Film #24 - Thor (2011)

Let me be honest, I'm a massive comic book film fan and as far as comic book film's go, Thor gets a lot of things right. The cast all do a fine job, the story does enough to keep you interested throughout and the action sequences both look good and appear frequently enough to keep any fan happy for the duration of the film. Chris Hemsworth stars as the God of Thunder but if we were to pick any standout acting job from this film, the award would go straight to Tom Hiddleston as his slightly twisted brother Loki.

The soundtrack was better than most you'd find associated with a superhero film while the effects used to make the city of Asgard what it is look massively impressive if not a little too plastic and unreal. The plot unfolds at a decent pace and despite being massively predictable, makes an enjoyable ride. Thor is a fun comic book film, and while it's certainly not the best, it's one of the better ones to of come out of last year.

7/10

Film #23 - Troll Hunter (2011)

Look at that poster, just look at it. This film just has one of those concepts which makes you wonder 'How has nobody else ever thought of this before!?', a found footage film about three students following a man whose secretly hired by the Norwegian government to keep the troll population controlled? Sounds like a film that should be flying off the shelves with buzz coming in from all over the place! Oh wait no, it's in Norwegian. Well there goes any chance of popularity then, as the film watching public still can't handle reading subtitles every once in a while. This is an unfortunate truth and a real shame because Troll Hunter is one of the most fun and unique films I've seen from last year.

The film admittedly begins slow focusing mainly on the three students trying to track Hans, a man they believe to be a poacher of bears. Luckily however, about half an hour in two things begin to happen that really kick this film off and help it find it's stride, these two events being the appearance of trolls and the focus on Hans as a character. While the students often seemed to be quite irritating people (as students tend to be) with their grinning and their winging, Hans' later fleshing out forms a character that both leads and owns the human side of the film coming out as an obvious highlight along with the trolls. One interview scene in a cafe in particular really shows you a more human side to a character you at first believed to be cold and bitter.

What's also very much worth noting is that for a film that cost only just around $3.5m to make, the trolls look incredibly authentic and actually blend into the film with a far easier nature than most special effects creatures you'll find in Hollywood productions. In fact, the whole film is worth watching just for the sheer spectacle of the screen conquering final Troll right at the end of the film. Troll Hunter is one of the finest B-Movies I've seen in some time while really giving Hollywood a run for it's money as far as special effects go. Get past the slow beginning and you'll find a unique, humorous and at times quite scary film that's sure to find it's way into the hearts of many over the next few years.

8/10

Film #22 - Winnie The Pooh (2011)

Note: Sorry about lack of any updates recently, been sitting a few exams recently so have naturally been using my time to revise over watching films. However, now the brief exam time is over I shall return to a more consistent pattern of film watching!

Disney, stop messing about with live action, let's all admit it doesn't really work out for you and move on. Because, instead of milking out Pirates of the Caribbeans a few more times or letting Johnny Depp and Tim Burton make a rather tame and mediocre version of Alice In Wonderland you should be focusing all of your money into making more films like this. Winnie The Pooh is a film made for children, but that doesn't mean us beyond our potty training days can't enjoy it too! Effortlessly charming, beautifully animated and clocking in at only just over an hour this is the kind of short and sweet film that'll not only hit the credits before any under 7's reach their attention span limits but also bring a smile to the face of just about anyone who gives it a go.

It's very much old school Disney at their best, not least because of the animation style (which for me is a massive improvement on the overly bright and ultimately soulless recent take on Pooh you can find a picture of here) but because of the real heart it brings back to Disney. There is no threat at any point during the film, more just a series of pleasant mini adventures with the running theme of Pooh's honey craving supported by the colourful main cast of the series. I could say all the voice cast suit wonderfully (which they do) but right now I'd prefer to focus on just how much I enjoyed John Cleese's narration. To hear the man I know so well as grumpy manager Basil Fawlty from all time great British comedy Fawlty Towers become this warm voice of bedtime stories was inspired, not only improving the film but also reinforcing Cleese's reputation as a bit of a national treasure.Also worth noting is Zooey Deschanel's work on the soundtrack, which suited the film's tone perfectly as a light and sweet piece of musical accompaniment.

Winnie The Pooh is just about everything you could ask for as far as children's films go. A warm hearted, short effort with likable characters, valuable life messages and it's a damn fine looking piece of animation to boot. If you have any young relative about to watch films with, use them as an excuse. If you don't, forget the excuse, sit yourself in front of this and for one sweet hour just enjoy that feeling of being six years old again.

