Across the Universe
Liverpudlian Jude (Jim Sturgess) jumps ship in America in the Sixties to find his absent GI father and gets carried away on the tide of events, falling in love with Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) along the way, all to the tune of The Beatles.
There's no getting away from it; this is not even a film about musicians which has a lot of music in it (like Once), it's a film in which people break into song to express their emotions and advance the plot. So it's a musical...of Beatles songs. This could have very easily gone badly wrong; just the thought of the upcoming Mama Mia film gives me the shivers; fortunately Julie Taymor (creator of the Lion King stage show) has her head screwed on right: All the songs are sung by the actors, and while some of the events are somewhat crowbarred in to match the song (a girl named Prudence locks herself in the bathroom to be tempted out by the others singing...well you can fill in the rest), none of the musical numbers feel particularly forced and they all contribute to the kaleidoscopic feel of the film.
It's a film that aims to purvey the feel of the era rather than the facts and it does this pretty well (as far as I can tell...all I've really got to go on is Forrest Gump and episodes of Quantuum Leap) but ultimately this is a film to put on and enjoy the music; if you're a rabid Beatles lover (or hater for that matter) you may want to avoid as the songs have all been played with, but not so much they're unrecognisable, but for the rest of us it's great. I reckon it's also a pretty good date movie...
4/5
PS Watch out for cameos from Bono, Eddie Izzard and Salma Hayeck, I'm pretty sure there are more but I didn't recognise the crusty singing 'Come Together'...Joe Cocker apparently.
Full Version: Films
QUOTE(King @ 15-May-08, 16:14)
Speed Racer looks like someone had an accident with some LSD and a disco ball.
You're bloody well right too but it is absolutely SUPERB.
Speed Racer
Disco ball, speed and acid all in one, this film closely copies the anime/manga cartoons of the 80s which involve the adventures of a young and gifted racer. Once you get past the cheesy bits and the caricatured acting, the action is breathtaking. The finale is one of the best crafted for any emotional race finish I've seen in years. Watch it even if you go grudgingly. It's heaps of fun and one of the best films I've seen in 2008.
4/5
Indy 4
Definitely worth seeing; better than Doom, probably not better than the others. Gets a bit CGy in parts and the McGuffin ain't all that (strays into X-Files territory really) but Harrison Ford, Karen Allen and Shia LeBeouff are great.
If it wasn't Indy it probably wouldn't be all that but it is so...
3.5/5
In fact this review says it all (except I liked Marion) but with MASSIVE SPOILERS.
Definitely worth seeing; better than Doom, probably not better than the others. Gets a bit CGy in parts and the McGuffin ain't all that (strays into X-Files territory really) but Harrison Ford, Karen Allen and Shia LeBeouff are great.
If it wasn't Indy it probably wouldn't be all that but it is so...
3.5/5
In fact this review says it all (except I liked Marion) but with MASSIVE SPOILERS.
Sex And The City
Fittingly saw this in New York. Hated it. Rant follows:
I've seen a few episodes of SATC over the years and never been particularly offended or excited by any of them. However, the film really got to me.
We pick up where the last episode (apparently) left off. Carrie (SJ-P) is with Mr Big, Samantha is in LA with her toy boy, Miranda lives in Brooklyn with her bloke and son, Charlotte is happy with her husband and adopted daughter.
I won't bore you with the plot as it is pretty standard - people break up, get back together etc. In stead I'll skip straight to the things that annoyed me.
Firstly, the film isn't funny - a major problem for a comedy. The funniest thing to happen in this film and the only thing that raised a smile for me was Charlotte shitting in her pants after drinking some ropey Mexican water. Even this moment was ruined by showing the girls laughing for ages and actually having the voiceover say 'that was really funny' (I kid you not).
Which brings us to the voiceover. In my opinion it has always been the weakest link in the show, but in the film it sinks to new depths. For those of you who don't know, the voiceover is meant to represent Carrie's articles / books that she writes about her and her friends relationships. They expose her as one of the worst writers ever to walk the earth. She has an unforgivable penchant for facile wordplay. Examples in the movie include 'I must get out of this Mexi-coma' and 'meanwhile in 'Lost' Angeles'. It's like someone shoving a knife into your brain via your eardrums.
Next up, the girls themselves. Apparently they are role-models for women everywhere. I find this worrying given the blatant shallowness on display. The film is a kind of Designer Label porn for women. In addition there is a strong current of snobbery running through the film. When Carrie reveals that she has chosen a dress with no label for her wedding the others look at her like she has just taken a dump in the corner of the room. Another example is the casual mockery Brooklyn as a place to live. The implication is that no one who is anyone would ever lower themselves so much as to live in Brooklyn. It's Manhattan or a life of shame for these girls.
As the film went on I found myself wondering who actually can relate to the characters in SATC. They claim to represent New York women but this is laughable. At one point the voiceover claims that in spring New York women like to put their winter woes behind them by attending New York fashion week. What bollocks. I had a quick scan around the cinema when this line was said and I'm pretty sure that none of the women there had ever or would ever be able to obtain tickets for New York fashion week. SATC is set in a world that 99.9% of people don't recognise. one where labels are everything and and everything else is nothing.
The shallowness of the characters is underlined by the fact that they have not one straight male friend between them. Heterosexual men exist in SATC in order to fuck and buy stuff for the main characters. Watching the film I also struggle to understand the huge gay following that the show has given that the gay friends that the girls have are walking cliches.
Next up is Samantha - a woman who fucks like the HIV warnings of the 80s and 90s never happened. She ends the films breaking up with her toyboy because she wants to fuck more people. We are meant to feel good about this. I just felt sorry for her - she turns 50 at the end of the film.
I'm running out of steam now so I'll wrap up with the performances. Only Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) has any real skills in this department and she is predictably wasted throughout the film (climaxing in an unintentionally hilarious slow-motion reunion with her bloke on Brooklyn bridge). Kim Cattrall (Samantha) can do one thing - a knowing smirk. Kristin Davis has three - wide mouthed incredulity, embarrassing squeals of delight and a kind of 'ah bless' face. Sarah Jessica Parker's performance left no real imprint on me at all, but I guess it wasn't bad.
Did I mention that I didn't like the film?
Iron Man
Very good.
Fittingly saw this in New York. Hated it. Rant follows:
I've seen a few episodes of SATC over the years and never been particularly offended or excited by any of them. However, the film really got to me.
We pick up where the last episode (apparently) left off. Carrie (SJ-P) is with Mr Big, Samantha is in LA with her toy boy, Miranda lives in Brooklyn with her bloke and son, Charlotte is happy with her husband and adopted daughter.
I won't bore you with the plot as it is pretty standard - people break up, get back together etc. In stead I'll skip straight to the things that annoyed me.
Firstly, the film isn't funny - a major problem for a comedy. The funniest thing to happen in this film and the only thing that raised a smile for me was Charlotte shitting in her pants after drinking some ropey Mexican water. Even this moment was ruined by showing the girls laughing for ages and actually having the voiceover say 'that was really funny' (I kid you not).
Which brings us to the voiceover. In my opinion it has always been the weakest link in the show, but in the film it sinks to new depths. For those of you who don't know, the voiceover is meant to represent Carrie's articles / books that she writes about her and her friends relationships. They expose her as one of the worst writers ever to walk the earth. She has an unforgivable penchant for facile wordplay. Examples in the movie include 'I must get out of this Mexi-coma' and 'meanwhile in 'Lost' Angeles'. It's like someone shoving a knife into your brain via your eardrums.
Next up, the girls themselves. Apparently they are role-models for women everywhere. I find this worrying given the blatant shallowness on display. The film is a kind of Designer Label porn for women. In addition there is a strong current of snobbery running through the film. When Carrie reveals that she has chosen a dress with no label for her wedding the others look at her like she has just taken a dump in the corner of the room. Another example is the casual mockery Brooklyn as a place to live. The implication is that no one who is anyone would ever lower themselves so much as to live in Brooklyn. It's Manhattan or a life of shame for these girls.
As the film went on I found myself wondering who actually can relate to the characters in SATC. They claim to represent New York women but this is laughable. At one point the voiceover claims that in spring New York women like to put their winter woes behind them by attending New York fashion week. What bollocks. I had a quick scan around the cinema when this line was said and I'm pretty sure that none of the women there had ever or would ever be able to obtain tickets for New York fashion week. SATC is set in a world that 99.9% of people don't recognise. one where labels are everything and and everything else is nothing.
The shallowness of the characters is underlined by the fact that they have not one straight male friend between them. Heterosexual men exist in SATC in order to fuck and buy stuff for the main characters. Watching the film I also struggle to understand the huge gay following that the show has given that the gay friends that the girls have are walking cliches.
