Thursday 8 September 2011

MOVIE REVIEW: FRIGHT NIGHT (3D) (15)

"GOOD ENOUGH REMAKE"
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Fright Night is a comedy horror vampire film is Directed by Craig Gillespie (same guy that brought us Mr. Woodcock, 2007). A Teeneger guesses that his new neighbour Jerry is a vampire and is responsible for a string of reent deaths. When nobody believes him, he finds a self proclaimed vampire killer and Las Vegas magician, to help take down Jerry. Its Starring Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant, Imogen Potts, Toni Collette, Lisa Loeb, Dave Franco & Sandra Vergara.

#Fact: This is a remake of the 1985 original.


#Fact: In the early stages of development, Heath Leadger was considered for the role of Jerry. But this was prevented when he passed away in January 2008.


THE REVIEW:
When i watched the trailer it actually looked good. Colin Farrell didn't look too bad as a vampire and the everything else looked like it was working well with the setting of the film. (so far so good)


HMMM... When i got to watch this film i found it hard to really get engaged until about half way through it. Its meant to be funny but i caught limited LOL's (awkward). The whole neighborhood scenes looked like one big set, but as soon as Jerry started doing some killing that's when this remake really kicked into gear and caught my attention. (im actually thankful it did) I just wished they didn't waste so much time trying to build characters in a film like this, i mean the audience come to watch a film like to see people killed so why was the director wasting time trying to make us care for them. (i mean they are going to die aren't they?) 


This is better than the original but i think that's because the resources they had back then is not the same as they had now. (watch this version) The films got the routine type storyline, but because people have not seen a film like this in a long time i think they will enjoy it for what it is. Its mildly entertaining, not the scariest horror but the 3D & special effects actually show well in some scenes so i guess that's a bonus. I hated all the night/dark scenes, it was ever so hard to tell what was going on. Some not so good cinematography there. I would have like this version to be bit more gritty, it only has one or two memorable moments i can remember of the top of my head. It needed more suspense build ups.


Colin Farrell actually tried his best, but im not sure how many people will like him as this character, Yelchin, Tennant Mintz-Plasse, Collete & Potts all pulled off good performances.
OVERALL: Better Than Expected But Still Not That Great.
STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2.5
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ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:
The scene where Jerry (Farrell) starts digging into his neighbours garden to find their gaspipe.
(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)
TRAILER:

Wednesday 7 September 2011

MOVIE REVIEW: FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (12A)

"BEST WAY TO DATE SOMEONE"
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Friends With Benefits is a romantic comedy film Directed by Will Gluck (same guy that brought us Easy A, 2010). While trying to avoid the cliches of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan & Jamie soon discover that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications. Its Starring Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Nolan Gould, Woody Harrelson, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Emma Stone, Jenna Elfman, Andy Samberg, Brian Greenberg & Masi Oka.

#Fact: Jason Segel, Shaun White & Rashida Jones all have cameos in this film.

#Fact: No Strings Attached & Friends With Benefits were both filmed at around about the same time.

THE REVIEW:
Before i even saw the trailer and saw the name of this film i said to myself... "isn't this just another version of No Strings Attached?" you know, that film with Natalie Portman & Aston Kutcher. Was the world about to have the world longest case of Dejavu? (film does run for 109minutes) O well looks like this has now become a competition on which film is best and which two front actor/actress made the cutest couple. Portman & Kutcher or Kunis & Timberlake. (ladies feels free to leave comments)


I watched this film and i was expecting for me to come and rant about how "if you've seen one you've seen them all" but nope i wont. This film has the type of structure you would expect but you get much more than that. Its funny, cute, entertaining and the two lead do more than enough. It's all about Jamie (Kunis) & Dylan (Timberlake). The two work extremely well together and the chemistry on screen is plain and clear to see, they make such a lovely couple. They ooze out lots of energy & emotions, it will make  everyone fall in like with their characters persona's from the word go. Director Gluck went and got as much as he could out of the story and really pushed it as far as it could go.


The sex scenes are actually funny and quite raunchy to watch (tried their best not to turn it into a porno lol) and it will makes you want to have a go and find a relationship like they started off with. It takes all rom coms ever made and just goes raw with it. (lots of nakedness) They say things people wouldn't normally say to each other, that's the only thing that kinda set it apart from other films in the same genre. Even though i still could tell how it would end, this film is a worth the cinema price. The more they kept saying they were friends the less it actually meant, i could see the relationship before they realized it, the story really paces well. Women will just love this and men (some) will also enjoy it, its just your typical cliche love story.


