Saw The Martian last night. Robinson Crusue bang up to date. Not totally sure why I enjoyed it so much. For once 3D did add something. Visually as you'd expect it was awesome. Just had a nice feel to the whole thing. 7/10
First i have to confess that before watching this i didn't have a clue who NWA was. The Hip Hip / Rap scene passed me by or more accurately i avoided it because i really can't stand rap. F. Gary Gray lazily presumes the audience is already familiar with these people and that annoyed me. I did not have a clue who the members of NWA were and i think that put me at a massive disadvantage when watching this film. The characters aren't the most likable of people. They seemed to spend the majority of the film scowling and arguing about money rather than making music and it this grated on me ( but not as much as the music) . Only in the last half an hour of the film do we actually see any form of compassion or humanity from the band members . It wasn't until the film showed a few real film footage clips near the end did i realise how well they did with the casting as the actors as they really do look like the real artists. Sadly that wasn't enough for me to like this film but i'm sure fans of NWA would totally disagree.
If you start a film review with "I didn't have a clue who NWA were" and "I hate rap" your opinion is already invalid because it's going to be biased. No the filmmaker wasn't going to waste time introducing each character like some kind of reality TV show, it was hard enough fitting the 10 year story into a 2 and a half hours. I don't know anyone else who's given this film anything less than even 7/10 so this review is complete rubbish.
So because you disagree with my review it was rubbish? My view is invalid because i'm biased? So does that make anyone who likes rap view invalid because they are biased . What nonsense. There are plenty of reviews that gave it less than 70% and they did because it was their opinion which is what a review is - opinion. Just because it's not the same as yours doesn't make it wrong.
First i have to confess that before watching this i didn't have a clue who NWA was. The Hip Hip / Rap scene passed me by or more accurately i avoided it because i really can't stand rap. F. Gary Gray lazily presumes the audience is already familiar with these people and that annoyed me. I did not have a clue who the members of NWA were and i think that put me at a massive disadvantage when watching this film. The characters aren't the most likable of people. They seemed to spend the majority of the film scowling and arguing about money rather than making music and it this grated on me ( but not as much as the music) . Only in the last half an hour of the film do we actually see any form of compassion or humanity from the band members . It wasn't until the film showed a few real film footage clips near the end did i realise how well they did with the casting as the actors as they really do look like the real artists. Sadly that wasn't enough for me to like this film but i'm sure fans of NWA would totally disagree.
If you start a film review with "I didn't have a clue who NWA were" and "I hate rap" your opinion is already invalid because it's going to be biased. No the filmmaker wasn't going to waste time introducing each character like some kind of reality TV show, it was hard enough fitting the 10 year story into a 2 and a half hours. I don't know anyone else who's given this film anything less than even 7/10 so this review is complete rubbish.
So because you disagree with my review it was rubbish? There are plenty of reviews that gave it less than 70% and they did because it was their opinion which is what a review is - opinion. Just because it's not the same as yours doesn't make it wrong.
Whilst I don't agree with him calling your review rubbish he has a point about introducing the characters. Tbf as well they sort of did introduce the characters at the start of the film anyway, short of showing them each being born I'm not sure what else you wanted them to show.
You'll be pleased to know though that rumours are the DVD release will be a 4 hours directors cut, I'm sure there'll be a lot more in depth background of each of them in that version.
First i have to confess that before watching this i didn't have a clue who NWA was. The Hip Hip / Rap scene passed me by or more accurately i avoided it because i really can't stand rap. F. Gary Gray lazily presumes the audience is already familiar with these people and that annoyed me. I did not have a clue who the members of NWA were and i think that put me at a massive disadvantage when watching this film. The characters aren't the most likable of people. They seemed to spend the majority of the film scowling and arguing about money rather than making music and it this grated on me ( but not as much as the music) . Only in the last half an hour of the film do we actually see any form of compassion or humanity from the band members . It wasn't until the film showed a few real film footage clips near the end did i realise how well they did with the casting as the actors as they really do look like the real artists. Sadly that wasn't enough for me to like this film but i'm sure fans of NWA would totally disagree.
If you start a film review with "I didn't have a clue who NWA were" and "I hate rap" your opinion is already invalid because it's going to be biased. No the filmmaker wasn't going to waste time introducing each character like some kind of reality TV show, it was hard enough fitting the 10 year story into a 2 and a half hours. I don't know anyone else who's given this film anything less than even 7/10 so this review is complete rubbish.
So because you disagree with my review it was rubbish? There are plenty of reviews that gave it less than 70% and they did because it was their opinion which is what a review is - opinion. Just because it's not the same as yours doesn't make it wrong.
