Django Unchained - FFF
For a year I have been looking forward to Quentin Tarantino's new film and unfortunately I must say that after finally seeing it my excitement wasn't as high as after watching Pulp Fiction or even Inglorious Basterds the first time. Something is missing but I can't put my finger on it. I thought it was that sense of humour that always manage to shine through the blood and violence but thinking about it there was a few snickering moments. it is possible that it is down to such a simple answer as high expectations and a bit of disappointment I felt when Tarantino was knocked down from the pedestal I put him on, after an interview I saw a week earlier. Christopher Waltz is charming as usual, but maybe he could have used some help from an uncharismatic Jamie Foxx and an inept Leonardo DiCaprio. :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8CZKbDzP1E
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1853728/
Pitch Perfect FFF++
This is one of those guilty pleasure chick flicks that I just cannot help but to love. It's a marriage between TV series Glee and the movie Bring It On, and speaking of bringing it; Fat Amy does, in so many ways. It is nice to see Anna Kendrick move on from Twilight Jessica to a much less annoying Becca . This group of misfits, including a whispering Asian girl who set fires to feel joy, will sing their way in to your heart and put a smile on your face.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981677/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2UFx3UIEgA
Life Of Pi FFFF
Life of Pi is a remarkable and colourful story about a Hindu Christian Muslim boy, named after a French swimming pool and his struggle to survive on a life boat at sea after a tragic shipwreck together with a hungry, seasick tiger called Richard Parker. This is a story you will not get tired of listening to and when it is over reality slaps you in the face. the CG is amazing and you would not guess those animals are not real. I am not a big fan of 3D films, after a while you get tired of ducking at things flying at you, but this is one of those rare occasions when it actually adds to the experience in a not too invasive way. It is a true feast for your eyes as well as warming for the heart and soul.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kY2znHZLxk
The Adjustment Bureau
The Adjustment Bureau – FFFF-
Be ware people, the Adjustment Bureau, the men in hats, are out there making sure things happen according to plan. You couldn’t find your car keys this morning, missed the bus, got late for work. It might have been just chance, but more likely it was the Bureau making sure you are sticking to the route as read in a weird electronically composed book. Had you not missed the bus and gotten to work on time you might have found your colleagues frozen whilst having their brain adjusted just a little bit to be more exceptive to a suggestion he will have later today. You thought you had free will, well, they tried that, after helping us thrive through the early empires of Egypt, Greece and Rome, what our free will gave us was the dark ages so they decided to step back in. But when the variables you’re dealing with are love and chance, it’s damn hard to stick to the plan. As stated, this is Inception meets Bourne Identity with a dash of chick flick. You got Matt Damon, who kind of looks like a nerd but is always very sympathetic and/or convincing in his roles. You got Emily Blunt who I never really liked until now. There’s an old familiar face, Terence Stamps, from Young Guns. And there’s the old guy from Sex And the City whom I can’t look at without thinking about how he wanted Carrie to wee on him. Over all this film excited me, made me feel ‘wow, this is a cool story’, mad me feel like when I watched Inception. With all this excitement the ending felt like a bit of a let down. It was a too easy ending for what was a complicated story.
