Just a quick post to apologise for the lack of posts. Guy and I are still trying to pick up our lives since the final episode of Breaking Bad. Trying to answer such questions as
- What to look forward to with no new season of Breaking Bad?
- How long will it be until someone can create such a masterpiece?
- What can fill the void?
I think the answer for me is Game of Thrones but the new season is still a while off. Walking Dead? Yeah not bad. Dexter? Not hearing good things about this last series which is a shame to wrap up a decent show poorly.
Recently started Californication which is a good choice after Breaking Bad. Its lightheartedness is good contrast to the BB intensity.
Also watched the first episode of 'News room' which was pretty great actually. There's also the new Kevin Spacey show house of cards. Oh and Homeland Season 3.
Looks like we will be ok after all however it's hard to go back to speed when you have tried cocaine.
Not much to report on the movie front. Have watched a few over the past weeks:
Disconnect
An interesting film about modern life with a bunch of intertwining story lines. Very similar to 'Crash'. Worth a watch and great different very serious role for Jason Bateman. 7/10
IMDB Info
Pacific Rim
This was a pretty entertaining film. Big budget, simple but satisfying story and some interesting characters. It also has the colourful flare that Del Toro brings to all his films. Don't expect anything too deep but just enjoy the cheese. 7/10
IMDB Info
Curse of Chucky
Was looking forward to this one as I had heard it felt more like the Chucky films of old rather than the more recent Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky etc. I have to admit it was decent, but unfortunately didn't quite have the charm of the originals. I guess its hard to compete with childhood memories. 6/10
IMDB Info
There's been a few more but I can't think of em... so couldn't be that great :)
Anyway, back to Californication...
Trance
In a post Inception world, making something like this is tricky to begin with, but that’s still no excuse for having absolutely no story line or reason for any of the events that happen in the movie to happen. It’s a total mess. I think he was trying to play with the timeline and put events out of order and out of sequence but unless you have that magical coming together of events like the car falling in Inception , while the hotel world was spinning around and the music was playing at different speeds to tie it all together, the audience doesn’t know where the events are actually taking place. It’s like watching a band play without instruments.
The single most amazing part of this film, though, is that Danny Boyle somehow made a naked Rosario Dawson unattractive. Rosario Dawson is a beautiful lady and even Kevin Smith was able to amp up her sex appeal in Clerks II, but somehow in amongst all the slick, shiny lights, heist wannabe film, he turns her into the most wooden, boring character I may have ever seen on the screen. The 'love triangle' between her, James McAvoy's character and Vincent Cassel's character that is apparently meant to tie this movie together (I don’t fully understand it as it’s never explained) is about as believable as Padme and Anakin in The Clone Wars. I'm amazed at how badly its done to be honest and how completely unbelievable it is. I almost laughed at the reveal of Ms Dawson walking down the corridor to James's character, and then later on in the film it tries to pay off the imagery as a reference of 'pure' art form. It was cringe inducing.
Not to mention the never explained relationships of James McAvoy and Vincent Cassels characters. I mean, they are in essence the main leads who are responsible for the art theft, the memory loss and every resulting action that takes place. But I couldn’t tell you a single thing about them. I don’t know how they are related to each other, why they were working together, why one of them seems to die and be reborn multiple times, and why only one of them gets a secret message (full of exposition to explain the whole movie you just watched) at the end of the movie? Its just .. I’m speechless. Those two characters are as one dimensional as can be, and unrelated to each other as R2D2 is to Spock, and they are the whole reason the events in the movie take place!
I hope this film is just a result of being spread too thin as Danny was working on this during the Olympic Opening Ceremony and I can’t imagine the stress and work required for creating something like that. That opening ceremony was a masterpiece in direction and style and conveyed a real and clear message. Trance is the opposite. If all of his efforts were going into making the ceremony over this movie then that makes perfect sense and what he achieved there was simply stunning. Let’s just forget this film was ever made, and leave it to Mr Skin to bury the nudity shots into their archives as it’s the only part of this film that will grab anyone’s attention, even if it’s from a small and morally dubious place.
