Rufous Hound has got himself a video camera and is off to his brother, Robert Webbs wedding. He has decided that as best man it is his job to give the groom and bride a gift they will never forget in the form of a video of the build up to said day. He then potters about filming all the stuff that happens and some inappropriate stuff for real life but that furthers the plot. The blonde woman Robert is marrying is really cool and pretty and stuff and Rufous remembers her from school days. They then spend a little bit too much time together reminiscing. Towards the end the plot goes somewhere really boring and stupid and they forget to even bother with the home movie angle and just go with regular movie.
Found footage, home movie, mockumentary and all other films of that ilk have been done brilliantly in the past but that does not mean that every bugger needs to have a crack at it. The premise of this film actually sounds reasonably promising; funny british people, check; interesting little gimmick, check; attractive blonde woman, check; shame then its a pile of faecal matter. Rufous Hounds character is annoying to say the least and Robert Webb plays the same character he always plays but manages to suck all the comedy out of it. The script is average at best and the story meanders along with little to nothing happening and that that does happen makes no sense or is completely unbelievable. The most annoying thing about the film by far often befalls home movie films in that they just give up on the premise. Whole chunks of the final third are filmed from angles no home movie person could achieve and most importantly the person who is meant to be filming it is on screen way too much. If you have a gimmick running through the film then for Christ's sake stick with it don't just give up because it doesn't quite fit where you want the story to go, show a little effort. Rubbish beyond belief.
Verdict: 0.5/5
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Film Review: The Five Year Engagement
Jason Segal is a chef who shacks up with Emily Blunt who is a psychologist. They decide after a year of dating to get engaged, yay for them! Then things such as work and life get in the way and they put it off, then more stuff happens and they put it off again, then a welsh bloke comes along and offers Emily a job so they put it off again, you get the gist. During all this crap they have many discussions about the merits of their relationship and whether or not all the nonsense is worth it. Whilst this goes on a lot of support characters attempt to say funny things and keep us, the audience, entertained.
I did not have high hopes as this dvd was carried nicely by the plastic sticky out thing into my dvd player. The annoying adverts they have decided to cram openings on dvds with did not put me in the mood for this 'RomCom' and even the title menu itself with all its happy 'look we are gonna be really funny I swear it' snippets did nothing for me. What a surprise then that I actually enjoyed this film and not just a little bit either. The characters work really well and are acted well by all concerned. Jason Segal is becoming a really watchable actor, despite that hateful 'How I met your mother' crap, and doesn't disappoint in this. Emily Blunt is always good and ever so slightly easy on the eyes and its nice to see her letting her hair down and having a bit of fun on screen. The support characters do add extra life to the story and provide many a comical moment, yes some of them are complete set ups that make no sense but none the less I found the film charming. Admittedly I had literally just removed the disc for Take This Waltz (see previous review for my view on that horrible mess) so my threshold for crap may have been at an all time low but I did enjoy this film. Pretty good stuff.
Verdict: 3.5/5
I did not have high hopes as this dvd was carried nicely by the plastic sticky out thing into my dvd player. The annoying adverts they have decided to cram openings on dvds with did not put me in the mood for this 'RomCom' and even the title menu itself with all its happy 'look we are gonna be really funny I swear it' snippets did nothing for me. What a surprise then that I actually enjoyed this film and not just a little bit either. The characters work really well and are acted well by all concerned. Jason Segal is becoming a really watchable actor, despite that hateful 'How I met your mother' crap, and doesn't disappoint in this. Emily Blunt is always good and ever so slightly easy on the eyes and its nice to see her letting her hair down and having a bit of fun on screen. The support characters do add extra life to the story and provide many a comical moment, yes some of them are complete set ups that make no sense but none the less I found the film charming. Admittedly I had literally just removed the disc for Take This Waltz (see previous review for my view on that horrible mess) so my threshold for crap may have been at an all time low but I did enjoy this film. Pretty good stuff.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Film Review: Take This Waltz
Michelle Williams from Dawsons Creek is married to Seth Rogan. Both of them are soooo quirky and cool they show their love in such amazing quirky ways. She then meets some hunky guy from down the street and starts doing weird quirky things with him. She spends a lot of time moaning about Seth and fantasizing about the hunky neighbour and asking him to do questionable things. Then there are some naked old ladies and nobody seems to go to work. Michelle then can't make up her feckin' mind and I wish they had developed a way to enter a film through the TV and slap people.
