Bad Lieutenant = Great Cage

By Leo Owen

24th September 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Director: Werner Herzog
Writer: William M. Finkelstein, Victor Argo
DVD and Blu-ray release date: September 27 2010
Studio: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
Number of discs: 1
Price: From £9.99-£15.93
Certificate: 18
DVD and blu-ray running time: 118/122 minutes
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, Jennifer Coolidge, Tom Bower, William M. Finkelstein, Victor Argo, Werner Herzog

After his ingenious portrayal of the controversial Big Daddy in Kick-Ass earlier in the year, Nick Cage returns in The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans, suggesting the old grittier Cage is here to stay.

In the opening sequence the “Bad Lieutenant” is presented with a valour award but is then shown sixth months later snorting a white powder, stealing confiscated drugs and smoking marijuana with a suspect while questioning him. Terence McDonagh is an old-skool second generation city cop who believes “a man without a gun – that’s not a man” and is warned he “can’t get away with that cowboy shit anymore”. A workaholic operating on one and a half hours sleep in three days, McDonagh still prefers his less conventional methods and corrupt antics like arresting a couple to then smoke crack with them and have sex with the girl. Despite his girlfriend, Frankie, being a whore (Eva Mendes) and his drug addiction, he gets results.

A stooping extremely tall wonky-looking Cage plays McDonagh with the perfect balance of dry humour and humanity. McDonagh is a lawless impatient man with a temper who gets the job done his own way, helping himself to his prescription drugs, rather than waste police time waiting. Even after he loses his temper questioning the grandmother of a witness, he manages to beat the system and cameras in the “property room” to restock his narcotics supplies.

Structured neatly with a vaguely uplifting end that amusingly mirrors the start, The Bad Lieutenant borders on the absurd as a drug induced McDonagh tries to solve a brutal multiple murder case. McDonagh is preoccupied by all things lizard, as an accident scene is filmed from a croc’s perspective, two Iguanas appear that only he can see and a long sequence involving close-ups of various lizards is rather puzzling. The script at times is just as surreal with beautifully memorable lines like: “Shoot him again – his soul is still dancing”.

Set in a dark and seedy underworld with a surprisingly low-key performance from Val Kilmer as Stevie Pruit, although possessing a slightly overly long running-time, The Bad Lieutenant is a thoroughly enjoyable gritty no-nonsense crime film with a highly original and strangely endearing protagonist.

***

Special Features:

• Trailers.
• Digital Photography Book.
• The Making Of Featurette.

She’s Out Of My League: Endearing Farcical Nerdy Romcom

By Leo Owen

24th September 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Director: Jim Field Smith
Writer: Sean Anders, John Morris
DVD and Blu-ray release date: September 27 2010
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Number of discs: 1
Price: From £12.99-£17.93
Running time DVD and Blu-ray: 100/104 mins
Certificate: 15
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J.Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence, Krysten Ritter, Lindsay Sloane

Nerdy romcom films are hardly in short supply but the writers of Hot Tub Time Machine somehow manage to inject a fresh perspective into this well-worn genre with She’s Out Of My League.

Kirk snorts when he laughs and isn’t exactly buff with his gangly awkward frame. He’s worked at the local airport ever since his dad got a swimming pool rather than pay his college fees. His vile ex-girlfriend, Marnie, fits in better with his family than he does, practically living at their house with her new meat-head “entrepreneurial” boyfriend, Ron, who runs a pizza shop.

Everything changes for Kirk when he meets Molly at airport security. Molly’s a lawyer who now runs her own entertainment planning business with her best friend, Patty. But most importantly, she is stunning and a “perfect ten”. Kirk’s equation, however looks more like: “5 + 1/2 for being nice + 1/2 for being funny – 1 for his car”. Despite the numbers not adding up, recently hurt, Molly decides to give Kirk a go as a “safe guy”; For the rest of the film Kirk’s mind “boggles”.

A relatively unknown cast, charming characters and engaging script, give She’s Out Of My League an 80s’ feel. Kirk’s best friends, Stainer and Devon, are both well-written and even Molly is surprisingly likeable, despite her perfection. By far the favourite is the Disney-fixated Devon – an entirely endearing hopeless romantic who is married himself and sees life as a potential fairytale: “Let’s go on a magic carpet ride” he says, referring to Kirk’s first re-meeting of Molly. His ever-cheesy character delivers the main moral of our 80s’ fairytale: “If someone really loves you then you are a 10.”

