The Guest (2014) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

The Guest (2014) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The Guest is rather good.  Actually it’s excellent.  Which is a good thing because at times you’re not quite sure whether this film will end up being as bold as it sets out.  With a winning central performance by Dan Stevens, some top notch directing from Wingard and enough bat shit mental moments to reference for a long time to come, The Guard is truly one of the most unique films of the year.

Best Bit: Stevens central performance.

Buy, Rent, Stream, Borrow: Rent

If You Liked this Try: Drive, You’re Next, The Purge

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

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World’s Greatest Dad (2009) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

World’s Greatest Dad (2009) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Damn. There’s nothing like watching a career best performance to make you REALLY realise how you are going to miss someone.  It’s hard to watch a Robin Williams film now with no degree of post death hyperbole or cushioned, romantic, teary eyes critical love.  The sadness of his passing make sit almost impossible.  Yet beyond all this, his performance here is nothing short of excellent. Touching, heart breaking and fragile, Williams gives a more nuanced performance that his more audience friendly roles he will be remembered for. Which is a shame as World’s Greatest Dad could well be his most intimate look into himself, into Robin Williams the flawed genius.  Watch for Williams but stay for the really rather exellant film he’s part of.

Best Bit: Robin Williams

Buy, Rent, Stream, Borrow: Buy

If You Liked this Try: God Bless America, Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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The Boxtrolls (2014) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

The Boxtrolls (2014) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
In this day and ace of CGI animation all looking the same, it’s easy to forget how much effort goes into making a film like The Boxtrolls. That effort doesn’t make it a good film however,.  For that you need top quality voice acting, a good director, innovative and exciting set pieces, a dark humour and a cracking script.  Which is lucky because The Boxtrolls has all this in spades. Okay so it’s not as good as Coraline for me but that’s only because that film was so good.  The Boxtrolls is a joy – just be weary at times it was far too much for my 5 year old daughter to take.

Best Bit: Kingsley is superb

Buy, Rent, Stream, Borrow: Buy

If You Liked this Try:  Coraline, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Wallace & Gromit Curse Of The Warerabbit

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

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Sunshine On Leith (2013) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

Sunshine On Leith (2013) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Well that was  a surprise… a musical based on the works of The Proclaimers (whose music I detest as a general rule) not only managed to be charming and funny but also made me actually want to buy their music.  More over Sunshine On Leith, full of great choreography, charing performances and a heart missing from modern day filming,  ended up as probably one of the top ten films of 2013.  Who saw that coming?  Highly recommended.

Best Bit: 500 Miles.

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Buy

If you liked this try: Little Shop Of Horrors, Blues Brothers, Rocky Horror Picture Show

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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West Of Memphis (2012) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

West Of Memphis (2012) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review
West Of Memphis is one of the most engaging, tense and fascinating films i have seen in 2012.  Not documentary.  Film.  An unbelievable story, about an unbelievable set of events, Memphis tacks this familiar case from origins up to date, leaving you in no uncertain terms where the filmmakers and their many supporters lay their suspicions.  Emotionally charged and simply brilliant.

Best Bit: That was nearly 3 hours?  Flies past.

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Buy

If you liked this try: Into The Abyss, Inside Job, Catfish, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hill

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Beast Of The Southern Wild (2012) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

Beast Of The Southern Wild (2012) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review
Beast Of The Southern Wild is truly one of the best debut films I have ever seen.  Stunning, poetic & beautiful this almost impossible to describe coming of age fantasy drama shows a true talent in the making both behind the camera and in front (Quvenzhane Wallis is truly amazing).  This is a film that deserves to be seen… if not always understood.

Best Bit: Quvenzhane Wallis

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Buy

If you liked this try: Moonrise Kingdom, Pans Labyrinth,  Life Of Pi

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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What We Are In The Shadows (2014) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

What We Are In The Shadows (2014) – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Well that’s a disappointment.  A Man Bites Dog meets Spinal Tap style documentary about Vampires sounded like a winner but sadly, whilst it has it’s bloody moments, the film completely forgot to add any laughs, instead wallowing in it’s own cleverness.  There’s not much more to say… a comedy without laughs, a horror without scares, a film without interest… it’s all just a little bit too full of itself. Disappointing.

Best Bit: The Werewolf bit is as funny as it goes

Buy, Rent, Stream, Borrow: Borrow

If You Liked this Try: Man Bites Dog, Spinal Tap, Borat

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

Universal Soldier Day Of Reckoning – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

Universal Soldier Day Of Reckoning – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Wow. Who would have thought it… this Universal Soldier sequel turns out to be not only the best film in the franchise but probably one of the top 10 films of the year.   No really.  Action packed, making the most of it’s probable modest budget, it finally gives star Adkins a role to get his teeth into whilst trading punches with two other members of the Expendables 2 cast.  Watch this if you like you action 90’s style.
Best Bit: One shot shoot out
Rent, Borrow, Buy: Buy
If you Liked this try: Universal Soldier, Universal Soldier: The Return,  Universal Soldier 2

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Paddington – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

Paddington – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Paddington is a joy of a film. There’s no other way to describe it.  A superbly realised kids film but with a humour and charm that will appeal to adults also.  From it’s fully realised lead character to it’s excellent cast (Whishaw as the titular bear stands out) who all connect so strongly with the audience.  Even without this,  however, the filmmakers throw in enough goofy set pieces to make you laugh out loud.  If I had ANY issues with the film it would be that maybe the FX don’t quite live up to the budget’s realities BUT this is a very small point in what is really a wonderful film.  Both for kids AND adults.

Best Bit: Paddington settles in to the house!

Buy, Rent, Stream, Borrow: Buy

If You Liked this Try: Shaun The Sheep, The Boxtrolls, The Book of Life

 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Kajaki – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

Kajaki – A Quick Capsule Review (Revisited)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Kajaki is the best movie from 2014 that you haven’t seen.  Scrub that it’s probably one of the best movies from 2104 period.  Kajaki is as brutal and intimate a war movie as you are ever likely to experience.  And trust me experience is the word… I watched Kajaki and at times forgot to breathe.  The tension is palpable, the acting flawless and the direction outstanding.  This is a must see.

Best Bit: Tension.  In spades.

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: BlackHawk Down, Platoon, ’71


Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

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