Wednesday 31 December 2014

The Interview reivew

Oh, come on, you know what this is now. After the whole scandal, The Interview is more well-known than it ever would've been otherwise. It's just a shame that the film itself is such a slipshod, hit-or-miss affair.

Sunday 28 December 2014

The Imitation Game review

Benedict Cumberbatch has gotten a lot of praise for The Imitation Game, and it's well deserved. It's just a shame that the movie around him is so superficial and rote.

The Babadook review

BEST NEW FEATURE
The last horror movie I watched was last year's The Conjuring, but even that can't compete with the spine-tingling horrors of The Babadook, an Australian film which has received heavy acclaim everywhere it screened. So, does it deserve all those accolades? Oh yes. 

Catching Up: Locke

An intriguing experiment with a minimalist premise, I first heard of Locke early in the year. While it's got its flaws, the film is very successful, anchored by a brilliant lead performance.

Saturday 27 December 2014

Nightcrawler review

BEST NEW FEATURE
Released at the very end of October, Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler is a film that I waited far too long to catch, being among the best-received wide releases of the year. I am glad to have finally managed to watch it, as Nightcrawler is excellent, from its sleek cinematography to the brilliant performance at its centre.

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Whiplash review

BEST NEW FEATURE
At long last, I catch Whiplash, a film that I've been anticipating for a long time. It's garnered some Oscar buzz, and it's warranted: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Whiplash is going to make frequent appearances on the nominee list. Between its riveting direction, and strong performances from its stars, Whiplash is one of the year's best movies.

Sunday 21 December 2014

Catching up: Calvary

I first heard of Calvary back when it was in cinemas across the pond in Ireland. From the start of the year it was one of the films that I was most excited to see, and while it didn't quite match my lofty expectations, it's still a potent drama in its own right, possessed by a dark melancholy and boasting one of the best performances of the year from star Brendan Gleeson.

Sunday 14 December 2014

Birdman, or (The Unexpected Value of Ignorance) review

BEST NEW FEATURE
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman has gotten a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. The film is an exciting piece of work, exploding with style and boasting a surplus of ideas woven together into a layered narrative. It's by far one of the greatest films of the year.

Sorry for the delay, by the way. 

Sunday 7 December 2014

Catching up: Life Itself

One film that intrigued me even before it was released this year was Steve James' documentary on Roger Ebert. After the acclaim that followed it, I really ought to have seen this much earlier. In any case, I've seen it now, and it's fantastic.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 review

Once again, Francis Lawrence brilliantly adapts Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy to the big screen. Unfortunately, he's adapting the weakest part of the trilogy, and Lionsgate is feeling greedy. Considering that, it's impressive that Mockingjay Part 1 is as good as it is.

Sunday 23 November 2014

The Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie review

So, after all these years, the feature film of the Angry Video Game Nerd has finally been released. The question is, does it live up to the hype? Not exactly, but it's clearly a work of passion that fans will get a kick out of. 

Thursday 13 November 2014

About Alex review

About Alex is a relatively obscure film, and one that initially didn't catch my eye. Now, having watched it, my initial disinterest was wholly justified, as the film is distinctly lacking in substance.

Sunday 12 October 2014

Gone Girl review

BEST NEW FEATURE
David Fincher's new movie is a supremely well-made and gloriously stylized piece of craft, displaying remarkable vision.

Friday 10 October 2014

Sunday 28 September 2014

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Rainbow Rocks review

The first "Equestria Girls", released in 2013, was a film which I enjoyed in spite of its many, many faults. Thus, I was delighted to find that the vast majority of them were corrected in its sequel.

Monday 22 September 2014

The Dance of Reality review

FESTIVAL RATING: 5
BEST NEW FEATURE
A remarkable film finally makes its way to Calgary via the Calgary International Film Festival!

Sunday 7 September 2014

The F Word (aka What If) review

This new romantic comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan is an entertaining time at the movies, a number of nagging flaws hold it back.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Gamer Notes: The Walking Dead Season 2

So... Season 2 of Telltale's The Walking Dead. Proves that the first season is a hard feat to replicate.
Spoilers follow.

Sunday 24 August 2014

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For review

Having not seen the first adaptation of Frank Miller's Sin City, the second one was my first experience with the series. It's not exactly a great movie, but it's enjoyable in its own right.

Friday 22 August 2014

Thursday 21 August 2014

Boyhood review

BEST NEW FEATURE
This is the kind of great movie that only comes along every so often.

