I've tried to watch 2001 about 5 times now but keep falling asleep within the first 20 minutes or so.
I agree, Batman Begins is the better film. Even though Katie Holmes is in it.
see the stories were never great but i always enjoyed watching the way the people died...this one was **** though
It must be absolutley terrible Kris,i mean your the guy who thought the Alfie re-make wasnt bad lol
Here's what I've seen recently, a bit mixed between new, slightly less new and an 80s Schwarzenegger flick.
District 9 (2009), dir. Neill Blomkamp – An utterly exhilarating and purely awesome film, produced and funded by Peter Jackson. It's almost inconceivable that they made this brilliant film for just $30m, but every single penny has been well spent, I'm sure, as the end result is mindblowingly fantastic. A contender for best film of the year, and ostensibly my favourite thus far. 9/10
True Romance (1993), dir. Tony Scott – Written by the ever magnificent and masterly Quentin Tarantino, I very much would like to have seen it directed by him as well, although Tony Scott's direction is excellent. Excellent performances all around from the star-studded cast and definitely Christian Slater's finest ever. Worth it if just to see the legendary "Sicilian scene". 9.5/10
Into the Wild (2007), dir. Sean Penn – A thorougly excellent film, masterfully directed as Emile Hirsch absolutely shines as the "homeless" Chris McCandless. A host of excellent supporting characters make this film all that it is and with a superb folksy soundtrack by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, it is truly a complete package. Throughout, you will laugh, cheer and cry as Chris fulfills his dreams as only he can and ultimately be left astounded and breathless by this film. One of the best I've ever seen. 10/10
Brüno (2009), dir. Larry Charles – A huge letdown for me as I expected more unbridled hilarity from Sascha Baron Cohen, however Brüno takes things too far in provoking a reaction from people that the concept that worked so well in Borat loses all meaning. That said, there are some absolutely knee-slappin' moments, as the States' more lowbrowed population is again put on show. 6/10.
The Running Man (1987), dir. Paul Michael Glaser – Although at times it displays many of the dire qualities of 1980s cinema, it shines through in many other departments. Although admittedly not a tall order, I don't think I've ever cared more about a character played by Schwarzenegger. Quite recommended if you find the premise intriguing, which I certainly did. 7/10.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), dir. Woody Allen – On-and-off genious Woody Allen directs this to something nearing perfection and with good performances by Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Patricia Clarkson and one quite electrifying in Penélope Cruz, one never loses interest in the storyline or the characters. Even Scarlett Johansson turns in a decent performance. 8/10.
The World's Fastest Indian (2005), dir. Roger Donaldson – Such an excellent performance by Sir Anthony Hopkins to the point where it doesn't even matter how off his accent is. Probably the best "feel-good" film I've ever seen and although somewhat predictable it does throw in a twist even now and again to keep things interesting and it works. Captures the magic of the Bonneville Salt Flats to a mesmerising extent. 8/10.
The Damned United (2009), dir. Tom Hooper – Finally a film about football with a plot that doesn't just revolve around some legendary run of form or extraordinary one-off performance, Michael Sheen plays legendary manager Brian Clough, who succeeds another legendary manager Don Revie in managing Leeds United, at the time a perennial contender for several trophies a year. Great performances by the aforementioned Sheen, steady but solid Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney make this film highly watchable, even though the facts may not be quite where they should be. ****, Remember the Titans wasn't entirely factual, either, who really cares? 8/10.
All recommended viewing. Now, if I can just get to a showing of Inglourious Basterds soon!
