A great film for the under 12's - not to denigrate those under that age - but otherwise the film might be a bit of a bore.
Great looking, with a great cast but ultimately, compared to the book, light weight and a bit disappointing. Nicole Kidman hams it up great as the mysterious and school-marmish Mrs Coulter. The best find in a child actor since the Harry Potter lot - Dakota Blue is smashing and believable - someone to watch out for should she decide to continue acting. Blink and you'll miss him Daniel Craig looked promising whilst I was overly happy to see one of my favourite actors ever, Tom Courtney.
It's an adventure story of a film. The book covers so much more and is so much darker than the film - it covers religion, growing up and so much more. The film, maybe understandably given the range and depth of the subjects covered in the books, does not get to grips with the issues of importance. Nevertheless, the effects are pretty wonderful - especially the polar bears and the animal daemons each of the characters have. It does get a little brutal in some of the bear fight scenes (several grown ups in the audience were heard to 'oooh' at that point) and the scene in which the main character Lyra is subjected to an experiment is very tense and touching.
I did like this film but it's difficult in my mind to separate the Philip Pullman books and the flick. I do hope they get the go ahead for the next two books but hope the future makers stick a little closer to the original substance of the novels.
I would like to comment on the costumes and scenery - pretty much how I had imagined in the books and really pretty wonderful. I loved the architecture of the wealthier houses and the griminess of the docks. The transport was particularly stand out - the coach without horses and sky balloon ships were great.
Another endearing element was in the closeness the film was able to present the relationship of the characters to their corresponding daemons - Lyra's Pan was sweet whether a mouse, moth or pine-martin whilst Mrs Coulter's monkey was a hideous orange monkey-type creature with evil eyes and twitchy fingers. Just as I had imagined (except without the orange hair!)
I really shouldn't be too hard on this film. I'm thankful that it wasn't Americanised - apart from the change in title!!??!!!. Oxford, as a setting, was really refreshing.
This has to be the Christmas film to go and see. It's fun and touching and I will go and see any that follow in the series.
Sunday, 9 December 2007
The Darjeeling Ltd ~~~~~
THE best film of the year (or maybe a tie with Bourne III)!
I loved, loved, loved this film. Totally and for many, many reasons. But before you think oh, I'll go see this, you must first empty your mind and heart of anything alluding to pretentiousness and hardness in order to take the film at face value. A great big smiley face too! (Also if you didn't like 'Life Aquatic' or 'The Royal Tenenbaums' by the same director Wes Anderson, then you'll probably not warm to this either... shame on you!)
Anyway, the story involves three brothers played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman who meet up after their fathers funeral to spend time together and track down their mother who's taken refuge in an abbey in India. The brothers are all full of quirks and have very particular relationships with each other - and at least half the joy of the film can be found in these relationships. They are full of wonder and sentiment, distrust and love. I could have watched their lives and adventures all day! That's the sentimentalist in me perhaps?
Their journey takes them onto the wonderful and colourful 'Darjeeling Ltd' train across India; full of travellers and staff who come into contact with the brothers and enrich and enrage their lives. The brothers bring with them a marvellous array of monogrammed luggage (about 5 or 6 bags each) inherited from their father whilst many of the highlights of the film involve the siblings arguing, squabbling and fighting over other items left to them by their dearly departed pop.
The film is so rich and full of noise and colour - I immediately wanted to have an adventure in India on a train. You could close your eyes and imagine the markets in the towns or the train restaurant carriage and maybe, quite easily, the brothers apartment full of spilled alcohol, perfume and prescription drugs. At some point it could all be interpreted as quite a bizarre world of overindulgence and mental health issues but I see it the other way. Quirky is good. Gentle is wonderful. Love and understanding will make everything better.
Even before the main film begins, you are treated to a wonder 15 minute vignette with brother number three (Schwartzman) and Natalie Portman. Set in a French hotel room, no overlaid music, no explanations one is introduced to an awkward relationship going somewhere unknown. It made me cry - tears of both understanding and joy - joy at how wonderful film can be!
Please give this film a chance. Even if you are disappointed and profess not to know what to do with it, I guarantee it will make an impact one way another. If you'd like to get me a Christmas present (ok it will be a bit late) please get me a copy of this film. Wonderful.
I loved, loved, loved this film. Totally and for many, many reasons. But before you think oh, I'll go see this, you must first empty your mind and heart of anything alluding to pretentiousness and hardness in order to take the film at face value. A great big smiley face too! (Also if you didn't like 'Life Aquatic' or 'The Royal Tenenbaums' by the same director Wes Anderson, then you'll probably not warm to this either... shame on you!)
Anyway, the story involves three brothers played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman who meet up after their fathers funeral to spend time together and track down their mother who's taken refuge in an abbey in India. The brothers are all full of quirks and have very particular relationships with each other - and at least half the joy of the film can be found in these relationships. They are full of wonder and sentiment, distrust and love. I could have watched their lives and adventures all day! That's the sentimentalist in me perhaps?
Their journey takes them onto the wonderful and colourful 'Darjeeling Ltd' train across India; full of travellers and staff who come into contact with the brothers and enrich and enrage their lives. The brothers bring with them a marvellous array of monogrammed luggage (about 5 or 6 bags each) inherited from their father whilst many of the highlights of the film involve the siblings arguing, squabbling and fighting over other items left to them by their dearly departed pop.
The film is so rich and full of noise and colour - I immediately wanted to have an adventure in India on a train. You could close your eyes and imagine the markets in the towns or the train restaurant carriage and maybe, quite easily, the brothers apartment full of spilled alcohol, perfume and prescription drugs. At some point it could all be interpreted as quite a bizarre world of overindulgence and mental health issues but I see it the other way. Quirky is good. Gentle is wonderful. Love and understanding will make everything better.
Even before the main film begins, you are treated to a wonder 15 minute vignette with brother number three (Schwartzman) and Natalie Portman. Set in a French hotel room, no overlaid music, no explanations one is introduced to an awkward relationship going somewhere unknown. It made me cry - tears of both understanding and joy - joy at how wonderful film can be!
Please give this film a chance. Even if you are disappointed and profess not to know what to do with it, I guarantee it will make an impact one way another. If you'd like to get me a Christmas present (ok it will be a bit late) please get me a copy of this film. Wonderful.
Stardust ~~
I'll keep it short and sweet...
A great fantasy film for kids but considerably lacking for grown ups.
Michelle Pfeiffer was beautiful, Clare Danes was pretty awful, Peter O'Toole was alive and just about kicking (wonderful to see him) and Robert De Niro was quite fantastic as a very special pirate (won't give it away!) The lead Charlie Cox did nothing for me whilst Sienna Miller stood out for all the wrong reasons. The biggest highlight for me was in seeing a great ensemble cast of brothers including Rupert Everett, David Walliams and Jason Flemyng. Although an even bigger highlight was in seeing Nathaniel Parker back on the big screen.
Lovely sets, suitable humour, familiar gags. The music was completely overpowering. Just quite hammy and boring really. What a philistine am I?
Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable two hours or so. A possible perfect Sunday afternoon flick to chill out to.
A great fantasy film for kids but considerably lacking for grown ups.