Next up is Samantha - a woman who fucks like the HIV warnings of the 80s and 90s never happened. She ends the films breaking up with her toyboy because she wants to fuck more people. We are meant to feel good about this. I just felt sorry for her - she turns 50 at the end of the film.
I'm running out of steam now so I'll wrap up with the performances. Only Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) has any real skills in this department and she is predictably wasted throughout the film (climaxing in an unintentionally hilarious slow-motion reunion with her bloke on Brooklyn bridge). Kim Cattrall (Samantha) can do one thing - a knowing smirk. Kristin Davis has three - wide mouthed incredulity, embarrassing squeals of delight and a kind of 'ah bless' face. Sarah Jessica Parker's performance left no real imprint on me at all, but I guess it wasn't bad.
Did I mention that I didn't like the film?
Iron Man
Very good.
>Sex And The City
Good rant JPloy - however I am pretty sure that most girls I've asked have said they DO say they relate strongly to the show. Perhaps not the lifestile exactly, but the type of personalities.
Time for some of our lady members to pipe up I think...
Good rant JPloy - however I am pretty sure that most girls I've asked have said they DO say they relate strongly to the show. Perhaps not the lifestile exactly, but the type of personalities.
Time for some of our lady members to pipe up I think...
Into The Wild
Forgive if this has been covered before.
Oddly compelling film about a kid aout to go to college who decides to fuck it all and go off into the wild - literally with no Ray Mears tome in sight.
Justification for doing so comes in half way thru the film.
Oddly shot, trite and annoying commentary in points, but does the job of stunning you at points.
Worth watching.
3/5
Forgive if this has been covered before.
Oddly compelling film about a kid aout to go to college who decides to fuck it all and go off into the wild - literally with no Ray Mears tome in sight.
Justification for doing so comes in half way thru the film.
Oddly shot, trite and annoying commentary in points, but does the job of stunning you at points.
Worth watching.
3/5
QUOTE(DanSon @ 15-Jun-08, 15:39)
>Sex And The City
Good rant JPloy - however I am pretty sure that most girls I've asked have said they DO say they relate strongly to the show. Perhaps not the lifestile exactly, but the type of personalities.
Time for some of our lady members to pipe up I think...
Good rant JPloy - however I am pretty sure that most girls I've asked have said they DO say they relate strongly to the show. Perhaps not the lifestile exactly, but the type of personalities.
Time for some of our lady members to pipe up I think...
I managed to overlook the shit bits - i was too busy ogling the Manolo's DAHHHLING....Loved the series, film a bit pointless and got the feeling it was all about the money and the product placement - but I suppose you could say the same thing about James Bond - but I overlook the shit bits in that too because i'm usually too busy ogling the Aston Martin, along with the chest, thighs, tight butt etc of Mr Bond DAHHHHLING - To die for..Although I prefer Pierce B to blondy - good lord in fact Pierce B's Butt cheeks in The Thomas Crown Affair are something else - we used to press 'pause' in my student house when the 'butt cheek on the marble' shot came on ... should I say it was 'buttiful'? - or would that aggravate JPloy's grammatical sensitivities?
Wow; that's pretty stream of consciousness of you Rosie; SATC to Pierce's arse without pausing to change sentence. I like it.
tart... what have you got yourself in to!
QUOTE
should I say it was 'buttiful'? - or would that aggravate JPloy's grammatical sensitivities?
I'm willing to make an exception in this case. Just cos it's you though.
Bateman and Cross confirm rumours that an Arrested Development film is being planned. If this comes to pass I may just wet myself.
QUOTE(jonnyploy @ 25-Jun-08, 23:59)
Bateman and Cross confirm rumours that an Arrested Development film is being planned. If this comes to pass I may just wet myself.
Remember: there's always money in the banana stand.
Yesterday I went to see 'Wanted' for the second time in 4 days (first time with Pete in Manchester on Saturday). Not particularly out of choice but it was just as enjoyably ridiculous as the first time. The film is about a secret band of assassins called 'The Fraternity' who recieve kill orders from a comically named machine called the 'Loom of Destiny'.
Visually it was impressive with some good 'bullet cam' effects showing the projectile entering and exiting skulls on more than one occassion. Jolie is sexy and has an attractive arrogance - particularly at the beginning when McAvoy's character is being first inducted. McAvoy does a good job of being the pathetic, put-upon office rat who hates his life. He was a little annoying as he became more the hero where he reminded me of a petulant late-teenager...or Andy Murray.
Overally good fun action without fantastic plot but decent enough to be enjoyable.
2.9/5
Wall-E:
======
Just had an American friend (girl) email me with:
"Saw Wall-E this weekend and cried my eyes out the entire way through. Go see it, it will change your life."
Sounds worth a punt.
Visually it was impressive with some good 'bullet cam' effects showing the projectile entering and exiting skulls on more than one occassion. Jolie is sexy and has an attractive arrogance - particularly at the beginning when McAvoy's character is being first inducted. McAvoy does a good job of being the pathetic, put-upon office rat who hates his life. He was a little annoying as he became more the hero where he reminded me of a petulant late-teenager...or Andy Murray.
Overally good fun action without fantastic plot but decent enough to be enjoyable.
2.9/5
Wall-E:
======
Just had an American friend (girl) email me with:
"Saw Wall-E this weekend and cried my eyes out the entire way through. Go see it, it will change your life."
Sounds worth a punt.
I can't wait for Wall-E. I'm kinda interested in Wanted. Will prob see Hancock (and possibly Prince Kasabian (not really my choice)) next though.
Have to disagree with Dannyboy on Wanted. Saw it last night and thought it was utter cack. McAvoy spends the first half hour of the film screaming which annoyed me quite a lot. I would classify the action sequences as 'sub-Transporter' in quality. The message of the film is 'unless you spend your time killing randoms then your life has no meaning' - making it rival even V For Vendetta in its lack of a moral core.
Also saw The Incredible Hulk. Was okay although not at all memorable. Action sequences were strangely unexciting. Good bit right at the end though.
Also saw The Incredible Hulk. Was okay although not at all memorable. Action sequences were strangely unexciting. Good bit right at the end though.
JP - yeah the ending 0.5 second lecture did piss me off a bit too but I didn't let that get to me too much. Haven't seen V for Vendetta yet but you've made it sound interesting. =)
Hancock
Hancock (Will Smith) is a drunken layabout who also happens to be a superhero; problem is, he causes more mayhem in trying to help than if he wasn't around. After saving the life of a idealistic PR man Ray (Jason Bateman), however, his image gets a revamp, but things are complicated by Hancock's attraction to his PR's (Charlize Theron).
The trailer for this set it up as a sort of knock-about superhero comedy with plenty of superhero and the laughs coming from his fallibility and the fact that he's actually an asshole. For the first two thirds this is pretty much how it pans out; Smith is excellent as the boozy protagonist and his relationship with Bateman develops very nicely until it is de-railed by a major plot development that, frankly, I didn't see coming and I still don't know from where it came. It kinda turns a good comedy into an alright superhero film with a bit of a limp end featuring a sub-Lex Luthor and a convienient Kryptonite that it didn't really need.
Still I enjoyed it while it lasted. It's worth seeing in the cinema for the whooshy-ness and worth seeing full-stop for the 'your head up his ass' scene, but probably not coherent enough to be a buyer.
3.5/5
Hancock (Will Smith) is a drunken layabout who also happens to be a superhero; problem is, he causes more mayhem in trying to help than if he wasn't around. After saving the life of a idealistic PR man Ray (Jason Bateman), however, his image gets a revamp, but things are complicated by Hancock's attraction to his PR's (Charlize Theron).
The trailer for this set it up as a sort of knock-about superhero comedy with plenty of superhero and the laughs coming from his fallibility and the fact that he's actually an asshole. For the first two thirds this is pretty much how it pans out; Smith is excellent as the boozy protagonist and his relationship with Bateman develops very nicely until it is de-railed by a major plot development that, frankly, I didn't see coming and I still don't know from where it came. It kinda turns a good comedy into an alright superhero film with a bit of a limp end featuring a sub-Lex Luthor and a convienient Kryptonite that it didn't really need.
Still I enjoyed it while it lasted. It's worth seeing in the cinema for the whooshy-ness and worth seeing full-stop for the 'your head up his ass' scene, but probably not coherent enough to be a buyer.
3.5/5
...and worth seeing because Charlize Theron is fit.
Wall.E
Really very sweet and romantic - date movie material - brilliantly animated. Worthwhile seeing
4.5/5 (JB's right it's worth more than just 4 - that was a typo)
Dark Knight
Oh dear lord this is awesome...and long. Take a cushion...and some new pants.
