fairbrother’s Film Reviews

201 Films have been rated or reviewed by fairbrother.

Melancholia (2011): If not quite full redemption for its director, at least an improvement on his misfired Antichrist; it may take its time proving such, but its impossible not to be sucked in (and moved) by the third act. Dunst won the prizes but Gainsbourg is just as good.
Young Adult (2011): Theron is good and Oswalt very good, but you keep waiting for a surprise that never comes. In this sense its Juno all over again, this time by way of The Graduate: the twee, willful quirkiness maybe gone, but its \"hard edge\" feels half–hearted.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992): Arguably Lynch\'s darkest, strangest film (no, really): a portrait of corrupted innocence where narrative takes a backseat to raw emotion and surreal impressionism. The effect is powerfully bleak and – in its sad, scary way – hauntingly beautiful.
Red State (2011): The structural mess and cluttered idea–pallet make it both disjointed and thrillingly unpredictable, shifting genres as it takes on new targets. A blunt, brutally effective nightmare–comedy which, if nothing else, leaves you with much to argue about.
Snowtown (2011): Finely acted, with scrupulously measured writing and direction. It creates such believably hopeless characters that it feels like a horror film well before any conventional horror is depicted on–screen. Powerfully disturbing.; DVD ~~$34.95~~ $19.95
Ne Change Rien (2009): The static camera here creates an immersive intimacy rare in musical docos. For those with patience, and an interest in the craft of performance, this is a hypnotic, even dream–like experience.
Untouchables, The (1987): Pure movie–cheese, but what cheese: David Mamet\'s dialogue is a treat to the ear, the cast are clearly having fun, and De Palma brings heady style to every shot. Rousing Morricone score, slick production design, and a classic climactic shoot–out.
Help, The (2011): Another short–sighted Message Movie from Hollywood... disengage from the PC pandering (and accompanying self–importance) and enjoy it for what it is: a slick, well–meaning, nicely–acted entertainment you can safely watch with mum.
Inglourious Basterds (Inglorious Bastards) (2009): A terrific prologue (and seemingly surefire conceit) leads nowhere – and slowly, at that. Waltz and Laurent are fun but the rest of the characters fall flat. Ambitious but smug and self–important.; DVD ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
Another Year (2010): A film as funny, sad, and deceptively simple as everyday life itself. Leslie Manville is astonishing. Leigh\'s finest since Secrets and Lies and, for my money, the best movie of 2010.

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fairbrother’s Film Reviews