Drama
Review by Jon
Enjoyable - Rating out of 100 - 65
I would like to have taken the 45 minutes of extra time that Inception should never have had and the entire run time of the Expendables, (did I mention those films were crap?) and allocated both to extending Lymylife.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and could have happily watched it for another 2 hours. It's difficult to say why I enjoyed it so much as there are no characters to strongly like, or dislike, nothing especially eventful happens, (for a film anyway) and it's not particularly profound. (unless i missed something).
It's just a subtle story about people living in suburbia making a mess of their lives and muddling through.
Great script brings out the best in a good cast. Effortlessly engaging.
Highly recommend - left me wanting more!
Saturday 18 September 2010
Red
Drama
Review by Jon
'Watchable' - Rating out of 100 - 30
Straight to DVD. It had all the potential of being rubbish, but instead did well to take a trite plot and make it 'OK' to watch.
Sadistic, troubled small town rich kid (representing all that is wrong with society) shoots nice old man's dog for fun while impressing his friends. Nice old man is war veteran widower who stands for truth and justice.(representing all that's right with society)
Watch the cheese ooze out of your DVD player as it tries to read the disk.
However, for such a deliberately corny plot and the predictable events the film offers, it saves itself by being well acted, the dialogue is good and consequently the film remained quite believable.
A 'middle of the week' movie, take it or leave it.
Review by Jon
'Watchable' - Rating out of 100 - 30
Straight to DVD. It had all the potential of being rubbish, but instead did well to take a trite plot and make it 'OK' to watch.
Sadistic, troubled small town rich kid (representing all that is wrong with society) shoots nice old man's dog for fun while impressing his friends. Nice old man is war veteran widower who stands for truth and justice.(representing all that's right with society)
Watch the cheese ooze out of your DVD player as it tries to read the disk.
However, for such a deliberately corny plot and the predictable events the film offers, it saves itself by being well acted, the dialogue is good and consequently the film remained quite believable.
A 'middle of the week' movie, take it or leave it.
Fear Island
Thriller
Review by Jon
Rating out of 100 - 0
On the DVD case it said - ´will appeal to fans of Shutter Island' - why, because it's set on an island?
Moronic - as was the film.
I can't be bothered to say anything more, only...
...Do not watch this rubbish
Review by Jon
Rating out of 100 - 0
On the DVD case it said - ´will appeal to fans of Shutter Island' - why, because it's set on an island?
Moronic - as was the film.
I can't be bothered to say anything more, only...
...Do not watch this rubbish
Dying Breed
Thriller / Horror
Review by Jon
Good - Rating out of 100- 55
If the idea of being butchered to death by merciless half-wits scares you, then so will the film!
Set on the remote, wild island of Tasmania which has the sinister history of escaped convicts who turned to cannibalism to survive while on the run.
Two couples, (all of whom deserve to die) go on a 'camping trip' to investigate the disappearance of one of the girl's sisters some eight years ago. They arrive to a small hamlet where they encounter the usual threatening inbreds from whom you know 'no good will come'.
Even with the 'Scooby Doo' formula...they never stay together when they should... they upset the locals as soon as they get there, .. and so on, the film generates good tension all the way through and maintains its grisly potential right to the end.
Good - Much better than many with an almost identical theme . Watch as couple or with pillow to hand.
Review by Jon
Good - Rating out of 100- 55
If the idea of being butchered to death by merciless half-wits scares you, then so will the film!
Set on the remote, wild island of Tasmania which has the sinister history of escaped convicts who turned to cannibalism to survive while on the run.
Two couples, (all of whom deserve to die) go on a 'camping trip' to investigate the disappearance of one of the girl's sisters some eight years ago. They arrive to a small hamlet where they encounter the usual threatening inbreds from whom you know 'no good will come'.
Even with the 'Scooby Doo' formula...they never stay together when they should... they upset the locals as soon as they get there, .. and so on, the film generates good tension all the way through and maintains its grisly potential right to the end.
Good - Much better than many with an almost identical theme . Watch as couple or with pillow to hand.
Sunday 5 September 2010
Man Bites Dog
Black Comedy
Review by Jon
Very Good - Rating out of 100 - 85
If you are a film aficionado then this film is a must see - a bit a of cinematic history.
Not for the faint hearted I must say.
It's shot in the style of a documentary camera crew who follow the exploits of a cavalier, extrovert, deranged serial killer who thoroughly enjoys, and takes great pride in, indiscriminately executing and disposing of tens of victims in a manner that can only be describes as 'matter of fact' and informal.
