Saw Muppets Most Wanted at the weekend and thought it was every bit as entertaining as the first. Music was not as brilliant and catchy, but Brett Mackenzie's task was always going to be tougher second time around. Many a chuckle and lol moment, kids wi love it!
Saw Muppets Most Wanted at the weekend and thought it was every bit as entertaining as the first. Music was not as brilliant and catchy, but Brett Mackenzie's task was always going to be tougher second time around. Many a chuckle and lol moment, kids wi love it!
I have seen a few recently at pre-release screenings:
Omar (Palestine) - from the director responsible for 'Paradise Now', a tense and gripping drama about a young man and his friends who are embroiled in the Palestinian resistance movement. It has a very well developed narrative, a strong cast and an underlying theme of betrayal. It is easy to see why it was shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar - 8/10
Of Horses and Men (Iceland) - it comprises a series of vignettes about the members of a very small, rural community in Iceland and their interaction with their horses (and each other). The stories depict, amongst other themes, sexual aspirations, sexual jealousies, boundary disputes and alcoholism - all life (and death) is there, filmed against a bleakly beautiful landscape. If you want to see something different, give this one a go. A very quirky and darkly amusing film - 8/10
Wakolda (The German Doctor) (Argentina) - when a strange doctor befriends and ingratiates himself into the lives of a young Argentinian girl and their family, they have no idea that they are entering into a relationship with Joseph Mengele, the exiled Nazi 'Angel of Death'. The young girl, whose growth has been stunted owing to hormone deficiencies, arouses his obsessive quest for genetic purity. Set in Patagonia with beautiful cinematography, this is a taut and slow-burning thriller. It was inspired by real events in the post-war period, when many Nazi war criminals fled to Argentina.
In Secret (USA) - set in France but with an English and American cast, this is an adaptation of Emile Zola's novel Therese Raquin. A young woman in 1860s Paris is trapped in an unhappy marriage with her sickly cousin by her domineering aunt. She embarks on a compulsive affair with her husband's friend, which has far-reaching and serious consequences. It has a strong lead and is a well shot and crafted period piece but I personally found it too dark and a little grim, as well as predictable. Difficult also to take Matt Lucas seriously as a Parisian policeman - 5/10.
Fruitvale Station (USA) - based on a true story, the film recounts the last twelve hours in the life of a 22 year old black guy who was shot by police moments after New Year's Day 2009. The policeman in question, who claimed that he mistook his gun for his taser, subsequently went to prison and the death led to local protests and discussions at a national level. The film focuses on the deceased's family and personal life. Interesting and well made - 7/10.
Camille Claudel 1915 (France) - an acclaimed artist and sculptor, Camille Claudel, a former lover of fellow artist Rodin, suffers mental health issues and has been banged up in an asylum by her family during her later years - and that, essentially, is it, save for a visit by her brother, who appears to be a religious fanatic. The director filmed inside a real asylum and used the residents and staff to make up many of the supporting staff. I am a fan of Juliette Binoche, but this film appears to be a vehicle solely for her to demonstrate her 'tormented soul' range of acting. An incredibly self-indulgent and one dimensional film - 2/10.
Saw Divergent the other day, the new young adult movie series coming out (In the wake of Twilight, Hunger Games etc.). Yet again based on a series of books aimed at teen girls.
It's pretty good for what it is, but there's parts where you feel the entire movie is just an opening for the whole series. The main threat of the film isn't even made apparent until very near the end.
If you liked Hunger Games you'll probably like this too. 6/10.
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
Garfield (the actor, not the cat) makes a good Peter Parker, Sally Field is never less than watchable, Emma Stone IS Gwen Stacy. The villains are a bit meh but the way the Green Goblin comes to be was an interesting twist on the comics' origin. Would have been nice to have JJJ at the Daily Bugle. Stick around for the X-Men bit dropped in to the middle of the credits.
SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT.
Hoped they stick to one of the main stories in the comics and was very surprised they did.
