Change Your Image
zaileia
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Macbeth (2015)
Missing Macbeth
I am baffled by the positive reviews this film has received. I have seen many Macbeth adaptations and live on stage and this film portrays none of the raw human emotion that makes the play great. Instead we are subjected to a self congratulating aesthetic that might look visually visceral, misses the point of the characters. Sorely disappointed with Fassbender who usually has such depth was monotonous and dull. The concept of a historically realistic setting was a good one, but the execution left much to be desired. Shakespeare aficionados will notice the alterations and cuts made to the text, which I can't help but wonder the point of since the missing scenes would have aided the character construction a lot. I'm fine with artistic license but why remove the overtly pagan aspect yet retain the witches as true characters rather than figments of Macbeths mind? There are so many better versions of Macbeth out there, I don't see any value in this one at all. In short, this Macbeth is well worth a miss.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Avenging Always
The second outing of Whedon's Avengers is bound to be compared to the first, but I cannot help but simply see this movie as a bridge between the first and the third that is yet to come. Don't get me wrong, I loved this movie, but as is inevitable with ongoing series the middle part is a lot of continuation and no resolve. The opening dives straight into the action without any prelude as to how the team have reassembled after the events of Iron Man 3, Cap 2 and Thor 2. The audience are left to assume that at some point between Iron Man 3 and this movie Tony Stark decided to rebuild the Avengers after Shield went down, thus donning his armour once more. With a few episodes of Angents of Shield still to air perhaps we will get a more thorough explanation but for now one can only conclude that Stark was the driving force of the idea and Cap the elected leader. The Maximoff twins are well executed away from the forbidden mutant element, the Avengers following Coulson's terminology of enhanced persons and dancing around the potential connection to the Inhumans that we may see in the future. Without giving too much away I'll briefly touch on the romantic entanglements portrayed, the main twist meaning that many a Barton/Romanov shipper are to be disappointed. I however found the development of Barton's character to be endearing and by the end of the movie was cheering on Hawkeye more than any other Avenger, now desperate for a solo outing for the character (TV series anyone?). As for Romanov, her romantic interest seems a bit forced and probably has more to do with the chemistry between the actors than the characters. There is a spark there no doubt but from a character standpoint it makes little sense and seems to just serve to pull at our heartstrings later on when the inevitable happens. It's a pleasure to see Paul Bettany on screen at long last, his JARVIS becoming a fully formed Vision and by films end becoming a New Avenger in his own right. The myriad of cameos are enjoyable and thankfully purposeful as the end of the movie sees the New Avengers forming out of this 'B-Team', hinting at the potential for Phase 4 of Marvel's plan as the current cast's contracts start to run out. In conclusion, this movie is a wonderful continued romp through the Marvel Cinematic Universe and leaves you desperate for the next instalment and doesn't drop the ball, which as the ninth movie in the series is an achievement in itself. Let the good times keep rolling!
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars has come full circle, and its done it with style!
So, at 3 in the morning on the 19th of May 2005 I emerge from the cinema in Portsmouth and have finally, after waiting 6 years, seen Star Wars: Episode III.
Revenge of the Sith.
Apt title.
I can honestly say now a few hours later that the film was amazing, a complete success and here's why. I have thought of nothing else since I left. Its been 7 hours and I still can't get my mind off Star Wars.
I know that people are going to watch that film and say it wasn't as good as they'd hoped. It was slow moving and whiles it was dark, the hype has been so great there was no way it could live up to expectations. However, the fact still remains that the movie was fantastic purely because it has achieved what Episodes I and II could not. It had forged a bridge between the Trilogy and the Prequels. The first thing I wanted to do after seeing Episode III was to watch Episode IV.
That is what this film was meant for, to seal the gap and create a seamless transition between all six films. And it has, and its done it well.
There are no unanswered questions as to how and why Anakin turned to the Dark side, why Luke and Leia were separated or what happened to all the Jedi. You spend the movie hoping Anakin doesn't choose evil, begging Mace Windu to encourage, include and trust Anakin, as this will undoubtedly prevent Anakin's betrayal.
There were elements that could have been improved. Padmé's emotional strain was convincing, her immortal line, "You're breaking my heart" will probably be seen as cheesy, but you can feel her pain. But the fact that she was carrying Force sensitive children was not made reference to, even though it was clear that Padmé was not connected deeply to the Force.
