Do you think I want to go an watch the One Direction Movie?
Thursday 29 August 2013
Monday 26 August 2013
The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones
Another teen fantasy movie trying to take on the Twilight Mantle, The Mortal Instruments series focuses on Clary a teenage Girl who sees a murder in a nightclub that no one else can see, and discovers that she is a "Shadow hunter" a group of half Angels born to fight demons.
The problem with this movie, it that it is so full of Cliché, Vampires, Werewolves, a complicated love triangle, even a Star Wars "I am your father" moment, all add to the feeling that this is trying far to hard.
The theology and backstory is so complicated that the characters spend half the movie explaining what's going on, with more Basil Exposition than Austin Powers. The trouble with that is that the second movie is going to have to assume you have seen this for it to make any sense.
That said, I get the feeling the next movies will be a lot better, as this has now done a lot of the setup.
As a stand alone movie this doesn't really work, as the set-up for what will follow, time will tell. 4/10
The problem with this movie, it that it is so full of Cliché, Vampires, Werewolves, a complicated love triangle, even a Star Wars "I am your father" moment, all add to the feeling that this is trying far to hard.
The theology and backstory is so complicated that the characters spend half the movie explaining what's going on, with more Basil Exposition than Austin Powers. The trouble with that is that the second movie is going to have to assume you have seen this for it to make any sense.
That said, I get the feeling the next movies will be a lot better, as this has now done a lot of the setup.
As a stand alone movie this doesn't really work, as the set-up for what will follow, time will tell. 4/10
We're the Millers
We're the Millers focuses on a Small time drug dealer, who gets his drugs and cash stolen. In order to pay his debts his dealer asks him to smuggle some drugs from Mexico. In order to avoid suspicion he gets together a "wife" and 2 kids, and the dysfunctional Miller family are born.
This was actually a lot funnier than I thought it was going to be, when the first couple of laughs in the opening sequence come courtesy of You Tube I was thinking that the laughs in the actual movie itself would be lacking. I was wrong, the jokes come thick and fast, and I laughed throughout.
The performances from the 4 Miller characters are great, particularly from Will Poultner as Kenny, who plays an awkward never been kissed teen very well, and Jennifer Anniston as a stripper who plays the mother role superbly.
Given some of the rubbish so called comedies this year, this is refreshingly different, and very funny throughout 9/10
This was actually a lot funnier than I thought it was going to be, when the first couple of laughs in the opening sequence come courtesy of You Tube I was thinking that the laughs in the actual movie itself would be lacking. I was wrong, the jokes come thick and fast, and I laughed throughout.
The performances from the 4 Miller characters are great, particularly from Will Poultner as Kenny, who plays an awkward never been kissed teen very well, and Jennifer Anniston as a stripper who plays the mother role superbly.
Given some of the rubbish so called comedies this year, this is refreshingly different, and very funny throughout 9/10
Wednesday 21 August 2013
Elysium
Elysium, Starring Matt Damon Jodie Foster is a Sci fi movie set in the year 2154. The rich have left Earth and set up a utopian society in Elysium, A man made structure in Earth orbit.
Whilst the concept is not new, the futuristic division of rich and poor has been done before, this feels fresh and new. Damon as ever puts un a superb performance as Max Da Costa, a poor resident of earth who is dying following a work accident and needs access to the medical facilities available on Elysium.
If you read my review of Kick Ass 2 last week you will be aware of my rant regarding unnecessary bloody violence, Elysium is an example of bloody violence done well.
Elysium is, in places, as bloody, if not more so, than the Kick Ass sequel, however despite the blood, this film would be much the poorer without it.
This movie is not without its faults however, the final fight sequence is very badly shot, with camera movement and angle changes and so often that it just becomes extremely difficult to follow what's going on, even on the big screen.
The film also opens itself up to accusations of racism, with the "poor" inhabitants of Earth speaking Spanish and the "Rich" inhabitants of Elysium speaking French.
That said, this is definitely worth a watch on the big screen, if you get a chance to watch it on an IMAX screen, go for it 8.5/10
Whilst the concept is not new, the futuristic division of rich and poor has been done before, this feels fresh and new. Damon as ever puts un a superb performance as Max Da Costa, a poor resident of earth who is dying following a work accident and needs access to the medical facilities available on Elysium.
