There was a surge in 2010 with Greek Mythology in cinema. Clash of the Titans which was a poor remake of an already poor film. And there was Percy Jackson & The Lightening Thief. With Harry Potter's Chris Columbus directing, 20th Century Fox was sure he'd bring the same fun and frolics with US teen fantasy fiction as he did with UK children's fantasy.
He hit the mark.
But only just.
I had problems with Lightening Thief. There were cameos from Steve Coogan and Uma Thurman. Already mimicking the Potter way of giving parents some familiar faces. Although one problem I have when reading US teen fantasy is that a lot is far too convenient for the characters and the humour takes forever.
But Lightening Thief was passable. And obviously profitable.
So now we have Percy Jackson : Sea of Monsters (Thor Freudenthal / ODEON Cinema, Belfast). Columbus produces and leaves directing to Freudenthal.
Percy and his two chums have to search for the Golden Fleece. Within the Bermuda Triangle, which is known to Gods and Demigods as the Sea of Monsters.
CGI candy for today's teens. Acting from Twilight films. Cameos included, but only to fill the acting void.
20th Century Fox will not be progressing Jackson's adventures after this. It's dull. A classic case of;, 'If the actors don't care, why should I?'
1.5 / 5
Playlist
The Secret Life of Letters Scissor Sisters, Spade Marilyn Manson,
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Gorgeous (?) Gosling, Kute Killer, Strange Sci-fi, Loving Lesbians, Hot Heat and Amazing Alan
The latest 100 Sexiest Men from Attitude magazine has Ryan Gosling at #6.
He has been beaten by Zayn Malik from boyband One Direction at #5.
When you watch Gangster Squad (2013) you somewhat question Gosling's claim to be an actor is close to Malik's claim to be a musician. In fact so annoying was Gosling in Gangster Squad that it cast a shadow on his performance in Drive (2011) - a close to perfect film of the past few years.
Which is why a lot of folk are probably hoping a lot from Gosling teaming up with Drive's director Nicholas Winding Refn's newest release; Only God Forgives (2013 / ODEON Cinema, Belfast). Or at least for Gosling to get his shirt off.
A lot of the audience are leaving disappointed.
Gosling is Julian, a drug-smuggler working in Bangkok. When his arrogant brother is killed, his mother, Kristen Scott Thomas, insists he finds who is responsible and revenge is sought.
I liked this film.
I didn't love it.
From the restless audience that surrounded me, I knew they had their own mental checklist.
Nicholas Winding Refn = Cool soundtrack.
Not there.
Violent film in East Asia = Well choreographed fight scenes.
Not there.
Gosling = Shirt off.
Still there.
It has a slow pace. It has one man getting nailed to a chair. It has Kristen Scott Thomas playing as if Lady Macbeth's soul is coursing through her hateful veins.
What audiences may have to realise is that some directors actually get to make the film they want to make. And not the film they want to see. If we should be integral about such an art form, that's the way it has to be.
And here Winding Refn has made a beautiful film. I'm not sure I got the full jist. But that only leads me to watch it again. Most films today aren't like that.
Back when Drive was released I said that, 'Winding Refn is the David Lynch who makes sense.'
I can stand by that statement a little more strongly now. With my notion of seeing it again, I already feel like I'm onto a new Mulholland Drive (2001). Only God Forgives is an art-house film. A high-profile art-house film, but an art-house film nonetheless.
And that's a health warning that was silenced. It has folks buying tickets to see it, but it also has them walking for 'Exit' sooner than they wanted. The lesson of this film is; 'What you want and what you get are two different entities.'
8 / 10
Classy Saturday night in and on my box set recorded I have Perfume : The Story of a Murderer (2006 / BBCTWO). Based on Patrick Suskind's 'unfilmable' novel. Which I'm not sure I absorbed when I read it many years ago. So it's up to the wonderful Tom Tykwer to show and tell me all.
