Horrible Bosses: Movie Review
Horrible Bosses
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudekis, Jennifer
Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Julie Bowen
Director: Seth Gordon
Let's face it - who hasn't thought of offing their boss in a moment of
revenge and sweet justice after years of being ignored, mistreated or passed
over?
Right, so it's just me then - well, that's pretty much the premise of this
new comedy starring Jason Bateman.
Bateman is Nick Hendricks who despises his boss Dave Harken (Spacey) after
he's passed up for promotion; his pals Dale (Day) and Kurt (Sudekis) who have
issues with their bosses played by Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell
respectively.
Perhaps Dale has it worst with his sexually suggestive and lecherous dental
boss Julia (played with delicious relish by Aniston) as she's always trying to
seduce him and continually sexually harasses him.
So the trio decides enough is enough and plot to off their big bad bosses to
ensure their continual happiness.
But because they're inept, things go seriously awry.
Much like the film itself, to be brutally frank.
Bitterly disappointing and horribly flat at times, Horrible Bosses is
crushingly unfunny which is a real shock given the talent involved. Don't get me
wrong, the main trio work well and have a good dynamic but the dark comedy of
this premise goes largely unexplored and becomes quite wasted as the time wears
on.
Aniston clearly has fun, putting to bed the good girl image she's spent years
on - and some of the language out of that potty mouthed character will surprise
some and will make force casting agents to look at other darker roles for her.
Spacey is menacing as one boss but Farrell's barely on screen for long enough to
warrant anything more than a cameo appearance in this.
Bateman, Day and Sudekis gel well on the screen and there are some laugh out
loud funny moments - but they're too few and far between for this version of the
Three Stooges. Bateman and Day are the clear stand outs - with Bateman
channeling his usual laconic style and Day bringing some welcome manic moments
to the fore. But it's just not enough to save it.
Ultimately Horrible Bosses runs out of steam and its uninspired denouement is
clearly sign posted well in advance; as an overall experience, it's one which is
hollow, lacking and whilst it's not exactly a waste of all those involved, it's
a shame that it couldn't be something more original and funny instead of a flat,
uneven night out at the cinema.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Larry Crowne: Movie Review
Larry Crowne: Movie Review
Larry Crowne
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bryan Cranston, George Takei, Cedric The Entertainer, Wilmer Valderrama
Director: Tom Hanks
A rom com with Tom Hanks directing and starring and co-written with Julia Roberts may not sound like a hit but Larry Crowne is an absolute surprise.
Hanks plays Larry Crowne, a former Navy man who's working in a WalMart style shop. One day, however, he finds he's a victim of downsizing and it's revealed he was targetted because he had no college education and will never succeed in any company.
So, armed with that information Crowne heads back to enrol in community college - and winds up in a motivational class run by Julia Roberts' disenchanted and disillusioned teacher Mercedes Tainot.
However, Crowne finds a new lease on life - as does Tainot as the two of them rediscover what's important in their lives.
Sure, it sounds sickly and sentimental, but this film from Hanks is actually a lot of fun and an unexpected life affirming pleasure. With a quirky script and some brilliant supporting turns (particularly by Gugu Mbatha-Raw - this girl is heading for big things) it's funny, heart warming and dry.
George Takei enlivens things no end with his stuffily deadpan economics professor and gets the lion's share of the best lines - but Hanks manages to negotiate a couple of lulls in the proceedings and offers up something pleasant and thoroughly entertaining in this small nicely polished film.
Larry Crowne
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bryan Cranston, George Takei, Cedric The Entertainer, Wilmer Valderrama
Director: Tom Hanks
A rom com with Tom Hanks directing and starring and co-written with Julia Roberts may not sound like a hit but Larry Crowne is an absolute surprise.
Hanks plays Larry Crowne, a former Navy man who's working in a WalMart style shop. One day, however, he finds he's a victim of downsizing and it's revealed he was targetted because he had no college education and will never succeed in any company.
So, armed with that information Crowne heads back to enrol in community college - and winds up in a motivational class run by Julia Roberts' disenchanted and disillusioned teacher Mercedes Tainot.
However, Crowne finds a new lease on life - as does Tainot as the two of them rediscover what's important in their lives.
