Two well-meaning backwoodsmen have their good intentions misunderstood by camping students. Jolly-enough horror-comedy that gets by on the charm of its leads, by a strong-enough premise, and some effective slapstick gore.
Tag: eamonn’s reviews
Pan (2015, dir. Joe Wright)
A prequel of sorts to JM Barrie’s Peter Pan. And not a very good one either. Some interesting production design, but that’s about it. A poor script, misjudged performances, and evidence of a post-production salvage attempt. A disappointment.
The Way, Way Back (2013, dir. Nat Faxon & Jim Rash)
A gawky 14-year-old gets a summer job at a water park to escape his dysfunctional family. A charming offbeat comedy-drama very much of two parts: a crumbling new family unit, and the escapism of the park. Highly recommended.
The Day of the Jackal (1973, dir. Fred Zinnemann)
1963. An international hitman is hired to assassinate Charles de Gaulle; a manhunt ensues. A meticulous and clinical film, almost documentary in its approach, which expertly captures – and in some areas improves on – the bestseller its based upon. Highly recommended.
Storks (2016, dir. Nicholas Stoller, Doug Sweetland)
A corporate stork and a young woman have to deliver a baby. Though intermittently hilarious (the wolves are good, and there are some beautifully random jokes) this is an odd beast with a complicated set-up that has little inner logic. The usual heartwarming lessons learned, though.
Want another 255Review opinion? Here’s lemonsquirtle’s take on Storks.
Always (1989, dir. Steven Spielberg)
A dead pilot returns to allow his former partner to move on with her life. A patchy and sentimental piece (remaking 1943’s A Guy Named Joe), happier in its flying, comic and firefighting action sequences than with the emotional scenes; some pleasures to be had, tho.
The Atticus Institute (2015, dir. Chris Sparling)
A documentary account of 1970s ESP tests revealing a case of demonic possession. Well-handled for the first two acts, though loses its way in the third. Well-acted throughout, though, and provides a few good jumps and arresting images.