127 Hours, Morning Glory & Black Swan
127 hours – FFF+
Like I felt before going to see Buried and Unstoppable I wasn’t too excited. How far can you take a story about a guy who is stuck in a canyon? As was the answer with the two previous mentioned films; quite far if you have the right actor, and in this case, a great director as well. James Franco puts on a great performance and keeps the film interesting. The fact that the film is based on a true story makes it quite fascinating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlhLOWTnVoQ
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1542344/
Morning Glory – FFF
Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) is a determined producer whose life long dream is to become a producer of America’s number one morning show. Something that her mother refers to as adorable when she was 8, inspiring when she was 18 and now a little bit embarrassing and please stop before it gets heartbreaking. To reach her dream she has to put up with stuck-up Mike Pomeroy played by Harrison Ford who is charming as a grumpy old man. McAdams role is on the border of being annoying but just as I begin to get tired of her she somehow manage to make me laugh and the film is rather amusing all way through and at one point a laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes, which is nice for a change. This is one of those feel good films where you know how it is going to end 20 minutes in to the film. Predictable, sure, but it still made me feel good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9lWUqraDoU
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126618/
The black Swan – FFF+
I think my expectations were to high going to see this film and because of that I wasn’t too impressed. This is a movie to my taste, don’t get me wrong. I love weird, psychological, dark films and Black Swan gives you all that and more. Natalie Portman is perfect in the role of neurotic, fragile Nina there was just something missing in this movie experience that didn’t really make me want to go and see it again or feel as if I can’t wait to get it on DVD, I most probably will not, as other films I have rated FFFF. So even though I wanted to give it four F’s, it will only be three plus. Something to take away from this film though is as Nina’s director/coach is trying to tell her as well as masturbation and girl on girl action scenes try to illustrate: Not only does sex sell, it’s as important as vitamins to a healthy living! So go on.. Live a little! :D
The King's Speech, The Next Three Days & Tron - Legasy
The King’s Speach – FFFF
This is a warm and humorous film that goes to your heart. To me it appeals due to the true story and historical aspect. Colin Firth is very convincing in his portrayal of the stammering Duke of York in his becoming of King George VI. He makes you feel his struggle, his powerlessness and the embarrassment. This is one of those films that will win a good few Oscar’s. It is going to be interesting to see how many out of the 12 nominations!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzI4D6dyp_o
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/
The Next Three Days – FFF
This is Russell Crowe, not as the Gladiator, not as Robin Hood but still as that same old tormented hero fighting for the woman in his life. To be honest, he’s not half the hero as in gladiator but you have to admire his dedication and how quickly he turns in to a bomb making jail breaker just by watching youtube clips! This film could be so much better but since we are never completely sure of his wife’s innocence it makes it kind of hard to feel passionate about his mission and Crowe looks more like a fool than a hero.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEtABnXB5Dc&feature=fvst
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458175/
Tron – Legasy 3D FF+
Watching the trailer, this film looked like a visual feast but the fact that it is a Disney production made me a bit worried. A feast it was. As far as music and visual experience goes this film is great, but that doesn’t make it a great film but just a too long music video. Call me old fashion but I really don’t care too much for 3D movies. Sometimes it can enhance the visual experience but most of the time it’s just over used and things flying right at you to make you duck gets quite boring after a while. Michael Sheen shows up and gives us a great performance in one of the smaller roles. Other than that this film left me with no great impressions. Still, it was better than Skyline! :D
Monsters & Love and Other Drugs
Monsters - FF+
This film was entertaining but didn’t leave much of an impact. In Fact, the only thing I can remember is that Whitney Able’s acting was good and Scoot McNairy’s wasn’t. Still, it was much better than Skyline which is still one of the worst films I’ve seen in a while.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yl-p_xAlpk&feature=related
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1470827/
Love and Other Drugs - FFF
Jake Gyllendaal isn’t really convincing as a ‘bad guy’ and nether does Anne Hathaway fool me with her ‘I just want no strings attached sex’ act. But the chemistry is there from the start, and so is the nakedness. This film could work well as a drinking game. Just have a shot each time you can spot Hathaway’s boobs! But to be honest, the nakedness was the reason we went to see this film in the first place. It’s been months since we had the opportunity to drawl over Jake's toned arms like we did in Prince of Persia, but here he is again and we are still asking our selfs: “When did he get so damn hot?”. Other than the fact that this is as close to a porn as you can get without it being porn, the film drags a little bit towards the end and you just wish someone, anyone, would die.
Unstoppable & The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Unstoppable - FFF
Laura dragged me to see this one, I didn’t feel too enthusiastic about it since the plot is two guys on a runaway train. You are not going to be able to take that story line that far. And I was partly right but what I didn’t take under consideration was that Denzel Washington was one of those guys. Denzel always gives an amazing performance and Chris Pine managed to keep up.
But are we suppose to feel sorry for him not seeing his kid? He’s a weirdo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM-0Ywc7wNY
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477080/
The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - FFFF
The third and final film based on Stieg Larssons books gives you the same great actors as in the two previous films as well as an interesting plot and good action. The pieces of the puzzle fall in to place. Being Swedish this film goes straight to my heart. I love hearing the language, seeing familiar scenes and actors. But besides that, this is still a good film and if you are not Swedish don’t let having to read the subtitles put you off, give it a go!
