are almost universally scathing, and the ticket sales reflect that, so it was no surprise that I went into this movie with low expectations.

Unfortunately, those expectations were Continue reading →

Sunshine Review

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Director: Danny Boyle

Writer: Alex Garland

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Mark Strong

Year: 2007

I can’t remember who it was who described the formula for a thriller, but it goes something like this: A man is on a crashing plane and the controls are damaged; at the last second he finds a parachute and jumps from the plane, only to find Continue reading →

The Taking of Pelham 123 Review

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Director: Tony Scott

Writers: Brian Helgeland, John Godey

Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta

Year: 2009

…what? I don’t even remember watching this.

Which is odd because I’m looking at the disc which I have only just now taken out of the player; and the cover which lays open on the coffee table; and I know that I’ve had the TV on and it was playing something…

Good grief. If we can translate the principles Continue reading →

Limitless Review

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‘A writer discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities.’

I have to imagine that this story was born when the writer was struggling for ideas and envisaged a magic pill that would solve all their problems. I mean, that’s the dream of any writer isn’t it? Some MacGuffin that would allow you to churn out amazing stories with no effort so you can write a new novel as fast as you can type. If only.

The concept is a very interesting one, and the movie Continue reading →

Swerve Review

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‘A woman, two men and a suitcase of money – a lot can happen in the middle of nowhere.‘

I really regret not going along to see more movies at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival, because I know that I’m missing out on some really great films. Thankfully, I did get along last night to see the really fun new Australian movie – Swerve. Swerve is a thriller full of some great dark humour and a simple but compelling storyline.

The film opens in the middle of Continue reading →

Captain America Review

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Director: Joe Johnston

Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby

Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones

Year: 2011

I’m gonna try not to gush, but I gotta say: YEAH BABY!

For those of you who don’t know and aren’t reading this review anyway, Captain America marks the last stop on the Marvel Studios line before reaching The Avengers. Others much more qualified than I have gone into detail on the creative process Continue reading →

LEGO Star Wars – The Padawan Menace Review

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‘Tour guide Master Yoda leads a group of rambunctious Jedi younglings through Senate chambers when he senses a disturbance in the Force. Summoned to help save the Republic, he discovers that one of the younglings secretly boarded his ship…and has a taste for adventure!‘

After the disappointment of the last two Family Guy Star Wars Specials I was beginning to think that Robot Chicken was the only place that I’d be able to find some good Star Wars humour, but out of nowhere comes LEGO Star Wars – The Padawan Menace, and it’s the most fun I’ve had watching Star Wars for quite a while.

While The Padawan Menace is obviously Continue reading →

Dark City Review

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Writer/Director: Alex Proyas (w/ Len Dobbs & David S. Goyer)

Starring: Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly

Year: 1998

In the year 1998 I saw a movie. It was a movie that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was a movie marked by distinct visual style, brilliant special effects and a heart-racing soundtrack. It was a movie that questioned the nature of reality as we know, and asked deep questions about humanity and life. My friends and I came away from it not quite sure if we’d ‘got’ all that we’d just seen, but certain that it was a remarkable and groundbreaking new standing stone in the evolution of movies.

I am, of course, talking about The Matrix… which I will never review.

What I can do is take that paragraph and Continue reading →

Interstate 60 Review

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Director: Bob Gale

Starring: James Marsden, Amy Smart, Gary Oldman

Year: 2002

Interstate 60

In 2001 writer/director Bob Gale (Back to the Future) wanted to make a movie. He invited all of his friends to help him out. The finished product ended up featuring Christopher Lloyd, Chris Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Gary Oldman and Kurt freakin’ Russel!

If you’ve heard of this flick, congrats, that makes about five of us. I stumbled Continue reading →