Day 54: Superman IV.

Day 54: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987, Dir. Sidney J. Furie)



Superman is back! But please lower your expectations now. This is better than Superman III in a crazy sort of way but that’s still not saying much…

3/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094074/

Extra: Alan?

Day 53: Son of the Mask.

Day 53: Son of the Mask (2005, Dir. Lawrence Guterman)



Urrrrrggghhhh…. Everything vaguely good, charming or even vaguely likeable from the original is gone.

Why did you do it Alan Cumming? Why?

1.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362165/

Extra: Will this remain the blogs lowest scoring entry? Please feel free to suggest crap…

Day 52: Man Thing.

Blog 52: Man Thing (2005, Dir. Brett Leonard)

You would think maybe a Marvel comic book adaptation might just make a good horror B-movie? Well, maybe it would; but not this time I’m afraid true believers.

Wooden characters, a ropey plot and some cheap CGI hold this together, and there aren’t not enough shocks or scares to keep you interested and it’s not one of those “So bad its good” horror films either, its just unforgivably drawn out and dull. The one saving grace is the Man Thing itself which is annoyingly underused.

Stick to the big hitters in the Marvel film catalogue, Spidey, The X-Men, Iron Man… maybe even Howard the Duck would do!

3/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290747/

Extra: That’s right, Howard the Duck - way better.

Day 51: Muppets From Space.

Day 51: Muppets From Space (1999, Dir. Tim Hill)

In 1999 The Muppets rounded out the Millennium with a return to the big screen, this time it was Gonzo the Greats chance to take centre stage in a pseudo-independence day styled sci-fi epic!

This film is really enjoyable and good natured fun too, with a good mix of classic Muppet styled humour, like Statler and Waldof, Fozzie Bear and Animal to elements that are fresher but fit well such as the fantastic Pepe the King Prawn. However it doesn’t really live up to the big hitters in the Jim Henson back catalogue, its got the heart and its got the hijinks but it just doesn’t hit the mark as much as you’d hope; perhaps if the script was a little tighter it could be a classic. As always there are a few celebs ready to pop up in various little roles in this Muppet production, ranging from a genuinely funny turns from Ray Liotta and Kathy Griffin to somewhat more questionable moments featuring Rob Schneider and David Arquette.

Far from their finest hour, but ultimately good clean fun in the classic Muppet way.

6/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158811/

Extra: Favourite Muppets anyone?

Day 50: Die Another Day.

Day 50: Die Another Day (2002, Dir. Lee Tamahori)

You were perhaps hoping for something more special for the 50th Blog milestone?

This movie is a bit of a joke to be honest, and that’s even comparing it to some of the other joke Bond films, and I’ve seen enough of them on Sunday afternoons to know this… This one came out with a big release back in 2002 and seemed to have a lot going for it and a great swarm of hype. It all starts off so well too with a promising North Korean premise, but it all gets a bit mixed up soon afterwards.

Don’t get me wrong here, there is a lot of fun to have in this one, the swashbuckling fencing sequence with the outrageously over the top villain is great bit of action and there are also some great sly nods to Bond fans with visual references and in jokes. Added to the fact that Pierce is clearly lapping up every chance he gets for another one liner this film certainly has its fun moments; but really you’d kind of hope for a little more substance. It seems as though for every impressive visual flair there is some naff CGI and for every great idea there is an invisible car.

Of course after this one it all changed with the arrival of Daniel Craig and the hard knocks school of Bond film, coming in the form of the fantastic Casino Royale and the equally great Quantum of Solace; mind you it’s interesting to think what Pierce could have done with another outing as 007.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246460/

Extra: Hopefully Bond 23 with Sam Mendes at the helm will be back on track soon…

Day 49: Grosse Pointe Blank.

Day 49: Grosse Pointe Blank (1997, Dir. George Armitage)

If it wasn’t for that pesky Quentin Tarantino this could be the coolest film of the 90’s, and if it wasn’t for High Fidelity this could be John Cusacks career best. Mind you it’s a pretty close call on both accounts.

Grosse Pointe Blank effortlessly blends blistering brutal action with genuinely funny comedy, a dazzlingly good script and an impressive 80’s soundtrack to boot, what’s not to like?

John Cusack leads the fantastic ensemble cast with a pitch perfect performance that manages to take into his account his kick boxing, dry humour and heart and from it produces a really lovable character, who just happens to be a deadly assassin. Every other player is on top form too with a great quirky turn from Minnie Driver, a fantastic Jeremy Piven, the ever lovable Joan Cusack and a outrageously over the top Dan Aykroyd all playing their part in knocking this one out of the park.

The films concept is so simple, yet so brilliant its easy to see why the highlights come thick and fast throughout; from the explosive hallways fight backed by The Beat’s Mirror in the Bathroom to the emotionally beautiful baby sequence with David Bowie and Queen’s Under Pressure bringing the action to an awe struck standstill.

I’ll admit I’m a bit out of touch with some of Cussacks recent work, for every interesting film like 1408 or Max it looks like there are a fair few missteps and then there is 2012 which looked like… well the less said the better. Hopefully this years Hot Tub Time Machine will put John back on top form. Until then enjoy this funny, fresh, thought provoking film, an absolute classic.

8.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119229/

Extra: I’ve been avoiding War Inc. and Ice Harvest for a few years now, should I just bite the bullet?

Day 48: Finding Nemo.

Day 48: Finding Nemo (2003, Dir. Andrew Stanton)

Pixar can’t really do any wrong can they? From the moment they first burst onto the big screen in the mid 90’s with Toy Story right up until last years absolutely fantastic Up. Their brilliant story crafting and beautiful animation skills have constantly but them ahead of any competition; this is clearly visible now in the build up to Toy Story 3 and it was also visible in their 2003 film, Finding Nemo.

The father and son dynamic is something we have seen countless times in film but of course that’s not to say it can’t still deliver. The emotional punch has become a trait of Pixar and always puts them head and shoulders above the animated competition. The comedy of course comes in as much abundance as the heart felt moments proving this film is truly an aquatic joyride, for young and old.

Visually stunning, genuinely funny, touching and sweet. Finding Nemo is another jewel in the Pixar crown and is simply an absolute joy.

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/

Extra: How do people feel about the forthcoming Cars 2 and the Monsters Inc. sequel?

Day 47: King Kong Escapes.

Day 47: King Kong Escapes (1967, Dir. Ishirô Honda)

The big monkey makes his second appearance on the blog, alas this time it’s not as exciting as the poster makes out it is.