Whilst I don't agree with him calling your review rubbish he has a point about introducing the characters. Tbf as well they sort of did introduce the characters at the start of the film anyway, short of showing them each being born I'm not sure what else you wanted them to show.
You'll be pleased to know though that rumours are the DVD release will be a 4 hours directors cut, I'm sure there'll be a lot more in depth background of each of them in that version.
First i have to confess that before watching this i didn't have a clue who NWA was. The Hip Hip / Rap scene passed me by or more accurately i avoided it because i really can't stand rap. F. Gary Gray lazily presumes the audience is already familiar with these people and that annoyed me. I did not have a clue who the members of NWA were and i think that put me at a massive disadvantage when watching this film. The characters aren't the most likable of people. They seemed to spend the majority of the film scowling and arguing about money rather than making music and it this grated on me ( but not as much as the music) . Only in the last half an hour of the film do we actually see any form of compassion or humanity from the band members . It wasn't until the film showed a few real film footage clips near the end did i realise how well they did with the casting as the actors as they really do look like the real artists. Sadly that wasn't enough for me to like this film but i'm sure fans of NWA would totally disagree.
If you start a film review with "I didn't have a clue who NWA were" and "I hate rap" your opinion is already invalid because it's going to be biased. No the filmmaker wasn't going to waste time introducing each character like some kind of reality TV show, it was hard enough fitting the 10 year story into a 2 and a half hours. I don't know anyone else who's given this film anything less than even 7/10 so this review is complete rubbish.
So because you disagree with my review it was rubbish? There are plenty of reviews that gave it less than 70% and they did because it was their opinion which is what a review is - opinion. Just because it's not the same as yours doesn't make it wrong.
Whilst I don't agree with him calling your review rubbish he has a point about introducing the characters. Tbf as well they sort of did introduce the characters at the start of the film anyway, short of showing them each being born I'm not sure what else you wanted them to show.
You'll be pleased to know though that rumours are the DVD release will be a 4 hours directors cut, I'm sure there'll be a lot more in depth background of each of them in that version.
Yep, played on Thursday, with David Lindley a very talented multi musician.
I've seen clips. Reid is wearing a kind of military style white crocheted hat and the drummer takes a huge toke of a joint a split second before his cue. It was a track from River, I believe. Might have been the song Dean.
First i have to confess that before watching this i didn't have a clue who NWA was. The Hip Hip / Rap scene passed me by or more accurately i avoided it because i really can't stand rap. F. Gary Gray lazily presumes the audience is already familiar with these people and that annoyed me. I did not have a clue who the members of NWA were and i think that put me at a massive disadvantage when watching this film. The characters aren't the most likable of people. They seemed to spend the majority of the film scowling and arguing about money rather than making music and it this grated on me ( but not as much as the music) . Only in the last half an hour of the film do we actually see any form of compassion or humanity from the band members . It wasn't until the film showed a few real film footage clips near the end did i realise how well they did with the casting as the actors as they really do look like the real artists. Sadly that wasn't enough for me to like this film but i'm sure fans of NWA would totally disagree.
If you start a film review with "I didn't have a clue who NWA were" and "I hate rap" your opinion is already invalid because it's going to be biased. No the filmmaker wasn't going to waste time introducing each character like some kind of reality TV show, it was hard enough fitting the 10 year story into a 2 and a half hours. I don't know anyone else who's given this film anything less than even 7/10 so this review is complete rubbish.
So because you disagree with my review it was rubbish? My view is invalid because i'm biased? So does that make anyone who likes rap view invalid because they are biased . What nonsense. There are plenty of reviews that gave it less than 70% and they did because it was their opinion which is what a review is - opinion. Just because it's not the same as yours doesn't make it wrong.
Yawn at the simplistic 'it's invalid because you disagree' argument. I'm not saying you're not entitled to your opinion but if you're going to go to the effort of writing film reviews and rating them, at least do it from an objective standpoint. I would never start a review on Star Wars but saying "I hate Star Wars" because the review will never be fair from that point on. If you don't like hip hop then cool, that truly is your opinion, but make the review about how good the film is, not how much you like the music genre that influenced the film. Anyone with even basic knowledge of NWA would admit that the film is a moving, and accurate portrayal of the group and era. 4/10 is laughable.
