| Movie | Rating | Review | Date | Your Rating | Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Marine - PG-13 | ~ Review Coming ~ | December 29, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Encounters at the End of the World - G | ~ review coming ~ | December 22, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Black Snake Moan - R | ~ Review Coming ~ | December 21, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Teeth - R |
What starts out as a cheap indie/horror romp quickly turns into an unbalanced toungue-in-cheek yarn. Its creepy start, with weird characters is good. Then unbalanced scenes, stemming from the bias that 'all men are pervert psychos' really ruins things and it all goes downhill. The cene at the gynocologists (sp?) is what turns it. She gets abused and his fingers get ripped off. Could that scnene not have been re-worked to same affect with a normal, nice doctor and not pervert. Its a scene that sets a standard for the rest of the film (with the afformentioned bias) and it quickly becomes more of a comedy. In fairness, it was always a film that was going to go either of the two ways (creepy or funny) but the unbalanced mix of both really doesn't work and it becomes less enjoyable. If the final shot isn't enough for those not paying attention (along wth the dire, yet very knowing script) its very clear that this film becomes a parody of itself in a way. It could be an alround better film iif it had been down straihgt, either way. Good start. Gets bad. Then worse. Ends poorly. |
December 19, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Changeling - R |
Clint Eastwood sure can make a film. Also, for the record, Angelina Jolie is underrated as a actress. She acts her socks off in this and it well supported throughout. Malcovich is on top form and Jeffery Donovan as the creppy Captain is a real treat. What's the best thing about an Eastwood film is just the subtlety and ease of it all. No showing off or 'pazazz' just great shots and music. Suspense and plot structure is perfect and you really get caught up in the characters journey. Top film all around. |
December 19, 2009 | N/A | |||
| X (X: Their Destiny Was Foreordained 1999) - R | the begining is confused and it doesn't flow. It takes a little while to get going. The visuals are decent enough and the action is pretty good once it gets going. | December 15, 2009 | N/A | |||
| 2012 - PG-13 |
The earth shakes > people get scared > something explodes > people run. Repeat as neccesary. This is pretty much the formula for 2012, another lazy depiction of the world's end from Roland Emmerich. This film is so much like his other movies the opening few scenes had me thinking I was watching 'The Day After Tomorrow 2' they were that similar. I knew I wasn't going to like it. It's not my kind of film - II demand more from cinema now. Two and a half hours of explosions and corny dialouge is something I can do without. As I say, it's all very lazy and basic popcorn-fodder for the ADD generation of filmgoers. That's probably why It's going to make so much money *sigh* It has a good cast, but their talents are wasted with the lousy script you'd expect to see in a film like this and non of them are putting in top notch performances anyway. And they don't have to. The CGI and special effects are decent, pretty good in parts, and they are the real stars of the disaster movie. Set piece after set piece is thrown at you with very little character development, and if there is any it's too small to matter (or the character dies moments later anyway). Woody Harrelson's cameo is probably a highlight, but ifyou are looking for a little more meat on your movie choices this film is not for you. However, if you you need an explosion every minute and a hlaf or so to keep your interest then I highly reccomend this movie. Other than that, it's really not worth it. |
November 18, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Thing - R |
The build-up and suspense surrounding the paranioa is the best part about The Thing, with the all male cast really setting in the tone for the suspicions and uncertainty that the viewer must also share. Another great aspect is the special effects, which still hold up unlike some other 80's films, and the horror is not overly gory or in your face just for the sake of it. The ambigious hanger ending may annoy some, but again I liked it just purely for the paranoid feeling that you clearly get throughout the movie. Its about the human reaction to this alien, not the alien itself - which is what makes The Thing a winner. |
November 7, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Adaptation - R | Wow, a Nic Cage film I actually like. A fantastic shooting script by CK and great performances all around - Spike Jonze directs with solid confidence. It's a great deconstruction of a script, and for a scriptwriter it was especially entertaining to watch. If you don't keep up it might seem really random toward the end and a bit of a mind fuck, but knowing that this it almost a film within a film (story within a story) it makes for interesting viewing. | November 7, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Omohide poro poro (Only Yesterday) - Unrated |
It's up there with my favourite Ghibli movies. Takahata masterfully captures childhood innocence, attitude and naivity with perfect warmth that you can't help but smile. The way he captures Taeko's thoughts and represents them with her 10-year-old self stalking her on her trip is interesting and great to see. The story plods a little once she's at the farm and we see less of her childhood flash-backs, but theirs enough emotion interest and depth to the character and her story that it doesn't become boring at all. It's only a minor blip. As always, flawless animation and great story telling. And I'd expect no less. |
October 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Up - PG |
