Deja Vu
Denzel Washington stars as an agent with an anti-terrorism unit based in post-Katrina New Orleans. He's called in to investigate when a car bomb detonates on a ferry, killing over 500 people. His intuitive way with a crime scene catches the eye of Val Kilmer's FBI agent who promptly drafts him into a new special investigative unit. The unit benefits from what Denzel is led to believe is the cutting edge in surveillance technology - the combination of 7 satellites with top-spec cameras with integrated thermal imaging. With these cameras, the team is able to zoom in on an angle they wish (indoors or outdoors) within a certain area. The catch is that they cannot choose what time period to look at - it has to be 4.5 days ago. (The reason given for this is that it takes that long to render and that there is too much data for it to be stored). Denzel and the rest of us immediately see this for the bullshit it is and the far stranger truth is revealed.
Although the set up is bonkers, it makes for some cracking moments. Particularly a car chase scene involving two cars separated by 4.5 days.
The script does raise all the usual time-travel questions and for the most part addresses them in an interesting way. However, the ending is a cop out and undoes all the points made previously.
Performances are good and it entertains, shame about the ending. 7/10.
Full Version: Films
Deja Vu
Denzel Washington stars as an agent with an anti-terrorism unit based in post-Katrina New Orleans. He's called in to investigate when a car bomb detonates on a ferry, killing over 500 people. His intuitive way with a crime scene catches the eye of Val Kilmer's FBI agent who promptly drafts him into a new special investigative unit. The unit benefits from what Denzel is led to believe is the cutting edge in surveillance technology - the combination of 7 satellites with top-spec cameras with integrated thermal imaging. With these cameras, the team is able to zoom in on an angle they wish (indoors or outdoors) within a certain area. The catch is that they cannot choose what time period to look at - it has to be 4.5 days ago. (The reason given for this is that it takes that long to render and that there is too much data for it to be stored). Denzel and the rest of us immediately see this for the bullshit it is and the far stranger truth is revealed.
Although the set up is bonkers, it makes for some cracking moments. Particularly a car chase scene involving two cars separated by 4.5 days.
The script does raise all the usual time-travel questions and for the most part addresses them in an interesting way. However, the ending is a cop out and undoes all the points made previously.
Performances are good and it entertains, shame about the ending. 7/10.
Denzel Washington stars as an agent with an anti-terrorism unit based in post-Katrina New Orleans. He's called in to investigate when a car bomb detonates on a ferry, killing over 500 people. His intuitive way with a crime scene catches the eye of Val Kilmer's FBI agent who promptly drafts him into a new special investigative unit. The unit benefits from what Denzel is led to believe is the cutting edge in surveillance technology - the combination of 7 satellites with top-spec cameras with integrated thermal imaging. With these cameras, the team is able to zoom in on an angle they wish (indoors or outdoors) within a certain area. The catch is that they cannot choose what time period to look at - it has to be 4.5 days ago. (The reason given for this is that it takes that long to render and that there is too much data for it to be stored). Denzel and the rest of us immediately see this for the bullshit it is and the far stranger truth is revealed.
Although the set up is bonkers, it makes for some cracking moments. Particularly a car chase scene involving two cars separated by 4.5 days.
The script does raise all the usual time-travel questions and for the most part addresses them in an interesting way. However, the ending is a cop out and undoes all the points made previously.
Performances are good and it entertains, shame about the ending. 7/10.
That last post gave me a strange feeling.
Slither
The slumbering Southern town of Wheelsy becomes the focal point of an alien invasion when an extraterrestrial parasite crashes to Earth and possesses the town bully. As the alien’s spawn turns the townsfolk into zombies, chief of police Bill Pardy (Nathon Fillion) sets out to turn the tide.
An excellent B-movie that ticks all the low-rent, comedy-horror, gorefest boxes but does so with such knowing charm that it rises above any number of crappy Chainsaw remakes. What really stands out is the sense of humour demonstrated through-out (mainly by an excellent deadpan Nathon Fillion), something that enables the wusses among us to watch it without suffering from nightmares. Watch out for the deer attack; very funny.
3.5/5
The slumbering Southern town of Wheelsy becomes the focal point of an alien invasion when an extraterrestrial parasite crashes to Earth and possesses the town bully. As the alien’s spawn turns the townsfolk into zombies, chief of police Bill Pardy (Nathon Fillion) sets out to turn the tide.
An excellent B-movie that ticks all the low-rent, comedy-horror, gorefest boxes but does so with such knowing charm that it rises above any number of crappy Chainsaw remakes. What really stands out is the sense of humour demonstrated through-out (mainly by an excellent deadpan Nathon Fillion), something that enables the wusses among us to watch it without suffering from nightmares. Watch out for the deer attack; very funny.
3.5/5
Happy Feet
Visually stunning, songs are kind of fun, Nicole Kidman's voice is a bit annoying, story is thin and silly at the end. But okay.
Visually stunning, songs are kind of fun, Nicole Kidman's voice is a bit annoying, story is thin and silly at the end. But okay.
the pursuit of happyness
will smith film set in 1981 about struggling to make ends meet and raise a son at the same time.
what appears initially to be a feel good movie is actually 112 mins of depression that makes you want to kill yourself, with a 5min bit at the end which is intended on making you feel like hard work pays off.
aside from making want to kill myself the pleasure i got from looking at will smith jr's perfectly formed afro was suprisingly high, and i did think it was done very well. such is the quality of the perfomances, the fact that i wanted to kill myself was actually a good thing as i really did find myself empathising with the guy. you really want it to work out so much so, that the ending is a little underdone. i wanted to see more of them finally getting happy so as to justify the previous 112minutes of viewing
all in all, good film, well done but not amazing 7/10
will smith film set in 1981 about struggling to make ends meet and raise a son at the same time.
what appears initially to be a feel good movie is actually 112 mins of depression that makes you want to kill yourself, with a 5min bit at the end which is intended on making you feel like hard work pays off.
aside from making want to kill myself the pleasure i got from looking at will smith jr's perfectly formed afro was suprisingly high, and i did think it was done very well. such is the quality of the perfomances, the fact that i wanted to kill myself was actually a good thing as i really did find myself empathising with the guy. you really want it to work out so much so, that the ending is a little underdone. i wanted to see more of them finally getting happy so as to justify the previous 112minutes of viewing
all in all, good film, well done but not amazing 7/10
One thing I want to know about that film is why is 'happiness' spelt wrongly?
Is that his name or something??
Is that his name or something??
