Seems to me this is as accurate a portrayal of 'competitive' dishonesty as you'll ever see. Viggo Mortensen sets the scene beautifully in a subtle early reference that he's not all that he seems. Dunst playing an ingénue caught up in the lies and deceits of more or less everyone around her also shows a progressive development into to something less than honest. One senses that all is not going to end well - but who will win out? Early emotional allegiances with your 'favourite' character will soon have you questioning your own judgement. What, if anything, would you do? Eventually, with relentless inevitability, events turn sour - you cannot predict in which way until the action unfolds. Terrific, enthralling and tense story telling at a slow stroll. Fantastic. Go see!
7.5
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Mr Peabody and Sherman
What a great animation! Really engaging and fun!
I don't know the show it's based on or the characters from it, it's a 1959 animated show that had a short run, I'll check it eventually, so this is a reinterpretation from a probably obscure show from the past, but I dare to say that I really enjoyed and got myself hooked with those characters!
I even dare to say that I think we should have one of these films every year! It was awesome! Kids learn and get curious about things, there are interesting morals, dads also can have fun with all the pop culture references, it's really a great animation! Go check this out and take your kids with you, you'll have fun beyond imagination!
8
I don't know the show it's based on or the characters from it, it's a 1959 animated show that had a short run, I'll check it eventually, so this is a reinterpretation from a probably obscure show from the past, but I dare to say that I really enjoyed and got myself hooked with those characters!
I even dare to say that I think we should have one of these films every year! It was awesome! Kids learn and get curious about things, there are interesting morals, dads also can have fun with all the pop culture references, it's really a great animation! Go check this out and take your kids with you, you'll have fun beyond imagination!
8
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
This is a standalone movie; the story advances from the 2011, Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
Since this film does use CGI extensively, let me say that the effects are extremely well done. In my opinion, the most difficult thing to pull of is to make apes on horseback look realistic and natural. They came as close to it as I think can be done.
Another reasonable question might be: When so many of the characters are apes, are you really able to tell them apart easily? Again, yes. Visual cues are utilised, making it very easy to distinguish the ape characters. This might seem like a given, but it is essential to enjoyable viewing.
The story itself is interesting and engaging. The relationship of ape to man is a touchy thing in this film, due to years of abuse and violence. It is critical that the inter-ape communication and the inter-species communication be somewhat believable, and the script handles that issue well. There are subtitles when needed. Somehow, they never seem to interfere with the flow of the story.
I recommend this film to almost anyone, subject to the PG-13 rating. Though violence is depicted, it is not gory. Nor is it championed. Instead, the film promotes peaceful communication and cooperation.
8
Since this film does use CGI extensively, let me say that the effects are extremely well done. In my opinion, the most difficult thing to pull of is to make apes on horseback look realistic and natural. They came as close to it as I think can be done.
Another reasonable question might be: When so many of the characters are apes, are you really able to tell them apart easily? Again, yes. Visual cues are utilised, making it very easy to distinguish the ape characters. This might seem like a given, but it is essential to enjoyable viewing.
The story itself is interesting and engaging. The relationship of ape to man is a touchy thing in this film, due to years of abuse and violence. It is critical that the inter-ape communication and the inter-species communication be somewhat believable, and the script handles that issue well. There are subtitles when needed. Somehow, they never seem to interfere with the flow of the story.
I recommend this film to almost anyone, subject to the PG-13 rating. Though violence is depicted, it is not gory. Nor is it championed. Instead, the film promotes peaceful communication and cooperation.
8
Tammy
In my opinion Melissa McCarthy is funny; given the material, given the ball, she can run with it. I believe that improvisation is her strong suit. And in recent films she has even shown that she is also able to immerse herself dramatically and is able to draw empathy from the viewer.
So when one of her films comes out I do go into it with confidence that no matter how stupid the story is, she will at least contribute to making the film watchable. Unfortunately, this time around, not even McCarthy's volatile humour could save this film. Kathy Bates was solid as always, but when the cameo performance by unknown actors is funnier than the lead roles, then something is wrong.
4
So when one of her films comes out I do go into it with confidence that no matter how stupid the story is, she will at least contribute to making the film watchable. Unfortunately, this time around, not even McCarthy's volatile humour could save this film. Kathy Bates was solid as always, but when the cameo performance by unknown actors is funnier than the lead roles, then something is wrong.
4
Chef
The movie is good, and is well made. The characters are well drawn and you get involved in them and their journeys. The movie does go on for a while though, but I did not find it boring as such.
Performances are good and very "feel-good" I thoroughly enjoyed it as did my friend who went with me. I was subtly but deftly moved at the end. This is an optimistic guy movie but women will enjoy it as well. Just a shame that the other fine cast had only cameo performances. The child actor was amazing.
