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Ready Player One (2018)
MIssed Opportunity
Such a missed opportunity.
Instead of creating a trilogy which could reflect the fantastic book in detail we got this mish mash which feels like it was written by someone who heard an overview of the story.
The book is a love story about computers, games and the 1980's. The movie is an action film with a side story of 80's nostalgia.
If this had been split into three movies:
Ready Player One: The Copper Key
Ready Player One: The Jade Key
Ready Player One: The Crystal Key
The screenwriters could have stayed true to the actual story, kept the relationships between the characters interesting and believable and kept the way they all meet (both in real life and in the Oasis) natural rather than just happening (how on Earth does Aech or Art3mis find Wade just at the right times??!!!).
I would have loved to have seen some of my favourite games and movies from the 80's reproduced in this online world and if they had stuck to the original material I think this would have been a trilogy for the ages but they didn't and we're left with not a lot to remember.
If you've read the book, don't watch this and spoil the story. If you haven't read the book, watch this and then read the book.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Not a patch on it's predecessor
Infinity War is possibly one of the greatest movies there ever was. It has superheroes, comedy and suspense in spades and has you on the edge of your seat for two and a half hours. If you're not laughing you are biting your fingernails.
Endgame is not half the film of its predecessor. It could have been a masterpiece if the writers had only continued the same formula. Instead they turned it into something resembling an Ironman and Captain America tribute.
One of the most appealing things about Infinity War was that all of the heroes had major parts, had amusing lines and were in situations that made you care about them. Endgame features appearances of about 1 minute for the majority of the Avengers except Ironman, Captain America, Antman and Hawkeye. Even Thor who had a lot of screentime is diminished and for no particular reason. I mean, this god nearly killed Thanos, yet in the next movie is reduced to a comedy sideshow?
In all honesty the movie feels rushed, it's like they had a timeline to get it finished and went with the script that was the best of a poor bunch. I mean, what was the point of Captain Marvel and the major movie before? She featured for about 30 seconds in 3 hours. Infinity War insinuated she would have a major say in the outcome yet her screentime was barely worth a credit which was the same for most of the other Avengers. In fact, why market this movie as Avengers at all?
After all of the hype and the absolute triumph that is Infinity War, two and a half hours with little more than talking, then one fight scene resembling, but not a patch on, the Wakanda fight does not give this movie a right to a good rating. MCU phase 3 should have finished with Infinity War, on a high at the end of a rollercoaster with questions that need to be answered. Endgame leaves the questions answered, but does it in a tame, humourless way.
Instead of moving to phase four with a bang, Marvel have gone with a fingersnap...
Saying that, at least I can now say I have a body like Thor!
Arrival (2016)
Just Wow!
Possibly as close to perfect as you can get.
The majority of Hollywood Alien movies are about invasion and how much more advanced other races are / would be / could be / should be. This movie is more about symbiosis and probably more a comment on global politics than most would care to admit.
The movie is a slow burner, with flashbacks to a massive loss for the main character leading up to a breathtaking final 10 minutes. A lot of negative reviews are from people who don't understand what happened. Ignore these people and watch the movie. Use your imagination and listen to the dialogue. Sometimes, the biggest things that happen in movies don't have flashing lights or dramatic music to tell you it has happened!
I watched this movie and sat talking to my wife about it for two hours after. It is slow, but the gift is heartbreaking and a real talking point, especially for the main character and her future.
Passengers (2016)
Not Great, but an Enjoyable Trip
This is not a great movie. This is even not "One to watch", but this movie is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday night.
The movie start with a death sentence. Computer error wakes Jim up 30 years into a 120 year hibernation and condemns him to die before reaching his destination. A year later, he has explored the whole ship and tried everything to get himself back into hibernation and reach his new home. Then he sees Aurora and falls in love with her after researching her life and watching her personal videos. After much debate he finally falls victim to his loneliness and wakes her up in the need for human contact and the love he has developed.
