Topic: Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews)

[samuelrichardscott]

Boomerang (1992)

Overview:
Marcus Graham (Eddie Murphy) is a cosmetics firm executive bent on sleeping his way to the top. His new boss Jacqueline (Robin Givens) proves more than a match for him.

My Thoughts:
Managed to catch this on television today and it was a first time viewing for me, despite being a fan of older Eddie Murphy movies. Unfortunately, although it does have some great one-liners and an absolutely cracking cast including Halle Berry, Grace Jones and Robin Givens, it just doesn't have the story or the fun of a lot of Murphy's other movies and was ultimately the unfortunate start of the slide of Murphy's career. It's worth a rent, but not much more. 2.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Terminators (2009)

Overview:
A small band of resistance fighters battle the cyborgs that have taken control of the planet.

My Thoughts:
The Asylum are known for their rip-offs of major blockbuster movies and this is obviously a complete low budget rip-off of The Terminator series of movies. Although sometimes these movies can be silly fun, this was just horrible in every way. Awful acting, terrible effects and even though they are virtually copying a classic movie, the story blows chunks. I'm glad I just watched this on television as this will never make into my collection unless it's in a bulk buy somewhere. Skip it. 0.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Terminators makes into my list as the siongle worst movie of 2009.

[samuelrichardscott]

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Overview:
Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent - Madagascar style.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- The voice cast is strong and includes Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith.
- The soundtrack is well selected pop music that suits the scenes well.
- It doesn't let up for a second and is frenetic from start to end.
Cons:
- The animation isn't as good as other kids CGI franchises.
- It does get a little repetitive at times.
- The humour isn't as good as you would hope from this genre.
Overall:
There are much better franchises out there like Ice Age, but this is okay to waste some time. Rent it. 3/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Sitter (2011)

Overview:
When the world’s most irresponsible babysitter takes three of the world’s worst kids on an unforgettable overnight adventure through the streets of New York City, it’s anyone’s guess who’s going to make it home in one piece.
Starring Jonah Hill (Knocked Up, Get Him To The Greek) and Sam Rockwell (Moon, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), The Sitter is a new level of twisted and debauched hilarity from the director of Pineapple Express, David Gordon Green.

My Thoughts:
Jonah Hill is an actor who I am enjoying a lot. The more movies I see him in, the more I like him. The Sitter is sort of this generations "Adventures in Babysitting" with Jonah Hill in the Elisabeth Shue role and kids that are a little more extreme. With drug dealers, break-ins, fights and some funny dialogue, The Sitter is definately worth your time, especially with the great cast which also includes Sam Rockwell, Ari Graynor and the kids. Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Swordfish (2001)

Overview:
Log on, tap in and kick back for cyber-edged action and suspense. Your password for excitement is SWORDFISH.
Use a computer, go to prison. The terms of Stanley Jobson's (Hugh Jackman - X-MEN) parole are clear. Yet a $10million payday awaits the superhacker if he takes on a job masterminded by a charismatic covert agent - the daring electronic theft of a government slush fund codenamed SWORDFISH.
John Travolta plays the suave spy Gabriel Shear, who, with the help of his sizzling partner Ginger (Halle Berry - X-MEN), lures Stanley into their clandestine world where cyber-crime is the 21st century breaking and entering. Vinnie Jones (SNATCH) pulls the punches and Don Cheadle (TRAFFIC) is the FBI agent determined to bring them down.
The director of GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS and the producer of THE MATRIX combine to deliver this hear's hottest and most electrifying thrill ride.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- An absolutely cracking cast. Not usually a fan of Hugh Jackman but he's great here alongside John Travolta and Halle Berry.
- Some of the set-pieces are really OTT and an absolute blast.
- A better story than most Hollywood action thrillers and some good dialogue.
Cons:
- Sometimes suffers from pacing issues, usually during scenes with the FBI agents.
- Some of the music choices don't suit the scenes they are playing against.
Overall:
Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

Overview:
A documentary which explores the history of that well loved B-movie sub-genre - the slasher film. Peaking in the '80s, the slasher film is no less enjoyed today, only perhaps as a more guilty pleasure and by a less prominent group of fans. These closet gorehounds continue, nonetheless, to delight in the genre's iconic psychopaths, blood-baths of special effects, horny teenagers and outrageous to nonexistent plotlines over 30 years since their inception. Through their unconventional methods of production, distribution, exhibition and marketing, these inexplicably endearing slices of cinema continue to enthrall - as a parade of celebrity fans, directors, actors and enthusiasts of the genre here attest in interview. Writer Wes Craven, director John Carpenter and Rob Zombie, musician and director are among those to proffer their theories on the appeal of the cut-em-up flick.

