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Awix (3310 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Tim Burton's landmark superhero adaptation was an unavoidable media juggernaut on original release; has stood the test of time pretty well. Bruce Wayne begins his battle against crime as Batman, inadvertently creates psycho crime-lord the Joker; the two of them both take a shine to reporter Vicki Vale.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Phase IV (1974) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018 (Updated Feb 22, 2018)
Strange, chilly SF movie; cerebral even by the standards of the early 70s - rather like 2001: A Space Odyssey with much more insecticide. Quite what's going on remains somewhat obscure, but some kind of cosmic force or phenomenon affects the behaviour of terrestrial ants in a rather alarming fashion; two scientists studying the insects find themselves besieged by the creatures, along with a survivor of one of their attacks.
By no means the B-movie shocker it sounds like; actually quite slow and thoughtful (maybe too much so). Saul Bass was primarily a graphic designer and his interest is clearly in the visuals: there are long sequences of close-up photography showing ants behaving peculiarly, with no dialogue or voice-over. Certainly some striking sequences, and kind of pleasantly mystifying to watch; the decision by the distributors to remove most of Bass' original ending was probably a mistake, robbing the climax of its impact. A curiosity, but a worthwhile one.
By no means the B-movie shocker it sounds like; actually quite slow and thoughtful (maybe too much so). Saul Bass was primarily a graphic designer and his interest is clearly in the visuals: there are long sequences of close-up photography showing ants behaving peculiarly, with no dialogue or voice-over. Certainly some striking sequences, and kind of pleasantly mystifying to watch; the decision by the distributors to remove most of Bass' original ending was probably a mistake, robbing the climax of its impact. A curiosity, but a worthwhile one.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Fistful of Dollars (1964) in Movies
Jun 12, 2018 (Updated Oct 22, 2018)
Genre-defining spaghetti western is an Italian-made interpretation of a quintessentially American genre, filmed in Spain and based on a Japanese movie (so stop going on about how much you hate globalisation). Taciturn stranger moseys into a divided town south of the border, decides to make some quick money by playing the two ruling gangs off against one another. Cue many trumpet solos and Clint Eastwood gunning folk down like it's going out of fashion.
Not quite up to the same standards as the film that inspired it, Yojimbo, but still a really impressive film in the way it combines Leone's visual style, Eastwood's inscrutable charisma and Morricone's operatic score. The focus is so visual that the film ends up coming across as slightly superficial and overly interested in violence and sadism, but it is still a classic of its kind and really a landmark in both US and European cinema.
Not quite up to the same standards as the film that inspired it, Yojimbo, but still a really impressive film in the way it combines Leone's visual style, Eastwood's inscrutable charisma and Morricone's operatic score. The focus is so visual that the film ends up coming across as slightly superficial and overly interested in violence and sadism, but it is still a classic of its kind and really a landmark in both US and European cinema.
DamsonRain (94 KP) rated Zen Koi 2 in Apps
Dec 17, 2018
Easy to pick up and put down. (3 more)
Relaxing
Strangely addictive
Soothing music
Fun little time-waster
I came across this app a while ago and for some reason, i csnt seem to stop playing.
There is nothing too challenging about this, you simply have to guide your koi around the pond, feeding it certain aquatic creatures.
As the game progresses, your koi will grow, the pond will expand and eventually your little koi will breed.
There are many colour variations of koi that can be need. Once your pond has grown to optimum size, your koi will evolve into a dragon.
The difference between Zen Koi and Zen Koi 2, is that in the second incarnation of the game you are still able to interact with your dragon in s limited fashion. You are able to guide them around a small patch of sky, collecting essence, which you can then use to decorate your pond.
There is nothing too challenging about this, you simply have to guide your koi around the pond, feeding it certain aquatic creatures.
As the game progresses, your koi will grow, the pond will expand and eventually your little koi will breed.
There are many colour variations of koi that can be need. Once your pond has grown to optimum size, your koi will evolve into a dragon.
The difference between Zen Koi and Zen Koi 2, is that in the second incarnation of the game you are still able to interact with your dragon in s limited fashion. You are able to guide them around a small patch of sky, collecting essence, which you can then use to decorate your pond.
Clawdeen And The Freaky Fabulous Fashion Show review.
My goodness, I forgot to review the rest of these!
Anyway, I liked the book. I loved reading about Clawdeen.
Like the other books before it, this takes place after Frights Camera Action (Brownie points)
The Wolf Family having a reunion which puts a lot of pressure on Clawdeen who's trying to balance family with her friends and hobbies. She admits in an entry early on that her family doesn't quite understand her commitment to her hobby & her friends and boy, oh boy did I feel that.
I literally have zero complaints about this book.
I do, however, wish these were longer. The story itself is 110 pages long. The rest of the pages are blank journal pages you can write in and a preview of Draculaura's diary but I understand why these are so short so it's okay.
