Leap Year: DVD Review
Leap Year
Rating: PG
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Amy Adams stars in this rom com about a girl Anna who's been with her
boyfriend for some four years but still doesn't have the commitment she needs in
the form of marriage.
So when she hears that he's off to Ireland for work and buoyed by the tale
that on the leap year in Ireland women can propose to men, she decides to take
the bull by the horns and seal the deal.
However, after a disastrous storm hits, she's diverted to the small Irish
village of Dingle on the other side of the Emerald Isle - and enlisting the help
of surly innkeeper Declan (Matthew Goode) she sets about achieving her
dream.
Except wouldn't you know it, there's a spark between the two - which begins
initially as antagonism and well, you can guess the rest.
Leap Year has been slammed by the Irish for its awful stereotyping of the
island's villagers - here they're played as bumbling fools and surly characters
so it's easy to see why the film got up their nose.
Also, it's not terribly funny - you can see the jokes (such as they are)
coming a mile off and while it's not an original one, sometimes it's about the
journey to the denouement.
And this one is about as much fun as pulling teeth. Goode mumbles a lot and
Amy Adams just about rises out of the mire - but all in all, it's a real
contender for the stinker of the year.
Extras: Trailer and deleted scenes.
Rating: 3/10
Thursday, 4 November 2010
After The Waterfall: Movie Review
After The Waterfall: Movie Review
After The Waterfall
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Antony Starr, Sally Stockwell, Peter McCauley, Cohen Holloway
Director: Simone Horrocks
Written and directed by Horrocks and shot entirely around Piha, After the Waterfall stars Outrageous Fortune's Antony Starr as John, a forest ranger.
John's life is one of always being there for his job and his mates, and in his wife's eyes that means he puts home life at the bottom of the rung. That's not to say he doesn't love them, however.
Things fall apart dramatically for the family when one day, under John's watchful eye out in the bush, his four-year-old daughter, Pearl, disappears.
As the search intensifies for Pearl, the cracks form in John's life; his wife leaves him and he inadvertently burns down the family home.
Cue three years later and John's still wallowing and stuck in the past - can he escape and start to live again?
This is a good film, excellently crafted by Simone Horrocks and with a great central performance of Outrageous Fortune's Antony Starr (soon to be seen on TV ONE's Sunday Theatre production Spies and Lies) - his John is completely lost and in need of redemption. It's a character that so easily could be lost to simple moping, but Starr imbues the screen with a plausible presence.
Piha makes a great backdrop to the mental state of mind of Starr - and Horrocks mines the best of the landscape to set a good vibe for the film.
However, it's slightly let down by the portrayal of the best friend who betrays John - while his character's vulnerable, Cohen Holloway's not quite as strong as he should be and it detracts from the emotional impact. The film's also a little slow in terms of pacing - but the bubbling, underlying tension helps you delve deep into the characters' psyche and, if you're patient, you are rewarded.
After the Waterfall largely succeeds because of Starr's performance and the restraint shown by Horrocks - with a soundtrack that's so sparse it's all about the acting and atmosphere; but with a tremendous performance from Starr as the damaged man, it's something a little different in the cinema.
After The Waterfall
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Antony Starr, Sally Stockwell, Peter McCauley, Cohen Holloway
Director: Simone Horrocks
Written and directed by Horrocks and shot entirely around Piha, After the Waterfall stars Outrageous Fortune's Antony Starr as John, a forest ranger.
John's life is one of always being there for his job and his mates, and in his wife's eyes that means he puts home life at the bottom of the rung. That's not to say he doesn't love them, however.
Things fall apart dramatically for the family when one day, under John's watchful eye out in the bush, his four-year-old daughter, Pearl, disappears.
As the search intensifies for Pearl, the cracks form in John's life; his wife leaves him and he inadvertently burns down the family home.
Cue three years later and John's still wallowing and stuck in the past - can he escape and start to live again?
