The Expendables

Sly Stallone finally nails the old school fun!

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“Wow.. this movie was very good. I have been looking forward to this movie for over a year and it did not disappoint me. Yes the story is not the best. But that's OK because you don't need a 'very' good story line as long as the movie is entertaining as hell. The acting could have been better but its still good acting. This movie has action, funny moments,intense moments, insane violence just anything you want in an action movie! Most Critics are giving this film negative reviews on but this movie is mostly for the fans. Bottom line very good action packed action movie that's brings back the memories of the 80's. Stallone, Statham, Li, Couture, Crews, Lundgren, Austin, Willis, Schwarzenegger, Rourke, the gang is here!Very nice work Stallone!”

Couldn’t agree more, this film is just really good fun!

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“Bunch of sweaty blokes try to out-macho each other. The heroine is tortured, then dragged through bullets, raging fires and explosions as the whole set is blown up, yet emerges unscathed with perfect hairdo. Pointless appearance by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Missed all opportunities for some decent jokes, and had to repeat an average one just in case we missed it. Unlikeable one-dimensional characters, predictable plot, no twists and not an ounce of suspense. I found nothing to like about this film, and would have walked out if I had woken up. Expendable plot, expendable dialogue, expendable characters ... I could go on interminably, like the film does.”

This is fairly negative but I would ask, what else were you expecting!?

What I thought:
Sylvester Stallone of late has been trying to make us go back in time with him, whether he’s growing old gracefully or going through a late mid-life crisis who knows? Rocky reminded us of old days and a character we all love but it was never going to compare with the first one, they never did! Rambo was a selfish movie and felt horribly forced. The Expendables however…

He’s finally done it, like Frankenstein's monster the expendables extends its muscular hand though the grave. As Sly Screams “I’ve created a monster!” we all cheer and the reason we cheer? The Expendables is the movie he should have made instead of Rambo, it harks back to the old 80’s action movies that if released now would be welcomed with sniggers of laughter. It’s got non complex characters with very easy to follow morals and ideas of right and wrong (you try and rape woman I cut off head and hand and slice your neck). It’s got great one liners “next time I’ll deflate all your balls”, everyone delivered with a tongue solidly in cheek.

Then there’s the action, a team of hard guys take on impossible odds and come out unscathed, that includes the actors and their careers! It’s just good old fashioned fun and seeing lots of people getting killed hasn’t been this much fun since the action movies of old. There is that “one” scene of course, that does hold gravitas and I don’t care who you are, the sight of Arnie walking through the doors is literally pant wetting. It does feel forced, like friends just having a chat rather than acting. None more so than Arnies as he literally phones this job in. The last joke however is a killer!

What a great year we’re having!

The Buzz: 26/08/10

They are really scraping the barrell for Marvel super heroes now...

free cinema tickets for school kids? sounds like my kinda education!

Viggo Motensen gets some more work

So does Channing Tatum

Inglorious Basterds

Tarantino takes no prisoners

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“Inglorious Basterds makes no apologies, asks for no forgiveness, it's a no holds barred assault on the senses. Tarantino doesn't care if he offends, if he steps all over stereotypes and clichés, this is film making at it purest. It's great to see a film maker whose work clearly isn't interfeared with by the powers that be. Tarantino is a master of effortlessly cranking up immense tension and suddenly mixing it with laugh out loud moments; you're not sure if you should be looking away in disgust or rolling around laughing, either way it's a roller coaster and one not to be missed! It's not for everyone and I'm unsure how Germans will take the film, certainly if you're not a fan of Tarantino's style, this may be a little hard to swallow, but never-the-less, it is a film which simply has to be seen. No self respecting film fan should miss this. And the performance of Christoph Waltz... Oscar don't you dare ignore him!!”

