Based on the 1968 book by photojournalist Danny Lyon, Jeff Nichols’ (Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special and Loving) The Bikeriders tracks the fortunes of the fictitious Vandals Motor Cycle Club from the mid-60s to the early 70’s. The Vandals, who are based on the Outlaws Motorcycle Club with whom Lyon was briefly a member, represent the rough, raucous but free-spirited
Read moreWith their mix of sci fi and espionage film inventiveness, loveable quirky characters and violent slapstick humour, the Despicable Me/ Minions films have been some of the most fun and beloved animated movies of recent years. The last film in this franchise, Minions: The Rise of Gru, was particularly appealing to the all-important Gen-Xers with its groovy 1970’s vibe and
Read moreLoosely inspired by Henry James’ novella The Beast In The Jungle, the beguiling, occasionally disturbing, sometimes funny and at times brain boggling French-Canadian science fiction film, The Beast sits beside Slaughterhouse Five and Cloud Atlas in the ‘fascinating head scratcher’ sub-genre. This is one of those films where characters shift through different realities appearing at different times and in different
Read moreHas it really been nine years since the first wonderful Inside Out film so expertly put us through the emotional wringer? That movie immediately joined the ranks of Pixar classics with its clever, exuberant and extremely moving tale of eleven-year-old girl Riley trying to cope with change and the way her emotions Joy, Anger, Aadness etc. – who were depicted
Read moreBefore the Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons, Garfield the cat became an unlikely cultural icon. The droll, gluttonous, lasagna gobbling, pathologically lazy feline who hates Mondays, first appeared in the late 70’s and has been a beloved character for both children and adults ever since. Garfield’s misadventures have been adapted for various animated films, most notably in 2004’s Garfield: The
Read moreAny long-time ‘Built For Speed’ listeners will know I’m not a big fan of director George Miller’s Mad Max films. Of the entire franchise, I prefer Mad Max 2 as it had genuine otherworldliness and atmosphere. Many raved about 2015’s Fury Road but I was only mildly impressed by that return to Max’s post-apocalyptic world. The cinematography was undeniably terrific
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