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John Wick (2014) Dir. Chad Stahelski, David Leitch. Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist At first glance, John Wick is a revenge story that audiences have seen dozens of times before, however directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch make an effort to add style to their action flick, without coming across as pretentious. Perhaps to the benefit of Keanu Reeves, who plays the titular character, there is a distinct lack of spoken dialogue, especially in early scenes. Instead the film uses atmosphere, its visuals, and sound design to set the story without needing to force unnecessary exposition on the audience. For these reasons John Wick is smarter than the average action film, allowing the audience to discover the meaning of events through context. The histories and relationships of the characters, the rules of their trade, and businesses such as the Continental Hotel are all easily understood without an outright explanation. However not everything in John Wick is that subtle. John Wick unabashedly sports an R-rating from the MPAA at a time when most mainstream action films are cutting content to score a more accessible PG-13. Viewers who were disappointed with the cuts made to other action films of 2014 will appreciate that John Wick doesn't water down its content in order to be more marketable. The action is appropriately bloody, but not grotesque. Refreshingly unlike a lot of action films at the time, John Wick's fight sequences are not filmed with the often overused “shaky cam” technique. In a bold move, John Wick's scenes are framed in such a manner that all of the action is clearly visible. Viewers can easily follow the actors' movements, and are never left wondering “wait...what just happened?”. The film also has a number of light-hearted moments which lift the mood with a quick laugh. They don't seem forced, but rather a quirk of the film's universe and the characters which inhabit it. The film does however get too corny with some of the subtitles for its Russian speaking characters, where key words will be in bold font and coloured for emphasis. The film otherwise follows the “less is more” mindset, but breaks that rule here in a jarring manner that pulls the audience out of of what is otherwise a relatively restrained movie. If you're looking for a stylish take on a classic revenge story, then John Wick is the movie for you. Full Disclosure: most of this review has been lifted from an essay I previously wrote for a film class while this movie was still in theatres. |
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http://www.movieforums.com/community...1&d=1464535004 Dredd (2012) Dir. Pete Travis Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headly Fans of Rebellion's 2000 AD comic series who were disappointed with the 1995 Judge Dredd movie can now rest easy knowing that the characters and world they fell in love with have finally been appropriately adapted to the big screen. Even if you're unfamiliar with the previous attempt or with the comic series in general, Pete Travis' 2012 film Dredd offers a beautifully violent, action-packed movie bursting with style that will satisfy anyone nostalgic for the R-rated action films of the 80s. Dredd is a film that managed to legitimize two trends that I've absolutely hated about this past decade in cinema: the frequent use of slow motion, and the resurgence of 3D movies. It is actually one of a very small number of films that I wish could occasionally get thrown back into theatres because audiences deserve the full IMAX 3D experience. The visuals in this movie are simply breathtaking, with the 3D being used to enhance the atmosphere and provide an added perception of depth to the enormous 200 storey structure within which a majority of the film is set. Whenever a character in the movie uses Slo-Mo, a new drug that causes the user to experience time at a fraction of its normal rate, we are treated to an absolutely gorgeous dream-like state that mimics what the user is feeling. The very first time this effect is used, it borders on outstaying it's welcome, but subsequent uses are much better, especially when when they are intercut with shots running at regular speed featuring characters not experiencing the effects of the drug. Since Dredd is the first movie I have listed on my profile's favourites tab, my praise for this movie shouldn't really come as a shock. But oddly I was never really excited to see this film leading up to its release, mostly due to a lack of appropriate advertising that I'm sure hurt the film's box office numbers. Luckily the film has gained an amazing cult following that have been supporting the film's Home Video sales, which have raised the chances of this film getting a sequel from 0% after it's theatrical performance, to “it's possible, but it won't be easy”. Do you want a violent action movie that's light on story but high on style? Then watch this movie, then go support it by buying the DVD. |
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http://www.movieforums.com/community...1&d=1464623144 Ragnarok/Gåten Ragnarok (2013) Dir. Mikkel Brænne Sandemose Starring: Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen, Sofia Helin Language: Norwegian Ragnarok is a difficult film to categorize, because it borrows elements from a number of different genres. There's an Indiana Jones-like quest to decipher runes discovered in the Oseberg Queen's burial site and some secret knowledge she may have of the Ragnarök legend, a dramatic trek through an abandoned no man's land between Norway and Russia, and a horrendous giant serpent seeking revenge on the party for its missing child. On top of that, the main character Sigurd is trying to mend bridges with his two children whom he has consistently let down since the death of his wife. So if someone can come up with a name for that, do let me know. While being familiar with Germanic mythology certainly comes in handy, it is not necessary to understand the film's plot. Instead the movie makes clever references to Norse myhtology without alienating audiences who prefer their movies (even ones featuring giant monsters) to be more grounded in reality. The Oseberg Viking ship mentioned in the film is in fact a real archaeological site that contains the bodies of a high class woman and servant, so featuring it as a story element in the film helps to balance some of the more absurd (read: giant serpent) elements. Visually, Ragnarok is nothing special. Most of the colours are muted, and while there are some lovely establishing shots, nothing about the cinematography is new or clever. The only unique thing it manages to do is to balance the elements of the different genres, while somehow managing to end on a rather light-hearted note. All I can really say about it is that it's a very strange film. Ragnarok was a pleasant surprise for me. While the movie has a slow start, there's enough mystery during the protagonists' trip through Finnmark to keep me interested until the light horror elements started to surface. It's also nice to see a film archaeologist actually do some real archaeology by collecting, bagging and cataloguing artefacts, instead of being the typical treasure-hunting rogues we've come to expect. + If you're interested in seeing a tense adventure movie about an archaeological mystery sprinkled with a dash of family drama that suddenly turns into a horror-inspired survival film with a giant monster, this is the logical (if only) choice for you! |
Originally Posted by CosmicRunaway (Post 1523959)
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Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
I'm not sure if anyone here has even heard of this movie, which is part of the reason why I wanted to write a quick review.
