Blibb's Blobby Reviews

[blibblobblib]

Good Morro. :)

I know we now have an official record of review threads but this one is a little more selfish. i hope to start writing some good reviews in the near future and what better place to start than land of MOFO, a place where ridicule and critisism runs side by side with laughs, friends and Django Hunting. Huzzah!

SO the purpose of this thread is not to only inform the readers of my interpretations of the wonder of film, but to also see if i Myself can interpret my feelings on the wonder of film....to paper.

SO enjoy my reviews, for every new film i review, i will most likely have it as my current avatar, so whenever my avatar changes, thats when there'll be a new review! they wont be as frequent as some others but i'll try to pop some in when i can and any feedback is always appreciated. :yup:

Allyoop.

[blibblobblib]

Shaun of the Dead (2004, Dir. Edgar Wright)
http://phbr17326.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/shaun.PNG

The tag line reads "A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies." and this certainly gives you a good idea of what to expect. Parodying George A. Romero's 1978 classic zombie flick Dawn of the Dead, this British offering adds something to the zombie genre that seems to have been absent for too long...comedy and love!

The film comes from the same minds behind the classic, cult TV series Spaced. If your a fan of Simon Pegg then you should already know enough about Shaun of the Dead and stop wasting your time on this tedious review. If not however...
Simon Pegg, star of Spaced, penned the script along with director Edgar Wright and introduces several familiar British comedy stars into the movie. Pegg however is also our main protagonist Shaun, A lazy, loser who doesnt seem to be destined for anything greater than employee of the month at Dixons. The film more or less follows the same route as Dawn of the Dead but in a wonderfully more British way, which is where the appeal lies. Shaun is a part time sales assistant in Dixons (Electronic Shop) and not a fancy Tv Reporter. His friends are snobby failed actors, boring coffee swilling univeristy lecturers and big fat smelly slobs, not handy helicopter pilots and protecive security guards. And their eventual stronghold and protective post from the white eyed, granny paced Zombies is not a luscious Shopping Mall with everything a person/Zombie needs...but a Pub. The Winchester Arms to be exact. It is with these new surroundings and characters that the comedy and sly p!ss take of the Zombie genre can unfold. Wright and Pegg manage to faithfully parody Romero's original, even opening the film with the original soundtrack and showing his versions of "consumption" as we see the zombie-like inhabitants of Great Britain going about their daily business. (even the poster gives us a hint about this) The plot may be slightly different but this is necessary for Wright and Pegg to produce their own twist on the Zombie tale and avoid those feelings of Deja Voo Doo. The comedy of the film however lies in the "reality" of it. Why run away from Zombies that walk 0.25 miles an hour? Why use chainsaws to chop them into messy and unsightly pieces? Wont a salt shaker or old Dire Strates LP do the job? Sean proves that it does and the outcome is brilliant. With this humour of the reality of the Zombie infestation, we also have the emotions in the reality of it. Simon Pegg delivers some truly moving moments in the film, shocking the audience from laughter to real sadness in the most suprising of places. Its not all fun and games killing Zombies and amongst the humour, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, along with their brilliant characters and Peggs suprisingly touching acting, show us this.

Simon Pegg is outstanding as Shaun along with the rest of his cast who are no strangers to comedy roles. We see The Office's Lucy Davies(Dawn) act brilliantly as the bitchy flatmate, Bill Nighy as Seans moody Step Dad and a host of other cameos from the casts of such brilliant comedy offerings as Little Britain, Black Books, League of Gentlemen, Spaced and The Office.

Although some of the British humour in the film may be lost on a foreign audience and some of the jokes may lay unappreciated due to unfamiliarity of the actors unique style, any fans of Zombie movies or a good honest comedy will thoroughly enjoy this new Brit-flick-Rom-Zom. In some places the humour is confusingly mixed with true emotion and the jerky parody of Romero's cinematography can sometimes be dissorientating there really are not many bad words to say about Shaun of the Dead. Although i can think of five words that CAN be used... Laughs, Tears, Vomit and Romance...oh and Enjoy.

A gore-tastic, Zombie breakdancing 4

[Sedai]

Cool review Blilbby! Film looks like it is a scream!

To do the popcorn boxes:

{rating}4_5{rating}

just replace the curvey brackets with the regular one and it will work. that entry would do 41/2 boxes of popcorn.

Cheers

_S

[Philmster]

Nice Review!

I really enjoyed Shaun of the Dead, but I found it lacking in its build up to the finale, not really amounting to either horror or comedy, still, there are a load of good laughs in there.

Also, I fail to see the connection between Dog Soldiers and this, other than them both being British films???

[blibblobblib]

Also, I fail to see the connection between Dog Soldiers and this, other than them both being British films???

Yes this is a fact that i wasnt sure about writing but did anyway. Was chatting with some friends about this a few days before i saw the film and i seem to remember reading somewhere that its from the same production company, but either way im not 100% sure and if it wasn't so late when i wrote the review i wouldnt have put that in, but i did and forgot to check it out. Sorry! But ill do some researching and find out..

[bluebottle]

Great review!
I can hardly wait to see this film.

[John McClane]

Uh......Ok.

Great review man.

