Plot Holes, And Quite Cheesy, But Entertaining.

Posted : 2 weeks, 2 days ago on 9 July 2008 10:36 (A review of Mindhunters)

"Mindhunters" tells the story of several FBI Agents that go on a training mission on a deserted island to see if they have what it takes. At first, the mission is normal. With practice objectives, and obstacles. There is only one thing. Are these small objectives and occurences actually just training? the answer is no, they are not. This film is filled with so many twists and turns it boggled my mind. First I thought these weird happenings were part of the training process, then I thought differently. I just kept changing my mind, and the film was really making me think. At first it was confusing, but when I got further through the film it got highly entertaining to watch, and I was really enjoying it. After all of that, the group members begin getting killed one by one in vastly different ways. The group realizes the killer is one of their own and things start going crazy and very thrilling. The film is great up to the final fifteen minutes or so where there was just one twist too many, and I just wanted the film to get to the main point. The film had some corny scenes, and the fight choreography was horrible. Good thing there was only one fight. Other than that I highly enjoyed this film and recommend it very much.

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casts was so amazing :)

Posted : 2 weeks, 2 days ago on 9 July 2008 09:15 (A review of Pride & Prejudice)

i would really commend the director for picking such a awesome cast for the movie. Matthew Macfadyen and Kiera Knightley seemed like the perfect match. this is one of my favorite movies.

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You'd Eat Them Too!

Posted : 2 weeks, 2 days ago on 9 July 2008 08:41 (A review of Cannibal Holocaust)

Yes, a revenge flick, my most favorite meta-genre, but good enough to be better than most. What I like best about this movie is the format in which it's told. Here's the high level overview, copied and pasted directly from Wikipedia.org...

"...the movie tells the story of four documentarians who journey deep into the jungle to film indigenous tribes. Two months later, after they fail to return, famous anthropologist Harold Monroe travels on a rescue mission to find the group. Eventually, he recovers and views their lost cans of film, which reveal the missing filmmakers' fate."

(Their fate is pretty obvious, btw.) In any case, the format gave it a true sense of reality as all you know about the four filmmakers is what you see as you watch the films with Mr. Monroe, the anthropologist.

It's a fascinating film, but heed the warnings! It really is as graphic and disturbing as they say and there are scenes of actual animal death. Also, I highly recommend reading the rest of the Wikipedia article. This movie knocked people off their asses back in the day!


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I enjoyed it

Posted : 2 weeks, 3 days ago on 9 July 2008 12:54 (A review of The Banquet)

This film is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, using the play as a basic framework with enough big changes to make it its own whilst still holding familiarity to the original idea. The main characters are almost all there, apart from the ghost and Horatio, the latter working out fine especially as he could have easily turned into a sidekick figure in the scheme of things.

Moving away from the origins of the story, the cinematics were rather impressive. The fight and dance scenes were very well choreographed and articulated throughout, adding an artistic touch to a brutal story. The sets successfully helped provide the film with an aesthetic aspect also, especially seen in not only the physical scenery (just take a look at the cityscape at the coronation ceremony) but the lighting and colours too.

Overall I rather liked the adaptation of the Western classic. A very aesthetically pleasing film with awesome fight scenes that don’t overpower the film itself, providing a good balance. My only qualm was the very end, as the question hangs in the viewer’s mind: Who? But if this is the only problem I had with the film then that’s a good thing really. I recommend this movie to fans of Asian cinema and anyone curious to see how the Hamlet adaptation went. Its worth a watch.

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A let down

Posted : 2 weeks, 3 days ago on 9 July 2008 12:48 (A review of Wassup Rockers)

Watching this movie I felt rather disappointed with Larry Clark and not entirely sure what he was doing, or try to do, rather. Wassup Rockers pales in comparison to both Kids and Bully (and I hope Ken Park also, which I have yet to watch at the time of writing this review), seeming much more strained and dull.

In short, the film consists of a rather uninteresting storyline which picks up more and more forced scenarios. I kept thinking to myself, ok, when is the real story actually going to begin? And it never did. The only reason I would say this was actually worth watching is in comparison with his other works, otherwise I think this was a very average production, not at all up to Clark's usual standards.

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Simply an awesome action flick!

Posted : 2 weeks, 3 days ago on 9 July 2008 11:35 (A review of RoboCop)

Bob Morton: "What are your Prime Directives?"
RoboCop: "Serve the public trust, protect the innocent, uphold the law."

