Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Director Peter Weir and star Russell Crowe adapt Patrick O'Brian's naval series of books for the big screen. A British ship is off hunting a French privater in the south Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the Napoleonic wars.
Right from the get go you get a really great sense of the world the characters deal with and what the film does best is give a realistic portrayal of life on a Royal Navy ship during the period. While the plot is maybe a little slow in places there is enough action and character to more than make up for that. Over all this is an excellently made film and it is a real shame that after leaving us on a cliff hanger that the film did not make enough money to warrant a sequel.
4/5 quality adventure at sea
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Predictable results
The Experiment (2010)
Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker star in this film based on a German film, based on a novel inspired by the 1971 Stanford prison experiment. A bunch of men are selected for a behaviour study and set up as prisoners and guards in a remote location.
This film went straight to DVD so there should be no surprises there are a number of problems with it. The major problem with the plot is that the observes are supposed to stop the experiment as soon as there is any violence but only do so on the second occasion with no reason as to why. They follow the usual cliché of making the conservative a guard who becomes a fascist and the liberal a prisoner who stands up to him, how imaginative.
It is a real shame this film is so poorly written as it has the potential to be a really good film There is supposed to be a red light that will signal the end of the experiment if the guards do not punish prisoners with in 30 minutes of them breaking a rule but the writing never plays of the potential tension of arguments between the guards and waiting for the time to run down on the light. The progression from normal people to sadist guards is also so quick as to be unbelievable, it would have been much better to see a slower escalation of events rather than just have the guards flip out at the first minor action.
2/5 a really poor attempt at an interesting set up
Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker star in this film based on a German film, based on a novel inspired by the 1971 Stanford prison experiment. A bunch of men are selected for a behaviour study and set up as prisoners and guards in a remote location.
This film went straight to DVD so there should be no surprises there are a number of problems with it. The major problem with the plot is that the observes are supposed to stop the experiment as soon as there is any violence but only do so on the second occasion with no reason as to why. They follow the usual cliché of making the conservative a guard who becomes a fascist and the liberal a prisoner who stands up to him, how imaginative.
It is a real shame this film is so poorly written as it has the potential to be a really good film There is supposed to be a red light that will signal the end of the experiment if the guards do not punish prisoners with in 30 minutes of them breaking a rule but the writing never plays of the potential tension of arguments between the guards and waiting for the time to run down on the light. The progression from normal people to sadist guards is also so quick as to be unbelievable, it would have been much better to see a slower escalation of events rather than just have the guards flip out at the first minor action.
2/5 a really poor attempt at an interesting set up
Monday 29 August 2011
Mrs Braun
The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979)
This German film comes from director Rainer Fassbinder and stars Hanna Schygulla, it is the first part of a trilogy based on the experiences of women in post war Germany. A young woman deals with the problems of having to survive during the reconstruction of Germany and missing her husband.
The experiences of the central character serve as a metaphor for the experience of West Germany in terms of becoming a successful economy and having to deal with it's past crimes. What works particularly well is using the main character's husband and his time in jail to represent how West Germany dealt with it's Nazi past. Overall this is a really good film with some good performances from the cast.
4/5
This German film comes from director Rainer Fassbinder and stars Hanna Schygulla, it is the first part of a trilogy based on the experiences of women in post war Germany. A young woman deals with the problems of having to survive during the reconstruction of Germany and missing her husband.
The experiences of the central character serve as a metaphor for the experience of West Germany in terms of becoming a successful economy and having to deal with it's past crimes. What works particularly well is using the main character's husband and his time in jail to represent how West Germany dealt with it's Nazi past. Overall this is a really good film with some good performances from the cast.
4/5
Sunday 28 August 2011
Hanging
The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
Based on the novel of the same name this western stars Henry Fonda and Dana Andrews, it also includes an early role for Anthony Quinn. After a spate of rustling when one of the local rancher is shot in the head an eager lynch mob sets off to find the culprits.
You can probably work out the tact the films takes, mod justice is bad and things do not end well. Despite the fairly obvious (to modern eyes) nature of the film it handles the subject well and covers a variety of view points. Even though you have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen it is hard to look away as the impending lynching draws closer. The production qualities are not exactly amazing as it is pretty clear the film was largely shot on a back lot rather than on location but are good enough to get by.
4/5
Based on the novel of the same name this western stars Henry Fonda and Dana Andrews, it also includes an early role for Anthony Quinn. After a spate of rustling when one of the local rancher is shot in the head an eager lynch mob sets off to find the culprits.
You can probably work out the tact the films takes, mod justice is bad and things do not end well. Despite the fairly obvious (to modern eyes) nature of the film it handles the subject well and covers a variety of view points. Even though you have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen it is hard to look away as the impending lynching draws closer. The production qualities are not exactly amazing as it is pretty clear the film was largely shot on a back lot rather than on location but are good enough to get by.
4/5
Saturday 27 August 2011
Hexed
Jonah Hex (2010)
Former Pixar employee Jimmy Hayward directs his first live action film based on a DC comics character which stars Josh Brolin, John Malkovich and Megan Fox. A bounty hunter with a dark past in the American Civil War faces off against his nemesis.
