Author: Rich Cline Page 74
Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story
This biographical doc about the comedian-actor contains such a wealth of old footage that it's a must-see for his fans. And although its structure is a bit messy, the film shows an intriguingly serious side...
Movie Review posted on 30th December 2010
Burlesque
It's difficult to imagine a more outrageously camp movie than this glittery romp, and fortunately there's a sense that the cast and crew understand this. By never taking their ludicrous plot seriously, they've made a...
Movie Review posted on 17th December 2010
Outcast
Creepy and atmospheric, this low-budget thriller works primarily because it never over-explains its twisty, grisly premise. And strong performances from the cast manage to emerge despite an extremely murky visual style.Mary (Dickie) has fled Ireland...
Movie Review posted on 9th December 2010
The Tourist
This is a thoroughly offbeat concoction from the gifted filmmaker behind the acclaimed The Lives of Others: a rather goofy action comedy that deflates the suspense by telling us pretty much everything from the start.Elisa...
Movie Review posted on 9th December 2010
Machete
Essentially part three of the Grindhouse series, this old-style thriller sprang from Rodriguez's fake trailer. In some ways it should have stayed that short, because while it's riotously entertaining, there's nothing much to it.Machete (Trejo)...
Movie Review posted on 26th November 2010
Leap Year
From Mexico, this bold and yet subtle film is so bracingly realistic that at times we begin worrying about the central actress. Without ever making things easy for us, it also has a lot to...
Movie Review posted on 26th November 2010
![Adrift [a Deriva]](http://images.contactmusic.com/images/reviews2/adrift-fr.jpg "Adrift [a Deriva]")
Adrift [a Deriva]
Shot with a warm, sun-drenched glow, this drama practically purrs with the sexuality of its characters. Although since the story's told from a teenager's perspective, it doesn't always get things right. In 1980s Brazil, struggling...
Movie Review posted on 19th November 2010
Fit
While this film is clearly designed to challenge bigotry in society, it's so entertaining that we don't really mind being preached to. Lively characters and realistic attitudes fill the screen, making it easy to identify...
Movie Review posted on 5th November 2010
Mammoth
Darkly honest and emotionally involving, this ensemble drama cleverly examines the impact of modern life on children through several distinctly different characters. It's not particularly original, but it's still gripping.In New York, gaming expert Leo...
Movie Review posted on 5th November 2010
Burke & Hare
You can see what Landis was trying to do here: recapture the funny-scary tone of one of his biggest hits, 1981's An American Werewolf in London. But the mix of comedy and grisliness in this...
Movie Review posted on 29th October 2010
Takers
Loud and very violent (within the limits of a PG-13 rating), this supposedly gritty thriller strains so hard to be sleek and cool that it completely forgets to create believable characters or situations.Cops Jack and...
Movie Review posted on 1st October 2010
The Hole
Director Dante knows a thing or two about making teen thrillers, and this film gets the atmosphere just right without indulging in cheap movie gimmicks. Except for the 3D of course, which is used both...
Movie Review posted on 24th September 2010
Winter's Bone
Based on the Daniel Woodrell novel, this film is a riveting exploration of old-society notions of responsibility and obligation, loyalty and betrayal. It deserves the awards it's swept up so far, and more are surely...
Movie Review posted on 17th September 2010
The Other Guys
A sharp script sets this fast and furious action comedy apart from other brainless summer movies. And it's played with such deadpan precision that it keeps us laughing from start to finish, even when things...
Movie Review posted on 17th September 2010
Release
This British indie ambitiously mixes religion and sexuality into a melodramatic prison drama. It's a brave, forceful film that touches on some very big issues, although an uneven script and some weak performances undermine its...
Movie Review posted on 17th September 2010
The Runaways
A fascinating exploration of the effects of fame on young people, this true story is sharply directed and acted. It's also great to see a film about girl power that's this realistic and resonant. And...
Movie Review posted on 9th September 2010
The Switch
A slightly more serious take on the rom-com, this film benefits hugely from its likeable cast even though the script lets frequently them down. But at least it's dealing with some meaningful topics along the...
Movie Review posted on 3rd September 2010
![22 Bullets [l'immortel]](http://images.contactmusic.com/images/reviews2/22-bullets-jean-reno.jpg "22 Bullets [l'immortel]")
22 Bullets [l'immortel]
As violent as this mob thriller is, it also has a terrific sense of its central characters, focussing on strong emotions and moral decisions. And even though it's overcomplicated, the result is a sleek and...