First i have to confess that before watching this i didn't have a clue who NWA was. The Hip Hip / Rap scene passed me by or more accurately i avoided it because i really can't stand rap. F. Gary Gray lazily presumes the audience is already familiar with these people and that annoyed me. I did not have a clue who the members of NWA were and i think that put me at a massive disadvantage when watching this film. The characters aren't the most likable of people. They seemed to spend the majority of the film scowling and arguing about money rather than making music and it this grated on me ( but not as much as the music) . Only in the last half an hour of the film do we actually see any form of compassion or humanity from the band members . It wasn't until the film showed a few real film footage clips near the end did i realise how well they did with the casting as the actors as they really do look like the real artists. Sadly that wasn't enough for me to like this film but i'm sure fans of NWA would totally disagree.
If you start a film review with "I didn't have a clue who NWA were" and "I hate rap" your opinion is already invalid because it's going to be biased. No the filmmaker wasn't going to waste time introducing each character like some kind of reality TV show, it was hard enough fitting the 10 year story into a 2 and a half hours. I don't know anyone else who's given this film anything less than even 7/10 so this review is complete rubbish.
So because you disagree with my review it was rubbish? My view is invalid because i'm biased? So does that make anyone who likes rap view invalid because they are biased . What nonsense. There are plenty of reviews that gave it less than 70% and they did because it was their opinion which is what a review is - opinion. Just because it's not the same as yours doesn't make it wrong.
Yawn at the simplistic 'it's invalid because you disagree' argument. I'm not saying you're not entitled to your opinion but if you're going to go to the effort of writing film reviews and rating them, at least do it from an objective standpoint. I would never start a review on Star Wars but saying "I hate Star Wars" because the review will never be fair from that point on. If you don't like hip hop then cool, that truly is your opinion, but make the review about how good the film is, not how much you like the music genre that influenced the film. Anyone with even basic knowledge of NWA would admit that the film is a moving, and accurate portrayal of the group and era. 4/10 is laughable.
4 out of 10 is not laughable it's exactly what I rated it . The reason I said I didn't like rap was a caviate as to why I gave it a bad rating. In hindsight I would have a avoided it like the plague it but sadly I didnt. Reviews aren't all about what you find good about a film. I found very little about this to compliment. You did and that's fine.
Just got in from seeing Suffragette. Oh dear, what a missed opportunity. With such an important topic and the lead character supposedly coming from inner city London, this film, to be successful, should have been raw and wrenching your emotions. It failed on both counts.
The problem was twofold a) the film got the Hollywood treatment. I know films have to make money but to totally steal it's soul was criminal, and, b) it was miscast. Messrs Mulligan, Duff and Wishaw always came across as middle class actors trying to 'do cockney' (Duff does have working class roots but you wouldn't know it from this.). The only two plus points were Bonham-Carter and the actual black and white footage at the end which was the only point I had to pretend that there was something in my eye.
I'm disappointed and a bit angry with this treatment of the Suffragette story. If it gets nominated for Oscars I'll be beside myself.
Just got in from seeing Suffragette. Oh dear, what a missed opportunity. With such an important topic and the lead character supposedly coming from inner city London, this film, to be successful, should have been raw and wrenching your emotions. It failed on both counts.
The problem was twofold a) the film got the Hollywood treatment. I know films have to make money but to totally steal it's soul was criminal, and, b) it was miscast. Messrs Mulligan, Duff and Wishaw always came across as middle class actors trying to 'do cockney' (Duff does have working class roots but you wouldn't know it from this.). The only two plus points were Bonham-Carter and the actual black and white footage at the end which was the only point I had to pretend that there was something in my eye.
I'm disappointed and a bit angry with this treatment of the Suffragette story. If it gets nominated for Oscars I'll be beside myself.
Gutted to hear this too be honest, I wanted to see this, I love a bit of history, this film took a bit of a slating on IMDB, shame they couldn't have done the lead character justice with a decent portrayal.
Just got in from seeing Suffragette. Oh dear, what a missed opportunity. With such an important topic and the lead character supposedly coming from inner city London, this film, to be successful, should have been raw and wrenching your emotions. It failed on both counts.
The problem was twofold a) the film got the Hollywood treatment. I know films have to make money but to totally steal it's soul was criminal, and, b) it was miscast. Messrs Mulligan, Duff and Wishaw always came across as middle class actors trying to 'do cockney' (Duff does have working class roots but you wouldn't know it from this.). The only two plus points were Bonham-Carter and the actual black and white footage at the end which was the only point I had to pretend that there was something in my eye.
I'm disappointed and a bit angry with this treatment of the Suffragette story. If it gets nominated for Oscars I'll be beside myself.
Gutted to hear this too be honest, I wanted to see this, I love a bit of history, this film took a bit of a slating on IMDB, shame they couldn't have done the lead character justice with a decent portrayal.
Ok, good luck with the film reviews. 4/10 is laughable though.
