My eldest daughter's choice, she really liked Casino Royale, so when I asked her what film we should watch together she asked for Quantum.
First of the picture transfer is superb, so is the audio. I paid more attention to the car chase and it was actually shot pretty well, I liked the wing mounted camera's. When Bond drives down the tunnel I was more impressed than previous viewings. The rooftop chase is better as well, so is the boat chase. Maybe because I've seen it a number of times, it's all looking a lot clearer for me.
So I am warming too Craig's second outing as Bond, and now MGM have been taken over maybe another. Just hope the rumour to make it more like Moore's bond films is a joke!
Getting better (8/10)
Sunday 31 October 2010
As it's Halloween - It's Trick r' Treat
Well I've started something, and If I don't keep it up Sam Pumpkin will get me!!!!!
No but it is a perfect Halloween film, and should be watched on Halloween!
So I watched it and a year on and still has good!
Roll on next year!
No but it is a perfect Halloween film, and should be watched on Halloween!
So I watched it and a year on and still has good!
Roll on next year!
Downfall (DVD)
Now I had heard, read a lot of good things about this film, and as usally stored it away in the DVD collection without watching it. So when I was pestered into watching it by one of the lads at work, I dug it out!
Wow, don't think I was ready for just how good this film is. Charting the final few days of Hitler's leadership as the Russian tanks rolled into Berlin. I watched the collapse of the Reich, as generals like Himmler and Goring began defecting from Hitler in an effort to save their own lives.
This was a story I never knew about, never understood just how Hitler fell apart, how stubborn he was and how people still blindly followed him even in the last few hours! That is if this account of events is to be believed, watching it, I believed it!
What impressed me as well, was the overall production of the film, from the cinematography to the acting and the script. Oliver Hirschbiegel has done a superb job in directing possible one of the best war films I've ever seen. Bruno Ganz does a remarkable job as Hitler followed by a strong team of actors who all performed brilliantly.
The actual battle sequences were gritty and real, while the chaos and panic of a city under siege was brilliantly captured through out the film.
I really was impressed with this, and might watch it again sooner rather than later.
(10/10)
Wow, don't think I was ready for just how good this film is. Charting the final few days of Hitler's leadership as the Russian tanks rolled into Berlin. I watched the collapse of the Reich, as generals like Himmler and Goring began defecting from Hitler in an effort to save their own lives.
This was a story I never knew about, never understood just how Hitler fell apart, how stubborn he was and how people still blindly followed him even in the last few hours! That is if this account of events is to be believed, watching it, I believed it!
What impressed me as well, was the overall production of the film, from the cinematography to the acting and the script. Oliver Hirschbiegel has done a superb job in directing possible one of the best war films I've ever seen. Bruno Ganz does a remarkable job as Hitler followed by a strong team of actors who all performed brilliantly.
The actual battle sequences were gritty and real, while the chaos and panic of a city under siege was brilliantly captured through out the film.
I really was impressed with this, and might watch it again sooner rather than later.
(10/10)
Despicable Me (3D)
More animated fun in 3D, well just about in 3D.
What's it about? When criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them.
Voice cast: Steve Carrell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Miranda Cosgrove
Written by Ken Daurio and Sergio Pablos
Soundtrack by Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
What I liked? The yellow henchmen (things), Gru
What I didn't like? The lack of real 3D (come on make things jump out at me!).
Summary: Another 3D animated film, another film which only just uses the 3D to any effect, ok it adds depth get past it and make things fly out of the screen!!!! I was trying to avoid the 3D film and the extra cost (yep even I have to pay a small amount for these!) and see the 2D version, but they shifted the times and I couldn't make it!
Getting over the 3D issue, the film itself is very good, not in the league of Pixar, or Disney or even Dreamworks, but it's pretty good. The animation is very nice, and I have to say the yellow helpers are brilliant. The artwork for Gru is good and I thought Carrell did a really good voice for him. The girls are good, along with Segel as Vector, the script was fine, with a good mix of adult jokes to keep me entertained. None of it was hilarious, crying laughing funny, just mildly amusing.
You have to expect a sequel and maybe a cheap spin off using the yellow dudes, but that's the nature of the game!
Overall I enjoyed this and think it will look great on Blu Ray! (8/10)
What's it about? When criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them.
Voice cast: Steve Carrell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Miranda Cosgrove
Written by Ken Daurio and Sergio Pablos
Soundtrack by Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
What I liked? The yellow henchmen (things), Gru
What I didn't like? The lack of real 3D (come on make things jump out at me!).
Summary: Another 3D animated film, another film which only just uses the 3D to any effect, ok it adds depth get past it and make things fly out of the screen!!!! I was trying to avoid the 3D film and the extra cost (yep even I have to pay a small amount for these!) and see the 2D version, but they shifted the times and I couldn't make it!
