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Reviews
Andor: Narkina 5 (2022)
Superb episode in a spectacular series
Wow first to review this incredible episode.
Andor is almost picture perfect in story telling ability. The pace is deliberate, strong attention to character development but what was really obvious here was the use of colour and uniformity to create scenes of pure terror.
From the dull administrative submissive Greys of Karns workplace to the rag tag multi colours of Ferrix that highlights their free will to wear what they like.
But the most visually terrifying was the sterile white of the prison. White of course chosen to tie in with the ISB.
I am putting this at the top of the Star Wars TV stories to hit our screens so far!
The Sandman: The Sound of Her Wings (2022)
The best Neil Gaiman adaption yet?
I held off writing this review until this episode as I wanted to see how they cast Death but I am only half way through and feel duty bound to write.
To me The Sandman is my personal favourite of Neil Gaiman so I was already nervous the TV adaption would not deliver. Good Omens, Stardust and American Gods were all reasonable but never seemed to hit the fanboy in me. I am so happy to say they have NAILED this.
Morpheus is exactly how I visualised him to be. All the supporting cast play their roles perfectly. Yes they have made some critical changes to some of them but the overall thematic vision is just spot on.
Easily for me the best Gaiman adaption so far and possibly my favourite series of the year. An I am only halfway through!!!
Thor (2011)
Brave attempt - but just fell short on delivery
Being a huge Marvel mark I was looking forward to see how well Kenneth Branagh handled Thor. All in all a solid showing but felt the film fell short and didn't contribute enough to the growing 'Avengers' title as the Iron Man and Captn America title promises.
The characters felt a little too white and black without the usual Marvel 'Greys' however strong performances by Hemsworth and Hiddleston.
Plot although entertaining was at times a bit of a head scratcher with a lot of unanswered questions about the main antagonist's plot.
Still it served its purpose and kept us marvel junkies going until Ol' Capn. lights up the screens later this summer.
One small spoiler - as will all marvel titles wait until after the end credits. There's is a little reward (Albeit very little)
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Most underrated movie of all time??
Is this perhaps one of the most underrated movies of all time? It seems most people just hated this movie. The simple explanation for this is that the nature of the movie is very dark and Director Crowe does a wonderful job of presenting an intellectual psychological masterpiece that just seems on first viewing to loose the average viewer.
Watch this movie a second time, sometimes even a third time and you will pick up on all those hidden little details, those delightfully subtle clues and even some of the not so subtle clues to understand what is happening.
On the second view you learn to appreciate the story of this movie which is a journey through the materialistic, egocentric condition that has been so linked to the American dream. On this journey first you see the superficial, the basic lusts and desires. Watch again you can see the deeper philosophical undertones (429 pop references, references to art, literature, classic cinema and music) that as the movie develops gain power to the point of literally destroying the superficial first perspective.
This movie plays with perceptions and layers, blends dreams and reality to such a point that we reach a critical point of confusion. Then as all good stories should; brings sense out of the chaos.
If you watched it once and hated it - but are a fan of psychological and philosophical works such as 'one flew over the cuckoos nest' 'Jean e jim' then give this a second chance. The second view is so much more rewarding!
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
All thriller no filler
What a crying shame director Michael Bay couldn't strike gold twice! The first Transformers movie relied upon a time tested formula for the action movie genre: Action, sexy women, hot sound track and light hearted comedic moments.
This time around follows the same basic formula however this time it just doesn't come together with the same result. I think the main let down lies in the story which sees Shia LeBoeuf return as Sam - still the socially ackward teenager this time starting college - but on the way absorbing knowledge about the location of a second Transformers energy source. Megatron is revived (remarkably easily) and the race is on once again.
The plot line has so many holes in it as to be considered swiss cheese. Introduction of new characters fails entirely by making the new characters incredibly annoying (Autobot twins); and favourite old characters are not given enough screen time to be considered important.
There isn't much positive about this film - even the ever lovely Megan Fox cant do much with her role. The action scenes are even faster paced than the original making them at times hard to follow.
I understand that a Transformers 3 has been inked. Lets hope they can focus more on the story and characters than on cheap thrills and low brow humour. The cinema going public just expect more nowadays!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
The 6th Installment really splits HP fans down the middle...