SCORE: 3/10
Movies to watch out for
There's always some really good releases coming up to Christmas so thought I would run up a list of the one's I'm looking forward to! Click on the IMDB links for a synopsis.
Gravity
Although the trailer is incredible the most exciting thing about this movie for me is that it's directed by Alfonso Cuaron who was the genius who gave us Children of Men. Stars Sandra Bullock and Mr Clooney. Definitely one for the cinema methinks to help drown in the infinite of space.
IMDB
12 Years A Slave
Steve McQueen's next directorial installment! I have really enjoyed his raw and simplistic style in his previous movies 'Hunger' and 'Shame' and can only assume he will continue this quality here. Absolutely massive cast - Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men), plus more. This will be a huge Oscar contender.
IMDB
The Counselor
Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender are together again in this one backed up by Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz. Directed by our main man Ridley Scott I think this will prove to be a great ride - has he ever done a bad film?
IMDB
All is Lost
I have to admit I'm a sucker for survival stuff. Loved movies like 'Survive the Savage Sea', Castaway, 'Lord of the Flies' and so on. 'All is Lost' looks to be another I can add to this list. Headed by Robert Redford who is actually the only actor credited in the entire movie. The success of it will obviously be based on his performance but I think it's in fairly safe hands.
IMDB
Out of the Furnace
Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Sam Sheppard directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart).... no point saying any more! Looks incredible.
IMDB
Grown Ups 2
The first was so refreshing after the crap Sandler had been putting out. I love the guy and his style of comedy which produced a number of all time classics so it was great to add another one to that list. I think all of the guys just meshed really well and the result was some genuinely funny moments. The scene that comes to mind is when they are taking it in turns perving on the girls.. "Switch"... and "Switch"...
Anyway I'm sure we will get a bit more of that in the second!
IMDB
Captain Phillips
Any movie with Tom Hanks is a must to watch in my book. This one follows the story of an American cargo boat hijacked by Somali pirates. Directed by Paul Greengrass who is probably most famous for the Bourne movies. He's a bit of shaky cam man so hopefully doesn't go too over the top in this one.
IMDB
The Wolf of Wall Street
Sir Leo stars in this true story directed by the one and only Martin Scorsese. Obviously Scorsese has a massive man-crush on Leo as this is his 5th(??) movie with him. Normally Wall Street would bore the pants off me but with these two gentlemen I think we can say it's going to be decent.
IMDB
Delivery Man
Good ole Vince Vaughn always cracks me up with his unique dry style. Love the description for this movie - "An affable underachiever finds out he's fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity."
How can that not be good?
IMDB
Escape from Tomorrow
This movie looks like a complete trip out. Filmed on location (without permission) in Disneyworld and Disneyland - "In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father's sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday."
Looks like a first attempt for writer and director Randy Moore (sounds like a fake name!) this one could go either way methinks. I will enjoy the setting though bringing back good memories of the happiest place on Earth!
IMDB
Rush
Above we have had movies from Scott, Cuaron, Scorsese, Mcqueen ... and now we get another great- Ron Howard. I don't know much about F1, nor have much interest in watching the actual races, but this movie looks fantastic. Chris Hemsworth is the biggest name in the cast but I also notice it has Olivia Wilde whom I was recently impressed with in "Drinking Buddies"
IMDB
Insidious: Chapter 2
Absolutely loved the first one so can't wait for the second installment. Same director as the first - James Wan - who also directed Saw and more recently The Conjuring amongst others. Most of the original cast looks the same too so with any luck we get similar quality to the first.
IMDB
If I've missed any good ones please post in the comments so I can check them out!
Gravity
Although the trailer is incredible the most exciting thing about this movie for me is that it's directed by Alfonso Cuaron who was the genius who gave us Children of Men. Stars Sandra Bullock and Mr Clooney. Definitely one for the cinema methinks to help drown in the infinite of space.
