Movie Synopsis
Pat leaves a mental institution to return and live with his parents and try to reconcile with his ex-wife – except he meets Tiffany who brings her issues into his life.
Movie Review Summary
This is an Oscar winning film with some big plaudits out there. Unfortunately, I don’t see what they saw in this film. Whenever a film around mental health comes out it becomes a promising candidate for awards. While Bradley Cooper’s Pat and Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany are excellently played for the unhinged, alternative view of reality they have, it doesn’t feel like this film has that far to go. There are too many characters who have some issue or another and unlike other films in this space they don’t play well them together. All in all, it’s quite odd, it only settles in when Tiffany appears and even then it feels off the wall for a movie that isn’t sure what it’s trying to d0 – tell a love story or get the point across about mental health. If you don’t see it, you won’t miss that much.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Silver Linings Playbook and click here for more movie reviews.
Friday, 23 August 2013
Bad Teacher
Movie Synopsis
When a junior high teacher who can’t wait to be married and leave teaching behind is dumped by her rich fiance, she will have to go back to school and find herself a new man.
Movie Review Summary
This could have been a good film. Unfortunately it feels too much like a caricature of what a good film would have looked like, with the reliance on the fact that Elizabeth is just a bad teacher. The cast who could have made this work are there, they’re just used in the story development in the right way. For instance, the whole film hinges upon Elizabeth’s desire to find a new sugar daddy and to do that she needs the cash to afford breast enlargement. That alone hardly makes for captivating viewing – sure, she’s shallow enough to think that’ll make a difference, but we don’t feel particularly fussed if she gets that money or not. Then, Scott is just bizarre, not least because somebody who comes across as quite cool (Just Timberlake) is playing some kind of wacky nerd who is fixated on dry humping. You feel that if this had been tightened up, with characters that we care about and some more humorous moments, this could have been a film worth watching once or twice. Unfortunately, in it’s current guise, it isn’t.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Bad Teacher and click here for more movie reviews.
When a junior high teacher who can’t wait to be married and leave teaching behind is dumped by her rich fiance, she will have to go back to school and find herself a new man.
Movie Review Summary
This could have been a good film. Unfortunately it feels too much like a caricature of what a good film would have looked like, with the reliance on the fact that Elizabeth is just a bad teacher. The cast who could have made this work are there, they’re just used in the story development in the right way. For instance, the whole film hinges upon Elizabeth’s desire to find a new sugar daddy and to do that she needs the cash to afford breast enlargement. That alone hardly makes for captivating viewing – sure, she’s shallow enough to think that’ll make a difference, but we don’t feel particularly fussed if she gets that money or not. Then, Scott is just bizarre, not least because somebody who comes across as quite cool (Just Timberlake) is playing some kind of wacky nerd who is fixated on dry humping. You feel that if this had been tightened up, with characters that we care about and some more humorous moments, this could have been a film worth watching once or twice. Unfortunately, in it’s current guise, it isn’t.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Bad Teacher and click here for more movie reviews.
Starter For 10
Movie Synopsis
In Britain in the 1980s, working-class but very bright student Brian Jackson must learn to be a success at university when he discovers women.
Movie Review Summary
This is a nice film, it’s a good watch and the characters aren’t outlandish, which makes this work. We feel for Brian, we like him and we want him to succeed in this crazy new world of university and girls that he’s found himself in. We can probably all relate to his feelings of being out of depth. The fact that he has the University Challenge theme throughout his life gives him that bedrock and is a nice touch, although viewers outside of the UK may not recognise the fame behind the program and its host, Bamber Gascoigne. It’s almost worth watching this to see some very good actors and actresses before they hit the big time.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Starter For 10 and click here for more movie reviews.
In Britain in the 1980s, working-class but very bright student Brian Jackson must learn to be a success at university when he discovers women.
Movie Review Summary
This is a nice film, it’s a good watch and the characters aren’t outlandish, which makes this work. We feel for Brian, we like him and we want him to succeed in this crazy new world of university and girls that he’s found himself in. We can probably all relate to his feelings of being out of depth. The fact that he has the University Challenge theme throughout his life gives him that bedrock and is a nice touch, although viewers outside of the UK may not recognise the fame behind the program and its host, Bamber Gascoigne. It’s almost worth watching this to see some very good actors and actresses before they hit the big time.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Starter For 10 and click here for more movie reviews.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Movie Synopsis
With an asteroid on a deadly collision course with Earth, insurance salesman Dodge dedicates his last few days alive finding his long love from school.
Movie Review Summary
This feels like two films have been baked together with the result that you get an unsatisfying dish. Steve Carell is a comedy actor, Keira Knightly is not. This film could have been created with an out and out Steve Carell comedy edge and I think it would have worked really well (muck like The 40-Year Old Virgin). And you could easily have filmed this with Keira Knightley opposite a more straight-laced actor, cut out the comedy, and made something more akin to a modern Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately because it’s neither of them it is slow (despite not being a long film), feels confused, and while it has a few comedy moments, it’s a film which is going to leave you wondering where to laugh or cry, but probably leave you doing neither.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and click here for more movie reviews.
With an asteroid on a deadly collision course with Earth, insurance salesman Dodge dedicates his last few days alive finding his long love from school.
