The Two Windmills

The Best and Worst of 2009

2010-01-06T02:59:00.001-08:00

The Hit and Miss Films of 2009

The Worst

5. Funny People - Yet another Judd Apatow film that I just can't get into, and makes me wonder how he is hailed the way he is. I've tried my hardest to watch Apatow films such as Superbad, Knocked Up and Pineapple Express, all resulting in few laughs and boredom, but after a friend prompted me, I thought I'd give him one last chance with Funny People. Out of the ones I've watched, it is the best, but it's not saying much. There are nowhere near enough laughs as there should be from people who are stand up comedians, and the storyline takes so many turns it feels as if a new film starts halfway through. It constantly drags and I never feel sympathy towards the central character George Simmons (Sandler) because of the way he is to the others, which made me struggle to get into the story more. The jokes are very hit and miss, and I think you'd enjoy it if you were an Apatow fan. But for me, this was the last straw of these kinds of films.

4. The Hangover - The Hangover has it's moments, mainly from Zach Galifiankis playing not-quite-with-it Alan, brother of the bride. There are few witty one liners but most of the major jokes were ruined in the trailer, and the actual story is basically Dude, Where's My Car? in Las Vegas. The acting is pretty solid, and I was enjoying the film until Mr Chow comes on screen. Yes, he gives the story a bit of a turn in that the main group know what to do to find their friend, but it's the humour that they use through the character that really brought the film down. Swearing in high pitched tones, pretending to be a gangster and using all the catchphrases that made Apatow comedies "great" does not do it for me. I for one hope that this isn't the greatest comedy on 2009, as I only laughed a small amount of times.

3. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - Having not seen the first film, but only a shed load of trailers and adverts, I was only half sure what to expect. A non-stop thrill ride, filled with explosions, fighting and a cool storyline. Unfortunately, only the explosions and fighting where properly involved, and filling a $200mil budgeted film with them doesn't make a good movie. Half the time I found myself confused due to a number of reasons including the lack of plot, the over-the-top CGI fighting, scene changes to random places in the world and what the main characters were trying to achieve. What also annoyed me was the poor sound and soundtrack, although some of the scores where impressive. Highlights included the mother figure brilliantly played by Julie White, which provided some much needed comic relief at the beginning. A strong co-starring role for John Turturro and a nice cameo from Rainn Wilson where also well received, and after I realised that I much preferred the comedy side of the film than the actual action scenes, which can't be good for an action film.

2. Watchmen - The second most over-hyped movie of 2009 and what a major disappointment. Entertaining but looking back on it, ultimately an awful film. Through the stunning visuals we see one good actor, playing in a messed up storyline that never goes anywhere and has a poor ending. If there was an award for use of slow motion Watchmen would win hands down. It would’ve been an hour shorter if the speed stayed constant and it was a major distraction. There was also poor use of music that ruined the film even more. It felt as if director Zack Snyder had put his iTunes onto shuffle and just picked whatever song came on, even if it didn’t fit. This is highlighted by the cringeworthy sex scene with an awkward rendition of Cohen’s Hallelujah. Over hyped, but not as badly as my number one worst film of 2009.

1. Avatar - The storyline is predictable from the start, and ruins what could've been a fantastic film. There is little to no suspense throughout, and you're never sitting there second guessing. For the first 2 hours of film I was very bored and things only picked up in the last 20 minutes, where I was entertained. Going into this film I read that James Cameron was now "Master of the Universe" and had been hailed by most. The writing of Avatar is cliched, especially through Colonel Miles (Stephen Lang) whose every other line is directly taken from the "How Not To Write An Action Film" book. His direction of the action scenes are impressive, but are again ruined by quick zooms that look amateurish, random slow motion scenes and narration that is used a lot at the start, then forgotten about until the end. Very strange. The acting is all over the place. For every Giovanni Ribisi you get Michelle Rodriguez, whose acting is more wooden than a door. I could go on about other things that made this film disappointing but I feel I've made my point. Visually this film at times is impressive, but not enough to satisfy me from a film many, many years in the making. King of the World maybe, but James Cameron is not the Master of the Universe.

10 Years To Make That? Seriously?

The Best

5. Two Lovers - Perhaps the most underrated film of the year, and one that was overshadowed by the awkward turn in roles by lead man Phoenix. Dramatic romance telling the story of a man stuck between two women he cares a lot about. Fantastically shot and the acting it superb, especially from Joaquin Phoenix who excels in his last acting role to date. I urge everyone to see this film.

4. Drag Me To Hell - A fun and gory horror film which packs in as much comedy as it does horror. Alison Lohman and Justin Long play their parts well, and there are a lot of jumps to keep you entertained. Sam Raimi definitely returned to form with this film, back to his old school routes and not making more overrated Spiderman films. More horror films should be like this one.

3. Inglourious Basterds - It took a decade to make, and Tarantino stated that he "became too precious about the page" and he's been working on it, expanding and developing it ever since. Through that decade, it's been hit and miss for Quentin with the success of Kill Bill brought down by the disappointment of Death Proof, but he is back on top, top form with Inglourious Basterds. While some may not like it for it's dialogue (and subtitle) heavy premise, you have to like it for it's brave attitude, wonderful acting and humourous take on the Second World War. I have a feeling the last line in the film may have been what Tarantino said himself once he had finished the script.

"This might just be my masterpiece"

2. Up - Pixar can do no wrong. And Up is just another reason why they are so great. The storyline of an elderly man trying to fly his own house is incredible on it’s own. And not only is Up fantastic storytelling, it really pulls at the heart strings at the start, which I haven’t felt like at the start of any film let alone an animated one by Pixar. There are little running jokes which just get funnier every time and the lead role played by Edward Asner is genius, capturing the essence of Carl Fredricksen perfectly. A wonderful film, which is only enhanced when watched in 3D. Despite it being an incredible film, my number one goes to a film overlooked and probably not even heard of by many, which is a terrible shame.

