Topic: Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews)

[Jimmy]

Don Bluth was responsible for some of my favourite animated movies including An American Tale, The Land Before Time and All Dogs Go to Heaven.

He did the animated sequence in Xanadu too

[samuelrichardscott]

I've never seen Xanadu but it's been on my radar for quite a while.

On a side note, just went to price An American Tale and The Land Before Time (both too expensive for nostalgia), and noticed there are 13 Land Before Time films... 12 bloody sequels! I knew there were a few but not 12.

[Najemikon]

I thought Horrible Bosses was great too. After seeing the rubbish Hangover II a couple of weeks before, it was a pleasure to see a comedy film with a plot that they actually stuck to. Ok, it wasn't an amazing plot, but they committed to it and made it fit. I appreciated all the little movie jokes in it too.

A lot of critics got their knickers in a twist about Aniston's character being too sexual and it was apparently offensive. I thought that was unfounded crap. Make her a bloke with a female employee, then see how offensive it can get!

[samuelrichardscott]

A lot of critics got their knickers in a twist about Aniston's character being too sexual and it was apparently offensive.

Surely that was the whole point? She was absolutely banging in this and if she was my boss and acted like that, I would not be planning on killing her, that's for sure.

[samuelrichardscott]

BMX Bandits (1983)

Overview:
Staring a seventeen year-old Nicole Kidman [Bewitched, Cold Mountain, Moulin Rouge] in her first ever movie role. BMX Bandits is a classic kids crime-caper, packed with great BMX action.
When bikers PJ and Goose stumble across a box of stolen walkie-talkies in the mall where their friend Judy [Kidman] works, they spot a great money making opportunity. But when the original owners – a nasty gang of unruly robbers – come looking for their property, the tricky trio realise just what trouble they are in!
With bikes at the ready the guys decide to make a stand, and frantically try to escape the crooks – and the police too – in a series of crazy stunt filled chases guaranteed to keep you revved up from start to finish!

My Thoughts:
This is a first viewing for me and I picked it up because I've heard so many people say that it's a classic from when they were growing up. Well, let us set one thing straight... this is not The Goonies and is so not a classic. It's a two-bit storyline with dreadful dialogue, poor acting and possibly the worst bank heist scene ever. Nicole Kidman is here in one of her first ever roles, and although she is better than the rest of the cast present, she leaves a lot to be desired and it makes it all the more surprising just how good she is now. Some of the BMX footage looks quite good and I have to admit, the locations and the camera shots are among the highlights of the production, but that doesn't make up for an otherwise poor movie. It's actually almost so bad it's good, but not quite. Skip it. 2/5

[Najemikon]

True! But to be fair, I thought the way the guy was genuinely devoted to his fiancee gave the film a bit of substance and perfectly legitimised how she was portrayed.

And it was funny how many of us would switch with him in a heartbeat!  

[samuelrichardscott]

New York Ripper (1982)

Overview:
Do you like your horror films nice 'n' nasty? Then brace yourself for this notorious 1982 gem of depravity that is every bit as vile and stylishly shocking as you've been led to believe.
Directed by the old scalp-ripper himself, Lucio Fulci, he's in full flesh tearing form as the cops of New York hunt down a psychopath with a penchant for slicing his victims to the bone but not before he has his fun with them first... "Quack! Quack! Quack!"
If you've recently revisited old video nasties only to be disappointed then this is the ultimate sex 'n' slash fest to test your nerve with a realistic sadistic streak that will have you begging for mercy!

My Thoughts:
New York Ripper is one of the most well-known giallos out there... and for good reason. It has the staple diet of everything required. It has bloody murder scenes, plenty of red-herrings, nudity, mystery and horror all in equal measure and makes for a cracking experience for fans of the genre. It has an infamous history here in the UK where it was banned by BBFC stalwart James Ferman who had all prints escorted to the airport and deported. Of course, that was when the BBFC was at its worst and these days it is released slightly cut for sexualised violence as mentioned on the case. I'm a fan of the genre and a fan of this movie. The US Blu-ray is in my sights and I'm just waiting for a price drop to buy yet another version (I also have an uncut VHS and DVD). I only bought this release thinking it was the re-release for the extras, but grabbed the trailers-only original release by mistake. Doh! Recommended. 4/5

[Achim]

I owen The US release of New York Ripper. When I watched it the first time it rubbed me the wrong way, not quite delivering what I had expected (from Fulci, espeially when they try to sell it as "the sickest movie ever made ). I should give it another chance soon and watch it with rectified expectations...

[samuelrichardscott]

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)

Overview:
Get ready for hilarious fun-filled adventure starring Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), a diamond-clad ultra-pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua who gets lost while on vacation in Mexico. Papi (voiced by George Lopez), an amusing Chihuahua who's crazy about Chloe, springs into action and heads south of the border to rescue her, while Chloe gets help from Delgado (voiced by Andy garcia), her newfound friend and self-appointed protector. Beverly Hills Chihuahua from Walt Disney Pictures is a heartwarming and outrageously funny tale proving once again that good things do come in small packages. It's a real treat for the whole family.

