When I was a kid, I still remember the first time I read Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns". As a child whose idea of Superman & Batman was Christopher Reeve & Adam West, it was a revelation. Dark, brooding and so far removed from the movie and TV versions of these characters, yet so much more interesting for it. I remember dreaming of a movie version of Frank Miller's Batman & Superman.
This is why it was so surprising to me that when this film was announced, I wasn't more excited about it - here finally was "The Dark Knight Returns" adapted for the screen. The problem, was that I had watched 'Man of Steel' and wasn't enamoured with Snyder's vision - I felt that while that movie had had the potential to be good (the trailer's had made it look awesome!) it had failed to deliver on the fun - it just wasn't as fun as a Superman film should be. Nolan's Batman films were FUN, although the first one was a little weak, The Dark Knight found the perfect formula and ran with it. Dark and brooding, yes, but with humour and fun too. I never felt the fun with the Man of Steel - we're talking about a flying alien here! - and It was with this feeling that I sat down to watch Batman vs Superman.
It's worth noting here that I watched the Ultimate Edition at home - I never saw the theatrical cut that everyone had hated so much - but its safe to say my expectations weren't high. Having watched it, I am pleased to be able to say that it I actually enjoyed it way more than I expected, and it was not the complete train-wreck I feared. My conclusion is that it still lacks a sense of fun, and takes itself too seriously, but SOMEWHERE on the editing room floor is an absolutely AMAZING film. With the right editing this could have been something incredible. I've always felt that Snyder's films tend to be all style but no substance. While he has definitely matured in his ability to create multi-dimensional characters he still has a way to go. The whole Martha coincidence was just terrible writing, but that being said, there was actually a lot to like here (Ben Affleck makes a great Miller Batman. He nailed it.
Arnie was good and it was moody and atmospheric, but this movie's fundamental problem stems from the fact that it is a zombie movie without any zombies....
I haven't had this much fun with an action movie since John Woo's Hard Boiled. Amazing fight sequences and a high body count that doesn't let up from start to finish. What more do you want from an action film?
This what a great movie. I'm just not sure it was a great Bond movie. It just didn't have the sense of fun that I expect from Bond.
It was actually better than I expected (but I expected it to be terrible!). Some of the jokes miss their mark, bug when they hit you'll be laughing out loud. It was also cleverer than I expected with an amusing take on the rise of Murdoch journalism, and the rolling 24hr news machine.
On paper this sounded terrible, except for one thing - it came from the mind Guillermo Del Toro. This was the only reason I decided to watch it, and I was pleasantly surprised. As blockbuster monster movies go this one seriously delivers. The special effects are first rate, and it's really a lot of fun.
Performance wise, Idris Elba and Rinko Kikuchi and standouts. Del Toro favourite, Ron Perlman, has a small but fun role. The weaker links are Charlie Hunnam and Charlie Day, the latter serving as comic relief. Day merely does his usual "It's always sunny in Philadelphia" schtick which tonally doesn't sit that well with the rest of the film.
On the flip side the spectacle of huge monsters and robots battling each other while destroying the cities around them, is worth the admission price on its own. It's the ultimate Sunday night movie - unlikely to challenge you intellectually, but a perfect mindless end to the weekend!
An engaging short film which stays with you long after its 23 minute running time. A sharp inciteful script, and a powerful and moving performance from Joseph Gilgun is sured up by Gourlay's solid direction. I look forward to more things from this director. Recommended.
Trivia: Fans of cult movie Withnail & I should look out for Ralph Brown (Withnail & I's hilarious drug dealer, Danny) as the sheriff. I did a triple-take since I just couldn't believe it was him...
It is a great 9/10 action movie, but I'm just not sure it was a great BOND movie. I like the fact that they tried to inject some intelligence into the story and some character depth, but seriously - trotting out the dead parents/brooding orphaned hero thing is a little too Bruce Wayne for my tastes. Even Silva had echoes of Ledger's Joker about him. There were moments to love but it was all a little too dark for a Bond film in my opinion.
