Argo

News, Reviews & Features

Review: Birds Of Prey is the fantabulous desperation of one Harley Quinn

Movie Review | Matt Looker | 17th February 2020

There’s no denying that the Joker is a truly iconic figure. Whether it’s Joaquin Phoenix’s fragile psychopath, Heath Ledger’s cruel anarchist or Cesar Romero’s painted moustache, the character of the Joker is an indelible legend of pop culture. But you wouldn’t want to hang out with him, would you? Imagine all the whoopee cushions and hand buzzers and all that endless itching powder. He’s just a terrible try-hard, isn’t he? So it’s probably apt that this film, which is primarily focused on his sudden absence from Harley Quinn’s life, tries to fill his void by being just as eager to entertain. It’s packed with colourful chaos, wacky narrative devices and fun, so much fun. But just like the Joker’s constant giggling, it also feels a little bit forced. Why so weary-ous, Harley Quinn?

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This just in: Margot Robbie is wearing clothes

Movie News | Ali Gray | 7th August 2018

The first publicity shot of Margot Robbie from Quentin Tarantino‘s new movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is in, and I think I can safely say that, wow, that is Margot Robbie all right!

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I, Tonya

Movie Review | Ali Gray | 25th February 2018

I, Tonya is a great nostalgia trip, not just because of the cringeworthy nineties fashions, throwback tracks and hair disasters, but because it's a reminder of an analogue age when one simple celebrity scandal could dominate the entire news cycle for weeks and months on end. What a luxury that would be today: in the current climate, where world-shattering scandals materialise and evaporate in the blink of an eye, staying abreast of current affairs basically consists of putting a shotgun marked 'NEWS' in your mouth and pulling the trigger. The 90s white trash of I, Tonya does have something in common with the white trash of Trump's America: both are incredulous stories of idiots committing their crimes out in the open.

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Suicide Squad

Movie Review | Matt Looker | 5th August 2016

Here's something that shouldn't be a thing: any director, cast member or studio that says "we made it for the fans, not the critics". Now, I would say that I occupy a space somewhere in between those two clearly very unique and separate positions. I'm an occasional blogger currently writing a review (that, heaven forbid, will be listed on Rotten Tomatoes) but who particularly enjoys superheroes and comic-book movies. So where does the DC party line of 'fans not critics' leave me? I'll tell you where - in the same place as literally anybody else who sees this film: with an opinion, and only that. Obviously, it should be argued as objectively as possible, but for the sake of DC's stance in the matter, let me try to review this like a fan rather than like a clueless critic doing super-serious critiquing on Marvel's payroll. With that in mind, Suicide Squad is a bit rubbs.

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The Big Short

Movie Review | Ali Gray | 26th January 2016

"I have a feeling that in a few years, the banks are going to be doing exactly the same thing," says despondent financier Mark Baum (Steve Carell) as the world teeters on the brink of economic meltdown. "They're going to blame it on immigrants and poor people." The financial crisis of 2008 is mired in so much Wall Street-patented obfuscatory bullshit you need a shovel to get down to the nitty gritty, but Adam McKay's A-list crib sheet The Big Short boils it down to the essentials: the US banks committed the largest and most audacious case of fraud ever perpetrated at the cost of every man, woman and children in America - and they got away with it.

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Focus

Movie Review | Ali Gray | 25th February 2015

The romantic heist genre (or rom-con, if you will) feels like a pretty well worn sub-genre by this point: the conman, the mark, the honeytrap, the big job, the love that's worth more than diamonds, the poster tagline which insists on telling you whether the con is or isn't on - you know the score. Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo stole hearts among other things in The Thomas Crown Affair and every pale imitator since has been caught red-handed raiding the same emotional cookie jar (see also and forget immediately: Duplicity, starring Clive Owen and Julia Roberts). Focus sticks to that same formula religiously, but it's a delightful surprise to report that it hoodwinks you into having a great time, distracting you with hot bodies and slick plotting until you realise you've been entertained. Also it stole £13.50 out of your wallet.

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Top 10 TV shows of 2014

TV Feature | Ed Williamson, Rob Young, Christopher Ratcliff, Iain Robertson, Ali Gray, Luke Whiston | 31st December 2014

What's that? No, there never used to be 20 shows in our end-of-year lists. You're imagining things. OK, maybe that's partially true. Fine, it's entirely true. But trust me, this is a bold new way of doing the traditional yearly round-up, and in no sense a way for me to spend more time eating cake and less time writing over Christmas.

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Oscar shock as Hollywood names film about Hollywood Best Picture

Movie News | Ali | 25th February 2013

I'd say I didn't see it coming, but I totally called this back in June 2011. Something tells me we'll see the return of Awesome Drunken Ben Affleck for one night only. 'Gratz, Argo guys. Arguys.

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#LFF2012: Argo

Movie Review | Ali | 17th October 2012

How could it be that Ben Affleck – he of being the bomb in Phantoms, yo – has become the most exciting American director working today? The former himbo and male half of Bennifer made one of the all-time greatest career turnarounds when he ditched the smug action hero roles and gave honest to goodness filmmaking a shot; first with sensational kidnapping drama Gone Baby Gone, then with palm-sweatingly tense heist thriller The Town. Affleck has gone one better with his third film as director, moving from the frying pan of Boston into the fire of Iran for his most ambitious – and awards-worthy – movie yet.

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13 creative ways to legally break a movie review superembargo

Movie News | Ali | 6th August 2012

Review embargoes are a necessary evil in the world of film journalism: in all honesty, a paltry price to pay if it means you get to watch a top film first and for free. However, as I've discussed before, some embargoes can be staggeringly draconian, like the one I received today. Naturally, all it made me want to do was figure out a way to break it.

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