When I read this article in the daily mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1254384/Jonathan-Rosss-wife-Jane-Goldman-causes-outrage-film-featuring-foul-mouthed-11-year-old-assassin.html I was outraged... well more curious actually, to read that Jane Goldman of Stardust (2007) and 'Jonathan Ross' wife' fame has apparently side-tracked her way into the world of gore and indecency. But I wonder if Richard Simpson got as far as the trailer - or indeed the synopsis - before he took up his pen full of acid to compare Kick-Ass (2010) with the likes of Tarantino.
"The character, called Hit-Girl, slices off people’s legs and shoots bullets through a man’s cheek. In one scene, the young serial killer – played by 13-year-old American actress Chloe Moretz – screams at her victims: ‘Okay, you ****s, let’s see what you can do now.’"
Now watch this: http://www.youtube.com/user/kickass?v=O5mxBaXHcFw&feature=pyv&ad=4697998620&kw=kick-ass and tell me if it hasn't an air of the Kill Bill's about it... No? You're right, I don't see it either.
I'm not sure whether Simpson's sense of humour has finally given way to the broomstick shoved up his backside or whether he just doesn't get it - I'll put any money on his review of Superbad (2007) containing the words 'pornography', 'binge-drinking' and 'the youth of today' - but his overview of this film seems to be in stark contrast to the comedy being advertised daily on TV.
To me it seems that it's just another excuse to rant, and even after successful test-screenings and the revelation that it is, in fact a comedy the Mail are sticking by their analysis saying it would be 'depressing' to see Kick-Ass successful in UK cinemas.
Luckily not all of the UK press are so bloody stubborn and are taking a more open-minded approach to the movie. The Guardian got the Mail's attitude spot on: "parents and pundits are up in arms, claiming the film encourages children to swear and kill people. And also become superheroes."
The truth is, the likes of Kick-Ass and predecessors such as Superbad and Role Models (2008) aren't made to appeal to grown-ups and serious critics, they're made for teenagers. It's not possible to look at them with a serious mind - if you do it's quite possible that you'll end up suicidal - these kids are charicatures of the charicatures of losers and never before - in my opinion anyway - has film hit the nail on the head with teen comedy like it has in recent years.
The young actors Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Michael Cera and Jonah Hill are between them quickly racking up some of the greatest films of the 00's with an entirely new level of comedy which hasn't been seen before. They're crude and brutally honest which really makes their performances resonate with a young audience.
It's time to face it, teenagers today love to cringe at these super-dorks. They're not watching these films for tips, they're not watching them to relate to the characters - they're watching them for a laugh with their mates whilst thinking 'what a knob'...
Friday 19 March 2010
Monday 8 March 2010
Avatar schmavatar....
OK, so I haven't actually seen Avatar (2009) but I just can't bring myself to go anywhere near it, so strong are my feelings against this film I've never seen that I actually laughed out loud when I heard that Hurt Locker (2009) beat it to win Best Film at the Oscars last night. I've just never been into CGI and 'out of this world' adventures - they don't push my buttons, never have and - if it carries on this way - never will.
I know that I was loving Alien in my last blog, but the reality is there wasn't much of the film that didn't focus purely on the relationships between the human residents of the spaceship.
And if Hurt Locker's success teaches us anything - apart from the fact that women can in fact direct movies - it's that there is plenty going on down here without us bothering our neighbours in the solar system. The Iraq war film won six awards in all (Best Picture, Directing (Kathryn Bigelow), Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay)) and saw Bigelow as the first ever woman to receive the award for Best Director, beating ex-husband James Cameron in the process. Other big winners included Precious (2009), the story of a young girl abused by her parents and Crazy Heart (2009), which features Jeff Bridges as a faded country singer.
You only have to look in the newspapers and magazines everyday to realise that there are a million real-life stories waiting to be turned into a motion picture, or at least capable of inspiring one. But I wonder if, with the advances that 3D is making in cinemas worldwide, the likes of Universal, 20th Century Fox and Disney are focusing more on the visual potential of a film than its' actual story. Again I haven't seen Avatar but from what I've heard and read the visuals are next to nothing whilst the script and storyline are just nothing. Is this really the way that our film industry is going?
