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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