IMDB
12 Years A Slave
Steve McQueen's next directorial installment! I have really enjoyed his raw and simplistic style in his previous movies 'Hunger' and 'Shame' and can only assume he will continue this quality here. Absolutely massive cast - Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men), plus more. This will be a huge Oscar contender.
IMDB
The Counselor
Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender are together again in this one backed up by Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz. Directed by our main man Ridley Scott I think this will prove to be a great ride - has he ever done a bad film?
IMDB
All is Lost
I have to admit I'm a sucker for survival stuff. Loved movies like 'Survive the Savage Sea', Castaway, 'Lord of the Flies' and so on. 'All is Lost' looks to be another I can add to this list. Headed by Robert Redford who is actually the only actor credited in the entire movie. The success of it will obviously be based on his performance but I think it's in fairly safe hands.
IMDB
Out of the Furnace
Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Sam Sheppard directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart).... no point saying any more! Looks incredible.
IMDB
Grown Ups 2
The first was so refreshing after the crap Sandler had been putting out. I love the guy and his style of comedy which produced a number of all time classics so it was great to add another one to that list. I think all of the guys just meshed really well and the result was some genuinely funny moments. The scene that comes to mind is when they are taking it in turns perving on the girls.. "Switch"... and "Switch"...
Anyway I'm sure we will get a bit more of that in the second!
IMDB
Captain Phillips
Any movie with Tom Hanks is a must to watch in my book. This one follows the story of an American cargo boat hijacked by Somali pirates. Directed by Paul Greengrass who is probably most famous for the Bourne movies. He's a bit of shaky cam man so hopefully doesn't go too over the top in this one.
IMDB
The Wolf of Wall Street
Sir Leo stars in this true story directed by the one and only Martin Scorsese. Obviously Scorsese has a massive man-crush on Leo as this is his 5th(??) movie with him. Normally Wall Street would bore the pants off me but with these two gentlemen I think we can say it's going to be decent.
IMDB
Delivery Man
Good ole Vince Vaughn always cracks me up with his unique dry style. Love the description for this movie - "An affable underachiever finds out he's fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity."
How can that not be good?
IMDB
Escape from Tomorrow
This movie looks like a complete trip out. Filmed on location (without permission) in Disneyworld and Disneyland - "In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father's sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday."
Looks like a first attempt for writer and director Randy Moore (sounds like a fake name!) this one could go either way methinks. I will enjoy the setting though bringing back good memories of the happiest place on Earth!
IMDB
Rush
Above we have had movies from Scott, Cuaron, Scorsese, Mcqueen ... and now we get another great- Ron Howard. I don't know much about F1, nor have much interest in watching the actual races, but this movie looks fantastic. Chris Hemsworth is the biggest name in the cast but I also notice it has Olivia Wilde whom I was recently impressed with in "Drinking Buddies"
IMDB
Insidious: Chapter 2
Absolutely loved the first one so can't wait for the second installment. Same director as the first - James Wan - who also directed Saw and more recently The Conjuring amongst others. Most of the original cast looks the same too so with any luck we get similar quality to the first.
IMDB
If I've missed any good ones please post in the comments so I can check them out!
World War Z
Just a quick one have to go feed the kid.
After seeing the trailers I wasn't too sure on this as it looked a bit over the top with those scenes picturing thousands of zombies climbing all over each other etc. I love zombie movies but the genre is copping a hammering lately. I think 28 days later really kick started it again and it's been thrashed ever since both books and cinema.
Anyway... World War Z is really good. From start to finish it is a really intense ride. It's beautifully made which was probably helped by the incredibly massive budget. The story is nothing new but it was just done really well so didn't really care.
There were a number of moments in the movie where I thought they were heading for a cheesy moment or one of the characters pulling off something completely rubbish but each time it steered in a different direction .. it was a nice change.
