tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18160194701520342792024-03-14T05:26:18.488+00:00THE BLOG FORMERLY KNOWN AS ******** ****, BUT WAS FORCED TO CHANGE TO KRITIKUL MAZZ!It's about movies and shit.Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-82221281948956376192010-12-07T09:33:00.009+00:002010-12-07T11:55:43.752+00:00MULTI-REVIEW!!!I've let this place go to the dogs after being threatened by lawyers reprisenting big business. But that doesn't mean I have stopped watching movies. Although 2010 has been pretty bad apart from one or two absolute gems scattered throughout. Anyway, this is what I've seen recently-<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4JuD1KvHI/AAAAAAAACZs/QCbYByvKPNw/s1600/Harry_Potter_and_the_Deathly_Hallows_Part_1_12871038109112.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4JuD1KvHI/AAAAAAAACZs/QCbYByvKPNw/s320/Harry_Potter_and_the_Deathly_Hallows_Part_1_12871038109112.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547882477873970290" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0926084/combined">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1</a> (2010) David Yates - I haven't been a big fan of the last few Harry Potter films. In fact, I haven't really thought they were great since The Prisoner Of Azkeban. However, this film bucked that trend. There are some really quirky choices in direction which let the film down a bit. And even after seven films, Daniel Radcliffe still really sucks at acting. But Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are excellent, the film feels tonally like Fellowship Of The Ring. And it sets up really nicely for Part 2. Good job everyone!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IAmAoWsI/AAAAAAAACZE/y-KZe64rI88/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IAmAoWsI/AAAAAAAACZE/y-KZe64rI88/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880597263243970" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4Ku8e0lTI/AAAAAAAACaE/2G94TXdEf5c/s1600/socialnetwork_poster-535x791.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4Ku8e0lTI/AAAAAAAACaE/2G94TXdEf5c/s320/socialnetwork_poster-535x791.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547883592592692530" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285016/combined">The Social Network</a> (2010) David Fincher - David Fincher is one of the few really really special directors working today. His films are worth looking out for as soon as they're announced. So it comes as no surprise that he could make a film about computer coding so damn exciting. Charting the early meteorical rise of Facebook, focusing on the relationships between Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin and Sean Parker, The Social Network is like All The President's Men for the 21st Century. Superbly written by The West Wing scribe Aaron Sorkin, and featuring excellent performances from all, but primarily Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg, The Social Network is one of the best films of 2010.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IAxBUvZI/AAAAAAAACZM/ZqwZhPrDiYY/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IAxBUvZI/AAAAAAAACZM/ZqwZhPrDiYY/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880600218942866" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KvTyvC-I/AAAAAAAACaM/1YbeFqLExgM/s1600/red-movie-poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KvTyvC-I/AAAAAAAACaM/1YbeFqLExgM/s320/red-movie-poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547883598850231266" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245526/combined">R.E.D.</a> (2010) <br />Robert Schwentke - Based on Warren Ellis' comic book of the same name, RED is about retired assassins who are being targeted by an unknown source, possibly connected to the CIA. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and the rest of the cast are clearly in it for the fun, and that's what the film is. It's not outstanding by any measure, but it is entertaining and easy to watch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBOZI5OI/AAAAAAAACZU/m4GNEsCnSE4/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 36px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBOZI5OI/AAAAAAAACZU/m4GNEsCnSE4/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880608103458018" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">7/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KuuF8ZKI/AAAAAAAACZ8/XhCWklbxDH0/s1600/centurion_movie_poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KuuF8ZKI/AAAAAAAACZ8/XhCWklbxDH0/s320/centurion_movie_poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547883588730250402" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020558/combined"> Centurion</a> (2010) Neil Marshall - I'll admit, I really just watched this out of morbid curiosity. Neil Marshall's films can go either way. And going in with zero expectations probably saved the film for me. It's absolute schlock. And Marshall loves his gore. It's rubbish, but again, there are worse ways to spend 97 minutes. Worth it for Michael Fassbender actually doing a decent job with a terrible script, Dominic West chewing up the scenery, Olga Kurylenko being terrifyingly hot and seeing a head being chopped in half the same way about 3 times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBU7lvGI/AAAAAAAACZc/mCJulVSaNHA/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 39px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBU7lvGI/AAAAAAAACZc/mCJulVSaNHA/s320/5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880609858567266" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">5/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4LTyR0qtI/AAAAAAAACak/6lLEyFE5wt4/s1600/Phillip-Morris-Poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4LTyR0qtI/AAAAAAAACak/6lLEyFE5wt4/s320/Phillip-Morris-Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547884225508977362" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045772/combined">I Love You Phillip Morris</a> (2009) Glenn Ficarra and John Requa - This was surprisingly decent. It's the true story of a conman who basically took the piss out of George W. Bush's Texas penal system continuously for years. All in the name of love of another man. Surprisingly funny and with two really great performances from Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, it's a very over-looked film. Really entertaining.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBOZI5OI/AAAAAAAACZU/m4GNEsCnSE4/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 36px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBOZI5OI/AAAAAAAACZU/m4GNEsCnSE4/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880608103458018" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">7/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4LT-fUU8I/AAAAAAAACac/q9B9Z1nh9fA/s1600/jackass3d_poster_a-535x837.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4LT-fUU8I/AAAAAAAACac/q9B9Z1nh9fA/s320/jackass3d_poster_a-535x837.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547884228786803650" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1116184/combined">Jackass 3D</a> (2010) Jeff Tremaine - Awesome. There's not much to say really, you know what to expect. Except in 3D. Nearly puked. Laughed my ass off. No apologies!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBvx4eLI/AAAAAAAACZk/3DMtThZc1yw/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 31px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBvx4eLI/AAAAAAAACZk/3DMtThZc1yw/s320/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880617065609394" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">8/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KuSqjsFI/AAAAAAAACZ0/6OmqLyO8oaI/s1600/four-lions-uk-poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KuSqjsFI/AAAAAAAACZ0/6OmqLyO8oaI/s320/four-lions-uk-poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547883581367627858" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1341167/combined">Four Lions</a> (2010) Chris Morris - I'm a big fan of Chris Morris. So when I heard he was doing a comedy about four suicide bombers, I chuckled away to myself. The film is pretty shocking in parts, but then having seen Morris' other work, that comes as no surprise. Very well performed low-budget comedy about a subject most people wont touch, Four Lions is exactly the right type of satire in this current climate. Really excellent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IAxBUvZI/AAAAAAAACZM/ZqwZhPrDiYY/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IAxBUvZI/AAAAAAAACZM/ZqwZhPrDiYY/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880600218942866" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KvkrRM-I/AAAAAAAACaU/M7dnF3FYsa0/s1600/Rec-2-Movie-Poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4KvkrRM-I/AAAAAAAACaU/M7dnF3FYsa0/s320/Rec-2-Movie-Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547883603382318050" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245112/combined">[REC] 2</a> (2010) Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza - I thought this would suck. It takes place roughly five minutes after the first REC finished, and picks up exactly where that film left off. It's incredibly creepy, gory, and features quite a few jumps. A horror sequel that expands on the original in a very inventive way. And while some complain that it takes a bit of the mysetery out of the first film, which admittedly, it does, it doesn't rest on it's laurels and instead expands on the story. Proper horror done really well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBvx4eLI/AAAAAAAACZk/3DMtThZc1yw/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 31px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TP4IBvx4eLI/AAAAAAAACZk/3DMtThZc1yw/s320/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547880617065609394" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">8/10</span><br /><br /><br /><br />So there you go. Some more films I've watched recently. The end of the year review will be coming soon, which should cover a few more of the films I've seen. Some good, some rotten. Hopefully I'll get a full top and bottom 10. But I wouldn't count on it! The cinema is costing more and putting out crap, so it really puts me off going. However, we shall see.Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-11107451261441632502010-08-03T23:05:00.004+00:002010-08-03T23:11:26.316+00:00INCEPTION (2010) - Christopher Nolan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihnL4M2DI/AAAAAAAACYc/jAYa8hqx2BM/s1600/Inception_poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihnL4M2DI/AAAAAAAACYc/jAYa8hqx2BM/s320/Inception_poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501324639408543794" /></a>You know, it’s a wonderful thing when somebody or something continues to surprise you, no matter how much you think they’ve reached the pinnacle of their ability in whatever field that may be. These people are rare, and when they give the world something, it’s a joy to behold. One such person is Christopher Nolan. Every time I watch one of his movies, I think ‘well, that’s it. He’ll never top that film.’ Sure, it could be argued that Insomnia was a blemish on an otherwise incredible resume. But even as thrillers go, Insomnia is better than most.<br /><br />After The Dark Knight, I thought Nolan couldn’t possibly do better. Oh, how wrong I was. His first original film since Memento, which in itself was adapted from his brother Jonathan’s short story. So it could be argued that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/">Inception</a> is Nolan’s first true original since his first feature, Following. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihzcB3OwI/AAAAAAAACYs/QuETT4MaHt0/s1600/Inception_01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihzcB3OwI/AAAAAAAACYs/QuETT4MaHt0/s320/Inception_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501324849902467842" /></a><br /><br />The story centres on Dom Cobb, incidentally, also the name of the protagonist in Following. Cobb specialises in ‘Extraction,’ which is essentially the theft of an idea. But to steal this idea, Cobb enters the dreams of the target, and manipulates them into giving him the information. After a botched theft, Cobb’s latest target, Saito has a proposition. Help him implant an idea in a rival’s mind, and he can help Cobb with an event from his past that keeps Cobb away from his family. This ‘heist,’ called ‘Inception,’ is theoretically impossible. But Cobb thinks he can do it. So he gathers his team and embarks on the mind-crime.<br /><br />Sounds complicated. And in true Christopher Nolan, the film requires absolute concentration. It is so rare nowadays that a film maker treats the audience’s intelligence with respect and demands work in order to understand the film. This is what Nolan works for, and we, the audience reap the benefits. Inception is one of the most enjoyable films I have seen in years. It really cannot be described as it has to be seen to be believed. Nolan quoted a movie mogul from the early days of cinema when he said he wanted to ‘start with an earthquake and build to a climax.’ And that’s pretty much what Inception goes for. <br /><br />Some have complained that the early part of the film features a lot of talking. And it does. The world of Inception has to be created, and Nolan uses his characters to do that. Yet, it never gets boring. While there is explaining to be done, Nolan keeps you hooked with both ideas and execution. There are moments when you can’t help but be blown away by how these ideas are presented. Nolan understands science-fiction and what makes it so damn cool. And he delivers his ideas with gusto. And then there are the action sequences. I’ve seen the film twice now. I thought the impact would be lessened on second viewing. But I found myself giggling with delight at how these scenes are shot. And when really just makes them all the more spectacular is that the sequences are done physically. Nolan only uses computers when something is physically impossible. And so, there are scenes you know are done in the real world, and they leave you guessing at how they are pulled off. And that’s just more fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihzcECcHI/AAAAAAAACY0/cdllV29wF0Y/s1600/Inception_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihzcECcHI/AAAAAAAACY0/cdllV29wF0Y/s320/Inception_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501324849911591026" /></a><br /><br />The cast are brilliant. Nolan has the ability to cast his films perfectly, taking risks where the average schmuck (you and me) may question the casting. I refer in particular to the back-lash that came from some quarters when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker. Leonardo DiCaprio has the difficult task of carrying a film built on some pretty far-out ideas. And he delivers with gusto. Ellen Page has an equally difficult task of playing Basil Exposition, but she handles the role admirably. The rest of the cast, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Thomas Hardy, Marion Coutillard in particular is brilliantly creepy, Ken Watanabe, and Cillian Murphy are all fantastic.