I adore 1980’s action movies, on the grounds that films such as Die Hard, The Terminator, First Blood, Cobra and Commando established a strong set of genre conventions and requirements. In short, these films laid the groundwork for an entire genre. However, these kind of action movies are simply not being made any more. With this in mind I went into The Expendables with high hopes that I would witness something which would sit proudly alongside its forbears in the action genre, and I did. Sort of. Read the rest of this entry »
The Expendables (2010)
August 26th, 2010Toy Story 3
July 30th, 2010
Everybody who is in their early twenties as I am instantly recognises the names Woody and Buzz as the defining characters of their childhood. Toy Story literally changed the face of children’s animated movies. From the opening credits it was clear that then unknown animation studio Pixar had created something that set a new benchmark for every animated movie to follow. In 1999, Woody, Buzz and the gang were reunited in Toy Story 2. A film which, for my money, is one of the greatest sequels ever made, and one which in some ways surpasses even the first film’s almost impossibly high standards. So, after 11 years fans young and (mostly) old have finally gotten the third film that they have been hoping for, and it was well worth the wait. Read the rest of this entry »
Predators (2010)
July 21st, 2010
It has been twenty long years since a Predator movie graced the big screen (discounting the Alien VS Predator franchise) which is far, far too long. After innumerable scripts and pitches it is Robert Rodriguez’s vision which has finally made it to the big screen under the direction of Nimrod Antal. The first thing that we need to understand about this film is that it is not a remake or a ‘reimagining’ but a sequel, specifically to the first movie, which is referenced by Isabelle (Alice Braga) in one of Predators exposition sequences. As a fan of the first, and indeed the underrated second movie, I was thrilled at the possibility of the Predator returning to the big screen and the series returning to its roots. Read the rest of this entry »
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
July 13th, 2010
Everybody has an opinion on the Twilight series; whether you love it or loathe it you certainly can’t avoid it. The series has always been something of an enigma to me; I just don’t know what to make of it. The first film was OK, despite being too long and the presence of that horrible baseball sequence. New Moon however, is one of the most tedious films I have ever seen. With this fluctuation in quality in mind I went into Eclipse with low expectations despite the film being helmed by David Slade, a director of real potential, and I was right to. Read the rest of this entry »
An Analysis of the Relationship Between the Two Adaptations of Cape Fear.
June 15th, 2010
Here I will analyse the relationship between J. Lee Thompson’s 1961 film ‘Cape Fear’ and Martin Scorsese’s 1991 re-make of the same name. In analysing the relationship between these two films, we must first understand the great social differences between American society in 1961 and American society in 1991, mainly with regard to the structure of, and relationships within, the American family. Although both Thompson’s and Scorsese’s interpretations of the story, remove the two Bowden boys, in order to focus the story around the threat that Max Cady poses, specifically to Sam Bowden’s daughter Nancy , in the 1961 version and in a more modern portrayal as Danielle, in the 1991 film. Read the rest of this entry »
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
May 18th, 2010
The latest in the long line of horror remakes by Michael Bay’s production company Platinum Dunes is billed as a ‘Re-Imagining’ of Wes Craven’s 1984 classic. Directed by Samuel Bayer; a filmmaker best known for music videos rather than feature films. The film is the first of the series not to feature Robert Englund as Freddy Kruger, the iconic murderer is this time played by Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen). The plot of this remake is identical to the original film, as Nancy (Rooney Mara) battles a mysterious figure from her past who stalks her in her dreams. This similarity with the original film is actually one of the many problems with this rebooted version. Read the rest of this entry »
Filmmaker in Focus #2: Douglas Sirk
May 9th, 2010
Douglas Sirk was one of the most consistent filmmakers of the 1950’s. Sirk’s films dealt with themes which touched a chord with a changing American society. Themes such as love, death, race and social circumstances. Sirk is best known for developing these themes within the genre of the melodrama most notably; Magnificent Obsession (1954), All That Heaven Allows (1955), Written on the Wind (1956), and Imitation of Life (1959). All of these films, apart from the latter, starred Sirk’s close friend and collaborator Rock Hudson. Read the rest of this entry »
Centurion (2010)
April 25th, 2010
After the phenomenal success of The Descent (2005), Neil Marshall earned himself a reputation as one of the brightest young horror directors in the world, with this success brought associations with the so-called ‘Splat Pack’ of new generation horror filmmakers. As well as this somewhat dubious association Marshall was awarded a higher budget for his follow up; Doomsday (2008). This greater monetary clout did not have the desired effect for Marshall as the film received mixed reviews and a lukewarm reception at the box office. As a result of this Centurion is a crucial film in terms of the direction which Marshall’s career will go in the next few years. Read the rest of this entry »
Shutter Island (2010)
April 22nd, 2010
Shutter Island marks Martin Scorsese’s return to filmmaking after finally scooping his massively overdue Oscar for The Departed (2006). The film marks something of a Departure for Scorsese as Shutter Island taps into genres which the director has not visited before. The movie delves deep into the world of the dark Movie Noir mysteries of the 1950’s and 60’s which Scorsese has such a fondness for. And it is this fondness for the genre and the confidence that his Academy Award win has given him which makes Shutter Island an extremely enjoyable viewing experience. Scorsese’s elephant is well and truly out of the room. Read the rest of this entry »
Filmmaker In Focus #1: Robert Wise
April 13th, 2010
We here at Bombed Out in Space have decided to run a regular feature highlighting some of the world’s greatest underappreciated directors. The first director to be featured is a man responsible for at least three of the most iconic movies of their time: Robert Wise. Read the rest of this entry »
