CalumRhys

Bio: Ah the dreaded bio, right... so I\'m Calum, an Englishman with a Scottish name, from a primarily Welsh and German family. I\'m a passionate cinephile (and filmmaker), I had my first cinema experience in the grand old year of 2000 at the mere age of 7... it was \'Chicken Run\'... but my love for the cinematic arts started long before. Anyway... that\'s me, so let\'s all stick on a movie, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over.

Recent Ratings

Check out CalumRhys's...

Most Popular Mini Reviews Favorites Least Favorites Full Ratings List

70 _23%

Deadpool (2016) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

'Deadpool' is a well-made revitalisation of the superhero genre, which as of recent has arguably been churning out similar plots and scenarios over-and-over again. First off, this is not a children's film, do not be fooled by the Marvel logo, this film is very, very adult. Of course, by all means, go ahead and take your kids if you so wish, but be prepared for an hour and forty minutes of gore, profanity, nudity and every possible sex reference out there.

88 _73%

The Martian (2015) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

In an era where science-fiction survival tales are becoming a popular occurrence - with 'Interstellar' last year, and 'Gravity' the year before - writer Andy Weir and sci-fi connoisseur Ridley Scott team up to craft a complex tale that is carried by a single character, that character being Mark Watney, played fantastically by Matt Damon (Hollywood's biggest calamity, who requires being rescued... again). The film piles on layers of thrills, emotional value and complex character development.

66 _11%

Beauty and the Beast (2017) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

Growing up in the 90's, my childhood was primarily all about Disney films, those animated tales that helped us escape from reality, with the original 'Beauty and the Beast' still holding up today as one of Disney's finest efforts. This remake has that magical vista we all need in our life, something to make us smile. Sure, it'll never stand up to the original, and there are noticeable flaws lying about, but this aside it is still a charming film.

82 _50%

Free Fire (2017) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

The film is practically a 90 minute shootout with fantastically-written dialogue and humour thrown in. The story follows a group of IRA members in 1970's Boston as they aim to acquire weapons to take back to Northern Ireland. The fact that an arms-deal can be instantly transformed into a barrage of laughs and thrills is inexplicably fantastic, with well-developed characters, a brilliant soundtrack and the fluent pace throughout.

58 _3%

Ghost in the Shell (2017) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

It's a fair attempt at an adaptation, which is more than can be said for Sanders's film before. But it just falls short in too many places to really make its mark as a sci-fi great. If we were just there for the visuals, this film would be near-masterful, but that's not the case here.

74 _38%

The French Connection (1971) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

This film is revolutionary in the crime genre, and in cinema as a whole, and I enjoy the experience every time I watch it, the thrilling chase scenes, the gruff embodiment of hate that is Doyle, to the paranoia-clad villains, Friedkin's achievement can't be diminished.

96 _92%

Whiplash (2014) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

The fusion of emotions throughout make this a film that thrusts the audience into a world of obsession, dedication and confrontation, thus ensuing a tale of inspiration, a man and his dreams of becoming a "somebody", and to conclude, let's just note that final drum solo and sense of rebellion Andrew feels, it is utter gold, truly perfect. This movie is powerful, it is intense, it is unique, it is a stunning masterpiece!

92 _80%

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

William Wyler's engrossing masterpiece hits hard at every turn and crafts a story rife with exceptional drama, heartfelt emotion and underlying humour. A scene in particular, featuring Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) as he unveils the full extent of his disability to his wife-to-be, is like no scene I have ever seen, it was completely moving, and then his everlasting smile as he sheds a single tear, powerfully complex in emotional value and extremely well-executed.

74 _38%

Platoon (1986) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

Not only does Stone focus on the horrors of war between the US army and the NVA, but also the personal vendettas within the US army itself, namely between Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias, portrayed by Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe respectively in fantastic performances, Berenger in particular who gives a performance like no other. I can't praise Oliver Stone enough for the harrowing experience that is 'Platoon'.

86 _61%

Stagecoach (1939) - Rated 10 Apr 2017

The prostitute, the outlaw, the alcoholic doctor, the slow-witted driver, the gambler, the marshal, the whiskey drummer, the egotistical banker and the pregnant lady, these are the characters that make up 'Stagecoach', the film that spawned the western talkies that made John Ford the auteur he is regarded as today, a prototype western like no other, and the thought that went into executing it make it one of the finest films of the 1930's.