Film Review: PREMIUM RUSH (2012)

Director: David Koepp
Writers: David Koepp, John Kamps
Running time: 90 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
UK Release date: 14^th September 2012

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 6^th October 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have to admit I knew very little about this one going in; it’s one of those I liked the look of from a brief clip and the two paragraph write-up on the TV guide. It wasn’t perfect, but it did enough to entertain me, even with one or two laughs along the way. I will tell you more after this very brief summary.

The story centres on a group of bicycle couriers in New York City. Principle among them is Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who has a rivalry with Manny (Wolé Parks), who is chasing Wilee’s girlfriend, Vanessa (Dania Ramirez). Now, Wilee picks up a package from Vanessa’s room mate, Nima (Jamie Chung) which he has to deliver by 7PM. He sets off but soon finds he is being pursued by a cop, Bobby Monday (Michael Shannon), who has his own reasons for wanting to get his hands on that package. We are told, in flashback, what the significance of the package is and just why Monday is so desperate to get his hands on it. There are many twists and turns before the end and more than one of them could get hurt, after all, it’s dangerous out there!

Very well made with a nice pacey start that really grabs your attention. Sadly, it cannot maintain that rate, but it soon settles down as we get to know the various characters. I did find all the to-and-fro with flashbacks a little confusing at times, but it soon sorted itself out. On the performance front, everyone did an excellent job but the stand-out by some margin (for me) was Michael Shannon. He really does play the slightly psychotic cop so very well. I felt the final pay-off didn’t quite live up to its initial promise, but I found it entertaining enough. Well worth a look; but don’t put a stopwatch on it.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 7.2/10.

IMDb Score: 6.5/10 (based on 62,604 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/

MetaScore: 66/100: (Based on 36 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 76/100: (based on 154 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 61/100: (based on 128,395 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/premium_rush/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:

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LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.premiumrush.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: LOOPER (2012)

Writer/Director: Rian Johnson
Running time: 119 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Drama
UK Release date: 28^th September 2012

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 23^rd June 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I do like a decent science fiction movie; sadly, filmmakers seem to think that an action movie set in the future will suffice; sadly, for me, no. What I want is something that will make me think; I don’t want it all explained to me throughout; let me work some of it out for myself. And so we come to ‘Looper’. You’ll be glad to know it does tick many of the right boxes, although not quite all. Still, it does do many of the things I’d want from a science fiction movie. Here’s a very brief summary (the set-up really) before I give you my thoughts.

Set thirty years in the future where a group of men called ‘loopers’ exist to clean up for the mob 30 years further into the future. In that era, time travel has been invented and immediately banned but the crime bosses use it illegally to deal with people they want out of the way. They send them back where a looper will wait for them and kill them as soon as they appear. The body, which has the looper’s payment attached to it, is disposed of and so it goes on. When a looper is to be ‘retired’, his future self is sent back, he kills his future self and is allowed to live peacefully for the next thirty years with a fat bonus. That is, until he’s sent back to be killed by his younger self, hence closing the loop. With me so far? Well our story involves a looper, Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who, when confronted with his future self, Old Joe (Bruce Willis), is thrown into a web of intrigue. Old Joe overpowers him and escapes. Young Joe has seen the consequences of not killing your older self; he has plans for his future and so sets of after him. When they finally meet, Old Joe tells him of a future boss called ‘The Rainmaker’, who has taken over and is closing all the loops. Old Joe had a wife and he wants that life back so he plans to kill the Rainmaker before he can grow up. He has a clue to his identity; he could be one of three children living in the area. Young Joe wants nothing to do with it, but you know that’s not the end of it.

A very well made film with many practical effects used instead of relying on CGI all the time; hats off to the filmmakers for taking that route. Performance-wise, everyone did a great job with Joseph Gordon-Lovett and Bruce Willis getting that majority of the screen time. I also liked Emily Blunt as Sara, Jeff Daniels as Abe and the young Pierce Gagnon as Cid. Although it did many things right I did feel it was a little unevenly paced in places. It seemed to get a little bogged down in the dialogue which slowed it down a little too much a couple of times. Other than that I found it quite enthralling and one I’d happily watch again sometime.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 7.6/10.

