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- DirectorGregg ArakiStarsThomas DekkerHaley BennettChris ZylkaA sexually "undeclared" college freshman's clairvoyant/prophetic dreams are the first sign that something very strange is going on involving his classmates -- with him at the center.Watched in April 2011
One night Smith, a college kid has strange but startling dream, but wonders what it all means if anything when he wakes. When at a party with his best friend Stella, he encounters people from his dream; Smith really begins to wonder what the hell is happening. High from drugs he meets a woman and sleeps with her and they seem to have some connection, even if he lusts after his dopey surfer roommate Thor. Events begin to become more surreal as it appears there is much more Smith is about to find out, something that is much larger and stranger than he could imagine.
Greg Araki certainly can’t be accused of making an unoriginal film and Kaboom is brimming with an array of ideas, ones of sexual exploration and identity, ones of love, or ones of the supernatural. Araki employs a vivid use of colour and some camera work that makes the film look at times no more than a student film. It is certainly not a terrible film, there is some elements that entertain and Thomas Dekker as Smith saves the film performance wise amongst some otherwise dire ones and there are some quite funny moments, although for some of my fellow cinema goers there were more than I could find. It is also at times too brash and tries to be something it’s not and as the plot thickens so does the absurdity of it as it swings between genres like a lost monkey. Ultimately it’s a very disappointing film that bored me more than anything, but many others may get more out of this. - StarsKate BushPaul GambacciniLucy O'BrienThis is a film reviewing the music and career of one of the world's most influential performers, singers and songwriters; arguable the most unique female artist ever.MIFF 2008
Would have been better suited to TV. Really a review of her albums and singles. Nothing really about her life. Interesting to look back at her work though. Some of the reviewers were pretty lame choices and it's a shame there weren't more interviews with other artists. Of course the great shame is that there were no new Kate Bush interviews. - DirectorTed EmeryStarsJane TurnerGina RileyMagda SzubanskiFountain Lakes' foxy ladies who turn more than just heads when they go on an overseas trip and end up being the centre of their very own fairytale.Enjoyed it more than I expected.
- DirectorAndrzej WajdaStarsAndrzej ChyraMaja OstaszewskaArtur ZmijewskiAn examination of the Soviet slaughter of thousands of Polish officers and citizens in the Katyn forest in 1940.I was expecting more of an emotional punch with this film, considering its content, but felt nothing. Insted of being emotionally connected, I felt bored and often very confused. The film doesnt focus on the actual massacre, until the end of the film and insted follows the lives of a few characters, woman who lost their husbands, both just before and after the event. The timeline was very confusing for me and the introductions of several new characters quite near the end added more confusion. The was a lack of explanation for many events: it took me ages to work out what the names being read out over the tannoy were. The ending resolved some things, but considering the horror taking place on screen, I felt disconnected to what I was seeing. I did think the two main female leads were wonderful. But generally very dissapointed. There was also a moment at the end when the screen went blank before the credits rolled, I do wonder if there was some round up of information given as there often his in films based on true events. I guess we'll never know.
- DirectorKatie WolfeStarsCalvin TuteaoNathalie BolttGeorge HenareAn apparently happy family man must reveal a lifelong secret - that he is gay.Listed as Kawa.
This failed to interest me, though the scenery is at times lovely. - DirectorIra SachsStarsThure LindhardtZachary BoothJulianne NicholsonIn Manhattan, film-maker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a fling. As their relationship becomes one fueled by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries while being true to himself.This is a good, stylish drama.
- DirectorMikkel NørgaardStarsNikolaj Lie KaasPer Scheel KrügerTroels LybyPolice inspector Carl Mørck is put in charge of a department of cold cases, joined only by his assistant Assad. They dig into a case about a missing woman.run of the mill for the most part, girl in red dress, the baddie coming behind at the end. But, it’s quite atmospheric at times and Fares Fares is hot
- DirectorScott MarshallStarsJeremy PivenGarry MarshallDaryl SabaraA 13-year-old boy uses his upcoming bar mitzvah to reconcile the strained relationship between his father and grandfather.One of the worst films I've seen.
