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Iron Man 3 2013
Watched by Michael Leader 17 Apr, 2013 Shane Black’s witty, daring continuation of the Iron Man series defies expectations at every turn, not least because it is, against all odds, a strong contender for the best Marvel movie to date.
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A Star Is Born 1954
Watched by Robbie Collin 07 Apr, 2013 2 Fascinating case study for criticism: the film is superb on its own terms – get a load of that 'Scope photography, for a start – but when taken alongside the parallel narrative of Garland's own real-life breakdown, it gleans a whole new layer of tragic complexity, including a KILLER bitter irony in that superficially upbeat final line.
Does that count as 'part of the film', or not? Normally I'd say you have to judge what's on screen and set the…
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Spring Breakers 2013
Watched by Michael Leader 22 Mar, 2013 YOLO: The Movie
An indulgent and imperfect film destined for some sort of cult status thanks to its garish, kitsch and post-ironic fetishes. Worth it for James Franco's off-the-hook performance as the disgusting white rapper-cum-gangsta caricature, especially in the one or two scenes where he really lets loose. Overall, though, it's all a bit repetitive and shallow - but that's the point.
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Groundhog Day 1993
Added by Stephen Carty Built around an inspired premise, Groundhog Day is the high-concept comedy to end all high-concept comedies. Easy to watch yet surprisingly profound, it’s an entertaining crowd-pleaser which is much smarter than most people watching will realise. Bing!
Continued at: www.flixcapacitor.co.uk/film-review/groundhog-day-1993
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The Place Beyond the Pines 2013
Added by Stephen Carty A riveting crime drama which evolves into something unique, The Place Beyond The Pines is an ambitious, mesmerising odyssey about fathers and sons. Not just Drive on a bike.
Continued at: www.flixcapacitor.co.uk/film-review/the-place-beyond-the-pines-2013
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Stoker 2013
Added by Stephen Carty Visually, the film is compelling and precise, but the story isn’t able to keep us interested throughout.
Continued at: www.flixcapacitor.co.uk/film-review/stoker-2013
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Skyfall 2012
by Mike P Williams 18 Feb, 2013 2 Third watch, but the first on Blu-ray, and it looks sublime. Still ace.
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Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 2012
Watched by Michael Leader 16 Feb, 2013 Heavy on interviews - including some great spots from Ken Adam, Christopher Lee and all Bonds sans Connery - but light on cultural and creative analysis. The Untold Story of 007 is, it seems, the story of EON Productions, and after early sequences about Ian Fleming's life and work, the focus is squarely on Harry Saltzman and the Broccoli clan.
In a way, it's fitting, as James Bond is one of those cultural forces where film producers have usurped authors,…
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Close-Up 1991
Watched by Robbie Collin 09 Feb, 2013 "Yo dawg, I heard you like films, so I put a film in your film so you can contemplate the ontological status of cinema while you contemplate the ontological status of cinema" - Xzibbas Kiarostami
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1988
Watched by Michael Leader 26 Dec, 2012 1 Not that I can remember it, being two at the time, but Roger Rabbit was one of the first films I ever saw at the cinema, and over the years its power and complexity has done nothing but grow. What must have been a contractual nightmare - an animation crossover event of the century - is light, airy and, above all, a celebration of the artform. But delve deeper, and its use of film noir tropes, the toon-askew LA backdrop…
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2012
Watched by Mike P Williams 13 Dec, 2012 Overlong and indulgent for sure, but superbly crafted, charming, thrilling, engaging and visceral, even if it does retread Fellowship in many ways. Freeman is a delight and some of the CGI (especially for Gollum) is most certainly Oscar-worthy.