IMDb Score: 7.6/10 (based on 232,707 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276104/

MetaScore: 84/100: (Based on 44 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 93/100 (based on 246 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 87/100 (based on 104,336 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/looper/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
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LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.loopermovie.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (1999)

Director: Gil Junger
Writers: Karen McCullah Lutz (written by), Kirsten Smith (written by), William Shakespeare (play "The Taming of the Shrew") uncredited
Running time: 97 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
UK Release date: 9^th July 1999

Watched on Sky+ Friday 25^th January 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Those of you that read my reviews (I know there are a few of you still out there); know that I don’t generally get on well with film comedies. Well there’s an exception to every rule and, for me, this is the one… or one of them at least. Why do I like it so much? Well for one thing it doesn’t try too hard to make you laugh; there are no “gross out” moments that make me feel like I’m being spoon-fed a load of crap because that’s the only way to get it down. No, it’s more intelligent than that. I think Shakespeare knew what he was doing and there’s no need to mess with it too much. I won’t do a summary this time, but if you want to know what it’s about I can recommend reading William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”, on which it’s based.

This film works because the audience are given a group of well rounded characters; many of which are quite likable, which helps. These are then put into a sequence of situations that resolve themselves into a satisfactory conclusion. Of course we are taken on quite a journey before this conclusion and I can see how some may find the plot a little hard to follow. Fortunately I have read the Shakespeare play and even seen it performed and so am familiar with all its twists and turns. I love the way it’s written with allusions to the original text, for instance calling the school ‘Padua’ was a very nice touch. All the performances were excellent with both Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona and Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford taking the plaudits. I must also give a nod to; Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James, Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, David Krumholtz as Michael and Andrew Keegan as Joey Donner. Oh, and look out for a nice comic turn from Allison Janney as Ms. Perky; very funny.

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoyed this film and have every time I’ve seen it! I know it got few plaudits from the critics when it came out, but it certainly speaks to me. It’s surprising just how many people ‘love that movie’ when I bring it up; but so few can tell me what it’s about. Definitely worth a watch if you’ve never seen it and if you have, give it another look sometime; it’s well worthy of a second look. Watch right to the end of the credits as well for some amusing outtakes.

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.5/10.

IMDb Score: 7.0/10 (based on 122,645 votes when this review was written).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/?ref_=sr_1

MetaScore: 70/100: (Based on 26 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 61/100 (based on 61 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 69/100 (based on 30,627,092 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10_things_i_hate_about_you/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Walter Stratford: Hello, Katarina. Make anyone cry today?
Kat Stratford: Sadly, no. But it's only 4:30.

Cameron: I burn, I pine, I perish.
[Lucentio's line from The Taming of the Shrew Act I Scene 1]
Michael: Of course you do. You know, she's beautiful and deep, I'm sure.

Michael: Sweet love, renew thy force.
[Start of Shakespeare's Sonnet LVI]
Patrick: Hey! Don't say shit like that to me. People can hear you.

Walter Stratford: Do you know what happens at proms?
Bianca: Yes. We'll dance, we'll kiss, we'll come home. It's not quite the crisis situation you imagine.
Walter Stratford: Kissing? That's what you think happens? I've got news for you. Kissing isn't what keeps me up to my elbows in placenta all day long.
Bianca: Can we, for two seconds, ignore the fact that you're severely unhinged and discuss my need for a night of teenage normalcy?
Walter Stratford: What's normal? Those damn... Dawson's river kids sleeping in each other's beds and what not?
Bianca: Daddy that is so not...
Walter Stratford: I've got news for you. I'm down, I've got the 411, and you are not going out and getting jiggy with some boy, I don't care how dope his ride is. Mamma didn't raise no fool.

Ms. Perky: People perceive you as somewhat...
Kat Stratford: Tempestuous?
Ms. Perky: "Heinous bitch" is the term used most often.

LINKS:
(NOTE: All links were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: TREASURE PLANET (2002)

Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Writers: Robert Louis Stevenson (Novel), Ron Clements, John Musker & Rob Edwards (Screenplay).
Running time: 95 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure
UK Release date: 14^th February 2003

Watched on Sky+ Friday 10^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is one of those films I watched because it was recommended to me by several people in the online community. Now usually such recommendations point me towards a lesser-known work, or an undiscovered gem, but this time it’s a big-budget Disney animation. It’s basically the plot of the book ‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson set in space. It does all the things Disney does well and is entertaining enough, but it just didn’t quite hit the mark (for me). I’ll tell you more after this brief summary.

