Glee Series One: DVD Review
Glee Series One
Released by Roadshow
Entertainment
Rating: PG
Once in a while a series comes onto TV which strikes a chord with so
many.
This year's contender is Glee, an American
series about a high school music club from the creator of over the top plastic
surgery show Nip/Tuck.
As the series begins, the
Glee Club's future is in doubt after its current leader is fired for
inappropriate behaviour. Matthew Morrison's Will is given the job of taking it
over and sets about bringing up the rag tag bunch to scratch - while trying to
ensure its future.
The future is threatened by an
Emmy award winning turn from Jane Lynch as the conniving cheerleading coach.
Throw in a sprinkling of musical numbers which capture
the current pop zeitgeist and it's easy to see why this show is a success - it's
feelgood fun which will continue to entertain long after you've finished all 22
episodes of Series One.
Extras:
Rating: 7/10
Friday, 22 October 2010
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Four Lions: Movie Review
Four Lions: Movie Review
Four Lions
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak, Riz Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Adeel Akhtar
Director: Chris Morris
A comedy film about British Muslims looking to commit a terrorist act - there's already some of you out there reading this who've formed your own opinion of what this is.
Well, let me tell you - you're completely wrong.
British satirist Chris Morris turns his eye on four would be suicide bombers in this hilariously insane comedy.
The would be terror cell are so incompetent that their leader Omar (Ahmed) shows the messed up takes of their terrorist video to his son and says they could be deleted scenes for a DVD release.
This quartet wants to take their dreams of Jihadism to new levels - and plot to devastate the London Marathon. But Omar is disillusioned about the treatment of Muslims around the world and is determined to become a soldier - however, his views clash with that of white Islamic convert Barry (Lindsay) who believes a) that he's "the most al Qaeda one here" and b) that blowing up a mosque would be the best way to set the world alight.
As their ideologies and opinions clash, the group blunders ever closer to achieving their goals - despite their innate stupidity.
Sure,in anyone else's hands the words suicide bombers and comedy wouldn't work but with Morris, everything in this film works.
From the minute the film opens,it's clear the clueless quartet have no idea what they're doing- in Morris' hands (along with script writers of the brilliant Peep Show)this is savagely funny (even if you can see some of the jokes coming).
Granted there will be debate about how the four are portrayed - and some will take offence.
However, the writers planned for that during their in depth research and talking to Muslims - every sensitivity has been taken to ensure what you see on screen is not offensive or racist.
What Morris and his team of writers have done is take logical arguments over the matter to the absolute absurd end.
There are also endlessly quotable lines too which will find their way into people's Facebook statuses.
But no one in this ends up superior -even the police are incompetent (a great scene sees two policemen arguing over whether they've shot a man in a bear costume or a Wookie outfit during a fun run) - it's this kind of approach which Morris has adopted - everyone's an idiot and no-one's more superior to anyone.
It's farcical in places and yet as the final scenes roll out, it's also quite poignant and sad as you realise these four have negotiated themselves into a corner. It's the sign of an insanely smart writer and director that such an ending can be achieved.
However, be warned this film contains an infectious use of a Toploader song.
Four Lions
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak, Riz Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Adeel Akhtar
Director: Chris Morris
A comedy film about British Muslims looking to commit a terrorist act - there's already some of you out there reading this who've formed your own opinion of what this is.
Well, let me tell you - you're completely wrong.
British satirist Chris Morris turns his eye on four would be suicide bombers in this hilariously insane comedy.
The would be terror cell are so incompetent that their leader Omar (Ahmed) shows the messed up takes of their terrorist video to his son and says they could be deleted scenes for a DVD release.
This quartet wants to take their dreams of Jihadism to new levels - and plot to devastate the London Marathon. But Omar is disillusioned about the treatment of Muslims around the world and is determined to become a soldier - however, his views clash with that of white Islamic convert Barry (Lindsay) who believes a) that he's "the most al Qaeda one here" and b) that blowing up a mosque would be the best way to set the world alight.
As their ideologies and opinions clash, the group blunders ever closer to achieving their goals - despite their innate stupidity.
Sure,in anyone else's hands the words suicide bombers and comedy wouldn't work but with Morris, everything in this film works.
From the minute the film opens,it's clear the clueless quartet have no idea what they're doing- in Morris' hands (along with script writers of the brilliant Peep Show)this is savagely funny (even if you can see some of the jokes coming).
Granted there will be debate about how the four are portrayed - and some will take offence.
