tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637898673020938952024-03-13T10:55:27.864+00:00ToxicMoviesAn opportunity for me to review films I see and say what I think of them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-64298854693173418552012-08-09T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-09T14:00:03.089+01:00Volcano (1997)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-duvRN7JLolU/UBhMJSFVTLI/AAAAAAAAB4I/eQ6OfmuXP9c/s1600/volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-duvRN7JLolU/UBhMJSFVTLI/AAAAAAAAB4I/eQ6OfmuXP9c/s1600/volcano.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tommy Lee Jones is in charge of
disaster management in <st1:city w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city> and Anne
Heche is a Geologist and they are thrown together when under <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> an undiscovered Volcano comes
through in the middle of rush hour. They then have to join forces to see if
using all of the resources at their finger tips they can save the city and the
people they love. This is very much a big budget disaster film that would have
normally been shown on SyFy but director Mick Jackson had some big name actors to work with
and a half decent budget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I enjoy this film, however it a
disaster film, it has many points that are cheesy and predictable, from the
racist policeman and the black man that bang heads, to Tommy Lee’s Daughter
played by Gaby Hoffmann who you know is going to end up in trouble as that is where
her character is always going to end up. The bomb experts at the end that make
the ultimate sacrifice and then there are the comments about everybody looking
the same. Clunky metaphors thrown in to a film that are not needed, it tries to
be gritty but ultimately fails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now with all the complaining and
whinging out of the way I think that there is still an element of enjoyment
about this film, the characters are not overly developed and those you expect
to survive do and there are enough deaths and injuries and people doing the
right thing to make it an enjoyable enough disaster movie, I do understand what
it is about and just enjoy it, overall a 7 out of 10 worth watching for me. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-2107486500188666622012-08-09T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-09T09:00:00.374+01:00Bird on a Wire (1990)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rE3uoj2JHbU/UBhMB5piMNI/AAAAAAAAB3g/OOnx9PiFnNU/s1600/bird_on_a_wire_ukquad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rE3uoj2JHbU/UBhMB5piMNI/AAAAAAAAB3g/OOnx9PiFnNU/s320/bird_on_a_wire_ukquad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From director John Badham comes the
romantic comedy starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn. Mel Gibson plays
Rick Jarmin who was put in the witness protection programme years earlier and
rumbled when his old flame Goldie Hawn recognises him. Then the chase ensues as
the people he put in prison discover he is still about and they start chasing
him and Goldie Hawn to pay him back for what he did. The bad guys are played by Bill Duke and Stephen Tobolowsky so comic and dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You follow them as they go on the
run and Mel heads to all of the places that he has been posted and you get the
picture of the perfect guy that everybody loves and that he is the most useful
person most of the people he has ever worked with know. Which of course leads Goldie
Hawn to forgive him and the films climax in the Zoo is actually quite exciting, there
are a few good laughs and apart from thinking that how did Mel Gibson have
enough time to be so good with so many people the characters and story are a
lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This film is funny, sweet
and for me enjoyable, there are the usual flaws in films like this with a bit
of believability but you can get over that and go with the action. You
actually hope that it works out for them as they are likeable characters. This
is above average for me as there is actually nothing to really dislike about
the film so a comfortable 6 out of 10 for me.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-7935465596792381462012-08-08T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-08T14:00:02.615+01:00Clear and Present Danger (1994)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DpkY0GdsSyI/UBhMDK4V86I/AAAAAAAAB3o/e39g0_3T7w8/s1600/clear_and_present_danger_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DpkY0GdsSyI/UBhMDK4V86I/AAAAAAAAB3o/e39g0_3T7w8/s320/clear_and_present_danger_poster.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Harrison Ford is Jack Ryan straight
from the pages of the books by Tom Clancy, this is a follow up to Patriot Games. It sees Jack Ryan involved in looking at the drugs coming from Columbia and as
he has to take on a more senior role within the CIA he becomes involved with the
president. Including the fact that he starts to realise he can influence policy
within the government. I have not read any of the Jack Ryan books and not
considered the films as a proper series, especially as you have 3 actors having now played Jack Ryan and all of the films have been produced out of order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With Willem Dafoe as an operative
in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Columbia</st1:place></st1:city>
with Benjamin Bratt and Raymond Cruz. With Henry Czerny and Harris Yulin playing a different game that
Jack has to go in and sort it out. The politicians allow and sign off on a war
on the drug cartels and then when the heat comes up they leave the soldiers
hanging and Jack runs off to save them. It is all very action packed and
exciting and there are quite a few plots running through the film and you have
to pay attention so you know what everybody is up to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is a fun packed film with lots
of good acting and plenty of explosions for the boys; I think there is too much
