Thursday, 26 January 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
War 'Orse
Nobody does war like Spielberg. And who could have thought he could make scenes as powerful and moving as the opening sequence in Saving Private Ryan without blood? I certainly didn't but I was proved wrong! But War Horse isn't all moving and powerful, some of it is just dull and boring.
I think it was a couple of years ago I read the book by author extraordinaire Michael Morpurgo, so I couldn't remember every little detail before seeing the film. I do remember it being an extremely good book though! The story is of Joey the horse who is brought up by farmers son Albert Narracott, when World War 1 comes into the mix Joey is taken by the army to be brought into the fight. We then follow Joey as he embarks on an adventure that takes him all over the front line of the war. Cue the dodgy accents!
The first quarter of the film I admit had me worrying as it was quite dull and a tad cheesy. The only thing that had me excited was the setting which was the amazing countryside of Dartmoor which I have grown up next to for most of my life so I could recognise many of the places on the screen. But apart from that it was pretty boring.
Thankfully demigod Tom Hiddleston and ace detective Benedict Cumberpatch come and pick up the pace of the film and really start to make things exciting. Both actors at the top of their game and Benedict Cumberpath showing off a rather dashing moustache. Cue some powerful scenes of horses charging into German occupied territory. Which really is the highlight of the film.
Then the film goes to the other side of the war as Joey is accompanied by two German soldiers and the a french family. And my god are the accents terrible. Maybe not so much the french daughter and grandad but the German accents are so bad I would rather they had spoke German and subtitled the film! Near the end of the film a German soldier even says 'cheerio'! I have lived in Germany for eight years and I have never heard a German say 'cheerio'.
But besides from the first act and the terrible accents the film is actually quite good and Spielberg really proves he is the master director of war scenes. Unlike the books which are from the horses point of view this film looks at the people surrounding him which really gives a good insight into the characters. the film does stay true to the book but as with any book to film adaption it is not as good but this one is still great and a must see for anyone. You could probably take your gran to this one and she would love it! War scenes are great, everything else is not!
I think it was a couple of years ago I read the book by author extraordinaire Michael Morpurgo, so I couldn't remember every little detail before seeing the film. I do remember it being an extremely good book though! The story is of Joey the horse who is brought up by farmers son Albert Narracott, when World War 1 comes into the mix Joey is taken by the army to be brought into the fight. We then follow Joey as he embarks on an adventure that takes him all over the front line of the war. Cue the dodgy accents!The first quarter of the film I admit had me worrying as it was quite dull and a tad cheesy. The only thing that had me excited was the setting which was the amazing countryside of Dartmoor which I have grown up next to for most of my life so I could recognise many of the places on the screen. But apart from that it was pretty boring.
Thankfully demigod Tom Hiddleston and ace detective Benedict Cumberpatch come and pick up the pace of the film and really start to make things exciting. Both actors at the top of their game and Benedict Cumberpath showing off a rather dashing moustache. Cue some powerful scenes of horses charging into German occupied territory. Which really is the highlight of the film.
Then the film goes to the other side of the war as Joey is accompanied by two German soldiers and the a french family. And my god are the accents terrible. Maybe not so much the french daughter and grandad but the German accents are so bad I would rather they had spoke German and subtitled the film! Near the end of the film a German soldier even says 'cheerio'! I have lived in Germany for eight years and I have never heard a German say 'cheerio'. But besides from the first act and the terrible accents the film is actually quite good and Spielberg really proves he is the master director of war scenes. Unlike the books which are from the horses point of view this film looks at the people surrounding him which really gives a good insight into the characters. the film does stay true to the book but as with any book to film adaption it is not as good but this one is still great and a must see for anyone. You could probably take your gran to this one and she would love it! War scenes are great, everything else is not!
Friday, 20 January 2012
It's Like Fast & Furious But Good!
I am of course talking about the sensation which is Drive. Drive is one of those word of mouth films which critics and the public have both loved, Total Film named it their film of 2011. So obviously I thought that I must check this film out! And after a long wait I finally got round to seeing it and I was amazed!
I do not always agree with the critics but on this occasion I do! Drive is one of those films which is incredibly cool and no matter what situation the main character is in you want to be him! The main character is played by Ryan Gosling who is personally one of the best actors around at the moment. And his performance as the driver is one of his best. And he was brilliantly partnered with actress Carey Mulligan who is also at the top of her game at the moment!
The plot goes like this; A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.
That sounds familiar, almost like the plot of Fast & Furious movie. If you sit down expecting one of those monstrosities of a film you will be deeply disappointed. This is a driving movie for film buffs. It takes its style from films of the 1970's and 80's. The soundtrack is uber-cool and will send shivers down your spine whilst you watch the masterpiece.
