sg2790 Reviews

Flood (2007)

An unrelatable pile of crap.

[2/10 · 5 May 2008]

This film was total rubbish. I was sitting watching this absolutely furious that this was funded. They most definitely spent all their budget on the special FX rather than the script writer and director AND some of the actors.

First the acting was bland and rubbish. The story was not relatable to the audience enough. Rather than being from the peoples perspective of the storm, the narrative was told more from government figures and the army, which really isn't a way to connect to them as most of us hate politicians anyway. The writer attempted to add a human element to the unrealistic characters by adding the little subplot about the father and son, which failed completely.

As for the directing...oh god, his techniques to try and create tension and unease are repetitive and over the top. The sped up camera movements and then the sudden flash bolt pauses on a characters face when something horrendous has happened was pathetic.

The only reason I watched it till the end was to see the special FX. Which is a bad thing as special FX shouldn't make the film it should only amplify the story and experience. There was no story.

I really wouldn't bother watching this, total trash and an embarrassment to the British film industry.

Penelope (2006)

Lovely film, recommend watching!

[8/10 · 26 February 2008]

This film was a beautiful little film, I was surprised to see it took so long to release considering the stars in it.

The actors and story were all up to scratch. Christina Ricci played the pig girl beautifully her eyes just drew you in and James Macavoy was completely gorgeous! I saw a review on here before i watched it saying it was at times a bit soppy ... errr its not its a lovely romance story/fairy tale, also there are many funny bits that tickle your pickle.

One thing that did annoying me a tad was why they had so many English actors pretending to be American??!!! There was Nick Frost, someone from Torchwood... then Russell Brand popped up in it momentarily it just confused me quite a lot...

anyway this is a really good film and inner beauty and accepting whats on the inside rather than out and all that 8/10

Ballet Shoes (2007 TV Movie)

Overall a pretty decent television film

[7/10 · 26 December 2007]

This film was good but in no way brilliant. It told the story of three young teenage girls who were for some reason abandoned and picked up by one kind man, a paleontologist (plays uncle Vernon in HP) who then takes them to his house where his keeper and another lady he rescued and raised. Over the years he goes missing and this is where the story begins of the three girls discovering who they are and the various obstacles they have to overcome in order to be what they want to be.

GOOD POINTS -The acting, at first i was annoyed by it and slightly wary of Emma Watson out of context but i warmed up to each character and Emma did a pretty good job too. The story sets of quite quickly, so interest isn't lost in each character.

• The story, its a nice quaint story that is well set in the 1920-30's England.

BAD POINTS - Mainly the story as well. At times i did think this all fitted too well together and too many things were too coincidental and fast paced- which i suppose it has to be as its a television film, but anyway it did take away the enjoyment a tad. - Also they way time is conveyed too obviously which really didn't fit in with the rest of the gentle nice storyline e.g. The flashes of newspaper headlines and nearer the beginning the bold letters all in one go indicating that about 10 years have gone by. Maybe I'm being too picky but it just didn't fit.

Overall this was a nice treat and the BBC do make some really good films, for boxing day it was a good piece of Christmas television to distract you from the hectic family at Christmas!

7/10

The Deaths of Ian Stone (2007)

Actually not that bad, i was surprised!

[7/10 · 23 December 2007]

This film interested me as it was a new concept, a man dying and keep coming back each day in a new life. I cant be bothered to write the ins and outs of the film but overall it was an interesting but non scary story. It was well shot and overall well done.

Bad points - the brown haired lady started off well along with the first 40 minutes of the film, but towards the end i think the strength of the film was lost through some of the acting, and costume designs an almost matrix wanna-be with that one, you'll see what i mean if you watch it. So you really have to take with a pinch of salt and go with the flow of it.

Overall it is a good film, at times can be a bit corny but for a fairly unknown film in the UK even though it was made here, was a gripping and engaging film however not consistent throughout sadly.

Never the less if you come across it watch its entertaining and different 7/10

Stardust (2007)

Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant

[10/10 · 22 December 2007]

This film was absolutely brilliant i really must say. It was a new, fresh look at fairy tales. The main things that set it apart from others is that strangely in some elements it has a sense of realism to it, for example they don't have posh ridiculous accents, and the various cameos such as Ricky Gervais and Robert De Niro really added to this.

Even though i guest what the story would be about 15 minutes in, it didn't take away from the enjoyment one bit! This definitely isn't a just a kids fairy tale it appeals to all ages. Don't be fooled by the trailer, when i saw it i really didn't like the look of it and thought it would be another meaningless blockbuster but it really isn't.