However, the writers planned for that during their in depth research and talking to Muslims - every sensitivity has been taken to ensure what you see on screen is not offensive or racist.
What Morris and his team of writers have done is take logical arguments over the matter to the absolute absurd end.
There are also endlessly quotable lines too which will find their way into people's Facebook statuses.
But no one in this ends up superior -even the police are incompetent (a great scene sees two policemen arguing over whether they've shot a man in a bear costume or a Wookie outfit during a fun run) - it's this kind of approach which Morris has adopted - everyone's an idiot and no-one's more superior to anyone.
It's farcical in places and yet as the final scenes roll out, it's also quite poignant and sad as you realise these four have negotiated themselves into a corner. It's the sign of an insanely smart writer and director that such an ending can be achieved.
However, be warned this film contains an infectious use of a Toploader song.
Life As We Know It: Movie Review
Life As We Know It: Movie Review
Life As We Know It
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, a baby.
Director: Greg Berlanti
Katherine Heigl, of Grey's Anatomy fame, returns to the rom-com genre (yeah, who would have seen that coming?) with this latest outing.
She stars as Holly Berenson, an uptight control freak of a bakery owner, and godparent to her best friend's daughter, Sophie.
Also along in the godfathering stakes is Josh Duhamel as Eric Messer, a slacker man-child jock who is happy with one-night stands and no form of commitment.
The pair meet at the start of the film after they're set up on a date that goes disastrously wrong - he's a biker, she drives a Smart car (as an aside who knew these cars would take off? First Waimoana in Charles Mesure's series This Is Not My Life - and now Hollywood) - but they find their lives thrust violently into collision when their mutual friends (and Sophie's parents) die in a car crash.
Holly and Messer are named as guardians to Sophie and are forced to live in a house and try the parenting game. But before long sparks are flying and Sophie's future is far from certain.
Life As We Know It is a pleasantly predictable romantic comedy with two affable leads. It won't win anything in the originality stakes but it won't leave you angry at the end of it, as some of Katherine Heigl's previous efforts are wont to do.
Sure, there's plenty of comedy to be mined from the fact these two are clearly out of their league as parents - and there's plenty of comedy to be mined from the inevitable baby pooing gags.
That's the thing with this film; you know exactly what's coming - whether it's the growing romantic tension between the leads or the problems they face, it's all fairly unoriginal fare - even though there are some amusing moments.
And yet it's going to be popular because it's recognisable - so many will feel it's their lives up on the screen in some form or another - and with two leads with a decent amount of chemistry, this piece of disposable film doesn't exactly sag in its two-hour running time or overstay its welcome.
Life As We Know It
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, a baby.
Director: Greg Berlanti
Katherine Heigl, of Grey's Anatomy fame, returns to the rom-com genre (yeah, who would have seen that coming?) with this latest outing.
She stars as Holly Berenson, an uptight control freak of a bakery owner, and godparent to her best friend's daughter, Sophie.
Also along in the godfathering stakes is Josh Duhamel as Eric Messer, a slacker man-child jock who is happy with one-night stands and no form of commitment.
The pair meet at the start of the film after they're set up on a date that goes disastrously wrong - he's a biker, she drives a Smart car (as an aside who knew these cars would take off? First Waimoana in Charles Mesure's series This Is Not My Life - and now Hollywood) - but they find their lives thrust violently into collision when their mutual friends (and Sophie's parents) die in a car crash.
Holly and Messer are named as guardians to Sophie and are forced to live in a house and try the parenting game. But before long sparks are flying and Sophie's future is far from certain.
Life As We Know It is a pleasantly predictable romantic comedy with two affable leads. It won't win anything in the originality stakes but it won't leave you angry at the end of it, as some of Katherine Heigl's previous efforts are wont to do.
Sure, there's plenty of comedy to be mined from the fact these two are clearly out of their league as parents - and there's plenty of comedy to be mined from the inevitable baby pooing gags.
That's the thing with this film; you know exactly what's coming - whether it's the growing romantic tension between the leads or the problems they face, it's all fairly unoriginal fare - even though there are some amusing moments.
And yet it's going to be popular because it's recognisable - so many will feel it's their lives up on the screen in some form or another - and with two leads with a decent amount of chemistry, this piece of disposable film doesn't exactly sag in its two-hour running time or overstay its welcome.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Paranormal Activity 2: Movie Review
Paranormal Activity 2: Movie Review
Paranormal Activity 2
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Stoat, Brian Boland, Sprague Grayden
Director: Tod Williams
So how do you follow up a soaraway break out horror like Paranormal Activity?