This film came about after the successful pairing of the lovable ape with Godzilla a few years earlier. Whilst not exactly a sequel this film shares many traits with its predecessor, perhaps most notably cheap sets, dodgey costumes, a naff script and some hammy acting!

The plot from that first film was pretty nonsensical as it is but this is really something; it revolves around Doctor Who (no not that one) building a mechanical Kong to mine radioactive materials, only he can’t do it so they kidnap the real one to do it instead; but wouldn’t you know it, he escapes! So its fight time, but by the time the credits roll you’ll probably have forgotten most of this and just remember the punch ups.

A bit of silly fun but not much else I’m afraid monkey fans.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061868/

Extra: A big metal monkey fighting King Kong and it’s not amazing; who’d have thought it?

Day 46: Whip It.

Day 46: Whip It (2009, Dir. Drew Barrymore)

I was really interested to see this film from the moment I first heard about it for a number of reasons; I was interested to see Drew Barrymore’s move behind the camera, the eclectic supporting cast, the intriguing concept, cool soundtrack and of course it’s always entertaining to see the Queen of the American indie scene Ellen Page.

All of these bright draws however kind of get clogged up by a film release that feels as though had a fair few chunks cut out of it. Drew Barrymore as a director feels like she has something fresh and fun to give but again due to the fact that this film seems as though it’s had a few chunks cut out of it to make its 12a rating in the UK and its family friendly US equivalent. Every fun or exhilarating moment, emotional exchange or charming humour feels like it has been toned down and in the process it seems as though Barrymore has lost some of her artistic merit along the way.

Drawing on the approach of many American Independent movies of recent years this film can often seem a bit like Juno, with added roller skates. However it’s this underdog sporting storyline that gives the film its edge, combining compelling action with some fantastic comedy moments. Indeed the films heart is worn firmly on it’s sleeve, and there is a lot of that heart to go around with all of the fun too; but ultimately it’s family message clashing with the troubles of growing up ends up being a bit full on.

A really fun but not a very fresh indie tale that has its fair share of heart and laughs to keep you interested.

6.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172233/

Extra: I can’t roller skate; maybe I’m just a bit bitter…

Day 45: The Beast from 20, 000 Fathoms.

Day 45: The Beast from 20, 000 Fathoms (1953, Dir. Eugène Lourié)

Inspired by watching Cloverfield I thought I’d opt for some monster terror… 1950’s style!

Much like Them! another acclaimed American monster movie of the 50’s much of the terror in this films stems from Cold War paranoia with everything from Atomic bombs to a biological airborne threat. Whilst never being specifically mentioned this level of underlying threat drives the narrative of the film.

Fortunately the beast itself is genuinely effective, a true cinematic wonder created by the special effects of the ever fantastic Ray Harryhausen! The beast itself almost makes up for the dull pseudo science, clunky dialogue and B-movie acting; well at least it almost does, there just isn’t really that much of the monster to see. It is generally a shame that this monster just doesn’t live up to many of the other big classic creature features out there; lacking that iconic punch which can be seen elsewhere from King Kong, Godzilla and Them! to other works or Harryhausens, such as The Valley of Gwangi, Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonaughts.

This movie is ultimately worth seeking out for the creature sequences alone each being an impressive technical feat and also a truly impressive spectacle, the beast is really enjoyable to watch and you’ll probably end up rooting for him by the end of the movie. It’s good old fashioned fun which continues to visually impress, especially the monsters impressive final attack on… yep, you’ve guessed it New York City!

5.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045546/

Extra: Talking of Cloverfield all three secret monsters have appeared on this blog now…

Day 44: Cloverfield.

Day 44: Cloverfield (2008, Dir. Matt Reeves)

There was a lot of hype surrounding this film upon its initial release, drawing upon the visual flair popularised by films such as The Blair Witch Project and REC and putting it into a big monster movie, and it is an endeavour that pays off.

It is very easy to call this movie a Post 9/11 Godzilla or a mainstream REC and dismiss its creative flair as a gimmick, making the audience feel sick instead of giving them a gripping story. From a technical perspective this film is partly an experiment into the effectiveness of new technologies of a big entertainment; which again is nothing particularly new. We are not only very familiar with this technique of filmmaking, from news reports to an array of feature films but that is not to say it doesn’t deliver too; with constant fear, excitement and mystery being pumped into the narrative. The film is truly like a roller coaster feeling as though you are being flung around and put through the mill at every chance which at times makes the film difficult to watch but ultimately is what keeps you hooked, the hope to learn more, see the monster and unravel the mystery.

Of course it’s hard not to watch practically any sequence in this movie without comparing it to the terrorist attacks of September the 11th. From the initial attacks itself and the onslaught of fear and unknowing that lies around every turn. Perhaps most poignantly are the moments of emotion relating to the attacks such as when Rob receives the phone call from his mother. This perhaps makes up for some of the other dull characterisation at the beginning of the film.

Nauseating, brutal and bloody brilliant too.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1060277/

Extra: What would they do with a sequel to this?

Day 43: Fido.

Day 43: Fido (2006, Dir. Andrew Currie)

Yep, it’s zombie time again readers… I think there’s an infestation problem on this blog…

This zombie comedy is a rather unique premise really, set in the aftermath of a zombie war where the un-dead have been trained to be civilised servants. They have some fun of the idea of zombie servants as you’d expect from the conventional butlers and milk men to the concept of zombie relationships… The 1950’s American suburbia setting is a really great one for an off kilter zombie comedy movie and is strangely very fitting, mixing elements of nostalgia from the time and a bit of Dawn of the Dead for good measure. The setting also provides an interesting commentary to issues of homeland security and underclass today but the film doesn’t dwell to much on this perhaps wisely; instead sticking to a Lassie-like comedy that is simply fun to watch.

The problem is the interesting concept wears a bit thin in the middle. The jokes are fun and create some cute moments but basically it is a one joke gimmick which isn’t quite enough to sustain 90 minutes. The performances are likeable but never really excite or capitalise on the comedy potential.

There is a lot to enjoy in this unique and surreal film; a macabre take on a Boy and his dog story that mixes some B-movie splatter with some witty ideas and comic moments.

6/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457572/

Extra: Billy Connolly quite suits the un-dead look.

Day 42: Super Mario Bros.

Day 42: Super Mario Bros. (1993, Dir. Annabel Jankel, Rocky Morton)

"This Ain't No Game, It's a Live-Action Thrill Ride!"

Really? Hmmm... NEXT!

2/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108255/

Extra: Bob-ombs though!

Day 41: Hot Fuzz.