A friend of mine and Sara's called Jess has the worst taste in films. One of her favourites is Blue Valentine (another of Michelles quirky pieces of crap) and she hasn't seen any of the Alien films, she does however love this film. I cannot express how rubbish this film is. Michelle Williams character is beyond annoying in how 'quirky' and offbeat she is and spends the whole film thinking the grass is greener and shouting at people for no apparent reason. There is a point at the start of the film where she is explaining why she needs to be taken to a plane at an airport in a wheelchair because she is afraid of fear itself, seriously woman get a grip. That kind of shit does not exist in real life and considering the whole premise of this film seems to be trying to explore real people and real relationships I reckon they can chalk that one up as a failure. Her relationship with Seth Rogan is more painful than the first time you hit your front brakes too hard on your bike and end up with a set of handlebars in your gentlemen's area. Then the new man arrives and for some strange reason runs a rickshaw (don't even care if that is spelt right) around town whilst trying to move in on some completely self indulgent fruitcake who is already taken. The only person I didn't mind in this film was Seth Rogan mainly for the fact he wasn't smoking weed for the first time in his acting career. Genuinely in my worst films of all time list. I HATED it.
Verdict: 0/5
A friend of mine and Sara's called Jess has the worst taste in films. One of her favourites is Blue Valentine (another of Michelles quirky pieces of crap) and she hasn't seen any of the Alien films, she does however love this film. I cannot express how rubbish this film is. Michelle Williams character is beyond annoying in how 'quirky' and offbeat she is and spends the whole film thinking the grass is greener and shouting at people for no apparent reason. There is a point at the start of the film where she is explaining why she needs to be taken to a plane at an airport in a wheelchair because she is afraid of fear itself, seriously woman get a grip. That kind of shit does not exist in real life and considering the whole premise of this film seems to be trying to explore real people and real relationships I reckon they can chalk that one up as a failure. Her relationship with Seth Rogan is more painful than the first time you hit your front brakes too hard on your bike and end up with a set of handlebars in your gentlemen's area. Then the new man arrives and for some strange reason runs a rickshaw (don't even care if that is spelt right) around town whilst trying to move in on some completely self indulgent fruitcake who is already taken. The only person I didn't mind in this film was Seth Rogan mainly for the fact he wasn't smoking weed for the first time in his acting career. Genuinely in my worst films of all time list. I HATED it.
Verdict: 0/5
Tuesday 12 February 2013
Film review: A Fantastic Fear Of Everything
Simon Pegg is a writer who cannot afford a haircut and does not understand what washing is. He is apparently afraid of everything and spends a lot of time trying to stab his curtains and other fabric based household items. In between these moments he pops out occasionally to continue being afraid of things that include laundrettes and murderers. I wish I could say more but that is pretty much all that happens.
I love Simon Pegg almost to the point that qualified psychologists would deem unhealthy, see my facebook page for more evidence. Shaun of the dead is one of my favourite all time films and is one of the best british comedies ever made. For the most part he does not do bad films, Star Trek, Mission Impossible 3 & 4, Paul, need I go on. Such a shame then that this is utter tosh. I actually couldn't believe how rubbish it was. It was trying its hardest to channel a Spaced vibe but misses completely and ends up somewhere between a rock and a pile of crap. The story is dull and makes no sense, Simons character is beyond irritating and the jumpy way the film progresses frustrated me no end. I also couldn't fully work out if I was meant to be laughing, if I was then the film failed miserably and if I wasn't then what was the point in the whole thing. Simon you need to stay away from rubbish like this, give Nick Frost and Edgar Wright a ring, pop down the pub for a snifter and start writing yourself another script that doesn't reek of horse faeces.
Verdict: 0.5/5 only because I still love you simon
I love Simon Pegg almost to the point that qualified psychologists would deem unhealthy, see my facebook page for more evidence. Shaun of the dead is one of my favourite all time films and is one of the best british comedies ever made. For the most part he does not do bad films, Star Trek, Mission Impossible 3 & 4, Paul, need I go on. Such a shame then that this is utter tosh. I actually couldn't believe how rubbish it was. It was trying its hardest to channel a Spaced vibe but misses completely and ends up somewhere between a rock and a pile of crap. The story is dull and makes no sense, Simons character is beyond irritating and the jumpy way the film progresses frustrated me no end. I also couldn't fully work out if I was meant to be laughing, if I was then the film failed miserably and if I wasn't then what was the point in the whole thing. Simon you need to stay away from rubbish like this, give Nick Frost and Edgar Wright a ring, pop down the pub for a snifter and start writing yourself another script that doesn't reek of horse faeces.
Verdict: 0.5/5 only because I still love you simon
Monday 4 February 2013
Film review: Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World
Steve Carrell is a bit of a loser stuck in a world where a meteorite is on its way to ruin everyones day. Everybody other than Steve is spending their last days doing everything they ever wanted but Steve just mopes a bit. Keira Knightley then turns up outside his window crying about some nonsense I don't care about and sticks about for a bit. They then go on a little adventure to try and find what they are both missing before the Earth goes poof and see if they can make their lives complete. All seems a bit pointless really.