There are plenty of reviews I don't agree with in this thread, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone tells me Sicario is overrated! But I rarely argue; it's rare for someone to be out-and-out wrong as it's opinion based. In this instance, Beds is representative of a huge amount of potential viewers, and if he feels the characterisation wasn't good enough to convey who they were, or the story wasn't engaging enough to transcend the music divide, I bet he's not alone. He doesn't write reviews particularly objectively because he doesn't need to. If you read enough you'll know if you have a similar take as him or not.
PS I certainly wouldn't forgive bad characterisation because of the constraints of the running time.
For me, honest and forthright reviews are always very welcome. It's a very subjective area and views will always differ - sometimes radically and there is no 'right or wrong' ratings.There are some film critics whom I respect but with whom I sometimes, rightly or wrongly, strongly disagree.
In general terms, it's always good to hear what people think of a film and to put it into the mixer.
Well I'm going to see 'Compton' tomorrow, personally I think NWA are a bunch of dicks but I expect to enjoy the film. I like true life stories of how people have fought against whatever has been put in there way & strived to success. As you will have worked out I can't stand rap but 9 Mile was an awesome film, I think Eminem is complete twat but I can appreciate & respect where he has come from & the work he has put in to get where he is. Will share my opinion on the NWA film after watching
Well I'm going to see 'Compton' tomorrow, personally I think NWA are a bunch of dicks but I expect to enjoy the film. I like true life stories of how people have fought against whatever has been put in there way & strived to success. As you will have worked out I can't stand rap but 9 Mile was an awesome film, I think Eminem is complete twat but I can appreciate & respect where he has come from & the work he has put in to get where he is. Will share my opinion on the NWA film after watching
Saw this Korean jewel of a film at the London Film Festival called Assassination. Three people picked for an assassination mission and are in turn being hunted themselves. Set during Second World War but over in the Pacific theatre so different than our usual view of the period. Beautifully shot, very tense, wonderful action but not over kill. Like a foreign Tarantino film and so many little twists make this a delightful affair. if you can find this showing any where I really recommend it. 8/10
Straight Outta Compton - not a milestone in the history of cinema but very enjoyable. Excellent casting, too - the guy playing Snoop looks more like Snoop that Snoop does.
Caught up with Legend last night. Really enjoyed it and can see Hardy picking up a lot of awards in the New Year but was very, very impressed with the performance of Emily Browning as Frances. This was the first time I'd seen her in anything and she more than held her own in what could have turned out just to be a Tom Hardy love in.
Felt some of the other characters central to their story were under utilised, Violet Kray gets about 5 lines when she was an essential part of who they were, and they should have made more use of an actor of Christopher Ecclestone's ability. But essentially it was set up to tell their story from Frances's perspective so perhaps they can be forgiven.
Also, I spent far too long trying to place the female nightclub singer than I should have and blimey has John Sessions piled on the timber!
M. Night Shyamalan has had many critics over the years and quite rightly so because since making The Sixth Sense he has made some shockingly bad films. The Visit is not up there with the worst films he has made but as with a Shyamalan film it has many faults. This is the story of a brother and sister who are sent to their grandparents in the country , who they have never met before , while their mum goes on vacation . Predictably they turn out to be just a little bit odd. The biggest problem i have with this is surprisingly not the story but it's the kids , or one in particular . The boy. I can't remember seeing a screen kid more annoying and i was willing bad things to happen to him. There are some spooky moments but not nearly enough and the director's attempt to add humour to the film , failed miserably . Evil Dead it ain't.
I only watch my daughter's films... (which is not actually true) but Captain Sabertooth and the search for the treasure of Lama Rama is a pretty good kiddie movie, despite the dubs (it was filled in Norway). Methinks, much influenced by Captain Hook and pantomime. I don't have any nippers anymore but if I did I would let them watch this. (daughter made the egg). Plus you start to think you could write a script after watching stuff like this but it is actually based on a much loved Norwegian book/s.
Saw the Martian on the weekend. I enjoyed it a lot. Damon was brilliant as usual but for me the best was how Scott managed such a sense of scale of the whole thing. You really did believe he was stranded alone on an entire planet (sorry spoilers) but he also managed the feeling of dread throughout. Easily in my top 5 this year.
The Gift is an intelligent physiological thriller that starts out in the vein of films like Arlington Road or Single White Female and then takes an unexpected turn that makes the viewer really question their loyalties. Joel Edgerton is the writer & director and he also plays Gordo in this , the so called bad guy and he does really good job. Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall are good too as the couple who move into a new house in California only to find an old friend hanging around more than they would like. I enjoyed this because it has you guessing the characters motives throughout and it had a real edge of the seat feel about it .