The accusations of date rape are absurd. Aurora falls in love with Jim. She makes a conscious choice for this. She doesn't sleep with him or fall in love with him through pity, or fear, she does so through personal choice. I want to make this clear and also to make the point that most of the junk being thrown at this movie is because Jim woke up first. If it was Aurora who had woke up Jim then the movie would probably have won 17 Oscars and been held as a rallying cry for women in Space!
The movie has a lot going for it. The characters are deep, well meaning and best of all, flawed. Jim has a lot of difficulties being alone and Aurora has intimacy issues illustrated by her videos from her old friends. Humans are not perfect and neither of the protagonists are painted as such. The physics are just the right side of believable (even using the gravity of a star to create kinetic energy) and although this is just a love story, there is more about it than a standard Hollywood movie.
The ending is written to give the viewer the idea of just how much can be achieved in a lifetime. The logistics of this are arguable, but as this is set in an unknown time in the future, how can you disagree?
All in all, a well spent couple of hours dreaming of Space.
A Monster Calls (2016)
Outstanding
Anyone who has read another of my reviews will understand that I don't try and guess any endings to a movie whilst watching it. I just try and enjoy what it brings, as it appears on screen.
This movie is heartbreaking. Watching a young boy try to carry on with his life whilst his mother fights illness, dealing with the day to day horror that is bullying and trying to come to terms with an estranged father is more horrific than any zombie movie. The movie deals with the above head on and in no way glorifies any of it.
What makes this movie stand out is what the viewer takes from the experience. Most movies these days have the US Army or a miracle doctor in Washington save the day. This movie splashes into the waters of loss and washes all over you. There is the hero in the form of the Monster, but this movie teaches you that sometimes heroes don't save the day in the movieland way you would expect.
An amazing all round spectacle. The Monster looks and sounds fantastic, the gloomy UK scenery is all too realistic and the acting is top notch. All in all, this is a great way to spend an evening, just bring a box of tissues.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
An Excellent Addition to the Story
I understand there are many people that will hate this movie because it has Emma Watson in it. I also think that to hate this movie for that reason is unjust and frankly stupid.
Yes, Emma Watson deserves criticism for some (OK, maybe a lot) of her acting in the Harry Potter series. She reminds me of Joey in Friends when he was playing Dr Drake Ramoray and explained the 'Smell the fart' acting when he couldn't remember his lines! Some of her pauses in Harry Potter are exactly like that!
Anyway, back the movie in hand. There are some major plot holes in the 1991 cartoon, and every single one is addressed in this movie, giving it depth, background and originality. There is one story and you can only tell it so many ways, so for all the people who expect something original, I have one message: 'Go watch something else'.
The CGI graphics are excellent, the colours and scenery are extremely well done and the movie as a whole looks impressive. With the extra scenes and explanations, the movie gives a more satisfactory story (even when you didn't realise you needed one after the 1991 version) including the castle no one misses, the significance of the library gift and the fact that none of the castle characters are ever missed from the local village.
I took my 9 year old to see this and she loved it. The wolf scenes could be scary for younger viewers (mine couldn't watch!) but she laughed and cheered all the way through. An excellent evening spent and one I would repeat given a chance.
Others may concentrate on originality (originality in a remake?!), slight CGI deficiencies in certain places (please!) or the fact that Emma Watson is in the movie, but don't listen to them. The Beast looks great, the wolves are a 2 minute segment and Emma Watson, although not the most beautiful woman in the World, has similar features to the cartoon version and more than holds her own in the role (even managing to lose the dramatic 'smell the fart' pauses).
An enjoyable evening out for those with kids and for us kids at heart.
Bokeh (2017)
Fantastic Idea, Poorly Executed
I've been waiting to see this movie for ages. I saw a trailer over a year ago and thought the concept was amazing, two people who might just be the last two people on Earth. Whoa! Unfortunately, the concept is the best thing about this movie. It starts out great, the scene is set (and the scenery is so good it makes me want to visit Iceland!) and although there are hints at what happens, there is no concrete evidence and no one to ask.
The scene is set for an amazing, independent movie to blow your mind with a message of epic proportions! Alas, the message never appears and you sit through an hour and a half of a couple trying to while away the hours waiting for the inevitable.