RoboCop was released during a generation dominated by a studio obsession with futuristic science fiction action flicks. Prior to the release of RoboCop, James Cameron accomplished success with a low-budget old-school sci-fi action film flaunting muscle-bound actor Arnold Schwarzenegger portraying a killer robot in The Terminator. Even before that, there was Blade Runner and Star Wars - so it's safe to assert that sci-fi was the prominently triumphant genre throughout the 70s, 80s and beyond. Orion, the studio that distributed The Terminator, was more than happy to tackle another science fiction action film featuring an unstoppable cyborg...and found satisfaction when the script for RoboCop fell into their lap. The film's screenplay effectively masquerades as your customary superhero film in the same vein as Superman. Underneath it's possible to ascertain a far more complex multi-faceted production that wears several of its inspirations on its sleeves. This includes references to Frankenstein, Dirty Harry, Judge Dredd and Metropolis among many others. With a few similarities to formerly familiar films, the charm of this wonderful action flick continues to elevate.

It's the ideas that swirl around underneath all the action and killing (of which there is a lot!) that make this film interesting. Nevertheless it's an awesome action romp that still works well on the simple level of a superhero who is wronged, transformed, and ultimately rededicated to foiling evil. And of course, some of the robots and weapons are pretty fun - like those enormous cannons that the thugs employ to shoot up the city. The RoboCop firearm is just badass as well! Practically every aspect of the film remains virtually impeccable decades after the initial release.

RoboCop is set in a not-too-distant, non-specific futuristic time frame. The charm of the film is that no specific time period is disclosed. It could be 100 years into the future, or virtually present day. The film's central location is the city of Detroit that is falling apart as a consequence of crime. Police officers are unhappy with their work conditions, and a strike is in negotiations. A private organisation, Omni Consomer Products (OCP), eventually seizes control of local law enforcement to ensure security on the streets. Technicians at OCP begin developing a robot that can uphold the law and work diligently. Subsequent to a disastrous prototype, the technicians instigate a new program - the RoboCop program (therein lies the title) - as a follow-up to sustain the philosophy. When policeman Alex Murphy (Weller) is sadistically slaughtered by a street gang (one of the most brutal executions in film history), OCP technicians use his deceased corpse to manufacture a perfect cop with mechanical limbs and superhuman capabilities...a machine completely impervious to bullets and explosions. The results are highly successful as RoboCop begins abolishing crime in the city. However, RoboCop begins remembering some of his past memories and commences a rampage aiming for a goal of retribution.

Dutch director Paul Verhoeven contributes stellar direction to the production. Originally the director wasn't interested in taking the reigns until his wife talked him into it. Verhoeven seized RoboCop with escalating enthusiasm, seeing the film as a way of making keen annotations regarding the conditions of things in the USA from the perspective of an outsider. He conveyed an unyielding impression of pace and economy...with a few hundred litres of fake blood to compliment the action scenes. In addition to the ingenious creative concepts contributed by Verhoeven, there's the remarkable Ed Neumeier script that takes an enthralling look at a dystopian society of the future. Unfortunately, the film's marginal weakness is in the script. The film will surely be scoffed at by today's audiences. In tradition with typical 1980s action flicks such as those executed with Stallone or Arnie as the film's primary acting talent, the one-liners are badass but laughable. One of the film's principally stand-out features at the time was the work of gifted Rob Bottin who contributes special effects that still retain their 'wow' factor. Sure, some of the stop motion techniques look dated but they are still mighty impressive. The RoboCop outfit looks inspirationally spectacular. If that's not enough, the score by Basil Poledouris is truly wonderful. The theme is awesome! It sincerely delivers the correct messages and constantly portrays a sensation of exhilaration during the action scenes. Memorable themes are persistently absent from movies nowadays, and so it's revitalising to take a look back to when movie music meant something.

RoboCop is supported by an amazing cast! Peter Weller instantly perfects his role from his first line delivery. When Weller is placed underneath the elaborate outfit, all we see is his lower face. The filmmakers were apparently seeking someone with a strong jaw-line. This goal is achieved...and the altered, more mechanical voice sounds fantastic and perfectly suited to the corny lines assigned to the character. Kurtwood Smith is also very impressive as the film's central villain. Like many other aspects of the film, his performance will probably be regarded as laughable. Still, he seems evil and he does evil things. This is the period of the 80s action films in question!