going on and this probably has a lot to do with the size of The Tom Clancy
books and the difficulty in trying to condense them in to a two hour film. Overall
an enjoyable film and should been seen as a 7 out of 10. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-50861300833561413942012-08-08T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-08T09:00:04.737+01:00Patriot Games (1992)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfr8k8GagZs/UBhMAYiTdQI/AAAAAAAAB3M/NM7OWILCrTc/s1600/Patriot+Games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfr8k8GagZs/UBhMAYiTdQI/AAAAAAAAB3M/NM7OWILCrTc/s320/Patriot+Games.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the pen of Tom Clancy, directed by Philip Noyce comes the Harrison Ford portrayal of Jack Ryan. On holiday in London Jack is on hand when an IRA splinter group lead by Sean Bean tries to kidnap a member of the royal family. Jack gets involved and kills one of the attackers while killing the younger brother of Sean Bean. He is shot during the melee and when he is fit goes home and after the rest of the splinter group see there way to getting Sean Been out of prison the terrorism comes home for Jack Ryan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have not read any of the Tom Clancy books but after this film I am tempted to give them a go as they are full of action but try and keep some form of realism. Even if the realism is an extreme and could be considered paranoia and if all true is actually quite scary with terrorists in camps knowing when the satellites are supposed to be going overhead. This level of control, knowledge and the power of the attacks is extreme but makes for some good stories, might read the books and see how they compare to the films.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film is enjoyable and has some good actors with Harrison Ford facing off against Sean Bean and the two of them playing excellent parts. With support from Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin and an early outing for Thora Birch, Samuel L Jackson and James Earl Jones give this a solid American feel as well. I really liked this film, the message and threat is now out of date but overall is still a fun Terrorist based action adventure film and a 7 out of 10 for me.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-10208953629590265132012-08-07T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-07T14:00:00.634+01:00Amelia (2009)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_J5L9wQBpo/UBhL7x6VePI/AAAAAAAAB2g/Mzdv4j69r2I/s1600/Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_J5L9wQBpo/UBhL7x6VePI/AAAAAAAAB2g/Mzdv4j69r2I/s320/Amelia.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hilary Swank as the famous female
pilot Amelia Earhart, this is the biopic of her rise to stardom and eventual
final voyage. You have Richard Gere as her agent and eventually her husband and you follow
their relationship as much as Amelia wanting to fly and achieve for women
everywhere what she did. With a support cast of Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor this is quite a strong cast for a film that did not really hit my radar when it came out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I am not a fan of biopic films that
chart the lives of real people as you know where it is going and therefore it
is about the journey rather than the destination and I think that many film
makers find it hard to achieve this in an interesting and meaningful way. I
have to be honest and say I knew with a passing reference the name of Amelia
Earhart and what happened to her at the end but had no knowledge about her rise
to fame and this film did not ignite my interest to find out more. While I
appreciated that she struggled to find a place in what was and still is a male
dominated world there was nothing in this portrayal that made me think, wow,
what are they not telling us or showing us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The acting in this is fine, I am
not a fan of Hilary Swank but she was believable as a strong minded woman who
finds her passion and from other portrayals she was very different so shows she
can change what and who she is on screen but there was no charisma there for me.
Nothing drew me to her and how and why she and Richard Gere ended up together
was a mystery that I could not fathom out other than that was what happened. The rest of the acting and the
effects were fine and it is 5 out of 10 but I cannot recommend this to you, unless you love the main actors or the story of Amelia Earhart.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-30866108347403096712012-08-07T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-07T09:00:08.282+01:00Wild Wild West (1999)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr4m7-eDCjc/UBhMBMbloZI/AAAAAAAAB3U/LqODIKOQd5M/s1600/Wild_wild_west_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr4m7-eDCjc/UBhMBMbloZI/AAAAAAAAB3U/LqODIKOQd5M/s320/Wild_wild_west_poster.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly I have absolutely no
attachment to any of the previous Wild Wild West TV series or comics or anything that came before the film. So I can only go on
what was put on screen by director Barry Sonnefeld with Will Smith as James
West, Kevin Kline as Artemus Grant, Salma Hayeck as Rita Escobar and Kenneth
Branagh as the evil Dr Arliss Loveless. Now I can accept that a Steam-punk Wild
West is perhaps not what the original series was envisioning but I liked what
they did. West and Grant have to track down Loveless who is holding the American
Government to ransom as he has developed new technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story is very much in to the
comedy and a bit of slapstick and there is some chemistry between Smith and
Kline and they start in the position of disliking each other and through the
progression they come to appreciate each others virtues and they probably still do not like each other. The technology is
believable in the context of what the film is aiming for and being able to see
