Articles + Quotes on Film & TV

It never ceases to amaze, that in this time of having so many trailers, tv spots, previews and the like, that when we finally do seem the film in all its glory, we are still able to enjoy it and rewatch it and its still a good film to watch. And this is especially true with Suicide Squad, the first big trailer came at last year's Comic Con and since then, the anticipation and amount of trailers has been building to bulk the almost dizzying amounts of hype out there. The critics may have given it the definitive thumbs down, but that didn't stop nearly everybody else from seeing it and giving it the opposite response. The film seems to unravel like a poorly made ball, stuffed with one liners, explosive action scenes and thrilling backstories that seem to come at you from every which way. (Not to say that the film is poorly made - this is just the analogy). Which seems to suit the story and the characters' style and manner, and with this film, you very much can't hav...

Given the vast majority of remakes, sequels, prequels and re-imagining of various stories, its easy to just pin it on the movie makers and claim they are losing the ability to make original stories, and ignore all the many original stories that are being released in various formats. But I've noticed an interesting trend. Film started early, the first ever feature length film was released in 1906. It was about the Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly. Since then, the films that have been remade and retold so many times since, Sherlock, Superman, hero films in general (Marvel very much continuing this trend especially) and yes, Tarzan, - topping the list - are stories about characters, who, among other things, are people with amazing and unique gifts, that, more often than not, are used to help others . Worlds of peoples, a town, states, lands, the victims of crime, etc. A nice, glass half full way to look at it. So, with that in mind, on with this newest interpretation of the...

"Yes, two adult tickets for The BFG, please." Interesting sentence, both in of itself and one to start a film review with. But there is a point, I promise. Little while ago I reviewed a recent Disney film and marvelled (kind of) at Pixar and Disney's skills in combining kid and adult friendly gags into the one plot coherent film. But there is another way of this, making a simple film wonderful for all ages, without all the drama of balancing out the jokes for two different age groups and simply putting an one size fits all. Generally helps when the source material is written by Roald Dahl or Dr Seuss (Theodore Geisel), as their storytelling has been entertaining the world over since it was published. Roald Dahl, who wrote the book The BFG, had given the beautiful story a touch of the whimsy and the magical. A sense of anything might happen. So it makes sense for the director and the screenwriter of this film adaptation to be the same team up who brought the fil...

Joseph Morgan, Matt Ryan and now to complete this trifecta of Welsh actors portraying a highly entertaining combination of wise ass, smart arse, shit stirrer characters - Tom Ellis as the baddest of the bad - Lucifer Morningstar, the devil himself. The episodes' only opening credits, brings everyone up to speed, Lucifer is having a vacation in LA. Not everyone is pleased with this, and this becomes the baseline plot, once it appears that the constant to the episodes is a procedural. The foil to Lucifer (and vice versa) is a detective, Chloe Decker (portrayed by Lauren German), single mum and can hold her own against Lucifer, much to his constant chagrin and amusement. Hence all the banter and cheeky one liners. The rest of the main cast, DB Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Kevin Alejandro and Rachel Harris are all excellent too, and I found out that this has been renewed for a second series, after seeing the pilot. A lot of fun, all round.

Steve Thompson, best known for helping to write three episodes of BBC's Sherlock, has created something new and special in Jericho. What really makes the eponymous shanty town unique, is the history interwoven into the stories. 1870s in the Yorkshire Dales, definitely had its rich culture, as base and blunt as it may seem, there are songs and camaraderie among the drinking and fighting. Charles Blackwood (Daniel Rigby) has plans to build a viaduct, he just needs the ongoing capital to make this venture work. He is one of the gentleman characters, yes the good old class system is very much in play here and helps to provide much of the conflict. The town is built of the people to work on the viaduct and those who come with, it is very much a temporary structure. The story begins with Annie Quaintain, recently widowed with two children, who is forced to move when the combination of her late husband's debts and her inability to find work in town, she is given a helping hand...

