Hello!
It's late i know but Merry Christmas, Happy New Year etc.
What did i learn from last year. Well...
The Dark Knight was better than i could possibly imagine. Film of 2008.
Action movies aren't always trustworthy entertainmant. Proven by the disaster that was Taken. Worst film of 2008. Closely followed by Scar 3-D :)
Zombies will never be uncool.
I want to live in the imax.
Away from film, The Bejing Olympics were suprisingly fun. Watching the swimming was awesome! Euro 2008 was not.
Asian cinema is probably the best and most beautiful in the world.
England is obviously occupied by insane people; why else would Mamma Mia be the biggest box office hit in UK history, and biggest selling DVD in UK history too. So shameful...
Superhero films are finally back to their best again, after Iron Man and Dark Knight.
Ghost in the Shell SAC is one of the best, most interesting and engaging serialised programs i have ever seen, animated or not!
University is not fun. It's a hell of a lot of work :(
Jessica Alba is the most annoying human being on the planet.
Robert Downey Jr. is a legend!
Michael Cera is also a legend!
The Coen Brothers are back, and as glorious as ever!
Twilight was brilliant. Biggest suprise of the year for me, and perfect film to end the year!
I hope that this new year will suprise in the best possible ways, and i can personally survive past the 13th of January! haha.
:D
Friday, 2 January 2009
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Time to introduce a little anarchy!
Watched The Dark Knight for a fifth time. It's still amazing. Best film of the decade. That's all that needs to be said.Watched the classic It's a Wonderful Life last night. It was wonderful seeing one of the best christmas films of all time on the big screen! Although, i actually thing it is a film for all seasons, not just Christmas. It amazes me that it was a huge flop on it's original release; even with the talent of Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart. But just look at Fight Club and The Big Lebowski. On release, big failures, but in under a decade, they became cult favourites and then popular culture phenomenons! Film is funny sometimes...
Although, film can also be a complete pain. Especially for film students. Today, i had to go down to London and hunt through the Maughan and Senate Libraries for books for my two big coursework essays. I had to find books on Blade Runner and the Science fiction/Cyberpunk genre (Which i find very cool personally, hehe) and also books on "The Idiots" and Alternative European cinema (not so cool!) Although i did find a book all baout Anime and TWO about the Vampire genre! However, i had too many books already so i will have to get them next time :(
So i end up on the tube with 9 very large, heavy academic text books (plus stuff that was already in my bag. I really should have emptied it beforehand) and running home with my spine in peril! haha. But, my world became right again, once i opened the door, and at my feet, THE DARK KNIGHT!
Today, The Dark Knight! Tomorrow, Research... or maybe The Dark Knight again. Most probably actually! haha. Oh dear...
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Quantum of Solace, or Bond is back and he is...well not as angry as you would think considering things?
Hello. It's been a couple of weeks since HSM 3, and i think i am finally ready to review again! haha.
This week is my reading week from uni. One of the few weeks off i will ever get! So i decided to go see Quantum of Solace with my friends.
My verdict: I actually really enjoyed it. I had been reading a lot of reviews that had made me question if Quantum of Solace would be worth seeing. However, i was pleasantly suprised; Daniel Craig has, i think, really got Bond nailed down, and his performance is better than his previous one in Casino Royale. The film had some brilliant visual touches, (the cinematography was astonishing, perfectly fitting the tone and mood) there was a superb homage to Goldfinger, and some of the trademark Bond humour was back (although less goofy, more black humour which i think worked wonderfully) which was missing from Casino Royale.
However, saying that, i do think Quantum has many flaws. The direction and performances are very strong, but the story is almost non existant. Quite honestly, it is extremely poor; it's as if the writer's didn't know what they wanted to achieve and threw in whatever ideas they had. Because of this, the emotional conflict within Bond that was established at the end of Casino Royale, is lost, the plot is somewhat convoluted and the villian is in my opinion, one of the weakest in Bond History. The film is almost a necessary evil to get to the next one; simply made to tie up the loose ends and establish the "Quantum group" that hopefully will emerge as a real threat in the next film. It could have been (and arguably should have been) one of the most emotionally intense Bond films ever. Instead it's cold and beyond the visual intensity, is hollow. My next problem is one that i can't fully blame on the Quantum of Solace, because every action film being made today is doing it too.