IMDB says
QUOTE
The spelling error in the title is intentional: it refers to an important scene in the movie, in which children are writing words such as Happyness on the wall, and is mentioned to them it doesn't matter how it is spelled. The scene however has been cut
there is a reference to the incorrect spelling in the film when a mexican/foreign paint/decorator guy is painting a wall outside the day care place... and he's painting the word Happiness, but he spells it with happyness.
will smith pulls him up on it, and later in the film, the day care is refered to as "the place where they spell happiness wrong"
will smith pulls him up on it, and later in the film, the day care is refered to as "the place where they spell happiness wrong"
The Last King Of Scotland
James McAvoy plays a young doctor who goes to Uganda ostensibly to make a difference, but in reality for adventure. Idi Amin has just taken power in the country and there is an atmosphere of optimism which McAvoy's character gets caught up in so that when he meets Amin by chance and is subsequently asked to be his personal physician, he accepts. At first, he is totally unaware of the true character of Amin and lives in blissful ignorance of the atrocities being committed against the Ugandan people. However, gradually Amin reveals his true nature to the doctor and the realisation dawns that he is well out of his depth and that there is no escape. McAvoy captures the growing horror, fear and guilt of the young doctor very well, but the really amazing performance in the film is from Forest Whitaker as Amin. He makes Amin frightening by showing his complete unpredictability - one minute joking prankster, the next jealous maniac. I haven't seen Will Smith in the aforementioned 'Happyness' film, but out of Whitaker and Di Caprio in The Departed there is no question in my mind that Whitaker should get the Oscar.
See it.
James McAvoy plays a young doctor who goes to Uganda ostensibly to make a difference, but in reality for adventure. Idi Amin has just taken power in the country and there is an atmosphere of optimism which McAvoy's character gets caught up in so that when he meets Amin by chance and is subsequently asked to be his personal physician, he accepts. At first, he is totally unaware of the true character of Amin and lives in blissful ignorance of the atrocities being committed against the Ugandan people. However, gradually Amin reveals his true nature to the doctor and the realisation dawns that he is well out of his depth and that there is no escape. McAvoy captures the growing horror, fear and guilt of the young doctor very well, but the really amazing performance in the film is from Forest Whitaker as Amin. He makes Amin frightening by showing his complete unpredictability - one minute joking prankster, the next jealous maniac. I haven't seen Will Smith in the aforementioned 'Happyness' film, but out of Whitaker and Di Caprio in The Departed there is no question in my mind that Whitaker should get the Oscar.
See it.
Smokin' Aces
A bit toss this one, I'm afraid.
It starts off looking like Lock Stock/Snatch by introducing lots of (read: too many) characters (read: caricatures) to the audience complete with their names on the screen for the hard of thinking.
The first person you hear speak is Ben Affleck - not a good sign. However, it's not that long til he dies, which is better. The set up is so wafer thin it's amazing they've managed to wrap a film around it: the FBI have done a deal with a Mob informant, lots of the aforementioned caricatures want him dead. And that's it.
I said earlier it starts off like Lock Stock. Unfortunately, you soon realise that it's a version of Lock Stock with all the fun sucked out of it. There are no humourous parts to this film, though not for want of trying. There is lots of overblown death, but none done with the style of Tarantino, or even the Final Destination films. (This film so wants to be a Tarantino movie, and is so wide of the mark).
Towards the end, perhaps realising that no one is having fun, the film comes over all earnest and seems to expect us to care about the patently ridiculous people involved. No chance.
Avoid.
A bit toss this one, I'm afraid.
It starts off looking like Lock Stock/Snatch by introducing lots of (read: too many) characters (read: caricatures) to the audience complete with their names on the screen for the hard of thinking.
The first person you hear speak is Ben Affleck - not a good sign. However, it's not that long til he dies, which is better. The set up is so wafer thin it's amazing they've managed to wrap a film around it: the FBI have done a deal with a Mob informant, lots of the aforementioned caricatures want him dead. And that's it.
I said earlier it starts off like Lock Stock. Unfortunately, you soon realise that it's a version of Lock Stock with all the fun sucked out of it. There are no humourous parts to this film, though not for want of trying. There is lots of overblown death, but none done with the style of Tarantino, or even the Final Destination films. (This film so wants to be a Tarantino movie, and is so wide of the mark).
Towards the end, perhaps realising that no one is having fun, the film comes over all earnest and seems to expect us to care about the patently ridiculous people involved. No chance.
Avoid.
VENUS
The plot: Two ageing actors go through the daily grind of remembering to take their pills, bit parts on TV playing corpses and reading the obituaries in cafes. Ian (Leslie Phillips) has his grand-niece Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) down to stay with him in London, to find work but ostensibly to look after him. His friend Maurice (Peter O'Toole) takes rather a shine to this northern, potty-mouthed, chav-strumpet and takes her out shopping, drinking and generally tries to educate her in the ways of London life. This slowly decends into a bit of a pervy, Lolita-esque lust which is only reciprocated in that she is charmed by him and the fact he is actually nice to her. Cue thoughts about the fleetingness of life, the beauty of the female body, growing old disgracefully and reconciliation.
The verdict: This film is great, however it does tail off a bit in the last half hour. I laughed out loud a lot (which is actually quite rare for me in the cinema), and O'Toole particularly sparkles. The sparring between him and Phillips is the source for most of the comedy, as well as Richard Griffiths who makes a couple of excellent cameos. However the 'dirty old man' bit between Maurice and Jessie is creepy and made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Definitely worth seeing, but no real need to rush and watch it at the cinema.
7.5/10
The plot: Two ageing actors go through the daily grind of remembering to take their pills, bit parts on TV playing corpses and reading the obituaries in cafes. Ian (Leslie Phillips) has his grand-niece Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) down to stay with him in London, to find work but ostensibly to look after him. His friend Maurice (Peter O'Toole) takes rather a shine to this northern, potty-mouthed, chav-strumpet and takes her out shopping, drinking and generally tries to educate her in the ways of London life. This slowly decends into a bit of a pervy, Lolita-esque lust which is only reciprocated in that she is charmed by him and the fact he is actually nice to her. Cue thoughts about the fleetingness of life, the beauty of the female body, growing old disgracefully and reconciliation.
The verdict: This film is great, however it does tail off a bit in the last half hour. I laughed out loud a lot (which is actually quite rare for me in the cinema), and O'Toole particularly sparkles. The sparring between him and Phillips is the source for most of the comedy, as well as Richard Griffiths who makes a couple of excellent cameos. However the 'dirty old man' bit between Maurice and Jessie is creepy and made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Definitely worth seeing, but no real need to rush and watch it at the cinema.
7.5/10
Babel
I don't think I can be arsed to explain the plot of this film properly, but it revolves around an accidental shooting of an American tourist in Morocco, two American children at a Mexican wedding, and a deaf-mute Japanese girl who seems to enjoy walking around knicker-less.
There are links between these stories but they are tenuous to say the least. In fact, I'd agree with Kermode's assessment that the Japanese thread belongs in a different film entirely.
I found this film to be tiresome and way way way too long. I started wishing it would end at least an hour before it actually did. I remember a review of 'The Shipping Forecast' in the Telegraph a few years back which said that it was one of those films that appear to have been made with the express purpose of winning Oscars for the participants. This film falls into that category, and in common with 'The Shipping Forecast' no one involved deserves an Oscar.
The only thing I enjoyed in the 2.5 hours was the band at the Mexican wedding - GENIUS.
I really wouldn't bother if I were you.
I don't think I can be arsed to explain the plot of this film properly, but it revolves around an accidental shooting of an American tourist in Morocco, two American children at a Mexican wedding, and a deaf-mute Japanese girl who seems to enjoy walking around knicker-less.
