Rev Stan's film blog

Review: Forgive me, I have sinned, I liked a Gerard Butler film (Olympus Has Fallen)

Synopsis: North Korean terrorists have invaded the White House and taken the American president (Aaron Eckhart) hostage. Former presidential protection agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is the only man on the inside who can save the day.

Stan's thoughts: I know, I know just reading the plot you can hear the cheesy, american-trailer, voice-over man but while this is as contrived and exaggerated as you'd expect I was actually gripped. The reason, I think, is because the terrorists were quite clever and quite brutal, dispensing with hostages without a blink so that there was a sense of jeopardy. And it was quite fun watching the president completely wrong-footed.

I'm not going to think about it too much because I'll just be able to pick it apart and it will spoil the immediate enjoyment I felt in watching it. Mindless action that was an entertaining couple of hours and no one was more shocked than I about that.

Ratings

• Stan's 63%
• IMDB 71%
• Metascore 40%
• Rotten Tomatoes 48%

Recently seen

Oblivion

Spring Breakers

Good Vibrations

In The House

Trance

The Host

Reality

Review: Tom Cruise walks through another film - Oblivion

Synopsis: Aliens have destroyed the moon thereby ravaging the earth. Surviving humans have decamped to another moon leaving a skeleton presence (Tom Cruise and Andrea Riseborough) to protect mining operations which are taking the final remnants of energy from earth. When a capsule with humans who've been frozen in time crash lands, Tom Cruise recognises one of women from dreams he's been having.

Stan's thoughts: I like the premise, probably because Oblivion is an identikit of so many other sci-fi films. And, I did like style and gizmos of 'the future' but ultimately this felt like Tom Cruise walking through another part in an action/sci-fi film, it was a performance I've seen so many times before.

The most interesting character was Andrea Riseborough's - and definitely a superior performance. Morgan Freeman virtually has a cameo.

Just about entertaining enough but never really got up to speed both in its action or drama.

Ratings

• Stan's 52%
• IMDB 72%
• Metascore 53%
• Rotten Tomatoes 56%

Recently seen

Spring Breakers

Good Vibrations

In The House

Trance

The Host

Reality

Review: The nauseating Spring Breakers

Synopsis: A group of college friends head to Florida for Spring Break to escape their boring lives and end up hanging out with a local drug dealer and gangster.

Stan's thoughts: There is one thing I liked about this film and that was James Franco, probably the most versatile actor of his generation. Here he plays the drug dealer Alien and when he arrives in the story, it starts to get interesting. You never know what his motives are and he uses his charm to manipulate.

There is one particular scene when one of the girls starts feeling uncomfortable with how their holiday is turning out and decides to go home. Alien tries to charm her into stay and it is extremely uncomfortable watching. Had to stop myself shouting at the screen 'run home now and don't look back'.

As to the rest of the film its repetitive use of partying images quickly became nauseating and I did start to wonder about the motives of the director in having quite so many boob and bum shots.

I was also left wondering what we are to take from the story, that it is OK to rob, vandalise and murder on the path to self-discovery as long as you promise your parents you will be a better person? Ultimately it is a vacant and contrived film trying to masquerade as something arty, deep and meaningful.

Ratings

• Stan's 40% (purely for James Franco)
• IMDB 65%
• Metascore 63%
• Rotten Tomatoes 65%

Recently seen

Good Vibrations

In The House

Trance

The Host

Reality

Jack the Giant Killer

Review: Catch it if you can - Good Vibrations

Synopsis: Biopic, sort of, of Terri Hooley who set up a record shop on the so called 'Bomb Alley' in Belfast, discovering bands such as The Undertones along the way.

Stan's thoughts: On one level this is a story of how music can unite. Amid sectarian violence in 1970s Belfast Hooley refused to take sides and created a neutral territory in his record shop Good Vibrations where music lovers would converge. On another level it is about a man who loves music, is single-minded and bold to the point of being reckless, who is loveable but flawed.

Combine the two and you get an interesting character piece, an interesting period of music history and political backdrop. And of course it has a great sound track.

Hooley isn't always likeable but you have to admire his drive and it makes for a more rounded and interesting film as a result. Good fun, interesting and toe-tapping - a good combo. It's had a limited release but worth seeking out.

Ratings

• Stan's 74%
• IMDB 75%
• Metascore No rating
• Rotten Tomatoes No consensus from critics but audience rating is 67%

Recently seen

In The House

Trance

The Host

Reality

Jack the Giant Killer

Beyond the Hills

Review: The intriguing In The House

Synopsis: Literature teacher and failed novelist Germain is impressed when student Claude turns in a piece of original writing about how he has insinuated his way into the home of his friend Rapha. The writing shows talent and Germain encourages Claude to carry on but how far will teacher go to get the story and how far will Claude go to create it?

Stan's thoughts: Fact and fiction are blurred in so many different senses in this film. How much of what Claude is writing real, how far should fact be manipulated to create a better fiction and how far should you live your life through others, indeed are the lives of others quite what you believe them to be?

On one level this is a study on dangers of living your life through other people, on another it is about the nature of literature. And it is very well done with a superb performance from Ernst Unhauer as the bright, charming and manipulative Claude. Unhauer also gives the character a vital tinge of sadness and tragedy that works wonders in messing with your perception of him.

Great piece of meaty psychological French cinema and one you can delightfully mull over. If I was to criticise it would be that it very occasionally it drags its heels.

Ratings

• Stan's 79%
• IMDB 73%
• Metascore No rating
• Rotten Tomatoes 91%

Recently seen

Trance

The Host

Reality

Jack the Giant Killer

Beyond the Hills

The Paperboy

 

Review: The terrific Trance

Synopsis: Art auctioneer Simon (James McAvoy) is the inside man for a gang of art thieves but during the robbery gets a bang to the head and can't remember where he put the painting. He's taken to Elizabeth a hypnotherapist who is going to try and make him remember.

Stan's thoughts: One of those films you want to see again just so you can better connect the dots. Clips have such different meaning now I've seen it - it is certainly a film that keeps you guessing throughout which also makes it difficult to write about without spoiling. So I'll just say I enjoyed the fact that it kept me guessing and wasn't what I expected, great performances from a great cast,  also has a great look and a great soundtrack.  Had a smile on my face as I walked out of the cinema, one I'll be getting on DVD.

Ratings

• Stan's 80%
• IMDB 75%
• Metascore 61%
• Rotten Tomatoes 72%

Recently seen

The Host

Reality

Jack the Giant Killer

Beyond the Hills

The Paperboy