It is quite violent in places and sometimes you have to watch through your fingers. It seems 2011 was the year of the hammer for movie deaths as it was used once again in this film. I think I am actually starting to develop a phobia of hammers after the amount of pain I have seen them inflict on the big screen! Thor, Kill List and now Drive when will hammers be banned!
But I haven't talked about the cars yet which are obviously a big part of the film. The cars are super cool and the chases in which they are involved are too cool to handle. The opening sequence is one of the best getaway car chases I think I have ever seen!
I have never seen a film by Nicolas Winding Refn but after watching this I will definitely see more! I hear Bronson is a good film and I need to catch up on Tom Hardy's films before I see him in The Dark Knight Rises!
The film is superb and I just can't get enough of Ryan Gosling at the moment! I'm off to see War Horse at the weekend so I will post a review of that on the blog soon!
I do not always agree with the critics but on this occasion I do! Drive is one of those films which is incredibly cool and no matter what situation the main character is in you want to be him! The main character is played by Ryan Gosling who is personally one of the best actors around at the moment. And his performance as the driver is one of his best. And he was brilliantly partnered with actress Carey Mulligan who is also at the top of her game at the moment!
The plot goes like this; A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.
That sounds familiar, almost like the plot of Fast & Furious movie. If you sit down expecting one of those monstrosities of a film you will be deeply disappointed. This is a driving movie for film buffs. It takes its style from films of the 1970's and 80's. The soundtrack is uber-cool and will send shivers down your spine whilst you watch the masterpiece.
It is quite violent in places and sometimes you have to watch through your fingers. It seems 2011 was the year of the hammer for movie deaths as it was used once again in this film. I think I am actually starting to develop a phobia of hammers after the amount of pain I have seen them inflict on the big screen! Thor, Kill List and now Drive when will hammers be banned!But I haven't talked about the cars yet which are obviously a big part of the film. The cars are super cool and the chases in which they are involved are too cool to handle. The opening sequence is one of the best getaway car chases I think I have ever seen!
I have never seen a film by Nicolas Winding Refn but after watching this I will definitely see more! I hear Bronson is a good film and I need to catch up on Tom Hardy's films before I see him in The Dark Knight Rises!
The film is superb and I just can't get enough of Ryan Gosling at the moment! I'm off to see War Horse at the weekend so I will post a review of that on the blog soon!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
3D Or Not To Be? That Is The Question.
I, like many, am not a big fan of 3D. It seems like a new gimmick that allows institutions to make more money on their film products. And not many films have left an impression on us that 3D is the way forward to cinema. We get hooked in to the film being in 3D and every filmmaker claiming it is better 3D then the last. This tends not to be the case and we waste our money on paying extra for a pair of glasses that only darken our viewing experience.
There are those that take care in this new technological advancement in filmmaking. I am of course talking about James Cameron and Martin Scorsese. James Cameron brought us Avatar two years ago too the big screen in 3D. And the audience had never seen anything like it before. We fell in love with 3D and expected the rest of the film world to follow. This did not happen and we were given crappy conversions of films like Clash of the Titans.
The good people at Opinion Panel have used this post on their site, give them a look here! http://www.opinionpanel.co.uk/ Thanks guys!
There are those that take care in this new technological advancement in filmmaking. I am of course talking about James Cameron and Martin Scorsese. James Cameron brought us Avatar two years ago too the big screen in 3D. And the audience had never seen anything like it before. We fell in love with 3D and expected the rest of the film world to follow. This did not happen and we were given crappy conversions of films like Clash of the Titans.
Conversions are films that were filmed in 2D and filmed in 3D. Sometimes this is used because the 3D cameras are expensive but sometimes its just a money making opportunity. I personally get very annoyed at these conversions, if you are going to make a 3D film you film it in 3D! If you are going to make a franchise in 2D why convert the last one to 3D, HARRY POTTER!? It has recently been announced that The Avengers will also have the conversion treatment, as much as I can't wait for the movie I will not pay out for an extra dimension! Especially when it was made in 2D!?
If you are going to do a conversion you need time and care to be able to put into it. Star Wars I has been undergoing the 3D conversion for over a year now. That is film I will pay out to see and not just because I am a massive fanboy.
Somebody who does give time and care into their filmmaking is Martin Scorsese who I mentioned earlier. His most recent film Hugo was his first step into 3D which he has been fascinated with since he was a child. I went to see Hugo a couple weeks ago and it really was a masterpiece and the 3D was incredibe. Personally I found it better then Avatar. You could tell that the director thought about every frame and how to use 3D to its best in it.
If Hugo is what the future holds for 3D then it sure is the way forward but if 2012 is full of crappy conversions then I can see it dying out within the next couple of years. Thankfully we are being blessed with two major films next year that are actually being filmed in 3D and will benefit from this technique. I am talking about The Hobbit and The Amazing Spider-Man, which as you already know I am extremely excited for!
