The Harry Potter movies have always been hinged on the central mysteries. This is usually the unlocking, discovering, decoding or understanding of the titular macguffin until we get to the usual Voldemort linked finale. Unusually, The Order of the Phoenix isn’t necessarily … Continue reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) Review
There is a very clear question at the center of Captain Fantastic that never really gets a straight answer – and the film is better because of this. Captain Fantastic is the story of a group of children, raised by their … Continue reading Captain Fantastic (2016) Review
There is a creepy sense of realism in The Houses October Built which will unnerve many a viewer. This movie could well have been staged as a documentary, using talking-head interviews, first-hand experiences and then coming to a valid conclusion of … Continue reading The Houses October Built (2014) Review
You could argue that there is a lot less focus on story in the fourth Harry Potter movie and much more focus on action. It is a movie of set-pieces and spectacle rather than advancing any of the larger mythology forward … Continue reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2004) Review
The third movie in the Harry Potter series finds the franchise with a firm grasp of identity and confidence to start changing things. Chamber of Secrets began to get darker and shed some of the more childish elements but Prisoner of … Continue reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Review
It would have been easy for the Harry Potter movies to be content with repeating some of the better moments of the first movie and not developing the story too much but even with their first sequel, the movie feels … Continue reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Review
From the moment the movie begins you can sense the “magic” of the world of Harry Potter. It is a credit to JK Rowling that she is able to create such an imaginative place and then for director Chris Columbus to … Continue reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) Review
It is strange to look back at a time when Tim Allen was a draw for something other than voicing a famous toy spaceman. The Santa Clause doesn’t just capture that moment but also demonstrates why, showing the comedy talents of … Continue reading The Santa Clause (1994) Review
Christmas is a time to watch all the classic movies, from Home Alone to It’s a Wonderful Life. This year, Views from the Sofa is taking a more unconventional look at Christmas with five movies which may not exactly spread … Continue reading Unconventional Christmas Movies: Rise of the Guardians (2012) Review
Christmas is a time to watch all the classic movies, from Home Alone to It’s a Wonderful Life. This year, Views from the Sofa is taking a more unconventional look at Christmas with five movies which may not exactly spread … Continue reading Unconventional Christmas Movies: Rare Exports (2010) Review
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