The other side of the dog film debate

Not three weeks go by and I’m at another screening of a damn film about a dog, but in the ying yang fashion of movies this one was surprisingly good. Marley and me is a film based on a book, a story about a couples life with a rather eccentric canine. There were no real moments when the typical dog based jokes ruined the story, in fact they were funny. I think the real reason I enjoyed it was because I could relate to the whole falling in love having a family and still trying to hold onto dreams, the main character happens to be an aspiring writer.

The review will be up on my usual site when the film comes out so I’ll post that link; it’s a honest film about life seen through the eyes of a dog. I say life of course but in all these films it’s also life seen through “American dream tinted glasses”, but enough of me arrogantly quoting my own work. I haven’t seen anything else this week as I am currently watching all 9 seasons and 2 films of the x files, not all at the same time of course. I love the X files but more of them when I have finished my marathon.

I’m doing it again and ending my blog a little early but I haven’t seen any other films this week and there is no interesting news to talk about. Though this is a weekly blog so no doubt at some point I’ll have more than enough to say. Oh currently I am trying to watch the Oscars online for free, well I have found a place but the bloody buffering is annoying. If I can find a better site and stay awake I’ll post the winners as I hear them but I’m not promising anything as I am pretty tired. Well that little rant got me over 300 words so don’t feel too cheated. Keep watching and keep reading.

Valentines shmootz and Turtles, talking ones

So it’s been a week for the lovers, so to speak. Well it was Valentine’s Day and in the words of Joel Barish “a day invented by greetings cards companies to make the rest of us feel miserable” or something like that. Course I can’t complain I have my valentine. This week I finally got round to watching a rehash of one of my favourite cartoons as a kid, TMNT. Otherwise known as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, I would have to say that apart from there being no shredder (the bad guy from the original) it was actually rather good. The idea to do it in computer animation suited the style and didn’t take away from the original like other unmentionable films.

The story is well written and picks up where the original movies left off, shredder is dead and splinter has sent Leonardo off for some team leading training in the wilderness. Not sure how the wise vermin sensei thought that would do any good but whom are we to argue with a talking rat!
The writers have been not just true to the characters and their natures and relationships but made them funnier, I don’t think I ever laughed as hard at the originals, during a scene when the turtles are eating breakfast, I won’t spoil it but it is very funny. Leonardo is still the hard faced leader; Raphael is still the hard man with a chip on his shoulder, Donatello the intelligent one (saying that all of them being able to talk is pretty damn smart... for a turtle!) and Michelangelo the pizza obsessed comic relief. The characters have been explored more simply by taking Leonardo out of the process, making him more the leader than he ever was as the Turtles try hilariously to get on with their lives, seeing Donatello give IT help over the phone is great.


Anyway that enough for now, once again I won’t reach 500 words, but once again it is self inflicted so I don’t feel too bad. Keep reading keep watching.

Dogs and Baftas!

Name me a decent film with or about dogs? Did you think Beethoven, Homeward Bound maybe Lassie. Are they any good or just films you loved as kids? It doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad movies; you had to love them as kids so they were doing something right. Well I saw the press screening of a new film about dogs “Hotel for Dogs”. When I first heard the title, all I thought was some gangster film from America, how wrong could I be. This extremely kiddie friendly film is about two orphan kids who are dying to own a dog, when a stray dog finds its way into their lives they decide to hide it out in a derelict hotel.

This hotel eventually becomes the hotel in question, this half way house for vagrant canines is the one ingenious thing in the whole film. Of course one of the kids is quite good with technical things and the devices used to keep the dogs hidden and to help them use the hotel amenities are entertaining. That is where the good points end, like so many films before this one it is predictable, contrived and badly acted. Cut the humans out and you have about a half hour “animals do the strangest things” programme.

Anyway moving on, it’s the Baftas, strangely as I’m typing, thanks to the wonders of the internet I am watching them live whilst “The Devils wears Prada” booms out of the TV. Heath Ledger won the best supporting actor as expected; no one can question his performance. Danny Boyle has just won best Director for a film I’m yet to see and Mickey Rourke (the new comeback king) has just won best Actor. I can’t really comment on any of these as I’m yet to see a large amount of the movies, I’m not a big film journo, yet! I have just enjoyed a rather funny acceptance speech from Mickey Rourke.

I’m afraid I may have to end this column before I meet my landmark of 500 words, of course it’s self inflicted but there really is no news worth talking about. So thanks for reading, so till next week, keep watching.

The good, The bad and The damn right shameful!