Sure, it sounds sickly and sentimental, but this film from Hanks is actually a lot of fun and an unexpected life affirming pleasure. With a quirky script and some brilliant supporting turns (particularly by Gugu Mbatha-Raw - this girl is heading for big things) it's funny, heart warming and dry.
George Takei enlivens things no end with his stuffily deadpan economics professor and gets the lion's share of the best lines - but Hanks manages to negotiate a couple of lulls in the proceedings and offers up something pleasant and thoroughly entertaining in this small nicely polished film.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Movie Review
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Movie Review
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Rating: 8/10
Cast: James Franco, Freida Pinto, Tom Felton, Brian Cox, John Lithgow Andy Serkis
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Modern day San Francisco and Will Rodman (Franco) is a troubled scientist, working on a cure for Alzheimers disease and using chimps as well as illegally using his father (Lithgow) to see if the ALZ 112 cure works.
When one of the chimps which is showing signs of growing intelligence thanks to the trials in the lab breaks out and is killed, Rodman discovers she's protecting a baby - whom Rodman promptly takes home and raises as his own test subject.
Three years later and Caesar the test subject is also showing signs of inherited intelligence and has learned sign language - however, when Caesar attacks a neighbour protecting Rodman's dad, he's locked up in a primate sanctuary.
But it's not long before Caesar's plotting a break out from the chimpanarium his human captors have imprisoned him in...
A reboot of the Apes franchise was in no way on my radar after the somewhat messy Tim Burton/ Mark Wahlberg attempt back in 2001 - but quite frankly, this reboot is perhaps one of the best of the series - and one of the best reboots of a flagging franchise I've ever witnessed.
That's mainly, it has to be said, due to the work done by WETA in creating the chimps and Andy Serkis' motion capture suit work as the lead Caesar. We've now reached an age where digital technology can do pretty much anything and can do it astoundingly well.
While the early digital realisation of the baby chimps is something akin to a Mogwai/Ape cross and a little creaky, when Caesar ages and comes into his own, it's really an astonishingly good cinematic moment (even if early shots of him careering around a home are unnecessary and feel shoehorned in as if to show off what the tech can do) as the ape rises up and begins to emote. There's so much feeling conveyed in Caesar's eyes that you can't help but connect with the primate and his kin and for that, those involved in this film really do need huge kudos as it's never easy to get an audience to empathise with digitally created creatures.
Most of the humans are really confined to second fiddle in this to be honest and some pretty unsurprising stereotypes are rolled out as well; the boss of the genetic research company rolls out such clichés as "I run a business - not a petting zoo" and "You make history - and I make money". Coupled with Tom Felton's cruel cage master, that side of the story is somewhat predictable, clunky and a little jarring. Plus when you throw in a couple of plot holes - convenient lapses of security aid some of the narrative but will irritate some, there's clearly some further evolution of the script needed.
That said, director Rupert Wyatt (who did the superb The Escapist) is in need of praise for helming this origin story, which tips a hat to the mythology as well (if you're an Apes fan, there's some pretty sly and cool nods to the franchise in the past - look out for them, you won't be disappointed) but also for helming a terrifically well paced and reined in blockbuster. The final set piece is also to be commended as it breaks some of the conventions of Hollywood blockbusters and dials down the action which actually adds to the tension and suspense of the film.
All in all, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is one of the best blockbusters of the season; it's a thrilling, emotion filled and intelligent ride which reinvigorates the franchise and has got me salivating for a potential sequel.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Rating: 8/10
Cast: James Franco, Freida Pinto, Tom Felton, Brian Cox, John Lithgow Andy Serkis
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Modern day San Francisco and Will Rodman (Franco) is a troubled scientist, working on a cure for Alzheimers disease and using chimps as well as illegally using his father (Lithgow) to see if the ALZ 112 cure works.
When one of the chimps which is showing signs of growing intelligence thanks to the trials in the lab breaks out and is killed, Rodman discovers she's protecting a baby - whom Rodman promptly takes home and raises as his own test subject.
Three years later and Caesar the test subject is also showing signs of inherited intelligence and has learned sign language - however, when Caesar attacks a neighbour protecting Rodman's dad, he's locked up in a primate sanctuary.
But it's not long before Caesar's plotting a break out from the chimpanarium his human captors have imprisoned him in...