If you read my review of Kick Ass 2 last week you will be aware of my rant regarding unnecessary bloody violence, Elysium is an example of bloody violence done well.
Elysium is, in places, as bloody, if not more so, than the Kick Ass sequel, however despite the blood, this film would be much the poorer without it.
This movie is not without its faults however, the final fight sequence is very badly shot, with camera movement and angle changes and so often that it just becomes extremely difficult to follow what's going on, even on the big screen.
The film also opens itself up to accusations of racism, with the "poor" inhabitants of Earth speaking Spanish and the "Rich" inhabitants of Elysium speaking French.
That said, this is definitely worth a watch on the big screen, if you get a chance to watch it on an IMAX screen, go for it 8.5/10
Monday 19 August 2013
About Time
I was fortunate enough to see an advanced screening of the new Richard Curtis movie About time. The film centres on Tim, who, just after his 21st Birthday, is informed by his Dad that the men in the family have the ability to time travel back to a point in their lives and make changes.
This is an interesting concept, and the film explores the possibilities that this allows, you can go back 5 minutes and correct a single moment, ir you could go back 20 years and change an entire series of events.
This film, although perhaps it will never be the cult classic such as Four Weddings or Notting Hill, has Richard Curtis' style through it. (without Hugh Grant). There are some very funny jokes along the way, I especially liked the mad uncle, and the acting is great, especially Bill Nighy who always does well with Richard Curtis.
Ultimately this is perhaps 15/20 minutes longer than it needs to be, and the end sequence with the secret if how to be happy in life is very idealistic, but definitely worth seeing 8.5/10
This is an interesting concept, and the film explores the possibilities that this allows, you can go back 5 minutes and correct a single moment, ir you could go back 20 years and change an entire series of events.
This film, although perhaps it will never be the cult classic such as Four Weddings or Notting Hill, has Richard Curtis' style through it. (without Hugh Grant). There are some very funny jokes along the way, I especially liked the mad uncle, and the acting is great, especially Bill Nighy who always does well with Richard Curtis.
Ultimately this is perhaps 15/20 minutes longer than it needs to be, and the end sequence with the secret if how to be happy in life is very idealistic, but definitely worth seeing 8.5/10
Planes
I really like the original cars movie, I know a lot of people didn't but I thought it was a good Pixar film. Cars 2 on the other hand was not so good.
The first thing to notice about planes is that it is not a Pixar movie, although Disney and Pixar are pretty much the sane company, they are not the same, and here Disney are in full money making mode.
The plot of Planes is very Disney, The sickly sweet "You can be whatever you want to be" screams at you from start to finish and gets incredibly annoying very quickly.
The Cliché storyline comes to it's inevitable conclusion and good triumphs over evil blah blah blah seen it all before.
This is nothing new, and not entertaining enough, I'm sure it will keep small children amused for 90 minutes, but in a year of quality animation this falls flat 4/10
The first thing to notice about planes is that it is not a Pixar movie, although Disney and Pixar are pretty much the sane company, they are not the same, and here Disney are in full money making mode.
The plot of Planes is very Disney, The sickly sweet "You can be whatever you want to be" screams at you from start to finish and gets incredibly annoying very quickly.
The Cliché storyline comes to it's inevitable conclusion and good triumphs over evil blah blah blah seen it all before.
This is nothing new, and not entertaining enough, I'm sure it will keep small children amused for 90 minutes, but in a year of quality animation this falls flat 4/10
Thursday 15 August 2013
Kick Ass 2
Regular readers of my Blog will know that I dislike films that are gratuitous in their use of Sex, Language or Violence just for the sake of it, these things have their place in film and are necessary and can be justified in context, however Kick Ass 2 is yet another example of a film that goes to far in being bloodthirsty for the sake of it.
It is also another example of the BBFC failing to protect 16-18 year olds, by rating a very violent film as a 15.
That aside kick ass 2 fails on a couple of levels, it is, you could argue less "Kick Ass 2" and more "Hit Girl" as she spends as much if not more of the screen time as he does.
