Tuesday, October 26, 2004
LADDER 49
Featuring: Jason Phoenix, John Travolta
Brief Synopsis: The life of a fireman in the United States.
Comments: A very ordinary film about an ordinary man which is only worth watching because of the occupation that he takes. The plot is unremarkable and well, dull in all honesty with many clichés but the film is held up by the emotion that goes with such an extraordinary job with exciting firefights and rescues, the odd disaster/accident and his relationship with girlfriend/wife. But still, this works to a level that nearly saw me shed a few tears (I said NEARLY!) towards the end of the film. Can’t fault the acting, with the script that they had to work with (!), but it’s a very quick fix sort of film that doesn’t do much except show the hazards of being in the noble profession.
Thing to learn from this film: Never underestimate the unpredictability of a fire.
Rating: 5/10
Featuring: Jason Phoenix, John Travolta
Brief Synopsis: The life of a fireman in the United States.
Comments: A very ordinary film about an ordinary man which is only worth watching because of the occupation that he takes. The plot is unremarkable and well, dull in all honesty with many clichés but the film is held up by the emotion that goes with such an extraordinary job with exciting firefights and rescues, the odd disaster/accident and his relationship with girlfriend/wife. But still, this works to a level that nearly saw me shed a few tears (I said NEARLY!) towards the end of the film. Can’t fault the acting, with the script that they had to work with (!), but it’s a very quick fix sort of film that doesn’t do much except show the hazards of being in the noble profession.
Thing to learn from this film: Never underestimate the unpredictability of a fire.
Rating: 5/10
Monday, October 25, 2004
FARENHEIT 9/11
Featuring: Michael Moore
Brief Synopsis: The director explores the presidency of George Bush before and after the events of 9/11.
Comments: My first documentary film seen in the cinema and one I’ve been interested to watch (together with Bowling for Columbine which still eludes me) for quite a while. The context of watching the film is interesting as my viewing was a week or so before the U.S. general election was to take place. After watching it, I am amazed how anyone could vote for George Bush! Obviously Michael Moore is presenting points from a very polarized point of view but still many of the issues he raises are still valid (the one concerning how many politicians have sent their kids to Iraq is possibly the most searing in my own memory). It was also a difficult subject to address as troops in Iraq currently fight the war that he presents as led by a dozy president and he manages to not cross too many lines in this potentially volatile subject. Finally it is a subject that is obviously close to his heart as he searches for answers in little nooks and crannies all over the world all the way up to his hometown. An eventful little film that I would find difficult to rate as entertainment (I was very fidgety after 20 minutes waiting for something to happen!) but interestingly informative.
Thing to learn from this film: Don’t ever get on the wrong side of Michael Moore.
Rating: 5.5/10
Featuring: Michael Moore
Brief Synopsis: The director explores the presidency of George Bush before and after the events of 9/11.
Comments: My first documentary film seen in the cinema and one I’ve been interested to watch (together with Bowling for Columbine which still eludes me) for quite a while. The context of watching the film is interesting as my viewing was a week or so before the U.S. general election was to take place. After watching it, I am amazed how anyone could vote for George Bush! Obviously Michael Moore is presenting points from a very polarized point of view but still many of the issues he raises are still valid (the one concerning how many politicians have sent their kids to Iraq is possibly the most searing in my own memory). It was also a difficult subject to address as troops in Iraq currently fight the war that he presents as led by a dozy president and he manages to not cross too many lines in this potentially volatile subject. Finally it is a subject that is obviously close to his heart as he searches for answers in little nooks and crannies all over the world all the way up to his hometown. An eventful little film that I would find difficult to rate as entertainment (I was very fidgety after 20 minutes waiting for something to happen!) but interestingly informative.
Thing to learn from this film: Don’t ever get on the wrong side of Michael Moore.
Rating: 5.5/10
Friday, October 22, 2004
THE TERMINAL
Featuring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta Jones
Brief Synopsis: Man gets stuck in an airport for several months.
Comments: I watched this on dvd many weeks ago and I didn’t think much of it. However the dodgy copy didn’t do the film much justice to the big screen version which is better for the fact that you can see all the details although obviously the plotline is the same. It’s difficult to pigeonhole this film as it straddles so many boundaries: reveling in the dramatic situation of being stuck in an airport, the romantic play with the stewardess and the comedy of a foreigner being restricted to an American airport with no English. It’s not a bad film per se but I find it difficult to say it is a must see film. The performances from the actors are more than believable but it lacks that special spark for me. An enjoyable, pleasant enough film to see with your girlfriend or wife.
Thing to learn from this film: Keep any vouchers that you urgently need in a secure place before helping anybody.
Rating: 6.75/10
Featuring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta Jones
Brief Synopsis: Man gets stuck in an airport for several months.
Comments: I watched this on dvd many weeks ago and I didn’t think much of it. However the dodgy copy didn’t do the film much justice to the big screen version which is better for the fact that you can see all the details although obviously the plotline is the same. It’s difficult to pigeonhole this film as it straddles so many boundaries: reveling in the dramatic situation of being stuck in an airport, the romantic play with the stewardess and the comedy of a foreigner being restricted to an American airport with no English. It’s not a bad film per se but I find it difficult to say it is a must see film. The performances from the actors are more than believable but it lacks that special spark for me. An enjoyable, pleasant enough film to see with your girlfriend or wife.