There is no doubt that Tarantino is a very talented director and that Basterds is one of his better films, however I think he’s films can blur between talent and arrogance.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“Seriously disappointing performance by Brad Pitt and Q T, the plot is very superficial and lame, and, unless indirectly intended, this film actually glorify the Nazis and portrays them as men of honor, and show that the Jewish people are deceiving, cant keep promises and bloody vicious. ((THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILER)) Hitler together with the most notorious Nazis are attending a stupid plot less movie about the killing of 300 Italian soldiers in a small cinema theater in Paris is unbelievably ridiculous. the Nazis laughing and hooraying each killing in the movie as if watching a basketball game STUPID, the deal at the end is lame. whats really appalling is that the movie earned great reviews and is ranked here in the 40s amongst the greatest 250 films. will not be surprised if it harvested many awards, including Oscars, as well. the movie is simply a kissing ass to the Jewish people, but hey reconsider, its not even doing a great job doing that. it truly dwarfed the whole Nazi - Jews conflict and a pure insult to all who fought and suffered from the tyranny of the Nazis.”

This is a bit of a touchy review and indeed a touchy subject, I mean ptraying the Nazi’s has “honourable men” may glorify them but in most cases they were honourable men. Most of the German army were proud fighting men who risked their lives just was much as the allies. The higher echelons of the Nazi party were of course not so honourable and the atrocities that occurred were mainly due to the decisions and the propaganda created by the few. I think that’s what this guys is going for? This armchair critic also contradicts himself and I quote “show that the Jewish people are deceiving, cant keep promises and bloody vicious”. He then goes on to say “the movie is simply a kissing ass to the Jewish people”, hmm well whatever, I don’t think it does either.

What I thought:

The Hater review is a little mis-directed but I can see why people will hate this movie. It takes some huge liberties with history but then it does start “once upon a time”! I liked this movie and I though it was a return to form after the convoluted and arrogant mess of Kill Bill!

The dialogue is sharp, intelligent and witty exactly what you expect from the uber-geek auteur. His control over tense scenes is still second to none; just watch the scene in the bar, utterly compelling viewing or the early scene that Christopher Waltz announced his triumphant entrance onto the world stage. I mean he was fantastic in this, one of the finest performances of the last few years without doubt.

Tarantino’s arrogance in this film is only that he knew he would get away with taking such historical liberties, apart from that this is a fine alternative reality WW2 movie!

The Buzz: 25/08/10

avatar 2? not just yet...

Piranha 3D sequel

The Social Network

Yogi Bear and the smurfs get the CGI treatment

Far Cry

Uwe Boll, cinemas scapegoat?


Lover: Taken from IMDB
“It was directed by Uwe Boll. So what? Is that makes this film instantly the worst film ever? I know, Uwe Boll is not the greatest director ever. I saw Bloodrayne and it was pretty awful. But you gotta believe me, Far Cry is an entertaining, action-packed flick, and if you love those "B"-movies from the '80s and '90s you will love this movie as much as I am. Believe me please, and give it a chance! It has some corny jokes but still great! And I mean it! Till Schweiger was good in his role, Udo Kier is an icon, it was a pleasure to watch him, and...Great action, explosions, car-chase, boat-chase, blood, and everything you need! Great movie!”

um, were we watching a different movie?

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“Mr. "Uwe Fail" strikes again, transformed a classic game in a cheap piece of crap. Poor acting; Poor Directing; Awful adaptation; I mean, Far-Cry game was awesome, its like a true FPS game, cool weapons and lots lots lots of "point and shoot". In the movie we had nothing compared to the game.. Well we had some of the "point and shoot" thing but... I don't know how to explain, but if you ever watched another "Uwe Fail" movie you will understand. If you don't believe me, go to the website "petition online" and do a check for one named "Stop Uwe Bowl”. That movie made my eyes bleed, someone must stop him for once. Don’t waste your time. “

that’s more like it!

What I thought:

The fact that I only watched 40 mins of this movie should give you an idea of what I thought of it. Now recording this on Sky was an impulse thing and had I read the description and realised Uwe Boll directed it I would not have bothered! Pure and simply he is one of the worst directors I have ever witnessed, his films and dire carbon copies of all action movies, like he just opens a text book about directing. His work is never original, it is never well written and the music is piss poor.

The only redeeming factor in this move is that Til Schweiger (Inglorious Bastards) is in it. Apart from that it’s all just the same old shit. I can’t feel sorry for a director who keeps bringing out films like this! How the hell does he get financed when there are some really great young indie filmmakers out there struggling! When there’s a petition to stop you making movies you should probably call it a day!

The Buzz: 24/08/10

The Avengers has to many men

Monster Witness Relocation Programme?

Miyazaki does a sequel!?