<br /><br />Inception is the best science-fiction film in years. And after how good 2009 was for science-fiction, that certainly is saying something. And mercifully, Nolan has no time for 3D. I feel it certainly would have detracted from the experience. And an experience is what Inception is. It’s multi-layered. You will discover things on multiple watches that you missed previously. The sound design is amazing. Hans Zimmer’s score is as close a composer can come to actually delivering on a vision set out by a director. This is rewarding blockbuster cinema viewing. Hopefully studios will take notice of the quality of the film, the reviews and the box-office takings and green-light many more ambitious projects such as Inception.<br /><br />I say this now. And I hope I eat my words in years to come- Inception is Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece. I sincerely hope he bests it some day.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihneuHllI/AAAAAAAACYk/WTUD7ZUwaC4/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFihneuHllI/AAAAAAAACYk/WTUD7ZUwaC4/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501324644466529874" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">10/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-70176696188370544252010-08-03T22:55:00.003+00:002010-08-03T23:05:21.872+00:00TOY STORY 3 (2010) - Lee Unkrich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFigl4jfi3I/AAAAAAAACYU/Ftr-HQthBBI/s1600/TS3Poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFigl4jfi3I/AAAAAAAACYU/Ftr-HQthBBI/s320/TS3Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501323517529918322" /></a>It’s been a while. To be honest, the cinema has been vomiting up some pretty poor fare over the last few months. But over the last week, I saw what will probably be numbers one and two on the top 10 list of 2010, so I figured I should say something about them. The first film on the list is the latest from the greatest studio now in production. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/">Toy Story 3</a>. <br /><br />It’s been fifteen years since Woody and Buzz first hit the big screen, kick-starting the Pixar revolution into gear. Since that time, Pixar have gone from strength to strength. And in one way, Toy Story 3 is a fitting bench-mark to see just how far the studio has come. Both in technical ability, and in terms of story-telling. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFigE5AZHEI/AAAAAAAACXs/NG47ndqp-hY/s1600/TS_01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFigE5AZHEI/AAAAAAAACXs/NG47ndqp-hY/s320/TS_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501322950715448386" /></a><br /><br />Andy, the human key to the Toy Story world has grown up. He’s finished school, and is about to leave home for college. And by doing this, he must leave his childhood toys behind. But what is to come of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and all the rest of the toys? Woody, Andy’s most cherished toy, will accompany him to college. But the rest of the toys will go to the attic, a sort of rest-home for toys until they are rediscovered by Andy and given to his own children. But a mix-up in packaging results in the toys being sent to day-care, a seemingly heaven for toys. But all is not what it seems in day-care. And the toys must escape, while Woody struggles to reach his friends and help them escape.<br /><br />Being the final part in the Toy Story trilogy, Toy Story 3 packs quite the emotional punch. Like Andy, we’re leaving the characters behind. They’ve given us some cherished memories, but like all good things, they must be fondly remembered, and passed on to the next generation. Toy Story 3, really does make you laugh, but it’s laughter tinged with sadness. As with all Pixar movies, the film’s strength lies in it’s story. There are many studios that produce technically brilliant animated films, but few reach the heights of Pixar’s films. It’s Pixar’s ability to pack an emotional punch that has made films such as Toy Story, Wall-E and Up such incredible films. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFigFWgZ2EI/AAAAAAAACX0/F4iquszpkQ0/s1600/TS_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFigFWgZ2EI/AAAAAAAACX0/F4iquszpkQ0/s320/TS_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501322958634342466" /></a><br /><br />And yet, I find myself going against the general consensus. I don’t think it’s the best of the trilogy. Don’t get me wrong. Toy Story 3 is both technically astonishing and brilliantly written. But there were parts of the film when I though I’d seen it before. There are some recycled story elements. Sometimes these work as winks and nods to what came before. But it is nit-picking. Toy Story 3 is (Buzz) Light-years ahead of it’s competition. In fact, it’s light-years ahead of most films. The voice-work is as usual, brilliant. In particular, the addition of the Ken doll, voiced by Michael Keaton is hilarious in both vocal performance and animation. <br /><br />Toy Story 3 is probably the best closing chapter of any trilogy. And the Toy Story trilogy itself is near-perfect. The Pixar team are just awe-inspiring in their ability to craft stories that assault your emotions as well as your eye-balls. And with Toy Story 3, they really have knocked it out of the park. Again. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFiglgfTczI/AAAAAAAACYM/sR4Q-vVocvI/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/TFiglgfTczI/AAAAAAAACYM/sR4Q-vVocvI/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501323511069897522" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-41433837824392566162010-07-20T23:22:00.003+00:002010-07-20T23:37:23.810+00:00What the....?!As some of the more discerning readers (if there are any left...!) may have noticed, the title of the blog has changed. To gibberish. This isn't really out of choice, but necessity. For you see, I write this blog as a hobby. It's not something I make money out of, though several opportunities have arisen since I started the blog. That's not why I do it. I just like movies, and like writing about them. It's not my job, although it'd be spiffing to be paid to watch movies. So it's something I do for the joy, and the love of movies. <br /><br />But last week, I received a delightful email from the legal arm of one of the major studios, demanding I change the title of the blog, or face legal action. No 'hey, how's it going. Fair dues to you for positively reviewing some of the movies of the studio I represent, but the title of the blog is infringing on a copyright' etc etc. Just an email threatening me personally with legal action. And since I don't earn megabucks and wouldn't have a leg to stand on anyway, I've had to change the title. It's not the actual changing of the title that's bugging me, but the manner in which it was carried out. And three and a half years after the blog first appeared. Cant accuse the legal firm of not being on the ball! <br /><br />I did want to change the title to '**** ****** CAN KISS MY HAIRY BEAN BAG' but I thought that might also bring the wrath. So the title is now changed. Cheerfully! As for actual content, I may get around to reposting soon. But it's been a busy year, and the cinema certainly hasn't been attracting me with mediochre to poor titles, extortionate prices and sequels, remakes and bullshit 3D. Hey-ho! That's the way the industry's going!<br /><br /><br />Oh, by the way, if the author of the other Critical Mass blog out there is reading, gimme a shout. I'd love to know if you got a similar threat! Cheers!Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-75082259418550928902010-02-16T21:09:00.003+00:002010-02-16T21:14:58.034+00:00EDEN LAKE (2008) - James Watkins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKgTv4XqI/AAAAAAAACTs/aV80cbBmBOo/s1600-h/ELPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKgTv4XqI/AAAAAAAACTs/aV80cbBmBOo/s320/ELPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438952525153197730" /></a><br />Occasionally, two of my friends and I seek out the darkest, most disturbing films we can find and spend a night putting ourselves through these finds. Grim Night, we call it. Two nights ago, I had a Grim Night on my own. I got hold of James Watkins’ <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020530/">Eden Lake</a> and sat down to watch it on Valentine’s night. Christ. It was dark. The British horror film manages to take common fears and magnify them with horrific results.<br /><br />Jenny and Steve are a young couple, looking for a quiet weekend away at a picturesque flooded quarry which will be soon turned into a holiday resort. They pack up their four by four, bring a tent and head off. Unfortunately, the quiet seclusion is disturbed by a group of young teenagers, bent on mayhem. At first, the teens are a nuisance. But Steve’s pride leads him to confront the teenagers. This serves no purpose but to enrage the teens, who embark on a vicious vendetta on the couple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKp7gidMI/AAAAAAAACUE/tdnym8zuGLo/s1600-h/EL01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKp7gidMI/AAAAAAAACUE/tdnym8zuGLo/s320/EL01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438952690445087938" /></a><br /><br />The major success of Eden Lake is that director James Watkins creates an air of tension that is palpably uncomfortable. From the moment the first teenagers appear, you instantly feel uncomfortable, aware that these teens can turn nasty very quickly. They’re fiercely territorial, and Steve and Jenny’s intrusion on their turf will only lead to confrontation. Watkins never lets the tension drop, indeed it escalates steadily throughout the film. <br /><br />The violence in the film is sporadic, but incredibly disturbing. We’re not talking ridiculous Saw-levels of blood spilling, but violence which, taken in context is quite realistic. Michael Fassbender’s performance as Steve just adds to the nastiness of the events as he (once again) delivers a brilliant piece of acting. Kelly Reilly also does very well, however, her character reacts to situations that at times feel rather contrived. But Jack O’Connell’s performance as the lead teen in the gang is by far the shining light of the film. Brett is a vicious, angry, nasty piece of work. However, there are reasons behind who he is. And O’Connell manages to convey these reasons without ever being obvious. It’s his performance with Watkins’ writing that is the success of the role.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKpcK_1sI/AAAAAAAACT8/qqavZajz0fk/s1600-h/EL02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKpcK_1sI/AAAAAAAACT8/qqavZajz0fk/s320/EL02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438952682033239746" /></a><br /><br />Eden Lake is one of those nasty little films that you hear little about, but leaves quite the impression on you. It’s relentlessly grim, and the tension builds to an incredibly nasty climax. It does play on the fears of Daily Mail ASBO hysteria, but that’s necessary for the purpose of the film. It’s a great little British horror film, and shows the big-budget American films how it’s done properly. Great performances and incredibly nasty. Just the type of film to be watched on Valentine’s Day!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKgkx2pVI/AAAAAAAACT0/Ts48jWg0Gsc/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 31px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S3sKgkx2pVI/AAAAAAAACT0/Ts48jWg0Gsc/s320/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438952529724876114" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">8/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-6567330239761477912010-02-07T14:00:00.004+00:002010-02-07T14:08:51.306+00:00SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009) - Guy Ritchie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27JSmQAv1I/AAAAAAAACTc/aE1nhU8I4xM/s1600-h/SHPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27JSmQAv1I/AAAAAAAACTc/aE1nhU8I4xM/s320/SHPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435503121625300818" /></a>Sherlock Holmes is one of the world’s most famous fictional characters. He’s iconic and has been the subject of many films. But since it’s the 21st century, the powers that be in Hollywood have decided that the famous detective deserves a reimagining. And who better to do this then Guy Ritchie, director of such cinematic greats as the remake of Swept Away and Revolver? Who better? Probably a lot of people. Anyway, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/">Sherlock Holmes</a> is Holmes for the MTV generation.<br /><br />The film opens with Dr. John Watson and the London Police racing through the streets of London, on their way to some operation. They’re loading weapons, looking focused and ready to kick ass. On the roofs above, like some sort of X-Man, Sherlock Holmes runs, leaps and rolls his way towards the same goal. They’re on their way to break up some satanic ritual and human sacrifice conducted by the mysterious Lord Blackwood. And they succeed. Holmes retreats into 221B Baker Street and isn’t heard from for months. The day before his execution, Blackwood requests Holmes’ presence, during which he warns Holmes that the game is most definitely not over. Blackwood is then executed. But it would seem Blackwood’s warning is real as it appears that he escapes his own grave. So Holmes and Watson leap onto the case and try and stop Blackwood’s nefarious scheme.