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Terminator Genisys (2015)
Junk for the scrapheap.
This terrible movie has made me appreciate the original even more. Whereas the original is well-directed, has a tense, clever script, and a well-chosen, enjoyable cast - Genisys is poorly directed, feels far from tense and exciting, has a weak script with atrocious dialogue, and the actors - apart from Arnie - are either weak or miscast.
The dialogue shocked me with how poor it was, to the point where I had to laugh at how laughably bad it can be. Jai Courtney was absolutely horrific playing Kyle Reese. Like some meathead wrestler with no acting talent - it was sickening to see after the original actor(Michael Biehn)was so convincing with his brilliant performance. Jason Clarke looked creepy as John Connor, which made the character very off-putting. Then you have the tragically comical casting of Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor. Her baby face and short stature, made her look ridiculous playing a character who was originally played by Linda Hamilton, who is above average height and actually had a toughness about her. Emilia playing such an iconic, tough female character, has to be one of the worst casting decisions ever.
So, with a weak, annoying script, a miscast bunch of uninspiring actors, and just an overall air of cheapness, this is, by far, the worst film in the franchise. I wish someone had terminated the script before it was made into this pile of junk.
Under the Skin (2013)
Strange and hypnotic.
With its art house feel, this film delivers something very unconventional and intensely strange. If you expect action and gory horror, you will certainly be disappointed. But maybe you will end up hypnotised by the eerie world Scarlett Johansson traverses. The gritty, bleak environment feels like a mixture of grim reality and shadowy nightmare. At times it feels like a surreal dream you want to wake up from, but one that is so compulsive, you can't resist continuing.
Scarlett Johansson is captivating and her English accent spot on. There are many sights, sounds, and characters that go together to create the overall nightmarish dreamscape experience. The direction, creative flair and overall design, make this film very different from the norm.
I came away feeling very affected by the intense experience this film delivers. I will watch it again at some point, but only when my mind is ready, because it really took me to a dark, disturbing place.
Was It Something I Said? (2013)
Episode 2 proved it's a good show.
I was looking forward to this new show, because David Mitchell and Richard Ayoade are personalities I really enjoy watching, but Episode 1 was a bit of a let down, because everyone looked nervous and it all seemed a bit wooden and not very funny.
Episode 2 was a revelation, though, as the entertainment went up a few gears and everything was more relaxed, flowed better, and was very funny and enjoyable. For me, the star of the show is Richard Ayoade, as he never fails to amuse. David Mitchell does a good job, and it's always fun to see him expressing his thoughts and arguing with people. Micky Flanagan doesn't appeal to me as much as the other two, but he has an energy and enthusiasm that does create a few laughs.
I like the concept of the show, as it's stimulating but also ripe for comedy. Having a guest celeb read out the quotes is a masterstroke, as you get banter between them and the panel, and it really adds to overall charm and watchability. Overall, it's a show I recommend to everyone who likes comedy panel shows, and I look forward to further episodes and hopefully a second series.
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
Quite good, but not funny enough.
With a crazy premise, you'd think this movie would be full of hilarious moments, but truly funny moments are rare in a movie that severely lacks laughs. The cast is made up of quality actors, but the stand-out funniest character is played by Crispin Glover, who has a very small but inspired part to play. Out of the four central actors, Rob Corddry gets to shine, as his character is ridiculous and has some funny moments. Craig Robinson does his job well, but his character is quite dull. John Cusack doesn't get a chance to shine, as his character is boring and forgettable. Clark Duke is only in it for the script's sake, and his character is extremely dull. A mention must go to Chevy Chase, who has a tiny part, but I enjoyed seeing him.
Apart from the inspired central idea of a Hot Tub that is also a Time Machine, the script isn't very imaginative. I wish the writing had been more creative and wacky. Overall, it's a movie worth watching, but don't expect loads of laughs.
The Purge (2013)
Tedious Rubbish
This could have been a good film, because the premise is interesting, but it doesn't deliver in any department. The dialogue is mostly corny or inane, creating a very amateur vibe. The two lead actors who play the husband and wife are okay, but everyone else may as well be amateurs pretending to be robots. The script consists of 80% tedium, with the other 20% delivering a bit of tension and some weak action sequences. The look of the film is overly dark, which combined with the slow pace and lack of thrills... makes for a tiresome experience.
I was relieved when the whole thing was over. The music on the end credits was actually a highlight. Don't waste your time with this extremely lame film.
Iron Sky (2012)
Darkly Humorous Satire
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Instead of simply being a bit of ridiculous fun, it is also very relevant satire, which helps to make it such an enjoyable experience. Whether it's Obama's "YES WE CAN", how shallow women can be, or Apple( makers of the Ipad ), the writers have fun mocking things they take issue with.
The look of the film is of a high standard, with a lot of care obviously put into the design. The cast do a very good job and suit their characters. All the small details help to add depth to the proceedings - and I enjoyed spotting everything.
