Andy C-2 Reviews

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Overrated

[7/10 · 9 July 2004]

Ok just to clear something up. Despite the amazing amount of hype and numerous people saying these film were the best ever, I tried when I watched this and 1st film to watch them with an open mind neither being swayed to thinking there great because everyone else said this or the opposite. But come on, people. I have to say they appear just whizzy special effects lead extreme good versus dark (as in surroundings) ugly evil people (basically Star Wars). The storyline is tame and straighforward and the characters uninteresting. Star Wars is better and there massively overrated as well (if they removed those annoying 2 robots all together). Its basically a good film for kids with all this simplicity and straight good v evil, and I fail to see why so many adults like it so much. None of the three films deserve to be in the top100 if your like and competition of thoughtful, intelligent, well acted, important, sharply written films there. Maybe everyone just likes a straight forward situation of immense good vs terrible evil, so they know who there supporting, rather than the immensely complicated debatable thought provoking events of real life.

I guess thats why the genre is called fantasy.

The Mexican (2001)

Not as bad, as people say.

[7/10 · 2 January 2002]

Being quite a harsh critic myself, I was surprised to see how badly recieved this film was. Admittably the film tended to drag a little length and was missing something to make it a little more entertaining.

But the film has some interesting characters, situations, and scenery to make this film highly watchable. Pitt and Roberts are good, but have put in much better performances elsewhere. And spend the majority of the film apart. I suspect the main criticisms of this film are mainly to do with high expectations: in having Pitt, Roberts and the Sopranos guy in. But in summary, an alright film - but nothing special.

Pleasantville (1998)

Could have been great.

[8/10 · 2 January 2002]

This film is quite thought provoking and entertaining at the same time -and in a lot of ways is like THE TRUMAN SHOW (which Jim Carey spoils). In the main way, of been a imaginative and interesting idea not pulled off on screen. Pleasantville, at points, brings across a range of interesting social and political issues - by displaying a modern day brother and sister in a 'perfect' and 'plesant' 50's TV show environment which gradually gets changed towards a more modern day environment. Unfornuately the fairy-tail style and the more adult base themes doesn't mix brilliantly and subsquently the film suffers a bit of a identify crisis in relation to its target audience. Its a shame, because its refreshing to see a film with some interesting ideas and bit of imagination compared to general run-of-the-mill box office hits. This could have been used to make a minor-classic - but instead is a above average film - if not hugely more. And leaves little desire to rush to watch it again.

Commando (1985)

Truly awful

[3/10 · 4 December 2001]

This film is absolutely terrible. After watching this film I trying to think what the worst films I've ever seen, and this compares. I struggle to see how anyone over the age over about 8, could enjoy this stereo-typed riden, amazingly predictable, macho b******t. Arnie is in good form, ie he's poor, rather than appalling. I can't remember the specifics of the story line. But it runs something like this: Arnie is ex-commando, his kid is nicked to try to make him join evil gang, he re-captures her, whilst breaking every law in human history and everyone lived happily ever after. Arnie frequently seems more evil than the enemy, he persistently shots and kills people for the sake of it, jumps through glass- when he could open the door, as well as seeming to be protected by some sort of protective shield which prevents him through injury or being killed (although this isn't explained at any time). As per usual the security guards and trained killers have worse accuracy than a five year old girl with there guns, Arnie shows off his muscle for no logical reason, a female member of the public decides to believe his messed up story, despite the number of people he massacres. Every cliche is obeyed and Arnie assassinates more people than the number of casulties in WWII. I could go on all day, but I don't have time. Watch this film.

Clerks (1994)

Superb

[10/10 · 8 November 2001]

After seeing so many huge-budget films in the cinema, where hundreds of extras, millions of pounds being spent, 50 stuntmen, 'big names', cliches galore, lots of advertising, special effects - the lot. And most of them are complete unimaginative rubbish.

Clerks is a refreshing change, and is a perfect illustration of how to make to really, good entertaining and imaginative film on a shoestring budget. This film is filled with delightful qwerky conversations and situations, and despite some suspect acting at times - is often hilarious. With lines like 'I hate people, but I like gathering, isn't that ironic?' and the in depth discussion about the morals behind The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Not forgeting the superb debut, of once of the best comic duos in film history - Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith respectively)

This is Kevin Smiths debut film - and all the potential, clever ideas, and character studies of the lowlifes with nothing to do all day - is followed nicely in Mallrats and Dogma. Along with Chasing Amy - which is a little more mainstream (well by his standards).