[blibblobblib]

Thanx for the compliments guys. Im doing this as practice as im writing reviews for my university Student magazine this coming September so i wanted to get some under my belt for practice and to show the editor.

Would you guys/gals or anyone else be able to comment further though? What did you like? What didn't you like? Constructive Criticism?

I know my grammar is pretty bad but thats the kind of thing i can sort out as i re-read my stuff. Thanx for yout time anywhoooo...

[bluebottle]

What did you like? What didn't you like? Constructive Criticism?
Your style is fluid and easy to read, and you also outlined the story very nicely without giving anything away.
Maybe I'm too easily satisfied, or too clement, to find anything but minor flaws.

[Sedai]

Sure man. The first thing I see is that maybe you would break down the big paragraph into two smaller ones, maybe breaking it right after you talk about the creators. Then the next paragraph would start your description of the film. This is actually a comment I got from Yoda on one of my reviews, as I had a monster paragraph in it. Otherwise good stuff!

_S

[John McClane]

Sure man. The first thing I see is that maybe you would break down the big paragraph into two smaller ones, maybe breaking it right after you talk about the creators. Then the next paragraph would start your description of the film. This is actually a comment I got from Yoda on one of my reviews, as I had a monster paragraph in it. Otherwise good stuff!

_S
I agree with you man.
Keep up the good work, blibblobblib.

[Revenant]

Blibby, great review. We can never have enough reviewers here. I found your review of Shaun Of The Dead very inciteful. You want further regards? O.K. I agree with Sedai that one part of your review needs to be divided from its chunk, to two more easily read ones. Apart from that I find very little to critisise about.

The good points include your personnal opinion of the film which makes understanding the film easier from having a point of view to judge it by. I also like the mention of some of the people behind the film, it shows commitment to reviewing and thus makes people respect the content more.

Fine job, can't wait for more from the blibby stable. :)

[LordSlaytan]

It's getting crowded on this band wagon. ;D

I'm really glad you decided to start writing reviews, man. Your general kookiness and unique way with words ought to make this a really fun review thread.

Any idea what's next?

[blibblobblib]

Thanx for all the nice words guys, gives me a lot more confidence in writing my next review. About the long middle paragraph, i thought about dividing it but was not sure where to begin. then again Sedai/Yoda's advice on structuring sounds like a good one. I'll get better as i go along i hope. Glad you all liked the review though. :)

It's getting crowded on this band wagon. ;D

I'm really glad you decided to start writing reviews, man. Your general kookiness and unique way with words ought to make this a really fun review thread.

Any idea what's next?

Thats right Slay, Youve created a Monster!! I call it Reviewglar, his powers of copiuos reviews are strong, and i am in his grasp!!!...........

ANYWAY, im currently doing some research on some stuff for my uni deadlines but i should be reviewing Kill Bill 2 this week, or maybe something else when i get back to Uni next week, as im home in Essex at the mo and parents computer is rubbish. Either way there'll be another review within a week or two at the most.

Thanx for the reading guys! ;)

[Caitlyn]

Well done blib.... welcome to the sticky club... :D

[Sedai]

Well done blib.... welcome to the sticky club... :D

Excellent :yup:

[blibblobblib]

Well done blib.... welcome to the sticky club... :D

Aaaaah jeez :blush: Thank you :) Finally a club where i AM a member, and not the creepy guy who looks though the window...

[Caitlyn]

Aaaaah jeez :blush: Thank you :) Finally a club where i AM a member, and not the creepy guy who looks though the window...


Ah… blib... You’ve always been a member of the mofo favorites club… :)

[blibblobblib]

Ah… blib... You’ve always been a member of the mofo favorites club… :)

Your so lovely Cait :kiss:

[Garrett]

Shaun Of The Dead has been one of my most anticipated movies since I heard of it. I doubt I'll be seeing it in theaters due to the fact I live in the middle of nowhere (or just near the middle of nowhere) and a lot of the people around here wouldn't know a good movie if it landed smack-dab between their eyes. I'll definitely rent it though, now that I've read your review. Nice work! :D

[Piddzilla]

blobby

[blibblobblib]

No no I'm Blibby. :yup: I could get Blobby for you if you like?

Or is that your review of my review? If it is.........Great! :)

[blibblobblib]

Sorry about the delay in movie reviews from me lately, just got back to Uni after Easter and all kind of drunken madness is ensuing, but i will have a review up by next week! Was gonna review Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Kill Bill 2but theres a lot of them on here already so its gonna be one of two films that i plan to watch this week. :D

Watch this space!.....well check up on it from time to time at least, you dont have to like...watch it forever....or anything like that... you know...
*quickly exits*

[blibblobblib]

Maximum Overdrive (1986, Dir. Steven King)
http://www.pie.be/pictures/maximumoverdrive.jpg

Steven King adaptations have always been a case of hit and miss. Sometimes for the audience, and sometimes for Steven king himself. He reportedly hated Kubricks 1980's horror-fest The Shining whilst the public lapped up the on screen horror. So with the on screen adaptation of one of his short stories Trucks from the Bachman Books, King took no chances and chose to make his first, and last attempt at directing. The result was the wonderfully 80's Maximum Overdrive.