As with the Saw franchise, the news that a sequel to the first would be in cinemas in time for Hallowe'en less than a year after the first frightened up an audience was greeted with a groan.
But I'm happy to report this sequel/ prequel is better than the first.
Once again, it's a doco style film where everything unfolds through CCTV around a house - this time, it's the home of Paranormal Activity's original victim Katie - to be specific it's sister Kristi (Sprague Grayden), a recent mother.
It begins 60 days before the death of Micah from the first film - the handheld video camera captures the return home of the new mom and her son Hunter as they begin their new life with husband Daniel and daughter Ali and their pet Alsatian.
But after the home is ransacked and despite the fact nothing's taken except a necklace, Daniel decides to get CCTV installed around to ensure the family's safety.
However, within a few days of the CCTV going up, Kristi becomes convinced that something is in the house as a series of noises, and unexplained phenomena hit.
Dismissed by her husband, Kristi confides her fears in her sister Katie (Featherston) that their family past is once again haunting them.
Things continue to get worse and daughter Ali starts to suspect something truly sinister is afoot - despite the skepticism of her parents&.
Consider this your warning - we're entering minor spoiler territory now.
Paranormal Activity 2 is sinister, creepy, and improves on the first one. Those involved could have simply once again ramped up the scares and gone for obvious horrors - but thanks to a degree of restraint, there's an ominous tone of creeping horror in this sequel (which is more prequel than anything).
The setting of a domestic bliss of a new family is disturbing and horrifying - particularly if you've seen one scene of what happens to new son Hunter in the trailer (watch that at the bottom of this review) - but it's that decision to set this within what would be a normally happy home that proves to be so freaky.
All of the cast are so ordinary and just seem to be going about their day to day business that you can't help but buy in and forget you're watching a film.
But as the film rumbles on, there's a hideous sense of foreboding and sustained tension within which this time round appears to be more effective - it's a deep rooted psychological fear and the reasons given for why what is happening may be a little hokey for some; but to others it will all be part of the experience.
And once again that's what Paranormal Activity 2 offers - one hell of a scary experience and one which grows on the first. You may find yourself sleeping with the light on when you get home - and sure, the shocks, jolts and frights aren't in every scene but thanks to the clever way you become part of their world, they're truly upsetting when the terrifying crescendo reaches its peak.
There'll be debate about the end - the way its callousness concludes the film is shocking and there's plenty of scope for a third film to wrap it all up.
It's good to see that in 2010 we can still be disturbed and frightened stupid by a mobile turning in a crib or a pan falling on the floor - the makers of this second film have done an excellent job in cranking up the fear factor and not destroying what they committed to screen in the first.
Paranormal Activity 2
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Stoat, Brian Boland, Sprague Grayden
Director: Tod Williams
So how do you follow up a soaraway break out horror like Paranormal Activity?
As with the Saw franchise, the news that a sequel to the first would be in cinemas in time for Hallowe'en less than a year after the first frightened up an audience was greeted with a groan.
But I'm happy to report this sequel/ prequel is better than the first.
Once again, it's a doco style film where everything unfolds through CCTV around a house - this time, it's the home of Paranormal Activity's original victim Katie - to be specific it's sister Kristi (Sprague Grayden), a recent mother.
It begins 60 days before the death of Micah from the first film - the handheld video camera captures the return home of the new mom and her son Hunter as they begin their new life with husband Daniel and daughter Ali and their pet Alsatian.
But after the home is ransacked and despite the fact nothing's taken except a necklace, Daniel decides to get CCTV installed around to ensure the family's safety.
However, within a few days of the CCTV going up, Kristi becomes convinced that something is in the house as a series of noises, and unexplained phenomena hit.
Dismissed by her husband, Kristi confides her fears in her sister Katie (Featherston) that their family past is once again haunting them.
Things continue to get worse and daughter Ali starts to suspect something truly sinister is afoot - despite the skepticism of her parents&.
Consider this your warning - we're entering minor spoiler territory now.
Paranormal Activity 2 is sinister, creepy, and improves on the first one. Those involved could have simply once again ramped up the scares and gone for obvious horrors - but thanks to a degree of restraint, there's an ominous tone of creeping horror in this sequel (which is more prequel than anything).