District 9 (2009), dir. Neill Blomkamp – An utterly exhilarating and purely awesome film, produced and funded by Peter Jackson. It's almost inconceivable that they made this brilliant film for just $30m, but every single penny has been well spent, I'm sure, as the end result is mindblowingly fantastic. A contender for best film of the year, and ostensibly my favourite thus far. 9/10
True Romance (1993), dir. Tony Scott – Written by the ever magnificent and masterly Quentin Tarantino, I very much would like to have seen it directed by him as well, although Tony Scott's direction is excellent. Excellent performances all around from the star-studded cast and definitely Christian Slater's finest ever. Worth it if just to see the legendary "Sicilian scene". 9.5/10
Into the Wild (2007), dir. Sean Penn – A thorougly excellent film, masterfully directed as Emile Hirsch absolutely shines as the "homeless" Chris McCandless. A host of excellent supporting characters make this film all that it is and with a superb folksy soundtrack by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, it is truly a complete package. Throughout, you will laugh, cheer and cry as Chris fulfills his dreams as only he can and ultimately be left astounded and breathless by this film. One of the best I've ever seen. 10/10
Brüno (2009), dir. Larry Charles – A huge letdown for me as I expected more unbridled hilarity from Sascha Baron Cohen, however Brüno takes things too far in provoking a reaction from people that the concept that worked so well in Borat loses all meaning. That said, there are some absolutely knee-slappin' moments, as the States' more lowbrowed population is again put on show. 6/10.
The Running Man (1987), dir. Paul Michael Glaser – Although at times it displays many of the dire qualities of 1980s cinema, it shines through in many other departments. Although admittedly not a tall order, I don't think I've ever cared more about a character played by Schwarzenegger. Quite recommended if you find the premise intriguing, which I certainly did. 7/10.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), dir. Woody Allen – On-and-off genious Woody Allen directs this to something nearing perfection and with good performances by Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Patricia Clarkson and one quite electrifying in Penélope Cruz, one never loses interest in the storyline or the characters. Even Scarlett Johansson turns in a decent performance. 8/10.
The World's Fastest Indian (2005), dir. Roger Donaldson – Such an excellent performance by Sir Anthony Hopkins to the point where it doesn't even matter how off his accent is. Probably the best "feel-good" film I've ever seen and although somewhat predictable it does throw in a twist even now and again to keep things interesting and it works. Captures the magic of the Bonneville Salt Flats to a mesmerising extent. 8/10.
The Damned United (2009), dir. Tom Hooper – Finally a film about football with a plot that doesn't just revolve around some legendary run of form or extraordinary one-off performance, Michael Sheen plays legendary manager Brian Clough, who succeeds another legendary manager Don Revie in managing Leeds United, at the time a perennial contender for several trophies a year. Great performances by the aforementioned Sheen, steady but solid Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney make this film highly watchable, even though the facts may not be quite where they should be. ****, Remember the Titans wasn't entirely factual, either, who really cares? 8/10.
All recommended viewing. Now, if I can just get to a showing of Inglourious Basterds soon!
I agree. At first, I thought the film would be boring, so I wasn't expecting to be blown out of my mind. But I was, and it was an amazing experience, more so when I found out it was based on a true story. Emilie Hirsch is a very talented actor and if he continues in this direction, we may yet see the next Leo DiCaprio in a few years' time.
Thank you askep for the suggestions, I'll definitely look into 'Into the Wild', and 'True Romance', both of which I've yet to see.
Anybody else looking forward to Avatar? James Cameron's new one, so you know it's going to be good... the man's a genius.
Anybody else looking forward to Avatar? James Cameron's new one, so you know it's going to be good... the man's a genius.
Please tell me your winding us all up or i think i may cry.
Haha, I kept thinking "Man, he kinda looks like Leo"Emilie Hirsch is a very talented actor and if he continues in this direction, we may yet see the next Leo DiCaprio in a few years' time.
YES! I seriously can't wait. JC is the king.
It truly is a great role and a great film. Definitely one of Clint's best performances, even though he has been terrific in a plethora of other films (Unforgiven, Where Eagles Dare and of course all the Spaghetti westerns).
The ending of Gran Torino (for me) was very sad. I was almost in tears, if it wasn't for the great will reading which made me laugh I probably would have.
