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Funny People (2009)
Adam Sandler is surprising...
A very short review: I hate Adam Sandler movies but he actually does a good job here.
The Big Sick (2017)
A romantic comedy of a higher standard than most but which could have been so much more
I wanted to absolutely love this film and see it blitz both the emotional and comedic scenes but the cast and script just couldn't quite pull it off. Unfortunately, Judd Apatow just didn't manage to lift the script away from the comedy but then I should really have expected that based on his other films (Knocked Up and The Forty Year Old Virgin). That's not saying the comedy wasn't laugh-out-loud, it was, and if that's all you wanted then it's okay. However, it did mean the bigger issues (character change, illness, family, and fighting against prejudice and tradition) were desperately under-addressed.
For the first 3/4 of the film the characters are well rounded, real and likeable.
We see Kamail gently pushing against a parade of Pakistani girls presented to him by pushy parents whilst sweetly and affably courting Emily. He is then blindsided by Emily's emotional reaction to his unthinking acceptance of an arranged marriage. When he meets her parents it's amusingly uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, once it gets to the actual emotional scenes, which you can see could be heartbreaking but heroically funny (his breakdown at the drive-thru and discussion with his family), the script and Kumail's acting just doesn't ring true (he is just too reserved). I would love to name a Pakistani actor who could have done it better but I don't know any. However, you could imagine e.g. Colin Firth doing an equivalent scene so much better.
I generally thought this film was well worth a watch and not instantly forgettable but don't expect to laugh and cry at the same time (like Love Actually).
Pan (2015)
Definitely one for Fan Fiction fans and people who don't think too much...
This could have been such a great film. I loved the introduction of Hook as a sympathetic character. The special effects, such as the birds and fights between aircraft and pirate ships are genius but Hugh Jackman and Rooney Mara are totally wasted on the belittling scripts designed completely for 3 - 4 year old children without any larger intelligence. The film and the script patronizes all involved. Come On! We've had Pirates of the Caribbean. Children are cleverer than we think and they like to be treated like adults.
Really disappointed because wider thinking could have made this film bad-ass! It's a good premise but ends up being a good film only for people who don't like to think too much......... For instance, J.M. Barrie only published following the first world war and died in 1937 rather than living through the second world war (when this film is set).
Hugh Jackman works with a dreadful script and a character who can't decide if he's the most evil man in the world or just a big softie at heart. This leaves an uncomfortable ill-defined pastiche of a personality. Hugh Jackman obviously just didn't have the confidence to push back against the director or script editors to decide what they wanted!
It's a shame. I wanted this film to be good but ended up being really disappointed
Basil (1998)
Made for TV with a budget and script to match.
Very disappointing. The script suffers from extreme tell-a-life-story-in-two-scenes-itus leaving any tension or drama on the cutting room floor. Slater and Leto, who can normally make the best of bad writing, appear wooden and passionless. And Claire Forlani, who requires the intense drama of CSI to evoke any feeling, is preposterous as the love interest. One cannot believe she would tempt Leto to risk tuppence let alone his entire fortune, family and lifestyle. Not even the mighty weight of Derek Jacobi can make his character convincing. There is no mystery and no intrigue, which leaves the viewer with no care for what happens next. Dreary mood lighting supposedly meant to make the film dark, merely lends credence to the assumption that a minimal budget meant they couldn't afford professional lighting. With so many other excellent period dramas available, it is little wonder this movie ended up in the bargain bin.
Goat (2016)
Dark indie flick with an eye opening moral conclusion
I'm surprised that this film has such a low rating on IMDb as I thought that the acting was excellent, it is probably quite true to life and it justifies the moral of the story very well.
It is horrifyingly brutal from the outset with pretty graphic sex scenes so don't watch it with your little, 80 year old granny! It's not uplifting either so don't expect The Skulls. Also, it obviously doesn't have their budget. The washed out colouring, shaky camera style and stilted conversations gives it a much more indie feel than any of the big Hollywood movies.
Ben Schnetzer was excellent in Pride, underused in The Riot Club and a completely sympathetic and damaged character here. I am so impressed by his acting skills and I don't yet think he's been recognised for how good he is.
I wasn't sure about James Franco, he seemed to make a cameo just for the hell of it. He marches in, plays the psychopath, munches up the scenery and then disappears as quickly as he walked in. I've seen him play better psychopathic roles.