If only there were more films like this. Rather than the Armaggedons, Rocks, Mummys etc of this world. Which had the refreshing change of actually making a film where some thought went into it- and wasn't just about following some recipe to make money. I'm waiting for the time, when good films become popular - well according to current life expectancies I've got about 58years to wait, it might not be long enough.

In summary- WATCH THIS FILM - (p.s. it can take a little time to get into it)

American Pie 2 (2001)

Doesn't live up to expectations

[6/10 · 31 October 2001]

Having not seen the much loved first American Pie - I wasn't 100% sure what to expect, so I went into the Cinema with an open mind about the film, but realising sequels are often disappointing and expecting something along the same lines as 'Road Trip'.

This film has its moments, and its not ever boring - but it is filled with cliched storylines, and toilet humour. The 'watching video in bed scene' is funny - but still toilet humour, although the Mum humour has to be the best in the film. The characters have some depth (although obviously exaggerated), and are quite likeable. But the storyline is dire. Every twist and turn is blatantly obvious, and subsquently frustrating and the typical Hollywood style ending (along with 'the best party ever attitude' -like that ever happens in real life) just take the biscuit.

In summary, I hope they don't make any more, so my friends will avoid quoting them - and talking about them as 'classics'. But nevertheless this is ok film, altough theres nothing new here, just formulated comedy - But thats all the general public seem to want.....and it brings in loads of money - so who can blame them.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Urmm....classic for future, could be its only saving grace.

[5/10 · 5 October 2001]

Ok, I watched this film yesterday. It was bad, really bad. I'm a huge Kubrick fan and I apreciate Spielberg material, but it all honestly I was dying for the credits to appear, so I could leave. Even the title, made the film sound tacky - the abbreviation of phrase, which is anticipated to become common place in the future. BUT FILMS ABOUT A.I. HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE, THERE IS NOTHING NEW HERE.

If the film (SPOILER) had ended when David was begging the Blue fairy to be 'real' this film could be satisfied with being below average. But the 15 or 20minutes which followed were cringeworthy. When it said '12' at the beginning of the film, I always thought that meant you were supposed to be 12 or over to watch- but surely only little kids could appreciate this awful ending. If this film had been revolutionary in terms of ideas or special effects -it might have been able to pull it off. But there were no new ideas here really, the idea of rising sea levels (Waterworld), artificial intelligence (Terminator), flying cars etc - have been the worked of sci-fi films for 20 years or more. This film seemed to just drag little bits of other noted sci-fi/futuristic films and lamely put them together.

The story was dull and uninteresting, (despite some excellent acting by the 'I see dead people' boy) - and the whole way the Mother fell for the freaky, weird mecca boy was totally unrealistic. Underground lost (American) cities, which is obviously the centre of the universe - because other countries never exist in the future - were so lame and thoughless. I could criticise this film all day, and more constructively if I want to put my mind through the ordeal again - but mistifies me is the involved of Kubrick (you except soppy Disney style garbage now and then from Spielberg). After a near faultless career - where my only criticism would be he didn't make more films -- how did Kubrick get involved in this - or perhaps his involvement was minimal and name used for Marketing. But anyway, there was some reasonable acting at times (especially David) and some pretty good cinematography - but thats not really enough.

Unbreakable (2000)

Oh dear.

[5/10 · 16 June 2001]

Oh dear, as if Sixth Sense wasn't bad enough - unfornately I wasted £3.95 watching this piffle after being dragged to the cinema by my friends. Someone could write an essay on what makes this film SO bad.

First of all, the idea of using Bruce Willis AGAIN (stick to action films - ie what you good at) to make an identically structured film seems a complete joke. Although the only thing funny about it is the amount of suckers like me who went to watch it. Again, dull rubbish for a couple of hours, uninteresting and fatally flawed twist fails to redeem this.

The single point that Bruce Willis's character would be ssssooooo stupid to not release that he had all this special powers, such as super human strength until so one told him, when he was at least 30 yrs old seems so ridicolous in its self. (p.s. if this is a spoiler, then maybe you will not waste time and money watching this). I would be prepared to dislike this film on this alone. But the fact that the director/studio just tried to emmulate Sixth Sense to churn more money out, emphaised the general lack of ideas on display here.