1. Let The Right One In - What an incredible film. I’m going to try and keep this short because I could go on for quite a while on why this is a good film. But let’s start with the story. A teenage girl vampire moves to a new town and quickly befriends similar aged Oskar, a boy who is bullied often at school and is misunderstood by everyone. It’s the story of young love, and wonderfully told through a vampire medium, unlike other vampire flicks plaguing our screens cough Twilight cough. The way the film is shot is eerie and the romantic music score is purposely in contrast but fits so perfectly. The acting is superb from everyone on screen, and as each scene progressed the story just gets better and better. It is an incredible film, and one that everyone should definitely see, Quickly, before the proposed American remake Let Me In comes out and you miss the greatest film of 2009

The Best Film of 2009.. by far

Classic Corner

2010-01-05T03:13:00.000-08:00

The man behind the classic Ealing Comedies, Sir Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness has often been hailed as one of the greatest actors to have graced the silver screen, and after finally getting round to some of the 50s Ealing Comedies I had lying around, I can easily see why. The first of these comedy films I got round to watching was The Ladykillers.

The Ladykiller's brilliant storyline might be a bit dated, which is why the Coen Brother's tried (and ultimately failed) to do a remake, but you can't help but love this film. Five criminals succeed in robbing a truck, but then have the tough task of murdering the elderly woman who unknowingly played a part in the robbery. Every single member of the cast shines beautifully in their roles, especially Danny Green and Katie Johnson, but Alec Guinness' witty and all round creepy character "Professor" Marcus is wonderful to watch. If the character didn't utter a single word, Guinness' facial expressions still could've carried the film. The best scenes in the film come nearer the end, but I won't ruin it for everyone who needs to see this wonderful film.

In a completely different type of role, one of Alec Guinness' earlier Ealing roles sees him play inventor Sidney Stratton in The Man In The White Suit. Guinness' character is a stark contrast to "Professor" Marcus, which just highlights his ability and talent as an actor. After Stratton invents a fabric that won't get dirty and won't wear away, the clothing factories set out to stop him, as their business' would be in danger of going bust. It's a totally original storyline, and one I was interested in watching, and it just about manages to stretch out to the 80 minute run time. It's gently amusing, but not as funny as other Ealing classics, but Guinness is superb again as a shy and seemingly paranoid inventor. Shy and paranoid Guinness is something he pulls off with great effect, and he takes that role into the film The Lavender Hill Mob.

The Lavender Hill Mob is another crime comedy, which sees four men (two already criminals) try and cleverly export gold right under the authorities noses into France, where they can sell it for a whole lot of money. Guinness portrays a genius in disguise, Henry "Dutch" Holland, who works for a bank, in charge of gold bullion. He comes up with a plan after meeting Pendlebury, who owns a foundry that melts led into certain paper weights. The whole film is wonderful to watch, after a jumpy start, and the scene where the criminals (including the great Sid James) steal the gold is classic cinema. One of the best comedies I've seen, let alone one of the best Guinness films around. I'm still yet to see Kind Hearts and Coronets, but if it's anything like these three that I've seen, then I'm definitely in for a treat.

Sir Alec Guinness was a wonderful actor, who made fantastic films, and was best known in his latter days for his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. His films and legacy will live on, and rightly they should.

Ratings

Ladykillers - 8/10

Man In The White Suit - 7/10

Lavender Hill Mob - 8/10

Eat My Shorts...

2010-01-03T03:10:00.000-08:00

Federico Alvarez destroys a city and gets given $30million

Well, not exactly. But Alvarez's short film Panic Attack has made a huge impact on filmmaking, after catching the eyes of a few directors. Federico Alvarez made Panic Attack for a mere $300, and just a weekend after posting the video on the Internet, Sam Raimi's own production company Ghost House Pictures caught it and offered the director a big money deal to make a feature film. An incredible feat in independent movie making, and one that should inspire thousands of wannabe filmmakers out there.

The film is only 5 minutes long, and has a simple storyline of robots attacking the city. It's a simple story that many may think is far too easy to pull of but once you see the effects and scale that this film reaches, you wonder how it was made for so little. The musical score fits in perfectly, but this is a short to inspire. After seeing this, you can't complain about budget, and you can only think that everything in film is possible.

Holmes.. Sherlock Holmes

2010-01-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

Guy Ritchie brings Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional character into the 21st Century.

Seconds into Sherlock Holmes and the soundtrack is already set at a quick and shuddering pace, as we fly through the streets of 1891 London, following a raid on a proposed human sacrifice ritual. After 10 minutes, we get a sense of how Guy Ritchie is taking the Sherlock Holmes character and story into his own world, and that Holmes is a changed character from the novels in the late 1800s.

With Guy Ritchie's back catalogue of films including Revolver, RocknRolla, Mean Machine and Snatch, taking on a detective film that is so close to people's hearts wasn't going to be an easy feat. But like other updated franchises such as Batman and James Bond, Holmes has been updated to fit what the new audiences want to see. Sherlock Holmes is now a badass hero who is more James Bond than Detective. This would probably be a huge problem for hardcore Sherlock Holmes fans but it isn't a bad thing for people new to the story.

Ritchie's direction is improving a lot, and he manages to capture the essence of late 19th Century to perfection, although some action scenes seem very over the top. Everything else is captured perfectly, and the execution of Holmes working everything out through his detective skills works very well. Some scenes are breathtaking and really have you on the edge of your seat, and shows Ritchie is really coming forward as a director.

Robert Downey Jr. gives an emphatic performance, carrying on his hot streak of films, following Tropic Thunder, Iron Man 1 and 2 and The Incredible Hulk, after a tough start to the noughties. Jude Law also gives a polished performance as trusty sidekick Watson, but you cannot hide away a fantastic effort from Kelly Reilly as Mary Morstan, Watson's wife-to-be, who's onscreen time is nowhere near enough to satisfy. Despite the strong trio, Rachel McAdams role seems a tad miscast, but other roles make up for it.

Holmes is a good movie for the newbies, but hardcore fans may be disappointed at the total change in Holmes' character, who has changed from normal detective to kung-fu, action hero. The story itself seems too unbelievable (based on black magic) but it seems to work well. However, after a upbeat and impressive opening 30minutes, the film starts to drag and then comes to a unsatisfying ending. Also, important scenes seemed to have been cut from the trailer, and disappointingly for some, Rachel McAdams in a corset is nowhere to be seen in the final cut.

