thefleece2 Reviews

RED 2 (2013)

A Solid Sequel

[6/10 · 4 August 2013]

Release Date: 2nd August 2013 (UK)

Back in 2010, the original Red proved to be a surprise hit. Whilst the film wasn't exactly innovative, it was great to see all these acclaimed actors and actresses come together to form their own Expendables type group. As a result, the film proved to be a surprise box-office hit, and as you can see, grossed enough to warrant a sequel. However, the question is… was a sequel really necessary?

The film see's Bruce Willis, now livingly peacefully alongside his girlfriend, played Mary Louise Parker. But as you can imagine that tranquil atmosphere doesn't last very long, when it becomes apparent that a portable nuclear devise must be shut down, before it falls into the hands of the wrong people. Therefore, Bruce Willis reforms his old group RED, to track down and terminate the devise.

Whilst I don't recall many of the elements inside the original Red, I do remember enjoying that film. It was an entertaining popcorn flick, released at the time when cinema becomes serious, with potential Oscar contenders taking much of the spotlight. However, when I initially heard that a sequel was in development, I was quite shocked. Because let's be honest, Red isn't really the type of film that warrants a sequel. I don't think anyone left the first film begging for another instalment, but as far as I'm concerned if it entertained me, I was happy and that's exactly what this sequel did, it entertained me.

Now of course, arguably the biggest pleasure with both of these films is the cast. This time round we see the recurring faces of Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker and Helen Mirren all returning to portray their respective characters. As well as having new additions such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Anthony Hopkins and Byung-hun Lee adding to an already stellar line-up, and as a result, there is not one bad performance in the entire film, but with these people involved… would you really expect anything to go wrong? If I was to single anyone out in particular, it would have to be the legendary Anthony Hopkins, with a special mention also going to Mary-Louise Parker, who I thought was equally as brilliant in the more comedic, sidekick type role.

Whilst the pacing can be slightly off, the film is expertly shot, with the action sequences being very well cinematised. Thankfully, I don't recall a single use of shaky-cam and in a 2013 action movie that can prove to be a bit of a rarity. As I said there cannot be a single complaint performance wise and whilst the plot is totally unoriginal and very predictable, it somehow works with the tone of the film.

That being said, whilst the first film had a wickedly, sharp sense of humour, this sequel is lacking in that department. It's not a complete travesty, but I didn't find myself laughing as much as I would have liked to. Sure, as an audience member I chuckled here and there, but there was never a time when I felt the need to laugh out loud, and seeing as the humour in the original film was one of the aspects that I recall enjoying the most, for it to be lacking in this sequel was kind of disappointing.

But nevertheless, Red 2 is a solid follow-up to original film. It's well-acted and the chemistry everyone shares is unprecedented. Sure, it's not a barrel of laughs or well-paced for that matter, but the final act and set pieces more than make-up for it.

6/10

Check out my website: www.jacks-reviews.com

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

Visually Stunning... But Lacks Substance

[5/10 · 4 August 2013]

Release Date: 2nd August 2013 (UK)

Anime has never been my strongest genre in the realms of cinema and culture. As a kid, like most people my age, I religiously watched Yu-Gi-Oh and on the odd occasion an episode of Pokémon. So going into the latest studio Ghibli flick, "From Up on Poppy Hill", I was sceptical, despite the critical acclaim that the studio has received in the past.

Of course, whenever venturing into anything new, there is obviously going to be a lot of uncertainty. It's human nature after all, and when I originally saw the trailer for this film, the screening I was in, greeted it with howls of laughter and continuously questioned what it actually was, and that alone, is the reason I went out to see the film. I wanted to find out more about it.

Upon doing my research, it's evidently clear that Studio Ghibli has created some of the best animated films of all time, yet I have never actually seen one.

It was a personal choice of mine to see this film in its traditional format. That being the Japanese version, instead of the England dub. Did I make the right choice? I personally think so, however the fact that I had to continuously read, prevented me from taking in the beautiful hand-drawn landscapes that the film boasted.

