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Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
Kicked Ass
My initial feeling going to watch this movie was that it would be a success, partially because I wanted it to be, and I'm glad to say that I was right. kick Ass 2 was a pleasant improvement on the 1st kick ass, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. There really wasn't a dull moment moving between many leading characters and side characters who all prevailed in having my sides aching from the violent humour or just flabbergasted from the gore. it's a very unique skill, being able to shock viewers with violence yet maintaining the funny aspect of these brutal slayings, a skill harnessed by Jeff Wadlow in kick ass 2. In this kick ass we are asked to invest more in the leading characters and find ourselves actually caring what becomes of them, hoping, praying that kick ass and hit girl escape unscathed. Another side of hit girl is revealed to us in KA2, a side that we are not too familiar with in the 1st. Her true identity Mindy Macready a would be normal teenager finding it hard adapting to normal life conflicted and torn between a childhood she missed out on and the responsibility that comes with her ever fascinating deadly combat skills; fighting crime.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse stole the show as the notorious Motherf**ker unrelenting in his efforts at revenge which were hilariously pathetic and effective all at once. His ability to execute each scene with comical bravado enabled him to surpass his fellow cast members in terms of performances. Enjoyable side characters such as Clnl Stars and stripes, battle-guy, Dr Gravity and the unforgettable remembering Tommy keep us amused throughout the movie with sharp one liners and humorous stories. If you enjoyed Kick Ass I can assure you that you will not be disappointed with KA2 it has everything the prequel had to offer and more.
Only God Forgives (2013)
Only God can forgive this movie
When I watch a movie, in order to enjoy it, it must tick at least three boxes: the visual effect, good storyline and decent acting. However Only God forgives was able to maintain one of these three attributes and that was the visual effect. I can only describe this movie as modern art. It was enigmatic, and the acting was painfully dire. I've enjoyed Ryan Gosling since movies such as "murder by numbers" and the "united states of Leland" where his performances were truly notable. My respect for him as an actor has declined due to this agonising display of a tedious protagonist out for revenge. His facial expression did not change once throughout the movie, he looked like an insomniac. I wouldn't go as far as to say that his reputation is irreparable but it behoves him to do an Oscar winner after this. A lot of people are saying that this movie is for intellectuals, and I get that its uniquely visceral, but that doesn't excuse the mundane storyline.
Julian(Ryan Gosling) is forced to avenge his brother's death by his psychotic mother who he has a very inappropriate relationship with, to say the least. He finds his brothers killer, lets him go, he's murdered by someone else anyway. They find out that some sort of super cop was involved (who by the way loves castrating people). The mother tries to have him assassinated, she then becomes a target and is killed in a very gory scene after the attempt fails. Julian ends up with no hands as part of some unusual punishment this cop likes subjecting criminals to. It all just seems pointless.
I can only commend this movie on gore and its visceral effect. There were some shockingly violent scenes that would rival most movies in its genre and the visual effects in many of the scenes were a delight. The storyline killed though I have no interest in analyzing the human psyche in that depth, each scene was as frustrating as the next and there are 5 minute adverts on TV with better dialog than this. It's not worth watching for any fan of real movies, If you are pretentious and like to believe that you are of superior intelligence to other avid movie fans. By all means watch it and love it.
Boy A (2007)
Intense
I haven't really watched an intense movie in a while and it took watching Boy A to really make me aware of that fact. This movie was overwhelming. I didn't really know what to expect before watching this but I don't think there is anything I could have done to prepare myself for such a harrowing ride. The movie revolves around Jack/Eric an underage offender and we are introduced to him as he is just released from prison. He must integrate back into society under a false identity and at a difficult age considering what he's missed out on . The nature and extent of his heinous crime is slowly revealed to us making for a more dramatic film and it gives us a chance to develop a bond with his character before judging him straight away. When Jack/Eric is released from prison he has the naivety of a child and this is shown to us through his social interactions and how inexperienced he is with the most common tasks such as ordering food. This is actually a remarkable movie it's so authentic in every way possible the scene from the night out is all too familiar. When they were in the taxi reflecting on the night whilst being out of their minds.... well it was like deja vu. The director more than convinced me that Jack was entitled to a second chance no matter how atrocious the crime he had committed. He served his time, was remorseful, and by nature was not an evil person. He was just an underprivileged child in need of guidance and sought it in a best friend that was subjected to even more torment than he. An extremely intelligent movie, from the beginning everyone turned their backs on him and in the end nothing had changed leaving jack to feel as if he were alone once more with nowhere to turn. I have to add that I never liked Andrew Garfield as an actor but this was truly a riveting performance. He succeeded in capturing the intensity of his character and has forced me to reconsider my judgment of him.