A great new Holmes, but will disappoint some. The acting is perfection but will have to wait for the next instalment to see if it will totally satisfy.

Rating: 7/10

The Basterds Are Here!

2009-08-17T07:09:00.001-07:00

The film Tarantino has been working on for over a decade, Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds (Dir. Quentin Tarantino, Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender)

First things first, this is a war film like no other. Set in an alternate history of the Second World War, Tarantino has stated Basterds is a "spaghetti western but with World War Two iconography". Sound interesting? Of course it does! The last time Tarantino tried something like this we were given Pulp Fiction, and there's nothing wrong with that.

The Tarantino style is still used to it's full effect, with a rock n roll soundtrack that somehow fits perfectly, the chapterised way of storytelling and what he is most famous for, the flawless dialogue, which I will first go into.

"Once Upon A Time, In A Nazi-Occupied France" is the title of the first chapter, and we are introduced to a farmer and his family in the early years of the war. Before we know it, Colonel Hans Landa (brilliantly played by Christoph Waltz), is on the scene, and we are given a full blown twenty minutes of brilliant, tense dialogue, in which Landa is interrogating the farmer about a family of missing Jews. As the scene goes on, it gets tenser and tenser, switching from French language to English and back again, with witty lines and superb acting, even from the cameo role of the farmer. Throughout the rest of the film, there is plenty of dialogue, which is mostly well written, but it does stretch the film out, and I can see a lot of people getting bored of this, while the action is pushed to the side. I myself enjoyed the dialogue, and if you love how it was used in previous Tarantino flicks like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs then you'll love this.

Basterds has an extensive cast list, boasting Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Christoph Waltz (who has already won a Cannes Best Actor award for this), Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender and even a cameo British-character role from Mike Myers. There isn't a single actor in this flick who lets a scene down, despite the ridiculousness of Brad Pitt's Tennessee accent. Eli Roth shines as Donny Donowitz who is a major part of the story, and Michael Fassbender uses his on-screen time well. Christoph Waltz though is a clear best of the great bunch, played Colonel Hans Lander, AKA "The Jew Hunter", while also managing to speak fluently and perfectly in English, French, German and even Italian. (Watch for the Italian speaking scene, it's hilarious). Tarantino always seems to get the best out of his actors and he's done it again here, while also making room for some great cameos that you may miss.

The storyline is intense, seeing a group of Jewish Americans (The Basterds) travelling through France getting revenge on the Nazi's, while also scalping them for their leader, Aldo Raine (Pitt). Meanwhile, a Jewish survivor, Shosanna (Laurent), is also planning an attack on Hitler in her local cinema, and the two sides remain unaware of the others plans throughout, leading to the big climax. The story is brilliantly sliced into it's Tarantino chapters, and there is plenty of exciting action and Mexican standoffs to keep you on the edge of your seat.

It's been a decade in the making, and Tarantino stated that he "became too precious about the page" and he's been working on it, expanding and developing it ever since. Through that decade, it's been hit and miss for Quentin with the success of Kill Bill brought down by the disappointment of Death Proof, but he is back on top, top form with Inglourious Basterds. While some may not like it for it's dialogue (and subtitle) heavy premise, you have to like it for it's brave attitude, wonderful acting and humourous take on the Second World War. I have a feeling the last line in the film may have been what Tarantino said himself once he had finished the script.

"This might just be my masterpiece"

Rating: 8/10

Classic Corner

2009-08-11T01:35:00.000-07:00

Some of John Hughes' finest work

John Hughes (Writer/director) sadly passed away last week. He was 59. Here, I will take a look at my favourites of his impression collection of films.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Starring: John Candy, Steve Martin)

The storyline is simple. Neal (Martin) is trying to get back home to his loving family for Thanksgiving, but is struggling with the poor weather that cancels his flight. He decides to use numerous other modes of transport just to get home, but on the way meets shower curtain ring salesman, Del Griffith (Candy) who just so happens to be going the same way.

The on screen chemistry is brilliant, and while John Candy is his usual comedic self, it's nice to see Steve Martin in a decent role and great film, at a time where his career was at it's peak. The two bounce off each other well, and not only do they share great chemistry through the comedy moments, but the final scene is very touching.

John Hughes directed this film, as well as writing it, and has done a brilliant job. It was one of his first films that branched away from his teen comedies and has been a classic ever since.

Home Alone (Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci)

Most people throughout the world have seen Macaulay Culkin's iconic scared face all over the world since it's release in 1990. Most people should have seen this classic film as well, which sees Kevin (Culkin), an eight-year old boy, accidentally left "home alone" while the rest of his large family travel to France for Christmas. While Kevin is on his own, getting to do many things he wouldn't usually be allowed to do, he one night overhears a plan that two burglars are going to raid his house on Christmas Eve, insuing hilarity and mishaps throughout.

The idea of a young child outsmarting two grown adults is one that Hollywood loves to milk, and Home Alone is the perfect template for doing so. The traps that Kevin set up are genius, and always fool the two idiotic burglars who are outsmarted at every turn. The sub-plot to this film is quite touching, but doesn't match the main which has turned into such an iconic story, that it spawned three sequels, and making a major star of child actor Culkin.

It was Hughes' first film of the 90s and everything about this family friendly film is perfect. It may not be a conceivable storyline but thats the magic of it. A small cameo from John Candy is a big plus and some great one liners, booby trap slapstick and the heartwarming subplot propel this into Classic territory.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck)

John Hughes was known for his brilliant teen-comedies that gave him his success in the early 80s. Ferris Bueller is my favourite of the lot, which sees Ferris (Broderick) take a day off school to head down to Chicago with his best friend Cameron (Ruck) and girl friend Sloane (Mia Sara). They try and make the most of their day off while being hunted down by the Dean of their school, Edward Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), who believes Ferris to be truant, rather than just ill.

