Dariunas Reviews

Superman Returns (2006)

Excellent, excellent, excellent

[2 August 2006]

There are going to be people who dislike the approach Singer has taken with this continuation of the Superman story. I for one am certainly not one of them. Skimming over everything, Spacey is excellent as Luthor, combining elements (mainly visual) of Gene Hackman and a touch of Michael Rosenbaums'(Smallville) take on Lex, but also a touch of his own creepy evil streak. Brandon Routh is excellent as Clark/Superman. Very good as both Clark and Superman. And very much like Christopher Reeve's Superman which I think may have been a controversial decision, but it has been pulled off very well. Credit to Routh.

Kate Bosworth is good as Lois, but really lacks the true spunky side of Margot Kidder as she never seems to kick up enough of a fuss and comes across as much moany as she is persistent. Some may disagree, but hey this is my comment :D Action scenes are truly top notch and better almost anything else I've seen for sheer impact. My hair was standing on end and my heart racing in a couple of scenes (something that never really happens to me) Music is especially good in places thanks to Ottman's wonderful composition and orchestration of themes while weaving them with new, more introspective material. The story isn't amazing, but the storyTELLING is again awesome. Singer allows the film to lean back when it needs to in a similar way that HULK does, allowing the viewer to immerse in the characters and develop the personal conflicts. There is little in the way of conflict between Superman and Clark.

In fact, there is not much Clark Kent time in the film - it's more about Superman, and his struggle to find his place back in a world where so much he held close has changed... for the worse. Singer really shows us his alienation from humans and really makes you root for him on so many levels as he fights and defends people who he is not one of, but so desperately wants to be, mainly driven by his love of Lois. Not having someone you want because you're from a different world is probably something that resonates with a lot of people from different backgrounds and certainly did with me. It's more a love story at heart, but disguises it well until you think back on it and it becomes more apparent.

A few nice twists make you think of where the Singer may take this. Of course you'll have to see for yourself :D All in all, the best film I've seen since Batman Begins. Has grown on me a lot.

Doom (2005)

The best computer game to film transition yet

[19 April 2006]

And by a long way too. The sets and lighting are spot on, the content and story progression are just about good enough - they've done well to keep as close to the source material as they have while making a story that will work out well in film.

Performances are here and there... the characters are really, quite stereotypical, though acting is certainly weak in sections *ahem* (rock) he just doesn't have the voice to carry the menacing nature of his character quite enough... having said that, he certainly looks the part throughout the film. Carl Urban was really good as the main protagonist. He has an excellent look for his character. Rosumund Pike's performance is a little lacklustre I have to admit, but there's no denying she's nice to look at :D The creatures don't make an appearance until some way into the film, and they look very good - true to the game, certainly.

Despite some of these good points, there are some parts that are REALLY easy to pick faults with (when destroyer fights a creature in the holding cell, look at the whole thing he does just with the pipe before he climbs the chain, something is very wrong!) A special mention goes to music which is superb, capturing the essence of the Doom and Unreal type games, with filthy synth lines, driving beats, shreddy guitars and orchestral textures lending it power and a rather distinct identity (great for a film, but pretty standardif it were a real 1st person shooter game, Mansell's made it work well in a film) This movie has received a lot of criticism from people I know, but they seem to have overlooked many of the things that this film has done right, especially given the fact that it has started out from a game (always a bad start!). Its story of marines fighting creatures in Mars was always going to pitch it against the likes of Alien(s) etc. and it would always be under that shadow. But In all honesty, as a film to other films of it's ilk, it's very watchable, and has some really nice touches (yes the first-person perspective bit is one of them - if you're wondering, yes it's good, yes it could have been done a little better, it feels a touch... elastic rather than snappy, but it's excellent nonetheless)... it's better than AvP without a doubt, but doesn't come near to Alien(s) or the original Predator

Dungeons & Dragons (2000)

Actually...

[6 January 2006]

Actually, I quite enjoyed this. Doesn't mean it was a good, or even great film, but I loved Richard E Grant in it (you'll know what I mean when you hear the '...what a romantic notion' line! Sheer class. Unfortunately, Thora Birch's performance, was probably one of the worst I have ever seen... ever, from anyone... ever. Jeremy Irons was solid as usual... and the guy who used to be Jimmy in Superman I thought was surprisingly good. I know there will be loads of people who disagree with me, but if you look past the formulaic dialogue and expected narrative progression, there's an average, but enjoyable film trying to get out (average is not bad despite many people's assumptions). While it's certainly no Willow beater, I don't think it deserves a low-down 3.2 ...

