Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

Director - Sidney Lumet

Genre - Crime/Drama/Thriller

When giants fall, they go down hard don't they? Our love for cinema had been shaped, molded and preserved eons ago by a few of cinema's illuminating lighthouses. Kurosawa, Coppola, Lumet and Orson Welles were part of our formative influences culminating in our collective tastes in movies now. Thus, as one of the directors whom we look up to, Lumet was untouchable and beyond reproach. Sadly, with this latest offering, Lumet seems to be saying, "My game's up. I've no more tricks up my sleeve. It was a pleasure to enthrall you all but now I must leave the hall." What started out like a smart thriller/whodunit took a very wrong turn instead and ended up disastrously farcical. Come back to us, old friend. We still adore you and the magic you once weaved.

1.5 STARS!

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Across The Universe

Director - Julie Taymor

Genre - Adventure/Drama/Musical/Romance

They say those who don't like The Beatles don't really like music itself. We're pullin' your legs. Nobody said that but we at 1minutefilmreview believe that to be true somehow. They were highly inventive, magnificent songwriters and musicians who continue to inspire and bring happiness to generations of old and new devotees. This film not only utilized The Beatles' extensive catalogue of valued gems, it repackaged and reintroduced these hits again to new listeners. The actors are a bit too predictable in their parts for our tastes but the real stars here aren't them. The Beatles are front and center again and if you're a detractor (you're a fan of Akon and Shaggy aren't you? Come on, admit it), you won't like this. It's as simple as that.

3.5 STARS!

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A Very Short Life

Director - Dennis Law

Genre - Drama/Thriller

When we viewed this for 35 minutes, we were ready to write a great review for it. Unconventionally directed, with fine and polished acting... What could go wrong? Well, for one we were really put off by one ridiculous scene. We won't go into detail about this but what we will tell you is that fans of slasher/gore films might like it but definitely not us. It's a little like going on a date with a girl you fancy but finding out when you get to the place you booked dinner, it is packed to the brim for a 'One night only live telecast football event'. You go, "What the f*ck? What have I done wrong? I've been a good person, haven't I?"

3 STARS!

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The Tracey Fragments

Director - Bruce McDonald

Genre - Drama

A kaleidoscope of moving images mapped out in a melange of split screens construct the story of a socially inept teenager. Tracey Berkowitz as played by sensational star of the moment Ellen Page faces a world fraught with resentment and apathy, emotions which are often perpetrated against her. Things come to a head when her younger brother goes missing. Page chalks up another performance which will help her maintain a formidable resume and this film adapted from Maureen Medved's novel of the same name feels like a major breakthrough in the art of movie making. For an indie, that sure is one hell of a coup.

4 STARS!

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