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…