Whilst I wasn't particularly fond of the film, I have to applaud it from an aesthetic angle. Because despite the wizardry shown on behalf of studios such as Pixar and DreamWorks, nothing compares to hand-drawn animation, and the visuals in this film are absolutely beautiful. At first it took a while for me to really appreciate the craft, as it did take ten minutes or so for my eyes to adjust to what I was watching, but once I was in, I found myself slightly hypnotised, and as a result, not particularly interested in what was developing, plot-wise on screen.

The plot of the film is very straight forward. Based in Japan, in the year 1964, the Olympic Games are on the way, and a group of teenagers want to save their beloved club-house from destruction in what is deemed as preparation for the Games. In the midst of all this, a young boy and girl meet and a relationship slowly starts to form between them.

Although I adored the film aesthetically, the overall plot was incredibly weak. It was very predictable and I even saw the main plot-twist coming. The biggest problem with the film is simple. It's too nice. I was never moved by the film, and it's relatively harmless, despite the fact that at one point it becomes very strange, and even hints at the possibility of incest? Anyway, the film is totally lacking in emotion. As a viewer I sat there, wanting to be engrossed in this story, but the plot really is as thin as a wafer. There is simply nothing to care about, and although I understand that some people may disagree with me, due to there being an element that is viewed as being slightly tragic, as a viewer I felt completely disengaged, which resulted in me not caring as much as I would have liked to.

Nevertheless, like the visuals, the score courtesy of Satoshi Takebe really is beautiful. Mainly I preferred the instrumental tracks as opposed to the ones that featured vocals, but they really worked with the tone of the film and they certainly added something to it as a whole.

From Up on Poppy Hill is not a bad film. I just didn't find it very enjoyable. I thought it had brilliant production elements, but the people behind the film didn't manage to give it a script that matched the work they'd created visually. So instead of getting an emotionally investing story, we're just stuck with a beautiful looking movie and not much else.

5/10

Check out my website: www.jacks-reviews.com

The Canyons (2013)

Better Than I Expected... But That's Not Saying Much

[5/10 · 4 August 2013]

Release Date: 2nd August 2013 (US)

After starring briefly in two of the years worst films, Lindsay Lohan makes her full length return in Paul Schrader's "The Canyons". A film that documents just how crazy one individual can go, when he finds out about the secret love affair between his girlfriend and the lead on his film project.

With this being Lindsay Lohan's first full length appearance since the critically panned, "Labor Pains" released in 2009, there has been a lot of correspondence and speculation surrounding this indie flick.

Despite hearing some very mixed opinions, I have to say I wasn't particularly fazed by "The Canyons". The film is littered with problems, yet I never really had any trouble sitting through it. It is overdramatic and slightly ridiculous, but at times, that alone makes it a very compelling watch.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't enjoy the movie, but I didn't dislike it either. It's a very middle of the road experience. Well at least it was for me anyway.

The films production budget is very low. So don't go into it expecting some extravagant revenge-romance esque thriller, because that's not what it is. In a way, the films plot-line could be compared to that of a soap opera. It's not particularly exciting, but it is partially entertaining watching it unfold.

However, for such a low budget film ($250,000 to be precise), the film is actually rather attractive. It is very well lit and the various locations work with the direction that the film goes in. It's well cinematised, and in terms of shots, whilst it doesn't do anything original, there were times when I was watching the film amending some of the cinematography.

Now a lot of media outlets have compared to the film to porn. I don't necessarily agree with that statement. Sure there are specific body parts that are revealed on numerous occasions, but whilst there is an emphasis on sex, it's not as explicit as a lot of people have made it out to be.

The performances are average. Nobody really impressed me and whilst nobody is bad, some of the dialogue is very cheesy and repetitive, but of course that can only be blamed on the writers. Lindsay Lohan offers a solid turn as does real life porn star, James Deen, but nobody does anything that you're going to love or remember the next day. Everyone's very mediocre, and due to how ridiculous the film eventually becomes, the characters all end up becoming rather comical.