If you're a zombie fan, check it out. Not often they get a full Hollywood budget but it definitely works and you will enjoy the eye candy.
8/10
IMDB Info
After seeing the trailers I wasn't too sure on this as it looked a bit over the top with those scenes picturing thousands of zombies climbing all over each other etc. I love zombie movies but the genre is copping a hammering lately. I think 28 days later really kick started it again and it's been thrashed ever since both books and cinema.
Anyway... World War Z is really good. From start to finish it is a really intense ride. It's beautifully made which was probably helped by the incredibly massive budget. The story is nothing new but it was just done really well so didn't really care.
There were a number of moments in the movie where I thought they were heading for a cheesy moment or one of the characters pulling off something completely rubbish but each time it steered in a different direction .. it was a nice change.
If you're a zombie fan, check it out. Not often they get a full Hollywood budget but it definitely works and you will enjoy the eye candy.
8/10
IMDB Info
Sharknado & Hell Baby
But, on a much more positive note, the idea is fantastic! And as stupid as much of it is and completely unbelievable (How do sharks survive out of water for so long, how does a grenade stop a tornado, how can a helicopter fly so close to a tornado, how long can someone survive inside a shark?!?!) it certainly is a conversation starter. I don’t know .. I guess go see it just so you can say you have seen it, but unless you want to cave in to the hype it’s really nothing special. I was expecting some more cheesy fun, or at least some more gags or jokes or puns, but it really wasn’t clever and it certainly wasn’t made well. But it is called: SHARKNADO!
After watching this, Holmsey, Razza and I chucked on another terrible looking horror called Hell Baby. Oh, the comparison! I don’t know if it was just the timing of following up Sharknado with this, or if it truly was as funny as we found it to be, but goddamn, it’s hilarious! I have to give it the award for most perfectly timed joke in the last decade. I fell for it hook line and sinker and almost fell of the couch with how perfect it was. I can clearly imagine many groups of teenage boys munching on cereal late at night watching that part of the movie and pretty much dying of laughter, it’s awesome.
The movie plot is pretty tongue in cheek. A pregnant lady and her man decide to buy a cheap huge manor house in New Orleans and move in. When they move in the token black guy who lives on the street also shows up (who is bloody funny) and tells them the house is home to demons and many people have died there. Cue best joke of the decade and then follow these guys on their journey of surviving the silly and scary events to the birth of the evil baby. Things get a bit gross out comedy there which I suppose was to be expected but this film had a refreshingly fun and self-aware silly vibe that is hard to nail. Definitely worth checking out!
Sharknado Score: 1/10
Hell Baby Score: 8/10
Elysium
Was really, really, really looking forward to seeing this one. The trailer was done so well and all the elements were there for something great. Great story idea, top actors, beautiful special effects and written & directed by Neill Blomkamp - bring it on! I really enjoyed District 9 which he also wrote and directed - loved the amazing realism and his ability to make the future very believable.
The start of Elysium is brilliant and Guy and I were pretty excited thinking it might just turn out as good as the trailer suggested. Unfortunately this is not to be. For me the biggest downfall was the lack of character development. As events were unfolding on screen I never felt emotionally invested in the outcome. The other negative which seems to unfortunately be the trend now in modern movies was the super quick and blurry editing during the action and combat scenes. Might look better on the home flat screen but at the cinema was just off putting really.
What's most disappointing is that the story had so much potential but wasn't done justice. It felt like the first draft of script that with some extra effort and editing could have been a modern Sci-fi classic. A number of story elements seemed completely unnecessary - for example the robotic exoskeleton Matt Damon's character Max has surgically installed.
It's not all bad though. Blomkamp still manages to create an incredibly realistic future world. His blending of real footage and CG is flawless and you don't question the reality being portrayed. Damon gives his usual strong performance - loved seeing him all tattooed up as well. Jodie Foster played the role of Delacourt who was in charge for Elysium's security. It was a fair performance but I was put off a little by what I can only guess was an attempt to create a new futuristic accent. I appreciate what they were going for but this ended up being a negative for me.
