Reviews

Ridley Scott's Robin Hood can rightly be said to be one of if not the best version's ever amounted. From the breathtaking cinematography to it's strong sense of realism, everything in this film shines perfectly. I would actually say this was better than Gladiator, which Scott and Crowe also collaborated together on. The sheer scale and epic feel to the film drifted me to a different world entirely. I was there, i was witnessing the events as they happened. One word to describe this film is magic, because after this roller-coaster ride you ask yourself, how the hell did they do all of that? Well Ridley Scott is an absolute master and auteur director for all things epic and large scale. For it's 2 hour 30 minute length, some viewers may be put off, but let me tell you not one second is boring or wasted, everything is put to good use. Robin Hood i think in many ways, be compared to Sir David Lean's masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia. It's the mass scale of adventure and gigantic set pieces that prove this, and then some

The hype for Iron Man 2 to be great was pretty big, by me anyway. But i was let down considerably. Sequels are usually the ones that are much harder to get right and pull of, and Iron Man 2 nearly falls flat. The last thirty minutes are diabolically bad compared to the rest of the film, which, whilst it lasted, was pretty damn good. Things that could have certainly been improved upon were; Mickey Rourke as Whiplash, who i didn't think had enough screen time, and could have been fleshed out slightly better. The introduction of War Machine fighting alongside his ally Iron Man, was completely inappropriate as it made the climactic fight sequence corny and stupid. His fight with Iron Man at Starks home was also un called for, as if the director was adding the sequence just for the sake for a longer running time. Also, Starks witty personality died out pretty quickly, so we are left annoyed and pleading him to stop by the credits.

Kick Ass is undoubtedly one of the best films of the year, and we haven't even reached July yet! The hype surrounding this film truly was real, and didn't seem a tall like a con. If you want action, then you get action, in bucket loads. The violence is served in a comedic and brutal style that is pure brilliance to watch. It delivers again and again, without making you wait, or feel bored- not in Kick Ass! The comedy i also thought worked exceedingly well, and at the most unusual of places. To sum Kick Ass up, it is a full throttle roller-coaster ride that will have you gagging for more and more, and gives it to you upfront in what is surely to go down as one of the best films of the year.

Once again Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy and Ultimatum) has teamed up with Matt Damon, in what is sure to blow your mind! Every aspect of this film worked exceedingly well. The jerky hand-held camera really does benefit this film and gives it a complete on edge feel. The composition from shot to shot are fantastic, with each one capturing pure brilliance and makes the film contain a rare piece of movie magic. The wham-bam action sequences supply the audience with enough excitement that any other Greengrass film. It flies at you at and asks for no forgiveness at all. The great technique of plot twisting isn't easily done, but Greengrass pulls it off brilliantly. The balance between part political thriller and upfront action extravaganza are also perfectly performed, giving the film room to breath when the action takes a break.

Shutter Island could be considered to rank among Martin Scorsese's greatest films to date. And it certainly lives up to that status. From it's compelling beginning to it's 'oh my god i didn't see that coming' finale, you will be held on the edge of your seat. What makes Shutter Island work tremendously well is it's complete lack of knowing what will come next. Every scene leads to something new and original, nothing feels dud or stupid. It's Islands psychological aspects implanted within a forever changing narrative that will have audiences always asking why?, how? or what?, and not until the very end will you at least have a small idea about what you have seen. Could it be considered one of the best of the year so far? Definitely.

The atmosphere is completely terrifying, as if you are as scared and nervous as Teddy himself, if that's his actual name. Scorsese further unleashes a wide inventory of cinematography that makes you go 'wow'. His perfectionism is absolutely necessary, especially for this type of film. Not once do you switch off or say 'well that was boring'. Your always left craving more.

Although advertised as a complete action movie, it isn't. In fact it mostly a dialogue driven part thriller that achieves very little. Supposedly this is Mel Gibson's vintage return back into the movie world, but by time the closing credits emerge, you would have expected a lot more from Gibson. From the list of some of his past movies (Braveheart and Mad Max) you would have thought after a seven year absence from acting that he would have learnt more and developed, but he hasn't.