Quite frankly the more that I read about 3D and HD, the less inclined I am to even go to the cinema - it's worth noting that the purchase of equipment to screen such films is the reason ticket prices are soaring - which is a massive shame. But with the hopefuls for next year's Oscars already released perhaps there is hope for the coming year...
http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-11-awards-campaign-2009/posts/oscar-2011-begins-at-sundance-with-kids-are-all-right-and-cyrus
I know that I was loving Alien in my last blog, but the reality is there wasn't much of the film that didn't focus purely on the relationships between the human residents of the spaceship.
And if Hurt Locker's success teaches us anything - apart from the fact that women can in fact direct movies - it's that there is plenty going on down here without us bothering our neighbours in the solar system. The Iraq war film won six awards in all (Best Picture, Directing (Kathryn Bigelow), Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay)) and saw Bigelow as the first ever woman to receive the award for Best Director, beating ex-husband James Cameron in the process. Other big winners included Precious (2009), the story of a young girl abused by her parents and Crazy Heart (2009), which features Jeff Bridges as a faded country singer.
You only have to look in the newspapers and magazines everyday to realise that there are a million real-life stories waiting to be turned into a motion picture, or at least capable of inspiring one. But I wonder if, with the advances that 3D is making in cinemas worldwide, the likes of Universal, 20th Century Fox and Disney are focusing more on the visual potential of a film than its' actual story. Again I haven't seen Avatar but from what I've heard and read the visuals are next to nothing whilst the script and storyline are just nothing. Is this really the way that our film industry is going?
Quite frankly the more that I read about 3D and HD, the less inclined I am to even go to the cinema - it's worth noting that the purchase of equipment to screen such films is the reason ticket prices are soaring - which is a massive shame. But with the hopefuls for next year's Oscars already released perhaps there is hope for the coming year...
http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-11-awards-campaign-2009/posts/oscar-2011-begins-at-sundance-with-kids-are-all-right-and-cyrus
Wednesday 24 February 2010
He's behind you!
Ever the cynic when it comes to the films of the '70s and '80s I eyed Alien (1979) with great distain. However having made the ultimate relationship faux pas of saying 'you decide', this is what we spent our Saturday afternoon watching.
I was told 'this is what horror should be like all the time, trust me you're going to love it!' Yes dear, that's what you told me about wasabe...
Still, in my quest to broaden my horizons I obliged and I have to say it wasn't half bad. I've never been one for a horror movie, notably due to my incredibly weak stomach when it comes to blood and gore but I could see what he meant by how a real horror should be - absolutely shit scary!
The difference between this and the likes of Saw (2004) and Hostel (2005) is that the horror isn't in the endless gorefest but rather the use of narrative, music and unbearable tension. We only see the alien a few times throughout the film and yet as an audience you are constantly aware of its presence, hovering over the spaceship's crew as their numbers continue to dwindle. The only time we actually saw the alien kill anyone was when it exploded out of John Hurt's stomach (I say 'we saw', more everybody else saw, I just listened from behind the cushion!) and that was enough to imply the fate of the rest of its victims.
What I suppose I will have to admit is that this film has made me question my attitude towards the older film. Although the SFX were questionable - the falling alien at the end looked suspiciously like a man in a Godzilla costume - this was a horror film which I enjoyed and would say was justified in the guts and gore that it showed.
I was told 'this is what horror should be like all the time, trust me you're going to love it!' Yes dear, that's what you told me about wasabe...
Still, in my quest to broaden my horizons I obliged and I have to say it wasn't half bad. I've never been one for a horror movie, notably due to my incredibly weak stomach when it comes to blood and gore but I could see what he meant by how a real horror should be - absolutely shit scary!
The difference between this and the likes of Saw (2004) and Hostel (2005) is that the horror isn't in the endless gorefest but rather the use of narrative, music and unbearable tension. We only see the alien a few times throughout the film and yet as an audience you are constantly aware of its presence, hovering over the spaceship's crew as their numbers continue to dwindle. The only time we actually saw the alien kill anyone was when it exploded out of John Hurt's stomach (I say 'we saw', more everybody else saw, I just listened from behind the cushion!) and that was enough to imply the fate of the rest of its victims.
