The Easie Precis: Do you believe in time travel? A disturbed high school kid is visited by a giant bunny rabbit, who tells him the world is going to end soon. The actual film is even more weird than that sentence makes it sound
Compatible Movies: I've been searching, but really a unique film. Perhaps a little David Lynch-esque.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 84% Love 16% Fear
Watch the Trailer? I recommend to not watch - it shows a little too much. It is however, a nice trailer and does serve the film well.
A Little More Detail...
It's hard to say too much about this film without giving anything away. Apparently Richard Kelly, the director had wanted to make a superhero movie. The end result is nothing of the like.
This is the sort of film where every little thing that happens feels like it has some double-meaning, or that it will be relevant later on.
This, coupled with a brilliant soundtrack combines to create a very atmospheric film. By atmospheric I mean creeeeeppppppyyyyyyyy.
This film has some great lines.... "Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion!"
What's it About?
High school, Suburban Neighbourhoods, Time Travel, Death
Best Viewing Company: Anyone!
Movie Reviews and Bad Spelling!
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Saturday, 21 February 2015
Movie Review: Argo (2012)
The Easie Precis: Ben Affleck rescues a bunch of Americans from Iran after the US Embassy is invaded, buy pretending to be making a film. Good because it is based on an exceptional true story.
Compatible Movies: ...
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 74%
Watch the Trailer? Be aware that it has all the best lines in it, and probably makes the film seem a little more stylish than it is, but it's here. You probably know how it ends anyway.
A Little More Detail...
This film won Academy Awards, so you may not believe me when I say it is almost a little dull. John Goodman saves this film. Don't get me wrong, aside from everything else it is very well-made (type of film you never think during it: "this is a good film" because you never think about the fact you are watching a film). Perhaps because the story is so compelling (especially since it actually happened - to an extent), this film rests on that just a little bit.
There are also many typical Hollywood trappings the film falls into. Yes, while it is very edge-of-your-seat this, "will they get out?" is well overplayed. Just little things like a car taking a bit to long to start. There is also the typical "let's meet the main characters family so we become emotionally involved in his life, despite the fact they have little or nothing to do with the story" - if you're going to be spending screen time on the fact that the main character doesn't see his son much, explore it properly.
Let me balance this by saying these negatives are minor. This film makes me feel like I should justify the 26% it didn't get rather than the 74% it did. I think that sums it up nicely.
Oh, and points lost for not being filmed on location in Iran, because that would be beautifully ironic.
What's it About?
Hostages. Iran and America. 1950s. Espionage. CIA.
Best Viewing Company: Anyone is fine
Compatible Movies: ...
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 74%
Watch the Trailer? Be aware that it has all the best lines in it, and probably makes the film seem a little more stylish than it is, but it's here. You probably know how it ends anyway.
A Little More Detail...
This film won Academy Awards, so you may not believe me when I say it is almost a little dull. John Goodman saves this film. Don't get me wrong, aside from everything else it is very well-made (type of film you never think during it: "this is a good film" because you never think about the fact you are watching a film). Perhaps because the story is so compelling (especially since it actually happened - to an extent), this film rests on that just a little bit.
There are also many typical Hollywood trappings the film falls into. Yes, while it is very edge-of-your-seat this, "will they get out?" is well overplayed. Just little things like a car taking a bit to long to start. There is also the typical "let's meet the main characters family so we become emotionally involved in his life, despite the fact they have little or nothing to do with the story" - if you're going to be spending screen time on the fact that the main character doesn't see his son much, explore it properly.
Let me balance this by saying these negatives are minor. This film makes me feel like I should justify the 26% it didn't get rather than the 74% it did. I think that sums it up nicely.
Oh, and points lost for not being filmed on location in Iran, because that would be beautifully ironic.
What's it About?
Hostages. Iran and America. 1950s. Espionage. CIA.
Best Viewing Company: Anyone is fine
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Movie Review: Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
The Easie Precis: John Carpenter directing Kurt Russel, Kim Cattrall with ancient Chinese magic - but set in Chinatown. Just about the most rad movie ever.
Compatible Movies: Nothing even comes close
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 97%
Watch the Trailer? Sure! Watch it here. It's a good taste of what it's about. Just don't take it seriously.
A Little More Detail...
I'm not entirely sure if this entire movie is a joke or not. It's certainly light-hearted... well, it doesn't matter because this movie is more radical than Milhouse.
You will probably watch this movie and then immediately dismiss my abilities as a movie critic. However, this movie is almost exactly what it is trying to be. It is ridiculous and it is brilliant.
What's it About?
Regular guy just trying to do his job gets sucked into an ancient world of Chinese magic. There's the big bad guy who kidnaps young women, etc.
Best Viewing Company: Small group of friends. Should also be fine with family
Compatible Movies: Nothing even comes close
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 97%
Watch the Trailer? Sure! Watch it here. It's a good taste of what it's about. Just don't take it seriously.
A Little More Detail...
I'm not entirely sure if this entire movie is a joke or not. It's certainly light-hearted... well, it doesn't matter because this movie is more radical than Milhouse.
You will probably watch this movie and then immediately dismiss my abilities as a movie critic. However, this movie is almost exactly what it is trying to be. It is ridiculous and it is brilliant.
What's it About?
Regular guy just trying to do his job gets sucked into an ancient world of Chinese magic. There's the big bad guy who kidnaps young women, etc.
Best Viewing Company: Small group of friends. Should also be fine with family
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Movie Review: The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Compatible Movies: Pierot le Fou (1965)
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 76%
What's it About?
Family relationships, India, trains, journeys, exploration and really cool luggage
What the Trailer? If you think you might like it, don't watch the trailer. Like most trailers, contains many of the best parts. If unsure, it won't hurt, you can watch it here.
A Little More Detail...
The most immediately pleasing features of this movie are the beautiful landscapes, the bright and colourful scenes and the interest of unique settings.
Look a little deeper and you find a film that is about family relationships. Families in India and the families of those visiting. Whether on purpose or not (probably not), the unique setting and story seem to highlight what the film has to say: families are unique.
The least immediate, but perhaps most lasting feature of this movie is how much respect it gives the audience. You get dropped in the middle of these characters' lives, yet the movie is absent of those exposition lines - for example, "don't you remember I got divorced two weeks ago?" No, this film trusts the intelligence of the audience to know what is happening and as a result creates a universe that feels so much more real - and therefore so much more true.
Best Viewing Company: Anyone
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