This is a good film, excellently crafted by Simone Horrocks and with a great central performance of Outrageous Fortune's Antony Starr (soon to be seen on TV ONE's Sunday Theatre production Spies and Lies) - his John is completely lost and in need of redemption. It's a character that so easily could be lost to simple moping, but Starr imbues the screen with a plausible presence.
Piha makes a great backdrop to the mental state of mind of Starr - and Horrocks mines the best of the landscape to set a good vibe for the film.
However, it's slightly let down by the portrayal of the best friend who betrays John - while his character's vulnerable, Cohen Holloway's not quite as strong as he should be and it detracts from the emotional impact. The film's also a little slow in terms of pacing - but the bubbling, underlying tension helps you delve deep into the characters' psyche and, if you're patient, you are rewarded.
After the Waterfall largely succeeds because of Starr's performance and the restraint shown by Horrocks - with a soundtrack that's so sparse it's all about the acting and atmosphere; but with a tremendous performance from Starr as the damaged man, it's something a little different in the cinema.
Jackass 3D: Movie Review
Jackass 3D: Movie Review
Jackass 3D
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius
Director: Jeff Tremaine
There's a moment in Jackass 3D where one of the unlucky so and sos who subject themselves to all kinds of painful madness turns to the camera and says : "What are we doing here?" before the answer returns "Making a hit movie."
And that sort of sums up Jackass 3D - it's the same format as before; Johnny Knoxville and his gang of malicious miscreants inflict various forms of torture on each other for no other reason than it seemed a good idea at the time.
But, my goodness, in places, it's extremely funny.
There's no plot here - a series of skits, dares and moments are pushed together over the course of a 90 minute film. This time around the guys have gone for using a bit of 3D which serves only to demonstrate the pain level inflicted - and also to show facial contortions and how people's faces distort and jiggle when they're smacked about.
There's plenty of gross uses for the 3D in the film - and this isn't the forum to discuss various bodily functions and objects being used (not that I'm a prude I'll have you know) - but the best use of it comes right at the end when the gang is gathered together and a series of explosions ends the film. It's at this point the 3D really sings out and looks digitally stunning - rather than just stuff exploding and coming at you from the screen, the whole sequence springs vividly to life with depth and insanity sharing the celluloid brilliantly.
This film is frequently gross - think bums and air darts, portaloos and bungee ropes and you're starting to form an idea of how it'll all sit together. But yet, as I say in places, I just couldn't help laughing at the cojones (sometimes literally) on display and the minds that would come up with the various situations involved. From victims running a gauntlet of cattle prods and tasers to one annoying a ram with a horn and then running as the poor animal exacts its ramming revenge, there's all manner of bone crunching slow-mo replays and moments to enjoy. There's also plenty of dry retching involved when various parties are outgrossed by their own activities.
But the moment which works best for me is when one of the group finds the tables turned - however, I won't spoil that for you.
I guess what it comes down to with Jackass is how much you already like the format - and how much further you're willing to be grossed out.
This film's been a massive success in America - for certain sections of the audience, and with a few beers and a few of the lads, I reckon it's the perfect mixture of grossness, chutzpah from the team and impressive pranks which you're urged time and time again, not to try at home.
Jackass 3D
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius
Director: Jeff Tremaine
There's a moment in Jackass 3D where one of the unlucky so and sos who subject themselves to all kinds of painful madness turns to the camera and says : "What are we doing here?" before the answer returns "Making a hit movie."
And that sort of sums up Jackass 3D - it's the same format as before; Johnny Knoxville and his gang of malicious miscreants inflict various forms of torture on each other for no other reason than it seemed a good idea at the time.
But, my goodness, in places, it's extremely funny.
There's no plot here - a series of skits, dares and moments are pushed together over the course of a 90 minute film. This time around the guys have gone for using a bit of 3D which serves only to demonstrate the pain level inflicted - and also to show facial contortions and how people's faces distort and jiggle when they're smacked about.