Day 41: Hot Fuzz (2007, Dir. Edgar Wright)

The trio of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost returned to the big screen in 2007 with A big British action film, but its about as far away from Lock, Stock as you can imagine. The film deals with a murderous plot of subterfuge in a very English small idyllic town complete with church fairs and village greens. As you’d expect the comedy is relentless and blisteringly funny whilst the action in question easily stands up to the Hollywood blockbusters it is parodying.

Simon and Nick have irresistibly charming chemistry on screen, and here deliver a genuine contender for the best British bromance; it is their relationship that drives the heart of this film. Not only are the pair remarkably funny but genuinely heart-warming too, with every lingering look and one liner delivering with a fantastic punch.

The rest of the supporting cast are equally flawless; from the veteran of classic British actors such as Jim Broadbent and the late, great Edward Woodward to rising Brit stars like Paddy Considine and Rafe Spall. Each performance adds another level of humour to the film whilst weighing it down with believability and drama too. Timothy Dalton is particularly great and truly unnerving as Supermarket boss Simon Skinner.

At the time of its initial release this film was met with a bit of hesitation due to the fact it was following some big hitters in the British comedy landscape, the cult classic series of Spaced and their first brilliant move into film, Shaun of the Dead. With so much to live up to this film needed to really deliver, and it would seem at the time the shot was just wide of the mark; however where Shaun became an instant Brit classic I think this film does better with every repeat viewing. With every new watch there is another gag or nuance that grabs you, you can appreciate the story and intelligent directing without being bogged down by comparisons to the trios other film work.

This film is amazingly directed by Edgar Wright with a unique flair of creativity that is unlike anything else out there in the British filmmaking mainstream; there is a great deal of cinematic knowledge that has gone into making every sequence work. The film of course doesn’t only look great but is painfully and relentlessly funny and very fresh too.

8.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425112/

Extra: 100% excited for Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Scott Pilgrim this summer!

Day 40: (500) Days of Summer.

Day 40: (500) Days of Summer (2009, Dir. Marc Webb)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel star in this somewhat off beat romantic comedy smash from last summer. It is a creative, smart, sweet, stylish and a truly involving tale of the perils of romance in a modern world of pop culture.

I really find it difficult to fault this film it brilliantly mixes the highs of love and romance with a natural sense of charm and wit whilst also knowing how to skilfully tackle those “bad days” and tug on the heart strings too. It is hard not to get caught up in such a heart warming story that isn’t just another bland rom-com but something that is really refreshing and sharp; a film about relationships that is definitely not just another love story. It is this cliché busting nature which makes the film so relatable and interesting. There is a fantastic soundtrack to boot and a script that is lined with nods to various aspects of popular culture with everything from Star Wars to The Seventh Seal getting a mention.

A possible gripe is that and Tom’s breakdown at work is a bit on the nose; that and he only has two Smiths albums on his iTunes (and he calls himself a fan!) but I suppose that’s a just about forgivable error!

I think the choice of Marc Webb as the new director of the Spider-man reboot is an interesting one, and will definitely be one to watch, but for now we can revel in the delight of his big screen debut.

Overall this film really is an absolute joy; a fresh indie romance that dazzles with visual flair, a fantastic script and genuinely great comedy.

9/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1022603/

Extra: Time to break out The Smiths records again…

Day 39: Backbeat.

Day 39: Backbeat (1994, Dir. Iain Softley)

Everyone knows the legendary tale of the fab four – John, Paul, George and Ringo; but what about Stuart? This film explores the early days of the 5 Beatles as they travel to Germany at the beginning of their career and the emotionally charged circumstances they find themselves in.

The main attraction to this film is of course to see the early days of the band and to witness how they became the world renowned act they are remembered as. There is the raw musical talent and the surrounding excitement it created, of course there is the trademark humour too, however there is a dark side to these early days, from pub punch ups to sexual frustration. These elements fuse together to make a biopic which captures a great deal of the bands energy but also tells us the lesser known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe.

Though the problem is that the film never quite seems to gel. Jumping from Stuarts friendship with John to his flourishing romance is interesting and entertaining but some times can feel as though it is not being used to its full potential to show what the character is feeling, letting us know what he has given up to be there and his conflicting feelings. Another issue is the supporting characters, they are often peculiar to watch in some ways just because we are so familiar with them. Whilst always feeling like John Lennon and Paul McCartney the characters are sometimes hard to stomach just because we are so used to seeing the real versions of them; at points these interpretations range from credible to jarring just because you can’t help but comparing them to the images of the band in your head.

However these faults don’t detract from this films charm and appeal to music fans. The film is certainly a unique one, telling a tale about popular music culture which can’t help but interest you, it’s the unusual perspective that’ll keep you hooked and the fantastic music that’ll win you over.

6/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/

Extra: Had Twist and Shout stuck in my head for ages after this…

Day 38: Dogtown and the Z-Boys.

Day 38: Dogtown and the Z-Boys (2001, Dir. Stacy Peralta)

This film documents the rise of the Zephyr skateboarding team in the 1970’s, pioneers of both the sport of skating and the lifestyle surrounding it.

Personally I am not much of a skateboarding fan, my knowledge of skate boards actually doesn’t go much past a couple of Tony Hawks games I had on the Gamecube; however this film proves to be a really fascinating documentary and is crafted in a visually striking and appealing way. The vintage cut aways which are used throughout the film provide an interesting and raw view of the early years of the team and the freedom and expressionism they experienced in these Dogtown years. This unique approach is perhaps best shown by narrator Sean Penn coughing whilst reading one of his lines, this freedom the documentary shows is quite liberating and definitely fresh.

Of course it is perhaps as interesting to see how these people who defined a lifestyle have turned out themselves, whilst many have became figureheads in the modern skating world many have fallen from grace. These elements give an emotional depth to the film which keeps you genuinely interested in finding out more.

With a fantastic soundtrack adding to the atmosphere this documentary proves to be entertaining and informative to anyone, from a passionate skater to any of us with our feet firmly on the ground.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/

Extra: Last time I skated I was very very rubbish...

Day 37: Shutter Island.

Day 37: Shutter Island (2010, Dir. Martin Scorsese)

Martin Scorsese is back with an amazing exploration of the thriller genre. This is a unique film; an ambitious and engrossing story of mystery and suspense, and whilst it may not be the directors best cinematic moment; it easily takes its place as another contemporary masterpiece to add to the Martin Scorsese collection.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a truly exceptional as Teddy connecting us to every exhilarating twist and dramatic turn throughout the film. Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley too play phenomenal supporting roles which manage to drive the intensity of the film even higher.

