A powerful film, broaching difficult territory. No doubt some considerable bravery was required from the production team and actors alike to undertake this. I thought there were some touching moments, and I liked it a lot.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Jack Reacher
(2012)
A rocking action thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously
31 December 2012
Well, it's interesting that Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher seems to be receiving some negative reviews from the British press. I saw it last night and thought it impressive. The action sequences were stunning (if you like the car chase in Bullitt, check this one out) and the acting performances were fluid with a liberal sprinkling of humour throughout.
And that last point is one that is often lost on the UK pen pushers: the film doesn't take itself too seriously. It's the British press that are trying to read deep meaning into a film produced to entertain and make money. I invite the critics to see a few more 'Brit Flicks' filmed on council estates and then review their ideas.
And that last point is one that is often lost on the UK pen pushers: the film doesn't take itself too seriously. It's the British press that are trying to read deep meaning into a film produced to entertain and make money. I invite the critics to see a few more 'Brit Flicks' filmed on council estates and then review their ideas.
All About Steve
(2009)
All About Fun
22 January 2012
Sandra Bullock plays scatty, Mary Horowitz, in this light-hearted yarn about a crossword puzzler on the trail of her heartthrob, a news cameraman.
I got the impression they had a lot of fun making this film as the acting comes across as natural, and there are plenty of funny moments - as long as you're not looking for any hard-hitting humour. It is a completely zany story and one has to wonder who came up with some of the funny, but ridiculous objects of humour: a baby with three legs, a group of deaf children falling into a deep pit - I mean really!
Thomas Haden Church is excellent as Hartman Hughes, the vain CNN news presenter, as are his sidekicks Steve and Angus, played by Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong.
Totally silly and total fun, not a comedy classic, but definitely worth sitting through.
I got the impression they had a lot of fun making this film as the acting comes across as natural, and there are plenty of funny moments - as long as you're not looking for any hard-hitting humour. It is a completely zany story and one has to wonder who came up with some of the funny, but ridiculous objects of humour: a baby with three legs, a group of deaf children falling into a deep pit - I mean really!
Thomas Haden Church is excellent as Hartman Hughes, the vain CNN news presenter, as are his sidekicks Steve and Angus, played by Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong.
Totally silly and total fun, not a comedy classic, but definitely worth sitting through.
Bridesmaids
(I) (2011)
Bridesmaids Revisited - a wedding movie with more punch?
8 January 2012
The acting in this film is excellent; despite the comic and crazy dialogue, there is a lot of subtlety in the delivery. Lead actress Kristen Wiig is superb as Annie, the maid of honour, working fluidly alongside a talented and well directed cast. Interestingly, the only actors that didn't fit for me were Annie's English flat mates, Gil and Brynn (played by Matt Lucas and Rebel Wilson), whose inclusion is baffling - those scenes could easily have been edited out with no detriment to the final film.
Unlike other wedding films, this one has a bit more bite and language - so a welcome change for a genre that was in danger of being dominated by slush. An excellent comedy that has a bit of soul and keeps the laughs coming.
Unlike other wedding films, this one has a bit more bite and language - so a welcome change for a genre that was in danger of being dominated by slush. An excellent comedy that has a bit of soul and keeps the laughs coming.
The Mechanic
(2011)
Cue beer, pizza, action!
5 January 2012
Jason Statham plays ice cool professional assassin, Arthur Bishop, in this testosterone-filled action thriller. His life becomes complicated when he is assigned to see off his close friend, Harry McKenna, played by Donald Sutherland who is excellent as Bishop's mean-speaking mentor.
McKenna's son, Steve, played by Ben Foster, enters Bishop's world with aspirations to become a similarly effective killer. This adds to Bishop's headaches: the apprentice has a habit of scuppering carefully planned assassination attempts.
Although the story does not spring any great surprises, it's beautifully shot, with action coming thick and fast through to the conclusion. Ben Foster plays the wayward rookie effectively - the violent gay fight scene had me wincing.
Some excellent stunts and solid acting make this a very entertaining film within its genre: clearly aimed at a predominantly male audience, sat down with a beer, pizza, and looking for some serious action!