Whilst the film does lack in its key areas, along with the cinematography, one of the aspects I liked was the score. I will be the first to admit that it does sound very amateurish, but the electronic nature of it occasionally works, with what the movie is trying to present. That presentation being that shouldn't have affairs, especially if you're dating a complete an utter psychopath.

I have to admit The Canyons was lot of better than I expected it to be. I didn't necessarily enjoy it, but there were aspects to it that I liked. Perhaps I'm being too nice, but for a low budget production I didn't find it too bad. If you have a partial interest in seeing it, see it. But if you don't, then I wouldn't bother.

5/10

Check out my website: www.jacks-reviews.com

Frankenstein's Army (2013)

Could Have Been Better...

[4/10 · 4 August 2013]

Release Date: 26th July 2013 (US)

I am informed on numerous occasions that I am a harsh critic. But when I can forgive a film for being shot in the found-footage format during World War II, am I really that bad?

Frankenstein's Army follows a Russian unit during the dying days of the Second World War. As I previously stated the film is shot entirely in the found-footage style, which for obvious reasons doesn't make sense, but as I said, I'm willing to let that slide. Anyway the squad are obviously at war, and during a rescue mission they stumble across an abandoned factory. Seeing as this is a horror movie, the soldiers make a lot of mistakes and before they know it they come across a new Nazi murder weapon… that being, Frankenstein's Army.

Believe it or not, as strange as it may seem, Frankenstein's Army is a movie that I have been anticipating for quite some time. A few months ago, I stumbled across some images online that documented the designs of the creatures and to me, I really liked what I saw and immediately thought that the film had the potential to be an innovative and genuinely terrifying horror flick… Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Now if you know me, you'll be aware that I don't have any problems with films that rely heavily on violence and gore tactics. For example, my favourite film of the year was notoriously booed at the Cannes Film Festival for its bloody overtones, yet in my opinion, the violence in this film is one of the few factors that make it fall short and here's why.

Instead of creating a creepy, disturbing atmosphere, the film instead relies heavily on gore tactics and to me, this aspect alone was incredibly disappointing. I genuinely believe that amongst this film, there is the potential to create a great horror flick, as it is undeniably an intriguing idea. It's just that the decisions made and the poor execution makes it fall flat.

Featuring some very stereotypical Russian accents, with the soldiers speaking English? In terms of performances, the acting is very mediocre. Obviously, taking into consideration that this is a very low budget film, it's pretty self-explanatory to think that the performances aren't going to be in the same league with say, Daniel Day-Lewis. However, the overall lack of character development and again, poor direction make you just sit there, wishing for the monsters to get more screen time as it takes a good thirty minutes for the first one to actually appear.

There's no two ways about it, the monsters in this film are brilliantly designed. For me, from an aesthetic angle, they are certainly the best thing about the entire film. But in all fairness, the film is actually pretty well made. The setting works and after the first thirty minutes, the pacing gets a hell of a lot better, it's just a shame that the execution is so poor.

Forgive me for continuously referencing that aspect of the film, but the ideas are most certainly there. It's just a real shame that the director and writers didn't realise what a great concept they had.

Although enjoyable in places, Frankenstein's Army is a frustrating watch. The ideas aren't utilised to their fullest potential and although it shows moments of brilliance, they simply don't appear enough, leaving the final product to be somewhat of a disappointment.

Check out my website: www.jacks-reviews.com

The Heat (I) (2013)

Not As Hot As I Would Have Thought.

[5/10 · 4 August 2013]

Release Date: 31st July 2013 (UK)

Director Paul Feig reunites with Melissa McCarthy and throws Sandra Bullock into the mix for his latest offering, "The Heat". A film that sees' the oddball duo of an uptight FBI agent and a ruthless Boston cop, teaming up to take down an established drug lord.

As it stands, The Heat is currently the highest grossing comedy of the year, which certainly suggests that if you can manage to put Melissa McCarthy in an unlikeable role and present it as a comedy, then you're onto a winner.