- DirectorLarry ClarkEdward LachmanStarsAdam ChubbuckJames BullardSeth GrayKen Park is about several Californian skateboarders' lives and relationships with and without their parents.Actually not bad. Not as controversial as it's made out to be. I've seen more graphic stuff.
- DirectorClayton JacobsonStarsShane JacobsonTravis GollandChris DavisThis hilarious mockumentary film follows the numerous misadventures of a porta-john worker through both his personal and professional life, including an oddly glamorous excursion to the Pumper and Cleaner Expo in Nashville, TN.Likable and often funny film. Though it wears thin.
- DirectorEd ByeStarsHarry EnfieldKathy BurkeRhys IfansTwo inseparable, hormonal, English BFF teen boys, avoided by all others, head to Ibiza with Kevin's parents. Will they lose their virginity there?Kind of funny, but wears thing. Who knows who the person was that suggested a film version.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonNicolas CageChloë Grace MoretzDave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a superhero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.Watched in August 2010
I'm not a huge comic book adaptation fan, but Kick-Ass, is a little different from the norm. It's very entertaining, with some clever editing used during some great sequences and a good cast, who seem to be having alot of fun. Nicholas Cage, whom I normally don't like, is great in this, with his stunted speech. There are also some funny moments in it, loved the scene where Kick-Ass and Red Mist where dancing in the car.
The film is very violent, much of which is caused by an 11yr old girl which seemed at times a little too much. It just didn't seem right, am I becoming more prudish as I get older? Perhaps, but whilst she is very good, listening to an '11yr' girl say *beep* before mowing down grown men made me a little uncomfortable.
Still, it is only a film and it works well, the nerds aren't too nerdy, the heroes not too heroic and it doesn't end with a completely happy ending, infact it's quite sad near the end. But thanks to some to some good performance, special effects and filming, this is a perfect DVD for the sofa. - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinEdna PurvianceJackie CooganThe Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.Superb Chaplin film, very funny and very moving.
- DirectorNanette BursteinBrett MorgenStarsRobert EvansEddie AlbertPeter BartDocumentary about legendary Paramount producer Robert Evans (the film shares the same name as Evans's famous 1994 autobiography).This failed to interest me enough.
- DirectorJean-Pierre DardenneLuc DardenneStarsThomas DoretCécile de FranceJérémie RenierAbandoned by his father, a young boy is left in a state-run youth farm. In a random act of kindness, the town hairdresser agrees to foster him on weekends.Beautiful, charming and touching.
- DirectorLisa CholodenkoStarsAnnette BeningJulianne MooreMark RuffaloTwo children conceived by artificial insemination bring their biological father into their non-traditional family life.Watched in July 2010
Sometimes, someone makes a film that is perhaps full of typical, conventional stories and ideas but takes it away from anything seen before and presents something new. Here we see an average family dealing with the trials and tribulations of life. The marriage is strong and the children bubbling with the teenage angst that we understand. The parents worry about their children, fret about themselves and life, is pretty much the same as any other family. The main difference is that the parents are lesbians. But that makes very little difference as they are the same as any other straight couple. The story of course alters when the couples sperm donor is tracked down by the kids and enters their lives in some cases more ways than others.
The film is full of funny moments, that anyone can understand as we have all been there: embarrassment of your parents or siblings, parents dealing with teenage angst and of course dealing with ourselves and each other. The film could play with some very stereotyped characters, but it is far from it. The characters are all real, natural and likable in their own ways. It never becomes to much of a comedy and still deals with the more serious aspects of family and relationships, but yet never becomes bogged down in too much emotion or sentiment.