A reboot of the Apes franchise was in no way on my radar after the somewhat messy Tim Burton/ Mark Wahlberg attempt back in 2001 - but quite frankly, this reboot is perhaps one of the best of the series - and one of the best reboots of a flagging franchise I've ever witnessed.
That's mainly, it has to be said, due to the work done by WETA in creating the chimps and Andy Serkis' motion capture suit work as the lead Caesar. We've now reached an age where digital technology can do pretty much anything and can do it astoundingly well.
While the early digital realisation of the baby chimps is something akin to a Mogwai/Ape cross and a little creaky, when Caesar ages and comes into his own, it's really an astonishingly good cinematic moment (even if early shots of him careering around a home are unnecessary and feel shoehorned in as if to show off what the tech can do) as the ape rises up and begins to emote. There's so much feeling conveyed in Caesar's eyes that you can't help but connect with the primate and his kin and for that, those involved in this film really do need huge kudos as it's never easy to get an audience to empathise with digitally created creatures.
Most of the humans are really confined to second fiddle in this to be honest and some pretty unsurprising stereotypes are rolled out as well; the boss of the genetic research company rolls out such clichés as "I run a business - not a petting zoo" and "You make history - and I make money". Coupled with Tom Felton's cruel cage master, that side of the story is somewhat predictable, clunky and a little jarring. Plus when you throw in a couple of plot holes - convenient lapses of security aid some of the narrative but will irritate some, there's clearly some further evolution of the script needed.
That said, director Rupert Wyatt (who did the superb The Escapist) is in need of praise for helming this origin story, which tips a hat to the mythology as well (if you're an Apes fan, there's some pretty sly and cool nods to the franchise in the past - look out for them, you won't be disappointed) but also for helming a terrifically well paced and reined in blockbuster. The final set piece is also to be commended as it breaks some of the conventions of Hollywood blockbusters and dials down the action which actually adds to the tension and suspense of the film.
All in all, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is one of the best blockbusters of the season; it's a thrilling, emotion filled and intelligent ride which reinvigorates the franchise and has got me salivating for a potential sequel.
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Dr Who: Frontios: DVD Review
Dr Who: Frontios: DVD Review
Dr Who - Frontios
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Ent
Heading back to 1984, this four part adventure from Peter Davison's tenure in the TARDIS sees the Doc having to deal with the threat facing the last surviving humans on a planet far far away.
But the TARDIS team soon find out there's more than just one threat as a series of parasites known as the Gravis and the Tractators are out for survival too.
Redolent of the blight of the scripts in the 1980s, this serial is nothing sensational for the range - it's perfectly watchable if you're a Who fan but it's not exactly welcoming to non fans of the Time Lord.
The baddies are well realized (particularly the moments when the good guys are pulled underground) and there's some good solid acting on show from the likes of Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Janet Fielding and Jeff Rawle, but this tale isn't going to set the world alight.
A reasonably light smattering of extras by the range's standard complete the package, but there's a sense there's very little to add to a story which doesn't stand out from the Classic series.
Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, isolated score and a making of the story - about average for the range.
Rating: 5/10
Dr Who - Frontios
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Ent
Heading back to 1984, this four part adventure from Peter Davison's tenure in the TARDIS sees the Doc having to deal with the threat facing the last surviving humans on a planet far far away.
But the TARDIS team soon find out there's more than just one threat as a series of parasites known as the Gravis and the Tractators are out for survival too.
Redolent of the blight of the scripts in the 1980s, this serial is nothing sensational for the range - it's perfectly watchable if you're a Who fan but it's not exactly welcoming to non fans of the Time Lord.
The baddies are well realized (particularly the moments when the good guys are pulled underground) and there's some good solid acting on show from the likes of Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Janet Fielding and Jeff Rawle, but this tale isn't going to set the world alight.
A reasonably light smattering of extras by the range's standard complete the package, but there's a sense there's very little to add to a story which doesn't stand out from the Classic series.
Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, isolated score and a making of the story - about average for the range.
Rating: 5/10
Monday, 1 August 2011
Game Review: Street Fighter IV - Super Arcade Edition
Game Review: Street Fighter IV - Super Arcade Edition
Street Fighter IV: Super Arcade Edition
Released by Capcom
Platform: PS3
Sometimes, in the world of gaming, if it ain't broke, you don't need to fix it.
