New Release - Kick Ass

It has been a long time since I have left a screening with endorphins pumping through my body and the strong urge to learn a martial art but Kick-Ass did exactly that; I felt like I could take on the world! An explosive ride that covers insane action sequences, intelligent superhero parodies and intense dramatic turns, Kick-Ass is a welcome addition to the realm of the comic-book movie.

I was initially sceptical about the prospect of watching another superhero spoof movie, most recent attempts at the genre have been abysmal, but Kick-Ass completely transcends its predecessors through the use of intelligent pastiche which drives the story forward as well as providing laughs. The brilliantly choreographed action scenes would not feel out of place in a Spiderman film, or even a Tarantino script, in fact it feels like Spiderman and Kill Bill were put into a blender and Kick-Ass was the end result.

The story focuses on Dave Lizewski, your average teenage nerd, whose obsession with comic books inspires him to create his very own superhero, Kick-Ass, despite his discernible lack of superpowers. Dave’s attempts to become a vigilante crime fighter initially end in disaster but in the process of rescuing a cat his luck changes, propelling him into the public limelight and  establishing him as a figure to be reckoned with.

It is not long before other vigilantes surface, some desperate for the fame and attention, others out for revenge, and when Kick-Ass becomes embroiled in a crime lords devious plans, we are treated to a number of intense melees that gradually escalate in size and repercussions for those involved. There has been some controversy over the graphic violence depicted in these scenes, especially as the trailer is intended to appeal to a fairly young audience, and that comes as no surprise when a pre-teen girl decapitates villains on screen and uses the c*** word. Controversy aside, I cannot deny that this was very entertaining.

Chloe Moretz easily steals the show as Hit Girl - the incredibly volatile young superhero with a penchant for explicit language, which will surely propel her into the realms of stardom. Nicolas Cage is surprisingly effective as her doting father, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse is ever watchable as Red Mist. However it is Aaron Johnson who shows the most promise as Kick-Ass, with his convincing turn from a bumbling student to a brave and reckless crime fighter marking him as a talent to watch out for.

An essential part of the film is its eclectic soundtrack, with choice tracks taken from excellent films such as 28 Days Later and For a few dollars more. Usually I would be concerned at such a prospect but the Kick-Ass soundtrack adapts the tracks brilliantly, making them feel like its own, alongside great songs from The Prodigy and Sparks to name a few. The choice of music fits perfectly with the high-octane action sequences and even adds emotional depth to key scenes - not bad for a superhero comedy movie!

Kick-Ass is that rarest of films, a successful hybrid of two genres that delivers an almost perfect cinematic experience. My only criticism would be that some sequences near the end were slightly far-fetched but in a film where suspension of belief is required, maybe I'm being a little harsh. This is an essential film for all cinemagoers, catch it on the big screen and I guarantee you will be completely immersed in the explosive yet entertaining world of Kick-Ass

9/10




If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Special
Spiderman
The Dark Knight
Superbad

Films of the Decade - Part One: 2000

I know it’s a bit late considering we are already nearly a quarter of the way through 2010 but I have decided to compile a list of my top 100 films of the decade, restricting myself to just ten from each year. Here is the first instalment starting off in the year 2000 when I was just 12 and not old enough to see nearly all of the films i've listed.

10. Chopper - Eric Bana stars in the true life story of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, an infamous Australian criminal who penned his biography from the confines of prison. Bana’s portrayal of Chopper is unflinching in its accuracy, bringing his sick, twisted humour to life in this gritty black comedy that disturbs and amuses in equal measures. Worth watching for Bana’s performance alone, this is one of the best films to come out of Australia in a very long time.

9. Quills - History and fantasy collide in this stark portrayal of the notorious French writer the Marquis de Sade as his attempts to publish indecent stories lead him to be incarcerated in an insane asylum. Grossly under-rated, quills is a fascinating story, full of ingenious flourishes that differentiate it from the usual period dramas which often leave all but the dedicated historians helplessly bored. Featuring a powerhouse performance from Geoffrey Rush as the Marquis, who narrowly missed out on the Oscar - Russell Crowe nabbed it, Quills transports you to a world of crazed passion and lust once deemed unfit for public eyes.