As you’d expect the directing is exceptional, in fact every part of the film feels meticulously crafted to produce this mind boggling success, a true celebration of the thriller genre. Every design, costume, piece of music, editing cue and camera movement adds to the impressive and engaging atmosphere. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the film is when it brings the thriller genre into new surreal territory, this technique proves to be visually stunning whilst emerging you deeper into the plot.

A complex thriller which is masterfully perplexing, gripping, unnerving and mesmerising from start to finish; a true cinematic gem care of one of the greatest auteur directors working today.

8.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130884/

Extra: Anyone else just a little excited to see Leo in Inception?

Day 36: Resident Evil 3.

Day 36: Resident Evil 3: Extinction (2007, Dir. Russell Mulcahy)

“Urrrrgh” The zombies pretty much sum up my review of this one.

A lot of people slag off series writer Paul W.S. Anderson, and admittedly they have good reason to do so. This film isn’t even one of those it’s so bad its good affairs; it’s just annoyingly bad. The plot is a mess and the characters are equally as lacking. It takes everything fun, exciting and worthwhile from the original concept of the games and the effectiveness of the zombie genre and bites it in the neck, but not in a good way.

The plot is dull as dishwater with the script set on autopilot, the music gets turned up to 11 every couple of minutes to make sure you’re still awake for another dose of bland scares or nauseating action. The most convincing performances are probably from the Zombie extras and the CGI birds.

There are some interesting ideas in here if you switch off and leave your brain at the door but ultimately anything worthwhile gets lost in the films endless barren wasteland. Best advice is to run like there’s a hoard of undead on your trail.

2.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432021/

Extra: Uuuuurrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhh….

Day 35: Daredevil.

Day 35: Daredevil (2003, Dir. Mark Steven Johnson)

Following on from the Marvel smash hit successes of Spider-man and X-men there was a great deal of anticipation for this 2003 superhero film, whilst the film wasn’t a total flop it didn’t seem to hit the mark for most audiences either. The problem is this story is darker than audiences would have been expecting however not as dark as comic book fans would have been hoping for so as a concept it is in a bit of a dangerous middle ground. However I believe it manages to be a successful adaptation of a cult comic book classic.

The cast are very effective with Ben Affleck not only being a compelling super hero in the lead role but also providing an interesting representation of a blind man; something rarely seen in big cinematic productions, despite the super powers that come with it his disability is treated with care and respect and provides a positive role model for the blind community. The supporting cast are also well used with the larger than life and surprisingly psychotic villains played by Michael Clarke Duncan and Colin Farrell, genuinely funny performances from Jon Favreau and Kevin Smith plus a emotionally compelling romantic sub plot with Jennifer Garner’s Elektra. The film mixes these characters superbly with the narrative flowing from exciting action to sequences of true emotion. Additionally the film is successful in how it deals with its origins, as a comic book reader it is clear that the film acknowledges its comic book past very effectively, whilst not making it dull or unwatchable for those who haven’t.

That’s not to say that this film doesn’t deserve some of the trepidation that surrounds it. I haven’t seen the directors cut of this film but I’ve heard the somewhat awkward sex scene has been removed which is probably a plus, the action has also apparently been improved to be more grizzly and authentic. It would be nice if some of the MTV style cutting was altered and a few modifications to the soundtrack wouldn’t go a miss but we can live in hope… Of course at the time Daredevil received much of the Ben Affleck backlash following on from a string of so-so films and his highly publicised relationship with J-Lo at the time. Tarring this film with that particular brush of bad publicity isn’t particularly fair and is frankly a very lazy opinion to take.

I guess the ship has pretty much sailed on the possibility of a Daredevil sequel, at least the Daredevil we see here. It would have been very interesting to see the development of the characters beyond this origin story, obviously something every comic book film has to do but equally something that limits the story they can tell. There is a great deal of potential with this character as any comic book fan will know and something in the style of what The Dark Knight was to Batman Begins would have been very interesting. There are however talks of a reboot but I guess we’ll have to wait and see on that one.

I believe that Daredevil is a really great blockbuster, exhilarating action, intriguing characters and stunning spectacle; ultimately a very entertaining film.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287978/

Extra: I still don’t think I’ll give the Elektra spin-off another go though…

Day 34: Pineapple Express.

Day 34: Pineapple Express (2008, Dir. David Gordon Green)

This high concept comedy from the Judd Apatow funny factory pulls together a stoner/bromance comedy with some big budget action; and it kind of comes together too.

The problem is in trying to mix so much together all of the aspects get a bit blurred, and whilst it might have the well paced energy throughout its attraction diminishes as the comedy gets sidestepped for the importance of the action scenes which has been done better countless times elsewhere.

The characters are effective, likeable and kind of believable too in that we can probably recognise the stoners from some point in our lives. However accurate these characterisations are they ultimately becomes somewhat of a curse to the film, the jokes just become a bit easy and somewhat lazy so by the end I just was a bit beyond caring. It would be to easy to dismiss this film for its druggy joke premises alone, deeming it to be merely immature and silly but the simple fact is it just doesn’t have as much of a punch as seen in so many of its recent peers.

Pineapple Express is still an entertaining film with some genuine charm, effective action and a fair dose of laughs, but ultimately it is a forgettable trip.

6/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910936/

Extra: Still, could have been worse… it could have been Year One.

Day 33: King Kong Vs. Godzilla.

Day 33: King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962, Dir. Ishirô Honda)

(American Version)

If you’re a fan of the original 1930’s King Kong film or the first Godzilla film from 1954, you should probably lower your expectations for this film now, and if you’ve got the American version of this you should probably lower them a bit further. However that’s not to say this film is good nonsensical fun.

This review is of the American version and it has a bit of a peculiar history behind it. The distributor who bought the rights basically didn’t like the social satire that drove the film and wanted it to be a more straight forward sci-fi film, so that is what he made it into. A fair chunk was cut from the original then he decided to film additional scenes to make up for it; these particular scenes stick out like a sore thumb and reek of B-movie sci-finess, so after some heavy re-dubbing and a new soundtrack this version was ready to go. Unfortunately the original, like most of the Godzilla series simply isn’t available in the UK so this will have to do for now. That’s not to say it isn’t enjoyable and quite good campy fun but it’d be nice to see a bit more substance behind it.

The main bout in question is a man in a woolly suit having a bit of a wrestle and a roll around with another man in a rubber suit. However naff that might sound you can’t help but really getting into it and finding yourself backing your favourite monster.

Despite the political satire of the Japanese version being replaced by some an American voice over that almost fits and some wobbly news room scenes the film remains extremely enjoyable; the pairing of the two classic characters is something to behold, with plenty of silly action scenes and bizarre battle of the giants that’ll keep you hooked till the end.

