28 February 2008

Joan of Arc 2/5 (R)

It's all a bit of a mess but it gets better towards the end.

27 February 2008

Last Orders 4/5 (R)

A pleasant surprise.

25 February 2008

20 February 2008

Cloverfield 4.5/5 (C)

Probably the best popcorn film we'll see all year.

Everything bad I'd heard about Cloverfield seemed to centre around the fact that the characters were far too irritating and bland and therefore the stakes were never set. Maybe expecting them to be really irritating meant that when they were only mildly smug I didn't mind becuase they weren't as bad as I'd been lead to belive.

The thing is I don't think it really matters that there is no character development. I don't even mind the implausibility of these people sticking together to go on a near impossible mission when they should just be running for their lives. The way this film is set up you pretty much know how it's going to end and with that understanding there is no need to invest in these people, in fact becuase you're waiting for the inevitable to happen not caring about the gang helps you through the experience.

There is a plot but it's purpose isn't to evoke emotion or to make you think, it's there solely to get from set piece A to set piece B and make sure that you have fun along the way. It really is a roller coaster ride and the most fun I've had in the cinema for a very long time.

Sadly it isn't perfect and by the end of the pleasingly short running time these niggles add up which is why it ended up not being a 5 star film. However as I'm writing this I'm tempted to change my mind becuase it's possible that Cloverfield could turn out to be one of the most important films ever made.

15 February 2008

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 4/5 (R)

Some of the animation looks quite dated now (but that might have been just the version the BBC transmitted), surprisingly the combination of animation and live action doesn't look old. The most important thing is that it's still a great story and the attention to detail is amazing.

10 February 2008

We Are Together 3/5 (C)

Control 5/5 (C)

Without they hype that surrounded my first viewing I really appreciated this a lot more and see it now for the great film it really is.

The Band's Visit 4/5 (C)

Once 5/5 (C)

Even better on a second viewing.

08 February 2008

04 February 2008

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 3/5 (C)

Takes far too long to get going but once it does, it's bloody fantastic.