Red, Let Me In, Skyline
Red – FFFF
I was looking forward to see this film since it offer us big names such as John Malcovich, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren. This was a very enjoyable film and John Malcovich role is just hilarious and one of my favourite moment is when he’s standing in the air port with his pink pig looking like a naughty kid who has just been told off. Bruce Willis is all macho and hard on the outside and gooey on the inside. Helen Mirren is great as usual and looks stunning in her white dress. This film is exciting yet funny which is a great combination!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMCh4etBbkU
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245526/
Let Me In – FFF+
I saw Let the Right One In on DVD and liked it but couldn’t really see the brilliance everyone was talking about. Unfortunately I have too say I liked Let Me In better. This hurts to admit, being Swedish and all. I think it has a little bit to do with the fact that I understood the story better the second time around, but mostly because it IS a better film. It has more atmosphere, more feeling and more blood. America often get s**t for their remakes. Sometimes they deserve it. This time they got it spot on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsWJt5tNLKg
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1228987/
Skyline – FF
The trailer to this film looked interesting. It was misleading. This is one of the worst films I have seen in the cinema since I got my card. It is a bit scary and thrilling in some parts, and the special effects are quite good, but mostly the film is just silly and the story is quite thin. I didn’t feel anything for the characters and couldn’t care less if they were eaten by aliens or not. The aliens didn’t make any sense and the ending made me laugh and wish I had left the cinema 20 min earlier like I felt like doing.
Another Year, Easy A, Due Date
Another Year - FFF
I had seen the trailer for this one and it didn't seem that exciting but looked interesting and had been given good reviews so I decided to give it a go.
I was waiting for someone to cheat, break up or die, but nothing happened. It might sound a bit boring. But it was a beautiful story about life. And sometimes life isn't that exciting, but quite interesting anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bp1dHEpP8Q
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431181/
Easy A - FFFF
I wasn't really planning on seeing this film. I hadn't seen a trailer for it but it looked like one of those stupid chick flicks that might be a nice waste of time when you got nothing else to do but don't really give you that much. This film was nothing like that. This film was brilliant. Emma Stone got a nice groove. Her parents in the film are quite cool too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MMzzpcSeMc
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1282140/
Due Date - FFF
Quite funny film, although a don't really appreciate cheap jokes involving people being high on drugs, and when Zach Galifianakis was jerking off in the car I felt more uncomfortable than amused. Robert Downey Jr punching a kid in the tummy might be a bit over the top but you SO want to do it yourself that it feels kind of funny and satisfying.
Grading
First entry
I August last year (2009) I decided to get Cineworlds Unlimited Card. For £13.50 (about 130 Kronor) a month you can watch as many films as you want in the Cinema. I would have to see two films a month, 24 in a year, to get my money's worth. I can tell you that I did that within the first two months of getting my card. This card gives me the opportunity to see films that I probably would not have seen otherwise and I reckon it has been worth every penny I pay for it. People have said I should review films seeing as many of them as I do but I'm not a film critic. I just like watching films, to be carried away for a couple of hours, to be made to laugh, scream in fear, maybe cry a little. So no great reviews for me, but maybe, I thought, maybe I should start a blog and just write a little bit about the films I see to share with my friends. That is why I now present to you; filmfrenzy.blogg.se
Before I start I want to give you some idea of what kind of films I like. I would say that a wide range of genres appeal to me. Everything from 80's chick flicks and silly romcom's like Can't buy me Love and 27 Dresses to gory horror films like Saw and Battle Royal. I like smart films like Inception and Butterfly effect. Silly films like The Holy Grail and Fierce Creatures. The list is long but I want to get this thing started so I will stop here.
Before I start I want to list a few of my favourites among the 90 odd films I have seen in the past year:
Antichrist
Inglorious Basterds
(500) Days of Summer
Fish Tank
The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus
The Invention of Lying
Fantastic Mr Fox
Zombieland
The Forth Kind
Harry Brown
Law abiding Citicen
The Box
Sherlock Holmes
Daybreaker
The Book of Eli
Prince of Persia
4.3.2.1
Robin Hood
Shutter Island
Inception
If you like films and want a few tips then pop by now and then.
I'll be back!