Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Paranormal Activity
Ok, so a pretty famous little film here. And for a movie that's describing itself as the scariest films of the decade you're expecting a lot. I'm not that well experienced in horror, I haven't even seen The Exorcist. However, I think I have a rough hold over what a good horror film is. Movies like Rec, The Shining and The Haunting in Conneticut all get a big thumbs up from me whilst Drag Me To Hell, the Saw franchise and Friday 13th just don't cut it these days. So Paranormal Activity, for anyone whose been dead for the past few months is a film based around a couple who set up a camera in their bedroom to capture any "paranormal activity" during the night. Ok, so I was pretty impressed. The film started slowly and nothing truly scary was happening until at least half way through. Even in the final few nights, it wasn't the scariest thing but the long silences really help build tension and you find that these are the moments that end up being some of the scariest of all. However, the final scene of the film. Wow! The single most scary moment of my life when watching a film. Me and my sister literally screamed and grabbed onto each other in the dark. I won't ruin it, despite the trailer kinda ruining the ending anyway but I would advise anyone to watch this just for that final moment. But don't watch it on your own!
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Inglorious Basterds
I watched this last night and wasn't sure what to expect. I'd heard mixed reviews; the good ones, that it was hilarious, the bad ones, that it was waaay toooooo long. Generally I enjoyed it. Despite this though, I didn't find it all that funny and the adverts had always presented it as that. It was exactly mocking either, not to the extent they portrayed in the trailers. Instead, the film took quite a serious line in parts, focusing on the incomprehensible horrors that the Nazis committed and this was done very well. The tension throughout was brilliant and the acting for the most part was great. The length didn't really bother me and I enjoyed the quite graphic nature of the film although obviously this isn't for everyone. Overall I'd recommend it for at least one viewing. Not shabby at all :)
Thursday, 18 March 2010
My Top 10 Worst Films Of All Time
Ok here we go. Again interesting, I'm sure a lot of people like some of these but for me, they're just appalling. I've chosen films that are more mainstream, I've seen some dreadful films but they went straight to DVD and had virtually no budget so I'm not really counting them. The trully awful ones are the films that have big budgets and still manage to cock up:
1) The Other Man - Despite having Liam Neeson and Antonio Banderas in this film is pretty really quite bad. The twist is weak and the film has no real sense of achievement or any decent morals. I kinda like the Italian setting but it can't save this weak performance.
2) B.A.S.I.C - What? What? What? This film seriously doesn't make any sense and almost all of it takes place in a dark jungle where you seriously can't tell whats going on. Who wants that? The plot is dreadful and manages to prove the rule that all actors have at least one bad film. Both Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta star! The question is not Who Dunnit? But instead, Who Cares?
3) Garfield 2 - Its one of those ones that any sane adult would realise is gonna be crap before they watch it. However, some how it manages to be crapper. Theres no laughs and the orange rat that is Garfield is a "character" that really really annoys me. Plus it does obnoxious Hollywood thing of overexaggerating everything British. No we don't actually speak like that, no we don't all live in rich manors and no we definately do not drink nothing but tea!
4) Vantage Point - Wow, I thought it was going somewhere, I thought there'd be a huge twist. Well there was a twist but it certainly wasn't huge. OMG there was a double agent involved! I didn't see that coming! Seriously, find something original. And the rest of the story, well essentially it's about 6 back to back clips that last about 15 minutes each of exactly the same event, just from different viewpoints. URGH! Boring boring boring!
5) Spy Kids 3 - Now maybe my expectations were too high. After all, it was the first 3D film out in the cinemas that I went to see. And not immersive 3D like they have now, actual it-comes-right-out-at-ya-and-it-feels-like-you-can-touch-it 3D. However, it was tacky, very tacky which is a shame. The first Spy Kid movies I actually really enjoyed and the second one wasn't bad. But this, well its like they ran out of ideas. Like a lot of 3D films these days, it seems like the plot was designed completely around the idea of 3D and not the other way round, leaving little room for anything original.
6) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Ok so this ones pretty controversial, all my family enjoyed it. They said Indiana Jones had always been corny. Well yes it had, but not like this, this was a new level of corny and unrealistic. What happened to hidden artifacts and Nazi's!? Instead you have aliens and the classic thing that all comeback movies do where they take all the small good things of the original films and try to regurgitate them, creating something unfunny, unorginal and unimportant to the plot. I mean, theres one point where you've got Harrison Ford with one leg in one truck and the the other in another truck, and being driven over some cactus's. It's like, yeah he's super strong and amazing! HE'S NOT THAT BLOODY SUPER STRONG AND AMAZING!!!
