Avatar - review

Predictable, cliched and absolutely fantastic.
There's a lot to sneer at here, should you choose to do so- but it would absolutely be a choice, and one that is more to do with yourself than the film.
Despite lacking the emotional connection I had with Titanic, the film still drew me in with its interesting premise- basically Aliens meets Pocahontas- and a lot of this is down to Zoe Saldana's performance as Naitiri, one of the most alluring characters in recent memory. If the CGI hadn't convinced you before you meet her, she certainly will.
Even Michelle Rodriguez is likeable here, and Sam Worthington is oddly far more charasmatic in his Avatar body than in his real one. Sigourney Weaver is awesome as always, stealing the scene with her very first line, Giovanni Ribisi manages to out-worm Paul Reiser's Carter Burke (from Aliens), and Stephen Lang simply makes you wonder why you haven't heard of him before.
But the true stars of the show are the visuals. James Cameron proves he is indeed King of the World; not Earth, but Pandora. This is Up's Paradise Falls turned up to 111. We again see the beautiful bioluminescence he first showed us in The Abyss, and the blues, whites and pinks have never looked bluer, whiter or pinker.
The 3D is the clearest I've ever seen, no trace of ghosting here, even on an unforgiving IMAX screen, where this film truly must be seen.
I could go on and on, but believe the hype, the critics are right- go see this film. Move over, Peter Jackson- James Cameron is back.


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Avatar - IMAX 3D

Bad news, people- Cardiff IMAX has shitty sound quality. At least if you sit in a back corner, anyway. The sound mix was off, and a lot of dialogue was lost. At £18 for a Gallery seat, I'm not happy. Maybe it was the screen's first night jitters, but I know it wasn't just me. Their 3D was the best I've ever seen, however.
As a result, I'm saving my proper verdict/review until I see it again tomorrow- in a different cinema, hopefully with fully audible dialogue.
I will say it's brilliant- but isn't quite the evangelical experience I'd hoped for. It's just a film, albeit a very VERY good one.
However. I spent a great deal of the film confused. Not the plot, it's very straight-forward and even predictable. What I don't get is why sniffy arthouse-loving critics are loving this film. It wasn't as emotional as Titanic and there's a lot to be sneered at here, should you opt for that approach. No matter how gobsmacking the technical achievements are (and they truly are) I don't see what critics get here that forgives it the tirade of abuse hurled at other blockbusters. I don't know why this concerned me so much, but it did.
With this constantly in my mind, I felt confused and distracted (not to mention partially deaf) throughout- none of which was any of the film's fault. The more I think of it, the better it gets. But in a way, I wish I'd seen more 3 or 4 star reviews beforehand. I'd recommend you avoid trailers, reviews, spoilers... as by the time I was in my seat there weren't many surprises left. At least tomorrow this won't be an issue, and I can just enjoy the film for what it is. Hopefully!


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Location:Odeon, Cardiff Bay

Review - Paranormal Activity

Brilliant in a Blair Witch/REC kind of way. The scares come mostly from your own imagination, and the minimal special effects are perfect, and perfectly used. The lead characters were sympathetic, if a bit dumb at times, but I spent a large amount of the film on the edge of my seat, feeling my heart beat in my throat. No mean feat, believe me. The only time I was pulled out of the reality to feel that I was watching a fictional film was the OTT ouija board scene. Other than that, good job.

Review - The Merry Gentleman

I'd never heard of this film until I was at the box office, and the synopsis sounded interesting. The film itself is something of a curiosity. Slow and steady, bordering on creepy- I think it would have benefitted by being set 50 years ago, as I found Kelly McDonald's character far too naive and trusting. The plot was mostly predictable, but the film was atmospheric enough to make the journey worthwhile. Great performances, though, in a film next to nobody will see.

The Top 10 Best Films of 2009 (so far) - updated

1. District 9
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
3. Up
4. 2012
5. Inglourious Basterds
6. Drag Me to Hell
7. The Time Traveler's Wife
8. Let the Right One In
9. The Wrestler
10. Bolt

Just two weeks until Avatar... Will it make the list?

2012 - review

I like smart, touching, intelligent, thought-provoking films. But I also love a good action blockbuster, and no-one does an action blockbuster like Roland Emmerich. (Let's just forget 10,000 BC ever happened, okay?)
Look at the CV. Did you snooze through Stargate? Tut through Independence Day? Clench your fists through Godzilla? Roll your eyes through The Day After Tomorrow? If you're a yes to all of the above, then move along, there's nothing to see here. If, however, you could see the films for what they were, i.e. mindless action fodder (not to mention great fun) then you're going to love this.
It's the latest Roland Emmerich action blockbuster about the end of the world, and all that that implies. You know what you're getting, and boy do you get it.
If you don't like McDonald's, don't eat there and then complain the food was crap. Same principle here.
I can understand a sniffy critic being forced to watch this, hating every one of its 150 minutes. But if you're a paying punter and complain about what you get here- the problem's not with the film, it's with you. This delivers everything it promises, with a cherry on top. If you're expecting another Grosse Point Blank, you're not superior in your disdain, you're just a f***ing idiot.
10/10