Michelle Pfeiffer was beautiful, Clare Danes was pretty awful, Peter O'Toole was alive and just about kicking (wonderful to see him) and Robert De Niro was quite fantastic as a very special pirate (won't give it away!) The lead Charlie Cox did nothing for me whilst Sienna Miller stood out for all the wrong reasons. The biggest highlight for me was in seeing a great ensemble cast of brothers including Rupert Everett, David Walliams and Jason Flemyng. Although an even bigger highlight was in seeing Nathaniel Parker back on the big screen.
Lovely sets, suitable humour, familiar gags. The music was completely overpowering. Just quite hammy and boring really. What a philistine am I?
Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable two hours or so. A possible perfect Sunday afternoon flick to chill out to.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age ~~~
Cate Blanchett is Queen... literally! She is a magnificent actress and whilst Elizabeth is a great film it is by no means the totally enjoyable romp is could have been. Everything about is hints at greatness but it falls down as slightly disappointing. The cast seem to be doing everything they can to bolster what I think might have been a slightly weak script... or at the very least, a driving plot.
The 1998 original is a far greater film. Maybe less accessible but more memorable and enjoyable for those reasons. Geoffrey Rush (Walsingham), Abbie Cornish (Lady in Waiting), Samantha Morton (Mary Queen of Scots) and Clive Owen (Raleigh) are all excellent in place as are the beautiful costumes (some very modern looking and luscious) and scenery. Unfortunately, with the addition of so many other characters, and the rather dragging yet undeniably predictable love affair triangle between the Cate, Cornish and Owen, Elizabeth the women seems to get a little lost along the way.
There were definite references to some old Errol Flynn films (Fire Over England (1937) and pirate flicks) in the Armada scenes which in another film might have been appropriate but in this wanna be heavy weight just detracted from the otherwise serious substance. It seemed to descend into a rather weak, Vaseline-lensed love fest. We didn't even get to hear the famous "I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman but I have the heart and stomach of a king" speech at Tillbury (whether true or not!). What a let down - but maybe that's just me having studied this period at school!
I'd love to go on more about this film (so maybe it wasn't that bad after all) but time is short. I will say that there were parts which invoked great emotion in me and others which really made me laugh. Even with an undercurrent of murder and intrigue I wanted more. Overall it was very enjoyable just a little light!
The 1998 original is a far greater film. Maybe less accessible but more memorable and enjoyable for those reasons. Geoffrey Rush (Walsingham), Abbie Cornish (Lady in Waiting), Samantha Morton (Mary Queen of Scots) and Clive Owen (Raleigh) are all excellent in place as are the beautiful costumes (some very modern looking and luscious) and scenery. Unfortunately, with the addition of so many other characters, and the rather dragging yet undeniably predictable love affair triangle between the Cate, Cornish and Owen, Elizabeth the women seems to get a little lost along the way.
There were definite references to some old Errol Flynn films (Fire Over England (1937) and pirate flicks) in the Armada scenes which in another film might have been appropriate but in this wanna be heavy weight just detracted from the otherwise serious substance. It seemed to descend into a rather weak, Vaseline-lensed love fest. We didn't even get to hear the famous "I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman but I have the heart and stomach of a king" speech at Tillbury (whether true or not!). What a let down - but maybe that's just me having studied this period at school!
I'd love to go on more about this film (so maybe it wasn't that bad after all) but time is short. I will say that there were parts which invoked great emotion in me and others which really made me laugh. Even with an undercurrent of murder and intrigue I wanted more. Overall it was very enjoyable just a little light!
Sunday, 4 November 2007
30 Days of Night ~~~~ ½
What a great film! I had no idea what it was about or who was going to be in it but I was so pleasantly surprised. A '15' certificate coming up trumps and having recently seen a Weta Workshop film 'Black Sheep' was surprised to find this film again shot in New Zealand and with some nearly native actors.
Had I known Josh Hartnett was starring I might have written this off. Not that I don't like him but he seems to have been in some truly forgettable films. All is forgiven. He reminds me of a young Richard Gere. It's all in the squinty eyes. But he's good. Melissa George (an Aussie haling from 'Home and Away' and working her way through the horror genre) was also good. As was the entire cast.
Down to the nitty-gritty. This is a vampire film. Set in the most northern part of America where it's damn snowy and cold. The small community there looses light for thirty days and as such booze is banned and the locals scarper if they can. Like in 'The Thing' and 'Insomnia' the feeling is automatic isolation and claustrophobia. We know something is afoot when a creepy stranger turns up and people, and dogs, start dying. Hartnett and George are the local law and as such take the situation and some of the locals in hand in trying to hide from the as yet unknown murderous fiends.
Every little detail in the film is put to good use. When we're told that the granny grows dope it's for a grander scheme. And the baddies themselves are not the overly used, clichéd erotic animals they are often portrayed as. Here they are frenzied, jumpy bastards who live to feed. Ace!
This film really puts you on edge. It's dark. It's grim and lonely. Based on a comic the director put to good use some smashing shots which you can see were taken from the book. It lends itself well to the screen. Black, white and red...
Please go and see this film. It's exciting. It cuts to the chase. It doesn't wimp out at all. People die all over the place. No-one is spared. If this had been an 18 certificate, who knows what could have happened but as it is, this was pitched just right. A near perfect horror film. Well done all involved! More please.
Had I known Josh Hartnett was starring I might have written this off. Not that I don't like him but he seems to have been in some truly forgettable films. All is forgiven. He reminds me of a young Richard Gere. It's all in the squinty eyes. But he's good. Melissa George (an Aussie haling from 'Home and Away' and working her way through the horror genre) was also good. As was the entire cast.
Down to the nitty-gritty. This is a vampire film. Set in the most northern part of America where it's damn snowy and cold. The small community there looses light for thirty days and as such booze is banned and the locals scarper if they can. Like in 'The Thing' and 'Insomnia' the feeling is automatic isolation and claustrophobia. We know something is afoot when a creepy stranger turns up and people, and dogs, start dying. Hartnett and George are the local law and as such take the situation and some of the locals in hand in trying to hide from the as yet unknown murderous fiends.
Every little detail in the film is put to good use. When we're told that the granny grows dope it's for a grander scheme. And the baddies themselves are not the overly used, clichéd erotic animals they are often portrayed as. Here they are frenzied, jumpy bastards who live to feed. Ace!
This film really puts you on edge. It's dark. It's grim and lonely. Based on a comic the director put to good use some smashing shots which you can see were taken from the book. It lends itself well to the screen. Black, white and red...
Please go and see this film. It's exciting. It cuts to the chase. It doesn't wimp out at all. People die all over the place. No-one is spared. If this had been an 18 certificate, who knows what could have happened but as it is, this was pitched just right. A near perfect horror film. Well done all involved! More please.
Black Sheep ~~~
Black Sheep - a New Zealand comedy-horror set amongst the rolling hills with zombie-killer sheep on the loose! Wonderful. So low budget you feel like you and your mates could have made it but for all the dodgy make-up and acting, a great film is made better because of this lack of investment.
Really basic story - two brothers, one a mad farmer and the other a city boy returning home to collect half his inheritance. Unfortunately, he's really scared of sheep. Bad luck for him...
Two amazingly clichéd and zany hippies roam the woods attempting to put a stop to the older brothers genetically meddling, sheep altering lab staff. It all goes a bit wrong... Imagine Weta Workshop gone mad with 50p worth of fake blood and chopped liver!!! Great stuff.