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
Definitely can't call it the "latest film", but I watched Mud recently. Fantastic movie. Great character development, and brilliant acting. Matthew Mcconaughey must have made some kind of deal with the devil to have become so good at acting recently. Contrast this against films like sahara and fools gold and you'd be hard pushed to believe it is the same man. I used to switch the telly straight off if ever a movie with this man came on, now I find myself looking out for his next project. It seems a cheetah can change it's spots...
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
Definitely can't call it the "latest film", but I watched Mud recently. Fantastic movie. Great character development, and brilliant acting. Matthew Mcconaughey must have made some kind of deal with the devil to have become so good at acting recently. Contrast this against films like sahara and fools gold and you'd be hard pushed to believe it is the same man. I used to switch the telly straight off if ever a movie with this man came on, now I find myself looking out for his next project. It seems a cheetah can change it's spots...
Not new, but I watched blackfish a coupe days ago. Pretty dark documentary about killer Wales used at places like sea world... Deffinitate must see IMO 8/10
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
if you remember a guy eating a live octopus, you've seen the original.
I do vaguely But no one eats an octopus in the one .
Then you've seen the original.
I must have watched it after having a skin full ( it has been known) as i just dont remember the storyline or that killer twist ! I made the mistake of watching Fightclub while drunk and i didn't have a clue what was going on. Thankfully my drunk film watching days are very rare nowadays!
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
if you remember a guy eating a live octopus, you've seen the original.
I do vaguely But no one eats an octopus in the one .
Then you've seen the original.
I must have watched it after having a skin full ( it has been known) as i just dont remember the storyline or that killer twist ! I made the mistake of watching Fightclub while drunk and i didn't have a clue what was going on. Thankfully my drunk film watching days are very rare nowadays!
Fightclub is one of those films you can watch for the 10th time and still see something new.. In my top 10 for sure.
Fascinating documentary of how Lance Armstrong cheated his was to winning seven Tour De France. Not only was he a lair ( They all were) but also a nasty piece of work. This could have been even better if Director Alex Gibney has told the story in some sort of Chronological order.
Predictable " boy became good" drama that has many things wrongs with it. Firstly the casting of Spencer Lofranco in the lead role is just wrong. He looks about 12 and is never believable. The story is dull and the film plods along with only the cameo's from James woods and Ving Rhames to make it bearable. The soundtrack is bloody irritating also.
Not latest but just watched Mud. Matthew Mcconaughey is on top form again as a drifter who befriends two boys to help him find his girlfriend. Well recommended.
An interesting concept poorly executed , which is a shame because it looks good and has a great cast. If i didn't know better i would have said this was a Terry Gilliam film but it's actually directed by south Korean , Joon-ho Bong. I saw this in a private screening but a UK release date has yet to be determined. It's as mad as a box of frogs.
Robocop, not a huge fan of remakes but modern CGI works brilliantly. Peter Weller stamped his name on the character long ago and Joel Kinnaman IMHO lacks charisma but a great supporting cast. Well worth seeing
An interesting concept poorly executed , which is a shame because it looks good and has a great cast. If i didn't know better i would have said this was a Terry Gilliam film but it's actually directed by south Korean , Joon-ho Bong. I saw this in a private screening but a UK release date has yet to be determined. It's as mad as a box of frogs.
Transcendence. Rubbish, avoid it. It's meant to be about artificial intelligence and free will, it ends up a bunch of stupid humans doing nonsensical things because the plot needs them to... and the ending tries for Inception, and fails.
Imagine a dark , gritty crime thriller set in the seventies with some well established British actors and your eyes might light up , then imagine it looking like it has been directed by an 8 year old kid , then you have Harrigan . This film is is so amateurish it's hard to explain. The director should be ashamed of himself. You have to feel for lead actor Stephen Tompkinson because as hard as he tries , and he does , this was always going to be a stinker.
Under the Skin An interesting, if somewhat enigmatic, film from the director who gave us 'Sexy Beast'. This is good and certainly very unusual but I don't understand why a lot of critics have been creaming themselves about it - 7/10.
