Rev Stan's film blog

Review round up: Pirates: An Adventure With Scientists, Good Bye First Love and Free Men

Pirates - not Aardmen's best film but still enjoyable with a few laugh out loud moments. Definitely benefit from repeat viewing as the details are easily missed and playing guess the voice over is always fun. 59%

Goodbye First Love - musing on the power of first love. Story is fairly simple girl meets boy. Falls in love and everything is perfect until boy decides to go travelling for a year. Girl is devastated. They write to each other for a while. As time goes on girl eventually starts to move on meets someone else then boy comes back.

It's a nice gentle film but never quite plumbs the emotional depth the subject matter demands. It has it's moments but just wasn't quite satisfying enough. 55%

Free Men - great second world war film told from a different perspective, that of a Muslim living in German occupied Paris who after getting caught selling black market goods is persuaded to spy on the local mosque, suspected of harbouring Jews. 

Loyalties and duty are tested but it lacks the wrought emotional and moral dilemmas and sense of danger of films like The Counterfeiters. Otherwise an interesting film. 60%

 

The gothic feel of Snow White and the Huntsman and the silly Disney moment

Last weekend as well as Prometheus, I also saw Snow White and the Huntsman and I think it's the latter that I enjoyed most. Both are visually stunning films but I just felt more engaged with this gothic take on the Snow White story - despite Kristen Stewart.

I loved the illusory feel to it - the evil Queen's brother thinks she is talking to herself because he can't see the mirror (is it all in her head?) and the hallucinogenic mushrooms in the woods that made a creepy almost del Toro-esque wood even more creepy.

In fact I loved the whole tone and dark feel to it which is probably why the elysium woods sequence with the Aslan-style deer and where everything looked like it had walked straight off the set of a Disney cartoon jarred. It is my only real criticism.

It's worth seeing for the dwarves alone with such a delicious collection of acting royalty, I almost squealed as I identified them: Toby Jones, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Bob Hoskins and Eddie Marsan.

Kristen Stewart was OK - she's yet to give a performance that didn't remind me in large parts of Bella, Chris Hemsworth is just hunky and Charlize Theron was superb but then playing the baddie is often the best role.

It was good, all round fun and a visual feast so I'm going to give it 79%. On IMDb it's got 67% with a Metacritic score of 57%. While on Rotten Tomatoes it has 47% and 59% of site visitors gave it 3.5 stars or more. The two people I work with who go to the cinema regular also both really enjoyed it so perhaps we were blind to the flaws the critics see in it.

Reviews round up: Subtle flaws of Albert Nobbs & disappointing Dark Shadows

Albert Nobbs

This film seemed to be getting everyone excited a while back but now it's out in the UK it feels like it's been forgotten about. Almost like the reverse of the eponymous character played by Glenn Close. Posing as a man in order to get a job at a hotel in late 19th century Dublin Albert gets adept at blending in, almost melting into the background then when shown the possibilities of the life he could lead becomes a little bolder. Just a little.

It is a brilliantly subtle performance from Close. Albert doesn't say a great deal verbally but there is so much going on in the eyes. Janet McTeer, fellow cross dresser, too puts in a wonderful performance. The re-frocking scene is particularly superb and shows just how much of a male demeanor these two woman have taken on.

There is a superb supporting cast too with the likes of Brendan Gleeson, Pauline Collins, Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson but there is something stopping this from being a five star movie, it's ironic flaw. The problem, you see, is that because Albert is so much in the background and so secretive and quiet that you never really get the measure of him. Central to the plot are Albert's plans to open his own shop and get married however there is a big question mark over his motives. Does Albert want to marry a woman as a man or as a woman?

Albert Nobbs is still a very well made, engrossing and deeply moving film but this question hanging over the central narrative thread left an unsatisfying taste in my mouth.

It's getting 79% from me. On IMDb it has 66% from critics and a Metacritic rating of 57% while on Rotten Tomatoes it has 55% from critics and 49% of visitors gave it three and half stars or more.

Dark Shadows

I'm getting a bit worried about Johnny Depp. I can't remember the last time I saw him in a really great film, probably the first Pirates of the Caribbean. He used to be an actor I'd run out and see whatever he was in but the pull is starting to wain even if he does remain drop dead gorgeous.

It's not that Dark Shadow is a bad film it just isn't great. First there isn't much in his performance that you haven't already seen - heavy doses of Edward Scissorhands for example. The biggest problem is that it isn't really much of anything. It's not funny enough to be a comedy despite a potentially amusing premise (18th century vampire is unwittingly released from his coffin prison in 1971). There is not quite enough horror to make it satisfying as a film of that genre and not quite enough family drama to be, well, a family drama. 

