THIS PAGE WILL HOLD ARCHIVED MOVIE REVIEWS FOR FILMS BEGINNING WITH G - I. IF YOU HAVE SEEN A FILM AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A REVIEW THEN SEND IT TO Thecamstar@musicwithtc.co.uk
One thing about reviews on this site, please don't put any spoilers into the review.
The Good Shepherd… http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/thegoodshepherd/trailer1/medium.html
Having seen the trailers for this film, I thought I must see that film, and to be quite honest with you, I was pretty disappointed with the film compared to the trailer. The premise of the film… well to be honest I’m not sure, as there seemed to be a few storylines going on... one storyline centred around a picture and tape received by Matt Damon’s character and how the CIA used modern technology at the time (film was based in 1961) to work out where the picture was taken, this establishing how and why the CIA was created… another storyline seemed to centre around how Matt Damon’s character became the person he was with the aid of numerous, when I say numerous I mean lots and lots, of flashbacks… and yet another storyline was based around the relationship between Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie’s characters marriage and their son…
The storylines became intertwined and for me it got to the stage where the film didn’t seem to know where it was going. If you’ve seen JFK this film came across to me as a bit of a prequel, because they had a lot of links to J F Kennedy and Cuba in this film. Because to the trailer I was kinda expecting more of a fast moving film, but it was a slow film and I was getting fidgety, the film seemed to drag. If you go and see this film, make sure you are wide awake, because due to the amount of flashbacks, we could seriously get lost with the plot, because though they put the date up on the screen, if you lapsed concentration you could easily miss the date and start getting a confused film time line.
Would I get the DVD… very unlikely, nothing made me want to see the film again… besides Ms Jolie… I saw JFK years ago and I could see that film again and again…. This one I just couldn’t and wouldn’t watch again. Out of 10… I’d give this film a 5 at best…
HANCOCK
Many months ago my man Ju had mentioned seeing a film trailer which had Will Smith flying through the air like some kinda superhero…. “Yeah right” I thought, but upon investigation with the boys at Geek Syndicate, I was made aware of Hancock, and for a change it’s an original idea, as in not a comic book adaptation, and a very entertaining idea it was too.
The premise of the film was, Will Smith played a guy called Hancock, who a vagrant and a drunk, who had super powers, which he abused in that he did stuff because he could. He saves the life of a struggling PR manger and as a thank you the PR guy decides to help Hancock improve his image so that he can be seen as a superhero and not a drunk. Whilst improving his image Hancock is struggling to find out who he really is and this produces some startling revelations.
As usual, Will Smith was on top form and played the role of Hancock really well as did Charlize Theron who played the wife of the PR guy really well too.
Considering that in terms of summer films, this one had slipped in along the rails so to speak, it seems to of had a summer blockbuster budget, with some awesome special effects. As more and more people have heard about it, it’s become quite popular, but then Will smith has always been popular since his days of so called “Bubblegum Rap” and “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”.
The film is quite short for a modern film in that it’s only a 92 minute film, but I think that’s a good thing, and it was also left open to do other films, which if they turn out as good as this one, it would be a great franchise.
All in all the film was really good and some laugh a minute scenes, with Will Smith wise cracking through the film, but he got the balance right when things needed to be serious, I loved this film and I’d def see it again for sure.
Would I buy this film on Blu-ray, to be honest it would depend on what extras were on the disk, as Blu-Rays aren’t cheap, but if I saw the film at a reasonable price then yes would add it to the my some what meagre Blu-Ray collection. I’d give this film a solid 9/10 and would suggest you try and get to see it soon.
The Incredible Hulk
2003 saw the first modern day remake of The Incredible Hulk, derived from marvel Comics and 1970’s TV series. I never actually got to the 2003 version, but I didn’t hear many good things about the film, so wasn’t upset that I didn’t get to see it, so when I heard they were making another Hulk film I was pretty sceptical. But after the Iron Man film and the Avenger initiative screen, I kinda thought I need to see this film because hopefully there could be a link between both films as both Iron Man and The Hulk were members of the comic book heroes The Avengers.