Movie Review Summary
This feels like two films have been baked together with the result that you get an unsatisfying dish. Steve Carell is a comedy actor, Keira Knightly is not. This film could have been created with an out and out Steve Carell comedy edge and I think it would have worked really well (muck like The 40-Year Old Virgin). And you could easily have filmed this with Keira Knightley opposite a more straight-laced actor, cut out the comedy, and made something more akin to a modern Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately because it’s neither of them it is slow (despite not being a long film), feels confused, and while it has a few comedy moments, it’s a film which is going to leave you wondering where to laugh or cry, but probably leave you doing neither.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and click here for more movie reviews.
Sex and the City 2
Movie Synopsis
With their Manhattan lives as hectic as ever, Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte join Samantha for a trip to the Middle East where their personalities and loyalties are tested.
Movie Review Summary
By the time you’ll have finished watching this you may well wonder if this was meant to be a film or a TV series. The story is slow, meanders and lacks much but a few sub-plots to keep it going. The trip to the Middle East is kind of thrown in halfway through and that’s what probably brings about the most entertaining parts of the film. There is something that just feels stale about Sex and the City now though – despite the characters growing up and learning it still feels like it’s all about how much glitz, fame and ego-stroking they get. It just all feels so familiar, and old. As a result there’s not a lot this movie offers except for the opportunity for the characters to get another airing. As a result this means it’s a film only true Sex and the City fans will want to watch, and even they may not be satisfied with what this offers.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Sex and the City 2 and click here for more movie reviews.
With their Manhattan lives as hectic as ever, Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte join Samantha for a trip to the Middle East where their personalities and loyalties are tested.
Movie Review Summary
By the time you’ll have finished watching this you may well wonder if this was meant to be a film or a TV series. The story is slow, meanders and lacks much but a few sub-plots to keep it going. The trip to the Middle East is kind of thrown in halfway through and that’s what probably brings about the most entertaining parts of the film. There is something that just feels stale about Sex and the City now though – despite the characters growing up and learning it still feels like it’s all about how much glitz, fame and ego-stroking they get. It just all feels so familiar, and old. As a result there’s not a lot this movie offers except for the opportunity for the characters to get another airing. As a result this means it’s a film only true Sex and the City fans will want to watch, and even they may not be satisfied with what this offers.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Sex and the City 2 and click here for more movie reviews.
Paul
Movie Synopsis
When two British comic-book geeks travel across the US they come across an alien called Paul near Area 51 who needs their help or he’ll die.
Movie Review Summary
This is a nice enough to watch, filling time kind of movie. It’s funny, a bit different and has chases, gun fights, alien magic, romance and sacrifice. It ticks so many of the things people want to see, yet it let’s itself down when it’s all baked together. It’s probably because it’s trying to be different, and because we know it’s Simon and Nick and what will come next with those two leading the show. Thumbs-up for trying and creating a different kind of alien. Who knows, maybe there’ll be a Paul 2?
Please click this link for a full movie review of Paul and click here for more movie reviews.
When two British comic-book geeks travel across the US they come across an alien called Paul near Area 51 who needs their help or he’ll die.
Movie Review Summary
This is a nice enough to watch, filling time kind of movie. It’s funny, a bit different and has chases, gun fights, alien magic, romance and sacrifice. It ticks so many of the things people want to see, yet it let’s itself down when it’s all baked together. It’s probably because it’s trying to be different, and because we know it’s Simon and Nick and what will come next with those two leading the show. Thumbs-up for trying and creating a different kind of alien. Who knows, maybe there’ll be a Paul 2?
Please click this link for a full movie review of Paul and click here for more movie reviews.
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Water for Elephants (2011)
Movie Synopsis
When Jacob’s life is turned upside down he finds refuge by using his veterinary skills as part of a traveling circus, however, his feelings for the wife of the owner will land him into trouble.
Movie Review Summary
This was a really enjoyable film with a well developed storyline around Jacob and Marlena that drives it forward well. Thankfully there is an elephant in the film – a pretty adorable one at that – that does get introduced into the film later on, without which the film’s name wouldn’t have made much sense. The acting is well played and the brooding menace that is August keeps the story working. You can definitely connect with Jacob and Marlena’s love story, although with her already married, it would have made the audience a little more sympathetic to their cause if there was greater development of a breakdown between August and Marlena. A good quality film, great acting, and ticks drama and romance nicely, do watch it.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Water for Elephants and click here for more movie reviews.
When Jacob’s life is turned upside down he finds refuge by using his veterinary skills as part of a traveling circus, however, his feelings for the wife of the owner will land him into trouble.
Movie Review Summary
This was a really enjoyable film with a well developed storyline around Jacob and Marlena that drives it forward well. Thankfully there is an elephant in the film – a pretty adorable one at that – that does get introduced into the film later on, without which the film’s name wouldn’t have made much sense. The acting is well played and the brooding menace that is August keeps the story working. You can definitely connect with Jacob and Marlena’s love story, although with her already married, it would have made the audience a little more sympathetic to their cause if there was greater development of a breakdown between August and Marlena. A good quality film, great acting, and ticks drama and romance nicely, do watch it.
Please click this link for a full movie review of Water for Elephants and click here for more movie reviews.
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