Tag: film review

How to comment on this film without mentioning Days of Thunder? Answer: I can’t. In fact, not only is Days of Thunder mentioned in the film, but the entire plot seems to have been borrowed. Sort of. I’ve not actually seen Days of Thunder for years, but there was more than a bit of deja vu watching Talladega Nights. As a comedy, though, Talladega Nights does things for laughs. And thankfully, it is funny. Not amazingly so, but it still …

Just a catch-up and verdict on a couple of films I’ve seen recently: My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) Silly, but funny, film about a socially awkward superhero who falls for someone who helps her out, only to become ridiculously jealous of his co-worker. Eddie Izzard is the best character, as always. Verdict: 3/5 The Truman Show (1998) Remember when Jim Carrey used to be good? Ideally cast here as a star of his own Big Brother type TV show, only he …

It was never meant to be a serious contender for any sort of awards. Samuel L Jackson pretty much only took part “for the lulz”. Even the name is stupid. But the film? Stupid. And rubbish. But watchable, for some reason. Nobody in it can act. The special effects are simply “special” (the green snake’s POV? Rubbish), and the plot doesn’t make any sense. There are holes all over the place, such as needing to know which snake bit who, …

I’ve watched a lot of films recently, but haven’t had a chance to write anything here about them because, well, some other thing has been taking up a lot of my time. So here’s a concise list! Withnail and I (1987) Two wannabe luvvies hop around drinks and drugs, seemingly to just fill in the time between acting auditions. Verdict: 4/5 Ghostbusters (1984) I always wondered what the point of Winston is in Ghostbusters. Watching it again didn’t enlighten me. …

Since I was far too young to have seen such filth before, this was the first time I’d ever watched Porky’s. I was under the impression it was sort of like American Pie, only from the 80s. I was part right. It is like American Pie (in fact, one of the writers of American Pie has signed up to co-write a Porky’s remake, apparently), but like American Pie crossed with Happy Days and Grease. I had no idea it was …

You know, even though I’d not seen this before, the number of take-off and parodies I’d seen in things like The Simpsons and Family Guy made it feel like it was a repeat. Of course, I didn’t really know the plot (and there were a few twists in it anyway), but I started thinking to myself – “this is the bit where…”. Which I suppose is testament to it’s classic film status, really. There are a few jarring special effects …

Based on a comic series I’ve never seen, the film groups fictional characters from popular 19th century literature together as a sort of Victorian Justice League. Naturally, they have enemies who are also fictional characters from popular 19th century literature. Evil enemies who want to cause a war then profit from it by selling technology and science to the opposing factions! Considering the film is set in 1899, the number of 20th century inventions littering it seem out of place …

I was absolutely convinced this film came out this year, but Virgin On Demand says 2007. Not that it matters at all, it just seems too long ago. Anyway. Jerry (Jack Black) and Mike (Mos Def) are left in charge of a video rental shop while the owner goes on a recon mission to figure out how to make more money in order to save the building the shop is in from demolition. While he’s away, a freak accident magnetically …

Somewhat ignorantly, I didn’t realise this was all in Spanish with subtitles. Not that it matters (and I usually prefer the original language with subtitles than dubious dubbing), but I was a little surprised. I was also surprised by how nasty the film was. I knew it was considered a “fairytale for grown-ups”, but somehow this made me expect something more akin to Stardust, when, in fact, it seems to bear more resemblance to something like Platoon. Sort of. A …

When this first came out, I watched it three times in a single weekend, as it seemed necessary to do so in order to make sense of the story. This time around, however, despite not having seen it in more than ten years, I didn’t have to. I don’t know if that’s because I subconciously remembered the bits I needed to pay attention to, or whether I got lucky, but still – you have to concentrate or things really do …

A deeply religious police sergeant travels to a island village to try to solve the mystery of a girl who disappeared there. On his arrival, he finds that none of the residents have even heard of her. As his investigations progess, he is exposed to more and more of the “heathen” traditions of the island’s pagan ways, realising the girl’s disappearance is somehow linked to them. Although described as a horror, or a thriller, I wouldn’t really class The Wicker …

Absolutely amazing. It’s slick, it’s twisty, it’s got style, and Samuel L Jackson does what Samuel L Jackson does best. He plays the nephew of the original John Shaft, working for the police, and with a personal interest in anti-black crime. Two unrelated arrests cause a rich murderer and a drug lord to team up to take out a witness to a murder, and Shaft along the way. There’s shootouts, car chases, one-liners, bent cops… plenty to prevent the film …

Big budget, big names, some amazing effects and quite clearly epic in almost every way. However, it’s also mostly brainless, has the more ridiculous “win” plot ever, and Brent Spiner’s character dies despite him being the best one in the film. Things that made me ill: The first lady somehow survives (for a bit) The dog somehow survives Will Smith’s cigar “tradition” The drunken hick who flies into the ship killing himself And other bits. And can Jeff Goldblum play …