It is helped by a superb cast lead by outstanding performances by Annette Bening and as always Julianne Moore is just brilliant. They both inhabit their roles and the nuances of being human. he rest of the cast are also very fine. Whilst I struggled at little with the character Moore played at least with where her relationship went, but the character finds her way out and there is a beautiful and funny speech near the end. I found the later scenes really beautiful and a wonderful way to end a great film. - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsPeter CoyoteVerónica ForquéVictoria AbrilKika, a cute cosmetologist, prepares Ramon for funeral when he revives. He proposes to the much older Kika who has his dad as lover. Did Ramon's dad murder his mom? What about the escaped rapist and the PSYCHOlogist video reporter?Fun early Almodovar film.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineDaryl HannahAfter awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.Probably my favourite Tarantino film along with Vol.2. Stunning visually, great use of styles and genres, music, humour and gore.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineMichael MadsenThe Bride continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover Bill, the reclusive bouncer Budd, and the treacherous, one-eyed Elle.
- DirectorBen WheatleyStarsNeil MaskellMyAnna BuringHarry SimpsonNearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.Fun and a little creepy.
- DirectorJohn KrokidasStarsDaniel RadcliffeDane DeHaanMichael C. HallA murder in 1944 draws together the great poets of the beat generation: Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs.Effective and well played drama.
- DirectorMichael WinterbottomStarsCasey AffleckKate HudsonJessica AlbaA West Texas Deputy Sheriff is slowly unmasked as a psychotic killer.MIFF 2010
Watched in July 2010
I like Michael Winterbottom, he's a diverse and interesting film maker and that's the reason I went to see this, not because of the controversy that now surrounds the film, which is something I hadn't paid much attention to.
The film follows Lou, a small town sheriff who is also a murderer. He is a smooth, gentle spoken person on the outside, yet he is also brutal and a bastard of a man. The film, as you would expect from Winterbottom, is stylishly made, the 50's era well created and has some good performances from Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba and Casey Affleck: although the first two have little to do and Affleck does have a habit of mumbling which can be sometimes difficult to hear, but he is very good as the schizo Lou.
It is an engaging film, the audience is caught up wondering how it will end, will it end or will he simply get away with it. There is explanation as such to his behavior, but it's not handed to the audience easily, so I struggled with some of the back story. But perhaps when dealing with psychopaths it's not maybe that we try and understand why they do what they do. The outcome was a little disappointing but otherwise it is a good film with alot going for it.
So, the controvery. Well, some have said that it's quite graphic sexually, but that is not true. There is alot of sex, but very tame stuff indeed. The other sticking point is the violence and for some the graphic violence towards women. It's difficult to tell the story of a muderous psychopath without having violence. And this story happens to involve women, but also men who are the victims, it just that the female victims get the really bad end of the violence. Having watched hundreds and hundreds of films, including some that contain horrific violence -French film Irreversible anyone?, there is little that phases me. But I confess that the scene where Lou beats Alba's character to pulp, really turned my stomach, I felt so repulsed I wondered whether if there were more scenes like this I may not be able to stand it. It's a surprise to be put in that predicament and more of a surprise that whilst the scene is graphic and confronting, it's still not perhaps the worst I have seen. Perhaps it's the way it was filmed or that it's slightly extended to the point of wishing it would stop. Thankfully we have to wait some time for anymore violence to come along and thankfully it never comes up to the level of the earlier scene. Is it needed? Perhaps not, but then the film would be different and our understanding of Lou would be different if we didn't see him for what he really is. That after pretending a hobo has killed his girlfriend he whistles merrily while making coffee is a great point of showing exactly what a monster he is.
It's easy to say that Winterbottom has made certain choices in the direction of the film only to get a raise out of everyone, but I think chose to make a film that contains realism, however harrowing and in the process makes a fine, absorbing thriller. - DirectorAndrew DominikStarsBrad PittRay LiottaRichard JenkinsJackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.brilliant - violent and gory and the slow mo sequence is worth the entry price alone
- DirectorJames MarshStarsGael García BernalWilliam HurtLaura HarringA motiveless malignancy? Elvis leaves the Navy and heads for Texas where he contacts his father Dave, whom he's never met. He is the pastor at a Christian community church. He tells Elvis to stay away and, without telling his family that Elvis is his son from a pre-conversion liaison, tells them to have nothing to do with him. But Elvis has already connected with Malerie, the pastor's 16-year old daughter. Elvis embarks on her seduction, while Dave examines his conscience and comes to a new conclusion. Can anyone get right with the Lord? Does the Lord hear?Effective drama, Bernal is very good.
