So many things.... so little time

wow, i have so many things to review which as explained in the Summer of 2013 blog I have not been able to do yet!

To do:

Strictly Come Dancing
X Factor
The Face
America's Next Top Model
Catch Up Tv
Love Film Vs Netflix

Bankok Dangerous

• Year Made: 2008
• Director : Oxide Pang Chun, Danny Pang
• Lead actors : Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Yeung
• Genre : Crime Thriller
• Film Rating: 18
• Setting: Bankok

Plot: * * *  (3/5)
Characters: * * * (3/5)
Script: * * (2/5)
Direction: * * * * (4/5)

Overall: 6/10



A crime thriller starring Nicolas Cage as an assassin who starts with little morals until he gets to know his messenger and becomes his teacher. The change really happens when he falls in love with an innocent deaf and mute woman who changes his perspective off life. But it isn't all happy-go-lucky, there is plenty of shooting action and drama throughout the film.

Aside from the terrible film name, I quite enjoyed the film. There was quite a lot of repetition in the storyline which got a bit boring after a while. However the brilliant twist at the end made up for that, and make the wait worthwhile. The twist was completely unpredictable and the exact opposite of what I wanted to happen but his gave the movie more character.

In terms of the characters, I feel all of the characters were believable and genuine, the only ones I had a slight issue with were unfortunately the great Nicolas Cage. Normally he does an excellent job acting but I feel like his acting could have been better here, especially as he was the main character so that let down the film a little. The other disappointing character was Aom, played by Panward Hemmanee, I don't know quite why, but I just didn't connect with her.

Nicolas Cage and some background scenes look very grey at some parts of the film, especially at the start, just this monotone black and grey. I'm not quite sure why that was, if it was on purpose, that was a bad film choice and if it wasn't, I believe they need to hire some new make-up artists.

All my previous film reviews have been on PG cartoon films but this film is definitely not for children, hence the rating. There is plenty of inappropriate scenes filled with blood as you can imagine, a lot of shooting and guns, a quick show of some inappropriate female areas, but overall I don't think it should have been an 18, it wasn't that bad. But obviously ensure an adult watches it first before deciding whether it is suitable for younger viewers.

Overall, I think the storyline could have had more depth to it and more background to some of the characters.

Would I see the film again? no
Would I recommend the film? maybe

(images from fanboyz.net, blogs.whatsontv.co.uk, davesworld.org.uk)

New Film Review Technique

After doing a bit of research, I decided that my technique of writing these films reviews need a little brushing up so from now on, I shall put the following at the start of each review...

• Date of Film Release
• Director
• Lead actors
• Genre
• Film Rating:
• Setting

That is just to give some more information about the film and make it easier to choose whether you want to watch the film.

 The next change is my rating system. For films, it will be....

Plot:  /5
Characters:  /5
Script:  /5
Direction:  /5

Overall: /10


And for Animations....

Plot:  /5

Characters:  /5

Script:  /5

Animations:  /5

Overall: /10

Keep posted to see the new changes in place.

The True Story Of Puss In Boots

Plot: * (1/5)
Characters: * (1/5)
Animations: (0/5)

Overall rating:  * (1/5)

Omygoodness where to start with this film?! I chose to watch the film mainly to pass time, I absolutely loved Puss In Boots in Shrek, the most adorable cat animation ever, and thought that this was going to be a cheap copy of his story. Yes is was cheap, but it probably would have been so much better if it was a copy.

The first issue I had with the film is the lack of good-looking, good-sounding Antonio Banderas playing the voice of the cat, but I thought to myself, okay, I'll get over it.


I never feel it right about giving a bad review without reasons, so I will assess each of the ratings I have given above. The plot line I gave 1/5, it took ages to get to the actual plot line and when it did, the plot was terrible, the classic guy trying to get a princess gone wrong. The morals of the story were all wrong; essentially the film was telling you it was okay to lie, nobody would find out, and you will get whatever you want. The characters were all over the place. There was a queen who couldn't even annunciate her words and didn't act like a queen. The main female character was a singing/dancing princess who had a terrible temper and could not sing at all, her annoying voice kept ringing in my ears and giving me a headache. The queens right-hand man was a jester who although was on the side of good, enjoyed the fact that people who lied would be grinded down into mincemeat. All in all, a lot of the characters suffered personality crisis, they were not believable in the slightest and the actual drawings were scary. Like they just were not right, the cat didn't even look like a cat and he was completely out of proportion to the other characters. 

Note how tall and wide and big the cat is compared to the main male character.

Overall a terrible film, I suggest you stay well away from it.