Saturday 9 August 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy review

BEST NEW FEATURE (of course)
Guardians of the Galaxy is finally here, and it's really good. But how good is it? Read below the break to find out.

Sunday 27 July 2014

Jodorowsky's Dune review

BEST NEW FEATURE
I'm not very good at reviewing documentaries, I feel, but here's another go at it with Jodorowsky's Dune.

Under the Skin extended thoughts

Here I talk in more detail about Under the Skin. Spoilers follow.

Under the Skin review

Here's my thoughts on the science-fiction/horror art film Under the Skin.

Extended thoughts: Snowpiercer

Here I talk about Snowpiercer in more detail. [Warning: Spoilers]

Snowpiercer review

BEST NEW FEATURE
I finally caught the indie action-sci fi film Snowpiercer. In this age of overblown carnage-porn that makes up blockbuster action movies, Snowpiercer is a breath of fresh air that blows its big-budget contemporaries out of the water.

Sunday 13 July 2014

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes review

BEST NEW FEATURE

Here are my thoughts on the sequel to 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Saturday 28 June 2014

Monday 23 June 2014

The Normal Heart extended thoughts

Beware: spoilers follow.

The Normal Heart review

BEST NEW PROGRAM
While most of the attention for the small screen is on a number of popular TV programs, I recently caught HBO's television film The Normal Heart. This is a must-see.

Sunday 22 June 2014

22 Jump Street review

BEST NEW FEATURE
So I've finally caught the sequel to 2012's 21 Jump Street. It's hilarious. If that's all that matters, you're done here. Otherwise, read on.

Sunday 8 June 2014

The Fault in Our Stars extended thoughts

Here, you'll find some extended thoughts on the adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars. Spoilers will abound.

The Fault in Our Stars review

BEST NEW FEATURE
So I watched the adaptation of a book I really like! Find what I think below!

Saturday 7 June 2014

Extended thoughts: Edge of Tomorrow

Here I discuss a few points of Edge of Tomorrow that couldn't be referenced without spoiling. [WARNING: SPOILERS]

Edge of Tomorrow review

BEST NEW FEATURE
So, new Tom Cruise movie. How is it? Find out below the break.

Sunday 1 June 2014

X-Men: Days of Future Past review

BEST NEW FEATURE
I'm something of an X-Men novice, so be aware that I won't be able to fully appreciate this. That said, here are my thoughts on the newest X-Men film.

Sunday 4 May 2014

Sunday 20 April 2014

True Detective pilot review


BEST NEW PROGRAM
Finally I begin catching up on the acclaimed new HBO series. Find the review below.

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Fargo pilot review

BEST NEW PROGRAM
At long last, I enter the realm of TV reviews, with a show filmed in my own city of residence.

Saturday 5 April 2014

Captain America: The Winter Soldier review

BEST NEW FEATURE
I missed "Thor: The Dark World", but now I'm back at the Marvel movies! How does the newest one fare?

Sunday 30 March 2014

Noah extended thoughts

Here you'll find my extended thoughts on Noah. (Warning: Spoilers)

Noah review

BEST NEW FEATURE
The new film by director Darren Aronofsky has been divisive and controversial. So, what side do I fall on? Find out below the break!

Tuesday 25 March 2014

The Grand Budapest Hotel extended thoughts

Here I attempt to interpret The Grand Budapest Hotel. Spoilers follow.

The Grand Budapest Hotel review

BEST NEW FEATURE
So the new film from famous director Wes Anderson was finally released in Calgary theatres recently. What do I think? Find out below the break.

Friday 21 March 2014

Kanye West retrospective, part 1: The College Dropout

Sometimes I don't feel I listen to enough music. Until now, I don't think I've even listened to anyone's whole discography. So I've taken the opportunity to check out the back catalogue of one of my favourite musicians, Kanye West. Here you'll find my thoughts.

Friday 14 February 2014

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Gamer Notes: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Here's a series I haven't done in a while. Note: This isn't a structured review, it's just disorganized thoughts on this game.

Saturday 25 January 2014

The Wolf of Wall Street review

So. 100 posts. What shall I do now? Well, time for reviewing the Best Picture nominees! Let's start with Martin Scorsese's irreverent The Wolf of Wall Street.

Friday 17 January 2014

Top 10 Films of 2013

Here it is. My first video for this blog. I've reviewed 28 movies this year, so below you'll be able to catch a video of my top 10 films of 2013.