There's plenty of gross uses for the 3D in the film - and this isn't the forum to discuss various bodily functions and objects being used (not that I'm a prude I'll have you know) - but the best use of it comes right at the end when the gang is gathered together and a series of explosions ends the film. It's at this point the 3D really sings out and looks digitally stunning - rather than just stuff exploding and coming at you from the screen, the whole sequence springs vividly to life with depth and insanity sharing the celluloid brilliantly.
This film is frequently gross - think bums and air darts, portaloos and bungee ropes and you're starting to form an idea of how it'll all sit together. But yet, as I say in places, I just couldn't help laughing at the cojones (sometimes literally) on display and the minds that would come up with the various situations involved. From victims running a gauntlet of cattle prods and tasers to one annoying a ram with a horn and then running as the poor animal exacts its ramming revenge, there's all manner of bone crunching slow-mo replays and moments to enjoy. There's also plenty of dry retching involved when various parties are outgrossed by their own activities.
But the moment which works best for me is when one of the group finds the tables turned - however, I won't spoil that for you.
I guess what it comes down to with Jackass is how much you already like the format - and how much further you're willing to be grossed out.
This film's been a massive success in America - for certain sections of the audience, and with a few beers and a few of the lads, I reckon it's the perfect mixture of grossness, chutzpah from the team and impressive pranks which you're urged time and time again, not to try at home.
The Killer Inside Me: Movie Review
The Killer Inside Me: Movie Review
The Killer Inside Me
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Casey Affleck, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Simon Baker
Director: Michael Winterbottom
A difficult watch to say the least, The Killer Inside Me (from acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom) is an adaptation of a Jim Thompson book about a sociopathic sheriff in 1950s Texas.
Casey Affleck plays said Sheriff Ford, who finds himself entangled in blackmail and extortion - as well as a torrid affair with prostitute Joyce (Jessica Alba) - and when things come to a head, boy, oh boy do they explode, as Ford discovers he's heading in deeper and deeper.
Things get worse for Sheriff Ford when The Mentalist's Simon Baker's character Howard Hendricks starts to investigate him (using very similar techniques to Patrick Jane as well) - and Ford finds he's in a real predicament.
This film, despite its slick 50s look and polished performances, is going to be steeped in controversy because of its violence- well, specifically its violence against the two women in Ford's life (both played wonderfully by Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson), which is shocking in the extreme.
While Affleck's performance is chilling and spot-on for a complete psychopath, it's a hard ask to watch a man who's meted out such violence as he has - audiences may find themselves split down the middle on this flick which has echoes of American Psycho (but none of the humour).
It's a shame because the film noir look works wonderfully and is evocative of '50s America and its seedy underbelly that breaks out from under the quiet veneer.
But The Killer Inside Me will polarise people because of its shocking violence, which actually leaves you numb and has led to accusations of the director being a misogynist, as the only violence towards men happens off screen, as opposed to the full glare of the women's demise.
It's gritty, dark, visceral, uncompromising and divisive cinema - so you have been warned.
The Killer Inside Me
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Casey Affleck, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Simon Baker
Director: Michael Winterbottom
A difficult watch to say the least, The Killer Inside Me (from acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom) is an adaptation of a Jim Thompson book about a sociopathic sheriff in 1950s Texas.
Casey Affleck plays said Sheriff Ford, who finds himself entangled in blackmail and extortion - as well as a torrid affair with prostitute Joyce (Jessica Alba) - and when things come to a head, boy, oh boy do they explode, as Ford discovers he's heading in deeper and deeper.
Things get worse for Sheriff Ford when The Mentalist's Simon Baker's character Howard Hendricks starts to investigate him (using very similar techniques to Patrick Jane as well) - and Ford finds he's in a real predicament.
This film, despite its slick 50s look and polished performances, is going to be steeped in controversy because of its violence- well, specifically its violence against the two women in Ford's life (both played wonderfully by Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson), which is shocking in the extreme.
