So it's been a while...

I have not posted in a while due to life and laziness getting in the way but worry not I have been watching films and I do have a few opinions on them. Some were good some were bad and some for a while held the place as my new favourite film. I had every intention of writing about them but it didn't happen so what I thought I'd do is a quick fire run down of the some of those films and what I thought about them.

Iron Man 3

I did a Quick Impression on this after I saw it but since then I have spoken to friends and heard their views on it so thought I'd add this...

So the second phase of Marvels all conquering franchise begins with Iron Man 3. I personally am worried that the Marvel films are going to get old fast and would personally of been happy if they had put the avengers lot on ice after the pinnacle that was Avengers and visited a few other lesser known characters. I mean Iron Man was not the all conquering character it has become since Robert Downey Jr took the role so it would be nice to see some other characters given the limelight. But we are told that this is all set for phase 3 so I will have to wait for Edger Wrights Ant Man movie...which I'm not sure I can.

In fact I think that Iron Man 2 is a great example of why I worry for the franchise as it was not a good movie and suffered as it was more a build up to the main event that was Avengers than a film in it's own right.

So after all this I have to say that what Shane Black has done with Iron Man 3 is exactly the opposite to my fears. I liked the fact that we got to explore the Tony Stark side of Iron Man and I know people who complained that there wasn't enough 'Iron Man' in this film to which I always answer 'who do you think Iron Man is?' you take Tony Stark out of the film and you have no Iron Man.

What I like about the Iron Man films and what has made it so popular is Robert Downey Jr. and his natural humour and charisma. So the more of that the better. Now the Quick Impression I wrote a while ago focuses more on the plot so you can read that to get the rest of my views....spoiler I kinda liked it but didn't love it.

The Purge

So The Purge...The film that stared at me from every phone box in Cardiff for months...the film from the guys that did Paranormal Activity (all be it only the money men)...It's got Ethan Hawke in it and Lena Heady this could be alright. Add in an kinda interesting concept this could be a decent horror.

That was my thoughts going into The Purge and after 30 mins of adverts and trailers and 20 mins of the film those thoughts were now...this concept has now been explained to me twice...I don't really like Hawke or Heady's characters...oh look Lou Carpenters daughter Lolly from Neighbours in it too...and she's playing an idiot!...this is going to be a shit horror.

One thing that is key in any home invasion horror is that you care about the characters and only the son of the family is in any way likable. The rest are just privileged morons who I wanted to die asap. The concept though interesting couldn't support a whole film and it just wasn't scary! Putting a mask on someone and getting them to look at the camera with their head tilted isn't scary if you want that person to get their hands on the people they are after. Plus the end was terrible!

I went to see this so you don't have to. Don't even watch it if your bored and you see it on NetFlix, keep searching and you will find something better I guarantee it.

Margin Call

Margin Call is set over one night during the financial crisis as a group of bankers meet to decide how to handle the impending collapse. It boasts a top cast including Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, and the mighty Kevin Spacey all of whom are brilliant. It felt very much like a play with no action violence just people talking and arguing as egos collide. 

The subject of the bank collapse was also fascinating to me and gave me an insight into what went on. At the time I didn't properly understand what the happened to cause the collapse but this movie did a great job of explaining it without at any point dumbing down the language which is testament to the script. Not great but enjoyable and very interesting plus I could watch Spacey and Irons butt heads all day long!

 

Star Trek Into Darkness

Earlier this year I put this in my Ones to Watch list ahead of Iron Man and Man of Steel. It was the big blockbuster that I was most looking forward to this summer and I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint.

J.J. Abrams is a man who knows how to make a big budget popcorn movie. This had great action set pieces and a fun and interesting plot that I thought flowed nicely. All the cast are likable and embody the spirit of the original show. I really like the relationship between Chris Pine's Kirk and Zachary Quinto's Spock which is natural and funny. These two are ably support by the likes of Simon Pegg and Zoe Saldana but all of these are overshadowed by the brilliant Benedict Cumberbatch who steals every shot he is in and even some that he's not in he's that good! 

