Topkapi: an uneven and slight heist film possessed of zest, colour and joy
Jules Dassin, “Topkapi” (1964) His heist film “Rififi” proved to be such a classic that it ended up being spoofed as well as imitated so US…
North American Films
Reviews of films made in Canada and United States including all films made by Hollywood.
Dark Horse: a bleak and surreal comedy satire on dysfunctional middle class suburban families
Todd Solondz, “Dark Horse” (2011) A bleak comedy expressing despair over the human condition, “Dark Horse” revolves around life’s losers, those who for various reasons are…
Mash-up of all previous Alien franchise flicks delivers an uneven story in “Alien: Covenant”
Ridley Scott, “Alien: Covenant” (2017) British director Ridley Scott must have taken all the criticisms of “Prometheus” to heart as he has delivered a new chapter…
Elvis & Nixon: amusing and light-hearted comedy of the meeting between rock star legend and the most powerful politician in the world
Liza Johnson, “Elvis & Nixon” (2016) Based on an actual incident in which the famous rock singer Elvis Presley turned up unannounced at the White House…
Get Out: social criticism and philosophical inquiry in amongst a bizarre plot and interracial politics
Jordan Peele, “Get Out” (2017) Jordan Peele’s comedy horror film, his first as a director, about an interracial relationship that goes awry can be seen as…
Compliance: sneering at naive workers exploited by a culture that treats them as robots and brutes
Craig Zobel, “Compliance” (2012) Based on a series of incidents over a decade from the mid-1990s to 2004, in which a prank caller convinced the staff…
Galaxy Quest: affectionate homage and spoof maintains the values of altruism, quest for knowledge and defending the underdog
Dean Parisot, “Galaxy Quest” (1999) Conceived as a homage to and spoof of the famous science fiction TV series “Star Trek” and of the obsessive fan…
Queen of the Desert: a boring and flat movie that mocks a remarkable woman and the people and region she came to love
Werner Herzog, “Queen of the Desert” (2013) Renowned German film director Werner Herzog, maker of classics like “Aguirre: Wrath of God” and “Fitzcarraldo” could have done…
Spring: character study on renewal through love and connections, and beating back monsters
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, “Spring” (2014) A rather long and thin character study romance that’s equal parts comedy, drama and gore-blimey slimy body horror makes up…
Night of the Living Dead: cult horror classic is a character study and commentary on American society
George A Romero, “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) Made on a minuscule budget, George A Romero’s famous horror film is proof that a large pot…