A BIG hearted movie

Following the classics I watched Big the other day, a great film that shows the importance of being a child and not growing up so quick. Watching it made me feel sad for the kids today, what is it that makes them want to grow up so quickly! We won’t go down that line of debate; I’ll just try and stick to the film. It’s a full on fun fell good movie, Tom Hanks is superb in it and it’s not just for acting like a kid. It’s the subtle things you may not have noticed first time round checking his flies when he’s being laughed at, the nervous eyes darting around the sockets and the hotel room at the beginning where our hero curls up on the bed and cries.

There is also some real belly laughs, playing round in the limo is one of my favourites. On re-watching though I did find the scene where he gropes the love interest a little uncomfortable, call me old fashioned but technically she’s sleeping with a 13 year old... though saying that it could just be because of the world we live in now I would have thought back then it wouldn’t have been a big deal. I just thought it was weird but then what does the character know ah? One other thing is another iconic scene; the piano on the floor, I’d love to know how long that took them to get that right its brilliant!

So that’s it for now except for some big news I’m moving to my own website at some point this year and you’ll be able to visit beeonfilm.co.uk!

Say his name three times

I don’t know if it’s just me but I prefer Tim Burton when he’s doing his own original work, take beetlejuice for instance, Michael Keaton give a carer great performance and some of the scenes are iconic. For me the best scene is the yuppies around the dinner table being made to dance, it’s a brilliant scene and well worth re watching.

It’s a little dated but is still a lot of fun.

One for the kids

I watched a film last night that despite being an Adam Sandler movie and staring Russell Brand, it is purely for kids. Saying that it’s not half bad, it’s imaginative and fun and perfect for them. Easy to follow plot and characters just bizarre enough to get the belly laughs.

Felling rather uninspired and having obligations will pull me away for now but I would recommend Bedtime Stories to parents any day.

Spiderman 3

After ditching Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire for a reboot of the Spiderman franchise I felt it was time to re-watch the one that ended it all, the third film that essentially destroyed any credibility that had been established by the first two films. After watching i think you can pick it apart and realise that it was two films squashed together in a big blockbuster mess. One film had the avenging Harry Osborne finding redemption by helping Spiderman defeat sandman, the other was simply venom. The pressure by the studio I’m betting was to include venom, which probably led to the poor casting of him.

All in all the two stories spliced together caused no time for the character development that had made the first two so strong. It had cop out moments like the Osborne’s butler completely out of the blue announcing he cleaned Norman Osborne’s wounds. I think it was such a shame because there is a good film in there somewhere, Haden Church’s Sandman was played to perfection the pain of a suffering daughter seething through the eyes, but even that performance is undermined by the flimsy way the character is tied to the first film and Parkers past.

A bit like Terminator three or Matrix Revolutions before it, it has ended what should have been a brilliant trilogy with a fizzle.

It’s a bit preachy.

End of the world scenarios always bring up extreme emotions and situations, the fight for survival pushing people to the edge. This is why religion is always one of the biggest themes you have in these films, anyone with faith would question it at the end of days. The Book Of Eli is an interesting look at this, if you haven’t guessed what the “book” in question is I wont spoil it for you but I will feel sorry for you.

It’s obvious where this film is going as soon as they mention the book. For anyone who isn’t in the slightest religious, this film will feel quite preachy. Although saying that Denzel Washington is once again very cool, slicing and dicing his way through numerous enemies with one gigantic knife even Rambo would be jealous of, all of that in a film that is defiantly pro-Religion. If you can ignore the last sort of 10 mins of the film it’s an enjoyable enough blockbuster. However with the likes The Road coming out, the Hughes brothers have a lot to answer for.

Is it just me or...

Is Antz the only time Dreamworks have ever trumped Pixar? Look at all of Pixars films and you realise why they are so universally liked. With Adult themes and in jokes they are truly family entertainment, there are only two exceptions to Pixars impeccable record. Cars and Bugs Life, both of which whilst having adult themes are a bit well kiddy. The latter had to compare with another insect based tale from Dreamworks.

In that traditional Hollywood way of two extremely alike moves coming out in tandem, these two were set to go toe to toe. Unlucky for Pixar that Antz has to be the most adult themed Dreamworks animation they have released, from Woody Allens self deprecating drone to the main character confessing his most “erotic” fantasies and ants melting away from the effect of Termite acid. It is the pure definition of an adult themed kid’s film; in fact it’s so adult themed kids might not even get it.
It’s the only time I have like Woody Allen as I find the way he does his comedy arrogant.

Almost Sentimental

Almost Famous is a heart warming journey of a teenager wanting fame, as a budding journalist myself I emphasised with the lead character. His journey is brilliantly watchable and funny, I have rarely been happier for a main character. It’s an extremely sentimental movie for a more care free time but more than that for Rock n Roll. It’s a bit like “The Boat That Rocked” in that it shows Rock n Roll as a form of expression and release, something more than music.

It’s a good film watch it.

The Dark Knight

The movie that simply speaks for itself, please check out my review of it listed on the right, thanks.

