This film was recommended to me for several reasons. One of the reasons being, Hitchin based metal group; Neverworld has written a song loosely based off this movie. The song titled, They Live (We Sleep) has been recorded and is currently having a music video in the making. I am currently serving as the camera operator for the video and I was told to watch this film for ideas. The other reason for this film being recommended towards me is because; the film in question is known to have a 5 minute plus long fight scene which, I been told I would enjoy.
I could honestly say, I enjoyed this film the moment the first frame hit my TV screen. Granted the acting isn't at all great, the special effects look very dated, topped off with the fact that there are plot holes big enough a fully grown elephant could walk through...but that is the charm behind John Carpenter's They Live.
The well known fight scene is easily the highlight of the film. What makes it funnier is that the entire context of the fight itself is absolutely pointless.
If this film had a bigger budget or had featured better acting and writing, The charm of this fun flick wouldn't at all exist.
5/5
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Cowboys and Aliens Review
Cowboys and Aliens is kinda like a bag of pick 'n' mix sweets. While there maybe a tasty addictive treat within, there is also the bitter soul tasting sweet which no one likes.
Cowboys and Aliens opens up like the old classic westerns of the '50s and '60s. And for the the first 25minitues or so. The film does feel like a genuine western. However due to the title, the viewer always knows that aliens will come into the narrative at some point.
Cowboys and Aliens does strike some similarities to another film; Starship Troopers. The similarities throughout can be seen in the narrative and alien design. To begin with, Cowboys features quite a large cast for a 2 hour film, because of this, some characters do not gain enough screen time or character development. This was a problem which featured in Starship Troopers. Luckily the acting in Cowboys is strong throughout. Another similarity to Starship could be seen in the alien design and portrayal. The aliens themselves are shown to be powerful, dominant and almost invincible in the first half of the movie, however their design contradicts them, especially in the daylight scenes where their looks are just corny and comic. Again, very similar to Starship.
Overall, Cowboys and Aliens will entertain despite the 'aliens' element being somewhat ripped from other films. The western motifs are strong though.
My Rating
3/5
Sunday, 14 August 2011
The Rise of the Planet of the Apes review
As of mid-august 2011, no film has grabbed my attention, causing a stir with my emotions, until Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the 2011 reboot to the franchise, and unlike that Tim Burton movie, the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, manages to succeed in creating a film which can both stand on its own merit, but also have enough material to spawn it sequels.
To note, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a violent film. Much more than what the trailer promotes. Luckily the violence works for the story and is not tacked on. The film is also brilliantly acted with characters being from ambitious yet flawed, threatening yet human. The specials effects are also great; while they are not Avatar, the special effects managed to the job.
When I saw the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, I was in an almost crowded cinema, and what was unique was that every reaction following certain scenes, happened in unison. It happened during character Caesar's first spoken words; it happened during the finale battle.
Now I wrote in the review of Captain America, that it was the best film of the summer. After seeing the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The opinion has changed. The Rise of the Planet of the Apes is so far the best summer film of 2011. It is also the best film I have seen this year period.
My Rating
5/5
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Captain America Review
The Superhero Genre are the new Westerns. Both genres share the similar themes and concepts. They're also profitable, and currently, studios; major and minor, right now are milking the genre to every penny. Frankly, its getting boring now.
Captain America is the last major superhero release for 2011, and its a good one. While it has its problems, it is easily the best film of the summer so far. It is also the best superhero film to come out this year.
Since the release of Iron Man 2, all the Marvel film releases (with the exception of X-men) have been building up to The Avengers movie. Because of this, these films (Iron Man 2, Thor) suffer from problems. These include pacing issues, lack of character development, and the under use of some great names and actors. However in Captain America; the first avenger, those issues are none existent. Like the first two Marvel cinematic universe titles (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk), Captain America can easily be a stand alone title.
The film itself is very enjoyable, however this film doesn't make great use 3D so if possible. Captain America should be viewed in 2D if possible. The acting in Captain America is good throughout even thou it can be quite over the top and over dramatic. The characters in the film are well written and well portrayed, and unlike Iron Man 2 or Thor, the romantic sub-plot isn't tacked on.
Sadly the film does have its problems. Because the superhero genre is becoming overpopulated, clichés are starting to emerge, and those are quite evident in Captain America throughout. While the clichés ain't as bad as they are in Fast Five; it can be quite distracting when one or two pop up.
This film is easily the best film of the summer so far, and is the best superhero release of this year. It is also the last major superhero film for this year which is a good thing.
My Rating
4.5/5
Captain America is the last major superhero release for 2011, and its a good one. While it has its problems, it is easily the best film of the summer so far. It is also the best superhero film to come out this year.
Since the release of Iron Man 2, all the Marvel film releases (with the exception of X-men) have been building up to The Avengers movie. Because of this, these films (Iron Man 2, Thor) suffer from problems. These include pacing issues, lack of character development, and the under use of some great names and actors. However in Captain America; the first avenger, those issues are none existent. Like the first two Marvel cinematic universe titles (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk), Captain America can easily be a stand alone title.
The film itself is very enjoyable, however this film doesn't make great use 3D so if possible. Captain America should be viewed in 2D if possible. The acting in Captain America is good throughout even thou it can be quite over the top and over dramatic. The characters in the film are well written and well portrayed, and unlike Iron Man 2 or Thor, the romantic sub-plot isn't tacked on.
Sadly the film does have its problems. Because the superhero genre is becoming overpopulated, clichés are starting to emerge, and those are quite evident in Captain America throughout. While the clichés ain't as bad as they are in Fast Five; it can be quite distracting when one or two pop up.
This film is easily the best film of the summer so far, and is the best superhero release of this year. It is also the last major superhero film for this year which is a good thing.
My Rating
4.5/5
Monday, 1 August 2011
Horrible Bosses Review
Comedies are a subjective genre, while this could be said about any other genre. Comedies (and Horror) generally takes the most flack. Half the time, the flack is generally due to a fault of the film (i.e bad acting, plot holes, chemistry etc). However most of the time, bad reviews of a comedy generally stems from the idea; what makes the viewer laugh.
Luckily Horrible Bosses (dir.Seth Gordon) did bring me laughs. I generally tend to find dark humour very funny, and Horrible Bosses is full of it. That's not all, the film is brilliantly acted, with the three leads (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis) providing enough material to chew the screen with. The three leading actors also shared a great deal of chemistry, which furthered the likeability of their characters. The supporting cast were also great, giving their share of memorable moments.
The only tiny complaint I had with the movie was that one or two bits and pieces were unexplained, which did bug me. Mostly the idea that the car operator, "Gregory" recording the conversations with the three leads. I felt that could of featured more of an explanation earlier in the film as it did feel somewhat out of the blue towards the film's climax (i.e chekhov's gun).
Overall Horrible Bosses is a funny and entertaining film, and providing one is into black comedies, it is a must see film.
My Rating
4.5/5
Luckily Horrible Bosses (dir.Seth Gordon) did bring me laughs. I generally tend to find dark humour very funny, and Horrible Bosses is full of it. That's not all, the film is brilliantly acted, with the three leads (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis) providing enough material to chew the screen with. The three leading actors also shared a great deal of chemistry, which furthered the likeability of their characters. The supporting cast were also great, giving their share of memorable moments.
The only tiny complaint I had with the movie was that one or two bits and pieces were unexplained, which did bug me. Mostly the idea that the car operator, "Gregory" recording the conversations with the three leads. I felt that could of featured more of an explanation earlier in the film as it did feel somewhat out of the blue towards the film's climax (i.e chekhov's gun).
Overall Horrible Bosses is a funny and entertaining film, and providing one is into black comedies, it is a must see film.
My Rating
4.5/5
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