Overall though a very watchable movie with some great action and a generally fun ride. I've heard a lot of positive reviews and perhaps I'm being a bit harsh... the main problem was probably my extremely high expectations going in - impossible to live up to. Will give it another go on blu-ray next year and see how it goes the second time round.
6/10
IMDB Info
The start of Elysium is brilliant and Guy and I were pretty excited thinking it might just turn out as good as the trailer suggested. Unfortunately this is not to be. For me the biggest downfall was the lack of character development. As events were unfolding on screen I never felt emotionally invested in the outcome. The other negative which seems to unfortunately be the trend now in modern movies was the super quick and blurry editing during the action and combat scenes. Might look better on the home flat screen but at the cinema was just off putting really.
What's most disappointing is that the story had so much potential but wasn't done justice. It felt like the first draft of script that with some extra effort and editing could have been a modern Sci-fi classic. A number of story elements seemed completely unnecessary - for example the robotic exoskeleton Matt Damon's character Max has surgically installed.
It's not all bad though. Blomkamp still manages to create an incredibly realistic future world. His blending of real footage and CG is flawless and you don't question the reality being portrayed. Damon gives his usual strong performance - loved seeing him all tattooed up as well. Jodie Foster played the role of Delacourt who was in charge for Elysium's security. It was a fair performance but I was put off a little by what I can only guess was an attempt to create a new futuristic accent. I appreciate what they were going for but this ended up being a negative for me.
Overall though a very watchable movie with some great action and a generally fun ride. I've heard a lot of positive reviews and perhaps I'm being a bit harsh... the main problem was probably my extremely high expectations going in - impossible to live up to. Will give it another go on blu-ray next year and see how it goes the second time round.
6/10
IMDB Info
Byzantium
Goddamn I love picking the movie with the weird name only to be blown away.
Believe it or not, this is a vampire film. Yes, I know... I can hear you groaning from here. I don't blame you with the utter crap we have been drowned in from this genre over the past several years. I shudder to think of the day I'm trying to explain to my son why 'Interview With The Vampire' is considerably superior in every way to 'Twilight 10: The WolfBatVampZombieGhost revenge'.
I watch them all though regardless of how awful just in the slight hope of something that can come close to some of the greats. 'Interview With The Vampire' obviously :) 'Lost Boys' of course. Maybe 'Let the Right One In' comes close. It's like panning for gold decades too late.
Tonight was awesome... I found Byzantium. What is it with British cinema which just seems to get more appealing the older you get?
This film was (almost) perfect.
It brought back the beauty, charm and entrancement of a decent Vampire flick. It's like experiencing a dream. The beautifully simple piano soundtrack worked so well... as it often does in so many movies.
Hah - the joke on is me though as I just looked up IMDB to see who directed this and it turns out it's the same guy who directed 'Interview With The Vampire'.... Well Mr 'Neil Jordan', I am a big fan. (He also did the Crying Game but I haven't seen it :0)
I was completely entranced for the entire movie. When I think back to how it started to where it ended and the journey I'd been through it's just incredible. There is so much going on and I just love the way it's told. I just want anyone like me who still holds on to the hope of good vampire movies to watch this and let me know what you think. Am I losing my grasp? Or do you agree this is an original masterpiece?
9/10
IMDB Info
BTW - the only reason for the (almost) perfect was a few scotchers so hopefully need to edit that out after a sober watch ;) (10/10??? :)
Believe it or not, this is a vampire film. Yes, I know... I can hear you groaning from here. I don't blame you with the utter crap we have been drowned in from this genre over the past several years. I shudder to think of the day I'm trying to explain to my son why 'Interview With The Vampire' is considerably superior in every way to 'Twilight 10: The WolfBatVampZombieGhost revenge'.
