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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?