I would 100% advice anyone whatever age you are to watch this it is really a brilliant, warm funny film. Robert De Niro does a funny and different performance, at first when he came on i was thinking it would be the same old role that he usually plays but this film is just full of surprises! WATCH IT its a must see movie! 10/10 and usually I'm very critical of films.

The Water Babies (1978)

Childhood Gem of a film!

[8/10 · 21 December 2007]

For years i've had a distant memory of watching this film , i looked on the net to find it somewhere and couldn't find it anywhere so i thought it must have disappeared.

UNTIL...my gran showed me a box set she sent off for in the Daily Mail and i though nah there wont be anything decent in there, but to my great surprise there amongst other gems was The Water Babies! I hadn't been that excited ina long long time! Its a great light hearted film, the songs aren't memorable probably if i was a child during the time it came out i would have stuck in my mind more. Sadly it was just a film i watched at my grans 10 years ago when i was a little spud. And watching it back now the animation is terrible! and the re-recored voices they do to get a richness to the sound in films is totally off! But who cares when your a kid you never think of those things, even if they lead boy is about 10 and sounds like a boy in the middle of puberty.

Great classic kids film!

Idiocracy (2006)

Most unfunny stupid excuse for a comedy film.

[2/10 · 21 December 2007]

I Accidentally ordered this because i mistakenly thought Owen Wilson was in it rather than his brother Luke Wilson. Yes i'm an idiot i know, so really i should have found it funny IT Wasn't.

What the hell was it all about? Yeh i actually agree that humanity is getting more stupid as time goes by, but come on this was OVER THE TOP.

The actors were not funny in the slightest except the man who plays president who i've seen in a few films and is quite funny. Anyway this was a stupid waste of my time, it was so bad i can't even remember the storyline, something about a man being frozen and waking up in the future ORIGINAL...no.

It was a stupid pile of American comedy trash. Don't watch it. I only give it two because of the man who played the president he made me chuckle ONCE.

2/10

I Am Legend (2007)

Will Smith is a LEGEND!

[10/10 · 21 December 2007]

This film was absolutely brilliant. I haven't seen a blockbuster movie this good in a verrry verrrry long time. It doesn't bombard you with loads of action but with enough to keep you satisfied. Also its a deeply moving story.

It was really thought provoking watching this as it made you think what would you be like in this situation... There was a sense of realism to the story, even if Nevillie does talk to dummies but wouldn't you if there was no one else around? Also the bond with his dog was a brilliant part of the story, reminded me off Cast Away and Tom Hank's ball Wilson.

Even though at times i did feel that maybe CGI didn't need to be used as much it was it didn't dampend the film at all, it was just a bit too obviously done and at times i did feel maybe they were showing off a bit that they managed to close busy New York streets to film some scenes...

Anyway, I really must say this is a brilliant film, thought-provoking and moving - yes i teared up at various points because Will Smith is such a versatile actor who can make you cry with laughter or cry with sadness but also make you feel on the edge of your seat because he has such stamina.

10/10 if anyone doesn't like this movie they are just being too critical and picky! i should know im usually one of them!

BRILLLIANNT FILM WATCH IT!

Saw IV (2007)

How long will this be dragged out for!

[5/10 · 19 December 2007]

I watched Saw 4 expected the same as the previous two films...and it was exactly what i got, the same old same old twistful story with yes interested ways of killing people that do make you want to throw up but just... strangely too unoriginal now. And i find that they introduce too many new characters in each film. And i really couldn't distinguish between many of the male detectives...they all looked the same in this film.

I really enjoyed the first film, it was something fresh and new and extremely gripping, then the second was slightly good but thats when i began to get a bit bored of the story. And now we've come to the 4th and i am sick of it. How long will they actually drag this storyline on for. Its obvious its becoming the modern horror franchise that Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween was.

And then just as i think maybe its over...ITS NOT Saw 5 is in pre-production. GREAT.

I really am sick of this grimy, stupid set of films now please end them they are getting worse as they go down the chain. They were good but the sparks gone.

Stay Alive (2006)

Decent film...but very inconsistent.

[6/10 · 18 December 2007]

Okay, i won't woffle on...

This film had a great storyline however the acting was bland and the suspense wasn't consistent throughout until the end. The end i must say was extremely good and i think possibly the director focused all his attention on making a great ending rather than building up to it.

