That Shelf

Phil Brown

Phil Brown is a Toronto-based film critic and entertainment journalist who contributes ramblings about film, comedy, and other pop culture obsessions to websites and publications like Dork Shelf, The Toronto Star, NOW Magazine, The Globe And Mail, C&G Magazine, Fangoria, Rue Morgue, High Def Digest, and others. He’s also appeared on CTV and made a variety of podcast and radio appearances to help delay his inevitable typing-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Articles by Phil Brown:

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  April 12, 2012

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  Streetdance 2 Review

  When exactly did dance movies become such a viable genre and who can we call to put a stop to it?

• 
  April 11, 2012

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  The Hunter Review

  The Hunter makes great use out of a spectacular performance from Willem Dafoe, but despite a great start the film almost crumbles under the weight of a half baked conclusion.

• 
  April 10, 2012

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  Interview: Drew Goddard

  We sat down with Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard and tried not to spoil the movie for any of you in the process.

• 
  April 6, 2012

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  Bully Review

  Lee Hirsch’s new documentary Bully is an undeniably powerful experience that at least wins points for having its heart in the right place even if it doesn’t quite offer as definitive of an examination as the subject deserves.

• 
  April 4, 2012

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  Interview: Bully Director Lee Hirsch

  We had an extensive conversation with Bully director Lee Hirsch about the gritty nature of making a documentary about schoolyard bullies, his film’s battles with the MPAA in the States, and his hopes for the film to bring about real change.

• 
  March 26, 2012

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  The Most Dangerous Games

  Hungry for more human hunting games? Try these three movies on for size!

• 
  March 23, 2012

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  The Raid: Redemption Review

  Anyone upset that the movies have been lacking in balls-to-the-wall R-rated action of late can take solace in the fact that The Raid: Redemption has arrived.

• 
  March 16, 2012

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  Being Flynn Review

  Paul Weitz’s Being Flynn is a tonally muddled and confused little movie, but ultimately an interesting one. It wants to be a dark and morally ambiguous slice of urban misery with a redemptive core, yet it never quite achieves that somewhat counterintuitive mash up. However, there are enough interesting ideas and a handful of solid performances (including a long awaited return to form for Robert DeNiro) that make it a hard movie to dislike.

• 
  March 15, 2012

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  King of Devil’s Island Review

  King of Devil’s Island, depicting a harsh Norwegian juvenile detention centre, isn’t too different from other juvie based films, but it’s an undeniably affecting and gut-wrenching addition to the subgenre.

• 
  March 14, 2012

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  Casa de mi Padre Review

  Even if it’s impossible to name check specific titles that Casa de mi Padre is mocking, this lovingly hilarious tribute to bad filmmaking is custom designed for movie geeks.

• 
  March 13, 2012

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  This Week in DVD: 3/13/12

  It’s another big week of DVD/Blu-ray releases. This week Phil Brown takes a look at Steven Spielberg’s big-screen adaptation of The Adventures Of Tintin, Lars Von Trier’s crushing end of the world tale Melancholia, Jason Reitman’s dark comedy Young Adult, HBO’s Game of Thrones Season One box set, and more!

• 
  March 12, 2012

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  Interview: Creators of Casa de mi Padre

  This Friday, Will Ferrell returns with another cinematic entry of his patented brand of wacko-surrealist comedy. However, this time it’s a little different. Specifically, the movie, Casa De Mi Padre, is entirely in Spanish and subtitled. Dork Shelf got a chance to chat with Casa De Mi Padre’s writer Andrew Steele and director Matt Piedmont to discuss the origins of their completely insane (in the best possible sense) new movie.

• 
  March 9, 2012

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  A Thousand Words Review

  Oh Eddie Murphy, what the hell happened?

• 
  March 8, 2012

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  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Review

  Salmon Fishing In The Yemen slides into screens this week with one of the most uninspiring titles for a major release in years, but at least this movie does exactly what it says on the box. Admittedly, there are a handful of sweet and funny little moments as well as some nice performances from, but the film is ultimately about, well, salmon fishing in Yemen. It’s not exactly riveting subject matter. Sure assassinations, wartime tragedy, liberal doses of verbal sparring, and some gentle romance are woven in, but ultimately the movie is about the magical healing powers of fishing.

• 
  March 7, 2012

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  Silent House Review

  Husband and wife directing team Chris Kentis and Laura Lau (who previously made the shark thriller Open Water) have dusted off one of Hitchcock’s oldest tricks for their latest movie, Silent House, and while it certainly stands as an impressive technical achievement, unfortunately it isn’t that impressive of a movie.