I had never heard of Silibil ‘n’ Brains, but knowing this was James McAvoy’s directorial debut I had to check it out. It’s based on a true story, and it’s very entertaining. Gavin (Seamus McLean Ross) and Billy (Samuel Bottomley) are just a couple of blokes from Dundee, Scotland. They dream big, and those dreams…
Tag: true story
Hit Man (2023) – Richard Linklater
Glen Powell headlines in Hit Man, a film by Richard Linklater that is based loosely on a true story. It allows Powell to lean both into his dramatic and comedic talents, and be charming the entire way through. Powell plays Gary Johnson, an almost nebbish philosophy professor who also does some work with the local…
Hoosiers (1986) – David Anspaugh
There’s a few films that have slipped through my cinema education, Hoosiers with Gene Hackman was one of them. Sports films aren’t always my jam, but I know people who swear by this movie. With Hackman’s passing, I thought I was past due to take a look at this one. And hey look, it’s got…
Unstoppable (2010) – Tony Scott
I’ve always enjoyed Tony Scott films. I like his editing, camera and visual style. Constant movement, saturated colors, and tight pacing. Even his weaker films have that great look that tells you you’re watching a Scott film. Based loosely on a true story, the film follows a runaway train, and the two men who are…
Pirate Radio (2009) – Richard Curtis
Based loosely on a true story, Richard Curtis brings his talent for blending comedy and drama to a classic tale of rock and roll! In the early 60s when British Rock was at its height, England only played rock’n’roll for perhaps an hour all day on air. But just off the coast in the North…
Woman of the Hour (2023) – Anna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick’s feature film debut gives a chilling look at how women have to be aware of everything all the time, as she brings to the screen a true story of a serial killer and rapist, and his unlikely appearance on The Dating Game and may be the bachelor Sheryl (Kendrick) chooses from the three…
Lawmen Bass Reeves: Season 1 – Blu-Ray
David Oyelowo brings Bass Reeves to life, in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, which he helped produce alongside series creator Chad Feehan and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. Based on the true story of one of the first Black U.S. Marshals, we follow Bass from slave to one of the most respected lawmen to serve. Throughout eight episodes,…
TIFF ’23: NYAD
Annette Bening gives a career-topping performance as marathon swimmer, Diane Nyad in the true story of her swim from Cuba to Florida. In the late 70s and 80s, Nyad made a name for herself for swimming the English Channel, around Manhattan Island and more, but she was foiled by her attempt to make it from…
Cocaine Bear (2023) – Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Banks settles into the director’s chair again and delivers a mostly entertaining comedy thriller, which is loosely based on a true story, Cocaine Bear. Featuring an all-star cast led by Keri Russell, the film swings from working brilliantly to just falling a little flat. But damn if Banks doesn’t swing for the fences. There…
The Sugarland Express (1974) – Steven Spielberg
Before Spielberg was the box-office titan that he would become with 1975’s Jaws , he made his North American theatrical debut (Duel, a television movie had been released theatrically in Europe) with 1974’s Sugarland Express. Based on an actual event that occurred in 1969, the story follows Lou Jean (Goldie Hawn), her husband Clovis (William…
The Mind Reels 