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'...
Showing posts with label Jonathan Ross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jonathan Ross. Show all posts
Friday, 19 March 2010
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!
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