The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Movie Review
The Diary of A Wimpy Kid
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn
Director: Thor Freudenthal
From a popular cartoon pencil drawn book comes Diary of A Wimpy Kid.
Gordon plays Greg Heffley, an American kid who's about to go to middle school
- and he's convinced he's a big fish in a small pond and that he'll be okay.
You see Heffley's got the world sussed out - and reckons his place in it is
fairly safe and assured.
Not so much for his best friend since like forever the portly Rowley
Jeffesron (Capron) who's likely to pull Greg's social standing all the way
down.
Soon, wise-cracking Greg's facing choices he never thought he'd have to make
- and consequences for friendships and his personal life.
Diary of A Wimpy Kid is one for the younger end of the audience - complete
with jokes about urinating and cooties, it's clearly pitched at the under 10s -
and that's fine.
But anyone older or adult in the audience may find it somewhat difficult to
sit through - despite some nice moments which see some of the original drawings
the film's based on coming to life.
Sure, there's plenty for kids to get their heads around here - be it social
standing in school, morals, messages about never turning your back on your
friends just to be the cool kid.
Thankfully the child actors acquit themselves well - Zachary Gordon does well
with the cocky kid approach and Capron's stand out as the long term buddy Rowley
who stands to miss out when his friend loses touch with reality.
But The Diary of A Wimpy Kid is simply too narrow a film to appeal to a broad
family audience at a time of year when school holidays are here - and plenty of
movies are clamouring for the family dollar.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
The Last Airbender: Movie Review
The Last Airbender: Movie Review
The Last Airbender
Rating: See below
Cast: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone, Cliff Curtis
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Based on the phenomenally popular cartoon series of the (relatively) same name, The Last Airbender is the tale of Aang (Ringer), a mystical spiritual child who, in a far off land, holds the magical ability to use the elements and keep the balance of the world together.
But Aang has been missing for years and consequently the Fire Lord nation (who use Fire to subjugate all) has taken over the world - and driven out those who could use the elements such as air, water and earth against them.
However, Aang is found by Katara (Peltz) a teen who has water bending abilities - and when her grandmother tells her that Aang holds the key to the safety of the entire world, she pledges to protect him against the wrath of the Fire Lords who would destroy him and disgraced Fire Lord Prince Zuko (Patel) who has to return to his kingdom with the last airbender to restore his honour and regain his rightful place in the nation and his father's (Cliff Curtis) heart.
I'm not particularly au fait with the source material here - so I grabbed a couple of rabid fans of the series (and their long-suffering mum) to get their take on it.
Jackson, who's 11 gave it 8/10 but said it was "nowhere near as good at the series but still really good". He felt there was "too much mucking around when the air and fire bending is going on" - there are copious scenes of the main characters doing Tai Chi to help bend the elements and use their powers. Overall, he felt it was "worth seeing and the acting was good - even if it went through the episodes (of the Avatar series) too fast."
Connor, who's 17, gave it 5/10, because he felt the "film tried to condense an entire season into one single movie and it wasn't a very good fit. It also included dozens of plot points into the one movie and people who hadn't seen Avatar may be confused about that." He also found the film a little dry and stuffy, saying "It had none of the humour of the series, and some of the acting was not particularly good. The Aang character is way more fun in the cartoon, he's more of a boy with a wayward personality. Because Avatar is in cartoon form the characters are able to be more fluid and the film missed that with the moves." However, he felt "it did pick up around the end."
To this critic's eye, there's some awful dialogue and wooden acting here and there - but genre fans will know this kind of thing comes with these films (Star Wars clunkers anyone?). There's some stunning scenery, but the 3D element of this film adds very little to it, and is wasted in some places. I'm inclined to agree with Connor that some of the main performances are a little off-key - coupled with some clunking dialogue - eg "It is in the heart that all wars are won" particularly from Noah Ringer. The lead isn't quite strong enough to pull it off - maybe he'll improve as, and indeed if, the series continues.
The bottom line here is that with school holidays bashing on the door, this will be a firm crowd favourite to the multitude of fans of the series - but it's questionable whether it'll have the wider appeal it needs to be a major success.