McKenna's son, Steve, played by Ben Foster, enters Bishop's world with aspirations to become a similarly effective killer. This adds to Bishop's headaches: the apprentice has a habit of scuppering carefully planned assassination attempts.
Although the story does not spring any great surprises, it's beautifully shot, with action coming thick and fast through to the conclusion. Ben Foster plays the wayward rookie effectively - the violent gay fight scene had me wincing.
Some excellent stunts and solid acting make this a very entertaining film within its genre: clearly aimed at a predominantly male audience, sat down with a beer, pizza, and looking for some serious action!
Sanctum
(2011)
Worth diving in for the action
28 December 2011
Avatar director, James Cameron, executive produces this Aussie-flavoured claustrophobic cave diving caper – much different to the sci-fi fantasy feel of his recent work. This film goes to show how important a good trailer is: I was sold on that alone, without reading any reviews or press coverage.
Grizzled and moody master diver, Frank McGuire, played by Richard Roxburgh, leads a dive team deep into the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves on an ambitious expedition to seek out the largest cave system on Earth. Things go wrong, however, with a tragic accident and a tropical storm that blocks the team's exit. They are now faced with the challenge of finding a new way out of the cave system.
The cinematography is incredible, especially taking into account the predominantly low light conditions, continually wet environment, and 3D format – no doubt requiring cumbersome equipment.
The action comes thick and fast, broken only by some man-to-son bonding sessions (McGuire's 17 year old son, Josh, is among the diving adventurers) and quarrels with project financier and egotistical nasty man, Carl Hurley, played by Ioan Gruffudd.
I'd certainly recommend this gripping action yarn, with a lot of make- believe thrown in, to dive enthusiasts and armchair adventurers alike. The acting performances are solid enough to keep the plot moving along without too many daft distractions. Overall, the stunning visual experience and thrills on offer, make this one of the best underwater films I've seen.
Grizzled and moody master diver, Frank McGuire, played by Richard Roxburgh, leads a dive team deep into the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves on an ambitious expedition to seek out the largest cave system on Earth. Things go wrong, however, with a tragic accident and a tropical storm that blocks the team's exit. They are now faced with the challenge of finding a new way out of the cave system.
The cinematography is incredible, especially taking into account the predominantly low light conditions, continually wet environment, and 3D format – no doubt requiring cumbersome equipment.
The action comes thick and fast, broken only by some man-to-son bonding sessions (McGuire's 17 year old son, Josh, is among the diving adventurers) and quarrels with project financier and egotistical nasty man, Carl Hurley, played by Ioan Gruffudd.
I'd certainly recommend this gripping action yarn, with a lot of make- believe thrown in, to dive enthusiasts and armchair adventurers alike. The acting performances are solid enough to keep the plot moving along without too many daft distractions. Overall, the stunning visual experience and thrills on offer, make this one of the best underwater films I've seen.
The Next Three Days
(2010)
A fine new slant on an already excellent idea
25 December 2011
The Next Three Days is based on the critically acclaimed French film Pour Elle (Anything for Her); if you liked that, you will be sure to enjoy this remake. Rather than a slavish copy, director and screenwriter, Paul Haggis, expertly takes the premise and creates a totally new slant on the theme.
Russell Crowe plays mild mannered English teacher, John Brennan, in this dark, smouldering thriller set in Pittsburgh. Setting out to free his wife, having been wrongly convicted of murder, the tension builds as he finds his way out of middle American life and into the crime underworld to gather knowledge and resources. Crowe is comfortable in the role as the tenacious underdog with an excellent performance. Elizabeth Banks, playing Lara Brennan, is also impressive as his incarcerated wife.
The film is complimented by a well written script providing enough tension, action, and drama, to satisfy lovers of the thriller genre.
The supporting cast are superb, especially Lennie James as Lieutenant Nabulsit. I would have been convinced had I not seen his bio that he was an American actor, but he turns out to be British - another example of fine British talent, making a seamless transition to US film roles.