It's the "Bourne effect."
The Bourne trilogy has changed the rules in the action/thriller genre. It's perfect mixture of intellienge, amazing action sequences and frighting realism has left an imprint on modern cinema. It raised the bar. And i am sure it was the success of the Bourne films that promted the new Bond reboot. Unfortunately, Quantum of Solace's action is far too similar to that of the Bourne films. The foot chase at the start of the film was pratically the same as the legendary Tangiers Chase in Bourne Ultimatum. I understand it looks cool, and i don't think that the Bond films should stop using the "Bourne" style action because it does work when used right, but i think they should tone it down and try something different as well. I would love to see a fight between Bond and a group of assassins filmed as one long take, in the style of the corridor fight in Oldboy (One of my personal favourite fight scenes, and films, of all time.) It would look stylish and "allow" the audience to be amazed, rather than "forced ." Shake it up and try something new.
That said, it's still leagues ahead of Taken. They are not even on the same action planet! haha.
Despite my problems with Quantum of Solace, I admire it's ambition. It's bigger, more complex, and a lot more stylish than Casino Royale. But because of this, it's not as solid or concise a story, and can miss as much as it hits. Of course, when it hits, it's just magic. So i definately would say it is worth watching. It's pure escapist entertainment, with the original suave superspy himself. Fantastic...Although i would like a smarter story with a sense of purpose and emotional investment next time.
Next up will be probably be Scar 3-D. If i can actually get all my essays done. Yeah, Uni life sucks. Even when you DO have a week off! Time to find my own quantum of solace methinks...
This week is my reading week from uni. One of the few weeks off i will ever get! So i decided to go see Quantum of Solace with my friends.
My verdict: I actually really enjoyed it. I had been reading a lot of reviews that had made me question if Quantum of Solace would be worth seeing. However, i was pleasantly suprised; Daniel Craig has, i think, really got Bond nailed down, and his performance is better than his previous one in Casino Royale. The film had some brilliant visual touches, (the cinematography was astonishing, perfectly fitting the tone and mood) there was a superb homage to Goldfinger, and some of the trademark Bond humour was back (although less goofy, more black humour which i think worked wonderfully) which was missing from Casino Royale.
However, saying that, i do think Quantum has many flaws. The direction and performances are very strong, but the story is almost non existant. Quite honestly, it is extremely poor; it's as if the writer's didn't know what they wanted to achieve and threw in whatever ideas they had. Because of this, the emotional conflict within Bond that was established at the end of Casino Royale, is lost, the plot is somewhat convoluted and the villian is in my opinion, one of the weakest in Bond History. The film is almost a necessary evil to get to the next one; simply made to tie up the loose ends and establish the "Quantum group" that hopefully will emerge as a real threat in the next film. It could have been (and arguably should have been) one of the most emotionally intense Bond films ever. Instead it's cold and beyond the visual intensity, is hollow. My next problem is one that i can't fully blame on the Quantum of Solace, because every action film being made today is doing it too.
It's the "Bourne effect."
The Bourne trilogy has changed the rules in the action/thriller genre. It's perfect mixture of intellienge, amazing action sequences and frighting realism has left an imprint on modern cinema. It raised the bar. And i am sure it was the success of the Bourne films that promted the new Bond reboot. Unfortunately, Quantum of Solace's action is far too similar to that of the Bourne films. The foot chase at the start of the film was pratically the same as the legendary Tangiers Chase in Bourne Ultimatum. I understand it looks cool, and i don't think that the Bond films should stop using the "Bourne" style action because it does work when used right, but i think they should tone it down and try something different as well. I would love to see a fight between Bond and a group of assassins filmed as one long take, in the style of the corridor fight in Oldboy (One of my personal favourite fight scenes, and films, of all time.) It would look stylish and "allow" the audience to be amazed, rather than "forced ." Shake it up and try something new.
That said, it's still leagues ahead of Taken. They are not even on the same action planet! haha.
Despite my problems with Quantum of Solace, I admire it's ambition. It's bigger, more complex, and a lot more stylish than Casino Royale. But because of this, it's not as solid or concise a story, and can miss as much as it hits. Of course, when it hits, it's just magic. So i definately would say it is worth watching. It's pure escapist entertainment, with the original suave superspy himself. Fantastic...Although i would like a smarter story with a sense of purpose and emotional investment next time.
