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Showing posts from 2012

(film review) - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I've been thinking, how do I start this review. Well first of all, it is human nature to compare, so let me get that off my chest first and foremost. Secondly, If you haven't seen this film, you will need to actively remember that, this film is a PREQUEL to the events which happened in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and a lot of the charcaters are not in this new one, so be mindful of this. Oh and that the film is over 2hrs long. With this as "preparation", you should be able to enjoy the beauty of what Peter Jackson has put together. Now, as you ought to know, I'm not one for spoiling a film unless everything you see in the trailer is the film in it's entirety, then I'd just explain or describe from what has been seen in it. In regards to this film, if you loved the sequel trilogy, then you oaught to like this one as it carried the same magic and story telling as the sequel trilogy. Starting out as story telling, Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) talks to Frod

(film review) - James Bond: Skyfall

I was born in the very early 80's which means, there were Bond films a plenty. For me, Roger Moore was THAT guy. Swarve, cunning, thought on his feet. He did't mind a fisticuff and he had gadgets galore.  No utility belt, but he had a white under water Lotus. You cannot look me square in the eye and say you never wanted one. Two, that jaws guy. So, this film is buzzing with the critics and people are saying it's perfect or near perfect. 5 Stars. 9 out of 10. All sorts. My verdict? Well, if you grew up on Bond like myself, then there is no reason NOT to like this film. I'll explain. The story is that there is a villain and there is a threat. Nothing new. Bond is on a mission and things get hairier and hairer by the second. When details of MI6 agents get placed on Youtube, Bond must find the culprit and stop them by any means necessary. I won't go into it too much as this is such a good film, you need to go and just watch it. Moreover, this film IS James Bond,

(film review) - Dredd

I am the Law!!! Do you remember that line? I'm sure it was in the trailer for the original Judge Dredd. Delivered by the blue or was it, grey!?! I think, grey-eyed Sylvester Stallone, way back when, in 1995 just before, well, you know, when things started going a bit bleak for the actor. I mean, Demolition Man was a great film and Cliffhanger also, but other than the Rambo's and Rocky's, what else was there? I couldn't tell you how old I was when I watched the first Judge Dredd, but I remember watching it with my mum and thinking, this film is rubbish. At that time I thought, meh. I barely knew about the comic as I had read 1 or 2 but the film was very lackluster for me. How many years later, with what I believe to be not much hype around a brand new film based on the same character, which is not a sequel, but as a reboot for possibly a new franchise, (most likely, as they would like to do a Trilogy) one would wonder, is this reboot necessary or better yet, was it

(film review) - Total Recall

The classic of classic films. If you grew up in the 80's you will know 1 of many things and that is, the 80's was such an era where a lot happened. In my opinion, the best cartoons, the best toys and major films which birthed action hero's. Birthed stars who are seen as OLD now, but are big Legends in the game. From Sylvester Stallone, to Bruce Willis to Arnold Scwarzenegger, back then, "acting" wasn't THAT necessary, but put a sword, gun or harpoon into someone's hand, give them a decent story-line, one liners, some cheese and have them save the girl in the end. Add some curse words, blood, spit, a round-house kick and huge explosions and THAT was your action film. Funny thing is, the formula just doesn't get old. As for a remake of a classic film done non-other by, one-liner hero, Arnold Scwarzenegger, I was pretty dubious about how this remake would go down. Now, Len Wisemen is somewhat my hero. His wife is Kate Beckinsale, who I think is ver

(film review) - The Bourne Legacy

Jason Bourne is THAT GUY! You might be wondering, what type of guy is that. Well, if you have seen any of the other Bourne films, you'll understand. He is that guy who might miss every now and then when he's shooting, but always gets to his targets. He will find you. He will be in your home without you knowng unless you know how he operates. He is methodical and meticulous. Jason Bourne is an assassin with amnesia. The problem with Bourne was, he signed up for something and being the very first, there were some kinks which needed to be ironed out. With him having amnesia also meant that he was a confused soul who kept running to stay alive and kill whoever it is, with his set of skills, that got in his way from his goals. Like I said, Jason Bourne is THAT GUY! Now, this NEW guy? He isn't exactly Jason Bourne at all. I'll explain the film. The films starts with Aaron Cross going for what seems to be a leisurely swim as he is out in Alaska for a training assignment

