Search found 288 matches

by sikmansam
Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:32 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: Kingsman: The Secret Service
Replies: 96
Views: 27184

Re: Kingsman: The Secret Service

The material was a lot less consistent than Kick-Ass, and I was a bit disappointed by the final act, but this was assured, audacious and clever enough to make up for it. It's great fun watching Firth dishing out unspeakable violence as a suave super spy, and Taron Egerton also stood out as the hot-h...
by sikmansam
Sat Jan 17, 2015 4:55 pm
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: Whiplash
Replies: 52
Views: 15953

Re: Whiplash

I saw this last Tuesday and it's easily my film of the year so far. With taut direction, striking imagery and terrific performances (particularly from J.K. Simmons, who gets to dish out some memorable insults), this is an astute, compelling study of the dangerous path to artistic perfection. 9/10 My...
by sikmansam
Thu Oct 02, 2014 10:56 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: Gone Girl
Replies: 49
Views: 12364

Re: Gone Girl

A really unsettling, twisted look at marriage and media manipulation, with a host of terrific performances. Though it was a little long I was gripped throughout, and the final third is packed with dark, scathing laughs. Not the best Fincher film I've seen (I personally favour Se7en and Zodiac) but i...
by sikmansam
Sun Sep 28, 2014 9:04 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: The Equalizer
Replies: 16
Views: 5641

Re: The Equalizer

I really enjoyed the start and felt that Washington's character was very fascinating, so it was kind of disappointing when this just gave way to another generic action film in the vein of Taken. Still, it's undeniably entertaining and Washington is magnetic throughout. 7/10 My review: http://bloggin...
by sikmansam
Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:25 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: What If
Replies: 27
Views: 7293

Re: What If

I liked this and thought that Daniel Radcliffe was really good in the Hugh Granty rom-com role, but it is definitely forgettable and formulaic. The script could have been a lot sharper for me, and even Adam Driver (who I usually think is awesome) doesn't get many laughs. 6/10 My review: http://blogg...
by sikmansam
Tue Aug 12, 2014 1:30 pm
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: The Congress
Replies: 13
Views: 3525

Re: The Congress

The transition from live-action to animation isn't completely smooth, but I really enjoyed this. Robin Wright is terrific, the cartoon world is beautiful, and though there's so many big ideas floating around, Folman puts them together in a satisfying way. 8/10 My review: http://bloggingisnotwriting....
by sikmansam
Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:34 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: Earth To Echo
Replies: 13
Views: 3736

Re: Earth To Echo

It doesn't make many changes from the kid-meets-alien plots of E.T. and Super 8, but thanks to good performances and some fine found-footage gags, I think this was charming enough in its own right. I was also pleasantly surprised with how sturdy the special effects were. 7/10 http://bloggingisnotwri...
by sikmansam
Thu Jun 19, 2014 11:35 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: The Fault In Our Stars
Replies: 16
Views: 5334

Re: The Fault In Our Stars

I really enjoyed this and was surprised that this wasn't as over-sentimental as this genre tends to be. Unlike last years Now is Good, I was actually swept up by the story (testament to the credible acting of Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort) and despite some flaws, I felt this was a wry, almost la...
by sikmansam
Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:40 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: Chef
Replies: 49
Views: 15218

Re: Chef

Saw this on Tuesday at West India Quay and mostly enjoyed it. It's light, fairly forgettable, and the social media references get irritating very quickly, but it was also charming and refreshing to see Jon Favreau returning to the small-scale style of his earlier films. Plus, however weak the story ...
by sikmansam
Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:18 am
Forum: Film Discussion
Topic: Cheap Thrills
Replies: 2
Views: 1260

Cheap Thrills

Saw this yesterday at a screening in the Warner Brothers studios with themed food, drinks and dares. I honestly didn't expect that much from the trailer but I was very pleasantly surprised, it was a dark, uncomfortably funny comedy that asks us how far you would go to save your own skin. Every chara...