4.8/5
Really very sweet and romantic - date movie material - brilliantly animated. Worthwhile seeing
4.5/5 (JB's right it's worth more than just 4 - that was a typo)
Dark Knight
Oh dear lord this is awesome...and long. Take a cushion...and some new pants.
4.8/5
I agree with both the above reviews.
For The Dark Knight, just think of the greatest crime epic you've ever seen and then imagine it had Batman in it. The arrival of the Batpod is probably the most pant-wettingly awesome film moment I have ever seen. If anyone needs someone to go with then I am up for seconds (and possibly thirds).
I would probably give Wall.E more like 4.7 out of 5. Completely magical and I think Pixar's best.
I doubt whether I will ever have a better cinema-going week than last week.
For The Dark Knight, just think of the greatest crime epic you've ever seen and then imagine it had Batman in it. The arrival of the Batpod is probably the most pant-wettingly awesome film moment I have ever seen. If anyone needs someone to go with then I am up for seconds (and possibly thirds).
I would probably give Wall.E more like 4.7 out of 5. Completely magical and I think Pixar's best.
I doubt whether I will ever have a better cinema-going week than last week.
I saw the dark knight at the weekend once...
It took me a day to get over it.
The driving scene, where the bat trips up the bus as it is driven by the Joker, was a favourite of mine.
ah don't worry, i've not ruined it for you, as there is a whole crazy bit before that.
The bit at the end with the boats? not sure what that was about. bit of cramming in there perhaps?
anyway the boy nolan did well generally, and it looks like it'll be the second biggest grossing film of all time after Titanic in the US.
I saw a preview for a Guy Ritchie directed film. And you'll never guess, it's based in london and is a heist movie. Well done mr madonna for grasping the concept of reinvention that your wife is so famous for.
It took me a day to get over it.
The driving scene, where the bat trips up the bus as it is driven by the Joker, was a favourite of mine.
ah don't worry, i've not ruined it for you, as there is a whole crazy bit before that.
The bit at the end with the boats? not sure what that was about. bit of cramming in there perhaps?
anyway the boy nolan did well generally, and it looks like it'll be the second biggest grossing film of all time after Titanic in the US.
I saw a preview for a Guy Ritchie directed film. And you'll never guess, it's based in london and is a heist movie. Well done mr madonna for grasping the concept of reinvention that your wife is so famous for.
The Dark Knight
Captivating and utterly contrived.
Captivating and utterly contrived.
Hellboy II
Haven't done a film review for a while so here goes.
The plot: Following on from the first one, the film follows the ancient legend of the Golden Army which has been dormant for a fair while and can only be re-awoken by bringing together the golden crown of blah blah blah (basically Lord of the Rings-lite). Luke Goss wants to know not only when he will be famous but also when will he, will he be able to get the golden crown back to rid the world of humankind. Cant be much worse than a Bros reunion tour I guess...
So anyway, standing in their way are the usual suspects from Hellboy I. Red himself (complete with standard issue kittens, cigars, massive hand etc). Liz Sherman as the bit on the side (is it me or did Selma Blair look really foxy way back in Cruel Intentions, has done nothing since and now just looks a bit solemn and a bit old and puffy?). Abe (blue fish-type effort with plug-in breathing apparatus and general complete genius) and Manning the FBI chief (played expertly by Bluth Snr from Arrested Development). The new member, Johann Krauss (a sort of powdery ethereal heavily-stereotyped German entity trapped in a diving suit) is quite frankly just annoying.
Verdict: Pretty good fare, worth a watch, but dont expect a huge improvement on the first. I actually was quite a big fan of the first and if you were too then go see it. If not dont. If yes... do.
6.5/10
PS On a Selma Blair related note - who has seen the plans for an American version of Kath and Kim starring aforementioned Ms Blair? Surely that will flop? The whole beauty of Kath and Kim was it was grotesquely Australian. Surely grotesque Americans are just, well, grotesque Americans.
Haven't done a film review for a while so here goes.
The plot: Following on from the first one, the film follows the ancient legend of the Golden Army which has been dormant for a fair while and can only be re-awoken by bringing together the golden crown of blah blah blah (basically Lord of the Rings-lite). Luke Goss wants to know not only when he will be famous but also when will he, will he be able to get the golden crown back to rid the world of humankind. Cant be much worse than a Bros reunion tour I guess...
So anyway, standing in their way are the usual suspects from Hellboy I. Red himself (complete with standard issue kittens, cigars, massive hand etc). Liz Sherman as the bit on the side (is it me or did Selma Blair look really foxy way back in Cruel Intentions, has done nothing since and now just looks a bit solemn and a bit old and puffy?). Abe (blue fish-type effort with plug-in breathing apparatus and general complete genius) and Manning the FBI chief (played expertly by Bluth Snr from Arrested Development). The new member, Johann Krauss (a sort of powdery ethereal heavily-stereotyped German entity trapped in a diving suit) is quite frankly just annoying.
Verdict: Pretty good fare, worth a watch, but dont expect a huge improvement on the first. I actually was quite a big fan of the first and if you were too then go see it. If not dont. If yes... do.
6.5/10
PS On a Selma Blair related note - who has seen the plans for an American version of Kath and Kim starring aforementioned Ms Blair? Surely that will flop? The whole beauty of Kath and Kim was it was grotesquely Australian. Surely grotesque Americans are just, well, grotesque Americans.
Yes, no, what?
Sam has it quite right but I would add that there is now much more of a 'Guillermo del Torro' feel to the film (funny that), in the sequences involving the supernatural world in particular: The creatures in the Troll Market could have stepped right out of Pan's Labyrinth and the plant creature out of Princess Mononoke. The human-world sections are therefore a little bland in comparison and the film fails to properly build on its foundations.
The ending also annoyed me as it rendered the rest of the film completely pointless: Why if, she was prepared to do that, did she not do it in the beginning and save us all an hour?
Still, it is better than the first so perhaps Hellboy 3 will be the gem del Torro's been promising...though I'd rather he saved that for The Hobbit.
2.5/5
Sam has it quite right but I would add that there is now much more of a 'Guillermo del Torro' feel to the film (funny that), in the sequences involving the supernatural world in particular: The creatures in the Troll Market could have stepped right out of Pan's Labyrinth and the plant creature out of Princess Mononoke. The human-world sections are therefore a little bland in comparison and the film fails to properly build on its foundations.
The ending also annoyed me as it rendered the rest of the film completely pointless: Why if, she was prepared to do that, did she not do it in the beginning and save us all an hour?
Still, it is better than the first so perhaps Hellboy 3 will be the gem del Torro's been promising...though I'd rather he saved that for The Hobbit.
2.5/5
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
Got preview tickets to this and was vaguely excited as its the same team that did Superbad.
The Plot: Erm... drugs. Murder. More drugs. Seth Rogen. Some chasing. Some drugs. Drugs. Fighting. Drugs. Drugs. Blonde love interest. Car chase. Drugs. Drug turf war. Drugs. BIG FIGHT. Drugs. The End.
The Verdict: don't bother. Pretty damn awful. Imagine about half a step up from 'Dude, where's my car?' and you're pretty much there. The only funny bit was the foot through the windscreen and I'd seen that in the trailer anyway.
2/10
Got preview tickets to this and was vaguely excited as its the same team that did Superbad.
The Plot: Erm... drugs. Murder. More drugs. Seth Rogen. Some chasing. Some drugs. Drugs. Fighting. Drugs. Drugs. Blonde love interest. Car chase. Drugs. Drug turf war. Drugs. BIG FIGHT. Drugs. The End.
The Verdict: don't bother. Pretty damn awful. Imagine about half a step up from 'Dude, where's my car?' and you're pretty much there. The only funny bit was the foot through the windscreen and I'd seen that in the trailer anyway.
2/10
QUOTE(Loz @ 4-Aug-08, 13:07)
The bit at the end with the boats? not sure what that was about. bit of cramming in there perhaps?
Possibly for the fan boys here, this dillemma was a vehicle to show that although Gotham is always portrayed as the city that is beyond redemption, and that Batman's work is never truly done in this amoral city, there is always some good that shines through, driving him to always go back to what seems like an eternally thankless job. Honestly? Not amazingly important for the film. Liked the big black dude though.
QUOTE(King @ 8-Jul-08, 15:03)
Hancock
3.5/5
3.5/5
You kind of forgot to mention that they show Charlize Theron looking hotter than EVER (rivalling Jessica Alba in F4) in this movie. That alone is worth watching this.
Yes Gov has it right on both those points, disparate as they are, once agin showing an incredible mastery of both the high and the low-brow that, surely, is the envy of journalistas the world over. 
QUOTE
The ending also annoyed me as it rendered the rest of the film completely pointless: Why if, she was prepared to do that, did she not do it in the beginning and save us all an hour?