8. Amores Perros - Unfairly losing out to the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in the best foreign film award at the Oscars, Amores Perros is a stylish and compelling drama that connects three tragic tales through a horrific car crash. In a powerful breakthrough role, the always enthralling Gael Garcia Berna portrays a young and cautious dog owner forced into a dogfight with disastrous consequences. This is the film that ignited my passion for foreign movies and it's not hard to see why.

7. Snatch - Lock Stock was a definitive gangster film of the nineties, a crass yet intelligent heist film chock full of loveable rogues and crafty conmen. Guy Ritchie’s follow up movie Snatch followed a similar formula but delivered something altogether more accomplished, with standout performances from Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro to name but a few. Russian Gangsters, unscrupulous gypsies and brutal boxing promoters come to blows over a stolen diamond in a series of elaborate encounters. The compelling story is complete with numerous quotable phrases and witty dialogue that would feel at home in any Tarantino movie. It’s a huge shame that Ritchie’s other films have since failed to live up to the incredibly promising start of his career but we should be thankful that Snatch is part of his legacy.

6. X-Men - Brian Singer had the difficult task of creating a film accessible to new audiences whilst still appealing to devout x-men fans and somehow managed to do not just that, but completely kick started the recent comic book movie revolution. As a fan of the cartoon, this film was beyond all my expectations, a perfect introduction to the mysterious world of mutants. Featuring superb special effects and choosing not to rely purely on action to drive the story forward, X-men is a convincing origins story, proving that character development is the key to creating a successful superhero franchise.

5. Requiem For A Dream - Not since Trainspotting had we seen such a harrowing portrayal of drug users on the big screen. Requiem For A Dream is a fascinating but disturbing view of a young group of friends and the sacrifices they will make in order to satisfy their habits. Darren Aronofsky is a visionary genius, the cinematography is awe inspiring and the unrelenting soundtrack has since become the theme tune for what seems like every sporting event on the television. If ever there was a film powerful enough to prevent people from trying hard drugs, then this is it.

4. Memento - Christopher Nolan has become a household name since his incredibly successful reboot of the Batman franchise, and it is sometimes easy to forget the mind-blowing films that he worked on earlier in his career. After the release of The silence of the lambs and Seven in the previous decade, it was hard to imagine that intelligent serial killers could improve any further but with Memento, Nolan managed to do just that. With the use of an ingenious jigsaw puzzle of a plot device that rewards the viewer with repeated viewings, Memento completely alters the viewers perception of serial killers - no-one can be trusted.

3. Battle Royale - A stark reflection on the state of the society and youth culture at the turn of the millennium, Battle Royale crept into the conscience of cult film fans everywhere with its stylised ultra violence and an extremely gripping concept. Based on a graphic novel, the film is set on a remote Japanese island where a group of thirty unruly students must fight to the death until only one survives. If you haven’t seen the film, I can understand how ridiculous the premise may sound but this is a relentlessly unsettling thriller that caused a wake of controversy on its initial release - not to be missed.

2. Gladiator - The film that turned Russell Crowe into a huge star. If you haven’t yet seen this yet, where have you been for the last ten years? It took five Oscars from an astonishing twelve nominations and deservedly so. From frantic battle scenes in the forest to brilliantly choreographed gladiatorial combat in the arena, Ridley Scott kicked off the millennium in style, proving that people could still stomach historical epics, even when they are as gruesome as this.

1. Dancer In The Dark - This is quite possibly one of the most heartbreaking films I have ever seen. Bjork puts in an outstanding performance as Selma Jezkova, a single mother struggling to earn a living and care for her son in a foreign country. Filled with strange musical interludes that echo the glory days of musicals and represent Selma’s desire for a simpler, happier life, Dancer in the dark is a beautiful study of humanity and the lengths people are willing to go to protect their closest family. Lars Von Trier is well known for his unconventional films, especially with the recent release of the controversial Antichrist, and this is no exception - he pushed Bjork to breaking point on the set, increasing his notoriety as a difficult director to work with. Easily the best film of 2000 and possibly even a contender for best film of the decade.