<br /><br />Holmes is an interesting character. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, he’s a brilliant investigator who constantly outwits not only his nemeses, but also the police. I’ll admit, I don’t have a great insight into the character. So Guy Ritchie’s film could very well be the greatest depiction of the character put to screen. But approaching it as just a stand-alone film... it’s not very good. There are great elements in the film. The production design is brilliant. It’s not perfect. The team seems to have hummed and hawed over whether the film should be steampunk or not, and decided it shouldn’t. And this is a shame. There are steampunk elements to it, but not enough. Robert Downey Junior and Jude Law have a great report in the film, and certainly seem to be having a good time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27I6I7SdgI/AAAAAAAACTM/InzBQpB9rb8/s1600-h/SH01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27I6I7SdgI/AAAAAAAACTM/InzBQpB9rb8/s320/SH01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435502701436892674" /></a><br /><br />And yet despite these things, the film falls flat. It’s packed full of stylistic camera shots and bits of editing, and while I’m a huge fan of really different cinematography and direction, I found the constant slow-mo and sped up footage incredibly annoying. The style is definitely Guy Ritchie’s, but I don’t think it works in the context of the film and events, and really bogs down the film. And with a story that really doesn’t resonate, this is a real problem for the film. I just didn’t care what was going to happen. It’s a strange case (heh), because some of the choices, I liked. The dirtiness of old London, the violence that didn’t feel subdued, the sense of history surrounding the city, all great. And yet something was missing. And once again, this missing element boils down to poor writing when it came to the story.<br /><br />Robert Downey Junior has been doing some great work recently. He was incredibly entertaining in Tropic Thunder, and was perfectly cast as Tony Stark in Iron Man. And yet, for some reason, he feels miscast in Sherlock Holmes. It wasn’t a terrible choice. Downey’s definitely got the cockiness they were going for in the character, but again, something felt off. Maybe it’s because they made Holmes too much of a rogue, I’m not sure. But there is something not right about this Holmes. <br />Jude Law is perfectly fine playing Watson. In fact, the choices they made for that character certainly felt more right. Watson is a war veteran, and carries the injuries associated with that. But it also makes him tough as nails. I’m not sure if this is an accurate depiction of the character, but next to the Holmes of this film, it did feel right. Mark Strong’s Lord Blackwood, however, was not a well-written character. Strong’s a great actor, but he’s all sneers and bellowing vitriol here. There is absolutely no depth to his character. And as I’ve said before, a hero is only as good as the villain he’s up against.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27I6uKIjdI/AAAAAAAACTU/Yv3zfWlp4Bo/s1600-h/SH02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27I6uKIjdI/AAAAAAAACTU/Yv3zfWlp4Bo/s320/SH02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435502711431269842" /></a><br /><br />Overall, Sherlock Holmes misses more times than it hits. It’s not awful. And certainly isn’t the worst film Guy Ritchie has ever directed. But it’s a great disappointment. In bringing the character into the 21st century, it feels like the crew spent far too much time concentrating on making the film look modern, without giving him a modern context and decent story to justify the modern direction. It’ll keep you mildly entertained for 2 hours, but it’s not in any way a great film. Maybe the teasing introduction of Professor Moriarty will provide a decent antagonist for Holmes’ next adventure. We’ll have to see. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27JS9sgEQI/AAAAAAAACTk/cgFxjmH0Sso/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 39px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S27JS9sgEQI/AAAAAAAACTk/cgFxjmH0Sso/s320/6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435503127918809346" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">6/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-58412359269827318842010-02-02T20:11:00.004+00:002010-02-02T20:17:09.564+00:00UP IN THE AIR (2009) - Jason Reitman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iHzRsl0mI/AAAAAAAACSs/AKszoSsttS8/s1600-h/UITAPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iHzRsl0mI/AAAAAAAACSs/AKszoSsttS8/s320/UITAPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433742265416012386" /></a>We live in times which are rich for satire. It’s easy to poke fun at the state of the world, but sometimes satire can wander into the territory of cliché. Yet Jason Reitman’s latest film, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193138/"> Up In The Air</a> manages to be satirical without ever being patronising. It’s a film that is perfectly timed for the world today. A world of unemployment, foreclosures and a society struggling for identity and direction.<br /><br />Ryan Bingham has possibly the worst job in the world. He is the person companies hire in order to fire their employees. All he sees every day is people on the verge of nervous and emotional breakdown. And yet, he loves his life. He is constantly moving, working out of a suitcase. He travels the US, lives in hotels and counts air miles as achievements. And yet, he is alone. He barely talks to his two sisters, and has few friends. But his life is on course for a change. His company are introducing video conferencing, which would allow it’s employees to fire people from one central location. This threatens Bingham’s lifestyle. So he takes his company’s wunderkind, the developer of the video program, Natalie Keener, on the road to see what exactly it’s like to fire a person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iH9lOKXDI/AAAAAAAACS8/pNQY7qU-koY/s1600-h/UITA01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iH9lOKXDI/AAAAAAAACS8/pNQY7qU-koY/s320/UITA01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433742442455784498" /></a><br /><br />As I’ve mentioned, Up In The Air is the perfect film for these times. It deals with themes that many people can relate to right now. Unemployment is rife, companies are closing, and people just feel a sense of constant loss. It’s to Reitman’s credit that he uses real people to depict the people being laid-off by Bingham. Apart from a few actors who depict more plot-central characters, everybody Bingham fires are people who recently lost their jobs. Reitman instructed these people to tell the camera what they would have liked to have told their former employers, and the emotion really carries over. It adds gravitas to the film and makes the emotional impact more palpable.<br /><br />George Clooney has found the role he was born to play. Ryan Bingham is suave and charming. Yet he seems detached from proceedings. It’s isolation he’s chosen, and perhaps, being a movie star and not interacting with ‘normal’ people like the rest of us, Clooney brings some of himself to the role. It’s a great performance from him, and indeed, the rest of the cast. Newcomer, Anna Kendrick plays Bingham’s charge, Natalie Keener. Keener is straight out of college and has something to prove, and yet is incredibly vulnerable when it comes to personal issues. She breaks Bingham’s isolationism down as he shows her that people aren’t just statistics. They’re perfectly cast against each other and lend real credibility to the film.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iH-HAbJcI/AAAAAAAACTE/vlW_eXkrViA/s1600-h/UITA02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iH-HAbJcI/AAAAAAAACTE/vlW_eXkrViA/s320/UITA02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433742451524969922" /></a><br /><br />Jason Reitman’s career has taken off very well. His first three features, Thank You For Smoking, Juno, and Up In The Air are commercial and critical successes that deal with issues people can relate to. Up In The Air is probably the best film he’s made so far. It manages to capture the mood of the average person, while managing to tell a well-rounded personal story. It’s a very very good film, and worthy of the nominations it has received.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iHz588-JI/AAAAAAAACS0/mrVHgX6-xW4/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S2iHz588-JI/AAAAAAAACS0/mrVHgX6-xW4/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433742276222056594" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-64488781049457646402010-02-02T19:31:00.003+00:002010-02-02T19:50:03.637+00:002010 Academy Award nomineesWell, it's that time of year again. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences have announced their nominees for this year's Oscars. It's a fairly predictable list of movies, with the big news being the listing of 10 films for Best Picture instead of 5. And yet, they still cant get it right. There is not one nomination for one of last year's best films, Moon. Swing and a miss. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BEST PICTURE</span><br /><br />AVATAR<br />THE BLIND SIDE<br />DISTRICT 9<br />AN EDUCATION<br />THE HURT LOCKER<br />INGLORIOUS BASTERDS <br />PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE<br />A SERIOUS MAN<br />UP<br />UP IN THE AIR<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BEST DIRECTOR</span><br /><br />Avatar - JAMES CAMERON<br />The Hurt Locker - KATHERYN BIGELOW<br />Inglorious Basterds - QUENTIN TARANTINO<br />Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire - LEE DANIELS<br />Up In The Air - Jason Reitman<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE</span><br /><br />JEFF BRIDGES - Crazy Heart<br />GEORGE CLOONEY - Up In The Air<br />COLIN FIRTH - A Single Man<br />MORGAN FREEMAN - Invictus<br />JEREMY RENNER - The Hurt Locker<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE</span><br /><br />MATT DAMON - Invictus<br />WOODY HARRELSON - The Messenger<br />CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER - The Last Station<br />STANLEY TUCCI - The Lovely Bones<br />CHRISTOPH WALTZ - Inglorious Basterds<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE</span><br /><br />SANDRA BULLOCK - The Blind Side<br />HELEN MIRREN - The Last Station<br />CAREY MULLIGAN - An Education<br />GABOUREY SIDIBE - Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire<br />MERYL STREEP - Julie and Julia<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE</span><br /><br />PENELOPE CRUZ - Nine <br />VERA FARMIGA - Up In The Air<br />MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL - Crazy Heart<br />ANNA KENDRICK - Up In The Air<br />MO'NIQUE - Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BEST ANIMATED FEATURE</span><br /><br />CORALINE - Henry Selick<br />THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX - Wes Anderson<br />THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG - John Musker and Ron Clements<br />THE SECRET OF KELLS - Tomm Moore<br />UP - Pete Docter<br /><br /><br />So there ya go. The major ones. Surprises include (pleasantly) District 9 for Best Picture and the amount of nominations for Inglorious Basterds, the most over-hyped film of last year. The only other film to come close in the hype stakes was The Hurt Locker. It certainly wasn't everything the critics made it out to be.<br /><br />Also, a special congratulations goes to Nicky Phelan, my class-mate from college on his nomination for best Animated Short, Granny O'Grimm' Sleeping Beauty. I sincerely hope it steals the show!Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-26894461538225333692010-01-18T21:34:00.003+00:002010-01-18T21:39:00.052+00:00THE ROAD (2009) - John Hillcoat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUwh2gBqI/AAAAAAAACSc/-ovWdYOVi6k/s1600-h/TheRoadPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUwh2gBqI/AAAAAAAACSc/-ovWdYOVi6k/s320/TheRoadPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428197381074060962" /></a>Cormac McCarthy is currently viewed as America’s greatest living author. His books are bestsellers and No Country For Old Men, released as a film in 2007, was a multi-Oscar winning film. His Pulitzer Prize-winning novel <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/">The Road</a>, a post-apocalyptic road story has now been turned into a film by The Proposition director, John Hillcoat. The book was outstanding, but can the adaptation live up to what is viewed as a modern classic?<br /><br />The world is dying. After some unnamed apocalyptic event, society has crumbled, millions are dead, and those who survive face a hopeless, grey, dark future. A man and his son travel alone along a road, heading for the coast. They don’t know what they will find there. But they will do all they can to survive the journey. Along the way, the encounter gangs of violent killers, people forced into cannibalism, and lone survivors, trying to find a life but without much hope.