The Wolverine (2013)
Maybe next time
I've wanted to see a wolverine movie that was fast paced, action packed, with a good storyline that would be well received by critics for the longest time. In my opinion wolverine is by far the most interesting of the x men characters. However this was not the wolverine I was waiting for. Yes it was action packed and I honestly enjoyed the fight scenes, but it was just shocking. This movie was flaw central. It saddens me to know that this was truly Hugh Jackmans last attempt at Wolverine, because we all know he's just too old for another attempt. And no one wants to see him as wolverine fighting off the bad guys at 45, it would be unbecoming. The characters in this story were ridiculous. I could tell from the moment they met that Wolverine was going to get with Mariko, but part of me just would not accept it, up until that fatal night when they kissed. A kiss which lacked any conviction or real passion, it was laughable. The oddest on screen couple I've seen since Matt Damon and Michael Douglas in Behind The Candelabra. They were painfully awkward. The arch villain serpant lady was atrocious. The ostentatious villain that we never even learn why or how she came about to work for Yashida with undiminishing loyalty, or what her general goal was. Yashida himself was a tedious villain and we didn't really here much about his life after Nagasaki. Mariko's father was a perpetual imbecile I could not fathom why he was even mentioned in the movie his character had no real significance. My favourite character had to have been Yuriko at least her motives were clear, Mariko was sort of a sister to her and it was obvious from the outset she wanted a slice of the wolverine pie. Now that couple would have at least been believable because she was bad ass and fearless. Her psychic powers were a bit ridiculous though she didn't really foresee anything worthwhile did she. The fight scenes were enjoyable though especially with the deadly ninja assassins creeping through the night, descending from rooftops and snapping necks like nobody's business. Yuriko was pretty sharp too, I was never really worried for her character, she could hold her own.... she had enough sass. It's a tragedy though I truly believe that Hugh Jackman was the perfect wolverine he just didn't get the movie he deserved. Well my advice is to wait a few years until the stench from this movie clears and then find a 20 year old Hugh Jackman doppelganger and create a Wolverine with some substance. It can't be that hard it has so much potential.
Mysterious Skin (2004)
1 star for the shock factor
I'm sorry but whoever wrote the plot summary for this movie forgot to mention some minor details. Like the fact that there is copious amounts of sexual abuse in it. I just don't know where the term hustler came from, let's call a spade a spade here he's no more than a child prostitute. And yes maybe I should have turned it off half way through but I was on a three hour bus journey and it was the only thing I had loaded on my laptop. Some of the other reviews are calling it "raw" and "controversial", and someone even said it was a.... "masterpiece"???? but just because it touches on an unscathed subject of sexual abuse and in detail might I add. Does not mean that you have to like it. Yes it has the shock factor but I believe there is just some things that are better left unsaid. There was no need to open my eyes to this world. The only favourable thing I can say about this movie is that Joseph Gordon Levitt was very convincing in his role as damaged goods. Whats even more unbelievable is its rating on IMDb, for shame.... for shame. Had I known what i was in for i would never have watched it, especially not on a bus. The hidden meaning in this film was "we accept the love we think we deserve" haha that's just a little light humour, in all seriousness though it was quite aggressive. I'm not the same boy I was before I watched this and doubt I'll ever be again.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
I don't care what anyone says
No, no, no, no, no. I wanted to love it..... scratch that I did love it uh i'm so confused. Let me elaborate, You see "old sport" I went to watch this movie rather later than the rest of my peers. So I kept hearing how it wasn't as good as it could have been and how Tobey Maguire mutilated his character and gave a weasel performance. So then there I was, watching it with all these negative views already imprinted in my brain. I personally haven't read the novel, or seen the original (don't shun me I'm relatively young) but there's been only raving reviews. So this was a fresh story for me and desperately trying to neglect anything I was previously told. I have to say, I did love it. Tobey Maguire did play a spineless Jesse bell and was rather insipid at times but I felt that he was only our intermediary for Gatsby so I wasn't really all that bothered that his performance didn't blow me away. Leo gave me exactly what I needed from him, he can play any charismatic character and have the audience fixated on him for the rest of the movie. It's nature Vs nurture and you cannot teach charisma to anyone, they must be born with it. I had an immense feeling of exuberance anytime he was on screen. And I have to admit I've never rooted for anyone to prevail as much in my entire movie watching life until Gatsby. I suppose I'll give the others a mention too Joel Edgerton(the warrior) gave a mentionable performance playing the arrogant, pompous ass Tom Buchannan. I think it's his face he's got a long career ahead of him playing the antagonist... I despised his character in the warrior(ALL THOSE WINS BY TAP OUT). Carrey Mulligan(Daisy Buchannan) also gave a very endearing performance she leads us to believe she is as delicate as a flower, only to find out that the flower is the most poisonous of all flowers and will draw you in and suck the life from you. Isla fisher was okay, she had sex appeal.
