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The Gray Man (2022)
Legitimately terrible, I feel Russo's are trolling us and Netflix
I paid to watch this on the big screen because I was promised an action spectacular. Instead I got something resembling some of the lesser straight to VHS actioners with an A-list cast and scenes lifted directly from the likes of Lethal Weapon. It comes across as MacGruber only played straight. And the action scenes, particularly those in low light, appear to have been shot on an iPhone.
Skyfall (2012)
Disappointing, the critics lied to me
For their fiftieth anniversary outing the producers and writers of Skyfall have elected, without a hint of irony, to plagiarise from their progeny and the other films these have influenced. The plot line is lifted from the first Mission: Impossible, the tone and character arc from Bond devotee Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, and the framing device from the Bourne series. The set pieces are largely borrowed from the aforementioned films and a number of previous Bonds. They even take one of Bourne's stars in a barely recognisable Albert Finney, a role that should have had Bourne's Brian Cox written all over it. There are a couple good lines but most of them seem to have been produced using the random Bond line generator and are delivered exactly when anticipated. In short what we get is a lazily conceived film delivered by a committee of Hollywood pretenders. Unfortunately what we don't get is a Bond film, just another post Bourne Hollywood-style actioner, save for a few bones thrown to the fans in the third act (Bond's DB5 and the revealing of a key 'new' character). Other than M, female characters share about ten minutes of screen time and all Bond has to do is show up to get laid in stark contrast to Craig's previous two outings (in QoS he never gets laid at all). Which is astonishing given that here Craig has all the charisma of a sack of potatoes. These 'Bond girls' only serve as vehicles for exposition, one doesn't even get a line of dialogue, and one wears just the right amount of lipstick to make you wonder if she's really just a guy in drag. The introduction of Bardem's villain is the highlight of the movie but any promise this scene brings is then completely squandered. There is some particularly poor CGI in the rendering of Bardem's make up and two Komodo Dragons. As the end credits rolled I was left feeling this whole sorry exercise's sole purpose was to introduce three rather dull new actors / characters to the franchise. As a life long Bond aficionado I am deeply saddened and now resigned to the fact, save for another reboot, we'll never see another decent Bond film again.
American Reunion (2012)
This slice of pie could have been a little warmer
The whole gang is back together again for the first time in over a decade (since 2001's American Pie 2) which in some ways is a shame as, by disposing of many of the peripheral characters, American Wedding was able to tell a tighter story.
While American Reunion may hold some novelty for those that only saw the initial installment or none at all, bar the opening sequence, there's not a lot we haven't seen before. Jim gets himself into an awkward situation - check. Stifler is obnoxious but ultimately 'redeems' himself - check. We ponder whether Oz and Heather will end up together at the end of the movie - check. Ultimately somebody bangs somebody's mother - check. Its all there. It has it's moments but for the most part it feels flat and, at 1 hr 54 minutes it is the longest in the series. New characters are hastily introduced then things drag out a little as the guys reunite before rushing through the cameos, including one of the main characters from the first two films, towards the end. I enjoyed the film but, next to American Pie 2, to me it is the weakest In the series. The biggest surprise is none of the boys comment on Vicky's new knockers and, of course, with the core female cast getting on a bit the writer/directors found a way to work in the nubile young flesh of a girl who, we are led to believe, developed a crush on Jim when he was babysitting her when she was, what, 4?
I also wondered if Facebook co-produced the movie as pretty much every major character name-dropped the social networking site at least once.
I give the film an extra mark for Rebecca De Mornay's appearance as Finch's mom and her call back to the classic Risky Business
Newcastle (2008)
Brokeback Ocean
This is going to have to become a gay cult favourite given the array of pretty boys on display here romping around with each other and the only remotely heterosexual action being a guy failing to satisfy his prospective girlfriend while his pal gets a blow job from her pal under the covers. I mean, at a couple points near the end one is left wondering whether or not the twin brothers are going to end up making out.
This movie could have probably done with a bit of tighter editing with some scenes such as the campfire scene and the trip out to the pivotal surf site dragging on a bit long, but the in-water scenes are particularly good though essentially limited to two fairly brief but crucial points in the film.
Shane Jacobson has a touching turn as the father, but unfortunately it is very difficult to picture him as anyone other than his legendary alter-ego Kenny and sadly for me this somewhat overshadowed his performance.
I'd give this a 6 out of 10 and several people at the screening I saw left part way through, but for the reasons stated above there may be those for whom this film is a lot more appealing.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Excellent
The leads in this movie shine and its an excellent balance of drama and action. It does stretch a little though, feeling a little like they've squeezed two films into one in order to give all the characters the room they need to develop until each one reaches their ultimate fate. An Australian reviewer recently commented it didn't feel that long despite being almost 3 hours long - guess what, it was only 2 hours and 20 minutes! Unfortunately, in Australia we tend to have to sit through half an hour of ads before the feature begins.
I digress. Heath Ledger was excellent, channeling Jack Lemmon on demonic form with just a hint of surfer dude still there, particularly when in one scene late in the film he reveals a tanned arm. The only negative I would give is this film's hangover from the previous films in the series and the persistence of Batman's booming graveling voice. Christian Bale must have had such a sore throat by the time they finished making this film!
Knocked Up (2007)
An very humorous look at relationship dynamics at two very different stages of a relationship
Obviously inspired at least in part by the hit Indian comedy Salaam Namaste, but taken to the limits of bad taste that only an American comedy can. This is better-acted and has a better portrayal of the dynamics of a married couple in crisis and some genuinely funny moments. Rather than just focus on the challenges faced in the relationship between Alison and Ben, it also gives a well-written insight into the interplay between individuals in a relationship that has matured, but the individuals within it are not fulfilled. A couple of the dialogues between Debbie and Pete are absolutely classic. Ben's friends provided some additional comic relief and its good to see that the likes of James Franco haven't forgotten their roots. However, I'm not so sure that it merits being listed in the top 250 movies of all time though.