Reviews
Boa (2001)
Boring
Sadly this film breaks the cardinal rule of any action flick and is actually boring. There seems to be enough ideas for two films with first the guards then the prisoners battling the snake and sadly they never expand on either meaning you never feel involved ina story that must have taken 5 minutes to write.
There never seems to be any details, oh we'll have ______ killed then we'll move on......
You're introduced to characters and as soon as you know a little bit about them they die, plus they all seem to get wiped out in similar ways. In the end all you're rooting for is the snake to get it's teeth into Dean Cain, who despite not carrying a gun for most of the film seems to be able to wander round at will.
The ending was a bit lame as well and was done better in Aliens.
Never thought I'd say this but you're probably better off watching Anaconda
Die Another Day (2002)
Good action, but not good bond
Don't get me wrong I thought this film was a very entertaining action film, however it did not play like a true bond film. The sound seemed to be turned up every time there was an explosion and gone were the clever tricks and one liners in exchange for more explosions.
Of the cast Pierce Bosnan seems to be showing his age a bit, but bond was always described as more mature agent and this adds to his role. Rosamund Pike is impressively cool and impassive throughout (and she is sooooooo hot) and Toby Stevens has perfected a smug leer which fits in well with the old style bond baddies.
However there is Halle Berry. Built up to be a heroine who can stand up to bond she tries to steal every scene she's in. This is meant to be bond, not her launch platform for a franchise. Usually the bond girl is slightly unknown and this means they know their role, she doesn't and although she looks great she runs like a fat duck and doesn't know how to hold a gun. She also talks like an extra from Shaft.
The few new gadgets were good (especially the ring and the car)and I liked the nods to the previous films through the old equipment, the 20th watch etc. Also the fight scene in the fencing club and with the lasers were both highlights and got everyone in the cinema sitting up and taking notice.
Please next time stick to the old formulea and also cut out the computer generated action. If I wanted XXX I'd have gone to see that.
Virtual Encounters 2 (1998)
Nikki Fitz!!!
The movie is ok, you know what you're getting simply from the title. Anyone wanting oscar winning material should rent the god father, for those who want to see beautiful women and here bas dialogue this is it.
Nikki Fitz makes this film with her amazing body which justly gets alot of screen time, the close ups of her ass are a rewind moment and she certainly seems to be enjoying her work. The other girls give just as much energy but it is Nikki who'll you remember most.
Spider-Man (2002)
excellent
This film was everything a super hero film should be. The action was think and fast, there was a sub plot of emotion and visible character developement.
Toby Maguire was excellent as peter parker moving from teen to man on screen. Kirsten Dunst was also excellent as the gorgeous leading lady. Vilians often make or break these kind of films and in this case the green (?) goblin was perfect. Just enough maniac in him to make his actions believable. The ending contained a slight surprise but there was definate room for a sequel with Normans son. Whether he could fill a lone villan role or be part of a twosome (aka Batman Returns) will have to be decided but he should definately be given a role to produce continuity
Overall 8 / 10
The Running Man (1987)
perfect for a night in
The film is everyting you would expect from an arnie flick. The action is fast, the plot fairly minimal (compared to the book which goes into such trivial things as motive and feelings) and the whole thing plays which such a level of cheeseyness you can't help but like it. The Gladiators have such fantastic names that they appear like evil super heros but the only trouble arnie has is thinking up an appropriate witty comment after dispaching them one by one. The quiz host is brilliant as he is evil in a slimy TV way. This is by no means a classic but what did you expect when you saw who the star was?
X-Men (2000)
x-cellent
This film was enjoyable from minute one. The story played like a slightly dark cartoon and I thought this was the best style to use as it stayed close to the original comics. The special effects for the mutant powers were spectacular, but not over used. It was also interesting to see the potential for sequels and the future developement of the story, especially after showcasing the young mutants at the accademy. The sly sense of humour came through in places and helped to lighten the tone (e.g. Logan and the metal detector and the comments about the uniform).