Cumberbatch's character is is an enigma in that you are never sure whether to like him or fear him. I personally always came down on the like side. Evey time he is on screen whether it be taking out a Klingon patrol single handedly or delivering a moving monologue he shows that he really is a master of his craft. In fact it was the action scenes that were most pleasing because he has proven that he can act in Sherlock but those scenes showed that there is nothing that he can't do and I hope will mean that he can flourish in Hollywood bring his class with him.

So that's my gushing over Benedict over with all I can say is that if you want a fun and exciting Hollywood blockbuster then watch this. It does what so many other film tries by entertaining while maintaining a high standard in all departments and has a standout performance at it core. I look forward to seeing what Abrams does with Star Wars and if he can somehow find a place for Benedict that would be amazing! :D

Olympus Has Fallen

This film wanted to be Die Hard in the White house. This film wanted to be funny, wanted to be serious want to be tense and it failed at all of them for me. Like The Purge I didn't like any of the characters or care about them. The attack on the White House was a violent moment with innocent people getting gunned down in the street which was impactful but the problem after that was that all the jokes felt in bad taste. In the world we live in where terrorist attacks are a very real thing (this film was released a week after the Marathon bombings) the way that the President and his cabinet deal with the situation was distasteful.

The way that they are willing to hand South Korea to the North Korea just to save the President actually angered me. If Aaron Eckhart's President was the good man that we were meant to believe he was and whom we were meant to route for then he wouldn't have let this happen. I thought that Morgan Freeman was going to be the level headed character that would make the tough calls but he again happily gave into all the terrorist demands just to protect one man. If I have learnt anything from 24 it's that America does not negotiate with terrorists...except in this film!

The fact that Gerard Butler character was meant to have been out of the secret service for 2 years yet all his passwords still work in the White House made me shake my head with disbelief. It was just sloppy writing. Then there is the fact that he tortured a man and killed another whilst making jokes and that man, who minutes earlier had been ruthlessly slaughtering people in what must have been a well planned attack that took years of planning, gives up all the information he can because he was stabbed in his leg. The film can't deal with the themes that it did at the start and also make light of them.

Die hard worked because it was always John trying to save his wife, the stakes were personally high for him but were not on a world stage as this film is. This film is dealing with an event that would likely cause WW3 and because of that I didn't enjoy the humour. A perfect example of how the two themes didn't mix was at one point the President is standing surrounded by the dead services men who had given their lives to protect him and he makes a joke about the White House having great insurance. The film even took time to let you get to know some of the dead service men to know they had young families and this made the joke even more tasteless.

This film gets it all wrong for me. I really hated it. I could rant for hours and pick out many many flaws but I won't. I'm sure a lot of people enjoyed the action and liked it. I think that those people are wrong and would implore them to just go and watch the original Die Hard to see how it's done. To anyone who hasn't seen it then I say DON'T! JUST WATCH THE ORIGINAL DIE HARD!

Up

Lots of people have told me that I have to watch up, that the start is so sad and its such a wonderful film. I eventually was sat down by my friend Mel and I did watch it...sooo I thought that it was OK *waits for screams of disbelief from Disney fans* but hear me out.

Yes it was a bit of a sad start they couldn't have children and he never got to go to the waterfall with his wife this is definitely sad....but I looked at it like this. He met the love of his life when he was 10 and got to spend what must have been 60 years with that person which in my eyes makes him a very very lucky man. Yes in Disneyland this is a sad start but as someone who grew up on Studio Ghibli films this start was pretty happy.

I actually saw in the old man lead character the kind of old person I dread dealing with in work as he was just grumpy and angry at the world and he will drag others down to his level of happiness if possible. I didn't like him and in a film like this that is a problem.

I did however like the Dog and Bird combo and got a fair few laughs out of them. SQUIRREL! There were other moments that were good but not enough for me. It didn't live up to the high standards that peoples praise had made for it. But if others people love it then it must strike the right chord with them I guess. I just have no desire to see it again.