Like with a lot of Steven King adaptations, you know the story is going to be good, you know there is going to be some wonderful characters and you know there's also going to be some dark comedy and Maximum Overdrive delivers all of this. The story is that, at some point in 1987, Earths orbit passes through the tail of a comet which last for 8 days. During this time the gasses present in the tail of the comet have a strange effect on all mechanical objects on Earth. They become homicidal and begin killing everyone. Seriously. If you can get past your astonishment for the ludicrous plot, it is actually quite interesting to see what might happen if this ever should occur (Which, lets be honest folks, is EXTREMELY likely.)

The film opens with with the accompany of an 80's rocking AC/DC soundtrack and a short Star-Wars-esque epilogue telling us about the comets tail, and then we are shoved straight into the machines homicidal beginnings. The massacre starts off light with cash machines calling unsuspecting business men (a Steven King trademark Cameo to be exact) "A__hole" and electronic bill boards telling the public to "F_ck off" but the action quickly moves onto naughtily messing around with Traffic Lights and Train Crossing signals. Ooooh those craft machines! But not 20 minutes into the film we begin to see the real horror. A packed bridge full of the unsuspecting public driving to work have a bit of a problem when the bridge begins to seperate with no warning. Ensue a lot of people sliding into eachother, cars flying into the water, peoples heads exploding, final destination style against windscreens and watermelons and other paraphenalia becoming objects of mass destruction as they fly into peoples faces. Lots of gory fun. From here onwards the film highlights all kinds of problems we could have if this did actually occur. Car windows strangling poeple with their heads caught in them. Coke machines firing coke cans at Kiddies like bullets. Steam Rollers going on rampages, electronic meat clevers attacking their hungry victims, arcade machines electrocuting unsuspecting gamers. The list is wonderfully endless. The highlight of the film is when Deke, a young lad who has narrowly escaped the onslaught of a coke machine, is hunted down by an incredibly eerie Ice Cream Van, playing its tune to attract the kiddie winkles....then mow them down!

After the initial massacre of the public, the story focuses around our main prtoagonist, Bill Robinson played by Emilio Estevez. Bill with a group of other survivors sit it out at a truck stop along an empty highway. Their attempts to escape from the truck stop are hindered by a convoy of evil trucks and lorries circling the truck stop, all under the command of an evil green faced lorry and a machine gun mounted war vehicle. From here onwards the already visible cracks in the film begin to show. Along with Estevez's 'Bill the hero', the truck stop is also home to a bunch of stereotypical characters ever-present in your average horror movie. Angry un-caring fat man, lunatic bible basher, Lonley frightened kid, impulsive waitress lady and sexy love interest for our main protagonist.

Along with some increasingly shoddy acting from most of the cast, they portray each of these characetrs in a way that it is a delight to watch them die. Estevez is as bland and as boring as ever as 'the hero' whilst Laura Harrington as the love interest does an acceptable job as the tough nut girl. As mentioned we have cameo's from writer, director Steven King at the beginning, and even Yeardly Smith AKA Lisa Simpson plays the convincing part of the newly wed trying to get to her honey moon. King does a good job at directing, trying to adapt his ideas to the big screen, but unfortunatly bad editing lets it down. However King's use of camera angles and cinematography allow us to get an idea of the personification of these inanimate objects. Everyday lifeless companions turn to homicidal human killers as we see them hunt down the public through the eyes of their windscreens and twitching steering wheels.

http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/images_movie/usa/maximumoverdive.JPG

Plot holes and ridiculous twists in the story start to make the film sink into UBER obscurity with a rushed ending that the audience is left unsatisfied with. Also the gore is pretty tremendous throughout with several nasty household accidents making a good laugh but might be too much. So if your looking for a an interesting yet ludicrous story with some cheesy 80's gore then this is the film for you. Just a bit of fun. But if your looking for another Shawshank Redemption then you really are malfunctioning.

An AC/DC, goretastic 80's story with some malfunctioning components

3

[Sedai]

Rep points for Blibby...I mean come on, the guy has the balls to review Maximum OD. Although I agree the film is pretty over the top and goofy, I like to watch it anyway...more nostalgia I guess....

Excellent work!!!

[Revenant]

Another great review there Blib.

It is kind of ironic that Maximum OverDrive happened to be on television last night too. It's one of those guilty pleasure movies, which is well reflected in your review.

[blibblobblib]

It is kind of ironic that Maximum OverDrive happened to be on television last night too. It's one of those guilty pleasure movies, which is well reflected in your review.

Yeah thats right, i was going to review About Schmidt, but i had been looking through some of the old cooky films i used to watch from my childhood, then found out Maximum OverDrive was coming on and thought it would be a perfect film to review once i started watching it. Totally a guilty pleasure film :yup:

Thanx for the words guys ;)

[blibblobblib]

Punch Drunk Love (2002, Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)

http://www.crankycritic.com/archive02/posters/punchdrunklove.jpg

Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) is stuck in a rut. He owns a small novelty business that doesnt really seem to be going anywhere, and their sale of plastic toilet plungers arnt exactly helping. He doesnt have many friends and his work collegues think his a bit strange. His seven sisters constantly torment him and speculate over his non-existant love life calling him "gay-boy" whenever they get the chance, while he tries to hold back his anger for them and stop himself from crying...which he does...a lot. All of this changes however when one day he buys a blue suit to wear for work, finds a dumped harmonium outside his work place and a strange woman (Emily Watson) enters his life, this is where we see his story begin.

