And what can be said about this? It's very difficult to enter into a film like Superman with its 400th reincarnation, but I tried to do exactly that, blanking out the much loved humour existant in the older films, forgetting who or what Zod was/is, and all the other things we've learned to love about Superman over the years.
I think what Zack Snyder has done with toughening Clark up, giving him a rugged background and challenging strife through his childhood was good, but I'm not entirely sure that enough time was spent building that backstory, and it was a little bit simple in the way it lays the breadcrumbs out that are then followed through as the film goes on.
It lends quite a lot from recent blockbusters, and even not so recent with some scenes reminiscent of Independence Day, Transformers, and Iron Man.
Either way, as an alone, I quite liked the new take, and look forward to seeing what they do with the next one, and as such....7.7!
film opinions
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Thursday, 27 June 2013
Piggy - 7.1 : iMDB
I'd almost forgotten i'd watched this film! That's not to say it's a bad film, just I didn't watch it at home.
It's yet another gritty British thriller that tries to present opportunities for self reflection, and tries to push the boundaries of the acceptable.
I actually quite liked it, but the ending was a little bit flat, and in the sense of the movie didn't make a lot of sense....or perhaps it did thinking about it, make your own mind I guess, because i'd recommend watching it, partially because it's a British film, but it's a simple view.
It's bumped up to 7.1 for the homegrown nature.
It's yet another gritty British thriller that tries to present opportunities for self reflection, and tries to push the boundaries of the acceptable.
I actually quite liked it, but the ending was a little bit flat, and in the sense of the movie didn't make a lot of sense....or perhaps it did thinking about it, make your own mind I guess, because i'd recommend watching it, partially because it's a British film, but it's a simple view.
It's bumped up to 7.1 for the homegrown nature.
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
The Man From Earth - 8.7 : iMDB
Now this is a film for the ages, and definitely one people should take in repeatedly. I don't often watch films twice, but i've been meaning to watch this one again for a while.
It essentially revolves around a man that's leaving his job, to move to a new location, and tries to avoid a leaving party but is ambushed at his home as he's packing. The story goes through tearing apart popular belief, challenging preconceptions, and gives a fantastic alternate view on life.
I recommend it to all, and most definitely pay attention all the way through, as absolutely every word matters.
It gets a whopping 8.7, because while the story is fantastic, the visualisation is probably slightly lacking.
It essentially revolves around a man that's leaving his job, to move to a new location, and tries to avoid a leaving party but is ambushed at his home as he's packing. The story goes through tearing apart popular belief, challenging preconceptions, and gives a fantastic alternate view on life.
I recommend it to all, and most definitely pay attention all the way through, as absolutely every word matters.
It gets a whopping 8.7, because while the story is fantastic, the visualisation is probably slightly lacking.
Killing them Softly - 6.9 : iMDB
I was hoping for really good things from this film, it looked like it would have a great story with some worthwhile life lessons.
What I found was something very different, a big cast with a lazy story. Don't get me wrong, it's alright, but it's just not quite what I was hoping for!
Brad Pitt does a decent job and has an important role to play and the film unravels, many words for words sake though.
I've given it a 6.9, as I'm not sure it quite justifies a 7! Take it in if you like Brad.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Fast & Furious 6 - 7.2 : iMDB
I'm not a huge fan of the Fast and Furious films, probably because while I did enjoy the first one, because it was different, fast cars, and had some good entertainment, the rest have simply failed to turn up, I mean, Tokyo Drift? Please!
Saying that, there have been a couple of decent other ones, and I have continued to watch them. This one brings back the big cast, and has Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson on the same team, fighting together in certain scenes, that's not something to be baulked at!
Gotta say, there was some real entertainment, good chases, races, and a tank. There's a plane with a ridiculously long runway, but all in all it's put together in good humour, and suited perfectly for the kind of film I needed at the time.
I won't rate it too highly though, and it gets a 7.2, which for an F&F, is pretty good in my books.
Saying that, there have been a couple of decent other ones, and I have continued to watch them. This one brings back the big cast, and has Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson on the same team, fighting together in certain scenes, that's not something to be baulked at!
