Monday 31 May 2010
Cinema Review: Sex and the City 2
Cinema Review: [REC] 2
Beginning instantly after the original ended, we follow a small SWAT team as they enter the quarantined apartment complex, outfitted with cameras, carrying guns and hauling battering rams. Accompanied by a medical officer, the team's aim is to find a blood sample of one of the infected. Sadly, they're completely unaware of the severity of the situation.
Our first scene recaps the last scene from [REC], instantly reminding us of the nauseatingly intense feeling which we were left reeling from. Quickly, we're introduced to our testosterone-induced male characters and the devious medical expert - our more prominent character, really being the only one (until approximately a third of the way through) to progress the storyline to something which individualises it from it's predecessor.
Movie News: Full Theatrical Scott Pilgrim Trailer
Sunday 30 May 2010
This Week's DVD/Blu-ray Choice - 31st May
Today's Cinema Viewing.
[REC] 2
Friday 28 May 2010
Movie News: Platinum Dunes Go Green
Straying from their usual projects, Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes - run by producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller - have reportedly taken on the brand new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, originally taken on by Paramount through Nickelodeon.
Today's Cinema Viewing.
Sex and the City 2
A Miramax Films Release, Part 2: Serendipity
Ever fallen in love? Well, thanks to almost every Hollywood romance, i'm fairly certain you've fallen for the idea of love - and why not? With the perfect display of swoon-worthy affection on-screen, it makes the whole thing seem effortless, finding your soul mate with a mere single attraction. That's not reality. But alas; this is a fictional romance. It's not meant to be fleshed out with incoherent, and frankly boring, facts that we have to deal with in our everyday relationships. Serendipity falls with the former. Predictably sappy, but that's what we love.
Movie News: Roberts Snags Scream 4 Role
The recent uproar in news surrounding the brand-new slasher sequel Scream 4 - written and directed by the original team, Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven.
This Week's UK Cinema Releases - 28th May
Thursday 27 May 2010
A Miramax Films Release, Part 1: Chocolat
Oscar nominated director Lasse Hallstrom brought us the mouth-wateringly pleasing romantic drama Chocolat in 2000.
Accompanied by a forceful wind, the mysterious Vianne (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) pull-up in a quaint, old-fashioned French town. Renting out the abandoned patisserie and the flat above, they cause controversy within the town folk, spreading gossip faster than a bad rash - which isn't helped by the obnoxious Mayor, Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina). Diligently attempting to make friends with certain members of the town, Vianne fits in unsteadily, but surely makes a lasting impact with her choice of business; a chocolatier. Astounding the towns folk with her luscious chocolates, Vianne must deal with Comte de Reynaud, disapproving villagers, a visit to the town by 'water rats', all-the-while keeping her business afloat.
Compassionate director Hallstrom is no newcomer to drama. The Oscar-nominated The Cidar House Rules certifies that, and last year's Hachi: A Dog's Tale further extends the proof that he can handle a storyline infused greatly with heart. While not as heartfelt as it could have been, Chocolat remains to be one of his best films.
The varied cast of brilliantly acted characters all aid in how triumphant the film is, from Lena Olin's insecure housewife to Alfred Molina's dastardly, conniving Mayor - playing, undoubtedly, the part of the film's villain. Of course, the film would be unfinished without a potential love interest for Binoche's character, and that comes in the form of the upsettingly handsome Johnny Depp as Roux, the captain upon the vessels holding, as the town folk like to call, copious amounts of 'water rats'.
The entire experience of Chocolat leaves a lasting impression. The delicate, rich writing, to the whimsical characters are all so wonderfully enjoyable and emphasise the almost fairytale-like storyline (our main characters are swept in with an uncontrollable wind?). An unusually quirky, sumptuous and profoundly moving tale of a familiar story - which contains enough gorgeously-looking chocolates to work as porn for every chocolate lover out there!
Wednesday 26 May 2010
Movie News: The Last Exorcism Trailer
Tuesday 25 May 2010
Movie News: Anchor Bay Picks Up Altitude
Movie News: Rockwell Loves Jesus!
Probably one of the most outlandish and darn right unexpected pieces of movie news this year comes in the form of Sam Rockwell's next project.