While the storyline seems pretty simple, it's the writing in this film that really makes it, with some great one-liners and witty dialogue between all the main characters who are all on top form. Ferris talking directly to the camera is also quite unique, and another positive plus on this film. The film has had a huge cultural impact and it's style can be seen if you look carefully enough at many modern day comedies.

John Hughes has other teen comedy success with Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, but Ferris Bueller with his wit and charm is my favourite, and the impact it has had on other mediums shows. While Disney and Co bring out their teen "comedies" in the shape of some prepubescent girls cheerleading or some sort of shocking musical number, I will always be going back to the 80s, seeing how it should be done.

Ratings

Planes, Trains - 9/10

Home Alone - 7/10

Ferris Bueller - 8/10

Eat My Shorts...

2009-08-09T03:36:00.000-07:00

A moral story about greed

Black Hole (Dir. Philip Samson and Olly Williams, Starring: Napoleon Ryan)

Many short films use complex storylines to try and entertain and show-off to audiences in their given time. Black Hole does use some clever techniques, but it's simple storyline is the key here to portray a wonderful story about greed.

A sleep-deprived worker is at work late one night and after a small annoyance with a photocopier, accidentally prints out a black hole. The possibilities using this new discovery seem endless before the clever and humourous conclusion.

It's a wonderfully made short, with everything carefully thought out from the dull, bland settings to the character himself. The directors (and writers) of this short can rest assured that they'll be going onto bigger things, with this short getting great recognition and also winning the Virgin Media Shorts Award.

John Hughes Dies at 59

2009-08-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

Writer and Director John Hughes has died suddenly in Manhattan, New York today; he was 59

John Hughes, the writer of great comedies such as Planes Trains and Automobiles and The Breakfast Club has died today of a heart attack while on a morning walk in Manhattan, New York.

Hughes shot to fame in the early 80s with his screenplays for National Lampoon's Vacation and The Breakfast Club which were both critical successes. He brought a number of high-school comedies to the big screen including such greats as Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Pretty In Pink, and his first directorial debut in 1984, Sixteen Candles, won unanimous praise. He was also responsible for the inspiration of the Brat Pack movement.

In 1987, Hughes wrote away from his teen comedies to avoid being pigeonholed and wrote Planes Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck, both starring the late, great John Candy and both recieving critical acclaim. But perhaps his greatest, and most successful, film came in 1990, when he wrote and produced Home Alone. The sequels soon followed through the 90s along with other films such as 101 Dalmations and Flubber.

In the late 90s John Hughes went into retirement but carried on with his story telling under the pseudonym Edmond Dantes. These films included Maid in Manhattan and Drillbit Taylor.

John Hughes was an inspirational writer, who without a doubt inspired some of the writing I do, and his film Planes Trains and Automobiles is one of my all time favourites. His classic films and flawless writing are just a couple of reasons why he will be terribly missed in the film community. He will always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the comedy genre, especially the teen-comedies of the 80s, and being an important figure in film writing.

Don't Run Up The Stairs!

2009-08-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

A list of the most annoying horror film cliches and why many new films in this genre are failing.

In all horror films, there will be a villain, who is usually on a killing spree due to deep family issues or a sense of loneliness because of a childhood trauma. The villain is the most important part of a horror film; get it wrong, and the whole film goes to pot. Get it right though, and you will create a classic character that audiences will remember for generations. Classic case: Norman Bates from Psycho. Rather than have an accentric killer, who creates tension by chasing his victims all around a house, Bates is a quiet, but troubled, good-looking man, who grabbed audiences with his eerie back story about his Mother and creepy settings for his hotel. This is also helped by the great work of Anthony Perkins who played the character, and he has been remembered for his role right until this day. But how can you get a villain wrong? By using many of the cliches that plague recent horror films nowadays.

Cliche 1: When a villain is dead, they are never actually dead and can still resurrect themselves two or three more times. It is also important to remember that no matter how dead the protagonist thinks the villain is, they are always far too confident by leaving the weapon of choice in reaching distance of them.

Randy: Careful, this is the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life for one last scare.

-Scream (Wes Craven, 1996)

Cliche 2: This cliche is one seen in many (many!) amateur horror film shorts, where the director thinks he/she is being uber clever, and creating one of the best scenes of their reel. While the protagonist is making something in the kitchen, or walking around their house, a figure of some sort will go past the window, making the victim turn around, just missing the said figure. This is the most annoyingly used cliche in horror films and is a cheap way of "scaring" the audience.

Cliche 3: The Hollywood Remake. Not necessarily a cliche, but because it has been done so many times it feels like one. When audiences go and see a foreign horror film, they will always come out thinking when America are going to copy and paste it into English. I could go into intense detail about why this is such a big problem, but I'll save it all up for a future blog.

Cliche 4: The Haunted House. Creeky staircases, lights not working, dust everywhere and spider webs taking up every corner in every room. Most people would just leave the house, but the cliche doesn't stop there. A cat jumping out from under a bed or behind the door is another ridiculously overused cliche, along with the busty blonde running up the stairs and tripping over outside if the victim does manage to leave the house. Below, a quick section on how to make a scary film really scary and memorable.

Lat den Ratte komma in (Let The Right One In, Dir. Tomas Alfredson)

Recently I watched this film and was completely captivated by every scene and genuinely scared by what was going on. Here are just a couple of points that made this film so successful as a horror.

The Music. While other horror films use the typical high pitched violin or piano melodies, nothing will match the epic orchestra that was used in Let The Right One In. Johan Soderqvist composes the soundtrack with perfection, and the string quartets give the film an edge that other films just cannot compare to.

Unpredictability. Most victims in horrors "have it coming" but there are moments (which I won't spoil) in this film which literally come out of nowhere. Every scene has a surprise coming round the corner, and director Alfredson does a brilliant job keeping the suspense alive, right up to the penultimate scene.

There are many more reasons how Let The Right One In avoids typical Hollywood cliches and has become a cult classic after just a year, but I think you should all see it to see how. Quickly, before you are made to watch the Hollywood remake being released in 2010.

What Horror cliches get on your nerves? Are there any films that also avoid the typical cliches that you think we should see?