Also, firey woman could have negated the film quite early on too it seems, and without anyone having to die (I guess there would have been revenge-potential though).
2/3 of a magic crown is no use to anyone.
ooh and while I'm here:
letters from iwo jima
Not uplifting.
As I'm mostly not drwan to war films, I was impressed by this one. Also looked very good in 1080p - first movie I've seen on Bluray.
3.5/5
run fatboy, run
Pretty inconsequencial.
Not going to win any awards, but made me laugh a few times.
2.5/5
death race
ha ha.
0.5/5 (but only cause of the comdey value inherit in the awesome people-having-been-thrown-from-vehicles-hit-metal-object-fast sound effects)
QUOTE(King @ 15-Sep-08, 10:59)
Yes Gov has it right on both those points, disparate as they are, once agin showing an incredible mastery of both the high and the low-brow that, surely, is the envy of journalistas the world over.
Saucer of cream for Table Kingol - meeeeeeeeeeow pussycat!
27 Dresses
If you want to watch a chick flick worth watching catch In Her Shoes and The Devil Wears Prada. This film is so bad it seems like they came up with 100 cliched scenarios, wrote them on pieces of paper, shuffled them and then shot the result. And why is it that Katherine Heigl seems to have a larger skull than all her leading men (Grey's Anatomy/27 Dresses)? (except in Knocked Up - that's a big mofo!)
Also Tart you might want to check out Gotham Knight on BluRay. You will cry and perhaps need a crane to lift that jaw off the floor. Truly mindbending. You have to stop youself sort of IMAX-style, reaching for the screen! Or not. It didn't stop me!
Tropic Thunder
Hasn't this plot been done before? Anyhoo - black guy (real) wasted in this film, nerd (useless), Jack Black (wasted) and hence a bit of a vanity project for Stiller and Downey Jr. Tom Cruise somehow steals this film with his Ali G style dancing and mega-swearing. Matthew MacConnaughey's place in this film was sponsored by Tivo and all we really see is an open attempt at trying to regain the glories of Something About Mary and Zoolander with the Stupid Jack and lost in the wilderness panda scenes. I enjoyed Meet Dave better, which only had about 7 minutes of gut wrenching hilarity in total. Says a lot.
Zohan
Some seriously funny scenes - kid in the barbershop and the opening beach scenes, but honestly, what happened to the genius of Happy Gilmore? It's gone baby gone. The accents were painful enough and the cliches ON TAP. Also the lead chick though a fittie could do with some food.
BooYah!
Stay Alive
Gaming and schlock horror movie fans - this film gets to the point, has obligatory cringeworthy performances by all concerned, but with the spate of consistently shitty horror films coming your way, this one is actually quite entertaining with its game graphics and does have its Ring/Grudge moments. By the end of it, I was running through dark corridors the entire 10m of my house and I had to snuggle up to Jyoti for protection.
Don't expect much, but watch it with loads of people, in the dark and preferably with someone to lookout for nasties behind the sofa.
Gaming and schlock horror movie fans - this film gets to the point, has obligatory cringeworthy performances by all concerned, but with the spate of consistently shitty horror films coming your way, this one is actually quite entertaining with its game graphics and does have its Ring/Grudge moments. By the end of it, I was running through dark corridors the entire 10m of my house and I had to snuggle up to Jyoti for protection.
Don't expect much, but watch it with loads of people, in the dark and preferably with someone to lookout for nasties behind the sofa.
Ah ha! I seemingly am the first one to post a Quantum of Solace review.
I think I really liked it, but i'm not sure, as I think I was expecting a bit more. The set up is nice, with the traditional they've got people everywhere (a bit man from U.N.C.L.E. if you've ever seen it), but you never really find out who 'they' are.
Anyways, I did enjoy it as it was excellently made and a bit of a visual treat, with lovely bond girls and cars (a bit of an advert for upcoming Ford models, but anyway).
Danny C is excellent, but this time you get even less explanation as to why he is doing what he's doing, as if he's got the whole thing figured in his head and goes off and does his thing without giving us any clue.
Opening title sequence was one of the best i've seen ever (maybe i'm easily pleased), but that Jack white song sounds absolutely perfect when played full blast in the cinema with the various spinning bond shadows, guns and naked lady images floating around.
opening car chase and him running through and over buildings was also good, if a bit of a stretch to believe (he seems to be made of titanium).
rating: 3.5 badgers out of 5.
I think I really liked it, but i'm not sure, as I think I was expecting a bit more. The set up is nice, with the traditional they've got people everywhere (a bit man from U.N.C.L.E. if you've ever seen it), but you never really find out who 'they' are.
Anyways, I did enjoy it as it was excellently made and a bit of a visual treat, with lovely bond girls and cars (a bit of an advert for upcoming Ford models, but anyway).
Danny C is excellent, but this time you get even less explanation as to why he is doing what he's doing, as if he's got the whole thing figured in his head and goes off and does his thing without giving us any clue.
Opening title sequence was one of the best i've seen ever (maybe i'm easily pleased), but that Jack white song sounds absolutely perfect when played full blast in the cinema with the various spinning bond shadows, guns and naked lady images floating around.
opening car chase and him running through and over buildings was also good, if a bit of a stretch to believe (he seems to be made of titanium).
rating: 3.5 badgers out of 5.
Ah the advantages of not being dead...
I'll definitely get round to this soon; I would say that as this one is a direct sequel to the last, all the character development is left to the previous film. If you need a clue watch CR first.
I'll definitely get round to this soon; I would say that as this one is a direct sequel to the last, all the character development is left to the previous film. If you need a clue watch CR first.
Quantum Of Solace
Enjoyed this. It's a non-stop rollercoaster of punches, leaps from buildings and conveniently located vehicles. By half way through I half expected Bond to start introducing himself as Bourne, Jason Bourne or even McClane, John McClane. But that's not a criticism.
Notable also for Bond's lack of gadgets. The main gadget action seemed to be back at MI6 headquarters, leaving Bond with just a rather flash phone. Again, not a criticism.
Finally, there was also a distinct dearth of wisecracks from the chiselled one. In fact, M got most of the laughs. Once again, not a criticism.
Enjoyed this. It's a non-stop rollercoaster of punches, leaps from buildings and conveniently located vehicles. By half way through I half expected Bond to start introducing himself as Bourne, Jason Bourne or even McClane, John McClane. But that's not a criticism.
Notable also for Bond's lack of gadgets. The main gadget action seemed to be back at MI6 headquarters, leaving Bond with just a rather flash phone. Again, not a criticism.
Finally, there was also a distinct dearth of wisecracks from the chiselled one. In fact, M got most of the laughs. Once again, not a criticism.
Sontum of Quolace
I enjoyed this muchly also.
It does have its problems, but I think it’s a victim of CR’s success; it’s good but not as classic as its prequel. It is unique among Bonds in that it is a direct sequel; it drops you right in the action and doesn't bother with character arcs and consequences (all the work having been done in CR), and hence is not a good place to start a Bondian education.
In fact, if you haven’t seen CR there’s little point watching it as it really serves as a progression of the ‘Vesper’ story. It does this with brutal efficiency; Bond barely stops for a shag on this particular jaunt as he tracks down the organisation behind Vesper’s death, starting with Dominic Green, a supposedly ‘green’ campaigner who is up to dirty tricks in Bolivia. On the way he meets a beautiful woman out for revenge, hooks up with a few old friends and spends a lot of time half a step ahead of MI6 and the CIA, as they try to peg him back and stop him killing all his leads and ruining all their fun.
All this is great, if a bit messy, but there’s a little something missing: Bond in this film is invincible – you get the feeling that he could storm Omaha beach single handed and come away with a cut on the forehead and a dead leg. It is also shot as if he is in Saving Private Ryan. This is becoming a problem for action films: the opening of SPR was supposed to evoke the feeling of being involved in D-Day and was brilliant. So much so that many films have aped the style for no good reason. If a hero is skilfully (or desperately) decking a bad-guy or chasing one over rooftops, I want to be able to see it and admire. I don’t want to feel as if I might end up as collateral damage. CR and Bourne keep a certain amount of distance and steadiness in these scenes. QoS does not.
Never-the-less all that is just carping; the film does have humour and subtlety; it’s just hidden under a layer of muscle. Daniel Craig is superb (check out his bottom lip quiver on finding out the fate of Agent Fields; brilliant) and Judi Dench has made the part of M her own. As a film in its own right it is a little flawed but as the expansion pack to Casino Royale it’s great.
4/5
PS Don’t forget to check out the credits (or Imdb) for Agent Fields’ first name. No wonder she keeps it to herself.
I enjoyed this muchly also.
