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Up - PG
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Up is the best way to follow a film like Wall-E, where Pixar managed to make a family film that political and art house overtones that was amazing and emotional from start to finish. Most importantly it was a simple tale with comedy that makes laughs on different levels. Up is also a simple tale, but with a remarkable depth and development of character. The character of Carl is superb, and the opening ten minutes are that of sublime story-telling at its best. How the Disney/Pixar team manage to keep making films that hit on so many levels are remarkable. I would say more but there is so much here to talk about I would be here a while. Simply, story amazing, humour hilarious, the 3D is fantastic and less gimmicky, and the action sequences are also remarkable. The winning moment though. An emotional impact when Carl sits and re-reads a book of his wife's. Stunning.
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October 4, 2009
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N/A
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Equilibrium - R
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A very re-used material feel to parts of this film. It's stuff we've seen before in a different wrapping. What sets it apart is the stylish gun-fu fighting style, the brilliant performances (especially Bale) and the swift way this brand new world is presented to us simply and quickly. Nothing amazing, but enjoyable and worth a watch.
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October 4, 2009
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N/A
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Zoolander - PG-13
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Chances are you'll either find this weird and unfunny, or offbeat and hilarious. I found it the later, and it also cements Ben Stiller as a brilliant character actor. Between Dodgeball and this you have his two best performances and comic creations. This film is, quite simply, great fun.
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September 30, 2009
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N/A
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The Page Turner (La Tourneuse de pages) - Unrated
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The main flaw is, are the main characters actions really necessary? I somehow think Melanie is over-reacting a tad. Either that or she is a bit 'damaged'. The latter is entirely possible with Francois' brilliant performance that is made by her sly looks, chilling silences and great delivery of rare moments of dialogue. Francois' performance and her interaction with Frot and the family makes this thriller as tense as it is. Sometimes highly uncomfortable due to the fear of what Melanie is planning. Impressive, stylistic, but flawed.
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September 30, 2009
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N/A
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District B13 (Banlieue 13) - R
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You think, 'okay, time for some B-movie style action fun.' What you get is that, except the action is massively impressive (coming from the free running stunts) and the story and characters both are well developed and enjoyable. It even has a small running theme of whether people are worth saving. It's still a mindless fun action flick at heart, but at least they've put some effort into this.
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September 26, 2009
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N/A
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Persepolis - PG-13
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Told like a surrealist fantasy that shows the reality of growing up in Iran and an Iranian. A beautifully stylized coming-of-age story that is dark, quirky and in places beautifully juxtaposed in terms of the images with the context. The music also compliments the images well, and the vocal performances are also great. The strongest part of the film for me easily is the way Marjane develops as a central character and how this development drives the film's plot and its impact on the world in which it's set. A superb film.
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September 24, 2009
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N/A
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The Edukators (Die Fetten Jahre sind vorbei) - R
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A good look at the way a revolution becomes a fashion and the people behind it become disillusioned. The opening, the first act and the ending are brilliant. They are cinematic and thought-provoking, with the scripts shining and the performances from the three central characters, especially Inglorious Basterds' Daniel Bruhl. However in the mid-part of the film the story becomes convoluted and loses its sharp plot direction. You also begin to wonder if the film is a look at the idea of revolutions or whether the film has a polemic to start one. Enjoyable enough but a shame about the second act. Could've been so much more.
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September 24, 2009
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N/A
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Dead Man's Shoes - Unrated
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It feels like a tight debut feature but it's in fact Shane Meadows' fourth, and he didn't didn't reach a wider audience until This Is England. It says on the DVD that it evokes Get Carter, and I would go as far to say as that it's the 21st Century incarnation of the classic Brit-flick. The low budget elements sometimes sneak through (gun execution in the kitchen springs to mind). It almost comes into the same category as action getting outdated through time. There's nothing you can do about either, you just make the best of it as a film-maker and forgive it as a watcher. However I marked down Get Carter a little for this which may seem shallow and unfair. My argument is that, unfortunately, it damages the suspension of disbelief. Some of the stunts and even the stabbings look a bit clunky and it affects the belief that Caine is a professional hitman. Only a little of course as everything else Caine did in that film was superb, darkly comic and impressive. My point is in this film the low budget shortcomings affect your watching of it less. Considine has since risen (Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum) and here puts in a brilliant and sharp performance. Meadows has also made a fantastic protagonist who is twisted, darkly comic and impressive. Toby Kebbell also puts in a beautifully understated performance and has since become Johnny Quid in Guy Ritchie's Rocknrolla. For me the general shortcomings that crop up in both Carter and this are easily outweighed by the brilliance of each. The only difference is a I have nothing but admiration and appreciation for Get Carter. For it's modern incarnation, however, I have nothing but love.
