I’ll be returning tomorrow

Another break once again. Sorry, but tomorrow I’m starting what’s supposed to be the most pain-in-the-arse year of all - and that’s Year 11. Because of this, my mum wants me to clean up my room to help make it a good working space - and I reckon what she wants is fair because my room is messy like holy hell and it will take a fair bit for me to clean it up, giving me almost no time to post. But stay in tune tomorrow where I review a documentary called Bruce Lee: A Warrior’s Journey.

-Max Gettler

JUNO

Earlier in 2007, we were shown Knocked Up, a movie about pregnancy (sorry, didn’t see Waitress). But later on came Juno, an even better, yet a bit of a different one also focusing on the topic of pregnancy. But this time it’s teen pregnancy. It’s usually stereotyped to be quite a bad thing in the real world but Juno is a film that shows that teen pregnancy is not as bad as it seems.

Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) decides to experiment a little, if you know what I mean, with her good friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). However, once she discovers that she has became accidentally pregnant, she decides to keep the child. Another good friend of Juno is Leah (Olivier Thirlby), who suggests giving her child to a pair of adoptive parents, whose ad is seen in a newspaper. These adoptive parents are Vannessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman), but she has to wait for 9 months until she can do so.

Juno is a film that’s both witty and touching. All the performances in this movie were awesome. Some of my credit goes to J.K. Simmon’s and Allison Banney who both play as Juno’s parents. Lookout for the memorable scene when Allison Banney is telling off an ultrasound technician.

The characters in this movie eventually become people who turn from those who you either like or dislike, yet become people who you can really get to admire. Hell, even Michael Cera’s character might’ve not been the most interesting guy on the block but I eventually ended up loving him.

What I really loved about this movie is that it was so easy for me to sink into. It was perfectly paced and there was no such thing as a dull moment either. It’s a funny, well-written (involving some amusing one-liners) and even a relaxing film to watch.

4.5 orange tic tac containers out of 5

Will you every stop taking these bloody breaks?

Sorry, I can’t. I don’t feel like posting today because I’m tired as hell, since I got no sleep last night. I’ll be posting a review on the film Juno tomorrow, stay in tune.

-Max Gettler

WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox story tells the very harsh and confronting tale of the ever-so-popular country singer, Dewey Cox. Nah, just kidding, what I was meant to say was that this movie is about the life of a make-believe country singer named Dewey Cox (note: this is a comedy and is in no way a serious film).

It opens with Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) reflecting his past before he starts performing in front of one huge crowd. He is looking at how his early days went from up to down. What has really helped made his past quite difficult was when his father kicked him out of the family after he thought that Dewey was bad luck, since he was responsible for accidentally slicing his brother in two and since his music was originally considered as ’satanic’.

Like a few of the films based on music artists these days such as Walk the Line, a movie based on the life of Johnny Cash and Ray, a movie based on the life of Ray Charles, this movie is pretty much a spoof of the whole biopics based on musicians type of films. And it spoofs those type of films quite well, to be honest. Its silly humour makes it hilarious, most of the times but some of the other gags in this movie are bit like something that we’ve either seen before or are just plain silly in general. Although there are a few great ongoing gags presented in the film.

Walk Hard Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a silly film but in a smart way. I don’t reckon it deserved to bomb in the box office in the US.

3.5 people tipping over pianos out of 5

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Blanche Dubois (Vivien Leigh) moves in to her sister’s apartment. Her sister is Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter) who lives with her short-tempered husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando). Stanley really does not like Blanche and makes life a living hell for her as her past begins to haunt her once again.

Vivien Leigh isreally good as the very delusional Blanche. She plays a delusional character so well it almost looks like she’s overracting. But to be honest with you, I reckon that the main highlight of this movie is Marlon Brando. I reckon this movie contains his best performance. After reading the play, he was a lot better than what I imagined him to be. Watch as how he is eyeing Vivien Leigh in the start of the movie when we first see him. And his first agressive outburst, it just comes out of nowhere. Or even the (in)famous scene near the end with his final assault against Blanche and how he looks at her with a smile. Man, he was good.