So following on from that point. The story is set well however each killing isn't suspenseful or tense enough and is done rather quickly without any build up - until the last 20 minutes of the film, which has you on the edge of your seat and the effects are good too.

As for the story it was an interesting concept.

OVERALL, great story, great ending, average acting, average directing. Rubbish killings.

6/10

Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007 Video)

Average film, are some good scary bits - but bit same old same old...

[6/10 · 16 December 2007]

After seeing this the actual house in the film i had a vague memory of seeing the first one however really cannot remember so i can't comment on if this was a worthy sequel.

Ill start with the few GOOD points. - The film is set up well, the characters are quite well defined - with a sustainable introducing story horror which is believable. Moving on to when they are in the house. As in most horrors the music creates tension and an eeriness which definitely happens in this film and i definitely jumped a few times!

As for the gore - there is quite a bit and it is in your face quite frequently, so you can see all of what is happening to the characters (for example when A man wont say who... is getting his head slowly cut open and his brain being pulled out)

Now for the BAD points.

The gore and nastiness falls into both good and bad points. The reason i find it a weakness in the film is that the blood and guts is just too in your face. Meaning you see what happens in front of you, and if you thinking about it many of the most successful horror films use psychological horror tehchniques in order to scare you. Usually the most horrific sequences in horror films are the ones where they quickly cut away to the main action leaving your mind to imagine the horrific things that are happening, which doesn't happen at all in this movie.

Moving onto the acting it just wasn't consistently good throughout. As for the story as i said before it is set up well as a horror film but drastically changes to a fantasy film - taking away the sense of realism to the story, as some of the horror sequences and genuinely scary. Which dampened the story a bit.

Overall, this is a good film but easily forgettable. It does have some very nasty parts in it ... really its just a load of fun and gore.

6/10

Bee Movie (2007)

i thought it was a great funny film! (remember it is a kids film)

[8/10 · 16 December 2007]

I think people are forgetting that this is a child's movie and are being way too critical, the writer was nice enough to include quite a few funny jokes that would make an adult laugh, so quit your belly-aching and enjoy this funny animation.

Even though its not in the league as toy story or finding nemo its really up close in the top. But it has the traditional storyline of breaking from for what your supposed to 'bee' (:D) and becoming something of an individual, which i think is good for children to know.

I found myself laughing out loud from this kids film even if I'm 17. The story gets going quite quickly but its done gently enough to feel attached to the characters.

I think the voices were a great choice and the comedic timing was really good. I'm rubbish at remembering names but the key bee's voice was brilliant and really hilarious and some of the things he said were memorable.

I would definitely recommend watching this animation as there are too many out today which is a bit annoying, this one should be remembered.

Halloween (2007)

Great film but not consistent throughout...

[8/10 · 14 December 2007]

The first half an hour of the film is extremely good, showing the childhood of Michael Myers and how this influenced his adult career choice...

Even though this is another regurgitated film of Hollywood its still really good. However how Michael myers escapes from the mental home really isn't strong enough and made me quite annoyed. If you watch it you'll see, it just didn't fit in with the rest of the story so far and the film lost its credibility a little.

Then when the teen characters of Laurie was introduced, it didn't quite fit in how Myers found her, there were some definite mistakes there. Also the teenagers in general were irritating beyond belief so take it with a pinch of salt.

GOOD POINTS - by the end of the film at the big crescendo it is extremely tense and you really will be on the edge of your seat!! Overall, this is a really good films with fairly any faults however when the filmmakers did muck up they did it big style so try to ignore the bit where Myers escapes and when the teenagers are constantly having sex.

Catacombs (2007)

Good film and interesting storyline if a little predictable

[7/10 · 14 December 2007]

This was a really interesting story. The narrative of the story and all about the catacombs is repeated a bit too much e.g. 7 million bodies...but under Paris...blah but anyways its still a really good story.

HOWEVER it was interesting seeing pink acting, but it was a bit too bland and irritating. As for the lead girl she did an okay job of the trapped person if not at times a little annoying.

Sadly i did figure out the twist in the story about 20 minutes into the film. But then i doubted myself and thought noo this is actually happening but then went back to what i initially thought would happen.. and guess what it happened. But i don't think many people would get it but sadly I'm one of those observant annoying people who notices things :/ Anywhoo, i give this 7/10 its an interesting concept and quite tense at times. Id advice watching it.