All in all, an amiable comedy-drama that goes down very easy.
8
Performances are good and very "feel-good" I thoroughly enjoyed it as did my friend who went with me. I was subtly but deftly moved at the end. This is an optimistic guy movie but women will enjoy it as well. Just a shame that the other fine cast had only cameo performances. The child actor was amazing.
All in all, an amiable comedy-drama that goes down very easy.
8
22 Jump Street
Keeping this brief, this is no doubt the funniest film I've seen since the turn of the year. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill make a great bromance couple, and although appearing in the disappointing "Ride Along", Ice Cube too is brilliant in this film.
Expect non-stop entertainment as excellent humour is mixed with an interesting yet simple plot, heartfelt moments and exciting action. My only complaint would be that at times it felt a little recycled from the first film. Though having enjoyed that I wasn't too fussed.
More than worth your moneys worth. If you enjoyed 21 Jump Street, then you'd be mad not to see this.
7
Expect non-stop entertainment as excellent humour is mixed with an interesting yet simple plot, heartfelt moments and exciting action. My only complaint would be that at times it felt a little recycled from the first film. Though having enjoyed that I wasn't too fussed.
More than worth your moneys worth. If you enjoyed 21 Jump Street, then you'd be mad not to see this.
7
3 Days To Kill
There is great potential in this premise: An agent who hides his real life from his loved ones and has to coordinate his job and his relationships worked great in "True Lies". Instead of action the focus here lies on the comedy aspect, which is perfectly fine, if it is indeed funny. Unfortunately this is not the case here. The script is too clichéd, the humour stale, there is a lack of chemistry between Costner and Steinfeld and the antagonists fail to leave any lasting impression, so there is not a sense of threat throughout the entire film.
Its constant shifts of tone and many flaws make "3 Days to Kill" a forgettable flick in which Kevin Costner gives a solid performance but cannot outweigh the shortcomings of the script. If you are a die-hard Costner fan you might consider renting this one, everyone else should not bother.
6 (just about)
Its constant shifts of tone and many flaws make "3 Days to Kill" a forgettable flick in which Kevin Costner gives a solid performance but cannot outweigh the shortcomings of the script. If you are a die-hard Costner fan you might consider renting this one, everyone else should not bother.
6 (just about)
Locke
This a low budget drama with Tom Hardy as the sole screen presence. The whole movie is filmed in a moving car.
As he takes to the road he is seemingly a man in control of his destiny, determined to do the right thing only for everything to slowly unravel. Through conversations on the phone he tries to negotiate and control crisis's.
With a premise of just one actor in a confined location it is testament to Hardy's acting ability that he can pull off such a taut, powerful performance solely based on reactions to the increasingly dramatic phone calls. Locke is unrelenting in his belief of doing the right thing and we see why when he has his "imagined conversations" with his father - these scenes in particular are beautifully shot with the use of Locke looking into the car mirrors for the man who isn't there.
It wastes very little of its short running time and overall is a captivating and rewarding film with a terrific central performance.
8
As he takes to the road he is seemingly a man in control of his destiny, determined to do the right thing only for everything to slowly unravel. Through conversations on the phone he tries to negotiate and control crisis's.
With a premise of just one actor in a confined location it is testament to Hardy's acting ability that he can pull off such a taut, powerful performance solely based on reactions to the increasingly dramatic phone calls. Locke is unrelenting in his belief of doing the right thing and we see why when he has his "imagined conversations" with his father - these scenes in particular are beautifully shot with the use of Locke looking into the car mirrors for the man who isn't there.
It wastes very little of its short running time and overall is a captivating and rewarding film with a terrific central performance.
8
Edge of Tomorrow
With a juicy high-concept like "Groundhog Day meets Aliens and Saving Private Ryan", executives were probably excited to throw money at this, but it turns it wasn't such a good deal as the movie reportedly underperformed.
Stealing the movie, however, is Emily Blunt in a taut performance as one of the most convincing action heroines seen in years, finding the perfect balance between being tough as nails and haunted by her ordeal.
Without spoiling anything, the ending doesn't work and is rushed and ruined it for me. Still enjoyable, but joining Minority Report, War of the Worlds and Oblivion in the club of fine sci-fi movies - curiously all starring Tom Cruise - almost ruined by the end.
6.5
Stealing the movie, however, is Emily Blunt in a taut performance as one of the most convincing action heroines seen in years, finding the perfect balance between being tough as nails and haunted by her ordeal.
Without spoiling anything, the ending doesn't work and is rushed and ruined it for me. Still enjoyable, but joining Minority Report, War of the Worlds and Oblivion in the club of fine sci-fi movies - curiously all starring Tom Cruise - almost ruined by the end.
6.5
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