We are told the tale of the pirate, Captain Flint, and how he amassed a treasure and hid it on a planet whose whereabouts are a mystery. This story becomes a legend and many had tried and failed to find the planet. But when a mysterious stranger calls at the Inn run by Jim Hawkins mother, he leaves behind a map. This map, it transpires holds the key to the location of the fabled Treasure Planet. A family friend, Dr. Doppler, finances an expedition. He hires a ship, a captain and a crew and brings Jim along to share in the adventure. The skipper, Captain Amelia, has reservations about the crew, but they set sail post haste. Jim is sent to work in the galley with the ships cook, one John Silver, a cyborg. There is more to him than meets the eye, and as they near the planet Jim discovers his secret. I won’t say any more or the Spoiler Police will have me keel hauled (again).

Very well made with some really exciting sequences and some excellent animation. The look and feel of it are everything you’d expect from a modern-day Disney animation. As far as performances go, well everyone did a good job, so honourable mentions go to; Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins, Brian Murray as John Silver, David Hyde Pierce as Doctor Doppler, Emma Thompson as Captain Amelia and Martin Short as B.E.N.

I am very familiar with the story and I found that so much of it was either changed or left out that I really didn’t enjoy this film as much as I thought I would. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for updating the classics and I think there have been some excellent modern adaptations of classic novels but this one didn’t hit the mark (for me) I’m afraid. There were bits I did like though, the humour for one; some very nice and subtle jokes in there. I also liked the way they portrayed the relationship between Jim and John Silver; I had never seen it that way before (sorry, no spoilers). Over all though, it didn’t quite have enough for me to recommend it, but I’m sure there are many out there who will love it nonetheless.

My score: 5.2/10.

IMDb Score: 6.7/10 (based on 20,835 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0133240/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 70/100 (based on 143 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 64/100 (based on 62,586 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/treasure_planet/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Doctor Doppler: It's...
Jim Hawkins: Treasure Planet!
Doctor Doppler: [in disbelief] No!
Jim Hawkins: That's Treasure Planet!
Doctor Doppler: Flints' Trove? The loot of a thousand worlds? Do you know what this means?
Jim Hawkins: It means that all that treasure is only a boat ride away!

B.E.N.: I'm starting to see my life pass in front of my eyes! At least, I think it's my life.
B.E.N.: [shouting] Was I ever dancing with an android named Lupé?

Doctor Doppler: Dang it, Jim. I'm an astronomer, not a doctor! I mean, I am a doctor, but I'm not that kind of doctor. I have a doctorate, it's not the same thing. You can't help people with a doctorate. You just sit there and you're useless!

Captain Amelia: I'm Captain Amelia. Late of a few run-ins with the Procyon Armada, nasty business, but I won't bore you with my scars; You've met my first officer, Mr. Arrow? Sterling, tough, dependable, honest, brave and true.
Mr. Arrow: Please, Captain...
Captain Amelia: Oh, shut up, Arrow. You know I don't mean a word of it.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: BRICK (2005)

Writer/Director: Rian Johnson
Running time: 110 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Mystery/Thriller
UK Release date: 12^th May 2006

Watched on Sky+ Friday 2^nd December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is a film I had never heard of before I came across it in a film discussion group on the internet (now sadly defunct thanks to Flixter – Some of you will know which one I mean). Anyhow, this film seemed to be getting a lot of praise from just about everyone who had seen it and so I was a tad more than intrigued. I added it to ‘The List’ and waited for it to rise to the top… eventually, after about a year, it finally got an airing on Film4. Recorder set and finally an opportunity to sit down and watch it! I must say I was not disappointed, it is every bit as good as many had said; some great performances, a great plot and some excellent dialogue all combined to make a rather enjoyable couple of hours. More of my thoughts after this brief summary.

Brendan and his girlfriend, Emily, had split up and when he receives a mysterious note from her in his locker at school, Brendan is intrigued. The note points him to an intersection where a phone box was situated. He waits and eventually it rings, it’s Emily, and she’s scared. Before he can find out more she’s gone and a car goes speeding past. Deciding he had better look into it, Brendan elicits the help of ‘The Brain’, a fellow student who has the talent of finding things out. His investigation leads him to a group of dope heads, led by Dode, and eventually to the main dealer in town, The Pin. The Pin’s henchman, Tug, seems to be loggerheads with his boss but Brendan presses on. Other names that turn up include Laura, one of the school’s ‘elite’ and the rather crazy Kara, a bit of a drama queen. Can Brendan unravel the twisted events that have put Emily in danger? Well, I guess I had better not tell you here or the Spoiler Police will have me up on trumped up charges again. Oh, and by the way, I’ve missed out one vital piece of information here.

