fairbrother’s Film Reviews

201 Films have been rated or reviewed by fairbrother.

Lolita (1962): The second half loses steam, Nabokov's script preserving a smidge too much of his novel's narrative sprawl. A too–mature Lo, though well–played by Lyon, is another flaw. But the first half is terrific, a very funny, thematically provocative tragicomedy.
Only God Forgives (2013): Refn's cinematography and soundtrack work atmospheric wonders, again, but the story is just sophomoric sadism draped in would–be spiritual angst. Sick, hollow, and pretentious: there's no soul here to forgive.
Goodfellas (1990): A jukebox musical as tabloid–Americana, a pitch–black comedy of unhinged machismo, and the last word in mob movie drama. The content feels utterly real even as the style consistently dazzles us. Bet you can't just watch it once.
Fly, The (1986): It's a rare film that can make the viewer both cry and dry–heave: The Fly is such a film, a nightmarish hybrid of disease–weepie and sci–fi splatter. The offbeat leads are excellent in tricky roles, and the practical FX are amazing.; DVD ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007): Not a cheery flick, but a gripping one. If it tends toward melodrama as it goes on, it does so with a maturity and emotional impact uncommon in similar (modern) pulp–noir thrillers. The headline cast are all in top–form.
Sleepwalkers (1992): Krige's good in a bad role, Amick's an appealing heroine, and the monster–mayhem is delivered with solid, knowing B–movie professionalism. Haunting theme music, too. At the sillier end of the King–spectrum, for sure, but enjoyably so.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002): There's wrenching violence here, for sure, but it's the pervasive pessimism that really stings: this is as much a tragedy (or nihilistic farce) as a neo–noir thriller. Hard–boiled AF and, for consistency of vision, I say it beats Old Boy.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (TV Series) (2005): Keep moving if you need to like the characters you're watching: the whole joke here is that these people are, truly and consistently, The Worst. Loud, crass and, oftentimes, shockingly funny. In small doses, it's an obnoxious treat.
King of the Hill (TV Series) (1997-2006): And they say Americans can't do drollery. The sly mockery here is dead–on but affectionate, revelling in the characters' flaws and limitations while affirming their common decency. At it's best, it's poignant, perceptive, and hilarious.
Serious Man, A (2009): A profoundly black comedy about nothing less than what God wants from us (if he exists). Too opaque for general tastes (it took me two viewings to "get it"), but the nuanced precision of writing, acting, and filmic craft is masterful.

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fairbrother’s Film Reviews