Search
Search results
David McK (3557 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
Aug 11, 2019 (Updated Dec 28, 2022)
Goy Ritchie's Will Smith starring live-action retelling of the 1992 Disney cartoon: a movie that, believe it or not, is now nearly 30 years old (I can't believe I just typed that).
While this does hew pretty closely to the original, this is not quite the shot-for-shot remake I was expecting (or feared), with Jasmine in particular given far more agency here, and with Will Smith's Genie 'bookending' the entire narrative.
Talking of Will Smith: he had some big shoes to fill and - thankfully - he wisely does not attempt a Robin Williams impersonation, instead making the character more his own (although, of course, he has the same musical numbers to belt out).
On the down side, however, this version of Jafar is far less menacing than the original ...
While this does hew pretty closely to the original, this is not quite the shot-for-shot remake I was expecting (or feared), with Jasmine in particular given far more agency here, and with Will Smith's Genie 'bookending' the entire narrative.
Talking of Will Smith: he had some big shoes to fill and - thankfully - he wisely does not attempt a Robin Williams impersonation, instead making the character more his own (although, of course, he has the same musical numbers to belt out).
On the down side, however, this version of Jafar is far less menacing than the original ...
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) in Movies
Nov 14, 2019 (Updated Nov 15, 2019)
Poke-tastic!
The only good film based on a game, ever! Both fun and a little crazy, if is good because it does not take itself too seriously. Ryan Reynolds once again stealing the show, a perfect casting and brings is own wit tho the picture.
Making a live action Pokemon film was going to be a challenge, but they have done a great job, from showing the world of life with Pokemon, to the more realistic looking pokemon, all in a gritty mondern film noir style setting.
It is just nerdy enough to keep fans happy, and has enough Reynolds and jokes to keep everyone else on their seats.
A great film, and lovely to see something that is not a sequel or a remake. It certainly is working hard to be the very best, like no video game film ever was.
Making a live action Pokemon film was going to be a challenge, but they have done a great job, from showing the world of life with Pokemon, to the more realistic looking pokemon, all in a gritty mondern film noir style setting.
It is just nerdy enough to keep fans happy, and has enough Reynolds and jokes to keep everyone else on their seats.
A great film, and lovely to see something that is not a sequel or a remake. It certainly is working hard to be the very best, like no video game film ever was.
Joe Schiavi (4 KP) rated Flatliners (2017) in Movies
Dec 27, 2017
Flatliners flatlined
Movie was interesting in building up the science behind what could happen after we pass. Better then the original in that aspect, otherwise it turned mundane and monotonous. Could tell where everything was going step by step. Jump scares were predictable, acting was subpar (even for "Juno" star Ellen Page). I was disappointed in this remake overall. Wanted to see more setup then, jumping right into killing each other.
Rejoice! Rejoice!: Britain in the 1980s
Book
'A masterly mix of shrewd analysis, historical detail and telling quotes...Indispensable' Mail on...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Death Race (2008) in Movies
Mar 31, 2021
In Death Race, a loose remake (sort of prequel?) to 1975's Death Race 2000, our lord and saviour Paul W.S. Anderson takes all of the things that made his Resident Evil films so mind numbingly shit, and applies them to a car racing movie. You know the drill - seizure inducing quick edits, with a liberal smattering of slow-mo for good measure, plenty of quippy douchebags, and the odd explosion of invasive "cool" guitar riffs.
However - it actually kind of works with the plot template and Death Race is easily one of Anderson's better films.
Jason Statham being in the driver's seat is always going to be a plus. He's being so very Statham as per, but if it ain't broke and all that. I can always appreciate the likes of Joan Allen and Ian McShane, and the action and story is well paced to ensure that it's entertaining as hell from start to finish.
Death Race is the epitome of fast food cinema. It's hot trash, but it's a pretty good time all things considered. A solid 6 angry Stathams out of 10.
However - it actually kind of works with the plot template and Death Race is easily one of Anderson's better films.
Jason Statham being in the driver's seat is always going to be a plus. He's being so very Statham as per, but if it ain't broke and all that. I can always appreciate the likes of Joan Allen and Ian McShane, and the action and story is well paced to ensure that it's entertaining as hell from start to finish.
Death Race is the epitome of fast food cinema. It's hot trash, but it's a pretty good time all things considered. A solid 6 angry Stathams out of 10.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Nintendo Wii in Tech
Feb 27, 2019
Motion based games (3 more)
Simple gameplay
Cheaper than other consoles
Can play GameCube games!
A console for everyone
When the Wii was first released it seemed a bit of a gimmick using motion based controllers to play games. However it was very popular with games like Wii Sports that was included with the console and Mario Kart making it successful. Some of the games were easily playable no matter your age and one all the family can play. It also has some good light-gun games, @The House of the Dead: Overkill is probably the best. Despite not having the technical power of the other main consoles at the time it could still produce amazing graphics. I was so glad that I could play the GameCube remake of Resident Evil through the Wii.
Overall a very good console for casual gamers and for the family to play together. It also has some good titles for more serious gamers as well.
Overall a very good console for casual gamers and for the family to play together. It also has some good titles for more serious gamers as well.
The Book That Matters Most
6.0
Rate It
Book
An enthralling novel about love, loss, secrets, friendship, and the healing power of literature, by...