There are links between these stories but they are tenuous to say the least. In fact, I'd agree with Kermode's assessment that the Japanese thread belongs in a different film entirely.
I found this film to be tiresome and way way way too long. I started wishing it would end at least an hour before it actually did. I remember a review of 'The Shipping Forecast' in the Telegraph a few years back which said that it was one of those films that appear to have been made with the express purpose of winning Oscars for the participants. This film falls into that category, and in common with 'The Shipping Forecast' no one involved deserves an Oscar.
The only thing I enjoyed in the 2.5 hours was the band at the Mexican wedding - GENIUS.
I really wouldn't bother if I were you.
Broken Flowers
See Sam's earlier post for a synopsis...
I'm afraid I didn't really get on with this film; it's not bad (in fact it had some excellent touches and performances - Bill Murray doing his subdued thing, Jeffrey Wright as his detectively-enthused neighbour, even Ms Stone is pretty good,) I just found it a little...slow. Too many scenes containing sitting to music; very well acted for sure, but if I want to see someone struggling to make an important decision I'll look in the mirror next time I plan a meal.
Frankly I blame Jim Jarmusch for not being Sofia Coppolla (I obviously didn't take Sam's advice).
So I'm with Rosie; don't watch in a darkened room after exercise & food & beer if you want to know how it ends up.
Any film that looks like it was more fun to film than it was to watch gets a NO!
See Sam's earlier post for a synopsis...
I'm afraid I didn't really get on with this film; it's not bad (in fact it had some excellent touches and performances - Bill Murray doing his subdued thing, Jeffrey Wright as his detectively-enthused neighbour, even Ms Stone is pretty good,) I just found it a little...slow. Too many scenes containing sitting to music; very well acted for sure, but if I want to see someone struggling to make an important decision I'll look in the mirror next time I plan a meal.
Frankly I blame Jim Jarmusch for not being Sofia Coppolla (I obviously didn't take Sam's advice).
So I'm with Rosie; don't watch in a darkened room after exercise & food & beer if you want to know how it ends up.
Any film that looks like it was more fun to film than it was to watch gets a NO!
DREAMGIRLS
The plot: Singing
The verdict: Too much singing
1/10
Horrid, horrid, painful death
The plot: Singing
The verdict: Too much singing
1/10
Horrid, horrid, painful death
Pan's Labyrinth.
Thanks to Odeon Hatfield's Directors' Screenings I got to see this on the big screen this evening. Sam was right about me loving it. It's an ace film. Bo
Thanks to Odeon Hatfield's Directors' Screenings I got to see this on the big screen this evening. Sam was right about me loving it. It's an ace film. Bo
A Cock & Bull Story
This film follows actor Steve Coogan (Steve Coogan) and co-star Rob Brydon (Rob Brydon) as they film scenes for the upcoming movie version of The Life and Times of Tristram Shandy, a film based on the notoriously convoluted novel about a man trying to write his life story and never getting beyond his messy birth. As the film dips into Tristram's narrative, segueing straight into the making of the film and back again, the narrative starts to resemble that of the book in what could be a rather confusing manner.
Well that is a strange, funny little film...instead of attempting to film the 'unfilmable' novel of constant interruption, Michael Winterbottom (for it is a Winterass film) dramatises choice extracts. The film then avoids the problem of having to spin them together by adding a thread about making the movie to create a post-modern comedy in which the lead plays at least three parts.
The Shandy scenes are the best bits; allowing varying degrees of exaggeration for comic effect and mirroring the free-association style of the book (…probably; I, like Steve Coogan, haven't actually read it). The behind-the-scenes sections play like a Christopher Guest mockumentary: Various character actors have fun with their cameos while Coogan drifts through complaining about people associating him with Alan Partridge (each complaint bringing him closer to his self-defeating sit-com character) and jostling for position with his co-lead/support Rob Brydon.
The film captures ends with everyone complaining about the end product; a film they knew wasn't going to end up well and is now a bit patchy.
"Where's the battle scene?"
"It wasn't funny."
So pretty good, more amusing than funny though. 3.8/5
This film follows actor Steve Coogan (Steve Coogan) and co-star Rob Brydon (Rob Brydon) as they film scenes for the upcoming movie version of The Life and Times of Tristram Shandy, a film based on the notoriously convoluted novel about a man trying to write his life story and never getting beyond his messy birth. As the film dips into Tristram's narrative, segueing straight into the making of the film and back again, the narrative starts to resemble that of the book in what could be a rather confusing manner.
Well that is a strange, funny little film...instead of attempting to film the 'unfilmable' novel of constant interruption, Michael Winterbottom (for it is a Winterass film) dramatises choice extracts. The film then avoids the problem of having to spin them together by adding a thread about making the movie to create a post-modern comedy in which the lead plays at least three parts.
The Shandy scenes are the best bits; allowing varying degrees of exaggeration for comic effect and mirroring the free-association style of the book (…probably; I, like Steve Coogan, haven't actually read it). The behind-the-scenes sections play like a Christopher Guest mockumentary: Various character actors have fun with their cameos while Coogan drifts through complaining about people associating him with Alan Partridge (each complaint bringing him closer to his self-defeating sit-com character) and jostling for position with his co-lead/support Rob Brydon.
The film captures ends with everyone complaining about the end product; a film they knew wasn't going to end up well and is now a bit patchy.
"Where's the battle scene?"
"It wasn't funny."
So pretty good, more amusing than funny though. 3.8/5
I think I'll avoid Dreamgirls; I don't like dying horrid, horrid, painful deaths.
Mirrormask
Helena (Stephanie Leonidas) is the 15 year-old daughter of circus entertainers. After her mother (Gina McKee) takes ill, she finds herself in a magical world, where she embarks on a quest to find the missing MirrorMask, save the Dark Lands and get home.
Well this is an even stranger, little film co-starring Rob Brydon...Perhaps if I tell you that the film's visuals were created by first-time director and 'comic-book legend' Dave McKeen, script written by Neil Gaiman and was produced by Henson Studios on mainly bluescreen stages you'll get an idea of the feel; an up-to-date Labyrinth without David Bowie or any hint of muppetry.
The film itself is a little episodic and Gina McKee and Rob Brydon are given little to do with their token adult roles; the film is lead with engaging charm by Leonidas though she doesn't display the fire necessary to stand out from the sepia-toned environment that is the real star of the film: The Dark Lands are so wonderfully realised, with some stunning CG work, that an audience has no trouble moving from a run-down Brighton tower block to a shabby, yet romantic, European-style city full of masked people, cat-like sphinxes and floating, entwined giants. It's a film with promise but one senses that McKeen was more focused on the comic-book background than the essential human element.
Still, definitely worth a look even if it is only to see a very creepy rendition of The Carpenters' 'Close To You'.
3.5/5
Helena (Stephanie Leonidas) is the 15 year-old daughter of circus entertainers. After her mother (Gina McKee) takes ill, she finds herself in a magical world, where she embarks on a quest to find the missing MirrorMask, save the Dark Lands and get home.
