Rick and Ruby: two buddies confront pop culture stereotypes in gory fashion
Scott Woodburn, “Rick and Ruby” (2019) Playing like an episode in a never-ending road-movie series across America, “Rick and Ruby” is a buddy mini-movie packing comedy,…
Revenge Films
Thelma & Louise: a tale of freedom and independence found and misused with devastating consequences
Ridley Scott, “Thelma & Louise” (1991) Two best friends – one a waitress whose musician boyfriend frequently leaves her on her own when he goes on…
Together Forever: maudlin romance tragedy becomes a tale of murderous greed and a revenge vendetta
Rebecca C Scott, “Together Forever” (2022) A well-made film, driven almost entirely by its characters’ dialogue, turns what could have been a maudlin romance tragedy into…
Batman Forever: combining colourful camp and brooding darkness with duality as its theme
Joel Schumacher, “Batman Forever” (1995) After Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” scooped millions at the box office, there was the general feeling that his films of the…
Batman Returns: a dark Gothic Christmas fantasy turns out tired, kitschy and bombastic
Tim Burton, “Batman Returns” (1992) A Christmas movie that probably rarely enters most viewers’ lists of Christmas movies to watch is this wintry sequel to Burton’s…
British Films, North American Films
Skyfall: revisiting the past for new inspiration and direction
Sam Mendes, “Skyfall” (2012) Released in 2012, the year being the 50th anniversary of the first EON Productions’ James Bond film release “Dr No”, “Skyfall” carries…
Latin American Films (non-Spanish / non-Portuguese), North American Films
Quantum of Solace: badly named film offers no ounce of comfort in a trail of chases, explosions and murders
Marc Forster, “Quantum of Solace” (2008) For a film called “Quantum of Solace”, this sequel to “Casino Royale” sure affords its hero James Bond (Daniel Craig)…
Cycle of revenge continues in an amoral world of cartoon sadism and violence in “Kill Bill: Volume 2”
Quentin Tarantino, “Kill Bill: Volume 2” (2004) The revenge odyssey of The Bride, whom we met in the first chapter of the “Kill Bill” movie series,…
A tale of vengeance and consequences in “Kill Bill: Volume 1”
Quentin Tarantino, “Kill Bill: Volume 1” (2003) Inspired by and paying homage to grindhouse cinema and the film genres that dominate it – cheap ‘n’ cheerful…
British Films, North American Films
GoldenEye: betrayal, duplicity and loyalty to one’s brother spy
Martin Campbell, “GoldenEye” (1995) Named after original James Bond creator / novelist Ian Fleming’s estate in Jamaica, itself named after an Allied WWII operation spying on…