I just watched Inception on Blu Ray.
It is my second viewing of this film and I am currently eating a large bowl of humble pie.
In my defence the hype surrounding Inception was enormous, it was billed as the greatest film ever, bigger than God and Evolution put together.
When I went to see it at the cinema I admit that I enjoyed the film greatly and yet somehow felt a small level of disappointment. I couldn't put my finger on it, I just felt it hadn't lived up to the hype.
So here's the deal, in the first viewing I was hooked by the set pieces, the hotel scene with the gravity fights, the tin-opener Paris scene, the snow vault scene which came straight of a Call of Duty game/ All of these grabbed me from day one and gelled perfectly with my inner action film love.
Then there was the dream or not dream sequences, fear not I am not going to spoil anything but the process of the realities again were from films I had previously enjoyed, The Matrix for one, Strange Days another.
The acting is at the top of it's game with stellar performances all round. Ons thing that strikes me is how excited I am to see Tom Hardy cast as Bane in the upcoming Christopher Nolan The Dark Knight Rises.
So what was wrong with me feeling let down - hype!
So on second viewing? The film is superb, start to finish it is gripping, action packed, acted splendidly and stands up on Blu Ray, potentially better than on the big screen. The music score, as with previous Chris Nolan films, is brilliant with Hans Zimmer delivering perfect music for the film. His previous favourites of mine have included The Last Samurai, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Gladiator & Frost/Nixon all of which have perfect scores.
So the answer is, avoid the hype perhaps. Rely on your instinct, your friends and colleagues, your gut feeling. Embrace films, movies & TV and just roll with what you enjoy and discover. Naturally there will be some duds but there has to be a balance right?
http://youtu.be/imamcajBEJs
Monday 23 May 2011
Friday 20 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 30
Favourite Movie of all time.
Woah, steady on with the 'of all time' idea.
How many films do I like? Hundreds. How many have I seen countless times? Hundreds. Can I ever produce a Top 5 films consistently when the following people are playing at the pub - http://twitter.com/Venron_Uk & http://twitter.com/_Lalabum ? Nope.
So what films end up in my Top 5?
In no particular order, let's see.
Empire Strikes Back
Saving Private Ryan
Reservoir Dogs
Blade Runner
and there you go, unable to finish as I can't pick the last one.
So what's my favourite film of all time - who knows? Is is Ryan that I own of all formats, perhaps. Is it Blade Runner which I have watched endlessly and in all formats of the film, maybe, is it Reservoir Dogs, still my favourite Tarantino movie, or perhaps Empire Strikes Back, a childhood favourite and the beginning of what was to forever be Sequels can be better than First Instalments.
Just to add weight to that (and counter-argument).
Aliens is better than Alien - or is?
Predator 2 is terrible compared to Predator - Fact!
Godfather Part 2 is considered a better film that Godfather Part 1 - who's to argue or get a horses head in your bed.
Transformers 2 - oh lets just not.
So you see I'm waffling, stalling for time because I have no answer nor do I have the subject of my next set of blogs (yet!)
Let's get ready for http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/2011/index.aspx here --------> http://youtu.be/mNaT0t67E14
Woah, steady on with the 'of all time' idea.
How many films do I like? Hundreds. How many have I seen countless times? Hundreds. Can I ever produce a Top 5 films consistently when the following people are playing at the pub - http://twitter.com/Venron_Uk & http://twitter.com/_Lalabum ? Nope.
So what films end up in my Top 5?
In no particular order, let's see.
Empire Strikes Back
Saving Private Ryan
Reservoir Dogs
Blade Runner
and there you go, unable to finish as I can't pick the last one.
So what's my favourite film of all time - who knows? Is is Ryan that I own of all formats, perhaps. Is it Blade Runner which I have watched endlessly and in all formats of the film, maybe, is it Reservoir Dogs, still my favourite Tarantino movie, or perhaps Empire Strikes Back, a childhood favourite and the beginning of what was to forever be Sequels can be better than First Instalments.
Just to add weight to that (and counter-argument).
Aliens is better than Alien - or is?
Predator 2 is terrible compared to Predator - Fact!