this and disconnect the sensible from your brain allows you to still enjoy this
film.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall I can appreciate the fact
that many people do not like this film and from what I have heard especially
those people that remember the original and view this as an abomination of what
the original series was going for. Overall though I can admit that I enjoyed
watching this and would recommend it if you are looking for some light hearted
comedy a comfortable 6 out of 10.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-30511415230332610692012-08-06T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-06T14:00:18.136+01:00Assassins (1995)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P8gHlQoptc4/UBhL8fAafjI/AAAAAAAAB2k/_GjhJRfXYlE/s1600/Assassins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P8gHlQoptc4/UBhL8fAafjI/AAAAAAAAB2k/_GjhJRfXYlE/s320/Assassins.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sylvester Stallone is a hired
Assassin in the film written by the Wachoski's and directed by Richard Donner. He is number one in his profession, you join him taking a mark out
in to the swamp, another professional he has been tasked with killing. You
have Antonio Banderas a younger Assassin who knows Sylvester Stallone is number
one and he wants to be number one. You have Julianne Moore a hacker that comes
between them as a target and from there the story unfolds as Stallone realises
what she has and decides to use it to get out of the business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The film comes to a conclusion
outside a small white bank in a tropical location and it is strange finish as
Stallone knows what will happen as it is a similar situation that he previously
went through when he took the number one spot. Now this is an interesting story
but he knows what is going to happen so well and can tell exactly what Banderas
is going to do I don’t know why he did not make more sure of what he was
trying. Thinking about the end of the film it was not very clear and while
gripping in a tension filled way too much thought about how they do it makes it
seem silly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This film is enjoyable enough to
watch and appreciate a couple of the gun fights but it is not high
entertainment and is typical 90’s Stallone action driven fare. Would only
recommend to people who enjoy this sort of film and think that from my brief
description you will know if it is for you or not. Overall this is a 5 out of
10 film, not worth going out of your way to get but worth seeing especially for
free.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-64861924505840434672012-08-06T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-06T09:00:04.442+01:00Passenger 57 (1992)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3Q8XnT5GzY/UBhQMpWKaDI/AAAAAAAAB4k/R0Gn6I8MeUo/s1600/Passenger-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3Q8XnT5GzY/UBhQMpWKaDI/AAAAAAAAB4k/R0Gn6I8MeUo/s320/Passenger-57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A strange title for a film that
barely tells you what the film is about and simply relates to the fact that
Wesley Snipes is the 57<sup>th</sup> person that the stewardess played by
Alex Dachter reaches when counting how many passengers are on her flight. The film
opens with Wesley Snipes leading a training course as an air marshal and
Alex Dachter disarms him and he is upset as he presumes she is not taking the
whole thing seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It moves to the fact that they end
up on the same flight and this flight also has Charles Rane creepily played by
Bruce Payne being transported by the FBI on the same flight. It turns out his men
do not want him to be taken where he is going so hijack the flight and then
Wesley being the hero feels he has to try and intervene and save the day. With
a supporting cast including Tom Sizemore, Elizabeth Hurley, Bruce Greenwood and Robert Hooks. This is an enjoyable action flick from
the early 90’s when you had a lot of terrorist plots and it is a good example
of this. It has plenty shooting and fighting and also gives Wesley a chance to
show what he can do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I have seen this film many times
and it is a really good film to just switch your brain off and enjoy. I really
appreciate Charles Rane he is truly creepy and he knows how to manipulate the
local law enforcement agencies he is forced to deal with. Overall this is
nothing special however it is very enjoyable and I give it a solid 7 out of 10
recommend if you have never seen it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-1222578411607735352012-08-05T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-05T14:00:04.289+01:00The Godfather: Part 2 (1974)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXPcS3ilpWs/UBhL85JYViI/AAAAAAAAB2s/NBUVGIPG59I/s1600/GodfatherII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXPcS3ilpWs/UBhL85JYViI/AAAAAAAAB2s/NBUVGIPG59I/s320/GodfatherII.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The second film the trilogy from
Francis Ford Coppola and the first sequel to win the best Picture Oscar, as you
will see from my review of part 1, earlier today</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. I am not the biggest fan of the
original, so I had been told that watching the second part would make the whole
film make sense and fall into place for me. You follow the continuing story of
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone as he continues to run the family business moving
more towards Vegas and illegal drugs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In part two you also get Don Vito
Corleone’s early story as you follow Robert DeNiro playing a young Don as he comes to
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">America</st1:country></st1:place>
and starts his empire. This film is very much in the same line as the first
part and I can believe that there is a version where both films have been
edited and run together and I can imagine that they would work perfectly well.
