Every Sunday, Gill delves into his archive of over 800 movie reviews and randomly selects three for your enjoyment! Here are this week’s…
Scream 4
The fourth instalment of the Scream franchise is unfortunately uninspired as far as the script goes, but it’s at least enjoyable to see Dewey, Gale and Sidney all hanging out together again. Sadly, there isn’t much to the movie beyond the cast reunion, and much like with Scream 3, the film begins to fall victim to the cliches that it’s trying to mock. In fact, with the overblown uber-meta cold open sequence, screenwriter Kevin Williamson spells out to the audience that there’s no longer any novelty in the Scream movie formula. Scream 4 doesn’t push the envelope enough to do justice to its source material, and even the hardcore fans will really only be satisfied that it didn’t suck. Also, this movie is predictable, which is the worst crime a whodunnit can commit.
3 out of 5
The Tourist
While it’s nice to see quality actors like Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie and Paul Bettany turning in fine performances in pretty locations, The Tourist‘s big third act twist killed the movie for me. Without spoiling it, I will say that the reveal didn’t seem plausible, and it struck me that there may have been an easier way for the protagonists to achieve their goal. Man, that’s so vague – I apologize. The Tourist isn’t a bad movie. It has a good cast, decent production values, and it’s a well-made movie. A nice film to turn your brain off to.
3 out of 5
Winter’s Bone
A bleak, sad and absolutely terrific film that combines elements of the Western and film noir genres and sets them against the already dark and creepy backdrop of the isolated communities of the Ozarks. Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence and veteran character actor John Hawkes are both fantastic, and the film is gripping and chilling from start to finish. Winter’s Bone is like a window into another world, where sinister characters lurk just around the bend, or even just outside your door. I can’t recommend this film enough.
4.5 out of 5
See you next Sunday for three more thrilling short reviews!