Seth Rogen humour is an acquired taste. When he's with his friends having what is obviously a blast, it's borderline 'clicque-y' and is definitely niche. The interview is definitely that: a few friends having fun, and they happened to chose a touchy subject
It's stupid, low brow, definitely not in very good taste... but for some people (yours truly included) it is fun. There is something special about getting the funds to make this movie. Some of the smaller roles are definitely not very well played, but Franco and Rogen hold the movie and the plethora of friends showing up in the beginning is amazing.
If you disliked Seth Rogen, pass on this movie!
Reviews
81 Reviews
Thor: Ragnarok
(2017)
is it a comedy or a superhero movie?
1 November 2017
On the positive side, Thor Ragnarok looks fantastic. One also can't say it's a boring movie: lots of things happen, lots of jokes are cracked, lots of action scenes etc etc. Also, it's obvious the Director and the Team are having fun with it. So, yes, it's not a bad movie by any stretch of the imagination
BUT... I left feeling like the movie was treating Thor like the butt of a joke? The Director has so much fun with the material he forgot to take it seriously, and, by the same token to give it any kind of weight. Loki was a major threat in many Marvel movies and now is either a C Grade villain or B Grade sidekick; worlds explode and this basically only the source of a joke, etc. Nothing is taken seriously so it's almost too light.
At best you feel like you're watching a children's movie, at worst you feel like you're watching a comedy that disguised itself as a superhero movie?
BUT... I left feeling like the movie was treating Thor like the butt of a joke? The Director has so much fun with the material he forgot to take it seriously, and, by the same token to give it any kind of weight. Loki was a major threat in many Marvel movies and now is either a C Grade villain or B Grade sidekick; worlds explode and this basically only the source of a joke, etc. Nothing is taken seriously so it's almost too light.
At best you feel like you're watching a children's movie, at worst you feel like you're watching a comedy that disguised itself as a superhero movie?
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
(2017)
Successful FollowUp
25 October 2017
Overall Kingsman: the Golden Circle is a successful followup to the really good Kingsman movie of 2014. It does keep some of the key elements that made the movie refreshing and fun: over the top and unashamedly comicbookey action, a sense of reality that is purposefully ridiculously stretched to the limit and some ludicrous characters.
Your mileage *will* vary: Kingsman can be an acquired taste and is not for everyone. But this new episode does build on the lore by adding the American Agency to the mix, more exotic and varied locations ... to a certain extent becomes more Hollywood than its predecessor. It is still very entertaining, very funny and very good visually.
It has lost the element of surprise, has less 'british phlegm' than the predecessor so is probably slightly less good... but still, very very fun!
Your mileage *will* vary: Kingsman can be an acquired taste and is not for everyone. But this new episode does build on the lore by adding the American Agency to the mix, more exotic and varied locations ... to a certain extent becomes more Hollywood than its predecessor. It is still very entertaining, very funny and very good visually.
It has lost the element of surprise, has less 'british phlegm' than the predecessor so is probably slightly less good... but still, very very fun!
The Boss Baby
(2017)
A couple of levels of reading!
12 July 2017
Baby Boss is fun enough. Not crazy about the design of the characters, the very hectic editing and, fundamentally, the whole "puppy vs baby" premise is disturbing but, despite all this, the movie is entertaining and not torture to watch at all.
The main reason is Alec Baldwin; he's just fun as this CEO baby character. It just clicks. And ; more importantly, it works if you think about his SNL President parody: One can't help but draw parallels when the baby plays golf in a middle of a meeting etc etc. So, maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the parallel with present day important people adds another level of interpretation... and fun! to this movie.
The main reason is Alec Baldwin; he's just fun as this CEO baby character. It just clicks. And ; more importantly, it works if you think about his SNL President parody: One can't help but draw parallels when the baby plays golf in a middle of a meeting etc etc. So, maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the parallel with present day important people adds another level of interpretation... and fun! to this movie.