These sentiments were echo’d by our pals at Geek Syndicate, and, am I glad I went to see this film..? You betcha I was.
The premise of the film is that Dr Bruce Banner has removed himself and gone into hiding, working as a handy man at a drinks bottling factory in Central America, but a mistake by him leads the people looking for him, right to his doorstep. He makes a run for it and decides he needs to get back to the U S as he has found a possible ally online who could cure him of his Gamma Radiation sickness. In the process of getting this possible cure, a sample of his blood gets into the wrong hands and another more violent Hulk is created. Bruce needs to learn how to control the rage within if he is going to save the day.
I have to say, I really enjoyed this film, the special effects were brilliant, I know that Edward Norton who played Bruce Banner only agreed to the role if the movements of the Hulk were matched to his and weren’t just computer generated, which I think added to the realism of the Hulk. All the other actor/ess were really good in their roles especially Tim Roth, and it was good to see the usual cameo appearance of Stan Lee and Lou Ferrigno.
Would I see this film again, absolutely I would for sure, it was great entertainment. Would I buy the Blu-Ray, it would def be in my wish list of films to have, and the score I’d have to give this film is 8-9/10….
Indiana Jones
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Well what can I say, when I heard they were making another Indiana Jones film and Harrison Ford was starring, along with the kid from Transformers and Ray “Beowulf” Winstone, in my opinion it didn’t bode well… but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised…
I was one of those “surely his too old to be playing that role” band wagon riders, but having seen the film I have to say job well done, by one and all.
The premise of the film was that a power hungry, female Russian commander was seeking a legendary Crystal skull that if found and returned to it’s rightful resting place the returner of the skull would receive immense power, and she wanted Indiana Jones and his crew to help him achieve this goal. But as with all Indian Jones films, it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for one and all.
Essentially it was the tried and tested formula of action adventure consisting of Indiana Jones eluding a couple henchmen with the aid of a side kick, Indiana Jones taking on a troop garrison, Indiana escaping dusty graves and catacombs, Indiana overcoming his snake phobia to get out of trouble, red lines on a big map on the screen showing us Indiana’s flight path, Indiana in a car chase involving jeeps and army trucks, Indiana using his trusted old whip, Indiana and his hat, and not forgetting the most important thing….. Indiana Jones involved in a good old fist fight... none of that flowery kung fu stuff, a good and proper put your dukes up and slug it out fist fight... and as they say, if it ain’t broke….
This film was a classic escapism film, taking me back to the days when going to the cinema was big event when the audience actually got involved and cheered on the good guy even though they knew it was only film.. when the credits rolled you wanted to give the film a standing ovation.
The film did what it said on the tin, took you on an adventure and everyone involved put in the appropriate performance for their character, even Harrison Ford, played Indiana well playing on the fact he knew he was too old for this but someone had to save the day.
There was only one scene in the film that disappointed me, but not because it wasn’t a good scene, but because it reminded me of the a very poor scene in the second Pirate of the Caribbean film.
Would I see this film again…. Yep absolutely, would see this film a fair few times. Would I buy this film on DVD/Blu Ray…? I would def consider it for sure. The DJ TC Score for this film, I give it a high 9/10... it would have got 10, but for that scene I wasn’t too keen on.
IRON MAN, REVIEW AFTER SEEING THIS AS A FAN NOT A CRITIC
Whilst everyone as kids remembers Superman, Batman, The Hulk and your friend and neighbour, Spiderman, I've always been a Iron Man, I must have well over 100+ of his comics, so a pretty strong fan, when I heard a few years ago there were plans to make it a movie, I was a little perturbed, especially as at the time there had been a fair few dodgy superhero movies to have come out like The Punisher which was poor and that was a second attempt, to show how poor the Punisher was a recall having a convo with my mate Ju about what he'd done over the previous few days, and it wasn't until my other Monts mentioned going to a movie exclusive preview for Punisher that Ju said "Oh yeah I saw The Punisher", most people go to an exclusive viewing they remember they've gone.... anyway I digress, you get my point I wasn't happy about the plans for Iron Man, then those poor films Daredevil, Electra and The Fantastic Four came out, it wasn't looking good.