Gotta say, there was some real entertainment, good chases, races, and a tank. There's a plane with a ridiculously long runway, but all in all it's put together in good humour, and suited perfectly for the kind of film I needed at the time.
I won't rate it too highly though, and it gets a 7.2, which for an F&F, is pretty good in my books.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Premium Rush - 7.1 : iMDB
Well this was a surprise! I went through the Sky Anytime list and added a bunch of films, and this was one of them.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has long been one of my favorites, with a little-known film called Brick being my favorite of his lot.
Anyway, back to this one! It starts Levitt as a bike messenger with a taste for danger, and has a good take on a fairly standard dirty cop, wrong time wrong place story. Saying this, it's quite a good take, with a nice view of the difficulties of bike messengers! (Can't for a moment think that it's all true!)
There's a bit of love, a bit of danger, and a sob story to go with it.
It's not brilliant, but some of the 'effects' are quite good, and it's definitely worth a watch.
It gets a 7.1, so go ahead and watch it!
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has long been one of my favorites, with a little-known film called Brick being my favorite of his lot.
Anyway, back to this one! It starts Levitt as a bike messenger with a taste for danger, and has a good take on a fairly standard dirty cop, wrong time wrong place story. Saying this, it's quite a good take, with a nice view of the difficulties of bike messengers! (Can't for a moment think that it's all true!)
There's a bit of love, a bit of danger, and a sob story to go with it.
It's not brilliant, but some of the 'effects' are quite good, and it's definitely worth a watch.
It gets a 7.1, so go ahead and watch it!
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Broken City - 6.6 : iMDB
I've been sat pondering what to write about this for a few minutes, and actually, i'm still not sure, but here goes!
It has me thinking a lot about Wahlbergs direction talents, and it kind of gives me the feeling that he wants to create something big, with huge impact, that has some great story behind it, but he once again comes up just a little short.
While the story was quite good, it didn't differ enough to make it hard hitting. Films like Four Brothers and perhaps Contraband come to mind...
It starts extremely slowly, builds up quite well, and then has a somewhat muddy finish. While i'm at it, Zeta Jones is awful, and Russell Crowe, this isn't Gladiator.
Disappointed in what it could have been, but not enough to give it a sub-6.
Worth a watch if there's nothing else on, or if for some reason you have a crush on Wahlberg!
It gets a 6.6.
It has me thinking a lot about Wahlbergs direction talents, and it kind of gives me the feeling that he wants to create something big, with huge impact, that has some great story behind it, but he once again comes up just a little short.
While the story was quite good, it didn't differ enough to make it hard hitting. Films like Four Brothers and perhaps Contraband come to mind...
It starts extremely slowly, builds up quite well, and then has a somewhat muddy finish. While i'm at it, Zeta Jones is awful, and Russell Crowe, this isn't Gladiator.
Disappointed in what it could have been, but not enough to give it a sub-6.
Worth a watch if there's nothing else on, or if for some reason you have a crush on Wahlberg!
It gets a 6.6.
Retreat - 7.2 : iMDB
After finishing this i'm ashamed to say I stopped it and resumed it the following day, not because of the film, but because of visiting friends!
It's taught me a few things, firstly, don't judge a film until the absolutely final scene, they're as important as any, and sometimes define the entire scenery.
The other important one, Jamie Bell really is fantastic. I've now downloaded and watched his entire back catalogue and I can't say there's been any that have really disappointed me!
So on to the film, well, unexpectedly I actually really enjoyed it, it pulls and pushes you left and right, tries to grab emotions and puts the cast in awkward positions.
I'd recommend watching it - but make sure that you have time, and that you're in the right frame of mind, as you'll need to pay attention!
It gets a 7.2.
It's taught me a few things, firstly, don't judge a film until the absolutely final scene, they're as important as any, and sometimes define the entire scenery.
The other important one, Jamie Bell really is fantastic. I've now downloaded and watched his entire back catalogue and I can't say there's been any that have really disappointed me!
So on to the film, well, unexpectedly I actually really enjoyed it, it pulls and pushes you left and right, tries to grab emotions and puts the cast in awkward positions.
