Film Review: HICK (2011)

Director: Derick Martini
Writer: Andrea Portes (novel/screenplay)
Running time: 90 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Japan Release date: 24^th November 2012

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 6^th July 2013.

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

I rarely check out much about a film before watching it; I tend to go more on instinct, which usually works out ok. I wasn’t all that sure about this one though so I had a quick peek on how well it scored across various sites. I was in for a shock; it scored really badly and it was then that I had to know why; hence the viewing. Well I have to admit they were, to a greater extent right, it’s not very good and I’ll tell you why after this very brief summary.

When her parents, Nick (Anson Mount) and Tammy (Juliette Lewis) abandon her just after her 13^th birthday, Luli McMullen (Chloë Grace Moretz) decides to leave her home in Nebraska and head for the bright lights of Las Vegas. She has no money and so sets off walking. She is first picked up by a cowboy, Eddie (Eddie Redmayne) who seems nice at first but soon reveals he has a temper. Not wishing to stay in his company, Luli makes him stop and she gets back to walking. She is next picked up by a woman, Glenda (Blake Lively), who she helps rob a convenience store. She bumps into Eddie again at a bowling alley and again later at Glenda’s place where her husband, Lloyd (Ray McKinnon) has employed him. All of these meetings are more than coincidence; Eddie has a connection to Glenda and plans for Luli.

I first have to say that I have no problems with the performances; everyone did a great job in that department. Throughout the film Luli is drawing in a sketch book as she narrates and I really liked the simplicity of the drawings. No, what let it down (IMO) was a poorly put together script. They say it’s a bad idea to let the writer of a novel attempt the screenplay and I suspect this is a case in point. It probably works very well as a book, but it really didn’t work on the screen in this form. I like the actors fine but I found little to like in the characters. Our main focus, Luli, has very few redeeming features; she was a victim of circumstance all the way through and I found it quite frustrating to watch I’m afraid. Sadly not one I can recommend.

SteelMonster’s verdict: NOT RECOMMENDED

My score: 4.9/10.

IMDb Score: 5.4/10 (based on 7,322 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205558/

MetaScore: 28/100: (Based on 10 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 5/100 (based on 20 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 37/100 (based on 4,945 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hick_2012/

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LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HICKTHEMOVIE
Trailer:

Film Review: GREEN LANTERN (2011)

Director: Martin Campbell
Writers (screenplay): Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim, Michael Goldenberg
Writers (screen story): Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim
Running Time: 105 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
UK Release Date: 17^th June 2011

Watched on Sky+ Friday 7^th July 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I knew very little about the Green Lantern before seeing this film; the TV series never made it across the pond to the UK. So I went into it having very few preconceptions, although I did know that it had been slammed by the critics. To be honest, I have to err on the side of the critics on this one; at best, it’s pretty poor despite some expensive-looking effects. I’ll tell you more after this very brief summary.

When pilot, Hal Jordan, is taken to a dying alien and given a mysterious green ring he little realises what awaits him. He has been chosen to join the ranks of an intergalactic peace-keeping force known as the Green Lanterns and there is a threat out there known as Parallax. Jordan is spurred on by fellow pilot, Carol Ferris, who has grown up with him and they have a very on-off relationship. Having been taken to the homeworld of the Green Lanterns and meeting their leader, Sinestro, Jordan doesn’t feel he has what it takes, but with Parallax approaching earth can he find the courage he needs?... Well, I guess I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will have me sparring with Kilowog (again).

For a film the relied very heavily on effects I was quite disappointed they forgot to add a plot. At best it was messy and confusing and I felt quite sorry for the actors trying to cope with some truly awful dialogue. So I’ll give honourable mentions to; Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, Blake Lively as Carol Ferris, Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond, Mark Strong as Sinestro, Tim Robbins as Hammond and Jay O. Sanders as Carl Ferris.

I could see that there was a decent story in there trying to get out but, for some reason, it never did. There was no mystery; how can you expect an audience to embrace a character or a story if its spoon fed to them at every turn. I could cite countless examples of films where half the fun of watching them is the things you don’t see; the pieces that are left to the imagination and that’s exactly what was missing here; imagination. Yes, it all looks fantastic, but it doesn’t make much sense and there is little else for the audience to cling onto. Over all; could have (& should have) been much better! (Forget 3D & concentrate on the plot… PLEASE!)... NOT RECOMMENDED.

My Score 4.1/10

IMDb Score: 5.9/10 (based on 96,176 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1133985/

MetaScore: 39/100: (Based on 39 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 27/100 (based on 224 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 47/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 118,336 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/770677993/

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

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Hal Jordan: [to his one-night stand] Sorry, I'm late. Help yourself, there's water from the tap!
[rushes off to work]

Hal Jordan: Now, pay attention...
[puts the ring on his finger and suits up]
Thomas Kalmaku: Whoa, green!
[both laugh]
Hal Jordan: I know, right?