Flight of the Living Dead (2007)

An interesting...story...sort of

[7/10 · 10 December 2007]

This film was QUITE good actually. Im not saying its the best zombie film - thats obviously Resident Evil ONE! Anyway, i was initially put off by the front cover it looked tacky and old but when i read the synopsis i was really interested in the idea of zombies taking over a plane as you actually have no where to escape to! I will commend the special effects of the planes - they were really good considering its not a box office hit and so on. Also the zombies - they were more like wild animals rather than slow moving pathetic creatures that somehow over power fully capable humans in traditional zombie films... Also the noises of the zombies were really disturbing! like a really high pitched screech. There is also a lot a lot a lot of gore in this so all you blood thirsty fans will love it.

I wont commend the scare factor of the film. Its not really scary when it really could have been considering the setting. Also i didn't like the character of the nun being in there... it was realllly stupid and pointless and she really didn't fit in with the rest of the story which took away the reality of the film! Overall this is a good zombie film, full of blood and gore but not really that scary i give it 7/10

30 Days of Night (2007)

Why does the head vampire look like a man having a mid-life crisis?

[7/10 · 9 December 2007]

This was an good film. Its a new concept having the setting in Alaska. HOWEVER i can see a pattern emerging. It seems Hollywood etc.. are beginning to exhaust all other settings eg space, forrests, jungles, under water they are now turning to cold places. This is the second horror film set in Alaska in the past year...

Overall this is a good film. Its tense and very very bloody and gory and the vampires had a different interesting look to them making them a touch scarier than the traditional ones with fangs. BUT! why the hell did they make the head vampire look like a man having a mid-life crisis? It really really annoyed me. He looked like an average man just with black eyes and fangs i would have thought he would have been the most deformed of them all, it was just a really stupid idea...

I'd advise watching this its an interesting look at vampire stories i give it 7/10

Shrooms (2007)

An okay film...nothing special sadly.

[6/10 · 9 December 2007]

I'll give the writer's credit for coming up with an original setting...Ireland, haven't really seen that in a film before.

However, there are many faults with this film more than good. I'll start with the good first though -

GOOD Interesting editing techniques, which really does make the film quite eerie and jumpy at time. Also the story it is quite original about Magic Mushrooms or "Shrooms", which does make it interesting to watch as its a new concept.

BAD Following on from the story. As this is a farely original idea at times the narrative was being told too obviously. For example, the English man who goes along for the trip tells too much of the story and its too obvious. In order to create a realistic film you can get into, key parts of the story should be told gently but in this film its told in about the first few minutes of them arriving in the Forrest.

Another bad point is the acting. I don't know if its just me? but when you have American actors in an English setting i find there accents incredibly annoying and overpowering. Its the same when an English actors in American setting so I'm not descriminating... The screeching voices just were too irritating for me to feel attached to them.

Overall this is an OKAY film. Obviously every film has its faults this one just had too many. I would have liked to have seen a bit more gore possibly it was a little slow. The talking cow for me has to be the highlight of film

6/10

My Boy Jack (2007 TV Movie)

Extremely moving....and fantastic

[12 November 2007]

Initially i wasn't too pleased with the film at first, i found some aspects were missing, however when the film gets going it really does get going so don't give up hope! I won't go into too much detail of the story. There's sort of two parallel stories going on. John'Jack' Kipling who struggles to get into the Navy because of poor eyesight and then the story of his father, who wrote the jungle book and became heavily involved in the propaganda of Britian during WWI- from what I've gathered from the story! As i said before i initially didn't like the story, and like most people my age was most likely watching it to see Daniel Radcliffe out of context. But i have to say this was an extremely moving story once you get to know the characters - who at times are a bit rigid but the well written story i felt covered this up.

I really am not one to cry and films i think thats just stupid but i was sooo tearing up, not just because of the film but the reality that this actually happened to the men. I would advise getting this its a great bit of film to commend various heroes in the war.

It's a deeply moving story and i think Daniel Radcliffe did a great job- considering it was a completely different role hes done before. Also the girl you was in Doctor Who who played his sister...cant think of her name :/ - she was extremely good as well. The women from sex in the city...not too sure about her.

But anyways! really do watch this film, if your from out of the UK i heard you can watch it online at-

http://www.itv.com/Drama/perioddrama/MyBoyJack/default.html I THINK!

also its coming out of DVD soon :)

Vacancy (2007)

A bit too quick, fairly tense

[5/10 · 21 October 2007]

The film started off fairly slowly - but it was OK because we got an idea of the two main characters and the turmoil in their relationship etc...