The premise of this story at first seems rather depressing, people waiting for their imminent deaths and how they manage that weight on their shoulders. What it actually turns out to be is a weirdly uplifting story whereby Steve Carrell realises what is really important in his life and what he has been missing all this time. Carrell is one of the best actors at playing complete loser teetering on the end of his tether and keeps up that trend in this. He is really good and is by far the best thing about this film, then Keira turns up. Those that have been reading my reviews for a while, all 2 of you, thanks mum and dad for your continuing support by the way, will know that I do not care for Keira and find her annoying in almost everything she is in. Unfortunately for her this is no different. To be fair to her her character is meant to be verging on the annoying side but Keira grabs this idea by the horns and runs with it. Does this make her a good actress, maybe, does it make me like her any more, no it does not. Overall though the story trundles along nicely and by the inevitable end I found myself actually caring for Steves character and enjoying his company. Yeh its not the greatest film in the world but I must say I did quite enjoy it.
Verdict: 3.5/5
The premise of this story at first seems rather depressing, people waiting for their imminent deaths and how they manage that weight on their shoulders. What it actually turns out to be is a weirdly uplifting story whereby Steve Carrell realises what is really important in his life and what he has been missing all this time. Carrell is one of the best actors at playing complete loser teetering on the end of his tether and keeps up that trend in this. He is really good and is by far the best thing about this film, then Keira turns up. Those that have been reading my reviews for a while, all 2 of you, thanks mum and dad for your continuing support by the way, will know that I do not care for Keira and find her annoying in almost everything she is in. Unfortunately for her this is no different. To be fair to her her character is meant to be verging on the annoying side but Keira grabs this idea by the horns and runs with it. Does this make her a good actress, maybe, does it make me like her any more, no it does not. Overall though the story trundles along nicely and by the inevitable end I found myself actually caring for Steves character and enjoying his company. Yeh its not the greatest film in the world but I must say I did quite enjoy it.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Film review: Brave
A scottish girl who I am not convinced isn't played by Lorraine Kelly has the reddest hair in the land and does not get on with her mother. Billy Connelly is her dad and has a fondness for getting into rucks with very large bears. Due to, lets call her Lorraine's, fractured relationship with her mother she runs off into the woods after some little blue fairy things. At the end of this trail is an old lady who loves mixing things in her cauldren and Lorraine decides she has a trustworthy face and buys a potion from her. She gives this potion to her mum who turns into a big furry fish lover. Comedy and bonding then ensue and we all learn lessons on how to have a relationship with our mother........if we are a ginger scottish teenage girl.
Every time I hear the news that a new Pixar film is out my heart goes all a flutter. Pixar are one of the best film making companies out there and do not make rubbish films, period, other than cars 2. They are always packed full of wonderfully charming characters and storylines and make people of all ages laugh and cry without patronising anyone. You can probably tell then that I was rather excited about seeing this new film from the animation giants. I would love to tell you that this film lives up to the Pixar name but unfortunately it just doesn't. That isn't to say however that it is a bad film but Pixar have a certain level of expectation about their films to which this does not live up to. The first half of the film is a little bit dull and ploddy and takes a hell of a long time to get into any of the comedy. I am not saying that I want Pixar films to be a laugh riot as they are much more than just that but I do expect some level of wit to be present. Also I find being neither a mother or a daughter I find it difficult to relate to the teenage angsty teenage girl story arc and find both of them a little annoying. Thank god then that they decide to turn the mother into a bear and with that comes not only a few very good laughs but a heart to the story. Before anybody starts moaning I do realise that the whole set up of the mother daughter thing leads to the heart in the second half but for me I felt it wasn't done as well as it could have been. I did enjoy this film but ultimately it is a bit forgettable and for Pixar that is almost punishable by death.
Verdict: 3/5
Every time I hear the news that a new Pixar film is out my heart goes all a flutter. Pixar are one of the best film making companies out there and do not make rubbish films, period, other than cars 2. They are always packed full of wonderfully charming characters and storylines and make people of all ages laugh and cry without patronising anyone. You can probably tell then that I was rather excited about seeing this new film from the animation giants. I would love to tell you that this film lives up to the Pixar name but unfortunately it just doesn't. That isn't to say however that it is a bad film but Pixar have a certain level of expectation about their films to which this does not live up to. The first half of the film is a little bit dull and ploddy and takes a hell of a long time to get into any of the comedy. I am not saying that I want Pixar films to be a laugh riot as they are much more than just that but I do expect some level of wit to be present. Also I find being neither a mother or a daughter I find it difficult to relate to the teenage angsty teenage girl story arc and find both of them a little annoying. Thank god then that they decide to turn the mother into a bear and with that comes not only a few very good laughs but a heart to the story. Before anybody starts moaning I do realise that the whole set up of the mother daughter thing leads to the heart in the second half but for me I felt it wasn't done as well as it could have been. I did enjoy this film but ultimately it is a bit forgettable and for Pixar that is almost punishable by death.
Verdict: 3/5
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