Its incredible how a season can contain both the worst episode and the best episode so far. This whole season falls into some of the worst X-Files traps and mistakes but when it gets something right, shows how fantastic X-Files can actually … Continue reading The X-Files (Season 4) TV Review
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! When a tv show reaches a third season, its got to … Continue reading The X-Files (Season 3) TV Review
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
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
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! If The X-Files had made its tv debut in 2012, I genuinely believe it would have been cancelled after season 1. It’s not that season 1 is particularly bad, it just doesn’t really feel like The X-Files that I was obsessed with as a kid. I remember it being a show about monsters, aliens, conspiracies and shady, cigarette smoking men. It does have elements of that but only hints of it. … Continue reading The X-Files (Season 1) TV Review
As much as people dislike Alien 3, there are actually some very good ideas in there! The film tries a lot to be like the original and in some ways, achieves that much more than Aliens does. The main problem Alien 3 seems to have is that it doesn’t seem to commit to one great, key idea and instead tries to do too much with poor results. It’s a shame because the setting seems perfect. To set the film in a futuristic, completely male space prison is a great idea. It is a lot closer to the dark, enclosed and potentially … Continue reading Alien 3 (1992) Review
It’s a brave move making a sequel to a film that changes the tone, overall pace and direction, compared to the original. It’s an even braver move when you consider how good the original film actually is. James Cameron does just that though. The original film was the perfect mix of science-fiction and horror. It was dark, slow and took its time to build the tension. John Hurt going through the alien nest, slowly and carefully, then the reaction as the egg finally opened, was just one example of how Ridley Scott managed to invoke the terror in the audience … Continue reading Aliens (1986) Review
A key part of any film has got to be good acting and a good script but is there any chance that putting all your money and effort into a different area of the film, making sure that is amazing, can actually redeem the first two elements being poor? I don’t think this would work with any other type of film but Skyline seems to manage it. It has poor acting, poor dialogue and the first act of the film is tedious at best but when the action kicks in and the aliens start appearing, this film just seems to transform itself. Skyline was always fighting … Continue reading Skyline (2010) Review
Britain do quirky, gritty and indie films better than any other country. We were the country that gave the world Shaun of the Dead, Trainspotting and Dead Man’s Shoes. We have the gritty Hunger and Tyrannosaur and now Shame to add to our collection of brilliant British films. The British film industry gets recognised for romantic comedies, Richard Curtis being a huge part of that, and every year we can effectively produce a period drama but we are also good for clever comedy or gritty, real, modern drama. This leads me to Attack the Block. The perfect example of a new type … Continue reading Attack the Block (2011) Review
Pixar are responsible for all poor computer animated films since Toy Story. Pretty bold claim but stay with me. Before Toy Story, animated films were predominantly hand drawn or at least presented in the traditional animated style. They would usually employ specific voice actors to play the characters except for particularly notable exceptions (Aladdin and Mulan being two films that spring to mind). In fact it was only when I watched the Lion King’s 3D re-release at the cinema that I realised Matthew Broderick played adult Simba. The use of the traditional technique for animated films meant we got a lot of films starring human characters. The … Continue reading Planet 51 (2009) Review
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