Godfather Part 2 is considered a better film that Godfather Part 1 - who's to argue or get a horses head in your bed.
Transformers 2 - oh lets just not.
So you see I'm waffling, stalling for time because I have no answer nor do I have the subject of my next set of blogs (yet!)
Let's get ready for http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/2011/index.aspx here --------> http://youtu.be/mNaT0t67E14
Wednesday 18 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 29
Favourite movie from childhood.
Such a simple one this.
1977 - I was 4.
Went with my Dad to the Quinton Classic - http://www.qlhs.org.uk/oracle/danilo-story/danilo-story.htm
The spaceship rumbled - I mean literally the whole place seemed to rumble as it cam into view. Lasers shooting at the fleeing ship.
I was mesmerised and from that day on hooked on one of the greatest trilogies ever made, only spoiled by a dodgy set of three prequels.
My favourite childhood movie - the one that started my movie fan obsession - simples!
http://youtu.be/9gvqpFbRKtQ
Such a simple one this.
1977 - I was 4.
Went with my Dad to the Quinton Classic - http://www.qlhs.org.uk/oracle/danilo-story/danilo-story.htm
The spaceship rumbled - I mean literally the whole place seemed to rumble as it cam into view. Lasers shooting at the fleeing ship.
I was mesmerised and from that day on hooked on one of the greatest trilogies ever made, only spoiled by a dodgy set of three prequels.
My favourite childhood movie - the one that started my movie fan obsession - simples!
http://youtu.be/9gvqpFbRKtQ
Tuesday 17 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 28
Favourite Movie from favourite director.
I was originally going to choose Con Air for this challenge, then realised that the director of Con Air is actually Simon West who was also responsible for Tomb Raider - not my favourite director then!
So instead I'm going for the obvious director, the man who has brought us so many classic and great films.
Mr Steven Spielberg.
Over the years I have enjoyed so many of his wonderful films;
Close Encounters of the Third Kind was amazing when I was 4!
Raiders of The Lost Ark started one of the greatest trilogies of all time (I have chosen trilogy to describe the Indy films as the last one was pants! - Aliens - oh come on)
E.T. - still makes me cry!
Hook, Jurassic Park etc.
Schindler's List is one of the most moving pictures ever made.
My choice from the endless supply of brilliance is a film I saw at the cinema, that I own on VHS, DVD & Blu Ray.
It is a magnificent piece of cinema capturing the horror and sacrifice of war. The central performances are flawless and delivered perfectly. The beach scene stays with you forever. The soundtrack is sublime.
It has to be Saving Private Ryan. - A masterpiece.
http://youtu.be/wAFflPB29MU
I was originally going to choose Con Air for this challenge, then realised that the director of Con Air is actually Simon West who was also responsible for Tomb Raider - not my favourite director then!
So instead I'm going for the obvious director, the man who has brought us so many classic and great films.
Mr Steven Spielberg.
Over the years I have enjoyed so many of his wonderful films;
Close Encounters of the Third Kind was amazing when I was 4!
Raiders of The Lost Ark started one of the greatest trilogies of all time (I have chosen trilogy to describe the Indy films as the last one was pants! - Aliens - oh come on)
E.T. - still makes me cry!
Hook, Jurassic Park etc.
Schindler's List is one of the most moving pictures ever made.
My choice from the endless supply of brilliance is a film I saw at the cinema, that I own on VHS, DVD & Blu Ray.
It is a magnificent piece of cinema capturing the horror and sacrifice of war. The central performances are flawless and delivered perfectly. The beach scene stays with you forever. The soundtrack is sublime.
It has to be Saving Private Ryan. - A masterpiece.
http://youtu.be/wAFflPB29MU
Thursday 12 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 27
A film you wish you had seen at the cinema.
Tough category. There are number of films I did not see at the cinema that I know would have been worth the bug screen experience.
Truth be told the cinema can annoy the hell out of me. Firstly, all food in a cinema is a total rip off. Sure it's part of the going out experience but really, that much for that rubbish!