What I suppose I will have to admit is that this film has made me question my attitude towards the older film. Although the SFX were questionable - the falling alien at the end looked suspiciously like a man in a Godzilla costume - this was a horror film which I enjoyed and would say was justified in the guts and gore that it showed.
Monday 15 February 2010
Valentines Day
Yes, I have to admit it, this weekend I was that girl we all hate - the one with a boyfriend on Valentines day, what's worse? For the first time ever I threw myself into full on mushy gushy mode.
And anyone who's had their eye on the trailers lately will know this meant only one thing... Valentines day the movie! As hideous as it sounds, the latest offering from Pretty Woman director Garry Marshall takes a more subtle approach to romance, there are no grand gestures, no screaming or tears and yet by the end I was still an emotional wreck.
Taking its' format from the likes of Love Actually (2003) and He's just not that into you (2009), the film follows a number of people loosely linked through their jobs and relationships as they tackle the dreaded day. Although as expected everybody gets a happy ending of sorts - except for the horrible cheating man who inevitably ends up alone - it's not half as sickening as usual. Marshall spends a lot of time in the film looking at the personalities of his characters and so by the end you don't mind a bit of cheese, because quite frankly, they've earned it.
The most comical performance for me came from Anne Hathaway. She plays Liz, a receptionist moonlighting as an 'adult phone entertainer' attempting to have a relationship with Topher Grace's Jason. At first it's hard to believe that the girl from the Princess Diaries (2001) could utter such filth, but she is very convincing and does it to great comic effect. Also worth noting is Taylor Swift's performance as Felicia, a high school girl 'like, totally in love' with her boyfriend, Taylor Lautner's Willy. Swift throws herself into the airhead role, showing that she can take the piss out of herself and that her real-life sense of humour must be great.
For me, what really made this film stand out was the completely unexpected twist at the end. Although I don't want to give it away for those who haven't seen it yet, the final scenes tie together any loose ends beautifully and restored my faith in the romcom, proving that it's not all about the grand gestures, it's the little things that make it work.
And anyone who's had their eye on the trailers lately will know this meant only one thing... Valentines day the movie! As hideous as it sounds, the latest offering from Pretty Woman director Garry Marshall takes a more subtle approach to romance, there are no grand gestures, no screaming or tears and yet by the end I was still an emotional wreck.
Taking its' format from the likes of Love Actually (2003) and He's just not that into you (2009), the film follows a number of people loosely linked through their jobs and relationships as they tackle the dreaded day. Although as expected everybody gets a happy ending of sorts - except for the horrible cheating man who inevitably ends up alone - it's not half as sickening as usual. Marshall spends a lot of time in the film looking at the personalities of his characters and so by the end you don't mind a bit of cheese, because quite frankly, they've earned it.
The most comical performance for me came from Anne Hathaway. She plays Liz, a receptionist moonlighting as an 'adult phone entertainer' attempting to have a relationship with Topher Grace's Jason. At first it's hard to believe that the girl from the Princess Diaries (2001) could utter such filth, but she is very convincing and does it to great comic effect. Also worth noting is Taylor Swift's performance as Felicia, a high school girl 'like, totally in love' with her boyfriend, Taylor Lautner's Willy. Swift throws herself into the airhead role, showing that she can take the piss out of herself and that her real-life sense of humour must be great.
For me, what really made this film stand out was the completely unexpected twist at the end. Although I don't want to give it away for those who haven't seen it yet, the final scenes tie together any loose ends beautifully and restored my faith in the romcom, proving that it's not all about the grand gestures, it's the little things that make it work.
Friday 5 February 2010
Good God will somebody give Steve Martin a hug?
If I'm honest I didn't hold out much hope for It's Complicated, I knew I could count on Meryl Streep to put in a good performance but as for Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin - the jury was still out from Cheaper by the Dozen (2003).
But how wrong I was. This was a great film which gave me a new faith in the older generation of Hollywood stars, every now and again you need this kind of film to remind you that it's not just Seth Rogen who can make you laugh out loud. Streep was, as usual, hilariously tragic as the divorcee torn between her ex and her new love whilst Martin brought me close to tears as he fell for her.
