Author Archives: Wael Khairy

Calling David O. Russell’s The Silver Linings Playbook the best romantic comedy of the year would be an understatement. I don’t remember the last time I wholly enjoyed watching a generic romance as much as I did here. Mark my words: when the Academy Awards announce their nominations next week, The Silver Linings Playbook will make a very strongContinue reading “Film Review: “Silver Linings Playbook” ★★★★★ (5/5)”

In 2008, Katheryn Bigelow became the first female director to bag a Best Director Oscar for her Iraq war drama, The Hurt Locker. This year, she’s a strong contender to be the first female director to win two Best Director Academy Awards. Although not as intimate and personal as The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty is a magnificent achievementContinue reading “Film Review: “Zero Dark Thirty” ★★★★★ (5/5)”

Robert Zemeckis is no stranger to filming horrific air disasters. His last-live action film, Cast Awayfeatured a memorable plane crash and this makes him the perfect man for the job. He ups the ante in Flight by opening his film with the longest plane crash I’ve ever seen. I personally think the crash in this year’s earlier release, TheContinue reading “Film Review: “Flight” ★★★★ (4/5)”

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey takes us back to the fertile lands of Middle Earth, a make-believe world of wizards, orcs, hobbits, dwarfs, dragons, and goblins. The film is the first entry in a trilogy of prequels to The Lord of the Rings, arguably the most beloved fantasy franchise of our time. With Peter Jackson make in helm,Continue reading “Film Review: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” ★★★★ (4/5)”

Three directors working today know the crime genre better anyone. Martin Scorsese understands the criminal mind like no other; Michael Mann’s visceral work shows a deep understanding of the grey area where cops and criminals merge. His work is probably my favorite of the three; the psychological chess game where both criminal and detective haveContinue reading “Film Review: “End of Watch” ★★★★ (4.5/5)”

I was always a sucker for time-travel movies. It was never the idea of traveling to another era that fascinated me, but rather the mind-bending paradoxes that materialise from baffling scenarios of crafty science fiction. I remember as a kid, the Terminator paradox kept me up many nights. Kyle Reese is sent back in time by JohnContinue reading “Film Review: “Looper” ★★★★ (4/5)”

In 1979, Iranians participated in the first televised revolution. They overthrew a leader who wasn’t initially chosen to be their Shah, but was rather appointed to the throne after a US/UK backed coup d’état in the early 50’s. Months after he was overthrown, the former dictator was granted permission to receive medical treatment in theContinue reading “Film Review: “Argo” ★★★★★ (5/5)”

The James Bond franchise lives on 50 years after it first came to light for one simple reason: it perfectly encapsulates every man’s wet dream. Think about it; fast cars, stylish clothes, high-tech gadgets, exotic travelling, stunning babes, not to mention the fact that Bond is the luckiest gambler to ever grace the planet. HeContinue reading “Film Review: “Skyfall” ★★★★★ (5/5)”