jaycp1979 Reviews

Drive (I) (2011)

something very very special.....

[10/10 · 25 September 2011]

Where to start..? Having dragged my poor younger brother along to the local cinema to see 'Drive', we entred the theatre and it was practically empty, i counted 22 people with us included, and i began to worry that this might, just might, turn out to be a turkey of a movie despite the positive critics reviews i'd read... but then the film started and from the moment it began i was hooked. I literally can't wait until this films comes out on blu-ray so i can add it to my collection. Heck.. i might even just go again to the multiplex so i can convince myself that the mastery i'd just witnessed wasn't in my head and was, indeed, a movie that, in my opinion and my hope, will set the tone for other directors/story tellers for years to come.

Like i said, there were 22 of us in the theatre at the start and with the passing of the 45th minute i noticed a few leave... and not return. More fool them. They missed, quite possibly, one of the finest films of recent years.

The film is a slow burner, as stated in other reviewers remarks on this amazing film. But, with this 'slowness', the film draws you in.... the quiet glances, the long silences, drawn out and lingering looks leave you on the edge of your set waiting, with breath held, to see just what is going to happen next.

No, this isn't an all action, driving, gun blasting flick.. its something much much more... and all the better for it. If that's what you are after, then im sorry but this isn't it... its smarter and, in occasional places, graphically and extremely violent, but in keeping with the whole movie. No gratuitous 'Saw' type violence here.

Please go and see this film, especially if you live in the UK where this film should be getting far more attention than i fear it is... Its brilliant, simply brilliant.. if you just sit and let it draw in you rather than walking out because there's no Transformers or any Vin Diesels in there...

One word to sum this movie up? Exceptional.

Hanna (2011)

Brilliant Film. Brilliant Cast. Ignore any negative reviews...

[9/10 · 17 May 2011]

I'm confused. I really am. After having watched this quite simply fantastic film the other night, I find myself puzzled by questions raised by other reviews posted on here, but before we get into that here's my take on the movie. From the off its evident that this film is superbly put together, the cinematography, the awesome Chemical Brothers soundtrack and the solid casting. Whilst its budget is perhaps only a fraction of what the next Michael Bay blockbuster might have, it pulls no punches and engrosses throughout. Indeed, I believe it benefits from this, resulting in eye catching, fluid, well delivered action scenes down to intimate bonding moments captured under a blanket between 2 teens exploring themselves and their budding friendship. If you're going to cinema to see a balls out, banging from start to finish action thriller. Don't bother as you will be disappointed… But if you're after an action thriller that is charatcer driven and will, without question, hold your full and absolute attention for all 111 minutes, then leave you wanting a sequel… then this is the one for you. Its almost like a Bourne film crossed with coming of age film and a sprinkling of comedy. Now, for the questions raised by people, who, to be fair must have been watching a different film. 1 – The escape scene. Hanna was able to grapple onto the bottom of the Humvee 'Cape Fear' style as this girl has been modified, has no fear and superior reactions/strength. OOh... and she has been training for the last 16 years. According to the film. 2 – Why was there a scene with Marissa showing her cleaning her teeth to the point of bleeding. Well, I'd hazard that this was an effort to show the character has an acute sense of attention to detail and is, perhaps, unflinching in her self conduct? 3 – Why does Marissa want to kill Hanna anyway? Well, again I'd hazard that its perhaps because she is the last and only survivor from a CIA funded programme, of which Marissa was in charge, and could potentially 'whistle blow' on the whole operation and the fact that Marissa had everyone else on the programme murdered.. not sure that's gonna to go down to well if it ever got out? Indeed, there is a scene in which Marissa asks a camp, short wearing killer to do things for her that the 'agency wouldn't allow'… I mean seriously people, its all up there on the screen. If you're asking these sorts of questions then you should stick to watching 'little fockers' or 'bambi'. Hanna. A film I would recommend to all.

Due Date (2010)

Excellent film that seems to be cruelly reviewed by some...

[9/10 · 12 November 2010]

At first i was a little hesitant about going to see this film. I guess i was a little worried that, as with so many other comedys (Grownups to name but one), all the best bits were used in the adverts/trailers for this film. I was wrong and boy am i glad i went to see this movie.

For me, its one of the funniest films i'd seen for a while with plenty of laugh out (and in some cases very loudly) moments. The story, and thus the film, flows from start to end with very little in the way of 'boring bits'. Downey Jnr was excellent throughout, as always it seems these days. Although my one negative was that the end was very and quite typically American in that 'everything works out' kind of way, but even that is a tiny moan on an otherwise very entertaining film.

Why so many people are comparing this to Trains, Planes & Automobiles... which by the way is one of my favourite films... i just don't get. Yes its 2 people, who are quite clearly opposites trying to get across the USA but that's where the similarities stop. This film and its comedy are clearly aimed at todays generation of movie goers and todays sense of humour which has evolved from what it once was... what was good 23 years ago in PTAA remains good, but show it to a 20 year old today and i'd bet some of the humour would be lost on them. If i made my younger brother, who's 17 years of age, watch something like a classic 'Carry On' film.. he'd be crawling up the walls inside 10 minutes. So i do feel to compare 2 films which a generation between them isn't quite right for me.

I'd recommend that you go see this film, enjoy it for what it is. A damn good laugh and great way to spend a couple of hours at the flicks.

Enjoy

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Oh My God - Did Woody get paid for this tripe?

[1/10 · 28 June 2009]

I've just sat down to watch this movie, with an open and mind and a degree of excitement. And, 24 minutes in, my excitement has been crushed like a grape in a wine makers vat and the open mind has certainly been closed.

So, 24 minutes in and the film has died, there is no comedy, no real depth, its self indulgent, over wordy for no real reason and if the voice over guy chirps in again with some other 'direction' on the movie i will scream.

Avoid the film. Don't waste your time its 90+ minutes of your life you will not get back! EVER!