As predicted, the younger brother gets roped in to put a stop to all the madness and one by one the humans get bumped off by the crazed and blood hungry baa baa lambs!
It gets quite gory and bloody. YEAH! If you love Peter Jackson's 'Brain Dead', you'll really appreciate this. The sound quality was often pretty poor but the scenery and novelty of seeing a New Zealand film at work more than made up for it! Entertaining stuff indeed.
Really basic story - two brothers, one a mad farmer and the other a city boy returning home to collect half his inheritance. Unfortunately, he's really scared of sheep. Bad luck for him...
Two amazingly clichéd and zany hippies roam the woods attempting to put a stop to the older brothers genetically meddling, sheep altering lab staff. It all goes a bit wrong... Imagine Weta Workshop gone mad with 50p worth of fake blood and chopped liver!!! Great stuff.
As predicted, the younger brother gets roped in to put a stop to all the madness and one by one the humans get bumped off by the crazed and blood hungry baa baa lambs!
It gets quite gory and bloody. YEAH! If you love Peter Jackson's 'Brain Dead', you'll really appreciate this. The sound quality was often pretty poor but the scenery and novelty of seeing a New Zealand film at work more than made up for it! Entertaining stuff indeed.
Resident Evil - Extinction (or is it???) ~~
Before we begin I must point out the the first instalment of Res Ev is one of my favourite action-type films. I love Milla Jovovich when she kicks ass and it's even better when she's allowed to do some acting.
The second in the series was mediocre but still true to the games and the characters were pretty solid as were the baddies. So, the third (and hopefully final) instalment was an unsurprising disappointment. Milla/Alice is very cool but practically mute throughout the whole flick. It's set in the desert. Why? We are told it's something to do with what the zombies have been up to. What ever. And, for a zombie movie, there could have been a heck of a lot more of them roaming about. Wussed out, I think. Where did the budget go then? Anyway, mustn't grumble too much. It was fun whilst it lasted. The token British baddie was a bit crappy (Iain Glen, who can do so much more really). Ali Larter was bad-ass, as was Oded Fehr (yum, from The Mummy etc) and Ashanti got splattered. The effects were pretty good and the action was completely predictable. It was quite nice to see Alice having to battle with mind controlly things as well as the zombies.
The Umbrella Corporation continues to destroy everything good whilst at the same time mucking everything up for the humans that remain. I don't care any more. Bit of a shame really especially as we girls have very few heroines to call out own nowadays... or ever really. Am I really going to have to wait for Wonder Woman to turn up to save us????
Go see this to complete the series. Take something with you to fill the gaps. Popcorn? Booze?
The second in the series was mediocre but still true to the games and the characters were pretty solid as were the baddies. So, the third (and hopefully final) instalment was an unsurprising disappointment. Milla/Alice is very cool but practically mute throughout the whole flick. It's set in the desert. Why? We are told it's something to do with what the zombies have been up to. What ever. And, for a zombie movie, there could have been a heck of a lot more of them roaming about. Wussed out, I think. Where did the budget go then? Anyway, mustn't grumble too much. It was fun whilst it lasted. The token British baddie was a bit crappy (Iain Glen, who can do so much more really). Ali Larter was bad-ass, as was Oded Fehr (yum, from The Mummy etc) and Ashanti got splattered. The effects were pretty good and the action was completely predictable. It was quite nice to see Alice having to battle with mind controlly things as well as the zombies.
The Umbrella Corporation continues to destroy everything good whilst at the same time mucking everything up for the humans that remain. I don't care any more. Bit of a shame really especially as we girls have very few heroines to call out own nowadays... or ever really. Am I really going to have to wait for Wonder Woman to turn up to save us????
Go see this to complete the series. Take something with you to fill the gaps. Popcorn? Booze?
Michael Clayton ~~~~
Since I've been slacking off for the last month or so, I thought I'd update the last few cinema reviews in a more minimal manner. So here goes...
'Michael Clayton' - gripping, tense, beautifully filmed with solid performances. Clooney rocks, Swinton sweats and Wilkinson goes loopy... or does he? Really enjoyable 'grown up' thriller without as much 'thrill' as I'd have liked. A great insight into the shady world of law firm fixers, those who are asked to do anything to get their clients off the hook. Clooney is a man coming to terms with what he really does in life and whilst doing so becomes embroiled in what seems to be his biggest and hardest case. Wilkinson, another lawyer, has been keeping secrets whilst working on one of the biggest, and potentially most destructive cases for a huge company who may or may not have been killing innocent people. But who will come out on top? If Swinton's determined lawyer batting for the other side has anything to do with it, she will.
Unfortunately, due to a huge coughing fit in the cinema, I missed one of the most important and graphic parts of the film. Bugger. That said, for anyone who likes well-made, thoughtful and insightful political thrillers (with a little mystical horse bonding on the side) please see this. It won't disappoint.
'Michael Clayton' - gripping, tense, beautifully filmed with solid performances. Clooney rocks, Swinton sweats and Wilkinson goes loopy... or does he? Really enjoyable 'grown up' thriller without as much 'thrill' as I'd have liked. A great insight into the shady world of law firm fixers, those who are asked to do anything to get their clients off the hook. Clooney is a man coming to terms with what he really does in life and whilst doing so becomes embroiled in what seems to be his biggest and hardest case. Wilkinson, another lawyer, has been keeping secrets whilst working on one of the biggest, and potentially most destructive cases for a huge company who may or may not have been killing innocent people. But who will come out on top? If Swinton's determined lawyer batting for the other side has anything to do with it, she will.
Unfortunately, due to a huge coughing fit in the cinema, I missed one of the most important and graphic parts of the film. Bugger. That said, for anyone who likes well-made, thoughtful and insightful political thrillers (with a little mystical horse bonding on the side) please see this. It won't disappoint.
Saturday, 22 September 2007
Atonement ~~~~
What to say? Atonement is a wonderful film. Slightly flawed, but who isn't?
Set in England just before, during and after the Second World War 'Atonement' follows the insanely heart-breaking consequences of a love affair which having just blossomed is torn apart by a third party.
Keira Knightly and,FiLm WoRM favourite, James McAvoy are the leads in what must be one of this years best films. The director Joe Wright is sure to be lost to the other side of the Atlantic being as good as he is. I haven't yet seen his Pride and Prejudice but I'm sure the offers must now be coming thick and fast...
Without giving the story away, Cecilia and Robbie are the star-crossed lovers. She a hugely wealthy educated society girl and he an adopted games-keepers son. The first part of the film is set within the grounds of the country estate of the family on the hottest day of the year and we see much of the day to day household action through the eyes of the slightly creepy little sister Briony. As she sits watching the grown ups, one wonders what horrid little thoughts might be going on in her mind. We soon find out.
Visitors to the house bring together the potential lovers and a scene of great passion is played out in library, much to the horror of a spying Briony. Childish thoughts combined with misinterpretation create a magnificently gut-wrenching scene played out to the entire ensemble. Tears? Yup. The hot, sticky, sexy day turns cold and dark so very quickly. The lovers are separated and in the spirit of the the title, Briony spends the rest of years trying to atone for the harm she has caused.
