biggles1701 Reviews

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Oh well...

[2/10 · 22 May 2008]

Raiders of the Lost Ark, cinematic perfection (for me at least). The Temple of Doom, first class adventure film. The Last Crusade, excellent father/son story ark (see what I did there...) and fitting *end* to the series.

I managed to see The Last Crusade in the cinema when I was about 9 or 10 years old. That was in 1989. I therefor am a member of the last generation to have seen an Indiana Jones film on it's 1st release....20 years ago. There were no mobile phones. no video on demand and, most importantly, no internet. Since then we have been treated to massive developments in cinema, information technology and storytelling craft. The blockbuster as a medium has changed dramatically. In this day in age there are films topping the box office that have the influence of the Indiana Jones films all over them. They have up-dated the ideas and techniques for a modern audience.

What I'm really trying to say here, in a rather bloated pros style is Indiana Jones has no place in todays cinemas or rather "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" should never have been made.

For years we were told that they were waiting for the correct story or McGuffen to come along. Finally a story was agreed upon but, alas, Lucas wouldn't agree as he thinks it needs some tinkering. He tinkers and finally the others agree. The green light is given. The whole scenario has a "quickly, let grandad out in the boat once more before he dies, I don't care if there's no rudder" whiff about it. It's as if Spielberg thought "F*ck it, if I don't agree to George's sh*tty idea this things never going to get made". So he agreed and the film suffers.

I'm not going to go into a break down of why it's bad...ach, I will. It's the script. Its poor, nay, its a mess. The actors are suffering. Ford is good as Indy but I kept thinking "what's Indiana Jones doing in this film?". I like the Mutt character and Marion Ravenwood is a good but poorly devised throw-back. Where's the scope? It looks like they never left the sound-stage giving it a bit of a TV Movie feel. The 1st films were full of awe and wonder. You just cant get the same feelings over CGI....yes CGI....they lied.

Did anything good come from this film? Yeah sure. I loved the motor bike sequence at the beginning. I loved the bit in the warehouse...at the beginning. I loved the sense of nostalgia I got from the credits...at the beginning. But Indiana Jones does not belong in a fridge. See the opening of Raiders. Thats where he belongs.

I really am painting a damning picture of this film. Go see it, judge for yourself. I might learn to love it on DVD but as it stands it feels like a rush job to give grandad one more pointless run before he keels over. This films going to be lost on the current blockbuster kids.

Sorry chaps.

Man Alive (1965–1982)

A truly great BBC documentary strand

[9/10 · 21 June 2007]

I have been lucky enough over the past years to work on the original film masters of quite a few episodes of Man Alive. I can honestly say that it is a fantastic documentary strand. It would be fantastic if the BBC could bring this back but, unfortunately, I don't think this sort of honest programe making could ever strive in the celebrity, quick-cut world of modern broadcasting. Man Alive managed to capture real people and tell real stories. Be it amusing stories such as "How to Make Boyhood Last Forever" where we meet grown men whom hang onto there boyhood hobbies such as the vicar with a full size steam engine in his garden and grown men who play cowboys and indians! It also tackled serious concerns in Britain during the 60's and 70's such as the three day week, strikes, abortion and homosexuality.

A truly fascinating programe also with a great theme tune. The BBC will most likely be making these available in the next few years.

Scoop (2006)

Good, not classic, but good...

[6/10 · 11 December 2006]

I breathed a sigh of relief when I found on watching this film that it was A. Funny and B. Fresh. Two things poor Mr. Allen has not been since "Deconstructing Harry". It reminded me very much of "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" with its story involving the occult and magic. After the dire, and I mean dire, "Match Point" its great to see Allen back in his usual 'schtick' territory. He may not be on the form he once was, I sadly doubt he will ever reach that point again, he may yet have another masterpiece up his sleeve yet. That is however if he returns home. These England films have a sort of "Woody Abroad" feel to them that's not all bad but it makes me think he is now re-charged to return home and make a brilliant film back in NY. The cast is better than the dreaded "Match Point" with Johansson looking gorgeous and acting like no other girl of her age probably could. Allen is on fine form yet on cruise control as an old magician who gets caught up in the farce. Jackman is on good form but I feel hasn't got much to do, it really is Allen and Johanssons film. Allen has "Cassandra's Dream" coming next year. I hope its as good, if better than this and I also hope he makes it and Englash Trilogy and returns home!

A good film, easy watching.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

A Perfect Film

[9/10 · 16 August 2006]

The sets, the music, the detail, the animation, the writing, its all perfect. One of the things about model animation is it has to be planned out to the last frame before anything is even shot and it shows in this, the first feature to star Wallace and Gromit. Its British to the core and proud.

