Yes, another zombie film. But don't sigh just yet as this one is quite refreshingly different. Firstly don't confuse this movie with the French series of the same translated name (Les Revenants) which is pretty decent in it's own right, but not at all related.
Why is this one different? It's actually set in a world AFTER the 'zombie virus' outbreak, where it has been controlled. If an infected is given an antidote within a certain time frame the effects can be reversed. Provided they take their 'medicine' every day all is well and they can live normal lives. These people are referred to as 'The Returned'.
The movie portrays a very believable and realistic future where 'The Returned' are not quite accepted by normal society and seen more like ticking time bombs. Things get a lot worse as it is revealed that the antidote is running out and we can watch the thin threads holding the society together start to break away.
As a lover of most things Zombie (even though the genre has been completely thrashed of late) I really enjoyed this new spin. It was a brilliant script and although obviously low-ish budget, was presented with great cinematography and production. An indy film maker's wet dream really. It was directed by Manuel Carballo who I've not come across before but might be one to keep an eye on.
The majority of acting was 'ok' - however a stand out performance by the lead female - Emily Hampshire really helped carry it across the line.
I recommend giving this one a go if you you're keen for an interesting story and a fresh new take - but be warned there isn't the usual violence and mayhem of a zombie horror.
I only have one complaint. One of the characters drops a case with 60 antidote vials on the ground and every single one of them smashes....... Really? I get we need to build tension with lack of antidote but shiiiiiitt... <insert Marlon Wayans 'shiiiit' from Requiem for a Dream>
7/10
IMDB Info
Ping Pong Summer
I just read about this upcoming movie and if it doesn't sum up everything I love in life and movies then I'm not too sure what else could! Quite obviously I cannot wait to see this flick!! Check out the trailer and leave your thoughts in the comments:
LEGO Movie
This movie is awesome! It's so good on so many different levels I'm not even
sure which one to start with: the 3D, the comedy, the animation, the subversive
plot, the characters, the self-awareness?
I would never, ever, have gone to see a movie about LEGO blocks as it screamed out to me of product placement, stupid story line, exaggerated emotions, conceited plot and I thought it would focus on being silly instead of funny. However, so many people have been raving about it and saying it might even end up on their top 10 lists I had to go see what the fuss was about. This LEGO movie still has product placement, a stupid story with a conceited plot but it doesn't rely on being silly instead of funny. It is totally frickin hilarious all on its own with clever writing, clever animation and brilliant voice acting.
Even the 3D is good in this film! I’m not a huge fan of 3D but mainly because it always feels tacked on and useless, but it really suits this film well and the technology has come a long way. It wasn't blurry and didn’t strain my eyes, and due to all the vibrant colours in the movie it works better than in most other films.
But let’s get on to the really good stuff: the cleverness of the whole picture. The plot if you think about it is really quite subversive. It’s all about how the LEGO people follow instructions each day and are told what to think, what to enjoy and how to live their lives. Then one day the 'typical Joe' character stumbles upon "The Resistance Piece" and so begins an adventure with Batman, the hot girl, unicorns and all sorts of weird, wonderful and hilarious things. The way the LEGO blocks are incorporated into the fight scenes, chase scenes and different worlds throughout is both breathtaking and awe inspiring.
It goes on from there to become a much bigger picture than you would first think it to be, and the whole time it is self-aware. It knows it’s a straight forward adventure movie so it plays on all the tropes and clichés to the max but somehow does it without feeling corny. The outcome of this is that young kids will get wrapped up in the adventure but adults can also laugh at everything they have seen before done in a new way.
I highly recommend checking out this movie, it was loads of fun and much better than I was expecting. You will genuinely be laughing out loud and mightily impressed.
SCORE: 9/10
IMDB Info for LEGO Movie
I would never, ever, have gone to see a movie about LEGO blocks as it screamed out to me of product placement, stupid story line, exaggerated emotions, conceited plot and I thought it would focus on being silly instead of funny. However, so many people have been raving about it and saying it might even end up on their top 10 lists I had to go see what the fuss was about. This LEGO movie still has product placement, a stupid story with a conceited plot but it doesn't rely on being silly instead of funny. It is totally frickin hilarious all on its own with clever writing, clever animation and brilliant voice acting.