Getting over the 3D issue, the film itself is very good, not in the league of Pixar, or Disney or even Dreamworks, but it's pretty good. The animation is very nice, and I have to say the yellow helpers are brilliant. The artwork for Gru is good and I thought Carrell did a really good voice for him. The girls are good, along with Segel as Vector, the script was fine, with a good mix of adult jokes to keep me entertained. None of it was hilarious, crying laughing funny, just mildly amusing.
You have to expect a sequel and maybe a cheap spin off using the yellow dudes, but that's the nature of the game!
Overall I enjoyed this and think it will look great on Blu Ray! (8/10)
Red - Again
A second viewing of Red.
Still enjoyable fun, still lacking in story, still great to see Mirren with a big gun!
Still enjoyable fun, still lacking in story, still great to see Mirren with a big gun!
Legend of the Guardians (3D)
3D animation to die for!
What's it about? Based on the Katryn Lansky novel - Guardians of Ga'Hoole, it tells of a battle between good and evil set in the world of Owls.
Voice Cast: Sam Neill, Hellen Mirren and Jim Sturgess
Written by John Orloff and Emil Stern
Soundtrack by David Hirschfelder
Directed by Zack Synder
What I liked? The animation, the cast. The music
What I didn't like? The story (but it was enough - just!)
Summary: Synder's animation team have worked wonders on this film, the Owls are beautifully rendered, along with the overall look of the film, this is really quite stunning to watch. I always think birds always look stunning when done in computer graphics, like the hawk in Stuart Little 2 which was brilliant too. It's this which really saves the film, the animation is stunning and some of the action sequences are breathtaking, because the story is pretty average overall.
It's ok, and it serves the film, I just wonder if it could have had a little more in it, a little more adventure along the way. However that's a minor fault of this film, because it's quite easy to forget where the film is taking you as you watch the owls in flight, the fight scenes and the listen to the soaring music, not sure how well the song sits in the middle of it, but I can live with it.
The voice talent is good, through out and the script was ok. The 3D had it's moments, but again mainly used for depth, but it did look good!
Overall I was certainly impressed with the animation, that was stunning, the music and the cast (8/10)
What's it about? Based on the Katryn Lansky novel - Guardians of Ga'Hoole, it tells of a battle between good and evil set in the world of Owls.
Voice Cast: Sam Neill, Hellen Mirren and Jim Sturgess
Written by John Orloff and Emil Stern
Soundtrack by David Hirschfelder
Directed by Zack Synder
What I liked? The animation, the cast. The music
What I didn't like? The story (but it was enough - just!)
Summary: Synder's animation team have worked wonders on this film, the Owls are beautifully rendered, along with the overall look of the film, this is really quite stunning to watch. I always think birds always look stunning when done in computer graphics, like the hawk in Stuart Little 2 which was brilliant too. It's this which really saves the film, the animation is stunning and some of the action sequences are breathtaking, because the story is pretty average overall.
It's ok, and it serves the film, I just wonder if it could have had a little more in it, a little more adventure along the way. However that's a minor fault of this film, because it's quite easy to forget where the film is taking you as you watch the owls in flight, the fight scenes and the listen to the soaring music, not sure how well the song sits in the middle of it, but I can live with it.
The voice talent is good, through out and the script was ok. The 3D had it's moments, but again mainly used for depth, but it did look good!
Overall I was certainly impressed with the animation, that was stunning, the music and the cast (8/10)
Red
Helen Mirren shooting guns in a Bruce Willis action comedy, a must see!
What's it about? A retired group of CIA agents who return to action to uncover why one of them is a target.
Cast: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Karl Urban.
Written by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber
Soundtrack by Christophe Beck
Directed by Robert Schwentke
What I liked? Helen Mirren with bug guns! Willis getting out of the spinning car. Karl Urban!
What I didn't like? The lack of action!
Summary: I was a little disappointed in this, in the end, don't get me wrong it's great fun to watch. The cast is superb, and it was a blast to see Mirren shooting machine guns. Willis being his uber cool action hero, Urban proving he is a great action star in the making and Malkovich doing loopy so well. I liked Mary-Louise Parker as well, she was really good, just enough pep not to come off as a dizzy female caught up in the action, but enough innocence to make her character believable. Urban is going to be a major star, I have no doubt, he's brilliant in this.
Willis, Freeman and Malkovich are all superb, when they do get some screen time.
The reason I'm disappointed was the lack of action, I was expecting a bit more, and some of it was quite standard really, the highlight is Willis stepping out from the spinning car. Anyway aside this fault I did really enjoy it.
Overall funny, great cast shame about the action! (8/10)
What's it about? A retired group of CIA agents who return to action to uncover why one of them is a target.
Cast: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Karl Urban.
