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: LET ME IN (2010)

Director: Matt Reeves
Writers: Matt Reeves (screenplay), John Ajvide Lindqvist (screenplay & novel of the original Swedish production: “Låt den rätte komma in”)
Running time: 111 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Horror/Mystery
UK Release date: 5^th November 2010

Watched on DVD Thursday 30^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having watched, and loved, the original Swedish film “Let the Right One In” (2008); (see my review here) it was with much trepidation I turned on this American remake. In fact, I have to say that when I watched “Let the Right One In” back in 2010, it only came second in my top ten because a certain film called “Inception” happened to be released that year. But I digress; I was in fear that the studio would dumb it down so much that it wouldn’t have the same haunting quality of the original. Was I right? Well, I’ll tell you after this very brief summary.

Twelve year old Owen is a loner; he spends much of his time in the courtyard of the apartment block he lives in with his mum. Some boys at school, Kenny, Mark and Donald (particularly Kenny) take great delight in bullying and tormenting him. One day a girl, Abby, moves into the apartment next door with her ‘Father’. They meet in the courtyard and, after a bit of an awkward start, begin to become friends. Abby has a secret though and when Owen finds out about it he is left with a dilemma. I will leave it there, although I’ve given less away here than they do in the trailer.

Very well made with the same haunting quality of the original; they got the look and feel of it just right. The performances were all excellent as well; particularly the two young leads; Kodi Smit-McPhee as Owen and Chloë Grace Moretz as Abby. They were ably supported by; Richard Jenkins as The Father, Elias Koteas as The Policeman, Dylan Minnette as Jack and Cara Buono as Owen’s Mother.

I find it hard to talk about this film without drawing comparisons with the original. I guess if I hadn’t seen, and fallen in love with the original, I would have thought this was quite brilliant. The trouble is, it’s almost shot-for-shot the same film; with some obvious references changed. I noticed also that it was set in the 1980’s also, giving scope for a sequel with Owen as a grown-up. So how does it compare; well I must say I preferred the mystery of the original and it will always be my favourite version. However, I still found this one perfectly watchable and have no problem in deeming it Highly Recommended if you’re not lucky enough to have seen the original… Otherwise.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED.

My score: 7.5/10

IMDb Score: 7.2/10 (based on 45,673 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1228987/

MetaScore: 79/100: (Based on 35 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89/100 (based on 205 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 74/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 58,854 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/let_me_in/

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first lines]
Paramedic #1: One-three-one to dispatch, come in.
Radio Dispatcher: [after delay] One-three-one, this is dispatch, go ahead.
Paramedic #1: This is one-three-one. We have a male, mid 50s, with burns over nine to nine and a half percent of his body. Prior to arrival on scene, the patient apparently doused his head, neck and face with some sort of highly concentrated acid. patient's airway severely compromised due to fume inhalation. Vital signs undetermined. Please advise, patient is a federal suspect. We're coming in with a police escort right now.

Abby: I want to be left alone.
Owen: So do I.
Abby: Now go away.
Owen: No! I've lived here longer than you.

Abby: Just so you know, I can't be your friend.
Owen: Why not?
Abby: That's just the way it is.
Owen: Well, who said I wanted to be your friend? Idiot.

Abby: [touching Owen's bandaged cheek] What happened there?
Owen: Some kids from school.
Abby: I'll help you.
Owen: But you're a girl.
Abby: I'm a lot stronger than you think I am.

Abby: You have to hit back.
Owen: I can't. There's 3 of them.
Abby: Then you hit back even harder.

The Father: Please don't see that boy again.

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.letmein-movie.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (2010)

Director: Thor Freudenthal
Writers (screenplay): Jackie Filgo, Jeff Filgo, Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah
Writer (book): Jeff Kinney
Running Time: 89 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Comedy/Family
UK Release Date: 20^th August 2010

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 7^th April 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having been advised by many (mostly online) that this is a good film I decided to give it the once over. As usual, it wasn’t until afterwards that I checked the internet out to see how it fared in the rankings. Well, I have to say, on this occasion, I pretty much agree (score-wise) with the consensus. While not being great (it’s no ‘Home Alone’ that’s for sure), it’s also not as bad as it might have been. I will give you more of my thoughts after this brief summary.