The opening scene of this film sets the emotional tone for the film and incidentally is pretty much the only breather you get before the setting is stuck for the next two hours on full on thriller mode. So, edge of seat, hands on mouth, all of the above, except for some moments of levity and humour, usually from the character lines of Tony Stark - typical, and from the supporting actors. Which takes true skill. For most, the focus is on the main characters, fair enough, as that is who the film is centred on and who the plot lines depend on, their choices and actions. But the supporting actors generally provide the conflict, whether it is the main conflict, or the little annoyances that are the fly in the ointment. And if they all stick in your mind, make you think about their choices and their actions that bring the main characters to the fore and start doing what they do best - that is something special. They often only have a few scenes on their lonesome, the majority with th...

One thing about animated films, yes, before even The Lion King, Shrek and The Incredibles, they appeal to little and big kids. There is a reason films like Lady and the Tramp and Alice in Wonderland are still classics. Dreamworks, Pixar and Disney all have this gift and it is what has made their films stand the test of time. Zootopia is no different, plenty of sight gags and lines to amuse the kids and then "sneaky" one liners and cheeky references to make the adults giggle. Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin voice the two leads, a fox and a rabbit respectively in this world - Zootopia - where all mammals live in relative peace. Mostly. Like all films focussed (kind of) on the under twelve sect, it has a underlying message, but it doesn't throw it in your face like the fables that Aesop was so fond of. You enjoy the film, but it has quality to it, which means that it will stand the test of time and in time, become a classic too.

I have grouped these two films together for a very simple reason - matching or similar styles of violence used in the stories told. And as far as spoilers are concerned, that first sentence is as far as I am going. That said, the style of violence isn't the only thing that is similar. Screenplays are both equally strong, one has Quentin Tarantino's biting script, the other has Jane Austen's original wit combined with Seth Grahame-Smith's novel and Burr Steers bringing both their words to the screen. There is a point I wish to make about the violence in these films. One has the focus on using guns, which make a lot of damage depending on placement of the bullets, or in Tarantino's case, rather hasty removal of whatever body part has been fired upon. The other uses a lot of sword work, long and short (as well as guns) which can sometimes provide a bit more variety and can lengthen a fight between two (or more) opponents. A lot of films, particular American in ...

In truth, I have been looking forward to this film since I first heard of it being casted. I have watched the documentary, released in 2007 (same title) many times before. From the first viewing, I was enthralled with this cautionary tale from history and the man brought to the forefront of so many others who were made to feel low for standing up for what was right. Is right. A group of powerful men were afraid and let that fear rule them. With a great script (John McNamara - based on the book by Bruce Cook) and superb direction (Jay Roach), the story of the blacklist, McCarthyism is beautifully illustrated in all its idiocy and farce. As it is so clearly stated in the film, the purpose of the committee hearings was to find communists working to bring down America, make laws to prevent international spies and other related work - none of which was achieved. All it did was make a very large amount of principled law abiding people unemployed and hated by their neighbours and friends...

Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters have long been pillars in the British acting community and when a film has both of them in supporting roles, it is not just a piece of instant comfort to the main character, but also to the viewers. And it also says a lot about the acting ability of Saoirse Ronan, that she not only holds her own among such experienced people, but that her character shines above all others. The rest of the supporting cast are excellent too, including Emily Bett Rickards, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson and Eileen O'Higgins. This is an excellent film all round and thoroughly deserves all the nominations that have awarded to it. Nick Hornby once more proves that he is the master of book adaptations. And John Crowley's direction is greatly understated.

There are a lot of films out there, where the conflict, or one of them, is based on what was not said, or understood. A lot of words are said, but in some cases, the character is not being completely honest with the others. Leads to a lot of "if you only told me the truth," and "I have to tell him how I really feel" endings. So, for a film like this one, where the main character doesn't say anything that he doesn't really mean, turns the genre on its side and pushes it in every other direction, except the one you expect. Wade Wilson/Deadpool, greatly portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, is completely unapologetic and has no filter, or any inhibitions. Mr Reynolds has a great gift for comedy, and in this film is allowed to completely let rip, breaking walls, literally and figuratively. Ed Skrein, Morrena Baccarin (people may recognise her from Homeland), Brianna Hildebrand, TJ Miller, Greg LaSalle and Gina Carano make up the rest of the cast. All give great pe...