Of course with Tim Burton at the helm it is beautifully gothic and has his style stamped all over it and there is much to admire there. It also has some brilliant effects (love the china doll effect of baddie Angelique) but his pairing with Mr Depp and small role for long time beau/mother of his children Helen Bonham Carter is just starting to feel a bit cliquey and like it is running out of steam.

And I confess that I did get a bit bored at times. It's just not enough of anything and it's a shame because there is much promise within it.

I'm giving it 59%. On IMDb it's got 67% and a Metacritic score of 56% while on Rotten Tomatoes it has 42% from critics and 55% of visitors gave it three and a half stars or more.

John Carter - there is nothing floppy about the eye candy

Everyone is wading in with stories about how this has been a commercial flop for Disney. I saw it prior to the box office figures comings out and if you leave your brain at the door and settle back for some entertaining popcorn for the eyes then it is fine.

The script is as cheesy as hell in places but the story is fairly predictable but bowls along at a nicish pace (don't think about it too much) and you can tell that the director has a Pixar background because the alien dog is just brilliant.

There is plenty of eye candy for both sexes and I like to see a strong heroine who can handle herself and kick butt.

Good inoffensive fun and action at the end of a hard day when you don't want to think. Settle back with a beer/wine/popcorn/chocolate and ogle appropriately and I dare you not to fall in love with the alien dog.

It's getting 50% from me earning a lot of points for ogle-factor. On IMDB it has got 72% with a Metacritic score of 42% so bit of a mixed opinion there. On Rotten Tomatoes it has 51% from critics but 71% of visitors to the site rated it three and a half stars or above. 

 

Guillermo del Toro is back, sort of: Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

Pan's Labyrinth is one of my all time favourite films so if his name is attached to something then I immediately prick up my ears.

Del Toro didn't direct Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark but he co-wrote and produced it and it certainly has his mark stamped on it.

Like Pan's it blends reality and fantasy but this time is set in contemporary America rather than in Spain during the civil war. Young girl Sally (Bailee Madison) has been sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend in a big old house they are doing up to sell on. She is depressed and it is hoped the change will bring her out of her shell.

When Sally discovers a hidden basement and hears her name being called from behind an old fire grate she is initially curious and pleased thinking she's found new friends. But they turn out to be not quite as friendly as she first thought, in fact they don't just want her for a friend.

Unfortunately for Sally her busy Dad (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) just think she's misbehaving.

What I love about del Toro's style is that his fantastical elements have such a dark and sinister edge that harks back to the old fairytales before Disney got their hands on them and made them all cutesy and cuddly. Of course Don't Be Afraid, like Pan's, is not a children's film it's a 15 certificate and here in lies the problem.

Great LOTR fun reel

This has been around for a while but I've only just discovered it. Am planning  LOTR-a-thon at Christmas as it's been a few years since I watched them.

 

Stan's 10 favourite things from the Harry Potter films

It is with a mixture of sadness, excitement and worry that the final film instalment of the Harry Potter story approaches. Sadness because it will be the end, excitement because it's a Harry Potter film and worry because I'm getting trailer-nerves. They have done a pretty good job of interpreting the books, adding excitement and layers of imagination to the books albeit with one or two dubious choices and one really bad one.

But putting that all to one side, I've spent the last few weeks re-watching all the films in order and it's reminded me of individual delights. The result is this list, my favourite scenes, and it has been extremely tough whittling it down. Have I missed a particularly good one?

1. Mirror of Erised, Philosopher's Stone

Harry discovers a mirror in which he can see himself with his parents, Dumbledore later discovers him and tells him that the mirror shows your deepest hearts desire. Despite the first book being the most child-like and fun this was such a moving and poignant moment, it never fails to bring a tear to my eye - a scene which is nicely mirrored, for want of a better word, by the grave yard scene in Deathly Hallows part 1

2. Whomping willow, Chamber of Secrets

Always makes me smile, the tree with attitude that terrorises birds and Hogwarts students alike. Especially like it when it decides to shed its leaves for winter and just shivers them off.

3. The Knight Bus, Prisoner of Azkaban

So much to like about the bus: the way it shrinks to fit between on-coming traffic, the talking shrunken heads hanging in the window, the way the beds on the bus are all on wheels and move around as the bus swerves and breaks and of course Harry having to peel his face of the window it comes to an abrupt stop outside the Leaky Cauldron - having of course nudged a park car setting off it's alarm.