Ever since Mr. Timberlakes brilliant performance in The Social Network i have recently started to rank him as a very good actor. Mrs Kunis also does such a great job as the love interest, she is a very sexy lady. 
OVERALL:  Much Better Than No Strings Attached. (yeah i said it)
 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5: 3.5
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ONE FAVOURITE LINE IN THE FILM:
Jamie: "why don't they ever make movies about what happens after the big kiss" Dylan replies: "they do, its called porn"
ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:
The first 45minutes of the film.
 (if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)
TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: COLOMBIANA (15)

"GOOD ENOUGH ACTION FLICK""
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THE REVIEW:
@JeffAllenHammer
Luc Besson is a well-known writer of several cult classics, and action films including Taken, The Transporter (all films), Unleashed, La Femme Nikita, The Big Blue and The Fifth Element. There's little doubt that Besson's best work both as director and writer is Leon: The Professional, or as it's become known, The Professional. The Professional helped launch the careers of Jean Reno, Natalie Portman and Gary Oldman and is an IMDb top 300 
film. 


Colombiana is in many ways similar to The Professional. Colombiana has a young Cataleya (Amandla Stenberg) witness her parents' deaths. The Professional has a young girl named Mathilda (Natalie Portman in her first feature film) come home from grocery shopping -for her dysfunctional family- and find everyone, including her 4-year old brother, dead. Mathilda walks right by her apartment, to the apartment of Leon, who happens to be a hit-man. Cataleya makes her way to Chicago(from South America) and her uncle Emilio's home, he happens to set up hits for a iving. Both men are eventually persuaded to teach the young girls the ways of an assassin. This is pretty much where the similarities end however, which is unfortunate for Colombiana Olivier Megaton directs Colombiana. His name is appropriate; there is a mega-ton of action (with little flare) and a mega-ton of scantily clad Zoe Saldana (with little reason.) 


Saldana deserves better than this film. She had a strong performance as Uhura in Star Trek and backed it up with a terrific performance as Princess Neytiri in Avatar. She is more than capable of being the action star this film needed her to be, unfortunately it squandered her abilities by leaving scenes on the table. There were scenes in which we simply cut out large portions of action to instead focus on ludicrous stealth sequences. For instance, there is a scene where Cataleya must infiltrate a mansion, in which she winds up in a (somewhat unconventional) pool. The scene would have had great promise with stronger writing, but there are too many questions about the scene. For one, unless she somehow drilled into the pool from beyond the fat-cat's property, how did she get in it? Second, did she really gain anything by being in the pool? It's not like the pool extended into the mansion. It really seemed like the movie equivalent of Shaggy and Scooby Doo leaping in the window to unlock the door, then leaping back out the window to enter via the door. It didn't make sense. I don't mind movies pushing the envelope or stretching the imagination. 


The problem with Colombiana is it's not bold enough to be considered true b-movie fare, but too cheesy and focused on a never-ending striptease to be considered much else. Cataleya's boyfriend (Michael Vartan) tries to add a sense of normalcy to the film but their interactions actually tended to add to the awkwardness, at one point I wondered if they had ever spoken to one another. The film itself isn't entirely terrible, but the story lags and the action sequences just aren't up to par for a film whose main concern is the action. If all you're going to do is shoot stuff up, at least shoot it up real good.
 
STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5: 3 
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TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: APOLLO 18 (15)

"GOOD IDEA ON PAPER BUT LOOKED HORRIBLE ON SCREEN"
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Apollo 18 is a Science Fiction Horror film Directed by Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego (This is Lopez-Gallego's first English Language film). Decades old found footage from NASA's abandones Apollo 18 mission. Where two american astronauts were sent on a secret expedition. It reveals the reason the U.S has never returned to the moon. Its Starring Lloyd Owen, Warren Christie & Ryan Robbins.


#Fact: This film is shot in a mockumentary found footage style, supposedly of the lost footage of the Apollo 18 mission that was only recently discovered.

THE REVIEW:
Anyone who watched the trailer would be intrigued & want to see this film. It leaves the mind with questions of what the 18th Apollo mission actually was, exactly what happened & was it even real.


OH NO... i went to watch this film and i really wished i didn't, it oh so boring. (im surprised i didn't fall asleep) This is meant to be a horror type film?. DO ME A FAVOUR *yawns*. All this talk of there's a reason NASA has never been back to the moon and this is what they had on offer as the excuse?. This is one of them waste of time, waste of money type films. The way the film is shot does not help (not a fan of the camera work) and neither does the storyline. This is something you expect to see on television not the cinema.


