Monsters: Movie Review
Monsters
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy
Director: Gareth Edwards
With a film about aliens landing in the USA six years ago and being
quarantined in one area, it's obvious you'll recall to mind one of the best
films of 2009, the Peter Jackson produced District 9.
But this similar premise comprises Monsters which is more relationship drama
than alien societal integration.
Set in the not too distant future, opening titles explain that a spacecraft
sent to bring back alien samples broke up over Mexico in re-entry. The result of
that is a series of alien life forms (which look uncannily like squid on stalks)
have taken up residence throughout parts of central America and Mexico - and are
spreading.
Rather than nuke them, the government's decided that they will let them be -
and simply declare zones of the country in quarantine and infected areas.
Enter into this photographer Andrew (McNairy) - he's desperate to make his
name in the media with a picture of a live creature - but is tasked with
returning his boss' errant daughter Sam (Able) back home safe.
Through a series of mishaps, the pair find the only way they can get back to
home is via the infected zone - and so their journey into danger begins&
Monsters is not what you'd expect at all - initially you're introduced to the
squid creatures early on and so you're never waiting for a big alien reveal,
which robs the premise of some of its tension.
Director Gareth Edwards is also a little heavy on the direction - opening
shot after shot are simply about the infected zone signs or military fighter
jets heading past in the skies. It's a pummeling to set up the world they
inhabit rather than subtlety to get the message across. Even on a low budget, it
could have achieved more.
With a lack of real script (most of this is improvised) it's left to McNairy
and Able to make it believable and to have you care. The pair are both relative
newcomers both have stunning chemistry together (and are now married in real
life) - so while there are dips in the film and dialogue which is simply about
asking where they are while navigating the grim reality of it all, it's thanks
to these two and their tender relationship that you make it through to the
end.
It doesn't live up to its premise and the attack which inevitably comes in
the infected zone lacks any real tension. It's a disappointment which doesn't
live upto its premise and you may feel a little cheated when the lights go up at
the end.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Hot Tub Time Machine: DVD Review
Hot Tub Time Machine: DVD Review
Hot Tub Time Machine
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R16
John Cusack stars in this story of a group of guys who've got various issues - John Cusack's Adam's just been dumped; Craig Robinson's Nick has an unfaithful wife and a job that involves him sticking his hand in dog's bottoms; Clark Duke is a teen who's going nowhere and Rob Corddry's Lou has just tried to commit suicide.
Spurred into action by the suicide attempt, the quartet head to one of their haunts from their past to live it up. But when they get there, they find the party resort has gone down the dumps - and deciding to get drunk, the guys head to the hot tub to party.
After a night's decadence - and a shoe horned in plot device, they awake to find themselves back in the 1980s and as younger versions of themselves at Winterfest 1986.
What can be said about this? The film finds its level in the first few moments as Craig Robinson's failed musician pulls out a pair of car keys from a dog's backside and throws them straight to its owner...subtle it ain't.
Funny at times, it is though - a likeable cast give a frankly insane idea a bit of life and the whole thing is just about carried off - if like the lads, you've been drinking.
Rating: 5/10
Hot Tub Time Machine
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R16
John Cusack stars in this story of a group of guys who've got various issues - John Cusack's Adam's just been dumped; Craig Robinson's Nick has an unfaithful wife and a job that involves him sticking his hand in dog's bottoms; Clark Duke is a teen who's going nowhere and Rob Corddry's Lou has just tried to commit suicide.
Spurred into action by the suicide attempt, the quartet head to one of their haunts from their past to live it up. But when they get there, they find the party resort has gone down the dumps - and deciding to get drunk, the guys head to the hot tub to party.
After a night's decadence - and a shoe horned in plot device, they awake to find themselves back in the 1980s and as younger versions of themselves at Winterfest 1986.
What can be said about this? The film finds its level in the first few moments as Craig Robinson's failed musician pulls out a pair of car keys from a dog's backside and throws them straight to its owner...subtle it ain't.