The brother (Nick Jonas) is difficult to read sometimes - You're not sure where his loyalities lie (but then are you meant to know?). His character is complex but slightly unbelievable at times..... is looking good in front of your fraternity brothers really that important? This culture is totally alien to the UK.
It is pretty uncomfortable viewing, especially considering how many pledges have died needlessly over the years in the US. It reminds me of the Stanford Prison experiment conducted at Stanford University, where strangely the (randomly chosen students who acted as) guards freely caused psychological distress to the 'prisoners' despite knowing they were being watched and not needing to cause this much distress. As one student in the group saw others acting cruelly, they began to do so and so the experiment spiralled out of control and was terminated early. It freely showed what one human being was willing to do to another in a situation of authority.
Unfortunately, the plot takes the obvious route and the reaction of the university, the fraternity and the wild cannon are even more obvious. I think the film could possibly have done with a little more imagination but then again I don't think it's looking to surprise you, just teach you.
Overall, I enjoyed this film and I could see how this could be quite true to life, as demonstrated by the Stanford experiment.
Ex Machina (2014)
Tense little thriller, well chosen cast.
When Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) and Nathan (Oscar Isaac) meet each other for the first time the atmosphere is uncomfortable at best and disturbing at worst. The actors and script manage to keep this going throughout the film, making for a tense and awkward feeling throughout.
I haven't seen any of the actors in any other films so I was impressed by them all. Oscar Isaac flips from friendly, to cruel, to intimidating, to downright scary, to manic very easily. Domhnall Gleeson has obviously picked up his father's flair for acting. His Caleb is scared, nervous and excited all at the same time and his ultimate innocence, misinterpretation and betrayal is sad to watch.
Ava (Alicia Vikander) moves beautifully as the android, almost like a ballet dancer. Her childlike innocence is endearing but still surprisingly spooky and disturbing. Also, the special effects are exquisite: from top to bottom she looks every bit the android.
The script is well written but the parts about A.I. mainly repeat the old and often used clichés, which is disappointing. I recently saw Blade Runner 2049 where they chose not to go through lengthy monologues on A.I. and I thought this was a good decision.
The scene where she asks him "how do I look?" (when she is wearing the dress and then he watches her take it off) reminded me much of The Graduate and I was almost disappointed when he didn't reply "very good".
The soundtrack is really interesting. It is often not present at all, which is a great choice and adds to the film's eerie suspense. When it does play it is well used.
About two thirds of the way through I started to get disappointed as I had guessed all the small twists and turns from really early on. However, I didn't see the multi-twist at the end coming. Nathan is wrong when he says that the main aim in life is to reproduce, the main aim in life here is to survive.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Excellent film that will become a SciFi classic
I enjoyed this film hugely. I watched it in IMAX 3D and it was great to have a big screen, however, I feel like REAL 3D might have been better, despite the smaller screen, because then you can tilt your head without the film coming out of focus or showing its two images. This isn't Blade Runner 2049's fault though, this is a fault of the 3D technology.
If it's possible you should definitely watch the previous Blade Runner film and the shorts created by the Director's friends before you watch this movie. However, I understand that the trailer has spoilers in it and therefore you shouldn't watch that. I think I might have been a bit lost though if I had not watched the previous film so recently.
The movie has an excellent plot. I had resigned myself to the obvious when Gosling thinks he is the born replicant but I was pleasantly surprised when the twist comes and he is not. I can't say I've loved Gosling's acting in the past (e.g. Drive or La La Land) but in this film he is fantastic. He mostly acts with breathing and facial expressions and you know exactly what he is thinking and feeling at all times.
The special effects are astonishing, especially in 3D. It's not overused and the movie keeps all the tropes from the original but builds and improves upon them. The seduction scene (obviously CGI-ed to the maximum) is quite frankly staggeringly beautiful. I could not take my eyes off the screen. And, like the original, this film didn't feel the need to shove "sex, sex, sex" in our faces.
Harrison Ford still packs a punch (quite literally) but he is not overly present so it's not a 'Ford mobile', which is good. Also, I was pleasantly surprised that he has not gone down the Sean Bean route and decided to die in all of his films.
I am not sure what I thought of Jared Leto, I couldn't really understand what his dialogue meant as he speaks in riddles. I know that he is meant to be the crazy technology overlord and his motivation is to find a way to get the replicants to produce offspring but his script is too abstract to understand.
Slyvia Hoeks is impressive as Luv. I expected her to be a Rachel like character but she quickly and believably turns violent, obviously on the orders of Wallace, and plays psychopathic replicant without regret very easily. A complex character made very interesting and acted well.
