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Dark Shadows (2012)
soulless film
Tim Burton managed to leave me totally void of any emotion through the entirety of this movie. I didn't like it or dislike it, just totally middle of the road. It looked real nice as Burton has a flair for the Gothic but it was as if he just didn't care about the material enough. Frankenweenie is testament that when the work is personal he can produce wonderful idea's and marry them to film with ease. Nobody springs to life and aesthetically the film looks decent but without the small details that set his notable works apart.
There is no firm plot. The family have money troubles, Depp turns up and reveals a hidden treasure room. Money troubles gone. Seriously, that quick. The movie avoids any real interesting plot devices such as the recent string of killings upon Depps return. Or the story of the boy who can apparently see his dead mother. How about the secret around Moretz troubled teen, no we'll just address those in the last five minutes. The love interest also has a back story summed up in a matter of moments. The tumultuous relationship between Depp and Green opens this movie and delivers for the small part. Overall though it plays out exactly as you would expect. You'll be left wondering why the manner in which they deal with the witch didn't just happen right off the bat.
Considering the eclectic talent filled cast you'd think there would at least be some interesting performances. There isn't. All actors deliver the bare minimum, totally due to the script issues. This just leaves the meat for Depp and Green. Green just mails it in and Depp plays his role like Jack Sparrow dressed for Halloween.
I will never watch this again.
The Dictator (2012)
Hugely disappointed
I wanted this film so bad. I had readied myself for the best laugh to be had at the cinema in 2012. It just wasn't. I mean I did laugh, here and there, but just not as much as his previous work. At all.
I can see how this particular character could've got Sacha killed if played straight to an unassuming public. However the alternative shouldn't be a by the numbers one note script! It's like the proverbial punk rock band selling out. His other personalities mined comedy from the unsuspecting participants. Borat made you feel as if you were 'in' on the joke, the element of fun and danger was just lost. The dictator simply offers bad taste jokes, bucket loads. Some hit some miss. A real shame.
As for Sacha Baron Cohen, I'm still a huge fan. From his comedic work on the 11 o'clock show, Ali G, Borat, Bruno and Talladega nights to more serious parts like Sweeny Todd and Hugo. I believe he is a talent. Aladeen is a thoroughly repellent character in all the best ways. Cohen does that like only he can. The comparison with Sellers is a just one. Just maybe not with this film.
Comedy is very subjective so please don't take this review as a bashing of others tastes. Its simply the opinion of a very disappointed viewer.
War of the Dead (2011)
Utterly terrible
Yet again another staggeringly bad entry under the zombie banner. The movie has zero character development which leaves the viewer with nothing to care about. The writers should have watched predator or at least the first 15 minutes, it's a master class in how to set up the protagonists. Add to this the thinnest plot imaginable and you really are left with something you purely just stare at for 90 minutes.
This means all that is left are the action sequences. I was often left wondering what the hell was going on and who was killing who. Action scenes were messily shot and in between you were given little more motive than let's drive this car over there to the next scene. The director clearly had been brushing up on his band of brothers and private Ryan as the film does mimic their look but only to a degree. The scene from Ryan where the Jewish soldier and German soldier wrestle over the knife was practically lifted wholesale and chucked in, laughable.
These were not zombies, Nazi or otherwise. More like mutants.
To address the "if you love zombie movies, you'll love this" or genre lovers (zombie or horror). I ask you this, why would you like or love this? It's terrible. I love zombies and horror, so much that this film irritated me. You may love zombies too but if you rate this at all you also simply like awful films too. That's fine but this particular film is a disservice to an already struggling genre. Avoid this watch Dead Snow.
Django Unchained (2012)
modern classic
Tarantino finally unchains his "southern". The wait has been worth it. Tarantino has become a modern master. Django is littered with gorgeous shots, snappy dialogue, exquisite genre set pieces and a wonderful soundtrack. The movie flew through its running time and I found there to be no dips in quality.
The cast turn in stellar performances. Foxx is triumphant as the titular hero determined to find his beloved broomhilda. Washington repairs with Foxx as husband and wife after ray and both have an excellent chemistry. DiCaprio gives a career best as the villainous Calvin Candie. He should seek out roles like this more often as it shows a whole new side to his talent. Jackson is fantastic as Candies head of house, the despicable Stephen. I love Jackson as an actor and its nice to be reminded of the type of performance he's capable of. Last but not least is Waltz as the awesomely named Dr King Schultz. Waltz brings to life the German bounty hunter with aplomb. There are so many other minor character moments I could go on for ages.
Overall as lovers of cinema we have at hand a modern classic. I honestly believe that in 100 years this film will be enjoyed as a standout of the genre. Tarantino is a film maker having fun (notice broomhilda's surname) which means we get to have fun. The movie certainly is bloody and has liberal doses of the n'word but it never felt gratuitous. It always served the story.
Rush out and see this movie.
American Reunion (2012)
no more pie please, we are full
So we have the fourth instalment of the flogged horse that is American Pie. The film avoids any potential fertile ground for moving these characters along. The wedding instalment capped these characters off. Hence the ludicrous amount of shite that followed sporting the title. The central themes for each person haven't changed in the slightest. Its two hours of dick/fart jokes without a character to care about or root for. They haven't grown up at all. Its as if the writers have decided this film is set the following week of the previous events. Bizarre.
The performances are middle of the road and you can almost see the pain in Sean William- Scotts eyes as he grits his way through. Most support cast do return in a "oh look its me" kinda way, great if you like that type of thing.
Its sounds like I hated it, so why not a lower score? Because I actually enjoyed the series. I liked the characters and still have some love for them. I laughed a few times and to be fair Eugene levy's popcorn scene killed me. It just wasn't enough. The story had been told, this was a pay cheque for the actors and throwaway bankable comedy for the studio.
So one slice too much for me.