Funny at times, it is though - a likeable cast give a frankly insane idea a bit of life and the whole thing is just about carried off - if like the lads, you've been drinking.
Rating: 5/10
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Dr Who: The Dominators: DVD Review
Dr Who: The Dominators: DVD Review
Dr Who- The Dominators
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
Back to the 1960s we go and the moptop ways of the second Doctor Patrick Troughton and his faithful crew of Jamie the highlander and Zoe the genius in this five part serial which screened in 1968.
The TARDIS lands on a planet called Dulkis; one which is supposed to be quiet and relaxed; but when the TARDIS trio arrive there, they find the native race has been enslaved by the ruthless Dominators (and their large tortoise shell like jackets) and their servants, the robotic Quarks.
Can the Doctor save the race?
A fairly average serial when compared to the later efforts of the series, this is starting to show some cracks in terms of the production values; but it's worth seeing for the very first introduction of the Quarks which were mooted as the next Daleks way back when.
Sure, they lumber and seem quaint, but it's nice to see the series try something a little different with the baddies. A deeper look into the story would see some satire of the hippy ways of the 1960s but Troughton et al give it their all in this.
Extras: Commentary from the surviving main cast, a look back on the making and a piece on how the show was covered in the media are all reliably informative. What's a little odd and doesn't do much for the continuing perception of nerdiness is a hidden extra in which two Scottish sock puppets (no I don't believe I'm typing this either) discuss the labeling of the serials back in the 1960s&.
Rating: 6/10
Dr Who- The Dominators
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
Back to the 1960s we go and the moptop ways of the second Doctor Patrick Troughton and his faithful crew of Jamie the highlander and Zoe the genius in this five part serial which screened in 1968.
The TARDIS lands on a planet called Dulkis; one which is supposed to be quiet and relaxed; but when the TARDIS trio arrive there, they find the native race has been enslaved by the ruthless Dominators (and their large tortoise shell like jackets) and their servants, the robotic Quarks.
Can the Doctor save the race?
A fairly average serial when compared to the later efforts of the series, this is starting to show some cracks in terms of the production values; but it's worth seeing for the very first introduction of the Quarks which were mooted as the next Daleks way back when.
Sure, they lumber and seem quaint, but it's nice to see the series try something a little different with the baddies. A deeper look into the story would see some satire of the hippy ways of the 1960s but Troughton et al give it their all in this.
Extras: Commentary from the surviving main cast, a look back on the making and a piece on how the show was covered in the media are all reliably informative. What's a little odd and doesn't do much for the continuing perception of nerdiness is a hidden extra in which two Scottish sock puppets (no I don't believe I'm typing this either) discuss the labeling of the serials back in the 1960s&.
Rating: 6/10
Friday, 15 October 2010
Edge of Darkness: DVD Review
Edge of Darkness: DVD Review
Edge of Darkness
Rating: R16
Released by Warner Home Video
After fraught times for Mel Gibson recently, it's nice to actually remember what he does for a living - on the screen.
Based on a BBC mini series (which was directed by NZ Martin Campbell back when it was initially broadcast in the 1980s) Gibson stars as Boston detective Tom Craven, whose daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to visit.
However, Emma becomes sick and after vomiting blood, Craven decides to take her to the hospital. But barely out of the front door, she's shot dead in a drive by.
The police are convinced he's the target of the shooter, but Craven begins his own investigation - and gradually begins to realize he's slap bang in the middle of a massive conspiracy which has wider implications than he could ever realize.
Aside from some jolts to your nerve moments (which are obviously coming), there's little original in how this pans out. That's not to say it's not good - it's merely middle of the road, generic, formulaic thriller with chases, scenes of suspense and twists aplenty.