Overall, I loved reading about Clawdeen and her life!
My goodness, I forgot to review the rest of these!
Anyway, I liked the book. I loved reading about Clawdeen.
Like the other books before it, this takes place after Frights Camera Action (Brownie points)
The Wolf Family having a reunion which puts a lot of pressure on Clawdeen who's trying to balance family with her friends and hobbies. She admits in an entry early on that her family doesn't quite understand her commitment to her hobby & her friends and boy, oh boy did I feel that.
I literally have zero complaints about this book.
I do, however, wish these were longer. The story itself is 110 pages long. The rest of the pages are blank journal pages you can write in and a preview of Draculaura's diary but I understand why these are so short so it's okay.
Overall, I loved reading about Clawdeen and her life!
Robert Englund recommended Funny Face (1957) in Movies (curated)
Dean (6925 KP) rated Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021) in Movies
Jul 10, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2021)
Cool 70's vibe (1 more)
Cool soundtrack
Summer Camp Slasher
Part 2 set mainly in '78 largely serves to give a back story of how one of Shadyside's residents previously survived the curse of the Witch. So we get a Slasher film that follows the old Summer Camp setting that was popular back in the day.
While again it does very well to set the scene for '78 with the Fashion, Music to give it the right vibe for the era. It takes a little while to get to the Horror side of the film. It doesn't have the energy of the first installment or sense of urgency. Gore fans should be happy though and in terms of the story around the curse of the Witch this continues on well from the first film.
Overall a good second installment similar in style to the first and one horror fans will enjoy.
While again it does very well to set the scene for '78 with the Fashion, Music to give it the right vibe for the era. It takes a little while to get to the Horror side of the film. It doesn't have the energy of the first installment or sense of urgency. Gore fans should be happy though and in terms of the story around the curse of the Witch this continues on well from the first film.
Overall a good second installment similar in style to the first and one horror fans will enjoy.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Last Night in Soho (2021) in Movies
Nov 4, 2021
The 2 female leads (1 more)
60's soundtrack
Slow to get going (1 more)
Not quite as expected
All style but lacking substance
After seeing a trailer for this I was interested to see it. Looking very stylish with the 60's flash backs to the Soho night life. Along with a mystery to be solved about past events.
The style is great the soundtrack is cool along with 60's fashion that features prominently. The look is good as well with the lighting and and editing.
Unfortunately it was a bit slow going for the first third of the film. Some of the young supporting cast weren't great in their roles. Some of the plot developments were on the predictable side. The direction of the film meant it wasn't quite the type of thriller I was hoping for. Anna Taylor-Joy and Thomasin McKenzie are the real highlights of the film though. Could have been better but worth checking out.
The style is great the soundtrack is cool along with 60's fashion that features prominently. The look is good as well with the lighting and and editing.
Unfortunately it was a bit slow going for the first third of the film. Some of the young supporting cast weren't great in their roles. Some of the plot developments were on the predictable side. The direction of the film meant it wasn't quite the type of thriller I was hoping for. Anna Taylor-Joy and Thomasin McKenzie are the real highlights of the film though. Could have been better but worth checking out.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Death on the Nile (2022) in Movies
Feb 27, 2022
Cinematography (1 more)
Very stylish
A decent remake
I'm a big Agatha Christie fan and the Ustinov version of this from '78 along with @Evil Under the Sun (1982) are two of my favourite films of her stories.
This doesn't differ too much in terms of the core story or characters. We do get a little look at Poirot's past. It looks stunning, the cinematography stands out as well as the opulence. From the Fashion, the steamer boat, all the details show the class of high luxury and wealth of the lead characters.
It's a bit raunchy as well to make it a bit more modern.
Some of cast are unrecognisable, Russell Brand looking very different. French and Saunders do seem a bit miscast though.
Some of details of the plot did seem a bit more rushed in this version. Also lacking a bit of charm of the original. Still a good effort and better than Murder on the Orient Express I felt.
This doesn't differ too much in terms of the core story or characters. We do get a little look at Poirot's past. It looks stunning, the cinematography stands out as well as the opulence. From the Fashion, the steamer boat, all the details show the class of high luxury and wealth of the lead characters.
It's a bit raunchy as well to make it a bit more modern.
Some of cast are unrecognisable, Russell Brand looking very different. French and Saunders do seem a bit miscast though.
Some of details of the plot did seem a bit more rushed in this version. Also lacking a bit of charm of the original. Still a good effort and better than Murder on the Orient Express I felt.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Zoolander 2 (2016) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
A Fashion Faux pas
It pains me to say it, but Ben Stiller hasn’t really been relevant for quite some time. His last film, the final movie in the Night at the Museum franchise struggled with critics and audiences alike.
