The Brown Note Movie Review

Genre wish fulfillment movies like this full blown take on Japanese monster movies but with mega Hollywood budget and special effects are rarely more exciting in the flesh than on paper. For once a visionary director of huge talent like the singularly imaginative Guillermo del Toro is given the reigns, to great success but sadly didn't fancy the sequel.

Pretty much a dream team for me, given Drive ended up my film of the entire decade, so a reunion of Nicholas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling, both of whom I'm fans of away, was pure catnip. A hugely stylized, neon lit, ultra violent, existential art film? I didn't stand a chance. It must SURELY have firmly established itself as a cult classic by now? The critics hated it but I loved it.

Perhaps generous here as its an almost tedious Si-Fi but with stunning production design. The ever reliable Tom Cruise fights against a vague but often breathtaking backdrop.

Director Jeff Nichols debut film, Shotgun Stories, was an astonishing and hugely original film, sadly since then not so much and this far more major film is it's polar opposite. Almost like a homogenized mainstream take on that singular first film and I was generous with the score here. It's very hokey.

John McNaughton's seminal cinematic terror has not had its horrors dulled by time and still packs an awful punch. A landmark in both serial killer films and horror in general and a rarely unpleasant experience.

As with all post 5 rebirth Fast and Furious films, a pretty decent follow up to a slightly superior predecessor.

Jay Bulger's terrific biopic of one of the most legendary rock drummers in history, the frightening Ginger Baker.

A decent year for great movies and a controversial winner.

Well made biopic of the fascinating Liberace, with awards worthy turns from Matt Damon and Michael Douglas.

The Jackass gang convene for a slight dramatic comedy, that's a little more soulful than laugh out loud funny.