While Affleck's performance is chilling and spot-on for a complete psychopath, it's a hard ask to watch a man who's meted out such violence as he has - audiences may find themselves split down the middle on this flick which has echoes of American Psycho (but none of the humour).
It's a shame because the film noir look works wonderfully and is evocative of '50s America and its seedy underbelly that breaks out from under the quiet veneer.
But The Killer Inside Me will polarise people because of its shocking violence, which actually leaves you numb and has led to accusations of the director being a misogynist, as the only violence towards men happens off screen, as opposed to the full glare of the women's demise.
It's gritty, dark, visceral, uncompromising and divisive cinema - so you have been warned.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Grand Designs: S7: DVD Review
Grand Designs: S7: DVD Review
Grand Designs Series Seven
Rating: PG
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Seven years on, Kevin McCloud continues to mine the series which has proved so popular with the masses.
The formula's simple - McCloud follows couples and families as they build their own home. It's usually a culmination of years of dreaming and planning - but is fraught with problems and cases of ambition getting ahead of reality.
This latest series collects seven planned builds - including a contemporary mansion, a Victorian folly and a home made from tyres.
With Kevin's easy charm and simplistic form of presenting, it continues to inform, entertain and inspire.
At the same time, Grand Designs Trade Secrets is released - a companion piece which gives tips and hints behind the scenes of the builds. It's a chance to go deeper into the builds and maybe indulge
your fantasies. This series has been released as a companion to Series Seven and will be a welcome release to fans of the genre, with a fascinatng look at the builds and some expert advice on hand, it'll further fuel the desire to get out and renovate.
Rating: 7/10
Grand Designs Series Seven
Rating: PG
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Seven years on, Kevin McCloud continues to mine the series which has proved so popular with the masses.
The formula's simple - McCloud follows couples and families as they build their own home. It's usually a culmination of years of dreaming and planning - but is fraught with problems and cases of ambition getting ahead of reality.
This latest series collects seven planned builds - including a contemporary mansion, a Victorian folly and a home made from tyres.
With Kevin's easy charm and simplistic form of presenting, it continues to inform, entertain and inspire.
At the same time, Grand Designs Trade Secrets is released - a companion piece which gives tips and hints behind the scenes of the builds. It's a chance to go deeper into the builds and maybe indulge
your fantasies. This series has been released as a companion to Series Seven and will be a welcome release to fans of the genre, with a fascinatng look at the builds and some expert advice on hand, it'll further fuel the desire to get out and renovate.
Rating: 7/10
The A Team: Blu Ray Review
The A Team: Blu Ray Review
The A Team
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
In this latest version we're treated to the rebirth of the series (a kind of origin film) and we see how the A Team came together.
The team first forms in Mexico - with "Hannibal" Smith (Liam Neeson) enlisting the help of Face (Bradley Cooper), BA Baracus (Quinton Jackson) and Murdoch (Sharlto Copley) to escape. The quartet form a close bond and become a clandestine unit for some successful 80 odd missions together.
But the one mission which changes their lives sees them as soldiers in Iraq and assigned by the CIA and their lackey (Patrick Wilson) to take back a US dollar bill printing press snatched by the remnants of Saddam's Iraqi guards.
However, the A Team finds themselves framed (as the infamous TV series opening goes) and they set out to clear their names and catch the bad guys.
The A Team remains faithful to fans of the show and yet manages to reinvent it for a new generation. A wonderfully action packed opener sees the gang thrown together and introduced in a clever piece of plotting - and from there on, you're charmed by all four main performances.
For an action film, there's just the right amount of action too - it doesn't dominate the story - and even offers up some new takes on the stock action sequences.
But it's the chemistry between Cooper, Neeson, Copley and Jackson which really make this work
Extras: Theme mash up montage - slightly odd and a little disappointing. The Blu Ray release is a better buy as it comes in an extended cut with behind the scenes content, inside the action doco, character chronicles, gag reel and deleted scenes (definitely worth the extra cash.)