It was an extremely difficult task to decide which ten films defined the year 2000 - here are my choices that didn't quite make the list:

Tigerland
Sexy Beast
Happy Accidents
Vampire Hunter D
Pay It Forward
Best In Show
Pitch Black
Ginger Snaps
Billy Elliot
You Can Count On Me

Any films I missed? Let me know!

New Release - I Love You Phillip Morris

This is not a film I would go to see by choice but fortunately See film first (check out the link in useful links) came up roses again with free tickets to a preview screening. You can tell that I had low expectations of I love you Phillip Morris, and this was mainly due to the fact that Jim Carrey’s rubber face and daft noises have never been enough to get me excited about a film. Some of his previous roles in captivating dramas such as The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine have been a key to the overall success of the movie but his appearances in low brow comedies tend to leave me disappointed.

Thankfully, I Love You Phillip Morris falls in the middle of Carrey’s previous performances, a healthy dose of comedy which is aided by an engaging storyline as the captivating conman struggles to escape the law and eventually meets the love of his life in prison. The relationship between Ewan Mcregor and Jim Carrey is completely convincing, despite the absurdities of the situation, which is actually based on a true story.

It is hard to describe the film without drawing on comparisons to another well known film in which Leonardo Dicaprio runs from the law; this is essentially Catch me if you can with a gay man. Although the film fails to live up to the success of its predecessor, it is an entertaining ride and a welcome escape from the teen comedies which tend to dominate the box office.

I have no doubt that audiences will flock to this film expecting another zany Carrey comedy but the humour does tend to take a back seat in some of the more poignant moments in the film. Fortunately the life story of Phillip Morris is a compelling one, although the dramatic turn near the end of the movie is not as effective as it could have been.

If you’re a fan of Jim Carrey, you are sure to enjoy this, I was pleasantly surprised by the film but this could be due to the low expectations I had. Definitely worth a look if you get a chance but I doubt I would go out of my way to watch it again.

7/10



If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Catch me If You Can
Milk
Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert
Man On The Moon

Upcoming Films

Frozen

This will either be a very inventive horror movie or an awful mess and i am under the impression that it will be the latter! It is quite an original idea to have three people stuck on a chairlift despite being a very daft one. I can't really see how this premise could be stretched out into a feature film but I can't help being intrigued by the situation.



Splice

Following in the wake of last years successful low budget sci-fi films, District 9 and Moon - both well worth a look, Splice could potentially be a great film. Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Adrien Brody, Splice takes a look at the world of genetics as two scientists forge human DNA with animal DNA to create a new creature. The trailer has not yet been released but this is a short snippet where you get a glimpse of the unusual creature.



The Slammin' Salmon

I'll admit that the trailer for this film does not leave me with high hopes but i can't help but be excited by The Slammin' Salmon as it was made by the creators of Super Troopers and Beerfest, two sadly overlooked comedies. I'm fed up of the onslaught of Judd Apatow comedies that retread the same ground over and over so this could make for a refreshing change.



Predators

As a huge fan of the original, this is a very exciting prospect. I was wary of this being as awful as Aliens Vs Predator but this preview has eased some of my concerns as well as intriguing me with the addition of a new predator to the mix. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, creator of the El Mariachi trilogy - three of my favourite films, and starring Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne, this has got the potential to reboot the franchise with a bang. Unfortunately, the video has been removed from youtube due to copyright issues but you can check it out here:

Predators preview

New Release - The Blind Side

I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of sports movies, however, the past couple of years has seen great films such as Invictus and The Wrestler, both showing how sports can be an integral part of a captivating story, and reigniting my passion for older classics such as Rocky and The Hustler. Unfortunately, The Blind Side fails to compete with any of these films, despite being based on true events and receiving two (undeserved) Oscar nominations. Following the journey of a neglected teenager who learns the true values of friendship and family, whilst playing some American Football on the way, this is a film riddled with clichés and fairly average performances - I cannot comprehend how Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress nomination - that somehow manages to entertain despite these problems.