This film seems to a plot that is fairly similar to that of Wild Wild West (1999) and unfortunately seems to be of a similar quality. Some of the dialogue is pretty terrible and some of the locations seem out of place for the area of the US being depicted. While the production values are pretty good (you would expect that with a nearly $50mil budget) the direction and action sequences are unremarkable at best.
2/5 poor comic adaptation.
Former Pixar employee Jimmy Hayward directs his first live action film based on a DC comics character which stars Josh Brolin, John Malkovich and Megan Fox. A bounty hunter with a dark past in the American Civil War faces off against his nemesis.
This film seems to a plot that is fairly similar to that of Wild Wild West (1999) and unfortunately seems to be of a similar quality. Some of the dialogue is pretty terrible and some of the locations seem out of place for the area of the US being depicted. While the production values are pretty good (you would expect that with a nearly $50mil budget) the direction and action sequences are unremarkable at best.
2/5 poor comic adaptation.
Friday 26 August 2011
The quest for profit
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
After the failure of the third instalment in the series the Salkind's sold off the rights to the franchise, Christopher Reeve stayed as the star and Gene Hackman returned to reprise the role of Lex Luthor. As the nuclear arms race between the west and the USSR heats up Superman tries to find his place in world affairs.
What this film has going for it compared to the third film in the series is throwing out the focus on comedy and actually having a decent idea to base the film on. Unfortunately the film fails to capitalise on the idea of where Superman fits into politics by not really exploring the idea or the consequences of his decision to dictate policy. The film may have been beset by budget problems but the fact that it is the shortest film in the series probably works in it's favour. There are a lot of problems with the film but it was still an improvement on it's predecessor and not as bad as the reputation it seems to have.
3/5 a barely average effort.
After the failure of the third instalment in the series the Salkind's sold off the rights to the franchise, Christopher Reeve stayed as the star and Gene Hackman returned to reprise the role of Lex Luthor. As the nuclear arms race between the west and the USSR heats up Superman tries to find his place in world affairs.
What this film has going for it compared to the third film in the series is throwing out the focus on comedy and actually having a decent idea to base the film on. Unfortunately the film fails to capitalise on the idea of where Superman fits into politics by not really exploring the idea or the consequences of his decision to dictate policy. The film may have been beset by budget problems but the fact that it is the shortest film in the series probably works in it's favour. There are a lot of problems with the film but it was still an improvement on it's predecessor and not as bad as the reputation it seems to have.
3/5 a barely average effort.
Thursday 25 August 2011
Not so super
Superman 3 (1983)
Director Richard Lester and star Christopher Reeve return for this sequel which features comedian Richard Pryor. After mind wiping Lois Lane in the last film Superman returns to Smallville to chase his high school crush Lana Lang.
The opening sequence should be a big give away that there is a change in tone for this film compared to the previous two. Making a Superman comedy does not really come off that well and really it is hard to find good parts to this film. Having a bad Superman is an interesting idea that is not capitalised on or explored that deeply and despite managing to run to two hours there is not a lot of a plot here. This really is a let down right from the completely out of place slapstick sequence that runs during the opening credits.
2/5
Director Richard Lester and star Christopher Reeve return for this sequel which features comedian Richard Pryor. After mind wiping Lois Lane in the last film Superman returns to Smallville to chase his high school crush Lana Lang.
The opening sequence should be a big give away that there is a change in tone for this film compared to the previous two. Making a Superman comedy does not really come off that well and really it is hard to find good parts to this film. Having a bad Superman is an interesting idea that is not capitalised on or explored that deeply and despite managing to run to two hours there is not a lot of a plot here. This really is a let down right from the completely out of place slapstick sequence that runs during the opening credits.
2/5
Wednesday 24 August 2011
All at sea
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951)
Director Raoul Walsh brings C.S. Forester's character to the big screen in this adaptation based on three of his books which stars Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo. During the Napoleonic wars a small British war ship is sent on a long voyage to the Pacific side of central America.
Despite the age of this film the sea battles hold up really well with some great miniature work which if it did not could really undermine a film like this. There is a really good supporting cast including James Robertson Justice, Stanley Baker and a blink and you will miss it part for Christopher Lee as well. What does hold the film back a little is the middle section romance really slows down the pace of the film and feels a little out of place wedged between the more action orientated sections.
4/5 a good naval adventure film.
Director Raoul Walsh brings C.S. Forester's character to the big screen in this adaptation based on three of his books which stars Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo. During the Napoleonic wars a small British war ship is sent on a long voyage to the Pacific side of central America.
Despite the age of this film the sea battles hold up really well with some great miniature work which if it did not could really undermine a film like this. There is a really good supporting cast including James Robertson Justice, Stanley Baker and a blink and you will miss it part for Christopher Lee as well. What does hold the film back a little is the middle section romance really slows down the pace of the film and feels a little out of place wedged between the more action orientated sections.
4/5 a good naval adventure film.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Do you like scary movies?
Scream (1996)
Frequent horror director Wes Craven takes the helm for this slasher film staring Neve Campbell. The local town panics when someone starts slashing up teens and generally terrorising the community.