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUdJfpXQI/AAAAAAAACSM/n3dJWuUqBAs/s1600-h/TheRoad01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUdJfpXQI/AAAAAAAACSM/n3dJWuUqBAs/s320/TheRoad01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428197048118238466" /></a><br /><br />Sounds like a pretty upbeat and joyful film, eh?! It is a grim and relentlessly downbeat film, however there is plenty of beauty to be found within. Central to this are the performances. The cast is populated by very few characters. Other than the man and the boy, most other humans they encounter last barely a few scenes before they are dispatched, or go on their own way. And yet there is not one performance that is in any way weak. The whole film hinges on the relationship between the father and his son. It is through their eyes that we see this dying world. The father is a pragmatist, and will kill to protect his son, the light of his world, and one of the few pure things left in their world. Yet despite his pragmatism, his humanity is been sapped by the fear, paranoia and hopelessness of their situation, and it is up to his son to keep him from losing his humanity completely. <br /><br />This was the overriding theme of the book, and Hillcoat has successfully managed to retain this vital element in the film. Central to his success is his superb casting of Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the father and son respectively. Mortensen conveys his desperation to instil good values in his son while fighting a situation that brings out the worst in humanity superbly. He successfully manages to be the average man stuck in extraordinarily grim circumstances. Newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee mixes the wide-eyed innocence of a boy who is aware that the world is a dangerous place, but still has the innocence that comes with wanting to be the good guys. And he manages to balance these two elements perfectly. These are two remarkably subtle performances and embody the characters of the book superbly. Also making appearances are Michael K. Williams and Robert Duvall. Both are brilliant in two tiny, yet pivotal roles, and in particular, Robert Duvall does outstanding work with so little to go by.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUdQpp_8I/AAAAAAAACSU/5bh-0X-JW3w/s1600-h/TheRoad02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUdQpp_8I/AAAAAAAACSU/5bh-0X-JW3w/s320/TheRoad02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428197050039271362" /></a><br /><br />The Road could very easily have been a disaster of a film. Yet Hillcoat’s brilliant direction finds beauty in what should be a hopeless and somber film. There are few special effects. And yet the world looks like a post-apocalyptic landscape. It’s a film of remarkable subtleties and at times gut-wrenching harshness. And it’s this balance that is what makes The Road such a success. Brilliant performances, a sparse and yet poignant script and outstanding direction make The Road an outstanding start to 2010. We can only hope it’s the beginning of a trend.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUw-pM_cI/AAAAAAAACSk/DeC4eKfaWVo/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S1TUw-pM_cI/AAAAAAAACSk/DeC4eKfaWVo/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428197388802915778" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-82238934711566290032010-01-12T09:18:00.001+00:002010-01-12T09:19:59.995+00:00I love it when a plan comes together!I pity the fool who doesn't like this trailer!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yjTP9VR1DfQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yjTP9VR1DfQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-11463251146097531122010-01-07T01:01:00.010+00:002010-01-08T12:59:03.617+00:00Fuck you, 2009. Don't let us down, 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3MMBrqGI/AAAAAAAACQ8/tvgBaMO68bw/s1600-h/2009BS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3MMBrqGI/AAAAAAAACQ8/tvgBaMO68bw/s320/2009BS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423802008763869282" /></a><br />2009. What a year. By June, I’d given up hope on finding any film worth celebrating. In fact, it was fast becoming the worst year I could think of in terms of film. By December, nothing much had changed. It was an awful, awful year. So bad, I lost interest in seeing a lot of the films released in the cinema. Hence the paltry 52 posts in the entire year. That, and laziness.<br />But there was hope. Despite a truly awful year for film, there were some highlights. And those highlights were fantastic. Those films that really stood out were genre pieces. In fact, out of my own personal Top 10, only two films weren’t genre pieces, or animated films. 2007 was the year of the western. 2009 was the year of sci-fi. And the differences between the sci-fi films showed that big-budget genre pieces work when thought is put into them, and small-budget genre pieces work without the need for massive budgets. <br />So, here’s the real Top 10 of 2009. I’m in a belligerent mood as I write this (thanks very much weather and Irish Rail), so if you don’t agree, well... go to hell!<br /><br />The Critical Mass Top 10 of 2009<br /><br />10. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs- CWACOM may not be the top animated film of 2009. It won’t beat Up to the Oscar. But it is a brilliantly surreal, beautifully designed and animated, bit of laugh-out loud fun. At times it’s like a kid’s version of Silent Hill weirdness. But there’re jokes here for everyone. And a voice cast that is made up actors chosen for the role, not for their name; they’re all great as their characters. And who wouldn’t be happy to see a film in the Top 10 that features both Mr. T and Bruce Campbell?!<br /><br />9. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/wrestler-2008-darren-aronofsky.html">The Wrestler</a>- Released way back in January (here), Darren Aronofsky’s film about a washed-up wrestler, played by a once washed-up actor is the perfect storm. A brilliant script, a savagely personal and brilliant performance by Mickey Rourke, and a director who is a contender for the best director working today, The Wrestler is the personal film at it’s best.<br /><br />8. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/in-loop-2009-armando-ianucci.html">In The Loop</a>- A British comedy that at the same time does and doesn’t feel like a British comedy, In The Loop is a brilliantly-written piece of savage satire. Peter Capaldi’s Malcolm Tucker is a prime contender for the character of 2009, and is supported by a cast of characters who are all brilliantly written and performed. It’s rare that a film surpasses it’s television version, but In The Loop often does.<br /><br />7. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/05/star-trek-2009-jj-abrams.html">Star Trek</a>- Purists may have many problems with this ‘reboot.’ But what can’t be argued is the Star Trek franchise was dead on it’s feet. In steps J.J. Abrams to give the series a shot of adrenalin. The story may not have set the world on fire. But it was fun, accessible for non-Trek fans, and Chris Pine makes for a great Kirk. Sci-fi came back with a bang.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0p92H4fI/AAAAAAAACQc/Irw-g3h-ZT8/s1600-h/03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 135px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0p92H4fI/AAAAAAAACQc/Irw-g3h-ZT8/s320/03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423799221818483186" /></a><br /><br />6. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/paranormal-activity-2009-oren-peli.html">Paranormal Activity</a>- Little can be said about this film without spoiling it. And it deserves to be seen without knowing anything. A tiny budget, simple set up and terrifying pay-offs, it’s horror at it’s best.<br /><br />5. Let The Right One In- I don’t like vampires. At least, I don’t like what vampires have become. They’re fucking everywhere now. But Let The Right One In is a vampire film that does away with the clichés and distils a horror film to it’s bare essentials. As much a film about fear of children as fear of vampires, Let The Right One In is lauded by those who’ve seen it. And rightly so.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/moon-2009-duncan-jones.html">Moon</a>- When I saw Moon, I declared that no film would top it in 2009. It’s a brilliant debut from Duncan Jones and has two top actors at the top of their game, both of them Sam Rockwell. It’s a 1970’s paranoid sci-fi film for the 21st Century, all story and performance, with a concept that’s not that wild. And it proves you don’t need big computer effects to deliver brilliant sci-fi.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/avatar-2009-james-cameron.html">Avatar</a>- But then sometimes big computer effects can blow you face off. 12 years in the making, and worth every second and penny, Avatar brought James Cameron back to what he does best- big budget, balls-out action sci-fi. Hyped to be ‘the future of cinema,’ Avatar could very well be the future of the blockbuster. A huge step forward in technology, with a world that is jaw-droppingly real, and some of the best special effects ever put to film, Avatar proves that if you want mega-budget, action-packed spectacle, put a bit of thought and care into it. Not the top of 2009, but certainly a huge step forward for the industry.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/district-9-2009-neill-blomkamp.html">District 9</a>- Simply put, the best science fiction film of the last 10 years. Alegorical, funny, tense, with both human and alien characters we can identify with, District 9 is what happens when a very talented no-budget filmmaker is picked up by a hugely successful filmmaker who also made the transition to big budget. District 9 started as a brilliantly-made short. Peter Jackson saw it and gave the director, Neill Blomkamp the money to turn it into something bigger. Blomkamp never lost his original vision and the result is a brilliant piece of sci-fi.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/up-pete-docter-2009.html">Up</a>- It was a difficult choice between District 9 and Up. But in the end, Up is just such an achingly beautiful story, that it really just had to take the top spot. Pixar are technical geniuses. Each of their films is flawlessly executed. But none of the films have had a story quite like Up. After the first 10 minutes, the entire cinema was stunned into tearful silence. Later on, we were all creased with laughter. This wide-ranging emotional impact is rarely seen in films, let alone animated films. Pete Docter delivers a film so brilliantly executed, the real tragedy is that it wont be recognised as the best film of 2009 by the academy. There’s still a stigma that surrounds animated films; ‘ah sure they’re just for kids.’ Fuck you. Up proves that animation is no less of an art-form than live-action. A perfect film.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0qAYu-LI/AAAAAAAACQk/38wbOBPaflk/s1600-h/Up01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0qAYu-LI/AAAAAAAACQk/38wbOBPaflk/s320/Up01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423799222500522162" /></a><br /><br />So, not bad all in all. Couldda been worse, I guess. But I’d like to thank the film industry for throwing out such a large proportion of films that ranged from incredibly average to just plain awful. The list above really are the diamonds in the rough. And now... ugh... onto the dregs of 2009. While I’d like to list 10 films that really bugged the shit out of me, truth be told, I avoided a hell of a lot of films this year. So you won’t see the likes of The Time Traveller’s Wife, Year One, The Ugly Truth or 2012 on this list. The last of which is actually a shame. Emmerich’s becoming something of a regular fixture on the worst-of lists, so it feels kinda lacking without him. Anyways, here are seven films I wish I could erase from history, all of which were released in 2009.<br /><br />7. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/orphan-2009-jaume-collet-serra.html">Orphan</a>- Whoah, nelly, is this a stinker. It’s a tense psychological thriller. Or else, it wants to be. But the scene where a ‘nine year old’ seduces her adopted father is both jaw-droppingly misguided and unintentionally hilarious at the same time. Still, the 12 year old Isabelle Fuhrman makes for one hell of a villain. <br /><br />6. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/04/knowing-2009-alex-proyas.html">Knowing</a>- What a wonderful thing it is to watch Nicholas Cage single-handedly destroy his own career. Why? Because when he’s good, he’s very good. But when he’s bad, he’s the Wicker Man. And Knowing continues the trend of gravitas in the face of laughably stupid premise. Knowing is bad M. Night Shyamalan. Which, after Lady In The Water and The Happening is pretty fucking awful. While I watched this ludicrous film of disasters leading to an ‘event,’ as I witnessed Cage’s character race stupidly into the middle of a plane crash, I couldn’t help but smile. Art imitates life.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/05/x-men-origins-wolverine-2009-gavin-hood.html">X-Men Origins: Wolverine</a>- What happens when you take a well-established, much-loved genre character, $150 million dollars and give them to a director who clearly has no idea where to point the camera and what special effects should look like? You get Wolverine. Terrible script, worse director and CGI that is so shockingly poor, I thought I was watching the internet-leaked workprint. I know Hugh Jackman loves playing Wolverine, but Christ, the man deserves better than this.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/05/angels-demons-2009-ron-howard.html">Angels And Demons</a>- They’ve stolen a Higgs Bosun particle from the Large Hadron Collider! Need I say any more?<br /><br />3. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/terminator-salvation-2009-mcg.html">Terminator Salvation</a>- If this list was about the films that had the most potential, the most expectation surrounding it, and still managed to turn the film into one giant cluster-fuck, Terminator Salvation would win. The first time I saw it, I’ll admit, I thought it was all right. But I reckon I was suffering from swine flu... or something. What can I say about McG? I’ll refrain from mentioning the fact that his name is absolutely fucking shit. The only thing going for it is it takes longer to type the word shit than it does ‘McG.’ Anyway, Terminator Salvation. A film made up of stupid decisions. The omnipotent and brutal Skynet keep their distance and don’t really bother the humans instead of wiping them out in one quick operation? Skynet has human-sized corridors and human-friendly interfaces? They build USB ports into their killer-bike things? They have killer-bike things? They allowed the director of the Charlie’s Angels films get his talentless mits on this? Either James Cameron is still wiping the tears of laughter off his cheek after seeing this mess, or else he’s wiping a tear off his cheek after witnessing what’s become of the iconic franchise he created.