Sitting here trying to write the second of my new columns and I’m at a bit of a loss, after a lovely week at centre parcs but bereft of any film viewing? I’m going to have to talk about recent film news instead. Not that I didn’t have fun on my holiday, it was great in fact. Well apart from the growing fear of all things aquatic; which isn’t good when you have two baby boys who are incredibly entertained by spinning around in their rubber rings.

Ok the first of today’s news I read today are some more updates about this year’s Dark Knight; Watchmen. This film is easily one of 2009’s most anticipated, adapted from arguably one of the finest graphic novels ever written. It really is that good, shamefully as a comic book fan I only got round to reading it a few months ago but it really is worth reading it before you catch it on the big screen. The reason for that is one update I heard today that confirmed they have changed the ending slightly, which for me is the first piece of bad news I have heard so far! The ending of the graphic novel blew me away, the ending was so risky it was one of the reasons a watchmen movie has been sitting in development hell for years. No director was willing to take it on; Zack Snyder has decided he’ll write his own!

A very bad idea indeed, still I’m going to see it and I’ll have to pay unless I can wrangle the press screening (fingers crossed). So there’s my bum on the seat for the film. From a bad idea to a good idea; letting Michael Bay Direct Transformers. I mean the hardcore fans of the robots in disguise were a bit insulted, but let’s face it who better than Michael “blow shit up” Bay could handle huge robots fighting, it’s his dream job surely. Well whether you liked it or not, the sequel is on its way and you can go here to check one of the first pieces of footage from the film...
http://www.latinoreview.com/news/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-super-bowl-spot-6088

It looks good, admittedly I just watched it with no volume as my lady is watching Roswell, but it does look good. Effects heavy, explosions heavy and well, just heavy in general I would say! Moving on, when will they learn to leave Resident Evil alone, they have just confirmed another one is written and ready to go, the saying “flogging a dead horse” comes to mind. Finally some of the worst news ever, I hope my friend from oz isn’t reading this but supposedly Fox are rumoured to be developing a predator “reboot”! Reboot? It doesn’t need any boot. This film stands up today and is still superb just leave it be! Right to angry to go on, baby crying and I have work in the morning, woe is me! Anyway, keep watching.

Strong chins and golden baldys

Something struck me last night, watching “Hollywoodland” the 2006 film about the tragic death of George Reeves (Superman in the original TV series). A quote from the film sums it up perfectly, “an actor can’t always act, sometimes they gotta work”. This one quote sums up actors like Ben Affleck, who happens to play George Reeves in this neo noir murder mystery. Let’s take Ben as an example; this strong jawed wonder of a man has never really been liked. I think for me it was pearl harbour, this shoddy example of how Hollywood will take a pivotal moment in history and rape it, with some absurd plot. In Pearl Harbour’s case it was a shallow and unconvincing love triangle, well and truly a worthy place to begin hating an actor. The weird thing is I actually enjoyed Mr Affleck in films like good will hunting, dogma and basically anything he’s done with Kevin Smith. So how do we explain this roller coaster of a career? Well simple, just like the man said sometimes he was acting, other times he was working.

Hollywood land is neither of these for Ben Affleck, you see the film starts off and does just well with Adrian Brody taking the lead role, before Ben Affleck’s chin comes marauding onto the screen. Then the film seems to dip, but not into complete disarray. Affleck’s performance is watchable and his charming character comes out, but it’s Adrian Brody who runs the show here. The Oscar winning actor puts on a great show, playing a made up private detective in this based on real life events tale. The story of George Reeves death is clouded in mystery; there are still unanswered questions to this day. It is this that makes Hollywoodland; it’s intriguing and well made.

To go on, I will move onto this year’s academy awards. Ah yes it’s that time of the year for the academy to take votes and decide who is up for a golden baldly and who will eventually take the folically challenged statuette home. This year they are playing it safe, with films like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “The Reader” and “Milk”. Hoping not to look to high brow and in the process over looking one of the best films of the year! We all knew Heath Ledger was going to be nominated, although despite it being an amazing performance, let’s face it if the man were alive they wouldn’t have nominated him. I think he’ll win it and well deserved it is, but the film itself not getting nominated for best film, or Christopher Nolan not getting a nod for directing is a sham and a mockery of a sham! Right I’m off to centre parcs, have a fun week. If you get a chance check out role models it’s brilliant and there’s no Ben Affleck in sight.

96. Carrie

96. Carrie

Director: Brian De Palma

Main Cast: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta

apart from the prison dramas, the finest adaptation of a Stephen King book.

Out on DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carrie-Sissy-Spacek/dp/B00005ABTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1231103252&sr=8-1

The List so far….