Next up will be probably be Scar 3-D. If i can actually get all my essays done. Yeah, Uni life sucks. Even when you DO have a week off! Time to find my own quantum of solace methinks...
Friday, 24 October 2008
Please. Stop. Singing.
Good evening
So this week. I made the ultimate sacrifice for my friends: I watched High School Musical 3. The shame.
My verdict. Ummm... I can see why it is so insanely popular (The cinema was full. FULL! Not even The Dark Knight was ever full when i went!) becuase it is undeniably very fun. It's a happy movie about happy American teens at a happy school, made for happy people. It's not MY kind of movie. It was probably the cheesiest film i have ever seen. I wanted to claw my eyes out it was so soppy and sentimental. The narrative was painfully predictable and completely conventional, and the aesthetic was over the top, and dare i say "tacky." But this highlights my biggest problem with criticising HSM3: All these things are inherient in it's genre: the Musical. You expect to see these features in musicals, just look at Grease, Hairspray etc. HSM3 doesn't do anything "wrong," all it does is conform to it's genre. I don't think it is particularly fair for me to lay into HSM3 (And believe me i could! haha) becuase of this. It is what it is and it seems to have have worked pretty well for Disney so far. Extremely simple throwaway fun. It's for kids and early teens. Not for me. I'm far too Cynical and hopeless (Although saying that i did enjoy Hairspray so maybe i'm not so jaded after all! haha) to truely enjoy it. Ultimately, i didn't like it; But HSM is as all about individual preferences, and if you love musicals, it's pretty much perfect for you. It's like chocolate: it's sweet, addictive and for some, delicious. Only in the case of HSM, i'm ready to throw up! :)
It was still much better than Taken. hahaha. Seriously.
First, Mamma Mia outgrosses The Dark Knight in the UK and now HSM3 seems to have hypnotised the whole world. Things are looking very grim. And worst of all, it's Halloween next week and there is pratically NO horror films out apart from Saw 5. The end is nigh!
Haha. Oh well, time to watch some Supernatural. Yeah! hehe.
Have a good weekend!
So this week. I made the ultimate sacrifice for my friends: I watched High School Musical 3. The shame.
My verdict. Ummm... I can see why it is so insanely popular (The cinema was full. FULL! Not even The Dark Knight was ever full when i went!) becuase it is undeniably very fun. It's a happy movie about happy American teens at a happy school, made for happy people. It's not MY kind of movie. It was probably the cheesiest film i have ever seen. I wanted to claw my eyes out it was so soppy and sentimental. The narrative was painfully predictable and completely conventional, and the aesthetic was over the top, and dare i say "tacky." But this highlights my biggest problem with criticising HSM3: All these things are inherient in it's genre: the Musical. You expect to see these features in musicals, just look at Grease, Hairspray etc. HSM3 doesn't do anything "wrong," all it does is conform to it's genre. I don't think it is particularly fair for me to lay into HSM3 (And believe me i could! haha) becuase of this. It is what it is and it seems to have have worked pretty well for Disney so far. Extremely simple throwaway fun. It's for kids and early teens. Not for me. I'm far too Cynical and hopeless (Although saying that i did enjoy Hairspray so maybe i'm not so jaded after all! haha) to truely enjoy it. Ultimately, i didn't like it; But HSM is as all about individual preferences, and if you love musicals, it's pretty much perfect for you. It's like chocolate: it's sweet, addictive and for some, delicious. Only in the case of HSM, i'm ready to throw up! :)
It was still much better than Taken. hahaha. Seriously.
First, Mamma Mia outgrosses The Dark Knight in the UK and now HSM3 seems to have hypnotised the whole world. Things are looking very grim. And worst of all, it's Halloween next week and there is pratically NO horror films out apart from Saw 5. The end is nigh!
Haha. Oh well, time to watch some Supernatural. Yeah! hehe.
Have a good weekend!
Friday, 17 October 2008
Coen Brothers + Brad Pitt = GENIUS!
Good Evening.
Well, It's Friday so that means Cinema time!!!
