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Iron Man Three (2013)
An excellent action packed blockbuster
Typically, blockbusters work on two levels: An economic model for studios to make immense profits, and to provide a crowd pleasing cinema for the masses, laden with witty one liners, explosive visceral thrills and spectacle.
Themes, film techniques, and the imprint of a collaborative film-making process, are deliberately veiled under the crafty illusion cinema affords. The Director goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure that their film reads like a product, not a work of artistic prowess.
Why Iron Man 3 perplexes me as a blockbuster, is that it not only provides the aforementioned thrills, but for a cine-literate film student, a depth of analysis.
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, delivers a superb nuanced portrait of the cynical, egotistic billionaire, with director Shane Black attempting to eschew the iron suit for the majority of the film, and instead portraying the human complexities and weaknesses of the superhero. The theme of identity, separates the man from the suit. Stark, ceremoniously, contemplates the difference between him and the suit, the idea that the suit is a product of industry, and he a product of human life. The ending therefore, may be seen in light of Hollywood's enduring populist love for human sentimentality over the embrace of advanced technology. Warning the planet of the threat such powerful innovations pose.
I don't know whether 21st Century Hollywood reveres or continues to look down upon women, but Iron Man 3 certainly postulates an ambiguous relationship between feminism and cinema. Pepper Potts functions both as an autonomous female, worthy of running a successful multinational conglomerate, and yet acts as the stereotypical damsel in distress, needing rescue from Tony on multiple occasions. Yet the ending when Pepper Potts, ultimately kills the main antagonist, warrants a merit for strong female characters. Though arguably the strength of the woman comes from science rather than natural means, meaning that Black discredits inherent female power. However, it is also safe to argue that Stark is powerless without the suit.
The playing with the representation of the villain is one that both annoyed, and surprised audiences. The supposed malevolent villain Mandarin is nothing more than fake; an actor making viral videos, much like one does on Youtube. How does this bode for the audiences? It bows down to disgust, anger from the comic book demographic polarising them from the film, while conversely ensnaring regular audiences in the questions of identity and duplicity.
Overall, the film proved to have decent action, direction, editing, and story. A worthy blockbuster for our time.
Tonari no Totoro (1988)
It will lift you up :)
A cute, endearing film, which doesn't need dissection via formal analysis. It appeals to the inner child, no matter what age. It brings to life all the fantastical cinematic elements that transcend what it means to be human. Vivid colours, cute characters, I was entranced instantly. I felt I could happily cry during this cuddly film without fear of scorn or censure. Once a film forces an emotional response, it has served its purpose.
While a short feature flick, it is undoubtedly the flagship of Miyazaki's career, not only providing the iconic Studio Ghibli logo, but raising the bar for all animated movies.
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
Go to hell Disney!
Roll over Walt Disney, Miyazaki is a genius and an original auteur, with a penchant for uncovering the human conscience through thought provoking characters, who subvert in every shape and form, their stereotype.
Spirited Away's visceral pleasure derives from the lush iconography, and the poetic expression of the down to earth characters. Yet it pushes the boundaries of cinema. Godard might describe this as a dull, populist drug, with one purpose- pleasure, but this film provokes thematic issues that plague the everyday world. Themes of the environment, water, coming-of age, the imagination, and history merging with the present, stitch the viewer into a sublime world, which makes us reconsider our own.
A masterpiece of Japanese cinema, when the search for the 21st century Citizen Kane begins, I will sit the masses down, and point towards Spirited Away.
American Pie (1999)
Humour is lost on some people
People tend to look upon American Pie as crude, misogynistic and crass. They scorn it because it reveres sex, and portrays what they call toilet humor and the decentralization of the American Youth.
A lot of critics note that the movie focuses too much on losing virginity before college , rather than excelling in the academics to go to said College.
What critics fail to see is that it is a movie designed for the open minded individual,and that no body really cares about "academics" with movies in similar vain to National Lampoon.
People are too uptight these days. Demanding everything to be 'PC'.
American Pie, may be lewd and rude, but it sure as hell is entertaining. Who can't respect the stellar performances of the four main characters. They all have different ways of achieving their ultimate goal, which lead to hilarious antics.One involves a web-cam, one involves an obnoxious jerk's mother, one pretending to love show-choir, the other trying to deceive his girlfriend. In the end of course they all achieve their goal, as in all comedies of the American Nature.
Eugene Levy, commands praise as Jim's sex-crazed father, who supports
his son's endeavor. And Alison Hannigan leaves with one of the most memorable quotes of the series 'One time at Band Camp
Troll 2 (1990)
A film?