Final rating - based on the kids - 6/10
The Last Airbender
Rating: See below
Cast: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone, Cliff Curtis
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Based on the phenomenally popular cartoon series of the (relatively) same name, The Last Airbender is the tale of Aang (Ringer), a mystical spiritual child who, in a far off land, holds the magical ability to use the elements and keep the balance of the world together.
But Aang has been missing for years and consequently the Fire Lord nation (who use Fire to subjugate all) has taken over the world - and driven out those who could use the elements such as air, water and earth against them.
However, Aang is found by Katara (Peltz) a teen who has water bending abilities - and when her grandmother tells her that Aang holds the key to the safety of the entire world, she pledges to protect him against the wrath of the Fire Lords who would destroy him and disgraced Fire Lord Prince Zuko (Patel) who has to return to his kingdom with the last airbender to restore his honour and regain his rightful place in the nation and his father's (Cliff Curtis) heart.
I'm not particularly au fait with the source material here - so I grabbed a couple of rabid fans of the series (and their long-suffering mum) to get their take on it.
Jackson, who's 11 gave it 8/10 but said it was "nowhere near as good at the series but still really good". He felt there was "too much mucking around when the air and fire bending is going on" - there are copious scenes of the main characters doing Tai Chi to help bend the elements and use their powers. Overall, he felt it was "worth seeing and the acting was good - even if it went through the episodes (of the Avatar series) too fast."
Connor, who's 17, gave it 5/10, because he felt the "film tried to condense an entire season into one single movie and it wasn't a very good fit. It also included dozens of plot points into the one movie and people who hadn't seen Avatar may be confused about that." He also found the film a little dry and stuffy, saying "It had none of the humour of the series, and some of the acting was not particularly good. The Aang character is way more fun in the cartoon, he's more of a boy with a wayward personality. Because Avatar is in cartoon form the characters are able to be more fluid and the film missed that with the moves." However, he felt "it did pick up around the end."
To this critic's eye, there's some awful dialogue and wooden acting here and there - but genre fans will know this kind of thing comes with these films (Star Wars clunkers anyone?). There's some stunning scenery, but the 3D element of this film adds very little to it, and is wasted in some places. I'm inclined to agree with Connor that some of the main performances are a little off-key - coupled with some clunking dialogue - eg "It is in the heart that all wars are won" particularly from Noah Ringer. The lead isn't quite strong enough to pull it off - maybe he'll improve as, and indeed if, the series continues.
The bottom line here is that with school holidays bashing on the door, this will be a firm crowd favourite to the multitude of fans of the series - but it's questionable whether it'll have the wider appeal it needs to be a major success.
Final rating - based on the kids - 6/10
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps: Movie Review
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps: Movie Review
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, Susan Sarandon, James Brolin, Frank Langella
Director: Oliver Stone
It's 23 years since Gordon Gekko headed to prison at the end of Wall Street - and since then, the real financial world has seen major changes.
The sequel to Wall Street begins with Gekko heading out of prison, collecting his belongings (including that trademark chunky mobile phone) and trying to rediscover his place in the world.
At the same time, Shia LaBeouf's Jacob Moore, an investment banker whose dream is in the energy sector and who's part of successful bank Keller Zabel, run by his mentor Lewis Zabel (Langella).
Moore's also dating Gekko's estranged daughter Winnie (Mulligan) - after watching Gekko speak, Moore turns to Gekko for advice.
However, when things financially hit the skids as the global recession begins to bite, Zabel commits suicide and Moore begins to suspect Josh Brolin's Bretton James may have been involved - and he vows revenge.
And Gekko sees - and seizes - the opportunity to exert his power...
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a curious film - there's splashes of the usual Oliver Stone extravagance on the directing front but there's also flashes of genius too. One particular trick sees Stone outlining the skylines of New York and London with the share market ups and downs; it's a clever visual touch which stands out.
Also standing out is Michael Douglas who once again burns everyone else off the screen as Gekko - his manipulating, scheming presence may have slightly softened this time round but with that steely twinkle in his eye, Douglas manages to imbue the post recession Gekko with a harshness which is welcome.