Trailer Park

2009-08-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

2010 Animation takes center stage in Trailer Park

Many, many animated films are produced each year and usually, Pixar are the victors with impressive films such as Finding Nemo, Wall-E and Toy Story. Here, I will take a look at what could be making waves across the cartoon world in 2010, with Pixar, Dreamworks and new boys Illumination all going for the win.

Despicable Me (Dir. Chris Renauld, Starring: Steve Carell, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig)

Release Date: 15th October 2010

The first trailer is one straight from Illumination Entertainment, a new production company looking to rival it out with the big boys. It sees Gru (Carell) as a supervillain, on a mission to steal the moon, but as usual there are people in his way. From the short teaser trailer, this film looks very promising, with a great concept and fantastic cast. Only time will tell if it can take the Animation gauntlet next year.

Toy Story 3 (Dir. Lee Unkrich, Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack)

Release Date: 18th June 2010

Everyone knows and loves Toy Story, and the sequal wasn't bad either, which is no wonder that the Pixar team are playing with their toys again for Toy Story 3. Michael Keaton and Jodi Benson are added to the all-star cast, which sees their toy characters dropped off at a day-care centre while their owner, Andy, parts for College. The trailer doesn't give much away but if the film is anything like the previous installments, then we'll be in for a treat.

Oobermind (Dir. Tom McGrath, Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Tina Fey)

Release Date: 5th November 2010

Rather than go down the obvious route for Dreamworks and talk about the latest Shrek film that will be hitting our cinemas in May, I have decided to go for Oobermind, a story about a supervillain who has lost purpose, and therefore creates a superhero rival. Unfortunately for him, the new hero also wants to be a villain, creating a bigger battle than Oobermind first imagined. There is no trailer as of yet for this release, but look out for it sometime later this year.

Coming Sooner....

Up (Dir. Pete Docter, Starring: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer)

Release Date: 9th October

Up is about a lonely, old man who is setting out his life-long dream in seeing the wild natures of South America. He does this by tying thousands of balloons to his home and floating there. Little does he know, there is a stowaway on his trip, in the shape of Russell, a young boy who he now has to travel with. It has already made waves in America and looks set to have a huge impact when it comes to England in October.

Classic Corner

2009-08-04T09:40:00.001-07:00

Two of the many sides of Jim Carrey

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Dir. Michel Gondry, Also Starring: Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood)

In ETotSM, we see Jim Carrey in one of his most serious roles of his luxurious career. He plays Joal Barish, a weak, boring, normal day-to-day man who is changed for the better when Clementine Kruczynski (Winslet) comes into his life. In other films this would usually see Carrey come out of his skin, with his wacky antics and funny faces, but here he is calm, and lets out most of his emotion in his wonderful pictures that he draws / paints. Even though he is seen as a boring character, which is furthur proved by the frantic and impulsive Clementine, Joel still has a dry wit about him, linking back to the classic Jim Carrey we all know and love. Below is a great quote from the film while he is having a conversation with Clementine, one of the many spread beautifully throughout the film.

Joel: "I'm not a stalker, you're the one that talked to me, remember?"

Clementine: "That's the oldest trick in the stalker book"

Joel: "Really? There's a stalker book? Great, I gotta read that one"

Eternal Sunshine sees Joel Barish erase memories of Clementime, as she has just done the same with him. The majority of the film takes place in Joel's mind as he tries to preserve at least one memory to keep, while realising he is making the wrong decision. It's these scenes in particular that we really feel sympathy for Joel, and that's down to Carrey who captivates in every scene he is in. The emotionally disturbed man who cannot find true love can be played by any actor, but Carrey takes it to another level.

The Mask (Dir. Chuck Russell, Also Starring: Cameron Diaz, Peter Greene)

The Mask was made back in 1994, back in the same year as Carrey's Dumb and Dumber and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Back in Carrey's early years, he was seen as a slapstick comedy actor, and The Mask is proof of that fact in feature film form. Wacky, out-there and all out crazy; this is the other side of Jim Carrey as an actor.

Carrey plays Stanley Ipkiss, a bank clerk who, like Joel, leads a boring, mundane life. He cannot seem to find love until he is transformed, this time by a mask he finds under a bridge, into a manic superhero, which gives Carrey the opportunity to let his acting skills go into top gear, holding back no punches. This is one of Carrey's early acting gigs, so it's no wonder he really gives it his all to show everyone what he's got.

It's one of the films you can just sit down and watch while relaxing, and has plenty of humourous moments to keep the audience entertained. I'm not a big fan of slapstick comedy at times, but The Mask is one that I will always love, and it's mainly because of Carrey. Even though Cameron Diaz gives a great debut in this flick, Carrey shines, and is a perfect example of his zany acting skills.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 9/10

The Mask - 7/10

What do you think of Jim Carrey? Which of his films is your favourite?

Hormonal Potter

2009-08-03T01:38:00.001-07:00

Harry Potter and friends grow up, as they enter their 6th Year

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Dir. David Yates, Starring: Original Cast + Jim Broadbent)

Before I start this article, I must point out that I have not read the book of this film, so cannot comment on how loyal it is to the novel, and if any major parts are missed out. Saying that, a friend of mine did state that a big point at the end of the book was completely cut, so it would be interesting to hear what people think of that.

Harry Potter and Co started Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry way back in 2001, and it has come a long way since. Throughout the past 8 years (but only 5 in storytime) Harry has defeated his main enemy Lord Voldemort on numerous occassions and the latest installment carries on in the same vein; Harry finds a book which belonged to the Half-Blood Prince, and while studying, learns more about Voldemort's past.

Many have called the film dark, and the most serious film yet, but I could not make that assumption. The earlier installment (Order of the Phoenix) seemed a bit more serious than this one, and had a thriller feel to it, where this one turns into more of a Carry-On film than a Harry Potter novel. Of course the wizards of the school are all growing up, but David Yates and writer Steve Kloves have really hammered in the fact that these kids are gagging for it. Because of this, many fans are complaining more important points are left out, and that is a big disappointment to a series which has stayed pretty loyal for so long. Scenes which include Ginny tying Harry's shoe and an awkward dinner scene are laced throughout the film, taking it away from it's serious storyline.

