Paul

Want to know the best thing in this film? Clues in the title…

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“Just got back from the cinema and I am so pleased with how this movie turned out. I was honestly laughing out loud for the first time since I saw pineapple express back in 08. The only reason I haven't given it a 10 is because that would mean it was perfect and there were a couple of minor insignificant down falls to the film the first was Sigourney Weaver's acting which seems to have gotten worse and worse since alien but saying that she is the perfect person for this role no one could have fulfilled the cameo role any better. A little more flashbacks of Paul's time on earth would have been awesome I would have liked to see Paul in the 80's to be honest and a little change to his appearance would have given a little giggle but the film didn't need it. Jason Bateman played the perfect part as usual. Seth Rogan was yet again amazing. As I said this was an amazing movie and I can't wait for it to come to DVD.”

A good review and very telling that Pegg and Frost weren’t even mentioned.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“'Paul' an alien, who's spaceship crashed etc....found by two complete non-entities go on a journey to aid Paul in returning to his motherland. As fugitives... With all the ideas, opportunity and creativity in this world relating to UFO and sci-Fi, Paul was produced.... the movie is a complete dismal. yes in the beginning there were elements of humour - not witty but i admit, it could evoke a smile or a subtle snigger, but that was all you will get from it. The movie was just horrible and half way through i found refuge in my Ipod. There was no build up of the characters; of the relationship between Paul, the internal characters & certainly not with the audience. When Paul had suggestively 'died' i felt no sympathy for the thing; in fact...good riddance. British comedy...actually, that was English comedy- it varies. it has it's moments (depending on how it is executed)when it can make you laugh until you cry & other times, when it's being forced it's just a horrific encounter. in this movie, it wasn't executed naturally: The acting was horrific, the script was unconvincing and stupid, the story was just cliché and embarrassing. To conclude, it has to be known that it wasn't my idea to watch the film- in fact i protested against it but i was out-voted; 3 against 2. such is life i guess..."

A lot of opinion and no points from a person who was using their i-pod half way through a film, need I say more?

What I thought:
Paul was always going to be a different beast from pervious Pegg and Frost efforts, the first is the character the film is titled after. The titular Paul adds an element to this usually very dependable double act that waters down its usual shtick. It creates a kind of bromance love triangle where the funniest scenes are when Paul is talking to either of our heroes. This could be a bit of a problem for die-hard fans (me included) that have followed the paring since Spaced. Going in to watch it you want pure Pegg and Frost, sharp dialogue and near perfect observational comedy and to begin with that’s what you get.

It’s like their tip of the hat to geeks who have followed them and loved them for years, the opening sequence and indeed then rest of film is filled to the brim with references of science fiction movies. The opening and ending sequences for instance are pure Spielberg and Close Encounters, my personal favourite however is Jason Batemans line when shooting the radio. However this is where the appeal for the Spaced elite will end.

What picks it up is pure mainstream comedy with a foul mouthed Alien voiced by Seth Rogan. To say its mainstream is not to say it’s bad, in fact he has some of the funniest lines in the film. It just might be a bit disappointing for people like me who were expecting another Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz. Silly really as Edgar Wright Is nowhere to be seen but there was hope. Jason Bateman is on superb form and all other cameos are great and with a good touch of tongue in cheek. So apart from a silly long running joke about three tits, Paul is a very good mainstream comedy from the British duo just don’t expect Shaun of the Dead.

The Buzz: 21/12/10

Above poster for new film Paul

Phil Noyce out of "Salt" sequel

Hasbro move forward with board game movies

Kevin Spacey on playing Casino Jack

Beeonfilm Events (a little late):

London MCM Expo

It had record numbers this year and it was noticeable, a huge amount of people can hamper the enjoyment of this event. As even with Geeks it would appear manners are a thing of the past! Of course I’m not going to go on some big rant about the event and its key visitors, I need to go on about all things there film related (and TV to some extent). Unfortunately this year it did seem to come up a bit short for feature films, admittedly I had not been to this event for a long time but it does seem to have steered itself more to anime and computer games? I’m not complaining at all mind you; I like anime, I just don’t write about anime and of course Video games. All of the games present were next gen consoles and I don’t get on with them much, mostly because I can’t afford them. However I was overjoyed to see that they had the Wii updated version of Goldeneye (the only game I ever been pretty good at), they had the old school remotes and despite getting my butt kicked thoroughly, I enjoyed it and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

Speaking of films Universal had a lovely looking stand that was showing some trailers of their up and coming movies; Firstly the American. George Clooney playing a bit long in the tooth Jason Bourne type character, looks like a very under stated performance from the man best known for his charm but looks great. There’s Despicable Me, Steve Carrell vehicle that preempted Megamind on its release but sadly not its humour it would appear.

Fred Flinston was worried Universal were going to try and release another awful film about his family.

The last one of note had quite a big presence at the Expo, Paul from Brit duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, much loved at this event for obvious reasons but most likely because a lot of people (including me) met the duo at this event when they were plugging Hot Fuzz. They had a video introduction recorded for the day to preview some never before seen footage of Paul. I must admit it does look like it misses Edgar Wright at the helm, then again its Greg Mottola (Superbad) who has a pretty good CV and Simon and Nick wrote it and they have proved themselves as fine comedians. I think this film will be resting solely on the success of its CGI Alien voiced by Seth Rogan, if he don’t work neither will the film.

Like I said though this years was disappointing for me as because of other obligations I missed out on a meeting and round table with Chris Claremont; Legendary comic book writer who penned the Dark Phoenix saga. Not just from a journalist’s point of view but a fan too, but maybe another chance in the future. Of course there was a remote controlled life size R2 D2 which was the nuts and a chance to get your photo with the Delorean which I did not get (and have regretted since).



So that’s it for this year, not much else to report really, maybe I’m out of touch with my Geek Brethren but it’ll take some major event to get me there again!

The Buzz: 21/11/10

Above , poster from new film Red Riding Hood...

Set photos from Men in Black 3

Poster for Paul

Photos from Cowboys and Aliens

The London MCM EXPO or What I’m doing on Saturday!

This Saturday you’ll catch me hanging out not just as a journalist but also as a geek, I’ve got my press pass for The MCM London Expo and am really looking forward to it. The last time I went I had checked out a few clips and trailers from some up and coming movies and had a sneak peak at the new Ghostbusters game. This year I shall again be checking out any early previews for movies (I’m hoping one is Tron Legacy), getting a sneak peek at Paul (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) and hopefully putting some questions to Chris Claremont, about how he feels comic books are today and more importantly their movie adaptations.

For those who don’t know; Chris Claremont is a comic book writer who is best known for his x-men story arcs like the Dark Phoenix saga. I’ll be getting his signature of course; it’s one of the best things about these events! Only a few years ago I had the privilege to meet Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on their travels for Hot Fuzz. I thoroughly enjoy going and get horribly tempted to spend too much money, for anyone who is in the slightest bit geeky about Movies, TV, Anime, Games or anything Cult I recommend you get yourself down there!

See you there…