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056142/

Extra: Rematch!

Day 32: Always Crashing in the Same Car.

Day 32: Always Crashing in the Same Car (2007, Dir. Duncan Wellaway)




A title of one of my favourite David Bowie songs lends its title to an utterly fantastic short film.

Not only is the title drawing upon a modern classic but we get to see Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann reunited on screen for the first time since their pairing in the cult classic Withnail & I. The plot is engaging and intense, shot in a marvellously atmospheric way that draws you into the mysterious narrative. With a true chemistry between the actors embedded into every scene, whilst it may not be a bit like their original coupling 24 years prior, it packs in as much gripping tension and dark humour proving to be as amazingly effective.

Power is a strange thing, and this concept is explored in a truly fascinating way here, showing how corrupt and dog eat dog those at the top of the ladder can be. I’ll try not to give too much away on here, but this short delivers a great deal of tension and a dramatic punch, plus a truly shocking revelation that will leave you stunned and wanting more.

It’s funny that I should remember this film really; I was thinking of some things that I would like to cover on this blog and this kept coming into my mind again and again, and I’m glad it did. A couple of years ago I stumbled upon this short on YouTube and left a rather enthusiastic and praising comment on it’s wall, surprisingly enough I was soon messaged back by the director thanking me for the praise and was kindly asked if I could pass it on to anyone I thought might be interested. Well now I’m getting the chance to share this beautifully shot, creative and thought provoking short with you readers.

You can find this fantastic short on iTunes, and I assure you it’ll be £1.49 well spent!

9/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047441/

Extra: Download the Bowie song whilst you’re on iTunes too!

Day 31: The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Day 31: The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006, Dir. Ken Loach)

The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a gripping political drama set against the backdrop of an occupied 1920’s Ireland.

This film is a truly fascinating one, and has a particularly hard hitting dramatic punch, something which many would expect from veteran director Ken Loach. Cillian Murphy plays an interesting and thought provoking lead here who not only gives an emotional depth to the film but also brings poignancy to the political tension.

Of course the true Irishness of this film must be questioned; basically how a film that feels particularly Irish in its subject matter might not be that Irish at all. Whilst this film might be director Ken Loach at his most visually stunning and gets some fantastically dramatic performances, we must remember he is not in fact Irish; and with the multi-national co-production that made this film wanted to portray this particular Irish story, much of the funding was from abroad. This raises some interesting questions in the films realistic portrayal and representation of events which must be considered. In many places the film seems to suffer from narrative redundancy, whilst this can be effective in giving more depth to the characters or showing of the idyllic landscape it ultimately drags the film down.

Overall this film is an effective one; it not only educates by giving an audience by way of an interesting insight into 1920’s Ireland but does so in a relentlessly brutal and engaging way.

6.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460989/

Extra: I was sitting on some really uncomfortable seats when I watched this…

Day 30: Zombieland.

Day 30: Zombieland (2009, Dir. Ruben Fleischer)

Another day another blog about Zombie’s, well today it’s last year's ace hit comedy Zombieland!

The comedy comes pretty thick and fast throughout this feature; plus there is the making a classic comedy character in the making with Woody Harrelson’s Tallahasse delivering some fantastic post apocalyptic one liners. The film holds its pace and mild threat of the oncoming undead which keeps the films comedy concept from going stale whilst providing a fair few gory splatters along the way. Zombies are never really shown as a horrific menace but more of an annoying obstacle and this is probably for the best as to not get bogged down in a dreary gore fest and instead deliver some truly amusing zombie kills. Initially the films “rules” seemed a bit gimmicky, but once you get in on the joke its quite fun to guess where the next rule will pop up. Once again in one of my review’s I have to give an honourable mention to the one and only Bill Murray, and once you’ve seen the film you’ll know why.

Of course it’s hard not to compare this to 2005’s fantastic zom-rom-com Shaun of the Dead. In fact any zombie comedy, or even any contemporary zombie movie is going to have to go quite a way to compete with this giant cult classic from director Edgar Wright. Fortunately the approach Zombieland takes to comedy is completely different and works all the better for it.

It’s genuinely hard not to enjoy this movie, it never feels as though its dragging or loosing its comedic punch, whilst perhaps not revolutionary or effective as Shaun it is still fresh and thrilling, not to mention relentlessly funny and a true joy to watch.

8/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/

Extra: Favourite Zombie films anyone?

Day 29: Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Day 29: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001, Dir. John Cameron Mitchell)

Adapted from the popular cult musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a multi-layered tale telling the story of a German transsexual, whose self-styled rock stardom is flailing in 90’s America whilst her protégé, young rocker Tommy Gnosis, rises to stardom. The story is frantic, fun and outrageously camp and will speak volumes to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, or disenfranchised by their position.

With John Cameron Mitchell writing, starring and directing this film, it really proves to be a labour of love and this compelling enthusiasm really shines throughout. The characters, especially Hedwig get you hooked from the get go on this emotionally fuelled journey.

Gender queering is here dealt with in a rather unique and fascinating matter. Transsexuals can very easily be a point of controversy in films and this of course is no different, however it’s the unique differences in Hedwig’s gender and sexuality which complicate matters over about the topic even further. Having the character being forced into their gender is an interesting twist which raises a great deal of questions in Queer cinema. The East German setting to the characters back story adds a further level of complexity and intrigue, it is especially interesting to see these conflicting gender politics at work in a communist nation.

The music drives the emotional narrative like a classic record, with every song providing a stylish plot point and forwarding the story in a unique and involving way. Though much like any great record there are a few notes that fall flat, notably the country styled song half way through the film feels a bit weird however these gripes aren’t enough to detract the enjoyment you’ll get from the film.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is an emotional, funny, heart-warming and ultimately uplifting story.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248845/

Extra: I challenge you to watch this and not want to listen to Lou Reed…

Day 28: Hulk Vs.

Day 28: Hulk Vs. (2009, Dir. Frank Paur, Sam Liu)

It’s Hulk Smash time in this Marvel animated movie of two halves. And it’s quite literally a film of two halves with half of the action revolving around Hulk taking on the mighty Thor and one half dealing with Hulk fighting everyone’s favourite mutant, Wolverine. This pretty much sums up most of what you need to know plot wise for the features and you’re half expected to just sit back and watch the carnage. However from the get go Hulk Vs. seems to feel like it will undoubtedly be a weird mish-mash of quality too.

First off it’s Hulk Vs. Wolverine. What surprised me is how violent this film was. It’s definitely not just another typical Saturday morning cartoon, limbs fly, blood splatters, arms are graphically ripped off in some truly exciting fight sequences. Then there is Thor. This story arc is seemingly more complex than that of Wolverine but it again seems to boil down to a series of punch ups, only this time with a less enthusiastic and a mock-Shakespearean script. However despite some story shortcomings, by the end of both sections you do become hooked and genuinely interested to see the respective outcomes. Of course seeing both segments on screen seems like a bit of a fanboy dream. And in regards to the fight sequences it pulls it off, with all the epic potential of these classic characters going at it in these big bouts. Plus there are enough geeky references from the iconic recreation of the wolf taking a drink next to Logan in the lake to the X-23 experiment to keep die hards happy.

Stylistically this film is a mixed bag, whilst being sleek in production providing some interesting interpretations of classic characters the animation used has some limitations. In Vs. Wolverine some of the cartoon like representations just look a bit peculiar whilst in Vs. Thor the visuals of Asgard never looks as epic as you’d hope. The other main problem with this is that it never really feels like it’s about The Hulk; whilst the big guy might not be the most interesting character in the Marvel universe you’d expect the story to feature him just a bit more. For this character development fans may have to look towards the recently released Planet Hulk animated feature.

This animated feature really highlights a lot of what is being done in current Marvel live action movies; in many ways it shows off the great potential these characters have and what stunning visuals we have to look forward to in the Thor movie, but it also makes you wonder about the chances Marvel are squandering. From last years devastatingly bland Wolverine live action film to the turbulent future of the Spider-man series, Marvel have got to be careful in delivering that not only appeals to fans but works too. Plus it shows that Deadpool can be a really funny and really effective character if done well, sorry Ryan…

Overall Hulk Vs. is a great double-bill; epic, exciting and quite literally smashing fun. In a way the two sequences are polar opposites of each other, but they are effective because of it, juxtaposing the Hulk in these two completely different stories works as an explosive animated adventure, whilst not being the strongest of narratives there is plenty action and scrapes to keep you interested for newbie’s and comics fans alike.

6.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1325753/

Extra: Avengers… Assemble!

Day 27: Survival of the Dead.

Day 27: Survival of the Dead (2009, Dir. George A. Romero)

In 1968 George A. Romero practically invented the modern Zombie film, he then went on to define it with the 1978’s Dawn of the Dead. In 1985 he continued the legacy with Day of the Dead. Twenty years later Romero returned to the franchise with Land of the Dead (2005) and Diary of the Dead (2007), now the 6th film, Survival of the Dead takes its place amongst one of horror cinemas biggest epics; but is it any good?

Much like I’ve mentioned in my Star Wars and Indiana Jones review’s any sequel (or indeed prequel) to such a loved franchise which is a long time coming is going to be the subject of some scrutiny. With many fans being so involved with the originals any new films are going to have a lot to live up to. But dismissing this film, or indeed any of the newer films by the auteur for just being new is completely unjust. Here Romero manages to take the series to new places and explores new territory giving us a really new and unique take on the tried and tested zombie formula.

However, in the modern cinema landscape zombies have became a bit old hat. They have either been amped up to be super-zombies like in 28 Days Later or The Dawn of the Dead remake or the un-dead have became somewhat of a shambling joke. Well this film proves that zombies still can have the horror bite if dealt with affectively. Of course Romero zombie films really work because they’re not actually about zombies at all. The zombies have always acted as a catalyst to expose a social tension in society and how this makes corrupt humans the real villains. That’s not to say this film doesn’t have its fair share of scares and gore too, gaining plenty of jumps and gross outs along the way. I’ll just add, watch out for the crow...

This instalment of the series also decided to focus on a supporting character from the previous film, a soldier that turns up for one scene where he seems to be a bit of a one dimensional dick. One of the most interesting aspects of this film is the depth his character develops from this and the journey he goes on. The two rival families provide an interesting tension in the narrative which does make for an intriguing plot. The plots core theme of family and survival is a problematic one which is interestingly explored. By not sticking to the interesting handheld visual approach he used in Diary of the Dead, Romero delivers one of his most visually stunning works with the rich landscape oozing a rustic beauty that is picturesque and atmospheric but also works very well for a horror film.

The film isn’t without its flaws; the fact that it is the 6th part of the story means that in some respects the flesh is starting to look a little less fresh. Some of the more unique zombie kills are a bit questionable, whilst being good ideas they occasionally fall to the productions lower budget. Not to say these kills aren’t a bit of fun gore too though, notable mention to the outrageous flare zombie. Whilst the characters themselves may have interesting traits, having the islanders as Irish descendents who are all farm workers and “simpler folk” seems to be a bit stereotypical and an easy characterisation. It is perhaps an easy criticism to say the social satire these films rely upon has been weakened of late due to there being 3 new films in the last decade, but I think it’s clear the director still has a lot to say and does it in a way few others can.

Survival of the dead may not be Romero’s finest work; not as iconic as Dawn or revolutionary as Night, however it does work fantastically well. It’s a gripping and brooding film that mixes drama, horror and social commentary, proving that after 40 years George still has plenty to show us in his Zombie genre.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1134854/

Extra: “Rrrrraaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh” Zombie. - http://tiny.cc/dkwPD

Day 26: Telstar.

Day 26: Telstar (2008, Dir. Nick Moran)

Telstar is the story of 60’s pioneering music producer Joe Meek. Meek is seen as a legend in the field of independent music production, creating a string of hits from his home recording studio. Though the story isn’t simply one of success but the effects it can have on the human psyche and the troubles frame can bring. This film draws upon the iconic music of the time whilst presenting a truly interesting character study.

Joe’s story is a one of great but tormented genius. A man of eccentricities and a troubled past who manages to achieve some dizzying highs but is cursed by his vision. It’s very interesting that despite his genius, Joe doesn’t often come across as the most likeable character. In fact the main bulk of the story revolves around Joe pushing away everyone who is close to him, with even the most light hearted scenes being able to ones turn into tense, paranoid and claustrophobic dramas. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Joe’s character is his homosexuality, something which was still a very dark subject matter at the time, and clearly something which fed into the darkness Joe felt. You often find yourself wincing at Joe’s mistakes; whilst sometimes humorous they repeatedly lead to darker areas. Con O’Neil plays the role of Joe and gives a truly passionate performance which is fuelled by a tremendous raw energy which you can’t take your eyes off.

The rest of the cast are a powerhouse of British performers ranging from comedy players like Ralph Little and James Corden to actual musicians such as Carl Barât providing the backdrop of various music personnel in the film. It’s this supporting cast that gives the film its fantastic humour that keeps the story moving, but they also give the depth the film needs for its emotional punches. Of course special mention has to go to the always fantastic Kevin Spacey seemingly being the most English of the bunch, in an effective and funny performance as Major Banks.