Cecilia and Robbie are forced into their new lives and the atmosphere is both sad and almost palpably tear drenched. Bound for France, after years of separation, Robbie comes face to face with the horrors of war. Cecilia turns her back on her family and becomes a nurse to the thousands of physically and mentally damaged soldiers returning from the fighting... as does her little sister.
You sense a real feeling of loss and missed opportunities for the couple but worse is to come...
By the end of the film, it's difficult not to feel that life really is one big joke on us especially when at the mercy of others. The use of social class divide and the notion of childish whims are excellent.
The one-shot scene of soldiers waiting to be rescued from a beach in France rivals that of the famous Saving Private Ryan opening scene of battle. The costumes seem meticulously put together and the leading actors are pretty perfect. Knightly could do with more of these adult roles and McAvoy has only just begun. I can't wait to see what he's doing in ten years.
Almost as much as the scenery and landscape was magnificent I have to mention the music. Running with the theme of writing and typing the thumping, crashing and haunting melodies in the soundtrack become the third lead character. Maybe a tad over-scored at the end when we meet Briony in her last incarnation as an aged writer, played beautifully by Vanessa Redgrave but none the less, wonderful, emotive and beautiful music throughout.
Support British films and go and see this. You will not be disappointed (unless your cold, cold heart has finally frozen over...)
Set in England just before, during and after the Second World War 'Atonement' follows the insanely heart-breaking consequences of a love affair which having just blossomed is torn apart by a third party.
Keira Knightly and,FiLm WoRM favourite, James McAvoy are the leads in what must be one of this years best films. The director Joe Wright is sure to be lost to the other side of the Atlantic being as good as he is. I haven't yet seen his Pride and Prejudice but I'm sure the offers must now be coming thick and fast...
Without giving the story away, Cecilia and Robbie are the star-crossed lovers. She a hugely wealthy educated society girl and he an adopted games-keepers son. The first part of the film is set within the grounds of the country estate of the family on the hottest day of the year and we see much of the day to day household action through the eyes of the slightly creepy little sister Briony. As she sits watching the grown ups, one wonders what horrid little thoughts might be going on in her mind. We soon find out.
Visitors to the house bring together the potential lovers and a scene of great passion is played out in library, much to the horror of a spying Briony. Childish thoughts combined with misinterpretation create a magnificently gut-wrenching scene played out to the entire ensemble. Tears? Yup. The hot, sticky, sexy day turns cold and dark so very quickly. The lovers are separated and in the spirit of the the title, Briony spends the rest of years trying to atone for the harm she has caused.
Cecilia and Robbie are forced into their new lives and the atmosphere is both sad and almost palpably tear drenched. Bound for France, after years of separation, Robbie comes face to face with the horrors of war. Cecilia turns her back on her family and becomes a nurse to the thousands of physically and mentally damaged soldiers returning from the fighting... as does her little sister.
You sense a real feeling of loss and missed opportunities for the couple but worse is to come...
By the end of the film, it's difficult not to feel that life really is one big joke on us especially when at the mercy of others. The use of social class divide and the notion of childish whims are excellent.
The one-shot scene of soldiers waiting to be rescued from a beach in France rivals that of the famous Saving Private Ryan opening scene of battle. The costumes seem meticulously put together and the leading actors are pretty perfect. Knightly could do with more of these adult roles and McAvoy has only just begun. I can't wait to see what he's doing in ten years.
Almost as much as the scenery and landscape was magnificent I have to mention the music. Running with the theme of writing and typing the thumping, crashing and haunting melodies in the soundtrack become the third lead character. Maybe a tad over-scored at the end when we meet Briony in her last incarnation as an aged writer, played beautifully by Vanessa Redgrave but none the less, wonderful, emotive and beautiful music throughout.
Support British films and go and see this. You will not be disappointed (unless your cold, cold heart has finally frozen over...)
Run, Fat Boy, Run ~~~
I went into the cinema with the idea that I was going to be seeing the usual, and wonderful, dead-pan slap-slick comedy of Simon Pegg. Little did I know that there was more to this film than I had first imagined.
Before we go any further, I must add that Simon Pegg is a bit of a hero of mine. We have too many interests in common (even I am confusing Simon with his wonderful on-screen persona Tim Bisley, from Spaced.) The horror films, the computer games, the same 70's/80's social references even, and this is the clincher, sense of humour. So at this point, after Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz this film had a lot to live up to...
The story is simple - guy finds girl, has lovely life then on the day of their wedding freaks out and, quite rightly, looses girl. As I said, simple. The pleasure therefore comes from the characters, script and general fleshing out of the story.
Number one - it's a rom-com (yuck!) set in England. London biased (of course) but at least not Yankie-land. (Although I must also add that David Schwimmer (of Friends) directed it - and brilliantly, too!)
Number two - Thandie Newton stars and she is gorgeous. And a great actress yet to really fulfil her potential. (Yes, in Crash she was excellent - also, years ago in In Your Dreams.)
Number three - Dylan Moran also stars. Great arse shots!
Anyway, Simon stars as sad and rather lonely Dennis. He lives in a teeny, tiny flat somewhere in London having walked away from Libby (Newton) and their baby. His wonderfully charismatic landlord finally helps Dennis realise the mistakes he's made and his rather boring security guard job helps tip him over the edge. In the process, he does discover that he can run, especially after a great chase with a huge, black transvestite nicking frilly knickers! Add into the mix a new and rather over-achieving man in Libby's life, one who runs marathons for fun, which pushes Dennis into deciding he can prove his love through the power of a sustained jog.
Cue much comic training and a healthy dose of competition.
The final part of the film does wane slightly, probably because of the length of time spent covering the actual marathon Dennis is competing in but overall, the film is pretty tight leading to a rather predictable yet exciting climax.
Ultimately a little light on comedy, it's difficult to tell if the ultimate balance struck between comedy and drama was the writer's intention?
I did enjoy the feeling being in a vibrant, working London. Hank Azaria was excellent as the controlling love-interest, Whit. Everyone did a great job but somehow, for me, it just wasn't enough. I know I'm quite demanding with my films, and having seen 'Knocked Up' recently has set the bar pretty high for this new, and potentially exciting, genre of grown up rom-coms with added edge.
My advice - see this, then when Simon or David's next film comes out you can say 'Oh, that was miles better than 'Fat Boy...'
Before we go any further, I must add that Simon Pegg is a bit of a hero of mine. We have too many interests in common (even I am confusing Simon with his wonderful on-screen persona Tim Bisley, from Spaced.) The horror films, the computer games, the same 70's/80's social references even, and this is the clincher, sense of humour. So at this point, after Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz this film had a lot to live up to...
The story is simple - guy finds girl, has lovely life then on the day of their wedding freaks out and, quite rightly, looses girl. As I said, simple. The pleasure therefore comes from the characters, script and general fleshing out of the story.
Number one - it's a rom-com (yuck!) set in England. London biased (of course) but at least not Yankie-land. (Although I must also add that David Schwimmer (of Friends) directed it - and brilliantly, too!)
Number two - Thandie Newton stars and she is gorgeous. And a great actress yet to really fulfil her potential. (Yes, in Crash she was excellent - also, years ago in In Your Dreams.)
Number three - Dylan Moran also stars. Great arse shots!