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Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
Originally Posted by CosmicRunaway (Post 1523964)
I'm not sure if anyone here has even heard of this movie, which is part of the reason why I wanted to write a quick review.
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Originally Posted by CosmicRunaway (Post 1523964)
I'm not sure if anyone here has even heard of this movie, which is part of the reason why I wanted to write a quick review.
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http://www.movieforums.com/community...1&d=1464637083 The (Irrefutable) Truth About Demons (2000) Dir. Glenn Standring Starring: Karl Urban, Katie Wolfe, Jonathan Hendry The Truth About Demons is not a cinematic masterpiece. It is also not a particularly unique horror film, as it's story centres around a genre-typical demon worshipping cult in edgy atire. What this movie is, however, is pure entertainment. It's bizarre, bloody, it has a hilarious campy over-the-top villain, and our poor protagonist Harry gets dragged through hell throughout this entire movie. One thing The Truth About Demons does well is playing the psychological angle. We're never quite sure how much of Harry's experiences were real, and what was imagined. It does go overboard with the demonic angle in the latter half, but instead of settling down there like many other films would, the movie instead opts to skirt closer to the ridiculous, before cycling back around to questioning the sanity of everyone involved. It straddles a fine line between stupidity and cleverness. Unfortunately I am not a fan of Benny's character, and I could do without the whole scene in her apartment (it's definitely a low point for the movie). That said, the copious amounts of shirtless Karl Urban more than make up for her quirkiness. The film doesn't really have a particularly interesting style but I'd argue that the mundane visuals are a welcome contrast to the completely absurd costumes the members of the the Black Lodge are wearing This movie was a top contender for my submission to Sexy Celebrity's Guilty Pleasures Countdown, but I didn't think anyone would know what it was. I first stumbled upon this movie about 10 years ago, and have since forced most of my friends to watch it. My life goal is to meet Karl Urban at a comic or Sci Fi convention and have him sign my copy of this movie on DVD. I need to see the bewilderment in his eyes when I pull out a copy of The Truth About Demons instead of Dredd or Star Trek. Give this movie a chance if you like strange psychological horror films with a healthy dose of camp, if you thoroughly enjoy Karl Urban, or if you want to see him beaten senseless. |
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http://www.movieforums.com/community...1&d=1464693327 White House Down (2013) Dir. Roland Emmerich Starring: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx If you had asked me in early 2013 which movie I was more interested in seeing: White House Down or Olympus Has Fallen, I would've said “neither”. Upon further questioning, I'd probably say that I'd rather watch Olympus, and then I'd have to kick myself later when realized how wrong I was. I'm not saying that White House Down is a particularly great movie, but it is an incredibly fun one if you're in the mood to look past all of the clichés and absurdity. The single most impressive part of this movie is the fact that everything in the White House (including the exterior scenes) was filmed in a to-scale replica the crew built across a number of sound stages. Practically the entire production took place on sets they built themselves, and the fact that most audiences wouldn't even guess that speaks to the quality and detail of their recreation. So it's unfortunate that some of the special effects are not very realistic looking (I'm looking at you, helicopters), but in general the visuals are very pleasing to the eye, especially when you consider that other action movies at the time were terrified of bright lights and colour. I was not particularly a fan of Channing Tatum going into this movie, but he seemed to be having a lot of fun with the role, and did practically all of his own stunts (the only exception I remember being a large fall through a glass ceiling onto a table, and that's completely understandable), which is something I appreciate as a viewer who seems to have an uncanny eye for spotting stuntmen. His performance in this movie, and his chemistry with Jamie Foxx really sold me on the idea of Tatum as an action star, even if I was sort of rooting for the head mercenary (played by Jason Clarke who I inexplicably always seem to connect with) to win. White House Down has a few genuine laughs, but also a number of lines that will cause your eyes to roll, or for a groan to escape your throat. But to me, that's part of the film's charm. It's a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, so if you're willing to laugh at the plot and it's silly resolution, then you'll probably have a good time. However if you absolutely hate Roland Emmerich's editing style, or are unable to forgive the unoriginal story and characters, then you'll probably want to pass this one up. Watch this if you found Olympus Has Fallen too dull, or if you want a harmless, cheesy action flick you can have a bit of a laugh at. |
Originally Posted by CosmicRunaway (Post 1523466)
Dredd is a film that managed to legitimize two trends that I've absolutely hated about this past decade in cinema: the frequent use of slow motion, and the resurgence of 3D movies. It is actually one of a very small number of films that I wish could occasionally get thrown back into theatres because audiences deserve the full IMAX 3D experience. The visuals in this movie are simply breathtaking, with the 3D being used to enhance the atmosphere and provide an added perception of depth to the enormous 200 storey structure within which a majority of the film is set.