Stoker

I plan on doing a longer post about Stoker when I've watched it again on DVD/NetFlix so all I'm going to say now is simply this...

It's a Chan-wook Park film and it is by far the best film out of this list! :)

Written by Owen
While watching the Lion(Wales) destroy Australia in the 3rd test again.

Khhhaaaann!!!! Star Track into the Darkness (spoilers!)

I guess I am the only one who just saw new Star Track film... well it was me and hubby. We went to Cineworld! Yes, no more Odeon for me! So happy, you know how I feel about Odeon... 

When my co-blogger Owen went to see Into the Darkness he said just one thing to me:

"Benedict does steal every scene"

And oh boy!!... But first thing first.

I do not like Star Track series, they are just too dated for me. Sorry. I like Sci-Fi... not all of it but some definitely, I am a bit of a geek.

Husband did say that I need to watch The Wrath of Khan (if you didn't know Star Track did the films too)to understand the jokes that the opening scenes refer to.. well maybe one day.

(if you haven't seen it yet now it is a good time to stop reading)

Opening scenes showed us this small world that is on the verge of distraction by volcanic eruption... But Jim  Kirk being a human that he is decides to save it. A lot of running around, many funny comments, but Spock almost dies.... I think this kind of sets the mood really. 

Spock was very puzzled about the whole big deal with the human emotion. Zachary Quinto did a very good job of that too! I was very moved by his speech to Uhura when they were about to land on Chronos.

Then it all kicks off with sad scenes form London featuring lovely Noel Clarke who I love since he was Mickey in Dr Who (geek, told you!) and the dramatic appearance of Khan.

And when they do get on the planet of "Cornish pasties"... well I'm sorry but Klingon do look like them a bit, action scene ... Benedict Cumberbatch is magnificent! Every move is captivating. It was truly amazing...Ok I might be slightly biased on that... 

Since I obviously had no idea what would happened and appart from the whole genocide thing I really wanted Khan to win! Yes, he was that good! 

The comedy moments been provided by very sexy "Bones" (Karl Urban) and Mr Scott (Simon Pegg), fun all around. I do think that's a good film make, really: action must be awesome, excellent effects and fight scenes,  comedy and men candy!

However....the whole Kirk dying thing I saw this coming really... Magic blood and what not, so ending was a bit predictable. 

(you can start reading again)

The action the story the characters well worth watching! 

I really enjoyed it, and I think will be watching it again and again. Highly recommend it!

Written by Daria who seem to be still in love with Benedict Cumberbatch with black hair. I think blond just don't do it for me.

Owen's 13 To Watch In 2013

The start of any year is always dominated here in the UK by the 'Oscars' films. But now that I have seen said films and enjoyed many of them I thought that I should start looking to the year ahead and pick out a few films that could very well make their way to the top of my Favourite Film Today list. 

Some I have put in here due to word of mouth or a knowledge of the source material while others are simply due to the people involved. Most I will be unable to give many details regarding the plot as I try to avoid plot details when possible. Some no doubt will end up letting me down but I do think that at least a few will turn out to be outstanding. So here are my 13 films to watch in 2013...

13. R.I.P.D
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Mary-Louise Parker, Kevin Bacon
Released: 19 July (US)
 

Ryan Reynold has some ground to make up with comic book fans after the disaster that was Green Lantern! But he appears to not be shying away from it and has two comic book movies in production one is Deadpool and the other is this. Based on a graphic novel published by Dark Horse and written by Peter M. Lenkov. 

Reynolds plays a cop who is killed and joins up with the Rest In Peace Department where he and fellow undead cops Jeff Bridges and Kevin Bacon hunt his killer. It is the cast that really catches my eye here with anything Jeff 'The Dude' Bridges does always being on my radar and I always find Mary-Louise Parker a charming screen presence.  

12. Mama 
Director: Andrés Muschietti 
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Released: 22 Febuary
 

It feels like a while since I saw a horror in the cinema that really worked however this one has several things that make me think that this could be a winner. Firstly it has the Del Toro link which I know is only a 'Presented By' and not as director but still I do trust that if he is willing to put his name to it then he must be confident in it which in turn makes me confident. The main draw perhaps is the cast of Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who I both rate highly. In particular Chastain who has be outstanding in everything I have seen here in from 'Tree of Life' to 'Zero Dark Thirty' and I am interested to see what she can bring to this role.

