29.4.06
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy – 2004
This film is set in a 1970s male dominated newsroom and life is easy and full of success for its anchorman Ron Burgundy, until an ambitious young women (Christina Applegate) comes along to join the team. Will Ferrell is incredibly and stupidly funny as Ron, providing frequent laughs. Expect a few very welcome cameos too. It's great fun. 7/10
Hostel
Hostel – 2005
Eli Roth, you are a sick sick man. This little number is about a bunch of Americans travelling around Europe. They get a tip to visit a hostel somewhere in Slovakia where bountiful breasty wenches await their throbbing members. It starts off like their dream is coming true, but then it gets all... well sick but shamefully entertaining and gripping. However, this ain't like horror films such as Wolf Creek because in that film you cared about the characters more so, whereas in this you don't really care much for the American backpackers in search of easy sex galore, and so when they start to bleed it's not so horrid. The violence is extreme, but comical in a way and the film is obviously not taking itself seriously. The ending is very satisfying... one of the most satisfying moments in cinema history perhaps. Recommended if you can take it. 6/10
9.4.06
The Sun
The Sun – 2005
Some part of me believes this Russian/European film about the Japanese Emporer Hirohito during the end of WW2 to be a work of art. However, it is also the slowest film in the history of the world. We get to watch Emperor Hirohito (the absolutely brilliant Issei Ogata) carry out his daily tasks in immense detail. The film goes into Hirohito's love of marine biology, his relationship/meetings with General MacArthur and the rejection of divine status. Only for those deeply interested in Japanese history. 6/10
Click this link for a detailed and worthy review:
Spider Man 2
Spider Man 2 – 2004
Ahhh the life troubles of Peter Parker as he struggles to maintain a normal life and deal with new enemies: this time we have Dr Octopus, a somewhat more entertaining villian than the Green Goblin. Firstly, I have to write that Tobey Maguire is indeed the perfect choice. I can imagine Stan Lee being most happy with this guy (you will need to be quick to spot Lee's appearance in this film). Maguire is outstanding as Peter; he is just so different from other young male actors out there and truly makes you feel for the character. A wonderful performance. Dunst is mighty fine as the sweet MJ (with great legs to boot). We get some more depth this time round for MJ. John Simmons is superb as the notorious J. Jonah Jameson, and here you need to be quick to catch all the great lines that spout from Jonah's mouth. Finally Dr. Otto Octavius, played by Brit Alfred Molina (who will play Bishop Aringarosa in upcoming The DaVinci Code film), is worth mentioning for yet another excellent performance for this film's quality bank. Simply great casting.
The special effects are amazing; I sat in awe watching the fight scenes between Spider Man and Dr. Octopus. Spider Man 3 is in production and it will feature Venom/Eddie Brock. Very cool. 7.5/10
R-Point
R-Point – 2004
In 1972, during the Vietnam War, a group of 9 Korean soldiers go to an island called R-Point to search for some previous Korean soldiers who never returned. There is a ghostly girl and some Americans (some cheapo actors in this case) who may also be ghosts... I was not totally following some aspects of the film due to a lack of captivation – the film did not enthuse me to replay scenes to improve understanding. Essentially, they all go insane and it really is not very good. The ending is almost worth the dragged out start and middle.
The film looks impressive and like Brotherhood (reviewed below) shows the capability of South Korean cinema. The atmosphere is well created. The soldiers seemed rather soft; maybe they were not exactly supposed to be a crack team, just some low level soldiers for an unimportant mission. Woo-seong Kam was notable as Lt Choi. 5/10