I have to say that the film making is excellent, the acting is fine with all of
the cast returning but the story did not engage me. Yet one of my favourite
films is Goodfellas and I love the idea behind the Gangster genre I can only
presume that I am missing something, perhaps it is the hype and expectation
that I am missing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Overall disappointed that this film
is not as good as I expected but unsure how to feel, am I wrong? Or is
everybody else wrong? Have people just bought in to the fact that many people
say it is the greatest film in the world or have I seen to many films that
makes me view it as a copy when in fact it was an original? Who knows, I know
that at some point I will watch these again as it baffles me as usually I do
enjoy the classics but at the moment this is a 6 out of 10 for me.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-88617534794019928822012-08-05T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-05T09:00:06.228+01:00The Godfather (1972)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoBGRUsiiy0/UAwsU0YIDBI/AAAAAAAAB2U/Nkn_9q8cifM/s1600/godfather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoBGRUsiiy0/UAwsU0YIDBI/AAAAAAAAB2U/Nkn_9q8cifM/s320/godfather.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The classic gangster film from the 70’s based upon the book by
Mario Puzo it follows the Corleone family, starting at the wedding of the
daughter where you get to meet all the family from the Father played by Marlon
Brando to the boys played by James Caan as Sonny </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and Al Pacino as Michael with
Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen. You follow the family as Don Vito Corleone makes offers to
people that they cannot refuse while he does the business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is considered by many as one of the greatest films of all
time, it reaches the top spot in many of the countdowns of greatest films of
all time. I have to be honest, this is the second time I have watched this film
and it must be the hype as I really enjoyed it but failed to see how it can be
considered such a classic. I was very disappointed and feel I must have missed
something and would really like someone to explain why it is so great</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the second part to watch and maybe as someone said this
will complete why these films are considered some of the greatest films of all
time. Well enough of my uncultured ranting about the greatest film of all time.
I did enjoy it and would recommend that everybody sees it, I will have to
revisit my thoughts after seeing the second part but at the moment this is a
solid 6 out of 10 for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would really appreciate people putting me right on this as I feel
I am missing something and even though I did enjoy it I feel let down by it. </span><o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-58206973841804458122012-08-04T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-04T14:00:02.290+01:00The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mMeU9N5gvw/UBhL9xEnVEI/AAAAAAAAB20/2bkFJkMN7Ag/s1600/Hills+have+eyes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mMeU9N5gvw/UBhL9xEnVEI/AAAAAAAAB20/2bkFJkMN7Ag/s320/Hills+have+eyes+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The 2007 follow up to the remake of
the Wes Craven horror film that this time follows a group of trainee soldiers
as they are on a training mission in the area occupied by the family that took
care of the family from the first film. I have not seen the sequel to the
original film that came out in 1985 and do not know if this is a remake of
that or a straight sequel to the 2007 film which I reviewed here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This film is annoying, the
characters are stupid and I have no idea how any of them got to be in the army
at all. There are very few names you will recognise and to me it is just
another sequel/remake/horror film churned out for the cash that it might
generate. You have Michael McMillan, Jessica Stroup, Jacob Vargas, Flex Alexander, Daniella Alonso basically playing generic roles that include the
clown, the chief and the girl that is tough as nails but not really. Even
though they are aware what is happening they still make stupid decisions that
lead to problems for themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This film is barely worth watching,
perhaps some of the kills are inventive if a bit predictable, but I could not
remember the following day that I had seen this film when asked what I had
watched at the weekend which sums up how bad it was. Now the effects and
direction were okay but apart from that and a few scenes there was nothing
worth watching this film for at all, well that I can remember. So this is a 2
out of 10 seriously avoid from me.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-20725942051512225602012-08-04T09:00:00.001+01:002012-08-04T09:00:00.390+01:00Enter the Dragon (1973)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oO-I1cbyq3Y/UBhMGlddOvI/AAAAAAAAB3w/kDWthGyCC-0/s1600/enter_the_dragon_poster_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oO-I1cbyq3Y/UBhMGlddOvI/AAAAAAAAB3w/kDWthGyCC-0/s320/enter_the_dragon_poster_001.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Bruce Lee classic Kung Fu film
which sees Bruce Lee go to the island of Han </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">to participate in the
tournament he runs. He is there to avenge his sister who was killed by Han. He is joined in the tournament by Jim Kelly and John Saxon and
they are all there for their own reasons. This film is iconic for the fight
scenes even from the start when the sister is being attacked right through to
the end of the film when your heroes are fighting the foot soldiers.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Then
when Bruce is fighting the boss at the end, it plays a bit like a computer game
from the 80’s, this is the first American Produce Martial arts film.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is one of those iconic films
that many people have heard of and I think that films in this category get a
greater sense of hype. Well if everybody has heard of it and everybody likes it
then surely it must be the greatest film ever made. Unfortunately whether it is
the hype or expectation, very few films in this category live up to the
expectations of the pop culture, however this film is awesome and I struggle to
even say why. Bruce Lee famous for dying young and from being too fit, most
