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Tangled (2010) Review

Ben

The best Disney film is Aladdin. It has the perfect Disney animated film formula. It’s a classic, well-known story brought up-to-date. It has brilliant songs with amazing scenes to go with them. It has a great hero, a strong female character and an amazing villain. Best of all, it slowly builds to a huge set-piece finale which tests the main character and makes it feel like he is overcoming the odds. Look back at the best Disney films; Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast. They all follow the same formula and although that would usually be something I would … Continue reading Tangled (2010) Review

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It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010) Review

Ben

Some films just have characters I want to keep watching. The perfect example of this is Zombieland. That film is brilliant and I found it funny and entertaining to such a degree that I wanted to see much more of it immediately after it ended. It was a show with a premise that could easily transfer into a series (even if that series is animated) because the environment is great, the story itself is rich with ideas but best of all, the characters are so watchable. They’re characters that I want to see struggle, achieve and banter with each other … Continue reading It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010) Review

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A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) Review

Ben

If you are going to remake an iconic film, you must have a legitimate reason to do so. Just because it already has a popular fan base can’t be enough of a reason. Neither is the fact that the film franchise has clearly been sequelled into oblivion. I’d say that is the reason to reboot a series. There is a difference. Its subtle but there is definitely some distinction between the two. A remake is retelling a story with slight changes. The main concept and narrative strand is the same but you may change elements, like developing a characters back-story or … Continue reading A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) Review

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Super 8 (2011) Review

Ben

I don’t think we get “true” family films anymore. The kind of film that tries to appeal to everyone in the family. A film that is like an event, all encompassing, exciting and completely devoid of any real target audience, other than as many people as possible. Pixar are the only people trying but even that doesn’t really qualify. There is a difference, as subtle as it may be, between making a film for children that adults can enjoy and actually making a film that the whole family can find enjoyable. A couple of jokes aimed at the adults isn’t enough. … Continue reading Super 8 (2011) Review

Review, TV3 Comments

The X-Files (Season 2) TV Review

Ben

Because I review a whole tv series rather than individual episodes, there is a chance of spoilers, so if you haven’t watched the whole series yet, stop reading now! A second season defines a tv show. If a show has got a second season, it usually means it was successful enough to warrant being given at least another six episodes. It then has added pressure. It has to deliver the same quality as the first season, while still moving the characters and show forward so that you aren’t watching the same show again, for another 20 or so episodes. This … Continue reading The X-Files (Season 2) TV Review

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Mr Popper’s Penguins (2011) Review

Ben

Sometimes you watch the perfect film for the moment you are in. You sort of plan it but you never really know that that film (unless its one you’ve seen before) will fit your mood and situation perfectly. There is a good chance that if you watched that film the next day, or even a week or month later, you might feel hugely different about it, but for the moment you are in, that film becomes perfect. Mr Popper’s Penguins was that perfect movie for my mood and situation. My mood was lazy and tired, my situation was a Sunday … Continue reading Mr Popper’s Penguins (2011) Review

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Game of Thrones (Season 1) TV Review

Ben

Because I review a whole tv series rather than individual episodes, there is a chance of spoilers, so if you haven’t watched the whole series yet, stop reading now! I’m a history geek. Although I’m interested in all sorts of history, medieval is something I find particularly interesting. The wars, the plagues, the scandals and the different royal families, all vying and double-crossing each other. Its one of those times in history that seems like fiction but is brilliantly true. It’s no surprise then that tv has tried to emulate some of that interest and drama. There have been a couple … Continue reading Game of Thrones (Season 1) TV Review

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Morning Glory (2010) Review

Ben

There are some films I will watch, regardless of the kind of film it is, just because of the actor who is starring in it. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are two examples because they very rarely make a bad film. Jim Carrey is another because of how good he can be, even if he isn’t being wacky and crazy. Along the same lines is Will Smith, more because he is very cool and usually his roles reflect that too. Other actors just don’t make films that frequently anymore that when they do star in one, it catches my attention. Harrison Ford is … Continue reading Morning Glory (2010) Review

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Anger Management (Season 1) TV Review

Ben

I never really understood the popularity of either Charlie Sheen or Two and a Half Men. I’ve reviewed enough sitcom’s on here for people to work out what kind of humour I like, usually something very observational or based around the very mundane or ordinary. Two and a Half Men never really hit the hilarious chord. It was decent enough. My Dad has a great way of describing some tv shows; “Chewing Gum for the Eyes.” Two and Half Men fit this perfectly. It wasn’t the best sitcom on television by a long stretch but I know if I tuned … Continue reading Anger Management (Season 1) TV Review

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St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) Review

Ben

I have completely missed the popularity of certain 80’s films. I’m going to make a confession – I’ve never seen Sixteen Candles or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I have seen the Breakfast Club and it was ok, not exactly the classic that a lot of people say it is, but it doesn’t feel like it was made for me. None of these types of films do. The people who grew up in the 80’s seem to have an affinity with the characters, who are mostly coming of age or rebelling, and feel like the film is reflective of their lives in some way. … Continue reading St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) Review