Surprise Surprise this film has aliens and unfortunately for the Director these creatures are nothing you haven't seen before. I have seen have seen much better. The set and the acting is okay (i guess) the whole thing just never took off as a whole. A terrible film that resembles the Blair Witch Project. i think i will just leave this review here. (im bored even writing about it) 
OVERALL: TERRIBLE!
STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  1
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ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:
?
(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)
TRAILER:

Monday 5 September 2011

MOVIE REVIEW: THE ART OF GETTING BY (12A)

"LITERALLY USING ART TO GET BY"
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The Art Of Getting By is a romantic comedy film Directed by Gaven Wiesen (same guy that brought us the short film Kill The Day, 2008). George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it to his senior year without ever having done a real day or work, is befriended by Sall, a popular bu complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit. Its Starring Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Alicia Silverstone, Rita Wilson, Blair Underwood, Elizabeth Reaser, Sam Robards, Michael Angarano, Marcus Carl Franklin & Sasha Speilberg.
THE REVIEW:
I watched this movie and i only really enjoyed half of how it was layed out on screen but loved more how everything fitted nicely around the front man George (Highmore). Remember little Charlie from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory?. Well here is he (much older now of course) as this odd teenager that we follow around as his life takes turns and we see what makes him tick.


The world today as we know it is a fast paced environment to live, so slowing down everything to focus on this character who asks things like: "Whats the point of it all, nobody gets out alive anyway." Questions like that set the mood straight away for an engaging and rather interesting movie. It makes the audience want to know what his future actions are going to be. (menace to society or just becoming a lonely zoner)


George makes this movie everything it is because teenagers his age will be to relate to him. He takes on life, art, love, hate and having the ability of believing in yourself to achieve anything. As a whole the acting is brilliant and so is the setting. The lovey duvy connection on screen is heartfelt and cute to watch. Highmore is a wonderful actor and so is his love interest Sally (Roberts). I also liked the fact we have met or seen people like George in our everyday life, this just gives a proper insite into their mindframe. 


The people he meets & the experiences he goes through all come out well but the problem with this film is the substance in the script. Half way through it starts to lose its flavor (rapidly) and becomes too predictable. I started to feel like i knew how it would end. I wanted George to really come out his shell and just go crazy with life before calming down etc... but it just takes that calm & psychological approach (too conventional maybe?)
OVERALL: Good Enough Night In Movie.
STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  3
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ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:
The scene where George wakes up from a hangover at Sally's house.
(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)
TRAILER:

Thursday 1 September 2011

TRAILERS: ALL THE FILMS OUT IN CINEMA THIS SEPTEMBER (2011)

THIS MONTHS RECOMMENDED MOVIES ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN RED.

·           SEX & ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY (3D) (18) (IN CINEMA 2ND SEPTEMBER)
·           APOLLO 18 (15) (IN CINEMA 2ND SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RGhKzUUaME
·           THE ART OF GETTING BY (12A) (IN CINEMA 2ND SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tueRW54vj4Y
·           FRIGHT NIGHT (3D) (15) (IN CINEMA 2ND SEPTEMBER)
·           KILL LIST (18) (IN CINEMA 2ND SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqkqF--v1tg
·           A LONELY PLACE TO DIE (15) (IN CINEMA 7TH SEPTEMBER)
·          COLOMBIANA (IN CINEMA 9TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC0Scelnt7A
·           FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH SEPTEMBER)
·          JANE EYRE (PG) (IN CINEMA 9TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8PLpXvhtlc
·           TROLL HUNTER (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH SEPTEMBER)
·          BIG FAT GYPSY GANGSTER (15) (IN CINEMA 14TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT5EI8nFYeY
·           30 MINUTES OR LESS (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
·           ATROCIOUS (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiJuXTGpFxI
·           THE CHANGE UP (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
·           I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7FXdEy7CAY
·           MAUSAM (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
·           TINKER TAYLOR SOLDIER SPY (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TvdqRvCwGg
·           WEST SIDE STORY (IN CINEMA 16TH SEPTEMBER)
·           PEARL JAM TWENTY (IN CINEMA 20TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSp1YVGqw1Y&ob=av2e
·           CRAZY STUPID LOVE (12A) (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
·           DRIVE (18) (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK30uyEvRGo
·           KILLER ELITE (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
·           PAGE ONE: A YEAR INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTMFXgf95c
·           SPEEDY SINGHS (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
·           TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL (15) (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjmhuYgZrow
·           WARRIOR (12A) (IN CINEMA 23TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwgG6OfW7Yo
·           ABDUCTION (IN CINEMA 28TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5k7ECYZ-ds
·           THE BOY MIR - TEN YEARS IN AFGHANISTAN (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqSCqXA6u7Q
·           THE DEBT (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFp28r9sqUw
·          MELANCHOLIA (15) (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
·           RED STATE (18) (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOvbSKO6SMM
·           RED WHITE & BLUE (18) (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
·           SHARK NIGHT (3D) (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULybKyCjhnA
·           WHATS YOUR NUMBER? (15) (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKL-yt4F0B0
·           THE WOMAN (IN CINEMA 30TH SEPTEMBER)
TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9wuB3xAIc4