Even a below standard Pixar movie breezes over its competition.
Most reviews of UP will reveal that the first 20minutes are classic Pixar, full of emotion and deals with some very adult themes and that the middle act loses it way only to finally claw it back towards the end...and I'm afraid i can't disagree.
The beginning is the bravest I've seen in any Pixar movie, bringing the audience to tears in the first 10 minutes is an incredible feet...but you don't want a whole movie full of it.
Its important to note that i saw the UP in 2D...I'm not a fan of the 3D fad and hopefully Avatar will kill it for good!
8/10
Friday, 13 November 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
The Thing: Digital Presentation
OK, I know this isn't a new movie, but it was recently re-released after being converted to a digital presentation.
John Carpenter classic 80's SciFi horror is given a digital make over and not in the George Lucas/Star Wars kind, where everything is replaced for sparkly new graphics, which don't fit the original...Nothing so crude. This is simply a conversion to digital.
The movie looks better than ever, crisp colours and in crystal clear HD. Unlike many 80's SciFi movies this has stood the test of time. This is due to the lack of CGI for the alien effects. Carpenters insistence on using prosthetics and live effects makes this a genuine classic.
Even if you don't get a chance to see the new digital version, make sure you watch this movie again soon.
8/10
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
District 9
This years has seen lots of Sci Fi movies, from huge block busters like Star Trek to small independents like Moon. Some good some bad and some very bad. I'm happy to say that District 9 is in the 'very good' camp.
The initial story reminded me of the 1988 movie Alien Nation. A ship of alien refuges arrives on earth, Johannesburg in this case.
The aliens (colloquially called 'Prawns' in District 9, due to there unique look) are almost instantly segregated and are penned into a shanty town, District 9.
But District 9 is to close to the city and its decided to movie all 1.5 million of them to District 10.
Neill Blomkamp delivers an accomplished movie on a minuscule budget compared to movies in the same genre this summer, based on his short film 'Alive in JoBerg'
Blomkamps greatest achievement is his ability to create digital characters that you can empathise with. George Lucas should take note.
Most of the marketing for District 9 starts by mentioning Peter Jackson, but his mark can hardly been seen, which is a good thing.
A special mention should go to Sharlto Copley who plays the main human character and gives a great performance, a character you dislike for most of the movie but you feel for by the end.
8/10
The initial story reminded me of the 1988 movie Alien Nation. A ship of alien refuges arrives on earth, Johannesburg in this case.
The aliens (colloquially called 'Prawns' in District 9, due to there unique look) are almost instantly segregated and are penned into a shanty town, District 9.
But District 9 is to close to the city and its decided to movie all 1.5 million of them to District 10.
Neill Blomkamp delivers an accomplished movie on a minuscule budget compared to movies in the same genre this summer, based on his short film 'Alive in JoBerg'
Blomkamps greatest achievement is his ability to create digital characters that you can empathise with. George Lucas should take note.
Most of the marketing for District 9 starts by mentioning Peter Jackson, but his mark can hardly been seen, which is a good thing.
A special mention should go to Sharlto Copley who plays the main human character and gives a great performance, a character you dislike for most of the movie but you feel for by the end.
8/10
Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Street Fighter: The legend of Chung Li
On my recent trip to India had the displeasure of watching (i did fall asleep through both)Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Street Fighter: The legend of Chung Li. I'll keep it short...Rubbish, I'd rather have alopecia then have to watch either again. So if you value your hair, steer clear of both these abysmal movies and if you have an love of film please start a group on FaceBook to force these directors (that I'm not gonna name check) to ever be allowed near, even a web cam again.
1/10
1/10
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Depending on your age you will have either played with Action Man or Action Force. Both are the UK version of G.I. Joe.
Hasbro Toys band of slightly silly named poseable action figures. Children of the 80's will know of Duke, Destro, Dr Mindbender, Snake Eyes etc...Now children of the 'Naughties' will be introduced to G.I. Joe with Stephen Summers new summer action movie, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. An origin story of how 2 elite soldiers, Duke and Ripcord join the Joes and save the day and how the evil Cobra organisation reveals itself to the world.