Wonder Woman
(2017)
Some major major flaws in this movie
10 June 2017
Surprised by the early positive vibe around this movie. I want to like it more, share the enthusiasm but... Wonder Woman has incredibly severe flaws that can't make it a *good* movie by any stretch of the imagination.
Probably the biggest issue is the acting. Both leads have very limited acting skills... It takes you out of the movie more often than once. Some scenes are forced, some dialogue overdone like an SNL skit... simply not possible. The ultimate bad guy is a joke. Straight out of GOD OF WAR PlayStation game (really). Not credible for a second.
And, also, on a more personal note, this is the moment where I realized the Zack Snyder school of filming action movies needs to be abandoned. Over abundant jumping, too heavy slo-mo... after three? four? movies of that; it's time to retire it.
It's a shame really because the movie started well enough: having a female lead was great; the Greek mythology clicked for the most part and the World War I setting was nice. The character is also fantastic. Which is why it deserved better It's only average unfortunately.
**cue in the annoying guitar rift**
Probably the biggest issue is the acting. Both leads have very limited acting skills... It takes you out of the movie more often than once. Some scenes are forced, some dialogue overdone like an SNL skit... simply not possible. The ultimate bad guy is a joke. Straight out of GOD OF WAR PlayStation game (really). Not credible for a second.
And, also, on a more personal note, this is the moment where I realized the Zack Snyder school of filming action movies needs to be abandoned. Over abundant jumping, too heavy slo-mo... after three? four? movies of that; it's time to retire it.
It's a shame really because the movie started well enough: having a female lead was great; the Greek mythology clicked for the most part and the World War I setting was nice. The character is also fantastic. Which is why it deserved better It's only average unfortunately.
**cue in the annoying guitar rift**
Life
(I) (2017)
It's fun and not pretentious... but lacks ambition
9 June 2017
In 2017, there is a case to be made about movies that are fairly short, fun and easy to watch. In a world in which every action or sci-fi is 2 and a half hour long, a short 1h30 romp is refreshing. It's intense for most of its run, with a "life" that is a fairly good antagonist and a cast that is surprisingly 'quality' for a B level movie like this one. The main issue is that you've already seen this movie... It's Aliens in a Gravity setting. It's a gentle horror sci fi flick that never really surprises...to the end. But it's good fun, so why not?
Lady Snowblood
(1973)
Hard to movie to rate
23 May 2017
This is a hard movie to rate. The Criterion version is beautiful; the picture quality is really high and shows off some nice photography and simply nice Japanese scenery and settings (though some of them are obviously studio). The actors play well; the story is simple and well put together... The music is also very enjoyable and the action is clean and brutal. Almost fun... and yes you get this whole Tarantino vibe that explains the gain of popularity this movie has had in the 21st century. But ultimately the movie is slow and a little boring? All the pieces taken separately work well but it's simply not that enjoyable... at least in my humble opinion.
Logan
(2017)
A little underwhelmed...
4 March 2017
Maybe it's a case of high expectations, but I was underwhelmed overall with this movie. It has ramp-ed up the violence to the max and the end is quite good but too many problems mar this movie to make it a hit: - the setting never quite clicks: 12 years in the future they have the same phones and the same TVs? Mutantkind was eradicated? Not a big deal but it never seems right - the movie is a road movie? An action movie? A mix of the both with a lot of dead times and fairly filler moments - What it is not is a super hero movie. It has some of its tropes but lacks the overall sense of wonderment a superhero flick needs - The bad guys and main threat are really **meh** So yeah Hugh Jackman is OK, Patrick Stewart is OK, seeing a Wolverine unleashed on the screen has its moments but overall somewhat disappointed.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
(2016)
As good as candy...
19 December 2016
Rogue one is a fun movie. It has fantastic action scenes, a great cast of secondary characters (Donnie!!!) and plays on the nostalgia of all the vehicles & sets of the original trilogy beautifully. It is so cool to see the original stormtroopers, AT-AT and other AT-ST.