As much as being a slasher film itself this film is about slasher films in general, taking some what of a comedic look at the genre that is very hard to take series in the first place. While the film does a good job of pointing out the deficiencies in the genre it is hard to know how to take the film itself as it does not stray completely into the arena of full on comedy as does it's own parody Scary Movie (2000). Despite being an odd mix of ingredients this still ends up being a watchable film if not an earth shattering one.
4/5
Frequent horror director Wes Craven takes the helm for this slasher film staring Neve Campbell. The local town panics when someone starts slashing up teens and generally terrorising the community.
As much as being a slasher film itself this film is about slasher films in general, taking some what of a comedic look at the genre that is very hard to take series in the first place. While the film does a good job of pointing out the deficiencies in the genre it is hard to know how to take the film itself as it does not stray completely into the arena of full on comedy as does it's own parody Scary Movie (2000). Despite being an odd mix of ingredients this still ends up being a watchable film if not an earth shattering one.
4/5
Monday 22 August 2011
Chilling
Winter's Bone (2010)
This independent film based on the novel of the same name stars Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes. A seventeen year old girl has to care for her two younger siblings, sick mother and deal with a father that has put the house up for collateral on a bond before going missing.
After seeing this film it is no surprise to find out that it picked up four Oscar nominations as it features some excellent performances from the cast and director Debra Granik. What the film does really well is have a slow, dark, haunting atmosphere that builds throughout the film. The plot deals with insular, poor, criminal communities that live in the rural US as well as the rules of silence and family that govern them. While there might not be a huge amount to the plot it certainly keeps you gripped to the screen.
4/5
This independent film based on the novel of the same name stars Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes. A seventeen year old girl has to care for her two younger siblings, sick mother and deal with a father that has put the house up for collateral on a bond before going missing.
After seeing this film it is no surprise to find out that it picked up four Oscar nominations as it features some excellent performances from the cast and director Debra Granik. What the film does really well is have a slow, dark, haunting atmosphere that builds throughout the film. The plot deals with insular, poor, criminal communities that live in the rural US as well as the rules of silence and family that govern them. While there might not be a huge amount to the plot it certainly keeps you gripped to the screen.
4/5
Sunday 21 August 2011
Half baked?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
By now you should have a pretty good idea of the people involved as we move on to part six of the popular boy wizard franchise. Harry and chums are now getting to that age where they are all angsty over who is dating who while the big bad and his minions are still increasing in power.
Much like the previous film this is a darker effort than the earlier entries into the series both in terms of tone and lighting. The plot is not bad but I would really liked to have seen more focus on Draco and Snape as they have by far the most interesting character developments of the series so far in this film. Given that the characters are now supposed to be 16-17 the way some the relationships is dealt with does seem a little immature with the focus on “snogging”, one does wonder what the teen pregnancy rate is like at Hogwarts.
3/5 another decent effort in the franchise but does miss the potential to move into more adult themes.
By now you should have a pretty good idea of the people involved as we move on to part six of the popular boy wizard franchise. Harry and chums are now getting to that age where they are all angsty over who is dating who while the big bad and his minions are still increasing in power.
Much like the previous film this is a darker effort than the earlier entries into the series both in terms of tone and lighting. The plot is not bad but I would really liked to have seen more focus on Draco and Snape as they have by far the most interesting character developments of the series so far in this film. Given that the characters are now supposed to be 16-17 the way some the relationships is dealt with does seem a little immature with the focus on “snogging”, one does wonder what the teen pregnancy rate is like at Hogwarts.
3/5 another decent effort in the franchise but does miss the potential to move into more adult themes.
Saturday 20 August 2011
Legacy
Tron: Legacy (2010)
It may have taken 18 years but Tron (1982) finally gets a sequel which once again stars Jeff Bridges but this time is directed by Joseph Kosinski. A few years after the events of the first film Kevin Flynn disappears and his now grown up son sets out to find him.
Visually this film is an absolute treat, from the amazing colour and special effects to the great sets there is eye candy everywhere. Possibly even eclipsing the amazing look of the film is the outstanding sound track from Daft Punk that manages to be both heavily influenced by 80s synth as well as completely modern. Between the look and sound of the film there is more than enough to keep you spell bound for the 2 hour run time.
Unfortunately the plot is a little bit of a let down really, with at least a portion of it just being a retread of the original. There are plenty of good hooks, especially when you have a creator and various trinities knocking about just asking for some sort of deeper religious meaning to the film but these are not really capitalised on. The ISOs are introduced as a major new element that offers a lot of potential but are never explored beyond being a plot device. It is also interesting to see an industry which defends it's copyright so vehemently including elements that hint at the tyranny of software companies doing the same.
4/5 a tour de force that is sadly limited but it's average plot.
It may have taken 18 years but Tron (1982) finally gets a sequel which once again stars Jeff Bridges but this time is directed by Joseph Kosinski. A few years after the events of the first film Kevin Flynn disappears and his now grown up son sets out to find him.