Throughout the film we see the bizarre yet wonderful relationship of Barry and Lena (Watson) blossom through some equelly bizarre circumstances. An angry, thieving phone sex service, frequent destructive outbursts by Barry, intensly irritating sisters and an offer for free air miles by a pudding company punctuate their devoloping relationship as the film plods on towards its conclusion. Throughout the film wee see Barry as the odd one, delivering lines such as "I'm lookin' at your face and I just wanna smash it. I just wanna f*ckin' smash it with a sledgehammer and squeeze it. You're so pretty." But wonderfully as the film progresses, by the end of it you start to question whether he may be the normal one and unfortunatly the people around him are the ones screwing him up. Especially where his sisters are concerned and Philip Seymour Hoffman's potty mouthed Mattress Man. There are some truley funny moments thanks to these bizarre characters, when we witness the extent of Barry's anger for his sisters the consequences are frequently hilarious. Smashing windows, destroying toilets, screaming at telephones are among some of his common responses to their taunts of "gay boy" and "why are you so weird?"

http://www.theworldjournal.com/special/movies/2002/punchdrunk.jpg

Adam Sandler is absoloutly brilliant as the tormented and cooky Barry. his played the strange charecters before in Water Boy and Little Nicky but normally only for comic effect. In Punch Drunk Love Sandler manages to create a character that is not only funny at the right times, but also sweet, shy and sometimes distressing at others. Emily Watson is equally as charming with just a hint of strangness as the love interest for Barry whilst Mary Lynn Rajskub is brillaintly irrittating and horrid as his most annoying sister, Elizabeth.

The third in the three of Paul Thomas Andersons most successful films is perhaps the most bizarre, yet also the most beautiful. His trademark cinematography is still noticeable, but with some new additions Punch Drunk Love is a absoloute blast of the senses. Amongst the developing story of Barry, we see his anger and emotions and hopes portrayed through an array of colours and bizarre sounds that errupt over the screen as the film continues. It is a film that needs to be watched on a big screen, with the volume and contrast turned to the max, becuase more than a good story, it is a film for your ears and eyes, creating a piece of art as pastal pinks, and water coulured blues wash over the screen feeding your eyes, while strange noises plop, swish and bubble into your ears.

Its easy to finish watching Punch Drunk Love in a state of utter bewilderment. The noises, colours, images and events that happen on screen are enough to confuse anyone, but if you can accept the strange sight and sounds your hearing as part of the film and not some seperate attempt to symbolise some deeper meanings, the film is a love story shown through colours and sounds. There are no plot holes and unanswered questions that you need to dwell on well after he film has ended. It all makes sense in a wonderfully pretty way. Some Sandler fans may be well dissapointed with his most bizarre role yet, whilst people that are not fans of Sandelrs work (like me), may be happily suprised at this role.

A cooky, bizarre yet sweet tale of Love told in a way that may not be to everyones tastes, Punch Drunk Love certainly will knock some of you sideways.

4

[LordSlaytan]

Good one. I love this movie.

[Ezikiel]

Great review on Punch-Drunk Love Blibb, this was my favorite film of 2002. I also wrote a review for it on my review thread because I truly love this film.


Oh and by the way, I love your Barry Egan avatar.

[blibblobblib]

Great review on Punch-Drunk Love Blibb, this was my favorite film of 2002. I also wrote a review for it on my review thread because I truly love this film.


Oh and by the way, I love your Barry Egan avatar.

Thanx for the words, hope i done your favourite film justice? Glad to see theres another on here who loves PTA as much as i do! :D

[James_Bond]

Great job

[Garrett]

I'm glad you mentioned AC/DC in your Maximum Overdrive review, I'll probably see it sometime. And I'm glad you like Punch Drunk Love as much as I did.

Great reviews! :D

[nebbit]

Great reviews Blibby, Also not a fan of Sandler but loved Punch Drunk Love :D

[blibblobblib]

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004, Dir. Alfonso Cuarón)

http://images.mugglenet.com:8001/poa/intlposter2.jpg

Potty for Potter? Warner Brothers certainly are and its easy to see why. With the previous two movies helmed by the wonderfully saccarine Columbus, they were an instant hit, matching the popularity of the books that started this particulaly Potty Potter..ness...and it looks like theyve done it again. But this time with a make-over...