It also features probably the grimmest war scene of any Star Wars movie. Almost reminiscent of Private Ryan in certain aspects; it is violent -definitely not for kids- and very well made. This scene makes the movie.
It's hard to point out what's wrong with the movie. It is like candy because, even though it is good, it lacks a point or purpose? Yes, it is a spin off and about the extended universe. But would one enjoy Rogue one without being familiar with anything from the franchise?
It does lack some elements that make Star Wars great: - the characters don't really fit in the bigger picture... so why do you really care? - the music is clearly not John Williams, that's a pretty big letdown. - the main characters are ... not as good as the ones from Episode 7
So yes, good movie, great visuals, fun times... but "Empire Strikes Back" it is not!
It also features probably the grimmest war scene of any Star Wars movie. Almost reminiscent of Private Ryan in certain aspects; it is violent -definitely not for kids- and very well made. This scene makes the movie.
It's hard to point out what's wrong with the movie. It is like candy because, even though it is good, it lacks a point or purpose? Yes, it is a spin off and about the extended universe. But would one enjoy Rogue one without being familiar with anything from the franchise?
It does lack some elements that make Star Wars great: - the characters don't really fit in the bigger picture... so why do you really care? - the music is clearly not John Williams, that's a pretty big letdown. - the main characters are ... not as good as the ones from Episode 7
So yes, good movie, great visuals, fun times... but "Empire Strikes Back" it is not!
Arrival
(II) (2016)
Smart Sci Fi
11 December 2016
Dennis Villeneuve delivers - the kid is good!
This is the intellectual kind of sci-fi, the kind that takes its time, that makes you think, that tries to bring the genre and thinking forward. The language angle is fascinating and fun to explore.
Amy Adams plays the linguist fantastically well and Villeneuve's decision to stick the camera 95% on her is incredibly strong at building tension and a connection with the character. The opening scene where you actually don't see the aliens arriving but simply Adams' interaction with the world reacting to the arrival is simply fantastic.
There is only one issue with the movie: purpose of the aliens. Without spoiling it's hard to get into but the conclusion is a little light for the aliens let's say to remain vague
Other than that, fantastic movie, worth a couple of screenings!
This is the intellectual kind of sci-fi, the kind that takes its time, that makes you think, that tries to bring the genre and thinking forward. The language angle is fascinating and fun to explore.
Amy Adams plays the linguist fantastically well and Villeneuve's decision to stick the camera 95% on her is incredibly strong at building tension and a connection with the character. The opening scene where you actually don't see the aliens arriving but simply Adams' interaction with the world reacting to the arrival is simply fantastic.
There is only one issue with the movie: purpose of the aliens. Without spoiling it's hard to get into but the conclusion is a little light for the aliens let's say to remain vague
Other than that, fantastic movie, worth a couple of screenings!
Sully
(2016)
The Content is better than the movie
10 December 2016
Not sure I understand the positive reviews this movie gets. Or maybe I do: it rides on Eastwood's talent as a director and Hanks' talent as an actor. Yes "Sully" does offer some nice visuals, good directing - there is no denying Clint Eastwood is a great director. Similarly, Hanks' portrayal as Sully is good - no denying this.
But this movie is far from being the best from both of them. The story ends abruptly and easily - making the whole plot seem a little shaky to begin with. And Hanks is a cool composed pilot. And that's basically it.
The landing scenes are impressive and there's no denying the story of the miracle on the Hudson is worth telling...but it feels like this could have been a 30 minute documentary. Not sure the movie actually builds anything worth rewatching several times.
But this movie is far from being the best from both of them. The story ends abruptly and easily - making the whole plot seem a little shaky to begin with. And Hanks is a cool composed pilot. And that's basically it.
The landing scenes are impressive and there's no denying the story of the miracle on the Hudson is worth telling...but it feels like this could have been a 30 minute documentary. Not sure the movie actually builds anything worth rewatching several times.
The Handmaiden
(2016)
A demonstration in mastering the codes of cinema
20 November 2016
Park Chan-Wook was a promising, almost over rated, director at the beginning of his career after having signed the fantastic OldBoy and Sympathy for Mr Vengeance. He then suffered a huge period of "meh" movies...