Well I'm going to see 'Compton' tomorrow, personally I think NWA are a bunch of dicks but I expect to enjoy the film. I like true life stories of how people have fought against whatever has been put in there way & strived to success. As you will have worked out I can't stand rap but 9 Mile was an awesome film, I think Eminem is complete twat but I can appreciate & respect where he has come from & the work he has put in to get where he is. Will share my opinion on the NWA film after watching
Why the flag @Charlton Road James You said 9 mile i tried to be funny about the fact you got the title wrong... don't think that can be defined as abuse.
Set in an unnamed African country, this is about a young boy who, following the slaughter of his father and brother by government forces, is forced to join rebels led by a local warlord (Idris Elba). A powerful film, for sure, but it is unremittingly grim and violent and I personally found it just too one dimensional - 6/10.
This is the first film actually made by Netflix and, following a limited run at Curzon, it will be screened on Netflix later this month.
Well I'm going to see 'Compton' tomorrow, personally I think NWA are a bunch of dicks but I expect to enjoy the film. I like true life stories of how people have fought against whatever has been put in there way & strived to success. As you will have worked out I can't stand rap but 9 Mile was an awesome film, I think Eminem is complete twat but I can appreciate & respect where he has come from & the work he has put in to get where he is. Will share my opinion on the NWA film after watching
Why the flag @Charlton Road James You said 9 mile i tried to be funny about the fact you got the title wrong... don't think that can be defined as abuse.
Oh yeah it's 8 mile! Ok fair enough my fault. I've removed it sorry about that
Comments
7/10
You'll be pleased to know though that rumours are the DVD release will be a 4 hours directors cut, I'm sure there'll be a lot more in depth background of each of them in that version.
He gave it a try and didnt enjoy it.
It's personal taste afterall.
In hindsight I would have a avoided it like the plague it but sadly I didnt. Reviews aren't all about what you find good about a film. I found very little about this to compliment.
You did and that's fine.
Just got in from seeing Suffragette. Oh dear, what a missed opportunity. With such an important topic and the lead character supposedly coming from inner city London, this film, to be successful, should have been raw and wrenching your emotions. It failed on both counts.
The problem was twofold a) the film got the Hollywood treatment. I know films have to make money but to totally steal it's soul was criminal, and, b) it was miscast. Messrs Mulligan, Duff and Wishaw always came across as middle class actors trying to 'do cockney' (Duff does have working class roots but you wouldn't know it from this.). The only two plus points were Bonham-Carter and the actual black and white footage at the end which was the only point I had to pretend that there was something in my eye.
I'm disappointed and a bit angry with this treatment of the Suffragette story. If it gets nominated for Oscars I'll be beside myself.
PS I certainly wouldn't forgive bad characterisation because of the constraints of the running time.
In general terms, it's always good to hear what people think of a film and to put it into the mixer.
Felt some of the other characters central to their story were under utilised, Violet Kray gets about 5 lines when she was an essential part of who they were, and they should have made more use of an actor of Christopher Ecclestone's ability. But essentially it was set up to tell their story from Frances's perspective so perhaps they can be forgiven.
Also, I spent far too long trying to place the female nightclub singer than I should have and blimey has John Sessions piled on the timber!
The Visit
M. Night Shyamalan has had many critics over the years and quite rightly so because since making The Sixth Sense he has made some shockingly bad films.
The Visit is not up there with the worst films he has made but as with a Shyamalan film it has many faults.
This is the story of a brother and sister who are sent to their grandparents in the country , who they have never met before , while their mum goes on vacation . Predictably they turn out to be just a little bit odd.
The biggest problem i have with this is surprisingly not the story but it's the kids , or one in particular . The boy.
I can't remember seeing a screen kid more annoying and i was willing bad things to happen to him.
There are some spooky moments but not nearly enough and the director's attempt to add humour to the film , failed miserably .
Evil Dead it ain't.
5 out of 10
Plus you start to think you could write a script after watching stuff like this but it is actually based on a much loved Norwegian book/s.
The Gift
The Gift is an intelligent physiological thriller that starts out in the vein of films like Arlington Road or Single White Female and then takes an unexpected turn that makes the viewer really question their loyalties.
Joel Edgerton is the writer & director and he also plays Gordo in this , the so called bad guy and he does really good job.
Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall are good too as the couple who move into a new house in California only to find an old friend hanging around more than they would like.
I enjoyed this because it has you guessing the characters motives throughout and it had a real edge of the seat feel about it .
7 out of 10
2 very good films. Would happily recommend either.
Some very good films out lately.