Broken Circle Breakdown (Belgium) An unconventional couple (she a tattoo artist, he a musician) get together and have a daughter. The non-linear narrative opens with their young girl receiving cancer treatment, reverts to the start of their relationship seven years earlier and then proceeds to tell us how they cope with their daughter's illness. I found it a little melodramatic, although it made the shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. I did enjoy the Bluegrass music, though (albeit that one member of the band bore a disconcerting resemblance to an outsized Anthony Worrall Thompson).
A decent enough film - 7/10.
The Deep (Iceland) This is based on the true life 1984 story of an Icelandic fisherman who defied all medical science by somehow surviving six hours in the freezing water after a trawler capsized. It is a tale of endurance and also how a humble man dealt with the aftermath of the tragedy and his extraordinary survival.
A relatively simple tale but a well crafted and powerful film - 8/10.
I, Frankenstein.....whats to say really other than utter Tosh 3/10
Reasonable Doubt. Good plot, well acted albeit Samuael L Jackson played a typically evil Samuel L Jackson role and altogether a reasonable film 6/10
The Truth about Emanuel. Very odd film, kinda been done before and better. Showed some promise but got more than a little silly. Thriller? Nah 4/10
Bad Country. Pretty good, bad fella comes good under pressure from good cop fighting a wet behind the ears FBI agent hiding behind bureacracy....Defoe was very good in this and well worth a look. 7/10
Phantom. Not even Ed Harris could save this sinking Submarine, the Russian dialogue was straight out of Brooklyn. 4/10
The Armstrong Lie. Whatever your view of 7 times winner of the Tour De France Lance Armstrong, I would still urge you to watch this compelling documentary which didnt hold back any punches. I got a better grasp of the real "tour" for the period from 99-2005 when it would appear that all the teams were drug fuelled with varying degrees of success. If you take the view that "everyone" was at it then you will have to hold your hands up and admit that Armstrong's doctor did a better job that any of the other teams quacks. Draw your own conclusions, Lance was a lieing bastard whatever way you shape it, but I still cant bring myself to hate him. 8/10
The Last days on Mars. Nothing to say as it was just a load of rubbish. 2/10
Saw a few recent-ish ones on a couple of long haul flights recently. Underwhelmed by Gravity and American Hustle. Thought 12 Years A Slave was superb. Anchorman 2 was painful at times but had couple of funny moments. Lego Movie had me giggling like a kid (mainly due to Good Cop/Bad Cop and the fact im a Lego obsessive!)
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley . This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming. Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
if you remember a guy eating a live octopus, you've seen the original.
I do vaguely But no one eats an octopus in the one .
Then you've seen the original.
I must have watched it after having a skin full ( it has been known) as i just dont remember the storyline or that killer twist ! I made the mistake of watching Fightclub while drunk and i didn't have a clue what was going on. Thankfully my drunk film watching days are very rare nowadays!
Hi beds.. its a remake of the Korean one sure and some of the scenes are a straight lift. However the ending is changed and without spoiling it, Spike Lee takes the general theme of the original ending and adds to it.
Overall, considering I thought it would be a disaster remake, I`d give it 6/10. Original is a huge 9.5/10 for me.
MUD
Just seen this on DVD. Thought it was really engaging and great performances from the 2 boys. If you like coming of age films, this is one of the better ones.
7/10
Paranoia
Film about Corporate espionage and the temptations of living like the better half. Despite the lead actor being a dead ringer for Gareth Bale, I really enjoyed this. It was slated on release but I thought it was extremely well produced and good performance from Oldman doing an London accent for the first time in ages!
Divergent. Entertaining couple of hours but had echoes of The Hunger games at times. Im not quite sure why we seem to have a plethora of post pubescent female super heroes doing the rounds at the moment, but hey, I guess they cater for an audience. Despite a few very silly moments which Im prepared to overlook it wasnt a terrible film and a rung above the recent run of teenage vampire films, so Im going to be generous and say its a 6/10.
An interesting film about a man with early stages of dementia who befriends a robot and uses him in more ways than one. Frank Langella is very good and i was pleasantly surprised by this film.