 

Chastain plays Annabel who with her boyfriend played by Coster-Waldau, takes care of his two nieces who were left in the forest for 5 years. Of cause nothing is going to go smoothly and soon it would appear that the girls may not have been as alone in the forest as everyone thinks. I hope to get a horror that does not rely on blood and gore but is more in the vein of A Tale of Two Sisters ' where sound (or indeed lack of) and disturbing images are used to produce the horror. As this is the first film on this list to come out I guess I will see soon enough if I get what I want.

11. Trance 
Director: Danny Boyle

Starring: James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson,  Vincent Cassel

Released: 27th March

Danny Boyle is one of those directors that I trust. Its that simple. So any news of a new film from him gets my interest and if you then tell me that Cassel is a part of it and I'm pretty much sold. James McAvoy plays an art auctioneer who has become mixed up with a group of criminals and needs to enlist Dawson's hypnotist to help him recover a missing painting. Though I enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire and loved Sunshine I am pleased to see Boyle back doing what appears to be a slick dialog led drama back in the UK.

10. Gravity
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Basher Savage
Released: 4th October (US)

This is a film that again I know very little about other than the fact that it is by Alfonso Cuaron the director of the brilliant Children of Men and Y Tu Mamá También. In fact 2006's Children of Men was his last major film and so he has kept his fans waiting 7 years so I hope that it will not let us down.

The film follows two astronauts as they attempt to return to earth after debris crashes into their space shuttle, leaving them drifting alone in space. George Clooney plays one of the astronauts which again fills me with confidence that the film will deliver. Clooney has proven himself time and again to be at the top of his game and under Cuarons direction I expect big things.

9. The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton 

Released: 17th May

 

If I was to guess who would be directing this adaptation of F Scott Fitzgeralds classic novel I don't think I would have guessed Baz Luhmann but when I think about it works. Luhrmann has always had a wonderful visual style and a great use of costumes and sets to transport you to another world (Fith Element) or time (Moulin Rouge) and so I'm looking forward to him taking me to 1920's New York.

It is a strong cast and with DiCaprio and Mulligan in the leads you know that you are in save hands. The character of Gatsby is not something that I would trust with many actors but DiCaprio is one. It has the potential to be a true cinematic 'event' this summer.

8. The Evil Dead

Director: Fede Alvarez

Starring: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas 

Released: 19th April

Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II are a true horror classics with Bruce Campbell's performance as Ash one of the greatest in the genres history. So when I first heard that they were remaking it my first thought was that it just wouldn't work without Campbell. Though it was violent and full of gore and shocks it was the humor that he brought to the role that made it stand out. But then I saw the trailer below and have since actually started looking forward to this. 

Unlike the first horror on this list Mama what I want from this film is blood and gore and if I go by the trailer below I don't think that it will disappoint on that front. This is a film that could let me down but for now I hold out hope.

  
7. The Alan Partridge Movie

Director: Declan Lowney

Starring: Steve Coogan, Paul Blackwell, Richard Herdman
Released: 16th August

Alan Partridge has been a hero of mine for many years, his wise words have helped me through many hard times. So when I heard that he was making a movie you can imagine my excitement! It is in the capable hands of Declan Lowney of Father Ted fame and with Coogan writing I can't see how I won't like this.

6. Star Trek Into Darkness

Director: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Chris Pine, Benedict Cumberbatch , Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana 

Released: 17th May

I enjoyed Abrams 2009 reboot of Star Trek but I think that this follow up has something that will set it apart. That is simply Benedict Cumberbatch as the main villain. I'm hoping for a darker film in the vein of Nolan Dark Knight trilogy and think that Pine and Cumberbatch could have a rivalry to match that of Batman and Joker. 