- DirectorLee Joon-ikStarsKam Woo-seongJung Jin-youngKang Seong-yeonTwo clowns living in Korea's Chosun Dynasty get arrested for staging a play that satirizes the king. They are dragged to the palace and threatened with execution but are given a chance to save their lives if they can make the king laugh.Average film, great costumes.
- DirectorRolf de HeerStarsRoman VaculikMichaela CantwellLily AdeyA young couple buy a house but their neighbor is a drug dealer who originates many troubles so they create a plan to move him out.Pretty much hated both the couple and the neigbours. And the film
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsNaomi WattsJack BlackAdrien BrodyA greedy film producer assembles a team of moviemakers and sets out for the infamous Skull Island, where they find more than just cannibalistic natives.Sure the effects are okay, but it feels woeful and there is no warmth.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJerry LewisDiahnne AbbottA passionate yet unsuccessful comedian stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself.Stunning film. Funny, surreal and superb performances.
- DirectorMarius HolstStarsBenjamin HelstadTrond NilssenStellan SkarsgårdNorwegian winter, early 20th century. On the boys home Bastoy, a new inmate leads the boys to a violent uprising against a brutal regime. How far is he willing to go to attain freedom?Effective and almost brutal story.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsSteve WiebeBilly MitchellMark AlpigerDie-hard gamers compete to break world records on classic arcade games.Likable film, but it does wear thing quickly.
- DirectorKazuyoshi KatayamaStarsKana HanazawaToshiyuki MorikawaEri SendaiA virus begins to grip the Earth's population and a group of hopeful survivors are cryogenically frozen in attempt to find a cure. But when the group awakens they are flung into a horrifying situation.Watched in September 2010
This anime feature started well, with a story about a mystery virus that turns people to stone starts sweeping the planet. A select few are chosen to be put into a cryogenic sleep until a cure can be found. When they wake up suddenly it seems that years have passed and something terrible has gone wrong.
The early scenes were quite good but once they awoke the film steered into a new area, which didn't work as well. Ideas of dreams and alternate relalities abounded and became very confusing as the few survivors try to escape monsters and find their way out of the castle among a sea of massive thorns. This blend of fiction and fantasy just didn't work for me, using so many ideas and notions left me bored and confused, not entirely sure what was happening or really caring. I was also annoyed by scenes at the start where none Japanese characters spoke Japanese, with no hint to their native language, it might be a Japanese film, but that seemed a pointless choice.
There are some nice animation sequences and some slight humour through the character of the young boy who compares everything that happens to computer games. However this is one anime film that is not worth the effort. - DirectorDavid S. WardStarsJohn GoodmanPeter O'TooleJohn HurtA regular guy from America becomes king of England after a royal wipe-out puts him next in line.What a terrible film. The only good bit is the death of the whole royal family.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsOrlando BloomEva GreenLiam NeesonBalian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the Crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people.Visually nice, but pretty boring.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.Watched in December 2010
Colin Firth stars as The Duke Of York, later King George VI, who suffers from a terrible stammer and after numerous attempts to cure it, his wife played by Helena Bonham Carter finds an Australian man, Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush. Logue is a cheeky, but likable chap who is quite unperturbed by the notion of royalty and it seems has what it may take to cure the Duke's condition. A friendship of sorts forms between the two men all set amid the controversy of the Dukes older brothers affair with Wallace Simpson and the first signs of WWII.