... and is back in form with what may very well be his best movie.
The Handmaiden is a display of a director who now controls all the codes of movie making. The photography is beautiful and carries you to the Japanese controlled Korea of the 30s. The sets are gorgeous and the shots even more.
The editing also makes the movie. Park plays with his viewers with smart editing, going through the same story in three passes. And it just works, builds empathy and hate for the same three characters across the movie. It's smart and the strength of the movie.
The topic is what might disturb some and, without spoiling, it is a little R Rated and saphic.
If that doesn't disturb you - go for it, it's such a great movie!
... and is back in form with what may very well be his best movie.
The Handmaiden is a display of a director who now controls all the codes of movie making. The photography is beautiful and carries you to the Japanese controlled Korea of the 30s. The sets are gorgeous and the shots even more.
The editing also makes the movie. Park plays with his viewers with smart editing, going through the same story in three passes. And it just works, builds empathy and hate for the same three characters across the movie. It's smart and the strength of the movie.
The topic is what might disturb some and, without spoiling, it is a little R Rated and saphic.
If that doesn't disturb you - go for it, it's such a great movie!
Sausage Party
(2016)
This is NOT a kid's movie
13 November 2016
I went into the movie cold, with no idea what to expect and... wow. Sausage party is offensive, it's lewd and... it's also very very funny.
Most people expect a certain level of decorum when watching a cartoon and this movie just goes completely against that. It's shocking more in what the movie chooses to show rather than what it says and it is shocking because, yeah, it's a cartoon.
It's a rare thing to laugh so much. You will need to switch on your teenager stoner sense of humor but, it is funny. Honestly, it just is! It is incredibly immature and yes it is somewhat offensive and hardcore but it's funny. When was the last time a movie made you laugh and go "WOW I can't believe they went that far" straight for 90mn?
Super star cast, Salma Hayek as the lesbian taco is the best - just keep the kids away.
Most people expect a certain level of decorum when watching a cartoon and this movie just goes completely against that. It's shocking more in what the movie chooses to show rather than what it says and it is shocking because, yeah, it's a cartoon.
It's a rare thing to laugh so much. You will need to switch on your teenager stoner sense of humor but, it is funny. Honestly, it just is! It is incredibly immature and yes it is somewhat offensive and hardcore but it's funny. When was the last time a movie made you laugh and go "WOW I can't believe they went that far" straight for 90mn?
Super star cast, Salma Hayek as the lesbian taco is the best - just keep the kids away.
Up for Love
(2016)
The 4 points all go to Virginie Efira
28 October 2016
Yet another failed French Comedy. This decade has not been kind for French Cinema and comedies are pretty catastrophic. This one is no exception.
The main issue to enjoy this movie is suspension of disbelief : the special effects used for Jean Dujardin to become a small man just don't work. They're incredibly botched: Dujardin looks inserted into every scene, nothing flows naturally and, most importantly, he doesn't look like a short man, he looks like a shrunk man. There's a difference and it's a big one. He looks like somebody kneeling, he looks like somebody you put on a smaller chair and in SFX he looks shrunk to 60%
So one can never get into the movie simply because it doesn't look right.
And then you have to go through a fairly ridiculous Rom Com, quite by the books hence predictable, not funny for a single moment and not charming for another.
With the exception of Efira...who's just great. But even her charm and wits can not save this movie. Pass Pass Pass
The main issue to enjoy this movie is suspension of disbelief : the special effects used for Jean Dujardin to become a small man just don't work. They're incredibly botched: Dujardin looks inserted into every scene, nothing flows naturally and, most importantly, he doesn't look like a short man, he looks like a shrunk man. There's a difference and it's a big one. He looks like somebody kneeling, he looks like somebody you put on a smaller chair and in SFX he looks shrunk to 60%
So one can never get into the movie simply because it doesn't look right.