likely a heart attack but he was dedicated and this film produces the most
famous images of him and I was actually really surprised as he is actually a very good
actor. This film is like a kung fu James Bond film with an Oriental twist and
was probably aiming towards competing with the James Bond Franchise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I really enjoy this film, thinking
about it to hard I cannot really figure it out, other than the fact the story is
good vs evil, the evil overlord is a true Bond villain crossed with Bond evil
henchman and he has an army that attack one at a time. Really now it is quite
cheesy but I loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough and would really
like to know if anyone else feels the same way that I do. So in scoring this I am
going to have to settle for 8 out of 10 for the kung fu fighting alone.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-87949275762841591802012-08-03T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-03T14:00:08.863+01:00Carry on up the Khyber (1968)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bogxBqOWqPs/UAwqP0Ohg1I/AAAAAAAAB2E/sGCKoV3DHpM/s1600/carry+on+up+the+khyber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bogxBqOWqPs/UAwqP0Ohg1I/AAAAAAAAB2E/sGCKoV3DHpM/s320/carry+on+up+the+khyber.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have never seen a Carry On film then you need to sort this out and if you have to pick one apart from Carry on Screaming I cannot think of a better film than Carry on Up the Khyber. Starring all the stalwarts of the Carry On Series you have Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Angela Douglas and Roy Castle. This film is based in British India during the height of the British Empire and some of the locals want to get rid of the British Soldiers lead by the Fearless Kilted Third Foot and Mouth Division.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Carry On series was a staple of the British Film scene in the 60’s and 70’s and still holds up today. They were some of the first films that took the mickey out of certain stereotypes and other film genres leading to the common spoof film. This film in particular explores the British Stiff Upper lip and also the fact that the British like their tea and do not like to be disturbed in their daily routine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Carry On films themselves are from a time, everything is double entendres and cheeky humour but it is a classic series and this film is one of the better examples. The series itself is very much a taste thing and I know many people that just think they are silly and not very good but overall I think they are easy watching and enjoyable especially if you know the references. For Carry on Up the Khyber I give it 7 out of 10.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-73831159092374277562012-08-03T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-03T09:00:05.329+01:00Rits, Sue and Bob Too (1987)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2alxA7N3uo/UAwfWeURf1I/AAAAAAAAB1s/vkeeq8C5mWQ/s1600/rita+sue+and+bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2alxA7N3uo/UAwfWeURf1I/AAAAAAAAB1s/vkeeq8C5mWQ/s320/rita+sue+and+bob.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From 1987 comes a British comedy about life in Britain, you follow Bob played by George Costigan who as an affair with his babysitters Rita played by Siobhan Finneran and Sue played by Michelle Holmes. This film shows a harsh light on 80’s Britain with the state of the urban landscape and the attitudes of the characters. It follows Rita and Sue as they discuss what they want from life and how they can go about getting it and follows the three main characters as their relationship develops. Also there is a look at their home lives.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film is actually really funny; the sex in the car scene always sticks in my mind, especially Bob’s reaction at the end of it. The acting is quite good though I do not believe the actresses only being of school age but apart from that they were all really good in the roles that they were in. Written by Andrea Dunbar and directed by Alan Clarke this is an interesting look at 80’s Britain, very similar feel to The Full Monty but actually from that time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed this film though I am not the biggest fan of British films from the 80’s I feel they date to quickly, probably as I can actually remember the 80’s. This film is only really dated by the fashion and the cars everything else could still be from last year, overall this is a 7 out of 10 film, well worth seeing.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-87369473401353684182012-08-02T09:00:00.001+01:002012-08-02T09:00:06.924+01:00Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtaDuXRE7Cw/UAwrNymyafI/AAAAAAAAB2M/Pqye1cwAFys/s1600/LethalWeapon2-PosterArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtaDuXRE7Cw/UAwrNymyafI/AAAAAAAAB2M/Pqye1cwAFys/s320/LethalWeapon2-PosterArt.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second in the Lethal Weapon films, sees Murtagh and Riggs back together again as partners, this time investigating South Africans. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, one of the best cop buddies are back in a film that takes what the original created and moves it on a bit. From 1989 it is dated by the fact that the drop back to a lot of the action and set up is Apartheid demonstrations and does lead to the funniest scene in the film in the South African Embassy. “Bit you are Bleck!”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the series it went on a bit long and have only ever seen the fourth film once, but the first three are actually a really good series and they do what sequels are supposed to do and build on the original and previous films and I think that this series achieves this. The action is a step up, the comedy goes annoying with Joe Pesci but with Joss Ackland playing the main bad guy you have the comedy relief and the evil enough bad guy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall you will know before you watch this if you are going to like It, a buddy cop movie that ticks all the boxes of the late eighties with dark enough deaths, harsh enough violence and just the right level of comedy. In the Cop buddy stakes it is a 9 out of 10, in the realms of movies it hits a respectable 7 out of 10.