Comments
Omar (Palestine) - from the director responsible for 'Paradise Now', a tense and gripping drama about a young man and his friends who are embroiled in the Palestinian resistance movement. It has a very well developed narrative, a strong cast and an underlying theme of betrayal. It is easy to see why it was shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar - 8/10
Of Horses and Men (Iceland) - it comprises a series of vignettes about the members of a very small, rural community in Iceland and their interaction with their horses (and each other). The stories depict, amongst other themes, sexual aspirations, sexual jealousies, boundary disputes and alcoholism - all life (and death) is there, filmed against a bleakly beautiful landscape. If you want to see something different, give this one a go. A very quirky and darkly amusing film - 8/10
Wakolda (The German Doctor) (Argentina) - when a strange doctor befriends and ingratiates himself into the lives of a young Argentinian girl and their family, they have no idea that they are entering into a relationship with Joseph Mengele, the exiled Nazi 'Angel of Death'. The young girl, whose growth has been stunted owing to hormone deficiencies, arouses his obsessive quest for genetic purity. Set in Patagonia with beautiful cinematography, this is a taut and slow-burning thriller. It was inspired by real events in the post-war period, when many Nazi war criminals fled to Argentina.
In Secret (USA) - set in France but with an English and American cast, this is an adaptation of Emile Zola's novel Therese Raquin. A young woman in 1860s Paris is trapped in an unhappy marriage with her sickly cousin by her domineering aunt. She embarks on a compulsive affair with her husband's friend, which has far-reaching and serious consequences. It has a strong lead and is a well shot and crafted period piece but I personally found it too dark and a little grim, as well as predictable. Difficult also to take Matt Lucas seriously as a Parisian policeman - 5/10.
Fruitvale Station (USA) - based on a true story, the film recounts the last twelve hours in the life of a 22 year old black guy who was shot by police moments after New Year's Day 2009. The policeman in question, who claimed that he mistook his gun for his taser, subsequently went to prison and the death led to local protests and discussions at a national level. The film focuses on the deceased's family and personal life. Interesting and well made - 7/10.
Camille Claudel 1915 (France) - an acclaimed artist and sculptor, Camille Claudel, a former lover of fellow artist Rodin,
suffers mental health issues and has been banged up in an asylum by her family during her later years - and that, essentially, is it, save for a visit by her brother, who appears to be a religious fanatic. The director filmed inside a real asylum and used the residents and staff to make up many of the supporting staff. I am a fan of Juliette Binoche, but this film appears to be a vehicle solely for her to demonstrate her 'tormented soul' range of acting. An incredibly self-indulgent and one dimensional film - 2/10.
It's pretty good for what it is, but there's parts where you feel the entire movie is just an opening for the whole series. The main threat of the film isn't even made apparent until very near the end.
If you liked Hunger Games you'll probably like this too. 6/10.
I could have sworn i had seen the original South Korean Oldboy but unless this is completely different i'm pretty sure i would remember something a loopy as this. Josh Brolin is great , as is Samuel L. Jackson but the same can't be said for the principle villain played by District Nine actor Sharlto Copley .
This is horrendously violent and utterly ridiculous but i have to say i never saw the twist coming.
Not at all the kind of of film i would associated with Spike Lee.
6 out of 10
if you remember a guy eating a live octopus, you've seen the original.
Garfield (the actor, not the cat) makes a good Peter Parker, Sally Field is never less than watchable, Emma Stone IS Gwen Stacy. The villains are a bit meh but the way the Green Goblin comes to be was an interesting twist on the comics' origin. Would have been nice to have JJJ at the Daily Bugle. Stick around for the X-Men bit dropped in to the middle of the credits.
SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT.
Hoped they stick to one of the main stories in the comics and was very surprised they did.
Thankfully my drunk film watching days are very rare nowadays!
Fascinating documentary of how Lance Armstrong cheated his was to winning seven Tour De France. Not only was he a lair ( They all were) but also a nasty piece of work.
This could have been even better if Director Alex Gibney has told the story in some sort of Chronological order.
