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jonathanluke1986
Reviews
Gwoemul (2006)
Most original movie in years
I was blown away by this movie. In terms of its comedy, drama, special effects, and of course, its underlying two-fingers-up to American capitalist imperialism. The most amazing thing is how it has taken loads of elements from other films and made it into an original and entertaining package. There's monster-movie, horror-movie, sci-fi-paranoid-conspiracy movie, action movie, family drama, anti-authoritarian commentary - all rolled into one! And it doesn't turn out like rubbish! This, Park Chan-wook's Vengrance trilogy, and other Korean films in recent years are a sign that Korea is crying out to be noticed - and with good reason. With the two-fingers-up to America undertones in The Host, it looks like it has valid things to say as well. Don't take to this as you may have done with other disappointing monster movies of recent times - Godzilla, War of the Worlds, etc. I watched this while only being aware of a the small hype around it in the UK, and it thoroughly engrossed me. In fact, I would even say this is the film War of the Worlds should have been - in the fact that there is a big monster (though not alien) threat and there is a hopeless father (Kang-ho Song) attempting to save his family throughout. It pulls of that whole concept far better than Spielberg and Cruise did - which is definitely saying something! The best film I have seen in a long time - and I only saw Pan's Labyrinth last week! 10/10
Green Wing (2004)
Better than Scrubs
There i've said it - and I'm sorry to upset scrubs fans, but it is the truth. This is the only comedy series that has been as funny and madcap since Monty Python and the only show that could possibly equal it. True British hilarity. The insane scenarios. The crazy dialogue. Stathams blunders. Sue White's escapades. Mac unconscious. Guy's pathetic attempts at masculinity. Sheer perfection. A short but sweet 2 series of comedy gold. See it now and you're guaranteed to agree. Only one thing I will say - bring it back! Two series were never enough, and it may have worked for other comedies - but we need more! Sign an online petition to keep it going!
Doctor Who: Rise of the Cybermen (2006)
Aaaaarrrggghhhh!!!
Aaaarrrgghhh!!!!!! The first episode in the new Dr Who that made me want to hide behind the sofa!!!!!!!!!! Aaaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!!!!!! I literally screamed out in terror at the end!!!!!! You know Doctor Who is back when you get this spooked! New Cybermen - so evil and villainous! Are they back for good? Are the gang all stuck in an alternate dimension??!?!!?!? Will other villains be coming back cos of this alternate dimension?!?!?!? Seriously, way more scary than the Borg. I know they have the whole special effects and Star Trek angle - but I don't think they can beat monochrome evil! And think about it - Cybermen vs Borg? Who'd win - really?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Don't leave Earth without seeing this film!
I have to admit, being a fan of all other forms the Hitchhikers story has taken, I was fearful a movie adaptation may have spoilt the story for everyone. But on hearing that Douglas Adams' wrote the script fully before his untimely death and everyone involved in the production was trying to be as faithful as possible to this, I was confident that seeing this film would be something I didn't regret.
And how right I was! The film takes most of the key elements of humour from the story, shows them in all their comedic glory, and sometimes makes them even funnier than they originally were (in particular, the opening song is adapted from the dolphins' last message to the humans! classic!)! And anything new - mostly added in by Adams himself - is highly welcome to add to the laughs - especially the Point of View gun - lol! I can understand some cuts to the story because it happens to all book/prior media medium to film adaptations - but most holes seem to have been patched up where cuts were made (except for Humma Kuvala - but that might just mean there will be a sequel - The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe no less!).
It was a shame to not see Vroomfondel and Majikthise, or the monkeys with their script for Hamlet, but such things happen when a new interpretation is given to a story (just think of the Peter Jackson's adaptation of Lord of The Rings - cuts galore from the original story but still great movies) Instead the new vision of Arthur Dent's adventures in space stands out by itself as a comic delight - Martin Freeman is great as Arthur - Mos Def was great as Ford (I thought that might be bad casting - but I was wrong!) - Sam Rockwell was outstanding as Zaphod - Bill Nighy and Alan Rickman were very welcome (although I have to say the TV series was better in their incarnations - but the new look Marvin was very cool - anyone else agree they should have kept Stephen Moore's voice?) and anything else were huge dollops of icing on an already very nice cake indeed (except for Humma Kuvala - unless he's developed in a sequel - or a DVD uncut edition).
All in all - I can't wait for the DVD - so I'm gonna see the film again soon! And if anything, those who become intrigued by the story and what happens next should go and read the books, watch the TV series, or listen to the radio series - because not only will you get the whole story in all its wondrous glory - you'll get why towels are so important and why I took mine to the cinema with me! Now stick your electronic sub-etha signalling thumb out and hitch a ride to the cinema! And don't panic!