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.


Articles by Phil Brown:


  • Safe House - Denzel Washington - Featured
    February 10, 2012

    Safe House Review

    Ever since Paul Greengrass’ Bourne Identity sequels, espionage movies have been about terrorism and government cover-ups, set in third world countries and filmed with shaky handheld cameras and blown out colour schemes. Safe House falls firmly into this camp, loaded with nods to dirty dealings and water boarding. It’s a fairly entertaining movie, just one that definitely feels like it’s coming out a few years too late.

  • Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Vanessa Hudgens - Featured
    February 10, 2012

    Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Review

    When considering whether or not you want to watch Journey 2, the only question you have to ask yourself is: “Do I desperately need to see The Rock play a ukulele and bounce berries off his pecs in 3D?”

  • Journey-2-Brad-PeytonJourney 2: Mysterious Island - Featured
    February 8, 2012

    Interview: Journey 2 Director Brad Peyton

    We talk to Journey 2 director and Newfoundland native Brad Peyton about the challenges of shooting underwater, adapting Jules Verne, being in awe of Michael Caine, and getting The Rock to play the ukulele.

  • February 1, 2012

    Interview: Daniel Radcliffe

    Dork Shelf talks to “that Harry Potter guy,” Daniel Radcliffe, about breaking out into more adult roles, hosting Saturday Night Live, why everything sounds better when it’s said by Alan Rickman, and his latest film, The Woman in Black.

  • Con Air - Nicolas Cage
    January 27, 2012

    The Legend of the Ridiculous Nicolas Cage

    Nic Cage is one of Hollywood’s greatest eccentrics in a town know for having more than a few. Over the next 11 weeks the TIFF Bell Lightbox will be honoring the master of overacting with the career retrospective Bangkok Dangerous: The Cinema Of Nicolas Cage. Every Saturday night you’ll be treated to another highlight and hairdo from Cage’s illustrious career ranging from camp to legitimate classics and oh are there such sights to be seen.