Written by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber
Soundtrack by Christophe Beck
Directed by Robert Schwentke
What I liked? Helen Mirren with bug guns! Willis getting out of the spinning car. Karl Urban!
What I didn't like? The lack of action!
Summary: I was a little disappointed in this, in the end, don't get me wrong it's great fun to watch. The cast is superb, and it was a blast to see Mirren shooting machine guns. Willis being his uber cool action hero, Urban proving he is a great action star in the making and Malkovich doing loopy so well. I liked Mary-Louise Parker as well, she was really good, just enough pep not to come off as a dizzy female caught up in the action, but enough innocence to make her character believable. Urban is going to be a major star, I have no doubt, he's brilliant in this.
Willis, Freeman and Malkovich are all superb, when they do get some screen time.
The reason I'm disappointed was the lack of action, I was expecting a bit more, and some of it was quite standard really, the highlight is Willis stepping out from the spinning car. Anyway aside this fault I did really enjoy it.
Overall funny, great cast shame about the action! (8/10)
Paranormal Activity 2
Looking forward to this one! Well it is October so here come the horror films!
I liked the first one, even though the camera work made me feel ill! But I was up for this one, just hoping we had more CCTV coverage than hand-held. In the end I think it was about 50-50.
What's it about? A prequel of sorts to Paranormal Activity, but the final 10 minutes continue from the end of the first film. Strange, yes but I liked this way of telling the story, well depending on which version of the ending you see in the first film.
Cast: Katie Featherston, David Bierend, Brian Boland and Molly Ephraim
Written by Michael R Perry and Christopher B. Landon
Directed by Tod Williams
What I liked? The story, the way it wrapped round the first film.
What I didn't like? The hand held camera!
Summary: This was a good sequel, prequel, whatever it was, it was pretty entertaining horror story. The build up was slow and intense, and each time the message showed night #? you steeled yourself for something to happen. And every night something did. Some of the scenes I thought were pretty creepy, the one with the baby was superb, also the attack was pretty good too. The story led into the first film and then finished the first film off, well what happens after type of thing. And I liked this way of doing it, it gives the first one a little more weight, adding some possible reasons as to why the attacks are happening.
The cast were good, nothing brilliant, but I must admit the cast from the first film looked a lot more at home filming this second picture, maybe the experience has paid off. The direction was good and I liked the use of the CCTV cameras to show the events, at least it gave me a rest from all the hand held footage! In fact it was enough for me not too feel ill at the end of it.
Overall, a fair horror film, with a few good jumps and an interesting story layout. (7/10)
I liked the first one, even though the camera work made me feel ill! But I was up for this one, just hoping we had more CCTV coverage than hand-held. In the end I think it was about 50-50.
What's it about? A prequel of sorts to Paranormal Activity, but the final 10 minutes continue from the end of the first film. Strange, yes but I liked this way of telling the story, well depending on which version of the ending you see in the first film.
Cast: Katie Featherston, David Bierend, Brian Boland and Molly Ephraim
Written by Michael R Perry and Christopher B. Landon
Directed by Tod Williams
What I liked? The story, the way it wrapped round the first film.
What I didn't like? The hand held camera!
Summary: This was a good sequel, prequel, whatever it was, it was pretty entertaining horror story. The build up was slow and intense, and each time the message showed night #? you steeled yourself for something to happen. And every night something did. Some of the scenes I thought were pretty creepy, the one with the baby was superb, also the attack was pretty good too. The story led into the first film and then finished the first film off, well what happens after type of thing. And I liked this way of doing it, it gives the first one a little more weight, adding some possible reasons as to why the attacks are happening.
The cast were good, nothing brilliant, but I must admit the cast from the first film looked a lot more at home filming this second picture, maybe the experience has paid off. The direction was good and I liked the use of the CCTV cameras to show the events, at least it gave me a rest from all the hand held footage! In fact it was enough for me not too feel ill at the end of it.
Overall, a fair horror film, with a few good jumps and an interesting story layout. (7/10)
The Social Netwrok
A few films to catch up on, the first is The Social Network. A film which really didn't interest me, I don't use facebook very much but I was curious to see if Fincher could craft a film out of this story, one which could hold my attention for 2 hours. I went into the film with an open mind.
What's it about, well the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.
Cast: Jessie Eisenberg, Andew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.
Written by Aaron Sorkin from a book by Ben Mezrich.
Soundtrack by Trent Raznor and Atticus Ross
Directed by David Fincher
What I liked? The cast, the script and the story.
What I didn't like? Not much.
Summary: Wow!, I was not expecting this, I know Fincher is a master of his craft, but I couldn't really see how he was going to make this work, or even entertain, but he did. His directional skills are simply amazing, not one shot was wasted, no filling, just perfect film making. The script was very good and all the actors gave solid performances. Eisenberg and Garfield were superb though, and I think Garfield could make one hell of a Spiderman.