Movie Review posted on 3rd September 2010
Wah Do Dem
This scruffy and offhanded comedy-drama has a certain realistic charm that keeps us smiling all the way trough. It's a cleverly made film with a story that continually moves forward, taking us on an enjoyable...
Movie Review posted on 27th August 2010
Dog Pound
Shot like a clear-eyed documentary, this unnerving teen prison drama draws us in by never sensationalising its story or characters. Clearly an homage to Alan Clarke's 1979 classic Scum, this film re-deploys cliches with originality...
Movie Review posted on 27th August 2010
Salt
Intelligent filmmaking covers up the whopping plot holes in this action thriller. It's shot with confidence that makes it thoroughly enjoyable, with a few strong characters and a story that stays in constant motion.Evelyn Salt...
Movie Review posted on 20th August 2010
Piranha 3D
A blast of black humour, much of it referring to other films, makes this riotously violent remake rather a lot of fun. And apart from the gleefully grisly 3D effects, the casting alone is a...
Movie Review posted on 20th August 2010
Le Refuge
Ozon is back in sensitive-drama mode for this almost subliminal personal story of a young woman trying to piece together the fragments of her life and understand her conflicting expectations and desires. But it's not...
Movie Review posted on 13th August 2010
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
It's not like we expect anything else from Bruckheimer: this is a loud, wacky, effects-laden extravaganza that's short on plot, characterisations and any real tension. But it's also rather mindless good fun.One of Merlin's apprentices,...
Movie Review posted on 13th August 2010
The Karate Kid
Even though it's corny, unnecessary and far too long, this remake of the 1984 hit is surprisingly engaging. This is mainly due to the crowd-pleasing story and a relatively understated performance from Jackie Chan.Dre (Smith)...
Movie Review posted on 28th July 2010
The Rebound
A charming and observant tone helps lift this above most romantic comedies, at least until the formula kicks in during the final rather contrived act. But until then, it keeps us happily smiling and sighing...
Movie Review posted on 22nd July 2010
Toy Story 3
Pixar's keystone franchise takes on the tone of its more serious recent films (Wall-E and Up), mixing comedy, action and emotion in a way that's pure magic: we end up laughing, frightened and crying tears...
Movie Review posted on 16th July 2010
Inception
Nolan pulls us into another fiendishly entertaining scenario, engaging our brains while taking us on a thrilling ride. And while the mind-bending story might not be as cerebral as it seems, it completely envelops us.Cobb...
Movie Review posted on 12th July 2010
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Part 3 of Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster tale continues the downward spiral of moping. It's efficiently made, with a few moments of energy and levity, but everyone really needs to lighten up.Even though they're now pledged...
Movie Review posted on 8th July 2010
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema
Bold, energetic and extremely complicated, this epic thriller is an eye-opening exploration of how a warped free-market turned Johannesburg into the crime capital of the world. It's long and exhausting, but strikingly well-made.Lucky Kunene (Mamabolo...
Movie Review posted on 8th July 2010
Suggested
Leisure Festival - Dreamland in Margate
On the same day that Glastonbury welcomed back Margate's adopted sons, The Libertines, Margate itself put on it's very own Leisure Festival as it...
Pretty Fierce talk to us about collaborating with Doja Cat, emetophobia, arena tours and staying "true to yourself" [EXCLUSIVE]
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Will Varley & Jack Valero - The Astor Theatre Deal Live Review
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
WYSE talks to us about her "form of synaesthesia", collaborating with Radiohead's Thom York and the prospect of touring with a band [EXCLUSIVE]
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
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Bay Bryan talks to us about being a "wee queer ginger", singing with Laura Marling and being inspired by Matilda [EXCLUSIVE]
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Keelan X talks to us about staying true to "your creative vision", collaborating with Giorgio Moroder and being "a yoga nut" [EXCLUSIVE]
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
![Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]](https://images.contactmusic.com/images/home/homepage/luke-de-sciscio-abof-a.jpg "Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]")
Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Annie Elise talks to us about the challenges a female producer has to face and "going through a year of grief and sickness" [EXCLUSIVE]
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...
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