My only slight negative is that it might have been a bit on the short side but the story did seem to flow and there wasn't and place were you thought than an obvious addition could be made.
The predjudice of the mutants and the actions of some of the human characters should have struck home with people who realise that this film also carries a message.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
No Oscars sadly
This film has taken a lot of stick for all sorts of reasons - Jaws wannabe, boring, unrealistic etc. but I have just one question for the people who make these comments, what did you expect?
The cast are virtual unknowns (apart from S.L.J. who was only in a bit part and LLCJ who is known as a rapper) but the whole point of this film is not to win awards but to entertain. Most rational people who go the cinema without a pad and pen would have had an hour and a halfs thought free entertainment. The sharks look good and the shocks and action, although unrealistic, come thick and fast, this film is ideal for a night in's entertainment.
For those who claim it's trying to imitate Jaws you have to remember NOT EVERY FILM WITH A SHARK IN IT IS LIKE JAWS the only thing is Jaws is the best one. If anything this is more like Jurrasic Park with the scientists manitulating nature and then hitting problems when nature fights back.
The plot is thin, the acting bad, characters stereotypical and the action unrealistic but I still really enjoyed this film. I don't want every film to have a hidden meaning or be based on a true story. If it wasn't for no-brainer films like this the truely great films would have nothing to compare to. The biggest laugh is all of the people going to see this expecting it to take them to the lengths of cinematic excellence rather than just a bit of fun with a laugh and a scream.
Braveheart (1995)
scots behaving badly
When I first saw this film I was impressed, however this was on an aeroplane flying over the Atlantic and not the best place to formulate an opinion. It was a few years before I saw it again and had a chance to fully appreciate what an entertaining film it really is. All the elements are there, romance, violence, comedy, and a superb cast to go along. The english king was brilliantly nasty and really justified the scottish feeling towards him at the time. There were two beautiful love interests but my favourites were Wallace's men who supplied the bulk of the action and humour, especially Stephen who had me laughing at the most serious of points. Both Robert the Bruce and Wallaces characters are seen to develope and change as the film goes on, out of necessity for the roles they must play in history. The ending was a tear jerker and the final image on the battlefield had even the most english of hearts willing them on. Overall a brilliant story which is not so much about Scottish versus English as revolution against oppression.
Scream (1996)
Good film (slight spoiler below - warning!!!!!!)
The film begins in a way that makes you sit up and take notice, the stalking scene has been widely talked about but is still very atmospheric and sets the tone for the rest of the film. It is interesting to see how each of the characters develops in light of the events taking place and this means that you find yourself watching the film again with hindsight to see if there was any way you could have realised who did it earlier.
(***spoiler (sorry)***
The fact that there are two killers are what adds to the who dunnit element of the film. Of the two killers both have an alibi for at least one of the murders and the possibility of accomplices only dawned on me at the very end.
There are some excellent performances, notabley by Sydney, Stu (my favourite) and at the end a real transformation in Billy when he becomes genuinely scarey.
For the most part there is also a believability about the film which adds to it (admittedly we don't know where Billy hid the fake blood after he'd been having sex with Sydney but we will forgive this) and the fact that it becomes part horror, part thriller, part comedy and all entertainment is what has made it so popular.
The directing is also excellent with lots of shock moments and subtle use of reflection and camera work. I also like the way that the killer can get beaten up so much as it makes a nice change from an invisible baddie.
Overall 8 / 10 (better than the sequel although that was still a good film and worthy enough to be mentioned)
Aliens (1986)
The Best of the Best
What a superb film! From the first moment to the last the tension is being built up and reaching not one but several climaxes. Ripley's character developes as opposed to survives as she did in the first film and some of the emotion displayed does not reappear in the later films, much to their shame. The marines are equally good with Hicks assuming quiet authority when needed and Hudson going from arrogant to scared in what I think is the most realistic response. The special effects are mind blowing especially when you realise how little money was spent on it and the aliens move and terrify in fluid, realistic ways. The dialogue is full of one liners which add to rather than detract from the action. Overall a well deserved 9.5 / 10