You feel genuine sadness for K as he realises that his treasured hologram whose personality we are led to believe is individual is actually not so replaceable. I thought the scene with the giant hologram prior to him dying for a different and more important cause added to the plot very well.
Overall this is an absolutely fantastic film, well worth the preparation of watching the previous film and the shorts and the money and travel to get a 3D experience.
Arthur (2011)
Better than I expected it to be.....
Despite my best efforts, I didn't hate this film as much as I thought I would. I don't like Russell Brand and I don't like his comedy. Scenes in this film meant to be driven by his comedic talents are dreadful. For example, the scene where he plays with the nail gun then shoots nails into Nick Nolte is more uncomfortable than funny - it's not all down to Brand though, Nolte is also awful in this film. The terrible thing is that his smile is definitely infectious and for the last 1/5 of the film he actually does manage to be likable.
The unlimited money provides some excitement e.g. the Batman mobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future, Grand Central station empty with acrobats, etc. Actually the settings are well chosen, beautiful and well shot. It doesn't cover up for Brand's clawing personality however. Jennifer Garner (Susan) does psychotic b*tch very well but even the presence of Helen Mirren (Hobson) can't cover for Brand's overacting.
The only bit when I laughed was when a little boy asks Brand if he is a boy or a girl and Brand replies "it doesn't matter". Quite frankly, I'd imagine this interaction is based on real life. What saves this film is Brand getting sober at the end to get the girl, this is of course based on Russell's "Brand". In the last 1/5 of the film Brand managed to win me over to his side with his sobriety and somewhat reigned in acting.
It's an okay film, though only really worth a watch though if you don't have anything else on the player. I was glad that I stuck it out till the end because I didn't hate Brand as much as I did at the beginning of the film.
The Riot Club (2014)
A film that makes you feel dirty for watching but still unsatisfied.
A cracking film if you want to strengthen your hatred of upper class, privileged, rich idiots. I was expecting to hate this film but I actually enjoyed it despite walking away feeling unfulfilled. It is uncomfortable, unpleasant viewing, with many caricatures, but never quite realises the unsettling conclusion it obviously wants to convey. It is much like "The Beach" where it makes you feel dirty for watching but still leaves you unsatisfied.
I went to Oxford University and not everyone is posh as sin. You do meet privileged, rich people who went to Eton, Harrow and Winchester but normally they're cleverer than this lot. Only the girls are depicted as being down to earth. My Oxford was not this debaucherous, lecherous or alcoholic. However, the tutorial with Sam West was quite representative as debates in tutorials can get heated at times. I felt the posing and posturing (e.g. during the photograph they take outside the pub) was depressingly unrepresentative of most Oxford Students.
It doesn't have much plot and obviously wishes to convey the message that you can get away with anything if you're rich and scheme to the maximum but the quick ending to the movie doesn't justify the message. Alistair (Sam Claifin) ends up taking the fall and gets an offer of a nice job without having to finish university. He has obviously engineered the whole thing to his advantage but this is passed over too quickly at the end of the film to make enough impact.
There are some excellent young actors here (e.g. Ben Schnetzer was fantastic in "Pride") but they're not really given the dialogue they deserve and they're so visually similar it's difficult to tell them apart at times. Tom Hollander is a fantastic addition as ex-Riot Club member, now 'fix it all' father and it's a shame he doesn't appear more. I was also impressed by Freddie Fox (who acts shallow, all about the fun President of the club very well) and Max Irons (for his distraught, lost it all through betrayal pain). The other young actors play nasty cowards very well.
There are some beautiful shots of Oxford, which is a gorgeous city and well worth a visit. It's funny that they mix all the colleges together to make one, for example the dining room is Christ Church (I think) and the 'horrible' rooms shown are St John's - then again you would only know that if you knew the city. The volume changes were ridiculously annoying though, making it difficult to hear the dialogue when there are just two people and being stupidly over loud when there is a party.
You're obviously meant to hate all the members of the Riot Club and you do. The emasculation, pay-off and eventual assault on the publican is extremely uncomfortable viewing. The attempted paid rape of Lauren post their "whore" rejecting them is repulsive. I don't know what I would have done with the offer of £27k, it's a lot of money but then again I've never given oral sex to a guy in my life. You really do applaud her for walking away and it just strengthens the expected hatred of upper class in favour of the state school student who gets in without having to pay for it.
Overall I enjoyed this film but was unsatisfied with the conclusion. It could have been a lot more thriller than it ended up being.