Secondly, other people! I am as it happens a sociable person and if I want to socialise then I go to the pub, for a meal or to someones house. I don't go to the cinema to have a chat! It seems that not only do people go to the cinema for a chat, they text, tweet and facebook through the film. When I saw The Kings Speech one couple in particular did not stop talking throughout the whole film. They only paused when they both left the auditorium for 10 minutes only to return and continue their conversation - I was ready to kill.
It has always made Mrs Nik and I smile, maybe laugh a little that couples choose to go to the cinema on a date. We avoid the cinema on Fridays & Saturdays to avoid their date nights. what makes us smile so much and I am guilty of taking Mrs Nik to the cinema on our first date, is that you don't talk to each other for 2 hours! Weird date huh?
So films in cinemas are not my first choice, Blu Ray at home with a beer is the way forward for me. Of course some films need to be experienced at the cinema.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was spectacular on the big screen.
The Dark Knight & Inception again wowed the audience on the silver screen.
There are those that don't - Star Wars Episodes 1-3. Actually they just don't need to be experienced full stop.
Avatar in 3D was a stunning and immersive experience despite being an hour too long and a film I have no desire to watch again.
You see Avatar is one of those films that personally I don't think would have the same impact on the small screen. On the small screen it is after all just a mediocre sci-fi film about hippies, blue hippies to be precise. On the big screen and in 3D - it just worked.
I'm not going to start the 3D argument, suffice to say that I cannot stand the films which are marketed as 3D and yet were shot happily in 2D - stop taking peoples extra cash!
I never saw The Shawshank Redemption at the cinema and whilst I love the film, I'm not saw it is necessary. It is just a great a film on the small screen. In fact, the film flopped at the cinema and has developed its following through home cinema.
One film I would have liked to have seen on the big screen is Iron man 2.
I thoroughly enjoyed Iron man and missed the sequel only to get this on Blu Ray. It's once again great fun, loud, explosive and action packed, strung together with wit and humour.
It would have made a great big screen picture. So that's my choice for today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kD8sxIjVuc
Tough category. There are number of films I did not see at the cinema that I know would have been worth the bug screen experience.
Truth be told the cinema can annoy the hell out of me. Firstly, all food in a cinema is a total rip off. Sure it's part of the going out experience but really, that much for that rubbish!
Secondly, other people! I am as it happens a sociable person and if I want to socialise then I go to the pub, for a meal or to someones house. I don't go to the cinema to have a chat! It seems that not only do people go to the cinema for a chat, they text, tweet and facebook through the film. When I saw The Kings Speech one couple in particular did not stop talking throughout the whole film. They only paused when they both left the auditorium for 10 minutes only to return and continue their conversation - I was ready to kill.
It has always made Mrs Nik and I smile, maybe laugh a little that couples choose to go to the cinema on a date. We avoid the cinema on Fridays & Saturdays to avoid their date nights. what makes us smile so much and I am guilty of taking Mrs Nik to the cinema on our first date, is that you don't talk to each other for 2 hours! Weird date huh?
So films in cinemas are not my first choice, Blu Ray at home with a beer is the way forward for me. Of course some films need to be experienced at the cinema.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was spectacular on the big screen.
The Dark Knight & Inception again wowed the audience on the silver screen.
There are those that don't - Star Wars Episodes 1-3. Actually they just don't need to be experienced full stop.
Avatar in 3D was a stunning and immersive experience despite being an hour too long and a film I have no desire to watch again.
You see Avatar is one of those films that personally I don't think would have the same impact on the small screen. On the small screen it is after all just a mediocre sci-fi film about hippies, blue hippies to be precise. On the big screen and in 3D - it just worked.
I'm not going to start the 3D argument, suffice to say that I cannot stand the films which are marketed as 3D and yet were shot happily in 2D - stop taking peoples extra cash!
I never saw The Shawshank Redemption at the cinema and whilst I love the film, I'm not saw it is necessary. It is just a great a film on the small screen. In fact, the film flopped at the cinema and has developed its following through home cinema.
One film I would have liked to have seen on the big screen is Iron man 2.
I thoroughly enjoyed Iron man and missed the sequel only to get this on Blu Ray. It's once again great fun, loud, explosive and action packed, strung together with wit and humour.
It would have made a great big screen picture. So that's my choice for today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kD8sxIjVuc
Wednesday 11 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 26
A movie people hate, that I love.
This movie has divided audiences completely.
Two of my closest friends do not like this movie which I find a little bit odd, but each to their own.
Two other people I know think as I do that the movie has very funny and a great joy to watch.
It is at it's heart a love story, throw in some awkward characters including the obligatory dork, some game and computer sound effects including pac man, Atari, Mac and Nintendo, plus some cool indie music and of course Kung Fu. The dialogue is so fast paced and witty it's hard to catch up with some of the comedy, whilst I found myself laughing out loud at most of the film.
Not forgetting the comedy elements, Vegan powers, Chinese girl in School Uniform cliché, asian Bollywood dance scene - this proves to be a fabulously great film.
Two of my closest friends do not like this movie which I find a little bit odd, but each to their own.
Two other people I know think as I do that the movie has very funny and a great joy to watch.
It is at it's heart a love story, throw in some awkward characters including the obligatory dork, some game and computer sound effects including pac man, Atari, Mac and Nintendo, plus some cool indie music and of course Kung Fu. The dialogue is so fast paced and witty it's hard to catch up with some of the comedy, whilst I found myself laughing out loud at most of the film.
Not forgetting the comedy elements, Vegan powers, Chinese girl in School Uniform cliché, asian Bollywood dance scene - this proves to be a fabulously great film.
The performances in the film are also for me superb with probably my favourite performance coming from a Culkin brother - texting whilst sleeping - highly amusing.
The fight sequences are lavish and loud giving the film a real edge and in some places are brutal yet handled in a perfect gaming/cartoon way so as not to cause offence to viewers.
A band struggling tio make it and make the right choices is again a well trodden storyline for many films and real people so it is easy to relate to sections of the film.
The movie itself did not do very well at the Box Office but in truth this film is the classic underground movie, discovered by word of mouth and enjoyed by many and it'll be equally true, hated by many more.
Evil exes - defeated!
Of course if you didn't like the film, you could always read the original books http://www.scottpilgrim.com/
Sunday 8 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 25
Hilarious film choice.
Too hungover to write loads, but it is simple this one.
Double Tap! - I think the Seals who got Osama did this too. (Topical Reference)
Really must do some cardio too.
http://youtu.be/071KqJu7WVo
Too hungover to write loads, but it is simple this one.
Double Tap! - I think the Seals who got Osama did this too. (Topical Reference)
Really must do some cardio too.
http://youtu.be/071KqJu7WVo
Saturday 7 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 24
Favourite Animation.
Animated films are great fun for both adults and children - FACT. I was once speaking to someone who stated that he could not stand animated films and thought they were juvenile and pointless. He is obviously very uneducated in this genre and has never seen any Pixar masterpieces.
Since being a child I have enjoyed animated films like Dumbo or Fantasia but truth be told I couldn't appreciate them until I got older. One such film was Aladdin where the songs were great and the comedy, delivered by Robin Williams, really took my enjoyment of animated films to another level.
Whilst I appreciate that children do love animated films it appears that nowadays and for some time particularly courtesy of Pixar these films have been made by adults for adults, children's enjoyment is just a bonus.
Pixar and Dreamworks have elevated these films to the mainstream and have delivered some truly amazing experiences, storylines, fun and sadness which was all started by Disney.
I have many favourites from Beauty & The Beast, probably my favourite Disney Animated film through to my favourite animated film - not yet, not yet...
Lets just remind ourselves of some truly superb animated films;
Toy Story - one of the best Trilogies made.
Shrek - what a brilliant first offering only to tale off as the series progressed (IMHO).
Wall-E - a stunning looking film which delivered a perfect story which on paper looks like it'll never work.
UP - moving and uplifting in equal measure.
There are so more to choose - all comments welcomed.
So what is my favourite well it's not a classic in the Disney sense.
I think part of the love comes from how well it is shot. The effort to produce some of the action sequences is second to none and rivals the Matrix for effects. Perhaps because I watched this film on Blu Ray the effort was magnified but even so it is brilliant. The blossom on the trees is almost real and this is from an animated film plus the expressive faces just amaze.