The setting of a domestic bliss of a new family is disturbing and horrifying - particularly if you've seen one scene of what happens to new son Hunter in the trailer (watch that at the bottom of this review) - but it's that decision to set this within what would be a normally happy home that proves to be so freaky.
All of the cast are so ordinary and just seem to be going about their day to day business that you can't help but buy in and forget you're watching a film.
But as the film rumbles on, there's a hideous sense of foreboding and sustained tension within which this time round appears to be more effective - it's a deep rooted psychological fear and the reasons given for why what is happening may be a little hokey for some; but to others it will all be part of the experience.
And once again that's what Paranormal Activity 2 offers - one hell of a scary experience and one which grows on the first. You may find yourself sleeping with the light on when you get home - and sure, the shocks, jolts and frights aren't in every scene but thanks to the clever way you become part of their world, they're truly upsetting when the terrifying crescendo reaches its peak.
There'll be debate about the end - the way its callousness concludes the film is shocking and there's plenty of scope for a third film to wrap it all up.
It's good to see that in 2010 we can still be disturbed and frightened stupid by a mobile turning in a crib or a pan falling on the floor - the makers of this second film have done an excellent job in cranking up the fear factor and not destroying what they committed to screen in the first.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Farewell: Movie Review
Farewell: Movie Review
Farewell
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Guillaume Canet, Emir Kusturica, Willem Dafoe, Fred Ward, David Soul
Director: Christian Carion
It's back to the 1980s for this espionage thriller set in events which led to the fall of the Soviet Bloc.
As it opens on a white landscape filled with snow, a lone wolf watches troops head off into a truck - and from there, the action flicks from the cold wastelands to the decadent west of the 1980s France.
Guillaume Canet is Pierre Froment, an engineer who's caught up in the world of espionage and trading secrets to the Soviets. But soon, this relatively naïve spy is making big waves in the world and powers higher up are wondering where the leaks are coming from.
And as the web is more deeply woven, both Reagan (Fred Ward) and Gorbachev, as well as President Mitterand find themselves in the line of suspicion as a cat and mouse game develops between intelligence agencies.
Farewell is a globe trotting complex and deeply rich film - it starts off slowly and builds towards the end. There's an authenticity to the film which is there from the beginning - and Fred Ward impresses as Reagan.
While it's intelligent and engrossing film making, it does at times teeter on the slightly slow side as it follows its story from beginning to end. That's not to say it's not captivating - more the case
That said though, if you fancy spending some time reliving the 80s spy paranoia, then this could be the film for you.
Farewell
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Guillaume Canet, Emir Kusturica, Willem Dafoe, Fred Ward, David Soul
Director: Christian Carion
It's back to the 1980s for this espionage thriller set in events which led to the fall of the Soviet Bloc.
As it opens on a white landscape filled with snow, a lone wolf watches troops head off into a truck - and from there, the action flicks from the cold wastelands to the decadent west of the 1980s France.
Guillaume Canet is Pierre Froment, an engineer who's caught up in the world of espionage and trading secrets to the Soviets. But soon, this relatively naïve spy is making big waves in the world and powers higher up are wondering where the leaks are coming from.
And as the web is more deeply woven, both Reagan (Fred Ward) and Gorbachev, as well as President Mitterand find themselves in the line of suspicion as a cat and mouse game develops between intelligence agencies.
Farewell is a globe trotting complex and deeply rich film - it starts off slowly and builds towards the end. There's an authenticity to the film which is there from the beginning - and Fred Ward impresses as Reagan.
While it's intelligent and engrossing film making, it does at times teeter on the slightly slow side as it follows its story from beginning to end. That's not to say it's not captivating - more the case
That said though, if you fancy spending some time reliving the 80s spy paranoia, then this could be the film for you.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Clash Of The Titans: DVD Review
Clash Of The Titans: DVD Review
Clash Of The Titans
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Remade from the very much loved Ray Harryhausen version of Clash of the Titans, Avatar's Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, the son of the ancient Greek god Zeus (a bearded Liam Neeson).
Perseus finds himself right in the middle of a potential war when the gods declare war on the mortals - and with Hades about to unleash hell on earth, only Perseus can save the world.
Certain sections of the audience will be wowed by Sam Worthington's performance (the majority of which appears to be spent scowling and glowering). The rest of the cast are okay but they're simply there as window dressing (Gemma Arterton as Perseus' protector Io, particularly is not the strongest and appears to have been brought in for her dusky looks) to the creatures and the story.
Most disappointing is Ralph Fiennes' hammy Hades - he's whispering and doesn't really do much to convey menace (although the effects for Hades are pretty good).