Blade Runner (1982)
A SciFi classic - more for the aesthetic than the plot...
We watched the "Final Cut". I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. It was also great to watch a film which, unlike modern films (I hear Bladerunner 2049 is 2.5 hours long), didn't feel the need to turn into a bum numbing epic!
The special effects were excellent despite this film being from 1982. As with others of the genre (Alien, Aliens), I think animation special effects were just hitting the top of the curve prior to digital effects taking over. Interestingly the quality of the special effects mean that this film does not look dated, just like Alien and Aliens.
All the scifi tropes were here (hover cars, evil tech overlord, sky scrapers with giant advertising, awesome synth soundtrack, odd futuristic clothing, the nerdy tech guy...) but the difference is that this film almost invented them inspiring many later films. The cars look quite outdated compared to cars nowadays, which made me laugh, especially as the film is set in 2019 and we're nowhere near that technology.
The soundtrack is almost hypnotic, especially when Deckard is walking the streets, for example the "cross, don't cross" sign. Ford plays his role fantastically - he is best as the embittered rebel with a sense of humour. Rutger Hauer munches the scenery as always but maybe when you're playing a psychotic replicant who has stolen a ship to find your maker and extend your life then it's allowed.
I felt genuinely sad for Rachel as she works through realising she is a replicant, her memories are implanted and her lifetime is limited. Although, the seduction scene made me slightly uncomfortable as it feels a little bit too on the non-consensual side. I had to look away when Roy crushes Tyrell's skull and presses in his eyes - that crunch is nasty.
It's also interesting to read that Ford and Scott could never agree whether Deckard is a replicant. His dream sequence with the unicorn and his fellow blade runner making a unicorn out of paper seems to imply that his dreams may be implanted. Also, I had not before noticed the significance of him not answering Rachel's question about him having taken the test. Though it seems if Blade Runner 2049 is set 30 years after the original then Deckard must be human or he would have expired....
This film does not have an overly complex plot but is a masterpiece nonetheless. I first watched it 20 years ago and it was every minute as good as I remembered.
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
A cute, heart warming afternoon movie
I certainly enjoyed this film and it made me smile. IMDb classes this as comedy and drama but I wouldn't say there is much drama in it. You know who will fall in love and the plot follows exactly the journey you expect. It's not on the level of something like Four Weddings where you laugh, you cry, you smile, you cover your mouth with your hand in shock but it's still worth a watch if you want a little heart warming and not much of a challenge.
Manish Dayal (Hassan) and Charlotte Le Bon (Marguerite) are the eye candy but the real stars here are, of course, Helen Mirren (Madame Mallory) and Om Puri (Papa). Their initial warring did make me smile, though it isn't laugh out loud, and their eventual romance is genuine and subtle.
Everyone has a heart of gold and those who don't are (as with all good comedy romances) served their just desserts following their indiscretions.
Helen Mirren yet again proves how much she deserves that Oscar. You really can't go wrong when you see her name in the cast.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Escapist fun but cynical prequel plot
I did enjoy this movie. As with all the Marvel movies, the special effects were excellent and the premise was novel and engaging. I was disappointed by the lack of humour that is so prominent in those other films of the Superhero genre (e.g. Iron Man). In that way, it felt more like a DC movie than a Marvel. The attempt at humour with Wong near the end was poor in the extreme. Although, I did laugh at the cloak pulling Doctor Strange about.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is an amazing actor and brings his own special magic to any role he plays. I especially liked him at the end when he changes to bad and I look forward to watching him in the next instalment. Tilda Swinton was a bold and interesting choice as the Ancient One. This is a complex character, especially when one is never quite sure what side she's on. She looks pretty scary bald.
Benedict Cumberbatch is another matter for me. He is fantastic in Sherlock and it suits his acting skills down to a tee. However, in Doctor Strange I found his accent annoying and his performance somewhat overacted or underacted at most times.
My main criticism of the film is the cynical prequel plot. It's a half film in the rolling, money making juggernaut of Marvel. It felt to me like they got part way through, ran out of ideas and thought they'd release it anyway because people will always eat it up if it has the Marvel name. He solves the end problem so easily - "Oh I'll just loop time" - woo hoo, the Dormammu followers are gone, the big scary demon (that the Ancient One has apparently fought for hundreds of years) is gone. Yes it was a clever ending but disappointing too.
Overall, if I had paid to go to the cinema to see this I would have walked out unsatisfied.