Well this is an even stranger, little film co-starring Rob Brydon...Perhaps if I tell you that the film's visuals were created by first-time director and 'comic-book legend' Dave McKeen, script written by Neil Gaiman and was produced by Henson Studios on mainly bluescreen stages you'll get an idea of the feel; an up-to-date Labyrinth without David Bowie or any hint of muppetry.
The film itself is a little episodic and Gina McKee and Rob Brydon are given little to do with their token adult roles; the film is lead with engaging charm by Leonidas though she doesn't display the fire necessary to stand out from the sepia-toned environment that is the real star of the film: The Dark Lands are so wonderfully realised, with some stunning CG work, that an audience has no trouble moving from a run-down Brighton tower block to a shabby, yet romantic, European-style city full of masked people, cat-like sphinxes and floating, entwined giants. It's a film with promise but one senses that McKeen was more focused on the comic-book background than the essential human element.
Still, definitely worth a look even if it is only to see a very creepy rendition of The Carpenters' 'Close To You'.
3.5/5
the CG is stunning. I'd second that review.
Notes On A Scandal
Superb story, great dialogue, quality performances all round, with a particularly convincing and sinister turn from Judi Dench. The music by Philip Glass is class too. The only issue was a bit of ropey editing in places. I'm a big fan of the book and I reckon the film is its equal. See it...see it now!
On a side note: mmm...Stephanie Leonidas.
Superb story, great dialogue, quality performances all round, with a particularly convincing and sinister turn from Judi Dench. The music by Philip Glass is class too. The only issue was a bit of ropey editing in places. I'm a big fan of the book and I reckon the film is its equal. See it...see it now!
On a side note: mmm...Stephanie Leonidas.
QUOTE(jonnyploy @ 5-Feb-07, 23:30)
On a side note: mmm...Stephanie Leonidas.
I quite agree, but it's a little strange as she's playing 15ish in the film...(she was 21 at the time so it's OK just...a little strange)
Blood Diamond
Leonardo Di Caprio, looking less and less like a 14-year-old lesbian by the film, puts on his best South African accent to play a smuggler in this thriller with morals about conflict diamonds.
It's very good actually, so you should go and see it.
Sorry for the brevity of the review, but I basically can't be arsed to say any more.
Leonardo Di Caprio, looking less and less like a 14-year-old lesbian by the film, puts on his best South African accent to play a smuggler in this thriller with morals about conflict diamonds.
It's very good actually, so you should go and see it.
Sorry for the brevity of the review, but I basically can't be arsed to say any more.
Hot Fuzz
Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is a shit-hot Met cop with a 400% better arrest record than anyone else. He's so good in fact that he gets promoted sideways for making his peers look bad and ends up in sleepy Sandford. It soon becomes apparent however that all is not as it seems...
Quite frankly the team behind Spaced can almost do no wrong in my eyes so it comes as no surprise that I really quite liked the film. Sure maybe the first 20 mins before we meet Nick Frost's Danny Butterman are a little slow as only have the rather boringly straight-laced Nick Angel for company. Maybe Edgar Wright isn't quite the man to direct a gun-fight that'll drop jaws. Maybe the cop-film genre is a little bit of an easy target. Maybe you should shut up.
The rest of the film is brilliant; full of character actors & comedians having an awful lot of fun (particularly a moustache-twirling Timothy Dalton), and Frost stealing every scene as a cop-film obsessed Police Officer just hankering for some action.
Top notch; funny, actiony and slightly bonkers.
4.5/5
Anyone want to go again?
Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is a shit-hot Met cop with a 400% better arrest record than anyone else. He's so good in fact that he gets promoted sideways for making his peers look bad and ends up in sleepy Sandford. It soon becomes apparent however that all is not as it seems...
Quite frankly the team behind Spaced can almost do no wrong in my eyes so it comes as no surprise that I really quite liked the film. Sure maybe the first 20 mins before we meet Nick Frost's Danny Butterman are a little slow as only have the rather boringly straight-laced Nick Angel for company. Maybe Edgar Wright isn't quite the man to direct a gun-fight that'll drop jaws. Maybe the cop-film genre is a little bit of an easy target. Maybe you should shut up.
The rest of the film is brilliant; full of character actors & comedians having an awful lot of fun (particularly a moustache-twirling Timothy Dalton), and Frost stealing every scene as a cop-film obsessed Police Officer just hankering for some action.
Top notch; funny, actiony and slightly bonkers.
4.5/5
Anyone want to go again?
Red Road
Woman sees a face from her past while monitoring Glasgow's CCTV camera network and begins to follow him.
The majority of this film works well. There is a creepy atmosphere which builds to a harrowing and near-pornographic scene in the final third. However, the reveal is disappointing and from there on in it feels a bit like a television drama.
Worth a look though.
Woman sees a face from her past while monitoring Glasgow's CCTV camera network and begins to follow him.
The majority of this film works well. There is a creepy atmosphere which builds to a harrowing and near-pornographic scene in the final third. However, the reveal is disappointing and from there on in it feels a bit like a television drama.
Worth a look though.
Hot Fuzz
I agree, very good. However, as with my criticism of 'Shaun...', not much better than your average episode of Spaced. Obviously, that still leaves much room for it to be ace.
The Good Shepherd
Too long, too dull. Feels like there's a good film somewhere here. De Niro hasn't found it though.
I agree, very good. However, as with my criticism of 'Shaun...', not much better than your average episode of Spaced. Obviously, that still leaves much room for it to be ace.
The Good Shepherd
Too long, too dull. Feels like there's a good film somewhere here. De Niro hasn't found it though.
Stranger Than Fiction
Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an insular and repressed IRS agent, starts to hear a voice narrating his life. This strange annoyance turns more sinister when the narrator predicts the imminent end to his life; something that prompts Harold to start living it as he always wanted.
This is an engaging and amusing, thoughtful film with a concept of which Charlie Kauffman would be proud. However, it never reaches the bewildering heights of a Kauffman-penned movie; instead the plot follows a rather more logical route, exploring the collision between fantasy and reality with heart as Harold's life begins to open up before him. Witness the scene where Harold makes small-talk ("Very small-talk") with Maggie Gyllenhaal' militant baker on a bendy bus, drifting towards and away as corners are turned; where he attempts to woo her with a bunch of flowers; or when he sets eye on his perfect guitar.
The other half of the equation, of course, is the narrator - troubled author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), who is having trouble finding the right way to kill off her, supposedly fictional, Harold Crick and end her novel. Emma Thompson has a lot of fun with her slightly frazzled writer; keeping her sympathetic even when hanging around the ER asking for "The ones that have definitely had it".
The whole cast in fact is excellent: Dustin Hoffman has another of those comedic supporting parts he seems to enjoy these days; playing a literary professor to whom Harold goes for advice. His careful questioning to determine the type of novel in which Harold is stuck is a perfect slice of understated comedy ("I have just discovered that you are not a golem. Aren't you relieved to know you are not a golem?"). Maggie Gyllenhal is as sweet and as strangely sexy as ever and, although it is unclear what she sees in him, her relationship with Harold provides the film with a solid core; a real reason for Harold to want to live. Ferrell himself is a restrained presence (somewhat unusually for him), but he manages to perfectly convey Crick's evolving emotions; from his world of obsessive counting (portrayed onscreen with some nifty graphics that reminded me of the Ikea apartment in Fight Club) through bewilderment, frustration, fear to his acceptance of a new life.
