Director: David Slade
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Genre: Fantasy romance
Rating: **
The third film in the film series based on the novels by Stephenie Meyer, Eclipse will be enough to please the many teenage fans of the films (and Edward and Jacob), but will most likely do nothing to please those more sceptical and aware of the poor quality of the first two films.
In this installment, Bella (Stewart) is forced to choose between dead brooding vampire Edward (Pattinson), and "I'm hotter than you" werewolf Jacob (Lautner), whilst overcoming an attack from old red-head enemy Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) and her army of newborn vampires.
Although this film is by far the best from the series so far, Stewart's acting simply refuses to improve, and we are still stuck with her universal facial expression that conveys boredness rather than anything else. Lautner's acting is no better, although it must be said that he does deliver his couple of comedic lines pretty well. In fact, it is evident that the only decent actor of the main three is Pattinson, seeming to easily portray Edward's pain and making the best scene of the movie work single-handedly - this scene is when he explains to Bella what he would have done if she had been alive when he was, and talking about courtship.
Acting aside, the script of the film has improved since the previous installment, although there were too many excruciating flashbacks, two of which were so terrible it was unbearable to watch. The only one worthwhile of being in the film was Rosalie's (Nikki Reed), and she as a character deserved more screen-time, as did the entire Cullen family. For example, Esme (Elizabeth Reaser) only had two lines in the entire film.
One of the faults in the entire of the film series, and even the book series, is that the characters are so young. For example, Jacob is meant to be sixteen, and he is already professing his undying love for Bella. Being sixteen, it is hard to believe he actually knows what love is, and it just gets annoying to hear his constant whining. This is similar with Bella (although being 18 she just about pulls it off. Or she would if she moved her eyebrows around a bit).
Speaking of constant whining though, it actually seems like the whole film is made of that, and mumbling. It does get tedious to be unable to hear what the characters are actually saying.
The painful screams of Riley (Xavier Samuel) must be commended.
Overall, a much better film than the others, but it still has a long way to go before it hits the bar of being anything more than an average film.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Tormented (2009)
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...
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...
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.
Robin Hood (2010)
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac
Genre: adventure
Certificate: 12
Rating: ***
More a prequel to the Robin Hood legend than a story of the legend itself, Robin Hood will please some and disappoint others. Many people have disagreed with the choice of Crowe as Robin Hood - however, I must point out now that, although nowhere near as good as he was in Gladiator, Crowe does a good job of proving others wrong. He is fantastic, and his on-screen chemistry with Blanchett is definitely there.
The main let-down with this film is that it simply comes across as average: good script, but not amazing; good plot, but not amazing; good cinematography, but not amazing. The characters do not really seem developed enough either - not just the main ones, but also the supporting roles. Saying that, there are many laughs in all the right places (mostly by Hood's henchmen), and this coupled with great acting performances causes this film to be something slightly more than 'average' - it makes it enjoyable to watch.
One last thing - women need to stop coming to fight in the final battles. It works with Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings, but really, Marian would not have been trained to fight, and would most likely have been killed within two minutes. In those days, it simply would not have happened.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac
Genre: adventure
Certificate: 12
Rating: ***
More a prequel to the Robin Hood legend than a story of the legend itself, Robin Hood will please some and disappoint others. Many people have disagreed with the choice of Crowe as Robin Hood - however, I must point out now that, although nowhere near as good as he was in Gladiator, Crowe does a good job of proving others wrong. He is fantastic, and his on-screen chemistry with Blanchett is definitely there.
The main let-down with this film is that it simply comes across as average: good script, but not amazing; good plot, but not amazing; good cinematography, but not amazing. The characters do not really seem developed enough either - not just the main ones, but also the supporting roles. Saying that, there are many laughs in all the right places (mostly by Hood's henchmen), and this coupled with great acting performances causes this film to be something slightly more than 'average' - it makes it enjoyable to watch.
One last thing - women need to stop coming to fight in the final battles. It works with Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings, but really, Marian would not have been trained to fight, and would most likely have been killed within two minutes. In those days, it simply would not have happened.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)