Reminding me a lot of Something's Gotta Give (2003), it shows that the older girls can still give the likes of Katherine Heigl a run for their money - who can forget the two-second flash of a naked Diane Keaton? They throw themselves into their roles and the young actresses of today could definitely learn a thing or two from them!
But how wrong I was. This was a great film which gave me a new faith in the older generation of Hollywood stars, every now and again you need this kind of film to remind you that it's not just Seth Rogen who can make you laugh out loud. Streep was, as usual, hilariously tragic as the divorcee torn between her ex and her new love whilst Martin brought me close to tears as he fell for her.
Reminding me a lot of Something's Gotta Give (2003), it shows that the older girls can still give the likes of Katherine Heigl a run for their money - who can forget the two-second flash of a naked Diane Keaton? They throw themselves into their roles and the young actresses of today could definitely learn a thing or two from them!
Thursday 28 January 2010
You haven't seen Quadrophenia?
The topic of films is shortly to be banned between my boyfriend and I, mostly because I'm sick and tired of the phrase "oh my God! you haven't seen..." shortly followed by "and you call yourself a film buff?" I can't imagine anybody in the world dropping "by the way, I don't know if you're aware that I'm a film buff," and if there's anybody that does, I bet he's a tosser.
I for one certainly do not claim to be an expert in films, merely a bit of a snob - two completely different types of arse.
Part of my film snobbery is to claim that there are few films I like pre Drop Dead Fred (1991) but, in the hope of becoming more open-movie-minded I have started on the 'oh my God you haven't seen' list. First on the list was his Die Hard box set which sent me running for anything else I could possibly find. Cue a late night showing of the '70s Mods and Rockers film Quadrophenia.
All I can say after watching it is that I now know what an Eastenders audition tape consists of (oh and what Ray Winstone's willy looked like 30 years ago). This isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it, it instantly reminded me of This is England with its 'snapshot' style, showing a portion of a life as opposed to a beginning, middle and end, you feel that nothing much happened yet come away with a new opinion on life way back when we were mere twinkles in our parents' eyes.
I for one certainly do not claim to be an expert in films, merely a bit of a snob - two completely different types of arse.
Part of my film snobbery is to claim that there are few films I like pre Drop Dead Fred (1991) but, in the hope of becoming more open-movie-minded I have started on the 'oh my God you haven't seen' list. First on the list was his Die Hard box set which sent me running for anything else I could possibly find. Cue a late night showing of the '70s Mods and Rockers film Quadrophenia.
All I can say after watching it is that I now know what an Eastenders audition tape consists of (oh and what Ray Winstone's willy looked like 30 years ago). This isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it, it instantly reminded me of This is England with its 'snapshot' style, showing a portion of a life as opposed to a beginning, middle and end, you feel that nothing much happened yet come away with a new opinion on life way back when we were mere twinkles in our parents' eyes.
Thursday 21 January 2010
Wossy's Bucks Fizz moment is finally upon us
Jonathan Ross is what some might call a 'British institution', taking his place on Friday night television for as long as we can remember and hosting his popular Radio 2 show. But alas it was recently announced that he is leaving the Beeb following one pay-cut too many, prompting the question 'what will he do next?'
In their reporting, the papers would suggest that Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Film 2010 with Jonathan Ross and his Radio 2 show will be neatly bundled up and taken with him to his next home but I fear that in the move much will be lost.
Because in reality Ross has a great eye for film (I realise this is quite the contentious statement, feel free to disagree) there is no other TV show which provides in-depth analysis and features like Film 2010 and in fact this is the only time that I can stand to watch the man.
Always portrayed as the comedian, Ross is actually not that funny. Yes I said it. He can get a giggle out of an audience at a push but every time he cracks a joke anybody who's seen a Ricky Gervais DVD screams 'heard it!' at the TV.
My point here isn't to lay into poor Wossy, the guy's talented and has made a lot of money doing what he does but I just think we're all missing out on his best quality which is as a serious movie reviewer. I don't know, maybe I'll start a facebook group or something, but the last thing we need is another inane chat show, give us what we need, an intelligent weekly overview of the film industry... Please!