The only real problem with the film is in finding an ending that suits the high-concept that precedes it; unfortunately the conclusion doesn't really live up to the rest of the film - in the end it may have been more rewarding had the filmmakers had more confidence in their story. Still slightly disappointing endings are nothing new and they can be happy with what is an amusing, affecting slice of fantasy realism. 4/5
Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an insular and repressed IRS agent, starts to hear a voice narrating his life. This strange annoyance turns more sinister when the narrator predicts the imminent end to his life; something that prompts Harold to start living it as he always wanted.
This is an engaging and amusing, thoughtful film with a concept of which Charlie Kauffman would be proud. However, it never reaches the bewildering heights of a Kauffman-penned movie; instead the plot follows a rather more logical route, exploring the collision between fantasy and reality with heart as Harold's life begins to open up before him. Witness the scene where Harold makes small-talk ("Very small-talk") with Maggie Gyllenhaal' militant baker on a bendy bus, drifting towards and away as corners are turned; where he attempts to woo her with a bunch of flowers; or when he sets eye on his perfect guitar.
The other half of the equation, of course, is the narrator - troubled author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), who is having trouble finding the right way to kill off her, supposedly fictional, Harold Crick and end her novel. Emma Thompson has a lot of fun with her slightly frazzled writer; keeping her sympathetic even when hanging around the ER asking for "The ones that have definitely had it".
The whole cast in fact is excellent: Dustin Hoffman has another of those comedic supporting parts he seems to enjoy these days; playing a literary professor to whom Harold goes for advice. His careful questioning to determine the type of novel in which Harold is stuck is a perfect slice of understated comedy ("I have just discovered that you are not a golem. Aren't you relieved to know you are not a golem?"). Maggie Gyllenhal is as sweet and as strangely sexy as ever and, although it is unclear what she sees in him, her relationship with Harold provides the film with a solid core; a real reason for Harold to want to live. Ferrell himself is a restrained presence (somewhat unusually for him), but he manages to perfectly convey Crick's evolving emotions; from his world of obsessive counting (portrayed onscreen with some nifty graphics that reminded me of the Ikea apartment in Fight Club) through bewilderment, frustration, fear to his acceptance of a new life.
The only real problem with the film is in finding an ending that suits the high-concept that precedes it; unfortunately the conclusion doesn't really live up to the rest of the film - in the end it may have been more rewarding had the filmmakers had more confidence in their story. Still slightly disappointing endings are nothing new and they can be happy with what is an amusing, affecting slice of fantasy realism. 4/5
Check out The Bourne Ultimatum Trailer. Especially that last shot of the jump into the window.
It's all very exciting.
It's all very exciting.
Haven't seen any films at the cinema of late because, well, they've all been toss (listening to Kermode's podcasts over the last few weeks you wonder if a decent film will ever be made again).
However on DVD I have recently watched:
The Departed
Very, VERY good - 9/10
A Scanner Darkly
Completely fecjed in the napper but I was liking the quasi-animation. One of those films where you have two options.
1.) You go in not knowing what the film is about, become very disturbed by about minute 3 and run out of your living room screaming 'aaaaagh! help me reality!!'
2.) You know the vague premis of the film, know it is totally fecjed, know you will be confused, know Keanu is in it, know its based on a Philip K Dick novel, know its in a sort of weird semi-animation, let it all wash over you and enjoy it without worrying too much about what it all means in the grand scheme of things.
So, to summarise, mental but intriguing - 7/10
On a side note: Mmm, Winona Ryder. Yum-yum.
However on DVD I have recently watched:
The Departed
Very, VERY good - 9/10
A Scanner Darkly
Completely fecjed in the napper but I was liking the quasi-animation. One of those films where you have two options.
1.) You go in not knowing what the film is about, become very disturbed by about minute 3 and run out of your living room screaming 'aaaaagh! help me reality!!'
2.) You know the vague premis of the film, know it is totally fecjed, know you will be confused, know Keanu is in it, know its based on a Philip K Dick novel, know its in a sort of weird semi-animation, let it all wash over you and enjoy it without worrying too much about what it all means in the grand scheme of things.
So, to summarise, mental but intriguing - 7/10
On a side note: Mmm, Winona Ryder. Yum-yum.
I went to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with my Brother. Yes he is 22. I am 25.
The film..ahem, cartoon..does seem to have been made for 8 year olds and it felt like it.
We loved it =)
8/10 if you are 8
8/10 if you are a Watts bro
5/10 if you're too old to say Cowabunga!
The film..ahem, cartoon..does seem to have been made for 8 year olds and it felt like it.
We loved it =)
8/10 if you are 8
8/10 if you are a Watts bro
5/10 if you're too old to say Cowabunga!
I liked the departed but it didn't end as well or quite get the characters as spot on as Mou Gaan Dou.
TMNT interests me...
I'm just gutted that I won't get to see 300 in the cinema...
TMNT interests me...
I'm just gutted that I won't get to see 300 in the cinema...
Ok need a catch up here.
Actually cant remember passe dthe last 2 films I saw.... I may come up with stuff as a write thats normally hwo it works.
300 - downloaded it on bitcomet (if noeone uses this shit Get it. Fuck Limewire and all that crap, torrents are the way forwards!)
I think in the cinema I'll love this, apparently there's a 3D Imax version (that actually sends me into slightly cold sweats of anticipation)
However without the effects and quality you have a very basic film about b bloke standing up to a big ass bully and getting killed for it. Sorry I know they did well but Hmm not really encapsulating the spirit of the legend for me.
Hot fuzz - the single finest piece of british film entertainment since I do not know when. 4.9 out of 5. You know it's not gonna be deep and meaningful. You don't want it to be. Just JAM PACKED with classic moments. The 2 bill bailey's, the drop kicked granny, The Falling Crenel (?!) (is it actually aq crenel or is it called something else) on to Adam Buxton's head. The gun fight. All of it brilliant!
City of god. Nice but generally overrated, maybe I expected to much.
Got to see the scanner darkly, and the turtles. but let's face it. There is only 1 movie event ANYONE should care about this year.
Oh Yes
You Guessed it
July 4th
MWuuuuuhahahahahahahaha
Transformers hahahahhahahhahah yes yes yes hahahahahah yes brilliant oohohohohohoh whoop whoop. The movie phenomenon of the millenium. (I hope)
Actually cant remember passe dthe last 2 films I saw.... I may come up with stuff as a write thats normally hwo it works.
300 - downloaded it on bitcomet (if noeone uses this shit Get it. Fuck Limewire and all that crap, torrents are the way forwards!)
I think in the cinema I'll love this, apparently there's a 3D Imax version (that actually sends me into slightly cold sweats of anticipation)
However without the effects and quality you have a very basic film about b bloke standing up to a big ass bully and getting killed for it. Sorry I know they did well but Hmm not really encapsulating the spirit of the legend for me.