It does have its problems, but I think it’s a victim of CR’s success; it’s good but not as classic as its prequel. It is unique among Bonds in that it is a direct sequel; it drops you right in the action and doesn't bother with character arcs and consequences (all the work having been done in CR), and hence is not a good place to start a Bondian education.
In fact, if you haven’t seen CR there’s little point watching it as it really serves as a progression of the ‘Vesper’ story. It does this with brutal efficiency; Bond barely stops for a shag on this particular jaunt as he tracks down the organisation behind Vesper’s death, starting with Dominic Green, a supposedly ‘green’ campaigner who is up to dirty tricks in Bolivia. On the way he meets a beautiful woman out for revenge, hooks up with a few old friends and spends a lot of time half a step ahead of MI6 and the CIA, as they try to peg him back and stop him killing all his leads and ruining all their fun.
All this is great, if a bit messy, but there’s a little something missing: Bond in this film is invincible – you get the feeling that he could storm Omaha beach single handed and come away with a cut on the forehead and a dead leg. It is also shot as if he is in Saving Private Ryan. This is becoming a problem for action films: the opening of SPR was supposed to evoke the feeling of being involved in D-Day and was brilliant. So much so that many films have aped the style for no good reason. If a hero is skilfully (or desperately) decking a bad-guy or chasing one over rooftops, I want to be able to see it and admire. I don’t want to feel as if I might end up as collateral damage. CR and Bourne keep a certain amount of distance and steadiness in these scenes. QoS does not.
Never-the-less all that is just carping; the film does have humour and subtlety; it’s just hidden under a layer of muscle. Daniel Craig is superb (check out his bottom lip quiver on finding out the fate of Agent Fields; brilliant) and Judi Dench has made the part of M her own. As a film in its own right it is a little flawed but as the expansion pack to Casino Royale it’s great.
4/5
PS Don’t forget to check out the credits (or Imdb) for Agent Fields’ first name. No wonder she keeps it to herself.
Guys - do I sense a bit of national pride kicking in here? Am I the only one who was totally disappointed by this film? Good God - here goes.
Dudes - isn't eveyone BORED by free running now? Still, I was happy to give it the thumbs up as an opening because it still came off as cool. Unfortunately, the scaffold sequence is so adrenaline-charged and rehearsed that it comes off as Cirque du Soleil meets Basra. And did everyone miss the fact that they seemed to throw in action sequences completely unnecessarily? And badly.
What happened to the plot on this one? Flimsy and pretty rubbish for thinking we were dying to see a movie based on environmental-squishiness? And sure just say that M's personal bodyguard has been a double agent for 8 years and we'll believe you oh and these guys are so secret, and secreter than secret that even they forget sometimes that they're spies and we'll believe you. Come on guys, this was a totally 'say it's so and we'l believe you' film and that trick is usually reserved for C-grade thrillers and vampire films.
Agent Fields rocks up looking like she'd just made some fast cash down a sidestreet and pretending to be all super spy turns out to be a paper pusher - I'm so convinced.
Love story?! Following from the first, shouldnt they have spent a few minutes showing us Bond's anguish at losing Vesper so we're convinced that it's ok for him to go around killing everyone. And shouldn't he have gotten over it quickly enough to jump the super fit bird in this one? And don't get me started on the sob story down a hole bit. Gah!
And who the hell is scared of a Bond villain who walks around in Hawaiin shirts and looks like a frog that's taken too many drugs? Also - how many times would Greene like to kill his girl but not kill her and then decide to get with her again while thinking about killing her? This guy is as anti-villain as they come and his part was badly written.
And who can forget that awful awful awful cacophony they called a Bond theme? AAAAARRRRGGGHH!!
All in all - any of Pierce Brosnan's offerings (including Mama Mia) are better than this. Casino Royale set the bar high, but this one failed to muster even enough strength to be called a decent spy film. Is it just me or did they know they had such a shitty film coming that Bond is now plastered across ads (with DC posing like a gibbon) for:
Sony Ericsson
Sony Bravia
Coca Cola
Swatch
Omega and wait for it...
telephone cards for du - Dubai's newest telecom company.
Sell out and a piss poor movie. Shoddy storytelling and what seemed like a movie that had too many cooks spoil the broth. Bring back Casino Royale.
Sorry dudes this was so off the mark - it wasn't cheesy, it wasn't CR bond and it wasn't even bad bond. Just a badly constructed film. The coolest thing about this film was indeed the poster. Rambo meets Bond. Did he even use a gun that big in the end?
Phew.
Govi*
Dudes - isn't eveyone BORED by free running now? Still, I was happy to give it the thumbs up as an opening because it still came off as cool. Unfortunately, the scaffold sequence is so adrenaline-charged and rehearsed that it comes off as Cirque du Soleil meets Basra. And did everyone miss the fact that they seemed to throw in action sequences completely unnecessarily? And badly.
What happened to the plot on this one? Flimsy and pretty rubbish for thinking we were dying to see a movie based on environmental-squishiness? And sure just say that M's personal bodyguard has been a double agent for 8 years and we'll believe you oh and these guys are so secret, and secreter than secret that even they forget sometimes that they're spies and we'll believe you. Come on guys, this was a totally 'say it's so and we'l believe you' film and that trick is usually reserved for C-grade thrillers and vampire films.
Agent Fields rocks up looking like she'd just made some fast cash down a sidestreet and pretending to be all super spy turns out to be a paper pusher - I'm so convinced.
Love story?! Following from the first, shouldnt they have spent a few minutes showing us Bond's anguish at losing Vesper so we're convinced that it's ok for him to go around killing everyone. And shouldn't he have gotten over it quickly enough to jump the super fit bird in this one? And don't get me started on the sob story down a hole bit. Gah!
And who the hell is scared of a Bond villain who walks around in Hawaiin shirts and looks like a frog that's taken too many drugs? Also - how many times would Greene like to kill his girl but not kill her and then decide to get with her again while thinking about killing her? This guy is as anti-villain as they come and his part was badly written.
And who can forget that awful awful awful cacophony they called a Bond theme? AAAAARRRRGGGHH!!
All in all - any of Pierce Brosnan's offerings (including Mama Mia) are better than this. Casino Royale set the bar high, but this one failed to muster even enough strength to be called a decent spy film. Is it just me or did they know they had such a shitty film coming that Bond is now plastered across ads (with DC posing like a gibbon) for:
Sony Ericsson
Sony Bravia
Coca Cola
Swatch
Omega and wait for it...
telephone cards for du - Dubai's newest telecom company.
Sell out and a piss poor movie. Shoddy storytelling and what seemed like a movie that had too many cooks spoil the broth. Bring back Casino Royale.
Sorry dudes this was so off the mark - it wasn't cheesy, it wasn't CR bond and it wasn't even bad bond. Just a badly constructed film. The coolest thing about this film was indeed the poster. Rambo meets Bond. Did he even use a gun that big in the end?
Phew.
Govi*
Persepolis
Beautifully constructed animation on one girl's story on growing up during the fall of the Shah of Iran. Heartfelt, touching and totally mesmerising. All in all a first person narrative of what it was like seeing a modern and liberal city go to rack and ruin from the rise of a fundamentalist power, but ensconced in the beauty of cartoon storytelling with flowing Persian motifs and the coming of age of an adorable little girl. A true story and totally worthy of being nominated for an Oscar this year. Arty and superb pace.
4/5
Check it.
Beautifully constructed animation on one girl's story on growing up during the fall of the Shah of Iran. Heartfelt, touching and totally mesmerising. All in all a first person narrative of what it was like seeing a modern and liberal city go to rack and ruin from the rise of a fundamentalist power, but ensconced in the beauty of cartoon storytelling with flowing Persian motifs and the coming of age of an adorable little girl. A true story and totally worthy of being nominated for an Oscar this year. Arty and superb pace.
4/5
Check it.
QUOTE
Guys - do I sense a bit of national pride kicking in here? Am I the only one who was totally disappointed by this film? Good God - here goes.
Dudes - isn't eveyone BORED by free running now? Still, I was happy to give it the thumbs up as an opening because it still came off as cool. Unfortunately, the scaffold sequence is so adrenaline-charged and rehearsed that it comes off as Cirque du Soleil meets Basra. And did everyone miss the fact that they seemed to throw in action sequences completely unnecessarily? And badly.
What happened to the plot on this one? Flimsy and pretty rubbish for thinking we were dying to see a movie based on environmental-squishiness? And sure just say that M's personal bodyguard has been a double agent for 8 years and we'll believe you oh and these guys are so secret, and secreter than secret that even they forget sometimes that they're spies and we'll believe you. Come on guys, this was a totally 'say it's so and we'l believe you' film and that trick is usually reserved for C-grade thrillers and vampire films.