(images from... www.sippycupmom.com, mubi.com )

A Monster In Paris Review

Plot: * * * * (4/5)
Characters: * * * * * (5/5)
Animations: * * * * * (5/5)

Overall rating:  * * * (5/5)

I was very sceptical about this film when my younger sister first suggested, I thought the film title was lame and French accents annoy me. I became even more disappointed when I found out that the so-called monster was actually just a giant flea. (-_______-)

Despite all this, I still sat with my younger sister, set the projector up and watched the film. At first, you see a series of short films which were slightly confusing, but then you realise that the occupation of one of the main characters is a film producer, still thinking that was completely unnecessary, you meet some of the other main characters; a cute, ticket receptionist with giant glasses who the film producer is in love with, the goofy, clumsy man who is in love and in denial with two things; a straw coat and a singer. The singer is also a main character of the film, her voice is terribly annoying but after the first three songs you kind of get into it, I was dancing and singing along to the catchy tunes. The Mayor of the area, at first, is depicted as this noble, strong, and true character but that opinion soon changes as his thirst of power and hunger for appreciation gets out of control. And lastly, we have the monster; a flea enlarged through an accidental spill of some chemicals in a lab. The surprising yet confusing thing about this monster is that it can't talk but it can sing, and for a male flea, with quite a feminine voice. This monster can also learn and play musical instruments very well.

As usual with these animations, there is a chase, a fight between good vs evil, a couple of love stories/triangles and a moral. Actually a couple of morals. There were plenty off twists which I enjoyed and overall the characters were really believable and each had distinct, unique personalities. The main things I enjoyed about this film is the many intertwined stories and back stories that are present throughout the film. Also, the actually animation is very well produced, and the drawings are unique and lovely.

Would I see the film again? probably once or twice more

Would I recommend the film? for animation lovers; Definitely :)

 (Images from .... www.fanpop.com, www.therotoscopers.com, www.sfx.co.uk)

Brave

Plot: * * (2/5)
Characters: * * * * (4/5)
Animations: * * * * (4/5)

Overall rating:  * * * (3/5)

Merida, the first female lead in a Pixar film, showed strength in character, physique and ability. The non-typical, wild scottish princess is determined to make her own fate and decide her own destiny to the inconvenience of her kingdom. Merida uses magic to change her mother in order to change her fate, but the spell goes unexpectedly and results in Merida trying to undo her mistake.

I expected it to have a love story entwined within the plot and was disappointed that there wasn't. However throughout the journey, you see the  relationship between mother and daughter rebuild. The characters were all unique, although some could have been funnier and others could have had more charm. I think as an animation, it was well executed.

Overall it was a good, cute film, just not great, I probably wouldn't see it again.

(Photography from http://m.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/aug/19/brave-film-review-kelly-macdonald )

The Voice Final

Another year of the voice has come and passed so quickly. I've watched it all the way through and loved every bit of it, cheered at some parts, agreed with some decisions but were shocked at others. All in all, a good season.

In terms of the final, the show starter was awesome, although I wasn't too sure as to what Will.I.Am was up to on the little strappy piano thing, he didn't really do much except shuffle around the stage. Luckily the other three judges were more in unison and graced us with their amazing voices.

Finalists, Matt, Leah, Mike and Andrea all sang their songs, two solo and one with the judges.

Matt

Still so shocked as to how much he looks like Will.I.am. Anyways, Matt really has grown on me, where initially I didn't like him, towards the end, I really enjoyed his energy and his voice. When prefor, ing with Jesse J, she made a very good song choice which suited both of their voices and showed off Matts talent, so well done to her. Unfortunately he was the first to be voted off the competition.

Mike

For his first song, he sang 'The Green Green Grass Of Home" which as usual sounded beautiful in his deep, country voice. He then sang with Tom Jones, whose voice is actually very similar and again, I enjoyed that song too. As you can see, I wanted Mike to win. Finally Mike resang the song he sang in the blind auditions, proving again his talent and how much he has improved in the competition.

Leah

The favourite to win the competition. Despite her voice being "freakishly good", and her able to hit all the ridiculously high notes, I couldn't stand her. The high notes scratched at my ear drums, her facial expressions, especially during the low notes annoyed me and her low fake eyelashes looked like spiders trying to escape from her eyeballs. I know Im being a little too harsh but you can probably imagine the relief I felt when she didn't win.

Andrea

The sweet angle of the competition who had a borin but allbeit a, azinlgy angelic voice. I was very happy when she sang "Ho Hey"  because it was more upbeat and fun, other then that I found her fairly boring, despite her beautiful voice. The other terrible thing was how awkwardly she was singing with the script with a song which was clearly out of her comfort song. Don't get me wrong, I love the script and I love Danny,  but he made the complete wrong song choice. Despite this, she still won. Am I happy? Not ecstatic, but it is still better then Leah winning.

I just wanna put it out there, its about time a guy won The Voice UK.

(Photograph from http://www.hellomagazine.com/music/2013062113160/the-voice-meet-the-finalists/ )