Hot fuzz - the single finest piece of british film entertainment since I do not know when. 4.9 out of 5. You know it's not gonna be deep and meaningful. You don't want it to be. Just JAM PACKED with classic moments. The 2 bill bailey's, the drop kicked granny, The Falling Crenel (?!) (is it actually aq crenel or is it called something else) on to Adam Buxton's head. The gun fight. All of it brilliant!
City of god. Nice but generally overrated, maybe I expected to much.
Got to see the scanner darkly, and the turtles. but let's face it. There is only 1 movie event ANYONE should care about this year.
Oh Yes
You Guessed it
July 4th
MWuuuuuhahahahahahahaha
Transformers hahahahhahahhahah yes yes yes hahahahahah yes brilliant oohohohohohoh whoop whoop. The movie phenomenon of the millenium. (I hope)
Saw 300 myself on Wednesday. Gotta say I did like it. Definitely would be better on a Big Screen.
The action sequence that alternatively slowed down and spead up, of the two young Spartans working together to slaughter a few dozen persians, was one of the most satisfying fight sequences I have ever watched. Just wonderful fluidity - i could watch it over and over.
There is an unreasonable amount of 'packs' on show (as in 6-packs) and needless homo-erotic acting by the persian king but that is counteracted by the occasional pert nipple (female) so I forgive them.
Saw the Spiderman 3 film trailer - it looks total class. What about this latest Brit sci-fi film Sunshine? Hadn't heard of it. Is it good?
The action sequence that alternatively slowed down and spead up, of the two young Spartans working together to slaughter a few dozen persians, was one of the most satisfying fight sequences I have ever watched. Just wonderful fluidity - i could watch it over and over.
There is an unreasonable amount of 'packs' on show (as in 6-packs) and needless homo-erotic acting by the persian king but that is counteracted by the occasional pert nipple (female) so I forgive them.
Saw the Spiderman 3 film trailer - it looks total class. What about this latest Brit sci-fi film Sunshine? Hadn't heard of it. Is it good?
i saw 300, downloaded a dvdscr and was very impressed with the copy.
i really really had no interest in watching this. assuming it would be similar to Gladiator/troy type of thing that most people will know my opinion on by now.
however...
300 is genius.
aside from the very blatant homo-erotic element. oil'ed up muscley-men and the tiny little y-front style outfits. but the fight sequences and the general hacking of limbs was very satisfying.
very much a boy film... fights, blood, limbs flying... then blatant boobage
ticks all the boxes
i really really had no interest in watching this. assuming it would be similar to Gladiator/troy type of thing that most people will know my opinion on by now.
however...
300 is genius.
aside from the very blatant homo-erotic element. oil'ed up muscley-men and the tiny little y-front style outfits. but the fight sequences and the general hacking of limbs was very satisfying.
very much a boy film... fights, blood, limbs flying... then blatant boobage
ticks all the boxes
Tenacious D & the Pick of Destiny
JB (Jack Black) flees his religious father and goes to Hollywood where he meets KG (Kyle Gass), together they form Tenacious D and set out to find the fabled pick and crown themselves the greatest band ever.
Well this is sorely disappointing; as a fan of the D and Jack Black in (almost) any film I was hoping for at least some chucklesome, mindless entertainment. At first the film seems as if it will deliver with a young Jack Black (the best child version of a grown up star I've ever seen) the star of a rock-epic with Meat Loaf busting a gut as his father and Ronnie James Dio calling to him from a flaming poster. After this however the film flits between different skits, a number of which are almost straight lifts from their HBO series, except less funny. Jables and KG ham it up mightily but can't rescue a film where all the funny is in the trailer. Even the tunes aren't really stand out.
Next time get someone to write a script first.
Watch only if you really really like Jack Black. 2/5
JB (Jack Black) flees his religious father and goes to Hollywood where he meets KG (Kyle Gass), together they form Tenacious D and set out to find the fabled pick and crown themselves the greatest band ever.
Well this is sorely disappointing; as a fan of the D and Jack Black in (almost) any film I was hoping for at least some chucklesome, mindless entertainment. At first the film seems as if it will deliver with a young Jack Black (the best child version of a grown up star I've ever seen) the star of a rock-epic with Meat Loaf busting a gut as his father and Ronnie James Dio calling to him from a flaming poster. After this however the film flits between different skits, a number of which are almost straight lifts from their HBO series, except less funny. Jables and KG ham it up mightily but can't rescue a film where all the funny is in the trailer. Even the tunes aren't really stand out.
Next time get someone to write a script first.
Watch only if you really really like Jack Black. 2/5
X-Men 3: The Last Stand
When Worthington Industries develops a 'cure' for mutants the battle between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professer Xavier's X-men intensifies.
This is the film that Bryan Singer deserted to make Superman. His replacement, Brett Ratner, has been left with the tough job of topping the previous X-films whilst maintaining the intimate feel for the characters. Unfortunately he only half succeeds.
First of all the good stuff: It appears Mr Ratner knows his way round an action sequence; whether it's Wolverine and Beast letting their inner animal loose or Magneto 'adjusting' the Golden Gate Bridge the CG-heavy scenes are handled magnificently and would look great on the big screen. The film also panders shamelessly to the fanboys, introducing a whole slew of your favourite mutants (including Beast (Kelsey Grammer) and Angel) and expanding the roles of Colossus and Kitty Pryde. He even includes a fastball special if that means anything to anyone...
Where the film falls down is in trying to link the action together; when the fur ain't flying it all lacks direction; the script isn't really up to the task either, several lines falling rather flat; and the focus shift towards Storm as X-leader, whilst sidelining the always boring Cyclops, brings Halle Berry's even more boring character to the fore. Negating any of the tasty conflict between Wolverine and authority.
Anyway if you're not worried about subtext and any sort of real meaning to your action-comic book films then this has more than enough to keep you entertained for a couple of hours but it lacks the depth of Singer's X-men world. 3/5
When Worthington Industries develops a 'cure' for mutants the battle between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professer Xavier's X-men intensifies.
This is the film that Bryan Singer deserted to make Superman. His replacement, Brett Ratner, has been left with the tough job of topping the previous X-films whilst maintaining the intimate feel for the characters. Unfortunately he only half succeeds.
First of all the good stuff: It appears Mr Ratner knows his way round an action sequence; whether it's Wolverine and Beast letting their inner animal loose or Magneto 'adjusting' the Golden Gate Bridge the CG-heavy scenes are handled magnificently and would look great on the big screen. The film also panders shamelessly to the fanboys, introducing a whole slew of your favourite mutants (including Beast (Kelsey Grammer) and Angel) and expanding the roles of Colossus and Kitty Pryde. He even includes a fastball special if that means anything to anyone...
Where the film falls down is in trying to link the action together; when the fur ain't flying it all lacks direction; the script isn't really up to the task either, several lines falling rather flat; and the focus shift towards Storm as X-leader, whilst sidelining the always boring Cyclops, brings Halle Berry's even more boring character to the fore. Negating any of the tasty conflict between Wolverine and authority.