(film review) - Ted

A story about a grown man and a Teddy Bear. Ummm, yeah. I'm sure if this was pitched to you, you would be disinterested and think, what a load of codswollop. Well, being from the creative mind of the man who brought to you, Family Guy & American Dad, I'm sure you would think otherwise. John Bennett is a grown man living with a Teddy Bear called Ted, a live, living, moving, eating, walking and talking Teddy Bear. Having been in a long term relationship with his partner Lori, John hopes to Marry her but realises that his now dirty, vulgar and obnoxious wastrel bear may need to be kicked out and find his own place as John needs to move on. Without going into the film too much as it is something you will be able to gather from watching the trailer that this film is stupid, silly, but funny. However, what would you expect from Seth MacFarlane. That is the general gist of things and what you will see in the movie is love, friendship and a lot of obscene things along with foul

(film review) - The Dark Knight Rises

I've said this before and I will say it again, people will always compare, it's human nature. With that said, I completely understand why this film has mixed reviews. Let's put this film into prospective. Everything about this film is Human. What I mean by that is, throughout the Nolan Trilogy, Nolan was able to bring a fantasy character in a semi fantasy universe alive in the real world to make it seem real enough to be believeable rather than fantasy. With that said, this is why you don't see a character like Clayface or Poison Ivy. I mean in a real world, how would this work? Marvel have successfully translated this in the films leading up to The Avengers, but I'm more curious as to how NOLAN will make it work. Some people already proclaim him as a God and watching his films, damn. I digress. So, without a shadow of doubt, Heath Ledger's Joker stand's tall among all the character's in the Dark Knight Trilogy, but with the success of the second m

(film review) - The Amazing Spider-Man

All people do is, compare. I guess that is how we monitor progression and/or evolve. You start with something then you try to do better. Kinda like making improvements or beating your personal best. If you never knew the story of Spider-Man from the comics, then 10 years ago, there was a film which told you that story. (For a brief description on all the Spider-Man films seek : Pre-Amazing Spider-Man  [Tobey Maguire] ) In this film, the story is told but in a slightly different way. The Amazing Spider-Man will be compared to other comic book films as well as the previous Spider-Man films. From what I have read and heard so far, the film is generally getting mixed reviews but mostly positive. However, you will need to bare in mind before watching this film, YOU CANNOT COMPARE THIS TO THE LAST COMIC BOOK/MARVEL FILM ( The Avengers ), as that is just not fair. Compare this to another remake such as The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk or Ironman 1. From before this film came out, I u

(film review) - Prometheus

I'm sure, for the longest time, Director Ridley Scott said that this new film called Prometheus had nothing to do with Alien and it was merely set in the same Alien Universe. With that said and upon hearing reviews, from many people telling me this film is around about 1 out of 10 and a direct prequel to Alien. Although I needed to see this film, I definately needed to see this film now. The film starts with this ultra ripped funny toned alien humanoid guy who is soo ripped, he could cut bread with his edges. He is by this waterfall and seemingly as if he has been left purposely, he opens this small thing which has black liquid in and drinks it, then dies. His body disintegrates leaving his DNA "seeding" the Earth. For some people, the film should have just stopped there. So, as the film goes on, the story revolves around archaeologist couple Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) discover a star map among several unconnected ancie

(film review) - The Dictator

I'm not sure what to make of this. I mean, I like Sacha as I do find him funny. In fact, he is very clever. Well, considering that he went to the University of Cambridge and read about history at Christs College, he manages to subtlely or sometimes blatantly highlight current issues with the world with "hidden" or not so hidden messages. I love it when he does this. However, this film? I first caught onto his comedy when he was on the 11 O'Clock Show and he often displayed a few of his different characters, Ali G, Borat and also Bruno. There has also been a film called Ali G, a film called Borat (also reviewed here)  and also a film called Bruno, but in terms of the level of homour, in my own personal opinion, Borat has always been my favourite. The film Borat to me, was the funniest of all his films. Outrageously funny, stupidly dumb/funny and generally one of if not, the best barrel of laughs I've ever had from a film. With that said, every film Sacha will d

(film review) - The Avengers

I just need to start this off first and foremost by saying, Hulk Smash. So, the moment we have all been waiting for. A film with so much stars and warrants soo much awesomeness that has to be cradled and supported with a good or worthy enough storyline that the people, the viewers and the fans are satisfied and can't complain or want to, do, saying the storyline was rubbish but the action was great. Expendables. I ask, who is your favourite superhero? Ok, from the Marvel Universe? Ok, ok, from these recent films building up to The Avengers? The idea of the Avengers Initiative is to have a band of heroes protecting Earth when Earth needs them the most from a force that your favourite Superhero could not manage alone. Cue, Hulk Smash. These Heroes would need to work together and band as a team to conquer the evil so that us normal, boring, unsuperintelligent, freak accident-free and/or mutant cell-free dwellers of Earth may carry on living our lives. This film is just grea