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Easy to spot small flaws, but a great film still comes through

[10 May 2005]

Performances

Orlando Bloom was a strange choice if you asked me and I had serious doubts as I'm not a fan of his acting style, (though I thought he was suited very well to his role in Troy). The depiction of Baylin in Kingdom of Heaven is conflicting with itself at times and you wonder where his real convictions lie. The film feels like it's missing pivotal events which would have been great to show how he suddenly becomes this man who cares for the people. He lacks the same sense of conviction in his speeches despite trying, he still seems to look a little out of his depth. I wish he changed his voice a little more, than his usual forced coherent well spoken talk like Russel Crowe in Gladiator and Eric Bana did in Troy.

Having said that, his performances in terms of expression and physical movement with a sword were absolutely spot on. Bloom fights with real conviction and unlike Maximus or Achilles is not some kind of almost superhuman warrior, but a fighter who is not talented but feels so, real. While watching, I always felt that he was in real danger whenever he fought, and that was an amazing effect to watch, being the lead role in a film like this. I would have never imagined that the fight scenes would be Blooms strongest point in this films but they truly are, and in many ways, when Baylin he gets out on the field, I'm enthralled in this more than any fight scenes in films such as Braveheart, Troy etc. (apart from perhaps, Achilles and Hector)

Liam Neeson is a great actor, full stop. I love the way he has a consistent, unflinching quality to his acting and this film is no exception, like Sean Bean, he plays these flawed, believable characters beautifully.

Jeremy Irons is also excellent in his role and really brings out a sense of powerful commitment to the ideals and his king.

I think Scott has made a brave move in attempting to negate the blinkered perspective of good and evil in the way that most do because it makes it so easy to make entertaining films. Having said that, the film suffers because of it, by stretching it's focus a little too thinly for me when compared next to Gladiator which was great as it all revolved around one man's power to rectify a situation which he feels he has no power over but follows through. Kingdom of Heaven does not follow Baylin in the same way, but touches on many characters and their desires, bent on destruction or committed to preserve the peace and sanctity of what they have all worked hard to achieve.

It all rings too true that it only takes a small group of people with their own agenda and war mongering to wreak havoc and endanger the lives of so many innocents from their own side. I think this issue was addressed very well in KoH. Well done Scott. Also, being Muslim myself I respect the fact that Scott has been mindful of the more accurate portrayal of Muslims. I know there are still flaws you can pick, but considering the propaganda in many other films, this is more than I could have expected from mainstream Hollywood. I read someone's review that criticises that Balyin returns the greeting wrong. Personally, I don't mind that since perhaps it's a reflection on the mutual respect and what's not important is if he got it spot on or not, but the fact Baylin makes the effort, surely? Intent behind action is a fundamental point in Islam hence, this defence over what I feel is essentially a totally superficial in ultimately undeserving criticism.

Due to spreading itself thinly across the events and characters some aspects and characteristics don't feel right, especially with Baylin whose character doesn't feel cohesive or focused enough. Since he doesn't really say much about himself and we don't get much to go on except his random lines of poetic conviction which never gel comfortably...

Camera-work and scenery are utterly stunning, on par, if not superior to Gladiator and the same goes for the music... Melodically, not as instantly gratifying as Hans Zimmer's music in Gladiator, but equally as epic and intensifying with greater scope in terms of rhythm and ethnicity. Harry Gregson-Williams efforts are suitably gorgeous in places, and for me, the highlight of the emotive music was Coronation especially with one of the best anti-climaxes I have heard, at 2:50, period, cutting to a shot of Balyin in solitude under a tree. An aspiring composer for visual media myself, I found the music to be his best yet.

Visually, it has a bluish wash much like the early scenes of Gladiator where they fight the Barbarians in the winter. It's a nice change after watching Gladiator... and Troy and Alexander (I haven't seen Alexander yet... perhaps a good thing from what I have heard about it)

My friend who came with me to watch this was sorely disappointed, expecting another Gladiator and unhappy saying he thought Baylin was going to die at the end... which to me would have been the obvious thing to do. I liked the fact he didn't and come home scarred etc. None of the one on one duel like fighting from other films of it's ilk, and that certainly made it feel more real.

Conflict is rarely about good vs evil. It is about unfortunate circumstance and inevitable actions arising from it. KoH addresses this clearly. All in all a very good film, I have a feeling, the more I watch it, the more I will like it. The closest film to this is Troy, not Gladiator and this is due to the depiction of morals, and intent behind action.

The film is not as good as Gladiator, but I enjoyed it just as much.

