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: KINSEY (2004)

Writer/Director: Bill Condon
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Biography/Drama
UK Release date: 14^th March 2005

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 23^rd June 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

A film that was critically acclaimed when it came out, I decided to give it a look to see what all the fuss was about. As I recall, it didn’t do too well at the box office and so I wasn’t surprised to find it tucked away on a late-night showing on a Sunday night. A film I found put me through a whole set of emotions and one that I’m sure will make the audience ask questions of themselves as well. But I digress, here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Alfred Kinsey was an entomologist (a scientist who specialises in insects) who had spent twenty years on an exhaustive study of a particular species of wasp. One day some students, a married couple, come to ask his advice on a problem of a sexual nature. He does his best to answer them but, having only recently married himself, felt frustrated that he didn’t have all the answers. He decides to conduct his own study and the bulk of the film concentrates on this study and the effect it has on him and those around him. I don’t want to say too much more, just that the film very much concentrates on Kinsey and those around him, the content of the study is only touched on, so if you were expecting something maybe a little more explicit then you may be disappointed.

Well made, although I did feel it came over as a bit of a ‘by the numbers’ biopic. Having said that there were some very good performances on show, particularly from Liam Neeson as Albert Kinsey, Laura Linney as Clara McMillen (his wife) and, in a smaller role, John Lithgow as his overbearing father, Alfred Seguine Kinsey. Also worthy of note were; Chris O'Donnell as Wardell Pomeroy, Peter Sarsgaard as Clyde Martin, Timothy Hutton as Paul Gebhard, Tim Curry as Thurman Rice and Oliver Platt as Herman Wells.

Although there’s no denying the impact the work that Kinsey did had on modern society, I felt the film was a bit of a let-down. It did have its moments of sentimentality, but there was much more that I couldn’t connect with. I guess because I never really connected with any of the main characters. The start is quite slow and ponderous but it does pick up through the middle third; by the third act I felt it had lost focus again. During the process of compiling his data Kinsey explores his own sexuality and in showing this (I believe) the filmmakers made a big mistake. After that I found it hard to take the him seriously I’m afraid and, although they do try to separate sex and love; and fail miserably; the film never really did enough to redeem itself. Worth a look, up to a point, but be warned; some of you may find some of it hard to swallow (in more ways than one).

My score: 5.9/10

IMDb Score: 7.1/10 (based on 28,156 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0362269/

MetaScore: 90/100: (Based on 189 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 79/100 (based on 40 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 73/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 32,388 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kinsey/

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

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Alfred Kinsey: Love is the answer, isn't it? But, sex raises a lot of very interesting questions...

Clyde Martin: When did you first begin masturbating?
Old Woman: I INVENTED it, son.

Alfred Kinsey: [Kinsey is teaching his first class] Who can tell me which part of the human body can enlarge a hundred times. You, miss?
Female Student: [indignantly] I'm sure I don't know. And you've no right to ask me such a question in a mixed class.
Alfred Kinsey: [amused] I was referring to the pupil in your eye, young lady.
[class laughs]
Alfred Kinsey: And I think I should tell you, you're in for a terrible disappointment.

Wardell Pomeroy: How old were you when you first engaged in sexual activity with a partner?
Research Subject: 14.
Wardell Pomeroy: How?
Research Subject: With horse.
Wardell Pomeroy: [pause] How often were you having intercourse with animals at age 14?
Research Subject: [stunned] It's true. I fucked a pony. You are genius, how did you know?
Wardell Pomeroy: You just said you had
[pause]
Wardell Pomeroy: sex with horse.
Research Subject: Nooo... Whores, not horse, *whores*.

Clyde Martin: Just one more question. You've just told me your entire history: childhood, family, career, every person you've ever had sex with. But there hasn't been a single mention of love.
Alfred Kinsey: That's because it's impossible to measure love. And, as you know, without measurements there can be no science. But I have been thinking a lot about the problem lately.
Clyde Martin: Mmh, "problem"?
Alfred Kinsey: When it comes to love, we're all in the dark.
Clyde Martin: So, you do think it matters?

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

Film Review: GARDEN STATE (2004)

Writer/Director: Zach Braff
Running time: 102 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
UK Release date: 10^th December 2004

Watched on Sky+ Monday 12^th September 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I really did not no much about this film before seeing it, well, I probably did know that Zach Braff (of TV’s ‘Scrubs’ fame) both wrote and directed it. I watched it on a recommendation from someone on Rotten Tomatoes, sorry, I can’t remember who, but rest assured, it’s another one crossed off ‘The List’. I found it very interesting, a little surreal in places, quite enjoyable, but in the end, not as fulfilling as I had expected. I’ll explain more after this brief summary.

Andrew Largeman, a failed actor has had to return to the small town he grew up after the sudden death of his mother. He has anxiety problems and usually takes quite a lot of medication, but he has left all that behind in L.A. He runs into quite a few of his old friends from school, primarily Mark, Dave and Kenny, and they all hang out together, go to parties and the like. During a visit to a doctor, Andrew meets Sam and they immediately hit it off. He gives her a lift home and they end up spending the next few days together. This seems to bring Andrew back to life, but it’s nearing the time he has to leave… I’ll stop there or the Spoiler Police will have me bang to rights! And I don’t want that.

I must first say the film has a cracking soundtrack, there are some great tunes throughout. All the performances were very good; Zach Braff as Andrew Largeman, Natalie Portman, who I thought was excellent, as Sam, Peter Sarsgaard as Mark, Alex Burns as Dave, Michael Weston as Kenny, Ian Holm as Andrew’s father, Gideon Largeman. Finally a mention for a brief appearance from Jim Parsons (‘The Big Bang Theory’) as Tim.

