Sunday, May 18, 2014

Godzilla

SF: I'm in two minds about this film. The special effects were nice, the build up was good blend of realism and fun madness (explaining the existence of the awesome Godzilla) but when you get down to what the audience wants - big monster fight...well you are left a bit short. The first fight cuts away before it even begins. The next one does the same thing and when the battle finally gets going everything was too dark. Having said that there was plenty to enjoy and compared to the 1997 offering this is a delight. This suffered from too much human screen time. And why is Aaron Johnson always there? His presence at all the right times just echoed the awful 2012 film I'd rather forget. Also anyone who dislikes Godzilla weight - let me remind you that isn't not easy being Zilla and comfort eating is bound to happen. 6/10

50 Eggs: I have to say I agree completely with SF. There's lots to like about this film but there's also a lot wrong with it, although it's a little difficult to put your finger on exactly what that is. After seeing the movie I went straight on the internet to read the plot synopsis because I was convinced I had missed some exposition somewhere. I hadn't, but I just felt that I hadn't seen the complete movie. Perhaps a directors cut will rectify it, but in the meantime there is some good stuff here - big monsters, great effects, and lots of sequel potential. 7/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall: 6.5/10

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Blue Ruin

SF: This film can across as a mix of No Country for Old Men and Winters Bone, however its doesn't come near either in terms of delivery. Which is a real shame, I thought it started really well, peaks your curiosity has a good pace. All the potential was there to be a a gripping and interesting film. Instead the character development is shallow, the acting is just OK and though it should be intense its just rather dull. 3/10

50Eggs: n/a

DonkeyB: I very nearly left, I didn't like it, there are some very unpleasant scenes, I'm always very uncomfortable when it feels like the violence is played for laughs. Maybe it was just the audience we saw it with and a slight Alf Garnet effect was in operation but I was not happy when I left. 2/10

Overall: 2.5/10

Friday, May 2, 2014

Captain American: The Winter Solider

SF: This was as brilliant as its predecessor, in fact I've already seen it twice. Even if you are not a super hero fan this delivers a fun, action packed sky movie. Expect lots of fights, a little humour and some stunning effects. Plus nice use of Marvel in jokes to satisfy die hard fans. Excellently executed and one the best offering from the Avengers movies catalog. 8.5/10

50 Eggs: With the stench of the awful Iron Man 3 and Thor 2 still wafting in my nose, I almost didn't bother watching this. But clearly Marvel have been reading this blog because they massively changed the formula for this installment and it worked a treat. The story is intelligent but entertaining, and the action is more grounded and therefore visceral than anything they have done before. Chris Evans is good as Cap, but once again Scarlett Johansson steels the show as the Black Widow - she needs her own film asap. 9/10

DonkeyB: Captain America is the most successful of the recent Marvel reboot/re-imaginings, in fact its the most most successful of the comic book adaptations full stop. This film once again succeeds because it has a plot and once again you will be rewarded for attempting to follow it (wacky and preposterous as it is), it actually hints at making a serious point about the actual world which at its best sci-fi has always done. 7.5/10

Overall: 8.33/10