The storyline hinges on a subject that has always fascinated me and I like to see as many of these genre type films as I can. The comedy is extremely well delivered, no surprise considering the lead actor and the message of the story about believing in yourself and finding the true person inside of you is a classic.
Also, it has a great uplifting message for all out of shape people everywhere!!
http://youtu.be/VgU1Ayn2Cg8
Animated films are great fun for both adults and children - FACT. I was once speaking to someone who stated that he could not stand animated films and thought they were juvenile and pointless. He is obviously very uneducated in this genre and has never seen any Pixar masterpieces.
Since being a child I have enjoyed animated films like Dumbo or Fantasia but truth be told I couldn't appreciate them until I got older. One such film was Aladdin where the songs were great and the comedy, delivered by Robin Williams, really took my enjoyment of animated films to another level.
Whilst I appreciate that children do love animated films it appears that nowadays and for some time particularly courtesy of Pixar these films have been made by adults for adults, children's enjoyment is just a bonus.
Pixar and Dreamworks have elevated these films to the mainstream and have delivered some truly amazing experiences, storylines, fun and sadness which was all started by Disney.
I have many favourites from Beauty & The Beast, probably my favourite Disney Animated film through to my favourite animated film - not yet, not yet...
Lets just remind ourselves of some truly superb animated films;
Toy Story - one of the best Trilogies made.
Shrek - what a brilliant first offering only to tale off as the series progressed (IMHO).
Wall-E - a stunning looking film which delivered a perfect story which on paper looks like it'll never work.
UP - moving and uplifting in equal measure.
There are so more to choose - all comments welcomed.
So what is my favourite well it's not a classic in the Disney sense.
I think part of the love comes from how well it is shot. The effort to produce some of the action sequences is second to none and rivals the Matrix for effects. Perhaps because I watched this film on Blu Ray the effort was magnified but even so it is brilliant. The blossom on the trees is almost real and this is from an animated film plus the expressive faces just amaze.
The storyline hinges on a subject that has always fascinated me and I like to see as many of these genre type films as I can. The comedy is extremely well delivered, no surprise considering the lead actor and the message of the story about believing in yourself and finding the true person inside of you is a classic.
Also, it has a great uplifting message for all out of shape people everywhere!!
http://youtu.be/VgU1Ayn2Cg8
Friday 6 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 23
Favourite Documentary.
I haven't watched that many documentary films to be honest. Michael Moore springs to mind when I think of these films and produced and wrote my favourite which we will come to shortly.
My problem with this type of film is that, and very much in Mr Moore's case, they become a political vehicle offering a single viewpoint.
The example I have of this would be Fahrenheit 9/11 which looked very promising and then quickly deteriorated into a Bush bashing film. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a George W. Bush fan but when a film simply bashes and bashes one person for son long it ruins the viewing. There is no counter-argument, no devils advocate and just a one sided opinion.
There are documentaries I do like. Super Size Me was a brilliant documentary about a man, Morgan Spurlock, who decides to eat nothing but fast food for every meal. Yup, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner or if you are posh, Breakfast, Dinner & Supper! In addition he must take additional food if offered, for example, "Is that a large meal?" & "Would you like fries with that" - famous up selling techniques of the fast food outlet (so I've been told lol!!)
The film is highly informative, highly entertaining in both an amusing and serious manner. The outcome, a near death experience for the documenter - a surprise, not really, did the message work, nope!
My favourite documentary is by far the most moving I have seen.
If you are unaware of what influenced this film I have included this link bit.ly/mijh2E
The film investigates what happened and more importantly tries to understand why it happened. The cause of this tragedy is never really uncovered which is unsurprising as to understand the mind of someone can often prove a mystery.
The example I have of this would be Fahrenheit 9/11 which looked very promising and then quickly deteriorated into a Bush bashing film. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a George W. Bush fan but when a film simply bashes and bashes one person for son long it ruins the viewing. There is no counter-argument, no devils advocate and just a one sided opinion.