Even the 3D is good in this film! I’m not a huge fan of 3D but mainly because it always feels tacked on and useless, but it really suits this film well and the technology has come a long way. It wasn't blurry and didn’t strain my eyes, and due to all the vibrant colours in the movie it works better than in most other films.
But let’s get on to the really good stuff: the cleverness of the whole picture. The plot if you think about it is really quite subversive. It’s all about how the LEGO people follow instructions each day and are told what to think, what to enjoy and how to live their lives. Then one day the 'typical Joe' character stumbles upon "The Resistance Piece" and so begins an adventure with Batman, the hot girl, unicorns and all sorts of weird, wonderful and hilarious things. The way the LEGO blocks are incorporated into the fight scenes, chase scenes and different worlds throughout is both breathtaking and awe inspiring.
It goes on from there to become a much bigger picture than you would first think it to be, and the whole time it is self-aware. It knows it’s a straight forward adventure movie so it plays on all the tropes and clichés to the max but somehow does it without feeling corny. The outcome of this is that young kids will get wrapped up in the adventure but adults can also laugh at everything they have seen before done in a new way.
I highly recommend checking out this movie, it was loads of fun and much better than I was expecting. You will genuinely be laughing out loud and mightily impressed.
SCORE: 9/10
IMDB Info for LEGO Movie
Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Ok, this movie is a lot better than first instalment of the Hunger Games quadrilogy in pretty much every way. The story is much more intricate and has depth, the acting seems to be less cheesy, the direction is much better, the use of visual effects is smarter, the action is much richer and all around more informative, and focus seems to be applied on the bigger themes at play as opposed to focussing the game dynamics and the emotional relationships between the kids. This still doesn't shake my unease for young people being so obsessed with it though. There are some very tough and full on themes running throughout this movie, although, they seem to be swaying much more in favour of something I personally feel, so maybe its for the best.
Let me clarify. The idea of oppression is a big issue and a scary one and one that is nice not to know until you are a bit older, and a bit less innocent. The idea of rebellion is also one better left for a bit older, not only because you need to know the other side to know why you would rebel, but also from the point of view of being a parent: the less kids rebel the better (hehe). However, I feel some parts of the world are in true need of fixing. Celebrity culture, obsessive natures about material things and fashion, talk shows designed to pull every scrap of information out from other peoples lives to a mass audience, magazines full of faked pictures of humans living fake lives with false representations of those lives, the loss of integrity in the world ... I could go on. These are horrible results of the world we live in, and the amazing thing about this movie is it addresses them in a very direct way. It seems conceivable that our world could reach a point like the movie is indicating (almost) and its great to be teaching young people of the consequences of something like that. So, therefore I am in favour of showing those themes and addressing them to young people. For example, the horrible feeling you get when they interview the contestants on that creepy talk show, the ridiculous fashion and how it rules the lives of the elite, the thought of having to drink a potion to cause you to vomit so you can keep eating highlights the excesses that exist in this world, and the themes can be applied to our own. I feel its great to call them out and make you think about them in such a mainstream blockbuster movie.
But, I couldn't help but wonder, how many young people read 1984 when it was released in 1949, or the 50's, or even the 60's? Would any young teens, let alone MOST young teens be reading something like that? If so, then maybe I am over-reacting. But if not, maybe it is concerning. It seems kids aren't given any time to be young and innocent any more and Im not sure what the results of that will be. Angrier and angrier kids who are more connected and more knowledgeable about everything before they can fully comprehend it? That doesn't sound too appealing to me. Even if the odd one or two of them would be as integral, capable and nice as Katniss, most wouldn't be.
And so, I find myself still very confused about this whole thing. If these movies were targeted for adult audiences and explored these themes to an R18+ level then I think I would be gobsmacked by them, but Im still uneasy of the pre-teen appeal of them.