9/10

Film #18 - Horrible Bosses (2011)

Horrible Bosses is almost definitely one of the most fun American comedies of last year. You can put this down to one main thing; great chemistry between all of the cast. For the whole entirety of this film, it looks like all the cast are genuinely having fun making the movie and that is a joy to watch. Whether the jokes manage to do much for you or not, you will at least be smiling at this because the mood is so fun (which is unusually rare in comedies recently) and because some of the actors deliver such brilliant performances.

Without a doubt, my favourite performance of this movie was Kevin Spacey. Usually known for taking part in far more serious roles, it was a good change to see him take on the role of Bateman's psychopathic and just quite horrible boss. Being fair, if you're not a fan of American comedy this won't be changing your mind too far anytime soon. If you are a fan however, this is a pretty decent one.

6/10

Film #15: The Devil's Double (2011)

The Devil's Double looked like it could of been one of the surprise hits last year when I saw it's trailer, and I was surprised to hear basically nothing about it as the weeks it had been in cinemas went on. After finally getting my chance to see it last night, I see why. There isn't an awful lot to be said about this film, on the face of it it's a good film. Dominic Cooper manages to show some superb range with the two leads of crazy and spoilt son of Saddam, Udey Hussein and his unwilling body double brought into his mad world, Latif Yahia. The film is shot beautifully with some truly stunning locations and the story certainly manages to keep you gripped the whole way through.

The key flaw in this film though, is it leaves you with nothing after the credits roll. I felt no emotion throughout the entire duration of this film, even when I felt I should be (there are obviously some very dark moments to this) and once the film was finished that was it. There was nothing to really think about afterwards, no hanging questions you want to be answered, just a slightly empty feeling. Why this is, is something I'm still trying to pin down. As said earlier, when I think back to all the elements of the film it all seemed to be done very well and yet something was lacking, something just wasn't working for the film.

It's a real shame that the film suffers such a problem, as it leaves you with basically no need to think about or remember the film a few days down the line. I believe that had this film truly worked out, Dominic Cooper's star performance would of earned him that boost he's been needing to get him on the A-List. He deserves this, and if there's anything that can be said about this film it's that this is more than enough proof that Dominic Cooper is a far better actor than the lack of hype currently suggests.

7/10

Film #14 - 50/50

So much could of gone wrong with 50/50, to make a comedy about someone whose just been diagnosed with cancer? Luckily, this turned out to be a sensitively handled and more than anything human comedy about friendship and the fragile nature of life. The acting on the whole, was extremely good with this perhaps even being Joseph Gordon Levitt's finest performance of his career so far. He takes us through his character's journey with cancer sensitively, showing a man whose holding all his emotions in and managing it slowly while everyone else around him breaks down from the pressure of it.

Just how human it is and can no doubt mainly pinned down to how it's loosely based on writer Will Reiser and supporting actor Seth Rogen's experiences together through this exact same journey. This film would of felt uneducated and simply wrong if it weren't for Reiser basing the script off his own life. The result of which brings you a comedy with a lot more heart too it than you'd expect from your standard Seth Rogen starring comedy. Speaking of which, Seth Rogen was also very well done as his best friend trying to help both his friend and himself get through the tough times with jokes and nights out while Anna Kendrick manages to control her role very subtly as Levitt's councillor and only real emotional outlet.

50/50 is rare and incredibly well done film with the way in which it manages to mix both comedic moments and moments of humanity. While this will probably be neglected at all the awards ceremonies, this is the kind of film that I feel will slowly find a cult following as the years go on, and maybe that's exactly where it slots in best.

8/10

Film #10 - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

I'm just gonna throw this out now; I have never seen any of the other Mission: Impossible films and thus will not be comparing the latest entry to the others. I will be reviewing this on it's own merits as a blockbuster. A bloody good blockbuster at that, this film is all about big set pieces and stupidly fun action. No mysteries to be solved (apart from the mystery of why Hollywood still persist with Tom Cruise still being a reason to see a film) and no confusing plot twists. It focuses in on it's villain of the story very early and sticks too him. The plot's also very much standard action film with threats of nuclear war, a crazy Russian and an American hero. You know I sure am glad America have such a healthy supply of heroes, or our world may already of been destroyed by Russia's apparent surplus population of madmen obsessed with the idea of nuclear war.