And then you have to go through a fairly ridiculous Rom Com, quite by the books hence predictable, not funny for a single moment and not charming for another.
With the exception of Efira...who's just great. But even her charm and wits can not save this movie. Pass Pass Pass
Supercondriaque
(2014)
Pretty bad...but some laughs
10 October 2016
First things first : this is not the movie that will save 21st Century French comedies. It's pretty bad.
The plot makes no sense whatsoever: you would believe there are ghosts in the subways of Paris or an alien invasion in London before believing anyone would be dumb enough to confuse our super french weak main character with an east European revolutionary leader fighter type.
Dany Boon also just overplays it. In this movie he embraces being a new Louis de Funes... but does it quite pull it off. Even if he did, don't do this kind of stuff in 2014 no?
What does work sometimes is the premise of the main character : this germ and virus phobia did get a few chuckles here and there throughout the movie. Enough and often enough for me to plow through the whole thing.
Voila, you can probably pass though.
The plot makes no sense whatsoever: you would believe there are ghosts in the subways of Paris or an alien invasion in London before believing anyone would be dumb enough to confuse our super french weak main character with an east European revolutionary leader fighter type.
Dany Boon also just overplays it. In this movie he embraces being a new Louis de Funes... but does it quite pull it off. Even if he did, don't do this kind of stuff in 2014 no?
What does work sometimes is the premise of the main character : this germ and virus phobia did get a few chuckles here and there throughout the movie. Enough and often enough for me to plow through the whole thing.
Voila, you can probably pass though.
Volver
(I) (2006)
A good Almodovar
26 September 2016
It's always a pleasure to jump into the universe of Pedro Almodovar's women. The directing of the actresses, the sets, the mise en scène, it's all beautifully done - "as usual" one is almost tempted to say.
Though the setting can be weird at times - somewhat dark and unsettling - it all works out in the end and all is resolved very satisfyingly and strongly.
Penelope Cruz is no doubt one of the high points of the movie - the character is strong, complex and Cruz is fascinating and a pleasure to follow.
Overall, a good movie, recommended.
Though the setting can be weird at times - somewhat dark and unsettling - it all works out in the end and all is resolved very satisfyingly and strongly.
Penelope Cruz is no doubt one of the high points of the movie - the character is strong, complex and Cruz is fascinating and a pleasure to follow.
Overall, a good movie, recommended.
It's pretty bad...
25 September 2016
I wanted to like this movie. Big fan of the cast - if you've been watching SNL for the past decade you can't help but be excited by this choice of actresses - big fan of the original movie and I actually did think it was the right time to bring back the franchise...
... but, wow, where to start? First up: it's just not funny, at all! The character played by Chris Hemsworth is probably the best illustration of this lack of humor: he's off but he's just not funny. How is Mike Hat (ahaha my cat) any kind of joke?
The shoehorned original cast appears unmotivated, uninspired, much like the audience at that point... The 4 actresses who are great just don't click: Kate McInnon overplays, Wiig is not in the right tonality...
I could continue but... everybody gets it by now. A couple of cool action sequences and OK special effects save it from the absolute zero but... pass pass pass
... but, wow, where to start? First up: it's just not funny, at all! The character played by Chris Hemsworth is probably the best illustration of this lack of humor: he's off but he's just not funny. How is Mike Hat (ahaha my cat) any kind of joke?
The shoehorned original cast appears unmotivated, uninspired, much like the audience at that point... The 4 actresses who are great just don't click: Kate McInnon overplays, Wiig is not in the right tonality...
I could continue but... everybody gets it by now. A couple of cool action sequences and OK special effects save it from the absolute zero but... pass pass pass
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising
(2016)
I thought it was funny...
25 September 2016
Maybe I'm being too generous but, in the mood for something funny, I thought it delivered. It does have a great cast that plays with their characters: Zach Effron as the Abercrombie & Fitch model just works, Seth Rogen being... Seth Rogen and even a gay Dave Franco is funny.