Tonight, i was orginally going to see Eagle Eye with my friends. However, becuase not everyone could make it this week, we decided to watch Burn After Reading instead (Luckly, i wanted to see this more than Eagle Eye anyway, hehe) and i was not disappointed. It was classic Coens. The characters were as insane and moronic as ever. The plot as intentionally nonsensical and wonderfully crafted as ever. The dialogue was bitting and clever as you would expect from the men behind The Big Lebowski and Fargo. I will say it's not as zany and cartoony as Raising Arizona or The Hudsucker Proxy; however, it did have some fantastic "What the fuck!" moments. It was very funny without resulting to simple humour, (apart from Brad Pitt getting hit in the face, which was hilarious i admit) and it has an amazing juxtaposition between the complexity of the situation and the sheer idiocy of the characters involved. It's a wonderful script and the confusion of the narrative even has the character's confused, which makes for some good laughs with J.K Simmons supporting role as a CIA chief trying to figure out what the hell is going on!
Undoubtably, the two stars of the show are Brad Pitt and John Malkovich. Clooney is great, McDormand fine, and Swindon did well in what ultimately is a small but important part; however, the best moments of the film involve either Pitt's moronic gym trainer Chad, or Malkovich's frustrated and increasingly unhinged Osbourne. Pitt definately needs to do more comedy; he is a natural. Chad is SOOOO out of his depth, and tries his best to play the spy (Pitt's delivery as he tries to blackmail Osbourne is amazing: "I think you might want...to know... the security... of your shit." haha. He even gives himself a codename!) and just the sight of Brad Pitt sitting confused as hell as Osbourne rants right in his face, is too funny. Malkovich is at his insane best in Burn After Reading, and his character is probably the unluckiest guy in the world. You almost feel sorry for him. Before he goes mental! The small supporting characters also provide laughs and there are a couple of one scene wonders in there to boot!
I won't say it is the Coen Brother's best film. Not by a long shot. However, it is certainly an improvement on their last comedy, The LadyKillers (Which i do personally like, but is definately their weakest film) It might not be the Coen's "best" or a perfect comedy, but it is certainally close to both, and is still SO much better than most films out today. The Brother's amazing ability to create memorable characters, craft magnificent humour and talent for skillful, deft direction, i think, marks them out as possibly the best, and definately most entertaining filmmakers working in cinema today.
It is definately a BIG improvement on Taken! haha. It's got better violence too.
So that was my fun for the weekend. Tomorrow: an avalanche of Film research and referencing. Ahh, to be a young student. It sucks! hahahaha.
Goodbye.
Well, It's Friday so that means Cinema time!!!
Tonight, i was orginally going to see Eagle Eye with my friends. However, becuase not everyone could make it this week, we decided to watch Burn After Reading instead (Luckly, i wanted to see this more than Eagle Eye anyway, hehe) and i was not disappointed. It was classic Coens. The characters were as insane and moronic as ever. The plot as intentionally nonsensical and wonderfully crafted as ever. The dialogue was bitting and clever as you would expect from the men behind The Big Lebowski and Fargo. I will say it's not as zany and cartoony as Raising Arizona or The Hudsucker Proxy; however, it did have some fantastic "What the fuck!" moments. It was very funny without resulting to simple humour, (apart from Brad Pitt getting hit in the face, which was hilarious i admit) and it has an amazing juxtaposition between the complexity of the situation and the sheer idiocy of the characters involved. It's a wonderful script and the confusion of the narrative even has the character's confused, which makes for some good laughs with J.K Simmons supporting role as a CIA chief trying to figure out what the hell is going on!
Undoubtably, the two stars of the show are Brad Pitt and John Malkovich. Clooney is great, McDormand fine, and Swindon did well in what ultimately is a small but important part; however, the best moments of the film involve either Pitt's moronic gym trainer Chad, or Malkovich's frustrated and increasingly unhinged Osbourne. Pitt definately needs to do more comedy; he is a natural. Chad is SOOOO out of his depth, and tries his best to play the spy (Pitt's delivery as he tries to blackmail Osbourne is amazing: "I think you might want...to know... the security... of your shit." haha. He even gives himself a codename!) and just the sight of Brad Pitt sitting confused as hell as Osbourne rants right in his face, is too funny. Malkovich is at his insane best in Burn After Reading, and his character is probably the unluckiest guy in the world. You almost feel sorry for him. Before he goes mental! The small supporting characters also provide laughs and there are a couple of one scene wonders in there to boot!