This is a really fascinating film, about a story that I'm surprised hasn't been put on film before. Not only is the Duke and Logue's story interesting, but the look at the effect of the of the abdication and the onslaught of war is also interesting. Films that look at events within the Royal family are perhaps more interesting as they are stories we don't get to see, as much of what happens is very much behind closed doors and perhaps that means that much of what we are presented with is hearsay, but like The Queen, whatever might be suggested is done so well with much conviction. It is interesting to see the amount of affection between the future King and Queen, especially against the coldness of other royal relationships, such as when King George V dies his son and heir breaks down and clutches the Queen only for her to stand rigid and unemotional. Society has perhaps been given a set idea of the Royal family, that they are on the outside rather lacking in emotion and so it is nice to see that there is under the pomp some humanity.
With the era beautifully recreated the film looks great and there are of course excellent performances, with Bonham Carter and Rush both very good, but it is Colin Firth who again shows what a fine actor he is and it would appear the award givers agree aswell, with accolades beginning to appear. The film provides a fascinating insight into an interesting time in British history, especially of Royal history and does so with enough sentiment, but not too much aswell as providing some very funny moments, most of which come through the relationship of The Duke and Logue. I did struggle with the amount of swearing the Duke spat out in one session with Logue, it all seemed out of character and over the top, but otherwise this is a very enjoyable and well made film. - DirectorBill CondonStarsLiam NeesonLaura LinneyChris O'DonnellA look at the life of Alfred Kinsey, a pioneer in the area of human sexuality research, whose 1948 publication "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was one of the first recorded works that saw science address sexual behavior.Interesting man, but film fails to engage.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Val KilmerMichelle MonaghanAfter being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery.Really enjoyed this film, with great performances and dark humour.
- DirectorBent HamerStarsTomas NorströmJoachim CalmeyerBjørn FlobergA scientific observer's job of observing an old cantankerous single man's kitchen habits is complicated by his growing friendship with him.Nice, whimsical film.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsKhalid AbdallaAhmad Khan MahmoodzadaAtossa LeoniAfter spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.Endearing, moving, touching and charming.
- DirectorJudd ApatowStarsSeth RogenKatherine HeiglPaul RuddFor fun-loving party animal Ben Stone, the last thing he ever expected was for his one-night stand to show up on his doorstep eight weeks later to tell him she's pregnant with his child.Not bad - considering it's got Hiegl in it.
- DirectorJoachim RønningEspen SandbergStarsPål Sverre HagenAnders BaasmoGustaf SkarsgårdLegendary explorer Thor Heyerdahl's epic 4,300-mile crossing of the Pacific on a balsawood raft in 1947, in an effort to prove that it was possible for South Americans to settle in Polynesia in pre-Columbian times.Fascinating account of the true story. Incredible.
- DirectorGodfrey ReggioStarsEdward AsnerPat BenatarJerry BrownA collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on the relationship between nature, humanity, and technology.The original - the imagery is at times overwhelming, even more so with the music of Phillip Glass. Stunning stuff.
- DirectorDavid ZellnerStarsRinko KikuchiNobuyuki KatsubeKanako HigashiA jaded Japanese woman discovers a hidden copy of Fargo (1996) on VHS, believing it to be a treasure map indicating the location of a large case of money.MIFF.
charming story, with some lovely moments and dry humour - DirectorMark OsborneJohn StevensonStarsJack BlackIan McShaneAngelina JolieTo everyone's surprise, including his own, Po, an overweight, clumsy panda, is chosen as protector of the Valley of Peace. His suitability will soon be tested as the valley's arch-enemy is on his way.This really surprised me: I was expecting a slightly funny, but pretty average animation. But I was wrong. It's very funny. And all thanks to Jack Black who owns the film and has some of the best lines. But overall its a terrific film and my only problem was I spent the entire film wondering what Dustin Hoffmans animal was suppose to be, I thought it was a red panda, then I thought it was fox. Then I gave up and waited till the film had ended and checked online. He was a red panda by the way.
- DirectorJennifer Yuh NelsonStarsJack BlackAngelina JolieJackie ChanPo and his friends fight to stop a peacock villain from conquering China with a deadly new weapon, but first the Dragon Warrior must come to terms with his past.likable sequel.