Reviews
Sinister (2012)
If You Hated Insidious, You'll Hate This.
Cheap jump scares, a jarring soundtrack and a convoluted story.
There seems to be a trend in making horror films that rely purely on loud noises, this is one of them. Gone are the carefully crafted story lines which draw you into the situation and allow you to identify with the protagonists. There was little to no character development with dialogue that was childishly simple and intended to crowbar the points of the film across. It was all hideously predictable.
The 'demon' was just stupid looking, the scary ghost children were insulting to the audience mentality - how on earth in a practical sense did any of them actually manage to commit these murders?!
I guessed that it was the children early on because I have average intelligence which while watching this film put me at a disadvantage. The only thing niggling at me was that they couldn't possibly perform the physical side of the killings alone so I was waiting for some big reveal at the end to explain this. I didn't get it - all I got was some 8mm film footage dramatically showing me what I already knew with me thinking "Is that IT? Really?"
And as for the moving house bit, what the Dickens was all THAT about? He kills people who move house? Does he? Does he really? Erm, why? Oh, I'm not getting an explanation for that? Well that's fine because I'll just file it over here in the draw marked "Utter Sh*te" along with the rest of this films bewildering cr*pfest of a story...
I find it interesting that the illegal download community are being blamed for damaging the film industry. No, it's very badly made films like this, overpriced tickets and food, overpaid actors and a general lack of giving a sh*t for the end consumers which is damaging the film industry.
The Fattest Man in Britain (2009)
Really Heartfelt and Entertaining
I can't understand why a lot of people have given this a low score. I have no idea what I was really expecting from this. I was intrigued when I saw it advertised as I saw the original documentary on the now sadly departed Jack Taylor a few years ago and he was such a unique character.
Timothy Spall plays his incarnation of Jack (George Godwin) in a more dumbed down way. George (forgive the upcoming pun) is a more well-rounded individual, making him more believable. How ironic is that? There's no sign of Jack's Creation but there are plenty of references to the legend that was Jack Taylor to satisfy his cult following. There are some lines almost lifted from the documentary on their entirety: "I weighed 53 stone at Morleys!" and Jack's trademark laugh was done to perfection.
The story which surrounds George I felt to be very fitting. The contrast between George and the teenage Amy is a delight to watch and provides many genuinely touching moments. I have to admit I found it very hard to stop myself from shedding a few tears at certain key moments.
The supporting cast are superb with Bobby Ball delivering a wonderfully sweary performance as Georgie's manager. Francis Barber is his buxom carer and there is a cameo from Barry Austin who was also featured alongside Jack in "Being Britain's Fattest Man".
All in all both myself and my other half really enjoyed this film and I have since purchased the sublime soundtrack composed by Badly Drawn Boy.
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Thought provoking comedy.
I have to start by saying I LOVE Ricky. I have loved everything he has done (with the exception of Ghost Town which I was slightly disappointed in). Anyone who has listened to the XFM Podcasts and Ricky's Guide To's will be well aware of his sense of humour and relaxed personality.
It is very reassuring to know that many of our American cousins seem to appreciate Ricky's style and it makes my heart feel warm to know that Karl is loved over there too! Now, The Invention of Lying is no ground-breaking event but it is a very enjoyable film. Ricky's character is a likable, unpretentious (if not downtrodden) average bloke. He's proving himself to be a very capable actor on the big screen. The scene with his mother had me sitting there with tears streaming down my face because it seemed so very real. I think this is what sets Ricky Gervais apart from many actors and comedians, the consistency of realism in his writing.
Jennifer Garner is wonderful as the 'love interest'. She delivers a solid performance, understanding very well how to play her role with comic timing and also a sense of sympathy for her character. As others have written here, there are many well known supporting actors and cameos and I will not go into them all. One big happy moment for me in the film was the sudden appearance of Mr Steve Merchant and Shaun Williamson (or Barry from Eastenders if you like...). I only wish there had been room for Karl in that scene. Or I would have loved to have heard Ricky's character telling him he hasn't got a perfectly round head like a f***ing orange.
I had no expectations of this film from the trailers and so was pleasantly surprised when halfway through, it turned it's attention to religion (although it was an obvious plot development in hindsight!). As an atheist myself I found this very refreshing and honest in it's approach. How any hardened Christians can watch this and NOT see how ridiculous their beliefs are is beyond me.
On the whole I really enjoyed this film. I feel that it could have been a little more cutting perhaps, I would have liked to have seen either one or the other rather than a mishmash of romantic comedy and religious satire. The only film I feel has ever successfully pulled this off is The Life of Brian.
The reason I have rated this 8/10 is that I feel that Ricky is slightly wasted as a submissive average guy and could perhaps have brought a bit more of himself to the role, making his character a little more interesting and giving us a bit more to empathise with. It seems as if he's playing it a bit safe so as to appeal to a wider audience, which is a shame as I have always admired his bold attitude towards his work.
Still, very much worth watching and I hope his next film will be a little braver as his popularity in the States grows.
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
This film IS for children despite what others may have said here.