Rating: 8/10
The A Team
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
In this latest version we're treated to the rebirth of the series (a kind of origin film) and we see how the A Team came together.
The team first forms in Mexico - with "Hannibal" Smith (Liam Neeson) enlisting the help of Face (Bradley Cooper), BA Baracus (Quinton Jackson) and Murdoch (Sharlto Copley) to escape. The quartet form a close bond and become a clandestine unit for some successful 80 odd missions together.
But the one mission which changes their lives sees them as soldiers in Iraq and assigned by the CIA and their lackey (Patrick Wilson) to take back a US dollar bill printing press snatched by the remnants of Saddam's Iraqi guards.
However, the A Team finds themselves framed (as the infamous TV series opening goes) and they set out to clear their names and catch the bad guys.
The A Team remains faithful to fans of the show and yet manages to reinvent it for a new generation. A wonderfully action packed opener sees the gang thrown together and introduced in a clever piece of plotting - and from there on, you're charmed by all four main performances.
For an action film, there's just the right amount of action too - it doesn't dominate the story - and even offers up some new takes on the stock action sequences.
But it's the chemistry between Cooper, Neeson, Copley and Jackson which really make this work
Extras: Theme mash up montage - slightly odd and a little disappointing. The Blu Ray release is a better buy as it comes in an extended cut with behind the scenes content, inside the action doco, character chronicles, gag reel and deleted scenes (definitely worth the extra cash.)
Rating: 8/10
The Last Station: DVD Review
The Last Station: DVD Review
The Last Station
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films
The Last Station is about Leo Tolstoy and the final year of his life.
As time begins to take its toll on Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer), his fervent disciples, lead by Paul Giamatti's Vladimir Chertkov are trying desperately to get him to change his will to leave them everything.
That way, they can be guaranteed that his work survives.
However, one thing standing in their way - and with a fair degree of reason on her side - is his wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren).
Thrust into this stand off is a brand new secretary (James McAvoy) - even though he's a dedicated Tolstoyian, the secretary comes to question what's going on.
There's plenty to enjoy in The Last Station - thanks to a rich script and a beautifully shot story, you'll find yourself captivated by it all.
But it's the two lead actors who really take your breath away; it's clear to see why these two were lavished with Oscar nominations this year - and it's also a shame that they lost out. It's a marvellous towering performance from Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy himself and an even better performance from Helen Mirren as his wife Sofya.
Sadly the last half hour of the film feels a little drawn out - which is a shame as this is the emotional crux of the film and the pacing feels a bit off; perhaps that's because we're so spoilt early on with the mix of melodrama, politics, greed and wit.
Extras: Tribute to Christopher Plummer, Cast Interviews
Rating: 8/10
The Last Station
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films
The Last Station is about Leo Tolstoy and the final year of his life.
As time begins to take its toll on Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer), his fervent disciples, lead by Paul Giamatti's Vladimir Chertkov are trying desperately to get him to change his will to leave them everything.
That way, they can be guaranteed that his work survives.
However, one thing standing in their way - and with a fair degree of reason on her side - is his wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren).
Thrust into this stand off is a brand new secretary (James McAvoy) - even though he's a dedicated Tolstoyian, the secretary comes to question what's going on.
There's plenty to enjoy in The Last Station - thanks to a rich script and a beautifully shot story, you'll find yourself captivated by it all.
But it's the two lead actors who really take your breath away; it's clear to see why these two were lavished with Oscar nominations this year - and it's also a shame that they lost out. It's a marvellous towering performance from Christopher Plummer as Tolstoy himself and an even better performance from Helen Mirren as his wife Sofya.
Sadly the last half hour of the film feels a little drawn out - which is a shame as this is the emotional crux of the film and the pacing feels a bit off; perhaps that's because we're so spoilt early on with the mix of melodrama, politics, greed and wit.
Extras: Tribute to Christopher Plummer, Cast Interviews
Rating: 8/10
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