Cian McGrathinThe Ugly Monster‘The Beast’ Fails to Live Up to Its PotentialBertrand Bonello’s sci-fi meditation on anxiety, love and the human condition boasts intriguing ideas, but can’t tie them together1d ago41d ago4
Cian McGrathinFrame RatedInglourious Basterds — technically brilliant but emotionally vacuousA plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish-American soldiers coincides with a theatre owner’s plans for vengeance…4d ago154d ago15
Cian McGrathinThe Ugly Monster‘Trap’ is Trashy, Self-Aware FunLeave your brain at the door before entering M. Night Shyamalan’s new cinematic experience5d ago85d ago8
Cian McGrathinThe Ugly Monster‘Alien: Romulus’ has Excellent Worldbuilding and a Mixed StoryThis latest ‘Alien’ film from Fede Álvarez isn’t perfect, but shows there is still life to this iconic space horror franchiseAug 177Aug 177
Cian McGrathinThe Ugly Monster35 Year Retrospective: ‘Back to the Future Part II’ Fails to Capture the Joy of the Original FilmThe second entry in this iconic sci-fi comedy franchise features an overstuffed plot and uneven characterisationAug 1618Aug 1618
Cian McGrathinThe Ugly Monster‘Manodrome’ is an Unintentionally Funny ExperienceJohn Trengrove’s exploration of toxic masculinity misses the mark on a profound levelAug 135Aug 135
Cian McGrathinCounter Arts‘Norm Macdonald: Based on a True Story’ and Interpreting The PastThe legendary comedian’s book explores the impossibility of finding the truth in memory, and uncovering the meaning of lifeAug 13Aug 13
Cian McGrathinFrame RatedDistrict 9 — exhilarating sci-fi action in a tense and mostly poignant social dramaViolence ensues after an alien race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent…Aug 118Aug 118
Cian McGrathinThe Ugly Monster‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ is a Tense and Pulsating Eco-ThrillerBut it lacks a poetic flourishAug 102Aug 102
Cian McGrathinCounter Arts‘Eleven Kinds of Loneliness’ Expertly Dissects Alienation and Our Need to BelongRichard Yates’ seminal short story collection is a brilliant exploration of pride, loneliness and finding purpose in lifeAug 79Aug 79