Hal Jordan: A talking fish...
Tomar-Re: Actually, my race is Xudarian. Our DNA does some what resemble your own ichthyological species. I am Tomar-Re, protector of Sector 2613 and home to...
Hal Jordan: 80,012 galaxies, 2.34 million sentient species. How do I know that?
Tomar-Re: The induction process. It activates the ring's higher functions, including a working knowledge base. In truth, we were curious. The process has never been attempted on a species as young as humans before. As you are the first to be chosen, I've been sent to welcome you here.
Hal Jordan: And here is?
[Tomar-Re shows him an alien metropolis]
Tomar-Re: Welcome to Oa.

[Jordan makes a construct of a saber]
Sinestro: A sword. How human...

[an unconscious Carol levitates in the air]
Hector Hammond: Beautiful, isn't she?

Kilowog: The human. Ain't never seen one before.
[sniffs Hal, snorts]
Kilowog: You smell funny.
Hal Jordan: Ugh. I smell funny?
Kilowog: Yeah! I've heard about humans; think they're the centre of the universe. You wanna be a Lantern? You gotta commit to the Corps!

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

Film Review: THE TOWN (2010)

Director: Ben Affleck
Writers (Screenplay): Peter Craig, Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard
Writer (Novel ‘Prince of Thieves’): Chuck Hogan
Running time: 120 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
UK Release date: 24^th September 2010

Watched on DVD Sunday 18^th March 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is one of those movies that have been kicking around in my collection for some time now. It was looking a bit neglected and so I thought I’d give it a viewing today. I had heard some good things about it when it was released and so I was hopeful of a good experience. I wasn’t disappointed, the film delivered on several fronts and I think Mr. Affleck is developing into a pretty good director. I will tell you more after this brief summary.

After a daring bank robbery in which the manager, Claire Keesey, is terrorised; the gang, lead by Doug MacRay discover she lives near another gang member, James Coughlin. They had all been wearing disguises and left no DNA at the scene, but they couldn’t be sure she wouldn’t recognise them. MacRay decides to see if he can discover just what (if anything) she knows. In doing this he becomes involved with her and they begin a relationship. Meanwhile the FBI are on the trail of the robbers and also they are commissioned for another job by a character known as ‘The Florist’, Fergus ‘Fergie’ Colm. As things progress with Claire, MacRay feels the urge to get out of Charlestown and make a fresh start with her. The FBI, however, and ‘The Florist’ may have other ideas about that. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Heist Movies Division) will be locking me up on trumped-up charges (again).

Made in a very realistic style which, as with his directorial debut, ‘Gone Baby Gone’ (2007), matches the mood of the piece really well. All the performances were excellent, but I particularly liked Rebecca Hall as Claire Keesey, Jeremy Renner as James Coughlin and Blake Lively as his sister, Krista Coughlin; all three put in sterling performances. Of course, Ben Affleck proved once again what a fine actor he is as Doug MacRay. Also worthy of note were; Jon Hamm as FBI S.A. Adam Frawley, Slaine as Albert ‘Gloansy’ Magloan, Owen Burke as Desmond Elden, Titus Welliver as Dino Ciampa and finally a mention for Pete Postlethwaite as ‘The Florist’, Fergus ‘Fergie’ Colm in one of his last roles.

A complicated plot that’s quite heavy on dialogue in places, but there are some very nicely put together action scenes in there too. There are several threads to the story that all tie up in the end, although the poignant ending does leave the audience guessing to some extent. I must say I did enjoy this film with its multi-layered plot and, at times, edgy style. It’s certainly one I would give another viewing to at some point in the future… Recommended.

My score: 8.3/10.

IMDb Score: 7.6/10 (based on 118,712 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0840361/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 210 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 83/100 (based on 110,251 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_town/

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

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
WARNING: SOME STRONG LANGUAGE
Doug MacRay: [narrating] Driver's name is Arthur Shea. Former Metro Police officer, fifty-seven years old. Soon as his partner leaves with the coal bag, Artie cracks a Herald, and he don't look up 'til the guy gets back. Marty Maguire. Cummins Armored courier. Five-ten, two-twenty, fifty-two years old. Picks up every Wednesday and Friday at exactly 8:12, makes a hundred and ten dollars a day, carries a Sig nine. And he's about to get robbed.
[cuts to Doug and Jem briefing their comrades, Gloansy and Dez, in a dark room]
Doug MacRay: We're fucked if we see a helicopter; we're fucked if we see SWAT. We see a cruiser, stop, take out the engine blocks, keep movin'. No one needs to get hurt.
James Coughlin: Yeah, these guards like to test you, though. They wanna get hurt for ten dollars an hour, don't get in the way.

Claire Keesey: So what do you do for work?
Doug MacRay: Boston Sanding Gravel, I break rocks. Punch the ticket at the end of the day, slide down the back of a brontosaurus like Fred Flintstone, call it a night.

FBI S.A. Adam Frawley: Now, we're a long way away from a grand jury here... and we'll never get 24 hour surveillance unless one of these idiots converts to Islam. So, we build the case. Alright, let's get to work.

[last lines]
Doug MacRay: No matter how much you change, you still have to pay the price for the things you've done. So I got a long road. But I know I'll see you again - this side or the other.

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