Visually this film is an absolute treat, from the amazing colour and special effects to the great sets there is eye candy everywhere. Possibly even eclipsing the amazing look of the film is the outstanding sound track from Daft Punk that manages to be both heavily influenced by 80s synth as well as completely modern. Between the look and sound of the film there is more than enough to keep you spell bound for the 2 hour run time.
Unfortunately the plot is a little bit of a let down really, with at least a portion of it just being a retread of the original. There are plenty of good hooks, especially when you have a creator and various trinities knocking about just asking for some sort of deeper religious meaning to the film but these are not really capitalised on. The ISOs are introduced as a major new element that offers a lot of potential but are never explored beyond being a plot device. It is also interesting to see an industry which defends it's copyright so vehemently including elements that hint at the tyranny of software companies doing the same.
4/5 a tour de force that is sadly limited but it's average plot.
Friday 19 August 2011
Elementry
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)
This is the second film in the series staring Basil Rathbone and the last that was made by 20th Century Fox as well as the last set in the Victorian period. Holmes arrives too late to stop Professor Moriarty staying out of jail and Moriarty sets a fiendish plot to prove he is a superior intellect to Holmes.
For once someone actually gets the better of Holmes but as you would expect Moriarty's plan gets foiled anyway. The plot is decent enough if not a real mystery that will bake your brain and the production qualities for the film are also of a decent level unlike some of the later films in this series. One element of this film that does feature in the modern film from Guy Ritchie is Holmes's experiment on house flies.
3/5 average adaptation
This is the second film in the series staring Basil Rathbone and the last that was made by 20th Century Fox as well as the last set in the Victorian period. Holmes arrives too late to stop Professor Moriarty staying out of jail and Moriarty sets a fiendish plot to prove he is a superior intellect to Holmes.
For once someone actually gets the better of Holmes but as you would expect Moriarty's plan gets foiled anyway. The plot is decent enough if not a real mystery that will bake your brain and the production qualities for the film are also of a decent level unlike some of the later films in this series. One element of this film that does feature in the modern film from Guy Ritchie is Holmes's experiment on house flies.
3/5 average adaptation
Thursday 18 August 2011
Burton Returns
Batman Returns (1992)
After the success of their first film Burton and Keaton return for a second Batman film, this time supported by Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken. Batman faces off against the Penguin, Catwoman and a wealthy industrialist.
Despite being darker and more adult than the first Burton film a lot of the same comments can be levelled at this sequel. Once again we have to wonder if this is really a Batman film or a film about villains that Batman is a side character in, even allowing for the darker tone the film does not still really have a huge amount of depth and again the production values are clearly the main draw here. What I did like about this film were the references to the previous one and that they did not just chuck out the Vicki Vale character to never be heard from again like a Bond girl.
4/5 another solid Burton effort.
After the success of their first film Burton and Keaton return for a second Batman film, this time supported by Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken. Batman faces off against the Penguin, Catwoman and a wealthy industrialist.
Despite being darker and more adult than the first Burton film a lot of the same comments can be levelled at this sequel. Once again we have to wonder if this is really a Batman film or a film about villains that Batman is a side character in, even allowing for the darker tone the film does not still really have a huge amount of depth and again the production values are clearly the main draw here. What I did like about this film were the references to the previous one and that they did not just chuck out the Vicki Vale character to never be heard from again like a Bond girl.
4/5 another solid Burton effort.
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Gothic Gotham
Batman (1989)
Now Christopher Nolan is synonymous with the Batman film franchise but Tim Burton was the Hollywood director given the reins in the late eighties with a cast including Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger. Batman and the Joker battler over Gotham city as well as photographic reporter Vicki Vale.
What Burton always does best is bring really vividly imagined artistic worlds to the screen and that is definitely the strength of this adaptation. On the screen Gotham is a dirty, crowded and corrupt city scape inhabited by the sort of thieves and vagabonds you would expect. It is very hard to find fault with any part of the production value of the film which makes the film watchable for that reason alone.
Where the film falls down is the content, it is impossible not to draw comparisons with the recent Nolan films and this adaptation just lacks the depth of the newer films. There are times you wonder if this film is really about Batman or if the Joker is actually the main character. While the film is set just after the emergence of Batman in Gotham it is not an origin story and does well to get round what bogs down a lot of super hero film but still deliver enough back story. It is a real shame that the plot comes of as just an excuse to get a Batman film out there and make a lot of money rather than a more thoughtful effort.
4/5 an achievement in style if not story telling.
Now Christopher Nolan is synonymous with the Batman film franchise but Tim Burton was the Hollywood director given the reins in the late eighties with a cast including Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger. Batman and the Joker battler over Gotham city as well as photographic reporter Vicki Vale.
What Burton always does best is bring really vividly imagined artistic worlds to the screen and that is definitely the strength of this adaptation. On the screen Gotham is a dirty, crowded and corrupt city scape inhabited by the sort of thieves and vagabonds you would expect. It is very hard to find fault with any part of the production value of the film which makes the film watchable for that reason alone.