This being Brad Bird's first time directing a live action film, I was admittedly impressed. Obviously this never even comes close to his finest moments at Pixar or The Iron Giant, but c'mon, how many films in general can be compared to Pixar's finest and come out of it not looking a bit rubbish? The supporting cast also all managed their roles pretty well, with Simon Pegg in particular more than filling his role as the comic relief. I didn't come into this film expecting any laughs, to be honest I never even checked out any trailers, but thanks to some pretty good lines and Pegg's delivery there were quite a few times where the whole audience were laughing.

Mission: Impossible is far from perfect, it's full of flaws and I still don't like Tom Cruise but it's one of the finer blockbusters out there and one of the very few that still understands the true concept of what makes a good blockbuster. Don't try and be smart and don't try to make your characters deep or confusing, just have some damn fine set pieces and some edge of the seat action scenes. If you're looking for just over two hours of stupid fun, this film will do the job perfectly.

7/10

Film #9 - Confessions (2011)

Sometimes, admittedly I question why I put so much of my time into watching films. When so many of them turn out to be average and forgettable, why should we as people celebrate the film industry so proudly? And I'm glad that whenever I do begin to question myself about this, a film like Confessions comes along. A film so powerful, so unpredictable and just so damn beautiful you know that it won't leave you for a long time. The imagery used is so beautiful, the tone is so chillingly cold and I cannot stress just how refreshing it is to finally find a film which could consistently surprise me with it's constant twists and revelations.

Takako Matsu as the grieving mother and teacher to her child's killers, Yuko Moriguchi, portrays her character to a level where simply her presence absorbs you in. Underneath her cold, bitter and dertermined shell you see a broken and fragile woman who will do anything to help her cope with her child's death while the younger actors who dominate so much of this film amazed me with the raw acting talent they could already show so young. Yukito Nishii and Kaoru Fujiwara have you held almost breathless as their lives and motives for each action slowly unravel while Yukito Nishii in particular chills you down to the core with his darker side you slowly see more and more of as the film progresses. Ai Hashimoto has a key role of holding the film together and keeping the three lead characters linked for much of the second and third acts of this film, and she manages this so effortlessly that I can't help but see bright futures for all three of the young actors involved in this.

It's a shame for both the people that made this film and us as audiences in general that this film will never really be seen anywhere close to the extent it deserves too on our shores thanks to so many of us as a filmwatching public not having the effort to read subtitles when we watch films and our dominating multiplexes that are too scared to show us anything that hasn't been crammed full of CGI and Hollywood taglines. But please, if you're feeling brave and want to try something different, hunt this down on DVD or Blu-Ray, watch it. This has effected me like little other films ever have, and even just for that reason alone this now deservedly becomes my first full marks film of the year.

10/10

Film #8 - Attack The Block (2011)

Attack The Block is Joe Cornish's (of Adam and Joe fame) debut in the world of film and if there's one thing that can be said about it, he certainly wanted to make an entrance. This is a fast paced comedy-horror splicing with a lot of action. This is not a film for character studies or deep dialogue, but just looking at the poster you'd have to be pretty oblivious to expect that anyway. This more than delivers with the action making it fast, exciting and surprisingly well done for a low budget debut while the humour on the whole will stay cheap and based on how the kids speak, but keep a keen ear out for some quite subtle and clever jokes littered throughout the script.

Now one of the main criticism's I've heard about this film from others is that the characters are just not likable, usually followed by saying they turned it off within a few minutes. Those two points are very key in their connection, because I can't see anyone disagreeing that during the first act of this film the kids overall are an unlikable group, being the type who seemingly mug nurses at knifepoint. But stick with this, and as the film progresses you'll warm to most of them as you see their more cowering and human side when faced with the far more menacing alien threat en masse. Turn this film off after the first five minutes and you'll be left with an unpleasant taste in your mouth, and could just make yourself the poor decision of writing off Joe Cornish as a new talent on the block. However, stick with this and you could just find yourself enjoying a well done mix of good action scenes, some good lines and a few jumpy moments thrown in too. Recommended for the more patient film watcher.