A beautifully made film with great use of unusual camera angles and kind of a bleak, stark look to it. I loved the performance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Brendan, he really nailed it! Also worthy of note were; Nora Zehetner as Laura, Lukas Haas as The Pin, Noah Fleiss as Tugger (Tug for short), Matt O'Leary as The Brain, Emilie de Ravin as Emily, Noah Segan as Dode and Richard Roundtree as Assistant V.P. Trueman.

Filmed very much in the noir style, I loved the dialogue and the way these young actors carried off what must have been quite a task for them. The soundtrack was equally as good, quite quirky at times, but it added to a very interesting piece. The dialogue was very clever and, at times, quite amusing, but the subject matter does become quite grim after a while. I did find it a little too long, but I guess you can’t have everything. So, despite a couple of niggles, I found this a very interesting and a quite compelling film with a bit of a twist at the end for good measure. Be warned though, it’s one of those you have to WATCH. It’s quite a complicated plot and you can easily get lost if you’re not paying attention. Still, though I have no problem in deeming this one… RECOMMENDED.

My score: 8.3/10.

IMDb Score: 7.5/10 (based on 44,850 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0393109/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79/100 (based on 134 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brick/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Brendan Frye: Throw one at me if you want, hash head. I've got all five senses and I slept last night, that puts me six up on the lot of you.

Kara: Come to see the show?
Brendan Frye: No.

Assistant VP Gary Trueman: You've helped this office out before.
Brendan Frye: No, I gave you Jerr to see him eaten, not to see you fed.
Assistant VP Gary Trueman: Fine. And very well put.
Brendan Frye: Accelerated English, Mrs. Kasprzyk.
Assistant VP Gary Trueman: Tough teacher?
Brendan Frye: Tough but fair.

Brendan Frye: Who's she been eating with?
The Brain: I don't know. That's, um, that's hard to keep track of.
Brendan Frye: Is it?
The Brain: It can be - it can be hard to keep track of those things because lunch - lunch is a lot of things, lunch is difficult.

LINKS:
Trailer:

Film Review: (500) DAYS OF SUMMER (2009)

Director: Marc Webb
Running time: 92 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

UK release date: 2nd September 2009

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 26th September 2009.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Deep down I’m a bit of a romantic that’s been burned a time or several and so it was nice to find a film like this. It’s not you’re usual ‘boy meets girl – they fall in love and live happily ever after’ type of tale, no, it’s much more realistic than that… but with a large dose of quirkiness thrown in. I can’t say it’s my favourite romantic film, but it would probably make a top ten. But I digress, here’s a bit about the plot first.

Tom Hansen is working for a greetings card company when Summer Finn starts to work there. He is, of course, attracted to her but is afraid to make the first move. His friends, McKenzie and Paul, persuade him to talk to her at a karaoke night and one thing leads to another. She tells him that she does not want a boyfriend and he agrees to just keep it light. But as time passes, it’s clear that Tom is struggling not knowing where he is with her. He even asks advice from his street-wise little sister, Rachel. It seems the relationship is doomed when Summer leaves her job, and also Tom. He is heartbroken, but they are destined to meet again… more than once.

The story is told in a rather unusual way; we start near the end of the 500 days and then jump back to the beginning. This continues throughout the film which meant the audience has to keep watching or they could get easily lost. I found it a different and refreshing way to put the narrative on the screen. Decent performances all round, so honourable mentions go to; Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen, Zooey Deschanel as Summer Finn, Geoffrey Arend as McKenzie, Chloe Moretz as Rachel Hansen and Matthew Gray Gubler as Paul.

There are a lot of comparisons I can draw with other films; for instance, the character of Summer reminded me very much of Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). There is a musical number performed in the street featuring Tom that could be from any musical you could name. At the end of the day I found it a very entertaining film, although Summer was a little irritating at times. But forgiving that, it’s pretty much recommended.

My score: 7.9/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1022603/
Official Site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/500daysofsummer/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi2234581785/