Admittedly, I wasn't a big fan of her last offering, "Identity Thief", nor have I seen "Bridesmaids", yet something about "The Heat" intrigued me. I'm not entirely sure what it was, as I didn't find the trailers to be particularly interesting or funny for that matter, but if I was to put it down to one thing, it would probably be the critical reception. Whilst the film hasn't been garnering the same critical-conscious as Feig's last feature "Bridesamaids", audience reception has been pretty strong, which to me is rather surprising, because upon watching "The Heat" at my local multiplex, it's safe to say that there were not many laughs.

Now I don't want to begin this review by saying that I disliked the movie, because whilst it may be lacking in the humour department, I certainly didn't have any trouble sitting through the film. It's just that, it does have a lot of problems.

For instance, as I said, the movie isn't really that funny. Don't get me wrong, there were moments when I did snigger. Occasionally the film presents some innovative gags, but it's just a shame that the actual concept isn't as fresh. What can I say, the film never actually made me laugh out loud, and when you've got two actresses' like Bullock and McCarthy on screen, that really isn't a good sign, as both actresses' posses a brilliant sense of comedic timing, so really, it isn't actually their fault, instead I would personally blame it on the script, because this is a very scripted movie, that features essentially no improvisation whatsoever on the actresses' behalf. The movie is frustrating at times, because it does have potential.

There are good ideas in this movie that have worked in the past, but maybe the sub-genre its self has become slightly flooded? Because as soon as this film was over, all I could think was that I would have preferred to watch the original "Lethal Weapon" or "21 Jump Street", two movies that the film draws definite inspiration from.

This ultimately leads me onto my next point. There is no originality in this film whatsoever. As audience members we have all seen it before. Sure, like most people, I enjoy buddy-cop films, but this isn't one that I'm going to be watching again, simply because it's not funny and there are a lot better alternatives out there.

However, on a more positive note, I thought during the final act, the movie definitely raised its game. It became a lot more action packed and I eventually began to warm to these characters that I was seeing on screen, mainly because they actually showed some likability and where not continuously bickering with one another. Yet, the performances are actually really good, forgive me for continuously referencing this aspect of the film, but it's just a real shame that the material isn't up to par.

Although I didn't like the film, I didn't dislike it either. It's the type of movie that you come out of thinking, "Meh, it was alright", and that's my best way to summarise the film, it's simply alright. But, I feel if the production company and various members behind "The Heat" do decide to move forward with a sequel, then they've certainly paved the way for a potentially solid second instalment. As there are two good characters in this film and it would be rather interesting to see where their relationship goes next, and hopefully the next one (if it happens) is funny.

Check out my website: www.jacks-reviews.com

Byzantium (2012)

Byzantium Review.

[8/10 · 2 June 2013]

Over the course of five years I think it's safe to say the reputation of vampires has been well and truly tarnished. Instead of being blood sucking beasts, audiences seem more interested in watching them make love and glisten in the sunlight, however that's were director Neil Jordan steps in. Admittedly Byzantium isn't the most traditional vampire movie, but that's not a problem, because the end result is a fresh, innovative take on the creatures that may have installed some credibility in the post Twilight era.

Essentially the main-plot of Byzantium follows the mother and daughter duo of Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan. The two continuously move from location to location due to them having to hide their secret that no-one is aware of, however upon seeking refuge at a rundown coastal area, their secret is uncovered, which results in their past calling for blood.

Now as I have said, in the last few years vampires have been getting a hard time. Whenever you see or hear of vampires these days, the first thing that usually comes to mind is that of Robert Pattison. Personally I am not a fan of the Twilight movies and I have to confess I was quite sceptical going into Byzantium, due to the supposed vampire themes. However, I am happy to report that Byzantium is an original, different and genuinely great movie that I would regard as one of my favourite films of the year so far.

The films concept is in my opinion superb. As soon as the film began I was invested. One thing that I liked in particular was that the film showcased rarely a dull moment. It is very well paced and the story is just great, with some rather intriguing flashback sequences being utilised brilliantly to connect all the dots.

Aside from being very well written, the films' setting is another factor as to what makes it so enjoyable. Personally I felt that the run-down coastal setting was just superb. Not only because it sets the tone and feel of the movie, but it just gave it that added creepiness that you would expect from a movie like this.