7) Mamma Mia - I think most guys will be with me on this one whilst all the girls will be plotting my assassination when reading this. But lets face it, Pierce Brosnan can't sing, the songs are corny if you're under 40 and the bit at the end when you're in the cinema and old ladies in the audience start to stand up and sing and dance makes you want to kill yourself! The one thing I will allow it is the setting which is very nice and wins back a small amount of respect.
8) Red - Now this is probably my own fault. Blockbuster put this movie in the horror section of their shop, obviously without even viewing it. Clearly they thought, "It has blood on the front and the name red so it must be a horror", unfortunately anything but! Its about a man whose dog gets killed and then he goes out for revenge! Sadly that revenge takes the form of a legal case (obviously since its American) and not a huge blood rampage that the cover and even to an extent the misleading bit on the back had suggested. Hmmm...
9) The Devil Wears Prada - Unfortunately for this film, they were just unlucky. It could have been one of a number of romcoms but I chose this because its probably the most generic of them all. SOOOO obvious and dull. And theres something about Anne Hathaway that I really don't like, shes just a bit wierd and I don't really get her success.
10) Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief - This film reminded me of the kind of stories I used to write when I was 10 where everything happened so quickly and the main characters just supposed to buy it. But in reality nothing happens like that. It takes Mr Jackson, the 16 or whatever year old about 2 minutes to get over his mums death, even though he then spends the rest of the film trying to get her back. It's a real shame, the plot is pretty interesting, I like the idea of Greek mythology in todays world but its just silly. The ancient mythes are all held in such generic places. Vegas, The Empire State Building, and the whole thing stinks of a Harry Potter copy. I really wasn't impressed.
1) The Other Man - Despite having Liam Neeson and Antonio Banderas in this film is pretty really quite bad. The twist is weak and the film has no real sense of achievement or any decent morals. I kinda like the Italian setting but it can't save this weak performance.
2) B.A.S.I.C - What? What? What? This film seriously doesn't make any sense and almost all of it takes place in a dark jungle where you seriously can't tell whats going on. Who wants that? The plot is dreadful and manages to prove the rule that all actors have at least one bad film. Both Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta star! The question is not Who Dunnit? But instead, Who Cares?
3) Garfield 2 - Its one of those ones that any sane adult would realise is gonna be crap before they watch it. However, some how it manages to be crapper. Theres no laughs and the orange rat that is Garfield is a "character" that really really annoys me. Plus it does obnoxious Hollywood thing of overexaggerating everything British. No we don't actually speak like that, no we don't all live in rich manors and no we definately do not drink nothing but tea!
4) Vantage Point - Wow, I thought it was going somewhere, I thought there'd be a huge twist. Well there was a twist but it certainly wasn't huge. OMG there was a double agent involved! I didn't see that coming! Seriously, find something original. And the rest of the story, well essentially it's about 6 back to back clips that last about 15 minutes each of exactly the same event, just from different viewpoints. URGH! Boring boring boring!
5) Spy Kids 3 - Now maybe my expectations were too high. After all, it was the first 3D film out in the cinemas that I went to see. And not immersive 3D like they have now, actual it-comes-right-out-at-ya-and-it-feels-like-you-can-touch-it 3D. However, it was tacky, very tacky which is a shame. The first Spy Kid movies I actually really enjoyed and the second one wasn't bad. But this, well its like they ran out of ideas. Like a lot of 3D films these days, it seems like the plot was designed completely around the idea of 3D and not the other way round, leaving little room for anything original.
6) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Ok so this ones pretty controversial, all my family enjoyed it. They said Indiana Jones had always been corny. Well yes it had, but not like this, this was a new level of corny and unrealistic. What happened to hidden artifacts and Nazi's!? Instead you have aliens and the classic thing that all comeback movies do where they take all the small good things of the original films and try to regurgitate them, creating something unfunny, unorginal and unimportant to the plot. I mean, theres one point where you've got Harrison Ford with one leg in one truck and the the other in another truck, and being driven over some cactus's. It's like, yeah he's super strong and amazing! HE'S NOT THAT BLOODY SUPER STRONG AND AMAZING!!!
7) Mamma Mia - I think most guys will be with me on this one whilst all the girls will be plotting my assassination when reading this. But lets face it, Pierce Brosnan can't sing, the songs are corny if you're under 40 and the bit at the end when you're in the cinema and old ladies in the audience start to stand up and sing and dance makes you want to kill yourself! The one thing I will allow it is the setting which is very nice and wins back a small amount of respect.
8) Red - Now this is probably my own fault. Blockbuster put this movie in the horror section of their shop, obviously without even viewing it. Clearly they thought, "It has blood on the front and the name red so it must be a horror", unfortunately anything but! Its about a man whose dog gets killed and then he goes out for revenge! Sadly that revenge takes the form of a legal case (obviously since its American) and not a huge blood rampage that the cover and even to an extent the misleading bit on the back had suggested. Hmmm...