The story was actually very interesting in the end, however I've read that it's not exactly has it happened and a certain Hollywood spin has been added to pep up the story. But this hasn't dampened my enjoyment of the film,
Overall, a good story with brilliant script, and acting and direction, 9/10.
Monday 18 October 2010
Prince of Persia (BD)
Over the weekend I watched Prince of Persia on Blu Ray.
This is a typical wet Sunday afternoon family entertainment and not much more. Reminds me a lot of the original Clash of the Titans, something easy to watch doesn't take much thinking about and you can read the Sunday papers while the kids are quite for a couple of hours!!
The BD looks very good, the colours are striking through out the film. The desert scenes are beautiful to look at, well the city scenes hold all the detail. The sound is also very good, although the rear speakers seemed under used.
As for the film, this is popcorn entertainment nothing more and nothing less. But i did enjoy it!
This is a typical wet Sunday afternoon family entertainment and not much more. Reminds me a lot of the original Clash of the Titans, something easy to watch doesn't take much thinking about and you can read the Sunday papers while the kids are quite for a couple of hours!!
The BD looks very good, the colours are striking through out the film. The desert scenes are beautiful to look at, well the city scenes hold all the detail. The sound is also very good, although the rear speakers seemed under used.
As for the film, this is popcorn entertainment nothing more and nothing less. But i did enjoy it!
Mr Nice
This had crept up on me, first thing I knew about it was the trailer at the cinema. But I liked the look of it from that, so was up for this.
What's it about? The life story of Howard Marks, an elite British drug smuggler. (In a nutshell!)
Cast: Rhys Ifans - 'Howard Marks' - Chloe Sevigny - 'Judy Marks' and David Thewlis - 'Jim McCann'
Written and Directed by Bernard Rose
Soundtrack by Philip Glass
Summary: Quite an interesting story, not knowing really that much about Howard Marks, it was funny, touching and dramatic. Just like real life! Well I wonder how much of real life was bent to make the film better, or maybe it was all true. The screenplay is taken from the book Mr Nice so I suppose I could read that! That I doubt!
Anyway the cast were great, along with a fine script, the film was an entertaining study of Marks, not knowing anything of the man I can't say if Ifans did him justice. But for me I thought he was superb, maybe it helps I don't know much about Marks.
Sevigny was brilliant along with a great turn by Thwelis. Plus the supporting cast all did a good job.
I enjoyed the story very much, it had good measures of drama, comedy and some quite touching moments. The soundtrack escapes me though. The Direction was very good and I liked the cut scenes from 60's London with Ifans in, quite well done.
Overall: An entertaining 2 hours (8/10)
What's it about? The life story of Howard Marks, an elite British drug smuggler. (In a nutshell!)
Cast: Rhys Ifans - 'Howard Marks' - Chloe Sevigny - 'Judy Marks' and David Thewlis - 'Jim McCann'
Written and Directed by Bernard Rose
Soundtrack by Philip Glass
Summary: Quite an interesting story, not knowing really that much about Howard Marks, it was funny, touching and dramatic. Just like real life! Well I wonder how much of real life was bent to make the film better, or maybe it was all true. The screenplay is taken from the book Mr Nice so I suppose I could read that! That I doubt!
Anyway the cast were great, along with a fine script, the film was an entertaining study of Marks, not knowing anything of the man I can't say if Ifans did him justice. But for me I thought he was superb, maybe it helps I don't know much about Marks.
Sevigny was brilliant along with a great turn by Thwelis. Plus the supporting cast all did a good job.
I enjoyed the story very much, it had good measures of drama, comedy and some quite touching moments. The soundtrack escapes me though. The Direction was very good and I liked the cut scenes from 60's London with Ifans in, quite well done.
Overall: An entertaining 2 hours (8/10)
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
I was all prepared for this having just watched Wall Street for the first time, but had fairly low expectations as the first one didn't really rock my world!
What's it about ? As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader's mentor.
Cast: Michael Douglas - 'Gordon Gecko', Shia LaBeouf - 'Jake Moore', Josh Brolin - 'Bretton James' and Carey Mulligan - 'Winnie Gekko'.
Written by Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff
Soundtrack by Craig Armstrong
Directed by Oliver Stone
What I Liked? Not really that much, the story just didn't interest me! Michael Douglas and Josh Brolin.
What I didn't like? Carey Mulligan, the story.
Summary: It's hard to get excited about a film who's content doesn't really appeal to me, and I guess I'm hoping the film has to really deliver in every department for me to really like it. It's not that it's a drama, it's more the world it's set it, and no not reality, but the financial world, it just doesn't grip me! So the story had to be something more than what I'd already seen in Wall Street, and it wasn't really, it was much the same, so that's 1 disappointment.
