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Reviews
Superman Returns (2006)
You'll believe a man can fly...
Superman Returns! Singer has done it! He has brought Superman back to our screens! The way Supe flies is just awe-inspiring and there were many small details of the flying that just blew me away. His cape steals the show! Brandon Routh is very good as Superman, he knows how to hit the right notes and looks great in the suit. He has the 'Superwalk' and the 'Superpose' down! Kate Bosworth looks a lot better compared to Margot Kidder who I never thought was that great looking but saying this, Bosworth's performance isn't a touch on Kidder's. She doesn't do very much with the little she's given. The action sequences were handled very well and Routh makes a formidable Man of Steel, his performance is at times a sensitive one. Considering this is a sequel to the Reeve's films of the 70s I can be forgiven for making comparisons to those films and I think the biggest let down is Routh's and Singer's handling of Clark Kent. Kent is pretty much inconsequential and they've gone down the Clark Kent as the alter ego route which takes away much from the Daily Planet sequences which may have humorous moments but seem empty in comparison to the original films. Clark Kent doesn't get enough screen time for my liking and is far too two dimensional as there is literally ZERO tension between Kent and Lane which shouldn't be the case this far into the relationship. I think Kevin Spacey makes a great Lex Luthor taking away much of the cartoony buffoonery of Gene Hackman's performance which I always found was a little too ham-fisted for Superman's arch nemesis although Spacey still suitably has fun with playing the bad guy. This film is definitely worth seeing just for the Superman sequences even if some of the liberties taken with the story would annoy some comic book fans... Personally it was such a pleasure to see Superman in action again that I was able to ignore some of the slightly dodgier plot areas particularly with regards to the fruits of Superman and Clark Kent's labors... I think the biggest advantage of following through the films of the 70s is that Singer got to keep the score of the original two which still shimmers and brings goosebumps even to the hardest of film going hearts. Its may not be perfect but is certainly worth a look.
Love Actually (2003)
Disappointed...
So I sit down one night (this night actually... geddit... I actually said actually...) and considering the cast, the writer and director I was expecting something at the very least... good. What I got was a well below average Romantic Comedy, it was crap frankly. There were a few almost decent moments but on the whole I just wasted about two hours of my life (so why not waste a bit more time lambasting it on the internet). The comedy was barely funny, the romantic parts were full of sap. Now don't get me wrong, I am not one of these guys who doesn't like Romantic Comedies... I do when they are done well. Give me His Girl Friday any day of the week... This was sentimentalist, unfunny crap filled with clichés and the direction was very heavy handed. I did think of a drinking game for it though, take a shot of something strong every time someone says (with as much wit as how I started this comment) "actually" in the film and every time a crap song comes on the soundtrack...
Jing wu men (1972)
Bodycount!
This film is a classic but then all of Bruce's completed films are classics. There are strong anti-Japanese messeges (including one Japanese guy having a tash similar to a certain German dictator) in the film but it has been over 33 years since the film was made and so this can be put down to it being dated. Ultimately it is a film about injustice and Revenge. The Bushido School's general evilness, the injustice against the Chinese in Shanghai and Bruce's (called Chen in this one) hot headedness create a circle of violence which escalates completely out of control. This is an intensely gritty Kung Fu film unlike Bruce's later films which were more escapist in nature and Fist Of Fury has the highest body count in terms of Bruce actually killing people with those fists. The legendary 'Sick Man Of Asia' scene is amazing and the end of Kill Bill clearly homage's this so any Tarentino fan's will get an added joy out of watching this beautiful sequence. DO get the uncut version.
The Last Detail (1973)
BADASS!
Jaaaack owns this film. I mean for his performance alone this film is a must see, there are moments when you can actually feel his presence ooze out of the screen and sit down next to you and say 'I really am a BADASS aint I!.'
Then theres Robert Towne's cracking (F word fueled) script with some cool one liners and scenes ('Its just as easy to have it the way you want it' and the -for want of a better word- badass fight between a couple of Marines and our three Navymen in the the bathroom to name two instances).
Top it all off with Hal Ashby's understated, subtle, quiet direction and that makes this film an underated classic!
With strong supporting performances (Jack unashamedly steals the show) from Otis Young and an incredibly young Randy Quaid as well as glimpses of Carol Kane and Nancy Allen you must all go check this out!
I mean Jaaaaack is playing a character whose nickname is Badass for gods sake!
Game-On (1995)
CLASSIC!
This show is a completely under-rated classic! Matthew Malone is one of the funniest comedy sitcom creations ever and show go down in the books next to Cosmo Kramer and all the other greats. Mandy is hot and poor bloody Martin, what a sad tosser! Its a shame they stopped making this show cause I love it, my fave Matt was Benny from the first series but his replacement was wicked too. An all round great show and one of the best of the 90s. Gotta love the themetune too. If you dont know this show too well then go check out the re-runs.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Badass
Very cool movie. QT does it again in the bloodsoaked tale of Revenge. I walked out wanting a samurai sword (made by Sonny Chiba naturally). Ladden with references aplenty, it was well worth the wait. The violence on display is very much in the style that QT is doing a Homage (Lucas Pronounciation) of and when I went to see it it p***ed me off that alot of the audience could only relate to it as parody of that style of movie making and so laughed through alot of the action when this was not in any way a comedy. I hope they release the uncut version in the west and (freshly amputated head)roll on Volume two!
A Bronx Tale (1993)
Great Flick
I think this is a great coming of age movie because of its heart. The soundtrack is very good and De Niro was obviously watching all the great directors he's worked with over the years as his direction is stong especially for a first time director. The dynamic between the three main characters is an interesting one and it is good to see that they did not just settle for Gangster bad, parent good as both these men are father figures for the main character and both give good and bad points of view. The film, at the end of the day is about the decisions you make and C learns the lesson that both men try and teach him in thier own ways. If you apreciate good films then you should like this movie and although for some viewers it may not contain enough violence and swearing for their liking I think its a wonderful film that doesn't need these elements to make its point and so wisely keeps it cool. I love De Niro's use of slow motion in some of the sequences as well as his use of music. Check it out.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
OOOOOOOOh the mendasity!
This is a classic movie. Paul Newman looks real good and acts real cool (it'll have you wearing P.J.'s for a week) as Liz Taylor walks around in her underwear acting her little heart out. Both Performances are showstoppers but are then topped by Burl Ives in a role he was obviously born to play as Big Daddy, the old timer who is given the okay by doctors only to find out the opposite. Everytime I see this movie I always end up annoying friends and family by over-using the word mendasity which you will also do once you see it. It is very different from the play (especially the nature of Brick's old friendship with Skipper which is toned down a LOT) but a screen classic all the same. The script is great and acted superbly by all, it is good example of how some family politics work.