Shia LaBeouf gives his character a punky and slightly cocky feel but he manages to keep up with Douglas; it's good to see him maturing as an actor rather than simply fighting robots all the time.
Sadly Carey Mulligan's Winnie is perhaps the weak link in all of this - she spends a lot of time moping and looking forlorn as Gekko's daughter - it's a shame as the character feels underwritten and underused.
That said Oliver Stone's woven an intelligent film together which takes an insider look at the financial wheelings and dealings which brought the world to the brink - it shows that a financial expert's had a hand on the script. The problem is that it goes a little too far into financial speak and despite the drama's being there, it's as if Stone's unveiling yet another conspiracy (though this time it's factual) and the film suffers a little because of it.
But it's the treatment of Gekko which is the most disappointing - the character changes so much in the final reel that you almost feel cheated at the end.
Oh and yes there is a cameo from someone in the original film too - a nice touch which will appeal to fans.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, Susan Sarandon, James Brolin, Frank Langella
Director: Oliver Stone
It's 23 years since Gordon Gekko headed to prison at the end of Wall Street - and since then, the real financial world has seen major changes.
The sequel to Wall Street begins with Gekko heading out of prison, collecting his belongings (including that trademark chunky mobile phone) and trying to rediscover his place in the world.
At the same time, Shia LaBeouf's Jacob Moore, an investment banker whose dream is in the energy sector and who's part of successful bank Keller Zabel, run by his mentor Lewis Zabel (Langella).
Moore's also dating Gekko's estranged daughter Winnie (Mulligan) - after watching Gekko speak, Moore turns to Gekko for advice.
However, when things financially hit the skids as the global recession begins to bite, Zabel commits suicide and Moore begins to suspect Josh Brolin's Bretton James may have been involved - and he vows revenge.
And Gekko sees - and seizes - the opportunity to exert his power...
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a curious film - there's splashes of the usual Oliver Stone extravagance on the directing front but there's also flashes of genius too. One particular trick sees Stone outlining the skylines of New York and London with the share market ups and downs; it's a clever visual touch which stands out.
Also standing out is Michael Douglas who once again burns everyone else off the screen as Gekko - his manipulating, scheming presence may have slightly softened this time round but with that steely twinkle in his eye, Douglas manages to imbue the post recession Gekko with a harshness which is welcome.
Shia LaBeouf gives his character a punky and slightly cocky feel but he manages to keep up with Douglas; it's good to see him maturing as an actor rather than simply fighting robots all the time.
Sadly Carey Mulligan's Winnie is perhaps the weak link in all of this - she spends a lot of time moping and looking forlorn as Gekko's daughter - it's a shame as the character feels underwritten and underused.
That said Oliver Stone's woven an intelligent film together which takes an insider look at the financial wheelings and dealings which brought the world to the brink - it shows that a financial expert's had a hand on the script. The problem is that it goes a little too far into financial speak and despite the drama's being there, it's as if Stone's unveiling yet another conspiracy (though this time it's factual) and the film suffers a little because of it.
But it's the treatment of Gekko which is the most disappointing - the character changes so much in the final reel that you almost feel cheated at the end.
Oh and yes there is a cameo from someone in the original film too - a nice touch which will appeal to fans.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Date Night: DVD Review
Date Night: DVD Review
Date Night
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
It comics Steve Carell and Tina Fey team up in this comedy about mistaken identity.
They're Phil and Claire Foster - a NY husband and wife whose suburban lives have been besieged by the mundanities of two point four children; for whom each day is a series of routines - including their Date Night which sees them ordering the same dishes week in, week out.
So, shocked by the news one of their favourite couples is about to divorce, Phil decides to shake things up to prevent their marriage from being the next casualty.
On the spur of the moment, he takes Claire to a swanky Manhattan restaurant and refusing to give in because he doesn't have a reservation, takes someone else's.
However, that's when the problems start and they become embroiled in the world of Manhattan's gangsters.
Date Night has a great cast and there's something about Steve Carell and his deadpan delivery which can leave me in tears; equally Tina Fey goes a long way to convincing me that she's actually funny.