This concept alone makes the film hilarious, (at least at the beginning) as you find yourself laughing at the most cruel, pshycotic behaviour - which in turn only makes it more funny because you know you shouldn't - rather like laughing in church or at a funeral.
Look out for the scene in which 'Ben' ( the principal character), charms his way in to an old lady's flat under the pretence of conducting a film about the elderly living alone - my favourite.
My only criticism is that while it starts out as a shocking, original comedy, the comedy so obvious in the beginning seams to fade until it arrives to a point when it simply becomes quite grim and macabre and then finally a little grey.
It's a shame that the directors felt it necessary to make so gruesome in places, it could have done with more comedy throughout and less hyper-realism.
However, its rare that you 'split your sides' laughing, and this film certainly delivers in places.
Highly recommend this, but you'll require a warped sense of humour.
Friday 3 September 2010
Inception
Action/ Psychological Thriller?
Review by Jon
Poor - Rating out of 100 - 30
In a word - boring. I'll explain more in just a mo. Before I do though, I would like to comment on all the publicity surrounding this mess of a film.
The film is poor, and the producers know this. This has led to an interesting media tactic to convince the public that if on seeing the film one is left less than impressed, it's not because the film is badly made, its because it's highly complex , and guess what, that's right, you have to go and see it again!!
Please do not be taking in by all those with a commercial agenda who are trying to pursued you through the 'power of suggestion' that this film is good - the film is just poor.
Furthermore, it's not that complex, it has an ambiguous ending, (big deal) but the rest is fairly easy to follow.
The film might have been better had it been 45 minutes shorter. There are many, many tediously long scenes, which are not only too long, but boring because you know what's going to happen and you find yourself just waiting for the scenes to conclude so the film itself can progress too.
Action scenes are second rate, with a fair few looking like they were copied straight from an 80s Bond movie.
Overall concept is dull and does not create any drama, because unlike the Matrix, the alternate reality in which the film's characters find themselves is artificial and self induced, as are the consequences.
Boring - you may well fall asleep and find your dream is far more interesting than the film!
Thursday 2 September 2010
Synecdoche, New York
Comedy
Review by Jon
Excellent! - Rating out of 100 - 90
This is a rare treat for grown-ups.
It's a marvelous, intelligently written comedy using a highly original and complex concept. A real work of art, I can only imagine the effort that went into the script.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman is superb as a distressed, neurotic, perfectionist full of self loathing and perceptive introspection.
He is so flawed and miserable he's a sheer pleasure to watch.
Don't watch this when you're tired, this is a film that requires concentration, and appreciation.There are so many great lines that it's easy to miss some, probably needs to be watched twice - I intend to.
Excellent! Highly recommend this - perfect for Woody Allen fans
Review by Jon
Excellent! - Rating out of 100 - 90
This is a rare treat for grown-ups.
It's a marvelous, intelligently written comedy using a highly original and complex concept. A real work of art, I can only imagine the effort that went into the script.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman is superb as a distressed, neurotic, perfectionist full of self loathing and perceptive introspection.
He is so flawed and miserable he's a sheer pleasure to watch.
Don't watch this when you're tired, this is a film that requires concentration, and appreciation.There are so many great lines that it's easy to miss some, probably needs to be watched twice - I intend to.
Excellent! Highly recommend this - perfect for Woody Allen fans
Piranha 3D
Horror/Comedy
Review by Jon
Crap - Rating out of 100 - 5
No need to see this film - just think of title... think how bad it could be...and there you have it - only worse!
The only reason I give this film a 5 is, well, what did I expect?
The only noteworthy aspect of this film is how it unashamedly mixes gratuitous carnage with soft porn - in the SAME SCENES!
Watch as a tortured body, complete with exposed spine and severed legs, is hauled from the water by screaming spouse while in the background a speedboat passes by with a hot 'babe' on board, bending over for the camera, begging to be 'taken from behind'.
This film re-defines bad cinema and bad taste.
Oh yes, 3D, as usual, adds no value to your viewing experience.
Do NOT become a Victim of Piranha 3D
Review by Jon
Crap - Rating out of 100 - 5
No need to see this film - just think of title... think how bad it could be...and there you have it - only worse!
The only reason I give this film a 5 is, well, what did I expect?
The only noteworthy aspect of this film is how it unashamedly mixes gratuitous carnage with soft porn - in the SAME SCENES!