Gibson's strong in it though as he unleashes his steely eyed determined look and wreaks a bit of havoc - you probably wouldn't want him not on your side&
Extras: Deleted scenes, Mel's back, Profile of kiwi director Martin Campbell and a featurette on the original mini series are part of a solid package for an average film
Rating: 6/10
Edge of Darkness
Rating: R16
Released by Warner Home Video
After fraught times for Mel Gibson recently, it's nice to actually remember what he does for a living - on the screen.
Based on a BBC mini series (which was directed by NZ Martin Campbell back when it was initially broadcast in the 1980s) Gibson stars as Boston detective Tom Craven, whose daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to visit.
However, Emma becomes sick and after vomiting blood, Craven decides to take her to the hospital. But barely out of the front door, she's shot dead in a drive by.
The police are convinced he's the target of the shooter, but Craven begins his own investigation - and gradually begins to realize he's slap bang in the middle of a massive conspiracy which has wider implications than he could ever realize.
Aside from some jolts to your nerve moments (which are obviously coming), there's little original in how this pans out. That's not to say it's not good - it's merely middle of the road, generic, formulaic thriller with chases, scenes of suspense and twists aplenty.
Gibson's strong in it though as he unleashes his steely eyed determined look and wreaks a bit of havoc - you probably wouldn't want him not on your side&
Extras: Deleted scenes, Mel's back, Profile of kiwi director Martin Campbell and a featurette on the original mini series are part of a solid package for an average film
Rating: 6/10
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Home By Christmas: DVD Review
Home By Christmas: DVD Review
Home By Christmas
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
It's a powerful New Zealand film memoir by Gaylene Preston based on interviews with her father Ed Preston about his time in World War 2 in Italy and North Africa.
Culled from archive material, Preston's called in the services of Goodbye Pork Pie's Tony Barry to narrate the material and essentially play her father. But as we learn early on, Ed was never too keen on sharing his experiences until one day, as a Christmas present, he decided to open up to his daughter.
What unfolds is the story of one man and how he signed up to the NZ Army back in 1940 because the rest of the rugby team were doing it for a free holiday and he didn't want to be left out.
As he remarks, they never expected to see any war - but that was the opposite from what they'd ever have hoped.
This story is interspersed with the tale of the wife he left behind (played by Chelsie Preston Crayford) and the problems she faced while they were at war. It's a nice device which off sets the archive footage used by Preston to piece together the narrative. And it's one which many Kiwis will associate with.
There's a subtlety and restrained feeling about this film which makes it engaging - Ed's tell it like it is style means Home By Christmas will strike a chord with many in the audience who've heard hints of similar stories from previous generations. It's also a humbling and haunting film - but one which is important and needs to be told.
Extras: A Solid bunch here including making of, docos, deleted scenes and Ed's original interview, this is a well thought out batch which really rounds off the release and makes it essential viewing.
Rating: 8/10
Home By Christmas
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
It's a powerful New Zealand film memoir by Gaylene Preston based on interviews with her father Ed Preston about his time in World War 2 in Italy and North Africa.
Culled from archive material, Preston's called in the services of Goodbye Pork Pie's Tony Barry to narrate the material and essentially play her father. But as we learn early on, Ed was never too keen on sharing his experiences until one day, as a Christmas present, he decided to open up to his daughter.
What unfolds is the story of one man and how he signed up to the NZ Army back in 1940 because the rest of the rugby team were doing it for a free holiday and he didn't want to be left out.
As he remarks, they never expected to see any war - but that was the opposite from what they'd ever have hoped.
This story is interspersed with the tale of the wife he left behind (played by Chelsie Preston Crayford) and the problems she faced while they were at war. It's a nice device which off sets the archive footage used by Preston to piece together the narrative. And it's one which many Kiwis will associate with.
There's a subtlety and restrained feeling about this film which makes it engaging - Ed's tell it like it is style means Home By Christmas will strike a chord with many in the audience who've heard hints of similar stories from previous generations. It's also a humbling and haunting film - but one which is important and needs to be told.