Anyway, Simon stars as sad and rather lonely Dennis. He lives in a teeny, tiny flat somewhere in London having walked away from Libby (Newton) and their baby. His wonderfully charismatic landlord finally helps Dennis realise the mistakes he's made and his rather boring security guard job helps tip him over the edge. In the process, he does discover that he can run, especially after a great chase with a huge, black transvestite nicking frilly knickers! Add into the mix a new and rather over-achieving man in Libby's life, one who runs marathons for fun, which pushes Dennis into deciding he can prove his love through the power of a sustained jog.
Cue much comic training and a healthy dose of competition.
The final part of the film does wane slightly, probably because of the length of time spent covering the actual marathon Dennis is competing in but overall, the film is pretty tight leading to a rather predictable yet exciting climax.
Ultimately a little light on comedy, it's difficult to tell if the ultimate balance struck between comedy and drama was the writer's intention?
I did enjoy the feeling being in a vibrant, working London. Hank Azaria was excellent as the controlling love-interest, Whit. Everyone did a great job but somehow, for me, it just wasn't enough. I know I'm quite demanding with my films, and having seen 'Knocked Up' recently has set the bar pretty high for this new, and potentially exciting, genre of grown up rom-coms with added edge.
My advice - see this, then when Simon or David's next film comes out you can say 'Oh, that was miles better than 'Fat Boy...'
Sunday, 9 September 2007
1408 ~ (and a bit for trying)
5th Sept '07
(Update - I was hard on this flick so I've upped the worm rating. It was a well made film but considering they were trying, it didn't make it. Still better than the majority of films but still, can't win them all.)
I think John Cusack is one of the best actors of his generation. I've grown up watching his films and appreciate his style and dead-pan comic delivery. I don't think he can be beat doing black comedies. But he certainly can be beat doing horror. Sorry John. This is a Stephen King story and as such can go either way when presented on screen. Even having Samuel L Jackson in the distance does nothing for the content and feel of the film or story.
A disillusioned writer spends his life visiting 'haunted' houses and writing up the results. He's cynical. About everything. His wife and he are separated and it takes a while to find out the reason why. Once the audience is in on the sub-story, the entire film takes a turn... for the worse. Before this is explored, he checks himself into room '1408' a supposedly hugely possessed and evil room at the Dolphin Hotel in New York. Jackson, the Manager, makes the emphatic warnings not to stay in the room but Cusack is having none of it.
So in he goes... for a horror film, I didn't find it scary. For a psycho-drama, not interesting enough. The effects were well, effective but there just wasn't enough depth or interest to the horror and dementia that ensues.
It could have gone so much further and delivered so much more.
For those of you who scare easily, this is a great 'horror' for you... just beware of the ghoul with the axe!!! (Ha, ha!) And you don't baulk at a little blood, do you? Or rooms which possess??? Enough, already! Enjoy if you have to.
(Update - I was hard on this flick so I've upped the worm rating. It was a well made film but considering they were trying, it didn't make it. Still better than the majority of films but still, can't win them all.)
I think John Cusack is one of the best actors of his generation. I've grown up watching his films and appreciate his style and dead-pan comic delivery. I don't think he can be beat doing black comedies. But he certainly can be beat doing horror. Sorry John. This is a Stephen King story and as such can go either way when presented on screen. Even having Samuel L Jackson in the distance does nothing for the content and feel of the film or story.
A disillusioned writer spends his life visiting 'haunted' houses and writing up the results. He's cynical. About everything. His wife and he are separated and it takes a while to find out the reason why. Once the audience is in on the sub-story, the entire film takes a turn... for the worse. Before this is explored, he checks himself into room '1408' a supposedly hugely possessed and evil room at the Dolphin Hotel in New York. Jackson, the Manager, makes the emphatic warnings not to stay in the room but Cusack is having none of it.
So in he goes... for a horror film, I didn't find it scary. For a psycho-drama, not interesting enough. The effects were well, effective but there just wasn't enough depth or interest to the horror and dementia that ensues.
It could have gone so much further and delivered so much more.
For those of you who scare easily, this is a great 'horror' for you... just beware of the ghoul with the axe!!! (Ha, ha!) And you don't baulk at a little blood, do you? Or rooms which possess??? Enough, already! Enjoy if you have to.
Transformers ~~ (2 worms)
I'll keep it brief... I could have lived without the army sub-plot. I would have happily endured more of the main character and his quirky and well scripted parents. I could have survived with less of the lead female and I could even have done with either a lot more OR a lot less of the actual Transformers.... Sounds odd? Well yes, and so was the film.
I shake my head in utter disbelief of what the end result of this much awaited 'blockbuster' turned out to be. I was really quite into these 'robots in disguise ' when I was growing up. My brother still has many of the toys are they are very cool. I've never really taken any interest in the cartoons but someday hoped that a 'live' action adventure film would be produced. Now I wish they hadn't bothered! Harsh? I stand by my opinion.
I loved, loved, loved seeing Shia LaBeouf on the big screen. With intelligent movie choices in the future, this kid will be big. He's got charisma, a bit of geek-chic and brings with him a sense of intelligence and depth which many of his contemporaries lack. Also, he can sure deliver comedy.
I can't even be bothered to relay the plot... (what friggin' plot???) Goodies and baddies. High-tech government stuff. Robots in aforementioned disguise. I did like Bumble Bee, the hot yellow car who Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) is adopted by. Robots and mayhem combine. Stuff happens. The good robots get to do comedy - I did not really enjoy this exploration of robots from the future doing a form of slap-stick. The world is saved and the guy gets the sexy girl.
Maybe ten year olds appreciate the nuances better than I? I'll never know. Shame. Not.
I shake my head in utter disbelief of what the end result of this much awaited 'blockbuster' turned out to be. I was really quite into these 'robots in disguise ' when I was growing up. My brother still has many of the toys are they are very cool. I've never really taken any interest in the cartoons but someday hoped that a 'live' action adventure film would be produced. Now I wish they hadn't bothered! Harsh? I stand by my opinion.
I loved, loved, loved seeing Shia LaBeouf on the big screen. With intelligent movie choices in the future, this kid will be big. He's got charisma, a bit of geek-chic and brings with him a sense of intelligence and depth which many of his contemporaries lack. Also, he can sure deliver comedy.
I can't even be bothered to relay the plot... (what friggin' plot???) Goodies and baddies. High-tech government stuff. Robots in aforementioned disguise. I did like Bumble Bee, the hot yellow car who Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) is adopted by. Robots and mayhem combine. Stuff happens. The good robots get to do comedy - I did not really enjoy this exploration of robots from the future doing a form of slap-stick. The world is saved and the guy gets the sexy girl.
Maybe ten year olds appreciate the nuances better than I? I'll never know. Shame. Not.
The Bourne Ultimatum ~~~~
15th August '07
...almost the perfect end to the trilogy. In it's own right, a damn entertaining action/thriller with all the markings of a Bourne adventure. The let downs first, and to be fair, there aren't many. Wobble-cam, although expertly applied was, I felt slightly overused. Blink and you certainly will miss it. That said, this method of filming the action does add to the overall feel and pace of the movie. Beware sitting too close to the screen! I hope this translates better when it's released on DVD and despite the fact that frenetic camera work can contribute towards blurry-vision and cinema-sickness, where would the Bourne films be without it? The second point to be made was the screamingly obvious lack of dialogue for the main man. Maybe Matt Damon is happy to be mute the majority of the film leaving him more time to concentrate on the almost humanly impossible fight scenes and physical stunts? Whatever the reason, it would have been nice to feel slightly more engaged with the mysterious and ever hunted Bourne.
