Like.Some.Others

Marvel Avengers Assemble

2012-05-06T15:28:00.002+01:00

Forgetting the absolutely daft name, the fact of the matter is the Hulk has not been in a good film with the possible exception of I Love You Man, and every ~~Disney~~ Marvel film since Iron Man 2 was a bit average, Marvel Avengers Assemble was either going to be a childhood dream come true or one of the worst films ever created.

Luckily Joss Whedon pulled together all of writers and producers from the stand alone super hero films to craft something that is nothing less than “WOW!” From the get go, we see Loki (Thor’s adopted brother) come to Earth and steal the Tesseract and in the process declaring war on the planet. What follow is a 2 and a half hour romp where Nick Fury and S.H.E.I.L.D assemble “Earth’s greatest heroes.” Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Bruce Banner take turns in the spot light and each holding a delicate balance. Surprisingly, The Hulk and Loki stand out as show stealers - Loki has a calculating and malevolent look at all times like he is watching a game of chess unfold in his favour. The Hulk/Bruce Banner combination is perfect. Mark Ruffalow looks and acts like a man who is in constant turmoil, fighting the other guy at all times. Comedy elements are also thrown in to lighten the mood and distract from the seriousness of the situation and work well with the characters that take part.

There is not one part of this film that felt like it dragged. Yes, the story was mildly predictable, but when all of your childhood heroes from the comic books are smashing seven bells out of the bad guys, who really cares? Especially since each character embodies the comic version. It is a fun, action packed super hero film that sets the bar very, very high for Batman and Spider-Man to beat this year.

As a side note: Get the best experience available, see the film in 3D-IMAX where ever possible. It just blows your mind even more.

5/5

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

2012-05-06T14:49:00.005+01:00

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is about exactly that, recreating the sport of fishing in the UK– particularly of the salmon nature in a country that does not have it, let’s say the Yemen in this instance.

Emily Blunt stars as Harriet who is tasked to reel in (yes, that’s right) Dr Fred Jones (Ewan McGregor) to help a millionaire Sheikh in his quest. In the somewhat typical “British RomCom” the film follows the usual motions of films such as Four Weddings, Nottinghill or even Love actually. The only difference is that Hugh Grant is nowhere to be seen. Kristin Scott Thomas steals the show and injects the comedy value in a change to the slow character development of the two lead actors. Salmon Fishing is not a rip-roaring comedy such as 21 Jump Street, however is a pleasant British quirky film that does have its moments but is as easily forgettable as any RomCom without Hugh Grant.

3/5

Cabin in the Woods

2012-04-16T04:27:00.000+01:00

This film has every hallmark to be a standard horror film: Woods, Check. Cabin, Check. Woods and Cabin mentioned in the title so minimal plot explanation is required, Check. However unlike the face of The Cabin in the Woods, something lies beneath the surface just waiting to come out.

From the outset, the film isn't what it seems. For the first 5 minutes it's even questionable weather or not you are watching the right film. Then it all becomes clear as the title flashes up on screen. It cuts to our typical horror movie teens getting ready for a weekend away. Normal service has resumed.

After realising The Cabin in the Woods doesn't follow the path of a regular horror film, it is very enjoyable. It defuses the tension with humour very well and has a unique take on the killer aspect of the genre. Joss Wheadon - who wrote, produced and presumably used The Avengers directing role to sweet talk Thor into staring in the film has brought a lot to the plate with the film.

It's a fun, interesting and well executed film that aims for a B-movie standard and achieves more. A little far fetched in places but it fits in perfectly with what's on offer.

4/5

Wrath Of The Titans

2012-04-16T04:17:00.004+01:00

After the disaster that was Clash of the Titans, little hope and low expectations were the order of the day. Sadly Sam Worthington returns as Perseus, picking up 10 years after he defeated the Kracken. This time, we have found out he has returned to living as a human, looking after his son. Zeus and the other God on the other hand are loosing their powers, it is up to Perseus to rescue the Gods and save humanity.

That's right, the immortal Greek Gods are losing power and they call upon a human to do their work. The story isn't the strongest in the world but it ropes together all of the green screened action that comes with a title like this. Simply put - Wrath is a film that manages to be worse than the first outing.

The look of the film is better, the 3D has vastly improved. But with any film staring Sam Worthington you are guaranteed two things: wooden acting and a bad hair doo. Even Liam Neeson -who does anything for money, and Voldemort himself do not save this film. The only saving graces for this film is Bill Nighy playing a crazy Greek raised in North Yorkshire talking to a mechanical owl and the cinema ticket which states a different kind of film - "Wrath of the Tit".