Watch as a tortured body, complete with exposed spine and severed legs, is hauled from the water by screaming spouse while in the background a speedboat passes by with a hot 'babe' on board, bending over for the camera, begging to be 'taken from behind'.
This film re-defines bad cinema and bad taste.
Oh yes, 3D, as usual, adds no value to your viewing experience.
Do NOT become a Victim of Piranha 3D
The Dinner Game
French Comedy
Review by Jon
Very Good - Rating out of 100 - 65
This film is the original French film from which the new Hollywood movie 'Dinner for Schmucks' is copied.
(I've not yet scene 'Dinner for Scmucks', although from the trailers it does not look great, but I could be wrong.)
This original however, was very enjoyable. It's really a play, adapted for cinema, and for that reason the dialogue is great.
The underlying amusement for the film is this clinically ruthless, yet in a strange way, elegant concept of the socially sophisticated French upper class having no qualms about unequivocally branding certain 'others' as 'idiots' and then suffering their company for their own amusement.
Most of the film is very good, it repeats a few gags a bit too often, but in general it's a thoroughly enjoyable, escalating farce.
Well worth a watch if you want a laugh
Review by Jon
Very Good - Rating out of 100 - 65
This film is the original French film from which the new Hollywood movie 'Dinner for Schmucks' is copied.
(I've not yet scene 'Dinner for Scmucks', although from the trailers it does not look great, but I could be wrong.)
This original however, was very enjoyable. It's really a play, adapted for cinema, and for that reason the dialogue is great.
The underlying amusement for the film is this clinically ruthless, yet in a strange way, elegant concept of the socially sophisticated French upper class having no qualms about unequivocally branding certain 'others' as 'idiots' and then suffering their company for their own amusement.
Most of the film is very good, it repeats a few gags a bit too often, but in general it's a thoroughly enjoyable, escalating farce.
Well worth a watch if you want a laugh
Inglorious Bastards
Comedy/Action
Review by Jon
Rating out of 100 - 40
I couldn't work this film out -
- was it a thinly veiled compliment to German efficiency, or an unintentional backhanded compliment to the 'tougher' side of the Jews. Or perhaps both?
- was it all directed by Tarentino, or did he just have a hand in some of the better scenes while a temp took charge of all the rest?
The film is sometimes brilliant, and at other times atrocious. It's like watching two films at the same time.
This is most obvious when comparing the terrible casting and performance of Brad Pitt with the excellent casting and performance of Christopher Waltz.
The film is well worth watching if only for the scenes in which Christopher Waltz appears. He plays a lead member of the Gestapo, and some of the interrogation scenes are nothing short of MASTERPIECES.
Watch the film, but forward wind all scenes that don't include Christopher Waltz.
Review by Jon
Rating out of 100 - 40
I couldn't work this film out -
- was it a thinly veiled compliment to German efficiency, or an unintentional backhanded compliment to the 'tougher' side of the Jews. Or perhaps both?
- was it all directed by Tarentino, or did he just have a hand in some of the better scenes while a temp took charge of all the rest?
The film is sometimes brilliant, and at other times atrocious. It's like watching two films at the same time.
This is most obvious when comparing the terrible casting and performance of Brad Pitt with the excellent casting and performance of Christopher Waltz.
The film is well worth watching if only for the scenes in which Christopher Waltz appears. He plays a lead member of the Gestapo, and some of the interrogation scenes are nothing short of MASTERPIECES.
Watch the film, but forward wind all scenes that don't include Christopher Waltz.
Stuck
Thriller
Review by Jon
Watchable - Rating out of 100 - 40
I have a feeling that like so many USA made films this was a poor copy of a much better original, made in another country. (let me know if an original exists)
Anyway - the film just scrapes through as 'watchable' because of its original concept and it does move along at a reasonable speed.. However, the problem with it is that many of the events that take place and how the characters behave is often not at all credible.
In addition, it fails to provide any 'likable' characters. Even the guy stuck in the windscreen of the car is such a prat it's difficult to have any sympathy for him.
If you're 'stuck' for something to watch, it's OK, you can do worse.
Review by Jon
Watchable - Rating out of 100 - 40
I have a feeling that like so many USA made films this was a poor copy of a much better original, made in another country. (let me know if an original exists)
Anyway - the film just scrapes through as 'watchable' because of its original concept and it does move along at a reasonable speed.. However, the problem with it is that many of the events that take place and how the characters behave is often not at all credible.