Extras: A Solid bunch here including making of, docos, deleted scenes and Ed's original interview, this is a well thought out batch which really rounds off the release and makes it essential viewing.
Rating: 8/10
The Town: Movie Review
The Town: Movie Review
The Town
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Titus Welliver, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper
Director: Ben Affleck
Well, I think the first definite contender for Oscars 2011 just hit our cinemas.
In this flick, set in Charlestown in America, Affleck is Doug MacRay, a criminal who's found robbing banks is the only way to survive the miserable drudgery of working a construction job.
However, he along with his three co-robbers, end up abducting the manager of the latest bank they turn over - Claire, played by Rebecca Hall.
The problem is that they're not sure what Claire saw or heard so when Doug's volatile buddy Jem (a searingly jumpy turn by Jeremy Renner) suggests keeping an eye on her, Doug decides it'd be safer if he looked out for Claire.
As Doug and Claire's relationship begins to flourish into something, the police (led by Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Lost's Man in Black Titus Welliver) begin to close in on the gang - and Doug starts to wonder if he can ever escape from the life he's forged for himself.
I hadn't been expecting too much from a Ben Affleck outing to be honest - but thanks to some excellently restrained directing which allows the story to breathe and come to life, he's managed to put together a corker of a film with some brilliant ensemble performances - from the likes of Gossip Girl's Blake Lively as Jem's sister who's had an off-on-off again thing with Doug and is resentful of Claire to Jeremy Renner's nerve tingling performance as Jem, a man who can explode at any second.
That's not to say the likes of Pete Postlethwaite as a gangland kingpin who runs a florist and a cameo from Chris Cooper as Doug's dad don't shine - everyone brings their A game to this flick about desperation, hopes of escape and the promise of another life.
But it's Affleck who gives his soul to this project - action scenes, intelligent humour (one cop says at one point "You need a Venn diagram to keep all these together") and sensitive directing help the maudlin tone rise into something gripping and compelling.
It's the small dramatic moments which keep the film from the "too earnest" category which could have seen it derail as the fragile house of cards MacRay's stacked begin to fall.
Look for this to figure in the Oscars next year - and possibly someone from the Town to be heading up to the stage to pick something golden up.
The Town
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Titus Welliver, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper
Director: Ben Affleck
Well, I think the first definite contender for Oscars 2011 just hit our cinemas.
In this flick, set in Charlestown in America, Affleck is Doug MacRay, a criminal who's found robbing banks is the only way to survive the miserable drudgery of working a construction job.
However, he along with his three co-robbers, end up abducting the manager of the latest bank they turn over - Claire, played by Rebecca Hall.
The problem is that they're not sure what Claire saw or heard so when Doug's volatile buddy Jem (a searingly jumpy turn by Jeremy Renner) suggests keeping an eye on her, Doug decides it'd be safer if he looked out for Claire.
As Doug and Claire's relationship begins to flourish into something, the police (led by Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Lost's Man in Black Titus Welliver) begin to close in on the gang - and Doug starts to wonder if he can ever escape from the life he's forged for himself.
I hadn't been expecting too much from a Ben Affleck outing to be honest - but thanks to some excellently restrained directing which allows the story to breathe and come to life, he's managed to put together a corker of a film with some brilliant ensemble performances - from the likes of Gossip Girl's Blake Lively as Jem's sister who's had an off-on-off again thing with Doug and is resentful of Claire to Jeremy Renner's nerve tingling performance as Jem, a man who can explode at any second.
That's not to say the likes of Pete Postlethwaite as a gangland kingpin who runs a florist and a cameo from Chris Cooper as Doug's dad don't shine - everyone brings their A game to this flick about desperation, hopes of escape and the promise of another life.
But it's Affleck who gives his soul to this project - action scenes, intelligent humour (one cop says at one point "You need a Venn diagram to keep all these together") and sensitive directing help the maudlin tone rise into something gripping and compelling.