In their reporting, the papers would suggest that Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Film 2010 with Jonathan Ross and his Radio 2 show will be neatly bundled up and taken with him to his next home but I fear that in the move much will be lost.
Because in reality Ross has a great eye for film (I realise this is quite the contentious statement, feel free to disagree) there is no other TV show which provides in-depth analysis and features like Film 2010 and in fact this is the only time that I can stand to watch the man.
Always portrayed as the comedian, Ross is actually not that funny. Yes I said it. He can get a giggle out of an audience at a push but every time he cracks a joke anybody who's seen a Ricky Gervais DVD screams 'heard it!' at the TV.
My point here isn't to lay into poor Wossy, the guy's talented and has made a lot of money doing what he does but I just think we're all missing out on his best quality which is as a serious movie reviewer. I don't know, maybe I'll start a facebook group or something, but the last thing we need is another inane chat show, give us what we need, an intelligent weekly overview of the film industry... Please!
Monday 18 January 2010
Guido! GUIDO!
I have to admit from the outset that, although I would describe myself as a lover of realist cinema, I have a guilty pleasure. I never crave chocolate and gave up smoking with relative ease, but I just can't go a fortnight without watching a musical.
To date I have to say that my favourite is still the ridiculously cheesy 'Hairspray' (2007) although now Nine, Chicago director Rob Marshall's Italian-set musical is coming in a close second thanks to the central character, troubled screenwriter Guido Contini.
I don't know what it is about a man singing and dancing that makes me melt but when Daniel Day-Lewis (much like the love of my life Zac Efron) glided across the screen in 'Guido's Song' I was his in a second. I really enjoy seeing a man dance effortlessly and Day-Lewis had the cheeky rogue Guido down to a tee, seemingly making no real effort whilst knowing he had the heart of every woman in the room. Don't get me wrong if I were to see a man dancing like that in the street I would probably cross the road quite quickly, but in the movies it's more than OK with me!
Perhaps my love of musicals stems from my equal passion for the realist film - many are suprised to hear me recommend 'Mamma Mia' and Gus Van Sant's 2003 masterpiece 'Elephant' in the same breath - but it's so important to balance things out, a lot of these 'indie' films leave you reaching for the sleeping pills so why not have a singalong to perk yourself up?
Although maybe a little long (by the time the film was halfway through I found myself wishing the film was called six, or seven at a push) Nine showcases some real hidden talents from the likes of Kate Hudson as the racy Stephanie and Marion Cotillard as Guido's long-suffering wife Luisa with each of the nine ladies having a song each.
I couldn't end this blog without a special mention to Penelope Cruz, the Spanish beauty with the loveliest bum I've seen in a film for a very long time.
To date I have to say that my favourite is still the ridiculously cheesy 'Hairspray' (2007) although now Nine, Chicago director Rob Marshall's Italian-set musical is coming in a close second thanks to the central character, troubled screenwriter Guido Contini.
I don't know what it is about a man singing and dancing that makes me melt but when Daniel Day-Lewis (much like the love of my life Zac Efron) glided across the screen in 'Guido's Song' I was his in a second. I really enjoy seeing a man dance effortlessly and Day-Lewis had the cheeky rogue Guido down to a tee, seemingly making no real effort whilst knowing he had the heart of every woman in the room. Don't get me wrong if I were to see a man dancing like that in the street I would probably cross the road quite quickly, but in the movies it's more than OK with me!
Perhaps my love of musicals stems from my equal passion for the realist film - many are suprised to hear me recommend 'Mamma Mia' and Gus Van Sant's 2003 masterpiece 'Elephant' in the same breath - but it's so important to balance things out, a lot of these 'indie' films leave you reaching for the sleeping pills so why not have a singalong to perk yourself up?
Although maybe a little long (by the time the film was halfway through I found myself wishing the film was called six, or seven at a push) Nine showcases some real hidden talents from the likes of Kate Hudson as the racy Stephanie and Marion Cotillard as Guido's long-suffering wife Luisa with each of the nine ladies having a song each.
I couldn't end this blog without a special mention to Penelope Cruz, the Spanish beauty with the loveliest bum I've seen in a film for a very long time.
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