In addition, it fails to provide any 'likable' characters. Even the guy stuck in the windscreen of the car is such a prat it's difficult to have any sympathy for him.
If you're 'stuck' for something to watch, it's OK, you can do worse.
Breathless - Korean Version
Hard Hitting Drama
Review by Jon
Very good - Rating out of 100 - 80
Many Korean films are tedious (perhaps not for Koreans) but I often find they try too hard to deliver deep meaning into films where it's just not necessary or appropriate. Example, you rent/buy a film because you want to see a good shoot-em-up or action, but find its loaded with slow drawn-out scenes about nothing and unsophisticated morals that just get in the way of the blood and guts you want to see.
Although Breathless does follow this description to a degree, it is simply very, very well made and you'll find yourself enjoying it for the excellent dialogue and its remarkably credible characters.
I can't remember seeing another film in which every character is so well defined through casting and dialogue. Right down to bit parts. The 'boss' of the lead character, (you'll see who I mean) is 100% spot on.
Give the film at least 20 minutes, the only danger in the beginning it that you may be inclined to think that all bad language is merely an unimaginative way to give the film and its characters some street cred, get past this understandable misconception and you'll soon find this is not the case at all, and that you'll be completely engrossed in the story as I was.
Excellent! Go and rent this film you won't be disappointed
Review by Jon
Very good - Rating out of 100 - 80
Many Korean films are tedious (perhaps not for Koreans) but I often find they try too hard to deliver deep meaning into films where it's just not necessary or appropriate. Example, you rent/buy a film because you want to see a good shoot-em-up or action, but find its loaded with slow drawn-out scenes about nothing and unsophisticated morals that just get in the way of the blood and guts you want to see.
Although Breathless does follow this description to a degree, it is simply very, very well made and you'll find yourself enjoying it for the excellent dialogue and its remarkably credible characters.
I can't remember seeing another film in which every character is so well defined through casting and dialogue. Right down to bit parts. The 'boss' of the lead character, (you'll see who I mean) is 100% spot on.
Give the film at least 20 minutes, the only danger in the beginning it that you may be inclined to think that all bad language is merely an unimaginative way to give the film and its characters some street cred, get past this understandable misconception and you'll soon find this is not the case at all, and that you'll be completely engrossed in the story as I was.
Excellent! Go and rent this film you won't be disappointed
The Expendables
Type - Action
Review by Jon Cooper
Utter crap. Rating out of 100 - 0
Review by Jon Cooper
Utter crap. Rating out of 100 - 0
Naturally, I was expecting nothing more than a simple Hollywood shoot-em-up movie, complete with the usual stereotypical bad guys, tough guys, cool guys, sexy girl and of course corrupt, evil foreign dictator waiting to be overthrown by a crack team of American mavericks.
Nothing wrong with this kind of movie, some are really very good.
Nothing wrong with this kind of movie, some are really very good.
However, in every respect this film is appalling. Bad guys weren't that bad, tough guys not that tough, girl not that sexy, etc, etc.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that this film was offensively bad - with zero effort put into direction, dialogue or action scenes.
Even Jason Statham, (who can usually make even the poorest concept for a film look good - think Transporter), came out looking like a chump.
Considering this was probably Stallone's exit from cinema ( and I sincerely hope it is as he now looks so 'jacked up' on steroids he actually looks worse than Mickey Rourke) one would have thought that at least it would have had some money spent on it in the obvious areas - not so.
Considering this was probably Stallone's exit from cinema ( and I sincerely hope it is as he now looks so 'jacked up' on steroids he actually looks worse than Mickey Rourke) one would have thought that at least it would have had some money spent on it in the obvious areas - not so.
Low budget garbage. Do NOT waste your money finding out that you agree with me.
Four Lions
Type - Comedy
Review by Jon
Excellent - Rating out of 100 - 85
This film is FUNNY & CLEVER - which is a difficult combination to get right.
Great dialogue, humour and comedic timing.
It's both superbly understated and slap-stick.
The film bravely takes a difficult theme and expertly turns it into a super comedy.
Brilliant! - Definitely watch this film
Review by Jon
Excellent - Rating out of 100 - 85
This film is FUNNY & CLEVER - which is a difficult combination to get right.
Great dialogue, humour and comedic timing.
It's both superbly understated and slap-stick.
The film bravely takes a difficult theme and expertly turns it into a super comedy.
Brilliant! - Definitely watch this film
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