Russell Crowe plays mild mannered English teacher, John Brennan, in this dark, smouldering thriller set in Pittsburgh. Setting out to free his wife, having been wrongly convicted of murder, the tension builds as he finds his way out of middle American life and into the crime underworld to gather knowledge and resources. Crowe is comfortable in the role as the tenacious underdog with an excellent performance. Elizabeth Banks, playing Lara Brennan, is also impressive as his incarcerated wife.
The film is complimented by a well written script providing enough tension, action, and drama, to satisfy lovers of the thriller genre.
The supporting cast are superb, especially Lennie James as Lieutenant Nabulsit. I would have been convinced had I not seen his bio that he was an American actor, but he turns out to be British - another example of fine British talent, making a seamless transition to US film roles.
Iron Man 2
(2010)
Another iron in the fire for Downey Jr.
24 December 2011
This was a full-on high tech bag of laughs from beginning to end, on an even grander scale than Iron Man 1.
Mickey Rourke plays a superb adversary, Ivan Vanko, with his homemade killer suit replete with electrified whipping cables. The action during the Monaco race scene is breathtaking: the crashes and impact feel realistic even in its ridiculous sci-fi context.
Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., suffers a bit of Iron Man Pox due to clocking up too many air miles in his hefty flight suit. This is not helped by other foes and colleague Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes, played by Don Cheadle, hopping on the iron-clad bandwagon to steal his thunder; so-much-so that I even felt a tinge of sympathy for the billionaire narcissist.
Appearances by Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow are notable only as welcome eye candy – especially Johansson in her skin tight butt-kicking suit – but failed to make and real impact with their performances, this mostly due to weak characterisations within the script.
Topped off by a good performance by Sam Rockwell as Stark's jealous slime-ball rival, Justin Hammer, Iron Man 2 is an action-fest that will appeal to many, but especially CGI graphics nerds with a sense of humour.
Mickey Rourke plays a superb adversary, Ivan Vanko, with his homemade killer suit replete with electrified whipping cables. The action during the Monaco race scene is breathtaking: the crashes and impact feel realistic even in its ridiculous sci-fi context.
Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., suffers a bit of Iron Man Pox due to clocking up too many air miles in his hefty flight suit. This is not helped by other foes and colleague Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes, played by Don Cheadle, hopping on the iron-clad bandwagon to steal his thunder; so-much-so that I even felt a tinge of sympathy for the billionaire narcissist.
Appearances by Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow are notable only as welcome eye candy – especially Johansson in her skin tight butt-kicking suit – but failed to make and real impact with their performances, this mostly due to weak characterisations within the script.
Topped off by a good performance by Sam Rockwell as Stark's jealous slime-ball rival, Justin Hammer, Iron Man 2 is an action-fest that will appeal to many, but especially CGI graphics nerds with a sense of humour.
Something Borrowed
(2011)
Something Watchable
22 December 2011
I'm not a regular watcher of soppy chick flicks but Something Borrowed left me feeling okay – I could even make it a habit. Ginnifer Goodwin plays Rachel, who's suffering a very premature mid-life crisis at 30. She has a romantic fling with her best friend's fiancé, Tom Cruise look-a-like, Colin Egglesfield. Kate Hudson plays the dim but bubbly friend, Darcy, and Egglesfield plays Dex - a stereotypical all-American boy - put upon by his stiff parents, but all round nice guy.
The resulting love triangle plot is wholly predictable but saved by good acting performances, a feel good factor – that you have to buy into to some extent – and some funny moments. An excellent performance by John Krasinski, who plays Ethan, as the cuddly but astute friend of Rachel, seals Something Borrowed as a comedy well worth checking out.
The resulting love triangle plot is wholly predictable but saved by good acting performances, a feel good factor – that you have to buy into to some extent – and some funny moments. An excellent performance by John Krasinski, who plays Ethan, as the cuddly but astute friend of Rachel, seals Something Borrowed as a comedy well worth checking out.
Just Go with It
(2011)
Not Going With This!
20 December 2011
Adding to Jennifer Aniston's growing portfolio of Rom-Coms comes Just Go With It, but despite a huge budget, this embarrassing flop ends up going nowhere.
The premise is a good one: a plastic surgeon (Adam Sandler) is in romantic pursuit of a much younger girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker), and trying to smooth over a lie that keeps on building with the help of his assistant at the clinic (Jennifer Aniston). Yet despite the star cast and exotic locations, the actors' delivery is a confused mishmash of slapstick comedy and nerdish quick-fire dialogue.