100. Anchorman (The Legend of Ron Burgundy)
99. Downfall
98. Rushmore
97. Groundhog Day
96.Carrie

97. Groundhog Day

98. Groundhog Day

Director: Harold Ramis

Main Cast: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky

Another movie, another Bill Murray fine peformance. This is the one that agruebley made him a legend, unlike Ghostbusters he was able to let loose and make what is his funniest peformance.

Out on DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Groundhog-Day-Collectors-Bill-Murray/dp/B00005UL69/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1226694615&sr=8-1

The List so far….

100. Anchorman (The Legend of Ron Burgundy)
99. Downfall
98. Rushmore
97. Groundhog Day

New Movies

New Movies

The Dark knight of 2009? i think so

its not but i cant help but feel that this poster looks like the unbreakable sequel that never came

I don't know very much about this, but just look at the cast! Plus anything with Alan Rickman is worth a watch
another poster of the great looking WW2 thriller

300

300

This film adapted from the amazing Graphic novel by Frank Miller is a prime example of how a comic book adaptation should be done. The movie perfectly catches the feel and the look of the comic down to a t.

that's all for now.

New Movies

New Movies



Another reason to hate him? I'm not to sure with Bryan Singer at the helm and just look at the rest of the cast!


The film adapted from the very popular teen books in America, will it steal Harry Potters limelight? I doubt it.

Silly concept, silly poster, silly movie

Baz Lurnhams Epic, sure to be a hot or sure to be a flop it will go either way i reckon.

A long time coming

This is just a quick one to say sorry if anyone who actually reads this has noticed i haven't update in a while.

its been a tough time but just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so from tomorrow it should be service as usual.

Thanks for your Patience.

The bee

98. Rushmore

98. Rushmore

Director: Wes Anderson

Main Cast: Jason Schwatzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel

Number 98 is my favourite Wes Anderson movie, in my opinion it was his benchmark for the film making that has made him one of the most talented indie film makers of the last few decades.

Out on DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rushmore-Jason-Schwartzman/dp/B00004RCM6/ref=pd_rhf_f_i_k2a_1

There are several things that set Wes Anderson apart, firstly it is his simplistic directing, his camera movement are not exaggerated and simply show what needed. he will cut from one scene and show you the Wall in the set he's filming on. This creates a creative understanding with the audience. They know its a film and a made up story no point in painting it as anything else.

So this creates films that have much more emphasis on character and story than any Hollywood Blockbuster, with characters that have depth whilst being fantastic. That's what Rushmore is, extreme characters on a coming of age journey unlike any other.

Its this film that makes me wonder why Jason Schwatzman doesn't do more work! He's sublime in this film, his timing is second to none and you will warm to his character straight away.

This film is my no 98 because it is divine, directed beautifully and wonderfully funny Win a lot of heart, oh and Bill Murray's in it!

The List so far….
100. Anchorman (The Legend of Ron Burgundy)
99. Downfall
98. Rushmore

99. Downfall

100. Downfall

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel

Main Cast: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Hrfouch, Ulrich Matthes

The next film down the list is Downfall, this daring German movie is about Adolf Hitlers last days. Watch this and I promise you will never see a more realistic, dramatic and daring WW2 movie.

Out on DVD:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Downfall-Bruno-Ganz/dp/B0009WB4UY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1224186069&sr=8-1

As i have already said this film is set around Hitlers last few days in his bunker under the Ground of his ruined vision of Berlin. What i didn't say was why is it so daring, why is it so realistic and of course dramatic.

So why is so daring? Well there is one reason for this and one only, its daring in its attempt to humanise a man whose name is synonymous with evil. To a certain level it achieves it, don't get me wrong you wont start feeling sorry for him but you will see the man for what he was.

Why is it so realistic? It just is the attention to detail the acting. Bruno Ganz was impeccable as Adolf Hitler, it cant have been easy getting into character on that one and he seems to handle it with finesse. As for Dramatic, you may be thinking how can a WW2 movie with no real battles or thrilling escapes be dramatic, well that's just it, because those typical things aren't present it shows you a side of the war you have never seen before.

This film is my no 99 because it is one of the most daring, dramatic and realistic WW2 movies you will ever see.

The List so far….
100. Anchorman (The Legend of Ron Burgundy)
99. Downfall

More New Films

More New Films



Another Poster of Steven Soderberghs epic about the guy on the t shirts

A classic sci-fi gets a remake keanu Reeves style...

the first Street Fighter movie: badly acted, badly cast, almost no production value.

second street fighter: focusing on just one character.... chun li!?

New Films

New Films

By the looks of this a very fun kids movie with Adam Sandler.

Daniel Craig is a busy man and this WW2 thriller looks great.

Marky mark in a video game adaptation? well the trailer look very Constantine, we might just have the first successful adaptation.

looks creepy, or just looks like everything else... you decide.