Ultimately I cant fault this movie much, it was a think piece, big action movie and thats typically what I am going for in a blockbuster type film so for that Im thankful. I recommend watching it and enjoying it, but Id be interested if you are left in the conundrum I know find myself in or not. Maybe Im just getting old!
SCORE: 7/10
IMDB Info for Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Let me clarify. The idea of oppression is a big issue and a scary one and one that is nice not to know until you are a bit older, and a bit less innocent. The idea of rebellion is also one better left for a bit older, not only because you need to know the other side to know why you would rebel, but also from the point of view of being a parent: the less kids rebel the better (hehe). However, I feel some parts of the world are in true need of fixing. Celebrity culture, obsessive natures about material things and fashion, talk shows designed to pull every scrap of information out from other peoples lives to a mass audience, magazines full of faked pictures of humans living fake lives with false representations of those lives, the loss of integrity in the world ... I could go on. These are horrible results of the world we live in, and the amazing thing about this movie is it addresses them in a very direct way. It seems conceivable that our world could reach a point like the movie is indicating (almost) and its great to be teaching young people of the consequences of something like that. So, therefore I am in favour of showing those themes and addressing them to young people. For example, the horrible feeling you get when they interview the contestants on that creepy talk show, the ridiculous fashion and how it rules the lives of the elite, the thought of having to drink a potion to cause you to vomit so you can keep eating highlights the excesses that exist in this world, and the themes can be applied to our own. I feel its great to call them out and make you think about them in such a mainstream blockbuster movie.
But, I couldn't help but wonder, how many young people read 1984 when it was released in 1949, or the 50's, or even the 60's? Would any young teens, let alone MOST young teens be reading something like that? If so, then maybe I am over-reacting. But if not, maybe it is concerning. It seems kids aren't given any time to be young and innocent any more and Im not sure what the results of that will be. Angrier and angrier kids who are more connected and more knowledgeable about everything before they can fully comprehend it? That doesn't sound too appealing to me. Even if the odd one or two of them would be as integral, capable and nice as Katniss, most wouldn't be.
And so, I find myself still very confused about this whole thing. If these movies were targeted for adult audiences and explored these themes to an R18+ level then I think I would be gobsmacked by them, but Im still uneasy of the pre-teen appeal of them.
Ultimately I cant fault this movie much, it was a think piece, big action movie and thats typically what I am going for in a blockbuster type film so for that Im thankful. I recommend watching it and enjoying it, but Id be interested if you are left in the conundrum I know find myself in or not. Maybe Im just getting old!
SCORE: 7/10
IMDB Info for Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman
"While traveling abroad, a guy falls for a Romanian beauty whose
unreachable heart has its origins in her violent, charismatic ex." (IMDB)
Decent summary really and along the journey of this love story you can enjoy a nice mix of comedy, violence and generally entertaining cinema. Our main guy Charlie played by Shia LaBeouf sets off to Bucharest, Romania for some soul searching after his mums death. After a very strange welcome into the country he meets this 'Romanian Beauty' (played by Evan Rachel Wood in a very decent performance) and things really start to spiral out of control.
Early on in the piece though Charlie makes his way to the Marco Polo youth hostel where he meets up with a couple of party heads from the UK. If you're a fan of either Harry Potter or the Inbetweener's you will love this part as much as I did as these guys are played by Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and James Buckley (Jay). They down a shitload of LSD and X and some really funny shit ensues captured well with some great filming and "I'm on drugs" effects. I read that LaBeouf actually took LSD for the scene to make it more authentic, would have been a fun day on set no doubt. A good quote from Buckley - "If I can't take my tin of drugs around with me then the terrorists have already won". True that!
But then things get more serious as Charlie starts inadvertently getting involved with some pretty nasty fellas. The poor bastard cops a lot of beatings but he remains true to the cause. Reminded me a bit of Brick where J.G.L just kept getting pounded into a bloody mess. Full credit to the casting of the bad guys too - Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) and Til Schweiger (Inglorious Basterds) ... not a pair you would want to cross in a hurry.