We see the third and darker installment of J.K Rowlings hit series brought to the screen by the brain of relatively unknown director Alfonso Cuarón. The Potter series continues with a new look, new feel and new magic. With Cuaron in the big boss chair this time around we see the type of Potter film that most fans have been waiting for, a new darker view of this magical world we love so much. As popular as the Columbus films were, there was always the wanting for a more darker atmosphere and Cuaron most definatly give us this. With a new mountainous set for Hogwarts, settled among hills, vallies and lakes galore and some wonderfully dark images such as Dementors swooping over a lightening lit quidditch match, and a werewolf howling at the moon, the darker of the three books is most definalty done justice with this new installment.
Not only does he manage to reproduce the dark atmosphere that the book sets up, but he has also managed to command an amazing performance from music master John Williams. Instead of the quirky and pleasant offerings we recieved for the last two films, this time Williams lights up the film with a wonderfully Spielbergian score that truly compliments some of the key scenes. A scene with a dementor soaring over a frozen river towards a terrified Harry as the suspensful music reminiscence of his Close Encounters score fills the air, youll be pushed if it doesnt make your nipples hard and your hair stand on end.

http://www.moviezine.se/filmbilder/003/harry12.jpg

With the regular cast filling their boots theres little reason to be dissapointed. Rickman is once again delicious as the sinister Snape, making you positively squirm with delight as he camps up the hatred for Harry. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint are marginally improved as the troublesome two, with Radcliffe finally portraying Harry in a much more likeable manner. Emma Watson really shines in this offering, playing a much larger part in the plot and delivering some truly funny moments as the time hopping Hermione. not only is it a good job to see the oringal cast, we also have some new offerings that fit into their roles perfectly. Emma Thompson is wonderfully bizarre as Prof. Trelawney, terrifying the pupils through her bottle thick lensed glasses as she spells out their fates. David Thewlis is another welcomed addition as the troubled defence against the dark arts teacher Prof. Lupin and although his screen time is realtively short, Gary Oldman creates a wonderful performance of Sirius Black, doing a good job of portraying his madness due to his years of horror in Azkaban and his hatred for his old foe Prof. Snape. With the sad departure of Richard Harris's Dumbledore, we see a new fresh face with Micheal Gambons interpretation of the excentric headmaster. Gambon does a wonderful job shwoing us the more comical, mysterious yet ever loving side to the headmaster of Hogwarts, making it a delight to watch him hobble onto the screen.

As said, there is not much to grumble about. Die hard fans of the books may be slightly dissapointed, as like usual, some elements and small plot details have been left out, but hopefully if that clever mexican director has done so, we may see these parts on the dvd. Although the film runs relatively smoothly, the presentation of the beginning of the story seems awkward. Harrys time at the Dursleys feels rushed with merely a few words uttered by the grim Uncle Vernon and swollen Aunt Marge, and the introduction of the Dementors is ultimatly slightly dissapointing as they two also seem to rush onto the screen. Also the dramatic change in style that we see with Cuaron behind the wheel may also be another reason that the first half may seem bizarre and muddled. However with this said, the second half of the film makes up for these slight inadequacies, wiping your memory of the rushed introductions and developing each image and delivering it with Cuaron's new imaginitive scope, you become comfortable with this new, darker, more beautiful vision of the Potter world.

Something wicked this way comes...Wickedly Wonderful. 5

[susan]

thanks for the great review..i couldn't agree more...

[nebbit]

Thanks again for a great review blobby, I am not a big Potter fan, but may give this a look.
http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage18/11.gif

[Aniko]

Great review Blibby! I loved how you made me even more excited to see this without revealing too much. You did it just right. I also liked that you brought in your thoughts on John Williams's score. I'll have to take note if anything stands on end when I see it. :D

Again...excellent job! :)


By the way....I can't see the middle image. It's just a small white square and red X.

[blibblobblib]

Great review Blibby! I loved how you made me even more excited to see this without revealing too much. You did it just right. I also liked that you brought in your thoughts on John Williams's score. I'll have to take note if anything stands on end when I see it. :D

Again...excellent job! :)


By the way....I can't see the middle image. It's just a small white square and red X.

Thanx Anni, thats exactly what i want my reviews to do! About the pic, let me know if you can see it later, if you still cant, could someone look into this? i can see the pic fine but please let me know if any more of you still cant see it.

Glad you like the review guys...

[nebbit]

Blibby, I can't see either picture, the top one is an add for posters, and the 2nd one is a blue square with a ? mark in the middle. :(

[LordSlaytan]

Thanks for the review man! I worked this weekend so I have a partially free day tomorrow. I'm going to go see Shrek 2, Harry Potter, and then go to a screening of The Chronicles of Riddick. It's going to be a good day. I'll post my opinions here when I return.

[blibblobblib]

Thanx Slay, make sure you post what you thought about it!

Ive added some different pics that should work now, one of them is a bit big and if anyone wanst there more than welcome to re-size it, i havnt got the computer know-how to do this. Let me know if these ones work ok ;)

[Caitlyn]

Well done Blib… I haven’t seen Potter yet but am really looking forward to it now… :)

[John McClane]

Bravo, Bravo. Nice review. I plan on reviewing it too but, don't expected it anytime soon. I just introduced myself to the Harry Potter Fan Fiction. It's a lot of fun because you can do whatever your heart desires. I'm hoping to get a big part of it knock down this summer. I might not be reviewing as much. Sorry guys. I'm writing the sixith book for myself. :D Again, great review and keep up the good work.

[Revenant]

Another good one Blib. Your really getting the hang of this.