Thing to learn from this film: Keep any vouchers that you urgently need in a secure place before helping anybody.
Rating: 6.75/10
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
DODGEBALL
Featuring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor
Brief Synopsis: A bunch of underdogs at a local gym need a lot of money to stop their place from being turned into a car park by...the rival, high tech gym.
Comments: Don't go in expecting anything serious! I went just wanting a laugh and got a barrel load. It's stupid and silly and funny. It's not the best comedy I've ever seen but the whole thing is so farcical that it can't help bring a smile to your face at least 3 or 4 times. Ben Stiller steals the show with his character who is so bone headed, it's brilliant and the rest of the cast conjure up laughs along the way. Some superb cameos from famous people with my favourites coming from the German team and the Tour De France winner. Go and watch this but be prepared for a silly film. And it would be interesting to try Dodgeball...
Thing to learn from this film: If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.
Rating: 6/10
Featuring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor
Brief Synopsis: A bunch of underdogs at a local gym need a lot of money to stop their place from being turned into a car park by...the rival, high tech gym.
Comments: Don't go in expecting anything serious! I went just wanting a laugh and got a barrel load. It's stupid and silly and funny. It's not the best comedy I've ever seen but the whole thing is so farcical that it can't help bring a smile to your face at least 3 or 4 times. Ben Stiller steals the show with his character who is so bone headed, it's brilliant and the rest of the cast conjure up laughs along the way. Some superb cameos from famous people with my favourites coming from the German team and the Tour De France winner. Go and watch this but be prepared for a silly film. And it would be interesting to try Dodgeball...
Thing to learn from this film: If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.
Rating: 6/10
Sunday, October 10, 2004
SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
Featuring: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie
Brief Synopsis: Giant robots start appearing from no-where and the Captain along with the reporter, Polly Perkins, try and figure out what the heck is going on.
Comments: Well I watched this film at 2 o clock in the morning so not absolutely exactly what I remembered! It was a very unique film with the graphics and visual effects of an old fashioned style. There were certain aspects that reminded me of an old Humphrey Bogart film (although I’ve never watched one!) especially whenever there was a close up of Polly with her hair shining. It feels very family orientated but not to the detriment of the adult audience. The cast are stellar in their performances and the interplay between the 2 lead characters make the film the success it is. I found the science fiction parts (robots and aeroplanes) very difficult to believe but it was enlightening to watch a cartoon come to life as it were. It’s hard to know what to say but when I came out, I felt quite happy compared to the depressed mood when I entered! Enjoyable for me but might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Thing to learn from this film: Chewing gum can come in handy when giant robots come to kidnapp you.
Rating: 7/10
Featuring: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie
Brief Synopsis: Giant robots start appearing from no-where and the Captain along with the reporter, Polly Perkins, try and figure out what the heck is going on.
Comments: Well I watched this film at 2 o clock in the morning so not absolutely exactly what I remembered! It was a very unique film with the graphics and visual effects of an old fashioned style. There were certain aspects that reminded me of an old Humphrey Bogart film (although I’ve never watched one!) especially whenever there was a close up of Polly with her hair shining. It feels very family orientated but not to the detriment of the adult audience. The cast are stellar in their performances and the interplay between the 2 lead characters make the film the success it is. I found the science fiction parts (robots and aeroplanes) very difficult to believe but it was enlightening to watch a cartoon come to life as it were. It’s hard to know what to say but when I came out, I felt quite happy compared to the depressed mood when I entered! Enjoyable for me but might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Thing to learn from this film: Chewing gum can come in handy when giant robots come to kidnapp you.
Rating: 7/10
Saturday, October 02, 2004
THE BOURNE SUPRAMACY
Featuring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brain Cox, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Brief Synopsis: David Bourne gets angry and chases down the people in the U.S. government.
Comments: Regardless of what anyone said or what I read, I was going to see this film in the cinema after throughly enjoying the first one and reading all 3 very chunky novels. It is still a good show but perhaps not as great as the first because the expectancy level and surprise element was taken away in the same way that the Matrix series progressed. However it is still worth watching although my wife said that once the romantic link was broken, that made the film a lot less interesting for her. All the characters were again fairly believable by the decent acting. The fight scenes weren't for me as memorable as the first film, too close up for my liking, and whilst the car chase was again tricky, the same goes for that. I might have enjoyed it more if the sound system was a bit better as well. Slight plot picking - how does a man go from Italy to Germany by car without having his passport detected again?
Thing to learn from this film: Switching driving seats could save your life.
Rating: 6.75/10
Featuring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brain Cox, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Brief Synopsis: David Bourne gets angry and chases down the people in the U.S. government.
Comments: Regardless of what anyone said or what I read, I was going to see this film in the cinema after throughly enjoying the first one and reading all 3 very chunky novels. It is still a good show but perhaps not as great as the first because the expectancy level and surprise element was taken away in the same way that the Matrix series progressed. However it is still worth watching although my wife said that once the romantic link was broken, that made the film a lot less interesting for her. All the characters were again fairly believable by the decent acting. The fight scenes weren't for me as memorable as the first film, too close up for my liking, and whilst the car chase was again tricky, the same goes for that. I might have enjoyed it more if the sound system was a bit better as well. Slight plot picking - how does a man go from Italy to Germany by car without having his passport detected again?
Thing to learn from this film: Switching driving seats could save your life.
Rating: 6.75/10
