Reviews

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a sequel that does what sequels are suppose to do but rarely do and that is surpass the original in every way while expanding the story. The film opens 10 years after the first. It's a master class in story telling the film pacing is spot on with tensions that sway back and forth with concern for the humans and the apes. With a somber mood throughout its never without hope and its that hope that keeps things from being a monotone affair. The film is great pure and simply, well crafted with amazing effects and performances. Speaking performances before I finish I have to say the standout is Andy Serkis. The 10 years of struggle for Caesar as a leader and father is filter so clearly through Andy's performance and not just the "make up". Come the awards season, give Andy Serkis an award already!

The comedy horror is so hard to get right. Then using the Vampire genre and the equally overused mockumentary style you are pushing a boulder up hill. So the mere fact that this film feels fresh and leaves me wanting more is more than a poke, yes there is more than a poke, in the right direction. Great performances by all, apparently a lot of it is improvised but the script is well versed in vampire lore and flatting mannerism, nicely produced and well paced. New Zealand seems to have a talent for comedy horror. Peter Jackson's Brain Dead is perhaps the pinnacle and this from Taika Waititi and Jermane Clement is close on it heels. Gags and gore in equal abundance with a beating heart at its center, entrails to the left. Check it out!

Kick-Ass is a cool film and even more than cool it tries to be an excellent movie which is highly commendable especially if you take into account the dross that makes it to our screens sometimes. It shows that people who are talented and committed to providing the goods can shine through. That said what this film lacks is a tone, not knowing what it wants to be at its core, a teen flick, a spiderman/batman flick, a comedy, a hard core action, a character study about parenthood? It also shows in the soundtrack which has a general messiness about it. Having said all of this, what does work is the characters they are interesting and involving and the action is brutal, painful and yes sometimes fun! A film well worth a visit to your local theatre for, go see and enjoy!!!

Its a documentary about a couple of guys. Well more than a couple of guys really as a couple gives the impression that there are about two of them and there is not. There is in fact 6 of them and one of them is now deceased, no more, an ex-python. So actually this is a documentary about 5 guys and 1 dead guy and how they became a group of guys, with the odd female thrown into the mix, that called themselves the Brady Bunch, no wait Monty Python, thats it! I'm a fan, I have been for awhile, ever since I watched one of Terry G's, not to be confused with Terry J, twisted cartoon links and wondered why isn't more comedy like this? 20 something years later, for me it's been longer for the guys, I'm still wondering why there isn't more comedy like this and I have come to the realization that its because....We, meaning I, interrupt this review to say go and see this film if you like Monty Python and if you have never heard of Monty Python, or if you enjoy a laugh and like to see a cow flying through space and if you don't like Monty Python and not 100% certain. If you don't like Monty Python and you are 100% certain, well done for making it this far into the review.