[LordSlaytan]

Well, I had a movie marathon day yesterday, or as I called it "The Holden Pike hate list movie day". :D

First, I went to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was more in depth as far as the three youths go, and enjoyed the mood more. It seemed less like a child's film and had quite a bit less humor in it (which I prefer). It stayed pretty much in sync with the novel; only omitting side stories that weren't that important, and clues that weren't specifically needed. My guess is that some of those things, like the actual creators of the map, will be told to us in the next film. I was hoping that Oldman would play Sirius a little more intense, but maybe as his character develops in the next film, he will.

Gambon did very well filling Harris' shoes. He seemed stronger and a little more seriously inclined, as all of us readers know he is. I hope that they hurry with the rest of the series, because I believe the magic will be lost if the kids need to be recast. Emma Watson's Hermione is shown more like she is in the novels. She's really the leader of the group; Harry coming out when the poo hits the fan, and Ron there for comic relief. If they don't hurry and make the rest of the films, Hermione will be the only D-cup in 6th year at Hogwarts. Sheesh. I hope also that the twins get more screen time from now on, because aside from Snape, the twins are my favorite characters.

All in all, it was an exceptional addition to a splendid franchise. It may scare small children, but anybody over the age of 7-8 should do fine.

[blibblobblib]

First, I went to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was more in depth as far as the three youths go, and enjoyed the mood more. It seemed less like a child's film and had quite a bit less humor in it (which I prefer). It stayed pretty much in sync with the novel; only omitting side stories that weren't that important, and clues that weren't specifically needed. My guess is that some of those things, like the actual creators of the map, will be told to us in the next film. I was hoping that Oldman would play Sirius a little more intense, but maybe as his character develops in the next film, he will.
That was really the only part of the film that bugged my, it would have been good to see the explanation of the creators of the map, and the explanation of the names Padfoot, wormtail, prongs etc. its a pretty big part of the story so i suspect that they will have to elaborate on it in the next film.

Also i think your right about keeping the cast we have now, at first i hated them with a passion as they just werent good enough for my sweet harry...but as each film is continuing they are improving, which will continue as the series continues....if it doesnt boot em out and get in a new lot! Radcliff who plays potter is only signed on for Goblet of fire and then his contract is up. i wonder if he'll want to continue it...i think he will.

Seeing Prisoner of Axkaban again next month...in IMAX! Cant wait :D

[James_Bond]

Great review, i totallly agree with you on Prozoner of Azkaban.

[VMax]

Great Job,

I was very impressed with this film. Having 3 children all of which are serious HP fans and feel the need to watch to first 2 films on a daily basis, I must agree with most that this film certainly has a much darker feel to it.

It was however by far, the best of the 3 films despite the loss of Richard Harris. The only thing I really found lacking was the Dementors, much too similar to the Wriaths.

I think that artistic license was used pretty liberally here already, why not present us with an image of the Dementors that we wouldn't expect to see. Not everything white has to be good, or everything black bad.

Just a thought, I would've liked to seen a different image for them, something that would've made them stand out from the Wraiths a little more.

But it certainly gets a 5 from me.

[birdygyrl]

Great review Blib! I went and saw the movie last Sunday and totally enjoyed it. I'm a big Potter fan having read the books more than once, but the differences between the books and the movies have not bothered me one bit. I know that JK Rowling was able to have input on the other two movies.....do you know how much she was able to influence this one? Just curious as this one seemed to deviate from the books the most. Anyway, good job on the review.

[CrazyforMovies]

Great reviews I like your writing style. I think I've spotted a few of those zombies around town. I'm giving you five starss..in this case faces :) :) :)

[blibblobblib]

It was however by far, the best of the 3 films despite the loss of Richard Harris. The only thing I really found lacking was the Dementors, much too similar to the Wriaths.

I think that artistic license was used pretty liberally here already, why not present us with an image of the Dementors that we wouldn't expect to see. Not everything white has to be good, or everything black bad.

Just a thought, I would've liked to seen a different image for them, something that would've made them stand out from the Wraiths a little more.

Its great fun isnt it? I see your point with the dementors tho, A lot of people have said how much they were like the ring wraiths from LOTR, but i honestly did not for one second think that whilst watching it. I suspect if you have read the books and you truly know what is under the black sheets the dementors wear then youll understand how their totally different from the wraiths. Thats a good idea tho about making them a different colour...white dementors ay? Hmmmm, would be creepy but is too different from the book so probably wouldnt wash.

Great review Blib! I went and saw the movie last Sunday and totally enjoyed it. I'm a big Potter fan having read the books more than once, but the differences between the books and the movies have not bothered me one bit. I know that JK Rowling was able to have input on the other two movies.....do you know how much she was able to influence this one? Just curious as this one seemed to deviate from the books the most. Anyway, good job on the review.

Glad you enjoyed the review birdygyrl, As far as i am aware JKR had as much input with this film as she did with the others. Steven Kloves adapted the book for this screenplay as he did with each of the other two films, i suspect there was a bit more info missing with this film as it was a larger book. This is unfortunatly something that is going to be happening more and more as the series of films continue i think. I was thinking the other day how in the holy helmet are they going to fit all of the Order of the Phoenix into one film? Its going to be a hard job to fit in all of the important parts of the story without leaving out some important facts.

