Monday 23 February 2009

Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem

Director; Colin & Greg Strauss
Starring; Steve Pasquale
Genre; Action
Year; 2007
Release; UK

After the debacle that was AVP, I couldn't believe that the franchise could get any worse. AVPR does its level best to prove me wrong. I can be arsed no more, it's utter fucking rubbish, and that's all I can be bothered to say on it.

There Will Be Blood

Director; Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring; Daniel Day Lewis
Genre; Drama
Year; 2007
Release; UK

Much heralded drama, about an 'Oil-man' in early 20th century America. Lewis got an Oscar for his role, and you can see why, his acting is nothing short of superb. The cinematography is great too, really giving a feel for the period and setting. All the ingredients for an absolute classic. Such a pity it's all so fucking boring. [chris rock] Yea! I said it!! [/chris rock]. It seems like it's building to something, and this feeling, coupled with the great acting, keeps you watching. Then it ends. I know the rest of the world thinks this is an all time great, but it does little for me.

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Princess

Director; Anders Morganthaler
Starring; Thure Lindthart
Genre; Drama/ animation
Year; 2006
Release; UK DVD Tartan

Interesting little film this, from Denmark. Mostly animated, there are live action parts set into it. The story revolves around a Missionary returning home, to find his porn star sister has died. Taking her child into his care, he sets about discovering her fate. The shots involving the sister are the live action bits. While not explicit, some of the subject matter is not for the faint hearted. Neat little flick this.

[Rec]

Director; Jaume Balaguero
Starring; Manuela Velasco
Genre; Horror
Year; 2007
Release UK DVD Contender

Recently remade as Quarentine, in the USA. This is the Spanish made original. It's a camera-view type thing, involving a news reporter, trapped in an apartment building. I haven't been scared by a film since I was about 8, but if you do get scared by them, this will do it. Nice tension, and some good gore splats, this is a nifty little flick. Oh, and the dago bird is cute as hell.

Deadwood (TV series)

Director; Various
Starring; Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant
Genre; Drama/ Western
Year; 2004-2006
Release; UK DVD boxset

Another telly series, but wooo, what a series. Portraying the west like no other series before, this is great stuff. Typically HBO, so not for kids. Dare I say it? better than The Sopranos? would be, if it had a decent ending. Tragically short lived, it needs finishing properly.

The Sopranos (TV series)

Director; Various
Starring; James Gandolfini, Edie Falco
Genre; Drama
Year; 1999-2007
Release UK DVD

Ok, not a movie, I know, but wholly responsible for me not watching any for about 3 months. Having missed the series on TV (shock!) I got it on DVD. Thought I'd better watch it, as everyone keeps banging on about it. They're right too, awesome, just awesome. Can't think of much else to say really. Watch it, a TV is not a TV until it has shown The Sopranos.

American Gangster

Director; Ridley Scott
Starring; Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe
Genre; Drama
Year; 2007
Release; UK

More true life gangsta shit. This time it's Frank Lucas, who built up a huge, independant, drug empire, in 70's Harlem. Fairly gritty, in it's attempt to be realistic, showing the corruption of the law, and all the other complexities that such an endevour would involve. Some think it's slow, but I found it compelling. Crowes cop, while basically good, aint whiter than white either. Heartily recommended.

McVicar

Director; Tom Clegg
Starring; Roger Daltry, Adam Faith
Genre; Drama
Year; 1980
Release UK

John McVicar was a nasty piece of work. Armed robber, gangster and all round shithouse. This is his story. Sort of.. Told in a very sympathetic, and rather rose-tinted style, Daltry plays him as a loveable cockney rogue. Centred around his escape, and subsequent re-capture, from prison, and despite its twisting of the truth, it's actually a decent film. It's the closest Daltry ever came to actually acting, and well worth a watch.

Platoon

Director; Oliver Stone
Starring; Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Defoe
Genre; War
Year; 1986
Release UK

Sheen is the raw recruit, sent for his year in 'nam. Showing him as he changes, due to the things he is exposed to out there. A truely gripping war film this, one of the best films to be made about the subject. Definatly one to be seen.

300

Director; Zack Snyder
Starring; Gerard Butler
Genre; Action
Year; 2006
Release; UK Cable.

A telling of the battle of Thermopylae, where a handful of Spartans took on a few thousand Persians. One which takes 99% of the known facts and chucks 'em in the bin. Ok, Hollywood is famous for such things, so lets not let things like Leonidas being a general, not a king, cloud the issue here. Or, the fact that the battle was just that, a battle, during a war of many battles. Here, it's the war in itself. And we won't mention the Spartans tendancies towards paedophilia.... Anyway, this film is great. It's all overblown, and heavily stylised, but it's on no account meant to be taken seriously. Brain off, sit back, enjoy.

The Devil Rides Out

Director; Terence Fisher
Starring; Christopher Lee, Charles Gray
Genre; Horror
Year; 1968
Release; UK Hammer Collection Boxset

It's Hammer time! One of the British low budget Horror factories better efforts. Devil worshipping cults, Christopher Lee, upper class English, it's all the right ingredients for a rare old time. Damn good fun, as long as you don't take it too seriously. The only real let down is, if it had been made a couple of years later, there would have been nudity in it, ah well, can't have everything.........

The Dark Knight

Director; Christopher Nolan
Starring; Chritian Bale, Heath Ledger
Genre; Action/ Thriller
Year; 2008
Release; UK

I haven't seen the reboot, Batman Begins, as I was sick to death of the godawful films before it. So I had no idea really how some the characters were being portrayed. I will have to watch it now. This is a great piece of action cinema, no two ways about it. Bales portrayal of the main guy is a new take, and pretty damn good. I especially like Caines Alfred, hinting at a past that may not be too auspicious, I like that. Obviously, the big talking point is Ledgers Joker. It is a very good update on the character, and certainly good fun to watch. He'll probably get the Oscar for it, but I can't help thinking would everyone in such awe, if he was still alive? Still a must see though, and a lesson in how to make a blockbuster movie.

In Bruges

Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring; Colin Farrel, Brendan Gleeson
Genre; Drama/ black comedy
Year: 2008
Release; UK

I'm not Mr Farrels greatest fan, so I approached this with some trepidation. I was pleasantly suprised. A darkly funny tale, of Irish hitmen, hiding in Bruges. I found Farrel to be quite watchable, with many funny lines. The film moves along nicely, for the type it is. The only real letdown is the ending, it's crap. Other than that though, well worth seing.

Doing some more

Back with some reviews. I kinda forgot, couldn't be arsed etc.... but let's see if I can remember what I've been watching