The good people at Opinion Panel have used this post on their site, give them a look here! http://www.opinionpanel.co.uk/ Thanks guys!
Follow Me On Twitter: @SuperAlexMan
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Review of 2011
So 2012 (the ultimate year) is here and 2011 has passed away into the past. But was it a good year for films? Ask me this time last year I would have said yes but ask me now and I would say it wasn't as good as predicted but still pretty awesome. Here is my review of the year for all media types not just film but TV and music also. So since this is film blog we will start with my top 10 films of the year first!
10. Thor
The god of thunder strikes in at number 10! The first of two Marvel movies last year and personally the least favourite of the two. Don't get me wrong it was a good film but lacked some of the brilliance of Captain America. But still got me super excited for The Avengers! And Chris Hemsworth is an awesome Thor! I must say it was hard decision between this and Rise of the Planet of the Apes which was also awesome!
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Personally not my favourite of the franchise but a pretty action packed finale. The whole world is now suffering from post Potter stress and for me I think it will kick in more this year when we don't get another one.
8. Captain America - The First Avenger
The star spangled man is number 8! Great film that works better then I thought it would, yes it's a bit cheesy but it's called Captain America! Though the the second half of the film feels a bit rushed it's still a great film!
7. Hugo
Yes it was a bit slow! And yes it probably wasn't a film that kids would rush to see but film buffs like myself loved Martin Scorsese's latest film! After all it revolves around the creation of film! And my god was the 3D incredible! Personally for me it was better then Avatar's 3D.
6. Source Code
Duncan Jones has done it again, the who made Moon has made another brilliant film! When I first heard of the film I didn't rush out to see it but when I finally saw it, it blew me away. Probably my most recommended film of the year! Everyone must see it!
5. Submarine
A film I really wanted to see as soon as I heard about it. Funny man Richard Ayoadem directorial debut and what a cracker it was! Craig Roberts is a brilliant actor and the films wierdness and originality really makes it one of the best of the year! And the soundtrack is the best of the year also!
4. Crazy Stupid Love
One of the suprise hits of the year! Crazy Stupid Love is one of the funniest and heart felt movies of the year. Brilliant film with great acting from babe Ryan Gosling and funnyman Steve Carell.
3. 50/50
Who knew a comedy about cancer could be so heartfelt and emotional. A tough film to sell but there was no way it couldn't make it on this list! I'm still backing Joseph Gordon-Levitt for an Oscar!
2. X-Men First Class
I love superheroes and this is one of the best superhero films I have seen! The best of the series and Micheal Fassbender is one of the best actors around at the moment! So many 'YES!' moments it's unbelieveable!
1. Super 8
What can I say about this film? Truly an incredible experience that brought back to life the classic hits of E.T and Close Encounters and mashed them up into a new original movie! J.J Abrhams is making his name as one of Hollywoods greatest even more clear. What a Director! What a film! And the child acting was some of the best I have seen!
So that concludes my film list of 2011! But What about TV I hear you ask? Well actually thats my next list!
5. Bored to Death
This show is a smart comedy about the life of private detective Jonathon Ames. It is very funny and suprisingly emotional in places. Unfortuantly the show has recently been cancelled which make me very sad indeed.
4. Phsychoville
Not everyone will get this comedy as it is very wierd but for me it is extremely funny! Again it is one of those comedys that can be very on the edge but also quite emotional in places.
3. Boardwalk Empire
What a show. I love period gangstar movies and this is a show that mixes the best of them into one. It is very smart and very powerfull. Now nearing the end of its second season it truly is an epic!
2. Being Human
Another mixture of comedy and drama. One of the best shows on telly. Though I must add I am talking about the original UK version rather then the remake US one. Really is am ust see show that doesnt get enough attention. Not all vampires are vegieterians and glow in the sun! The show is returning this year for its 4th series though I ma optomistic as most of the main cast are leaving. I hope it still is great!
1. The Walking Dead
I didn't think I would be a fan of this show as I am not a big fan of the genre. But now after getting to the mid season finale of the second season it truly is one of the best shows ever made. Not so much about the zombies but more about the people and their journey in this harsh new reality. Very very powerful. The latest episode almost had me in tears!
So thats TV over and now for my faviroute music albums of 2011!
3. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
A good album from one of the biggest bands around. Better then their last which I did not enjoy that much. Great album!
2. JAY Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
The collaberation album from heaven. Truly awesome as the rappers produce some of their best music yet. Not as good as Kanye's last album My Dark Twisted Fantasy but still very cool!
1. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
A great first album for the band which has some great songs with some quite funny lyrics at times. My fav of the year! Check it out!