The Story line is also quite weak, with characters swapping dilemmas regularly.
For all of that, I'm not saying that this is a bad film, it is reasonably well acted, and the fight scenes, bloody as they are, are extremely well choreographed.
With a little less blood and a bit less pretentious nonsense this could have been a really good film, as it is its nowhere near the standard of the original 6/10
It is also another example of the BBFC failing to protect 16-18 year olds, by rating a very violent film as a 15.
That aside kick ass 2 fails on a couple of levels, it is, you could argue less "Kick Ass 2" and more "Hit Girl" as she spends as much if not more of the screen time as he does.
The Story line is also quite weak, with characters swapping dilemmas regularly.
For all of that, I'm not saying that this is a bad film, it is reasonably well acted, and the fight scenes, bloody as they are, are extremely well choreographed.
With a little less blood and a bit less pretentious nonsense this could have been a really good film, as it is its nowhere near the standard of the original 6/10
Tuesday 13 August 2013
2 Guns
2 Guns starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington is surprisingly refreshing, my expectations going in where quite low, but they were hugely exceeded.
Although this is not a comedy, the jokes all hit home well, and it is funnier than many of the comedies I have seen this year. With great performances from the two leads this is a highly entertaining film.
The plot is a little weak in places, with perhaps a few to many twists along the way, but that is forgivable as the rest is very good, with so many big movies out this summer, it would be easy for this to get lost, and I don't think this will be around for long, so see it while you can 9/10
Although this is not a comedy, the jokes all hit home well, and it is funnier than many of the comedies I have seen this year. With great performances from the two leads this is a highly entertaining film.
The plot is a little weak in places, with perhaps a few to many twists along the way, but that is forgivable as the rest is very good, with so many big movies out this summer, it would be easy for this to get lost, and I don't think this will be around for long, so see it while you can 9/10
Sunday 11 August 2013
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
I have not read the book, nor did I see the first Percy Jackson movie, but apparently that included a lot of cameo's from big names that are lacking in this film.
This for me therefore stood as a standalone movie, which I whilst I enjoyed, is really nothing special.
Much of it is instantly forgettable, and the rest is just annoying, a particular scene is another prime example of films completely ignoring the laws of physics in order to get out of a sticky situation. Although this is a film based on a semi God who has some powers, this didn't appear to be a use of his powers, more a case of some lazy screenwriting.
I also thought they could of made a lot more of the final fight sequence, which is over almost as soon as it starts.
On the plus side, the story is interesting, and you can tell it is based on a well written book, my overriding feeling coming out is not to see the next movie, despite it clearly being setup in the closing scene, but perhaps to go and read the books.
The best summary of this movie is to say that it is average, it is enjoyable while you watch it, but by next week I will probably have forgotten most of it. 6/10
This for me therefore stood as a standalone movie, which I whilst I enjoyed, is really nothing special.
Much of it is instantly forgettable, and the rest is just annoying, a particular scene is another prime example of films completely ignoring the laws of physics in order to get out of a sticky situation. Although this is a film based on a semi God who has some powers, this didn't appear to be a use of his powers, more a case of some lazy screenwriting.
I also thought they could of made a lot more of the final fight sequence, which is over almost as soon as it starts.
On the plus side, the story is interesting, and you can tell it is based on a well written book, my overriding feeling coming out is not to see the next movie, despite it clearly being setup in the closing scene, but perhaps to go and read the books.
The best summary of this movie is to say that it is average, it is enjoyable while you watch it, but by next week I will probably have forgotten most of it. 6/10
Friday 9 August 2013
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger has made a lot of headlines due to it's failure in America. This has been put down to the film being panned by the critics, I think some if the criticism is unfair.
Is this the best film of the year? No. Will it win any awards? No. Does it have faults? Yes. Is it worth seeing? Most definitely.
Unusually for a big summer movie, this has a strong storyline and a plot that makes sense, the way it is told through the older Tonto telling the story works really well, and despite my reservations going in, Depp as Tonto is a really great bit of casting.
The film is perhaps a little to long at 2 and a half hours, it is slow to get going and maybe you could lose 20-30 minutes from the first hour.