As usual, the beginning of the comedy with the set up gags and outrageous situations work far better than the end when they try to get to the happy ending etc. It does build on the first episode and adds the feminist angle. That angle doesn't really work and is the source of some of the more "ugh" moments of the movie... Easy enough to ignore them though.
It's not subtle, it's not high art... but it's not gross, sometimes vulgar and often funny.
As usual, the beginning of the comedy with the set up gags and outrageous situations work far better than the end when they try to get to the happy ending etc. It does build on the first episode and adds the feminist angle. That angle doesn't really work and is the source of some of the more "ugh" moments of the movie... Easy enough to ignore them though.
It's not subtle, it's not high art... but it's not gross, sometimes vulgar and often funny.
Jason Bourne
(I) (2016)
Return to Form
12 August 2016
Good to see the Team back in place for this new installment. There is a Paul Greengrass touch to the directing of Bourne and of course Matt Damon IS Bourne so it's nice to be thrown back in this now familiar universe.
The movie benefits from a very strong cast: Tommy Lee Jones and Vincent Cassel are Great antagonists and even the supporting Alicia Vikander and Riz Ahmed are very strong in their roles. Good action, good set pieces and strong fight scenes make this a fun movie.
The plot is full of twists, is convoluted in the right "spy thriller" type of way and fills holes in Bourne's past... as usual. I want to say that this "as usual" is the biggest flaw of this movie. If you are familiar with the previous episodes, there is a little (tiny) fatigue of "oh are we filling some more holes in his past again?". Other than that Jason Bourne is a good thriller, better than 90% of the spy movies out there
The movie benefits from a very strong cast: Tommy Lee Jones and Vincent Cassel are Great antagonists and even the supporting Alicia Vikander and Riz Ahmed are very strong in their roles. Good action, good set pieces and strong fight scenes make this a fun movie.
The plot is full of twists, is convoluted in the right "spy thriller" type of way and fills holes in Bourne's past... as usual. I want to say that this "as usual" is the biggest flaw of this movie. If you are familiar with the previous episodes, there is a little (tiny) fatigue of "oh are we filling some more holes in his past again?". Other than that Jason Bourne is a good thriller, better than 90% of the spy movies out there
Suicide Squad
(2016)
This movie is such a mess...
11 August 2016
Where to start... Suicide Squad is a mess; you can feel the multiple rewrites, the three re-edits ('oh, Deadpool did well, we need more jokes.' 'Oh Batman vs Superman was panned by critics, we need to be like that' etc etc.) leaving this movie completely disjointed; all over the place. The multiple edits and re-shoots are physically visible in the movie - it takes you out of the film completely.
I won't even mention the story - it's pointless. But story is never really what Suicide Squad is supposed to be about: The characters are. And this is one of the first major flaws of this movie: the characters are clearly separated into A grade - basically Will Smith, B Grade - Harley Quinn and then Z Grade: the rest of them. The Z Grades fight for 5% screen time and therefore become meaningless cannon fodder: they don't stand for anything, are completely undeveloped and thoroughly uninteresting. In certain cases they look bad (Killcroc) and are stupid clichés (Katana speaks Japanese and has a sword... ugh)
Even Will Smith & Harley Quinn don't really work. They're supposed to be villains... they're not. There isn't a single thing bad Deadshot Will has done in this movie. This means that the entire premise of Suicide Squad doesn't stand: they're not bad guys! They don't do anything bad! And don't get me started on the villain: idiotic and over-powerful yet super easy to defeat...!
Visually the movie is in the same vain as the recent DC offerings but...somewhat less impressive? The characters look off, the effects are super dark and underwhelming...the super hero abilities fall flat...
Suicide Squad does have some redeeming qualities... but they are very few and far between and contingent on you liking the source material and the characters. Pass.