Agent Fields rocks up looking like she'd just made some fast cash down a sidestreet and pretending to be all super spy turns out to be a paper pusher - I'm so convinced.
Love story?! Following from the first, shouldnt they have spent a few minutes showing us Bond's anguish at losing Vesper so we're convinced that it's ok for him to go around killing everyone. And shouldn't he have gotten over it quickly enough to jump the super fit bird in this one? And don't get me started on the sob story down a hole bit. Gah!
And who the hell is scared of a Bond villain who walks around in Hawaiin shirts and looks like a frog that's taken too many drugs? Also - how many times would Greene like to kill his girl but not kill her and then decide to get with her again while thinking about killing her? This guy is as anti-villain as they come and his part was badly written.
And who can forget that awful awful awful cacophony they called a Bond theme? AAAAARRRRGGGHH!!
All in all - any of Pierce Brosnan's offerings (including Mama Mia) are better than this. Casino Royale set the bar high, but this one failed to muster even enough strength to be called a decent spy film. Is it just me or did they know they had such a shitty film coming that Bond is now plastered across ads (with DC posing like a gibbon) for:
Sony Ericsson
Sony Bravia
Coca Cola
Swatch
Omega and wait for it...
telephone cards for du - Dubai's newest telecom company.
Sell out and a piss poor movie. Shoddy storytelling and what seemed like a movie that had too many cooks spoil the broth. Bring back Casino Royale.
Sorry dudes this was so off the mark - it wasn't cheesy, it wasn't CR bond and it wasn't even bad bond. Just a badly constructed film. The coolest thing about this film was indeed the poster. Rambo meets Bond. Did he even use a gun that big in the end?
Phew.
Govi*
Dudes - isn't eveyone BORED by free running now? Still, I was happy to give it the thumbs up as an opening because it still came off as cool. Unfortunately, the scaffold sequence is so adrenaline-charged and rehearsed that it comes off as Cirque du Soleil meets Basra. And did everyone miss the fact that they seemed to throw in action sequences completely unnecessarily? And badly.
What happened to the plot on this one? Flimsy and pretty rubbish for thinking we were dying to see a movie based on environmental-squishiness? And sure just say that M's personal bodyguard has been a double agent for 8 years and we'll believe you oh and these guys are so secret, and secreter than secret that even they forget sometimes that they're spies and we'll believe you. Come on guys, this was a totally 'say it's so and we'l believe you' film and that trick is usually reserved for C-grade thrillers and vampire films.
Agent Fields rocks up looking like she'd just made some fast cash down a sidestreet and pretending to be all super spy turns out to be a paper pusher - I'm so convinced.
Love story?! Following from the first, shouldnt they have spent a few minutes showing us Bond's anguish at losing Vesper so we're convinced that it's ok for him to go around killing everyone. And shouldn't he have gotten over it quickly enough to jump the super fit bird in this one? And don't get me started on the sob story down a hole bit. Gah!
And who the hell is scared of a Bond villain who walks around in Hawaiin shirts and looks like a frog that's taken too many drugs? Also - how many times would Greene like to kill his girl but not kill her and then decide to get with her again while thinking about killing her? This guy is as anti-villain as they come and his part was badly written.
And who can forget that awful awful awful cacophony they called a Bond theme? AAAAARRRRGGGHH!!
All in all - any of Pierce Brosnan's offerings (including Mama Mia) are better than this. Casino Royale set the bar high, but this one failed to muster even enough strength to be called a decent spy film. Is it just me or did they know they had such a shitty film coming that Bond is now plastered across ads (with DC posing like a gibbon) for:
Sony Ericsson
Sony Bravia
Coca Cola
Swatch
Omega and wait for it...
telephone cards for du - Dubai's newest telecom company.
Sell out and a piss poor movie. Shoddy storytelling and what seemed like a movie that had too many cooks spoil the broth. Bring back Casino Royale.
Sorry dudes this was so off the mark - it wasn't cheesy, it wasn't CR bond and it wasn't even bad bond. Just a badly constructed film. The coolest thing about this film was indeed the poster. Rambo meets Bond. Did he even use a gun that big in the end?
Phew.
Govi*
Yeah, but it was fun.
I am waiting impatiently for Lovefilm to send me Persepolis. Until then (deep breath):
No
I think the script was rushed in before the writers' strike and hence suffered from lack of re-writes. The plot was a bit messy but I think it works as a continuation of CR - a little flimsy excuse perhaps, but good enough for me.
If your script ain't all that, you need action. I agree that the action was too bumpy (see my SPR rant above) but I still enjoyed it.
And Bond films: You have a hard time believing that M's bodyguard is dodgy but have no problem with a man biting through an inch-thick steel cable? or a submarine-swallowing ship? or a secret base hidden in a volcano? or an invisible car? in a man being able to stand up let alone drive and fight after 14,000 martinis? Let's face it: Bond requires suspension of disbelief.
There are some hot paper pushers out there dude! I'd probably put on some front in her position. But probably not that coat. I did expect her to have a French Maid's outfit on underneath but never mind.
Maybe but they quite obviously were trying something new; dropping us in straight after CR and relying on the previous film to provide his motivation. Then again Bond has never 'gotten over' things; he just ignores them by killing, drinking and shagging: How long after Mrs Peel was killed by Kojak did Felix get married? Bond still couldn't take the bride's garter with equanimity.
He's not the bad guy: he's the sub-sub bad guy. He's the film's Rosa Klebb to the ultimate cat-stroker. He's also a pussy. That's one of the things that makes him a worthy villain: he doesn't do anything himself but manoeuvres other people to achieve his ends. I thought that part of him was great.
Agreed. Bloody awful.
Many of Peirce's outings were excellent, but Die Another Day was such a piece of CG-saturated, Madonna-featuring, cartoon buffoonery it almost made me doubt I'd ever seen a decent Bond film.
Unfortunately this appears to be part of the package nowadays: At least they wasn't quite as blatant as the Wayne's World-level pause to admire his watch in the last film, if not far off.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Sorry dudes this was so off the mark - it wasn't cheesy, it wasn't CR bond and it wasn't even bad bond. Just a badly constructed film.<?div></div>
Was it at least bad Bourne?
QUOTE
Dudes - isn't everyone BORED by free running now?
No
QUOTE
What happened to the plot on this one? Flimsy and pretty rubbish for thinking we were dying to see a movie based on environmental-squishiness?
I think the script was rushed in before the writers' strike and hence suffered from lack of re-writes. The plot was a bit messy but I think it works as a continuation of CR - a little flimsy excuse perhaps, but good enough for me.
QUOTE
And did everyone miss the fact that they seemed to throw in action sequences completely unnecessarily? And badly.
If your script ain't all that, you need action. I agree that the action was too bumpy (see my SPR rant above) but I still enjoyed it.
QUOTE
And sure just say that M's personal bodyguard has been a double agent for 8 years and we'll believe you oh and these guys are so secret, and secreter than secret that even they forget sometimes that they're spies and we'll believe you. Come on guys, this was a totally 'say it's so and we'll believe you' film and that trick is usually reserved for C-grade thrillers and vampire films.
And Bond films: You have a hard time believing that M's bodyguard is dodgy but have no problem with a man biting through an inch-thick steel cable? or a submarine-swallowing ship? or a secret base hidden in a volcano? or an invisible car? in a man being able to stand up let alone drive and fight after 14,000 martinis? Let's face it: Bond requires suspension of disbelief.
QUOTE
Agent Fields rocks up looking like she'd just made some fast cash down a sidestreet and pretending to be all super spy turns out to be a paper pusher - I'm so convinced.
There are some hot paper pushers out there dude! I'd probably put on some front in her position. But probably not that coat. I did expect her to have a French Maid's outfit on underneath but never mind.
QUOTE
Love story?! Following from the first, shouldn't they have spent a few minutes showing us Bond's anguish at losing Vesper so we're convinced that it's ok for him to go around killing everyone. And shouldn't he have gotten over it quickly enough to jump the super fit bird in this one?
Maybe but they quite obviously were trying something new; dropping us in straight after CR and relying on the previous film to provide his motivation. Then again Bond has never 'gotten over' things; he just ignores them by killing, drinking and shagging: How long after Mrs Peel was killed by Kojak did Felix get married? Bond still couldn't take the bride's garter with equanimity.
QUOTE
And who the hell is scared of a Bond villain who walks around in Hawaiian shirts and looks like a frog that's taken too many drugs? Also - how many times would Greene like to kill his girl but not kill her and then decide to get with her again while thinking about killing her? This guy is as anti-villain as they come and his part was badly written.
He's not the bad guy: he's the sub-sub bad guy. He's the film's Rosa Klebb to the ultimate cat-stroker. He's also a pussy. That's one of the things that makes him a worthy villain: he doesn't do anything himself but manoeuvres other people to achieve his ends. I thought that part of him was great.