Overall the movie is a bit of muddle but the changing style keeps it quite interesting and the story moves along quick enough. LaBeouf wears a little bit too much dark eye shadow for my liking, makes him look like Khal Drogo but don't let that put you off. It's worth watching just to see Ron Weasley pop 5 viagra.
7/10
IMDB Info
Decent summary really and along the journey of this love story you can enjoy a nice mix of comedy, violence and generally entertaining cinema. Our main guy Charlie played by Shia LaBeouf sets off to Bucharest, Romania for some soul searching after his mums death. After a very strange welcome into the country he meets this 'Romanian Beauty' (played by Evan Rachel Wood in a very decent performance) and things really start to spiral out of control.
Early on in the piece though Charlie makes his way to the Marco Polo youth hostel where he meets up with a couple of party heads from the UK. If you're a fan of either Harry Potter or the Inbetweener's you will love this part as much as I did as these guys are played by Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and James Buckley (Jay). They down a shitload of LSD and X and some really funny shit ensues captured well with some great filming and "I'm on drugs" effects. I read that LaBeouf actually took LSD for the scene to make it more authentic, would have been a fun day on set no doubt. A good quote from Buckley - "If I can't take my tin of drugs around with me then the terrorists have already won". True that!
But then things get more serious as Charlie starts inadvertently getting involved with some pretty nasty fellas. The poor bastard cops a lot of beatings but he remains true to the cause. Reminded me a bit of Brick where J.G.L just kept getting pounded into a bloody mess. Full credit to the casting of the bad guys too - Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) and Til Schweiger (Inglorious Basterds) ... not a pair you would want to cross in a hurry.
Overall the movie is a bit of muddle but the changing style keeps it quite interesting and the story moves along quick enough. LaBeouf wears a little bit too much dark eye shadow for my liking, makes him look like Khal Drogo but don't let that put you off. It's worth watching just to see Ron Weasley pop 5 viagra.
7/10
IMDB Info
Am I Truman Burbank?
So, last week I made up a funny (I thought so anyway) Aprils Fools Day post about The Goonies II being greenlit and coming to a screen near you. Two days ago my wife indicates to me that there is something on her Facebook about The Goonies sequel and I laugh and tell her that was just me being an idiot. Then she says it mentioned Richard Donner and that he had confirmed it to TMZ, and all I could think of was the scene in The Truman Show where he realises that everything seems to play out perfectly for him all the time, that all of his actions are listened to and acted upon. It was the dawn of realisation that everything that is happening in this world must be happening for me (and yes I imagine the whole thing is actually being orchestrated by Ed Harris) and its all to make a movie happen. To make The Goonies II actually happen.
And so, now that I know I have this power, did everyone know that Star Wars VII is greenlit? Oh, wait... Did everyone know that The Hobbit is finally ... oh, wait. Did everyone know that Indiana Jones ... oh wait .. oh, Ive got it! I've got it!
Did everyone know that Monty Python are re-teaming and going to do a sequel to The Holy Grail!?!?!?!?!
And so, now that I know I have this power, did everyone know that Star Wars VII is greenlit? Oh, wait... Did everyone know that The Hobbit is finally ... oh, wait. Did everyone know that Indiana Jones ... oh wait .. oh, Ive got it! I've got it!
Did everyone know that Monty Python are re-teaming and going to do a sequel to The Holy Grail!?!?!?!?!
Last Vegas
I wasn't expecting much with one but always love to be proven wrong. As soon as it started it produced a smile on my face and I don't think I stopped smiling for the entire film with some laugh out loud moments as well. Last Vegas is just a great, fun movie. It doesn't try to be anything else.
The film is about a bunch of elderly guys who have been mates since forever hitting up Vegas for a Bachelor party and realizing they're not dead yet! What makes this an absolute success is the chemistry between the 4 main male leads - Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline. They nailed it. Their interactions between themselves and with the outside world was natural and hilarious.
All were brilliant but Morgan Freeman was the stand out for me. He played such a great character who was just out for a good time and after a couple of drinks became the kid he was 60 years ago. Together the guys manage to score the penthouse at the Aria and find themselves clubbing, judging bikini contests, throwing a massive party and one even get's a lap dance from Red Foo. It sounds corny written like that but the way it pans out in the movie it doesn't seem it.
