Over the course of our more than 15-year existence, FSR has published thousands of reviews. We have reviewed movies from film festivals like Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, and Cannes. We review new theatrical and streaming releases. We even have two recurring columns — Previously On and Up Next — in which we review new and returning TV shows. And just as a fun fact, we used to give out letter grades with our reviews.
By Scott Beggs
The characters aren’t exactly new and the storyline is definitely a slow burner which is probably why The Quiet isn’t going to succeed in the American market. However, its appearance on the scene means the transition between the explosive high concept Summer is giving way to the earthy, character-driven Fall in Hollywood. The story is compelling, the acting is brilliant and the directing is certainly capable. Unfortunately, there’s something about the movie that just doesn’t work.
By Scott Beggs
Just as Japanese movie makers were about to claim the award for supreme dominance in the realm of martial arts filmmaking, Tony Jaa, representing Thailand, may have just knocked them back down the ladder. With audiences needing more awe-inspiring action sequences, current martial arts directors have reinvented the genre to include standard fight scenes mixed in with acrobatics that open the eyes and drop the jaw. Even more impressive, as Ong Bak‘s marketing points out, is that Tony doesn’t have a stunt double or wires. When he leaps over a moving vehicle, it’s real.
