3D is a source of consistent frustration for me. In the vast majority of cases it is simply a money making gimmick which, in the vast majority of cases does not work. The other few instances in which 3D works is if it is used as an extension of depth of field or if a director understands and appreciates the form as a gimmick for cheap audience thrills; and this is exactly what Paul W.S Anderson does with Resident Evil: Afterlife. [click to continue…]
Joe Dante is often referred to as a director known for two films he directed for Stephen Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment in the 80’s; Gremlins (1984) and Innerspace (1987). This is a chronic misrepresentation of the talents of a totally unique and, at times, extraordinary filmmaker. To only appreciate Dante as a director of two classic 1980’s movies is a disservice to his impressive oeuvre. Joe Dante is not only a filmmaker but a lifelong movie lover. His obsession with B- Movies starring the likes of Dick Miller heavily influenced his own, off the wall, brand of filmmaking. [click to continue…]
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. [click to continue…]
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. [click to continue…]
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. [click to continue…]
