In his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper has created an incredibly powerful, raw and emotional piece. In the most positive way possible, this is 2018’s La La Land…and might even be better than it.
Telling the true story of 2015’s Hatton Garden Robbery, King of Thieves assembles an all-star cast to pull off the job, but doesn’t quite get away with it.
Shane Black is one of the highest regarded writer directors working currently, known for writing ‘Lethal Weapon’ 1 and 2, and for writing/directing ‘Iron Man 3’, ‘The Nice Guys’ and ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (all great films). Unfortunately, his latest film continuing the Predator franchise is a break from his pretty consistent track record, and one that features a dull story, ropey CGI and offensive stereotypes.
Based on the 1973 kids book, The House with a Clock in Its Walls is Eli Roth’s first step into family film territory, having made predominantly gory horror films up to this point. While his knowledge of horror works wonders in casting a darkness to this family scare fest, the film is flawed by an ever-growing silliness and a lack of confidence in its source material.
Director Paul Feig is back after hits like Bridesmaids and Spy. Known for his comedies, this is his first attempt at a Thriller. Tragically, his attempts at ditching comedy aren't entirely successful, and instead this film becomes a hybrid of the two where either the jokes come in the way of the suspenseful mystery, or vice versa.
Crazy Rich Asians is making headlines because of its transgressive production. It is the first major Hollywood film since 1993 to have a majority Asian-American cast, and the joy of this movie is that it proves this is inconsequential to the film. It delivers enough laughs and heart to stand alongside most rom-coms, though it does fall short of true greatness.
Directed by Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman is a biographical comedy-drama that interprets the true story of an African-American police officer infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan. Using great performances, interesting ideas and timely themes, Lee’s ‘comedy’ is more of a dark social satire turned horror film.
Telling a shockingly true story of four friends planning to rob their university library of a book worth $8 million, American Animals is the heist film this year deserved after letting us down with Oceans 8. Combining documentary and drama into one fantastic film, American Animals is a triumph.
When it was announced that Sony were producing a thriller film shot entirely on phone and laptop screens, I was initially skeptical. It seemed to be a gimmick that was being used as the next level of ‘found footage’ movies, like 'The Blair Witch Project' and 'Cloverfield'. How wrong I was, because this unique premise has been perfectly executed. Not since Gone Girl has there been such a deviously gripping thriller.
What a bunch of Muppets that were involved in making this film! They took a fantastic original concept, and totally ruined it. What could have been a brilliant comedy in a new world has in fact just become another R rated shocker that mainly relies of puppets telling each other to F*** Off.
Daniel Robinson: From Reel to Real 