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-39873660440618740802012-08-02T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-02T09:00:08.079+01:00Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dZeL49Iq8c/UAwbFfFL0DI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/1QCs3AIXn9k/s1600/wes+craven's+new+nightmare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dZeL49Iq8c/UAwbFfFL0DI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/1QCs3AIXn9k/s320/wes+craven's+new+nightmare.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final instalment in the Nightmare on Elm Street from Wes Craven, that takes a different angle completely to the previous films. This is based in the real Life and follows Helen Langenkamp playing herself with her husband and son and other stars from the previous films popping up including Robert Englund and Wes Craven himself. The idea is that a demon has taken the form of Freddy Kreuger and is coming through in to the real world.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting idea however it does not really work for me, firstly Helen Langenkamp is a horrible actress, I am sure that</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> she is a wonderful person but it really brings in how bad she is in the first Nightmare film and the other sequels she is in. Overall I as not pulled in though the idea seems to make logical sense but even though it was supposed to be real life it felt very scripted and it may actually have been better to go with the haunting of a new sequel, done before but would work.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was not that impressed with the film, Robert Englund came across really well but then I think he is actually a very good actor and have been impressed every time I have seen him. Wes Craven looked like a Director reading lines and I have said enough about Helen. Not a great film and not worth seeing only 3 out of 10 for me on this one.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-65481559101131861782012-08-01T14:00:00.000+01:002012-08-01T14:00:01.200+01:00Eraser (1996)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Soyf-I_6LiA/UAwYxVrUqLI/AAAAAAAAB1M/x1dHjeFYzrw/s1600/eraser2648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Soyf-I_6LiA/UAwYxVrUqLI/AAAAAAAAB1M/x1dHjeFYzrw/s320/eraser2648.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arnold Schwarzenegger starring in another action packed role along side Vanessa Williams, James Caan, James Coburn and James Cromwell. This time Arnie is a Federal Agent that takes Vanessa Williams in to protective custody and has to protect her from the people who are trying to kill her, they might even be people from within our own government.This is a spy thriller, not in the same realm as True Lies but still a lot of fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The set pieces in this film are fun in the unbelievable sense, jumping out of a plane, shooting the glass on the crocodile enclosure and the real threat with a suicide in front of you. This film struggles to find the right balance between fun comedy and serious action. The bad guys are believable but the comedy sidekick is pushing it a little, overall it lends to a jumbled experience.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saying all of that I did enjoy it and could actually watch Arnie do anything with action as he does have some skill at it on the screen. Overall this is a 6 out of 10 for me, slightly above the middle but obviously not for everybody.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-74045842667424397322012-08-01T09:00:00.000+01:002012-08-01T09:00:09.650+01:00Conspiracy Theory (1997)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-3ZPSqCZ4Y/UAwXVnbk0YI/AAAAAAAAB1E/_qQ5Ii6RHT0/s1600/conspiracy+theory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-3ZPSqCZ4Y/UAwXVnbk0YI/AAAAAAAAB1E/_qQ5Ii6RHT0/s1600/conspiracy+theory.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From 1997 we meet Gerry the Cab driver played by Mel Gibson who opens the film by talking endlessly about all of the common conspiracy theories and some not so common ones. You then see him try to visit Julia Roberts and it becomes clear that he is a little unhinged and is possibly a little bit obsessed with her. He has some radical theories that he gathers by reading all the newspapers and connecting articles through recent history. The big question surrounds is it Paranoia when they really are out to get you? And Sir Patrick Stewart is there to try and help him as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw this film not long after it came out but had not seen it again in ages so took the opportunity to watch it and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by it. Gibson and Roberts are not actors I am generally drawn to but they were both more in their hey day when this was filmed and were both very good and convincing. There is obviously some believability whether what is actually done in the film is possible and I think it is just the Hollywood extreme case that almost everything is true but not at the same time and they really make it work in the context of the film.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patrick Stewart makes the perfect bad guy as he really can act and he can show both sides from the giving father to the evil agent out to kill you all. But he does round out what is an excellent cast and I have to say this film really was a pleasure to watch, 7 out of 10 for me on this one.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-91698983997786936972012-07-31T14:00:00.000+01:002012-07-31T14:00:13.419+01:00Shallow Grave (1994)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sF0u5duLnhk/UAwWGD7bL-I/AAAAAAAAB08/_6ID71BguZA/s1600/shallow-grave-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sF0u5duLnhk/UAwWGD7bL-I/AAAAAAAAB08/_6ID71BguZA/s320/shallow-grave-poster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Danny Boyle starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Kerry Fox</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> they live in a flat together and they need another flat mate and this is when Keith Allan enters. When he dies and leaves a big bag of money this is when things start to change for the three friends. This is the first films from Danny Boyle and it really shows what he can do and it also shows what Ewan McGregor can achieve, the ending of the film is intense and really very clever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While there is the tension in the film between the friends there is some great comedy especially at the start as they interview the potential flat mates. I think that this is an excellent example of British acting and film making from the early 90’s that coincided with Britpop and was the start of some excellent films that came from the British Film industry. The way the money comes into the lives of the students and the fact that it is enough to clear them for life and the fact that it is free and it shows you how you could react with these decisions and where it could lead.