Director: Jon Wright
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, April Pearson, Dimitri Leonidas, Calvin Dean, Tuppence Middleton
Genre: Horror/comedy
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
A witty script mixed with perfect acting from actors all relatively unknown (excluding Pettyfer) creates a refreshingly interesting experience in horror comedies. It captures the different attitudes of various school crowds - from the uncaring, bullying 'popular' group, to the girl who is willing to drop her true friends in order to become more popular herself.
The horror element is absolutely brilliant - with way too much gore involved, making the film hilarious in a more...ridiculous way. The actor playing Mullet is great to bring on the chills - as the film goes on, you start to genuinely fear him and his psychopathic revenge spree.
A horror film for teenagers? Definitely. But also for adults. Who wouldn't want to see pencils shoved into someone's brain, or an amputated hand? And even those aren't the worst...
Showing posts with label 15. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 15. Show all posts
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)
Director: Michael Lehmann
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Paulo Costanzo
Genre: romantic comedy
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
A romantic comedy always follows the same layout - boy meets girl, fall in love, something separates them for awhile, one apologises, finally get together, etc. This is no different, other than that it extends the 'something separates them...' part over three different 'somethings'. This perhaps is unnecessary, but at least it separates this film from all the other romantic comedies out there.
Yes, this film is charming in a sexual, occasionally vulgar way, but it is also laugh-out-loud funny and a relatively realistic display of a couple falling in love. Without the sex. Hartnett's peformance is genius, from his awkwardness to his various states of arousal. The plot is exceptional - using Lent to give up all sexual contact for 40 days, but unfortunately meeting who is most probably 'The One' during that time.
My one main criticism is the CGI - flying over mountains of breasts should look relatively realistic (the flying part - the cartoon-like visuals of the breasts did, for some reason, work pretty well).
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Paulo Costanzo
Genre: romantic comedy
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
A romantic comedy always follows the same layout - boy meets girl, fall in love, something separates them for awhile, one apologises, finally get together, etc. This is no different, other than that it extends the 'something separates them...' part over three different 'somethings'. This perhaps is unnecessary, but at least it separates this film from all the other romantic comedies out there.
Yes, this film is charming in a sexual, occasionally vulgar way, but it is also laugh-out-loud funny and a relatively realistic display of a couple falling in love. Without the sex. Hartnett's peformance is genius, from his awkwardness to his various states of arousal. The plot is exceptional - using Lent to give up all sexual contact for 40 days, but unfortunately meeting who is most probably 'The One' during that time.
My one main criticism is the CGI - flying over mountains of breasts should look relatively realistic (the flying part - the cartoon-like visuals of the breasts did, for some reason, work pretty well).
The Edge of Love (2008)
Director: John Maybury
Starring: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys
Genre: romantic drama
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
Firstly, this film is probably not for fans of poet Dylan Thomas - they would probably not be impressed with this film, as he is portrayed as a weak, selfish man.
However, the plot, which in some cases may be slightly too complex for a romantic drama, does drive the film forwards, with some fantastic acting from Knightley and Miller. Set over a long period of time in the second world war, you can easily see the relationships and characters develop throughout the film, but it would be nice to have the main one (between Knightley and Murphy) have a bit more screentime. As it was, it would have been unlikely for Knightley's character to forgive Murphy's as easily as she did. Again, towards the end, the reaction of Dylan Thomas (Rhys) when Vera (Knightley) confronted him about taking her husband to court perhaps should have been made more simple to understand that he was refusing her plea.
Although the plot does lack some simplicity, it does serve to keep the audience interested and enjoying the film, and that is mostly all that matters.
Starring: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys
Genre: romantic drama
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
Firstly, this film is probably not for fans of poet Dylan Thomas - they would probably not be impressed with this film, as he is portrayed as a weak, selfish man.
However, the plot, which in some cases may be slightly too complex for a romantic drama, does drive the film forwards, with some fantastic acting from Knightley and Miller. Set over a long period of time in the second world war, you can easily see the relationships and characters develop throughout the film, but it would be nice to have the main one (between Knightley and Murphy) have a bit more screentime. As it was, it would have been unlikely for Knightley's character to forgive Murphy's as easily as she did. Again, towards the end, the reaction of Dylan Thomas (Rhys) when Vera (Knightley) confronted him about taking her husband to court perhaps should have been made more simple to understand that he was refusing her plea.
Although the plot does lack some simplicity, it does serve to keep the audience interested and enjoying the film, and that is mostly all that matters.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
1408 (2007)
Director: Mikael Håfström
Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
Genre: horror
Certificate: 15
Rating: **
Although adapted from what is probably a great Stephen King novel (I cannot say for sure, having not actually yet read it), 1408 displays little of the charm of King's writing.
Cusack's acting is the centre of the film - without him, I doubt I would have even given it two stars. His delightfully cynical and seemingly carefree character gives all the laughs available.
1408 definitely does have its chilling moments, but these generally occur when he first enters the room. Towards the end, the scares seem to become forced rather than being natural, causing them to have much less of an effect.
Overall, although it has its moments, this film comes across as slightly silly - especially the ending, which could have been much more clear.
Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
Genre: horror
Certificate: 15
Rating: **
Although adapted from what is probably a great Stephen King novel (I cannot say for sure, having not actually yet read it), 1408 displays little of the charm of King's writing.
Cusack's acting is the centre of the film - without him, I doubt I would have even given it two stars. His delightfully cynical and seemingly carefree character gives all the laughs available.
1408 definitely does have its chilling moments, but these generally occur when he first enters the room. Towards the end, the scares seem to become forced rather than being natural, causing them to have much less of an effect.
Overall, although it has its moments, this film comes across as slightly silly - especially the ending, which could have been much more clear.