There is nothing good about this film. Unfortunately you can't give minus marks out of ten....

Memento (2000)

Good, but unnessarily confusing

[7/10 · 16 June 2001]

This film seem to go way over the top with the fashionable alternative way of showing of portraying storylines with overlapping and repeated scenes. I feel this idea works beautifully in Pulp Fiction, Reservior Dogs and Usual Suspects to name a few of the modern era.

But this film seem to go to far. I understand that the idea was to make the viewer as confused as the main character (which was incedentially very well acted by Guy Pearce surprinsly), but it was nearly impossible to follow what was happened unless you paid 100% attention and had the right mind, or you wrote down the ideas, or more likely watched it again.

This left me frustrated watching this film (I've only seen it once), although nevertheless it was often quite interesting - particularly the idea of his friends misleading him, or him thinking they were misleading him - making him think irrationally.

I find suprising the dedicated love for this film. I not sure whether because most people found this found so confusing or complicated - they just assumed it fitted together pefectly, as since it had out-witted them they assumed it was intelligentle masterpiece or whether I blatantly missing something here. (Assume most people would suggest the later).

However all in all, I would give this film 7/10 - In summary a good idea, interesting storyline and characters but unnessarily mad jumping around of the storyline and most importantly this film, seems to me, TRIES to be masterpiece, while most masterpieces just happen through a mixture of ideas, orginality, good acting, directing and dialogue and intruiging and believable interacting characters. This film doesn't pull it off. But worth watching nevertheless.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

This film is bad, very bad.

[5/10 · 16 June 2001]

I don't know how on earth this film reached 32 (at time of writing) of the top ever films. I've probably seen over 200 films better than this one and the awful unbreakable. I can only assume either (I'm not a horror movie fan), that the supposebly overwhelming atmosphere of Bruce Willis talking to some messed up little boy entertained people, much like horror films or either the modern cliche of adding a big twist on to the end of film to try to make sense of the piffle before it. The latter seems particularly lame, as there is some credit due in the former. I don't see why this makes a film a good film because your bored to death with a nothing storyline for however long, just to be told something to make you feel good when you finish the film. Most of all considering the director did EXACTLY the same thing the doubly pathetic Unbreakable to churn in some money for piffle - pathethic flawed storyling, big twist at end - really shows the lack of imagination and credibility of this film.

Warning: Only watch this film if your an atmospheric lover or part of large simple-minded cinema going folk - who loves the big blockbusters and not the more credible imaginative and orginal films such as Dogma (1999) and Traffic (2001) to name some good recent films.

The Game (1997)

Entertaining and clever

[9/10 · 14 April 2001]

Before I watched this film, I heard some people compare it to the Truman show. First of all the Truman Show has Jim Carrey (a clown 'actor' - his 'acting' abilities are badly shown up here), this has Micheal Douglas, the Truman show is totally boring and unintelligent, this is entertaining and intelligent. In summary the Truman show is rubbish this is again quite the opposite.

I think this film is entertaining from start to finish as an action/thriller intends to be, but avoids all the common action cliches involved of tacky one-liners when something blows up. It also has clever twisting plot, in that it constantly leaves the view wondering whether he's been conned out of all his money and his life, or whether it is 'just a game'. The same applies to the characters involved, you never really sure who's real and who's not. You can also see the point of the game in trying to add excitement to his mundane and seemingly unhappy life, the old chestnut of being rich, but so what? its only money - is clearly present. The direction, acting, set design, stunts etc are all very impressive as well, and most of all the attention to detail.

With all these elements put together I think this is a very good film, one of the best films I've seen made in the late 1990's. (Along with Lock Stock, Snatch, Smoke (1995), and American Beauty). Also note: Traffic is superb, watch it (video/DVD in America, cinema in UK), if you haven't already.

Admitably this film has many 'flaws' plot wise, in that obviously CMS couldn't practically do all the things they did, with the precision they did. But this doesn't necessary mean that the film isn't good nevertheless, we don't know if this is set futuristically - where some of things could be possible, due to technology currently unimagineable. And theres no reason that he wouldn't react the way he did right at the very end, everyone is different - its naive to think he would be angry necessarily rather than relieved.

Although I can see how this film isn't for all tastes, as a sense of realism is essential to some people - maybe the less open-minded and unadventurous audience, who knows? I gave this film 9/10.