KyleQ (267 KP) rated Halloween (2007) in Movies
Jul 20, 2020
Intense and excessive
Before watching this I had become a fan of both House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects, so I did appreciate Rob Zombie as a filmmaker. But it still seemed like a strange idea to have him direct the remake of Halloween.
This remake is 2 hours long, it's mostly stretched to that length due to the scenes involving 10-year-old Michael.
Daeg Faerch plays the young Mikey, and does well, he's creepy and disturbing. Rob's wife Sheri Moon Zombie of course has a role, here as Mikey's mom, she's fine here as the role fits her well. The problem is everyone else, William Forsythe plays Mike's stepdad who happens to be a disgusting excuse for a human being, as is the bully played by Daryl Sabara. The movie then shifts to events at the asylum. Malcolm Mcdowell plays Dr. Sam Loomis. Mcdowell is a good actor, and he gives a pretty good performance here. But he still pales in comparison to the great Donald Pleasence. The movie than movies to 15-years later.
Scout Taylor Compton plays Laurie Strode, she does good, but I was disappointed that she was introduced making a sex joke. Rob couldn't even let the nerdy final girl be sweet and innocent. Needless to say, others are worse.
The movie has LOTS of profanity which honestly drags down any attempts at actually making characters likable. The sex and nudity have also been ramped up.
The violence is definitely brutal, but that's Zombie's style, I felt that Michael was quite terrifying here. Tyler Mane plays Michael, and his 7-foot tall stature is so intimidating.
Overall, Rob Zombie does a good job at developing the story of Michael Myers, and at making some really intense and brutal death scenes. But he does so at the expense of having likable characters and good dialog. I still like it, but I can understand why others wouldn't.
This remake is 2 hours long, it's mostly stretched to that length due to the scenes involving 10-year-old Michael.
Daeg Faerch plays the young Mikey, and does well, he's creepy and disturbing. Rob's wife Sheri Moon Zombie of course has a role, here as Mikey's mom, she's fine here as the role fits her well. The problem is everyone else, William Forsythe plays Mike's stepdad who happens to be a disgusting excuse for a human being, as is the bully played by Daryl Sabara. The movie then shifts to events at the asylum. Malcolm Mcdowell plays Dr. Sam Loomis. Mcdowell is a good actor, and he gives a pretty good performance here. But he still pales in comparison to the great Donald Pleasence. The movie than movies to 15-years later.
Scout Taylor Compton plays Laurie Strode, she does good, but I was disappointed that she was introduced making a sex joke. Rob couldn't even let the nerdy final girl be sweet and innocent. Needless to say, others are worse.
The movie has LOTS of profanity which honestly drags down any attempts at actually making characters likable. The sex and nudity have also been ramped up.
The violence is definitely brutal, but that's Zombie's style, I felt that Michael was quite terrifying here. Tyler Mane plays Michael, and his 7-foot tall stature is so intimidating.
Overall, Rob Zombie does a good job at developing the story of Michael Myers, and at making some really intense and brutal death scenes. But he does so at the expense of having likable characters and good dialog. I still like it, but I can understand why others wouldn't.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Hollow Man (2000) in Movies
May 13, 2021
For Old Times' Sake
Hollow Man- is a decent film. I perfer "The Invisible Man" and its remake over this. Kevin Bacon is good in this. Its more sci-fi than horror, but the horror in this is good. The sci-fi is good as well. It is slow for like the first hour. Than it starts getting good.
The plot: After years of experimentation, brilliant but arrogant scientist Sebastian Caine has discovered a way to make matter invisible. Determined to achieve the ultimate breakthrough, Caine pushes his team to move to the next phase - using himself as the subject. The test is a success, but when the process can't be reversed, Caine seems doomed to a future without flesh.
Its okay.
The plot: After years of experimentation, brilliant but arrogant scientist Sebastian Caine has discovered a way to make matter invisible. Determined to achieve the ultimate breakthrough, Caine pushes his team to move to the next phase - using himself as the subject. The test is a success, but when the process can't be reversed, Caine seems doomed to a future without flesh.
Its okay.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ghostbusters (2016) in Movies
Aug 13, 2017
Effects (3 more)
Chris Hemsworth
Cameos
Plot
Melissa McCarthy & Kristen Wiig (1 more)
Character stereotypes
Better than expected
I'm really not a fan of Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, and I was completely against any sort of remake or sequel to the fantastic original, but with this I was pleasantly surprised.
I still didn't like McCarthy and Wiig although I'll admit they weren't as grating as usual. The character of Patty was so stereotypical too which just became very irritating. A lot of the humour too wasn't really my cup of tea but I can't say I'm surprised.
That said, I loved Chris Hemsworth's character and Holtzmann too, and they raised some of the few laughs I got from this film. The effects were brilliant and the plot itself was fairly well thought out. And I loved the cameos from the old Ghostbusters. Not great or a patch on the original, but nowhere near as bad as I'd anticipated.
I still didn't like McCarthy and Wiig although I'll admit they weren't as grating as usual. The character of Patty was so stereotypical too which just became very irritating. A lot of the humour too wasn't really my cup of tea but I can't say I'm surprised.
That said, I loved Chris Hemsworth's character and Holtzmann too, and they raised some of the few laughs I got from this film. The effects were brilliant and the plot itself was fairly well thought out. And I loved the cameos from the old Ghostbusters. Not great or a patch on the original, but nowhere near as bad as I'd anticipated.