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0q9SLQ9I/AAAAAAAACQs/dvp9bzu_-hg/s1600-h/TS03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0q9SLQ9I/AAAAAAAACQs/dvp9bzu_-hg/s320/TS03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423799238847579090" /></a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/gi-joe-rise-of-cobra-2009-stephen.html">G.I. Joe</a>- How does Stephen Sommers still have a career? His resume reads like a list of war crimes. The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Van Helsing and now G.I. Joe. This ghastly pile of garbage is just a load of clichés, badly-written characters, flash-backs (the talentless writer’s crutch to avoid putting thought into writing) and inexcusably poor special effects. Marlon Wayans used up any credibility he gained by being in a Darren Aronofsky film a long, long time ago. Any director, other than his equally talentless brother, Keenen, who hires this ‘actor’ should immediately hand in his DGA membership. The only redeeming thing about G.I. Joe is that I saw it on an airplane and didn’t have to pay to see it.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://criticalmassreviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/transformers-revenge-of-fallen-2009.html">Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen</a>- Michael Bay. Essentially a pornographer with a budget of $200,000,000 but a strict warning to keep it PG13. Treats his female characters with all the subtlety and chivalry of Ted Bundy. Treats the audience like they’re drooling idiots. And in some way, they are. Including me. For paying for this inexcusably bad film. Megan Fox. Somehow missed the bus for pornography central and wound up in Hollywood. Has as much talent as a pair of tits whittled from wood. Has dark, soulless eyes, not unlike those of a shark. Can’t even manage to run convincingly. Shia LaBeouf. Fuck him. He contributed to killing Indiana Jones. John Turturro. Oh my god, how the mighty have fallen. Has gone from being a Coen Brothers darling to stripping down to a g-string for a cheap laugh. <br />There is so much wrong with Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen that it actually hurts my brain to try and remember it all. Logic is thrown out the window. Geography is bafflingly ignored. The pyramids at Giza are wilfully destroyed because, ya know, fuck the Egyptians. America has shit to blow up. Robot testicles. Robot heaven. Also, side-kicks and incidental characters are so incredibly racist, even George Lucas must shake his head in disbelief. I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again. FUCK YOU MICHAEL BAY.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0rCJEjfI/AAAAAAAACQ0/5MCGtkbgG2A/s1600-h/Tran02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 136px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U0rCJEjfI/AAAAAAAACQ0/5MCGtkbgG2A/s320/Tran02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423799240151567858" /></a><br /><br />Four bad, and three awful films. Have to congratulate Michael Bay though. He’s managed to make the film I most hate in the world. I have a list of bad films. But they’re just bad. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen actually makes me angry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And in a change to regular programming, since I couldn’t come up with at least ten bad films of 2009, I’ll share with you some things that made me smile in 2009. You lucky people! Little bits of media that made the year that little bit more pleasant. They may be worth checking out, you may hate them. But they made me skip, jump, head-bang and shriek with delight! Also, these are in no particular order.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TV-</span><br /><br />Charlie Brooker’s Newswipe- After five seasons of Screenwipe, the foul-mouthed, yet incredibly insightful TV pundit turned his eye to news on television. Informative, eye-opening and always hilarious, it thankfully returns to television in January. Sometime.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3NnR37PI/AAAAAAAACRc/NZbyzX-_dD0/s1600-h/Brooker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3NnR37PI/AAAAAAAACRc/NZbyzX-_dD0/s320/Brooker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423802033259408626" /></a><br /><br />David Attenborough’s Life In The Undergrowth- Yeah, yeah. It was released in 2005. But I only got to see it this year. And fuck me, is it crazy. A more appropriate title would have been David Attenborough’s I Swear, We’re Not Making This Shit Up. It’s absolutely engrossing and at times, completely unbelievable. Fantastic viewing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3YPReNPI/AAAAAAAACRk/WPCv-5irWdw/s1600-h/LifeInThe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3YPReNPI/AAAAAAAACRk/WPCv-5irWdw/s320/LifeInThe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423802215793833202" /></a><br /><br />The Office- The US version. I thought this series would have run out of steam a long time ago, but Season Five still seems fresh, mainly thanks to Steve Carrell, Rainn Wilson and Ed Helms. It’s pretty clear a lot of what these guys do is improvised, but that just makes it even better. And Steve Carrell is actually a pretty damn fine actor.<br /><br />Flight Of The Conchords- Season Two of this brilliant series aired this year. The comedy was sharper, the songs catchier and Murray had more to do. The series is over now, but at least it went out on a high.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3NLr_9ZI/AAAAAAAACRU/vWCr6wnBjMY/s1600-h/FOTC2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3NLr_9ZI/AAAAAAAACRU/vWCr6wnBjMY/s320/FOTC2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423802025852794258" /></a><br /><br />Battlestar Galactica- I know, a lot of people were disappointed in the ending. But I wasn’t. Sometimes we don’t need to be spoon-fed answers, and life doesn’t always deal in absolutes. And while it’s clear Ronald D. Moore had a bit of a hard time trying to tie up loose ends, the series was so strong overall, that I’ll forgive it it’s faults. And also, The Plan was a damn fine watch.<br /><br />It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia- Good lord, it doesn’t get more low-brow or vulgar as this. And that’s what’s so good about it. And it’s absolutely incredible to see how far an Oscar-nominated actor like Danny Devito is willing to go. Frank Reynolds, I salute you!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Music-</span><br /><br />Gallows- <span style="font-style:italic;">Grey Britain</span>- Anger-infused punk is back. And it’s fucking awesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U5RA_muBI/AAAAAAAACRs/C9GaIYj2_QE/s1600-h/gallows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U5RA_muBI/AAAAAAAACRs/C9GaIYj2_QE/s320/gallows.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423804290724968466" /></a><br /><br />Florence And The Machine- <span style="font-style:italic;">Lungs</span>- Helluva debut album. Full of really catch songs, and Florence Welch has a helluva voice.<br /><br />Dan Deacon- <span style="font-style:italic;">Bromst</span>- Great album, even better live gig.<br /><br />La Roux- <span style="font-style:italic;">La Roux</span>- Only discovered this in the last week or so, but it’s pretty damn good.<br /><br />Fuck Buttons- <span style="font-style:italic;">Tarot Sport</span>- These guys create a sound that is incredibly epic sound. Loud, bombastic electronic noise. Brilliant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U5RSSgfjI/AAAAAAAACR0/lIl6mvJZmIE/s1600-h/fuckbuttons.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U5RSSgfjI/AAAAAAAACR0/lIl6mvJZmIE/s320/fuckbuttons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423804295367654962" /></a><br /><br />Susan Boyle- <span style="font-style:italic;">I Dreamed A Dream</span>- Simply incredible. No, really. Nah, just kidding. If I have to hear about this ‘phenomenon’ again, I may just put a skewer through my ears.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Games-</span><br /><br />Street Fighter IV- There's no need for any other fighting game to exist. As close to the perfect fighting game as any game has achieved. Maybe Super Street Fighter IV will perfect the game.<br /><br />Batman: Arkham Asylum- The best super-hero game ever made. One of the most solid, well-designed, brilliantly written games I’ve ever played, it’s also a game I flew through in a week as it was so addictive. The combat is simple, yet unrelentingly fun, and both Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their roles of Batman and The Joker respectively. Amazing fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3MmYaUJI/AAAAAAAACRM/T1y3WtDlEnk/s1600-h/batman_arkham_asylum_screen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3MmYaUJI/AAAAAAAACRM/T1y3WtDlEnk/s320/batman_arkham_asylum_screen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423802015838523538" /></a><br /><br />Left 4 Dead 2- Improved on it’s predecessor in many ways. Simple premise. Multiplayer gaming in it’s purest form. Funny, gruesome, often terrifying, always action-packed.<br /><br />Assassin’s Creed 2- Got this for Christmas. Played it nearly every day since. Free-running is pure fun, the violence is brutal and savage, and it’s an actioner with puzzle elements. Could end up being crap. Most likely won’t.<br /><br />Canabalt- Have you got an iPhone or an iPod Touch? Then get Canabalt. The premise is simple. Jump over obstacles while the city crumbles around you. But it’s incredibly addictive. Hell, even if you don’t have one of Steve Job’s gadgets, go here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3MXTso0I/AAAAAAAACRE/pzM3MYNnTxY/s1600-h/canabalt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0U3MXTso0I/AAAAAAAACRE/pzM3MYNnTxY/s320/canabalt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423802011792220994" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Other-</span><br /><br />Sheikra, Busch Gardens, Florida- I visited Busch Gardens 10 years ago. It was (and remains) the best theme park in Florida. And Sheikra, the latest roller-coaster in the park is balls-out terrifying. I hate heights. So a coaster that drops you from two heights is right up my street. It's brilliant, and worth checking out if you go stateside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0WxXn0a7QI/AAAAAAAACR8/3n5CiE6DCEw/s1600-h/sh_drop1_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0WxXn0a7QI/AAAAAAAACR8/3n5CiE6DCEw/s320/sh_drop1_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423936345621589250" /></a><br /><br />So there you have it. Some of the shit I liked in 2009. So what’s there to look forward to in 2010. Well, first up, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/">The Road</a>. It’s an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel, and while stateside, they’ve already seen and done this, it’s our turn here in Europe. The book was brilliant and painfully beautiful. Can The Proposition’s John Hillcoat do it justice?<br /><br />Peter Jackson’s ambitious <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380510/">The Lovely Bones</a> could go either way. It’s not a massive release like Lord Of The Rings, or the upcoming Tintin, but the guy does special effects very well, so it could be very good. The old monster, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780653/">The Wolfman</a> gets revisited. Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving headline, so on paper, it looks good. But Joe Johnston has his ups and downs, so it could go either way.<br /><br />Leonardo DiCaprio has two pretty big films coming out this year. First of all, there’s <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130884/">Shutter Island</a>, the new film directed by Martin Scorsese. To me, judging by the trailer, it looks like a very stylish Wicker Man (the original and best one. Not the balls remake). <br /><br />And then there’s <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/">Inception</a>, the film I’m most looking forward to. Word has it, it cost more to make than The Dark Knight. It’s Christopher Nolan doing original again, and nobody knows anything about it. My And considering that every new Chris Nolan film is his best film, I’m already pretty excited. Especially after seeing that second trailer.<br /><br />Other stuff I’m really looking forward to is... Matt Damon, Bourne goes Baghdad in Paul Greengrass’ <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0947810/">Green Zone</a>... <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1038686/">Legion</a> looks rubbish, but high-concept fun rubbish... Ridley Scott does medieval once again with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0955308/">Robin Hood</a>. And with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett on board, it’ll at least be acted well... Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, always at their best when working together release <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1196204/">Cemetery Junction</a> in April... Liam Neeson plays Hannibal Smith in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0429493/">The A-Team</a>. I dunno how that cannot be good... Sam Worthington tries to solidify his name as the blockbuster go-to guy with the frankly awesome looking <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800320/">Clash Of The Titans</a>... and Harry Potter begins his final school year with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0926084/">Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1</a>... Oh, and some other Pixar film called <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/">Toy Story 3</a>. Never heard of it.<br /><br />2010 on paper, looks a helluva lot more promising than 2009. I, for one, hope it proves to be better. At least Michael Bay can’t put a taint on it with some awful abortion of a film. Thank heaven for small mercies.Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-89688940717552477722010-01-05T18:47:00.005+00:002010-01-05T18:54:01.445+00:00AVATAR (2009) - James Cameron<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OKWOhYGkI/AAAAAAAACQM/tE_BheoRaf4/s1600-h/avatar_poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OKWOhYGkI/AAAAAAAACQM/tE_BheoRaf4/s320/avatar_poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423330490744052290" /></a>Twelve years ago, James Cameron released what was to become the biggest grossing film of all time, Titanic. Unfortunately, box office receipts and 11 Oscars don’t necessarily add up to a decent film. Titanic was shite. For the next few years, it seemed Cameron was obsessed with the sunken ship, and filmmaking became a side-line to his obsession. Rumours persisted that Cameron was working on a film that would change the face of cinema. It’s been well over a decade, but that film has finally arrived. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/?c=1">Avatar</a>.<br /><br />It’s 2154. Humans have spread out into the galaxy. The RDA Corporation have set up shop on Pandora, a moon of the planet Polyphemus. RDA are after a mineral that exists on Pandora named Unobtanium. However, the indigenous species of Pandora, the Na’vi come between RDA and their mineral. In order to understand and come to some sort of agreement with the Na’vi, RDA has setup the Avatar Program. Jake Sully is the brother of one of the scientists in the Avatar Program. When his brother is killed, Sully is offered the opportunity to take his brother’s place. He steps up to the challenge and is approached by the mercenaries hired to protect RDA to infiltrate and influence the Na’vi. But Sully meets Neytiri, a princess of the Na’vi. She is charged with teaching Sully the ways of the Na’vi, and Sully soon finds himself torn between his job and the natives of Pandora.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OJ34fX1mI/AAAAAAAACP0/l-9e7SUfeHw/s1600-h/04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OJ34fX1mI/AAAAAAAACP0/l-9e7SUfeHw/s320/04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423329969433990754" /></a><br /><br />It’s almost impossible to know where to start with Avatar. It’s not easy to just call it a film. It’s a whole lot more than that. These days, it’s almost unheard of to have a movie experience in the cinema. Everything is made to make money. We occasionally get a film that has love, care, blood and sweat pumped into it, and those films always stand out. But Avatar seems to transcend even that. It’s a film that not only tells a story, but literally creates a world, it’s inhabitants, flora, fauna and mythology. Cameron is known for his attention to detail, technical ability and immersive worlds. But here, he’s outdone even himself. <br /><br />The story is pretty much what you’ve heard of by now. It’s Dances With Wolves in space. It’s not that original, you know from the first half hour where things are going, and you’re not surprised when they get there. And usually, this would piss me off to no end. But Avatar is so much more than that, that all story faults can be forgiven. At the heart of it, Avatar is an invader goes native story. The characters conform to archetypes and there’s a clear line between good and evil. There’s a lot sitting on Sam Worthington’s shoulders. For a man who a year ago was relatively unknown, it’s a pretty hefty cross to bear. And while not reaching Daniel Day Lewis heights of acting prowess, Worthington does a pretty good job of being the man with the moral dilemma. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OJ4Yf4n6I/AAAAAAAACP8/bf5XpuhjDjs/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OJ4Yf4n6I/AAAAAAAACP8/bf5XpuhjDjs/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423329978026074018" /></a><br /><br />Zoe Saldana is quickly becoming the thinking-person’s sci-fi girl, and she does a great job as Neytiri. Despite that she’s about 12 foot tall, blue and looks like a cat, the combination of Cameron’s technology and Saldana’s performance creates a fully rounded and believable alien character. Cinema depends on connecting with a character. In Wall-E, the audience connected with a pile of circuits and wires. Here, it’s hard not to connect with this alien. Sigourney Weaver is the veteran in the young main cast. Having worked with Cameron before, Weaver clearly knows what the director wants and delivers a very solid performance. But for me, the stand-out performance was Stephen Lang’s Colonel Miles Quartich. Quartich is a man of ambition and singular vision. He’s remorseless, violent, seething with menace and an absolute joy to watch. He’s the perfect foil for the Na’vi.<br /><br />But the real star of the film are the visuals. Avatar is unlike anything you’ll have seen before. Everything in the film seems to have been meticulously thought-out and created with the highest possible attention to detail. Pandora is incredibly stunning. It’s absolutely believable and somewhere you will completely forget is created by technology. The ideas that go into creating the world are incredible, yet logical if you go so far as to thing of the physics and evolution that might be involved in such a place. I’ve seen the film twice now. The first time I watched it, I was so immersed in the visuals that I felt like I had been in the cinema for a week. Which is not a bad thing. Like Weaver’s character, I wanted to take samples, observe the wildlife and learn more about Pandora. The second time I saw the film, the entire thing flew by. It’s a very well paced piece of science fiction. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OJ4huYaiI/AAAAAAAACQE/fvOl6sOHVhY/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OJ4huYaiI/AAAAAAAACQE/fvOl6sOHVhY/s320/12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423329980502796834" /></a><br /><br />3D is quickly becoming a staple of cinema. For better or worse, it doesn’t look like the format is going anywhere any time soon. I was previously unconvinced, enjoying the few films that were presented in 3D, but ultimately dismissing it as a fad. Having seen Avatar, I can safely say 3D definitely has a place in the film industry. The 3D in Avatar is simply mind-blowing. Despite one or two moment, it’s not about stuff pointing out of the screen. Avatar shows the 3D can give depth to the screen. At the beginning of the film, there are a few 3D moments thrown in there to make you aware of the 3D. But soon, it becomes just part of the film. It’s been said before, and I scoffed. But it’s true. Avatar is the next great step in film.<br /><br />Every time James Cameron takes a step forward in technology, the industry sits up, listens, and then follows suit. Avatar isn’t a step forward. It’s a massive leap forward. The twelve years Cameron took to make the film was worth every day. And I can finally forgive him for Titanic. Cameron’s back doing what he does best. Science fiction. In a resume that already includes The Abyss, Aliens and Terminator 2, Avatar takes it’s place among Cameron’s finest films. It’s not just a film. It’s an experience.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OKWcgaD6I/AAAAAAAACQU/18iKdQdWzR8/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/S0OKWcgaD6I/AAAAAAAACQU/18iKdQdWzR8/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423330494498082722" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span>*<br /><br /><br />*I really wanted to give this a 10. But the story is a little weak. Otherwise, it's the finest example of what a combination of film and technology can achieve.Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-73168081410375998482009-11-23T09:32:00.004+00:002009-11-23T09:41:17.603+00:00Face-palm of the weekThe Twilight Saga: New Moon burst into cinemas in the States last weekend, and has had the biggest opening of all time, beating last year's The Dark Knight. Now, I know box-office means nothing in terms of quality of film, but those soul-less jackals in Hollywood will see this as a green light to make more shit for the multiplexes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwpYhd6pX7I/AAAAAAAACPs/G5Ex0uWyaRY/s1600/facepalm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwpYhd6pX7I/AAAAAAAACPs/G5Ex0uWyaRY/s320/facepalm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407231634601238450" /></a><br /><br />Well done, you masses of teenage girls. Thanks to your obsession over a story that involves a hundred and eight year old who hangs around schools and seduces teenagers, the apocalypse is proceeding right on schedule. Let's see your shiny, glitter-skinned vampire save you when the seas boil and and the skies rain blood. You'd probably get a kick out of that last part though.<br /><br />[/rant]Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-77908442260962832022009-11-16T23:09:00.001+00:002009-11-16T23:09:55.317+00:00Excuses, excuses.Okay, it’s been a hectic 2 months for me. With trips to the US, work and... general laziness, I’ve neglected updating this blog. No, wait! I’m gonna blame it on my jadedness with the extremely piss-poor year we’ve been having in terms of film. But I’ve seen a few new films, and I’m gonna do truncated reviews for each of em in one big post. Based on the order I saw the films. So, here’s REVIEWFEST 2009! <br /><br />It’s just lazy reviews.Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-585841538811288332009-11-16T23:05:00.003+00:002009-11-16T23:09:25.591+00:00THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS (2009) - Grant Heslov<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHbbvPvhKI/AAAAAAAACPU/rk-wuJ__QlQ/s1600/TMWSAGPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHbbvPvhKI/AAAAAAAACPU/rk-wuJ__QlQ/s320/TMWSAGPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404842297406751906" /></a><br />Based on the book by Jon Ronson, The Men Who Stare At Goats tells the true story of the US Army’s attempt to create a battalion of paranormal spies who use remote viewing to complete missions for the army. When Journalist Bob Wilton meets Lyn Cassady, he seems to have stumbled upon the story of a lifetime. Cassady was the golden child of The First Earth Battalion, an experimental battalion set up by Bill Django, a Vietnam Vet. But when a fork-bender named Larry Hooper is drafted into the battalion, he destroys it from within. Is Cassady telling the truth, or will Wilton find out he’s following a madman?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHbjofm84I/AAAAAAAACPk/XJ6xhAyZVgY/s1600/4TMWSAG01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHbjofm84I/AAAAAAAACPk/XJ6xhAyZVgY/s320/4TMWSAG01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404842433033204610" /></a><br /><br />Military affairs make for savage satire. You only have to look at Dr. Strangelove to see that. The Men Who Stare At Goats seemed like the kind of film that would fully exploit this fact. And in some respects, it is a pretty good satire. But it’s a little too tame to be all that memorable. It has a great premise, and some really funny moments. The cast, which includes two actors who delivered brilliant comic performances under the Coen Brothers are all pretty solid. George Clooney (who also produces), Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey all deliver performances we’ve come to expect from these actors. And even Ewan McGreggor (apart from another dodgy American accent) is better than usual. But I expected something more. It’s entertaining, but ultimately forgettable.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHbb9mjmkI/AAAAAAAACPc/RBx3_-0Px_U/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 36px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHbb9mjmkI/AAAAAAAACPc/RBx3_-0Px_U/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404842301260536386" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">7/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-69330046736580008402009-11-16T23:01:00.003+00:002009-11-16T23:04:42.844+00:00THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009) - Wes Anderson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHaSh1InRI/AAAAAAAACO8/3SmRNoOda14/s1600/FMFPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHaSh1InRI/AAAAAAAACO8/3SmRNoOda14/s320/FMFPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404841039675038994" /></a>If you grew up any time in the last 30 years, you should know the story of Roald Dahl’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox. But for those of you who spent your youth under a rock, three farmers, Boggis, Bunce and Bean want to evict (and kill) Mr. Fox for stealing chickens, geese and apple cider belonging to the three farmers. They try to dig Mr. Fox out of the home he has set up underneath a tree, and in the process also disturb the other animals living there. Mr. Fox, feeling responsible for the other animals’ lives, strives to set up new lives for himself, his family and his animal friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHabWYakPI/AAAAAAAACPM/3ri9JgycVcE/s1600/FMF01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHabWYakPI/AAAAAAAACPM/3ri9JgycVcE/s320/FMF01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404841191220613362" /></a><br /><br />This film had a winning formula. A well-loved and widely known story. The idiosyncratic style of Wes Anderson applied to stop-motion animation. And yet somewhere, something didn’t connect. There are brilliant, and truly original aspects to the film. The animation is gorgeous. The story, while transported to the US from England is close-enough to the original story with a few tweaks that can be forgiven. The voice acting (Clooney again, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman) is lively when it needs to be but retains that droll nature we’ve come to expect from Anderson’s films. But something isn’t right with the film. It just didn’t do it for me for some reason. Maybe on another viewing, the film would click with me. But despite my love for Anderson’s films, I just think he missed the mark here. It’s good. It’s just not as great as it should have been.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHaS8BVoHI/AAAAAAAACPE/ZWvtBVNwSM0/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 36px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHaS8BVoHI/AAAAAAAACPE/ZWvtBVNwSM0/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404841046705545330" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">7/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-71822343594458920932009-11-16T22:52:00.003+00:002009-11-16T23:00:15.768+00:00G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA (2009) - Stephen Sommers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHYQ1XBTwI/AAAAAAAACOs/UBqJqgGqJ44/s1600/GIJOEPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHYQ1XBTwI/AAAAAAAACOs/UBqJqgGqJ44/s320/GIJOEPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404838811534446338" /></a>Okay, quick plot summary. Weapons manufacturer wants to take over the world. A team of soldiers specially trained in various skills, and powered by super-suits need to stop him or else blah blah, blah blah blah blah. It took me about a minute and a half to write this paragraph. Probably a lot longer than it took Stephen Sommers to come up with the plot for G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra.