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).
Wednesday 2 June 2010
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.
What Happens in Vegas (2008)
Director: Tom Vaughan
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corrdry, Dennis Farina
Genre: romantic comedy
Certificate: 12
Rating: ***
The first thing I will mention is that romantic comedies are highly predictable. But that doesn't mean they can't be good.
What Happens in Vegas is far from the funniest film I have ever seen - however, it does have its moments (one bit I would have to include on my 'Funniest Moments' list, due to it causing tears to prick my eyes).
Kutcher really outdoes himself in this film - he portrays his character brilliantly, from his witty thinking to his laidback lifestyle. And Diaz is nearly always glorious - this is no exception.
Although the cinematography is nothing special, and the script is nowhere near as good as, say, that of Mean Girls, it definitely is something sweet and funny, if not predictable, to watch.
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corrdry, Dennis Farina
Genre: romantic comedy
Certificate: 12
Rating: ***
The first thing I will mention is that romantic comedies are highly predictable. But that doesn't mean they can't be good.
What Happens in Vegas is far from the funniest film I have ever seen - however, it does have its moments (one bit I would have to include on my 'Funniest Moments' list, due to it causing tears to prick my eyes).
Kutcher really outdoes himself in this film - he portrays his character brilliantly, from his witty thinking to his laidback lifestyle. And Diaz is nearly always glorious - this is no exception.
Although the cinematography is nothing special, and the script is nowhere near as good as, say, that of Mean Girls, it definitely is something sweet and funny, if not predictable, to watch.
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