I watch them all though regardless of how awful just in the slight hope of something that can come close to some of the greats. 'Interview With The Vampire' obviously :) 'Lost Boys' of course. Maybe 'Let the Right One In' comes close. It's like panning for gold decades too late.
Tonight was awesome... I found Byzantium. What is it with British cinema which just seems to get more appealing the older you get?
This film was (almost) perfect.
It brought back the beauty, charm and entrancement of a decent Vampire flick. It's like experiencing a dream. The beautifully simple piano soundtrack worked so well... as it often does in so many movies.
Hah - the joke on is me though as I just looked up IMDB to see who directed this and it turns out it's the same guy who directed 'Interview With The Vampire'.... Well Mr 'Neil Jordan', I am a big fan. (He also did the Crying Game but I haven't seen it :0)
I was completely entranced for the entire movie. When I think back to how it started to where it ended and the journey I'd been through it's just incredible. There is so much going on and I just love the way it's told. I just want anyone like me who still holds on to the hope of good vampire movies to watch this and let me know what you think. Am I losing my grasp? Or do you agree this is an original masterpiece?
9/10
IMDB Info
BTW - the only reason for the (almost) perfect was a few scotchers so hopefully need to edit that out after a sober watch ;) (10/10??? :)
Pain & Gain
I was really looking forward to this movie for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost (and I know Im going to get in trouble for saying this) I like Michael Bay films. I completely understand they are not amazing pieces of cinema and I totally understand they are made to appeal to the masses and make him lots of money, but he just does them so well! His 'splosions are always better than other peoples. His use of arrogance for humour goes down so much better than any other director. His ability to call in mega stars and hot babes and awesome cars and blow them all up is just simply fun, even if mindless. So when I heard he was making a 90's film with Marky Mark and The Rock being body builders who get in trouble trying to heist some rich dude I was expecting happy pant wearing, muscle popping, non stop action with a good slathering of humour.
The first half of the film did not disappoint. Mark Wahlbergs character is an interesting take on an American dreamer who wants everything and feels he can achieve it. You can see the determination coupled with the stupidity needed for this character to go on to do the things he does and it sets a lot up in this first half. The introduction of The Rock was awesome too as it was nothing like what I was expecting. Seeing him playing a born again Christian drug addict, violent man who doesnt want to be violent or do drugs anymore yet is caught up in all of this illegal activity was great and the acting was solid (pun intended). Finally, rounding out the primary trio of criminals is Anthony Mackie playing the best friend and accomplice to everything that goes on. His character felt a bit under developed, or possibly he was just out muscled by the other two, but I was left a bit flat from his character and would have welcomed him more as a Wesley Snipes type of wise ass or something.
The second half of the film unfortunately doesnt live up to the first half. A lot was built up around the quest for Daniel Lugo (Marky Mark) to achieve everything at any cost and to be a bit of a Robin Hood type, taking down the bad rich man to give he and his friends what they deserve. But, in the end it just kind of felt like an idiot making a bad decision and getting in way over his head, which is a much less interesting story. I think Michael Bay might have been trying to show just how futilie Daniels efforts were, or trying to say something about the quest to achieve everything taking a lot more than just kidnapping and torturing someone. Unfortunately it didnt quite get there with any emotional weight and I was even a bit bored by the final act which should have been impactful after all the horror that takes place.
Overall its not a bad movie, and kudos for taking a risk on making a very different sort of film than you would expect. It starts off feeling quite emotional and almost 'self helpy' in its attitude towards you can do anything, be anyone and no one can stop you. But by the end (SPOILERS) the characters are all in jail and have ruined their lives, (END SPOILERS) so Im not sure what the message was supposed to be. Still, I really enjoyed watching Mark Wahlberg and The Rock get a pump on and the set design, costumes and music were all loads of fun. I would have liked a bit more cheekiness from the lead characters as when that was happening the movie was at its best. A little more Ken Jeong, and a little more 90's cheese would have been great too as it felt under utilised. But most of all a better second half would have done the film wonders.