<br /><br />Well done, Sommers, you’ve done it again. After The Mummy films, and Van Helsing, you’ve created a film of such unrelenting stupidity that every single moment of watching it made me want to tear out my eyes in merciless rage. I know the argument can be made that GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra doesn’t take itself too seriously. But to hell with that. The film is packed to the brim with clichés. Not just script clichés, but also directorial clichés. It’s like Sommers got a bunch of action films and bookmarked shots from them that he could rip off. And if you don’t see the ‘twist’ ending coming from pretty much the first half hour, then you’ve obviously nodded off and slept through the entire sorry film.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHZWp3VxyI/AAAAAAAACO0/8yUyBCpWGQs/s1600/GIJ01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 163px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHZWp3VxyI/AAAAAAAACO0/8yUyBCpWGQs/s320/GIJ01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404840011039622946" /></a><br /><br />The special effects are inexcusably shoddy. The acting is at best cringe-worthy, at worst ham-fistedly pedestrian. Even from the likes of Dennis Quaid, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Christopher Eccleston. And I think the United Nations needs to put through a resolution stopping any Wayans brother from ever appearing in front or behind a camera again. For the good of humanity. Add to this that over half the running time of the film was spent in pointless flash-back and you’ve got absolutely no redeeming quality anywhere in the film. It’s insultingly dumb and unforgivably bad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHYQtAo_jI/AAAAAAAACOk/2W2ijLydgSI/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 41px; height: 39px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHYQtAo_jI/AAAAAAAACOk/2W2ijLydgSI/s320/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404838809293094450" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">1/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-81128904036783700952009-11-16T22:47:00.004+00:002009-11-16T22:52:04.584+00:00PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (2007) - Oren Peli<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHXED_7qtI/AAAAAAAACOU/yzLzuyyjxNU/s1600/ParanormalActivityPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHXED_7qtI/AAAAAAAACOU/yzLzuyyjxNU/s320/ParanormalActivityPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404837492614212306" /></a>Paranormal Activity was made two years ago, but is only now seeing a release. Very little is known about it, but through word of mouth, it is already the most profitable movie of all time. Is they hype justified? I had heard about it before I headed to the States. And I was sceptical when going to see it.<br /><br />Katie and Micah are a young, attractive couple with a bit of a problem. Katie’s house (which Micah recently moved into) is plagued by strange occurrences. After purchasing a video camera, the couple begin to chronicle the activity in the house. But as the nights progress, the activity escalates. Katie is convinced it’s an evil force. Micah refuses to buy into anything Katie says. What is going on in the house?<br /><br />As I’ve said many times in this blog, I love horror films. I’ve seen all manner of horror, from the so-bad-it’s hilarious tripe of Zombi Holocaust to modern greats like Let The Right One In and The Mist. If it’s horror, I’ll watch it. Few films actually scare me. The first time I saw Hideo Nakata’s Ringu way back in 1999 was the last time I was generally frightened by a movie. And then along came Paranormal Activity. I’m not going to say much, but where the film excels is what it doesn’t show you. It’s all about atmosphere and sound. And for that reason, it is a tremendous success and one of the best horror films I’ve seen in years. Genuinely frightening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHXQ4vkB8I/AAAAAAAACOc/ZeiEXgQHcuM/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 28px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHXQ4vkB8I/AAAAAAAACOc/ZeiEXgQHcuM/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404837712931063746" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">9/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-10777715013943777712009-11-16T22:42:00.003+00:002009-11-16T22:47:01.302+00:00WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (2009) - Spike Jonze<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHWSIZvX6I/AAAAAAAACOM/m9poTUv450w/s1600/WTWTAPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHWSIZvX6I/AAAAAAAACOM/m9poTUv450w/s320/WTWTAPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404836634802741154" /></a>Max is a lonely young boy. He lives with his mother and sister, but plays alone. He has no friends and lives and plays in his imagination. He’s also angry and disruptive. After he is sent to his room without dinner, Max runs away from home, finds a boat on a pond and sails to the world where live the Wild Things, giant beasts whom Max befriends. But Max’s nature creates tension within the group, and their relationship gradually breaks down. Especially the relationship between Max, and the group’s ‘leader,’ Carol.<br /><br />Where The Wild Things Are had a troubled production. Some even questioned whether or not the film would see a release. But it was released and it’s a fascinating film. It’s brilliantly made. No other director than Spike Jonze could have created such a real world without resorting to solely computer generated imagery. The production is of the highest quality and Jonze has created yet another absolutely unique film.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHWA7VeFhI/AAAAAAAACNs/GH_ygdfuuS4/s1600/WTWTA01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHWA7VeFhI/AAAAAAAACNs/GH_ygdfuuS4/s320/WTWTA01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404836339237393938" /></a><br /><br />However, make no mistake, this film doesn’t feel like it’s aimed at children. I’d go so far as to say it’s not in any way a kids’ movie. It deals with quite adult themes and is quite a dark film. It’s also quite sad and won’t have you skipping out of the cinema. But then not all films are happiness and joy. Sometimes you need something dark to even things out. Having said that, Where The Wild Things Are is a brilliant piece of work.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHWSFa4TmI/AAAAAAAACOE/73AxKaFsly0/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 31px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHWSFa4TmI/AAAAAAAACOE/73AxKaFsly0/s320/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404836634002214498" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">8/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-26675631879949682212009-11-16T22:38:00.004+00:002009-11-16T22:42:44.095+00:00UP (2009) - Pete Docter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHUtUW_aJI/AAAAAAAACNU/F_27DHZUTQg/s1600/UpPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHUtUW_aJI/AAAAAAAACNU/F_27DHZUTQg/s320/UpPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404834902845646994" /></a>It feels kinda redundant to review this film now. But I love it so much, I had to say something about it. It’s been out for a while, and if you haven’t seen it yet, well then, shame on you. When his wife dies, Carl Fredricksen seeks to fulfil his, and his wife’s life-long dream. To see Paradise Falls in South America. After being threatened with eviction from his house, Fredricksen comes up with a plan. He attaches thousands of helium-filled balloons to his house and floats south. Unbeknownst to him, a young and chipper wilderness explorer named Russell has stowed-away Carl’s flying house.<br /><br />Pixar are known for the quality of their films. No matter the story, the quality of the images and execution are second to none. But with Up, writer-director Pete Docter has created Pixar’s fines film in terms of story. Up is the perfect storm for Pixar. It’s absolutely stunning to watch, and almost perfect in it’s writing. It’s not the most visually inventive of Pixar’s films. But what it does do is invoke a range of emotions that most live-action films could only hope to deliver. At times it’s absolutely hilarious and at others, it’s heart-breakingly sad. And if, after the first 10 minutes, you’re not blubbing like a baby, there’s something wrong with you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHVCGHBWHI/AAAAAAAACNk/QArz7slEVz8/s1600/Up01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHVCGHBWHI/AAAAAAAACNk/QArz7slEVz8/s320/Up01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404835259797821554" /></a><br /><br />Up is the finest film Pixar have released, and is the best film of 2009. If this isn’t the film that earns Pixar it’s Best Picture Oscar, then the whole Academy should be abolished. No film in 2009 is going to come close to it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHUtubWHtI/AAAAAAAACNc/Ka6WOFfZbH4/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 25px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SwHUtubWHtI/AAAAAAAACNc/Ka6WOFfZbH4/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404834909843234514" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">10/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-15544071048429382282009-09-15T15:20:00.004+00:002009-11-23T09:41:41.120+00:00Oh for f....<a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42356">You've got to be kidding me.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sq-w_uVTJCI/AAAAAAAACNM/SLvv9lE0MnM/s1600-h/facepalm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sq-w_uVTJCI/AAAAAAAACNM/SLvv9lE0MnM/s320/facepalm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381714688546645026" /></a><br /><br /><br />And yes, I'm aware the picture has nothing to do with the article. But I think it perfectly sums up my.... hairline....Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-25660113719826137432009-09-07T20:50:00.002+00:002009-09-07T20:51:49.874+00:00Alive In Joburg (2005)And this is the short that inspired District 9...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iNReejO7Zu8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iNReejO7Zu8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-61049335672023185522009-09-07T20:45:00.005+00:002009-09-07T20:50:22.478+00:00DISTRICT 9 (2009) - Neill Blomkamp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxmlSRsmI/AAAAAAAACMs/MeX1cP7Wdn0/s1600-h/D9Poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxmlSRsmI/AAAAAAAACMs/MeX1cP7Wdn0/s320/D9Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378830237621662306" /></a>Four years ago, an unknown South African director named Neill Blomkamp released a short film called Alive In Joburg. The film caught the attention of Peter Jackson who, having obtained the rights to the Halo game franchise, offered Blomkamp the directorial duties on the adaptation. The movie was eventually put on hiatus. However, Blomkamp, with Jackson’s backing, wrote <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1136608/">District 9</a>, a feature that expanded on the ideas and themes put forth in Alive In Joburg. And now, we have that feature.<br /><br />In 1990, a massive alien mother-ship came to a halt over the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. The aliens within the ship became refugees, looking for a new home on Earth. Initially, the aliens were welcomed by the human population. But soon the people of Johannesburg grew tired of the aliens and confined them to a camp, known as District 9. Twenty years later, and a corporation known as Multi-National United wants to forcibly move the residents of the now militarized ghetto away from Johannesburg and it’s citizens. The man in charge of serving the eviction notices is Wikus Van De Merwe. What he finds in District 9 will change his life forever, and draw the eyes of the world on the slum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxxLH42DI/AAAAAAAACM0/jKsdSaGf9Cw/s1600-h/D903.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxxLH42DI/AAAAAAAACM0/jKsdSaGf9Cw/s320/D903.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378830419577329714" /></a><br /><br />The best science fiction films don’t deal with situations, but with themes. The fantasy setting serves to drive the story. And District 9 is a film that manages to merge allegory with action and deliver something quite fantastic. The film is part mocumentary, part actioner, and to Blomkamp’s credit, he manages to merge the two elements almost seamlessly. The early part of the film deals with themes of displacement, apartheid, and xenophobia. The aliens, derisively nicknamed ‘prawns’ by the people of Johannesburg are the lowest on the social scale. They are regarded with suspicion and hatred. Where as once the black citizens were those that were looked down upon by the white citizens of South Africa, now the aliens are those who suffer the racism. It’s Blomkamp’s critique of apartheid that is the central driving force to the film.<br /><br />But that’s is only one aspect of the film. The focus of the story is on Wikus Van De Merwe, who we are introduced to via the mocumentary footage at the beginning of the film. We follow him as we are introduced to District 9. As the film progresses, the mocumentary footage dwindles and the film becomes more narrative-based as Wikus struggles with an incident that threatens his life. (I’m trying desperately not to reveal too much here!) The last act of the film is where Blomkamp lets loose with the action as District 9 becomes embroiled in a frankly stunning gun fight involving humans and alien technology. It’s no loss that Blomkamp lets the allegorical side of the film take back seat to the action, as the action is absolutely nail-biting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxxmxDWFI/AAAAAAAACM8/0HsMvTpc_z8/s1600-h/D901.