fairbrother’s Film Reviews

About me: Aro resident and incorrigible video nerd.

191 Films have been rated or reviewed by fairbrother.

Body Double (1984): De Palma sends up himself; it's bad but amusing. A knowingly outrageous murder scene is the highlight, and the score is ace, but the plot and leading man are both risibly dopy. For mid–80s kitsch, and pure male gazery, it's a must.; DVD $14.95 | Blu-Ray $19.95
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): I have little love for comics or superhero flicks – but even this cynical snob concedes that Into the Spider–verse (slight over–length notwithstanding) is a zippy, witty, exciting hoot. Time for Marvel to abandon live–action altogether?; DVD $19.95 | Blu-Ray $24.95, $29.95, $29.95
Most Violent Year, A (2014): Criminally under–seen. Too low–key for those wanting an outright thriller, perhaps, but a must if you prefer suspense built on credible characters and the incremental raising of stakes. Palpable atmosphere, superb performances.; DVD ~~$15~~ $11.25
Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989): A witty diamond of a script, superbly acted, and realised with a very cool sense of style – the coy restraint of which is perhaps, in retrospect, the sexiest thing about the film. Sundance would never be the same again afterwards.
Candyman (1992): Works as a literal urban spook flick or as a metaphorical riff on white privilege (and the great American taboo of miscegenation). There maybe imperfections but overall it's a classy, thoughtful, and truly frightening genre gem.; DVD $14.95 | Blu-Ray $19.95
Visit, The (2015): A found footage thriller that, otherwise, avoids gimmickry. The suspense is subtle but well–sustained, leavened with humour, and built around two kids you can root for. Slight but enjoyable, a good "gateway horror" for young viewers.; DVD $34.95 | Blu-Ray $39.95
Audition (1999): A wicked dissection of male romantic illusions. Deliberate pacing pays dividends as the story gradually enters feverish nightmare territory. Try to go in blind: love it or hate it, this one's unforgettable, worthy of a 'modern horror classic' rep.; DVD ~~$25~~ $18.75
A Dark Song (2017): Oram's performance outshines Walker's, and it could stand to be 15 minutes shorter. On the plus side, it mostly avoids the obvious (the third act turn is a doozy), favouring dread and mystery over easy shocks. Flawed but interesting.; DVD $34.95
Once Upon a Time in America (1984): Often overlooked when considering the modern gangster genre – a shame. The four–hour cut is a masterful, if devoutly old–fashioned (and sexist), epic: baroque, melodramatic, and deeply engaging once you surrender.; DVD $10
Lolita (1962): The second half loses steam, Nabokov's script preserving a smidge too much of his novel's narrative sprawl. A too–mature Lo, though well–played by Lyon, is another flaw. But the first half is terrific, a very funny, thematically provocative tragicomedy.; DVD ~~$15~~ $7.50, $39.95

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fairbrother’s Film Reviews