I won't say it is the Coen Brother's best film. Not by a long shot. However, it is certainly an improvement on their last comedy, The LadyKillers (Which i do personally like, but is definately their weakest film) It might not be the Coen's "best" or a perfect comedy, but it is certainally close to both, and is still SO much better than most films out today. The Brother's amazing ability to create memorable characters, craft magnificent humour and talent for skillful, deft direction, i think, marks them out as possibly the best, and definately most entertaining filmmakers working in cinema today.
It is definately a BIG improvement on Taken! haha. It's got better violence too.
So that was my fun for the weekend. Tomorrow: an avalanche of Film research and referencing. Ahh, to be a young student. It sucks! hahahaha.
Goodbye.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
The dog that knew too much...
It's been a while since my last post, so i think it's time to get back in the swing of things. I would love to describe the excitement of my life but that would be an incredible lie! haha. Anyway.
Tonight was the best film screening at uni so far for me. Rear Window. On 35mm. Anyone who hasn't seen it is seriously missing out. However, despite my love for the film, i have to admit it contains one of the most unintentionally silly lines in history. After one of the neighbour's dog has been killed by the villian of the film, Grace Kelly asks why would he kill a dog? Then she says it:
"...because it knew too much."
:D
How can a dog know too much? And if it does know the villian did indeed kill his wife, how is the dog going to somehow reveal this ala Sherlock Holmes. It's not like he's Lassie (as far as i'm aware!) Such a hilarious line.
Well i think that pretty much sums up my life at the moment. I'm blogging because of a line about a murdered fictional dog. I think i have hit rock bottom! haha.
Burn after Reading is out this friday. I'm excited! :)
Oh, i saw Taken on friday with my friends. However, i won't waste time reviewing it properly. Basically it's film that warns if you leave America in order to go to the strange "foreign" world of Europe, you will be kidnapped, forcibly addicted to heroin, and sold into Prostitution. Unless you have Liam Neeson as a Father (who warned you not to go in the first place) who comes to the rescue and makes everything okay by killing a LOT of people (and bizzarly shooting an innocent woman in the leg) without recieving any punishment himself for those crimes, and giving you a wonderful American happy ending...despite the fact you have been kidnapped, addicted to heroin and sold into prostitution. It's a funny old world... :P
Goodnight.
Tonight was the best film screening at uni so far for me. Rear Window. On 35mm. Anyone who hasn't seen it is seriously missing out. However, despite my love for the film, i have to admit it contains one of the most unintentionally silly lines in history. After one of the neighbour's dog has been killed by the villian of the film, Grace Kelly asks why would he kill a dog? Then she says it:
"...because it knew too much."
:D
How can a dog know too much? And if it does know the villian did indeed kill his wife, how is the dog going to somehow reveal this ala Sherlock Holmes. It's not like he's Lassie (as far as i'm aware!) Such a hilarious line.
Well i think that pretty much sums up my life at the moment. I'm blogging because of a line about a murdered fictional dog. I think i have hit rock bottom! haha.
Burn after Reading is out this friday. I'm excited! :)
Oh, i saw Taken on friday with my friends. However, i won't waste time reviewing it properly. Basically it's film that warns if you leave America in order to go to the strange "foreign" world of Europe, you will be kidnapped, forcibly addicted to heroin, and sold into Prostitution. Unless you have Liam Neeson as a Father (who warned you not to go in the first place) who comes to the rescue and makes everything okay by killing a LOT of people (and bizzarly shooting an innocent woman in the leg) without recieving any punishment himself for those crimes, and giving you a wonderful American happy ending...despite the fact you have been kidnapped, addicted to heroin and sold into prostitution. It's a funny old world... :P
Goodnight.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Breathless. Or how film can turn a really bad day into something brilliant!
Today has been very strange.
It has been both brilliant, and at the same time. Utterly terrible.