I won't even mention the story - it's pointless. But story is never really what Suicide Squad is supposed to be about: The characters are. And this is one of the first major flaws of this movie: the characters are clearly separated into A grade - basically Will Smith, B Grade - Harley Quinn and then Z Grade: the rest of them. The Z Grades fight for 5% screen time and therefore become meaningless cannon fodder: they don't stand for anything, are completely undeveloped and thoroughly uninteresting. In certain cases they look bad (Killcroc) and are stupid clichés (Katana speaks Japanese and has a sword... ugh)
Even Will Smith & Harley Quinn don't really work. They're supposed to be villains... they're not. There isn't a single thing bad Deadshot Will has done in this movie. This means that the entire premise of Suicide Squad doesn't stand: they're not bad guys! They don't do anything bad! And don't get me started on the villain: idiotic and over-powerful yet super easy to defeat...!
Visually the movie is in the same vain as the recent DC offerings but...somewhat less impressive? The characters look off, the effects are super dark and underwhelming...the super hero abilities fall flat...
Suicide Squad does have some redeeming qualities... but they are very few and far between and contingent on you liking the source material and the characters. Pass.
Cloverfield
(2008)
Cool Rewrite of Godzilla
10 July 2016
When you see this in 2016, the first thing that jumps at you is the found film footage: this concept has simply aged badly. The camera work is voluntary choppy etc. but we've seen it so many times by now that it's old and stale. By 2008 it wasn't exactly revolutionary either - that's really the main issue with Cloverfield. It's a shame because it is a cool rewrite of the classic Godzilla concept: the monster is cool, the FX are cool, the cast is cool... lots of things to like really. It does follow the tropes: idiot characters going upstream to find a girlfriend, lots of carnage... but it works. To be honest, I think I prefer the sequel: it's cleverer but this is still a cool way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Zootopia
(2016)
Nice surprise
22 May 2016
Used to be Pixar was the far better animation studio at Disney but recently they've been knocking them out of the park with their own Disney Studio Productions! Zootopia is a great illustration: it's fun, witty, has the several layers of interpretation and looks really good.
In a nutshell, it's a great animation for the entire family. The only thing one could poke is the cast: it's fairly unknown and not really inspired. Jason Bateman is the only stand out, Nate Lawrence is good in a role that almost sounds like Jonah Hill. The rest, including the title character and an underwhelmed Idris Elba is a little -meh-.
But it's probably the only point that one could expect better from. The rest is good fun.
In a nutshell, it's a great animation for the entire family. The only thing one could poke is the cast: it's fairly unknown and not really inspired. Jason Bateman is the only stand out, Nate Lawrence is good in a role that almost sounds like Jonah Hill. The rest, including the title character and an underwhelmed Idris Elba is a little -meh-.
But it's probably the only point that one could expect better from. The rest is good fun.
X-Men: Apocalypse
(2016)
Underwhelming ... but has some moments for the fans
22 May 2016
X-Men: Apocalypse is not a bad movie... However it's going to be difficult to write a review that doesn't dwell on the negatives.
First things first: the plot is way too simplistic. Introduce bad guy, gather protagonists, gather antagonists, fight. That's literally it. One could say it's a good change of pace from the way- too-complicated-for-their-own-good other superhero offerings seen recently but in this case it feels flat and linear.
The cast is basically the same as X-Men: First Class. Magneto / Fassbender and Xavier / McAvoy are still good but it feels like Jennifer Lawrence doesn't want to be here? She's supposed to be jaded in this movie but plays the jaded Mystique maybe a little too well...?
In terms of characters: Quicksilver is still the greatest speedster ever on the small or big screen; Bravo to Synger on his interpretation of ultimate speed and how that could basically make you almighty. Well done.
The rest of the characters are somewhat disappointing: the X-Men offer so many possibilities but it looks like we are limited to that leather look introduced by Synger 15 years ago. He invented the modem super hero movie look but now he is limited to the style he invented? The costumes are a bit ridiculous and Apocalypse is the best illustration of that: Oscar Isaac looks a bit odd...kind of off. And you get that across Psylocke and her way too small panties look, angel's techno wings etc etc. Today, the X-Men could look better. And don't get me started on the blue gang (Beast and Diablo don't feel real; they really never did...)
