|
55%
|
The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2013)
|
"Ambitious and thought-provoking yet ultimately uneven, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is elevated - and saved - by a stunning central performance from Riz Ahmed. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
78%
|
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
|
"While Fast & Furious 6 is a fun continuation of Fast 5, it's not able to achieve the same heights. The carmageddon is still enjoyable in a daft way, but some of the vehicular lunacy is a bit over-the-top even for this franchise. Which is saying something."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
51%
|
Promised Land (2013)
|
"It's more middle of the road than transcendent, but Promised Land offers a quietly engaging and even-handed look at a controversial issue."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
37%
|
Dead Man Down (2013)
|
"Dead Man Down feels like two different films struggling against each other. One a brooding Euro thriller, the other a clunky Hollywood actioner. Neither really works."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
86%
|
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
|
"The plot doesn't stand up to scrutiny, but in the moment Star Trek Into Darkness offers a fun and often thrilling ride."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
49%
|
The Great Gatsby (2013)
|
"Employing the stylish grandiosity we've come expect from him, Luhrmann's trademark razzle-dazzle is entirely appropriate for the extravagant excess of Gatsby's world. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
74%
|
Chimpanzee (2012)
|
"It's more aww-inducing than awe-inducing, but there's plenty of chimp-powered charm to go around."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
71%
|
The Look of Love ()
|
"Raymond's tragic, 'tache-sporting rise-and-fall story is mildly fascinating at times, but as a comedic drama it isn't especially funny or dramatic. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
78%
|
Iron Man 3 (2013)
|
"There are some nice lines and a thrilling air rescue sequence, but the constant need to puncture every half-serious moment with a tongue-in-cheek gag grows tiresome quickly:"
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
74%
|
Patriot Games (1992)
|
"As straightforward a spy thriller as you're likely to find, Patriot Games is a solid early '90s actioner which is elevated by the presence of Harrison Ford. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
73%
|
Love Is All You Need (2013)
|
"Not nearly as sugary or unapologetically generic as its glossy posters and uninspiring title would have you believe, Love Is All You Need is charming, heartfelt and unexpectedly likeable. Not just disposable middle-aged fluff: "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
87%
|
Bullhead (2012)
|
"Tough, gloomy and quietly powerful, it's effective as a bruising gangster drama but stronger as a tragic character study. Another bruising turn from Schoenaerts, although it isn't nearly as interesting when the story moves away from him. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
97%
|
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
|
"It's Mann's least Mann-like film, but also arguably his most rousing. The score is incredibly stirring, while it's great to see DDL play the hero. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
62%
|
Evil Dead (2013)
|
"While first-timer Fede Alvarez provides a few effective shocks, on the whole it's more gruesome and graphic than scary or suspenseful. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
56%
|
Oblivion (2013)
|
"Oblivion looks and sounds great, but it lacks the sort of original idea which informs the best sci-fi. Reminiscent of a dozen or so genre classics, it's like Tom Cruise playing WALL-E by way of Tron: Legacy."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
68%
|
The Spirit of '45 ()
|
"Loach's argument is often convincing, but it's also one-sided enough that his left-wing message feels as black and white as the film's monochromatic colour scheme. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
68%
|
Trance (2013)
|
"A snaky, mind-bending heist thriller which is sure to prove divisive, Trance sees Danny Boyle at both his best and worst. It's stylish and bold, but some interesting build-up is partially undone by a bonkers third act which spirals out of control."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
98%
|
The Evil Dead (1981)
|
"It's unpolished, primitive and a bit dragged-out at times, but The Evil Dead remains a seminal horror experience."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
28%
|
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
|
"It's a marked improvement over the shambolic original, but G.I. Joe: Retaliation isn't the fun actioner we were hoping for."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
66%
|
Spring Breakers (2013)
|
"A co-ed flesh-fest with a hazy, dream-like vibe and abstract narrative which rarely settles, it's like Terrence Malick directing a Girls Gone Wild video."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
44%
|
The Jacket (2005)
|
"There's something about The Jacket which doesn't quite fit, but it plays like an intriguing, winter-y mix of Twelve Monkeys, The Butterfly Effect and The Lawnmower Man."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
52%
|
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
|
"More half-hearted than a total dud, but flatulent, nose-picking CGI creations are beneath the man who gave us The Usual Suspects."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
100%
|
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
|
"Picking up once the victim is discovered, the intrigue levels spike during the second act and remain consistent throughout the third, keeping us involved right up until the hard-to-guess dénouement."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
97%
|
Groundhog Day (1993)
|
"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!"