Harry potter fans around the world really fall into 2 camps. Those who grew up reading the books then watching the movies; and those who opt just to watch the movies never reading the books. Never before has a Harry Potter film divided these two camps, as is evident from the reviews, so dramatically. If you are a book fan you will be left ultimately disappointed at the lack of loyalty to JK Rowling's original story - especially at the end scenes. However if you are a film fan and have no prior knowledge to the story then I think you will be perfectly content.
This film under the directorship of David Yates (who also directed 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix') looks and feels the most polished of the series to date. Yates has done an admirable job bringing to the big screen what is regarded as the most boring of the books from the series. The main plot focuses on the raging teenage hormones amongst our central characters and, under Yates, sees Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson put out arguably their best performance to date. Rupert Grint is as always entirely patchable. This year we have the addition of Jim Broadbent who succeeds in bringing interest and feeling to one of JK's most under developed characters. The film feels unrushed cohesive and the visuals are astounding. The Hogwarts shots are inspired and a new musical score does the trick nicely.
Where the film fails to deliver most notably is in the lack of on screen time for the series peripheral characters which considering their formidable acting skills boggles the mind. We have seen careful character building for the last 5 films only to see a sixth film that all but abandons them. Bit parts for Hagrid, Snape, Neville, McGonagal, Sprout, The Weasleys, Lupin, Tonks, Fenrir, Bellatrix and omission entirely for Bill Weasley, Fleur, Kreacher, Dobby, Sheamus, Moody, Fudge and Scringmour. The real villain of this movie (scriptwriter Kloves) seems to want the audience to somehow know intuitively that Tonks and Lupin have finally hooked up. Also we are apparently meant to accept that Fenrir Greyback is a trusted deatheater now without any back story concerning his werewolf lineage. By the distinct lack of cohesiveness of our heroes – The Order of the Phoenix, the Faculty and the DA and in fact any resistance thereof against Voldemorts attacks throughout the film we are left feeling the good guys have no real power.
The real controversy of this movie though is in the re-writing of the story from JK's original, especially the end scene. What has been a thoughtful and slow paced but atmospheric movie drawing good acting from all central characters inexplicably breaks down into an ending that comes across as though actors and director alike just didn't care about those last 30 minutes. What should have been the climax of a slow burn movie is ruined by inexplicable story lines, character assassinations (What Harry is made to do at the end results in him looking cowardly) and a dismal lapse in Radcliffes acting ability at the most essential point - essentially proving once again although he is comfortable with light hearted comedic moments he lacks the depth of ability required to bring real emotions of loss and love to his character.
It is a crying shame to end an otherwise engaging and entertaining film with such a poor ending - however as Yates is signed on to do The Deathly Hallows in two parts lets hope he can learn from these mistakes.
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Fantastic psychological Drama
I recently bought this classic on DVD and just last night had a chance to watch it.
Being quite young I was amazed to be so impressed by a film from Hollywood's yesteryear. But then again that was the point of the film (Spoilers coming up).
The film deals with Hollywood's evolution and taps upon the superficial nature of the industry especially how it treats it's workers!
Gillis, superbly portrayed by Holden, is a screen writer down on his luck who accidentally becomes involved with Norma Desmond, Swanson, silent film star of Yesteryear.
Wilder uses his key figures to represent the different ages of Hollywood. Norma Desmond "Queen of the silent film" star of Hollywood's Golden era is all but forgotten as Hollywood starts to make films with sound. Gillis whose scripts were popular during the Silver age of Hollywood are suddenly not popular any more as he can not adapt his style fast enough to the demand for riskier story lines. Finally the beautiful Betty Schaefer (Olsen) who represents the future of Hollywood.
The film's main point illuminates how as Hollywood changes the people that helped build it are left behind when they cease to become popular. Desmond becomes a hermit - recluse from an industry and fans that deserted her. But in a chance encounter with Gillis she sees an opportunity to come back into the industry by way of a new script she has been working on. The film traces the start, peak and ultimately the demise of the relationship between Desmond & Gillis. A metaphor for the start, peak and ultimate demise of the eras they represented.
Very intelligent and well directed film with Stella performances from all key cast & crew.