1.5/5

Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists!

2012-04-16T04:03:00.002+01:00

It's hard to believe that it has been 7 years since the last Aardman stop-animation film. The mediocre Flushed Away and Arthur Christmas are the only two films to come from the company during that time. So it is with high expectations that "Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists!" be released. It has all the trademarks of the type of film you'd expect from the studios that brought us Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. But, how does it stack up?

The answer is quiet well actually. From the opening until the ending the movie is exactly what one would expect and more. Gags are aplenty and come in a range of ways; from the titillating subtle opening, to the rip-roaring, in-your face laughs. Hugh Grant oddly, yet brilliantly stars as "The Pirate Captain" on a quest to get the coveted Pirate Of The Year trophy and a supporting cast such as Martin Freeman and David Tennant help him on his way.

The film does lose some of its steam about half way through and the 3D aspect is forgettable, however the film does regain momentum in the last 20 minutes to provide a lot of action, innuendo and a certain large, loud bearded man thrown into the mix as the King of Pirates.With a strong start and finish, this is one of Aardman's best features to date and a film that both kids and adults will enjoy.

4.5/5

Streetdance 2 3D

2012-04-09T01:55:00.001+01:00

Streetdance is the UK's answer to the slick, sexy and damn right decent Step Up films. Filmed entirely in three dimensions, the aim of this film series is to show what the British Isles can show to the rest of the world. Streetdance 3D showed that we can do it - albeit with a dodgy northern accent and terrible story. Streetdance 2 3D is here to just show off.

As with all dance films, the story can be instantly forgotten, so leave your brains at the ticket desk and watch the attractive people dance on stage for 85 minutes. Streetdance 2 proves this as all of the plot, characters, backgrounds and how everyone meets is settled with in the first 5 minutes.

Unfortunately, because everything is in place not a lot really happens. The film is more of the montage of Rocky's training rather than the fight with Apollo Creed. The dancing falls flat for the most part, although there are a few moves that defy all laws of psychics. The movie is predictable in every way, with a charm that makes you want to stay until the end.

Unlike the first film, this won't have you leaving the cinema thinking you should take up street dancing, however for 85 minutes it does fill some time normally reserved for a Sunday afternoon when nothing is on the TV.

As the name suggests, see the film in 3D. It was filmed in the medium and is an engrossing experience. The dancing seems to work better as well.

3/5

Hunger Games

2012-04-04T21:31:00.000+01:00

Settling into the familiar chair and placing my drink in it’s holder, I began to watch the Hunger Games and the first thing that hits is it’s very adult premise, 12 districts of a futuristic country known as Panem (America if you are wondering) have been exiled from the rest of the country due to a past uprising. As punishment, one teenage boy and another teen girl both between the ages of 12-18 from each district must be selected for the Hunger Games – a televised sport where contestants fight to the death. Only one can win.

Our teens quickly set about vying for sponsors who buy the weapons, food and survival gear for the kids once the Games have begun. The chosen 24 must train and live together, which throws up a moral dilemma -living with people who are eventually going to try and eliminate you is a complex and deep emotional experience in itself. One of which most humans cannot comprehend. Neither it seems do the film makers as this is brushed to the side.

Moving to the arena things are again messily slopped together. Our protagonist Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is a clever one, heading straight for the woods avoiding the massacre that ensues in the "Season Premier," which is little more than staring at angry faces for 2 minutes while they kill each other off screen. It all seems unbelievable as one would expect with teenagers to gang together and rebel against society, and not kill each other.

Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson & Lenny Kravitz provide a human relief as opposed to the emotionless and robotic children in the film. Most of whom are actually in their 20s. After two hours of willing this film to not be Battle Royale, it ends up being a mis-match of the cult Asian film mixed with Hollywood sodomy. Yes, minor details have changed, however teens killing other teens for the pleasure of adults hasn't.

2 out of 5.

Welcome.

2012-04-04T20:37:00.001+01:00

This is my little blog on which I will share my opinions and thoughts on the latest movies that are around in the cinema world today. I give honest and candid opinions on the films and am definitely not paid by anyone to say a good thing about a film.

If I was such a person, I certainly wouldn't be promoting on a Blog would I? Yes- if someone paid me enough *cough*£1million*cough* then, hell I'll consider it. But I am no sell out as far as £999,999.99 will get me.

Any-hoo, I hope you enjoy reading what I have to say. I don't have a timescale or whatever but I will posts as much as I can.

Many thanks for reading this.

Joe.