Where the film falls down is the content, it is impossible not to draw comparisons with the recent Nolan films and this adaptation just lacks the depth of the newer films. There are times you wonder if this film is really about Batman or if the Joker is actually the main character. While the film is set just after the emergence of Batman in Gotham it is not an origin story and does well to get round what bogs down a lot of super hero film but still deliver enough back story. It is a real shame that the plot comes of as just an excuse to get a Batman film out there and make a lot of money rather than a more thoughtful effort.
4/5 an achievement in style if not story telling.
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Swedish scares
Let the Right One In (2008)
Vampires are popular everywhere so here we have a Swedish film based on a Swedish book of the same name about vampires. A young boy is bullied at school and make friends with a young vampire that lives next door.
Make no mistake just because this film features young characters as it's focal point does not mean this is a film for kids. Unlike other teen vampire films this is a dark, creepy and realistic take on the idea of vampires and will certainly put you on edge. The film maintains a great atmosphere by slowly revealing it's dark underbelly while retaining a solid footing in the real world though the relationship between the two main characters.
4/5
Vampires are popular everywhere so here we have a Swedish film based on a Swedish book of the same name about vampires. A young boy is bullied at school and make friends with a young vampire that lives next door.
Make no mistake just because this film features young characters as it's focal point does not mean this is a film for kids. Unlike other teen vampire films this is a dark, creepy and realistic take on the idea of vampires and will certainly put you on edge. The film maintains a great atmosphere by slowly revealing it's dark underbelly while retaining a solid footing in the real world though the relationship between the two main characters.
4/5
Monday 15 August 2011
A pleasing?
Glorious 39 (2009)
British writer/director Stephen Poliakoff brings this thriller to the screen staring Romola Garia and Bill Nighy. The adopted daughter of a member of parliament thinks there is a conspiracy to try and make peace with the Germans on the eve of World War 2.
This film is everything British cinema does well these days, a period piece about upper class characters with a good ensemble cast. Garia gives a really great performance as the scared lead character that no one believes and everyone is out to get. There is plenty of tension and the film is shot really well with some great locations on show.
My problems with this film come with the plot which is not as good as it could be in a couple of areas. I can get past some of the more far fetched elements in terms of being necessary to provide a good story but it is a shame that the film does not give a balanced look at appeasement. It would also have been better if the idea that the main character was mentally unstable was played up abit more to keep us guessing longer. The other part I am not sure was really necessary was the modern times sequences that book end the film, these did not really seem to add much.
4/5
British writer/director Stephen Poliakoff brings this thriller to the screen staring Romola Garia and Bill Nighy. The adopted daughter of a member of parliament thinks there is a conspiracy to try and make peace with the Germans on the eve of World War 2.
This film is everything British cinema does well these days, a period piece about upper class characters with a good ensemble cast. Garia gives a really great performance as the scared lead character that no one believes and everyone is out to get. There is plenty of tension and the film is shot really well with some great locations on show.
My problems with this film come with the plot which is not as good as it could be in a couple of areas. I can get past some of the more far fetched elements in terms of being necessary to provide a good story but it is a shame that the film does not give a balanced look at appeasement. It would also have been better if the idea that the main character was mentally unstable was played up abit more to keep us guessing longer. The other part I am not sure was really necessary was the modern times sequences that book end the film, these did not really seem to add much.
4/5
Sunday 14 August 2011
No more spells?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Another change of director to David Yates and change of screenplay writer to Michael Goldenberg sees the return of the popular wizard franchise. No one believes Harry and Dumbledore that Lord Voldemort has returned so they end up butting heads with the establishment.
This adaptation actually feels a lot more complete than the previous one and works much better as a self contained film. Again we see the characters are growing up and the film takes a shift towards a darker tone which certainly is an improvement as well. You can definitely see the influence of Dahl and to an extent Gilliam in the way that bureaucracy is unleashed on Hogwarts. The one down side to this film is that it does feel like the major character death is dealt with pretty weakly and does not have a big enough dramatic impact.
4/5
Another change of director to David Yates and change of screenplay writer to Michael Goldenberg sees the return of the popular wizard franchise. No one believes Harry and Dumbledore that Lord Voldemort has returned so they end up butting heads with the establishment.
This adaptation actually feels a lot more complete than the previous one and works much better as a self contained film. Again we see the characters are growing up and the film takes a shift towards a darker tone which certainly is an improvement as well. You can definitely see the influence of Dahl and to an extent Gilliam in the way that bureaucracy is unleashed on Hogwarts. The one down side to this film is that it does feel like the major character death is dealt with pretty weakly and does not have a big enough dramatic impact.
4/5
Saturday 13 August 2011
The other buddy cop comedy film of 2010
The Other Guys (2010)
Director Adam McKay makes his 4th collaboration with star Will Ferrell in a buddy cop spoof which co-stars Mark Wahlberg. When the cities famous cop paring are killed can two failures become the heroes?
There is a fairly big supporting cast in this film which includes Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Dwayne Johnson and Steve Coogan, while the film does not get the best out of all this talent it is still funny enough. There is nothing especially original or innovative here but this is probably the best McKay/Ferrell film since Anchorman (2004) as there are plenty of funny, if not hilarious, moments to fill in the gaps.