That said, the merits of the third Bourne film still outrank the majority of action-thriller films of the past decade or so. No wonder the new Bond has changed gear! Damon's physical demands have been taken to a new level and the newish 'sport' of free-running has been put to spectacular effect.
Briefly, Bourne is still on the run. He's still on the run but is also doing the chasing. Since the lovely Marie carked it in B2, Bourne has become and an increasingly desperate and lonely man. Without seeming to be aware, or care, of his own mortality he begins to hunt for the truth about both his wife's murder and how he originally came to be embroiled in the underworld of espionage and murder - for the US government no less.
Without giving the entire plot away, it goes without saying that many countries are visited (including a nice section in London) and a few new and old key characters are met and explored. Nicky, the young Paris station agent, appears again and the relationship with Bourne is developed.
One stand out scene in (possibly) Morocco puts paid to the idea that the 'pen is mightier than the sword' - I think you'll find that indeed, the book is mightier than both! Watching this particular epic fight, I have to admit that I was left open-mouthed and rather flabbergasted! Ten out of ten for originality and ingenuity!
Whilst not as 'human' as the first two films, the audience gets to see what Bourne does best. Out-fight, out-think and generally whip some baddies asses. He doesn't use guns unless he really has to and in seeing a 'soldier' go back to basics I am reminded of the potential the producers etc must of seen on reading Ludlam's original books. Whilst I wouldn't say this was the best of the trilogy, I am already looking forward to watching this again. (I suspect that it grow on me...)
...almost the perfect end to the trilogy. In it's own right, a damn entertaining action/thriller with all the markings of a Bourne adventure. The let downs first, and to be fair, there aren't many. Wobble-cam, although expertly applied was, I felt slightly overused. Blink and you certainly will miss it. That said, this method of filming the action does add to the overall feel and pace of the movie. Beware sitting too close to the screen! I hope this translates better when it's released on DVD and despite the fact that frenetic camera work can contribute towards blurry-vision and cinema-sickness, where would the Bourne films be without it? The second point to be made was the screamingly obvious lack of dialogue for the main man. Maybe Matt Damon is happy to be mute the majority of the film leaving him more time to concentrate on the almost humanly impossible fight scenes and physical stunts? Whatever the reason, it would have been nice to feel slightly more engaged with the mysterious and ever hunted Bourne.
That said, the merits of the third Bourne film still outrank the majority of action-thriller films of the past decade or so. No wonder the new Bond has changed gear! Damon's physical demands have been taken to a new level and the newish 'sport' of free-running has been put to spectacular effect.
Briefly, Bourne is still on the run. He's still on the run but is also doing the chasing. Since the lovely Marie carked it in B2, Bourne has become and an increasingly desperate and lonely man. Without seeming to be aware, or care, of his own mortality he begins to hunt for the truth about both his wife's murder and how he originally came to be embroiled in the underworld of espionage and murder - for the US government no less.
Without giving the entire plot away, it goes without saying that many countries are visited (including a nice section in London) and a few new and old key characters are met and explored. Nicky, the young Paris station agent, appears again and the relationship with Bourne is developed.
One stand out scene in (possibly) Morocco puts paid to the idea that the 'pen is mightier than the sword' - I think you'll find that indeed, the book is mightier than both! Watching this particular epic fight, I have to admit that I was left open-mouthed and rather flabbergasted! Ten out of ten for originality and ingenuity!
Whilst not as 'human' as the first two films, the audience gets to see what Bourne does best. Out-fight, out-think and generally whip some baddies asses. He doesn't use guns unless he really has to and in seeing a 'soldier' go back to basics I am reminded of the potential the producers etc must of seen on reading Ludlam's original books. Whilst I wouldn't say this was the best of the trilogy, I am already looking forward to watching this again. (I suspect that it grow on me...)
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Harry Potter & the Order of the Pheonix ~~~~
Puberty obviously suits the main cast (and their acting talents) as the kids seem to be all fired up in this fifth instalment of the never-ending world of JK Rowling.
This is a great adventure film for the whole family and as a 30-something, a great escape from this, the very mundane muggle world. The acting has greatly improved since the last film and all three of the main actors - Harry, Ron and Hermione, are getting their teeth into some darker materials (no pun intended re: the forthcoming Philip Pullman Northern Lights book to film.) The effects are spectacular (DO NOT sit at the front of the cinema, eyes will goggle) and the story, whilst not covering all in the book (which I am half way through as we speak) does justice to the main theme of the novel. Rebellion, and about time too!
Potter's got sexy. Literally. The kids of Hogwarts are up to no good (in a kissing sort of way) as is the evil returning Lord Voldemort (no kissing, just killin'). We get to see the inner workings of the Ministry of Magic where the grown-ups work and the sets are magnif. It's the little touches - the intense greens and blacks of the interiors, the lifts which go back and forth rather than up and down, the floos in which the witches and wizards transport to work. It's just like a mixed up, magical London....
The action centres on the kids forming an army. Without ruining the story, it's all rather exciting and makes you want to be able to join the gang. (I need to get out more...) Harry is turning in to a bit of top totty, as is Ron. Even Hermionie looks kind of grown up. I really want to see the next film... NOW!
All the grown up actors are great - Helena Bonham Carter (one of my fav actresses ever), Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith and Imelda Staunton are just perfect. The latter plays a very creepy and nasty teacher intent on taking all the fun out of magic - boo, hiss. Gary Oldman manages to look sexy even whilst on the run and Michael Gambon is serene as Dumbledor.
I especially enjoyed the sets for the Black mansion in London. I could have spent the full two hours just being shown the creepy, magical house with the grumpy house-elf. It's all very dark, literally - I can't imagine how this will translate onto a smaller TV once the DVD comes out, but I'll give it a go.
Don't expect the same old Hogwarts adventures... you'd be forgiven for expecting this but the HP series is morphing into something darker and more exciting. Who now will say that they give a damn about whether Quidditch is cool or that Dobby is an annoying little house-elf when you can watch the dark magic rise like a sign of change?
Please go and see this film if you want to escape reality for two hours. I loved this film tons and would like to see it again.... in the meantime, I'll just keep trucking with the book (which is excellent.)
This is a great adventure film for the whole family and as a 30-something, a great escape from this, the very mundane muggle world. The acting has greatly improved since the last film and all three of the main actors - Harry, Ron and Hermione, are getting their teeth into some darker materials (no pun intended re: the forthcoming Philip Pullman Northern Lights book to film.) The effects are spectacular (DO NOT sit at the front of the cinema, eyes will goggle) and the story, whilst not covering all in the book (which I am half way through as we speak) does justice to the main theme of the novel. Rebellion, and about time too!
Potter's got sexy. Literally. The kids of Hogwarts are up to no good (in a kissing sort of way) as is the evil returning Lord Voldemort (no kissing, just killin'). We get to see the inner workings of the Ministry of Magic where the grown-ups work and the sets are magnif. It's the little touches - the intense greens and blacks of the interiors, the lifts which go back and forth rather than up and down, the floos in which the witches and wizards transport to work. It's just like a mixed up, magical London....
