One Mann’s Movies Film Review: Inside Llewyn Davis (2014)

Oscar Isaac portrays the titular Llewyn Davis in the latest film from Ethan and Joel Coen:  surely creating one of celluloid’s most memorable losers.  This is a joyfully melancholic film, if that makes any sense.  Set in 1961 in Greenwich village in New York, Llewyn walks through a series of Dylan album covers, beautifully rendered … Read more

One Mann’s Movies Film Review: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Quick pop quiz:  name the four actors who have played Tom Clancy’s CIA character Jack Ryan on film….?    OK – I’ll give you a clue… Chris Pine plays the latest incarnation in Kenneth Branagh’s new film:  “Jack Ryan:  Shadow Recruit”.  This is not a film that is going to challenge for the Oscars methinks, and … Read more

One Mann’s Movies Film Review: 12 Years a Slave (2014)

  (Republishing due to wordpress seeming to have thrown away my original post). I love this time of year in the run up to the Oscars when the real power-house films come to the fore.  12 Years a Slave is a case in point:  a hard film to watch, but ultimately a must see.    … Read more

One Mann’s Movies Film Review: American Hustle (2014)

As director David O Russell how to you follow the critical and financial success of Silver Linings Playbook?  The answer is with American Hustle, and boy – what a double bill that is!   American Hustle is set in the late 70’s – big hair, loud clothes and a disco beat.   Bradley Cooper plays Richie … Read more

One Mann’s Movies Film Review: Anchorman 2 – The Legend Continues (2013)

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues could have been cringe-worthily terrible:  the desecration of the Mona Lisa with an aerosol spray can.  But actually, it’s a pretty good attempt to recapture and extend the hilarious concepts developed in the first film. We’ve moved on 10 years to the ‘80s and the egotistical and politically incorrect Ron … Read more