For the good: a lot of Easter eggs and fan service. The Wolverine scene is fantastic for those who know the source material. The end fight is satisfactory... but it's difficult not to be underwhelmed.
The X-Men need to be reinvented on the silver screen. Fox needs to go back to that glimpse that First Class offered and that was forgotten too soon after. We need something new; no more "Magneto is not a bad guy really!" " But he kills" that we've been served for 15 years. Time for a reboot. The source material is great and deserves it.
First things first: the plot is way too simplistic. Introduce bad guy, gather protagonists, gather antagonists, fight. That's literally it. One could say it's a good change of pace from the way- too-complicated-for-their-own-good other superhero offerings seen recently but in this case it feels flat and linear.
The cast is basically the same as X-Men: First Class. Magneto / Fassbender and Xavier / McAvoy are still good but it feels like Jennifer Lawrence doesn't want to be here? She's supposed to be jaded in this movie but plays the jaded Mystique maybe a little too well...?
In terms of characters: Quicksilver is still the greatest speedster ever on the small or big screen; Bravo to Synger on his interpretation of ultimate speed and how that could basically make you almighty. Well done.
The rest of the characters are somewhat disappointing: the X-Men offer so many possibilities but it looks like we are limited to that leather look introduced by Synger 15 years ago. He invented the modem super hero movie look but now he is limited to the style he invented? The costumes are a bit ridiculous and Apocalypse is the best illustration of that: Oscar Isaac looks a bit odd...kind of off. And you get that across Psylocke and her way too small panties look, angel's techno wings etc etc. Today, the X-Men could look better. And don't get me started on the blue gang (Beast and Diablo don't feel real; they really never did...)
For the good: a lot of Easter eggs and fan service. The Wolverine scene is fantastic for those who know the source material. The end fight is satisfactory... but it's difficult not to be underwhelmed.
The X-Men need to be reinvented on the silver screen. Fox needs to go back to that glimpse that First Class offered and that was forgotten too soon after. We need something new; no more "Magneto is not a bad guy really!" " But he kills" that we've been served for 15 years. Time for a reboot. The source material is great and deserves it.
Inglourious Basterds
(2009)
Interesting change of tone yet remains so Tarantino
14 May 2016
Couple things up front:
But it's good. Came in with low expectations: not my favorite cast for a Tarantino joint; the WWII setting is a tricky one; etc. but the Tarantino magic brings it together with his typical strengths: strong scenes & pacings, impeccable use of music and some fascinating characters.
Some of them are a bit on the corny side but the Tarantino humour makes it work.
Recommended.
- This is not the movie that will make you like Tarantino if you are cold to his style - this is not a movie for the historically accurate aficionados
But it's good. Came in with low expectations: not my favorite cast for a Tarantino joint; the WWII setting is a tricky one; etc. but the Tarantino magic brings it together with his typical strengths: strong scenes & pacings, impeccable use of music and some fascinating characters.
Some of them are a bit on the corny side but the Tarantino humour makes it work.
Recommended.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
(2015)
Good Retro Spy Movie
14 May 2016
2015 was a good year for spy movies. It had been a while since Hollywood gave us so much variety in a genre that was limited to Bourne & Bond for a decade or so. The year started with the excellent KingsMan and its superhero-ey over the top tone. We had a solid Mission Impossible, a solid 007 and then Man from U.N.C.L.E - a surprising choice - to finish the year. Not the strongest license (who really knew this TV series in 2015?) ad not the strongest cast (ah! right, it's the Superman guy) so this was built on the strength of Guy Richie's name... and unfortunately he has had a few misses in the recent past. But, it was fun. Yeah, probably the most tongue in cheek entry of the lot, with some successful retro scenes, comic book panel montages and retro tech that Bond doesn't really do anymore. Some funky characters, fairly strong acting that doesn't take itself seriously, it was fun. One could criticize the convoluted third act but, at the end of the day, it doesn't hurt the enjoyment so no need to address it in this otherwise positive review!
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