The action centres on the kids forming an army. Without ruining the story, it's all rather exciting and makes you want to be able to join the gang. (I need to get out more...) Harry is turning in to a bit of top totty, as is Ron. Even Hermionie looks kind of grown up. I really want to see the next film... NOW!
All the grown up actors are great - Helena Bonham Carter (one of my fav actresses ever), Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith and Imelda Staunton are just perfect. The latter plays a very creepy and nasty teacher intent on taking all the fun out of magic - boo, hiss. Gary Oldman manages to look sexy even whilst on the run and Michael Gambon is serene as Dumbledor.
I especially enjoyed the sets for the Black mansion in London. I could have spent the full two hours just being shown the creepy, magical house with the grumpy house-elf. It's all very dark, literally - I can't imagine how this will translate onto a smaller TV once the DVD comes out, but I'll give it a go.
Don't expect the same old Hogwarts adventures... you'd be forgiven for expecting this but the HP series is morphing into something darker and more exciting. Who now will say that they give a damn about whether Quidditch is cool or that Dobby is an annoying little house-elf when you can watch the dark magic rise like a sign of change?
Please go and see this film if you want to escape reality for two hours. I loved this film tons and would like to see it again.... in the meantime, I'll just keep trucking with the book (which is excellent.)
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Knocked Up - see below...
...as pointed out by Jim, is rather a spoiler and precise than a review!!! Beware! And apols. I'll be working on the writing style, then!
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Knocked Up ~~~~
... yes, I'm introducing a star - or worm rating! Outta five worms (~) I'm creating an at-a-glance system. Gotta have a system. The review for 'Knocked Up' coming tomorrow... (Presently watching 'Garden State' - excellent film and a soundtrack to be proud of (~~~~ worms!)
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Die Hard 4.0 (...or Die So Hard you Might Not Return for the Next Installment!)
Well, just what can be said about the Die Hard franchise??? You gotta love John McClane 'cause if you don't he'd just come on over to ya shouting "Yipee-kai-yeah mother funkster" (or something resembling that phrase!) and kick your ass then shoot you in the head. Be prepared...
Briefly, the '4.0' business, I can only guess, is a reference to all the lovely but decidedly bad computers which play a part in this film. The '.0' referring probably to the geek-chic upgrade stuff that goes on to all the techie bits around us. 'Nuf said - you get the gist.
I've gotta say that as long as you are totally willing to suspend your disbelief for this film, then you are in for one butt-clenchingly tense and exciting movie. The first twenty minutes certainly set the pace and the tone of the this fourth installment. (And no, you don't have to have seen the first three to enjoy it but it sure helps AND you get to await the moment when Bruce Willis' character gets to say his most famous phrase, and if you're quick enough, say it with him just to feel the love!)
A quick précis goes thus - middle-aged cop roped in to delivering a suspect to the FBI. It all goes wrong. Many, many guns and bangs later, the baddie gets his ass kicked by the guy he thinks is washed up and the heroes save the day. Unsurprisingly, the daughter is saved and the Washington stooges learn a valuable lesson. Also, computers are bad. Sometimes. And geeks could rule the world! Yeah!
The script is pretty good covering all the rudimentary clichés but actually better then the average action-flick. Good start. Also beware, if you have a tendency to get sea-sick, you might want to sit at the back of the cinema - much camera swinging and swooping close-up shots going on. That said, the lighting was quite refreshing in that the varying facial flaws were easily visible - Bruce is looking good for his age but even he, or should I say McClane, is certainly looking like he could do with a long nap or a little holiday. (I liked that though.) ENOUGH WITH THE HOLLYWOOD TEETH! I hate, hate, hate these Yanks with glow-in-the-dark knashers... Get frigging real (I can't believe this makes a difference to my viewing pleasure and the OTT amount of guns and bombs etc doesn't... it does, but not in the same way...)
Back to it. The side-kick. A young fella, surname Long. Hot, hot, hottie! And not dissimilar to a young Keanu Reeves! I think I invested more in his character than Bruce's. Couldn't help it. A geek in need of rescue. His character was pretty fleshed out and I loved the idea that as a hacker, albeit on the run, he'd quite been looking forward to a computer-driven social meltdown should it ever have occurred. As a cynic myself, I identified with his beliefs about the pressure put on citizens to buy, buy, buy into fear, fear, fear. But of course, McClane proves this to be wrong. People can be good and make a difference etc etc.
The action goes on and on and some of the stunts seemed pretty unique (huge car flips, helicopter crashes) which is after all, in an action flick, the very least they could do. Plenty of snap, crackle and pop. Excellent stuff.
Wrapping up then. Timothy Olyphant (a fella known to me for starring in a 'Sex and the City' and the film 'Go' and, something I haven't seen but would love to, 'Deadwood') was a decently looming yet attractive baddie. His female second was a beautiful, hard-ass, computer hacker-ninja type. But somehow you have that feeling in the back of your mind that no matter what she does, she'll end up mince-meat. Yup. Ten points. Lift-shaft action sequence, anyone??
Finally, I gotta mention the near parody of the Arnie flick 'True Lies'. At one point Willis is tackling a fighter jet. With a truck. And as my mate CG said, it could so easily have been McClane on the plane. Just up to parody and back down with a bang! Whoa, great ride all round.
So, go see this film if you like action. Go see it if you like guns. Go see it if you like the idea of computers ruling the world. And go see it if, like me, you need a warm up before the Bourne Ultimatum comes out! Monkey Boy (TM) Damon rules, OK!
Briefly, the '4.0' business, I can only guess, is a reference to all the lovely but decidedly bad computers which play a part in this film. The '.0' referring probably to the geek-chic upgrade stuff that goes on to all the techie bits around us. 'Nuf said - you get the gist.
I've gotta say that as long as you are totally willing to suspend your disbelief for this film, then you are in for one butt-clenchingly tense and exciting movie. The first twenty minutes certainly set the pace and the tone of the this fourth installment. (And no, you don't have to have seen the first three to enjoy it but it sure helps AND you get to await the moment when Bruce Willis' character gets to say his most famous phrase, and if you're quick enough, say it with him just to feel the love!)
A quick précis goes thus - middle-aged cop roped in to delivering a suspect to the FBI. It all goes wrong. Many, many guns and bangs later, the baddie gets his ass kicked by the guy he thinks is washed up and the heroes save the day. Unsurprisingly, the daughter is saved and the Washington stooges learn a valuable lesson. Also, computers are bad. Sometimes. And geeks could rule the world! Yeah!
The script is pretty good covering all the rudimentary clichés but actually better then the average action-flick. Good start. Also beware, if you have a tendency to get sea-sick, you might want to sit at the back of the cinema - much camera swinging and swooping close-up shots going on. That said, the lighting was quite refreshing in that the varying facial flaws were easily visible - Bruce is looking good for his age but even he, or should I say McClane, is certainly looking like he could do with a long nap or a little holiday. (I liked that though.) ENOUGH WITH THE HOLLYWOOD TEETH! I hate, hate, hate these Yanks with glow-in-the-dark knashers... Get frigging real (I can't believe this makes a difference to my viewing pleasure and the OTT amount of guns and bombs etc doesn't... it does, but not in the same way...)