Hollywood came a knocking

After he released Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, in was only a matter of time before Hollywood came knocking at Danny Boyle’s door. The Beach was going to be the big money spinner but before that was a little romance in A Life Less Ordinary. This film was bound to get him noticed, mainly by the casting of Cameron Diaz who is on top form in this film. Boyle’s earlier muse Ewan McGregor continued in this film to be Danny Boyles eyes into what is a crazy world. It was nice to see the director at this stage in his career explore the nicer side of life.

His previous films though brilliant were an exploration of a darker side of human nature. This is the lighter side and uses fantasy elements to bring that light in. It’s funny but not overly so; above all it’s the performances that are funny. The looks and surprising charm of every character that shows you every actor loved making this film. With a CV like Danny Boyles is easy to forget he directed this but it’s worth a revisit every once in a while.

Marvel have enraged me!

Why on God’s green earth can a director of Sam Raimi’s calibre not be given the time he needs to make a decent Spiderman film!!!!!

Fair enough Spiderman 3 was not a good film, too many bad guys spoil the broth! There was to much emphasise on big budget effects and action than on character which is what made the Spiderman films so good. The idea by Sony and Marvel now is to “reboot” the franchise, it makes me rather angry! Thought the possibility to tie it all in to the new marvel movies that are coming out does sound good! The annoying thing is that Tobey Maguire has made that role his own; he is perfect as Peter Parker and to see anyone else doing it now would seem wrong. Just try imagining if they recast Wolverine, it would not work!

By the way the poster above is not real but looks good though huh!?

Anyway, must get on there’s a TV series that I have rather shamefully missed out on and I’m playing catch up…

It was just the beginning

After watching The Dark Knight, you should go back and re watch Batman Begins as it makes the film a whole new viewing experience! Take it as a journey and when you know where the character is going it only makes Bruce Wayne’s Transformation that much more exciting! The development in all of the characters that remain in the story is carried forward and developed. Let’s take Alfred’s point on the plane back to Gotham; he mentions how if you’re going to be using new techniques to fight crime doesn’t that mean that those criminals will also adapt? Did he not foresee the joker then, was it just well placed dialogue?

The ending and when the insane escape from Arkham only tantalise those taste buds, never has a comic book adaptation sequel been so well thought out and developed than this. It also brings to attention what the Dark Knight improved on, the cinematography only got larger. It made it more of a spectacle and opened up Gotham in all its glory. The Dialogue also smartened up, gone are the cheese ball lines that made you wince “I gotta get me one of those”, and in its place sharp and witty lines that complete the realism.

Now I feel like watching the Dark Knight...

The Road: A Review....

Please check out my Review for The road, which is in cinemas from the 8th of January in the UK

http://www.thesmellofnapalm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=466:the-road&catid=36:in-cinemas-now&Itemid=54

James Cameron’s Flawed masterpiece.

So, it has clocked up 1 Billion in the box office so far and will more then likely place itself second to only Cameron’s other masterwork Titanic. So what’s all the fuss about, Avatar is a spectacle, there is no doubt about that. Legions of fanboys will be looking for reasons to hate this film and the truth is there are very few.

Firstly let’s get one thing straight, go and see this in the cinema in 3D or regret it. It’s that monumental, no number of HD ready TV’s or Blu Ray Players will give this sci-fi epic enough credit. James Cameron has officially given 3D a harsh kick from being a retro gimmick to something much more. The 3D is in most places subtle but adds to the lush environments ten fold, not to mention that the effects are utterly convincing. The Blu Na vi are great to watch and for the majority of the movie fully believable!

Now we come to the flaws and as expected they are stuck in the story, it’s a bit cuddly for lack of a better word. It’s full of references to being kind to nature and communicating with the planet, the effect is an environment that doesn’t seem as harsh as is being painted by the characters. The characters are also complete Archetypes making for a very predictable story and dialogue that at times is funny when it shouldn’t be. Finally despite their best efforts parts do look like a very good video game and not a film.

I have to stress though that’s me picking holes in what is one hell of a movie, James Cameron again sets himself apart when it comes to big budget action. The last sequence has everything and even the musical score should remind you of Aliens. Just go and see it, even if you hate it you’ll be glad you saw it at the cinema. James Cameron is again “King of the World”

Transfer at Aachen

I have something bubbling beneath the surface; I have been given permission by one of the writers of the film titled the above to release a feature. This feature will tell you all about this brand new production with a European Canvas and an American Palette, it’s a heist movie very much in the feel the ocean movies but, I imagine from what I’ve seen and heard already a whole lot more heart.
I haven’t forgot the ten best trailers of all time it’s just been a bit hectic and hard to find the time over the festive Christmas period to get it done.

Hope you had a lovely Christmas and a brilliant new year! Here’s to 2010 and another year of great films...

How did he do it?

How did the Director who ended the Alien Franchise with a sharp blow to the head, make a film like Amelie? Jean Pierre Juenet just didn’t get Aliens and his resurrection was about as far from a resurrection as you could have thought of! When the director turns his attentions onto something else, something a bit more personal he turns out with what may be his finest work! Amelie is best described as a beautiful film, its attention to detail is pitch perfect and focuses on every day things in life as extraordinary.

This is of course a window into how Amelie see’s the world and makes her incredibly loveable! Audrey Tautou has since paved a way to some big parts in Hollywood but she has never bettered this performance, the looks to camera and that voice just gorgeous! It’s just a good looking film with a whole lot of heart and just has “feel good” written all over it.