Overall a well-made, gripping film that is filled with memorable moments. It ends perfectly with a very biting message.
Dredd (2012)
Incredibly cheap and worthless
Looking like a made-for-TV Syfy channel movie, Dredd has terribly poor production values. I had to laugh at how Dredd looked like someone doing cosplay as he walked around an old shopping mall, with the public looking like a bunch of modern-day people paid to stand around.
I understand that the producers opted for a "gritty realism" style that is popular these days, but that is no excuse for making the movie look like it was shot by amateurs with no idea about how to create ambiance. At times, it felt like the sort of thing college students armed with a good video camera would make for YouTube.
This movie has no redeeming features; it's extremely poor in all areas.
1(awful)is my rating.
Chernobyl Diaries (2012)
No good points
This feels like a very low-budget film, but that's not an excuse for it being so dull in all areas. The actors are OK, but the script is extremely lacking in thrills and imagination. It's all very predictable and uneventful.
It makes the likes of the Resident Evil films seem like masterworks in comparison. I really don't see the point in making low-budget movies like this, if the producers can't overcome the budget constraints with creative flair.
This is the sort of cheap film you get on late night TV, which people watch and soon forget. It isn't extremely bad, but it is vapid, and ultimately a waste of time.
Clerks (1994)
Not on my classics list.
I watched this for the first time the other day, expecting - after noting all the plaudits - it to be something special. I came away thinking it had its moments and felt unusual, but overall, the whole thing didn't impress me for various reasons:
1. The lines often sounded unnatural and not as you'd expect the characters to speak( maybe that's an intentional part of the comedy? ) 2. The acting was a very mixed bag; 3. There were few funny moments; 4. The story was far too limited - with a severe lack of really fun, memorable moments.
I can sort of appreciate why lots of people really like this film, but I think it's over-hyped. I can't understand why anyone would give it more than 7/10. I think Kevin Smith and his crew did a good job, but it's not anything sensational imo. It's a reasonable bit of down to earth, amateurish entertainment - nothing more.
In Time (2011)
Bad acting. Bad Directing. Bad Script
The premise had potential, but every facet of the film is lame. The acting ranges from just about OK, to very cringe-worthy. The scripting and overall direction has a Film Student feel about it, which makes everything come across as amateurish and two-dimensional. There's always the feeling that everything doesn't really make sense and is full of plot holes, but I honestly couldn't be bothered to worry about them, when my mind was occupied with thinking " This is really bad... I can't wait for it to end! "
All this film did was waste my time; there are no positive memories attached to it at all. It fully deserves the pathetic 1/10 I've given it.
Due Date (2010)
Has its moments
This is far from a great comedy, but it has a few funny moments. The two central characters work pretty well, but the relentless attempts to provoke sympathy for Zach Galifianakis' character don't work. Zach's character is ridiculously stupid and annoying, so the way Robert Downey's character warms to him just doesn't feel right.
Most of the comedy feels forced and not well-thought-out; and one scene in particular is based on very juvenile humour. A few scenes do work well, though, and show that the whole film could have been special if the quality had been consistent throughout. The writers clearly couldn't come up with enough good ideas.
Overall, Due Date is a wishy-washy experience, but worth a watch if you aren't expecting comedy gold. 6/10
Life's Too Short (2011)
Very funny and Warwick Davis is brilliant
After watching episode 1, I wasn't sure if this was anything special, but episodes 2 & 3 have convinced me that it's excellent. Warwick Davis is a joy to watch.. as he gets himself into crazy, often cringe-worthy situations. He really has a knack for comedy with his expressions and comic timing.
The way it's shot as a fly-on-the-wall documentary, works really well. The scripts are very well-written, so everything flows perfectly, which means it's never anything less than gripping. The celebrity guest appearances are a great idea, with Johnny Depp's scenes being particularly enjoyable.
Overall.. this show feels fresh and full of fun. Sure it's similar to The Office in some ways, but it's much more wacky and amusing. If there's any justice.. it will be a big success. 10/10
'Orrible (2001)
orrible but good
This show has a genuinely orrible vibe about it. With the rough characters and grimy sets etc.. it looks and feels very much like Fools & Horses - and in some ways.. the characters could be what you'd expect to find in that classic show.
Johnny Vaughan shows his acting talent playing Paul, a guy who dresses like a teenager.. and acts like one too. I really like how he pretends to be someone he's not - and his friend Sean( played brilliantly by the funny Ricky Grover ) always believes all his porkies. Sean is also ever eager to help his pal - with often hilarious results.
Overall, this show is very funny. It has a down to earth charm, amusing characters, and well-written scripts.
All the critics who slated this at the time.. were bang out of order. Supposedly Johnny subsequently said the show was "sh*t" .. but I think it's because he was annoyed by the hard time he got.
I'd much rather watch this than Shameless, but sadly.. the viewing public don't share my taste. Orrible people.