She’s Out Of My League not only hits the spot in terms of romance but the mismatched pairing of Molly and Kirk leads to a fair amount of farcical comedy – their first date is almost disastrous when Kirk wears identical jackets to the restaurant waiters, the scene where Devon really goes that extra mile for a friend, when Steiner’s band, “Adult Education”, perform and the final airport showdown where Kirk’s whole family sport revolting matching “Branson Bound!” sweaters.

She’s Out Of My League is a truly promising feel-good first feature from new Director, Jim Field Smith, and worth the time for exposure to a talented unfamiliar cast, and catchy new blend – the moodle…

***

Special Features:

• Deleted Scenes.
• Blooper Reel.
• Extended Ending.
• Devon’s Dating Show – A Hilarious “Dos and Don’ts”.
• Commentary By Director, Jim Field Smith.

The Switch- Aniston fans prepare to be disappointed

By katym

23rd August 2010 | 2 comments | 1 person likes this

Jennifer Aniston’s new rom com, The Switch, claims to be ‘the most unexpected comedy ever conceived’, excuse the pun, but it is actually the second film this year to tackle the subject of artificial insemination.

Although what makes The Switch stand out is that it focuses on the male perspective and considers what main character Wally is going through when he meets his son seven years after he drunkenly switched a donor’s sample with his own.

Like most romantic comedies the plot of the film is predictable, with the two main characters Wally (Jason Bateman) and Kassie (Jenifer Aniston) struggling to overcome their problems, and you guessed it ending happily ever after. However despite this and the film dragging at the beginning, The Switch successfully tackles a sensitive subject in a light hearted manner.

I have to admit there were times when I laughed at loud- during the opening scene when Wally is verbally attacked in the street, when he scares off a potential sperm donor and moments of the I’m getting pregnant party.

While Jennifer Aniston is billed as the lead, it is Bateman’s character Wally that is most identifiable with his neurotic personality and quirky traits which are surprisingly passed down to his loveable son Sebastian.

Aniston fans be warned her portrayal of independent woman Kassie is much to be desired, and is certainly not one for the collection!

Ok  so The Switch was easy to watch and provided me with two hours of escapism but given the choice I probably wouldn’t watch it again.

The Switch is released in UK cinemas on Friday 3 September.

Wizard of Oz celebrates it’s 71st birthday

By Katherine Romero

12th August 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

The iconic MGM feature has reached the ripe old age of 71 today. The film catapulted Judy Garland to stardom and made quotes such as “Oh Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore” and “Follow the yellow brick road” iconic cultural references.

Though the film was a huge success, filming was not without its troubles. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, was severely burnt during one scene, when a fire broke out and blocked off her exit.

Buddy Ebsen, who played the Tin Man, was also hospitalised after inhaling much of the aluminium powder make up he had to wear.

MGM almost cut Over the Rainbow, when they felt the film was too long and needed to be shortened. Luckily it was kept in and became Judy Garland’s signature song, inspiring many successful cover versions.

Happy Birthday Wizard of Oz.

Check out Christina Aguilera and Cher in the upcoming film Burlesque

By Katherine Romero

5th August 2010 | 1 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Christina Aguilera is one talented lady. On top of having one of the best voices in the business, she’s also showing off some pretty impressive acting chops in the upcoming film Burlesque.

Alongside a star studded cast that includes Kristin Bell and the legendary diva that is Cher, Christina pays Ali, a small town girl from Iowa, whose life changes dramatically when she’s hired as a waitress at The Burlesque Lounge.

Run by retired dancer Tess (Cher), the Lounge is failing to stay alive financially, with burlesque being viewed as an ageing form of entertainment. But when Ali takes to the stage, her big voice becomes a big attraction, pulling audiences in.

The film is set for release in the UK this December. Personally, we love a big old sing song so this film, complete with the glitz and glam, sounds just like our cup of tea.

What do you make of Christina’s venture into acting?

Meryl Streep and Tina Fey set to play mother and daughter in new comedy

By Katherine Romero

30th July 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Tiny Fey and Meryl Streep are set to play mother and daughter in a new comedy film called Mommy and Me.