But unfortunately this caper doesn't quite work as a story and I don't know exactly what went wrong with it; it's not a bad film, it's just a bit lacking that 5% magic that needs to make it gel.
That said Date Night remains a fairly disposable piece of fun film for a relatively entertaining date night in.
Rating: 6/10
Date Night
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
It comics Steve Carell and Tina Fey team up in this comedy about mistaken identity.
They're Phil and Claire Foster - a NY husband and wife whose suburban lives have been besieged by the mundanities of two point four children; for whom each day is a series of routines - including their Date Night which sees them ordering the same dishes week in, week out.
So, shocked by the news one of their favourite couples is about to divorce, Phil decides to shake things up to prevent their marriage from being the next casualty.
On the spur of the moment, he takes Claire to a swanky Manhattan restaurant and refusing to give in because he doesn't have a reservation, takes someone else's.
However, that's when the problems start and they become embroiled in the world of Manhattan's gangsters.
Date Night has a great cast and there's something about Steve Carell and his deadpan delivery which can leave me in tears; equally Tina Fey goes a long way to convincing me that she's actually funny.
But unfortunately this caper doesn't quite work as a story and I don't know exactly what went wrong with it; it's not a bad film, it's just a bit lacking that 5% magic that needs to make it gel.
That said Date Night remains a fairly disposable piece of fun film for a relatively entertaining date night in.
Rating: 6/10
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Dr Who S5 Vol 3: DVD Review
Dr Who S5 Vol 3: DVD Review
Doctor Who Series Five Volume Three
Released by Roadshow/ BBC
Rating: PG
So the latest season of the eleventh continues with the release of another three stories from the most recent TV series.
Comprising one story and a two part story, these latest tales see Matt Smith's Doctor and Karen Gillan's feisty Amy Pond joined in the TARDIS by her boyfriend Rory (Arthur Darvill) which brings a new dynamic to the team.
In the first adventure, the Doc and the gang are tortured by the Dream Lord and visions of the future - and in the second, a two parter, an old enemy of the Doctor's The Silurians make a reappearance.
So the mid season minor slump hits the TV series - there's nothing inherently wrong with these adventures and Matt Smith continues to shine as the Doctor but the pacing of these stories feel a little off and not as magical as they could be.
But it's the performances which help the average scripts rise - from Toby Jones' brilliant Dream Lord, Matt Smith's superlative take on the Doc to Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill's companions, each moment with their characters is one to savour.
Here's hoping the slump doesn't continue.
Extras: Monster Files take a look at the new enemies.
Rating: 6/10
Doctor Who Series Five Volume Three
Released by Roadshow/ BBC
Rating: PG
So the latest season of the eleventh continues with the release of another three stories from the most recent TV series.
Comprising one story and a two part story, these latest tales see Matt Smith's Doctor and Karen Gillan's feisty Amy Pond joined in the TARDIS by her boyfriend Rory (Arthur Darvill) which brings a new dynamic to the team.
In the first adventure, the Doc and the gang are tortured by the Dream Lord and visions of the future - and in the second, a two parter, an old enemy of the Doctor's The Silurians make a reappearance.
So the mid season minor slump hits the TV series - there's nothing inherently wrong with these adventures and Matt Smith continues to shine as the Doctor but the pacing of these stories feel a little off and not as magical as they could be.
But it's the performances which help the average scripts rise - from Toby Jones' brilliant Dream Lord, Matt Smith's superlative take on the Doc to Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill's companions, each moment with their characters is one to savour.
Here's hoping the slump doesn't continue.
Extras: Monster Files take a look at the new enemies.
Rating: 6/10
Monday, 20 September 2010
Misfits Series One: DVD Review
Misfits Series One: DVD Review
Misfits Series One
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R18
Made for the digital arm of Channel 4 in the UK, Misfits is a terrific series about a group of five criminal misfits who are out carrying out community service when their worlds change.
Hit by a freak storm, the gang gradually find out they've got superpowers - and that the death of their community service minder is being investigated by social services...and they've all had a hand in the death.