But where there is this criticism, the praise comes through in the acting. Yates has done a brilliant job in casting Jim Broadbent in as Horace Slughorn, who steals many of the scenes that he's in, and the original cast, including more from Tom Fenton as Draco Malfoy, have all matured in their roles. Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood, is also fantastic, bringing in the sort of comic relief that the film should have, as a semi-awkward student, who isn't quite with it. Alan Rickman as usual is on form, but unfortunately Robbie Coltrane and Helena Bohnam Carter aren't in the film anywhere near enough.

David Yates does an impressive job with his directing, in his second Potter film, and the scene inside the seaside cave is who to behold. And while the film seems at time more a comedy, and awkward-romantic tiffs galore, the final scenes really capture the magic of what Harry Potter is about. The big climax of the film is done to perfection and doesn't hold back any punches, and the aftermath is brilliantly done. But this scene is part of the minimal amount of action that this film holds. A quick battle and a quidditch match (to help the love story) are pretty much all the audience get.

Even though there are some impressive scenes and the acting has been turned up a notch, the actual film doesn't hold much of a storyline. One major event is played out but the rest of the film doesn't have much meat to it, and the whole films seems more of a stepping-stone to a big finale, rather than a film which holds much information. The elements are there, but they seem to be holding back for the final big bang next year.

Rating - 6 / 10

Have you seen Harry Potter 6? What did you think of it and how it has left much of the story of the book out?

Ones Not To Watch

2009-07-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

Michael Bay blows more stuff up

Armageddon (Dir. Michael Bay, Starring: Bruce Willis, Steve Buscemi, and loads of other actors)

Michael Bay has a fetish. This fetish is to blow stuff up to extraordinary levels, stretching his given budget as far as it can go and forces the viewer to not really understand what is happening. This was true in his latest film Transformers 2, and I wondered if it'd be the same when I finally got round to watching Armageddon. It was. Which is why this film is in my Ones Not To Watch this week.

With a cast including talents such as Bruce Willis, Steve Buscemi, Billy Bob Thornton, Owen Wilson and Liv Tyler, you'd think you'd be in for a winner. But unfortunately, because of the big egos in the film, everyone just seems to be competing with each other, forgetting they're in a film, and seeing who can shout loudest and be the coolest damn oil driller there ever was. In the end, Peter Stormare is the best out of a over-hyped bunch.

Because of the amount of characters that Bay just refused to kill off throughout, we never really settle with one we can feel any sort of sympathy for, and by the time the "sad" moment kicks in, no-one is feeling sad whatsoever, except myself, who is sad that I sat through a good two hours to get to this Hollywood conclusion.

That brings me to the plot of the story. The storyline could've been great, but as soon as the government work out how to destroy a asteroid that's heading for Earth, the script turns sour, the dialogue is half-assed and we are introduced to the lamest love story there's ever been on the big screen. While it evolves, the film seems to lose all concept of time and logic, but not before it lost the concept of a storyline, which is strange as J.J.Abrahms was the writer.

I have told myself only to watch one more Michael Bay film ever again to give him one last chance, after being disappointed with this, Transformers 2, Bad Boys, Pearl Harbor and the news he's re-making the classic Hitchock The Birds. Actually, forget it, he's had enough chances in his 2 decades of filmmaking to make a decent film. I never worked out why I was trying to "get round" to seeing Armageddon. But working it out will be more interesting than watching it again.

What do you think of Armageddon?

Trailer Park

2009-07-29T02:01:00.001-07:00

Trailer Park: The Adapted Novels

In this installment of Trailer Park, two new films that are coming out that are both literary successes. Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland is given the Tim Burton treatment, while Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel The Time Traveler's wife is also put under the Hollywood spotlight.

The Time Traveler's Wife (Dir. Robert Schwentke, Starring: Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana)

Release Date: 14th August

The Time Traveler's Wife is a story about a man (Bana) with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel without him knowing when, while also trying to build a relationship with an artist (McAdams) who is stuck in real-time often on her own from his long disappearances. I haven't seen a Robert Schwentke film before, so I am in two minds about how this film could turn out, but from the trailer he seems to have done an impressive job. Also, McAdams and Bana are two good, solid actors which could only help the movie to gain success.

Alice In Wonderland (Dir. Tim Burton, Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska)

Release Date: 5th March 2010

Alice in Wonderland has been adapted for the big screen, the small screen and the stage many times since it's release in 1865, but the most anticipated has to be the latest installment, which has been given the Tim Burton makeover. Expect a dark and quirky version about the girl who falls into a fantasy world.

It is also worth noting that both these films have heavy influences to the TV show LOST, so fans may like.

Classic Corner

2009-07-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

Leon gets the Classic Corner treatment

Leon (Dir. Luc Besson, Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman)

Just before I watched this film, I was told everyday for about a month straight to watch it by a friend of mine, and afterwards a realised why. Leon (The Professional) is a sublime movie that I recommend to anyone and everyone.

The film starts with Leon (Jean Reno) who lives his life alone, and works as a hitman, going by routine and not spending the money he makes on luxuries. His neighbour's (Natalie Portman) family are killed and he provides shelter for her, keeping her safe. They bond throughout the film, and he teachers her his trade in order for them to get revenge on the ones who killed her family.

I'll start with the acting. Brilliant. In every sense. Jean Reno captures his lonely and childlike innocent character perfectly, while his costume (including the iconic hat and glasses) give him a unique and terrifying look. Perfect for a hitman. Natalie Portman was 12 when this was made and it's a shame that she doesn't show this level of enthusiasm in more recent films. She is amazing in Leon as the troubled, young girl who wants revenge, and interacts with all the characters well. Then we get to the best of the best, Gary Oldman as Stansfield. Everything about his psychotic character is mesmerizing and it's a shame he is such an underrated actor of our time. The memorable scenes from this movie often feature Oldman, such as the "EVERYONE!" scream to the damage of his suit. Unfortunately, Oldman isn't in this film enough, which is literally the only downfall I could find.