The action is limited, believe me. If you go in with the expectation of an all-out guns blazing action movie then your seeing the wrong film. Don't get me wrong the violence is pretty brutal, and despite over quickly, it does, in some way leave it's impact on you. There is one scene that will have you jumping out of your skin because of it's very quick happening. You are always left wanting much more than what has been advertised, and if you don't like your action thrillers being slow and dialogue based, then you are buggered.

To be honest i thought i was going to enjoy this film. I was strongly wrong however. This is Washingtons worst role to date and a thorough let down on all sides technically. The Book of Eli was stupid as well as idiotic in that nothing made sense. The action, dialogue and casting was absolutely out of place and didn't serve any meaning or emotional response from me. It had this tone of being an MTV style movie that looked tacky and out place. And why did Gary Oldman want to take part in this gruelling and underly layered flop? I mean, he starred in The Dark Knight so surely seeing the quality of that compared to this he should have easily said no. But obviously not.

Sherlock Holmes is a brilliant, action packed adventure that pushes the boundaries of action movies even further. With its quick cut and no hold barrelled action, Sherlock Holmes is truly something you will be thinking about for a while after you have left the cinema. Downey Jr adds an aura of witty , sharp bladed dialogue as the London detective. His side-kick Watson adds to this already revealing chemistry of the Newman and Redford combo that surely cannot be seen as a negative thing. Although different from that that old movie magic chemistry, Law and Downey Jr fit together very well. The direction is sheer class, and can only be compared to Ritchies other masterpiece-Snatch. The cinematography touches upon techniques used rarely today by worldly directors, but Ritchie pulls it off with fine brilliance.

Up in the Air can be described as a wonderful, emotional and eye-opening film that hits you with humour as well as emotion and can profoundly be remarked as one of the years best films. Am i talking Oscars? Certainly. With this much charisma and cinematic brilliance, Up in the Air has the potential to win in the major groups such as 'Best Picture, 'Best Director' and most certainly 'Best Actor'. Here George Clooney plays his part of Ryan Bingham to perfection. Clooney resonates power as well as charm in a role that will, without doubt, be treasured for a while. Up in the Air has everything going for it, so i wouldn't be surprised if it didn't win at least the major statuettes.

Moon is, at last a sci-fi movie that is one of the best of this decade. The twists and turns keep you guessing right up until the very last minute, and when it comes you are knocked for six. Awesome scenery help establish the mood and ambiguity of the whole film, and makes the viewer feel uncomfortable and uneasy at the most eerie scenes in the film. With the help of great direction and music that is from a bygone age, it's hard to imagine Moon to not be a likely contender for one of the best films of the year. The lack of an ensemble cast really helps drive the film forewords and it's because of this that, at the most suspenseful of times, becomes harrowing and very bleak.

Avatar is possibly the most over-hyped film to be have ever been released this decade. Despite a rumoured budget of around $300 million, the film itself is a complete failure which lacks as much in substance as it does style. The main cause for this disaster, is primarily because of the one dimensional direction from the so called 'King of the world' James Cameron, who, previously had delivered two exceptionally great film's- The Terminator and Terminator 2. Almost every single shot throughout the gigantic and over-long running time consists of panning shots and those similar. Once noticed, it's only a matter of time until you begin to get agitated. Character development and a cliché'd narrative doesn't help a lot either, and further drags the film into it's failures.

If only this show would have happened, it would have been one of the greatest live sows of all time literally. From what i saw, everything fit together exactly, and raised salute to Michael Jackson as a legend and icon. The segments of music are truly influential and moving to watch as Jackson and co give what would have been a classic show.

From using the most high-tech equipment-3-d to be one of them, each set and moment is created with the up-most precision to detail. The fact that we are witnessing the final rehearsal footage from the master of his trade is moving enough and just this makes the experience worth while.

Funny People is one of Judd Apatow's most hilarious and entertaining films so far, and belongs in the same league as Knocked Up. As far as performances go, Adam Sandler provides his all time best and keeps the laughs coming even in the more dramatic situations as does Seth Rogan who is a usual Apatow favourite, and brings another very funny and brilliant part to the film. For a comedy, Funny People is classic and shows both comedy and drama for which brings a better realism to the film.

As for comedy of the year, well Fnny People is definitely there and rightly so.