That's certainly the case with this release which essentially takes the smackdown, smack'em in the face world of Street Fighter and injects a healthy dose of gameplay within.
With 39 fighters to choose from, each with their own signature moves and moods, there's certainly no lack of choice when it comes to choosing your weapon of street bound destruction.
Throw in an online multiplayer mode and there's definitely plenty of fist fights and showdowns ahead. It takes a little time to adjust and learn the combo moves you need to succeed but this is part of the fun of a game like this - adapting to the circumstances and reacting to the challenges in each fight as the time ticks down.
With backgrounds which are a little 3dimensional and give a street fight feel, there's something nostalgic and simple about this game - it doesn't really need whistles and bells to grab your attention - essentially, you need to win a fight over three rounds. It's as simple and as much fun as that.
Kicking ass and progressing through the levels, you have to adapt to survive and that ensures you can't get lazy on the technical front; you need to learn combos, assess the dangers and react to newer foes.
Ultimately, whether it's one player, two player or the multiverse, Street Fighter IV Super Arcade Edition is just good ole fashioned fun - the kind you used to lose all your pocket money to down in the arcades.
Rating: 7/10
Street Fighter IV: Super Arcade Edition
Released by Capcom
Platform: PS3
Sometimes, in the world of gaming, if it ain't broke, you don't need to fix it.
That's certainly the case with this release which essentially takes the smackdown, smack'em in the face world of Street Fighter and injects a healthy dose of gameplay within.
With 39 fighters to choose from, each with their own signature moves and moods, there's certainly no lack of choice when it comes to choosing your weapon of street bound destruction.
Throw in an online multiplayer mode and there's definitely plenty of fist fights and showdowns ahead. It takes a little time to adjust and learn the combo moves you need to succeed but this is part of the fun of a game like this - adapting to the circumstances and reacting to the challenges in each fight as the time ticks down.
With backgrounds which are a little 3dimensional and give a street fight feel, there's something nostalgic and simple about this game - it doesn't really need whistles and bells to grab your attention - essentially, you need to win a fight over three rounds. It's as simple and as much fun as that.
Kicking ass and progressing through the levels, you have to adapt to survive and that ensures you can't get lazy on the technical front; you need to learn combos, assess the dangers and react to newer foes.
Ultimately, whether it's one player, two player or the multiverse, Street Fighter IV Super Arcade Edition is just good ole fashioned fun - the kind you used to lose all your pocket money to down in the arcades.
Rating: 7/10
Limitless - Blu Ray review
Limitless - Blu Ray review
Limitless
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
What if you could find a drug which stimulated all of your brain?
What if you were that dude from the Hangover aka Bradley Cooper and someone presented this premise to you?
Cooper stars as out of work, down on his luck writer Eddie Morra, who's dumped by his girlfriend Lindy (Abby Cornish) because he's going nowhere.
On the very same day, he bumps into his former brother in law whom he's not seen for nine years - and on his advice, Morra takes a techno wonder drug NZT48.
Soon, Morra's finished that book he's been working on for years, made a killing on the stock market and generally stimulated his life more than he could ever have expected to.
When he learns the drug could kill him, Morra's in dire straits...
Limitless has some impressive moments; Cooper does well as Morra, the man who becomes addicted to the drug and improving his life. He brings the behaviour mannerisms of any addict to life and yet manages to keep this druggie affable and watchable.
Director Burger also starts off well - using some clever lighting techniques and camera ideas to reflect the highs of taking the drug (everything becomes crystal clear and bathed in a yellow light).
But then he blows it - as Burger soon himself becomes addicted to the thrill of using the same psychedelic tricks over and over and over again; any subtlety and appreciation for the novelty is pounded out of you with their repetition. It's akin to your senses being visually pummelled repeatedly with a very blunt object.
Throw into the mix some frankly ludicrous plot developments (Morra encourages his girlfriend to use the drug to think her way out of a tight spot - even after he's learnt how dangerous the drug is) and you begin to realise Limitless has found its own boundaries
Extras: Behind the scenes piece, alternate endings and commentary
Rating: 6/10
Limitless
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
What if you could find a drug which stimulated all of your brain?