The writing is superb, and there are some very witty lines and brilliant conversations, including Stansfield's explanation of Beethoven and Mozart. Everything is said at the right time, and the story not only focuses deeply on the art of killing, but how two lonely people of such an age gap bond.

Luc Besson directs the film amazingly, with the wide shots used often and for a 1994 film it looks brand new. The effects are well done, and everyone has put their full effort into this.

Leon is an incredible film that I would recommend to everyone. I just wish I had seen it earlier

Rating: 9/10

Comic Book Adaptations

2009-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Did you know that currently in Hollywood there are 70 movies being made that just lay in the comic book genre! That's a big seven-zero. People might not see any 70 films in the space of about 5 years.

So what's so engaging about the comic book film? The many popular adaptations are the Batman series, Spiderman (of which they are making an unnecessary fourth), Superman, Blade, Hulk, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, the list goes on and on. Other films that people might not have realised where comic book adaptations include V For Vendetta, Road To Perdition and even Stardust.

I'm not a big comic book fan, but after seeing this stat I have become intriguied to what brings people in to see them. Some will be big successes and some will fail, but they all are getting attention through comic book fans and lifelong devoters. With Hollywood releasing around 600 films in both 2006 and 07, it looks to stay around the same for 2009 / 10, which means a hefty amount coming from adaptations, not to mention Hollywood churning out the weekly remake, the monthy Seth Rogen "comedy" and the films about Dogs, which leaves a very small percentage of films that deserve recognition (in my eyes)

That's not to say that these films won't be a success. There are many comic book fans, including many celebrities (Jonathon Ross being quite notable here) that will always come in droves to see their comic book hero played out on the big screen, in big budgets and big stories.

I like comic books. I read them all the time when I was a child. From the Beano to the... well, Beano was all that was needed to entertain me for a week, but you get the idea. Many people who are going to see these films will be much older than I was in my Beano-reading days though, and maybe it's something about having that connection with your childhood that drives people back into the cinemas to see these sorts of films. Films that are in production such as X-Men Origins, Justice League, Green Lantern, Iron Man 2 and Spiderman 4, are all fantastically well received children's cartoons and retro comic books, which just shows why they are getting good press and praise. The new generation of comic book readers are intriguied, children love a superhero and the older generation can't help but be clawed back by the images of when they first read comic books.

Other notable films to look our for: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (Edgar Wright), Green Arrow, The Avengers and Ness (David Fincher)

Eat My Shorts...

2009-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Another new section, don't get too excited!...seriously.

This section I will be uploading a short film that I feel everyone should see, and tell you a little bit about what I made the choice.

First up, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 1989 short Foutaises (Things I Like, Things I Don't Like)

Foutaises (Dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Starring: Dominique Pinon)

If anyone has seen the Jeunet film Amelie, they would know about the opening scene, where the narrator gives a list of things the main characters like and dislike, and this short film is full of them, an idea that clearly stuck with Jean-Pierre 12 years later. The film sees Dominique Pinon list off his loves and hates with wonderful scenes depicting them.

Certain scenes borrow footage used in other films, such as Kiss of Death and Port of Shadows, while others are originally crafted by Jeunet, who uses the stark black and white to great effect and clever scenes to give a feeling of joy throughout. It's no wonder Jeunet won a Ceaser award for Best Fictional Short in 1991, and showed his talent as a director with his beautiful camera work and imaginative story telling.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet went on to create feature-length films such as Delicatessen, Amelie and his upcoming dark comedy Micmacs A Tire-Larigot, and has other short films that were well recieved, like The Bunker of The Last Gunshots and The Escape.

Ones Not To Watch

2009-07-23T05:18:00.000-07:00

Here I'll take a look at the overrated films that I've seen. The films I've had to warn others off of.

Superbad (Greg Mottola, Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen)

I've often criticised the work of Judd Apatow, and films like Superbad are the reason why. I was promised a laugh out loud, hectic teen comedy preferably in the same vein as American Pie, but what I left the cinema with was a few chuckles and a huge waste of my time.

Most of the main "jokes" used throughout the film were already used up in the trailers leading up to this film, and I have been told at times that I didn't "get" the film, which I thought during as the audience were lapping it up. It could depend on your sense of humour, but thinking about it over and over again, I don't see what there was to "get", as I don't believe penis, period and swearing jokes can make a film.

The only positive thing from this movie is that Michael Cera gave a pretty decent performance which has led him to bigger (and much better) things including a good starring role in Juno. But as for this film, there are better teen comedies around to get your hands on, and to actually make you laugh.

Trailer Park

2009-07-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

New section again (just trying to introduce as many as possible at the moment) where I will highlight a few new movies coming to cinemas near you.

Shrink (Dir. Jonas Pate, Starring: Kevin Spacey, Keke Palmer, Mark Webber)
Release Date: TBA
Shrink tells the story of top L.A shrink Henry Carter (Spacey) who helps all the stars. But after a tragedy hits his personal life, he is unable to cope and soon loses faith in his ability to help others. This little indie film does not have a UK release date as of yet, but looks promising and Kevin Spacey looks on form yet again.

Funny People (Dir. Judd Apatow, Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann)
Release Date: 28^th August
I’m not a huge Judd Apatow fan, not liking his type of movies including Knocked Up and Superbad but after seeing the trailer for Funny People I am prepared to give him one last shot. Funny People sees Adam Sandler as a well-known stand-up comedian giving advice to a young protégé (Rogen) who is also trying to get into the stand-up business. Unlike other Apatow films, Funny People looks deeper and more meaningful rather than gross-out gags which is why I’m looking forward to it. Also, the connection between Sandler and Leslie Mann in Big Daddy was a highlight, so I am also looking forward to that.

The Invention of Lying (Dir. Ricky Gervais, Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill)
Release Date: 2^nd October
The Invention of Lying will be Gervais’ first directing feature length film, and by the looks of the trailer he seems to have done a pretty decent job. In a world where no-one can tell a lie, Mark Bellison (Gervais) manages to break the rule and wrecks havoc with everyone around him. The premise is not bad, but I’m more looking forward to Gervais’ directing and seeing how he’ll deal with it before his next outing Cemetery Junction.