My Thoughts:
A Disney film starring dogs that isn't one of the Buddies movies, a Homeward Bound movie or based on a true story in the snow? Yep, that's Beverly Hills Chihuahua, an overall poor entry in the talking animals kids sub-genre that has a better than average cast including the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis and Piper Perabo along with the voices of Drew Barrymore, Luis Guzman and even operatic legend Placido Domingo. The story follows a chihuahua who gets stolen in Mexico for dog fighting, gets away and then tries to find the lass responsble for looking after her, whilst at the same time drilling home a moral message to the kids that money isn't everything in life and everyone is an individual. Special effects are average and overall dialogue is poor, not getting a single laugh from me. Whilst kids will lap it up, adults should skip it. 2/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Cop Out (2010)

Overview:
Officers Jimmy Monroe and Paul Hodges have their weapons drawn on a gun-wielding killer. They agree to shoot on three. But, wait, does that mean 1...2...shoot or 1...2...3... then shoot? Punches hit hard and laughs hit harder (or is it the other way 'round?) when action star Bruce Willis and ace comic Tracy Morgan pair as bickering-but-got-your-back Brooklyn buddy cops. Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) directs the gritty, goofball goings-on as the guys hunt for a stolen 1952 mint-condition baseball card (Jimmy needs it to fund his daughter's wedding), a hunt plunging them into a gunslinging war with a deadly drug ring. Batter up, fans. The boys are ready to take you out to the ol' brawl game!

My Thoughts:
Cop Out got quite a hard time from the press and from Kevin Smith fans, but wrongly so in my opinion. Sure, this is not as good as his Askew movies and yes, it struggles with Smith's low level of technical ability, but the dialogue is swift and funny, the characters are all likeable and each get some great moments and the story, whilst formulaic, is enjoyable. The best character here by far is Tracy Morgan's Paul whose particular brand of humour and delivery works really well here. He also gels very well with both the stunning Rashida Jones and Ana de la Reguera and plays off of Bruce Willis at all the right moments. It's a shame Seann William Scott isn't in it as much as I would have liked, but this movie bodes well for Smith's future as a more mainstream director and I look forward to Hit Me. At the same time, I hope he does at least continue with the NJ movies. Recommended. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Bandslam (2009)

Overview:
This year's family musical comedy stars singing phenomenon VANESSA HUDGENS; everyone's favourite friend LISA KUDROW; Disney teen pop favourite ALYSON MICHALKA; new Hollywood hotshot SCOTT PORTER (Speed Racer); The OC's RYAN DONOWHO; and introducing GAELAN CONNELL.
When gifted singer-songwriter Charlotte Banks (Michalka) asks new kid in town Will Burton (Connell) to manage her fledgling rock band, she appears to have just one goal in mind: go head-to-head against her egotistical ex-boyfriend, Ben (Porter) at the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.
Against all odds, the band develops a sound that has a shot at success. Meanwhile, romance brews between Will and a musically gifted Sa5m - Sam with a silent 5 (Hudgens) and must decide where his allegiance lies.
When disaster strikes, it's time for the band to make a choice: do they admit defeat or face the music and stand up for what they believe in?

My Thoughts:
Before I start, let me get one thing completely straight. Despite the fact that this stars Disney stalwarts Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka, and that the case makes this movie look like another High School Musical / Camp Rock clone, Bandslam is actually a more than capable character driven movie with more serious undertones than the aforementioned titles. Sure, this is a formulaic as they come, hell... it's what I would call damn corny, but the music is actually surprisingly good throughout, especially Vanessa Hudgens singing a ska version of Everything I Own. The acting is of reasonable enough quality and the plot is written well enough to talk about topics like family death and the struggle of Will coping with the fact his Dad is in jail for killing a boy drink driving whilst still managing to not allow the movie to become overly dramatic and still be a lot of fun. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but recommended. A solid 3.5/5

[Tom]

It's a good movie. I enjoyed it as well.

[dfmorgan]

The original and best Ska version




edited to add that I do realise that the original original was by Bread

[samuelrichardscott]

Drive (2011)

Overview:
Drive is the story of a Hollywood stunt driver by day (Ryan Gosling), a loner by nature, who moonlights as a top-notch getaway driver-for-hire in the criminal underworld. He finds himself a target for some of LA's most dangerous men after agreeing to aid the husband of his beautiful neighbour, Irene (Carey Mulligan). When the job goes dangerously awry, the only way he can keep Irene and her son alive is to do what he does best-Drive!

My Thoughts:
This is a film that has been much hyped on pretty much all the forums I frequent, so I went in with high expectations hoping that by the end they would not be squashed and I would not be left with a sour taste. Thankfully, it held up to what I had hoped. The first thing that really struck me, wasn't the great way the first chase was filmed, or the very grisly violence, but the relationship between Driver and Irene. They don't speak much to each other, they don't really share any intimacy bar a kiss and the scenes involving them, also slightly revolve around Irene's kid Benicio and how he interacts with Driver. Still, the relationship between them felt very intense and really helped the film in several aspects like the general storytelling and the different emotions of Driver. Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan interact together so well and are perfectly cast, but nods also have to go to the supporting players Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks. Drive is a very interesting film that is aggressive on the viewer, polished and well acted. Highly recommended. 4.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Usually, whilst writing my little ditty I whack on one of the extras in the background. Got the Q&A with Nicolas Winding-Refn playing and he divulged something bizarre. The rights to the book were picked up by Universal who spent a couple of years turning it into a Fast and the Furious style, Hugh Jackman starring, $60m budget blockbuster. When it fell through, it eventually landed with Refn who had a much much smaller budget at $15m. By the way, Refn is quite funny and a bit of a character.