I also think the cast were quite wooden, well, the younger cast that is. Brolin was the best thing in it, followed by Douglas. However Mulligan shocked me at how poor she was, and it wasn't the script that was fine. She just didn't fit the role, or I didn't believe in her character, either way I've seen her do better. LeBeouf is struggling to win me over, I've only really liked him Disturbia and Eagle Eye, and here nothing really showed me he is going to be a great actor, just a good actor!
Brolin was superb and I enjoyed watching him, along with Douglas who managed to keep most of his characters charm from the first one! This could have been a mess if these two hadn't give it their all.
The direction was sound, nothing sloppy or outstanding, some great shots of New York, but didn't get the best from his cast! The soundtrack was OK, Armstrong stole some of his own music from previous films for this.
Overall: It's OK, just not my cup of drama! (6/10)
What's it about ? As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader's mentor.
Cast: Michael Douglas - 'Gordon Gecko', Shia LaBeouf - 'Jake Moore', Josh Brolin - 'Bretton James' and Carey Mulligan - 'Winnie Gekko'.
Written by Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff
Soundtrack by Craig Armstrong
Directed by Oliver Stone
What I Liked? Not really that much, the story just didn't interest me! Michael Douglas and Josh Brolin.
What I didn't like? Carey Mulligan, the story.
Summary: It's hard to get excited about a film who's content doesn't really appeal to me, and I guess I'm hoping the film has to really deliver in every department for me to really like it. It's not that it's a drama, it's more the world it's set it, and no not reality, but the financial world, it just doesn't grip me! So the story had to be something more than what I'd already seen in Wall Street, and it wasn't really, it was much the same, so that's 1 disappointment.
I also think the cast were quite wooden, well, the younger cast that is. Brolin was the best thing in it, followed by Douglas. However Mulligan shocked me at how poor she was, and it wasn't the script that was fine. She just didn't fit the role, or I didn't believe in her character, either way I've seen her do better. LeBeouf is struggling to win me over, I've only really liked him Disturbia and Eagle Eye, and here nothing really showed me he is going to be a great actor, just a good actor!
Brolin was superb and I enjoyed watching him, along with Douglas who managed to keep most of his characters charm from the first one! This could have been a mess if these two hadn't give it their all.
The direction was sound, nothing sloppy or outstanding, some great shots of New York, but didn't get the best from his cast! The soundtrack was OK, Armstrong stole some of his own music from previous films for this.
Overall: It's OK, just not my cup of drama! (6/10)
Sunday 17 October 2010
Remakes - I like them!
Yep you read it right, I like remakes!! And yes even if they remade a film I love, like Back to the Future, The Lost Boys or Alien. It wouldn't bother me, I suppose in a way they intrigue me. If I like the film, can they make it better? If I didn't like the original, maybe I'll prefer the remake?
This little post has been prompted by the soon to be released US version of Let me in, a remake of Let the right one in, which I think is an amazing film! So really I should be up in arms about this, but I'm not, in fact I'm really looking forward to seeing it. From the general talk of the remake it sounds like they have done a really good job, as one person said they have made a film from the book, and not from the original film. I suppose many people don't look at that way, I hadn't. If a film exits from a book or a comic why can't it be remade, somebody else may provide a better interpretation of the material than was used in the first film. Harry Potter, even Lord of the rings could be remade, and why not? Maybe they should remake the Twilight Saga!
As Hollywood run out of ideas? I don't think so, I just think it's hard to turn some material into a credible film, under budget and within a decent running time. You also have the fact that subtitled films do not market well in the US, so it's inevitable that these films are going to get the Hollywood treatment. So let's take Let the right one against Let me in in the US box office, the subtitled version took $49,000 on opening weekend, the US version took $5 million +! I think that sums it up, you can't blame the US film industry for remaking foreign films, at the end of the day it's about making money! Imagine if Avatar had been Asian do you think it would have grossed 2 Billion + in the US? I doubt it!
In today's financial climate isn't it an option for a studio to remake a film they already own the rights too. Especially if it's been a while since the original was released. Again something you can't really blame Hollywood for doing. The Crazies, The Omen etc, I liked the Crazies, but haven't seen the original to compare it. I didn't like the Omen but liked the original, but felt it was due a remake, the fact it wasn't very good doesn't spoil my liking for the original!
And the final Hollywood option, is when the studio re-boots a film, this does have varying degrees of success. The most notable is the Batman franchise, I love Tim Burton's original and the 2nd to a lesser degree, the rest of the original franchise I haven't watched! Mostly on the back of poor reviews! But Nolans Batman films are brilliant, and the The Dark Knight is one of my favourite films. I have no problem with the original Batman and Batman Begins co-existing I can watch either and enjoy them equally! Another reboot which did well was Bond, Casino Royale was just what the franchise needed, pity MGM were in such crisis at the time.