As disposable entertainment goes on a Friday night, this is nothing earth shattering and does exactly what it sets out to - it's probably more suited to the younger end of the market.
Extras: Additional scenes add nothing to the distinctly average release
Rating: 5/10
Clash Of The Titans
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Remade from the very much loved Ray Harryhausen version of Clash of the Titans, Avatar's Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, the son of the ancient Greek god Zeus (a bearded Liam Neeson).
Perseus finds himself right in the middle of a potential war when the gods declare war on the mortals - and with Hades about to unleash hell on earth, only Perseus can save the world.
Certain sections of the audience will be wowed by Sam Worthington's performance (the majority of which appears to be spent scowling and glowering). The rest of the cast are okay but they're simply there as window dressing (Gemma Arterton as Perseus' protector Io, particularly is not the strongest and appears to have been brought in for her dusky looks) to the creatures and the story.
Most disappointing is Ralph Fiennes' hammy Hades - he's whispering and doesn't really do much to convey menace (although the effects for Hades are pretty good).
As disposable entertainment goes on a Friday night, this is nothing earth shattering and does exactly what it sets out to - it's probably more suited to the younger end of the market.
Extras: Additional scenes add nothing to the distinctly average release
Rating: 5/10
Dr Who S5 V4: Blu Ray Review
Dr Who S5 V4: Blu Ray Review
Dr Who Series 5: Vol 4
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: PG
So the final volume of the latest series of Dr Who gets a release - and once again, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan get the chance to shine.
The final set contains 4 adventures for the Doc and Amy - including the two part season finale (but more on that in a mo).
It's clearly about the guest stars and talent in this final clutch of four - Vincent and the Doctor is written by Richard Curtis of Britcom fame and starring Bill Nighy and in The Lodger James Corden of Gavin and Stacey fame stars. The two tales are ok - Vincent and the Doctor seems to have a giant style chicken as the baddie haunting Vincent Van Gogh and his dark ways and The Lodger sees the Doc stranded in the UK after Amy has mishap in the TARDIS.
The final tale (The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang) sees the Doc facing an army of baddies and River Song (Alex Kingston) back once again. It's a so-so season final and seems to spend a lot of time setting up for future series rather than providing some kind of closure after 13 eps. That said, it is worth it for Amy's great wedding speech where she manages to reconjure up the Doctor - it's a take of the something borrowed lines - and it's a moment of genius from Steven Moffat.
An excellent pixel perfect conversion for Blu Ray gives the Doc's world some sparkly HD makeover.
All in all, this year had such promise for a new Doctor - thankfully Matt Smith's never disappointed and given the performance of his life. I am just hoping for more next year from the writing team.
Extra: The Monster Files delves into the army of baddies which face off against the Doc at the end - it's ten minutes of relative fluff from behind the scenes - all the best stuff will be being saved for the complete series box set.
Rating: 6/10
Dr Who Series 5: Vol 4
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: PG
So the final volume of the latest series of Dr Who gets a release - and once again, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan get the chance to shine.
The final set contains 4 adventures for the Doc and Amy - including the two part season finale (but more on that in a mo).
It's clearly about the guest stars and talent in this final clutch of four - Vincent and the Doctor is written by Richard Curtis of Britcom fame and starring Bill Nighy and in The Lodger James Corden of Gavin and Stacey fame stars. The two tales are ok - Vincent and the Doctor seems to have a giant style chicken as the baddie haunting Vincent Van Gogh and his dark ways and The Lodger sees the Doc stranded in the UK after Amy has mishap in the TARDIS.
The final tale (The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang) sees the Doc facing an army of baddies and River Song (Alex Kingston) back once again. It's a so-so season final and seems to spend a lot of time setting up for future series rather than providing some kind of closure after 13 eps. That said, it is worth it for Amy's great wedding speech where she manages to reconjure up the Doctor - it's a take of the something borrowed lines - and it's a moment of genius from Steven Moffat.
An excellent pixel perfect conversion for Blu Ray gives the Doc's world some sparkly HD makeover.
All in all, this year had such promise for a new Doctor - thankfully Matt Smith's never disappointed and given the performance of his life. I am just hoping for more next year from the writing team.
Extra: The Monster Files delves into the army of baddies which face off against the Doc at the end - it's ten minutes of relative fluff from behind the scenes - all the best stuff will be being saved for the complete series box set.
Rating: 6/10
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