And that concludes my review of 2011. A good year for film! A great year for TV! An ok year for music! And as you know I already think 2012 will be the most awesome year yet and I hope I am not wrong! Keep following my blog as hopefully this year it will just get bigger and better! And remember With Great Powers Comes Great Responsibility!
Follow me on twitter! @SuperAlexMan
10. Thor
The god of thunder strikes in at number 10! The first of two Marvel movies last year and personally the least favourite of the two. Don't get me wrong it was a good film but lacked some of the brilliance of Captain America. But still got me super excited for The Avengers! And Chris Hemsworth is an awesome Thor! I must say it was hard decision between this and Rise of the Planet of the Apes which was also awesome!
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Personally not my favourite of the franchise but a pretty action packed finale. The whole world is now suffering from post Potter stress and for me I think it will kick in more this year when we don't get another one. 8. Captain America - The First Avenger
The star spangled man is number 8! Great film that works better then I thought it would, yes it's a bit cheesy but it's called Captain America! Though the the second half of the film feels a bit rushed it's still a great film!
7. Hugo
Yes it was a bit slow! And yes it probably wasn't a film that kids would rush to see but film buffs like myself loved Martin Scorsese's latest film! After all it revolves around the creation of film! And my god was the 3D incredible! Personally for me it was better then Avatar's 3D.6. Source Code
Duncan Jones has done it again, the who made Moon has made another brilliant film! When I first heard of the film I didn't rush out to see it but when I finally saw it, it blew me away. Probably my most recommended film of the year! Everyone must see it!
5. Submarine
A film I really wanted to see as soon as I heard about it. Funny man Richard Ayoadem directorial debut and what a cracker it was! Craig Roberts is a brilliant actor and the films wierdness and originality really makes it one of the best of the year! And the soundtrack is the best of the year also!
4. Crazy Stupid Love
One of the suprise hits of the year! Crazy Stupid Love is one of the funniest and heart felt movies of the year. Brilliant film with great acting from babe Ryan Gosling and funnyman Steve Carell.
3. 50/50Who knew a comedy about cancer could be so heartfelt and emotional. A tough film to sell but there was no way it couldn't make it on this list! I'm still backing Joseph Gordon-Levitt for an Oscar!
2. X-Men First Class
I love superheroes and this is one of the best superhero films I have seen! The best of the series and Micheal Fassbender is one of the best actors around at the moment! So many 'YES!' moments it's unbelieveable!
1. Super 8
What can I say about this film? Truly an incredible experience that brought back to life the classic hits of E.T and Close Encounters and mashed them up into a new original movie! J.J Abrhams is making his name as one of Hollywoods greatest even more clear. What a Director! What a film! And the child acting was some of the best I have seen!
So that concludes my film list of 2011! But What about TV I hear you ask? Well actually thats my next list! 5. Bored to Death
This show is a smart comedy about the life of private detective Jonathon Ames. It is very funny and suprisingly emotional in places. Unfortuantly the show has recently been cancelled which make me very sad indeed.4. Phsychoville
Not everyone will get this comedy as it is very wierd but for me it is extremely funny! Again it is one of those comedys that can be very on the edge but also quite emotional in places.
3. Boardwalk Empire
What a show. I love period gangstar movies and this is a show that mixes the best of them into one. It is very smart and very powerfull. Now nearing the end of its second season it truly is an epic!
2. Being Human
Another mixture of comedy and drama. One of the best shows on telly. Though I must add I am talking about the original UK version rather then the remake US one. Really is am ust see show that doesnt get enough attention. Not all vampires are vegieterians and glow in the sun! The show is returning this year for its 4th series though I ma optomistic as most of the main cast are leaving. I hope it still is great!1. The Walking Dead
I didn't think I would be a fan of this show as I am not a big fan of the genre. But now after getting to the mid season finale of the second season it truly is one of the best shows ever made. Not so much about the zombies but more about the people and their journey in this harsh new reality. Very very powerful. The latest episode almost had me in tears!So thats TV over and now for my faviroute music albums of 2011!
3. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
A good album from one of the biggest bands around. Better then their last which I did not enjoy that much. Great album!
2. JAY Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
The collaberation album from heaven. Truly awesome as the rappers produce some of their best music yet. Not as good as Kanye's last album My Dark Twisted Fantasy but still very cool!
1. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
A great first album for the band which has some great songs with some quite funny lyrics at times. My fav of the year! Check it out!
And that concludes my review of 2011. A good year for film! A great year for TV! An ok year for music! And as you know I already think 2012 will be the most awesome year yet and I hope I am not wrong! Keep following my blog as hopefully this year it will just get bigger and better! And remember With Great Powers Comes Great Responsibility!
Follow me on twitter! @SuperAlexMan
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