The cinematography is very good and in terms of visuals I think the film was one of the best looking that I have seen in a long time. Understandably the mood is very dark and occasionally quite Gothic, but again, not only is the seaside primitive in establishing that, some of the other locations really are just as good.

Aside from Jordan's fantastic direction, the thing I liked most about Byzantium was the acting from its two leading ladies. Beginning with Saoirse Ronan, as we all know she is a fantastic young actress who very rarely fails to come up with the goods. In this movie she is playing quite a reserved, intellectual who is quiet but intriguing nonetheless, whereas her on screen mother portrayed by Gemma Arterton is the exact opposite. Now I think it would be unfair to compare the two because although they are both playing vampires, they are very different characters to say the least. There's no two ways around it, Ronan is genuinely great in this movie, but I thought the real star of the show was Gemma Arterton, who I felt was absolutely fantastic. In my opinion Arterton showed a very different side to her normal self in this movie. Whilst I wouldn't go as far as saying the role was too demanding, I have never seen her play a part like this, and honestly I think she should do it more often, because it has shown a massive amount of versatility on her part.

In terms of chemistry Ronan and Arterton work wonders on screen and if it wasn't for their performances I honestly think that this movie would have panned out very differently. So in terms of casting I think it's a job well done.

This really isn't the type of film that you're going to forget in a hurry. Personally I could watch it again and that really is saying something, as I rarely watch something more than once, however with that being said one final thing that I would like to touch upon would be the musical score.

Again this was another key factor in establishing the look and feel of the film and it really worked. This is a rare movie where everything just blends simultaneously and for that reason alone I most certainly feel it's worth investing two hours in.

Byzantium is a great movie that really makes me feel passionate as a critic. In a year where films have been slightly hit and miss, this film is definitely a hit. It has a great vision and knows exactly what it wants to be. Supported by two stand out performances this is British-Irish film-making at its near best and as I stated it is one of my favourite films of the year so far.

8.5/10

Check out my website: www.jacks-reviews.com/

Keith Lemon: The Film (2012)

Bang Tidy! Reviewws.webs.com

[7/10 · 25 August 2012]

About a year ago I remember hearing Keith Lemon say that he was making a movie, at first I thought it was a joke but to see that he's actually gone through with it comes as a bit of a surprise. Despite looking forward to this film for quite some time I still thought it was going to be absolutely awful and reading some insanely negative reviews only contributed towards this factor however I was pleasantly surprised upon watching it as I happened to really enjoy it. Your overall enjoyment comes down to one thing with this movie, whether you like Keith Lemon or not and personally I'm a big fan. There's no denying that it's a bad film but I found it absolutely hilarious at times and like I said I really enjoyed it.

The film follows Keith Lemon's rags to riches story. Basically Keith invents the lemon phone which is simply a phone with a light up lemon on the back and this leads to him having a Hollywood lifestyle as a celebrity who's in a relationship with Kelly Brook. Sure the plots weak but it's a film about Keith Lemon what do you expect? Leigh Francis as Keith Lemon is simply doing his normal thing delivering on all of his normal catchphrases such as "bang tidy" and if you can't stand Keith Lemon I imagine that you'll actively despise this film. Throughout its duration there's a number of celebrity cameos ranging from old timers to the more recent onslaught of celebrities such as Keith's apparent father Billy Ocean who turns up to belt out the classic "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" even Gary Barlow's in it and apart from a couple of cameo's they all work brilliantly.

No matter what era of Francis you enjoy there's definitely enough here to keep you entertained. After all even UK garage sensation Craig David makes an appearance, in Bo Selecta form of course. Throughout it's duration the film had me laughing whether it was quietly or out loud and admittedly you probably do have to have quite an immature sense of humour to enjoy this one and if you do you will certainly reap the rewards.

Keith Lemon: The Film obviously isn't going to win any awards as it's simply not a very good film but if you can get over that factor its certainly an enjoyable romp that will please Lemon fans like myself as I personally thought it was great and bang tidy for that matter.