My Thoughts:
Documentaries about something with such a large passionate fan base are generally difficult to get into unless you're a fan of the subject matter. Although I am a fan of horror movies, I feel Going to Pieces is one that even those with no knowledge of the subject would find easy to get into and interesting thanks to be being honest about the reactions from the major studios, how producers changed things, newspaper stories and the fans in a way that doesn't feel too overloaded with information whilst still being very informative. Many big names take part in the interviews, all are enjoyable to listen to. Recommended viewing. 4/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

Overview:
Trish is planning a weekend of high jinx when she invites her friends over for a slumber party when her parents go away for the weekend. Unfortunately they don't expect Russ Thorn, a psycho driller killer to turn up...

My Thoughts:
Having just watched the documentary Going to Pieces and being surprised with the segments involving female director Amy Holden Jones, I thought I would revisit her directorial debut - a low budget slasher about a maniacal killer who murders people with a cordless drill. Slumber Party Massacre is a rather typical low budget 80's horror. It has gratuitious nudity, not great acting, reasonable gore though you don't really 'see' anything and a passable script. It's noteworthy only due to the female director and writer in this genre at the time and is otherwise worth a rental or a cheap buy for genre fans. It's been a while since I watched Slumber Party Massacre 2 and 3 but I remember this being the best of the three. 3/5

[Jimmy]

Not really... I prefer the second one for its cast (Kimberly McArthur, Juliette Cummins and Heidi Kozak), the humour and the cool eighties songs from Wednesday Week.

But the last one isn't really good.

[samuelrichardscott]

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Overview:
The Amazing Spider-Man™ is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. When Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

My Thoughts:
I'm a big fan of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie so was of course sceptical going into this one. Although I prefer the Raimi movie though, this was still great fun. I think Garfield and Stone are better than Wood and Dunst but I much prefer the supporting cast in Raimi's version over Webbs. There are many similarities with the story but there are enough differences to make sure it doesn't just feel like a remake and is a re-imagining. Some great set-pieces, a darker, less comedic tone and Garfield/Stone easily make this recommended, but 2001's effort is superior IMO. 4/5

[Piffi]

Thanks for your review! Going to watch that one on Sunday!
Looking realy forward to it

[Dragonfire]

I was never that ...fond of Dunst as Mary Jane.  It's hard for me to put my finger on why, but I just don't like her in that part. 
I liked Emma Stone as Gwen much more.

[samuelrichardscott]

Tower Heist (2011)

Overview:
A group of disgruntled luxury apartment employees, led by Ben Stiller, attempt to take down their wealthiest resident (Alan Alda), who defrauded all of them from their pension plans. With the help of a recently-released ex-con (Eddie Murphy) who has a knack for robberies, a plan is in place to nab $20 million. Of course, what high-stakes, ensemble comedy would be complete without plenty of shenanigans to boot? The fantastic supporting cast includes Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Gabourey Sidibe, Tia Leoni and Michael Pena.

My Thoughts:
So, I'm not the biggest Ben Stiller fan around and find him to generally be quite lacklustre preferring his directing effort The Cable Guy to any of his acting efforts. Add Eddie Murphy whose career has nosedived over the last twenty years and there wasn't much reason for me to go out of my way to see this one. Well, call me pleasantly suprised. The movie is far from being great and suffers from the build-up being far superior to the actual event but the supporting cast really make this. Alan Alda is brilliant as the bad guy, Tea Leoni makes a cracking FBI Agent and Michael Pena surprised me more than anyone with a worthwhile performance. Jokes are sometimes flat but there is enough fun here to recommend Tower Watch as a strong rental choice. 3/5

[samuelrichardscott]

I Love You, Man (2009)

Overview:
After becoming engaged to Zooey (Rashida Jones), the woman of his dreams, estate agent Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) realises to his horror that he has no male friend close enough to be his best man at the wedding. Peter embarks on a series of bizarre and awkward 'man-dates' until he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more Peter's relationship with Zooey suffers, until he is finally forced to choose between his fiancée and his new best friend.

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- The main two cast members Paul Rudd and Jason Segel play off each other really well and when actors are having fun, then generally so is the viewer.
- The supporting cast is better than should be expected for the genre and includes Rashida Jones, Jon Favreau, Jaime Pressley and JK Simmons.
- There is some good gross out humour as well as some funny dialogue but the film doesn't stray too far from the plot in order to wedge in a laugh.
Cons:
- Andy Samberg was criminally underused, especially with how his character added some particular humour.
- It's typically cliched at times.
Overall:
A fun 'bromance' movie that comes recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Overview:
After the success of Knocked Up, Seth Rogen pairs up with another comely comedienne in Zack and Miri Make a Porno. In this Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) comedy, two desperate friends (Rogen and Slither's Elizabeth Banks--Meet Dave, W) decide to earn a little extra money by creating their own adult film, but they also discover that they may be more than just pals.

My Thoughts:
I'm a big fan of Kevin Smith and although his first major film outside of the usual array of characters Jersey Girl was disappointing, I held high hopes for this, especially with the subject matter being something suited to Smith's dialogue. Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen are very fun to watch although the cameo by Justin Long is the best role in the movie - and the sex jokes and innuendos come thick and fast (no pun intended). If you like Smith, you'll find a lot to enjoy here, if you don't like him, you won't. 4/5