I SO wanted to love this movie, but it has no point and no conclusion and after watching the movie, you realise that there is actually no reason for making or watching the movie. If there was something that happened, it would have a point, but there isn't.
The most dramatic part of this movie is its colossal failure. The acting is OK, the scenery is fantastic and the build up is great. Sadly, the film goes downhill after the initial 10 minutes until you are finally put out of your misery when the credits roll.
If you want to watch a movie of this ilk, watch The Blue Lagoon instead as it is a similar concept of solitude, but with characters who have depth and strength.
Sorry Bokeh crew, I was rooting for you but it's a poor movie
Suicide Squad (2016)
2 hours of Fun
Why don't people just enjoy a movie anymore? A long time ago people made movies that gave the average person 2 hours of timeout. No one cared if the CGI wasn't perfect, or that the bad guys makeup was too generic (see Star Wars episode IV or Doctor Who). They saw the movie and took 2 hours away from reality to relax. Now everyone wants to bang on about how character development wasn't up to their standard, blah, blah, blah!
Lighten up guys!
This movie is a great way to enjoy a Saturday night. It has subtle humour, pink unicorns and witches who want to take over the World. Margot Robbie and Jared Leto steal every scene. Jared Leto is no Heath Ledger as the Joker (but no one will ever portray this character like Heath Ledger) but he is excellent in this movie and makes me feel like there HAS to be a spin off movie for the Joker and Harley. Margot Robbie continues her stunning rise and is the real star of this movie, her quips making each scene more enjoyable while making fun of her fellow squad members and herself alike.
Will Smith plays the same character he has played since the Fresh Prince. Anyone who watches a movie featuring Will Smith and not expecting to see this has been in a coma for the last 20 years.
All in, if you want to watch this movie with a preconception that it is groundbreaking or significant in any way, DON'T! This movie is a ride along of fun, shooting, fantastic makeup and wardrobe and for the guys there is Margot Robbie in the tightest hot pants! Do yourselves a favor, rent or buy this movie for a Saturday night, grab some popcorn and some beers and just enjoy a movie that has everything you need in a comic movie, plus Will Smith.
Deadpool (2016)
Just about the best superhero movie EVER
Whilst Superman is fighting Batman and the X-Men are going back and forward in time, you're just wasting your time watching them. The best Superhero movie is Deadpool.
Let's just say first and foremost, this movie is NOT for kids.
For adults, though, this movie has everything - action, boobs, superheroes, boobs and laughs. There is comedy from the very first scene and although I'm not a fan of Ryan Reynolds, I must say he is perfect as Deadpool. His comedy timing in this is fabulous and his chemistry with other characters means the jokes appear so natural and subtle it's almost like there wasn't a script, rather a "let's film it and see what happens" kind of director.
Watch the movie. Listen carefully to the dialogue because a lot of the jokes are subtle and just enjoy. I would watch this over and over again, foregoing all X-Men and Marvel movies. Bring on Deadpool 2!
The Bronze (2015)
Not the Worst Movie but Close
I love Big Bang Theory and was looking forward to seeing Melissa Rauch in a role without the squeaky voice of Bernadette, but I honestly wish I hadn't. The basis of the movie is pretty standard. A layabout suddenly finds greatness within them to reach for the stars and do something great. The biggest problem with this movie is that the main characters are neither lovable, likable or funny. The Hope character immediately strikes the viewer as a self-centred bitch - a great start - but throughout the 90 minutes never rises above that and even with some form of relenting towards the end, never really seems sincere or lovable.
I love movies and even the worst ones I like to look for the good in them, but this movie has all of the wrong ingredients. There is no one to root for, no one to laugh with, no one you can actually feel was a true character. The characters in the movie change according to the scene, love, hate, faith and trust are just cast aside to fit into the script. The worst character is actually the protagonist, who is both unbelievable and unlikeable, someone you never connect with throughout the story.
This isn't the worst movie you will see, the acting is wooden and unbelievable and the script is plain laughable, but it is close.