There are documentaries I do like. Super Size Me was a brilliant documentary about a man, Morgan Spurlock, who decides to eat nothing but fast food for every meal. Yup, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner or if you are posh, Breakfast, Dinner & Supper! In addition he must take additional food if offered, for example, "Is that a large meal?" & "Would you like fries with that" - famous up selling techniques of the fast food outlet (so I've been told lol!!)
The film is highly informative, highly entertaining in both an amusing and serious manner. The outcome, a near death experience for the documenter - a surprise, not really, did the message work, nope!
My favourite documentary is by far the most moving I have seen.
If you are unaware of what influenced this film I have included this link bit.ly/mijh2E
The film investigates what happened and more importantly tries to understand why it happened. The cause of this tragedy is never really uncovered which is unsurprising as to understand the mind of someone can often prove a mystery.
It is within this film that I discover that as has happened throughout history, music or often now video games have been blamed for the tragedy. In this particular case Marilyn Manson, a generations lead 'Shock Rocker' was blamed for the tragedy. It was claimed by many that the perpetrators were influenced by video games, as a result of being bullied and by their love of "dark metal" such as Rammstein and particularly Marilyn Manson whom they were said to have worshipped.
As is so often the case these claims had no basis or proof and the bands were totally innocent of any responsibility.
In the documentary, Michael Moore asks Marilyn Manson what he would have said to the students at Columbine, he replies, "I wouldn't say a single word. I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did."
If you have never seen this documentary then I urge you to see it. In addition Gus Van Sant's film Elephant also looks at the tragedy from a more conventional film making perspective.
Wednesday 4 May 2011
30 Day Movie Challenge - Day 22 - Season return!
Favourite Action Movie.
I love action movies; Fact.
I enjoy taking out my brain, placing it to one side and just letting go of reality and sense. I grew up with action movies, the greatest action stars defined my movie upbringing.
Steven Seagal - fast moving aikido, guns and cool. http://youtu.be/yDoTjXowRSc
Jean Claude - kick ass martial arts, terrible hair. http://youtu.be/9mZ0b7cpgo0
Arnie - the daddy of action, Terminator, Total Recall, The Running Man, True Lies, Predator, one liners galore = http://youtu.be/0gl8UKAYI7k
Bruce - Die Hard, The Last Boy Scout, Moonlighting! http://youtu.be/V0s_wZgxA7s
Sly - the Godfather - Rambo, Tango & Cash, Cobra, Over The Top. http://youtu.be/WzY17CzM68w
There are so many cool movies to list like Lethal Weapon, Universal Soldier, Mad Max then there is my love of Hong Kong cinema, giving us Chow Yun Fat in Hard Boiled & The Killer, The Replacements. Jet Li in Kiss of The Dragon.
What's not to like about action movies, well apart from Transporter 3 which is terrible and Crank 2 which makes no sense whatsoever.
Mr Statham is described in "Inferno", the documentary film about the making of The Expendables, by Sly as the action hero for this generation.
To be fair he has done some enjoyable movies, Transporter 1 was brilliant fun, his appearance in Mean Machine is fabulous, War with Jet Li has some great fights in it. Crank 1 was dumb as shit but very fun to watch. So he is typecast, does it matter? So was Arnie and he made Governor.
Let's not forget The Rock, Welcome to The Jungle was fab and starred Christopher Walken, Walking Tall was also a fun film.
Vin Diesel gave us XXX, The Fast & Furious movies whilst Nick Cage gave us The Rock & Con Air to name a few more films I enjoy.
Beverly Hills Cop - nothing that hasn't been said before - genius.
So it is fair to say I enjoy action movies, not for the dialogue which is often as wooden as Pinocchio himself, not for the storylines, which can often be put together with wood glue but for the sheer entertainment.
One famous movie critic recently ripped apart for a good 15 minutes Sucker Punch essentially calling it a 2 hour pop video. It simply wasn't highbrow enough for him and appears to be unable to live up to Inception, which when you strip away the "Is it a dream or isn't it" question is essentially and action movie. Sucker Punch isn't my choice for this category but it is a great example of where your brain can be placed beside you and you can simply be distracted from the world for 2 hours whilst big monsters are beaten up by sexy girls with samurai swords and guns - escapism is fun.