9) The Devil Wears Prada - Unfortunately for this film, they were just unlucky. It could have been one of a number of romcoms but I chose this because its probably the most generic of them all. SOOOO obvious and dull. And theres something about Anne Hathaway that I really don't like, shes just a bit wierd and I don't really get her success.
10) Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief - This film reminded me of the kind of stories I used to write when I was 10 where everything happened so quickly and the main characters just supposed to buy it. But in reality nothing happens like that. It takes Mr Jackson, the 16 or whatever year old about 2 minutes to get over his mums death, even though he then spends the rest of the film trying to get her back. It's a real shame, the plot is pretty interesting, I like the idea of Greek mythology in todays world but its just silly. The ancient mythes are all held in such generic places. Vegas, The Empire State Building, and the whole thing stinks of a Harry Potter copy. I really wasn't impressed.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
My Top 10 Films Of All Time
Ok, so here we go, I've tried to be as honest as possible even though its meant making some rather embarrasing revelations. But the thing is, a film is a very personal and intimate thing. One movie may mean everything to somebody whilst being seen as a complete waste of time by others. My favourite kinds of films are the ones with an atmosphere, something that makes me feel all nostalgic, and the ones that have decent replay value which has ensured that many of the films I've absolutely loved the first time round do not appear here because the second or third time watching them has left me unenthusiastic. The films are in no particular order and "My Top 10 Worst Films Of All Time" will be posted soon enough. Oh and remember, I wanna know what YOU think, agrees and disagrees, loads of debate! :)
1) 10 Things I Hate About You - Probably the first teen romcom movie I ever saw and thats possibly because it was one of the first to be released along with Clueless which is a much less superior film. I love the subtle comedy, much cleverer than American Pies overthetop, unrealistic laughs, and the soundtrack is great. Plus it stars Heath Ledger who is one of my favourite actors. Generally a feel good film!
2) Shawshank Redemption - Ok so I'm sorry to sound a bit cliched. I know this would probably be in most peoples top tens, but thats for a good reason. I urge everyone to see this, its a film that anyone can watch and love. Morgan Freeman is brilliant and the story is gripping.
3) Casino Royale - I've long been a James Bond fan but by Die Another Day it was getting old and overthetop. I put Casino Royales success down to its realistic (well at least more realistic) storyline, good action sequences and of course Daniel Craig who brought more character to Bond. It's a shame they couldn't do the same in his second film, Quantum of Solace was trully awful!
4) Love Actually - Yes its a romcom and yes its in my top 10. However, its different from other, extremely predictable movies where two characters hate each other, then love each other, then hate each other and finally end up loving each other, ussually in a frantic realisation and speech that takes part in the rain. Love Actually has an amazing cast, is sooo funny and generally makes you feel good, especially if you're watching it at Christmas!
5) Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl - This is an interesting one, it probably stems from my love of Disney but I think it's safe to say that what makes it is Mr Depp. He just makes it so funny. And its original too, how many decent pirate movies are out there, not a lot.
6) Ned Kelly - Now I don't genuinely think this is a film for everyone. I love this because I love the history of its main character. However for a film that is based (and I do mean based, it doesn't follow true events to the dot) on true history I think it's pretty amazing. Another film of Heath Ledgers and the music is pretty good too.
7) In Bruge - I'm hesitant about this one, I've only seen it twice but I do absolutely love it. Colin Firth is hilarious and its something about those Irish accents that is so addictive (speaking of which, Happy St Patricks Day). The humour is subtle and clever with the action adding a little extra to it too.
8) Saving Private Ryan - It's been said before and I'll say it again. No opening sequence beats this one. The true horror of D-Day sticks in everyones minds, and not just the history obsessed like me. Usually I don't like the American film industry taking all the credit for victory in WW2 (although naturally they deserve about 55% of it) but in this film they get away with it. Tom Hanks is great and Matt Damon does a sweet job too.
9) Yes Man - I surprised myself a bit with this one but for feel good factor this is an EPIC WIN! Jim Carrey does his usual Jim Carrey thing but makes it funnier than usual. Generally though, the main reason this is in here is because it really makes you think about life and everytime I watch it, for at least the next couple of days I'll find myself saying "Yes" a whole lot more.
10) Forrest Gump - This is the big one, probably my favourite film of all time. The producers achieve so much, making it funny, sad and feel good all in 2 and a half hours. But its more than that, the pace of the life story means that, with the setting changing so often, you never get bored. The little history thats woven into the plot adds to its realism and makes it much more interesting and the soundtrack is brilliant (lets face it, anything with Freebird in is!). Finally I think its safe to say Tom Hanks does an amazing job bringing a diverse and difficult role to life right in front of you.