The Godfather (1972)

A masterpiece in every sense of the word

[10/10 · 11 April 2001]

In my opinion this is undoubtably one of the best and one my favourite films ever made. What is surprising as anything is that two years it was followed by Part II which is just as good (and then 20 years later and money-grabbing, dull and unnecessary third film). The first time I watched this film, I thought it was very good but overly long. But the second time I watched it, it didn't seem overly long at all, but beautifully detailed and concise - despite being nearly three hours long. I didn't find myself become bored, because the remarkable thing about this film is that almost every line, ever scene adds to the story or unfolding the characters, and their interaction with each other. The acting is believable, the direction is superb, and cinematography excellent.

As well as all this, the film avoids cliches and over-dramatising deaths, but instead shows the Italian culture and strong importance of relations with your family. The differemt characters seem to perfectly gel. Micheal who changes from being relatively uninvolved ('a citizen') to heading the family, Sonny -overly volatile, Fredo - not clever enough (he's more involved in the 2nd film), and Tom - the level headed, sensible lawyer, who doesn't let his emotions run away with him like the others. My only (slight) criticism of the film, is that the Scilly scenes didn't run as smoothly as the rest of the film. Although it was interesting to see where family orginates from (again the 2nd film covers this more), Micheals falling in love and then his newly-weds' death seem a little unrealistic. Well in didn't make as well sense to me in a way.

In summary this is a brilliantly detailed and enjoyable film, if not as 'entertaining' as Armaggedon (supposedly) or other rubbish. I can see how this film wouldn't be for all tastes, but anyone interested in the more 'classic' style which people remember for years to come, as well as the storyline, this is a MUST see. Also note its a good idea to watch Godfather Part II shortly afterwards, while Part I is still fresh in the mind, as they link together brillantly. 10/10

Chicken Run (2000)

Standard animation which is cute and funny but lacks depth

[8/10 · 5 August 2000]

Chicken Run, from the Wallace and Gromit guys, it must be said is an entertaining comedy, although as with the Wallace and Gromit movies, it lacks any depth or different approaches. As well as that the standard 50's style machinery, good vs evil (main character being good) and love interest as a side-story is all a little predictable and unimaginative. The TV series 'The Simpsons' is a prime example of excellent imagination and clever scripting and one-liners, which in my opinion is clearly missing from a film such as C.R in order to take it up the pecking order (pun intended).

On the positive side found much of escape attempts, animation and the nods to great films of the past. Notably 'The Great Escape' (underground tunnel with sliders + chicken bounces ball against side of small solidartry confinement eg Steve McQueen). Also the over used Indiana Jones, slide under a closing door from roof to floor and dropping there hat, to then reach back inside to get it. Although I thought the biggest take-off appeared to miss most critics, that of Flight of the Phoenix, eg deciding to build a plane with the guidance of what they think is an expert, but they misunderstood him.

In summary, this is a pretty standard predictable comedy, although still worth watching, although its a far reach from some of the great films surrounding it in the IMDB 250 list.

Delicatessen (1991)

Imaginative, funny and insane (its French...)

[9/10 · 27 January 2000]

This is possible one of the most orginal, imaginative and hilarous films I've ever seen. Considering this was made in 1991 that is some feat. It is based in a post-apoclaptic (sp.) world where food is in short supply and a butcher kills off people to feed the residents in his building, picking off the unlucky newcomers or those to old. This is the basis for the black-comic mayhem which follows. Picks of the film: the finale (bathroom scene) and abstract suicide attempts by a female resident. Suicide attempt one: She sits in the bath (with her clothes on) and with a sewing machine to one side of her with a piece of red cloth on. The red cloth stretches across the bath with a light on top of it turned on. The sewing machine is connected up the door buzzer. She invites a bloke around.......meanwhile next door the clown (employed in maintenance) is fixing a bed. The bloke rings the door several times the light gets closer to falling...the clown hits the bed net door and plug comes out just as the light falls in. SUPERB viewing Attempt 2: She stands in kitchen with a rope around her neck on top of chair and connects a rifle to face her face connected to the door. And then she swallows loads of pills as her husband attempts to open the locked door. He succeeds but the rifle is knocked off target shoots down the rope, she falls to the floor and chokes up the pills as he enters. BRILLIANT WATCH THIS FILM The rest of the film is great too but far to complex to explain.....I repeat go down to rental shop a take this film out. If your an open-minded film lover who likes black comedies especially.