Being John Malkovich

Get your head around this one

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“This film was absolutely incredible. Attempting to explain the plot in any way that would do it justice would be an excercise in futility, but let it be said that I see many, many movies, and in my lifetime, I have never seen a movie such as Being John Malkovitch. The acting is completely brilliant .. Cameron Diaz is nearly unrecognizable, both in behavior and appearance, as is John Cusack. John Malkovich was presented with an interesting opportunity in playing himself, and he seems to have seized the opportunity with relish. He is most definitely not being himself in front of the camera, but instead creates this wonderful character of John Malkovich the vessel. I've admired Spike Jonez's work for a good long time, and I'm pleased to say that in his first full length feature as a director, he succeeds with flying colors in creating an original, beautiful, humorous, and good natured picture. See Being John Malkovich, because come Oscar time, you're going to want to know why its winning!”

I liked being John Malkovich because on paper it shouldn’t work, a puppeteer gets a job in an office and finds a secret door that leads into John Malkovich? That’s the core idea, and then you have the weird office floor that is between floors like something out of Harry Potter. Fortunately all of these things just fall perfectly into place around a great cast a wonderfully funny and written piece of cinema.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“Is it original? Yes. Is it creative? Yes. But is it GOOD?? A big NO. I must have looked at the clock every 2 minutes, just waiting for this….THING….in front of me to be over with. Just because a movie is new and original does not mean that it is good. I hate to generalize, but I certainly can see this garbage being a favorite of pseudo-intellectual, java sipping art house gurus, due to its bizarreness and originality. For most normal people, however, this movie will be nothing but a miserable experience. I've never seen a comedy that was less funny. The plot went from mildly interesting to surreal, the acting was stiff, the characters weren't compelling or endearing (how can one like a movie if the characters aren't likable, or, at the very least, interesting?), and, oh yeah, it was NOT funny at all. It will take a court order (and 10 stout men to enforce it) to ever get me to watch this horrid movie again. In fact, it'll take something extraordinary for me to ever see a Spike Jonze movie again. Yup, it was THAT bad. I've probably seen worse movies, but you'd have to give me a day or two to think of one.”

I’m not a pseudo-intellectual and I quite like this film, ok so most of the biggest laughs are gone by the time you get to middle of the picture and the more serious undertones of what is actually gone take over. Caring for the characters is an issue of taste and solely up to the viewer. I spent the whole film feeling sorry for most of the characters and it only made their situation all the more desperate.

What I thought:
This really will be a short one, at least for now anyway. Being John Malkovich is an impressive film if not just for the acting which is second to none, or the laughs; which fair enough are not thick and fast but when they do they come big. It’s the fact that not only did someone come up with this idea but that they pulled it off.

Told you this one would be short.

Red

Still a whole lot a life in these old legs!

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“I can't even begin to describe how funny this movie is. Helen Mirran, especially, was excellent, with her deadpan lines: "I kill people, dear." Hilarious! John Malkovich played a very believable nutcase, making the whole theater crack up laughing almost every time he appeared on screen. I haven't seen any of Bruce Willis' 'Die Hard' movies, but he should do more funny ones; he definitely has the knack for it. Karl Urban was AWESOME...that man can play ANY role! Every single actor was perfect in their role, and this movie didn't disappoint at all, it stayed interesting for every single minute. If anyone is unsure about seeing this movie, PLEASE don't hesitate, it's worth every penny!”

It is worth every penny and it is very funny, you might not find as much to laugh at as this person clearly did though.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“What a disappointment! I still try to wrap my head around the fact that a director (Robert Schwentke) who has great actors like Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren and a sufficient budget at his disposal is able to produce such an utterly crap..Pardon my french!! So what went wrong? I dare to say almost everything: Stiff and lifeless acting, lame jokes and a horrible soundtrack. If you watched the trailer then you have already seen the best parts! I highly doubt that anyone with a brain is able to enjoy the story let alone the whole movie. Directing a movie isn't an easy thing to do and that is one of the reasons why there are only a few people on this planet who are able to master this craft. Clearly Robert Schwentke isn't one of them!”

A real battering for the director here with no real points made! Red is great fun and is very funny in places but more likely to cause giggles than guffaws.

What I thought:

I loved Red, compared to the very similar movies that came out this year; The A Team (over baked story), The Losers (over baked characters) or The Expendables (Just over baked!). This men (and the queen) on a mission is so much fun it seems hard to believe anyone wouldn’t enjoy it!?

Bruce Willis brings out his more sarcastic wise cracking version of himself and he plays it so well! Really likeable character and you really route for him from the moment you realize he’s been chatting up the girl at the pensions place because he’s clearly lonely. The film is full of moments that will at least put a smile on your face, if just for scenes involving Willis. The chemistry is great and all of the so called ageing cast are superb, Morgan Freeman getting a sly look at a nurse behind, John Malkovich batting a grenade out of the air and of course, Helen Mirren.

How can you not like a film that has Helen Mirren shooting a gun!? To kill!? A person!? Its brilliant and she treats the role like she would any other and plays it with real conviction. The action is fantastic and well done, with Karl Urban getting his “Ass handed to him” by Bruce Willis in an office being the stand out for me. The most important thing about Red though is the casting, such talent supposedly too old for these kind of roles, proving there’s still life in these old legs.