SCORE: 6/10
This Is The End
I have honestly not laughed so consistently in a film for what feels like ages. Every 5 minutes I was pissing myself laughing with the dry smart arse humour of Jonah Hill, or cracking up at Danny McBride being Danny McBridge, or almost faling off my chair at a coke'd up Michael Cera acting like an absolute knob! The way Seth and Evan thought about each character with respect to the real life representation of each actor, and designed such amusing and fitting character traits for them, really hits home and every single one of them is done to perfection.
The film isn't a masterpiece in story telling, but its so chock full of little amusing things that you don't care. Instead of going for that dumbed down, in-your-face stupidity type comedy of the Scary Move franchise, this film uses detail and genuine warmth to make things funny. Things like a huge diamond earring in Jonah Hill's ear. A towel on Craig Robinsons shoulder for the whole film that simply says "Mr Robinson". The fact that James Franco had paintings commissioned that just say "James Franco" and "Seth Rogan" to introduce how 'Hollywoodised" Seth has become to his friend Jay. These things are clever and funny and well thought out and are but three in a film of millions.
I honestly love this film, and cannot wait to watch it again. I know I missed many hidden treats in the background and can so imagine the main cast all standing around in a room saying things like "I reckon in this take you should reference my earring", "I reckon in this take we should work in Scarface somehow", "I reckon in this part we should get Emma Watson to de-head a giant penis statue with an axe!" and I can just imagine every single one of them pissing themselves with laughter as they thought about it, then setting up the cameras and shooting it. It really comes across that these guys had a blast putting this movie together and it really makes you as an audience member happy that you got to be a part of it. It kind of feels like, for a little while, you get to be a 20 or 30 something successfull actor in Hollywood, hanging out with your friends at the end of the world.
SCORE: 8/10
Spring Breakers
Spring Breakers is essentially a love letter to being a slutty, immature, spoilt, uncaring and violent teenage girl. It follows 3 such girls, who try hard to corrupt a fourth, on a spiralling journey into chaos and madness. All the while dressed in bikini's and showing off how the Spring Breaker generation party when they get out of school. There is plenty of drugs, sex and violence and an overbearingly obvious attempt to convey something of the shallowness or crudeness or evilness or something of this act that many a teenager does but unfortunately the movie fails to really make a point about anything.
I find the teenage years a really interesting time of life to focus on in a movie, as do countless coming of age stories, but this film really isn’t a coming of age story. I also find it really interesting to watch beautiful women in bikini's but this film somehow makes that seem dull too. I find it really interesting to see the consequences of making bad decisions and hanging out with the wrong people but in this film there are no consequences for the girls, they get away with anything. And, I find it really interesting to see what happens when you bring in a dangerous fifth person to a small and tight group of friends, but this film fails to portray the consequences and takes the easy path out with just sending half of them home, never to be seen of again for the rest of the movie. How the movie can try and fail on so many levels is kind of interesting.
Ultimately the movie just isn’t that great. It has a kind of excellent premise in that it’s about four hot girls going to spring break, wearing bikinis for the whole movie, getting caught up with a drug dealer, stealing money and partying their arses off, but it tries to convey all of these other ideas along the way and turns into a mess. It should have either just accepted itself as a bit of TnA flick or lessened the TnA and stuck to a specific point. Instead it turned out to be half/half.
The one saving grace of the film and the reason I am recommending everyone should still check it out has nothing to do with what I just said, it’s James Franco. 'Alien' as his character is called in this film is mesmerising. I honestly would not have even known it was James Franco without seeing his name in the credits. He COMPLETELY transforms himself into someone else, and by doing so embodies the American Dream. In one scene he is standing on a bed repeatedly saying 'Look at all my shit!' whilst pointing to his guns, his money, his clothes and his drugs. Its done amazingly well and really sticks out. Actually, almost every scene he is in is memorable so check it out for his acting alone.
SCORE: 6/10
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