4/5 a decent comedy.
Director Adam McKay makes his 4th collaboration with star Will Ferrell in a buddy cop spoof which co-stars Mark Wahlberg. When the cities famous cop paring are killed can two failures become the heroes?
There is a fairly big supporting cast in this film which includes Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Dwayne Johnson and Steve Coogan, while the film does not get the best out of all this talent it is still funny enough. There is nothing especially original or innovative here but this is probably the best McKay/Ferrell film since Anchorman (2004) as there are plenty of funny, if not hilarious, moments to fill in the gaps.
4/5 a decent comedy.
Friday 12 August 2011
Stupid
Billy Madison (1995)
Yet another slacker comedy from Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy which this time co-stars Bridgette Wilson. When the owner of a hotel business decides to retire his son has to return to school and complete all 12 grades to prove he is not an idiot.
It is hard to tell if the film is as stupid as the main character or not because ultimately we are let with no real understanding of him. The plot is entirely simplistic and unoriginal but the worst thing is that it never explains why the main character has acted like an idiot for his entire life or how he is able to win over his love interest. Maybe if there were enough funny moments that would mitigate the other flaws but alas this film is rarely funny if at all.
2/5
Yet another slacker comedy from Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy which this time co-stars Bridgette Wilson. When the owner of a hotel business decides to retire his son has to return to school and complete all 12 grades to prove he is not an idiot.
It is hard to tell if the film is as stupid as the main character or not because ultimately we are let with no real understanding of him. The plot is entirely simplistic and unoriginal but the worst thing is that it never explains why the main character has acted like an idiot for his entire life or how he is able to win over his love interest. Maybe if there were enough funny moments that would mitigate the other flaws but alas this film is rarely funny if at all.
2/5
Thursday 11 August 2011
Super sequel
Superman 2 (1980)
Picking up where the first film left off this sequel brings back Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and has a larger part for Terence Stamp but Richard Lester is now the credited director. Three exiles from Krypton turn up on earth with plans to rule it and mess up Superman's love life.
The opening credits do a good job of summarising the events of the first film so that we can get on with the second part of the story Richard Donner planned. Some of the affects do look a little ropey to modern eyes but for the most part they hold up and the final battle is what the film is really built around. There is less Christian allegory in the second film and it is more about Superman's place in the world, balancing his life as Clark Kent and his power for good.
What is surprising about the film is how well it holds together after the complete carnage behind the scenes. Richard Donner had a terrible time with the producers while shooting the first film and this back to back and was fired after a large portion of this film was complete. Despite having had his own, similar problems with the same producers on the Three Musketeers films director Richard Lester was brought into complete the film and he reshot a number of scenes to get full credit. Further to this Hackman refused to reshoot scenes under Lester and Marlon Brando had to be completely cut out of the film to save the budget.
4/5 some how a good film emerges.
Picking up where the first film left off this sequel brings back Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and has a larger part for Terence Stamp but Richard Lester is now the credited director. Three exiles from Krypton turn up on earth with plans to rule it and mess up Superman's love life.
The opening credits do a good job of summarising the events of the first film so that we can get on with the second part of the story Richard Donner planned. Some of the affects do look a little ropey to modern eyes but for the most part they hold up and the final battle is what the film is really built around. There is less Christian allegory in the second film and it is more about Superman's place in the world, balancing his life as Clark Kent and his power for good.
What is surprising about the film is how well it holds together after the complete carnage behind the scenes. Richard Donner had a terrible time with the producers while shooting the first film and this back to back and was fired after a large portion of this film was complete. Despite having had his own, similar problems with the same producers on the Three Musketeers films director Richard Lester was brought into complete the film and he reshot a number of scenes to get full credit. Further to this Hackman refused to reshoot scenes under Lester and Marlon Brando had to be completely cut out of the film to save the budget.
4/5 some how a good film emerges.
Wednesday 10 August 2011
Horse manure?
Secretariat (2010)
This horse racing biopic comes from the Walt Disney stable and stars Diane Lane and John Malkovic. When a housewife's father can no longer run his horse farm she takes over and trains a horse to win the big horse achievement thing.
Like most films based on historic events there seems to be a fair amount of “artistic licence” involved here with characters removed or amalgamated and changing of certain facts. Hollywood and Disney in particular like a nice piece of feel good cheese and that is what we end up with here. There is nothing revolutionary or impressive about this film or it's message but it is well enough made. Neither the race sequences or the approach to the balance the main character has to strike between her family and professional lives stand out either which is a real shame as you would have thought they were the unique points of this film.
3/5
This horse racing biopic comes from the Walt Disney stable and stars Diane Lane and John Malkovic. When a housewife's father can no longer run his horse farm she takes over and trains a horse to win the big horse achievement thing.
Like most films based on historic events there seems to be a fair amount of “artistic licence” involved here with characters removed or amalgamated and changing of certain facts. Hollywood and Disney in particular like a nice piece of feel good cheese and that is what we end up with here. There is nothing revolutionary or impressive about this film or it's message but it is well enough made. Neither the race sequences or the approach to the balance the main character has to strike between her family and professional lives stand out either which is a real shame as you would have thought they were the unique points of this film.