[blibblobblib]

Grrr.


Ive just started a new job for the summer working in a Boarders book shop. Its great, but im working like everyday so i dont have much time for writing at the mo which is very infuriating...referring to my openeing "grrr". I'll be writing another review shortly, not sure what of yet, but it shall be soon i hope. In the mean time, anyone need any books? Cd's? Dvd's? Blib at Boarders can Help! :rolleyes:

[Holden Pike]

Grrr.


Ive just started a new job for the summer working in a Boarders book shop. Its great, but im working like everyday so i dont have much time for writing at the mo which is very infuriating...referring to my openeing "grrr". I'll be writing another review shortly, not sure what of yet, but it shall be soon i hope. In the mean time, anyone need any books? Cd's? Dvd's? Blib at Boarders can Help! :rolleyes:

Do you really not even know how to spell the name that's on the top of your paycheck? It's BORDERS (there's no "a" - though that would be a good name for a lumber yard). I've worked for them. Far and away the best of the big chains. But for fu*k's sake, people, support your local independent bookstores!

[blibblobblib]

Do you really not even know how to spell the name that's on the top of your paycheck? It's BORDERS (there's no "a" - though that would be a good name for a lumber yard).
My my HP, we are Mr Spell Check today arnt we? Maybe once i get my first paycheck off of them i might just be able to spell it right, until then, all i see them as is time grabbing, big scary boss people.

I must warn you though, if you continue to correct me on all my spelling mistakes there is a very big chance your fingers may fall off, as i make them frequently and often ;) I certaneley do.
I've worked for them. Far and away the best of the big chains. But for fu*k's sake, people, support your local independent bookstores!
Oh im supportive! One of the dam annoying things about working there is that every time i leave i buy something. Which is infuriating because im skint. So far they do seem a good company to work for though, and i am enjoying it. Im just too used to being a lazy mook who floats around all day doing whatever i like. Now i have responsibilities...and stuff.

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Great reviews, Blib.
When's the next one? :)

[blibblobblib]

Great reviews, Blib.
When's the next one? :)
Aww thanx Delila. Ive been trying to do some writing over my summer period, but as ive been working full time and seeing some mates in the spare time i havnt done a lot of writing....or film watching to be honest. But i will most defiantly be writing reviews again and putting them up here in October when im back at Uni and sitting around all day watching films :yup:

[SamsoniteDelilah]

I hope you get back to reviewing, once you're a Real World citizen. ;)

[nebbit]

I hope you get back to reviewing, once you're a Real World citizen. ;)

When is your next one also Sammi :D

[SamsoniteDelilah]

When is your next one also Sammi :D
d'oh! caught me... :D
Soon-ish.

[blibblobblib]

I hope you get back to reviewing, once you're a Real World citizen. ;)
As soon as i get my Real World Citizen confirmation, this thread will be back in action. I promise :)

[blibblobblib]

Well it seems i got my real world confirmation a while back, so it's probably about time i actually got this thread going again. My life is still a totaly mess as i'm not moved in properly and am still unemployed which is killing me so i may not be able to post reviews of the standard in which the rest are, but seeing as i post pretty hefty comments in the Movie Tab post, i figured i'll post some of my comments here instead for you guys to read. Think of them as Bitsesize Blibby reviews, instead of the occasional uber reviews. :D

[blibblobblib]

Alien (1979 - Ridley Scott)
I'm not a huge fan of the Alien series, but Channel Four have been showing them every Sunday now and i'm quite enjoying them. This one has always been my favourite, so atmospheric, bleak and horrifying. Poor John Hurt pays the first victim of the alien wonderfully, it's just so gross. I wish i had been mature enough for the first time i watched this, must have been a real shock to everyone when that little squeeling thing bursts out of his chest. Classic. We also have the first female action hero in the form of Weaver's Ripley. I think theres loads to say about the whole feminist Vs Male rape metaphores and symbolism thats going on in this film, and i think thats why i like it more. Lots of penetration :eek:
Classic horror sci-fi wonderfully directed by Mr Scott.

5

Aliens (1986 - James Cameron)
This film is probably only one of a handfull of films that fits quite snugly into the catagory of 'Good Sequel'. Cameron gives us a far more hollywoodised (?) version of the Alien story here with his explosive tale of Ripley's second encounter with the slimy snappy things. This films a lot of fun. We see a lot more Aliens and the horrid face huggers and less of H.R Gyger's production design that made the first one so eery. The depiction of the military hasn't aged well and several of the characters, mostly Paxton's Hudson, really irritates me. Plus a few plot holes let it down. But apart from that it's good viewing to the end. One thing bugs me though, Ripley should really have learned to check the space ship after the first film, she once again escapes last minute, and lo and behold another one of the bastards has hitched a ride. And if im correct ANOTHER one hitch's a ride to the next film as well, killing her little girl friend and soldier bloke and putting a big Queen in her belly. Very careless if you ask me. They really need to install some kind of Alien detector on their ships.