1) 10 Things I Hate About You - Probably the first teen romcom movie I ever saw and thats possibly because it was one of the first to be released along with Clueless which is a much less superior film. I love the subtle comedy, much cleverer than American Pies overthetop, unrealistic laughs, and the soundtrack is great. Plus it stars Heath Ledger who is one of my favourite actors. Generally a feel good film!
2) Shawshank Redemption - Ok so I'm sorry to sound a bit cliched. I know this would probably be in most peoples top tens, but thats for a good reason. I urge everyone to see this, its a film that anyone can watch and love. Morgan Freeman is brilliant and the story is gripping.
3) Casino Royale - I've long been a James Bond fan but by Die Another Day it was getting old and overthetop. I put Casino Royales success down to its realistic (well at least more realistic) storyline, good action sequences and of course Daniel Craig who brought more character to Bond. It's a shame they couldn't do the same in his second film, Quantum of Solace was trully awful!
4) Love Actually - Yes its a romcom and yes its in my top 10. However, its different from other, extremely predictable movies where two characters hate each other, then love each other, then hate each other and finally end up loving each other, ussually in a frantic realisation and speech that takes part in the rain. Love Actually has an amazing cast, is sooo funny and generally makes you feel good, especially if you're watching it at Christmas!
5) Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl - This is an interesting one, it probably stems from my love of Disney but I think it's safe to say that what makes it is Mr Depp. He just makes it so funny. And its original too, how many decent pirate movies are out there, not a lot.
6) Ned Kelly - Now I don't genuinely think this is a film for everyone. I love this because I love the history of its main character. However for a film that is based (and I do mean based, it doesn't follow true events to the dot) on true history I think it's pretty amazing. Another film of Heath Ledgers and the music is pretty good too.
7) In Bruge - I'm hesitant about this one, I've only seen it twice but I do absolutely love it. Colin Firth is hilarious and its something about those Irish accents that is so addictive (speaking of which, Happy St Patricks Day). The humour is subtle and clever with the action adding a little extra to it too.
8) Saving Private Ryan - It's been said before and I'll say it again. No opening sequence beats this one. The true horror of D-Day sticks in everyones minds, and not just the history obsessed like me. Usually I don't like the American film industry taking all the credit for victory in WW2 (although naturally they deserve about 55% of it) but in this film they get away with it. Tom Hanks is great and Matt Damon does a sweet job too.
9) Yes Man - I surprised myself a bit with this one but for feel good factor this is an EPIC WIN! Jim Carrey does his usual Jim Carrey thing but makes it funnier than usual. Generally though, the main reason this is in here is because it really makes you think about life and everytime I watch it, for at least the next couple of days I'll find myself saying "Yes" a whole lot more.
10) Forrest Gump - This is the big one, probably my favourite film of all time. The producers achieve so much, making it funny, sad and feel good all in 2 and a half hours. But its more than that, the pace of the life story means that, with the setting changing so often, you never get bored. The little history thats woven into the plot adds to its realism and makes it much more interesting and the soundtrack is brilliant (lets face it, anything with Freebird in is!). Finally I think its safe to say Tom Hanks does an amazing job bringing a diverse and difficult role to life right in front of you.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
The Pilot
Hey, this is my first ever post for my first ever blog, pretty exciting! Not really sure what to say but I guess I could cover a film which everyones been talking about and has only just last week left Britains No.1 box office spot after almost 3 months. I'd like to say first and formost, Avatar gets on my nerves! Less so since it didn't win the Oscar or the Bafta for Best Picture (woop woop) which I'm overjoyed about. I don't really see why it should win just because James Cameron has used a giant budget. I'm happy to admit of course, the visuals are pretty good and I didn't even see it in 3D so I hate to think how good they are with those stupid plastic glasses on (which by the way I think are a bit of a con but undoubtedly worked in Avatar from the way everyone goes on about it). However, a film needs more than good visual effects; it needs an original plot, some gripping dialogue, an un-cliched ending, and absolutely under no circumstances blue aliens who dress like Native Americans!!! Camerons other big hit Titanic, which is the sedond largest grossing movie in the world after Avatar achieves a lot more. It actually tugs at the heart strings whereas Avatar with its inexistent blue aliens running away from an inexistent army on an inexistent planet certainly does not. Ok so theres my first rant, expect much more to come. I'm working on my top 10 and bottom 10 films of all time which I'm sure will spark an enourmous amount of controversy and debate, as I expect, this post will too. I'm sorry, I know I'm in the minority but 2 hours and 45 minutes is just too long when you've got that much blue flashing across the screen!!! Peace out, Aidan
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