8 out of 10
Predictable " boy became good" drama that has many things wrongs with it. Firstly the casting of Spencer Lofranco in the lead role is just wrong. He looks about 12 and is never believable. The story is dull and the film plods along with only the cameo's from James woods and Ving Rhames to make it bearable. The soundtrack is bloody irritating also.
4 out of 10
An interesting concept poorly executed , which is a shame because it looks good and has a great cast. If i didn't know better i would have said this was a Terry Gilliam film but it's actually directed by south Korean , Joon-ho Bong.
I saw this in a private screening but a UK release date has yet to be determined.
It's as mad as a box of frogs.
5 out of 10
I watched it last week and was pretty disappointed in the end.
Imagine a dark , gritty crime thriller set in the seventies with some well established British actors and your eyes might light up , then imagine it looking like it has been directed by an 8 year old kid , then you have Harrigan .
This film is is so amateurish it's hard to explain. The director should be ashamed of himself.
You have to feel for lead actor Stephen Tompkinson because as hard as he tries , and he does , this was always going to be a stinker.
3 out of 10
An interesting, if somewhat enigmatic, film from the director who gave us 'Sexy Beast'. This is good and certainly very unusual but I don't understand why a lot of critics have been creaming themselves about it - 7/10.
Broken Circle Breakdown (Belgium)
An unconventional couple (she a tattoo artist, he a musician) get together and have a daughter. The non-linear narrative opens with their young girl receiving cancer treatment, reverts to the start of their relationship seven years earlier and then proceeds to tell us how they cope with their daughter's illness. I found it a little melodramatic, although it made the shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. I did enjoy the Bluegrass music, though (albeit that one member of the band bore a disconcerting resemblance to an outsized Anthony Worrall Thompson).
A decent enough film - 7/10.
The Deep (Iceland)
This is based on the true life 1984 story of an Icelandic fisherman who defied all medical science by somehow surviving six hours in the freezing water after a trawler capsized. It is a tale of endurance and also how a humble man dealt with the aftermath of the tragedy and his extraordinary survival.
A relatively simple tale but a well crafted and powerful film - 8/10.
Reasonable Doubt. Good plot, well acted albeit Samuael L Jackson played a typically evil Samuel L Jackson role and altogether a reasonable film 6/10
The Truth about Emanuel. Very odd film, kinda been done before and better. Showed some promise but got more than a little silly. Thriller? Nah 4/10
Bad Country. Pretty good, bad fella comes good under pressure from good cop fighting a wet behind the ears FBI agent hiding behind bureacracy....Defoe was very good in this and well worth a look. 7/10
Phantom. Not even Ed Harris could save this sinking Submarine, the Russian dialogue was straight out of Brooklyn. 4/10
The Armstrong Lie. Whatever your view of 7 times winner of the Tour De France Lance Armstrong, I would still urge you to watch this compelling documentary which didnt hold back any punches. I got a better grasp of the real "tour" for the period from 99-2005 when it would appear that all the teams were drug fuelled with varying degrees of success. If you take the view that "everyone" was at it then you will have to hold your hands up and admit that Armstrong's doctor did a better job that any of the other teams quacks. Draw your own conclusions, Lance was a lieing bastard whatever way you shape it, but I still cant bring myself to hate him. 8/10
The Last days on Mars. Nothing to say as it was just a load of rubbish. 2/10
Overall, considering I thought it would be a disaster remake, I`d give it 6/10. Original is a huge 9.5/10 for me.
MUD
Just seen this on DVD. Thought it was really engaging and great performances from the 2 boys. If you like coming of age films, this is one of the better ones.
7/10
Paranoia
Film about Corporate espionage and the temptations of living like the better half. Despite the lead actor being a dead ringer for Gareth Bale, I really enjoyed this. It was slated on release but I thought it was extremely well produced and good performance from Oldman doing an London accent for the first time in ages!
7.5/10
An interesting film about a man with early stages of dementia who befriends a robot and uses him in more ways than one.
Frank Langella is very good and i was pleasantly surprised by this film.
7 out of 10