1. District 9
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
3. Inglourious Basterds
4. Up
5. Drag Me to Hell
6. The Time Traveler's Wife
7. Let the Right One In
8. The Wrestler
9. Bolt
10. Frost/Nixon
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Up - review
With each passing year, Pixar produce classic after classic. And they are classic in a way that only improves with time. Watch the ones you think you're not that keen on again, and you'll be surprised at what a gem you've missed.
There's a simple way to tell if the animated film you're watching is a Pixar one. Does it make you cry? If so, it's Pixar. And this one made me cry. More than once. And not just at the end. The film's opening credits tell the story of how a young Carl meets Ellie. We then get a silent/musical montage that tells the story of their lives together, including Ellie's death. It's one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen, and is never sickly, just emotional.
The film soon finds its pace as we're introduced to the energetic Russell. And he highlights one of Pixar's true strengths. They really know how to write likeable kids. Kids in movies are frequently more irritating than adorable, yet Monsters Inc.'s Boo is utterly adorable. Even moody emo Violet in The Incredibles is watchable, rather than detestable (not to mention Dash and Jack-Jack). And here, motormouth Russell should be annoying as hell- but never is. Ditto with the young Ellie and near-mute Carl. Lovely stuff.
From here the plot kicks off and the film hits a high gear, pleasing its younger audience without alienating the adults. Some of the emotional connection may be lost, but you never lose sympathy with the characters, nor investment in the story.
The "talking" dogs are simply inspired (squirrel...............) and the laughs keep coming from the most unexpected of places.
It's almost a shame that next up from Pixar are two sequels- Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. Both are hugely welcome, but I can't wait to meet more wonderful creations from such an imaginitive studio.
I have to say, though, the 3D didn't feel as necessary here as it did in Bolt or even Toy Story. But it's a nice gimmick to give you the excuse to see it on the big screen, rather than lose out by watching it on DVD or download.
I'm not sure if Up rates as highly with me as Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo or WALL•E, but it certainly delivered on my very high expectations.
There's a simple way to tell if the animated film you're watching is a Pixar one. Does it make you cry? If so, it's Pixar. And this one made me cry. More than once. And not just at the end. The film's opening credits tell the story of how a young Carl meets Ellie. We then get a silent/musical montage that tells the story of their lives together, including Ellie's death. It's one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen, and is never sickly, just emotional.
The film soon finds its pace as we're introduced to the energetic Russell. And he highlights one of Pixar's true strengths. They really know how to write likeable kids. Kids in movies are frequently more irritating than adorable, yet Monsters Inc.'s Boo is utterly adorable. Even moody emo Violet in The Incredibles is watchable, rather than detestable (not to mention Dash and Jack-Jack). And here, motormouth Russell should be annoying as hell- but never is. Ditto with the young Ellie and near-mute Carl. Lovely stuff.
From here the plot kicks off and the film hits a high gear, pleasing its younger audience without alienating the adults. Some of the emotional connection may be lost, but you never lose sympathy with the characters, nor investment in the story.
The "talking" dogs are simply inspired (squirrel...............) and the laughs keep coming from the most unexpected of places.
It's almost a shame that next up from Pixar are two sequels- Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. Both are hugely welcome, but I can't wait to meet more wonderful creations from such an imaginitive studio.
I have to say, though, the 3D didn't feel as necessary here as it did in Bolt or even Toy Story. But it's a nice gimmick to give you the excuse to see it on the big screen, rather than lose out by watching it on DVD or download.
I'm not sure if Up rates as highly with me as Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo or WALL•E, but it certainly delivered on my very high expectations.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Toy Story 3D
The film that introduced the world not only to wholly CGI movies, but also to the mighty Pixar, has now been re-released in glorious 3D.
Needless to say, it stands up very well and whilst the 3D adds very little, it's a great excuse to see this classic again.
Knowing what was to come from Pixar in the future, Toy Story does pail by comparison- give me Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo and WALL•E over this any day- but that's really not saying much given the high standard Pixar have not only set, but have maintained and even raised.
Next year sees the 3D reissue of Toy Story 2 (out now in the US) and I, for one, can't wait.
-- Posted from my iPhone
Needless to say, it stands up very well and whilst the 3D adds very little, it's a great excuse to see this classic again.
Knowing what was to come from Pixar in the future, Toy Story does pail by comparison- give me Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo and WALL•E over this any day- but that's really not saying much given the high standard Pixar have not only set, but have maintained and even raised.
Next year sees the 3D reissue of Toy Story 2 (out now in the US) and I, for one, can't wait.
-- Posted from my iPhone
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Movies on the plane
Watching movies on a plane is never the best way to see a film. During my flights to/from Florida, there were many choices, though far too many interruptions (not to mention naps) to give any of them my full and fair attention. I started and gave up several times (The Soloist was particularly difficult to get into in this environment) but I did make it through two films.
The first was Sunshine Cleaning, a comedy drama starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, about a pair of sisters who clean up crime scenes. This one in particular is one I feel I cannot review as huge sections were missed, and no rewind meant I had to keep jumping in and out. The impression I got of the film was frankly disappointing, but I am hoping to watch it properly in the future.
