Wednesday 26 August 2009

I Love You, Man.


I Love you, Man.

I watched this with little expectation, If my memory serves me correct I don't think it had a good cinema run. It stars Paul Rudd who has done well in supports such as Anchor Man, 40 Year Old Virgin and probably most regonisable from TV show Friends. Along side Rudd is Jason Segel, known for support in Knocked Up and lead star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Now the introductions are out of the way we shall begin.

After the first 20-30 minutes I really wasn't enjoying the movie, it was a little awkward and uncomfortable to watch. Until Jason Segel's character arrived, the story really opened up. Watching the two characters bond made me really start to care about them.
Once we had this connection I really started to get into the film. The characters were really well written and acted. Even though the film started off slow it soon redeemed it self and was very entertaining.

It was your typical love story, with the twist that it was a buddy friendship, rather than a couple falling in love. But we know how it plays out, they get together, have a fall out, then realise that life is better together than apart. Sometimes they throw in the twist that it appears one of them has already moved on, but they haven't. I love you, man didn't do that, thank god.

So, yeah, you've seen it a thousand times before in all different situation, its a tale that never gets old. Its like that old saying it doesn't matter how many times you've heard the joke, its how its told... Or something like that.

In the case of I love You, Man its told well. It's not got amazing cinematography or a beautiful score, but as far has comedies go its entertaining.

Anyway don't take my word for it, go on the official website (<<




Finally, I Watched Switchblade Romance the other night, French Slasher Horror flick. Thought it was alright, bit of a strange ending. Think they wanted it to be a big twist, or make it clever, but should have left it has a straight out man killing rampage. The colour was really nice, had a subtle green tone. Made the whole picture look expensive and stylised, but didn't distract from the story. The biggest shock of the film was, coming up to the final third, the revenge section, the protagonist goes after the killer in a stolen sports car, the track NEW BORN by Muse plays. So far the film had been scored, the was the odd track playing from the radio, but this was the only placed track, which I found really obvious. It stuck out, I actually really liked that song and it worked with the visuals. But surely opt for a whole artist soundtrack, rather than just having the one song. Dunno, maybe its just me.


Anyway, I've written the script for another Video Review, Mega Shark Vs Giant Octopus. Should record the vocal within the next week or so. Before then there will be a few more blogs. Next film I'm rambling about will probably be Chocolate, Thai Kung Fu film, which was visually stunning. Will most likely go see the big releases at the cinema this weekend, I. Basterds, District 9 and Funny People, which I'll be reporting on in some form of media.

Check out the usual

Thursday 20 August 2009

Let the Right One In.

Let the Right One In.


I've been deciding whether to make a video review for this film, no trailer on Itunes though, which means I'd have to make my own. Choosing the right bits could be hard.


But anyway, my initial thoughts. First Swedish film I've seen and if this is anything to go by then I'll definitely be watching more, I know you can't judge a whole nations cinema on one movie, Imagine if I judged America's of Michael Bay films. Oh Dear.


Onwards,

I don't want to spoil this for anybody that wants to see it, so if you are going to watch it don't read this and come back once you've seen it.


I enjoyed it so much because I was completely unaware of what the film was about. It is so rare these days, with the web and mass advertising to have a complete open mind when watching a film. It's like the first time you ever saw From Dusk Till Dawn, it starts out has a ace road thriller and half way through BAM! loads of vampires and shit.


Let The Right One In isn't quite as BAM! has From Dusk Till Dawn, but it is unlike any other vampire movie I have ever seen. The film concentrates more on the relationship between the boy and the girl, it's just unfortunate that she is a vampire. Its a bit like a non-cheesy, non-buffy-like, serious Twilight. Thats not the best comparison, but the main story is similar.


The look of the film is very cold, shot beautifully in snowy Sweden. Its very dark, and like many european films at the moment the story line focuses on child bullying. There is great satisfaction when the vampire girl rips apart the the bullies, this is shot in such a subtle way that if your not paying attention you may miss it, and may be confused when the scene opens up to reveal the decapitated bodies. Now that sounds morbid, but when you see it you'll know what I mean.


There are many layers to this movie and I don't want to ramble too much, but what I've cover isn't even half of it.


The film ends open, I can't decide whether I'm happy or sad for the boy, let me know your thoughts.



In other news I've uploaded a new Video Review (bottom of blog), I'm members of Blip TV and Daily Motion, please add or follow or subscribe. I'm working on a Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus V.review. There will be blogs on both Thai Kung Fu film Chocolate and comedy I Love You, Man.





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Tuesday 18 August 2009

Public Enemies Review. And Other Things



I thought I'd publish this review on my blog. It was originally added to youtube on 11th July 09, but this weekend I uploaded it to my Blip page. I've been a member of Blip for awhile but never used it. I think I'm going to use it as a secondary channel, upload my stuff to youtube first then a few weeks later send it out to Blip. I also have a Vimeo account, so I may use that too. I've started to look at Daily Motion. I know a few people using it and it looks like it as a growing network.