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born into poverty within 18th century France. But he has an unnatural gift.
He can smell.
He can determine scents of practically anything.
And then what should be a wonderful romp of seducing a nice lady and creating cutesy perfumes is then dropped the moment Jean-Baptiste murders an innocent flower seller. Then on his crooked adventures he goes to see how he can capture the scent of a beautiful female.
Ben Whishaw is adorable as the awkward and determined Jean-Baptiste - who's murders aren't always so sinister to him. I did feel he was becoming Norman Bates for a new generation. You fear you may be next, yet you can't help want to stroke him peacefully to sleep.
John Hurt has his classy voice provide the narration.
And one rare occurrence for film today.
A good film actually gets better one hour in. Mainly due to Alan Rickman showing up.
Buggered if I know if it's made a strong adaptation. All I know is that Perfume is a warming and wonderfully rural fantasy thriller. I shouldn't find it so charming due to all the death. But Whishaw is just too sweet.
10 / 10
Remember VHS? And the kind of 90's thriller you'd rent on such a format?
Well, one was on Syfy last week.
Strange Days (1995 / Kathern Bigalow) which is written by James Cameron. I sometimes wonder if he couldn't have let Kathern Bigalow write Titanic (1997) whilst he direct and not let it become the romance he couldn't get himself out off.
These Movie Dreams of mine occur often.
Ralph Fiennes uncovers a police conspiracy just before the turn of the century. Only problem is he's a hustler. But not just any type of hustler.
A dream hustler.
With his illegal technology he's able to transport recorded dreams, real and unreal, directly to the buyer's head.
Strange Days is a good movie. But it's long.
Colourful with all the 90's backgrounds. Awesome due to the grungy soundtrack - which includes Juliette Lewis singing PJ Harvey songs.
But long. So long.
7 / 10
Do lesbians get a good press?
Well they do now.
The Kids Are All Right (2010 / Lisa Cholodenko / Recorded from Channel 4) is now one of my favourites of the past five years. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening are a couple with two teenage children. Curiosity gets the better of their son and he manages to convince his older sister to attempt contact with their biological father.
Pleased that he has children, Paul played by Mark Ruffalo, shows up with his calm womanising ways and brings fun for the kids but insecurities to the female couple.
Very funny when it wants to be and hugely real and warm, Lisa Cholodenko has taken it well to put together such a film. A real joy.
9 / 10
Eugence Levy + Samuel L. Jackson
Eddie Murphy + Robert De Niro
Surely the buddy cop movie is dead?
Oh no. Here comes The Heat (2013 / Paul Feig / ODEON Cinema, Belfast).
Sandra Bullock playing the same character from Miss Congeniality (2000).
Melissa McCarthy playing the same character from Bridesmaids (2011).
Right, shall just get ready to rip it...
Oh my goodness!!
The Heat could possibly be the funniest film I've seen in years. Mark Kermode has talked about comedy films today having a number of big laughs - which if you hit, you're doing quite well. Now The Heat produces a good number of belly laughs. Or rather Melissa McCarthy does. As fun as Bullock is, I did sense she was hired because her name is still larger than McCarthy.
But the two have comedy down well. And I had many giggles throughout its foul mouthed raucous undercover behaviour.
What a load of Bullock!
8 / 10
No one can top that surely? Not one can give me more laughs this week.
Except for Steve Coogan.
Coogan has attempted to get Alan Partridge on the big screen for years. And now he's done it.
Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa (2013 / Declain Lowney / ODEON Cinemas, Belfast) sees the Norfolk Radio DJ under siege as a disgruntled ex-DJ Pat, played by Colm Meaney, takes control of the radio and holds various staff members hostage.
This may sound juvenile but the jokes in Alpha Papa are very...talky?
But very brilliant.
I wish I could repeat the jokes to you, I really do. But you must see Alpha Papa with a fresh mind. Allow Partridge's (and Lynn's) way of looking at the world really touch you again.
And make you wonder why this didn't happen sooner.
8 / 10
Playlist
Breaking the Same Old Ground Marilyn Manson, In Vein Alkaline Trio, Raging Storm Cyndi Lauper, The Hand that Feeds Nine Inch Nails, This is Halloween Marilyn Manson, Dead Presidents Jesus on Extasy, Target Audience (Narcissus Narcosis) Marilyn Manson, Are You All Right Joel McNeely, Aldebaran Enya, Dethbed Alkaline Trio, Julian Say Lou Lou, Living Death Nicholas Hooper, The Love Song Marilyn Manson, When It Rains Paramore, Crush The Smashing Pumpkins, The Beginning is the End is the Beginning The Smashing Pumpkins,
He has been beaten by Zayn Malik from boyband One Direction at #5.
When you watch Gangster Squad (2013) you somewhat question Gosling's claim to be an actor is close to Malik's claim to be a musician. In fact so annoying was Gosling in Gangster Squad that it cast a shadow on his performance in Drive (2011) - a close to perfect film of the past few years.
Which is why a lot of folk are probably hoping a lot from Gosling teaming up with Drive's director Nicholas Winding Refn's newest release; Only God Forgives (2013 / ODEON Cinema, Belfast). Or at least for Gosling to get his shirt off.
A lot of the audience are leaving disappointed.
Gosling is Julian, a drug-smuggler working in Bangkok. When his arrogant brother is killed, his mother, Kristen Scott Thomas, insists he finds who is responsible and revenge is sought.
I liked this film.
I didn't love it.
From the restless audience that surrounded me, I knew they had their own mental checklist.
Nicholas Winding Refn = Cool soundtrack.
Not there.
Violent film in East Asia = Well choreographed fight scenes.
Not there.
Gosling = Shirt off.
Still there.
It has a slow pace. It has one man getting nailed to a chair. It has Kristen Scott Thomas playing as if Lady Macbeth's soul is coursing through her hateful veins.
What audiences may have to realise is that some directors actually get to make the film they want to make. And not the film they want to see. If we should be integral about such an art form, that's the way it has to be.
And here Winding Refn has made a beautiful film. I'm not sure I got the full jist. But that only leads me to watch it again. Most films today aren't like that.
Back when Drive was released I said that, 'Winding Refn is the David Lynch who makes sense.'
I can stand by that statement a little more strongly now. With my notion of seeing it again, I already feel like I'm onto a new Mulholland Drive (2001). Only God Forgives is an art-house film. A high-profile art-house film, but an art-house film nonetheless.
And that's a health warning that was silenced. It has folks buying tickets to see it, but it also has them walking for 'Exit' sooner than they wanted. The lesson of this film is; 'What you want and what you get are two different entities.'
8 / 10
Classy Saturday night in and on my box set recorded I have Perfume : The Story of a Murderer (2006 / BBCTWO). Based on Patrick Suskind's 'unfilmable' novel. Which I'm not sure I absorbed when I read it many years ago. So it's up to the wonderful Tom Tykwer to show and tell me all.
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born into poverty within 18th century France. But he has an unnatural gift.
He can smell.
He can determine scents of practically anything.
And then what should be a wonderful romp of seducing a nice lady and creating cutesy perfumes is then dropped the moment Jean-Baptiste murders an innocent flower seller. Then on his crooked adventures he goes to see how he can capture the scent of a beautiful female.
Ben Whishaw is adorable as the awkward and determined Jean-Baptiste - who's murders aren't always so sinister to him. I did feel he was becoming Norman Bates for a new generation. You fear you may be next, yet you can't help want to stroke him peacefully to sleep.
John Hurt has his classy voice provide the narration.
And one rare occurrence for film today.
A good film actually gets better one hour in. Mainly due to Alan Rickman showing up.
Buggered if I know if it's made a strong adaptation. All I know is that Perfume is a warming and wonderfully rural fantasy thriller. I shouldn't find it so charming due to all the death. But Whishaw is just too sweet.
10 / 10
Remember VHS? And the kind of 90's thriller you'd rent on such a format?
Well, one was on Syfy last week.
Strange Days (1995 / Kathern Bigalow) which is written by James Cameron. I sometimes wonder if he couldn't have let Kathern Bigalow write Titanic (1997) whilst he direct and not let it become the romance he couldn't get himself out off.
These Movie Dreams of mine occur often.
Ralph Fiennes uncovers a police conspiracy just before the turn of the century. Only problem is he's a hustler. But not just any type of hustler.
A dream hustler.
With his illegal technology he's able to transport recorded dreams, real and unreal, directly to the buyer's head.
Strange Days is a good movie. But it's long.
Colourful with all the 90's backgrounds. Awesome due to the grungy soundtrack - which includes Juliette Lewis singing PJ Harvey songs.
But long. So long.
7 / 10
Do lesbians get a good press?
Well they do now.
The Kids Are All Right (2010 / Lisa Cholodenko / Recorded from Channel 4) is now one of my favourites of the past five years. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening are a couple with two teenage children. Curiosity gets the better of their son and he manages to convince his older sister to attempt contact with their biological father.
Pleased that he has children, Paul played by Mark Ruffalo, shows up with his calm womanising ways and brings fun for the kids but insecurities to the female couple.
Very funny when it wants to be and hugely real and warm, Lisa Cholodenko has taken it well to put together such a film. A real joy.
9 / 10
Eugence Levy + Samuel L. Jackson
Eddie Murphy + Robert De Niro
Surely the buddy cop movie is dead?
Oh no. Here comes The Heat (2013 / Paul Feig / ODEON Cinema, Belfast).
Sandra Bullock playing the same character from Miss Congeniality (2000).
Melissa McCarthy playing the same character from Bridesmaids (2011).
Right, shall just get ready to rip it...
Oh my goodness!!
The Heat could possibly be the funniest film I've seen in years. Mark Kermode has talked about comedy films today having a number of big laughs - which if you hit, you're doing quite well. Now The Heat produces a good number of belly laughs. Or rather Melissa McCarthy does. As fun as Bullock is, I did sense she was hired because her name is still larger than McCarthy.
But the two have comedy down well. And I had many giggles throughout its foul mouthed raucous undercover behaviour.
What a load of Bullock!
8 / 10
No one can top that surely? Not one can give me more laughs this week.
Except for Steve Coogan.
Coogan has attempted to get Alan Partridge on the big screen for years. And now he's done it.
Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa (2013 / Declain Lowney / ODEON Cinemas, Belfast) sees the Norfolk Radio DJ under siege as a disgruntled ex-DJ Pat, played by Colm Meaney, takes control of the radio and holds various staff members hostage.
This may sound juvenile but the jokes in Alpha Papa are very...talky?
But very brilliant.
I wish I could repeat the jokes to you, I really do. But you must see Alpha Papa with a fresh mind. Allow Partridge's (and Lynn's) way of looking at the world really touch you again.
And make you wonder why this didn't happen sooner.
8 / 10
Playlist
Breaking the Same Old Ground Marilyn Manson, In Vein Alkaline Trio, Raging Storm Cyndi Lauper, The Hand that Feeds Nine Inch Nails, This is Halloween Marilyn Manson, Dead Presidents Jesus on Extasy, Target Audience (Narcissus Narcosis) Marilyn Manson, Are You All Right Joel McNeely, Aldebaran Enya, Dethbed Alkaline Trio, Julian Say Lou Lou, Living Death Nicholas Hooper, The Love Song Marilyn Manson, When It Rains Paramore, Crush The Smashing Pumpkins, The Beginning is the End is the Beginning The Smashing Pumpkins,
Friday, 2 August 2013
Margot, Mugging and Monsters
"When Nicole is good she's terrific, but when she's bad she's horrendous," said Richard.
Nicole Kidman always gave me this impression that she's a terrific actress but was held back by Tom Cruise. To Die For (1995) is probably the only film I remember her from the 90s where she was given an edge. Whereas Batman Forever (1995) is where she makes the best of a bad situation.
When Cruise went, Moulin Rouge! (2001) and The Others (2001) came in. Strength to strength. And then with The Stepford Wives (2004), Bewitched (2005) and The Invasion (2007) she pretty much chooses to put herself into even worse situations.
So it's when I came across Margot at the Wedding (Directed by Noah Buchanan / 2007 / Recorded from Film4) I could not help but smile and be reminded of how smart she is.
Kidman is Margot, a writer from New York who is visiting her sister Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) from whom she had a falling out with previously. Her sister is getting married and Margot feels it's right to make amends. Along with her son they find themselves seeing that they are far from perfect as they start focusing on their relative's faults.
One of the many genius parts of the film is Jack Black starring as her future brother-in-law. Almost like a red herring you are led to believe that Black will soon be playing his usual self and as he doesn't, it becomes all the more bigger surprise when he finally caves in and becomes the comic-relief. But by that time you find this all the characters are so set in their ridiculous yet realistic (sometimes even familiar) ways that Black is seen as one of the more normal characters.
Noah Buchanan has made a scrumptious black comedy where the clever believe they're clever but are rarely right. Family has always been the other 'F' word. And Buchanan has reinforced this amusing notion of life.
As for Nicole. Make stinkers for the money and real movies for respect. There is a balance you have gotten right for this business.
8 / 10
"One for The Continuing Adventures of Hermione Granger," I said.
Thankfully the guy behind the ticket booth understood me.
Sophia Coppola returns to the teen genre with The Bling Ring (2013 / Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast) after denying Twilight's finale. Probably for the best.
With a true story and a Vanity Fair article to base the film on, what can wrong?
Not much to be honest. Teenage films have become stronger in the past couple of years. I don't know if the finale Twilight films has been used to help other teen movies look better, but I've notice more profound works going on. Chronicle (2012). The Hunger Games (2012). And you can add The Bling Ring to this list.
Simply The Bling Ring is a group of teenagers managing to break into houses of local celebrities. Although Emma Watson doesn't lead the group, she's probably the only recognisable face among the youths to old fuddy duddys like myself. Leslie Mann appears as the teach-at-home mother.
At one point I felt (and secretly hoped) the film would turn into, 'Spot the Celebrity'. But as it turns out Sophia Coppola is much more interested in telling a story. The young cast are great and sporting. Notably Emma Watson with an American accent. At one point I felt I was trying to spot her acting badly. But, and this arguement has been used a lot to disguise pretty actor's poor performances, it was meant to be bad and fake. There are certain gestures you can spot to know if an actor is being rubbish and Watson didn't show them. She has nailed being fake.
I only hope this isn't her being typecast.
The Virgin Suicides I would argue is Coppola's most tender film. She has fun with it. And although not as dark a subject matter, she has fun with teens mugging stars.
Funky soundtrack included.
8 / 10
As someone who thought Monsters Inc. was dull, I hesitated before walking into the screen for Monster's University (Directed by Dan Scanion / 2013 / Bangor Omniplex). Originally I was going to see The World's End but had missed the first twenty minutes.
Already I was prepared for the most inoffensive and brightly coloured film of the year.
Usually when it comes to CGI-ed cartoon films from any studio (Pixar, Dreamworks, Sony...they're all becoming irrelevant because I often think it's just one big computer lab) I wish upon wish that dark and adult humour will be subtly slipped in. Children will have their eyes fixed by wobbly characters whilst their parents will laugh at the rude jokes that can't be heard by infant ears.
But as I mention, as an old fuddy duddy, Monsters Inc. (2002) was dull to me. So I wasn't itching to catch the prequel.
I rather enjoyed it.
Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sullivan (John Goodman) are new to Monster's University, a campus full of squiggly monsters and lovable creatures. Mike has worked hard and continues to do so with academia revolved around scaring children. Sullivan on the other hand is living off his father's reputation and impresses at first, but soon starts to see that hard work is involved.
Once the University fraternities announce their Scare Games, Mike reluctantly lets Sullivan join his outcast group to compete.
The adult humour I was hankering for isn't present too much. Maybe a couple of jokes, but nothing too strong. With that failing me, I found myself laughing more at visual jokes. Spoken humour was too American and I wondered if many children outside of the US would get such jokes. Or even understand the concept of University life.
Maybe I was just hoping for a kiddie friendly version of National Lampoon's Animal House (1978).
6 / 10
PLAYLIST :
The Good Soldier Nine Inch Nails, Water Shows the Hidden Heart Enya, Get Back The Beatles, (Life in the Arctic) Kill Hannah, The Game Lacuna Coil, Journey to the Cave Nicholas Hooper, Here Comes the Sun The Beatles, Empty Sounds of Hate Marilyn Manson, Clowns t.A.T.u, Get Your Gunn Marilyn Manson, The Songs That Saved Me Kill Hannah, Procession Alexandre Desplat, Afraid Nelly Furtado, The Saltwater Room Owl City, Death Note Soundtrack, Monsters Paramore, Dance Magic Dance David Bowie
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Quartet (2012)
Directed by Dustin Hoffman
Starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith
While teenage girls are lapping up their latest Glee-like copy Pitch Perfect, perhaps there should be another film for the more refined audience.
And here it is. Dustin Hoffman, waving his hard-to-work-with reputation to the side and getting on with the crowd at BBC Films. Here he selects a few of the well established British actors and gives them a fuzzy ITV drama story.
Jean (Smith) is a new arrival at a retirement home for musicians. Because of her ongoing diva like attitude, she finds it difficult to settle. But not so much as Reginald (Courtenay) who finds her appearence a shock and distraction. Mainly because the two were married previously.
But as they find a way to move around the awkwardness, it turns out the retirement home is under threat of closure. It can be saved. However Jean will need to be convinced to join her ex-husband to sing at a gala event that can raise substantial funds.
Warm hearted from the beginning, funny lines from every member of the cast and a sorrowful look at the reality that eventually, we could all get old. The film is beautiful.
But it's Pauline Collins who gets the special mention. She's beautiful, charming and sweet as Cissy. Maggie Smith may have the guts but it's Collins who has the cushions. May she be noticed for this. By BAFTA at least.
4 out of 5
If you like this you should try
The Queen (2006)
Starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith
While teenage girls are lapping up their latest Glee-like copy Pitch Perfect, perhaps there should be another film for the more refined audience.
And here it is. Dustin Hoffman, waving his hard-to-work-with reputation to the side and getting on with the crowd at BBC Films. Here he selects a few of the well established British actors and gives them a fuzzy ITV drama story.
Jean (Smith) is a new arrival at a retirement home for musicians. Because of her ongoing diva like attitude, she finds it difficult to settle. But not so much as Reginald (Courtenay) who finds her appearence a shock and distraction. Mainly because the two were married previously.
But as they find a way to move around the awkwardness, it turns out the retirement home is under threat of closure. It can be saved. However Jean will need to be convinced to join her ex-husband to sing at a gala event that can raise substantial funds.
Warm hearted from the beginning, funny lines from every member of the cast and a sorrowful look at the reality that eventually, we could all get old. The film is beautiful.
But it's Pauline Collins who gets the special mention. She's beautiful, charming and sweet as Cissy. Maggie Smith may have the guts but it's Collins who has the cushions. May she be noticed for this. By BAFTA at least.
4 out of 5
If you like this you should try
The Queen (2006)
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