The film has a very muted feel to it which was fine at first, it allowed for small pieces of comic genius to flower, but after a while I began to find it a little depressing. Braff plays Largeman so downbeat from the beginning that by the end when you’re supposed to be uplifted, you’re still down somewhere near the floor. Don’t get me wrong, there are many things to admire about this film and I did enjoy several aspects of it. I think I’ll have to see it again sometime to appreciate it properly but for now… Recommended (but only just).

My Score: 6.6/10.

IMDb Score: 7.8/10 (based on 104,531 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0333766/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86/100 (based on 185 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/garden_state/

 

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

 FAVOURITE QUOTES:

Sam: Hey, I recognize you.
Andrew Largeman: Oh, did you go to Columbia High?
Sam: No, not from high school, from TV. Didn't you play the retarded quarterback?
Andrew Largeman: Yeah.
Sam: Are you really retarded?
Andrew Largeman: No.
Sam: Ooh, great job man! I really thought you were retarded. I mean, you're better than that Corky kid and he's actually retarded. If there was a retarded Oscar you would win, hands down, kick his ass!

Titembay: Someone has been pissing on my Gamecube and I'm about to close the case.

LINKS:
Trailer:

Film Review: ORPHAN (2009)

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Running time: 123 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Thriller/Horror/Mystery
UK Release date: 7th August 2009

Watched on Sky+ Monday 30th May 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I didn’t know much about this film before seeing it, but the write-up did intrigue me slightly so I thought I’d give it a go. It’s a little too long for my liking, but quite well made if a little cliché in places. I guess I should have done a little more research, but then again I have uncovered the odd ‘gem’ this way in the past. But I digress; let’s have a look at what Orphan is all about.

Kate and John Coleman have just lost their baby, a daughter they were going to call Jessica. She was dead at birth. Needing something to fill the void, they decide to adopt. By the way, they already have two children, a boy, Daniel, and a girl, Max, who is partially deaf and uses sign language to communicate. The family are comfortably off and live in a big house in the countryside. Visiting an orphanage, John meets a nine year old girl called Esther. She is originally from Russia and is delightful. He convinces Kate that she’s the one and they bring her home a few weeks later. Unfortunately Esther is not what she seems and the Coleman’s are in for a very bumpy ride as she sets about her plan for them. I’m not going to say any more on the plot, I believe that should be enough to intrigue you.

Although it was very well made I did have a bit of a problem sympathising with the Coleman’s. It seems they have everything going for them in terms of lifestyle, job, financial security etc., but somehow that isn’t enough for them. It’s not as if their characters come over as particularly nurturing either, Kate a recovering alcoholic and John has been known to have a roving eye in the past. But if you can get past all that there’s a pretty creepy story behind it all.

Decent performances all round, particularly from; Vera Farmiga as Kate, Peter Sarsgaard as John and especially from Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther, she was particularly creepy. Also worth a mention were; CCH Pounder as Sister Abigail, Jimmy Bennett as Daniel and Aryana Engineer as Max.

Putting aside my incomprehension of the reasons for the Coleman’s wanting to adopt, I did find the film quite disturbing. Esther particularly so, the way she manipulates situations and how she’s always listening in is quite unnerving. As I said at the beginning, it is a little cliché in places and it is way too long but over all quite a sinister tale (glad I watched it in daylight!). Finally a mention for the guys who do the opening and closing credits, very cleverly done IMO, nice work. I guess over all, it’s recommended, but only just.

My Score: 6.1/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1148204/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10010658-orphan/
Official Site: http://www.orphanmovie.co.uk/
Trailer:

Film Review: AN EDUCATION (2009)

Director: Lone Scherfig
Running time: 96 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Comedy/Drama
UK Release date: 30th October 2009

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 15th May 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I remember this film getting quite a lot of critical praise when it came out and so I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about. Of course it got nowhere near being shown in my local cinema and so I waited patiently for it to show on TV. A screenplay by Nick Hornby based on a memoir by Lynn Barber and set in London in the early 1960’s it has all the hallmarks of a decent production. You’ll be glad to know that I agree with the critics, yes, it’s pretty good. There were a couple of points where it could have gone off the rails, but fortunately it stayed on the tracks and we have a fine piece of work.

Jenny Mellor is a bright sixteen year old student whose parents have ambitions for her to study at Oxford University. She is slightly disenchanted with her lot though, and yearns to go out and experience the world while she is still young. By chance she meets David, a man more than twice her age, who recognises something in her and takes her to see the sights. Two friends of his, Danny and Helen come along and Jenny goes to concerts, sees art, dines in fine restaurants and even visits Paris. David does all this with Jenny’s parent’s permission, he is very persuasive. Of course all is not what it seems and her world is about to take a massive jolt and the many arguments she has made against conformity are about to be tested.

This is a very well made film which features a stand-out performance from Carey Mulligan as Jenny; she was really outstanding in the part. Peter Sarsgaard was suitably suave as David, as was Dominic Cooper as Danny. Both Alfred Molina and Cara Seymour did a good job as Jenny’s parents, Jack and Marjorie. Rosamund Pike played the part of the, rather dim, Helen very well and Olivia Williams did a very good job as Jenny’s teacher Miss Stubbs. Finally, a mention for Emma Thompson who had a nice cameo as the headmistress.

This film asks a lot of questions about how some parents try to control the lives of their children, although it’s not the main point of the story. I really liked the way it was written but I still felt one or two bits could have done with tidying up (I’m sorry, I can’t be specific – spoilers). Having said that, I did enjoy it very much and I really liked the ending. I would definitely watch it again sometime… Recommended.

My Score: 7.6/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1174732/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/an_education/
Official Site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/aneducation/
Trailer: