Monsters University: Movie Review

Monsters University: Movie Review

Vocal cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Nathan Fillion, Helen Mirren
Director: Dan Scanlon

The Monsters are back in this prequel to the wonderful Monsters, Inc.

It's a tough call following one of the most beloved Pixar movies of all time and you'd almost be afraid to do it - but Pixar's decided to deliver another film with the leads that have become so iconic. This time around though, things are a little different for Sulley, Mike Wazowski and Randall.

The film takes you back to before the friendship and into the younger days - Mike (Billy Crystal, once again in fine form) is determined to do what it takes to get into Monsters University and become the best scarer ever after visiting Monsters Inc during a school trip.

So, when Mike manages to get a place at the prestigious university, he's keen to ensure he doesn't lose his spot and studies as much as he can. But things go a little haywire when jock-like Sulley (John Goodman, returning to the role he was suited for) shows up - a slacker who's getting by on the family name and refusing to study, he winds Mike up the wrong way.

And when the pair of them end up being kicked out of college, Mike thinks his dream is shattered....until he discovers the Scare Games and one final chance to get back in.

The problem is that he'll have to do it with his new arch-nemesis, Sulley and a team of misfits who couldn't say boo to a ghost...

Monsters University is the kind of US college film we've all seen a million times before - a group of outcasts, victimised by the cool kids and heading for a showdown with the dean of the college. So, on that front, it's perhaps a bit of a disappointment that Pixar's plumped for the old cliche rather than looking at something new.

That said, by using a few clever twists on your expectations (the Sulley vs Mike divide, a new roommate for Mike initially) they just about manage to get away with it. Starting with Mike as a kid and outcast at college, he becomes the deluded underdog and nerd; throw in Sulley's jock, who's in competition with Mike and you've got the classic paradigm right there. Taking in a buddy message and the obligatory "you can do this with team help" theme, and really Pixar's not exactly stretching the hearts and minds of those who so enjoyed Monsters Inc back when it first emerged. But that's not to say that the new generation won't be captivated by Mike and Sulley's antics this time around. Of the new additions, Nathan Fillion's frat leader Johnny, Helen Mirren's Dean Hardscrabble and Charlie Day's Art make the most of their screen time and add a welcome presence to the pantheon of Monsters.

While the Monsters University animation is top notch, the colourful creatures of Monsters University rich and varied within and Goodman and Crystal's vocal work is exceptional as ever, the whole thing just doesn't quite have the same rich emotional pay off, heartfelt resonance and pertinent humour in this prequel which made Monsters Inc so incredibly special.

(One thing which is worth the price of admission though is the truly beautiful short piece, The Blue Umbrella which screens before the main event. This is a real masterclass in short form animation, and is exceptional from beginning to end)

Rating:

This Is the End: Movie Review

This Is the End: Movie Review

Cast: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, Emma Watson, Danny McBride and Michael Cera
Director: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

In this latest comedy to hit our screens, Hollywood has to deal with the end of the world.

Nope, we're not talking a bad review - but the actual apocalypse itself - and all that entails.

Seth Rogen plays Seth Rogen, and Jay Baruchel plays Jay Baruchel - the two have been buddies for a while and the movie begins with Jay coming to LA, a place that he despises to visit. After the pair have got caught up (translation: smoked a lot of weed and played computer games), Seth takes Jay, against his will, to James Franco's house-warming party. (All of the celebs involved are playing versions of themselves - or their perceived self in the media).

And that's when it starts to get gnarly as the end of the world comes a-knocking - and five of the remaining Hollywood acting elite (Franco, Rogen, Baruchel, Jonah Hill, and The Office's Craig Robinson) decide to rough it out in Franco's home...

But pretty soon, they realise they've got no choice but to leave the house - and face whatever is out there.

Building on short film, Jay and Seth vs The Apocalypse, This Is The End is a tasteless movie comedy of almost Biblical proportions.