Gleaming the Cube (1989)

Great 80s film, nothing amazing, but certainly competent in what it does, and not many films like it

[24 April 2005]

One of the first films of its kind that I had seen and is still really entertaining, after I hunted it down on DVD and watched for the first time last night for years. I like the portrayal of the skater guys. It frames their attitude nicely.

Slater's 'I miss you' speech was pretty cringing for me, but apart from that, the film carries itself really well without trying to take itself too seriously, and it comes off better for it.

The Corvette guy was a terrible addition in many ways, but despite being so bad, it was hilarious. One of those scenes where you'd say 'who would do that???' and then... 'who would carry on doing that after this?'... you'll see what I mean...

Memento (2000)

My favourite film ever made. Ever!

[17 March 2005]

I haven't read any of the other reviews, and this film merits more than I am going to write. Christopher Nolan has earned my highest respect, this film is utterly beautifully made, (not in the same way Hero is by the way!)

This is the best film I've ever seen, the characters, the story (the narrative!), the cinematography... everything is as cohesive and as perfect as I will ever hope for in a film.

The music, while not spectacular in it's own right, is still excellent and totally saturated with atmosphere.

Performance wise, this is for Guy Pearce, what Gladiator was for Russell Crowe. Pearce is excellent throughout, as is Carrie-Ann Moss, though her role is not something she hasn't done before, if anyone's seen Sabotage where she plays with Mark Dacascos. She is good at playing seemingly cold, but grounded characters and does it again to an excellent standard in this film.

I could go on for ages about this film, but maybe half the reason I liked it so much was because it didn't come along with any real hype here in the UK so I wasn't expecting much. I have never been so wrong in my life! And for once I'm glad for it! Roll on Batman! Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan with Gary Oldman and all the other actors involved! This may just be the best superhero film ever!

The Storm Riders (1998)

Good film, could have been great

[16 March 2005]

This was one of those films I knew nothing about when I got it. I liked the look of it, and bought it. The dubbed version isn't too bad as a film, but certainly has been severely cut as I found out when I bought the DVD version.

One criticism I have is that even the original Cantonese language is dubbed rather weakly. The special effects deserve a special mention as they are the best CGI to come out of a Hong Kong production, and only The Avenging Fist and perhaps a few others come close. The way FX are used in fight scenes can be spectacular at times, especially when Cloud and Wind use their powers. However, there is little in the way of tight pacey choreography like most successful Hong Kong martial art films.

Ekin Cheng is consistently good, and Aaron Kwok is excellent as the brooding Cloud. The characters come across brilliantly with a real focus that's pretty rare these days where most films try to create a complicated character and fail. This film takes it's characters and pushes all the way through.

The music deserves a special mention too. More electronic and driving with the distinct eastern feel, it reminds me of high budget computer game music. If anyone has played a Final Fantasy, or Squaresoft game, you'll know where I'm coming from! The story works well, however, to me, the film has a rather unfinished feel to it. They have tried to fit years of Comic book story into the film and haven't quite succeeded. It's a great effort, but VERY ambitious. If you don't know the comic books, this was adapted from, it's even better.

In all honesty, there is no film I have ever seen quite like Stormriders, although on the surface, you may think, crouching tiger/Hero' type film, but it has a TOTALLY different feel.

This is a film that deserves to be seen on the merit of being more than the sum of it's parts and that you probably won't ever see anything else like it.

Timecop: The Berlin Decision (2003 Video)

Better than the rating indicates!

[5 July 2004]

I thought this film was pretty good, considering a sequel to a movie like Timecop tends to be destined as a flop. Jamie Scott Lee's performance is great as usual, portraying Anderson as someone trying his best to hold himself together.

Support performances were also above the standard you might expect and while the fight scenes are not spectacular, but they are certainly more than competent. The music grounds well with the film, especially at the climax of the last fight scene...

I found it confusing at one point as to what exactly what Miller (the antagonist) had been doing as Anderson burst back and forth through time trying to track him down, with each return highlighting the consequences of his actions. But these scenes moved a bit too fast for me to catch up, so had to watch a few times... maybe I'm a dumbass, or maybe the pace was too quick considering the subject!

Overall I found this film well paced and I liked the idea of the Society for Historical Authenticity being competition to the TEC. The moral aspects of time travel were touched on nicely enough to make you think, but not too much to tease you and leave you feeling unresolved in much of the theorising unlike Matrix Reloaded.

I rate this perhaps a little higher due to 1 - Jamie Scott Lee's great performance, and 2 - The fact films like these tend to be a whole world worse than the original!