Tag: Movie

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The Bourne Supremacy (2004) Review

Ben

I hate unnecessary sequels. I hate the idea that for nothing more than money, a film has been forced out of a story that had essentially finished. I have ranted about this before but I never would have included The Bourne Supremacy in that list. My initial impression of the Bourne series, before seeing it, was that it followed the character of Jason Bourne as he struggled to find out who he was and bring down the people who had brainwashed and betrayed him. That isn’t true! It wants you to think that is what it is about but on closer … Continue reading The Bourne Supremacy (2004) Review

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Review 100! – Batman: Year One (2011)

Ben

I specifically made Batman Year One my 100th Review. It would have been very easy, and obvious, to make The Dark Knight my 100th because it is my favourite film of all time but ever since I heard they were making a cartoon version of Frank Miller’s amazing origin story, I have been desperate to see it. Luckily, in Tesco of all places, there was a five animated Batman film boxset, Batman: Year One being one of those movies. This also shows how far behind I am with my reviews because I’m cheating by reviewing this before the others. I have watched … Continue reading Review 100! – Batman: Year One (2011)

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Conan the Barbarian (2011) Review

Ben

This is going to sound ridiculous considering the film I’m reviewing, but I actually wanted Conan to have slightly more depth and a better story. The reason is, the film actually starts really well. It’s not an incredible, Saving Private Ryan opening, but it sets the tone of the film and introduces Conan as you’d expect, a child born in battle. It also helps that Conan’s Dad is played by Ron Perlman. I’ve spoken before about how cool Ron Perlman is and he doesn’t disappoint in Conan either. If he’s not killing other tribes, he’s teaching Conan how to fight on ice or crafting … Continue reading Conan the Barbarian (2011) Review

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Juno (2007) Re-View

Ben

The charm of Juno lies less in the story but in the performances themselves. The story isn’t that unusual or dramatic. The film itself, even though it was one of the “blueprints” for the indie genre, with its hand-drawn titles and unique soundtrack, isn’t even that “quirky.” The key to the success and the likability of the film is purely in the fantastic choice of each actor for their roles. The key to this argument isn’t actually Ellen Page. Page does a brilliant job and holds the film really well as bolshy, strong-willed but loving Juno, but there are much better performances found … Continue reading Juno (2007) Re-View

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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) Review

Ben

This film would be just as effective with some of the darker, more edgy and mature elements removed. I have never read the books that the trilogy is based on and I’m all for the films being as accurate to the books as possible but during the rape scenes and some of the other, darker elements, I was left thinking that they were put in for shock factor alone. An edge to place this film above others in the mystery genre that this film essentially falls into. I’m sure the argument would be that they are key to fleshing out … Continue reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) Review

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The Grey (2012) Review

Ben

The Grey is another example of why Liam Neeson is a brilliant “action hero.” I put action hero in inverted commas because The Grey isn’t the same type of film that we’ve already seen him in with Unknown, Taken and The A-Team. I said in my review for Unknown the reasons why Liam Neeson is a brilliant action hero and he has to tap into those qualities here. I like my action heroes to be relatable and what I call an “everyman.” Liam Neeson doesn’t have huge muscles or karate skills and with the right knowledge or experience, anyone could do … Continue reading The Grey (2012) Review

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Thinner (1996) Review

Ben

Thinner caught my eye from the synopsis in the tv magazine. This isn’t usually the way a film draws my attention. Usually I watch a movie because of the trailer or because an actor I really like is in the film. Very rarely will the film persuade me to hit record on my DVR because of the synopsis alone but this film managed that. The synopsis was; A lawyer finds he is losing weight everyday and must try to find a way to stop it before it’s too late. It doesn’t seem like the most engrossing of synopsis but I … Continue reading Thinner (1996) Review

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Dan in Real Life (2007) Review

Ben

Steve Carell is a deceptively good actor. He has much more of a range than most people realise. He’s probably most famous for his more “wacky” or crazy roles, where he gets to be outrageous or obnoxious, like The Office, Anchorman or Date Night. Recently though, I’ve watched a couple of films where he has played much more understated, quieter and, even as lame as this sounds, complex characters. He’s great as part of the ensemble cast in Little Miss Sunshine, plays a fantastic part in the surprisingly enjoyable Stupid Crazy Love (review coming soon) and he’s brilliant in Dan in Real … Continue reading Dan in Real Life (2007) Review

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Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) Review

Ben

Paranormal Activity is one of my favourite “horror” films. It’s actually a close call between that and Blair Witch Project for scariest film I’ve ever seen. I don’t really enjoy “slasher horror” like Halloween or Nightmare of Elm Street and even though the first one was quite clever, I also struggle to see the appeal of multiple instalments of the Saw franchise. What is always guaranteed to scare me, or at least pique my interest, is a “found footage” film. The “found footage” genre has become one of my favourites and I love watching any film that uses this type of … Continue reading Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) Review

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Burn After Reading (2008) Review

Ben

The final scene in this film is not only the best scene but also a fantastic way to sum up the whole film. I won’t quote it word for word but it involves a CIA Officer and his Superior (played casually and hilariously by J.K Simmons.) They have no idea what has happened through the course of the film, why the outcome developed or how it involved them. They finish with “I don’t know what we did, but lets never do it again!” This exchange perfectly sums up the very clever, fast-paced, comedy of errors that is the Coen Brother’s Burn … Continue reading Burn After Reading (2008) Review