Change Your Image
AngusYoung
Reviews
The Tall Man (2012)
Morally questionable in its moronic theme, and bad in almost every other way too.
This movie is barely worth reviewing given how terrible the script, acting and directing is, but what's given me the urge to do so is the narrow-minded and pathetic concept that is revealed at the end of the film.
For those looking for the next "Martyrs", beware. You may be fooled by the first act of the film, and indeed when the first twist is revealed going into the second, but the story soon looses itself in a tangle of ambiguity and plods along in an attempt to land on its feet and make a pseudo-sociological point. A point which reveals Pascal Laugier's narrow perspective on society and reveals him to be a callow and clumsy writer.
Certainly one of the worst endings I've ever seen, and not just because it disappoints on a narrative level, but also because it ends on such an idiotic and banal question.
Half Nelson (2006)
Those who can't...teach.
This is a tricky one. On the one hand you have to praise this film for it's powerful performances and a fresh approach to the teacher-student genre (most just seem like elongated teaching ads). But the film also has problems, it's very hard to watch, due mostly to an overwhelming pessimistic atmosphere and characters.
What you've heard about the acting in this film is true. Ryan Gosling is brilliant, and even better is the young Shareeka Epps, who excels. The hand held camera style reinforces the realistic and genuineness Ryan Fleck seems very good at. It deals with serious issues in a genuine way, but that's nothing new for indie cinema.
What i found hard about the film were the characters. Gosling's character makes the whole thing less enjoyable: a drugged-up wreck, whose unpredictable and irrational behaviour gives you this constant feel of foreboding. You're not sure whether he'll go too far in the next scene and you're hoping he's not stupid enough to do so, especially in the company of the children. In a way the film is impressive for this reason, it provokes. But it's also irritating, watching someone doing stupid things over and over again isn't fun, and you end up feeling like screaming at gosling to get off his ass and do something, go somewhere, and get a life. I do think there's a certain audience for this type of film, and it's important to appreciate it even if it's not for you.
I can't say watching this film was a wholly enjoyable experience, but it was an experience. I don't always watch films to have a good time, and neither should you. It's a tough film, but it's not boring. You'll wish the characters could have been given a bit more spark and optimism, but this isn't that kind of film, and that's the important thing to understand.
Insomnia (2002)
One of the best thrillers, if not films, i have ever seen. Extremely underrated.
Insomnia is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated films of all time. It is a first class thriller, with brilliant performances, character depth,cinematography and a great score.
Nolan is one the best new talents out there, and i can't wait for more of his stuff.
A lot of thrillers rely upon a tense plot to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, films like Misery or maybe Fatal Atrraction. Insomnia has that, plus much, much more.
Nolan's direction is flawless, and the Alaskan locations gives the film a great setting. It's also great to see Robin Williams in a role like this.
I'd recommend it to anyone.
King Kong (2005)
great, but not amazing
This is a great movie, and i highly recommend anyone to go see it. The CG is amazing, best to date, and some of the scenes are really good. I say some, because a lot of them are pretty pointless and quite boring.
To start off, the whole film is way too long. i don't mind a film being really long sometimes, but only when it can be, e.g, Once upon a time in America, which is 229 mins but still great. It just didn't have the constant pace it needed to keep me entertained for 3 hours.
The whole first act is waaayy too long. It takes an hour for the crew to get on the boat basically, and then about half an hour for them to arrive at the island, and considering there's not many thrills to be gathered apart from a little insight into the narrative and the characters, its pretty boring.
Now once they get on the island it starts to get good. The islanders are sufficiently creepy, but they're basically forgotten about after the crew scare them off, which is really annoying (i really liked the way the islanders managed to get on the boat though). Then follows one of the best scenes in the movie, the dinosaur chase down this canyon. Apart from a couple of iffy shots, the effects here are amazing, but once again, after these dinosaurs have left, they're never seen or talked about either.
The scenes with Ann and Kong are great too, i think the relationship between the two of them was something Jackson got spot on. Then comes the bit with the bugs, which, again, is momentarily pleasing, but quite brief. Then, the T-rexes, which are great.
Anyway, the crew eventually manage to get Kong to New York, somehow, and the rampage starts, which again goes on for far too long. I thought the scene when Kong and Ann are skating on the ice was quite moving, and further proof of this unusual love story being at the heart of the film.
Then Kong gets chased up the Empire state building and is shot down by planes.
All in all, it's a very very impressive film. If you want to see just how money, how much effort and how much technology can be out into film these days, then you must see it. The whole film is beautifully done and unlike any other. However, the plot may really drag you down, and there just simply isn't enough depth to the parts that are just forgotten about (if you wanna see dinosaurs, stick to Jurassic park which offers far more in that area and is done much much better). Jackson could have cut out a whole load of useless stuff and added just a little more to these areas, which i think would make the film feel that much more convincing, consistent and plain enjoyable.
Mean Creek (2004)
An amazing film, with amazing performances.
Mean Creek is one of the best films i've seen in recent years, but it's hard to say why. I guess its the setting, the atmosphere, the plot, and probably most of all, the acting. The cast is one of the strongest I've ever seen, and they're all children. To start off, the film is set in a beautiful area in oregon, which helps give the film a unique atmosphere. The story is brilliantly directed, anyone who'been to school will recognize each and every character. Josh Peck is amazing as George the bully. He really manages to act like the typical bully, but not only in the harsh evil way, he has the humanity that bullies have inside. It also has some great, emotional music to acompany it which does but help the on going sad atmosphere. I can't think of a reason why anyone would at least not appreciate this film, personally i think it's amazing. If you don't really like it, your probably trying to act hard and macho, so before judging it as a soppy kids movie, go see it.