However, if you were to watch this film, I’d get the remastered version, since it is the uncensored one. It contains, the full scene of Stanley’s final assault against Blanche and intact scenes that contain content that has to do with sexuality.

Although not as great as I hoped, A Streetcar Named Desire does deserves to be known as a classic, with the help of the script and the exceptional performances.

3.5 gunshot sounds out of 5

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Whilst Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) goes hunting in the desert, he stumbles across a killing. But besides him from discovering the dead bodies, he discovers piles of packages containing heroin and a briefcase with $2 million dollars inside. As he takes the case with him, bloodshed begins when he is caught by psychopathic Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) who goes looking for Llewelyn but mostly, the $2.4 million dollars that Llewelyn is carrying. Whilst Anton goes looking for him, he will kill anyone who gets in his way no matter who or how innocent the person may be. Meanwhile, Sherriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) goes looking for both Llewelyn and Anton.

The Coen Brothers are good filmmakers but in all honesty, I have to say that they blew me away with No Country for Old Men, which is their best since The Man Who Wasn’t There (Fargo was good but overrated).

What helps make this film really intense isn’t just the fact that the movie is soundtrackless. Or even the film’s gruesome content but Javier Bardem’s performance as Anton Chigurh. He is probably one of the scariest movie villains to date. When seeing him in the film, how could you look away or even at least feel that he is such a creep, that you can’t help but smile? Rarely do we ever get really intense characters like him in film. Matter of fact, he’s the creepiest since Anthony Hopkins performed as Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs.

There are some absolutely brilliant conversations in No Country for Old Men where Tommy Lee Jones is talking about some dreams he had. Or even some conversations involving Anton and some other character where Anton is deciding whether to kill them or not.

Apart from all the seriousness of the film, the Coen brothers also add some humour, despite the fact that this film would definately not be a part of the comedy genre.

No Country for Old Men is a bloody three-way adventure that is able to have you constantly on the edge of your seat. No Country, you are up for some Oscars.

5 weird looking hairdos out of 5

Films I saw on my four week break pt. 3: more from New Zealand (North Island)

American Gangster

Based on the true events that occured in New York City from 1969-1975, American Gangster tells the tale of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a driver involved with the mob, who then becomes a very wealthy and succesful heroin dealer after his boss’s death. Meanwhile, a cop, Richie Roberts (Russell Rowe) is very much trying to crack down the drug chain in the Big Apple.

Every single performance in this film is great but my favourites were from Josh Brolin, who played as a menacing, violent and corrupt cop and Denzel Washington, who of course plays as the film’s main gangster who sometimes really does not know how to control his violent outbursts. Also, the monologues performed by Denzel Washington are well-written, making them quite powerful and giving them the ability to make you feel at least a bit of symopathy for him.

Unfortunately, what could have made this film a masterpiece or at least close to something like that is that it did get a bit dull towards the end, which involved a scene where Richie Roberts is checking the coffins of the dead soldiers. It might’ve been an important scene, but I found that one to be far from engaging.

Nonetheless, this is a really good gangster flick, but don’t expect it to be one of the ones that always has you in suspense or has a thriling final shootout. This is quite a powerful movie and is definately worth watching.

4 acts of violence against cups out of 5

 

The Full Monty

Set in Sheffield, Gary (Robert Carlyle) used to be a steel worker but is now unemployed and is about to lose his son because he is unable to pay for joint custody. His five other friends/former co-workers – Dave (Mark Addy), Lomper (Steve Huison) and Gerald (Tom Wilkinson) aren’t doing too well either; Dave reckons that his wife isn’t interested in him anymore because he sees himself as overwieght, Lomper must take care of his dying mother and feels suicidal. And finally, Gerald has been lying to his wife about his unemployment for six months. However, the four of them reckon that if they perform a strip show at the Chipendales dance club, they can win ‘a lot of money’. And so they organise their own strip show starring themselves and two other guys named Horse (Paul Barber) and Guy (Hugo Speer) where they go ‘the full monty’ for one night only, that is strippin’ down to nutn’.

This film very much reminded me of Brassed Off, however I thought this was funnier, since it was a lot more light-hearted, even though there were at least a few sad moments, but at least it’s amusing from start to finish.