So what movie do I choose as my favourite action movie? It was so close that Con Air almost took the top spot, but I will give this one today to a film where the all the elements are there.
Cops - check
Drugs - check
Fast Cars - check
Psycho baddie - check
Pretty girl - check
Bad Language - check
Huge set piece stunts - check
The Prince of Bel Air - ????
My favourite action movie has to be Bad Boys.
If in doubt go to the scene of the house investigation and simply quote along "Don't be alarmed we're negros" to be followed by "Naw man, naw. There's too much bass in your voice. That scares white folks. You got to sound like them."
And so the film goes on to deliver brilliant witty dialogue with all the set pieces and components needed.
http://youtu.be/6GaPkMqAS44
I love action movies; Fact.
I enjoy taking out my brain, placing it to one side and just letting go of reality and sense. I grew up with action movies, the greatest action stars defined my movie upbringing.
Steven Seagal - fast moving aikido, guns and cool. http://youtu.be/yDoTjXowRSc
Jean Claude - kick ass martial arts, terrible hair. http://youtu.be/9mZ0b7cpgo0
Arnie - the daddy of action, Terminator, Total Recall, The Running Man, True Lies, Predator, one liners galore = http://youtu.be/0gl8UKAYI7k
Bruce - Die Hard, The Last Boy Scout, Moonlighting! http://youtu.be/V0s_wZgxA7s
Sly - the Godfather - Rambo, Tango & Cash, Cobra, Over The Top. http://youtu.be/WzY17CzM68w
There are so many cool movies to list like Lethal Weapon, Universal Soldier, Mad Max then there is my love of Hong Kong cinema, giving us Chow Yun Fat in Hard Boiled & The Killer, The Replacements. Jet Li in Kiss of The Dragon.
What's not to like about action movies, well apart from Transporter 3 which is terrible and Crank 2 which makes no sense whatsoever.
Mr Statham is described in "Inferno", the documentary film about the making of The Expendables, by Sly as the action hero for this generation.
To be fair he has done some enjoyable movies, Transporter 1 was brilliant fun, his appearance in Mean Machine is fabulous, War with Jet Li has some great fights in it. Crank 1 was dumb as shit but very fun to watch. So he is typecast, does it matter? So was Arnie and he made Governor.
Let's not forget The Rock, Welcome to The Jungle was fab and starred Christopher Walken, Walking Tall was also a fun film.
Vin Diesel gave us XXX, The Fast & Furious movies whilst Nick Cage gave us The Rock & Con Air to name a few more films I enjoy.
Beverly Hills Cop - nothing that hasn't been said before - genius.
So it is fair to say I enjoy action movies, not for the dialogue which is often as wooden as Pinocchio himself, not for the storylines, which can often be put together with wood glue but for the sheer entertainment.
One famous movie critic recently ripped apart for a good 15 minutes Sucker Punch essentially calling it a 2 hour pop video. It simply wasn't highbrow enough for him and appears to be unable to live up to Inception, which when you strip away the "Is it a dream or isn't it" question is essentially and action movie. Sucker Punch isn't my choice for this category but it is a great example of where your brain can be placed beside you and you can simply be distracted from the world for 2 hours whilst big monsters are beaten up by sexy girls with samurai swords and guns - escapism is fun.
So what movie do I choose as my favourite action movie? It was so close that Con Air almost took the top spot, but I will give this one today to a film where the all the elements are there.
Cops - check
Drugs - check
Fast Cars - check
Psycho baddie - check
Pretty girl - check
Bad Language - check
Huge set piece stunts - check
The Prince of Bel Air - ????
My favourite action movie has to be Bad Boys.
If in doubt go to the scene of the house investigation and simply quote along "Don't be alarmed we're negros" to be followed by "Naw man, naw. There's too much bass in your voice. That scares white folks. You got to sound like them."
And so the film goes on to deliver brilliant witty dialogue with all the set pieces and components needed.
http://youtu.be/6GaPkMqAS44
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)