The aesthetics of the film are close to flawless with the look of 60’s London flowing through every frame. From Joe’s suits to the interior design the film looks right. Whilst techniques such as the disappearing effect and certain directorial flourishes make the film look amateurish the overall style and story prevail.

Ultimately, Telstar is a fantastic and unique biopic telling the tale of a very troubled but a quite fantastic man. The film balances emotion and humour effortlessly in a narrative wracked with tension set against an historic period in British musical history. Whilst the impact of Joe Meek is undoubtedly still alive in music today, the story of the man seems to have been forgotten; this film shows us behind the glitzy rock and roll curtain, an inspiring story of a musical visionary but also the daunting price the fame comes with.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068669/

Extra: Would I suit a stylish slicked back hairdo? Hmm…

Day 25: Pulgasari.

Day 25: Pulgasari (1985, Dir. Shin Sang-ok)

It would be impossible to review this film without giving it some context. This film is a North Korean monster movie produced by none other than Kim Jong-il, yes that Kim Jong-il. However Communist North Korea isn’t well known for its film auteurs so Kim ordered the kidnapping of South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and his wife so after keeping them prisoners for a few years, he could force Sang-ok to make some films. What could go wrong?

It’s certainly epic, you’ve got to give it that; and with all the money North Korea could throw at it you’d expect it to be! Plus thousands of soldiers from the North Korean army provide their services as extras, so the crowd scenes are definitely big. The monster itself is a pretty effective behemoth harking back to classic screen creatures such as Godzilla and King; whilst it may not be as visually iconic, and looks rather dated by today’s standards you simply can’t take your eyes off him every time he is on screen. Sometimes its because he looks a fairly laughable but I’ve seen a lot worse!

The story is of course trying to convey a certain message, and as you’d probably expect that’s a propaganda message about the positives of a collective against the evils of Capitalism. Fortunately the story does this in a fantastical way with the back drop of feudal Korea, plus with Sang-ok at the films helm it never seems like you’re having this political leaning shoved down your throat. The fact it tells this story by using a giant metal eating monster is what gives it some merit; and also this pretty much distracts from any serious connotations of Communism you may come away with.

Pulgasari is an oddity which will definitely baffle and leave you speechless, it may not be great but it’s one any film fan should see for its unreal legacy alone. It’s hard to imagine Kim Jong-il as any thing but the lonely-Cartman-like puppet from Team America, especially not an action movie producer but here he delivers something that will certainly intrigue film fans for years to come. And happily Shin Sang-ok and his wife escaped! Plus this film is probably still better than the American Godzilla…

4.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089851/

Extra: Baby Pulgasari is so cute…

Day 24: The Crying Game.

Day 24: The Crying Game (1992, Dir. Neil Jordan)

Early 90’s Oscar winner The Crying Game juxtaposes a gripping thriller and a tense love story with a big dose of Irish politics too.

The films twist is something which has become synonymous with its popularity, however there’s a lot more on offer from the films head on approach to themes of nationality, gender and identities. The character of Fergus goes on a really involving journey in this film. His story which you think is going to be his struggle with life as a terrorist in the IRA ultimately becomes a much more involving and personal affair, a very interesting case study into national identity clashing with personal traits. The characters of Dil and Jude also provide real emotional and dramatic weight to narrative.

The problem with this film is in parts it begins to feel a bit schmultzy and over emotional with some of its more tender moments relentlessly tugging on the heartstrings instead of opting for subtly. Oddly whilst playing one of the most interesting characters in the film, Forest Whitaker’s performance is hard to appreciate because of his truly peculiar accent. Another issue which this film can’t escape is one which curses a great deal of films, the problem is that it looks painfully 90’s, the hair, the clothes, the cars… but I suppose it could be worse!

Now that the dust has settled on the big twist this movie can surprise a whole new generation, and Jordan’s film still works with a real punch; combining a daring plot with genuine drama and real raw emotion.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104036/

Extra: I’m not going to give away the surprise here!

Day 23: The Crazies.

Day 23: The Crazies (2010, Dir. Breck Eisner)



Not so long ago I reviewed the George A. Romero original version and today it’s time for the new version, and 30 something years later they’re still pretty crazy…

Taking a leaf from another modern Romero remake, Zack Snyder’s 2004 take on Dawn of the Dead this version decides to amp up the scare factor to 11. Much like its remake companion, this film is a pretty loose re-do of the original, seeming to take only the title and basic premises from the first version, not necessarily a bad thing in that it distances itself from a cult classic. Whilst this version didn’t have as much to live up to as the Dawn remake it still never completely steps out of Romero’s shadow. Unfortunately it also falls under Snyder’s shadow by adapting the techniques that made his film a hit, most notably the use of contemporary Johnny Cash song for the films opening, though seemingly minor, it is these things that makes this film feel like a watered down sequel.

The real imposing threat of the original to me was the military presence; however these villains seem pretty much squandered here. Keeping the iconic gas masks but dropping the chemical suits would seem to be a plus, but in doing so these characters lose that something which made them memorable. The problem with this version is that it needlessly humanises the soldiers. Obviously in this current war stricken climate it isn’t easy to portray a normal foot soldier as a heartless killer, especially when it comes to shooting unarmed civilians; but this change in turn just sucks all of the terror out of these characters.

Not to say that this film is a complete wash-out, the problem is it’s just a bit bland. For every exciting sequence such as the car wash there are twice as many clichéd ones, every great bit of gore just gets overused and whilst Timothy Olyphant might give a great performance everyone else is just a bit unmemorable.

It’s got its fair share of scrapes and scares but these Crazies never really get going, a paint by numbers horror film that drops the social commentary and chills for action and jumps. A fair but forgettable remake that doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

5.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455407/

Extra: Bought Romero’s Survival of the Dead on DVD today, eep!

Day 22: Alien Apocalypse.

Day 22: Alien Apocalypse (2005, Dir. Josh Becker)

You find yourself watching some pretty naff films sometimes; and this easily could be one of them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it too if you take it for what it is.

The film was made for the American Sci-Fi Channel and so it delivers a story that it knows will work for its desired audience; a post apocalyptic world provides the setting whilst the narrative is mixed with sci-fi, action, horror, elements of fantasy adventure and a bit of comedy too. The film knows it isn’t Citizen Kane but it deals with this by playing to its strengths. The aliens taking all of Earths wood is an interesting idea in this current eco climate, however the big piles of wood can’t help but looking a bit cheap. Whilst Becker’s direction never really rises above the standards of low budget TV shows a few Sam Raimi-esque visual flourishes do manage to seep through.