Although the characters aren’t as sympathetic or as likeable as the writer would’ve wanted them to be, they are at least entertaining and fun to laugh at.

It also does lack a bit in laughs but it at least has the ability to put a smile on your face. Surprisingly, this film is not as explicit as I expected it to be. It is a charming and fun film to watch and is suitable (or at least I reckon) for all ages.

3.5 penis pumps out of 5

Films I saw on my four week break pt. 2: New Zealand (North Island)

(Rest in peace Heath Ledger)

Last summer holiday I had, I went to the South Island of New Zealand. This time, I went to the North Island and I had a lot of fun, however what you fellow readers probably want to know most is what films I saw.

Fist of Fury

The film opens up with Chen Zhen (Bruce Lee), a student of a Chinese martial art’s school, going to his teacher’s funeral. The grief stricken person that he is becomes determined to solve the mystery behind his teacher’s death whilst a Japanese martial art’s school is constantly harassing his.

Since I saw the dubbed version of this film (I would’ve watched it subtitled if only it wasn’t a cheap DVD you’ll find in the $5 dollar bin), I was a bit embarrased because the voice acting and the dialogue was really below average. But I got used to it since I’ve seen this film before.

However, the 70s martial arts films weren’t the deepest films of all-time, that’s for sure but this film is surprisingly deep. It’s got some heart-warming romance and even tragedy – now that’s something I like.

Fist of Fury also contains some the best fights to have ever been seen in Bruce Lee’s entire film career. In the first fight scene he is taking on an entire martial arts school single-handedly, and that’s only in the start.

Speaking of Bruce Lee, other than being a legendary action movie star, he’s a very underrated actor. Sure, he might’ve overracted a bit in the start but later on his performance gets better and better. He’s also very good in a scene where he pretends to be a handyman to fix some phones, that had me smiling big time.

This is one of the three best Bruce Lee movies and if you like him, I can guarantee you’ll definately like this.

3.5 Russian fighters built like a brick shithouse out of 5

 

Love Actually

Love is everywhere. The new PM of Britain (Hugh Grant) finds himself attracted to his tea-lady (Martine McCutcheon). His sister, Karen (Emma Thompson) finds her husband (Alan Rickman) to have been acting quite suspicious lately. Daniel (Liam Neeson) who is a widower is very curious as to why his step-son (Thomas Sangster) shuts himself off from everyone and cries almost all the time. Jamie Bennett (Colin Firth) is a writer, discovers that his wife has cheated on him and goes back to the South of France and has fallen in love with his Portugeuse housekeeper (Lucia Moniz). Colin Frissell (Kris Marshall) is an absolute dork who can’t seem to pick up any girl but reckons he can if he goes to America. Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is an aged rock star doing a cover of the song Love is All Around. Juliet’s (Keira Knightley) husband’s best man has a crush on her and Sarah (Laura Linney) is almost unable to have any romance due to the demands of her brother.

Did you take note of all of that? Good. Besides one helluva storyline, it has got on helluva cast. They all act brilliantly, even Rowan Atkinson who doesn’t really have much of a role but he sure is amusing when he plays as the suave jeweller, serving Alan Rickman.

Although it is a bit confusing and isn’t a happy film all the way through (that’s not a bad thing), how can you not be entertained by Love Actually?

3.5 gift-wrappings out of 5

Stay in tune for pt. 3 tomorrow where I review the next half of the films I saw in the North Island of New Zealand for that I have some work to do. I do apologise.

Films I saw on my four week break pt. 1: SKIF Summer Camp 07-08

SKIF is a youth group I go to and most holidays I have, there is usually a SKIF camp. This Summer break, I went to SKIF Summer Camp. The films we saw over there were Thank You for Smoking and The Siege.

Thank You for Smoking

Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart, who reminded me very much of his other very similar character he had to play, Chad, in the film In the Company of Men) is the chief of a cigarette company known as Big Tobacco and his job is to promote smoking, even though he doesn’t care about how many deaths have been caused by smoking in the first place. But do-gooder organisations who are anti-smoking bear a grudge against Nick and he must argue against every point they make.