Inglourious Basterds IS Tarantino's worst film he has ever made. It's full of his usual ingredient's i.e. snappy dialogue, brutal and sudden violence, but it all feel's deja-vu. The directing is typical Tarantino and nothing seem's new at all. It's almost as if he's copied exactly from his only masterpiece, Pulp Fiction.

There is nothing new or exciting about Inglourious Basterds to be honest, it's just a war drama that isn't funny, nor brilliant as Pulp Fiction was. Basterds supposedly is Tarantino's tribute to Leone's Spaghetti western's but seem's mis-jointed and out of place especially with the continuing use of big sub-titles and throw's the audience of balance.

District 9 isn't in any way a masterpiece or epic in any case. But instead is highly overrated trash than can only seek good reviews from the air-heads that look at District 9's viral marketing. That aspect is the only reason why people have liked the film. As it suggests in the trailer that District 9 is going to be an epic sci-fi masterpiece, they were wrong! So many people fall for this trick. Firstly, the use of a hand-held camera completely takes the audience out of the experience unlike Public Enemies. But then again the director (Michael Mann) was experienced. Unlike Neill Blomkamp who directed District 9, and is an inexperienced director despite under the guidance of Peter Jackson who should have taken over the project from the start and should have scrapped Blomkamp.

Secondly, the direction is awful. I mean what humans can's understand Alien language and then respond to whatever it is the aliens are saying. The shot's in individual parts are repetitive and lousy. And finally the acting is shameful and embarrassing and the hand-held camera doesn't help in any way either.

Goodfellas isn't your average gangster movie for starters, instead Goodfellas wander's into film history and will be remembered as one of the finest film's ever created. Scorsese has stepped back into his gangster stepping shoe's and has devised a movie so perfectly acted, directed and classy that it'l be a hard decision to name the best gangster movie ever amounted. For Scorsese, this was a simple task and one which he had visited before (Mean Streets), and so was familiar with the history of the period and the style e.t.c.

Scorsese excels in the technical aspect in Goodfellas. Wheather it be using flash cuts, freeze frames, crash zooms or montages, Scorsese has it all there and put's it to brilliant use. De Niro is excellent as is Ray Liotta and not forgetting Joe Pesci who suits his character effortlessly.

Bruno is Baron Cohan's latest outing as a gay Austrian fashion designer who travels the world in order to pursue a career as a celebrity. Bruno isn't funny or is it entertainment. In short, it's just a gay guy running around TRYING to make people laugh and horrified by asking stupid and childish question's. Borat on the other hand was literally an entertaining and memorable blast, but Bruno tries to increase the gags by throwing in stupid and un-funny remarks but ultimately fails because, to be honest the public are bored of the same tedious jokes that Cohan comes out with.

This doesn't go for Borat because that was, and always will be Cohans masterpiece and quite frankly would not be able to be topped no matter how many stereotypes Cohans brings to the big screen.

The Hurt Locker is, quite simply put, a masterpiece. The suspense and action flow from the screen and enlighten what what we are witnessing before us. The cinematography is pitch-perfect and allows the audience to be captivated by it. The shaky, nerve jaggling effects used are placed well and keep you on the very edge of your seat. The action sequences, well, they are something else. The carefully detailed constructed set pieces are delivered with much brilliance and skill that they are bound to be caught within your mind for quite some time. The smart, quirky dialogue captures the essence and gives the audience something to laugh with.

Public Enemies is quite simply a masterpiece. With outstanding performances from Depp as well as a unique one form Bale, both seemed undisputed and masterful with a bold as well as having an over-whelming cinematic presence every time both actor's were on the screen. Michael Mann is truly at his peak and Public Enemies proves to be his best piece of cinematic brilliance yet. shot in glorious HD, Mann brings a new inspiration to his already hugely bold status as one of the best crime drama director's working today. Running in the same streak and coollness as past gangster epic's such as Scarface or The Godfather, Public Enemies roar's through it's long running time of two and a half hours without letting up the pace or action.

If Depp doesn't even get nominated for his brutal as well as charming character as John Dillinger i will be mad. Every aspect of Depp's performance is indisputably mesmerising and the best of it is that he look's like he isn't even having to try to play the character.

