Another year, another slew of films. After a month and a half (it's now Feb 16th) I'm actually keeping pretty good pace, maybe PROJECT 365 isn't as dead as first thought?
I couldn't be arsed adding IMDB links any more, it's not like anyone reads this blog so why bother making no one's life easier by adding links?
*Toy Story 3 - not as good the second time around, just didn't have that sense of wonder that the first one seems to still be able to evoke.
Black Death - a rather pedestrian film with very average performances, effects and a rather poor script. Some mildly entertaining gore and a bit of a twist lifts it slightly. 1.5 / 5
44 Inch Chest - not the film I was expecting. For some reason I thought this was some kind of heist film, when in reality it's about a bunch of foul mouthed criminals who have kidnapped a man for sleeping with one of their wives and it focuses on what they plan on doing to him. Good performances but not for everyone. 2.5 / 5
Jennifer's Body - pathetically crap. Gets half a point for the glimpses of Megan Fox's body. 0.5 / 5
*Avatar - this was the extended cut, only one scene seemed to really add to the story (the school room) but otherwise it's still the same technically brilliant but still kinda rubs me the wrong way film.
Road to Guantanamo - doco about some UK citizens caught in Afghanistan and sent to the titular prison. I'm still not 100% convinced they weren't there for some other, possibly nefarious reasons, but either way their treatment was horrendous. 2.5 / 5
Clash of the Titans - what was the fucking point? Seriously? Gets 1 for some nice effects but otherwise this is a blight on modern cinema. 1 /5
Tangled - a return to classic Disney cinema which they attempted with The Princess & The Frog but this outshines it a hundred-fold. Great story, great humour, not unpleasant songs. 4 / 5
*The Aristocrats - still funny, still filthy.
Humpday - fairly average film that had some interesting points, but mostly quite slow and pedestrian with no real flair in story or acting. 1.5 / 5
Kingdom of Heaven - this is the Director's cut (I've not seen the apparently appalling theatrical release) and although it was interesting and had some great action pieces, I just detest Orlando Bloom as an actor - he's totally shite and casting him was a major mistake. 2.5 / 5
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - In April 2002, an Irish film crew is making a documentary about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, when a coup from the opposition is made. Interesting although I wish it went into more detail about the clearly US backing of the Opposition coup. Fascinating sections on how state run TV can be used against and for a Government to sway the opinions of the people. 2 / 5
Grizzly Man - Werner Herzog doco about an absolute nutter who clearly has various mental issues and a fascination with bears and their conservation that eventually leads to his death at their jaws and paws. 3 / 5
Children of Beslan - heartbreaking doco about the siege in Beslan told entirely by children who were there, recalling the horror. 3 / 5
Death of a President - interesting but ultimately bland faux-doco about the assassination of George Bush and how blaming an innocent Arab-American and ignoring the evidence can have devastating consequences. 2.5
The Town - quite a good drama with good performances, a strong script and good direction. 3.5
Imagine You & Me - nice little rom-com/drama about a woman getting married to a great guy who then realises she has feelings for another woman and the drama and hi-jinks ensue. Some of the set ups are ridiculously stupid - sure we'll let a florist run around our wedding and reception dancing with the guests. 2.5
The Fighter - fantastic film with great performances all round and some hilariousness throughout. The women were especially strong and Christian Bale was mesmerising. 4.5
St. Trinian's - checked it out to see Lena Headey who is barely in it, but at least Gemma Arterton looks great. Was kinda funny and a bit silly, dunno if I'll bother with the sequel. 1.5
Hollywoodland - I've had this fir a while and didn't check it out 'cause I thought I wouldn't like it, but in the end it's an interesting look a a tragic death and goes into what may have happened. Affleck was fantastic as Reeves. 3.5
Tomorrow, When The War Began - was in keeping with the book although I found Ellie to be a little too pretty for how she is described. I do hope they make the rest of the series but I doubt they'll go beyond another 1 or 2 if any at all. Entertaining, oh and I think I counted maybe 10 or 12 Oz songs heard by 25 minutes in - give ti a rest! 2.5
44 Minutes - faux-docudrama (i.e. actors play all the parts and has no original footage) of the insane 1994 shootout between two bank robbers and dozens of cops on the streets of L.A. Was interesting but you get more out of a 10 minute clip of the real event on YouTube, to be honest. 2 / 5
Black Swan - good performances, a compelling story, some great effects (and one ro two stupid ones) all wrapped up in a very satisfying movie. Lost a point due to Aronofsky shoving mirrors/reflections down our throat and too much unneeded shaky cam. 4 / 5
Legend of the Guardians - boring story, crap voice acting (for the most part) but absolutely stunning animation. If only this aussie animation studio would get some good source material, they could kick arse with a great fantasy or sci-fi story. 2 / 5
Trade - the tragic tale of several girls kidnapped in Mexico and sold across the US border to pedophiles, the story of a brother searching for his abducted sister and a father searching for a daughter he doesn't know. Interesting and heartfelt story, good acting though not great, and a satisfying conclusion - good for a Sunday arvo. 2.5
The Green Hornet - surprisingly funny, stupidly ridiculous action and a fun popcorn entertainment flick is born. 3.5
Stop-Loss - a bit too cliched, especially when it comes to the behaviour of the squad mates, also the initial scenes in Iraq made no sense at all - yes, let's go into the obvious ambush. 2.5
Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day - dull and uninspired sequel to a great film. It should not have been made. 1.5
Body of Lies - interesting if a little overwrought, some good acting and a satisfyingly tense conclusion despite some obvious red herrings. 3 / 5
Centurion - gory, mindless action where you know exactly what is going to happen but you stick around for all the decapitations and ridiculous acting. 2 / 5
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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