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August 30, 2009
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N/A
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Get Carter - R
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The stunts and set pieces look a bit dated now, but you can forgive it as this gangster thriller doubles up nicely as a social-realist styled 'angry man' story that also acts as a comment on the reality of Britain and it's seedy underworld after the 60's. An iconic soundtrack, an iconic ending and beautifully shot with some very clever framing all add up to make this a British classic. Time may have weakened its punch, but it still works when put into a social context and also has some brilliantly tense scenes in the first act.
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August 30, 2009
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N/A
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Inglourious Basterds - R
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Not what you might expect. Not much Brad Pitt. Not as much action. Very dialogue based. Sometimes there are portions of it where you think 'is this bit neccessary?' as it all adds up to a 2.5 hour runtime. However you don't feel the runtime as much. Tarantino's talent for dialogue means the long scenes are compelling and riddled with tension. When the action comes, it comes with a kick. Waltz and Pitt steal the film. Pitt for being funny and getting the pick of good lines. Waltz for being simply outstanding as a well developed Nazi soldier who seems pleasant but has brilliant sinister undertones. Not the best from Tarantino, but definitely at the good end of the scale.
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August 24, 2009
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N/A
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Moon - R
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Goes back to classic Sci-Fi and makes a beautiful, simple and compelling film that goes back to basics. It's good storytelling, simple and effective film-making techniques, a stunning performance from Rockwell and Kevin Spacey's GERTY, aside from screaming HAL, is a complimentary sidekick. It is superb in its simplicity, and Duncan Jones has a bright future in film-making. If this is Sci-Fi on a budget, give us more please.
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August 24, 2009
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N/A
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District 9 - R
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August 15, 2009
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N/A
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The Dark Knight - PG-13
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Well, here we go. I had to see it twice before even think about rating it. You have to try and forget the hype and then your own expectations of it. Bad things first; gadgets push the bounds of the diegetic reality a bit and sometimes the story becomes convoluted where you need a second to just catch up. I felt like this at the start, however after 20 minutes once the film settles in, it became outstanding. Performance and script are again at the fore here, with Bale, Ledger and Eckhart putting in the best of them all. Action takes a more present part in this film than in Begins, to the film's benefit. Ledger's Joker is one of the best character performances of all time. Everytime he is on screen there is just something electric about it. Truly fantastic.
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August 5, 2009
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N/A
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Hot Fuzz - R
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One of the greatest comedy action films ever made.
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August 5, 2009
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N/A
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Little Miss Sunshine - R
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A brilliant dark comedy that is great to watch. Upon a re-watch I realised how beautifully multi-layered and dark it is. The story is bold for a comedy, whereas the performances from all the family members (especially Carell, Dano and Breslin) are simply astonishing. A beautiful and usually overlooked comedy. It's stunning.
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August 5, 2009
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N/A
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Fargo - R
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A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere, and it sure does. Another superb story with well developed characters that have an endearing and detailed depth to them. McDormand and Macey steal the show as Marge and Jerry as the very darkly comic story is woven brilliantly and comes to a wonderfully understated ending. Great stuff from the Coens.
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July 29, 2009
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N/A
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THX 1138 - PG
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The sound design, select shots, montages and images can make this film beautifully haunting. In places can feel disjointed which is explained in the 'making of' as a snapshot of futuristic culture that is deliberately left unexplained. As a whole though, especially in comparison to Terry Gilliam's 'Brazil', it makes an interesting and unique take on the tried and tested Orwellian dystopian future. For it's haunting sound and imagery, brilliant ending and a wonderful supporting turn from Donald Pleasance this is one of my favourites.
