LONDON FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW - CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Sponsored by ST. ERMIN'S HOTEL, LONDON

Release Date: 18 October 2013 (UK)

Director: Paul Greengrass

Running Time: 134 Minutes

Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmd, Madam M. Ali

Screening Reviewed: London Film Festival Opening Night Gala Press Screening

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Following on from the high-adrenaline, taught frenzy of his Bourne series, and having previously so successfully dipped into docu-drama with the likes of Bloody Sunday and United 93 (nabbing an Oscar nomination for Directing in the process), it is unsurprising that Brit director Paul Greengrass proves the perfect helmer for this gripping and at times surprisingly emotional adaptation of the real-life hijacking of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship at the hands of Somali Pirates which took place back in 2009. 

(A)MUSINGS OSCAR PREDICTIONS 2013

It's that time of year again when Hollywood rolls out the glitz and glamour for the most prestigious date on the entertainment calendar - it's Oscar time!

As with last year, Editor/Founder Kyle Pedley presents his predictions on who will and won't be going home empty handed when the ceremony kicks off later this evening.

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW: ARGO

ARGO
Release Date: 9 November 2012 (UK)
Director: Ben Affleck
Running Time: 120 Minutes
Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman
Screening Reviewed: UK Premiere (London Film Festival Accenture Gala Screening)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

At face value, you’d be forgiven for expecting Argo to be a fairly generic and standard Hollywood CIA/espionage thriller, freshly sprung from the conveyer belt of formulaic genre fare. Being based on true events lent it that extra dash of intrigue and clout, but was hardly a new or original prospect. Credit must go, first and foremost then, to director-star Ben Affleck who, after proving his directorial mettle with his impressive debut Gone Baby Gone and follow-up The Town, has crafted a movie that is anything but.