3/5
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Crossings
Miller's Crossing (1990)
This third film from the Coen brothers stars Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney and Marcia Gay Harden and is in part inspired by the novel Red Harvest. The protagonist's boss wants to start a gang war to keep the affections of a woman, unfortunately for the protagonist he is seeing the same woman on the side.
If you have seen any of the other films inspired by Red Harvest you should get the idea that you are in for plenty of scheming, twists and turns in a good if slightly intricate plot. What the film does best is keep us guessing about the protagonists real motivations and feelings as he tries to bring an end to the gang war. The only down side to the film is that maybe it does not always take itself as seriously or tackle the subject in as gritty a manner as it could.
4/5
This third film from the Coen brothers stars Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney and Marcia Gay Harden and is in part inspired by the novel Red Harvest. The protagonist's boss wants to start a gang war to keep the affections of a woman, unfortunately for the protagonist he is seeing the same woman on the side.
If you have seen any of the other films inspired by Red Harvest you should get the idea that you are in for plenty of scheming, twists and turns in a good if slightly intricate plot. What the film does best is keep us guessing about the protagonists real motivations and feelings as he tries to bring an end to the gang war. The only down side to the film is that maybe it does not always take itself as seriously or tackle the subject in as gritty a manner as it could.
4/5
Monday 8 August 2011
Knuckleheads
Knucklehead (2010)
The people at WWE turn their hand to film making with a film staring Paul Wight, one of their wrestlers. An orphanage needs money or it will be shut down, can the gentle giant janitor be turned into a fighting machine that will get them the money they need?
There is really very little reason to watch this film, the plot is by the numbers and is about as unoriginal as you could imagine. When it comes to the characters there is really very little personality to win the viewer over and again all the characters have been lifted from the stock pile. Paul Wight is a really huge guy but you can not build a film around that and nothing else, if you did you would be a knucklehead.
2/5
The people at WWE turn their hand to film making with a film staring Paul Wight, one of their wrestlers. An orphanage needs money or it will be shut down, can the gentle giant janitor be turned into a fighting machine that will get them the money they need?
There is really very little reason to watch this film, the plot is by the numbers and is about as unoriginal as you could imagine. When it comes to the characters there is really very little personality to win the viewer over and again all the characters have been lifted from the stock pile. Paul Wight is a really huge guy but you can not build a film around that and nothing else, if you did you would be a knucklehead.
2/5
Sunday 7 August 2011
Weight problems
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Another Potter film and another new director for the franchise, this time Mike Newell takes the helm of the magic money printing series. Young Harry gets involved in a dangerous wizard competition and the bad guys are out to get him again.
It is clear that the series is starting to struggle to convert the novels to screen as at times it feels like there are clearly bits missing here and there despite the increase in run time. What is good about the film is you can see the characters starting to age and how their relationships are changing. While this is another well made effort it does feel like another half an hour at least was needed to really fill the film out.
3/5
Another Potter film and another new director for the franchise, this time Mike Newell takes the helm of the magic money printing series. Young Harry gets involved in a dangerous wizard competition and the bad guys are out to get him again.
It is clear that the series is starting to struggle to convert the novels to screen as at times it feels like there are clearly bits missing here and there despite the increase in run time. What is good about the film is you can see the characters starting to age and how their relationships are changing. While this is another well made effort it does feel like another half an hour at least was needed to really fill the film out.
3/5
Saturday 6 August 2011
Thieves
Takers (2010)
This crime drama has a large cast including Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez and Hayden Christensen. A gang of thieves plan a robbery on a tight deadline after a former member of the gang has been released from jail and a cop tries to hunt them down.
There is very little original about this film and that is a major problem when it comes to heist films as half the fun is seeing how the gang try to pull off the robbery, what is even worse is that the characters even acknowledge they stole their plan off The Italian Job (2003). We are supposed to feel sympathy for the members of the gang that end up being killed but there seems to be little or no reason for this. While some of the action sequences are pretty cool they are ruined by the direction which includes large amounts of fast cutting and wobbly camera movements.
2/5 a poor effort.
This crime drama has a large cast including Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez and Hayden Christensen. A gang of thieves plan a robbery on a tight deadline after a former member of the gang has been released from jail and a cop tries to hunt them down.
There is very little original about this film and that is a major problem when it comes to heist films as half the fun is seeing how the gang try to pull off the robbery, what is even worse is that the characters even acknowledge they stole their plan off The Italian Job (2003). We are supposed to feel sympathy for the members of the gang that end up being killed but there seems to be little or no reason for this. While some of the action sequences are pretty cool they are ruined by the direction which includes large amounts of fast cutting and wobbly camera movements.
2/5 a poor effort.
Friday 5 August 2011
Tomb
Thunder Over Arizona (1956)
This B movie western stars Skip Homeier and is directed by Joseph Kane. A corrupt mayor wants to steal a families silver mine and brings in a hired gun as his new enforcer to get his bidding done.