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxxmxDWFI/AAAAAAAACM8/0HsMvTpc_z8/s320/D901.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378830426997741650" /></a><br /><br />One of the other great strengths of the film is Blomkamp’s attention to detail. There are so many little smile-inducing moments of detail that just contribute to the overall success of the film. Little narrative and visual flourishes that show how a bit of dedication to quality really draw you into a film. The script moves at a blistering pace. There are moments where logic is abandoned and tiny plot-holes appear. However, you barely have a moment to dwell on these as Blomkamp keeps things moving towards a blistering climax.<br /><br />District 9 cost $30,000,000 to make. Sounds like a lot. However, when you take into account that most Hollywood blockbusters cost somewhere in the region of $200,000,000+, it really makes you ask where the money in these films actually goes. The special effects in District 9, designed by Weta Workshop and created by Image Engine are staggeringly good. The CG aliens blend in with the live action footage without ever looking out of place. The effects serve the film, and not the other way round, and this is essentially what all CG should do. That it’s done so well in this film should serve as a lesson to other filmmakers who pack their films with all flash and no substance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxxxJ3jAI/AAAAAAAACNE/djPtKYfJHgQ/s1600-h/D902.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxxxJ3jAI/AAAAAAAACNE/djPtKYfJHgQ/s320/D902.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378830429786180610" /></a><br /><br />Sharlto Copley, an unknown actor from South Africa plays Wikus Van De Merwe, the man caught between following orders and doing what’s morally right. Copley delivers a fantastic performance, changing from a man who’s naive, a bit dim, but upbeat to the man of action as the story progresses. That he does a great deal of acting against unseen CG characters is a testament to his acting abilities. He’s initially somewhat of an unlikable character but you do engage with him and care about his story as events unfold. While some of the ‘villains’ of the film are a tad clichéd, they serve the purpose of the story and all the actors involved throw all they have into their performances.<br /><br />Blomkamp draws upon a lot of influences in making District 9. However, combining these influences, he has delivered what is probably the best science fiction film of the 21 Century. A bold statement considering Children of Men, The Matrix, Moon, The Fountain and Primer all fall into that category. But District 9 really manages to edge all these films out. Great sci-fi makes you take a look at the world you live in. And while District 9 makes you do this, it also has one of the great climactic battle scenes of recent times in terms of cinematography and ideas. This is science fiction at it’s best. And Blomkamp is the new wunderkind of the genre.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxmFpI-vI/AAAAAAAACMk/dcy7xuZlrWs/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 25px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVxmFpI-vI/AAAAAAAACMk/dcy7xuZlrWs/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378830229127625458" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">10/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-71747393149834572212009-09-07T18:49:00.004+00:002009-09-07T18:53:58.413+00:00FUNNY PEOPLE (2009) - Judd Apatow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVV_N3SBrI/AAAAAAAACME/LZ41yI3d1lE/s1600-h/FPPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVV_N3SBrI/AAAAAAAACME/LZ41yI3d1lE/s320/FPPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378799874505574066" /></a>Judd Apatow’s films could never have been accused of being poignant. Sure, there’s a lot more to them than the average comedy. The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked up certainly contained more substance than all the Wayans Brothers and Scary/Epic/Date Movies combined. But none of his films have been as personal as his latest, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201167/">Funny People</a>. And a great deal of this is down to the fact that the film is more of a drama than a comedy. Despite starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen. <br /><br />Sandler stars as George Simmons, a former stand-up comedian and now star of empty-headed vacuous family movies. He’s got money, success and fame. He gets any woman he wants. And he has a terminal blood disease. After finding out he’s not got long, Simmons goes off the rails. And he wants to return to stand-up. After gate crashing a stand-up gig, he meets Ira Wright, a struggling stand-up comedian. He hires Wright to be his assistant and introduces him to the world of a successful Hollywood star. But Simmons begins to resent the trappings of his success and wants to get back the one thing he never held onto. His ex-fiancee, Laura. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVWiTFWRxI/AAAAAAAACMU/L3jEzhw9rig/s1600-h/FP01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVWiTFWRxI/AAAAAAAACMU/L3jEzhw9rig/s320/FP01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378800477202171666" /></a><br /><br />It’s clear from the get go that this film is different to Apatow’s other films. It’s far more personal. To a degree that the opening titles are scenes Apatow shot of Sandler when they were roommates and yet to hit the limelight. Apatow was a stand-up comedian at one point, and he injects a lot of his own personality into the characters in the film. It also contains quite a few Apatow regulars, including his wife, Leslie Mann, Rogen, and Jonah Hill. So it’s clear the writer/director wants this film to be something from the heart.<br /><br />But is it good? Yeah, I suppose it is. It’s not as funny as The 40 Year Old Virgin. In fact, it is more of a drama than a comedy. In certain respects, Funny People shares a lot in common with Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy. Both writer/directors are known more for their comedies. And both films are the most personal of their work. The dialogue in Funny People is as strong as anything Apatow’s done, and is where the comedy of the film lies. The actors are very familiar with each other and this helps the witticisms and delivery. So this isn’t a situational comedy.<br /><br />The performances are for the most part, pretty excellent. Adam Sandler’s always done his best work when he isn’t doing mad-cap films. In fact, his best role was in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, a dark drama-comedy. So Sandler’s on fine form here. I’m sure he and Simmons have a lot in common, so Sandler could draw a lot on his own experiences for the role. Seth Rogen, while not playing a slacker here, seems to fit into the mould he’s forged in Apatow’s films. And while the Jonah Hill, Leslie Mann and Jason Schwartzman are all great in the film, the show is stolen by Eric Bana who appears at the end of the film. Bana is the only actor who isn’t playing a ‘funny’ character. But he slightly overplays the character, and gets the most laughs. That’s not a criticism as I’m sure that’s what Bana was going for.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVWi-E3XNI/AAAAAAAACMc/gK3QBqNbTVQ/s1600-h/FP02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVWi-E3XNI/AAAAAAAACMc/gK3QBqNbTVQ/s320/FP02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378800488742870226" /></a><br /><br />The great criticism of the film is it’s length. The film is essentially two films tied together, and as such pushes the running time to a whopping two and a half hours. There could have been two films made of the story. And this is somewhat of a drawback for the film. But it’s perfectly entertaining none the less, and Apatow’s most grown-up film. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVV_tQS-NI/AAAAAAAACMM/FT15OJn6T6M/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 36px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/SqVV_tQS-NI/AAAAAAAACMM/FT15OJn6T6M/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378799882931992786" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">7/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816019470152034279.post-54171824390086473692009-09-01T20:21:00.005+00:002009-09-01T20:26:00.919+00:00THE HURT LOCKER (2009) - Kathryn Bigelow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2CzGJdITI/AAAAAAAACLk/cnnCjbeN1HQ/s1600-h/THLPoster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2CzGJdITI/AAAAAAAACLk/cnnCjbeN1HQ/s320/THLPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376597344485450034" /></a>The Iraq war is a sensitive subject in... well, every medium. It’s a shady conflict with no clear and definable enemy and despite it being in the news nearly every day, it’s a subject filmmakers are hesitant to touch. The majority of films that deal with the war concentrate on the effects of the conflict on the soldiers or the families and friends of soldiers once they have returned from the conflict. Few films actually deal with the war on a day to day basis. But now we have <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/">The Hurt Locker</a>, a film that deals with a bomb disposal unit, stationed in Iraq in 2004. Does it shed any new light on the war?<br /><br />SSgt. William James newly appointed to an Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit in Iraq. He’s seen his fair share of duty in Afghanistan and has disposed of countless explosives. Iraq is littered with Improvised Explosive Devices. James is teamed up with Sgt. JT Sanborn and Spc. Owen Eldridge, soldiers just counting down the days until they go home. They hate Iraq and fear for their own safety. But James is reckless, and doesn’t care for his own safety, nor that of his fellow soldiers. And his recklessness puts him at odds with Sanborn and Eldridge. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2C_5zFF8I/AAAAAAAACL0/qvaC5lfqKS0/s1600-h/THL01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2C_5zFF8I/AAAAAAAACL0/qvaC5lfqKS0/s320/THL01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376597564508673986" /></a><br /><br />Well, The Hurt Locker has arrived on a veritable tidal wave of positive reviews and unrelenting praise. And as I walked out of the cinema I couldn’t help but ask... why? Before the film began, I was sure I was walking into something that would... blow me out of my seat. Heh. But I was very underwhelmed. The first hour of the film had me gazing through the screen as the film failed to grab me by the balls and force my attention on the screen. It seems to follow the consensus that films that deal with the Iraq war are just not that very good.<br /><br />Now don’t get me wrong. There are some great moments in the film. A lot has been made of the tension that runs throughout the film. And there are some extremely tense moments in the film. But overall, I felt the film just fell a little flat in places and didn’t really hold my attention for long enough. And at a running time of 131 minutes, that is a problem. To the film’s credit, it doesn’t present the three central characters with an enemy they have to hunt for. This would have been cliché. Instead, their enemy is boredom and the situation they’re in. There are themes of heroism, fear of death and brotherhood in the film, but these aren’t touched upon nearly as much as they should have been. Maybe the canvas is too big, or maybe the writing wasn’t strong enough, but I felt there should have been more.<br /><br />The performances, on the other hand, are excellent. The three central actors, Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty all play their roles with conviction. None of the characters are too similar, and they all have their demons to battle with. Despite glossing over a lot of these, other than for Renner’s James, the actors do their best with what they have and are convincing. There are cameos from heavyweights like Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce and David Morse, but these cameos are fleeting and don’t give the actors much to work with. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2DAJ3VMbI/AAAAAAAACL8/7kWuFthUGX8/s1600-h/THL02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2DAJ3VMbI/AAAAAAAACL8/7kWuFthUGX8/s320/THL02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376597568821473714" /></a><br /><br />Kathryn Bigelow is most famous for Point Break, a film that is basically testosterone on screen. And there’s no shortage of it in The Hurt Locker. But in no way is The Hurt Locker a comparable film to Point Break. It is far more serious. As it should be. Bigelow’s direction is sketchy. At moments, she builds the tension brilliantly. And she does get great performances from her actors. But her cinematic flourishes aren’t anything incredibly innovative. And the very last shot of the film is shockingly misjudged and out of place within the context of the rest of the film.<br /><br />Overall, The Hurt Locker isn’t a bad film. It’s just a little better than average. It’s saved by it’s actors. And yet the first great Iraq war film hasn’t been made. It certainly isn’t this film. A far better document of the war is the television mini-series, Generation Kill. Obviously, being a mini-series, it has a greater canvas to work on. But many great individual films have been made about World War 2, and wars don’t get bigger nor more complex than that. Ignore the hype and maybe you won’t be disappointed like I was. It’s good, but not great. I just hoped for more from The Hurt Locker.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2CzuxvKNI/AAAAAAAACLs/wi-S0Cz0mUs/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 36px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOd9319e0dw/Sp2CzuxvKNI/AAAAAAAACLs/wi-S0Cz0mUs/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376597355391822034" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">7/10</span>Peter Slatteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12152523189552780664noreply@blogger.com0