8/10

Film #6 - Puss In Boots (2011)

Oh Dreamworks, why must you disappoint me so with your inconsistency? Just when I think they are stepping up in the animation world and perhaps even have the potential to one day be like Pixar they go back to milk Shrek some more. Let me assure anyone who enjoyed their recent bright efforts of How To Train Your Dragon or Kung Fu Panda 2, this is a big step down and a disappointment. I'm not saying this is a bad film, but it's damned bloody average. The first half was slow with poor attempts at humour and unlikable characters, and while the second half improved the pace I still failed to really raise a smile or grow any liking for any of the characters. At their finest points, Dreamworks can produce quite wonderful and original animations with likable characters and some rather well done jokes. This is not one of them.

5/10

Film #5 - We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)

This is one of the most brilliant and most challenging films of 2011. To miss a film like this is a crime to yourself, simply because it's one of those few films that can actually effect you, it can leave you thinking. Okay, background info time.We Need To Talk About Kevin is an adaptation of a book (with the same name if you wish to go read that first) about the relationship between a mother and her quite disturbing son throughout the years. One of the true beauties of this film is how it's put together, in the way that it never fixes to one linear timepath. You'll hop from him as a late teenager to his first days and then suddenly to him at the age of around eight. With any other film, this constant changing of time setting could prove annoying but it truly works in WNTTAK's favour. Not once will you feel comfortable or relaxed during this film, and I couldn't bring up the unsettling mood of this film without also mentioning Ezra Miller's career making performance.

While I'm sure many film-goers are already well experienced with just how good an actress Tilda Swinton can be, and trust me she doesn't fail to impress here either (if she doesn't receive some Best Actress nominations come award season I shall not be pleased at all) but Ezra Miller is the true star of this film. Playing Kevin in his teenager films, he brings in an atmosphere that's nothing short of sinister and truly unsettling. His dead looks, the cold tone to his voice and the real lack of emotion he shows almost the whole way through the film sends chills down your spines. I like to keep these reviews short, but I have so much more to say on this film I'll no doubt write up a full review for this and put it on a separate blog at some point. But more than any other film I've seen so far this year, this is the film I urge you to see most of all. I promise you one of the most powerful pieces of cinema last year presented us.

9/10

Film #4 - Senna (2011)

After the disappointment that was Half Nelson, I moved onto Senna which turned out to be an incredible surprise. Hear me out when I said surprise, I had heard all the incredible buzz about it calling it the best documentary this year. Yet still I was concerned that my lack of interest in Formula 1 would interfere with my enjoyment of it. I was wrong. Whether you have an interest in the sport or not, this is no exclusive documentary. Because at the heart of it, this is a character portrait of Ayrton Senna, and he is what will keep you hooked to this film. To see a man so driven and focused on his one goal in life is fascinating, and he himself becomes more interesting throughout the film as his increased success and popularity sees him truly come out of his shell.

 I also think it would be more than unfair to mention the incredible work and love obviously put into this film, the amount of archive footage that was found and put together so beautifully is what makes this work above other documentaries and what makes it stand out in the general term of cinema. Not once was there a piece of narration or boring talking head interview to pull you out of the experience, and this truly made you feel like you were seeing his life from a third person perspective. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this film is just how much of an emotional impact the end provides, even though you knew it was coming right from the beginning. This is film crafting at some of it's finest, and the love put into making this only makes it a further joy to watch. Simply put, this is something you should not miss no matter your interest on the background subject.

9/10

Film #2 - Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (2011)

After starting with the 2009 take on Sherlock Holmes, what better way to continue than with it's recently released sequel? While I know some may question why I would go to see this not much longer than 12 hours after I had rewatched and on the whole reslated the first one, I must admit that I only rewatched the first one because I already had plans set to see the sequel with friends. And might I say, what a sequel. This is how more blockbusters should follow themselves up, rather than trying to edge itself out to new risky ground it simply focused in on what the first did best. They've ramped up the action, the stakes and even the bromance between Holmes and Watson. I was more than relieved to see that the filmmakers had mainly admitted that they couldn't do the cold and calculated mystery solving side of Sherlock even half as well as Steven Moffat recently has for the BBC leaving us with a far more action orientated and impressive setpiece boasting piece of cinema. Oh, and by far the greatest improvement on the first one? The new cast addition of Jared Harris as Sherlock's infamous rival Moriarty. Managing to equally display menacing and genius at the same time, the cold calm Harris always managed to hold made him perhaps the only bit of casting I would dare compare to the BBC's series opposite. I can only urge those who like me, felt more than a little disappointed in the first attempt to give this Hollywood adaptation one more shot.

7/10