Carey Muligan is the designated driver

Gamer

It’s a bit like running man.

Lover: Taken from IMDB

“Reading IMDb reviews in 2010 reminds me of reading reviews of Welles, Hawks, Ford, Hitchcock, Sirk and others by American and English "experts" before the French came along. Or reviews of 70s films before Tarantino rescued them. A film isn't plot, words, characterization, a linear original narrative. That stuff comes in your How-to script books and makes me shudder. A film is images, sounds,colors, and the syntax of a film has no relation to "what happened" but HOW things happen. Kane is a masterwork because of how it's made, not because it addresses the life of a newspaper fascist. Gamer is shot so that it occurs viscerally, with great speed, sometimes beauty, often wit, and its intentions are never overswamped by an impulse to preach or teach. It's appeal is a bit like that or Richard Prince's billboard reproductions.”

A good point but what about the film or film criticism? I agree totally but its till fun reading a review that tears films apart, specially the ones you hate.

Hater: Taken from IMDB

“This movie has every bad quality one could imagine from a film. The cinematography, premise, storyline, distasteful nudity, acting, and random dancing scenes with the guy from Dexter each contribute to this being the worst movie I have seen since Bachelor Party: Vegas. Nothing in this movie made sense. Society and Slayer rocket this creepy computer geek to position of world's richest man? No one has a problem allowing people to lead death row inmates into almost certain death? Normal people undergoing brain surgery in order to allow people to control them? I understand that it is a fiction movie, but it is ridiculous to go this far on so many levels. I wish I could give zero stars but I'll settle for one.”

I can see where this guy is coming from it is a patch work of plot holes but then just look at the directors previous work!

What I thought:

Gamer was a visceral fast paced action movie that felt a bit like Running Man, saying that it’s the same old “future prisons using death row inmates for sick reality TV” thing! Nothing really original here I’m afraid, apart from maybe the whole computer game feel. The action is fast and hectic, then again what do you expect from the guys that brought you Crank!

Thing is, it’s not really that entertaining, some of the action does kick ass and it has clever ideas along the way but nothing more. The acting is phoned in and the script is a cardboard cut out, how to make a sci-fi action movie. Above all else though is the complete lack of any tension, never do you really care whether or not our Hero will make it or not. The only thing you’ll care about is who is going to killed next and in what grizzly way he will die.

Did I say it had great action though?

The Buzz: 23/08/10

Angies a busy lady

Some X-Men: First Class Bread Crumbs

Jim Carrey to pop some penguins

Hanks and Bullock up for post 9/11 film.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

It’s like life, back wards.

Lover: Taken from IMDB

“This film is worthy of a 10/10 rating simply because of its imaginative and complex nature, I mean, I couldn't bring myself to know why this simple idea of a man aging backwards hadn't sprouted up before. Set all the way back at the end of the Great War, to New Orlean's meeting with Hurricane Katrina, this movie tells the story of Benjamin Button, a baby born an old man of eighty, destined to die in the mere form of a zero-year-old. I found this movie very emotional and special because there's reeally nothing like it. I honestly thought, when I found out the immense length of the film, it was going to be boring....I was wrong, it gripped me from start to finish. There are many emotional and touching scenes in it, including the end, where it brings forth Benjamin Button's 'younger' years as an old man. Nothing went wrong with the cast, Brad Pitt played a great job as a reverse-aging man, and Cate went well as his childhood friend. Overall, this movie was great and I recommend it to anyone who loves the genre.”

The length is a bit of a problem but it is very touching movie.


Hater: Taken from IMDB

“I wasn't particularly enthralled with the idea of this film before seeing it but there was nothing else good on, so I gave it a try. An interesting idea for a film, that he grows physically younger but mentally develops in the normal way. However, this leads to many inconsistencies in the storyline. It doesn't make sense that Benjamin, when he becomes a father, decides to leave and travel the world. He looks of the age to do something like this but he's meant to be more mature... And when he's an old man in a young boy's body, he has a tantrum like a young boy would, but that doesn't fit the idea of the story, either... When trying to find the point to this whole story, all it comes down to is that we should look after those close to us and take more care of them. Well, that's an original one! To me, it became extremely boring as there is never any deep meaning to it and it just keeps dragging on for far too long when you can see that it's quite a stupid idea to put into a film. The anecdotes in the story, the acting and the direction are all good but in the end, what's the point?”

