Blog Archives
Reel spotlight: Should we go into a film expecting substance?
Depth, it pretty much means whether we can uncover a deeper meaning from films. Many times when films come out, whether it’s in the silly summer season or the serious winter season, filmgoers and commenters on internet forums squabble over whether films have any resonance or issues to talk about beyond their superficial surface. I wrote this article in part, to the response for Tron: Legacy and claims that beyond the visual and aural impact, there is very little substance to the film. Read the rest of this entry
Top ten disappointing films of 2010
This list comprises of the films that were a bit of a letdown, they still entertained to some degree but didn’t live up to the hype, expectations or generally just didn’t fulfil the promise that the premise put forward. Before that though here a few films that are a worth a watch but have their own problems.
Mentions:
The Runaways – I wouldn’t say that this was a bad or poorly executed film, it has good moments (all of them centring round Michael Shannon’s director) but for a person who’s not familiar with Joan Jett or her music this film never made a case for me to get interested in The Runaways.
Cop Out – I enjoyed Cop Out, I’ve seen it on a few top ten worst lists and I don’t think it’s as bad as that. Considering the talent involved it should be far better than it was and I’m not sure whether Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis were ever a good pairing. Willis seems to be on auto-pilot for most of the film and for a Kevin Smith film it seems tired and really clichéd. Decent watch but it really should have been a lot better.
MacGruber – Stupid but not quite stupidly funny, it missed more times than it hit and running jokes weren’t as effective as the film seemed to think they were.
The A-Team – watching this film in the summer I was absolutely disappointed in the final product. It seemed to lack what I liked about the A-Team. Problem was it wasn’t
too fun and placed emphasis on the truly ridiculous so much so that it was hard to suspend your disbelief especially when some poor CGI could be seen in the final sequence. Although the Extended Cut is not too different from the theatrical, for some reason I enjoyed it more than the original release.
The Ghost Writer – I’ve seen this film on a few best of/honourable mentions list and while I think it’s watchable I also think it’s devoid of suspense or intrigue. It’s also hard to care about anyone or anything when watching the film.
Chloe – this was going so well, until Amanda Seyfried’s title character started doing rather wacky things which I won’t spoil. A competent and steamy thriller up until its denouement where things go a little awry.
London Boulevard – Tepid was the word I used for this film, I remember not having much of a reaction to this film. Very ‘meh’.
And now onto the top ten… Read the rest of this entry
Review – Tron:Legacy is good, at times thrilling if in the end a little underhwelming
Now, I kept dreaming… dreaming of this world I thought I’d never see. And then, one day, something happened. Something… extraordinary.
The definition of the word legacy is essentially what we leave for others. What does Tron: Legacy leave for its audiences? A thrilling ride? Dazzling visuals? A slightly anaemic story? All are present and while Tron: Legacy is a good film it never manages to move you or excite you in a manner in which you’ve not felt before. It suffices as good entertainment for two hours but not much more. Read the rest of this entry
Tron Legacy featurettes
So Tron Legacy ie rearing its head round the corner, ready to jump out at you and say “Watch Me!”. As if they haven’t been enough featurettes in the last few months here comes a few more as Disney builds up anticipation for the December 17th release. They’re not too revealing (and why would they be?) but may be enough to sate your thirst for all things Tron.
Hit the jump for all things Tron Read the rest of this entry