Another great Disney films comes off the conveyer belt in the form of 'UP.' I had read before seeing this film that the first 10 minutes were the best of the entire film, and I have to agree. The magic, warmth and charm that unfolds within the films opening is truely splendid - a feeling that the films doesn't quite capture again throughout. That's not to say that what proceeds the opening ten minutes should be dismissed or is at all bad. In fact, it's good... really good at some points. The feeling of this feels seems to move away from the warmth of the begining to a sillyness and you get a sense that (unlike the Disney masterpeices that cater to both children and adults) the majority of this is aimed at kids in mind. [ Just think talking dogs and cute birds. ] Ed Asner and Jordan Nagai give fine vocal performances that contribute to a no less than stellar animation production, as you'd expect. Asner and Nagai's characters are the best of the bunch, and so they should be, but little Russel is the one that might just edge it in terms of fan-favourite. All in all it's a great film, Disney or not. One of the best of the year. However it doesn't quite reach the heights of, what in my opinion are the top Disney films, Finding Nemo and Wall-E. If only you could have those opening 10 minutes over and over again, huh? Definately worth seeing and buying on DVD. Disney on great form. |
October 14, 2009 | N/A | |||
| (500) Days of Summer - PG-13 |
Ah, the anti-rom-com...well kinda. Firstly, the indy-vibe and back and forth storytelling gives this film a welcome twist of originality which you can't help but like. The same goes for the two leads JGL (who is one of my favourite actors) and the beautiful and very likeable Zooey Deschanel. The 'love at first sight' gone wrong story is a very honest and interesting one; as it's something that isn't watered down with cliche or predictability. You can see where both characters are coming from and you end up sympathysing with them both, although a little more for JGL's character. The satire of the rom-com movie is a subtle undertone that only hits you full in the face with a gloriously over-done dance/musical sequence. The film has it's laughs and has it's quirky supporting characters (especially Chloe Moretz) - which is usual for both rom-com and indy movies - but there are certainly serious moments of great acting and emotion that ring true. All in all, this a solid movie in which originality and subtle warmth gains it extra rom-com points. If more 'date-movies' were like this guys wouldn't be so put off. |
October 7, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Air I Breathe - R |
Let's get straight to it, the direction, style of cinematography and often-times lazy acting is what let's this movie down. The old Asian proverbs about the four key emotions of life (Love, Pleasure, Happiness and Sorrow) is spun into an interweaving story with four characters central to it as the four said emotions. The underrated Brendan Fraser is probbaly the best of the bunch, delivering the most balanced performance of the stellar cast. Kevin Bacon isn;t far behind and although Forest Whataker is always solid his performance is played down to an almost cameo role. Andy Garcia and Emile Hirsh are poor for different reasons. Garcia seems to be hamming it up a little to much, and phoming in the 'bad-gangster' performance that he is somewhat type-cast in. Hirsh's performace is unbalanced and often-times seems lazy, although this may be affected more by the script/direction. The interweaving story is good, but not a patch on films like 21 Grams or Babel. On the whole this film is by no means awful, as it entertains and at times draws in your full attention. There is much to be balanced in this film, an alot of levels, and for this main reason it can be demmed no more than average. |
October 4, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Requiem for a Dream - R |
Not a perfect movie, not by far. At first I was struggling to understand what all the fuss was about, as I heard how 'epic' this movie was, because nothing within the first 25 minutes or so hinted at anything 'epic.' Everything is fine; the acting from the fantastic cast is top-notch, the direction is good (the shots and style used by Aronofsky here seems a little familiar and un-original, although I'm sure in 2000 they're seemed amazing) and the score is nothing less than brilliant. These aspects of the film only pick up after the first half-hour I feel and then the real gritty nature of the film comes full force at you and the drama really begins. It's at times hard to watch and some scenes are hard to forget, which is the point that Aronofsky is trying to make - drugs and our addictions will leave a scar (either physical or mental). The films climax is a little bit anti-climax as you can see these things coming, but the are nontheless harrowing. These small issues are what's holding me back from giving this film a 5/5, but this is a very important film for my generation and one that i would recommend. |
October 4, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Funny People - R |
A movie with such great current comic talent in it was always going to have a laugh or two, and this movie delivers said laughs. Sandler mixes is up a little, playing a little sober and straight at times and is a great partner for Rogen, but Jonah Hill and Eric Bana steal their scenes for different reasons. However, this movie has its downpoints - the main one being that the second act is way too long. This film could do with being at least 30 minutes shorter. There are a few random reasons (although some very short) that could do with being cut as they don;t really contribute to the plot a whole lot. At times the story meandors into undeveloped character growth that seem weakly put together, such as Rogens love interest storyline, which really only serves as a mirror to Sandlers character toward the end. On the whole this movie is a good film and is probably Apatow's most balanced and best film to date - just. (3.7 - rounded up to 4) |