This is not a movie. A movie implies, a good script, masterful directing, a well rounded cast, and a coherent and believable story-line. The cast are cheap cardboard, pilfered from the streets of ineptitude.
Troll 2, might be one for the masses of movie goers who enjoy the likes of Epic Movie. But a movie named troll, that actually depicts Goblins, who are possibly the worst villains in existence, On youtube, we see a video of the main delivering some of the worst lines in film history
Filmed in the late 80s, when horrors were at their peak, Troll 2 reminds aspiring directors, what not to film.
The Guard (2011)
The Gleeson Greats
One of the Glesson Greats, characterizes the Irish Police Force in a nutshell- well perhaps a bit over the top, but nevertheless a great performance from Gleeson. Don Cheadle is equally good in his role as an FBI agent.
Good blend of comedy and action. Convincing villains, who make compelling opponents for the Guard. Captures the essence of the west of Ireland. At times can be a bit racist, but encapsulates Gleeson's insolent disposition . Shows the ignorance, and small scale nature of the Irish police force.
Overall, a good movie. Makes one proud to be Irish.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Great Movie- bow down Raimi
Having watched the Spiderman trilogy, my expectations of The Amazing Spiderman were initially low. Reading into some early reviews of the movies, I felt unimpressed. Nevertheless, I decided to enter the theater with an open mind.
What I got was unprecedented. I saw a movie that was spectacular, endearing,a film that actually made me care about the characters. Toby Maguire might as well have played a plank of wood sleeping in a field for three hours. Andrew Garfield brought something to the movie, that Raimi could never evoke from Maguire; flavor, a peculiar flair, that stimulates the movie, even when there is no action taking place. His character is rigorously researched, resembling the original Spiderman envisioned by Ditko and Lee. He brings humor to the table( albeit a bit cheesy). He is smart, dependable, and caring. He personifies the high-school geek, but brings to charm it. He encourages us to stand up to the bully. He is bold in the face of danger. He gets the girl. He is smart, both practically and theoretically.
Then we see the dark dimension to the film. The dissonance in the family that leads to the poignant death of his Uncle. A scene that allows us to sympathize with the rebellious geek. We are offered a character with many dimensions, a flawed character, unlike the stereotypical heroes we are normally offered.
The on screen relationship between Garfield and Stone is a pleasure to watch. The chemistry is bubbling between the pair. Including some memorable quotes and moving scenes. Trust, a quality long lost on our generation is exemplified in Stone's and Garfield's characters, when he reveals his true identity to her. The tension is augmented by the fact that Stone's father, Capitan Stacy, is actively hunting Spiderman. We see the overbearing father holds the same level of disapproval for Peter Parker as he does his altar-ego.
The Down to earth nature of the film is best displayed through the blue collar, Uncle Ben, played by the veteran actor Martin Sheen. Sheen brings the intrinsic qualities of family love and togetherness to the movie. He is a man who has worked all his life. He can be tough on Peter but means well. He loves his wife, and is enraged when Peter fails to pick her up from a dangerous neighborhood. When Peter becomes disenchanted, he storms out. Uncle Ben follows, ending up in a dangerous area.Ironically, the danger Ben warns Peter about is the very thing that kills him. In the conclusion, we see the insightful text message sent to Peter, which urged him to come home that night. In a way Peter is faced with a unresolved guilt. He seeks vengeance, but revenge cannot satiate the hole his uncle's death leaves.
I particularly loved the exploration of Peter's past. It gives us a greater character profile and helps us understand how he came to live with his aunt and uncle.
The Lizard was a good villain no doubt, but I felt maybe his character should have had a bit more screen time. Overall, the atmosphere and the plot were good. Rounded off by a great cast. It has all the makings of a great movie. Bow down Mr Raimi
10/10
Project X (2012)
Critics=Death
Critics are the definition of evil in our creative world. They are the species that lacks the ability to create and innovate. They are fraught with jealousy, regarding their other peers as paragons. Because of this they are prone to a violent agenda of bemoaning anything and everything that comes into their domain. They are the pinnacle of moral prudishness, the barrier to fun and freedom, the challengers of all humour, and the proponents of sluggish and elitist dramas. They tell us, with their flamboyant and pompous words, what to watch and what not to watch. But today we stop listening, today we realise that the reviews from the film critics are irrelevant, that our views hold more substance.