It sounds like a rip off of Heroes in many ways - but what sets Misfits apart and gives it its fantastically fresh feel is that none of these guys get a cool superpower merely one which accentuates their insecurities.
I don't remember the last time I was so hooked on a TV mini series so quickly - within 10 minutes into episode one, these characters are so well written and rounded that they're believable, funny and realistic. It's also in the script and acting of the relative newcomers that make this such an easy watch - and despite being only six episodes long, you're left wanting more immediately.
Extras: Behind The Scenes, Simon's Films and the Making of Misfits will get you ready for series two coming soon.
Rating: 8/10
Misfits Series One
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R18
Made for the digital arm of Channel 4 in the UK, Misfits is a terrific series about a group of five criminal misfits who are out carrying out community service when their worlds change.
Hit by a freak storm, the gang gradually find out they've got superpowers - and that the death of their community service minder is being investigated by social services...and they've all had a hand in the death.
It sounds like a rip off of Heroes in many ways - but what sets Misfits apart and gives it its fantastically fresh feel is that none of these guys get a cool superpower merely one which accentuates their insecurities.
I don't remember the last time I was so hooked on a TV mini series so quickly - within 10 minutes into episode one, these characters are so well written and rounded that they're believable, funny and realistic. It's also in the script and acting of the relative newcomers that make this such an easy watch - and despite being only six episodes long, you're left wanting more immediately.
Extras: Behind The Scenes, Simon's Films and the Making of Misfits will get you ready for series two coming soon.
Rating: 8/10
The Blind Side: DVD Review
The Blind Side: DVD Review
The Blind Side
Released by Warner Home Video
Rating: PG
The film that netted Sandra Bullock an Oscar on the same weekend as she scored a Razzie finally hits DVD.
Based on a 2006 book, The Blind Side is the story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a towering gentle giant who's from the wrong side of Memphis. Homeless, apparent family-less and with no prospects at all, Michael's life is changed when his path one day accidentally crosses with Sandra Bullock's brassy, Southern sassy Leigh Anne Tuohy.
The Tuohys are from the right side of town; Leigh Anne's husband owns a heap of Taco Bells and with their Christian way of life and ethics, they never want for anything.
So in the true spirit of altruism, the Tuohys take in Michael and begin to offer him some hope - and some of that hope gives him the belief he needs to play American football.
I know exactly what The Blind Side is aiming for - it has aspirations to be inspirational and is clearly pitching purely and simply at uplifting.
But sadly, personally it didn't strike the chord with me.
Sandra Bullock is good as Leigh Anne but I couldn't shake the feeling having seen other Oscar nominated performances that she didn't quite deserve to walk off with the statuette - she does ballsy and headstrong with a heart well but is it Oscar winning? Well that's for debate I guess.
Extras: A very light Additional Scenes
Rating: 5/10
The Blind Side
Released by Warner Home Video
Rating: PG
The film that netted Sandra Bullock an Oscar on the same weekend as she scored a Razzie finally hits DVD.
Based on a 2006 book, The Blind Side is the story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a towering gentle giant who's from the wrong side of Memphis. Homeless, apparent family-less and with no prospects at all, Michael's life is changed when his path one day accidentally crosses with Sandra Bullock's brassy, Southern sassy Leigh Anne Tuohy.
The Tuohys are from the right side of town; Leigh Anne's husband owns a heap of Taco Bells and with their Christian way of life and ethics, they never want for anything.
So in the true spirit of altruism, the Tuohys take in Michael and begin to offer him some hope - and some of that hope gives him the belief he needs to play American football.
I know exactly what The Blind Side is aiming for - it has aspirations to be inspirational and is clearly pitching purely and simply at uplifting.
But sadly, personally it didn't strike the chord with me.
Sandra Bullock is good as Leigh Anne but I couldn't shake the feeling having seen other Oscar nominated performances that she didn't quite deserve to walk off with the statuette - she does ballsy and headstrong with a heart well but is it Oscar winning? Well that's for debate I guess.
Extras: A very light Additional Scenes
Rating: 5/10
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