Its all very silly and all good fun...but more than anything else its probably the loudest movie i have ever sat through (does this make me sound terribly old).
The story is simple but well paced...in fact the action doesn't really let up for the refreshingly short movie.
The Paris sequence is the best action set piece of the summer and the whole movie has a feel of a classic Bond movie on acid...more gadgets than Q could hope to build on a UK Government budget.
7/10
Hasbro Toys band of slightly silly named poseable action figures. Children of the 80's will know of Duke, Destro, Dr Mindbender, Snake Eyes etc...Now children of the 'Naughties' will be introduced to G.I. Joe with Stephen Summers new summer action movie, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. An origin story of how 2 elite soldiers, Duke and Ripcord join the Joes and save the day and how the evil Cobra organisation reveals itself to the world.
Its all very silly and all good fun...but more than anything else its probably the loudest movie i have ever sat through (does this make me sound terribly old).
The story is simple but well paced...in fact the action doesn't really let up for the refreshingly short movie.
The Paris sequence is the best action set piece of the summer and the whole movie has a feel of a classic Bond movie on acid...more gadgets than Q could hope to build on a UK Government budget.
7/10
Monday, 10 August 2009
Start Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan
Welcome to a world where a personal communicator is the size of your fist, you can still beat up guys even though you're wearing a girdle and where a sun can shine even though it’s in an underground cave! Welcome to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Its generally understood the original cast Start Trek movies aren't great but the goods are always even in the sequence...that makes no 2 a good one (though I’m actually a fan of Star Trek The Motion Picture and for my sins and can chuckle at Start Trek 4: The Voyage Home....the one with the Whales!)
Back to Wrath of Khan...
Had a few friends round on Saturday night and after a few beers/ales we decided to give the BluRay of Star Trek 2 a go.
As far as Sci Fi movies go it’s got it all...Starships, aliens, comedic intervals, drama and Moby Dick quoting bad guy with a huge chest but a face like old shoe leather.
Ricardo Montalban chews up the screen and doesn't really leave much room for anyone else...he has all the cool lines.
The story is simple (well what else would it be). Kirk left Khan on a deserted plant back in the original TV series. Khan etal, escape the planet and seek revenge against Kirk. Khan gets his hands on a super weapon able to destroy and create worlds...though we never find out what he intends to do with it. Never mind.
The BluRay version doesn't really add much to the quality of the movie...it pre-dates digital sound doesn't really benefit from being in a digital format. It has tons of extras...to many to list.
I remember seeing Wrath of Khan at the cinema when i was a kid and that’s obviously where my love for it started.
If you have recently seen the re-imagined Start Trek, why not go back to 1982 and see a SciFi classic.
KHANNNNNNN....KHANNNNNNN...........KHANNNNNNN.....
9/10
Its generally understood the original cast Start Trek movies aren't great but the goods are always even in the sequence...that makes no 2 a good one (though I’m actually a fan of Star Trek The Motion Picture and for my sins and can chuckle at Start Trek 4: The Voyage Home....the one with the Whales!)
Back to Wrath of Khan...
Had a few friends round on Saturday night and after a few beers/ales we decided to give the BluRay of Star Trek 2 a go.
As far as Sci Fi movies go it’s got it all...Starships, aliens, comedic intervals, drama and Moby Dick quoting bad guy with a huge chest but a face like old shoe leather.
Ricardo Montalban chews up the screen and doesn't really leave much room for anyone else...he has all the cool lines.
The story is simple (well what else would it be). Kirk left Khan on a deserted plant back in the original TV series. Khan etal, escape the planet and seek revenge against Kirk. Khan gets his hands on a super weapon able to destroy and create worlds...though we never find out what he intends to do with it. Never mind.
The BluRay version doesn't really add much to the quality of the movie...it pre-dates digital sound doesn't really benefit from being in a digital format. It has tons of extras...to many to list.
I remember seeing Wrath of Khan at the cinema when i was a kid and that’s obviously where my love for it started.
If you have recently seen the re-imagined Start Trek, why not go back to 1982 and see a SciFi classic.
KHANNNNNNN....KHANNNNNNN...........KHANNNNNNN.....
9/10
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