I don't mind a remake or a reboot, and here's a one which most people would disagree with me on, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I find the original average at best, even seeing it recently on the big screen, it still didn't do it for me. But I like the remake!
This little post has been prompted by the soon to be released US version of Let me in, a remake of Let the right one in, which I think is an amazing film! So really I should be up in arms about this, but I'm not, in fact I'm really looking forward to seeing it. From the general talk of the remake it sounds like they have done a really good job, as one person said they have made a film from the book, and not from the original film. I suppose many people don't look at that way, I hadn't. If a film exits from a book or a comic why can't it be remade, somebody else may provide a better interpretation of the material than was used in the first film. Harry Potter, even Lord of the rings could be remade, and why not? Maybe they should remake the Twilight Saga!
As Hollywood run out of ideas? I don't think so, I just think it's hard to turn some material into a credible film, under budget and within a decent running time. You also have the fact that subtitled films do not market well in the US, so it's inevitable that these films are going to get the Hollywood treatment. So let's take Let the right one against Let me in in the US box office, the subtitled version took $49,000 on opening weekend, the US version took $5 million +! I think that sums it up, you can't blame the US film industry for remaking foreign films, at the end of the day it's about making money! Imagine if Avatar had been Asian do you think it would have grossed 2 Billion + in the US? I doubt it!
In today's financial climate isn't it an option for a studio to remake a film they already own the rights too. Especially if it's been a while since the original was released. Again something you can't really blame Hollywood for doing. The Crazies, The Omen etc, I liked the Crazies, but haven't seen the original to compare it. I didn't like the Omen but liked the original, but felt it was due a remake, the fact it wasn't very good doesn't spoil my liking for the original!
And the final Hollywood option, is when the studio re-boots a film, this does have varying degrees of success. The most notable is the Batman franchise, I love Tim Burton's original and the 2nd to a lesser degree, the rest of the original franchise I haven't watched! Mostly on the back of poor reviews! But Nolans Batman films are brilliant, and the The Dark Knight is one of my favourite films. I have no problem with the original Batman and Batman Begins co-existing I can watch either and enjoy them equally! Another reboot which did well was Bond, Casino Royale was just what the franchise needed, pity MGM were in such crisis at the time.
I don't mind a remake or a reboot, and here's a one which most people would disagree with me on, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I find the original average at best, even seeing it recently on the big screen, it still didn't do it for me. But I like the remake!
Thursday 14 October 2010
The Hole 3D
A film I was really looking forward to seeing, and one I had to take my eldest to see. I had read some reviews saying it was pretty creepy! Oh boy were they right!!!!
What's it about? A pair of brothers stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement that leads to the darkest corridors of their fears and nightmares.
Cast: Teri Polo - 'Susan', Chris Massoglia - 'Dane Thompson' and Nathan Gamble - 'Lucas Thompson'.
Written by: Mark L. Smith
Soundtrack by: Javier Navarette
Directed by: Joe Dante
What I liked? Just how creepy this was! The cast, the story!
What I didn't like? The ending seemed a little rushed and light weight considering what had happened before.
Summary: WOW! A horror film, well a teen horror film with some really creepy moments. In fact this was as good as any 15, 18 rated horror film I've seen this year. Ok, it's gore light but that's not what this story needs, it needed good honest tension, and we got it in bucket loads. The toilet scene with Teri Polo is really good, the scene with Nathan Gamble and the clown doll also just as good. I must admit I was half expecting the dog to get it, but he didn't!
Also i have to point out that these kids knew what to do, the hole took the child's worst fear and brought them to life. Now most horror films this happens a lot, and usually the cast try to fight or run and hide, which both end badly for them. Here we have Polo claiming she knows what to do and does it and we have a happy ending! The same happens at the end in the final showdown but this turns into biggest let down for me, not because he's wise enough to defeat his fear. But because it's just a little too easy in the end!
It doesn't spoil the film, just pins it back a notch! The direction is brilliant, Dante is a true master and proves that you don't need gore and sex to sell a decent creepy movie. The soundtrack is also superb, Navarette has done some wonderful score's before. Pan's Labyrinth and Devil's Backbone as examples.
Overall: Really liked this film, creepy tense and funny, well acted and well directed (8/10)
What's it about? A pair of brothers stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement that leads to the darkest corridors of their fears and nightmares.
Cast: Teri Polo - 'Susan', Chris Massoglia - 'Dane Thompson' and Nathan Gamble - 'Lucas Thompson'.
Written by: Mark L. Smith
Soundtrack by: Javier Navarette
Directed by: Joe Dante
What I liked? Just how creepy this was! The cast, the story!
What I didn't like? The ending seemed a little rushed and light weight considering what had happened before.
