The Love Film Reviews Part II

The Brothers Bloom

Being a massive fan of Rian Johnson (of Brick fame), plus the principal cast of Adrian Brody, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Wiesz, I had high hopes for this film centred around a pair of con-siblings and their last big scam. I wouldn't say it let me down as such, as it was funny and farcical, and a generally well made postmodern caper film. It did become a tad convoluted near the end though, with all the counter scamming and unneccesarry villains. The interaction between the four characters was heart-warming and allowed me to care for the team, and the very end was well concieved and well played, just the bit immediatley before it was slightly shoddy. Maybe on a second view I would enjoy it more than I did, but it was an enjoyable romp nonetheless. 7 out of 10.

The Evil Dead (and Evil Dead II)

I finally sat down to watch Sam Raimi's ultra-low budget "Video Nasty", and after watching the first sequel (or remake I suppose), I decided to review them as one film. The first one really was low budget, but looked really good in parts. It actually was nasty in parts and a lot less funny and slapstick compared to number II. Ash (the superbly chinned Bruce Campbell) is much more assured in II and in control. It played to his charismatic strengths and great comedic timing, as did the often ludicrous plot. I enjoyed the second film for this, but did like and appreciate the first, and was genuinely creeped out in parts. 7/8 out of 10.

Primer

God, where to start? This low budget time travel caper pulls no intellectual punches, and is almost impossible to follow. Two physicists accidentally discover time travel and use it to manipulate the stockmarket. It deals with the implications and fallout of time travel, and the strain on the relationship of the two leads. My head was spinning trying to follow the paradoxes and time jumps, but it performs admirable for newcomers on a low budget. Definitely worth a watch, and then another to try and follow it. 7 out of 10.

Super 8

Ok so I went to the pictures to see this, but want to include it anyway. JJ Abram's ode to the beard almost succeeds in creating a timeless summer blockbuster for the whole family in the mould of ET and the Goonies. then we see the monster fully and find out it's back story. I won't ruin it for anyone (I'm aware nobody is reading this) but it is fucking implausible to say the least. Bad writing, that's all there is to it, and it lets down all the great build up and half-glimpses throughout the first half. Film of the year it aint. 5 out of 10.

I'm Still Here

Joaquin Phoenix's hopefully mockumentary was a tough watch. A masterclass in the method Joaquin really shows what his career has hinted he's capable of. It really is a man self destructing in front of a camera, but this made it difficult to watch. It was cringy and unbearable, plus impossible to separate from reality. The lack of overt humour creates an uneasy atmosphere throughout, making me actually feel sorry for a man I knew was acting. Half mesmerising in its premise, but too close to the bone for my liking. 8 out of 10 (for the audacity of it all).

The Love Film Reviews Part I

I recently activated a free trial to Love Film, and have taken advantage of free movie streaming to an unneccessary degree. I thought I could briefly review the films I watch (and any others worth mentioning), so I don't feel so guilty about disregarding every possible other important thing.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

First sequel of the adapted Millenium trilogy. A letdown following on from the first film (a solid and somewhat unconventional thriller), with an implausible plot and villains. Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyquist both perform brilliantly again, but it isn't enough to save the poor plot. 4 out of 10.

The Road

Another book to film adaptation, this bleack little Cormac McCarthy story is brought to life with beards and grey skies. Actually grey everything, the colour pallet is so muted and dull (in a good way) I almost adjusted the contrast on the telly. A nice little father son story and a nice little apocalyptic dystopian future story, but that's as far as I can go with that. The Father/son thing has been done much better (not that it is bad here, Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smitt-McPhee act well together and it isn't badly written) in the likes of Road to Perdition, as has the Apocalypse movie which we all know has been done to death. 7 out of 10.

BLACK DYNAMITE!!!

Full caps neccessary for this one I'm afraid. Finally a spoof Blaxploitation film that is actually funny, plus the Kung Fu is up to scratch, helped by the cool motherfucker and karate expert Michael Jai White in the title role. The ludicrous plot, snappy dialogue and play on the multitude of poorly made films preceding it help create a film that can actually be enjoyed as a straight-up film, as opposed to purely a spoof film (much in the same way as Airplane!, or Hot Shots! could). Very enjoyable indeed. 8.5 out of 10.

Joint Security Area (JSA)

Korean film about the murder of North Korean soldiers by South Korean soldiers in the demilitarised zone at the border. What starts of as a fairly standard (and a slightly hammy paint-by-numbers affair) political thriller about an independent enquiry to get to the bottom of the conflicting statements from both sides soon turns into a touching and moving almost-drama. I expect nothing less from Oldboy's Park Chan Wook (Hopefully I'll get to review the full Venegeance trilogy soon too). I have yet to see a bad film from him, or Korean cinema for that matter. It really knocks your expectations for the film clean out of the window halfway through, and improves greatly for it. 7 out of 10.

Coffee and Cigarettes

11 films for the price of one! Black and white viginettes starring a multitude of indie big hitters from Jim Jarmusch (or however it is spelled-I refuse to check), based around my two least favourite things. Standout segments include Bill Murray and RZA and GZA from Wu-Tang Clan, in "Delirium", Iggy Pop and an incredibly un-nerving Tom Waits in "Somewhere in California", The White Stripes (I know) in "Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil", and the brilliantly awkward "Cousins?", with Steve Coogan and Alfred Molina. I liked it, as slow and dull as it tried to be. It was whimsical and cool, and it's trendy to like it and I want to be trendy. 6 out of 10.