Prior to pandering in Project X, I was subject to merciless reviews of the critics, I was forced to look upon it as trite, as amoral, and utterly idiotic. I was forced to side with the moralists, the cynics and the naysayers. My mental condition dictated so. But then I learned two of the most fundamental clichés of our time: Don't judge a book by its cover, and until you see it for yourself, everybody's opinion is invalid. In order to truly enjoy the movie, one must watch with an open mind
The film centres around 3 high-school geeks, who attempt to throw a large party in order to augment their popularity . They invite an inordinate amount of people, all of whom are wild, lewd, and reckless Soon after, the party spirals into anarchy, with the teens showing a lack of respect for property, disseminating ecstasy tablets and engaging in hilarious antics.
Costa is the breakout character of the film, sustaining the brainless humour. Costa, is obnoxious, manipulative, and lively. His actions go largely unpunished. Karma seems to elude him. He does not suffer the same consequences as his "normally" well-behaved friend Thomas, the unfortunate sufferer of the film. Thomas is a victim of compliance. His acquiescence allows Costa to distort the reality of the situation, and stage the outrageous party. Eventually, Costa gives him an E tablet, causing his inhibitions to severely lower. Thomas, begins to enjoy the party, diving of the roof to the cheers of the other teens. There is sweet irony in this when Costa outright refuses to emulate him: Costa spends the night nagging Thomas to let loose and do something dangerous , but when faced with the rooftop dive, show his cowardice.
Although the majority of the characters are stereotypical high-school teens the , the premise, the dialogue, the theme of teen debauchery, and the use of the shaky camera are outstanding and worthy of praise; a provocative film for the legions of Superbad fans.
It's a teenager's dream, a puritan's nightmare.
9/10
Fair City (1989)
It's a real shame you can't give zero
Real shows, demand big time stars, directors, producers, screenwriters etc. What Fair City has is a bunch of inept monkeys, scratch that(monkeys are way more talented), planks of wood, who think acting is reciting lines from a script without conveying emotion. It's pity you can't give zero for this tripe
As an Irishman, I am appalled that such a show exists. Our only soap that is believed to chronicle the social realism of a north Dublin town, is deplorable and unrealistic. Yet people view this. Why? The show lacks any depth or conviction. The character's accents are terrible. No offense to posh people, but I can hardly imagine 90% of the population of an inner city Dublin town would be posh.
What's more the characters seem like there is some sort of zombie contagion ravaging their soul. Where is the believe that stems from the hard working cast of Eastenders. I don't really like soaps. But if a show like this continues, then the beacon that displays the souls and inner workings of our saints and scholars, will soon go out
The Trouble with Harry (1955)
Death is so commonplace that nobody really cares!!
The Trouble with Harry is a charming little motion picture, with great actors, a witty script and as always with Hitchcock stellar motifs and camera angles . In this movie, Hitchcock ventures into uncharted waters as he blends his macabre themes with elements of mawkish comedy.
Well what is the Trouble with Harry? Well, Harry is dead, and the fact of the matter is nobody in the small hamlet could care less. In fact, the endearing townsfolk, including a local painter, a hunter, Harry's wife and an elderly lady, dismiss Harry contemptuously and act aloofly in their initial encounter with his corpse, somewhat adopting the aphorisms: Life goes on and ignorance is bliss . Instead, in what is a fine day in their small village, they bond. The wife and the painter, bond romantically, as do the elderly lady and the hunter.
For the most part, the characters speculate which one of them killed Harry, until the closing scene reveals that Harry died of natural causes.They attempt to hide the body from the local deputy who is all too eager to abide by the convention of law. With moments of comedy, including the characters constantly exhuming the corpse, this film fails on very few fronts . However, maybe it could have been a bit longer and perhaps we could have more characters, but overall the film was a rousing success.
The Pacific (2010)
Deeply poignant
If there was ever a subject that was hard to portray on screen- it was war and Hanks and Spielberg encapsulate the lurid war that was fought between the Americans and the Japanese. Every moment of the gut- wrenching drama was a tear-jerker- every time a soldier fell(both nationalities)it evoked a plethora of tears. I could not even surmise how those men went through such cataclysmic pain and lived with it. To see what those men endured in those situations makes us look upon our world and see that we are fortunate.
The vivid images over the ten episodes were ones of both opulent beauty and riveting horror. One moment you could see the utopia like jungles and radiant seas where everything was placid and serene, then the next you would be propelled into a inhospitable world, bodies contorted,guts exposed, which made all those archaic ersatz John Wayne War movies look like a mere fairytale. The characters were ultimately believable and throughout you could see the war stemming from every orifice of their being- especially their war weary eyes which showed obvious pain and torment, Though much like Band of Brothers at time identifying characters was a pain, but I digress, this deserves a palpable 10/10 and should be considered culturally, aesthetic and of extreme historical significance.