filmlover333 Reviews

The Horseman (2008)

The Horseman

[19 March 2010]

Written and directed by Steven Kastrissios, this is a 'no holds barred' revenge thriller.

Peter Marshall gives a compelling performance as 'Christian' a grief stricken father on a quest to revenge the death of his daughter.

Caroline Marohasy is impressive as 'Alice' as the troubled teenage runaway that Christian befriends.

The relationship that develops between Christian and Alice is a poignant one and makes the merciless brutality of his acts of revenge all the more shocking.

It is impossible not to become involved in the suspense and drama of this outback thriller.

La Mission (2009)

La Mission

[19 March 2010]

This is a fantastic film.

Benjamin Bratt gives his heart and soul in this performance as Che Riveria and Erika Alexander is stunning as Lena.

This film is rich with the colors, energy and music of the Mission district of San Francisco.

Writer/director Peter Bratt lets us into the world of a man defined by his culture. A culture that gives him a second chance at life and rewards masculinity and strength will also prove to be his downfall.

This father/son story is heartfelt. Che Riveria is a tough man but will need to dig deep to find the courage needed to prove he is worthy in the eyes of his son.

Phantom Punch (2008)

Phantom Punch

[12 March 2010]

Phantom Punch is directed by Robert Townsend and written by Ryan Combs. It traces the life and times of Sonny Liston, the World heavyweight boxing champion who over his career fought the likes of Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson. Townsend biopic traces Liston's career from 1950 to his death in 1971.

Ving Rhames, is perfectly cast as Charles L 'Sonny' Liston. Rhames gives a stellar performance depicting the boxer's tumultuous life, where dealing with the rampant racism of the day, the heavy hand of the mob, and the heavier hand of the law was part and parcel of the job. And touches on the controversy surrounding his mysterious death.

Home of the Giants (2007)

Home of the Giants

[12 March 2010]

Written and Directed by Rusty Gorman and starring Haley Joel Osment "Home of the Giants' proves to be more than just a basketball movie - it's a thriller full of suspense and action drama.

Haley Joel Osment is fantastic as 'Gar', Robert Gartland. Osment has successfully made the transition from cute to handsome. In "home of the Giants" he plays the role of a high school journalist who's best friend and 'hero', Matt Morrison (Ryan Merriman) is the school basketball team's star player. Both Osment and Merriman give excellent performances.

The friendship of these best friends is pushed to its limits when they become involved with Matt's criminal brother Keith (Kenneth Mitchell).

This coming-of-age film has plenty of twits and turns and will keep you in suspense right until the very end.

The City of Your Final Destination (2009)

City of Your Final Destination

[12 March 2010]

City of Your Final Destination This first solo project from director James Ivory, from what little I saw of the film it promises to deliver.

True to form Ivory makes the most of exotic locations and an a stellar international cast.

The incomparable Anthony Hopkins rarely disappoints and in this role he more than exceeds any expectation.

Laura Linney plays her role of the tightly wound widow to perfection while Charlotte Gainsbourg is splendid as the vulnerable mistress.

Omar Metwally, the biographer, and Alexandra Maria Lara, his overly ambitious girlfriend, are superb.

The dialogue is written by Ruth Prawler Jhabvala has captured the essence of Peter Cameron's novel of the same name.

Formosa Betrayed (2009)

A political thriller that delivers.

[9/10 · 5 March 2010]

I enjoyed this film immensely. A political thriller that delivers. Set in Taiwan in the early 1980s this Cold War drama depicts little known yet all too real events of that era.

Great action too.

James Van Der Beek in the role of FBI agent Jake Kelly was outstanding - a mature performance. Will Tiao performance was equally brilliant - very moving. The film, as a whole, displays a fantastic cast.

Not surprisingly, the cinematography was stunning - an absolute feast for the eyes - Adam Kane better known for spending his time behind the camera - has done a great job in this, his directorial debut.