And the 8th film of the weekend...there's nothing quite like an impromptu trip to the cinema on a sunday night and a good catchup with an old mate!
This film got #1 at the US box office and came with some really good reviews, but so did Fast & Furious, so I wasn't sure how good this was going to be.
I'm glad to say that I was really surprised, it's actually put together very well, has some great twists and has a very mild touch of the Tarantinos...
Denzel does what he does, and really plays a very good part in this film, while Wahlberg, who has his critics (me included), actually excels in this. I think it's very much the role is made for him, but at the same time, he still has to make the part his own, and he does it with ease.
I tried to pick faults with this film while watching it, but every time I expected something stupid to happen, it simply didn't.
It gets a 7.9, not quite pushing the 8 barrier, although I was close!
film opinions
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Pain & Gain - 7.3 : iMDB
I noticed someone had mentioned this film this morning so I figured I'd give it a go and see what the deal was. They liked it, so why shouldn't I?
And....it was actually OK, again, another true story, and they make a lot of this in the film. I may go and buy the book that it's based on, it would be a good/funny read I think.
So let's break it down, some bodybuilders, some torture, drugs, and money, oh and stupidness.
I think it's fair to say this films pretty funny, and all three play quite a good role in it, and they make it quite an enjoyable film, especially for a Sunday morning!
It gets a 7.3, so go ahead and watch it!
And....it was actually OK, again, another true story, and they make a lot of this in the film. I may go and buy the book that it's based on, it would be a good/funny read I think.
So let's break it down, some bodybuilders, some torture, drugs, and money, oh and stupidness.
I think it's fair to say this films pretty funny, and all three play quite a good role in it, and they make it quite an enjoyable film, especially for a Sunday morning!
It gets a 7.3, so go ahead and watch it!
The Notebook - 8.5 : iMDB
...should I start with getting it out of the way? Yes... I did watch it (three times so far!), and I did so alone... and out of choice!
Now that's out of the way, let's talk about how much of a fantastic story this is, or at least a beautiful way to deliver a traditional tale of love. I don't think there's anything quite so different with the story itself, but the way it's told makes it really hit the spot.
And the way in which James Garner portrays the elderly Noah really does work quite well.
If you like films, watch this, definitely. If you're scared of being judged, then you may want to stay away!
It gets an 8.5.
Now that's out of the way, let's talk about how much of a fantastic story this is, or at least a beautiful way to deliver a traditional tale of love. I don't think there's anything quite so different with the story itself, but the way it's told makes it really hit the spot.
And the way in which James Garner portrays the elderly Noah really does work quite well.
If you like films, watch this, definitely. If you're scared of being judged, then you may want to stay away!
It gets an 8.5.
Into the Wild - 9 : iMDB
I've seen this film before but when a friend of mine started talking about it, I remembered how good it was, so have had to watch it again. I'm always intrigued by 'claimed' true stories, and have found that with this one, it's almost accurate, but that there was a documentary released the same year which I'm going to look in to watching: The Call of the Wild
Have also just read the Sean Penn waited 10 years to make this film out of respect to the family, and had their blessing to make it.
It's an interesting film, and it's a passionate story about a boy that's lost his way. It's very interesting, and i'd recommend everyone to watch it.
Emile Hirsch has always been one of my favourites, and he plays this role fantastically.
It gets a huge 9.
Have also just read the Sean Penn waited 10 years to make this film out of respect to the family, and had their blessing to make it.
It's an interesting film, and it's a passionate story about a boy that's lost his way. It's very interesting, and i'd recommend everyone to watch it.
Emile Hirsch has always been one of my favourites, and he plays this role fantastically.
It gets a huge 9.
Brick - 8.5 : iMDB
This is one of my absolute favourite films, and there's not a lot that really needs to be said about it, just as the film itself portrays a somewhat underground language and scene from a high school, the film speaks for itself if you watch it, as it's brilliant.
Rian Johnson, director and writer has made an exceptional piece of work and for such a low budget film, it's important to get the right people to execute on your work.
With that, Joseph Gordon-Levitt provides a fantastic interpretation of this, and plays it very very well. I have to say I quite like Joseph anyway, and he has an up and coming film 'Don Jon' coming, which he's written, directed, and starred in himself which i'm excited to see how it turns out.
I recently picked Joseph as one of my 5 to look out for in the coming years, and he's coming in to his own right on time.
This film is a hefty 8.5, if you're not sure after 5 minutes, stick with it, it will reward you.
Rian Johnson, director and writer has made an exceptional piece of work and for such a low budget film, it's important to get the right people to execute on your work.
With that, Joseph Gordon-Levitt provides a fantastic interpretation of this, and plays it very very well. I have to say I quite like Joseph anyway, and he has an up and coming film 'Don Jon' coming, which he's written, directed, and starred in himself which i'm excited to see how it turns out.
I recently picked Joseph as one of my 5 to look out for in the coming years, and he's coming in to his own right on time.
This film is a hefty 8.5, if you're not sure after 5 minutes, stick with it, it will reward you.
Get Rich or Die Tryin' - 6.2 : iMDB
The first of three on a quick-fire 3 film Friday night!
This is the 50Cent biopic, which is loosely(?) based on his life, let's get it out of the way, it's not the most brilliant film. There's quite a bit going on, and I think it's interesting to see, but I can't believe that most of this happened, probably some of it did, but at points it goes a little bit too far.