Blu-ray Review: Earth
In an industry so undeniably obsessed with special effects, it's a rare occasion where a film, or documentary, is released, displaying visuals which are entirely non-computerized - looking equally, if not a substantial more, as beautiful. Released as a BBC production, but picked up in the States as the first feature of Disney's spawned company, Disneynature, Earth has began a whirlwind of documentaries of the highest proportion.
Sunday 23 May 2010
Cinema Review: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Renowned for his high calibre epics, Jerry Bruckheimer teams up with Mike Newell (director of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) to bring the tales of the Persian Prince to the big-screen, securing an undoubtedly fat cheque in his already full-to-the-brim pocket. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time continues the string of Summer blockbusters, but is it any good?
This Week's DVD/Blu-ray Choice - 24th May
Both DVDs/Blu-rays released this coming Monday have been critically appraised upon their theatrical release, but i'll be recommending only one.
Friday 21 May 2010
Today's Cinema Viewing.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Thursday 20 May 2010
Looking Back: Identity
Released in 2003, James Mangold, the director of the critically-acclaimed Walk the Line and up-and-coming action-romantic-comedy Knight and Day, brought us the psychological horror/thriller, Identity.
This Week's UK Cinema Releases - 21st of May
Movie News: Over 3D?
So, did anybody catch the remake of Clash of the Titans? Ya'know, Avatar's Sam Worthington donning a toga, running around the desert slicing 'n' dicing every creature and unknown presence imaginable - all in 'eye-popping' 3D. Sadly, the film was converted during post-production and, therefore, was rightfully criticised. Genuinely one of the most pointless things i've ever had the chance to come across - and, for most, a hefty amount of money out of the pocket to pay for such a ridiculously ineffective fad.
Wednesday 19 May 2010
This Week's DVD/Blu-ray Choice - 17th May
Forgotten Review: The Bounty Hunter
Continuing his streak of rom-coms, the director of Hitch and Fool’s Gold, Andy Tennant, brings together two of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors in The Bounty Hunter. Sticking to the traditional rules of a rom-com, the film sets out to not educate, but to simply entertain – and we have proof that they can also be original due to last year’s indie-hit (500) Days of Summer. Unfortunately, the latter seem to fall in the ‘Bleurgh’ category, walking the fine line of uninteresting, unconvincing drivel.
A bounty hunter (Gerard Butler) discovers his latest catch is no other than his ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston), a feisty reporter who seems to have stumbled upon a murder cover-up. As they reunite, the constantly bickering duo find themselves continuously at odds with one another – until certain circumstances force them to run for their lives.
I’m known to be partial to most rom-coms. Whether it’s the script, the chemistry between the lead actors, or even the setting in which the film is set, I normally - normally being the operative word - find at least one thing I enjoy. The Bounty Hunter, however, is most certainly the exception. From the moment it began, the film became ‘faulty goods’. It’s depressingly unfunny, cliché-ridden - and downright overlong - script is to blame.
At no point of the film was I expecting it to be partially realistic; it’s why comedies are usually so successful. They’re allowed to be absurd, but that solely rests on whether the film is entertaining enough. The characters must be convincing, and the situations amusing – things which were non-existent in The Bounty Hunter. The premise wasn’t awful, the story of the exes coming together could have been brilliant, but it tried so hard to distract from the fact that the film is so painfully unfunny that is fails on almost every level.
What saddened me the most about the film was it’s clear disrespect of the actors. Without a doubt both Butler and Aniston were terrible, but that is down once again to the badly written script. Both characters are neither likable nor relatable, and sadly have zero chemistry. Aniston tries her hardest to come across as her usual fun-loving, charming-self, but even I wasn’t wooed enough to disregard her poor character choice. I won’t deny, at times, she was enthusiastic, but overall her entire presence was wasted. Butler – sporting a rather patchy American accent – seemed to rather enjoy his role. Stuffing Aniston in a car trunk, handcuffing her to a bed…I don’t blame him, really. Other than the obvious perks, he brought nothing original – or particularly memorable – to his character.
My one positive remark about the film is rather shallow; both Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler were both gorgeous.
Sadly, the film really took ‘formulaic’ to a whole new low. An undeniably poorly written, dull, contrived film, with two leads I actually feel sympathetic towards – which is upsetting as I do, usually, enjoy both actors. Equally as terrible as the photoshop on the film's poster. It should have been a big enough warning...
1/5
Unsurprisingly, i found this review stashed away in my folders. I figured i may as well post it!