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July 29, 2009
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N/A
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Grizzly Man - R
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Stunning human drama that is made even more momentous by Herzog's direction and narration. The link between Treadwell and Herzog's old leading actor Klaus Kinski are ever present, as Treadwell's looks, rants and strong views mirror the late German actor's mannerisms. Herzog makes this film not only a retelling of Treadwell's life, but a beautiful testament to nature and the bear, a diary and analysis of a complex man (Treadwell) and a beautiful look at what separates being human and being an animal. Simply fantastic.
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July 29, 2009
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N/A
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Watchmen - R
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Not as accessible to those who haven't read the novel and a bit long, Watchmen is the anti-comic book film that still holds a strong political message behind it's conspiracy driven story. I was lucky to have read the graphic novel before hand, and was stunned by Snyder's fantastic recreation of some of the original images. The performances are fantastic, but it's Rorshach's film by a mile. A stunning adaptation that is visceral and enjoyable, but that is coming from a fan of the novel.
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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Star Trek - PG-13
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In my mind JJ Abrams' M:I:III was the best of the series, and just as much a reboot as it is a sequel. It however passed by quietly and I believe is underrated by audiences. Having shown he can direct I had a feeling that Abrams and his returning writing team Orci and Kurtzman had the series in good hands. I was never a trekkie, but in the age of remakes and reboots it is admirable how they have started this series again and not alienated the originals. Lot's of references and in-jokes, good dialogue and well acted; it is a brilliant film for Trekkies and outsiders to the series. Visually it's also brilliant and I am a sucker for a good lens-flare (sad I know) even though this time they can get in the way sometimes due to overuse. Overall though, a brilliant popcorn film. Set phasers to fun! Oh dear...
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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Drag Me to Hell - PG-13
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I hate horror films, but I'm glad I can still tell the difference between a good and a bad one. Sam Raimi is back doing what he does best; classic, jumpy, B-Movie style horror. The story nods to our current financial state, and even seems ironic in the way that Lohman's loan officer is a nice person yet seems to be in hell before the curse begins. The character's are well developed and their reactions are believable in the unbelievable circumstances. Lohman and Long work great together putting in great performances, while the effects are good and the jumps come thick and fast. Good for horror fans, bad for me.
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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Terminator Salvation - PG-13
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Yelchin and Worthington are the stars here, as Bale's Connor seems almost undeveloped, as is the character Kate Brewster. McG has the style and brings a bit of the atmosphere the originals had back in places; but seems to let character development and performance direction fall by the wayside. Bale is a fantastic actor, but here seems a bit directionless as Connor, with a lot of Bruce Wayne coming through rather than seeing the development of Connor in this new future. However I still maintain Bale is right for the role, he just needs more time. All-in-all it's a good film, but is inconsistent in performances and has some continuity issues. Still a decent blockbuster and addition to the Terminator series.
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines - R
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Mostow simply can't bring the smarts, depth and stunning atmosphere to a film that the first two had in spades thanks to James Cameron. However the decent action, comedic references and respect for the story mean that, despite it's been turned into a cash-cow/typical popcorn flick rather than a serious film, it's not a terrible film. It just looks bad in comparison, which is a compliment to the first two rather than an insult to the third. However the shocking ending is a brilliant twist and also brings back a bit of magic that the originals have.
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang - R
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Bold, off-the-cuff comedy; a tried and tested genre with a twist. Downey Jr. and Kilmer are great together, but for me it's Downey Jr.'s movie. His catchy, comedic and still heartfelt narration leads the narrative and compliments the on screen action. Shane Black, of Lethal Weapon fame, takes a pop at the LA lifestyle and the buddy cop movie with his solid direction and smart script. One of my favourites due to its clever story and brilliant performances.
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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Ocean's Eleven - PG-13
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Cool, smooth, brilliant! A sophisticated blockbuster remake that surpasses its original by miles. Shame about the sequel...
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June 14, 2009
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N/A
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391 ratings
327 reviews