The truth is, I just don't really like Daniel Craig's current take on James Bond. For a start he's blonde which just doesn't seem right. Secondly, he's so cold that he's sucked all the fun out of the franchise. Where's the sex? The one liners? The humour? (Yes there is Berenice but she was only in a tiny portion of the film!)
I understand the decision to make Bond more realistic - the invisible car of Die Another Day was a sign that things had just gone too far. However, I think it is important to remember why we love Bond in the first place. We want it to keep it's sense of fun. Hopefully, with the end of the movie "resetting" the layout to the Connery/Moore characters, we can finally see a less brooding version of Craig's Bond. Here's hoping for some Bond/Moneypenny pithy banter in the next one.
The funniest movie I have seen in ages. Watch it with friends - laughter is best shared. :)
Liam Neeson is a serious badass in this movie! It starts slow but once he gives that speech, the movie amps up the action and doesn't let up until the end!
Rarely has rooting for the good guy, as he dispatches bad guys, been this much fun...
Watched this out of curiosity and was pretty unimpressed. It's beautifully shot and they clearly had fun blowing their budget on trips to exotic locales, but it falls short in every other aspect. It's arguments are simplistic, and lack any real convincing evidence. While it will appeal to the anti-Obama camp, it is unlikely to win over any new converts.
I could go into more detail but this review says it better than I could: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/2016-obamas-america-film-review-358302
This is worth watching for Rhino alone! He RULES this pic!
This movie is worth watching for its soundtrack alone!
Whit Stilman is alive!
Stilman's first movie since "The Last Days of Disco", Damsels is a pleasant return to form, but at first glance it takes a while to get what his doing. At times, this movie appears to be too clever for its own good, passing straight over the heads of its audience. It requires concentration. Do not be deceived by the trailer - this is not your average dumb college comedy. It's clever, quirky, infuriatingly self aware, ultimately flawed in its execution, but repeated viewing will reveal hidden depths.
It's visually stunning but as shallow as a petri dish...
Apart from Theron who turns in a suitably sinister performance, every other performer struggles with the terrible script. Watch the trailer, skip the movie - that's as good as it's ever going to get...
Before I start, SPOILER ALERT!!!! Don't read on if if you haven't seen the movie!
Firstly, I want to say that I LOVED THIS MOVIE but there are a number of small things that niggle at me about it:
Catwoman was under-used and the whole "clean slate" device nonsense was never explained. How did BW get hold of it when noone else could? Where did he get it from?Secondly, there should have been more Kyle/Wayne scenes, more flirting, like inthe Burton movie. More sexual chemistry. Their kiss at the end felt forced.
JGL finding his way into the bat cave was great, and a cool idea to hint that the mantle of Batman could be taken over by this young heroic cop, but why oh why make his 'secret' christian name Robin? He's Robin, seriously? It felt like a completely unnecessary, and forced, way of inserting the batman mythos into the movie. He didn't need to be Robin and didn't seem like Robin!
When they killed Bruce Wayne, I was like "fucking awesome, what a finish to the trilogy!" and then they brought him back to life! What a cop out! It would have been so much better if they had at very least left it ambiguous. It would have been great to have the shot of Alfred at the cafe in Italy nodding to someone off-screen and then ending it at that moment! So we never know whether he is looking at BW or not! It would have made a way better finish.
Ignore the haters and watch it for what it is - several hours of fun escapist blockbuster entertainment! I loved it (with reservations about some of the hokier plot elements). Watch in IMAX if you can - it's well worth paying extra for, since sound and picture are where this movie shines!
Great movie, but the story deviates from the truth a lot. If you want to know more, read this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/dec/11/betty-anne-waters-interview
How you feel about this movie depends on how you feel about horses... If you love them it is an unmissable experience.... If you don't then it is a good movie but nothing more.... For me it was the latter.