Overall, RoboCop quickly earned a place among my all-time favourite action films. It's an extremely fun action flick that, despite all its predictability, delivers an engaging portrait of a futuristic superhero kicking arse and unleashing a one-man war on the bad guys. A commendable facet of the action scenes is that we can no longer criticise the appalling aiming of those firing at the hero. Instead RoboCop is hit several times...but of course cannot be wounded by bullets or weapons so he is able to continue his tremendous killing spree. It's a rare event to witness an action film of this stature anymore: instead the studios opt for watered down violence and kiddie action scenes to aim for a mainstream audience. RoboCop is everything one could desire from a hardcore science fiction action film. There's awesome production design, abundant action and plenty of opportunities for corny lines to surface while violence unfolds. In a sense it's a futuristic western that also borrows elements from other famous films. This is simply an awesome movie that is worthy of multiple screenings.

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British cinematic brilliance...

Posted : 2 weeks, 3 days ago on 9 July 2008 03:34 (A review of This Is England)

"Listen to me. He's a young lad. He's had a fucking bad week. So we bring him in wi' us to show him a bloody good time and you've just friggin back handed him roun' head. I'M DISAPPOINTED MATE!"

Of the existing generation of British filmmakers, talented director Shane Meadows is indisputably one of the most confrontational and forthright. The talent of Meadows is in the impressive films he continually creates. Meadows' creations can be gut-wrenching experiences; however in other films he demonstrated that he possesses the aptitude to challenge an audience on an emotional level. Those who've witnessed his 2004 film, Dead Man's Shoes, can definitely testify to this perspective.

This Is England is his latest work and marks an especially personal film for Shane Meadows. A great deal of the story is sourced from his former association with skinhead posses in the early 1980s. A staggering extent of authenticity has been accomplished not only through admirable production design, make-up and costumes - but moreover the skilful utilisation of stock footage and music originating from the period in which the story is set. This Is England opens with an assortment of stock footage concerning the Thatcher era and particularly the war in the Falklands. This instantaneously establishes the film's mood and institutes an atmosphere of conflict and ambiguity. Filmmakers Meadows makes it comprehensible that this isn't a movie about nostalgia...this is the 1980s as an aching, anguished, heart-rending memory. This Is England is a gripping film regarding a boy's pursuit for acceptance after the unfortunate death of his father. True to his typical filmmaking elegance, writer/director Shane Meadows pulls no punches. There are several scenes that viewers will find extremely confronting. British cinema hasn't been this remarkable since Danny Boyle's Trainspotting over a decade ago.

This compelling drama is centred on a young boy named Shaun (Turgoose) who lives with his mother (Hartley) in the Midlands of England. It becomes clear soon into the film that Shaun is struggling to deal with the catastrophic bereavement of his father who tragically died in the Falklands war, while also enduring the unremitting torment of school bullies. On Shaun's final day of the school term he is bullied severely by a bloke at school. Subsequent to this school day, Shaun is walking home alone when he inadvertently stumbles upon a small group of skinheads. Woody (Gilgun), the group's leader, takes an instantaneous shine to Shaun and offers him support with his troubles at school. Soon enough, Shaun meets the rest of the group and becomes a popular new member. The group provides the troubled young Shaun with the fatherly guidance and security that he severely craves.

The gratification of the group is unexpectedly interrupted by the return of Combo (Graham) following a stint in prison lasting several years. Combo silently took the blame for Woody years before, and immediately recommences a prominently authoritative role within the gang. But Combo's phase in prison also realigned his social and political stance. Combo addresses the group on what he anticipates will be their next phase, but his aspiration to have everyone engrossed in this racial hatred results in the splitting of the group. Young Shaun chooses the radical path after Combo instils in him an impression of misplaced patriotism. Combo perceives great promise in Shaun and treats him as a son. Shaun is offered Combo's abiding support and loyalty. As the fostering of racial hatred persists, Shaun is unexpectedly challenged with a situation that sincerely questions the ethical issue of a discordant and violent lifestyle that has befallen him. At a tender young age of 12, Shaun takes a mature evaluation of his life and of those who seek to nurture him.