That Said, I really enjoyed this, it is something different in a summer of Sci Fi and Superheroes, don't take the critics word for it, go and see it yourself and make your own mind up, you won't regret it 8/10
Is this the best film of the year? No. Will it win any awards? No. Does it have faults? Yes. Is it worth seeing? Most definitely.
Unusually for a big summer movie, this has a strong storyline and a plot that makes sense, the way it is told through the older Tonto telling the story works really well, and despite my reservations going in, Depp as Tonto is a really great bit of casting.
The film is perhaps a little to long at 2 and a half hours, it is slow to get going and maybe you could lose 20-30 minutes from the first hour.
That Said, I really enjoyed this, it is something different in a summer of Sci Fi and Superheroes, don't take the critics word for it, go and see it yourself and make your own mind up, you won't regret it 8/10
Grown Ups 2
There are two words that will put me off a film, those words are "Adam" & "Sandler" as such, even thou I have an unlimited cinema card and will not have to "pay" to see this film in the conventional sense, I hereby refuse to encourage Mr Sandler's career by adding to his box office statistics. I will not be watching this film.
Wednesday 7 August 2013
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
I went into Alan Partridge expecting big things, having enjoyed much of the past TV work by Steve Coogan as Alan. I was however a little disappointed.
This film is not as funny as I expected it to be, yes there are some good laughs in places, but not nearly enough, for me it lacks that something extra.
Whilst the storyline is ok, the interactions between Pat and Alan seem a little confused, and left me a little flat.
The concept of the film is a good one, irs just the execution of it was slightly lacking, Which is a shame because I really wanted to like this film.
I guess any true Alan Partridge Fan will enjoy this, for those like me with a passing interest it's just not quite there.
If you want a laugh at the Cinema go and see The Heat 6/10
This film is not as funny as I expected it to be, yes there are some good laughs in places, but not nearly enough, for me it lacks that something extra.
Whilst the storyline is ok, the interactions between Pat and Alan seem a little confused, and left me a little flat.
The concept of the film is a good one, irs just the execution of it was slightly lacking, Which is a shame because I really wanted to like this film.
I guess any true Alan Partridge Fan will enjoy this, for those like me with a passing interest it's just not quite there.
If you want a laugh at the Cinema go and see The Heat 6/10
Friday 2 August 2013
Red 2
Despite it being shown semi regularly on Film 4 recently, I have not seen the original Red movie, I therefore went into Red 2 not really knowing what to expect.
That said however, the original film must be better than this. Maybe it is because I have had a long week and am very tired, but my primary emotion was one of boredom, and waiting for the film to end.
My other major issue with this movie is one of believability. For this film to work you have to believe that some of the best trained assassins in the world are absolutely incapable of killing anyone, especially the Machine gun scene, where Willis and Malkovych come out completely unscathed.
You also have to believe that you can crash a Helicopter at high speed and walk away, there is also another massive "really?" moment, but as that is a major plot point at the end of the movie I won't ruin it for you.
On the positive side, the car chase sequences are great (apart from a big crash on the "M4" that is clearly not a Major Motorway around Heathrow Airport, and there is something highly amusing about Dame Helen Mirren breaking into an asylum by pretending she thinks she is the Queen.
The few positives however do not make up for a really poor movie that is largely forgettable 3/10
That said however, the original film must be better than this. Maybe it is because I have had a long week and am very tired, but my primary emotion was one of boredom, and waiting for the film to end.
My other major issue with this movie is one of believability. For this film to work you have to believe that some of the best trained assassins in the world are absolutely incapable of killing anyone, especially the Machine gun scene, where Willis and Malkovych come out completely unscathed.
You also have to believe that you can crash a Helicopter at high speed and walk away, there is also another massive "really?" moment, but as that is a major plot point at the end of the movie I won't ruin it for you.
On the positive side, the car chase sequences are great (apart from a big crash on the "M4" that is clearly not a Major Motorway around Heathrow Airport, and there is something highly amusing about Dame Helen Mirren breaking into an asylum by pretending she thinks she is the Queen.
The few positives however do not make up for a really poor movie that is largely forgettable 3/10
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