Stanley Tucci, who appeared on screen opposite Streep in Julie and Julia, will direct the film which is set to depict the thorny and funny aspects of the mother daughter relationship.

Further plot details are being kept under wraps but we think the partnership of Fey and Streep has hit written all over it.

Rihanna to star in Battleship movie

By Katherine Romero

27th July 2010 | 0 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Rihanna is set to star in the forthcoming Battleship movie, alongside True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgård and Taylor Kitsch.

This will not be Rihanna’s first venture into acting. The Rudeboy singer made her debut in the 2007 direct to DVD film Bring It On: All Or Nothing.

Battleship, directed by Peter Berg is based on the popular board game and is expected for release in May 2012.

Adams’ charm saves cliche-ridden Leap Year

By Leo Owen

13th July 2010 | 1 comments | 0 votes yet, click here to agree or disagree

Director: Arnand Tucker
Writers: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont,
DVD and Blu-ray release date: July 12 2010
Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
Number of discs: 1
Region: 2
Price: From £11.99
Running Time DVD/Blu-ray: 96/100 mins (DVD/Blu-ray)
Certificate: PG
Starring: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott, John Lithgow

Arnand Tucker’s Leap Year takes the notion that all women are obsessed with marriage to an insulting extreme as the lead, Anna (Amy Adams), rushes to Dublin to propose, declaring: “I’m not going to die without getting engaged.”

Jack, her superstitious father, a disappointingly underused John Lithgow, has brought Anna up with the fifth century myth that it is a woman’s right in Ireland to propose on February 29th in a leap year. A false alarm at the jeweller’s raises her hopes but luckily for Anna, her smarmy cardiologist boyfriend, Jeremy (Adam Scott), is in Dublin as part of a conference.

The film follows control-freak Anna’s race across Ireland against all odds as weather, theft and transport conspire against her attempts to arrive in time to prepare for her proposal. Somewhat obsessed with organisation and meeting schedules, much to Anna’s reluctance, she discovers she needs Irish taxi-driver and pub owner, Declan’s (Matthew Goode) help more than she cares to admit.

After a series of catastrophic mishaps rough and ready Jeremy winds up escorting the clumsy Anna to the “city of chancers and cheats”, Dublin. Along the way, what begins as a hostile relationship of opposites, blooms into something unexpected and allows both characters to learn and grow through each other.

Cringe inducing Leap Year is rammed full of every Irish stereotype you can imagine from obsessions with superstition (“It’s bad luck to start a journey on a Saturday.”) to well meaning drunkards, leprechaun references, river dancing, tripe munching and characters churning out stock phrases (“To be sure”, “eejit”…).

Through the entire film arrogant real-estate fixer, Anna from Boston, totters around in ridiculous shoes more suited to Sex and the City than the Irish countryside but despite the unimaginative script’s cheesy lines, Adams pulls off her usual charm, resulting in convincing chemistry between Declan and Anna.

The only really successful gag in this romantic comedy is the well-worn misunderstanding between Declan and Anna over the naming of her legendary bag but despite all its faults Leap Year at least satisfies with the feel-good ending you expect, need and deserve.

**

Verdict: Declan asks: “If your house was on fire what would you take?”
Answer: Not this film, if I was foolish enough to even own it in the first place.

DVD Special Features:

• Deleted scenes.

Blu-ray Special Features:

• Deleted Scenes.
• BD-Live: Access the BD-Live Center through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers and more.
• My Scenes: Bookmark your favorite scenes from the movie then share with your BD-Live buddies.
• Pocket BLU: USHE’s groundbreaking pocket BLU app uses iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, Android and other devices to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray player and offers advanced features.

Sex And the City 2 – a sequel too far?

By Jonathan Campbell

24th May 2010 | 1 comments | 1 person likes this

So who’s your favourite?

Is it the pretty yet neurotic one, the level headed responsible kind or maybe the successful and insatiable sort?

How about the self absorbed type who’ll analyse every intimate detail of her life in a very public column?

Whoever your preferred Sex and the City flavour may be, you’re sure to be satisfied this month as Manhattans’ most famous daughters take over our cinemas once again with the second instalment of their silver screen adventures.

And I’m afraid, very afraid.

It had started out oh so differently. Read more »