Apart from that, Nick’s son, Joey (Cameron Bright), very much looks up to his dad and must understand the person that his father is. However, a journalist who has betrayed Nick (Katie Holmes) is the one who is helping make Nick’s life and reputation collapse.

Jason Reitman has assembled a rather good cast in this whacky satirical comedy. Aaron Eckhart’s character always has lunch with the so-called ‘MOD Squad’ who consist of the two actors Maria Bello and David Koechner, his loudmouth boss is played brilliantly by Robert Duvall, his enemy is a do-gooder played by William H. Macy and he also negotiates with a Hollywood agent played by Rob Lowe. The whole cast is brilliant in this film and if it weren’t for them, the film really wouldn’t be that funny.

Thank You for Smoking is not an attack on smokers or the tobacco companies, it is just a social commentary everyone can enjoy and have a good laugh at.

3.5 delicious looking hamburgers with an American flag on top out of 5

 

The Siege

After the US military abducts a religous Islamic leader, terrorist attacks are now being caused in New York City. Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington), the head of New York’s FBI’s Counter-Intelligence Task Force, must team up with with Elise Kraft (Annette Bening), a CIA agent and both of them track down the terrorists. Whilst the bombings are still happening, martial law has been declared by the government in New York City and has now became a battleground.

Now let’s just get this out of the way. Is this film anti-Islamic? No it’s not. Although there are many Muslims in this film who are portrayed as terrorists, there are Muslims in The Siege who are portrayed as innocent people and are victims of torture.

Now, if you’re expecting The Siege to be an intelligent political thriller, then you may find yourself to be disappointed because all it is, is just an action-packed film that doesn’t require much thinking at all.

Speaking of disappointments, there is quite a lack of character development. We barely even get to know which character is supposed to be doing what in the film.

But other than that, every single member of the cast delivers strong performances and they at least contribute to making this movie watchable.

The Siege is fun to watch and even though it’s not as deep as it would like to be, there are some performances that are quite strong.

3.5 exploding pizza boxes out of 5

Two movies to review

Bad Taste

A group of aliens are butchering the citizens of the town Kaihoro for their intergalactic fast food chain known as Crumbs Crunchy Delights. But there is still hope thanks to the Astro-Investigation and Defense Service (AIDS) to stop the aliens from butchering more people. But as it starts off as a rescue mission, it becomes a war with the AIDS versus the aliens.

Before Peter Jackson was a Hollywood superstar, he used to direct b-grade splatter films and this was his first and his most enjoyable (even though many people think Braindead is his best). It is a very fun film to watch. It’s got plenty of splatter, which is enough to make the bloodthirstiest film fanatics satisfied and plenty of slapstick comedy and even action.

Don’t worry about your brain when watching this film, appreciate it for what it is. It’s a fun action-packed ride but it does require a strong stomach.

4 bowls of vomit out of 5

 

This Is England

Based on the events that happened in writer and director Shane Meadow’s earlier life, This Is England is set in England (obviously) during 1983. It tells the story of a young 12-year-old boy, Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) who lives with his widowed mother (Jo Hartley). But after being bullied at school one day, he meets a gang of skinheads on the way home and are quite friendly to him. He then decides to join them and he becomes one himself; Shaun is now enjoying the new life with his new outfit, going to parties, hooking up and making new friends. But one night during one of the parties, a good of friend of the gang, Combo (Stephen Graham) crashes the party after coming back from jail and he is no longer the friendly person that he used to be, he is now very much a supporter of the racist National Front and he has now caused the gang to divide. Shaun, who has been inspired by Combo’s racist views decides to join him in the National Front.

If there was one reason as to why you should see This Is England, it would be because of the performances. Shane Meadows has definately created a very good cast. Newcomer Thomas Turgoose puts on a brilliant performance as Shaun and Stephen Graham is very much a scene stealer, he is able to make the viewer feel really uncomfortable with his performance as the brainwashed member of the National Front.

This is a heartbreaking, moving, realistic and unsettling tale that goes deep down into the topic of coming-of-age and racism.

4.5 boys wanting Dock Martins out of 5