It's the small dramatic moments which keep the film from the "too earnest" category which could have seen it derail as the fragile house of cards MacRay's stacked begin to fall.
Look for this to figure in the Oscars next year - and possibly someone from the Town to be heading up to the stage to pick something golden up.
Eat Pray Love: Movie Review
Eat Pray Love: Movie Review
Eat Pray Love
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Julia Roberts, Billy Crudup, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkin
Director: Ryan Murphy
From the incredibly popular book by Elizabeth Gilbert and from the director who brought us Nip/Tuck and Glee comes this cinematic version of Eat, Pray, Love.
Julia Roberts stars as magazine writer Liz Gilbert, who's quite frankly restless in her married life with Stephen (Crudup) - one day, after much agonizing and following a chance visit to a Balinese medicine man, she decides to split from hubby and head around the world for a year to find herself again.
So she starts off in Italy, before heading to India and ending the year in Bali - on each journey, there's something to help her re-build. In Italy, it's the nourishment of food; in India, it's the replenishment of the spirit and in Bali, it's finally time for her heart to re-heal.
Along the way, Liz meets different men who have varying effects on her life - there's James Franco's David, the man she rebounds to after her divorce; in India there's the ever marvellous Richard Jenkin's Richard from Texas and finally in Bali, there's Javier Bardem's Felipe who reignites something in her heart.
Eat Pray Love is going to appeal to a certain sector of the audience; those who like the bon mots like "Having a baby is like having a tattoo on your face - you have to be fully committed"; that said, Julia Roberts is good as Liz but she can't carry the film which towards the end begins to sag and feel quite long and drawn out.
It looks beautiful in Italy - all the postcard picture perfect food and scenery remind you why the country is so popular; in India, it's Richard Jenkin's brilliant turn who instils some heart into the film but the whole thing is curiously unemotional for what should be a satisfying journey.
For a film which should be about soul, there's sadly too much of this lacking and not enough passion on display.
It's a shame because Roberts does the gamut of emotions well - but the film takes too long to get to its resolution and despite jabs of humour here and there, there's not enough to sustain Eat Pray Love as the nourishing experience it clearly longs to be.
Eat Pray Love
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Julia Roberts, Billy Crudup, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkin
Director: Ryan Murphy
From the incredibly popular book by Elizabeth Gilbert and from the director who brought us Nip/Tuck and Glee comes this cinematic version of Eat, Pray, Love.
Julia Roberts stars as magazine writer Liz Gilbert, who's quite frankly restless in her married life with Stephen (Crudup) - one day, after much agonizing and following a chance visit to a Balinese medicine man, she decides to split from hubby and head around the world for a year to find herself again.
So she starts off in Italy, before heading to India and ending the year in Bali - on each journey, there's something to help her re-build. In Italy, it's the nourishment of food; in India, it's the replenishment of the spirit and in Bali, it's finally time for her heart to re-heal.
Along the way, Liz meets different men who have varying effects on her life - there's James Franco's David, the man she rebounds to after her divorce; in India there's the ever marvellous Richard Jenkin's Richard from Texas and finally in Bali, there's Javier Bardem's Felipe who reignites something in her heart.
Eat Pray Love is going to appeal to a certain sector of the audience; those who like the bon mots like "Having a baby is like having a tattoo on your face - you have to be fully committed"; that said, Julia Roberts is good as Liz but she can't carry the film which towards the end begins to sag and feel quite long and drawn out.
It looks beautiful in Italy - all the postcard picture perfect food and scenery remind you why the country is so popular; in India, it's Richard Jenkin's brilliant turn who instils some heart into the film but the whole thing is curiously unemotional for what should be a satisfying journey.
For a film which should be about soul, there's sadly too much of this lacking and not enough passion on display.
It's a shame because Roberts does the gamut of emotions well - but the film takes too long to get to its resolution and despite jabs of humour here and there, there's not enough to sustain Eat Pray Love as the nourishing experience it clearly longs to be.
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