Though with its TV budget in mind the title alien’s are pretty effective; yes they do look CGI and the green goo is a bit crap but they do manage to look pretty imposing by utilising the productions limited funds; but most importantly they manage to be an interesting interpretation of invaders, this is achieved by showing aspects of the alien culture such as their burial ceremonies and how they interact with the humans.

Of course many will find this film because of its cult icon star, Bruce Campbell. As always Bruce provides, comedy, action and horror in his trade mark idiot to hero way. Whilst it may not be his best work, it is far from his worst. Bruce makes this film work like very few other actors would have been able too, taking a some what dopey idea and a limited production and giving it merit, making it fun and drastically increasing its watchability.

A definite must for any contemporary B-movie fans or anyone looking for something a bit different from an action film, it knows its cheap and it knows its cheesy but its pretty good fun along the way too.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404756/

Extra: Where does he get that sword from?

Day 21: The Rutles.

Day 21: The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (1978, Dir. Eric Idle, Gary Weis)

Before there was Spinal Tap there were The Rutles in All You Need is Cash; these Liverpool Pre-fab Four are shown conquering the music world in the 60’s a bit like that other band, what’re they called again…

The film is a very charming parody, and indeed is very funny but relies on you to be up on your Beatles trivia to get half of the references. Sequences and tales hold a mirror up to the real life events of band but know how to turn them into amusing spoofs. Eric Idle clearly has a great passion for The Beatles when so much care has been taken in replicating key events from their past but he also knows how to do it whilst capturing the comedy of The Monty Python team and the fun and humour of The Beatle too. And indeed a great deal is tackled from The Beatles history from their film career and appearances on the Ed Sullivan show to quite a scathingly funny take on Yoko Ono. This affection for the subject matter can also be seen in the music of The Rutles, whilst they are pretty close Beatles parodies they are clearly crafted from fondness.

There is also a great cast of cameos in this film from Bill Murray and Mick Jagger to John Belushi and George Harrison himself! They’re all funny in their own right adding a unique twist to the film. It is Mick Jagger in particular who provides some of the best scenes, utilising some fantastic dead pan humour.

The Rutles is a really fun watch, a must for all Beatles and Monty Python fans alike, a good humoured and loving tribute film that is a bit fuzzy and nostalgic but also knows how to be a very funny mockumentary too.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077147/

Extra: Anyone for Tea?

Day 20: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull.

Day 20: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (2008, Dir. Steven Spielberg)

Cinematic controversy has followed George Lucas for the last decade. Firstly people weren’t happy with a certain series of prequels and then there was this. I believe that this needless Lucas bashing is just a bit lazy, and all of these films prove in one way or another that Lucas isn’t just in it for the money, but is in it to continue delivering these fantastic stories.

This film is beautiful. It’s impossible not to describe the film’s visuals as stunning, and not just the action set pieces and CGI but everything from the lighting to locations all dazzle and are clearly created under the well experienced hand of Spielberg with a genuine passion for the franchise. Of course you can’t mention the beauty of this film without referencing John Williams fantastic score, but I suppose at this stage in his career it’s a given. This film features many sequences that stand alongside the series greats; the gruesome ant scene, the nostalgic Area 51 opening, the campus bike chase and yes THAT fridge escape isn’t all that bad either!

The alien problem isn’t really a problem at all, and certainly not dismissible for just being an unbelievable twist. The MacGuffins of the series are always a bit of a stretch; from boxes that melt people’s faces off to a magic cup, so the idea of an alien skull isn’t completely outrageous. The interesting twist on the religious iconography also gives an interesting slant to the series and proves to be genuinely thrilling and unexpected.

This moving of the series to the 1950’s works for the film, for one the series needs to move along with Harrison Ford’s age, but because of that we get the intriguing WW2 backstory and the subtle aging of the classic characters. The Russians fill the Nazi villains’ shoes well, with the cold war undercurrent keeping the tension moving along and mixing in some genuine paranoia of the day into the narrative. The different array of characters this time period gives us also adds something fresh to the mix. Perhaps though the best asset of this film is its change in genre, having moved on from an adventure serial of the 30’s to a B-movie of the 50’s there is a very exciting feeling of seeing a well loved character dealing with something different. And to have all of this delivered with the same exhilarating action and sense of adventure of the original 3 films, places this instalment effortlessly alongside its predecessors.

Not to say that there aren’t flaws in the film, Ray Winstone for one… But these can be easily overlooked when you realise how much fun you can have with this film. With the adventure of Raiders, the drama of Temple and the excitement of The Last Crusade all shining through in this 4th instalment, Dr. Jones has been gone too long, and hopefully he’ll be back again soon.

7.5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/

Extra: The title is a bit of a mouth full mind…

Day 19: Alice in Wonderland.

Day 19: Alice in Wonderland – 3D (2010, Dir. Tim Burton)

After a rather gushing review of Tim Burton’s Ed Wood yesterday today I am turning to his most recent release. This film is an interesting one, and does well for not being just another adaptation of the original story. However the semi-sequel dwells to much on its kooky nature than its ropey narrative.

Burton clearly revels in the visual world he has created here, and indeed there are some stunning landscapes here even if we have seen Burton create them again and again. Special mention has to go to the castle aesthetics which are quite dazzling. These scenes of visual beatuy which really spoiled us in the promotional material for this film arguably set the bar higher than was ever to be reached in the actual film. Whilst the 3D does give depth to some of the landscapes it is completely abused in the action sequences being used for cheap jump moments and scares. Some moments of Burtonesque genius do seep through in both visuals and tone and they can prove to be unique and creepy but many others feel like cheap quirky throw away jokes.

The characters generally are a bit lacking; the Queens are interesting enough but ultimately squandered opportunities whilst Alice is annoyingly dull to watch. Whilst Depp as The Mad Hatter is an appealing character he is also heavily flawed. The problem is that he is either a supporting character who is overused or a main character who isn’t fleshed out enough. Depp plays the character well but it feels like a phoned in mish-mash of his previous collaborations with Burton all awkwardly mixed together.

There are some great vocal performances in the film, notably from Christopher Lee, Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry all giving weight to the film but its simply not enough to sustain this would be fantasy epic.

Essentially I wanted to enjoy this film, I was waiting for something amazing to happen to win me over; instead I was underwhelmed by a bit of a mess. Epic and interesting moments with some visual flair that get lost and washed away under a sea of mediocrity like oysters on the beach.

5/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/

Extra: Is Almost Alice worth listening too?