Classic Corner

2009-07-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

In this section every now and again I will be reviewing a few classic films that I think everybody should see. In this installment I review Charlie Kaufman's crazy but intruiging Being John Malkovich and Joal Schumacher's Falling Down.

Being John Malkovich (Dir. Spike Jonze, Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich)

Ever since I delved into the mind of Charlie Kaufman by watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I have been fascinated by what he does with his writing, and while I'm yet to see his directorial debut with Synedoche, New York, I managed to get round to watching Being John Malkovich, his first written feature length film.

The film starts at a slow pace, with Craig Schwartz (brilliantly played by John Cusack) getting a job interview at a nearby office, on the 7th 1/2 floor. Once he finds this place, with low ceilings and a general weird atmosphere, the film takes the Kaufman turn and dives into a brilliantly scripted and wonderfully acted story. While working in his office, Craig finds a door, which turns out is a portal, right into the mind of John Malkovich's head. It's a brilliantly original idea that only Charlie Kaufman could conjur up, and it works brilliantly throughout with barely a flaw seen.

The whole film is wonderfully scripted, acted and shot, with my only complaint being the even more surreal subplot which had me confused. But it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the film, which was at times moving, funny and crazy, and a cameo appearance from Charlie Sheen was also a highlight.

Rating: 8/10

Falling Down (Dir. John Schumacher, Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall)

Falling Down is a dark comedy which sees D-Fens (Michael Douglas) going through the stages of a mental breakdown. Right at the beginning of the film, we see him already tipping over the edge, leaving no room for a back story which is instead crafted throughout the film, when we see what he does for a living, his family and the area he lives in.

While on his rampage throughout L.A, he lets out his anger about what he feels is wrong in society, often with dangerous consequences. On his journey, he picks up different weapons and is challenged at every turn, showing the different stages of his breakdown and what everyone else is dealing with.

Robert Duvall plays Detective Prendergast, a retiring cop with an over protective wife, who is tracking D-Fens at every point where he lets out his anger. The comedy from the film is often derived from the over-the-top scenes where D-Fens is at the height of his anger, and the contrast between him and the detective is used well to show the different sides of the story. While at times it can be slow paced, Falling Down is a brilliant film that provides an excellent observation of modern day society.

Rating: 8/10

Crash! Bang! Wallop!: 2

2009-07-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (Dir. Michael Bay, Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox)

Having not seen the first film, but only a shed load of trailers and adverts, I was only half sure what to expect. A non-stop thrill ride, filled with explosions, fighting and a cool storyline. There were explosions a plenty, and also a lot of fighting, but a cool storyline there was not. Filling a $200million budget with explosions and mind-boggling CGI does not make a movie, and here it doesn't even make a plot. While watching this tediously long film, I was confused by the lack of plot, the over-the-top CGI fighting and what the main characters were trying to achieve as well as another pay cheque. The choice of soundtrack was poor, and at times the actual sound of the movie was shocking, being unable to hear what characters were saying, let alone doing. Highlights included the mother figure brilliantly played by Julie White who provided some much needed comic relief and the co-starring role for John Turturro and cameo from Rainn Wilson were also well recieved by the easily amused and entertained audience. Afterwards I realised that the only scenes I enjoyed were the ones with a bit of comedy rather than action, which can't be good for an action film.

Rating: 4/10

Comedy in Summer 2009

2009-07-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

So far in July, Bruno, Ice Age 3 and The Hangover have taken the limelight in the comedies of summer 2009.

Bruno (Dir. Larry Charles, Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen)

Having been waiting for this movie for around 3 months, I was very excited as I sat down in my seat for the late night showing of Bruno, another one of Sacha Baron Cohen's great creations, and I was not disappointed one bit. Cohen puts his life on the line in the name of comedy and does it well, risking his life quite literally throughout. But what is missing is what made Borat just that bit better, a strong plot. Borat made a mission early on in his film, but Bruno seems to be all over the place deciding what to do, never really settling the film down. Also, there are a lot more scripted scenes in Bruno which brings the reality of the film down, even though they are still hilarious. The real scenes really shine in this film though, and often have better reactions to those of Borat, and these make the film. Often gross, Bruno is one step further, pushing the 18 certificate as far as it can go. All in all, the gross-out humour can be very funny here at times, but the film is just another reason why Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the greatest comedy actors around. His wit, balls (sometimes literally) and acting skill make this film.

Ice Age 3 (Dir. Carlos Saldanha, Starring: Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Simon Pegg)

I have never been to a proper 3D movie before so I was always wondering beforehand if the 3D part of the experience would hinder the storyline. Afterwards, I was happy to say that it didn't. There were no moments to force the 3D on the audience which is a great thing, but the film lacked the humour that was so high in the first two movies. Saying that, the film was still enjoyable, cute and had the great skit scenes with Scrat and his acorn, this time with a love interest to help the story further. Simon Pegg's appearance was also a highlight, but I think this film is more of a round-off than a carry-on. It'd be a great way to end an enjoyable series of Ice Age films.

The Hangover (Dir. Todd Phillips, Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis)

Before I saw this film, I was hoping for a lot, as it was credited as the "greatest film of 2009" despite having another half of the year to go. The Hangover has its moments, mainly from Zach Galifiankis playing not-quite-with-it Alan, brother of the bride. There are few witty one liners but most of the major jokes were ruined in the trailer, and the actual story is basically Dude, Where's My Car? in Las Vegas. The acting is pretty solid, and I was enjoying the film until Mr Chow comes on screen. Yes, he gives the story a bit of a turn in that the main group know what to do to find their friend, but it's the humour that they use through the character that really brought the film down. Swearing in high pitched tones, pretending to be a gangster and using all the catchphrases that made Apatow comedies "great" does not do it for me. The story was strong, but there were no laugh out loud moments which could make it the greatest comedy of 2009

Bruno : 8/10

Ice Age 3 : 6/10

The Hangover : 5/10