October 1, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Atonement - R | A solid British drama, no doubt about it. McAvoy is easily the best thing about this though - another great performance as usual. The acting all round is of a very high standard, with Ronan surprising me the most. It's quite a sad tale that is beautifully shot. | September 26, 2009 | N/A | |||
| District 9 - R | Great documentary style infused with awesome action and a good plotline makes this a solid sci-fi movie. There are obvious hints toward real-life predjudices in Africa when concerning the prawns, but these political undertones don't hinder the film. It is sometimes funny, at times a bit sad - but the action and great style and special effects totally keep your attention. | September 26, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Into the Wild - R | Recovers froma slow start and becomes a fairly engrossing and warm-hearted film. The quotes from various thinkers and writers gets annoying at first, with Penn seemingly pushing an issue which in the end takes a back-step. What really wins obver in this film is the great relationships which are potrayed between Hirsch and the many people he meets on his adventure. The performances from all these supporting cast members are great, especially Keener and Holbrook, and Hirsch is great as always. A little slow to start, but gets rolling as the story develops and becomes hard not to like. | September 17, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Murderball - R | Automatically one of my fav documentaries. The great style MTV brings to it, especially at the begining, makes this totally entertaining. The rivalry of team USA & Canada as the main focus, with the over-arching subtle story-telling and struggles (or non-struggles) of the atheletes gets you really involved and draws your attention in. Amazing film, one people need to see. | September 17, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters - PG-13 | A really good, indy documentary. The Aarcade game centered story won't be for everyone, and certainly doesn't hoom you in straight away (unless you're a hardcore gaming nerd). You kind of feel like the whole premise is all very silly and 'who cares?', but soon the details and crazy real-life characters that get invloved in this underground gaming rivalry really suck you in and it becomes quite entertaining. | September 16, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Forgetting Sarah Marshall - R | I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't a overly crude comedy. It was a mixture of crudity, sweetness, good characters and genuine laughs. Everybody does their parts in this one, the ntire cast are likeable and funny, especially Mila Kunis. Also, Russel Brand (although basically playing a rock-star version of himself) actually gets a lot of laughs and his performance hold up to the others. The honesty and warm of the heartbreak compliments the comedy really well to make this my favourite Apatow production yet. | September 13, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Man on Wire - PG-13 | The fantastic enthusiasm of Phillipe, even in telling the sotry, is what gripped me in this nicey directed documentary. The story of the planning and the passion behind this momentus feat is delivered with great artistic skill and fine documentary style. The story of the friends and their very human worries all adds to the spectacle. It's not as imersing as something like Grizzly Man, but the poigniancy of the story makes this a must watch. | August 2, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Taxi to the Dark Side - R | Not the best documentary I've ever seen, but it had its points on interest. The overall point of the subject is made very quickly, yet the film dwells on torture and the types of torture for about an hour. 'I get it!' was all I was thinking. It tries to dig deeper to wider and for complex issues, but it never quite gets there. It's insightful, especially concerning the Terroists detainee treatment as all the prisons, but beyond that it lacks required depth to make this an amazing documentary. | July 22, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - PG | July 22, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Public Enemies - R |
About a 3.7/8, but rounded down to 3.5 Stars. This film is good, on the whole. At moments it's very good, however - sadly - it is not great. All the acting across the board is very good (that's what you expect from Bale, Depp and Marion C etc.) However none of the performances would ever be Oscar worthy. They're good performances, but they are so without the actors really trying. Where this film fails is in the action and pace of the story. The gun fights scenes are decent at best and one long shootout in the last third of the film is pretty boring. Also, there is no great cat-and-mouse relationship between Bale and Depp - their relationship (or lack of one) lacks character or depth. There's nothing to sink your teeth into, unlike the quirky and interesting relationships that you may see in films like 'Catch Me If You Can' for example. What this film also lacks is truly epic scene. There isn't one great scene that will be shown to represent this film in the future. There is one, maybe two very good scenes - but neither epic - and one doesn't even feature Depp or Bale. The accent work from Stephen Graham and Marion C need to be credited, although Marion's seems to falter in brief moments (al;though, her character has a Frech background so perhaps this in intentional) On the whole this film never really peaks - much like American Gangster - to anything that'll get yourr heart truly racing. It's a very good film, but considering its lasting possibilities I think this maybe be forgotten over the years. Good but disappointing. |
July 4, 2009 | N/A |
792 ratings
328 reviews