With a run time of only 70 minutes there is not exactly a lot to this film, what is missing most is fleshed out characters. The plot is serviceable but unremarkable much like the rest of the film. If you have an hour or so to kill this is not the worst film to watch but it really lacks any substance, tension or drama and is entirely forgettable.
2/5
This B movie western stars Skip Homeier and is directed by Joseph Kane. A corrupt mayor wants to steal a families silver mine and brings in a hired gun as his new enforcer to get his bidding done.
With a run time of only 70 minutes there is not exactly a lot to this film, what is missing most is fleshed out characters. The plot is serviceable but unremarkable much like the rest of the film. If you have an hour or so to kill this is not the worst film to watch but it really lacks any substance, tension or drama and is entirely forgettable.
2/5
Thursday 4 August 2011
Rotten?
I Sell the Dead (2008)
Former hobbit Dominic Monaghan stars along side Ron Perlman in this comedy horror film about grave robbers in the 1800s. Stuck in jail a grave robber recants tales of his past miss deeds to a monk while awaiting execution.
The plot for this film is fairly ordinary although some of the events do take a turn for supernatural and there are the occasional moments of humour along the way. I think where this film fails to stand out is that the main characters lack a larger than life quality to really win the audience over. In the end this is a decent little low budget film that is entirely watchable if not worth seeking out.
3/5
Former hobbit Dominic Monaghan stars along side Ron Perlman in this comedy horror film about grave robbers in the 1800s. Stuck in jail a grave robber recants tales of his past miss deeds to a monk while awaiting execution.
The plot for this film is fairly ordinary although some of the events do take a turn for supernatural and there are the occasional moments of humour along the way. I think where this film fails to stand out is that the main characters lack a larger than life quality to really win the audience over. In the end this is a decent little low budget film that is entirely watchable if not worth seeking out.
3/5
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Telling tales
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
Staring Richard Burton this cold war espionage thriller is based on the novel of the same name by John le Carre. A British spy is caught in a dangerous web of bluff and counter bluff with East German and Soviet intelligence services.
This film does a great job of capturing the grey versus grey world of cold war espionage and asks us if the ends justify the means. Having been written by someone who actually worked in the trade the plot has a good deal of authenticity and takes a realistic approach to the subject matter which is often not seen in the world of James Bond knock offs. Richard Burton gives an excellent performance as the man caught in the middle of the game being played between the two opposing sides. There are some good twists and a great ending to go with the interesting characters making this a really well rounded film.
4/5 a classic spy film.
Staring Richard Burton this cold war espionage thriller is based on the novel of the same name by John le Carre. A British spy is caught in a dangerous web of bluff and counter bluff with East German and Soviet intelligence services.
This film does a great job of capturing the grey versus grey world of cold war espionage and asks us if the ends justify the means. Having been written by someone who actually worked in the trade the plot has a good deal of authenticity and takes a realistic approach to the subject matter which is often not seen in the world of James Bond knock offs. Richard Burton gives an excellent performance as the man caught in the middle of the game being played between the two opposing sides. There are some good twists and a great ending to go with the interesting characters making this a really well rounded film.
4/5 a classic spy film.
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Sting
The Fighting Seabees (1944)
John Wayne is on propaganda duty in this WW2 film that also features Susan Hayward. Construction workers join the navy, build stuff on islands and fight the Japanese while the officers fight over the affections of a female reporter.
What is unusual about this film is that it is probably one of the few John Wayne made where his character was ever in the wrong and does not survive the film, why the other lead characters put up with him I am not sure. The plot itself is entirely fictional apart from the fact Seabees did exist in WW2 and is not especially original or interesting.
3/5 average war film.
John Wayne is on propaganda duty in this WW2 film that also features Susan Hayward. Construction workers join the navy, build stuff on islands and fight the Japanese while the officers fight over the affections of a female reporter.
What is unusual about this film is that it is probably one of the few John Wayne made where his character was ever in the wrong and does not survive the film, why the other lead characters put up with him I am not sure. The plot itself is entirely fictional apart from the fact Seabees did exist in WW2 and is not especially original or interesting.
3/5 average war film.
Monday 1 August 2011
Digging a hole
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Director Alfred Hitchcock takes a change of pace with this dark comedy adaptation staring Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe and Shirley MacLaine. The trouble with Harry is that he is dead, no one is really sure who killed him or what they should do with the body.
This farce falls flat because it lacks any real pace or energy, everything moves far too slowly and really fails to play up the ridiculousness of the situation the characters find themselves in. There are some really nice shots of the woodland in autumn that provide a nice back drop for the film but that is about the best you can say about this film.
3/5 not a classic Hitchcock.
Director Alfred Hitchcock takes a change of pace with this dark comedy adaptation staring Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe and Shirley MacLaine. The trouble with Harry is that he is dead, no one is really sure who killed him or what they should do with the body.
This farce falls flat because it lacks any real pace or energy, everything moves far too slowly and really fails to play up the ridiculousness of the situation the characters find themselves in. There are some really nice shots of the woodland in autumn that provide a nice back drop for the film but that is about the best you can say about this film.
3/5 not a classic Hitchcock.
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