There are some funny moments, particularly in the first part of the film, but it soon lodges itself firmly in 'uncomfortable viewing' territory. The dialogue – particularly between Aniston and Sandler - is at times rambling and littered with awkward silences. Adding to this bewildering experience are some technical curiosities: the film editing leaves a lot to be desired - woeful cutting and continuity blunders that would leave first year film students aghast. The external sound frequently suffers from ambient distractions, whilst indoor scenes are often clattery or muffled - not of a standard you'd expect of a Hollywood movie. The lighting, too, is brash and littered with inconsistencies - unflattering on the actors.
Aniston outclasses the entire cast in terms of looks, presence and delivery - surely uncomfortable appearing in a production of a standard well beneath her abilities. At 117 minutes, it's a marathon of the worst cinematic kind, becoming more cringe-worthy as it labours to a conclusion.
A shakedown of the script and technical issues could have made this an acceptable comedy, but its fate is sealed early on. Like so many Rom- Coms, it plunges into a quagmire of misfiring gags and flawed plot lines from which it never emerges.
The premise is a good one: a plastic surgeon (Adam Sandler) is in romantic pursuit of a much younger girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker), and trying to smooth over a lie that keeps on building with the help of his assistant at the clinic (Jennifer Aniston). Yet despite the star cast and exotic locations, the actors' delivery is a confused mishmash of slapstick comedy and nerdish quick-fire dialogue.
There are some funny moments, particularly in the first part of the film, but it soon lodges itself firmly in 'uncomfortable viewing' territory. The dialogue – particularly between Aniston and Sandler - is at times rambling and littered with awkward silences. Adding to this bewildering experience are some technical curiosities: the film editing leaves a lot to be desired - woeful cutting and continuity blunders that would leave first year film students aghast. The external sound frequently suffers from ambient distractions, whilst indoor scenes are often clattery or muffled - not of a standard you'd expect of a Hollywood movie. The lighting, too, is brash and littered with inconsistencies - unflattering on the actors.
Aniston outclasses the entire cast in terms of looks, presence and delivery - surely uncomfortable appearing in a production of a standard well beneath her abilities. At 117 minutes, it's a marathon of the worst cinematic kind, becoming more cringe-worthy as it labours to a conclusion.
A shakedown of the script and technical issues could have made this an acceptable comedy, but its fate is sealed early on. Like so many Rom- Coms, it plunges into a quagmire of misfiring gags and flawed plot lines from which it never emerges.
Arthur
(I) (2011)
A Brand new Arthur
11 December 2011
Being a fan of Dudley and the original movie, I started watching this with some trepidation, probably ready to unleash criticism at the slightest weakness. You soon, however, realise that this is a completely different take on the idea and I had the feeling that everyone was perhaps trying a little too hard to be funny. There was certainly some snappy dialogue and it was a colourful, slushy experience that didn't succumb to my notoriously low boredom threshold.
Overall, a lot of fun, despite some slightly nervy acting in places and a few scripting issues. Not laugh out loud like dear old Dudley, but an admirable attempt when you consider just how good the original was.
Overall, a lot of fun, despite some slightly nervy acting in places and a few scripting issues. Not laugh out loud like dear old Dudley, but an admirable attempt when you consider just how good the original was.
Bad Teacher
(2011)
Bad Teacher, Good Comedy!
6 December 2011
Bad Teacher is a refreshing change from a lot of the mediocre, sloppy romantic comedies that crowd the comedy genre. It launches full-on from the start and is neither politically correct, nor for the faint-hearted. The acting is natural and sharp, and Diaz dominates not only with her looks, but also with cutting wit and dialogue that - looking at some of the more negative reviews - will perhaps appeal to a younger audience who can relate to some of the prissy characters that one bumps into in the real world, let alone a Hollywood comedy.
A fun, fast-paced comedy, of course not to be taken seriously in any way, but well worth a look.
A fun, fast-paced comedy, of course not to be taken seriously in any way, but well worth a look.
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