Summary: WOW! A horror film, well a teen horror film with some really creepy moments. In fact this was as good as any 15, 18 rated horror film I've seen this year. Ok, it's gore light but that's not what this story needs, it needed good honest tension, and we got it in bucket loads. The toilet scene with Teri Polo is really good, the scene with Nathan Gamble and the clown doll also just as good. I must admit I was half expecting the dog to get it, but he didn't!
Also i have to point out that these kids knew what to do, the hole took the child's worst fear and brought them to life. Now most horror films this happens a lot, and usually the cast try to fight or run and hide, which both end badly for them. Here we have Polo claiming she knows what to do and does it and we have a happy ending! The same happens at the end in the final showdown but this turns into biggest let down for me, not because he's wise enough to defeat his fear. But because it's just a little too easy in the end!
It doesn't spoil the film, just pins it back a notch! The direction is brilliant, Dante is a true master and proves that you don't need gore and sex to sell a decent creepy movie. The soundtrack is also superb, Navarette has done some wonderful score's before. Pan's Labyrinth and Devil's Backbone as examples.
Overall: Really liked this film, creepy tense and funny, well acted and well directed (8/10)
Wall Street (DVD)
On Friday having never seen Wall Street in the 23 years it's been out, I though I'd better give it a watch, as I was going to see Wall Street 2 the following Tuesday.
Not a bad film, not what I was expected with some very good performances from Charlie Sheen and of course Michael Douglas. In fact these two roles alone are perfectly cast, the story centres on these people and I was drawn in. It was entertaining stuff. Not usually the film I would watch, and maybe why it's taken me 23 years to see it. Ok that's not right, it's not the type of film I would watch because the stock market and money world don't really interest me.
Anyway it was the right thing to do, set up the back story for Wall street 2, gave me an idea what Gordon Gekko was like and I was ready for part 2!
A very good film (7/10)
Not a bad film, not what I was expected with some very good performances from Charlie Sheen and of course Michael Douglas. In fact these two roles alone are perfectly cast, the story centres on these people and I was drawn in. It was entertaining stuff. Not usually the film I would watch, and maybe why it's taken me 23 years to see it. Ok that's not right, it's not the type of film I would watch because the stock market and money world don't really interest me.
Anyway it was the right thing to do, set up the back story for Wall street 2, gave me an idea what Gordon Gekko was like and I was ready for part 2!
A very good film (7/10)
The Town
Saw this last week, have to say another good film. I admit I liked the look of it from the trailer, and my anticipation was quite high.
So what's it about? As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
Cast: Ben Affleck - 'Doug MacRay', Rebecca Hall - 'Claire Keesey', Jon Hamm - 'FBI Adam Frawley' and Jeremy Renner - 'James Coughlin'
Written by: Peter Craig and Ben Affleck
Soundtrack by: David Buckley and Herry Gregson-Williams
Directed by: Ben Affleck
What I liked? Renner, Hall and Hamm. The action and the overall story.
What I didn't like? Affleck acting!
Summary: This was a good heist thriller, well written and directed, with a few good performances. Affleck being the weakest actor here, he wasn't dreadful I just think an actor with a bigger emotional range would have been better! He dowsn't ruin the film though, and in the end it was a good entertaining 2 hours. The action sequences in the middle and the end are superb, really well put together. But this isn't about the action and possible the problem for me is I didn't really connect with Affleck, maybe because of his acting. I wasn't sure if I wanted them and that's the rest of the gang to get caught or escape. I guess I wanted Affleck to escape and Renner who was the nutcase to get burned!
The soundtrack was very good, along with the direction, maybe Affleck should stay on the rear side of a camera!
Overall: An extremely good movie (8/10)
So what's it about? As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
Cast: Ben Affleck - 'Doug MacRay', Rebecca Hall - 'Claire Keesey', Jon Hamm - 'FBI Adam Frawley' and Jeremy Renner - 'James Coughlin'
Written by: Peter Craig and Ben Affleck
Soundtrack by: David Buckley and Herry Gregson-Williams
Directed by: Ben Affleck
What I liked? Renner, Hall and Hamm. The action and the overall story.
What I didn't like? Affleck acting!
Summary: This was a good heist thriller, well written and directed, with a few good performances. Affleck being the weakest actor here, he wasn't dreadful I just think an actor with a bigger emotional range would have been better! He dowsn't ruin the film though, and in the end it was a good entertaining 2 hours. The action sequences in the middle and the end are superb, really well put together. But this isn't about the action and possible the problem for me is I didn't really connect with Affleck, maybe because of his acting. I wasn't sure if I wanted them and that's the rest of the gang to get caught or escape. I guess I wanted Affleck to escape and Renner who was the nutcase to get burned!
The soundtrack was very good, along with the direction, maybe Affleck should stay on the rear side of a camera!
Overall: An extremely good movie (8/10)
Back to the Future
One of my all-time favourite films back on the big screen! How could I not see this, and I had to take my eldest!