Anyway if you're not worried about subtext and any sort of real meaning to your action-comic book films then this has more than enough to keep you entertained for a couple of hours but it lacks the depth of Singer's X-men world. 3/5
Catch A Fire
It's really good, I blubbed even though I was on me tod in the cinema, quite embarrassing really
I'm not going to tell you the story but hint at it instead. I would criticise the fact that the story rounds up a bit too quickly at the end and doesn't really go into detail about Patrick's time in prison camp but it is good that it shows the actor meeting the real life patrick who informed us of what he has done in post apartheid south africa and how he dealt with his arch enemy.
Intrigued?....well watch it then!!!
It's really good, I blubbed even though I was on me tod in the cinema, quite embarrassing really
I'm not going to tell you the story but hint at it instead. I would criticise the fact that the story rounds up a bit too quickly at the end and doesn't really go into detail about Patrick's time in prison camp but it is good that it shows the actor meeting the real life patrick who informed us of what he has done in post apartheid south africa and how he dealt with his arch enemy.
Intrigued?....well watch it then!!!
QUOTE(TheWoz @ 10-Apr-07, 10:26)
- [ a ] very blatant homo-erotic element. oil'ed up muscley-men and the tiny little y-front style outfits...
very much a boy film... fights, blood, limbs flying... then blatant boobage
ticks all the boxes
Do you mean man boobage? I'm not surprised you're all for it!!!
No no - definitely real girl boobage.
However I would say that there are certain scenes that were very much designed to appeal to the ladies...
Mainly that small army of "oil'ed up muscley-men and the tiny little y-front style outfits" slowly marching towards the camera. No doubt making weak-at-the-knees schoolgirls quiver and squirm in their cinema seats.
However I would say that there are certain scenes that were very much designed to appeal to the ladies...
Mainly that small army of "oil'ed up muscley-men and the tiny little y-front style outfits" slowly marching towards the camera. No doubt making weak-at-the-knees schoolgirls quiver and squirm in their cinema seats.
'Hallo Panda'
Channel 4 Thu Apr 19 12:40 AM
Ok - this is truly the weirdest film I have ever started to watch...I am going to have to turn it off unfortunately due to it being bed time but its drawing me in...I cant give you a detailed lowdown..its too weird and it will put people off...but its not 'bad and horrible' its just plain 'funny weird'...
it's basically about the relationship between a zoo keeper and a male panda who refuses to shag the zoo's woman panda because she doesnt do it for him. Basically the film manages to draw parallels between the zoo keepers disasterous love life with the Panda's
.
Rating: I think I need to be stoned/ 10
Channel 4 Thu Apr 19 12:40 AM
Ok - this is truly the weirdest film I have ever started to watch...I am going to have to turn it off unfortunately due to it being bed time but its drawing me in...I cant give you a detailed lowdown..its too weird and it will put people off...but its not 'bad and horrible' its just plain 'funny weird'...
it's basically about the relationship between a zoo keeper and a male panda who refuses to shag the zoo's woman panda because she doesnt do it for him. Basically the film manages to draw parallels between the zoo keepers disasterous love life with the Panda's
. Rating: I think I need to be stoned/ 10
THIS IS ENGLAND
Another one from my fantastic friend Nils and the free preview screenings ahoy!
The plot: Small boy growing up in the North of England in 1983 becomes part of a gang who take him under their collective wing. Extended footage of Roland Rat, the Falklands, the Rubiks cube and Knight Rider make sure you know what time period you are in. The boy enjoys being part of the gang as he has been bullied at school and now feels part of something. However when one of the old crew (Combo) gets out of prison and returns to the group he divides opinion with his far right-wing views and reign of terror over the local community.
The verdict: This is a great film but possibly only when you are feeling strong and ready for a bit of an assault on your morals and/or your nerves. All the parts are played brilliantly by an unknown cast and you really wish you were part of the (original) gang. The main character Shaun is particularly good and in parts hilarious. Similarly Woody (leader of one half of the gang) is excellent. The second half is about the rise of nationalist right-wing sentiment particularly against Pakistanis in the North during Thatcher's rule. Gets a bit extreme.
In short, if you're prepared for a bit of a tough watch with some belly laughs (mainly regarding flares and small northern boys swearing) along the way, go see it, its worth it.
8/10
Another one from my fantastic friend Nils and the free preview screenings ahoy!
The plot: Small boy growing up in the North of England in 1983 becomes part of a gang who take him under their collective wing. Extended footage of Roland Rat, the Falklands, the Rubiks cube and Knight Rider make sure you know what time period you are in. The boy enjoys being part of the gang as he has been bullied at school and now feels part of something. However when one of the old crew (Combo) gets out of prison and returns to the group he divides opinion with his far right-wing views and reign of terror over the local community.
The verdict: This is a great film but possibly only when you are feeling strong and ready for a bit of an assault on your morals and/or your nerves. All the parts are played brilliantly by an unknown cast and you really wish you were part of the (original) gang. The main character Shaun is particularly good and in parts hilarious. Similarly Woody (leader of one half of the gang) is excellent. The second half is about the rise of nationalist right-wing sentiment particularly against Pakistanis in the North during Thatcher's rule. Gets a bit extreme.
In short, if you're prepared for a bit of a tough watch with some belly laughs (mainly regarding flares and small northern boys swearing) along the way, go see it, its worth it.
8/10
QUOTE
THIS IS ENGLAND
This title made me imagine a sort of middleclass teadrinking version of 300.
Made me giggle - thank you.
Pan's Labyrinth
This was pretty good; well put together, directed, acted and all that. Didn't really engage me in the way I thought it might. Not sure why. Perhaps the cinema experience would've helped. Oh well.
3/5
This was pretty good; well put together, directed, acted and all that. Didn't really engage me in the way I thought it might. Not sure why. Perhaps the cinema experience would've helped. Oh well.
3/5
PotC 3
Let's not bother with plot - the filmmakers didn't.
Well maybe that's not quite fair; there is a lot of plot in this film it's just that it can't settle on any one of them. Instead the story flits between betrayals, ulterior motives, swashes being buckled and cannonades of glorious CG. The mess created by the tangle of extraneous characters returning from the second film is further aggravated by the addition of yet more: Chow Yun Fat's Pirate Lord does little but sneer, betray anyone he can (just like everyone else) and make no further contribution to the film after about halfway. The film takes such a long time to settle down to any particular path that once the (unexpected) interval came I couldn't remember anything that had just gone by.
Once it is settled on a path it seems to be one that says blood-thirsty maniacs intent on pillage (and all the rest) are infinitely preferable to cold, ruthless dictatorships intent on destroying all blood-thirsty maniacs intent on pillage. This maybe true, but to be honest I couldn't give two figs for either side if it weren't for the inescapable charms of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Once again this is Jack's show; the world is a sadder place without him on the screen. No amount of stern looks, petulant pouts or nutty laughter (from Bloom, Knightly and Rush respectively) can insert any but the merest glimmer of colour into a dreary tale. This is something that the film-makers are obviously aware of, giving us both multiple hallucinations of Jack, and his Father (played, famously, and well, by Keith Richards). One of these stunts works; the other makes it feel like a Tom & Jerry cartoon.
