pin-head_xiii Reviews

Cloverfield (2008)

This was the end result?

[3/10 · 18 January 2008]

Alright, as you all know this has been on of the biggest hyped films of 08. An un named movie about an un named monster attacking new york. And with it being shot as a pov film and produced by J.J Abrams. What could go wrong right? Well, a lot First off, the way it was shot. I was psychically sick after watching this film and it was rather annoying to see half of someone's head and constant shots of the ground. Get really annoying after a while.

Secondly, no real character development was even given. About half way through, I didn't really care if Rob got out of new york or even if the monster killed him.

And the monster. After all the hype THAT was what we got? I looks like a monster from a film from the 80's but just colored it blue. When the credits began to roll, everyone in the cinema I was in disbelief in what the pay $15 for.

But unfortunately, everyone (and I) will see this just because of how much internet publicity cloverfield has gotten. Please, do your self a favor and wait till DVD. I implore you.

Lionheart: The Jesse Martin Story (2000)

Sorry, I didn't care for this

[5/10 · 22 November 2007]

For those who don't know who this young man is, I'll remind you. He is the youngest person to circumnavigate (sail) the world, without any stops and without any help. Though what many Australian year 12 HSC students know is the book "lionheart", is required reading for the HSC English paper.

After reading the book, my opinion of this man changed. From being an inspiring young human being, to an over confident, cocky and somewhat selfish person. But none the less, inspiring human being. This documentary, confirmed my beliefs.

Lionheart is put together by parts of Jessie's video camera footage and interviews from himself, his mum, corporate sponsors and the incomprehensible Peter Garret (I don't know what he even had to do with Jessie's adventure). The editing between the two was consistent throughout the documentary and shows the audience the struggle and determination Jessie had throughout his journey.

"Lionheart" starts off with Jessie making an entry into his camera during a vicious storm, with only audio shown. This immediately grabbed my attention. But it quickly faded away. As it just became boring and dull to watch without showing anything I didn't already know about Jessie or how to make a documentary.

Like most documentary we see, you have to have at least have an interest into the subject matter or you just won't really watch it or care what's going on. Someone interested in sailing or this story might idolize the story of Lionheart, but unfortunately, not me.

All in all, if your interested in this amazing story, this documentary is a great starting point for the book. But if your not, don't bother with is documentary. However, if your a HSC student or soon to be one, it only lasts 90 minutes (so it's not all bad) 5/10

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

beyond hilarious

[8/10 · 3 October 2006]

As a big fan of will Farrell's work (anchorman, old school), I knew as soon as I walked in the cinema, I was gonna laugh my head off, and thats just what I did.

As a child Ricky Bobby(will Ferrell)wants to go fast, as a teenager his father visits his school stoned and delivers a special speech which Ricky bobby bases his life on the philosophy his father delivers after being kicked out of a high school"if you ain't 1st your last", from that point the story leaps into Ricky bobby's adulthood and he works for the pit crew of the worst NASCAR racing squadron, the fat driver of that crumby team stops in the middle of the race to eat so Ricky bobby takes over as race car driver and grinds down the field to come third, Ricky bobby and lifelong best friend cal naughton Jr (John c Reilly) are on top of the world, cal then gets inducted into the racing team as the teams 2nd driver, the story does a quick summary of Ricky Bobby's life for a few years, in that time he picks up a gold digging trophy wife, and has two children named walker and Texas ranger.

Things seam to be going great for Rickky Bobby until a French driver defects to NASCAR (sascha Baron Cohen) seems be beating him on and off the track. After a nasty crash he losses his ability to drive and has to get his career back on track.

Like most of Adam Mckay's work almost all the script is improvised, and it works. Although Will Farell is the star he gets most of the funny lines, but the real stars of the show are his children, just the stuff they say and do left me in stitches.The children in a particular part of the film they ran around screaming anarchy , grabbed a hose and sprayed water through a window and at random recipient.

This is easily the most funniest movie of the year, go and see it as soon as you can, a must for all SNL fans and NASCAR fans alike.

DOA: Dead or Alive (2006)

A lot like the video games

[6/10 · 9 September 2006]

As a fan of the DOA video games, it was in my nature to go see this film. Even though I knew it was going to be shocking, I was surprised (a bit).

Following the storyline from the games, DOA is about a fighting tournament held on a secret island were all is not what it seems. Princess Kusami (Devon Aoki) joins the tournament to find her brother. Tina (jammie Pressley) a distinguished womens wrestler joins to prove to the world she's not fake, like her "fighting style". Christie (holly valance)playing a sultry thief joins in order to steal a vault full of money, hidden on the island. Over time they meet other characters and they learn to work together in order to stop the main villain, Donovan (Eric Roberts).

Like most fighting video game/movies the really isn't much of a story and a few of the actors are below par (espesially from Kane Kosugi), I was really impressed by Holly Valance and Sarah Carter.

Most reviews can tell you that this is strictly for teenage boys, and I can tell you there right, through some racy shots of Holly valance and Jamie Presley. But what Impressed me the most with DOA is the fight sequences. Kane Kosugi has one of the best I've seen In a while on a flight of stairs and Sarah Carter and Holly Valance battle it out in the rain making it an almost glorified wet t-shirt Competition.

If your looking for something innovating form this genre, keep walking, but if your looking for a great way to spend and hour and a half with some friends, then see DOA.