QUOTE
And who can forget that awful awful awful cacophony they called a Bond theme? AAAAARRRRGGGHH!!
Agreed. Bloody awful.
QUOTE
All in all - any of Pierce Brosnan's offerings (including Mama Mia) are better than this. Casino Royale set the bar high, but this one failed to muster even enough strength to be called a decent spy film.
Many of Peirce's outings were excellent, but Die Another Day was such a piece of CG-saturated, Madonna-featuring, cartoon buffoonery it almost made me doubt I'd ever seen a decent Bond film.
QUOTE
Is it just me or did they know they had such a shitty film coming that Bond is now plastered across ads...
Unfortunately this appears to be part of the package nowadays: At least they wasn't quite as blatant as the Wayne's World-level pause to admire his watch in the last film, if not far off.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Sorry dudes this was so off the mark - it wasn't cheesy, it wasn't CR bond and it wasn't even bad bond. Just a badly constructed film.<?div></div>
Was it at least bad Bourne?
Hmm something not quite right there...
Edit: Thanks Tart. What can I say? I sometimes get carried away.
Edit: Thanks Tart. What can I say? I sometimes get carried away.
Indeed. Too many quotes perhaps?
I would add the following to King's reply:
- Plot: Good films can easliy be made out of flimsy plots. Casino Royale is a case in point. Nothing much happens in it, but it still holds our interest. Q of S held mine, just in a different way - i.e. with punches and guns and death-defying leaps.
- Define an 'unnecessary action scene' in the context of an action film.
- I'm confused, are you complaining that Agent Fields is too hot to be a pencil pusher? If so, you must have been seething at the supernatural incredibleness of Vesper in CR. (By the way, I just assumed that she was naked under the coat - it's never shown to be otherwise and it would make things more speedy when they get back to the hotel room).
- Bond theme. I quite like it actually. Better than the last one by a long stretch. Also better than the past efforts of Garbage, Sheryl Crow etc. In fact, the last genuinely good Bond theme was Goldeneye. Perhaps we should go back to the good old days when Lulu sang 'he's got a powerful weapon...' My point I guess is that people look back at Bond themes through rose-tinted glasses. Most of them were actually cack.
I would add the following to King's reply:
- Plot: Good films can easliy be made out of flimsy plots. Casino Royale is a case in point. Nothing much happens in it, but it still holds our interest. Q of S held mine, just in a different way - i.e. with punches and guns and death-defying leaps.
- Define an 'unnecessary action scene' in the context of an action film.
- I'm confused, are you complaining that Agent Fields is too hot to be a pencil pusher? If so, you must have been seething at the supernatural incredibleness of Vesper in CR. (By the way, I just assumed that she was naked under the coat - it's never shown to be otherwise and it would make things more speedy when they get back to the hotel room).
- Bond theme. I quite like it actually. Better than the last one by a long stretch. Also better than the past efforts of Garbage, Sheryl Crow etc. In fact, the last genuinely good Bond theme was Goldeneye. Perhaps we should go back to the good old days when Lulu sang 'he's got a powerful weapon...' My point I guess is that people look back at Bond themes through rose-tinted glasses. Most of them were actually cack.
I'm not going to enter into this one. It was different. I liked it.
and I fixed your post, King - just stick to 10 quotes a post and you'll be fine...
on another note:
That was the best part of the whole film and intensely funny in an otherwise mediocre effort. I did find Robert Downey Jr funny until he stopped being black...
and I fixed your post, King - just stick to 10 quotes a post and you'll be fine...
on another note:
QUOTE(Gov @ some time in the past - dicussing Tropic Thunder)
Tom Cruise somehow steals this film with his Ali G style dancing and mega-swearing
That was the best part of the whole film and intensely funny in an otherwise mediocre effort. I did find Robert Downey Jr funny until he stopped being black...
Ohhhh where to begin.
King - so all in all you agree with me on most points. Splendid.
Jonnyboy-
An unnecessary action scene is sort of like where an action sequence kicks up where you least expect it in a sort of knee-jerk and compensatory way, not making lots of sense or making for much entertainment. QoS did loads of that. And where perhaps an action sequence was warranted like when Bond simply walks upto Green and demands to walk off with pouty chick, there's no friction or resistance, where at one point he was perfectly happy to drop her off a ledge. Hmmm...
Casino Royale is a case in point. Nothing much happens in it
Whaaaaaaat? In any case, CR had some scenes in it you'll never forget and was so well crafted it makes for superb action and a great spy/love story too. QoS didn't.
I'm confused, are you complaining that Agent Fields is too hot to be a pencil pusher?
No - just that she looks ridiculous in her ourfit and ruffled hair and then somehow isn't the super spy she pretends to be when she goes into that party trips over the guy with the amazing haircut and ends up covered in black vaseline. To explain her lack of finesse, M simply goes, oh she filed reports...good God this was shoddy construction!
You have a hard time believing that M's bodyguard is dodgy but have no problem with a man biting through an inch-thick steel cable? or a submarine-swallowing ship?
Not at all, but let's remember this isn't Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Sean Connery we're watching in the old format of suspend all belief Bond - this is the lean, mean, gadgetless and real Bond machine we're watching who if I remember correctly looked like he was killing and hurting people for real in CR. The point I was making is that suggesting MI6 knew nothing about a secret eco-terrorist cell was akin to Dr Evil style quipping (say its real and we'll believe you), made worse by the fact that one of its agents had infiltrated M's laundry duty roster. Double hmmm...
I don't mind mindless action sequences, but I found myself getting bored when they occurred- almost like it was a long case of let's play Simon says action (read - arbitrary). So the action didn't make up for lack of plot and I actually liked Garbage, Chris Cornell and the DJ wiki wiki wah wah's taken on the themes. Jack White should have done the theme on his own. AK just RUINED it.
There.
King - so all in all you agree with me on most points. Splendid.
Jonnyboy-
An unnecessary action scene is sort of like where an action sequence kicks up where you least expect it in a sort of knee-jerk and compensatory way, not making lots of sense or making for much entertainment. QoS did loads of that. And where perhaps an action sequence was warranted like when Bond simply walks upto Green and demands to walk off with pouty chick, there's no friction or resistance, where at one point he was perfectly happy to drop her off a ledge. Hmmm...
Casino Royale is a case in point. Nothing much happens in it
Whaaaaaaat? In any case, CR had some scenes in it you'll never forget and was so well crafted it makes for superb action and a great spy/love story too. QoS didn't.
I'm confused, are you complaining that Agent Fields is too hot to be a pencil pusher?
No - just that she looks ridiculous in her ourfit and ruffled hair and then somehow isn't the super spy she pretends to be when she goes into that party trips over the guy with the amazing haircut and ends up covered in black vaseline. To explain her lack of finesse, M simply goes, oh she filed reports...good God this was shoddy construction!
You have a hard time believing that M's bodyguard is dodgy but have no problem with a man biting through an inch-thick steel cable? or a submarine-swallowing ship?
Not at all, but let's remember this isn't Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Sean Connery we're watching in the old format of suspend all belief Bond - this is the lean, mean, gadgetless and real Bond machine we're watching who if I remember correctly looked like he was killing and hurting people for real in CR. The point I was making is that suggesting MI6 knew nothing about a secret eco-terrorist cell was akin to Dr Evil style quipping (say its real and we'll believe you), made worse by the fact that one of its agents had infiltrated M's laundry duty roster. Double hmmm...
I don't mind mindless action sequences, but I found myself getting bored when they occurred- almost like it was a long case of let's play Simon says action (read - arbitrary). So the action didn't make up for lack of plot and I actually liked Garbage, Chris Cornell and the DJ wiki wiki wah wah's taken on the themes. Jack White should have done the theme on his own. AK just RUINED it.
There.
QUOTE
Ohhhh where to begin.
King - so all in all you agree with me on most points. Splendid.
Jonnyboy-
An unnecessary action scene is sort of like where an action sequence kicks up where you least expect it in a sort of knee-jerk and compensatory way, not making lots of sense or making for much entertainment. QoS did loads of that. And where perhaps an action sequence was warranted like when Bond simply walks upto Green and demands to walk off with pouty chick, there's no friction or resistance, where at one point he was perfectly happy to drop her off a ledge. Hmmm...
Casino Royale is a case in point. Nothing much happens in it
Whaaaaaaat? In any case, CR had some scenes in it you'll never forget and was so well crafted it makes for superb action and a great spy/love story too. QoS didn't.
I'm confused, are you complaining that Agent Fields is too hot to be a pencil pusher?