Unfortunately even Jack's swagger can't rescue this sorry tale from a damp end; despite the impressive, almost seamless CG the sea battles get tired quickly, the sense of fun that imbued the first film with its charm is sorely lacking, and no end of money on screen can cover up the fact that this is a ship in need of a rudder.
2/5
Thundercats are GO! I can't help but fear the worst.
Let's not bother with plot - the filmmakers didn't.
Well maybe that's not quite fair; there is a lot of plot in this film it's just that it can't settle on any one of them. Instead the story flits between betrayals, ulterior motives, swashes being buckled and cannonades of glorious CG. The mess created by the tangle of extraneous characters returning from the second film is further aggravated by the addition of yet more: Chow Yun Fat's Pirate Lord does little but sneer, betray anyone he can (just like everyone else) and make no further contribution to the film after about halfway. The film takes such a long time to settle down to any particular path that once the (unexpected) interval came I couldn't remember anything that had just gone by.
Once it is settled on a path it seems to be one that says blood-thirsty maniacs intent on pillage (and all the rest) are infinitely preferable to cold, ruthless dictatorships intent on destroying all blood-thirsty maniacs intent on pillage. This maybe true, but to be honest I couldn't give two figs for either side if it weren't for the inescapable charms of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Once again this is Jack's show; the world is a sadder place without him on the screen. No amount of stern looks, petulant pouts or nutty laughter (from Bloom, Knightly and Rush respectively) can insert any but the merest glimmer of colour into a dreary tale. This is something that the film-makers are obviously aware of, giving us both multiple hallucinations of Jack, and his Father (played, famously, and well, by Keith Richards). One of these stunts works; the other makes it feel like a Tom & Jerry cartoon.
Unfortunately even Jack's swagger can't rescue this sorry tale from a damp end; despite the impressive, almost seamless CG the sea battles get tired quickly, the sense of fun that imbued the first film with its charm is sorely lacking, and no end of money on screen can cover up the fact that this is a ship in need of a rudder.
2/5
Thundercats are GO! I can't help but fear the worst.
on a side note... is it just me or are these kind of franchises dragging out a bit now...
spiderman 3 and potc3 are both stupidly long... and (although i havent seen either) all the reviews say they're just dull in the middle... why bother dragging out these films to nearly 3 hours!
spiderman 3 and potc3 are both stupidly long... and (although i havent seen either) all the reviews say they're just dull in the middle... why bother dragging out these films to nearly 3 hours!
Yeah; I havent seen S3 but PotC 3 was 3hrs long with the interval and not really worth the effort. No-one has really got that third film right yet (unless you count LotR which was really the third part of the same film).
Sky High
At his first day at his new high school the son of superheroes The Captain and Jetstream has to come to terms with the fact that, as he has no powers of his own, hell be stuck in the Hero Support (SIDEKICK) class.
This is a surprisingly good, funny kids film: It has all the clichés of a high school comedy infused with a knowing twist; geeks vs jocks, best friend secretly in love with lead character, lead character oblivious and falls for cheerleader, geeks unite to save the world from homicidal super-villain
Ok, so some of the school stuff is just for the younguns and the side characters are sketchy at best but Kurt Russell et al. are having so much fun portraying their slightly shallow heroes that you wont really care.
Good, clean family fun
3.9/5
Sky High
At his first day at his new high school the son of superheroes The Captain and Jetstream has to come to terms with the fact that, as he has no powers of his own, hell be stuck in the Hero Support (SIDEKICK) class.
This is a surprisingly good, funny kids film: It has all the clichés of a high school comedy infused with a knowing twist; geeks vs jocks, best friend secretly in love with lead character, lead character oblivious and falls for cheerleader, geeks unite to save the world from homicidal super-villain
Ok, so some of the school stuff is just for the younguns and the side characters are sketchy at best but Kurt Russell et al. are having so much fun portraying their slightly shallow heroes that you wont really care.
Good, clean family fun
3.9/5
you can shit right off with your LotR
the only trilogy thats worth its weight is back to the future
... maybe indiana jones
the only trilogy thats worth its weight is back to the future
... maybe indiana jones
Well OK you're right; both those trilogies got the third part right (but not the 2nd - not to the standards of the other two anyway) but I was thinking of current, fantasy-types ones. I would have thought that was obvious. 
Ocean's Thirteen
The crew attempt to take Al Pacino's casino to the bank.
It's good; not quite as good as 11 but infinitely better than 12. A little smug at times and it takes a while to get going as Cloony and Pitt lay out the situation/plan to Eddie Izzard but once it does it's pretty fun. But not quite as fun as the first.
I spose this could be a trilogy with a good third part as well but then the 2nd was so abysmal I don't think it actuall exists.
3.8/5
Ocean's Thirteen
The crew attempt to take Al Pacino's casino to the bank.
It's good; not quite as good as 11 but infinitely better than 12. A little smug at times and it takes a while to get going as Cloony and Pitt lay out the situation/plan to Eddie Izzard but once it does it's pretty fun. But not quite as fun as the first.
I spose this could be a trilogy with a good third part as well but then the 2nd was so abysmal I don't think it actuall exists.
3.8/5
I agree with King's review of Ocean's 13 above.
My highlight of going to the cinema that day however was seeing the trailer for Transformers. I very nearly wet myself with glee. It looks fecjing amazing. The last film that I have looked forward to this much was ROTK.
The trilogies debate/argument could rage, but I will add this:
3 Colours Red is my favourite of the trilogy (I know Sammyboy disagrees with me on this though).
My favourite Back To The Future film is Part III (I have yet to meet anyone who agrees with me on this one, but everyone else is obviously wrong).
Last Crusade is my favourite Indy film too actually. Of course this will soon no longer be a trilogy.
Although Empire is obviously better, I've always really loved Return of the Jedi too, despite the fact that most people see it as an extended episode of the Muppets. The main reasons for this are the line 'de Jabba wanga?' and the escape of the Millenium Falcon from the exploding Death Star which causes similar wee-related elatedness as the Transformers trailer did.
Thank you and goodnight.
My highlight of going to the cinema that day however was seeing the trailer for Transformers. I very nearly wet myself with glee. It looks fecjing amazing. The last film that I have looked forward to this much was ROTK.
The trilogies debate/argument could rage, but I will add this:
3 Colours Red is my favourite of the trilogy (I know Sammyboy disagrees with me on this though).
My favourite Back To The Future film is Part III (I have yet to meet anyone who agrees with me on this one, but everyone else is obviously wrong).
Last Crusade is my favourite Indy film too actually. Of course this will soon no longer be a trilogy.
Although Empire is obviously better, I've always really loved Return of the Jedi too, despite the fact that most people see it as an extended episode of the Muppets. The main reasons for this are the line 'de Jabba wanga?' and the escape of the Millenium Falcon from the exploding Death Star which causes similar wee-related elatedness as the Transformers trailer did.
Thank you and goodnight.
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