4. The Yule Ball, Goblet of Fire

The teenage trio take their first tentative steps onto the road of romance and the sexual tension crackles from Harry awkwardly taking his first dance to Hermione's exasperated, high-pitched rant. It is one of the joyful scenes that reminds you of your own early teen romances and unrequited love and also a rare moment when the three can forget the trials and tribulations of magical life.

X-Men: First in Class

Pre-quels are curious things. Is it a sign of desperation, that the writers have run out of ideas for taking the characters forward or that the previously disregarded back-story is now deemed suitable script fodder? I'm not a comic book expert so I have no idea whether X-Men: First Class fits into either of those categories (please do let me know - my life is too full of other mindless internet surfing these days).

Which leads to the key question is it worth it? Well I can answer that with a resounding 'yes' - every one of the 243 minutes. And the reason why it works is purely down to the cast.

This is much more of a character-led film than the other X-Men movies. In a nutshell it's about how Professor X came to be in wheelchair and arch enemy of  Magneto but in having such skilled actors as James McAvoy (Xavier) and Michael Fassbender (Erik/Magneto) what you get is the depth of character necessary to elevate this above the usual movie froth. 

When the camera pans to Xavier's tear-filled eyes and pained face you genuinely believe that he has been inside Erik's head and witnessed the horrors and subsequent pain he experienced as a child. It gives the characters the heart and soul and connection needed to get the audiences buy-in to the rest of the story  which revolves around the cuban missile crisis. 

The short review for the longest film title: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D*

Wasn't going to go and see Pirates 4, they've gone downhill rapidly since the first. Then I was offered a free ticket to a private preview screening...

So what was it like? Well it is certainly more coherent than Pirates 3 but overall it is just mildly entertaining. The problem is that we've seen and heard it all before in the first three films: the fights, the escapes and the Jack Sparrow jokes, nothing is new.

OK so there are mermaids in this, which were very well done and probably the best bit and there is no wooden acting by Orlando Bloom but ultimately the story just feels pedestrian. It follows three different parties racing to find the fountain of youth - the Spanish, the British led by Barbosa (the ever wonderful Jeffrey Rush) and Black Beard who is forcing Cap'n Jack to navigate.

Ten minutes in I asked myself: "Would I care if the film projector broke now and I never got to see the rest of the film?" And the answer was "No". The story just feels like a loose structure on which to pin the aforementioned fights, escapes and Jack Sparrow jokes.

Love Johnny Depp but it's time for Cap'n Jack to hang up it hat. Please.

I'm giving it 38%, Rotten Tomatoes aggregated critics rating is 39% from 121 reviews with a surprisingly high user rating of 86% so perhaps it is one for the kids. Metacritic gives it a rating of 45% from 30 reviews but has yet to register a user rating.

Don't fooled into thinking that the film is as exciting as the trailers looks:

 

Another cracking indie Brit flick: Island

British filmmakers have been ploughing a rich seam in the last 18 months. There have been some cracking low-budget indie flicks - Skeletons and Monsters to name just two. And directing duo Brek Taylor and Elizabeth Mitchell's debut, Island, is another to be added to that list.

OK there are one or two clunky moments but this is an otherwise beautifully shot and acted piece which is intriguing from the outset. Protagonist Nikki (Natalie Press) travels to a remote and bleak island, hell-bent on revenge on her mother Phyllis (Janet McTeer*) who abandoned her as a child. But her plans go awry when she realises she has a brother, Callum (Colin Morgan**) and her mission becomes more about wresting him from matriarchal control.

But weaving its way, like a cat around its owner's legs at meal times, are a series of delightful myths and legends which Nikki and Callum tell each other - almost recreating the childhood they never had together. It lends the story a hint of the fairytale but fairytale of the Grimm vein where there is hint of the grotesque and sinister. Something that is not that far from the truth as revealed in the films final scenes.

Definitely a palette cleanser after the dreadfulness of recent Hollywood fare I've enjoyed it packs a lot of visual and emotional punch. It gets 79% from me but as it has such a limited release at present doesn't yet feature on Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic so you'll have to take my word for it.

 * After the screening there was a Q&A with Brek and Elizabeth who said that Juliet Stevenson and Anne Marie Duff were originally lined up for the female leads. Can't quite see that working as well somehow despite them being such good actors.

** Doing a wonderful Scottish accent - he really is a master but would love to see him do something in his native Northern Irish at some point