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film is an excellently tension low budget film done right with good acting and good direction and is well worth the 8 out of 10 I give it. I think that if you have not seen this film then it is weel worth checking out.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-67004619613219695162012-07-31T09:00:00.000+01:002012-07-31T09:00:00.325+01:00Red State (2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBYFz3EFrPA/UAwSaPquxFI/AAAAAAAAB0w/WDT-UmI7JNw/s1600/red-state-poster-AU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBYFz3EFrPA/UAwSaPquxFI/AAAAAAAAB0w/WDT-UmI7JNw/s320/red-state-poster-AU.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Kevin Smith his venture in to “Horror”, well that is how it was originally sold when I settled down to watch it. Your basic story starts with three male teenagers, played by Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner and Nicholas Braun. They are looking to get laid and via a contact site they meet Sara played by Melissa Leo. This leads to them being captured by an extreme church that are portrayed as lunatics lead by Michael Parks. Then the story takes a switch and you end up with a stand off between the church and the Officials lead by John Goodman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had heard mixed reviews of this film and was not really that sure what it was about other than what the trailers tell you which is a bit jumbled to what the film actually is. To me it is a look at the world from a couple of view points, you have the Church with their beliefs and how they want to live their lives however wrong you may perceive that and the officials who are following orders and their questions around those orders. You have some quite shocking actions played out by both sides that will catch you off guard. Overall I found it an engaging film that took me on a roller-coaster ride of entertainment and thought provocation which is part of what I presume Kevin Smith was trying to achieve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall I really enjoyed this film and would recommend that everybody gives it a look, the ending is interesting and I have heard that there was something different planned that made it impossible which I would actually have enjoyed as much as the actual ending. I have heard many people think that Smith got it wrong but overall I think he got a message out on this thoughts on both sides of the argument and I give this 8 out of 10.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-36336522039284522362012-07-30T14:00:00.000+01:002012-07-30T14:00:15.057+01:00Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNtXABbTuI8/UAvNxAwAk-I/AAAAAAAAB0k/uAdIzWoEQDo/s1600/fantastic-mr-fox-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNtXABbTuI8/UAvNxAwAk-I/AAAAAAAAB0k/uAdIzWoEQDo/s320/fantastic-mr-fox-poster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The stop motion animation from Wes Anderson sees a telling of the classic Roald Dahl children’s tale of Fantastic Mr Fox. With an all star voice cast including George Clooney as Mr Fox, Meryl Streep as his wife with Jason Schwartzman as Ash, Bill Murray as Badger, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson and others. The film follows the book in a basic way with several alterations, these are needed when converting a book for the big screen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you have a film adapted from a book, if you know the book you always compare what they left out and what they added to see if you as a fan of the book agree. Well I like what they did with the additions, I have to say that the very end of the book while very unrealistic is how I imagine the ending everytime but that would not work in a film sense. The additions of the challenges between son and the cousin is good and interesting and I think that overall the story and additions lead to a good film. I did not like the wearing clothes but still being animal, especially with the eating, did not work for me I prefer the full animal or the full animal acting like an animal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The animation is the next thing with this film and I have to say that it bothered me on some level. They tried to get the realistic movement with the stop motion and overall the look of it was good but what the fur does</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> just got to me and I did not like it. That being said overall this film is a middle of the road venture, some good things some not so good, but due to the love of the original story which they honour this is an above average film so a 6 out of 10 for me.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-89184687970836580072012-07-30T09:00:00.000+01:002012-07-30T09:00:03.828+01:00Swiss Family Robinson (1960)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjywPOzsRU8/UAvNKEhxfUI/AAAAAAAAB0c/0hrGUCzNZ5I/s1600/swiss+family+robinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjywPOzsRU8/UAvNKEhxfUI/AAAAAAAAB0c/0hrGUCzNZ5I/s1600/swiss+family+robinson.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Walt Disney comes the adaptation of the book by Johann David Wyss charting a Family ship wrecked on a desert island and their adventures as they adapt from a comfortable life to living off the land. This is very much in the tone of the times with some unrealistic achievements but it is a family friendly film that is full of adventure. You follow the family played by John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur,Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran and the meet Bertie played by Janet Munro and apart from the pirates this is your full cast list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have seen this film only a couple of times but I love it in it’s simplicity and this is how I dream I would survive on a desert island, rather than starving to death or getting an infection in my toe and dying. The characters are typical with the two older boys vying for supremacy with one a scholar and one a man’s man. You have the careless free nature of the youngest as he takes risks. Then there are the parents as they watch their children grow in unusual circumstances and try to let them discover who they are on their own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a great film, there is possibly a message for the people of the 1960’s about not getting too hooked into their technology and the advancements, though it does say that with a bit of ingenuity you can make anything work. This film while unbelievable is a family fantasy that ends in a battle with pirates that is thrilling and a lot of fun. This is a 8 out of 10 and well worth seeing for all the family.