Hmm some good points but a little defunct if you watch the movie closely.

What i thought:

I liked Benjamin Button but it was a bit depressing, it was like Forrest Gump without all the meetings with famous people and major events. Button is essentially about life and death and the idea that everyone is unique but that we all eventually go the same way. Depressing? Oh yes. Of course this is David Fincher though, the cinematography is sublime and the effects of the “reverse aging” are stunning. Brad Pitt is also brilliant playing the different ages; in fact it’s a real tour de force for him!

It’s not very re watchable though, I already don’t think I could sit through it again and as the reviews above are a testament to it does leave a lot of questions, sign of a good move or just bloody frustrating, like Big Brother “you decide”.

The Buzz: 22/08/10

Sam Worthington bites back

Ray Winstone is the sweeney!


Jim Jarmusch plans his next move...

Iron Man scribes set to tackle turtles

The Buzz: 21/08/10

Spiderman has no Mary Jane!? than who is the love interest?

Wolverine sequel news...

Hellboy sequel news...

and yipee! a jumper 2... not!

Surrogates

Great idea, bad execution


Lovers: Taken from IMDB

“The core scene in this movie is the one where the unHoly trinity carve things out."I played the 'only begotten son' card." "I, too, played the 'only begotten son' card." "Ah, so you, too, have realised that, in this game, that gets you total world domination for two thousand years?" "No, you bastard, I loved *my* son." And meanwhile the ice maiden who is also becoming-mother looks on in horrified fascination. What? Was I the only one who got that? I vote for Bruce & Milla. A bloke who'll take it on the chin and love his kids and the flesh & blood version of his wife, and a girl who'll get the job done and then hurry home to gestate .Or maybe I vote we play a better game.”


well, not clear what they are going on about. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention…

Haters: Taken from IMDB

“Well folks, after years of waiting it's finally arrived - a movie that consists entirely of plot holes. The movie begin with an utterly implausible premise (most people live their lives through robotic avatars - what, everyone? Even poor people?) and just goes downhill from there. This is an insult to the intelligence on an epic scale. The only good thing that I can say about it is that it was only an hour and a half long, but it's an hour and a half of my life that I'll never get back. It's really the most awfully shocking drivel. The exec who green-lit this steaming pile of donkey dung should be taken out and shot, and then brought back to life and shot again.”

Ok, only really one point made here and it’s a plot hole? Actually he should watch the film again it’s not a plot hole at all. It’s never implied that “everyone” is living through the surrogates and presumably most of the poor people are in with the rebel types?

What I thought:

It’s like every film of its sort, think i-robot or minority report, future sci fi, paranoia and conspiracy. More often than not they are all sadly predictable and all end in the same manner. Surrogates is no change to the norm and it’s not even that fun to watch. You know its bad when the only impressive thing on screen is the effect of making Bruce Willis look 20 years younger, it’s utterly convincing. I mean if I want to see that though I’ll watch Die Hard or something not this.

There's only really one decent set piece in what is painted as an action movie and no real suspense. That again is a shame as the idea is great and with facebook and other social network sites becoming the only way a lot of people communicate, it does ring true in a sense. Any higher purpose though is forgotten and it tries to be a thriller without the thrills. However some people may get a kick out of the concept and checking out Bruce circa 1988.

The Buzz: 20/08/10

Director Alex Aja (Phirana 3D) to direct a cobra?

no more smoking in movies

Ryan Reynolds to nab safe house

and Liam Neeson is a "flying tiger"

The Buzz: 19/08/10

Bob Marley Biopic

January Jones joins X-Men: First class as the white queen Emma Frost

Abrams next is a trip to heaven

and Scott Speedman makes a "a vow"

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

It’s a match made in heaven. Scott lives his life like one big video game, which is somewhat a speciality for this extremely talented director. He’s taken on Romero with Shaun of the Dead and Michael Bay with Hot Fuzz, but what’s special about Pilgrim is that he takes on no one. A story that resonates with all people especially those of a certain age and disposition. A story that could just be a simple American coming of age rom-com, however under the command of Edgar, all is not as it seems....

To read more, click here...