If you scrape away at the superficial facade of wealth and the fête in the story you will find the real profound meaning to this tale that Women and Money are evil.Both known to extremely cloud your judgement. The great Gatsby is a unique love story and open to many interpretations. Watching this movie, It was the first time that I had noticed that the upper class are actually being slated at every opportunity. I have no problem with it I just wonder if they are really that shallow and conceded. If not it must be hard being a multi millionaire with an established family name... my condolences. Last but not least I wish to commend Baz Luhrmann I don't think he's been given enough credit(everyone saying his movie is mediocre) for really capturing the glitz and glamour side of that era. From the automobiles to the illegal backroom drinking and from the beautiful mistresses to the extravagant parties it was all quite remarkable. Excellent story I loved it
Stoker (2013)
Stoker is a gem
This was a very cool movie, unique in its fashion. The director Park - Chan Wook (old boy) made a rather smooth transition into English language film with this debut. The story wasn't all that intelligent, however the nature of it was sufficiently dark and perilous enough to shock its viewers. It was fairly predictable, obvious from the beginning that something sinister was going on yet it prevailed as an interestingly brilliant film. It was set at a suitable pace that left me craving that little bit more from every scene. The director couldn't help but indulge in some extravagant camera work that we are all too familiar with in Asian film. It gave some of the scenes and the overall film that extra dosage of substance it needed to be a success. It's a sick, twisted, beautiful nightmare that gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end credits. Mathew Goode and Mia Wasikowska were phenomenal in their roles. They really captured the intriguing nature of their characters and gave stellar performances. This is the kind of movie you will love but you may not want anyone else knowing it. A disturbing masterpiece that left me truly satisfied.
Good Time Max (2007)
His life is just one big party
I found good time max to be a very enjoyable movie. Although it may have been very ominous at times I think there is something very glamorous in this portrayal of self destruction. It was an audacious attempt at the triple threat( write, star in, and direct) which I believe paid off and is worthy of a good review. James Franco plays a genius whos addiction to drugs prevents him from making the most of his abilities and doing something useful with his life. He makes the role of callous, self absorbed drug abuser seem exuberant and his character is oozing with charisma. His older brother is also a genius however it seems his work ethic and outlook on life is somewhat different to max's. This movie takes us on an adventure involving max's drug fuelled rampage and everyone else is just along for the ride. I think this movie only touches on one profound question... when does the party end? everything else was just far-fetched and entertaining. If you take this movie for what it is, a great effort at something that has been done one hundred times before, not to be taken too seriously, you will enjoy.
Man of Steel (2013)
They finally got it right
I'm not going to lie I think when I went to watch this movie my expectations were too high. From start to finish I constantly found myself critiquing this film in the most pathetic ways possible. The harsh truth is that it was actually excellent and I believe that Henry cavil is unequivocally thee best superman yet. Some may argue that his character was too serious and I am guilty of making that ignorant observation myself. However superman is not from our planet and the director portrayed him in a serious light intentionally. Showing us throughout, the difficulty involved for an alien with such great powers and responsibility trying to integrate into society being shunned and scorned at every turn. EVERY DECISION HE MAKES IS A SERIOUS ONE. Another problem for the critics was the fact that there isn't enough romance which I would almost agree on because I am a major fan of love stories but I chose to ignore that because I was more than satisfied with the abundance of action packed mayhem. The fight scenes were glorious I take my hat off to Zack Snyder I would even describe them using one of the most over used adjectives in review writing...EPIC. Everywhere Zod and his crew of barbaric revolutionaries went they left a path of destruction and carnage in their midst. The cast was actually excellent, I have no problem whatsoever in believing that Henry cavil as an infallible hero and an outcast at the same time. He's so perfectly handsome and built it's weird. Russell crowe is one of the only Hollywood actors of his era who actually allowed himself to age gracefully which makes him a perfect choice for the wise and all knowing Jor El plus he's an all round terrific actor. Kevin Costner(jonathan kent) and Michael Shannon(zod) also excelled in their roles as surrogate father and villain. Kevin Costner was doing what Kevin Costner does best subtly offering guidance with wise words that almost had me re-considering the way that I live my life, and having me questioning my morals. I do believe that his death was somewhat unnecessary though it was actually the films biggest flaw in my opinion. Michael Shannon is actually a psychopath he brought a real feeling of intensity to his character and played out the role of the demented general zod to a tee. I enjoyed Amy Adams she played a very quirky and honest Lois Lane even if her and Henry Cavil's on screen romance wasn't quite all there. This movie gave me everything I needed from it and I left the theatre with a feeling of complacency. It was a solid adaptation of the superman story, invigorating from start to finish and in my opinion it's the best yet. Terrific job Zachary.... kudos