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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)