Riffing on the ties that bind and divide the divas, it throws energy and more laughs your way than you would have expected from the premise of five Hollywood celebs being forced to deal with the apocalypse and some serious self examination.

The banter between the quintet ranges from the self-obsessed to the narcissistic, and then into meta territory as they start to question why it's all happening.

Rogen and Baruchel impress as the duo whose friendship has taken a battering because of Jay's refusal to spend time in LA amongst Seth's new crowd. Sure, the occasionally innuendo-laden dialogue takes a trip into the crass and depraved - especially once Danny McBride shows up but it doesn't stop the laughs from coming thick and fast. Watch out for cameos at the start because when the bad stuff happens, these celebs aren't afraid to bid farewell in unforgettable ways.

Some impressive FX work draws from Wrath of the Titans to flesh out the reality of the end of the world, but it adds an epic feel to this low-brow but incredibly funny night out at the movies - despite feeling a little overlong during the final third.

This Is The End finishes up on a musical note which is as random and throwaway as everything which has gone before on this journey of self-awareness, redemption with lashings of selfishness - but to be honest, you couldn't have it any other way in this piece which urges you to check your brain at the door. A riotous night out for an admittedly guilty pleasure - but it's the first comedy in a while to make the end of the world seem like a great place to be.

Rating: 

Anchorman 2 trailer is here - stay classy

Anchorman 2 trailer is here - stay classy

It's finally here - the first trailer for Anchorman 2, hitting cinemas in December this year.

It's here - the first teaser trailer for Anchorman 2!



For those who've been wanting to see how the legend of Ron Burgundy progresses, then Anchorman 2 will be the perfect opportunity.

In Anchorman 2, the sequel to the Anchorman movie, Will Ferrell returns as Ron Burgundy.

Anchorman 2's release date is in December.

Silver Linings Playbook: Blu Ray Review

Silver Linings Playbook: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Ent

Bradley Cooper is Pat Solitano, a bipolar disorder sufferer and former teacher, who is getting out of a mental health facility, 8 months after a violent incident which saw him hospitalised and restraining orders slapped in place. Released to his mother (Animal Kingdom's Jacki Weaver) he heads up home, determined to win his wife back and resume normal life. In denial about whether he needs medication to cull his manic ways, Pat sets about trying to get in touch with his wife but his plan is slightly derailed when he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence on fine form), a young woman whose husband was killed and who has problems of her own.

Initially, the pair rub each other up the wrong way - but soon after, a friendship develops as Tiffany promises to help him deliver a letter to his wife - as long as he helps her achieve her dream of taking part in a dance competition.

But Pat's commitment to Tiffany puts him on a collision course with his father (Robert De Niro) who believes (thanks to OCD) that Pat is the key to his gambling successes...

Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic drama / comedy with heart and humour aplenty.

However, it also benefits from a career best performance from Bradley Cooper, who commands the screen from the beginning and imbues his Pat with manic energy and warmth, while resisting the urge to overplay the bipolar behavioural tendencies of his character. It's this humanity, coupled with Cooper's willingness to lay it all bare, which make Pat so relatable. This is no showy, "Look at me, I've got bipolar" performance, but a crowd-pleasing, warmly comic, instantly human turn.

Likewise, Jennifer Lawrence also impresses as Tiffany, the damaged woman who has her own issues. While some of the writing leaves you a little unsure as to why she's initially attracted to helping Pat, there's no mistaking the spiky, spunky relationship the pair strike up. But she takes what essentially could be a one note character and gives it depth. Equally, De Niro, with his character's OCD tendencies, gives such a great turn you almost forget some of the absolute drivel he's done recently. All three deserve their Oscar nominations - though Jacki Weaver is a little too sidelined to shine as the family bicker, quarrel and pick at each other the way all loving families do in among the chaos of daily life.

Mixing eccentricity with a warm gooey centre, Silver Linings Playbook is a slightly off-kilter crowd-pleaser of a film which is poignant, touching. moving and yet never overly sentimental.