(film review) - The Cabin In The Woods

It's Only A Gameshow, Right? Well, we should start looking into "Gameshows" a bit more, judging by this one. We aren't told much about this film other than the fact that these teenagers go to a cabin in the woods for a little break. However, for some reason these kids are dying and it all seems to be a little big brother-ish with them being the "puppets" and these cosy other people who are watching them being the puppeteers. Chris Helmsworth from Home and Away or who you might remember him, donning a rich red cape (no not superman) as Thor, is one of the lead characters in this film. I'd rather not go into it too much because, although you might think of Jason Voorhees and Camp Crystal Lake, this film is nothing like this at all. Other than the hack and slash elements to it. Oh, and the woods. Oh, and the lake. But I'd strongly recommend to watch the trailer to get an idea as I don't want to give it away, but there are strange things afoot

(film review) - Battleship

Considering this was or meant to have been based on a board/electronic game in which one person tried to guess and blow up their opponents Battleship by guessing where their ship(s) are, this film actually DID pull it off. Plus although Rihanna wasn't much use (It could have been anyone - she did well) her acting wasn't too shabby. Would need to see more from her and she DID make me laugh a few times, but was Officer Riggs, Riggs? or Riggs Rihanna!?! Anyway, you have the premise. You are trying to blow up a ship. Well, not you, hopefully, but the aim is to blow up the other ships, in this film. Centered around up and coming star straight from John Carter and most might know him from X-Men Origins: Wolverine playing the role of Gambit, Lt. Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) is first seen as a complete idiot going out of his way in order to either 1, get a girls number or 2. sleep with her. What he does, is beyond amusing and doesn't surprise me, however, during the film at some

(film review) - Safe House

You can't actually say to a stranger, friend or family member that you dislike Denzil Washington. You'd probably get slapped. I mean what is there not to like? Dude chooses his rolls well and you can't say he doesn't. Not only does he have good roles, he is a phenomenal actor. I can think of a few films and everybody remembers Training Day. Damn, didn't he get an Oscar for that? I've got 'The Hurricane' at home and that's a good film and so is the 'The Manchurian Candidate' and 'The Book of Eli', 'Man on Fire', 'Deja Vu', 'Inside Man', the list honestly just goes on and on. Now as usual as I don't do spoilers, I'm not going to give the film away. But as I remember from the trailers, Tobin Frost (Denzil Washington) is on the run and is brought to a Safe House under the care of Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds), but as soon as he is transferred, things start going haywire and not only does Tobin try to esc

(film review) - Underworld: Awakening

First and foremost. Kate Beckingsale in a Catsuit. MEOW MEOW!!! I'm not sure who I'd like more out of Zoe Saldana in a Catsuit (Colombiana) and Kate, as I've seen Kate in 3 films now donning her Catsuit, but I think they should have a competition. #The End Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I spent a few evenings watching Underworld, Underworld: Evolution & Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. I should have really thought about it and watched it chronologically, but I just didn't. Nothing lost. But to summarise the story so far. A Immortal named Alexander Corvinus had three sons. One bitten by bat (Markus) making him the first Vampire, one bitten by wolf (William) making him the first Werewolf and another who lives a normal life bite-free and gave rise to a line of descendants including Michael Corvin who is later to become a Lycan-Vampire Hybrid. Before that of course, William was captured by Viktor and kept away from his brother, Markus as Viktor believes W

(film review) - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Have you seen the first Sherlock Holmes which came out a year ago starring Robert Downey, Jr & Jude Law? Did you read my review I did on the film? Sherlock Holmes ? All I can say is that this film is missing a lot of things yet replacing with a whole lot more. Before, I said Sherlock Holmes was batty with a sensitive nose and great eye for detail; nothing has changed. In this film, Sherlock Holmes is caught in a game of mind games with his nemesis Professor Moriarty who seems to be 1 step ahead of Holmes in every single way possible and out whitting/smarting Holmes so that he can get away war profiteering. You'd think that with Sherlock Holmes being really intelligent and constantly "high" on opium, you'd think this would be impossible. Without spoilling the film, I'd say that if you enjoyed the first film, you will definately enjoy the second as although there is no bare knuckle boxing, Robert Downey, Jr once again brings Sherlock Holmes to life and pr

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