It started as badly as possible: I work up early, unable to sleep with a tremendous headache. Then i have my plans to meet a dear friend of mine derailed by a parent on the rampage (isn't it always) which causes an argument and makes me unhappy. Then on my way to uni, the train gets delayed so i have to wait and the only form of questionnable ""entertainment i have is Daniel Defoe's Journal of the Plague Year (an infuriatingly detailed account of the great plague in the year 1665), which i have to read for my Writing London course (or biggest waste of time in history as i like to call it)
But among this complete carnage. Film saves my day!
First, in the morning, while i was "mourning" the death of what should have been a fantastic day, i decide to watch something epic. The Godfather. I don't think i need to tell you how good this film is: Just watch it. A true modern classic, it has everything: Performance, Spectacle, a compelling narrative, masterful direction. It cheered me up big time (Nothing like watching a super dysfunctional family to put things into perspective, hehe)
Then after i finally arrive at Kings. Late. I have a great lecture (Well, as good as any lecture can be!) and best of all, the screening. This week, i got the chance to watch Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Fear Eats the Soul." Now i went into the screening unsure whether i would like this film, but i left it... speechless. One of the best movies i have ever seen. It was a wonderful film about important themes: Love standing against public opinion and racial boundaries, it was a poignant depiction of humanity; the good, the bad and the ugly. It was slightly melodramatic in places but the story was gripping and Fassbinder's direction superb, his cinematography captured the mood and created a sense of verisimilitude that made the film feel like a snapshot of reality; real lives colliding. I throughly recommend it, it is a heavy thematically, but beautifully simple film. I have already ordered the DVD :)
Finally, when i get home, completely exhausted. I can't find anything on tv; until i stumble upon Sky movies indie, and find one of my favourite movies of all time: The Big Lebowski. Funny, clever, crazy, wonderful. Pure Coen Brothers at their very best! The Dude rules. Plain and Simple. If you haven't seen it, buy it. Trust me, it is worth it! The only problem is you won't be able to stop quoting it! haha.
Now, to finish my day (Well technically begin tomorrow!) I am watching Miller's Crossing. Again, Classic Coen Brothers. Perfect film to end a completely crazy day!!!
It has been both brilliant, and at the same time. Utterly terrible.
It started as badly as possible: I work up early, unable to sleep with a tremendous headache. Then i have my plans to meet a dear friend of mine derailed by a parent on the rampage (isn't it always) which causes an argument and makes me unhappy. Then on my way to uni, the train gets delayed so i have to wait and the only form of questionnable ""entertainment i have is Daniel Defoe's Journal of the Plague Year (an infuriatingly detailed account of the great plague in the year 1665), which i have to read for my Writing London course (or biggest waste of time in history as i like to call it)
But among this complete carnage. Film saves my day!
First, in the morning, while i was "mourning" the death of what should have been a fantastic day, i decide to watch something epic. The Godfather. I don't think i need to tell you how good this film is: Just watch it. A true modern classic, it has everything: Performance, Spectacle, a compelling narrative, masterful direction. It cheered me up big time (Nothing like watching a super dysfunctional family to put things into perspective, hehe)
Then after i finally arrive at Kings. Late. I have a great lecture (Well, as good as any lecture can be!) and best of all, the screening. This week, i got the chance to watch Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Fear Eats the Soul." Now i went into the screening unsure whether i would like this film, but i left it... speechless. One of the best movies i have ever seen. It was a wonderful film about important themes: Love standing against public opinion and racial boundaries, it was a poignant depiction of humanity; the good, the bad and the ugly. It was slightly melodramatic in places but the story was gripping and Fassbinder's direction superb, his cinematography captured the mood and created a sense of verisimilitude that made the film feel like a snapshot of reality; real lives colliding. I throughly recommend it, it is a heavy thematically, but beautifully simple film. I have already ordered the DVD :)
Finally, when i get home, completely exhausted. I can't find anything on tv; until i stumble upon Sky movies indie, and find one of my favourite movies of all time: The Big Lebowski. Funny, clever, crazy, wonderful. Pure Coen Brothers at their very best! The Dude rules. Plain and Simple. If you haven't seen it, buy it. Trust me, it is worth it! The only problem is you won't be able to stop quoting it! haha.
Now, to finish my day (Well technically begin tomorrow!) I am watching Miller's Crossing. Again, Classic Coen Brothers. Perfect film to end a completely crazy day!!!
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