ExtraS: docos and deleted scenes, alternate ending and dance rehearsals

Rating:

Six new character posters unveiled for The World's End

Six new character posters unveiled for The World's End

There are six new character posters now out for The World's End, the epic conclusion to the Cornetto trilogy, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and directed by Edgar Wright.

Meanwhile, Wellington will roll out the carpet to celebrate The World's End on July 14th.

It's been announced  that actors Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright will be in the capital to walk the red carpet for the film's release.

In the most exciting news for a while, Paramount Pictures sent out this release:

Paramount Pictures NZ is pleased to announce that Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freemanand Director Edgar Wright will attend the New Zealand premiere of The World’s End in Wellington.  Fans will get a chance to see them walk the red carpet and sign autographs.

The World’s End marks the third instalment of Edgar Wright’s trilogy of comedies, following the successes of Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007).  As with the two earlier pictures, Mr. Wright co-wrote the script with Simon Pegg, who will once again star alongside Nick Frost.  Joining the team in the film are actors Martin Freeman (Shaun of the Dead, The Hobbit), Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum), Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes), and Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher).

In The World’s End, 20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King (Simon Pegg), a 40-year-old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their hometown and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub – The World’s End.  As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realise the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s.  Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.

It's been a busy week for news for this film:

A brand new The World's End trailer has just dropped (warning - some spoilers ahead)

The World's End releases in NZ on July 18th.



There's a brand new poster for The World's End, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost - directed by Edgar Wright

The Cornetto trilogy is coming to an end.

And here's the first trailer for The World's End, starring the brilliant comic duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Brand new Kick Ass 2 trailer is here

Brand new Kick Ass 2 trailer is here

There's a brand new trailer for Kick Ass 2 out now


Good news for fans of Hit Girl - a brand new Kick Ass 2 trailer has just dropped.

It's due out later this year - and will see Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz reprising their roles asKick Ass and Hit Girl.

And Jim Carrey will be starring in Kick Ass 2 as well.



The first official Kick Ass 2 image has been unveiled.

The first image shows Kick Ass (Aaron Johnson) and introduces Colonel Stars And Stripes played by Jim Carrey.

Kick-Ass, Hit Girl and Red Mist return for the follow-up to 2010’s irreverent global hit: Kick Ass 2.  After Kick-Ass’ (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) insane bravery inspires a new wave of self-made masked crusaders, led by the badass Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), our hero joins them on patrol.  

When these amateur superheroes are hunted down by Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse)—reborn as The Mother F%&*^r—only the blade-wielding Hit Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) can prevent their annihilation.

Kick Ass 2 releases in NZ on 8 August.

Still Mine: Movie Review

Still Mine: Movie Review

Cast: James Cromwell, Geneviève Bujold, Campbell Scott
Director: Michael McGowan

Based on a true story, Still Mine is the tale of 89 year old Craig (played by Babe's James Cromwell) who is taking on the system over building a house.

The reason? Well, it's all about love.

Craig's wife (played by Geneviève Bujold) is losing her memory and is prone to dementia as well as accidents in their old home. So Craig decides to build on the land he owns, following the methods and construction taught to him by his father, who used to be a shipbuilder.

However, times have changed, and so have the planning laws - and Craig soon finds himself falling foul of the building inspector and the legal system. Despite being ordered to stop, Craig has more pressing matters at hand as his wife Irene grows sicker.

Still Mine is one of those films which is pleasant, watchable and has a wry humour which will resonate with many.

Both Cromwell and Bujold are perfect in their roles and bring to mind the loving duo of last year's Amour (but with a little less of the drama) - they encapsulate their roles well and don't force you to over compensate for them being older and pigeon holed as quaint old fogeys. Their battle is a real and realistic one blessed with little tender moments of humour and heart throughout.

Sure, there's the old one man versus bureaucracy angle at play here, but thanks to a wonderfully restrained turn by Cromwell, it's never anything less than fairly treated and sensitively handled.

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