What if you were that dude from the Hangover aka Bradley Cooper and someone presented this premise to you?
Cooper stars as out of work, down on his luck writer Eddie Morra, who's dumped by his girlfriend Lindy (Abby Cornish) because he's going nowhere.
On the very same day, he bumps into his former brother in law whom he's not seen for nine years - and on his advice, Morra takes a techno wonder drug NZT48.
Soon, Morra's finished that book he's been working on for years, made a killing on the stock market and generally stimulated his life more than he could ever have expected to.
When he learns the drug could kill him, Morra's in dire straits...
Limitless has some impressive moments; Cooper does well as Morra, the man who becomes addicted to the drug and improving his life. He brings the behaviour mannerisms of any addict to life and yet manages to keep this druggie affable and watchable.
Director Burger also starts off well - using some clever lighting techniques and camera ideas to reflect the highs of taking the drug (everything becomes crystal clear and bathed in a yellow light).
But then he blows it - as Burger soon himself becomes addicted to the thrill of using the same psychedelic tricks over and over and over again; any subtlety and appreciation for the novelty is pounded out of you with their repetition. It's akin to your senses being visually pummelled repeatedly with a very blunt object.
Throw into the mix some frankly ludicrous plot developments (Morra encourages his girlfriend to use the drug to think her way out of a tight spot - even after he's learnt how dangerous the drug is) and you begin to realise Limitless has found its own boundaries
Extras: Behind the scenes piece, alternate endings and commentary
Rating: 6/10
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Love Birds - Blu Ray Review
Love Birds - Blu Ray Review
Love Birds
Rating: PG
Released by Warner Bros
From the director of the Kiwi smash hit Second Hand Wedding, comes this new film aimed at showing us another side of Rhys Darby.
Darby stars as Doug, a council worker who's happy with his life, living at his parents' place and cruising along. One day, though, his long term girlfriend Susan (Smythe) decides enough is enough and takes flight.
Within moments of that, Doug suddenly finds an injured Paradise Shelduck dumped on his roof.
With no-one to care for the duck, Doug takes on the job - and his adventure brings him into contact with Sally Hawkins' zoo worker Holly.
Gradually, the injured animal learns to live and love again - and so does the duck....
Love Birds is your fairly conventional rom com fare - guy meets girl, complications and problems follow.
But what sets this above from the rest is Rhys Darby.
This is a career redefining moment from the guy who's prone to playing (in his words I might add) a bit of a dick.
In Love Birds, Darby is a revelation - he's a forlorn, lost, vulnerable and romantic lead who proves to be very watchable in what is a traditional tale. Darby has to straddle that line of acting with animals too - as the majority of his scenes are with Pierre the duck. But with laughs thrown in and a generally charming tone, he manages to more than adequately get by.
Quirky and funny, this sweetly charming tale will win more fans on DVD and Blu Ray and that's a good thing
Rating: 7/10
Love Birds
Rating: PG
Released by Warner Bros
From the director of the Kiwi smash hit Second Hand Wedding, comes this new film aimed at showing us another side of Rhys Darby.
Darby stars as Doug, a council worker who's happy with his life, living at his parents' place and cruising along. One day, though, his long term girlfriend Susan (Smythe) decides enough is enough and takes flight.
Within moments of that, Doug suddenly finds an injured Paradise Shelduck dumped on his roof.
With no-one to care for the duck, Doug takes on the job - and his adventure brings him into contact with Sally Hawkins' zoo worker Holly.
Gradually, the injured animal learns to live and love again - and so does the duck....
Love Birds is your fairly conventional rom com fare - guy meets girl, complications and problems follow.
But what sets this above from the rest is Rhys Darby.
This is a career redefining moment from the guy who's prone to playing (in his words I might add) a bit of a dick.
In Love Birds, Darby is a revelation - he's a forlorn, lost, vulnerable and romantic lead who proves to be very watchable in what is a traditional tale. Darby has to straddle that line of acting with animals too - as the majority of his scenes are with Pierre the duck. But with laughs thrown in and a generally charming tone, he manages to more than adequately get by.
Quirky and funny, this sweetly charming tale will win more fans on DVD and Blu Ray and that's a good thing
Rating: 7/10
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