Hopefully there will be a follow up to this, a film that is sure to become a classic in the years to come. Aardman show and prove that they are the masters of the clay! A rarity in this age of CG animation that is more and more beginning to fall short on the jokes and rely on the flat spectacle unlike Were-Rabbit.

Excellent piece of family entertainment!

Match Point (2005)

Felt like pulling teeth...

[3/10 · 9 August 2006]

Woody Allen shoots his first film in London, I spent the day watching him direct, it was a great experience. Such a shame that ninety percent of this film is toilet.

Now, I am quite well read when it come to Allen and his films. I have books on the subject and have seen his films. This film was the first film in a while that I really wanted to turn off. The story premise is good, a nice idea and the last fifteen minutes are pretty good BUT, this is a big BUT; Jonathan Rhys Meyers's acting absolutely KILLS the film. His acting STINKS. All the other actors seem to be fine in there parts but Meyers just cant act. I have to point out that this probably has allot to do with Allens directing style and Meyers just is'nt experienced enough to handle the directors free-wheeling approach with actors. There is even a point in the film where it appears the editor left in a moment where he fluffs his lines. Its that bad. He's playing a man from a working class background who is a tennis coach (very American) but when he speaks he sounds like and upper class twit with piles.

Another bad point about this film is how American its views are. Some of he lines that the characters spout are very American in there language. Also the view of London. The capital, also my home I should add, is portrayed as it is on postcards. Full of white snobs, Horse Gaurds, designer shops, red phone box's, black cabs. I could go on. The view of London blinkered to the point I was offended by it. No sign whatsoever of the richly multi cultural London, REAL London. I suspect if there were scenes in Waterloo Station we would see steam trains and bowler hats.

The characters themselves are also despicable. I don't know if this is what Allen wanted but I didn't like any of them.

Not a disappointing film. Meyers's just kills it dead in its tracks and Allen's view of London is just so naive and offensive. The last fifteen minutes are good and the supporting actors are good.

Woody, your films are great! Go home! Please go home! For your own good!

The Password Is Courage (1962)

Brilliant WW2 Brit Caper

[8/10 · 15 July 2006]

People watching this film expecting a serious WW2 film will be disappointed. This wee film is pretty much rooted in the essence of good British Humor. The story is based on a biography of the real life Charlie Coward, played nicely by the "Idle of the Odeon" Dirk Bogarde and plays out like separate chapters of his story during WW2 spending most of his time irritating the guards.

When is comes to POW films I always go for "The Colditz Story" as the greatest and this is the light hearted side order.

Good fun.

3 out of 5

Poseidon (2006)

A Sinker.

[3/10 · 15 July 2006]

Why?

Another week, another Hollywood re-make. Over the past few years I have slowly ditched the "Summer Blockbuster" genre for it had begun to bore me. On return this year to view Poseidon my opinions were only strengthened.

Poseidon is a stinker. The film has no heart at all and absolutely no character development. Due to the rush that is this films editing, the director uses the most in-opportune moments to stuff in some emotional depth. Take for instance a scene where the characters are in certain peril. Snake, sorry, Kurt Russell, ex fireman and mayor of New York (but of course) decides to have an emotional 'heart-to-heart' conversation with his daughter about boys, a scene akin to that of chatting a girl up at a funeral.

Nothing saves this dreary film, the special effects are rank, the acting, apart from Drefuss and Russell, both on auto pilot, is dire and Russell's death is comical. This film will sink (pardon!)

1 out of 5

Superman Returns (2006)

Superman Returns! It misses a few beats but hits the mark.

[7/10 · 15 July 2006]

I'm not going to mention the plot at all in this mini review. All I am going to say is that director Brian Singer has finally revived the Superman franchise with a film that shares the same style and ideas of Richard Donners original classic. It doesn't however surpass Donners film (which is still, in my opinion, the greatest superhero film ever made). The pacing of the film is not up to scratch and the story is a bit thin on the ground. We could have done with a bit more of supes getting along with his daily business of saving people and perhaps a bit more of Kal El shifting between his two identities. Which brings me onto Brandon Routh. Routh is excellent as Kent/Superman/Kal El. Because he's an unknown you only get the impression that he IS all of those characters. Back to the pacing that I mentioned earlier, I got the feeling in several scenes that they could do with holding some of the shots for a little longer. If there is another problem with Hollywood films these days is the editing is all over the place. Superman Returns is no exception. I felt it could have done with a few more epic wide shots and longer cuts. The editing was done by the same fella that scored the music, John Ottman, I don't think Ottman had a very good grasp of John Williams original themes, we need more of the Superman theme, thats what its all about!

I am nit picking to the extreme here. Superman Returns is an Excellent film and sits head and shoulders above your Fantastic Fours and your Sin City's. When you buy it on video, place it on the same shelve as the first two films, Batman, Batman Begins and the two Spiderman films.

4 out of 5