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
96%
|
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
|
"It's less action-y and thrilling than Predator or Die Hard, but The Hunt For Red October still contains the sort of suspenseful thrills we expect from John McTiernan. It just takes bloody ages to get to them."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
89%
|
Compliance (2012)
|
"Examining how far people will bend over (literally, in this case) for perceived authority, Compliance has some potent moments, but it's let down by a nagging sense of implausibility. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
95%
|
Side by Side (2012)
|
"Essential viewing for anyone interested in filmmaking or the unique sight of Keanu Reeves shooting the breeze with David Lynch."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
96%
|
The Verdict (1982)
|
"A quietly compelling legal drama which showcases what well be the finest performance of Paul Newman's career, The Verdict makes a strong case to be considered as one of the most essential courtroom movies in American cinema."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
38%
|
Twins (1988)
|
"Boasting plenty of eighties charm and appeal, the first of Arnie's often ill-advised forays into comedy is also his best and most successful. An extra star for Schwarzenegger's calves. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
60%
|
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
|
"While it's not the embarrassment to MGM's cherished, bank-holiday classic that you might have feared, Oz The Great And Powerful is more flat and plodding than it is great or powerful."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
94%
|
Days of Heaven (1978)
|
"Though not as impressionistic or maddeningly abstract as some of his later work, this is where Malick's work started to get noticeably Malick-like. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
81%
|
The Place Beyond The Pines (2013)
|
"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. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
87%
|
Robot & Frank (2012)
|
"While a tad on the slight side, Robot & Frank is a charming, moving and enjoyable indie sci-fi. And the robot is miles better than the one from Rocky IV."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
83%
|
Byzantium (2013)
|
"Not just another vampire movie, Byzantium is seductive, stylish and quietly captivating. Arguably the best vampire movie since Let The Right One In, and Arteton's bust deserves a star of its own."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
88%
|
Much Ado About Nothing (2013)
|
"The DIY ethos is admirable, but Whedon's undoubted strength is his dialogue, so doing it this way means he's essentially handicapping himself, and robbing us of what we enjoy most about his work."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
76%
|
The Bay (2012)
|
"While effective at making our skin crawl, this eco-themed frightener can't help but feel like an unremarkable footnote in a sub-genre which peaked years ago. Why now Baz?"
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
30%
|
Broken City (2013)
|
"It's fine if you're in the mood for a perfunctory Mark Wahlberg crime drama, but not nearly as smart, slick or subtle as it needs to be. More medium-toasted than hard-boiled. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
42%
|
To The Wonder (2013)
|
"Arguably Terrence Malick's most Malick-y film to date, at times To The Wonder feels like a Malick parody. Visually, it's absolutely stunning, but the 'story' is abstract even by his standards."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
94%
|
The Sessions (2012)
|
"While the sex sessions are frank, candid and populated by a constantly-naked Helen Hunt, it's far more warm and feelgood than you might be expecting. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
44%
|
The Paperboy (2012)
|
"Though not quite the trainwreck that its kicking at Cannes suggested, The Paperboy doesn't know what it wants to be. Still, anyone who likes the sight of Zac Efron in his pants will be in heaven. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
87%
|
Arbitrage (2012)
|
"A tightly-wound character thriller, Arbitrage keeps the tension simmering while showcasing a career best from Richard Gere. You don't need a degree in economics to watch."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
67%
|
Stoker (2013)
|
"Visually, the film is compelling and precise, but the story isn't able to keep us interested throughout."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
87%
|
Frankenweenie (2012)
|
"Something of a return to form for Tim Burton, Frankenweenie plays like a Greatest Hits by way of his early work."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
24%
|
Medicine Man (1992)
|
"An underrated character drama which occasionally slips into thriller mode, Medicine Man is an engaging piece of forgotten '90s cinema. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
52%
|
This is 40 (2012)
|
"While insightful when it comes to relationships and the differences between men and women, This Is 40 is too long and not particularly funny. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
——
|
Populaire (2013)
|
"Far more energetic, vibrant and exciting than a subtitled French film about typing in the late '50s has any right to be, Populaire is hugely charming and genuinely funny."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
15%
|
A Good Day To Die Hard (2013)
|
"Pretty much on a par with Die Hard 4.0, the poorly-titled A Good Day To Die Hard is essentially four big set pieces and a lot of explosions. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
67%
|
Cloud Atlas (2012)
|
"Wrestling such a sprawling tapestry onto the screen is a grand accomplishment in itself, but the end result doesn't pack that much punch."
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
80%
|
Warm Bodies (2013)
|
"It sounds utterly ridiculous in theory, but Warm Bodies is warm, sweet and charming. And, more importantly, it's no po-faced, sullen-Cullen mope-fest. "
|
Stephen Carty
|
|
81%
|
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
|
"Die Hard 4.0 is a solid actioner and not the franchise embarrassment that many feared it would be. However, it's also silly and preposterous, and rarely feels like a Die Hard movie."
|
Stephen Carty
|
78%
——
——
85%
45%
40%
