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”