Greg Heffley is just about to start middle school when we meet him. The film plots his life through that first year and we experience the many trials and tribulations he goes through. His best friend, Rowley, is also starting the same school and Greg is worried; mainly because Rowley hasn’t matured enough to be at middle school (in Greg’s opinion). This has some quite amusing consequences as Greg attempts to climb the popularity ladder (and usually fails). Other people to look out for are; Greg’s older brother Rodrick, he’s always trying to ‘advise’ Greg. There’s also the older woman (girl), the smart and witty Angie Steadman, who, for reasons best known to himself, Greg wants nothing to do with. Finally there’s Fregley, the lowest of the low, Chirag Gupta, even lower (height-wise) and the ever ambitious and precocious, Patty Farrell. I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will be lowering my status on the social ladder (and we all know how important status is!... Don’t we?).

Quite well made although I did have the feeling I was watching one of those kids TV shows set in a school (there are many). Production values aside, I did like the use of the occasional cartoon to illustrate a point, if anything, I would have liked a few more of these. Performance-wise, I thought everybody did a decent job and so I’ll give honourable mentions to; Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley, Robert Capron (who I really liked) as Rowley Jefferson, Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley, Chloë Grace Moretz (woefully underused) as Angie Steadman, Karan Brar as Chirag Gupta, Grayson Russell as Fregley and Laine MacNeil as Patty Farrell.

Never having read the books (I’m neither young nor American), I don’t feel inspired to do so on this evidence. Don’t get me wrong, the film was OK, but no more than that. I found the character of Greg was far too self centred and would go to almost any lengths to make himself look good, or at least not look bad. Now to some, that’s funny, but to me, I’m afraid it’s pretty lame and quite sad. Even so, there were some good points; I did like the ‘Cheese Touch’ story for instance and the way Rowley gets ahead by just being himself. Over all, a film that had some bad points and some good; I probably wouldn’t watch it again, but I may watch the sequel when it makes it to TV-land, just to see if Rowley ever grows up.

My Score: 6.0/10

IMDb Score: 6.1/10 (based on 12,287 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1196141/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 53/100 (based on 103 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 48/100 (based on 95,500 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid/

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

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Chirag Gupta: Good God, man. You almost got the Cheese Touch!

Greg Heffley: [looking at class favourites] The class favourites.
[opening the section]
Greg Heffley: They're the best in their class. These people aren't nobodies. They're famous. They don't have to worry about getting a seat in the cafeteria, either. Check this out. There's tons of things I qualify for: "Most Likely to Succeed", "Best Looking", "Class Clown". They should just give that to me right now.
Rowley Jefferson: Don't you have to be funny for that?
[spotting something in the section]
Rowley Jefferson: Hey! We can try for cutest friends!

Greg Heffley: I need something to make me a class favourite.
Angie Steadman: What about class favourites?
Greg Heffley: Don't you ever say hi or hello before you start talking?
Rowley Jefferson: [waves] Hi!
Angie Steadman: Hello.
Rowley Jefferson: Greg is only here because he wants to get into.
Greg Heffley: [interrupts] Rowley! I was just saying that I would really like to nail these people because it's so obvious they're only doing these activities to get into the yearbook.
Angie Steadman: You know, I like your point of view. You should sign up for the school paper. We are the voice of the people. Well, the people are mostly idiots so technically speaking we're the voice of the people making fun of the people.
Greg Heffley: Thanks, but I can't be on the paper because I'm going to be in the paper a lot. It would be a conflict of interest.
Angie Steadman: [nods] You're the people. Got it.

Patty Ferrell: This has got to be the worst fight ever!

Rowley Jefferson: [last lines] Zoo-Wee-Mama!

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