Favourite Films

Tangled – Review

Posted by in Reviews
04/02/11

Pixar is an amazing computer animated film company. They churn out hit after hit, each film in turn tugging on our heart strings, tickling our funny bone and winning commercial and critical acclaim (Toy Story 3 is Oscar nominated for Best Picture!). It’s hard to see this company putting a foot wrong (fingers crossed for Cars 2 though), their films breaking new ground and pleasing us with their unique style and beautiful aesthetics.

tangled

It’s a good job that Disney re-teamed with these giants to help recover their animation crown. Disney had their shot at computer animation with films such as Chicken Little, Meet the Robinsons and Bolt 3D all charming but all near misses and nowhere near to Pixar’s usual strengths. However Disney gave it another go, one more chance to prove themselves, which leads me neatly onto Tangled.

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Dinner for Schmucks – Review

Posted by in Reviews
15/09/10

I don’t know about you but a lot of modern day comedies just don’t quite have the wow factor for me. There are a few goodies out there, and some films which have great comic moments, but they’re usually films which aren’t straight, flat-out comedy. One of the few actual laugh-out-loud, modern comedies that I have really appreciated is (probably one of the most quoted films of all time) Anchorman (2004). The timing, the script, and the acting…superb, especially from the hidden gem that was the then not so famous Steve Carell as the ‘mentally retarded’ but loveable Brick Tamland.

dinner

Since this film I have been an avid fan of the genius that is Mr Carell, and when I found out that he was to be teaming up once again with Paul Rudd (Hollywood’s go to comedy straight man) I couldn’t wait. So waiter, Dinner for Schmucks please.

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[REC] 2 – Review

Posted by in Reviews, Uncategorized
01/06/10

I used to be the type of person who just didn’t do horror films. I was squeamish and petrified with fear at the thought of watching them. I glimpsed a bit of the original Nightmare on Elm Street when I was young and couldn’t sleep without a crucifix near the bed for quite some time. Then I did something both brave and foolish, I watched the 1974 Texas Chain Saw Massacre, by myself at night, in my mid teens. It freaked me out so much I had to watch Austin Powers afterwards for some comic relief, but, since then, my horror film capability has changed.

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Now, I have watched many a horror film and thought “That was a bit cheesy”, “That is what they’re afraid of?” and (in a sarcastic tone) “Wow. Didn’t see that coming!” Obviously there are a few exceptions to this rule, but I find that most of these exceptions tend to be filmic contributions from countries where English is not the first (or only) language. This leads me nicely to [REC] 2.

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Kick Ass – (Review Take Two)

Posted by in Reviews, Super...Heroes!, Uncategorized
26/03/10

He looks like the long lost, curly haired, American brother of Daniel Radcliffe and Elijah Wood combined. He has the “Geek Chic” factor and comic book nerdiness that both Peter Parker and (the lesser known) Chuck AKA Charles Carmichael possess. No one has heard of him…until he dons the green scuba diving suit and becomes a superhero, and as the tagline says he can’t fly, but he could kick your ass.

kick ass

In case you haven’t guessed I’m talking about the super hero movie Kick Ass, but even though I have put this film under this category don’t think that this is a run of the mill, nobody-geek-to-tough-good-guy film, there’s so much more to it than that! SO much more!

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From Paris With Love – Review

Posted by in Reviews, Uncategorized
05/03/10

Gone is the slick darkened hair, the streamlined figure of a disco dancer, and the voice which sang many a ballad or rock ‘n’ roll melody. His visage may have greatly changed but there’s no doubt it’s still him. Yes, it’s John Travolta. And what’s more he’s taken a dramatic make-under for the leading role in his latest film From Paris With Love, continuing the re-invention trend he’s taken up alongside Hairspray.

paris

Can’t think what is making him take up these turns of direction…oh yeah, Wild Hogs, oh and Battlefield Earth, the films which undid all his good work in Pulp Fiction and Get Shorty. So, I went along to this movie to see how this role would work out for Mr Travolta on his rollercoaster ride of an acting career.

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Youth in Revolt – Review

Posted by in Reviews, Uncategorized
03/03/10

You have to wonder how much of a role Michael Cera’s agent played in the making of Youth In Revolt. After a string of good, but incredibly one-note performances in films such as Juno, Superbad and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist little Mickey Cera needed a change of pace. But then change, as Garth prophesied should be feared. With Micheal’s particular brand of quirky/adorable loser still winning big with (dis)enfranchised teens, giving up the golden goose would be tricky. How about a film where he gets to be quirky/adorbale and bat-shit crazy. Ker-ching! That’s one happy agent.

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