American Pie (1999)
Director: Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz
Starring: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott
Genre: teen comedy
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
A hilariously disgusting teenage comedy, suitable for girly sleepovers or even family viewing (if you are close to your family, that is).
Although the script itself is not the best, and neither are the directors (New Moon and The Golden Compass ring a bell, anyone?), this film still serves to be absolutely brilliant. From its sick yet remembered 'apple pie moment' to the simplicity of falling in love for the first time, this film will keep you amused and wanting more. And even wanting the main guys to use girls and get laid.
For me, the two cast members who stand out in this film are Eugene Levy, and Eddie Kaye Thomas. Levy's perfect awkwardness of being a father is easily portrayed, especially with his excruciating father-son talks about sex and masturbation. Thomas' more pretentious yet believable character, aptly nicknamed 'Shit Break', and his accidental seduction of Stifler's Mom simply cause the audience to fall in love with his charm. The best thing about this film is the actors' abilities to make each moment their own.
A teenage classic.
Starring: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott
Genre: teen comedy
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
A hilariously disgusting teenage comedy, suitable for girly sleepovers or even family viewing (if you are close to your family, that is).
Although the script itself is not the best, and neither are the directors (New Moon and The Golden Compass ring a bell, anyone?), this film still serves to be absolutely brilliant. From its sick yet remembered 'apple pie moment' to the simplicity of falling in love for the first time, this film will keep you amused and wanting more. And even wanting the main guys to use girls and get laid.
For me, the two cast members who stand out in this film are Eugene Levy, and Eddie Kaye Thomas. Levy's perfect awkwardness of being a father is easily portrayed, especially with his excruciating father-son talks about sex and masturbation. Thomas' more pretentious yet believable character, aptly nicknamed 'Shit Break', and his accidental seduction of Stifler's Mom simply cause the audience to fall in love with his charm. The best thing about this film is the actors' abilities to make each moment their own.
A teenage classic.
Monday, 2 November 2009
All the Real Girls (2003)
Title: All the Real Girls
Year: 2003
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Shea Whigham, Patricia Clarkson
Genre: Romantic drama
Certificate: 15
Rating: **
I decided to watch this film after seeing Zooey Deschanel in (500) Days of Summer, and, fancying a romance, this seemed like the film to watch.
Although the plot (and script) of the film is interesting, the way in which it is presented just does not work. I hasten to add that the second-half of the film is much better than the first, however it seems like some scenes are only put in there to make the films seem more beautiful, and have nothing to do with driving the plot forwards. The characters are hard to understand, and, although probably a more realistic take on love than a lot of films, they tend to be slightly boring.
I'm not saying the whole film is bad - the second half, and the acting, is good, it's just the way the film is that makes it not work.
Year: 2003
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Shea Whigham, Patricia Clarkson
Genre: Romantic drama
Certificate: 15
Rating: **
I decided to watch this film after seeing Zooey Deschanel in (500) Days of Summer, and, fancying a romance, this seemed like the film to watch.
Although the plot (and script) of the film is interesting, the way in which it is presented just does not work. I hasten to add that the second-half of the film is much better than the first, however it seems like some scenes are only put in there to make the films seem more beautiful, and have nothing to do with driving the plot forwards. The characters are hard to understand, and, although probably a more realistic take on love than a lot of films, they tend to be slightly boring.
I'm not saying the whole film is bad - the second half, and the acting, is good, it's just the way the film is that makes it not work.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Black Water
Title: Black Water
Year: 2008
Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Starring: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda
Genre: Survival, horror, thriller
Certificate: 15
Rating: **** (awesome)
Black Water is similar in style to Open Water, in the fact that it is basically a bunch of people attempting to survive a deadly creature, with no means of contacting anybody to help. I expecting Black Water to be dreary, predictable, and cheesey. However, as soon as the film starts, you immediately start to like it due to its fantastic soundtrack and cast. Although the cast are not well-known, they definitely have talent, and I look forward to seeing them in other films.
Two sisters, and one of their partners, decide to go on a fishing trip, before their boat is over-turned by a viscious and hungry crocodile who immediately kills their guide. The three protagonists camp out in a tree, with no supplies and no means of escape. The crocodile also returns regularly to the source of food, and they have to devise a way to get back to their boat without being eaten, get the engine working, and sail back to the mainland.
The film has extremely good effects, keeps you perched on the edge of your seat, has you shouting at the TV screen, and your pulse racing against Usain Bolt. It is a completely non-cheesey, serious, and somewhat devastating film that will make you value your family and friends, and (most likely) fear crocodiles.
Year: 2008
Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Starring: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda
Genre: Survival, horror, thriller
Certificate: 15
Rating: **** (awesome)
Black Water is similar in style to Open Water, in the fact that it is basically a bunch of people attempting to survive a deadly creature, with no means of contacting anybody to help. I expecting Black Water to be dreary, predictable, and cheesey. However, as soon as the film starts, you immediately start to like it due to its fantastic soundtrack and cast. Although the cast are not well-known, they definitely have talent, and I look forward to seeing them in other films.
Two sisters, and one of their partners, decide to go on a fishing trip, before their boat is over-turned by a viscious and hungry crocodile who immediately kills their guide. The three protagonists camp out in a tree, with no supplies and no means of escape. The crocodile also returns regularly to the source of food, and they have to devise a way to get back to their boat without being eaten, get the engine working, and sail back to the mainland.
The film has extremely good effects, keeps you perched on the edge of your seat, has you shouting at the TV screen, and your pulse racing against Usain Bolt. It is a completely non-cheesey, serious, and somewhat devastating film that will make you value your family and friends, and (most likely) fear crocodiles.
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