Collateral is without a doubt one of the most brilliant and riveting film's of all time. Combined with top notch direction and acting, Michael Mann has produced a fresh and captivating action thriller that is destined to be one of a kind. This is a thriller that is perfectly thrilling and highly enjoyable at whatever aspect you look at it from.

The seedy, dim-lit light of L.A. is astonishing and brings the audience in closer to the story in which Collateral takes pace in. The acting is even more fantastic and proves to be witty as well as nail biting. Cruise is in cruise control and whirl's up a fantastic performance as contract killer Vincent. On the other hand there is Jamie Foxx who, is just as polished and excellent as Cruise who equally shares his acting brilliance through each scene with Foxx.

transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a hands down classic and is the loudest and most brilliant Summer blockbuster thus far. The action is riveting and extremely fast paced and stops for nothing at all. From start to finish the film places you on a roller-coaster ride that is going at one thousand miles per hour and doesn't let up along the way. The film, instead unleashes more furiously paced and visually unimaginable action as the film progresses. And Michael Bay proves once again that he is the master of blowing stuff up! Every action scene is crafted in such detail that it'l be hard to imagine a better action director working today, and with the help of Spielburg as executive producer, what could go wrong?

The cast are rock solid and prove to be one of the main driving forces of the movie. The direction has also been shaped into a more powerful and bold force compared to the last one and helps Bay create a more intense and fun experience for the audience.

All in all, Revenge of The Fallen is a hands down classic and damn right thrilling action adventure unlike you have ever seen before.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one film that has defined watching films as a whole. It's emotional, clever, witty and epic in all the right ways possible. The film makes audiences think of the value of life and how important a special moment is. As the tag line states-"Life isn't measured in minutes but in moments" which brings the film to a more profound and dramatic level of a cinematic experience.

The concept is viscerally brilliant to watch as is the unique and bold direction led by David Fincher. The acting though of coarse, is something beyond the extraordinary and is accomplished in great leaps and bounds by the two leads. Up to this point in his film career, Brad Pitt has served his most emotional and boldy moving part to date. I couldn't honestly think of another actor of our generation who could have done a better job, and Pitt absolutely nailed it. Every line is spoken in an extremely emotional way as if it were him actually there.

The direction is a masterpiece in it's own accord and thoroughly brings Fincher to master status and one of Hollywood's brightest directors working today. Every scene is composed in thought and emotion and clearly delivers Fincher as a director of huge importance.

Overall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a forever lasting film that will be remembered for generations to come.

Terminator Salvation is a heart thumping, nerve-shredding and action packed thrill ride and holds a strong eye for invention and story. Basically Terminator Salvation is a mile times better than its predecessor, for which many people thought would be the end of The Terminator franchise, but not for McG. The man who lacks the common decency to have a full name has achieved an epic looking and emotional picture that has re-ignited a franchise and who has positioned himself as an excellent action film director.

Gone is the slick LA of the 20/21st century, replaced with dark underground bunkers and huge robot factory cities. Also gone is the normal endoskelaton chases human story and replaced with a 'men on a mission' adventure. The adventure aspect is as every bit as thrilling as it is enigmatic, which takes McG to more of an accomplished insight into the Terminator universe.

The action is chilling and absolutely extraordinary and breathes a fresh set of light to the story. Unlike other Terminator films of the passed, Terminator Salvation up's the anti and action to beyond the other entries. The only downfall i can comment on is the use of some corny dialogue, but like previous Terminator films they wouldn't work without it.

My verdict overall though is that McG has sparked a new light and interest into the Terminator franchise and is one that gives all the post apocalyptic action fans have been waiting to see.

Who on this earth would have the guts to release a film that is full of cliché's and messy chunks of dialogue? That person would be Paul Vorhoeven, the director behind the hugely crappy Starship Trooper.

All area's all executed in no style or realism on any level. The dialogue is messy and boring, whilst the special effects are something completely childishly pathetic and is an aspect that should be looked away from.

Okay, it is a science fiction film but is it really necessary to have a completely over the top and beyond realistic take to it. No. And whats with the low level acting? Jesus, it was awful. The dialogue isn't impressive let alone believable. It just makes out in conclusion as a rubbish and unsympathetic problem that, like the effects should be looked away from.