We had watched the Trilogy a while back, but to see it on the Big Screen - digitally restored was a must see!
And you know what I think I enjoyed it even more this time round than I did back then (and Yes I saw it first time round at the cinema!). This film is pure cinematic magic. 25 years on and it still holds up against nearly everything around today! Ok the SFX are a little weak but this was the 80's before CGI and the big budgets ruled a movie. This was story telling at it's best, acting at it's best, Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd are outstanding in this film. Fox has comic timing to die for, helped by a wonderful script and some great direction, Fox hit's every comic note to perfection. Lloyd is also brilliant and I don't think he's bettered this role ever. We saw a glimpse of this character in Piranha but he never really got much screen time in that. This is a film I could just put on and watch again and again.
I also have to say that this was the best feeling I've had coming out a screening for a long time, not just me but the whole audience was buzzing at the end, even clapping.
Great Scott! One of the best movies ever! (10/10)
We had watched the Trilogy a while back, but to see it on the Big Screen - digitally restored was a must see!
And you know what I think I enjoyed it even more this time round than I did back then (and Yes I saw it first time round at the cinema!). This film is pure cinematic magic. 25 years on and it still holds up against nearly everything around today! Ok the SFX are a little weak but this was the 80's before CGI and the big budgets ruled a movie. This was story telling at it's best, acting at it's best, Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd are outstanding in this film. Fox has comic timing to die for, helped by a wonderful script and some great direction, Fox hit's every comic note to perfection. Lloyd is also brilliant and I don't think he's bettered this role ever. We saw a glimpse of this character in Piranha but he never really got much screen time in that. This is a film I could just put on and watch again and again.
I also have to say that this was the best feeling I've had coming out a screening for a long time, not just me but the whole audience was buzzing at the end, even clapping.
Great Scott! One of the best movies ever! (10/10)
Devil
I've a couple of films to catch up on so here's the first I caught a last week.
Devil is the story of 5 people trapped in an elevator, while 1 of the 5 is the Devil.
The story is by M Night Shyamalan and is the first in the Night Chronicles.
Cast: Chris Messina - 'Detective Bowdon', Logan Marshall-Green, Jenny O'Hara, Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Geoffrey Arend, Jacob Vargas - 'Ramirez' and Matt Craven - 'Lustig'.
Written by: Brian Nelson
Soundtrack by: Fernando Velazquez
Directed by: John Erick Dowdle
What I liked: The concept, the cast, the story, the reveal!
What I didn't like: Not much really, lack of panic in the lift!
Summary: This was a good solid film, entertaining and well put together. The concept is something you would expect to see in a Hitchcock movie, but here Shyamalan has crafted a very good story. From here Nelson has written a sold screenplay and Dowdle has done a good job bringing it to the screen.
I always worry with these films it will desend into cliched nonsense by the final act, but here everything kept going and even though I was waiting for the end which would have spoilt it I never got it and the final ended in a way I wasn't expecting.
The cast are very good, with enough doubt set about each one to warrent them being the devil. But I have to admit I didn't see it coming and it was a good twist. The script is good, along with the soundtrack.
My only problem with the film was the lack of hysteria which never seemed to take over the trapped people, as soon as the first one died they would have lost the plot! Anyway it didn't really spoil it for me and I have to say I liked it alot.
Overall - Good solid film (7/10)
Devil is the story of 5 people trapped in an elevator, while 1 of the 5 is the Devil.
The story is by M Night Shyamalan and is the first in the Night Chronicles.
Cast: Chris Messina - 'Detective Bowdon', Logan Marshall-Green, Jenny O'Hara, Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Geoffrey Arend, Jacob Vargas - 'Ramirez' and Matt Craven - 'Lustig'.
Written by: Brian Nelson
Soundtrack by: Fernando Velazquez
Directed by: John Erick Dowdle
What I liked: The concept, the cast, the story, the reveal!
What I didn't like: Not much really, lack of panic in the lift!
Summary: This was a good solid film, entertaining and well put together. The concept is something you would expect to see in a Hitchcock movie, but here Shyamalan has crafted a very good story. From here Nelson has written a sold screenplay and Dowdle has done a good job bringing it to the screen.
I always worry with these films it will desend into cliched nonsense by the final act, but here everything kept going and even though I was waiting for the end which would have spoilt it I never got it and the final ended in a way I wasn't expecting.
The cast are very good, with enough doubt set about each one to warrent them being the devil. But I have to admit I didn't see it coming and it was a good twist. The script is good, along with the soundtrack.
My only problem with the film was the lack of hysteria which never seemed to take over the trapped people, as soon as the first one died they would have lost the plot! Anyway it didn't really spoil it for me and I have to say I liked it alot.
Overall - Good solid film (7/10)
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