Author: Rich Cline Page 76
Crude
This intense documentary tells a hugely important story that's packed with compelling characters and situations. Although a repetitive structure and a sense of agonising futility conspire to undermine the vital lessons it has to teach...
Movie Review posted on 22nd January 2010
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Anchored by a ripping central performance from Serkis, this biopic about notorious musician Ian Dury is too stylish for its own good. Director Whitecross shows ambition and audacity, but his riotous visual style is distracting.Disabled...
Movie Review posted on 8th January 2010
Exam
Setting a thriller in one room is a risky decision, and while writer-director Hazeldine creates a gripping sense of claustrophobia, this film feels both contrived and padded out with unnecessary sequences.Eight people are called into...
Movie Review posted on 8th January 2010
Me and Orson Welles
While this feels like an autobiographical coming-of-age movie, it's actually a fictional story set among real people. And it's brought to vibrant life by a superb performance from McKay as Orson Welles.Richard (Efron) is a...
Movie Review posted on 4th December 2009
Paranormal Activity
While this gimmicky movie creates a superb creep-out atmosphere, it's never actually very scary. There are a couple of good jolts, but the idea itself is more unsettling than any anxiety the filmmaker can generate....
Movie Review posted on 27th November 2009
Glorious 39
Telling a story from a rarely examined period of British history, this pre-war drama is a bundle of suspense, mystery and personal emotion that's beautifully filmed and sharply played by a first-rate cast.Anne (Garai) is...
Movie Review posted on 20th November 2009
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga continues with this darker and even mopier chapter. The relational knots of emo heroes and dreamy hunks are making it start to feel rather soapy. It may not be as sharp...
Movie Review posted on 20th November 2009
2012
Gleefully over-the-top, this film takes the disaster movie pretty much as far as it can go, drawing on the Mayan prophecy that he world will end on 21 December 2012. Emmerich deploys all the genre...
Movie Review posted on 12th November 2009
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Based on true events as recounted in the Jon Ronson book, this freewheeling war comedy is deeply entertaining due to the crazy-but-believable premise and wonderfully outrageous characters.Bob (McGregor) is a Michigan journalist desperate to prove...
Movie Review posted on 5th November 2009
A Christmas Carol
The quintessential Christmas classic gets yet another movie incarnation with this visually impressive version from effects wizard Zemeckis. For most of us, all the surprises here are visual, and it's well worth seeing in 3D.For...
Movie Review posted on 5th November 2009
1 Day
There's a clever idea behind this film, an urban musical that uses rap songs to convey the energy and passion of its characters. It's fascinating, but not very accessible. And the plot is a bit...
Movie Review posted on 5th November 2009
9
Inventively animated with a striking attention to detail, this offbeat thriller might have trouble finding an audience, as the sweet and scary elements sit rather awkwardly alongside each other. But it's still ambitious and engaging.Number...
Movie Review posted on 30th October 2009
Michael Jackson's This Is It
Since no one will ever see the epic show, the next best thing is this compilation of rehearsal footage for Jackson's 50 planned This Is It concerts in London. And while it's not a particularly...
Movie Review posted on 30th October 2009
Dead Man Running
Yet another retread of the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, this London crime caper at least creates its setting well and has some colourful characters. But we've seen it all before.Nick (Hassan) is an...
Movie Review posted on 30th October 2009
Died Young Stayed Pretty
This documentary examines the dying art of rock music posters, which have had a huge effect on the world of graphic design. It's a visually stunning film, even if the subject matter isn't hugely compelling.Rock...
Movie Review posted on 9th October 2009
The Beaches of Agnes [Les Plages d'Agnes]
Varda brings a playful attitude to this whimsical stroll through her life, telling stories and showing photos and clips that chronicle both her career and her personal life. It meanders a bit, but it's also...
Movie Review posted on 2nd October 2009
![Born In 68 [nes En 68]](http://images.contactmusic.com/images/reviews2/bornin68.jpg "Born In 68 [nes En 68]")
Born In 68 [nes En 68]
After the frothy Cockles & Muscles, Ducastel and Martineau turn to this ambitious multi-generational epic that, even at three hours, feels too brisk. We actually want more time with these fascinating people.During the student demonstrations...
Movie Review posted on 25th September 2009
Three Miles North of Molkom
This jaw-dropping documentary is thoroughly good fun, taking us on a New Age getaway in remote Sweden and following a group of people who take it all far too seriously. Thankfully (for us) there's also...
Movie Review posted on 17th September 2009
Chevolution
This fascinating double documentary examines the legends of both Ernesto "Che" Guevara and the iconic photo of him that has taken on its own life. It's also a look at the power of a single...
Movie Review posted on 17th September 2009
District 9
With a relentless pace and seamless effects, this offbeat alien invasion thriller combines non-stop action with real emotion and provocative political themes. So not only is it thunderously entertaining, but it also makes us think.In...
Movie Review posted on 4th September 2009
Crossing Over
Crash meets Babel in this multi-strand Los Angeles immigration drama. The film is well-made and benefits from a very strong cast, but it's both overly worthy and rather pushy about its perspective.Immigration cop Max (Ford)...
Movie Review posted on 31st July 2009
Coco Before Chanel
This biopic kind of dwells on the misery in Coco Chanel's life, but it's a strong story of a woman who made her own way against all odds. And it's skilfully and beautifully filmed and...
Movie Review posted on 31st July 2009
Pedro
Stirring writing and acting helps overcome bland TV-movie production values to bring this true story to life. Even as it turns the central figure into a saint, we recognise the extraordinary nature of what he...
Movie Review posted on 24th July 2009
Skin
Based on a true story, his powerful drama tells an important story from Apartheid-era South Africa with honesty and real sensitivity. And the cast makes it thoroughly gripping by never playing it safe.In 1965, the...
Movie Review posted on 24th July 2009
The Informers
Here's another entry to the all-star multi-strand Los Angeles ensemble drama genre (see Short Cuts, Magnolia, Crash, Southland Tales). But while this one features strong acting and stylish filmmaking, it's emotionally empty.In 1983 L.A., studio...
Movie Review posted on 17th July 2009
Soul Power
Shot at the same time as the award-winning doc When We Were Kings, this companion film is even better. In linking the legendary 1974 Rumble in the Jungle with the music festival that ran alongside...
Movie Review posted on 10th July 2009
Before Stonewall: The Making Of A Gay And Lesbian Community
Re-released to tie in with its 25th anniversary, the most striking thing about this film is how revelatory it is, tracing the history of gay activism. Not only are these stories we never hear about,...
Movie Review posted on 3rd July 2009
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang Movie Review
When Shane Black wrote the screenplay for 1996's The Long Kiss Goodnight, he broke his own record as the highest paid screenwriter in Hollywood. Then, just as suddenly as he had burst onto the scene...
Review posted on 26th October 2005
BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM - DVD review
BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM - DVD reviewFor anyone out there who has had the pleasure of watching the first Battle Royale movie, the good news is, Japenese cinemas hard hitting terror...
Review posted on 20th August 2004
Jeepers Creepers 2 - DVD Review
Jeepers Creepers 2 is released to rent and buy on DVD from 19th January 2004 from Pathe Distribution Limited The Creeper returns for a second helping of his favorite snack - human flesh. Set a...
Review posted on 7th January 2004
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...
Advertisement
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...
Advertisement