Once dubbed part of the so-called “Fratpack”, alongside Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn to name a few, their success has fallen by the wayside since introducing rising stars like Melissa McCarthy and Chris Pratt to the comedy genre.
Here, Stiller gives one of his most memorable characters, Derek Zoolander, a sequel that no-one was really asking for. But is it worthy of your time?
In Zoolander 2, titular male model Derek Zoolander has fallen out of favour with the public and has retreated into hiding away from the prying eyes of the media to focus on getting his life back together. By a stroke of luck, a chance encounter with old friend Hansel (Owen Wilson) sets them on a path to help stop high-profile celebrity deaths, finding out who is behind them in the process.
The story is a little nondescript with the intentions of both the ‘heroes’ and ‘villains’ not quite clear. There are elements of the first live-action Scooby Doo film in its design – and that’s not a good thing.
An all-star cast that includes the exceptionally beautiful Penelope Cruz, Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig is bolstered by more celebrity cameos than you can shake a stick at. Justin Bieber, Anna Wintour, Sting, Ariana Grande, MC Hammer and Kiefer Sutherland are just a few on a list that is nearly endless.
Unfortunately, these cameos are the highlights in a film full of recycled gags and very poor camerawork. As we follow our two leads on their journey across a dreary looking Rome, Zoolander 2 drags with only a couple of laughs in the first hour – something the first one managed to avoid.
In fact, things are so bad, they only pick up in the final 30 minutes when Will Ferrell’s villain Mugatu makes a much-needed appearance, steering this near-trainwreck of a comedy into fairly decent territory. Ferrel’s comic timing is as usual, on point, but it’s unfortunate he puts Stiller and Wilson to shame.
Penelope Cruz is her ever-watchable self but piles on the shtick to such an extent that it takes away from her character, making her almost cartoonish in personality and actions.
Elsewhere, the clever parodies relating to the fashion industry are taken away; instead Zoolander 2 is lumped with cheap laughs that constantly try too hard to raise even the smallest smirk from its audience.
Overall, Zoolander 2 is not a patch on its predecessor with Will Ferrell providing the film with its only genuine moments of hilarity and this comes within the final 30 minutes of a 102 minute feature. Stiller may have tried to resurrect one of his finest characters, but in doing so, has tarnished that reputation.
Much like its lead star, Zoolander 2 tries desperately to stay relevant, and unfortunately this type of comedy just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2016/02/21/a-fashion-faux-pas-zoolander-2-review/
Once dubbed part of the so-called “Fratpack”, alongside Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn to name a few, their success has fallen by the wayside since introducing rising stars like Melissa McCarthy and Chris Pratt to the comedy genre.
Here, Stiller gives one of his most memorable characters, Derek Zoolander, a sequel that no-one was really asking for. But is it worthy of your time?
In Zoolander 2, titular male model Derek Zoolander has fallen out of favour with the public and has retreated into hiding away from the prying eyes of the media to focus on getting his life back together. By a stroke of luck, a chance encounter with old friend Hansel (Owen Wilson) sets them on a path to help stop high-profile celebrity deaths, finding out who is behind them in the process.
The story is a little nondescript with the intentions of both the ‘heroes’ and ‘villains’ not quite clear. There are elements of the first live-action Scooby Doo film in its design – and that’s not a good thing.
An all-star cast that includes the exceptionally beautiful Penelope Cruz, Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig is bolstered by more celebrity cameos than you can shake a stick at. Justin Bieber, Anna Wintour, Sting, Ariana Grande, MC Hammer and Kiefer Sutherland are just a few on a list that is nearly endless.
Unfortunately, these cameos are the highlights in a film full of recycled gags and very poor camerawork. As we follow our two leads on their journey across a dreary looking Rome, Zoolander 2 drags with only a couple of laughs in the first hour – something the first one managed to avoid.
In fact, things are so bad, they only pick up in the final 30 minutes when Will Ferrell’s villain Mugatu makes a much-needed appearance, steering this near-trainwreck of a comedy into fairly decent territory. Ferrel’s comic timing is as usual, on point, but it’s unfortunate he puts Stiller and Wilson to shame.
Penelope Cruz is her ever-watchable self but piles on the shtick to such an extent that it takes away from her character, making her almost cartoonish in personality and actions.
Elsewhere, the clever parodies relating to the fashion industry are taken away; instead Zoolander 2 is lumped with cheap laughs that constantly try too hard to raise even the smallest smirk from its audience.
Overall, Zoolander 2 is not a patch on its predecessor with Will Ferrell providing the film with its only genuine moments of hilarity and this comes within the final 30 minutes of a 102 minute feature. Stiller may have tried to resurrect one of his finest characters, but in doing so, has tarnished that reputation.
Much like its lead star, Zoolander 2 tries desperately to stay relevant, and unfortunately this type of comedy just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2016/02/21/a-fashion-faux-pas-zoolander-2-review/