This Is England is a truly extraordinary film permeated with uncompromising messages of the period and controversial viewpoints pertaining to the 1980s political situation. Meadows is capable of combining comedy and drama impeccably; there are great subtle laughs, but the film's jolts arrive with the strength of a kick to the head. Everything from the directing to the acting is first-rate. Typical for a Shane Meadows flick, the film is infused with infectious dialogue and fully-fleshed characters, although one of the film's principle attributes is that of Danny Cohen's cinematography that proficiently manages to encapsulate the bleak feeling that was evident of the time. Cohen's photography is both gritty and dour...with an impeccably set atmosphere.

The cast is lead by the astonishing Thomas Turgoose who smoothly expresses the assortment of diverse emotions the material calls for. Through intense workshopping, Turgoose has fashioned the character of Shaun through his own experience as much as director Shane Meadows'. Pinch-faced and awkward but brimming with prepubescent swagger, he's the film's shining centre and it'd be impossible to see a superior, more naturalistic child performance in the next few years. Special recognition must go to Stephen Graham as the vicious skinhead Combo. His dialogue is littered with profound uses of swearing and filthy scatological terms. The whole film builds up his overwhelming rage that is released on screen in an unforgettable few moments. The most haunting aspect of the film is its music. It's remarkable, unforgettable and is tweaked to absolute brilliance. The filmmaking cannot be faulted at all.

Overall, This Is England is an absolutely brilliant movie. Gritty, compelling, tragic yet funny - Britain has never exported a film of this perfection since 1996 when Danny Boyle made his mark on cinema with Trainspotting. Once again writer/director Meadows has set a precedent for British filmmakers and has obscured many of his filmmaking contemporaries. This Is England may not make for comfortable viewing but it is cinema at its best. The film is challenging, stimulating and confronting...this film cannot be missed at any cost.

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My thoughts on From Dusk till Dawn

Posted : 2 weeks, 3 days ago on 8 July 2008 09:10 (A review of From Dusk Till Dawn)

I had this movie on DVD for ages I just never watched it until a few days ago I never thought how good this movie was going to be but I did enjoy it. Quentin Tarantino plays the best part how friendly he can be then all of a sudden he's crazy it's just a shame he's not in the movie all the way. George Clooney he was decent but Quentin should of been the main character. From the start it just seems like Quentin's usual movies then like half way zombies come in it really kind of make it more interesting and just some parts are too funny.

I don't even think I need to explain what this movie is about it is a popular movie and loads of people have seen it. I thought it was great.

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You don't mess with the Zohan. Are do you?

Posted : 2 weeks, 4 days ago on 8 July 2008 05:23 (A review of You Don't Mess with the Zohan)

Adam Sandler most recent film is about a counter terrorist agent who moves to America to become a hairstylist. Meanwhile, there are several people after him trying to kill him.

The story was sub-par with some great in depth moments. It w There were several flaws however. The story was a bit rushed and had some pretty dull moments and plot holes. Other than that, it was good.

Adam Sandler has always been known for acting as bizarre yet hilarious characters in is films throughout his career. He has been successful in most of them and most are real crowd pleasers. He has really made his mark in the film industry. If you are looking for one of those films. In other words one of his classic comedy films, then I am sorry to say, you will not find it in Zohan. This film is more of a spoof film than any others. Sandler has his hilarious moments and he does do quite well. Although after watching this film you will not feel that classic Sandler spark. It is more of a film for pure entertainment, not winning an oscar type.

Well now the final verdict. Is Zohan really a film worth spending 1 hour and 45 minutes on? or is it pure garbage?. Well, I say it is highly entertaining with some great and hilarious action scenes. Very good story. Pretty good acting. And one more thing. I was never bored while watching it. Those are the positives. Now, here are the negatives. Throughout the film you will most likely not be laughing at certain scenes. The reason I say that, is because there are so many horribly laid out jokes that just fail on every level. And they have bad timing as well. Some of them are also just too old to use these days. There is only one more negative aspect. The film is rather corny. Some of the lines could be drastically improved and the acting can at a lot of times be cheesy. I think Zohan is worth the watch.





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Babel review

Posted : 2 weeks, 4 days ago on 8 July 2008 01:24 (A review of Babel)

O filme tem uma história boa - o clássico caso do filme que
conta tantas histórias diferentes, mas que no final você
descobre que há uma conexão entre todas. Fiquei intrigada
durante boa parte do filme, aquele desespero em saber o que
aconteceria nas próximas cenas, mas tudo acompanhado daquela
certeza de que haveria algo que colocaria todos os personagens
do filme bem próximos pelos acontecimentos. Apesar de tudo isso,
a direção não deixa a desejar. Nota 6.

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