We have all seen film like these before, and The Blind Side brings nothing new to the table. Michael Oher, the young boy in question, is a homeless teenager with a troubled past who is kindly taken in by the Touhy family, where he soon becomes one of the family. Although he shows no talent for football, his size means that Michael is soon singled out to be the team’s blocker, and eventually learns that his team are his family and he must care for them just like he cares for the Touhy family.

I can see many people enjoying this film; it’s an easy watch, suitable for all ages and delivers a message, but to me, this is its downfall. My favourite movies tend to be edgy, controversial films that offer something original whereas the only positive way I can describe The Blind Side is to say that it was pleasant.

I wasn’t bored, but I certainly wasn’t entertained either. No doubt the huge publicity surrounding the film since the Oscar winners were announced will guarantee its success but I still can’t imagine that it will inspire British children to grab an American football and hit the fields when its released on March 26th.

6/10



If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Invictus
Dead Poet’s Society
The Pursuit Of Happyness
Stand And Deliver

New Release - Alice In Wonderland 3-D

I’ve eagerly anticipated Tim Burton’s latest releases from before I can remember, and with Alice in Wonderland marking his first foray into 3-D, this was no exception. Arriving early at the cinema, we were treated to a live satellite link-up from the world premiere hosted at London’s Leicester square. Watching Prince Charles shake hands with almost everyone involved in the film was not my idea of fun but it certainly made an interesting change to the cinema experience. After the formalities he was shown into the cinema and the film could eventually start for him at the world premiere, and me in the comfort of Cineworld Didsbury.

Unlike previous adaptations of Alice, Burton takes the viewer on a new journey, only loosely following aspects of Carrol’s classic stories ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the looking glass’ to create an entirely new experience. Although this may disappoint fans of the stories, there are still a lot of familiar characters to be seen as Alice is portrayed as a young woman returning to the world she first envisaged as a child - almost like an unofficial sequel to Carrol’s work.

Having only seen two films in 3-D prior to Alice in Wonderland; Coraline and Avatar, I was still unsure whether 3-D was more than just a gimmick, however, it certainly enhanced the visual aspect of the film, bringing life to Burton’s dark and mysterious world.

There is some fantastic casting within the film, especially Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and although the computer generated effects used to render the characters are impressive, I was left longing for the extravagant costumes that Burton fans are used to seeing in his earlier films - Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands come to mind. Despite this, we still see a glimpse of Burton’s once awe-inspiring creations with a number of weird creatures that inhabit Wonderland, as well as some suitably creepy decapitated heads that serve as stepping stones in a castle moat.

Putting aside a few moments that young children may find scary, this is definitely a family movie, with elements of humour clearly aimed at the younger audiences. One such moment comes near the end of the film when Johnny Depp displays his ‘funderwhacking’ abilities, and whilst that phrase may excite people who have yet to see the film, for me it merely conjures up a horrendous image that I would rather forget!

Most people will have high expectations of the film due to the calibre of actors and actresses involved but I have seen all of them in much better performances, apart from Barbara Windsor - it’s nice to not see her face for once, as Burton does not devote enough screen time to any one of the multitude of characters that inhabit Wonderland.

Although Alice is not a landmark film by any means, I cannot deny that I was soon absorbed in the story, despite its numerous flaws. If you do decide to head to the cinema, make sure you see it in 3-D, as this definitely played a big part in my enjoyment of the film. I doubt I would watch Alice in Wonderland again but would certainly recommend it for families and young children.

7/10



If you liked this film you will also enjoy these:

Coraline
Labyrinth
Laputa: Castle In The Sky
The Fall