Back to it. The side-kick. A young fella, surname Long. Hot, hot, hottie! And not dissimilar to a young Keanu Reeves! I think I invested more in his character than Bruce's. Couldn't help it. A geek in need of rescue. His character was pretty fleshed out and I loved the idea that as a hacker, albeit on the run, he'd quite been looking forward to a computer-driven social meltdown should it ever have occurred. As a cynic myself, I identified with his beliefs about the pressure put on citizens to buy, buy, buy into fear, fear, fear. But of course, McClane proves this to be wrong. People can be good and make a difference etc etc.
The action goes on and on and some of the stunts seemed pretty unique (huge car flips, helicopter crashes) which is after all, in an action flick, the very least they could do. Plenty of snap, crackle and pop. Excellent stuff.
Wrapping up then. Timothy Olyphant (a fella known to me for starring in a 'Sex and the City' and the film 'Go' and, something I haven't seen but would love to, 'Deadwood') was a decently looming yet attractive baddie. His female second was a beautiful, hard-ass, computer hacker-ninja type. But somehow you have that feeling in the back of your mind that no matter what she does, she'll end up mince-meat. Yup. Ten points. Lift-shaft action sequence, anyone??
Finally, I gotta mention the near parody of the Arnie flick 'True Lies'. At one point Willis is tackling a fighter jet. With a truck. And as my mate CG said, it could so easily have been McClane on the plane. Just up to parody and back down with a bang! Whoa, great ride all round.
So, go see this film if you like action. Go see it if you like guns. Go see it if you like the idea of computers ruling the world. And go see it if, like me, you need a warm up before the Bourne Ultimatum comes out! Monkey Boy (TM) Damon rules, OK!
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Worcestershire
...how on earth does this fair county of mine end up lending it's name to a school in the latest 'Shrek' film??? Granted the joke's on the Americans for their mispronunciations but hell, I need answers! It was quite a turn up to see the word on the school walls and now most of the world will have heard of Worcestershire but will there ever know who and where we are?? Far, far away!
Addition 1 - couldn't watch 'Dirt' as channel FiveUS was on the fritz. Was it any good?
Addition 2 - 'Sensitive Skin' on BBC was excellent. Beautiful, beautiful television. Thank you.
In trying to avoid HP, we'll have to get creative next week at the flicks.
If you love Napoleon Dynamite and/or animation, go visit the following...
http://www.starz.com/features/bunnyclub/napoleon_dynamite/index.html
Addition 1 - couldn't watch 'Dirt' as channel FiveUS was on the fritz. Was it any good?
Addition 2 - 'Sensitive Skin' on BBC was excellent. Beautiful, beautiful television. Thank you.
In trying to avoid HP, we'll have to get creative next week at the flicks.
If you love Napoleon Dynamite and/or animation, go visit the following...
http://www.starz.com/features/bunnyclub/napoleon_dynamite/index.html
...by default, 'Shrek'
Cut a long story short, the Die Hard friend convoy fell apart so I went on my own (which I like, anyway.) Plus, it coincided with the walk home from work so 'Shrek' it was. Was I glad I paid over a fiver? Yes and no. Affirmative because cinema is a home from home, whatever I'm watching and no, because it was a bit crap. Quite a bit crap.
OK. So I'm not a five year old kid who might be entertained by pretty animation which does far-far-away farts or even a ten year old who is giggles at the sight of donkey and Puss in Boots swapping bodies. I am (I have to face it) a grown up and even with a sense of humour, this film is a disappointment. Without wasting too much time explaining why, is falls ever so flat. The McGuffin is Arthur, a kid who might be king and whom Shrek is on a mission to find so he can dodge the dying wish of the Frog-King to take the throne. The bad-guy is Rupert Everett (who I adore!!) as Prince Charming who wants the job himself. Cue the heroes misadventures and the baddies gang-related plot hatching.
The characters are so underused, the writers need slapping. Fiona, even when finally getting in on the action street-fighting along side Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, might well have not been there at all. Eric Idle does a tepid turn as Merlin (who looks great) whilst Justin Timberlake could have been voiced by anyone (probably cheaper!) Mike Myers, were you trying to sleep???
I loved the look of the baddies. Captain Hook, Rumpelstiltskin (adorable) and the Wicked Witch all had great potential. I'd have loved to have been watching a film about their evil-doings rather than a boring, sloppily scripted film about ogres....
The music in the 'Shrek' series has always been above par and this time was no exception although how they can justify the use of frogs singing an excellent Wings tune (Live and Let Die) and expect anyone to make the leap re: frog chorus, I'll never know. (OK, I just did but then I'm a Wings fan....)
I'm fed up with green monsters. Next!
(Trailers included 'Surfs Up' ('zurfing' Penguins...) and 'Bratz' (no thanks, well...maybe...)
I'm looking forward to Ratatouille, thank you very much.
OK. So I'm not a five year old kid who might be entertained by pretty animation which does far-far-away farts or even a ten year old who is giggles at the sight of donkey and Puss in Boots swapping bodies. I am (I have to face it) a grown up and even with a sense of humour, this film is a disappointment. Without wasting too much time explaining why, is falls ever so flat. The McGuffin is Arthur, a kid who might be king and whom Shrek is on a mission to find so he can dodge the dying wish of the Frog-King to take the throne. The bad-guy is Rupert Everett (who I adore!!) as Prince Charming who wants the job himself. Cue the heroes misadventures and the baddies gang-related plot hatching.
The characters are so underused, the writers need slapping. Fiona, even when finally getting in on the action street-fighting along side Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, might well have not been there at all. Eric Idle does a tepid turn as Merlin (who looks great) whilst Justin Timberlake could have been voiced by anyone (probably cheaper!) Mike Myers, were you trying to sleep???
I loved the look of the baddies. Captain Hook, Rumpelstiltskin (adorable) and the Wicked Witch all had great potential. I'd have loved to have been watching a film about their evil-doings rather than a boring, sloppily scripted film about ogres....
The music in the 'Shrek' series has always been above par and this time was no exception although how they can justify the use of frogs singing an excellent Wings tune (Live and Let Die) and expect anyone to make the leap re: frog chorus, I'll never know. (OK, I just did but then I'm a Wings fan....)
I'm fed up with green monsters. Next!
(Trailers included 'Surfs Up' ('zurfing' Penguins...) and 'Bratz' (no thanks, well...maybe...)
I'm looking forward to Ratatouille, thank you very much.
Monday, 9 July 2007
This weeks cinema visit goes to...
...well, possibly Die Hard 4 if my mates are willing and my brother fancies it. There's so much tat out there at the moment, it's a real difficult one... I can't abide missing the opportunity to use my half price Orange Wednesday thingy so I'll just hunker down and set my sights low. Maybe.
About to try out a new Yankee series on Five called 'Dirt' with Courtney Cox - sounds very 'Sex & the City' which will be OK with me for my weekly portion of trash TV . Shame it clashes with the Snows' Military History programme! Bummer. (And joke.)
About to try out a new Yankee series on Five called 'Dirt' with Courtney Cox - sounds very 'Sex & the City' which will be OK with me for my weekly portion of trash TV . Shame it clashes with the Snows' Military History programme! Bummer. (And joke.)
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Welcome to a new worm...
As soon as I can, I'll be discussing a film. Right here, right then, whenever that may be!!! In the meantime, films this week have included 'The Prestige' and 'Scream 3'. I had to skip the cinema last week because I wasn't feeling too well... THAT doesn't happen very often!
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