I watched this film knowing beforehand there was going to be a death. But i had no idea who or how. I wasn't sure what i was expecting from it. I noticed in the small amount of advertising that i saw, a fantasy element but perhaps like some of the other reviews i had not been taken in too much with this.
The film deals with many aspects of childhood. The thing i liked about this was that although it is a Disney film, it didn't fall prey to being too over sentimental when dealing with the issues presented. I am 32 and a big fan of the fantasy genre and i know that as a child i would have loved this film just as much as i do as an adult. The characters are very well fleshed out and you become to feel very close to them, identifying with them and their struggles with their school and home lives.
The actors are superb, all the children in the film, from the lead players to the bullies are very believable and real.
To say this isn't a film for children is very unfair. People can sometimes not give them the credit they deserve, this film doesn't molly-coddle or pamper to the idyll. Children are much more capable of processing emotions then perhaps a lot of adults as they do not yet have the filters to distort tragedy as we do. They see things as they are and feel things in a very real sense. I think that this was brought across very well in this film.
Jess' bereavement was beautifully portrayed with sensitivity and realism. Anyone who has lost a loved one will identify in the grief process Jess has to face. Yes, it is somewhat 'speeded up', it had to be otherwise the film would have had to go on for months! The death itself i felt was incredibly effective as it is so sudden. You genuinely feel shock and incredulity, even denial when Jess is told of Lesley's accident. This is in many cases how death happens. Most of the time we are not prepared for it, even after a long illness, we are never ready to accept when a loved one is taken from us before their time. The following scenes in which Jess comes to realise Lesley is really gone are real and moving. At the end of the film, Jess begins to find acceptance in what has happened, the final stage of the grieving process. We are left feeling that Jess will be OK, that he has learned so much from his experience and that he will keep Lesley with him in some way for the rest of his life. It ends in a very positive way, which is not a bad message for children.
Yes, very small children will have trouble understanding the emotions, but i do not believe it does harm to show them a film with so much love and friendship in it.
A beautiful film. I will have to read the book now!
Vic Reeves Big Night Out (1990)
Groundbreaking surreal comedy of the highest quality.
I felt the need to defend this programme after reading the first review written by someone who has never been a fan. Everybody is entitled to an opinion and i understand that Vic & Bob's humour is not for the masses. In fact it tends to be very much a love or hate thing (My mum loved it, my dad hated it!).
I remember the first time this was shown on television. I would have been around 15 years old and it had a huge impact on me. I had always been more into comedy than music like most of my mates and this was not only a new show but a brand new style of comedy, much in the same way that Python paved the way for so many comedians, i reckon BNO or rather Mr Reeves and Mr Mortimer did the same in the nineties. Not that comedy had gone stale during that time, we had some great programmes; Absolutely (the Scottish sketch show, not to be confused with Absolutely Fabulous), The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Fry & Laurie, Harry Enfield and Chums, etc etc. So for BNO to be such a breath of fresh air took some doing! These days you'd be hard pushed to find anything that stood out from the crowd, with the exception of The Office, The Mighty Boosh and Peep Show (with maybe a handful of others). But i can safely say that nothing has made my jaw drop in sheer wonderment in the way Vic & Bob did back then. Yes it was rough around the edges, the props were bad (that was the point) sometimes the timing was off, but you could forgive them anything for that next belly laugh.
They just simply did what they thought was funny. THAT'S it. No statements, no irony, satire or the need for any kind of structure. You saw, you laughed. End of. Visual humour that went way beyond slapstick and into another realm.
From the very first viewing they had me, i was hooked and woe-betide the video recorder if it malfunctioned during the show. Vic Reeves' Big Night Out is one of my fondest memories from my teenage years and throughout their careers Jim & Bob have remained two of my most favourite people in the world!
(Although i have to admit, i think the Smell Of series was ever so slightly better :P )
When the Wind Blows (1986)
Beautiful film with a strong message
I saw this film when i was about 13 and it had a huge impact on me. Everything comes together so well to produce a stunning overall effect. The animation is unique and uses many contrasting styles from soft, cartoony character design to harsh, powerful and sometimes disturbing imagery reminiscent of some of Gerald Scarfe's work in 'The Wall'. The soundtrack is also superb and subtely integrated into the storyline, using both instrumental and vocal tracks from David Bowie, Roger Waters and Genesis.
As you watch the film you are given a 'fly-on-the-wall' perspective of an elderly couple 'preparing' for a nuclear blast. Their innocence and naivety is moving whilst at the same time full of hope. They dutifully follow governmental leaflets firmly believing that the powers that be will never let them down. This viewpoint is harrowing for the viewer as we know that there is no real hope for either of them and yet still they carry on even after the blast, with a quiet dignity and bravery which is very endearing.
This is not a film with a happy ending and nor should it be. For this reason some may call it depressing but the media of film should not always be used to merely entertain.
There are few films out there that truly have the power to make an impact on us that will last the rest of our lives, thankfully When The Wind Blows is one of them. A daring and innovative movie which is so much more than just a cartoon.
It is also now available at last on DVD. I intend to order my copy very soon. Highly recommended.