Not much else to say on this one, just that it gives off a really good vibe. I highly recommend it, especially for us blokes getting on a bit - there's a lot of 'old man' problem humor, all stuff to look forward to I guess.
8/10
IMDB Info
The film is about a bunch of elderly guys who have been mates since forever hitting up Vegas for a Bachelor party and realizing they're not dead yet! What makes this an absolute success is the chemistry between the 4 main male leads - Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline. They nailed it. Their interactions between themselves and with the outside world was natural and hilarious.
All were brilliant but Morgan Freeman was the stand out for me. He played such a great character who was just out for a good time and after a couple of drinks became the kid he was 60 years ago. Together the guys manage to score the penthouse at the Aria and find themselves clubbing, judging bikini contests, throwing a massive party and one even get's a lap dance from Red Foo. It sounds corny written like that but the way it pans out in the movie it doesn't seem it.
Not much else to say on this one, just that it gives off a really good vibe. I highly recommend it, especially for us blokes getting on a bit - there's a lot of 'old man' problem humor, all stuff to look forward to I guess.
8/10
IMDB Info
Goonies II is Greenlit!
Well everyone, its official, Hollywood is officially trying to ruin our childhoods even more.
A new report comes out from Deadline, Variety, and even IMDB have a page for it, reporting that Bret Ratner has signed on to bring about the much desired Goonies II movie. Normally I would be completely over the moon and excited beyond belief to be bringing you this news, but just wait until you hear about the cast.
Returning to the flick are Corey Feldman and Ke Huy Quan and Martha Plimpton, however, it appears Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen and Kerri Green have all refused to be a part of the remake stating they are either not acting any more or uninterested in the new story.
The new story comes to us from Barry Wernick who co-wrote Grandma's Boy, a movie great for drinking games but hardly something of the quality we want for a Goonies sequel. It is rumoured to be casting for younger versions of all the main cast who are all the new generation of video game playing, boring children who stay indoors all the time, and explain to them the efforts of their parents to preserve such a special outdoors adventure area such as the Goondocks by putting them through a daring adventure to go back into the underground lair of One Eyed Willy. Rumoured to be in the lair is the treasure of a second pirate April Fools who tends to write these silly news announcements each year.
The kids will undoubtedly go on to defeat such a nefarious beast as the April Fools pirate and revel in the aftermath of the fight by flying down waterslides, swinging on ropes, killing invisible octopi and stopping an evil father and son from setting up a golf course. It is with much concern I share this news and with much excitement I run home to watch the real, awesome, amazing, most perfect movie of all time: the original THE GOONIES! I suggest you all do too.
A new report comes out from Deadline, Variety, and even IMDB have a page for it, reporting that Bret Ratner has signed on to bring about the much desired Goonies II movie. Normally I would be completely over the moon and excited beyond belief to be bringing you this news, but just wait until you hear about the cast.
Returning to the flick are Corey Feldman and Ke Huy Quan and Martha Plimpton, however, it appears Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen and Kerri Green have all refused to be a part of the remake stating they are either not acting any more or uninterested in the new story.
The new story comes to us from Barry Wernick who co-wrote Grandma's Boy, a movie great for drinking games but hardly something of the quality we want for a Goonies sequel. It is rumoured to be casting for younger versions of all the main cast who are all the new generation of video game playing, boring children who stay indoors all the time, and explain to them the efforts of their parents to preserve such a special outdoors adventure area such as the Goondocks by putting them through a daring adventure to go back into the underground lair of One Eyed Willy. Rumoured to be in the lair is the treasure of a second pirate April Fools who tends to write these silly news announcements each year.
The kids will undoubtedly go on to defeat such a nefarious beast as the April Fools pirate and revel in the aftermath of the fight by flying down waterslides, swinging on ropes, killing invisible octopi and stopping an evil father and son from setting up a golf course. It is with much concern I share this news and with much excitement I run home to watch the real, awesome, amazing, most perfect movie of all time: the original THE GOONIES! I suggest you all do too.
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