3_5

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005 - Tim Burton)
Iv'e been wating for a long time to see a faithful adaptation of this classic, and being that i am a big Burton fan i really didn't mind him being the one to do it. It's such a good story, the perfect childrens tale, a magical amazing chocolate factory and a whole story about sweets and the results of being naughty children! Every child on Earth should be read Roald Dhal stories until they can do so themselves. Wonderful stuff. I was truly mesmerised by Burtons adaptation. My eyes were bulging at the amazing set production. Everything just looked absoloutly incredible, from the inventing room and the tasting room to the glass elevator and the Buckets home. I loved it. Depp was amazing as Wonker, quite different from both Wilder and the character in the story, but still a very enjoyable creation, i loved the darker twist he put into Wonker, as he quietly smiled as each child met their demise. Brilliant. I'm not too sure what i think about the back story, i enjoyed it as it progressed along with the film but by the end after we leave the factory i feel it may have been a bit unnecessary and was wrapped up far too quick, i for one would love to have seen some more in the factory. In Danny Elfman's latest offerings, such as Big Fish and Hulk, i was starting to worry about his creativity for producing some different material for his films, but the score for this film was superb. It's mechanical beeps and buzzing along with Elfman's trademark drums and strings accompanied the fun but dark tone of the movie perfectly. Aaah, i just really enjoyed this film, really great fun and suprisingly funny as well. Brillaint stuff, a feast for the eyes and ears.

4_5

Big Fish (2003 - Tim Burton)
I only saw this about a month ago, but ended up watching it again today anyway. Once again some great set design, but i always feel as though something is missing in this. I think it may be the main character and McGreggor's depiction on fim that i just don't like enough. He annoys me a little. And the faux southern accent McGregor (maybe not so much Finney) is producing just isn't good enough. Also i think Burton's style seems to suffer a bit with the 'real life' part of the story that he is telling. All of that said though i still enjoy it, and i really enjoy Billy Crudups performance as the cyncial son of Edward Bloom. Once all of the strange, and some times pointless stories have been told, i still find myself blubbing at the ending, and as we see Edward Bloom being carried down to the river accompanied by all the characters in his life it's such a beautiful way to end. Also with the best part of Elfman's score trumpeting behind as he swims off it just gets me all the time. Fantastical, sweet, odd and stuttering.

3_5

[susan]

thanks for your reviews blibb....even tho they are short, they get the point across and that's what matters

[blibblobblib]

North by Northwest (1959 - Alfred Hitchcock)
Iv'e been meaning to watch this for a while now and finally got round to it today. The classic story of mistaken identity is played out here brilliantly by Carey Grant, who truly steals the film as the charmingly unlucky Roger O. Thornhill trying to unravel the truth about his kidnapping at the beginning of the film. Unlike several of Hitchcocks other thrillers, he opts for a technique which draws upon pure entertatinment for this film. Gone are the long shots we see in Rope and the stuttering editing from The Birds. Here he tells his story in a style much more familiar in Hollywood today, and simply becuase it's Hitch and Grant it works brilliantly. Eva Marie Saint is beautiful as the seducing agent Eve who rescues Roger many times, and she looks amazing in each scene she appears. The large action sets are all go here too with the penultimate moments taking place on the face of Mount Rushmore. Amidst the Hollywood action and comedy there is Hitch's wonderful taste for true suspense, with Roger's constant confrontation with his assasins and his attempts to flee each dangerous situation they place him in, most famously the scene with the crop duster. Brilliant, intriguing fun.

5

Rope (1948 - Alfred Hitchcock)
A very interesting film about the art of murder. I really enjoyed watching this, as the style of the plot is something that intrigues me. The entire film takes place in 'real time' over the course of an evening after two men murder one of their friends, then have a dinner party to celebrate their brilliance. What a weird plot for a film. John Dall and Farely Granger are wonderfully creepy and camp as the two murderes, revelling in the idea of murder as art, as a way of removing the lower-class, less cultured members of society. James Stewart is brilliant as their suspicious friend, who by the end acts out as the main source of suspense as the way in which he will turn the two men in. Placing the object of suspense - the body in the chest, as the centre piece for the party (and therfore the movie) is a brilliant device that manages to draw the audiences eye each time the camera moves over it's surface. Great stuff. I think theres a lot of intersting thigns about this movie. Firstly the plot itself is an interesting and strange one. But also we have Hitch's style. Throughout the film he chooses to edit the movie as if it is occuring in 'real time', shooting one long scene after another. I really enjoyed this, it allowed me to feel the growing anticipation and fear that Philip experieces as the film progresses. The strange homeroticism going on between Brandon and Phillip is also interesting to watch unfold on screen, i had never seen a gay chracter take the lead so strongly in any film from this era before. Slow, intense and bewildering stuff.

3_5

[Strummer521]

Thanks for the reviews Blibb, I just got North by Northwest from Blockbuster.com and I'll be putting Rope in my Queue.

[nebbit]

Thanks Blobby, great reviews. :yup:

[blibblobblib]

Thanks for the reviews Blibb, I just got North by Northwest from Blockbuster.com and I'll be putting Rope in my Queue.
Let me know what you think Strumm, i really enjoyed it and i know for a fact it's a lot of other MOFO's number one Hitchock film. After watching, i still rate The Birds and Psycho as my faves. And Vertigo...Oh i just love the Coc...i mean Hitch!