Film Hick: 88 Minutes (2008)

Directed by: Jon Avnet. Cast: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, William Forsythe, Deborah Kara Unger. Rated: R. Running Time: 108 minutes.
It seems like a topsy turvy world where an Al Pacino movie doesn’t make the grade, but I have to say that this was the case with 88 Minutes. I can’t in all conscience [...]

Film Hick: Stop Loss (2008)

Directed by: Kimberly Peirce. Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rob Brown, Channing Tatum,    Victor Rasuk. Rated: R. Running Time: 112 Mins.
I have to admit that before this film I was totally unaware of the whole idea of Stop-Loss, where the US Army can extend a soldier’s time in the war thanks to a little loophole [...]

Film Hick: Body Of War (2007) by Phil Donahue Ellen Spiro

Directed by: Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro. Rated: Unrated. Running Time: 87 Mins.
This is the story of Tomas Young, a veteran who was paralysed by a bullet to the spine during the war in Iraq. It takes us through his coming to terms with his condition whilst presenting a critical look at how the war has [...]

Film Hick: Kurt Cobain – About A Son (2006)

Directed by: AJ Schnack. Rated: 15. Running Time: 96 Mins.
I would think that one thing you would want to ask yourself about a project that you were embarking upon would be what form does this need to take? Namely, is it a book, a piece of music, or should it be a film? I suppose [...]

Film Hick: This Is England (2007) by Shane Meadows

Directed by: Shane Meadows. Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim, Vicky McClure, Joseph Gilgun. Rated: 18. Running Time: 101 Mins.
I’m sure there are other British directors out there doing sterling work; in fact I know there are, but are there any who are exactly like Shane Meadows? Or, rather are there any [...]

Culture Vulture: Takeshi Kitano

My first introduction to Takeshi Kitano was through Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence where he plays the Japanese guard that everyone could like. At the time I didn’t know his name and have to admit that I was watching the film for a certain Mr David Bowie. Still his acting left a definite impression and when [...]

Film Hick: Bad Boy Bubby

If you watch this film I can guarantee you that it is gonna stick with you — you will let that title roll off your tongue in a trilling victorious though damaged voice that those in the know will recognise: Bad Boy Bubby. Bubby has been locked up for thirty years by his mother who [...]

Film Hick: Jackie Brown

If there is such a thing as an under-rated Tarantino film  then I would posit that this is it. Not a favourite among many Tarantino fans that I know (my sources are as reliable as any Gallup poll, I assure you). I think it is a shame because the characters in this film are in [...]

Film Hick: Elektra (2005)

Directed by Brett Ratner. Starring Jennifer Garner, Terrence Stamp, Goran Visnjic. Cert: 12. Running Time: 100 Mins Approx

Bad, bad, bad. There usually are some redeeming features to a film. I suppose you can argue that just watching Jennifer Garner do her thing is enough to carry a film but not in this case. It is [...]

Film Hick: Constantine (2005)

Directed by Francis Lawrence. Starring Keanu Reeves; Rachel Weisz; Tilda Swinton. Cert: 15. Running Time: 115 Mins.

Another film where the source material is taken more as a jumping off point than the gospel. It’s another film that has had the die-hard fans of the original product gnashing their teeth. Hellblazer should have been left alone, [...]