I'd recommend watching it - but make sure that you have time, and that you're in the right frame of mind, as you'll need to pay attention!
It gets a 7.2.
Saturday, 15 June 2013
After Earth - 6.2 : iMDB
I guess there are limits to Will Smiths talents!
I went to see this at the cinema last night (Friday), having briefly seen the dismal 4.8 rating it's received on iMDB, and the lingering thoughts that in reality, this was just Will wanting to boost Jaden Smiths profile, and his CV.
It starts out really very slow, and ultimately the premise of the film is very simple, a traditional boy becomes man, forges relationship with estranged father, etc, etc.
The world they've created was an interesting one but nothing really that far-fetched, and I think they probably could have spent a bit more time on it, with the film coming in at a mere 1h 40m, but having massive special effects.
I'm not going to go on too long, so i'll just end with the simple summary: don't bother.
I've given it a 6.2, because it's not awful, but if you want the story, there's many others that do it better, and if you want the effects, then again, many more around. The bonus is that Big Willy Smith is in it.
I went to see this at the cinema last night (Friday), having briefly seen the dismal 4.8 rating it's received on iMDB, and the lingering thoughts that in reality, this was just Will wanting to boost Jaden Smiths profile, and his CV.
It starts out really very slow, and ultimately the premise of the film is very simple, a traditional boy becomes man, forges relationship with estranged father, etc, etc.
The world they've created was an interesting one but nothing really that far-fetched, and I think they probably could have spent a bit more time on it, with the film coming in at a mere 1h 40m, but having massive special effects.
I'm not going to go on too long, so i'll just end with the simple summary: don't bother.
I've given it a 6.2, because it's not awful, but if you want the story, there's many others that do it better, and if you want the effects, then again, many more around. The bonus is that Big Willy Smith is in it.
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Gangster Squad - 7.6 : iMDB
This film has a significant cast, and when I first spotted it coming out, I was hoping for big things!
If you haven't looked already, it's about an undercover team of cops trying to take down a mob boss by crushing his operations, rather than him personally, and is based loosely on a true story. The cast includes two of my current top 5 in Ryan Gosling and Michael Peña, as well as an old favorite in Josh Brolin, and the up and coming Emma Stone.
When the film started I wasn't too impressed with some of the scenery and the way it was being set up or laid out, but as the film went on I started to feel my way in to it more, with Gosling and Brolin playing two very good parts, and Pena having a small but rewarding part too.
In the end I think while they've taken quite a lot of creative license with the story, and put quite a lot of Hollywood in to it, it's actually not so bad, and it comes together quite nicely, if not a bit stuffed with some poor montaging!
Either way, give it a watch and see what you think. I've given it a 7.6.
If you haven't looked already, it's about an undercover team of cops trying to take down a mob boss by crushing his operations, rather than him personally, and is based loosely on a true story. The cast includes two of my current top 5 in Ryan Gosling and Michael Peña, as well as an old favorite in Josh Brolin, and the up and coming Emma Stone.
When the film started I wasn't too impressed with some of the scenery and the way it was being set up or laid out, but as the film went on I started to feel my way in to it more, with Gosling and Brolin playing two very good parts, and Pena having a small but rewarding part too.
In the end I think while they've taken quite a lot of creative license with the story, and put quite a lot of Hollywood in to it, it's actually not so bad, and it comes together quite nicely, if not a bit stuffed with some poor montaging!
Either way, give it a watch and see what you think. I've given it a 7.6.
Saturday, 1 June 2013
Savages - 8.0 : iMDB
I read the description of this film over and over again but couldn't for the life of me remember why I had it to watch..but of course it was a recommendation from a friend who raved about it.
And they weren't mistaken, I hadn't realised the cast involved in this film, but if you look there's some heavy hitters in waiting. And they don't really disappoint, although Aaron Taylor-Johnson who I must admit I've new seen before, plays his part very well.
This is a story of eroding personalities, changing fortunes, and love at its best. I really enjoyed it, and didn't notice it was over 2hours long, which is always a good thing!
I would say it's a film you should definite watch, so add it to your lists!
I've given it an even 8, in opposition to iMDBs paltry 6.5!
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