Bored to Death (2009)
A good show, but not brilliant.
I must say this show isn't like Seinfeld - and it's definitely not as funny and brilliant as that show. BTD is a much more downbeat show, with subtle comedy. It also has pot smoking characters( the characters go on and on about it in every episode *YAWN* ) ... but that doesn't mean it's really adult, as teen comedies are often fixated on pot smoking. Most adults wouldn't make such a big deal out of it - like they've just discovered the drug.
Jason Schwartzman is by far the star of the show - and I enjoy his character, although he's a bit two-dimensional. Zach Galifianakis plays a strange sort of character - who comes across as quite troubled and quirky at times, but he's not funny enough. Ted Danson is perfectly suited to his role - and his character is OK, but not that interesting really.
The show feels like it's written by writers who've just graduated college, rather than mature people who have mastered the art of writing comedy. The quality of the writing is very mixed, so some of it is really good, and some quite weak. The comedy only really reaches a high on the odd occasion - and those moments make the show worth watching.
I like what the show delivers overall, but I won't be shouting its praises from the rooftops. It's interesting, with an unusual atmosphere and characters that are watchable. 7/10
Step Brothers (2008)
A waste of time and talent
This movie had potential, but the script just didn't deliver. Instead of being clever and genuinely funny, it is dumb and lacking laughs.
In many ways, it's a movie that you'd expect to find from the 80s, and even looked and felt like one. Sadly, whereas an 80s version would most probably have been funnier and less crude, this modern comedy fails to deliver anything truly memorable.
I have the feeling that the writers tried to copy 80s style humour, but are so locked into the modern 'shock value' mindset, that the whole project ended up being a waste of time and talent.
Will Ferrell is a funny, talented guy, but he obviously can't find scripts that do him justice. He needs to stop embracing lame, crude ideas, and make some genuinely funny movies that people with a reasonable degree of intelligence can laugh at and enjoy.
G.B.H. (1991)
enthralling drama
G.B.H. had me hooked from the start. The story has a lot of depth - and is never less than exciting. All the cast suit their roles perfectly. The two central characters are played with great skill and passion by Robert Lindsay & Michael Palin; I think both of them really enjoyed playing their characters immensely.
The script is intelligent, thought-provoking, and also has a dark comical edge to it. I can't think of many dramas that have delivered such an entertaining roller coaster of emotions.
G.B.H. is a brilliant creation, that fully deserves its 'classic' status.
Game-On (1995)
It's still worth watching.
I bought the box set recently, and was happy to realise that the show is still really funny. Matthew Cottle is hilarious as Martin, the subservient saddo, who has a funny fascination with women. Samantha Janus/Womack is perfectly cast, as she is very sexy and beautiful, so she drives the guys crazy with lust. Her character(Mandy) also has issues and quirks, so she's also fun to watch. Then you have the character Matt, played in the first series by Ben Chaplin, and in the second and third.. by Neil Stuke. Ben Chaplin did a great job, and I thought he was better in some ways than Stuke, simply because you could believe he used to be a girl magnet, because he's good looking and pretty cool, whereas Stuke doesn't look like the kind of guy who'd have women swooning over him.
Chaplin's character was more serious, but I'd say more believable and in some ways funnier. Stuke plays Matt as more madcap and much dimmer, and he definitely doesn't have the authoritative air that Chaplin gave the character. Stuke still did a great job, and changed the Matt character a lot, but I can forget about Chaplin, and just enjoy what Stuke delivers.
Overall, the series is a true '90s gem, that is still worth owning and enjoying.
The Peter Serafinowicz Show (2007)
A really funny comedy show.
Peter Serafinowicz is an extremely talented guy. I wasn't aware of how good he is at comedy until I watched this show. The range of characters he plays are nearly all hilarious and superbly acted. The sketches are a mixed bag - ranging from good to brilliant. There are plenty of standout characters that really stick in the mind.
Sadly, the show wasn't given a second series. I can only guess it failed due to lack of publicity and the time it aired. The BBC really should have given it a second chance, because it's an excellent show, that deserved a chance to attract a big audience.
It will now be seen as a very very cult classic. I can only hope that Peter gets another chance to front a comedy sketch show.
Blue Heaven (1994)
A very watchable, funny show.
I recently watched all six episodes of Blue Heaven, and really enjoyed them. The whole thing has a very subtle style, which is very down to earth, but with an eccentric streak running through it that makes everything really fun. Frank Skinner really impressed me, as did his sidekick Conleth Hill. The two worked really well together. Add an excellent supporting cast to the mix and you are spoilt with acting talent. The stories range from good, to very good, and there are many memorable scenes. I laughed, giggled, and really enjoyed the humour. The whole production has a distinct atmosphere and feel. There is something truly brilliant about it all, but sadly.. for whatever reasons, it didn't find success.
Overall.. it's a must-watch. If only a second series had been made.