No - just that she looks ridiculous in her ourfit and ruffled hair and then somehow isn't the super spy she pretends to be when she goes into that party trips over the guy with the amazing haircut and ends up covered in black vaseline. To explain her lack of finesse, M simply goes, oh she filed reports...good God this was shoddy construction!
You have a hard time believing that M's bodyguard is dodgy but have no problem with a man biting through an inch-thick steel cable? or a submarine-swallowing ship?
Not at all, but let's remember this isn't Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Sean Connery we're watching in the old format of suspend all belief Bond - this is the lean, mean, gadgetless and real Bond machine we're watching who if I remember correctly looked like he was killing and hurting people for real in CR. The point I was making is that suggesting MI6 knew nothing about a secret eco-terrorist cell was akin to Dr Evil style quipping (say its real and we'll believe you), made worse by the fact that one of its agents had infiltrated M's laundry duty roster. Double hmmm...
I don't mind mindless action sequences, but I found myself getting bored when they occurred- almost like it was a long case of let's play Simon says action (read - arbitrary). So the action didn't make up for lack of plot and I actually liked Garbage, Chris Cornell and the DJ wiki wiki wah wah's taken on the themes. Jack White should have done the theme on his own. AK just RUINED it.
There. tongue.gif
King - so all in all you agree with me on most points. Splendid.
Jonnyboy-
An unnecessary action scene is sort of like where an action sequence kicks up where you least expect it in a sort of knee-jerk and compensatory way, not making lots of sense or making for much entertainment. QoS did loads of that. And where perhaps an action sequence was warranted like when Bond simply walks upto Green and demands to walk off with pouty chick, there's no friction or resistance, where at one point he was perfectly happy to drop her off a ledge. Hmmm...
Casino Royale is a case in point. Nothing much happens in it
Whaaaaaaat? In any case, CR had some scenes in it you'll never forget and was so well crafted it makes for superb action and a great spy/love story too. QoS didn't.
I'm confused, are you complaining that Agent Fields is too hot to be a pencil pusher?
No - just that she looks ridiculous in her ourfit and ruffled hair and then somehow isn't the super spy she pretends to be when she goes into that party trips over the guy with the amazing haircut and ends up covered in black vaseline. To explain her lack of finesse, M simply goes, oh she filed reports...good God this was shoddy construction!
You have a hard time believing that M's bodyguard is dodgy but have no problem with a man biting through an inch-thick steel cable? or a submarine-swallowing ship?
Not at all, but let's remember this isn't Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Sean Connery we're watching in the old format of suspend all belief Bond - this is the lean, mean, gadgetless and real Bond machine we're watching who if I remember correctly looked like he was killing and hurting people for real in CR. The point I was making is that suggesting MI6 knew nothing about a secret eco-terrorist cell was akin to Dr Evil style quipping (say its real and we'll believe you), made worse by the fact that one of its agents had infiltrated M's laundry duty roster. Double hmmm...
I don't mind mindless action sequences, but I found myself getting bored when they occurred- almost like it was a long case of let's play Simon says action (read - arbitrary). So the action didn't make up for lack of plot and I actually liked Garbage, Chris Cornell and the DJ wiki wiki wah wah's taken on the themes. Jack White should have done the theme on his own. AK just RUINED it.
There. tongue.gif
I agree that there was basically no exposition in this film at all, but I don't mind that.
And...it was fun! Bond killed people and jumped off buildings and drove cars and boats and planes and stuff! Woop woop!
Sorry, got a bit carried away there.
QUOTE(govinddhar @ 12-Nov-08, 13:49)
King - so all in all you agree with me on most points. Splendid.
Wait. I see what you're doing: you're trying your 'Say it's so and I'll believe you' argument on me aren't you? Well it won't work sucker. I may have agreed on some points, and granted you your opinion on others, but on the whole I'm with JP in the fun, fun, fun camp.
I'm not gonna get all quotey again but I will say this: Greene is a coward. I didn't have a problem with the strip-o-gram turning out to be a bit of a rubbish spy (as I said, I'd put on some front if asked to bring in a field agent if I were a desk-surfer). I have no problem believing a government organisation can be a bit crap. I was never bored.
You both sound like such crack addicts in denial! Fine - believe that it was a fun film, but I still say Die Another Day with that man singer Madonna was more entertaining. That sword fight beats any scene from this sharrrrrit movie. And you know it.
Why didn't they show him totalling that guy in the bathroom at the opera. The last time he beat the shit out of someone in a bathroom (CR) was absolutely sublime!
Feedback posse - I need some back up here. Don't let me dowwwwwn!
Govi*
Why didn't they show him totalling that guy in the bathroom at the opera. The last time he beat the shit out of someone in a bathroom (CR) was absolutely sublime!
Feedback posse - I need some back up here. Don't let me dowwwwwn!
Govi*
Okay, let's leave aside Quantum of Solace for a sec and address your views on Die Another Day.
It was total cack. And you're the first person who has ever admitted to me that they think otherwise. I don't even know what swordfight you are talking about so it would appear that I have managed to blot at least some of the film from my memory, thankfully.
Unfortunately I have been unable to forget the following:
- Halle Berry annoying the fuck out of me. Don't care if she is a fitty, she needs a good punch in the face in this movie.
- Invisible fucking car.
- The moment where Bond surfs a fucking tsunami and quality of CGI in films suddenly regresses ten years. For fucks sake - it looks like Adam and Joe filmed it in their bedroom with a makeshift green screen.
- Fucking invisible car again!
- John Cleese, fuck off.
- Main villain's superpower suit - later to be used by Syndrome in The Incredibles.
Nearly pure cinematic pain from start to finish (I say nearly because up until the end of the opening credits it's not that bad).
It was total cack. And you're the first person who has ever admitted to me that they think otherwise. I don't even know what swordfight you are talking about so it would appear that I have managed to blot at least some of the film from my memory, thankfully.
Unfortunately I have been unable to forget the following:
- Halle Berry annoying the fuck out of me. Don't care if she is a fitty, she needs a good punch in the face in this movie.
- Invisible fucking car.
- The moment where Bond surfs a fucking tsunami and quality of CGI in films suddenly regresses ten years. For fucks sake - it looks like Adam and Joe filmed it in their bedroom with a makeshift green screen.
- Fucking invisible car again!
- John Cleese, fuck off.
- Main villain's superpower suit - later to be used by Syndrome in The Incredibles.
Nearly pure cinematic pain from start to finish (I say nearly because up until the end of the opening credits it's not that bad).
The swordfight to which Gov was referring occurs halfway through the start of the film; ginger villain is having fencing lessons from Madonna and Bond wanders in and challenges him to a very smug duel. It's not one of the best sword fights on screen and is so unbearably crowbarred in that I got the feeling a producer had been watching Errol Flynn movies and demanded another scene. My advice? Watch the beginning until Halle's Berries pop out of the water, turn on the swordfight in The Princess Bride, watch a Harry Potter film for a more realistic rendering of an invisibility device and finish up with Con Air for some over-the-top action on a plane. Or you could watch just about any other Bond film for more realism, skill, wit and class. Including Moonraker.
Ah...the swordfight in The Princess Bride, genius.
Inigo: You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.
Westley: You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die.
Inigo: You are using Bonetti's Defense against me, ah?
Westley: I thought it fitting considering the rocky terrain.
Inigo: Naturally, you must suspect me to attack with Capa Ferro?
Westley: Naturally... but I find that Thibault cancels out Capa Ferro. Don't you?
Inigo: Unless the enemy has studied his Agrippa... which I have.
Inigo: You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.
Westley: You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die.
Inigo: You are using Bonetti's Defense against me, ah?
Westley: I thought it fitting considering the rocky terrain.
Inigo: Naturally, you must suspect me to attack with Capa Ferro?
Westley: Naturally... but I find that Thibault cancels out Capa Ferro. Don't you?
Inigo: Unless the enemy has studied his Agrippa... which I have.
For pure stupidity and entertainment value, Die Another Day is still better than QoS and I agree with you Halle Berry is just fucking annoying in any permutation. I don't remember much else from DAD so it probably was cack.
I'm gobsmacked - how can you possibly diss the goose-stepping genius that is the gurning Python? You're just upset that Q had keeled over by this stage. Cleese in any format is genius.
I don't remember the monkey suit used by Syndrome in The Incredibles. This must have been really bad.
It's still better than solace.
lalalalalalalalalalalalalaalalalalalalalalalala
I'm gobsmacked - how can you possibly diss the goose-stepping genius that is the gurning Python? You're just upset that Q had keeled over by this stage. Cleese in any format is genius.
I don't remember the monkey suit used by Syndrome in The Incredibles. This must have been really bad.
It's still better than solace.
lalalalalalalalalalalalalaalalalalalalalalalala
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