The other film I saw was Year One, an historical comedy starring Jack Black and Michael Cera. I saw enough of this to say I enjoyed the first half, chuckling to myself on many occasions. Michael Cera is particularly gifted at delivering one-liners (albeit with the sane performance in every role) and provides most of the laughs. Jack Black's character was too irritating to be likeable, however, and the film certainly outstays its welcome. Once you pass the hour mark, the film starts to repeat itself, including its many celeb cameos. Then again, I may have just been tired and willing it to end so I could sleep. Or try to.
I am unlikely to rate these films on Flixster/Facebook or imdb until I've given them a fair shot, but still wanted a record somewhere that I had seen them, and what my first impressions were.
-- Posted from my iPhone
The first was Sunshine Cleaning, a comedy drama starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, about a pair of sisters who clean up crime scenes. This one in particular is one I feel I cannot review as huge sections were missed, and no rewind meant I had to keep jumping in and out. The impression I got of the film was frankly disappointing, but I am hoping to watch it properly in the future.
The other film I saw was Year One, an historical comedy starring Jack Black and Michael Cera. I saw enough of this to say I enjoyed the first half, chuckling to myself on many occasions. Michael Cera is particularly gifted at delivering one-liners (albeit with the sane performance in every role) and provides most of the laughs. Jack Black's character was too irritating to be likeable, however, and the film certainly outstays its welcome. Once you pass the hour mark, the film starts to repeat itself, including its many celeb cameos. Then again, I may have just been tired and willing it to end so I could sleep. Or try to.
I am unlikely to rate these films on Flixster/Facebook or imdb until I've given them a fair shot, but still wanted a record somewhere that I had seen them, and what my first impressions were.
-- Posted from my iPhone
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Confessions of a Shopaholic - review
OK, so we've found a rom-com that doesn't quite as much of an enthusiastic thumbs-up. But I did enjoy it.
Isla Fisher has come a long was since Summer Bay, and is certainly a very likeable presence on-screen (even in the detestable Wedding Crashers). Her slapstick comedy is not exactly on the realistic side of things though, and there's only so many deliberates (as opposed to accidents) that one can swallow over two hours.
Every single rom-com cliché is present and correct, right down the public humiliation scene. But this is no Devil Wears Prada, and I suspect even Meryl Streep couldn't rise this material above the mundane.
That said, I had fun.
6/10
Isla Fisher has come a long was since Summer Bay, and is certainly a very likeable presence on-screen (even in the detestable Wedding Crashers). Her slapstick comedy is not exactly on the realistic side of things though, and there's only so many deliberates (as opposed to accidents) that one can swallow over two hours.
Every single rom-com cliché is present and correct, right down the public humiliation scene. But this is no Devil Wears Prada, and I suspect even Meryl Streep couldn't rise this material above the mundane.
That said, I had fun.
6/10
He's Just Not That Into You - review
Another day, another romantic movie, and another positive review. Am I getting mushy or something?
Well let's clear that up.. no I'm not. But I did really enjoy this film. Nothing really original or Earth-shattering, but there were some nice characters, decent performances and surprisingly complex situations. All characters have their up sides and down sides (though Drew Barrymore's character didn't do enough to register with me).
To be honest, it felt more like a TV show- like an episode of Brothers & Sisters or something. And I mean that in a good way. If this was a pilot, I'd watch the show.
8/10
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
The Time Traveler's Wife - review
Oh how it pains me to leave out that "L".
I can be a sucker for a good love story. I can even be a sucker for a bad one. Good or bad, this one suckered me. I was curious to see how this intriguing idea was going to play out, and was very happy with the way it did. I haven't read the novel so have no idea what changes have been made, but I certainly didn't feel like I was missing anything (except, perhaps, for more of Ron Livingstone, whose "best friend" role isn't given enough screen time to develop).
I have been a big fan of Bana since "Troy" (without him, there's no reason to see it) and even liked his polarising "Hulk". Rachel McAdams should be a much bigger star than she is by now. Fantastic in "Mean Girls", "The Notebook" and the so-so "Red Eye", somehow she still isn't a household name. Hopefully the success of this film will change that.
Much has been made of the pairing of this two, but I had no problem with their chemistry (or lack thereof). They are an unlikely match age-wise, but the nature of the story makes it irrelevant.
It may not be a film I'll dash to see again soon, but am sure one day in the future will see it on a Blu-Ray shelf, think "awww" and come home with it....
9/10
I can be a sucker for a good love story. I can even be a sucker for a bad one. Good or bad, this one suckered me. I was curious to see how this intriguing idea was going to play out, and was very happy with the way it did. I haven't read the novel so have no idea what changes have been made, but I certainly didn't feel like I was missing anything (except, perhaps, for more of Ron Livingstone, whose "best friend" role isn't given enough screen time to develop).
I have been a big fan of Bana since "Troy" (without him, there's no reason to see it) and even liked his polarising "Hulk". Rachel McAdams should be a much bigger star than she is by now. Fantastic in "Mean Girls", "The Notebook" and the so-so "Red Eye", somehow she still isn't a household name. Hopefully the success of this film will change that.
Much has been made of the pairing of this two, but I had no problem with their chemistry (or lack thereof). They are an unlikely match age-wise, but the nature of the story makes it irrelevant.
It may not be a film I'll dash to see again soon, but am sure one day in the future will see it on a Blu-Ray shelf, think "awww" and come home with it....
9/10
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