I'm hoping to gain a decent following by the end of the year with my reviews and short documentaries ( if I ever get round to them), plus having a following will do my short films a world of good too.

Getting a following is very difficult and I've mention it a few times in blogs, so I won't repeat myself. But using all outputs is essential, I cannot just limit myself to only youtube. The public enemies review hasn't done too well on youtube and even worse on Blip, racking up a disappointing 3 views over the weekend. I think I'm tagging my work well enough. I feel I'm aiming for the wrong crowd, but I have a few videos in mind that are a bit different, which might gain me unlikely viewings.

To be honest even if I don't get the thousands of view I am hoping for I don't mind, really. I enjoy making the videos and it gets my thoughts out of my head.

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Friday 14 August 2009

Cheers for watching

QUICK BLOG!


My Transformers 2 video review went past the 100 view milestone today. I know 100 views isn't a lot to most people, I mean you could probably get a few thousand views by just filming yourself taking a shit. But its good to know there is a few people out there listening, its had no comments or rating so I can't be sure if anyone actually liked it, there as been a few people that have told me face to face they liked it, but it would take a real son of a bitch to tell you they thought it was shit to your face.


I had a guy, who I went to sixth form with and now I stay in touch over facebook come into my work to rent some films, and he made the effort to mention he'd watched it and asked if I was planning on doing anymore.


I will eventually get round to making some more, I have a Bruno one all written, just waiting for the right time to record it. I am also working on a series of videos about 2000's cinema. This one is taking some time to research, there is so much I want to say and don't want to leave anything out, but its still got to be interesting, not just me rambling on like I do on here.


Anyway, only wanted to say a quick thanks for the few that watched it.


Cheers

Tuesday 11 August 2009

INTERNET VIDEO UPDATE!

I recently posted a blog about starting to make some web videos. Documentaries on films, filmmakers and stuff like that.


I started with two reviews (Public Enemies and Transformers), after posting them I soon realised that if your wanting to gain a following you have to find a niche or smaller audience. The problem with making vids on mainstream cinema is that the TAG words will be on millions of videos already existing, so your fighting against far too many people for views. The only real way to get people to watch these vids is to promote them yourself, but thats not gaining a following, its just telling the people you expect to watch it.


So I had a little thought about what Videos I'd like to see and then create them. I'd like to do some documentaries on cinema. Anybody thats spent time with me will know I'm a little crazy about films, and have a good knowledge, and I'd like to say an individual taste, I don't always go with the crowd and don't mind saying a films shite or great despite what the critics say.


I'm mentioning this because I blogged about making a series of documentaries about 80s cinema, I did my research and wrote the introduction script. But after the recent death of one of my favourite 80s filmmaker John Hughes it just doesn't seem right. JH was going to feature heavily in one of the parts, I imagine if you search youtube or one of the other video sites they will have many JH tributes, and I don't think we need another right now. I'd like to respect him in my own time, without seeming like I'm using his death to gain a bigger following.


So today I've decided to put the 80s cinema on hold. Tonight I started research into 2000s cinema. I thought with the decade fast approaching the end it's a good time to do it.


The series will be split up into ten 5 minute parts, A Introduction, 5 videos each one on what I think was an essential film to the decade, One about filmmakers that have broke through. And then the rest will be about actors and stuff.


If there is anything you would like to see in this series I'm open to ideas.


CHEERS

Monday 10 August 2009

James Rolfe, Angry Video Game Nerd.

I thought I'd write a blog about JAMES ROLFE.


This is a guy I've been following on various parts of the internet, from his youtube, to twitter and even his website.


I first found him on youtube, a series of videos called "You know whats bullshit?" These are baiscally videos of him having a rant at the little pointless things in life, but he does it very well.


I then checked out more of his youtube videos, He's best known for his Angry Video Game Nerd series. These are him again, ranting about old 80s/90s videos games. Mainly the really bad ones. These make great viewing if your interested in retro gaming.


He has hundreds of videos on youtube, dating back to 2006, but he actually made some of them well before that. But there wasn't a youtube back then.


I'm now a keen admirer of his website and visit it daily, he has so many videos on there it always gives me a few minutes of entertainment.


He's more than just bullshit and retro games though. He has a great knowledge of movies and does some really good and informative reviews and documentaries. He is also a filmmaker and on his website he has made a documentary about how he got into filmmaking, this is a brilliant treat if your a aspiring filmmaker.


I think James Rolfe is great, he's built a massive following over the years and it's tthoroughly deserved. Since I've been watching him he has become a inspiration to me. I would really like to start making my own short documentaries about films and filmmakers I've enjoyed. I don't think I'd get all mad and angry like James Rolfe, thats his thing and I could never do it has good and funny has he does.


I hope James Rolfe carries on making little videos and starts moving into new avenues with his films. I like a lot of his behind the scenes stuff and I'm considering buying his DVDs.


I know this isn't as long has my usual ramblings, but you'd get much more enjoyment if you travelled over to his site and watch his vids. LINK!