There's a fair bit of violence as you'd expect, and with it being one of his first acting appearances, even though he's playing himself, it's not a great performance.
I've given it a generous 6.2 because I was quite interested to learn some bits about him.
This is the 50Cent biopic, which is loosely(?) based on his life, let's get it out of the way, it's not the most brilliant film. There's quite a bit going on, and I think it's interesting to see, but I can't believe that most of this happened, probably some of it did, but at points it goes a little bit too far.
There's a fair bit of violence as you'd expect, and with it being one of his first acting appearances, even though he's playing himself, it's not a great performance.
I've given it a generous 6.2 because I was quite interested to learn some bits about him.
Identity Thief - 6.8 : iMDB
... and the second of the three I watched on the plane.
Jason Bateman... I'm not really sure what to make of him, I don't think he'll make it very far in serious films but he seems to have certainly found his niche, although there are elements of this film where he plays the role particularly well.
And what can really be said about Melissa McCarthy? She's electric, and has lit up every film she's been in. But her talents are no doubt limited, unless there's a serious hillbilly movie that needs a doting wife I don't think she'll be doing many serious parts any time soon, but perhaps she shouldn't, as her comedy is brilliant.
The film itself is quite simple, and lends to Melissa being able to show some reasonable work, I'm not convinced that there's much to it though. Again, another simple one that got me through the flight, not enough there to really make it a trademark comedy.
I've given it a 6.8.
Jason Bateman... I'm not really sure what to make of him, I don't think he'll make it very far in serious films but he seems to have certainly found his niche, although there are elements of this film where he plays the role particularly well.
And what can really be said about Melissa McCarthy? She's electric, and has lit up every film she's been in. But her talents are no doubt limited, unless there's a serious hillbilly movie that needs a doting wife I don't think she'll be doing many serious parts any time soon, but perhaps she shouldn't, as her comedy is brilliant.
The film itself is quite simple, and lends to Melissa being able to show some reasonable work, I'm not convinced that there's much to it though. Again, another simple one that got me through the flight, not enough there to really make it a trademark comedy.
I've given it a 6.8.
Parker - 6.5 : iMDB
This was the first of three films I watched when I flew over to New York a couple of weeks ago.
Jason Statham doing what he always does, good cause, and with some retribution. They seem to like to stick to that formula with him, with it only going a little further away in Crank (which is brilliant btw!).
This film hit the spot for what was needed, just a nice simple film to make the time pass of getting across the pond, considering my laptop was out of battery!
It's actually not that bad a film, and I think Lopez plays a really good part.
It's not fantastic though, so i'd go for a simple 6.5.
Jason Statham doing what he always does, good cause, and with some retribution. They seem to like to stick to that formula with him, with it only going a little further away in Crank (which is brilliant btw!).
This film hit the spot for what was needed, just a nice simple film to make the time pass of getting across the pond, considering my laptop was out of battery!
It's actually not that bad a film, and I think Lopez plays a really good part.
It's not fantastic though, so i'd go for a simple 6.5.
Beasts of the Southern Wild - 7.5 : iMDB
Another that I watched while I was working over in Munich, and first up, I have to say I fell in love with little Hushpuppy! She's an adorable girl and faces up to all her fears head on.
The films pretty gritty, and at times a little hard to follow/watch, but it's definitely worth it. It reminded me a lot of perhaps how some of the relationships may have been strained during the aftermaths of events such as Katrina, or maybe even the Japanese Tsunami...
It's definitely worth a watch, so i've given it a 7.5.
The films pretty gritty, and at times a little hard to follow/watch, but it's definitely worth it. It reminded me a lot of perhaps how some of the relationships may have been strained during the aftermaths of events such as Katrina, or maybe even the Japanese Tsunami...
It's definitely worth a watch, so i've given it a 7.5.
My Sisters Keeper - 7.6 : iMDB
Now this is a film i've seen before, but had forgotten about it so watched it again when I was recommended it... and it was definitely worth the second watch.
This touches on some very challenging issues, and makes you feel like you're a part of it or have a vested interest.
I think sadly Diaz lets this down slightly, but other than that it's a wonderful film.
It gets a .. 7.6!
Headhunters - 7.2 : iMDB
Watched this while I was off working in Munich...
I've read most of the Jo Nesbo books (apart from this one!), it's quite a far fetched story but it's put together for the big screen pretty well, it'll be interesting to see what Hollywood go and do with it in 2014...
The story is pretty gritty and it's got some traditional twists, it twists really well and keeps you going for a while.
I'd definitely recommend watching it! It gets a 7.2.
I've read most of the Jo Nesbo books (apart from this one!), it's quite a far fetched story but it's put together for the big screen pretty well, it'll be interesting to see what Hollywood go and do with it in 2014...
The story is pretty gritty and it's got some traditional twists, it twists really well and keeps you going for a while.
I'd definitely recommend watching it! It gets a 7.2.
For A Good Time, Call - 6.8 : iMDB
This was part of a Wine Friday triple marathon, and I have to say, it confused the hell out of me but it was pretty funny, and broke up Get Rich or Die Tryin' and Brick nicely.
It's a simple standard RomCom with the usual storylines but spruced up with lots of sextalk and some dildos to make it funny!
There's not really much to say about this film but go ahead and watch it :-)
I've given it a 6.8, IMDb wasn't quite so generous!
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