Whenever a character in the movie uses Slo-Mo, a new drug that causes the user to experience time at a fraction of its normal rate, we are treated to an absolutely gorgeous dream-like state that mimics what the user is feeling. The very first time this effect is used, it borders on outstaying it's welcome, but subsequent uses are much better, especially when when they are intercut with shots running at regular speed featuring characters not experiencing the effects of the drug. |
Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
I enjoyed White House Down. I'd never wanted to see either (this or Olympus) but I was steered towards this because it was stupid fun. Indeed it was. I can only imagine how awful Olympus must be.
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Originally Posted by SeeingisBelieving (Post 1524475)
I'm glad you mentioned the Slo-Mo scenes because I think they are what lifts the film into something cinematic and really out of the ordinary. I haven't seen it in 3D but I can imagine it's a real spectacle. I loved the use of a real city for Mega City One as well, keeping it feeling realistic and possible.
There's a featurette on at least one of the BluRays (I own multiple versions and don't recall which one I saw it on) about the making of Mega City One, and that was exactly what they wanted. It looks futuristic, while also being ground in reality. While I would love to see more of Mega City One, I think containing most of the action to Peach Trees was a good choice.
Originally Posted by honeykid (Post 1524481)
I can only imagine how awful Olympus must be.
I semi-recently rewatched Olympus because I was going to see the sequel, and I was equally unimpressed the second time around. It is, however, much better than London Has Fallen, which I would've left and demanded my money back from if I hadn't used a free pass to see it. |
Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
Why did you see the sequel when you found the first one so boring and dull? Twice.
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Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
That is a good question that I'm not sure I have a reasonable answer for. I was somewhat curious to see exactly how bad the movie was, because it sounded terrible on paper to me. But the real reason is because myself and my room mate have a tendency to make a lot of poor movie choices despite knowing better.
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Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
:laugh:
That's a better answer than most give. |
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http://www.movieforums.com/community...1&d=1464728594 Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) Dir. Matthew Vaughn Starring: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson John Wick, Kingsman, and Dredd are three of my favourite movies to come out in recent years, and since I've already covered my thoughts on John Wick and Dredd, it seems only fair to give Kingsman the same treatment. One thing you'll notice about these three films is that they are all stylish, violent, unashamedly R-rated celebrations of the action genre. After years of watered-down PG-13 sequels to older franchises, these movies were a very welcome return to form. I am not familiar with the Secret Service comic series, but from what I've heard, Kingsman is only a very loose adaptation of the source material, so it's not required to enjoy the movie. The story is simple enough to follow, and it borrows heavily from spy films like the 007 series (which the movie even blatantly references on occasion), all while keeping its tongue planted firmly in cheek. The ridiculousness of the plot only amplifies as the movie continues on, with Samuel L. Jackson's villain unfortunately being the weakest part of the film. Kingsman is an incredibly violent movie, but it's intentionally over-the-top and so stylish that it never falls into the truly grotesque. Had Vaughn taken a realistic approach, part of the film's climax would've rivalled the most notorious horror films in terms of gore, but instead we're treated to an explosion of light and colours that create a vivid and even playful spectacle. All of the other fight scenes, particularly the one in the Church, are well choreographed and edited to the point where it even manages to make Colin Firth look like a viable action star. As you would expect from a cast including the likes of Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson, and even Mark Hamill in a small role, the performances in this movie are top notch. Even newcomer Taron Egerton, who could easily have been overshadowed by the more experienced actors he shares the screen with, is perfectly cast as the smug, troubled youth the story follows. As I've already said, I was not generally impressed with the film's villain, but Jackson really commits to the character, and is entertaining enough in his own right (if only slightly annoying) to forgive his appropriately nonsensical master plan. Add this movie to your list if you want a fun, stylish action movie with a few laughs that manages to be both violent and light-hearted at the same time. |
Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
While I think it's OK (at best), I do think Kingsmen is one of the most overrated films of recent years.
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Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
Did you see it when it was new, or after you'd already heard a lot of hype about it?
I went to see it day one, before I saw a lot of other people's opinions of it. I also went into it not knowing what to expect, other than that one trailer I saw and the fact that I loved X-Men First Class. So to me it was surprising, and very much up my alley. I can certainly understand why it wouldn't appeal to a lot of people though, and why some people would find it disappointing after all the praise people have heaped on it since its release. |
Re: A Strange Variety of Film Reviews by Cosmic Runaway
I had no interest in it at all. A friend of mine really liked it so I saw it last year and, as I said, it was OK, but most of the "woah! cool!" bits that people rave about just annoyed me (like the ending you refer to) and, other than a few chuckles, it did nothing for me.
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