Ewan McGregor played Obi-Wan much in the way Alec Guinness did, so I can just about forgive his apparent detachment. The few lines between Anakin and Obi-Wan during their battle at the time seemed harsh and, I hate do say it, obviously 'acted', but then remembering Guinness's portrayal of the old Jedi, McGregor has like the film, completed the transition. Obi-Wan is now a Jedi Master, and unlike Anakin, manages to remove himself from his emotions to do what he has to for the good of the Republic.
Learning that only Threepio has his memory wiped suddenly makes sense of why Artoo runs off to find Obi-Wan in A New Hope, you can't help but love the little droid who manages to get the only laugh in the entire film.
All in all, after reflection, I loved this film purely because it finished off what was started nearly 30 years ago, and it ends the Star Wars hexology beautifully. The iconic image on the Tatooine suns allows you to leave the cinema knowing that although this is the last film, it isn't the end.
May the Force Be With You.
Totally Minnie (1988)
I wish I could find this tape!!
I had this taped off the TV years ago and somehow it got lost amongst the millions of video tapes I now own. It was my favorite thing to watch when I was little, I loved the Elton John duet and just basically enjoyed the whole thing! The cartoons in between the movie, Minnie in all her lovely outfits! This was a Minnie Mouse for any 80's born girl, an idol who never got given a chance! If anyone remembers this cute little Minnie movie then good for you, cause I'm the only one in my household who does, I'm just glad I've found it online and didn't daydream the whole thing! Hey, if you still have it on tape and hate it, send it to me!! I'd love to see it again, its fun!! hehe! :)
Wilde (1997)
The noblest form of love
I saw this film for the first time over the weekend, drawn to it I'm ashamed to say for the fact that it contained Orlando Bloom's debut appearance, all one line of it. I was pleasantly surprised to discover Jude Law as Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas as well, making this film highly appealing to the voyeurs of the world. However distracting these heavenly creatures are though, they do become quite rightly overshadowed by Stephen Fry in a role that could not be more perfect for him if it were based on fiction rather than fact.
I have been a fan of Oscar Wilde for some time, and this film gave amazingly accurate insight into the life of a great Irish literary. Indeed, many a speech by Stephen Fry has been quoted word for word from the actual trial monologues, and the uncanny resemblance of Fry to Wilde himself is astounding.
'Wilde' proved to be entertaining and beautiful, maintaining the historical biopic status is revels in, but never drawing away from the fact that this story is of real people and real events.
So much can be gained by observing the prejudices of the past, and such sadness realized from knowing the suffering of those who were not meant for their time.
'Wilde' deserves credit in all aspects from accuracy to acting, direction and scene, it is a beautiful film and a credit not only the cast and crew, but to Oscar Wilde himself.
I, Robot (2004)
Stylish SciFi
This film embodies everything that has been missing from science-fiction movies in the last decade. Not since Blade Runnner had there been such a precisely crafted spectacle of a movie. With action, humour, mystery and Will Smith you couldn't ask for more! The paranoia that Del Spooner carries sums up the SciFi theology about Man creating his own demise. Although many will compare the philosophy of I, Robot with that of the Matrix and Blade Runner, it should be noted that all these films are modern interpretations of old ideas. The message may be similar, but the SFX and twists in the plot, plus the superb acting of Will Smith, I, Robot is everything a summer blockbuster should be, and much much more.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
I don't get it!!
Okay, I have voted this movie with a 1, purely to even out the odds. I actually give it a 3, maybe, just... I don't understand how this film have been deemed better than the first and basically regarded as one of the greatest films ever. It is not! Box office ratings are high, because people including myself loved the first film and went back for more, and more is what we got. More of the same. The film was predictable to such lengths that you could have left after 15 minutes and quoted word for word the rest of the plot.
The SFX were nothing new, and often obviously computer generated. The narrative was segmented, and much was left unexplained. There were moments of sickeningly obvious character interaction, take the train scene where Peter's mask comes off for instance... "we won't say anything." Yeah right! Mary Jane's "Its my decision" speech was pathetic and again, predictable, as is what will happen in Spiderman 3, and whats worse, does not fit in with the comic books original plot. The film wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good!