Abrams has proven that he knows what he is doing when it comes to handling blockbusters and if he can take the Star Trek universe and add that dark edge then this could be the blockbuster this summer.

5. Only God Forgives 

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Tom Burke

Released: 23rd May 

The reason that this is on my list is simple. The last time that Refn and Gosling worked together they gave us Drive and that's enough for me to put this in my top 5. All I know of the plot is this...A Bangkok police lieutenant and a gangster settle their differences in a Thai-boxing match...and that's all I need to know...23rd May I know where I'll be.

4. Kick Ass 2

Director: Jeff Wadlow

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse,  Jim Carrey

Released: 19th July

Whereas with many of the films on this list I know little of the plot that is not the case with Kick-Ass 2 as I have read the graphic novel that it is based on. I am interested to see what from the novel makes it into the film as it does cover some very dark themes. The fact that Matthew Vaughn is not back to direct is a disappointment and a slight concern as I felt that he nailed the feel of the original Kick-Ass. But the cast is all back and I am looking forward to Moretz reprising her role as Hit Girl and intrigued to see what Jim Carrey brings to the role of Captain Stars & Stripes.

I expect more over the top violence mixed with humor and knowing nods to the comic book fans. It is a shame that Mark Strong is not able to be in it as he was superb in the original as he always is. I just hope that Mintz-Plasse can fill the role of the main villian (The Mother F**cker) and then again there is also Mother Russia if he needs help on the bad guy front.
 
3. Anchorman: The Legend Continues 

Director: Adam McKay

Starring: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell , Paul Rudd, David Koechner  

Released: 20th December

 

The original Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a film that I can watch time and time again and it will still make me laugh. It is just full of brilliant characters. The fact that this will be more of the same characters is why this is in my Top 3 as I have faith that all involved are going to deliver and the fact that it has been 9 years since the original only strengthens my faith. 

They could have rushed out a sequel to capitalise on the originals popularity but instead they waited and all the cast have gone off to become stars in their own right with Paul Rudd being a prime example of this. It feels like they are a group of friends who are getting back together to have some fun, the product of which will be a new film.

I know again that this does have the potential to disappoint me as when you go and see a comedy there is the very real possability that it just won't be funny. But with the people involved and the time between the films give me confidence that this will be a highlight this Xmas.

2. The Worlds End 

Director: Edgar Wright

Starring:  Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine. Eddie Marsan
Released: 14th August

This is the final part in Wright, Pegg & Frosts corneto trilogy with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz the other two parts. Going on these films alone should tell you why I have this at No.2 on my list. I also have complete faith in Edgar Wright with  Spaced and  Scott Pilgrim vs. the World making up the body of his work I can say that I love everything the man has done. I also think that Pegg and Frost do their best work when under his direction. When you add to the mix Freeman, Considine and Marsan I really can't see how this will let me down.

The plot is that the above group of friends are reuniting 20 years after failing an epic pub crawl, determined to finish it. It just so happens that on this crawl they may be needed to save the world. That's all I know and it's also all I need to know. Wright and Pegg have both gone to great lengths to try and shroud the plot in secrecy and I respect that decision as the less I know the more I will enjoy it.

1. Stoker

Director: Chan-wook Park

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode

Released: 1st March

 

So my most anticipated film for this year is only a few weeks away and it is another that I know very little about the actual plot. The thing that I know which puts it at the top of the list is that it is Chan-Wook Parks first English language film! Anyone who has read my earlier review of the outstanding Oldboy will know why this excites me so much. 

The fact that Wasikowska is the lead only heightens my excitement as I think that she is an incredible talent who is impressing me more every time I see her. The trailer below is all that I have seen and it seems to have the dark edge to it that I expect from a Park film. I actually want to give praise to the trailer itself as it does something that I wish every trailer could do and that's get my attention without giving away the entire plot in the process. I saw it before a film and I immediately wanted to walk out of the film that was I about to watch and go watch Stoker instead. But I must wait till March....2 weeks it's only 2 weeks....is it possible for humans to hibernate!?!

Written by
Owen while waiting for it to be March 1st