I soon started hearing the cast and that didn't make me feel any better.... Robert Downey Jnr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L Jackson, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, I def had some concerns.... then I saw the first trailer which was one of those teaser trailers and that didn't allay my fears as I got the impression Robert Downey Junior was playing the role for laughs, but as more trailers came out I kinda started getting excited about the whole project.
Well last night I went to see the film at a movie preview and as a fan I have to say, they did good old nuts and bolts justice, as a fan I have to say this film rocks, you get what is says on a the tin... an man in iron a cool iron (well it's not Iron but hey let's not split hairs) suit going around kicking butt, but as I a fan I can't really write a proper review, so I'm off to the cinema this morning to give the film a proper going over and as luck would have it one of my pals from the award winning Geek Syndicate(GS) podcast is actually joining me for the viewing. No doubt we shall discuss the film afterwards and after I've done that then I'll do a proper view, but suffice to say, in terms of a comic book hero to the silver screen adaptation, Iron Man is up there with the best of them and it's def a case of boys with their toys
If you only do one thing this weekend, get yourself to the cinema and escape with Iron Man.... oh and by the way... sitting down when the credits roll as there is a little scene at the end of the credits worth a gander especially if your a Marvel Comic Book fan
IRON MAN
Iron Clad Seen as a critic review....
Man what can I say, this film had everything you would want from a comic book hero movie. The main man starts out being arrogant and loud, but as the film progresses he has a life changing experience which make him realise he isn't the most important person in the world and you see him change into a humble ethical thinker, who realises he has the power to make a difference, but the good thing is that even at the end of the film he isn't completely selfless and that sets up a second film nicely, though the speech that occurs at the end of the credits is more likely to the thing that makes it obvious there will be a second film with Iron Man in it.... but it may not be an Iron Man exclusive....you'll have to sit through the credits to see what I'm talking about....
The premise of this film is.... Tony Stark, a multi billionaire who manufactures and sells arms to the U S government and he happens to be an electronics genius, gets kidnapped and ordered to make a missile for a terrorist organisation, but using his genius and with the aid of a the man who saved his life after he was hit by shrapnel, he builds an armoured suit to aid his escape. Whilst making good his escape he finds himself and realises he needs to give up his philandering ways and try and make a difference in the world, but in doing so his finds out that his kidnapping had be planned by a source closer to home.
As I said in my preview review write up...."I wasn't happy about the plans for Iron Man, I soon started hearing the cast and that didn't make me feel any better.... Robert Downey Jnr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L Jackson, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, I def had some concerns...." Well I have to say my concerns were unfounded, this film was kicking it. Robert Downey Jnr did an exceptional job playing the main character and Ms P, was great as his executive assistance, in fact all the stars played their role really well and I have to tip my hat to the casting director and they got each character casted very well.
This is a must see on the big screen film in my books, and I really do believe it has got to be one of the best if not the best comic book hero adaptations ever, it def rivals "Batman Begins".... it is a great start to the summer what with other comic book hero films coming out this summer, "The Incredible Hulk", "The Dark Knight", "Hellboy 2" and even a comic book type hero film starring Will Smith called "Hancock"..... Iron Man has absolutely set the tone.
Would I see this film again... well actually I've already seen it twice and intend on seeing it again, but remember I've been an Iron Man fan since I was a kid, so I could be slightly biased, and I'll def be buying this film on disk when it comes out. A for a score, I'd have to say 8/10, but the only reason I've given it a lower score than I personally think it should have, is because I know I'm slightly biased....go watch it and feel free to send me a review from an unbiased person.