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-90215382822993422162012-07-29T14:00:00.000+01:002012-07-29T14:00:12.738+01:00Silent Hill (2006)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_058gqXgnyo/UAvMXDylA-I/AAAAAAAAB0U/ns6ywTLzrGU/s1600/SILENT+HILL-WALLPAPER+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_058gqXgnyo/UAvMXDylA-I/AAAAAAAAB0U/ns6ywTLzrGU/s320/SILENT+HILL-WALLPAPER+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Based on the computer game of the same name, while I have heard that the game is super creepy and one of the best scary games out there, however I have never played it. So I went into this adaptation with nothing to compare it to, so no idea if it is a good adaptation or not. You follow Rhada Mitchell who is married to Sean Bean, they adopt a daughter who sleepwalks and ends up going missing and through connecting some clues she ends up tracking her to Silent Hill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way she is stopped by a policewoman played by Laurie Holden, they end up together trying to find her daughter and trying to sort out what is happening in the world of Silent Hill. There is a side story that lets you understand a bit more what is happening as you see Sean Bean in and around the same places and you can understand what is going on. Within the world there are lots of viscious twisted creatures and there are also people hunting witches and you have the two female leads making their way through the world and the creatures trying to survive and find Rhada's daughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Understanding this is from a game helps but would have preferred to have some level of context and perhaps there could have been a little exposition at the start that helps and explains what the situation is as it is very confusing. I can see no reason for it other than it has to happen as this is what the game is all about. Overall it was fine in the fantasy horror genre of films and the effects were not to bad. I give it 5 out of 10, not terrible but not great and not really worth tracking down unless you have a connection to the game.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-55818785718863097302012-07-29T09:00:00.000+01:002012-07-29T09:00:01.907+01:00Singin' In the Rain (1952)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snjsHdelE4Q/UAvLkZNrxVI/AAAAAAAAB0M/sGnLDvyubTM/s1600/singing-in-the-rain-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snjsHdelE4Q/UAvLkZNrxVI/AAAAAAAAB0M/sGnLDvyubTM/s1600/singing-in-the-rain-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The musical comedy from 1952 set during the transition from the silent movie era to the talkies, starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. You follow the two main male characters Don and Cosmo as they meet and start getting involved with </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Kathy and the story follows them as they enter the world of the talkies and how some of the compatriots cannot cope with the transition to the talking roles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film is one of the most famous musicals of the era with several songs that everybody will have heard as they have been parodied and use in adverts and sketches. The two most famous of these songs are the title “Singing in the Rain” and “Good Morning” and they are both catchy and as I write this I find my self singing them. You think and remember the actions and you recognise the impeccable timing that all three of the main actors had in the delivery of the moves as they were all accomplished dancers.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film was awesome and I am again disappointed in myself for not watching it sooner having put it off and off to watch some of the nonsense I have endured over the years. This is another film that falls in to the category of classic that holds up to it’s reputation and is a strong 9 out of 10, so very nearly perfection in film making. Looking for any suggestions of classic films that I may not have seen all suggestions appreciated.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763789867302093895.post-23040789037767119742012-07-28T14:00:00.000+01:002012-07-28T14:00:02.795+01:00Sherlock Holmes: Terror by Night (1946)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46IwXsgaBZ8/UAvKuRpJ34I/AAAAAAAAB0E/sxwUVqrXmro/s1600/terror2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46IwXsgaBZ8/UAvKuRpJ34I/AAAAAAAAB0E/sxwUVqrXmro/s320/terror2.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 6th film starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes with Nigel Bruce starring as Dr Watson, this film sees our hero’s boarding a train. They are employed by the son of Lady Margaret Carstairs, played by Mary Forbes to protect the Star of Rhodesia, a giant Diamond. While on the train the son of Lady Carstairs is a murdered and the Jewel is stolen. A plot is uncovered and Sherlock Holmes wins the day as he usually does in these films.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a short film at 60 minutes and in black and white and is the first Basil Rathbone portrayal of Sherlock Holmes I have had the opportunity to see. I liked Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, he is debonair and gives the look of having the intelligence to be able to answer the questions raised by the mystery in front of him. I did feel though in this film he seemed a bit distracted and was perhaps phoning it in a bit. My real problem is Nigel Bruce as Dr Watson, I have read some of the stories and seen both Jude Law Performances and he was far to blustering and unbelieving for me and just a bit too stupid. I always thought of Dr Watson as the reasoning intelligent man who while not able to think like Holmes can bring his own logic to the cases.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall this was worth watching, it is interesting but for the modern audience the other films and portrayals are much better in my opinion. Therefore I give this 6 out of 10 and only really worth seeing if you have a love of Sherlock Holmes.</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0