However, once the film got pumping it was just too quick. It was too obvious that the man at the desk was suspicious and in on the act. And when they were in the room the characters discovered too quickly what was going on and you don't really go on a journey with them to discover what is happening.

Yes it is a bit tense but chunks are missed out and dismissed to quickly. If it had been built up a bit more then this would have been graded 8/10 not 5/10.

I would advise watching this it is a unique story however when it gets going its just a bit too fast.

Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)

Take with a pinch of salt...it is a video game remember

[4/10 · 21 October 2007]

I really had to remind myself this was a video game as they tend not to be very good films. The first two, mainly the first, i thought were extremely good i cant really remember the second but who does? This third one had to go with the typical taking over the world, and how people are reduced back to basics and look really scruffy etc.. It's just too boring and same old and there really wasn't that many fight scenes with the main women in.

Some bits were quite tacky and cheesy which got right on my nerves. So i sat and watched the film for an hour or so...and then the ending is really quick and short and you will disappointed there barely is a huge fight at the end, and the CGI really isn't up to scratch compared to some of the films out today.

Don't watch it its disappointing

Epic Movie (2007)

Not funny. End of.

[2/10 · 2 September 2007]

The makers of the "spoof" films have really lost the plot. Scary movie 1,2 & 3 were funny i'd say 3 the best. Then scary movie 4, date movie and epic movie are just crap. They aren't funny at all and its too deliberate the humour. And a bit too American.

Like so many films I've seen the trailer actually is better than the film. I thought this film would have me wetting myself but it really didn't...yep i laughed at a few bits but only because i was willing for the film to be funny.

I wouldn't advise watching it its not worth the money and the humour isn't raw enough. I saw somewhere that the writers are making a superhero spoof movie now...i wonder what that's going to be like...

don't waste your time watching this.

Pulse (I) (2006)

Don't trust the trailer!!!!*&(*$(&%^$

[3/10 · 2 September 2007]

Argh i hate it when they make an absolutely fantastic trailer for a film...then the film turns out CRAPOLA - this keeps happening to me.

I was sceptical about this film so i did a quick look on the net and saw the trailer on youtube and it looked bloody brilliant but it really wasn't all that.

I will admit some bits are jumpy and i hid behind my eyes like twice but thats about it. It was a very wes craven film...rubbish basically.

Another this that did me in was the tone of the film. The obviously were trying to create a dull techno atmoshpere and it backfired. By the end of the film in was practically black and white...i know this sounds weird but it really was!!!! Wasn't suttle at all.

As for the story there was something missing and it all seemed a bit too fast and not enough was really explained. They were too ambitious with the storyline and i think thats where it went all wrong. Maybe if Kirsten Dunst was in it like she was supposed to it could have been a bit better.

Don't watch it save your money.

1408 (2007)

Acceptable...slightly confusing a misleading storyline

[7/10 · 1 September 2007]

This was a very steven king story obviously...with a twistful story taking you away from reality. And at the end with a dark twist.

But the trailer did actually look better than the film. Don't get me wrong this film was good but i thought it would be a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot scarier and i would be off the edge of my seat.

I'll give great credit to the editing visually and sound, however not many people really realise it. The sound was immense you could tell they deliberately cranked up the volume to scare the "bananas" out of you ... in a nice way of putting it.

Also the camera angles were very edgy which really increased the tension of the film. As well as the lighting. But i wont drizzle on about that.

Basically John Crusack was extremely good at playing a man going insane...it is jumping but not as scary as it is made out in the trailer.

The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)

Not as good as the first.

[6/10 · 23 July 2007]

The first film, i thought, was really good. Even though it was damn right disgusting i felt the gruesome-ness was justified because of what the mutant things did to the family. Also each character was well defined and easy to keep up with.

In this there were too many characters all introduced around the same time and i just didn't feel 'emotionally attached' to them like in the first film.

Good Points -The gross bits. Although not as powerful as the first films this was still did make me want to puke. The beginning scene was disgusting and set the film well... -The music, added to the horror and wasn't too over the top like most horror films soundtracks.

Bad Points -The un-originality of it. I want a horror film that doesn't use the same tactics to get you scared. Luring you into a false sense of security...then nothing happens then a second later BANG the monster comes out just when you thought all was safe, which happened a lot in this film -That blonde actor, she didn't do a good enough performance in my eyes. Also that Mexican man he was too neurotic, which irritated me.

Overall, not as good as the original obviously but still pretty gruesome.

Transformers (2007)

Confused direction...some what disappointing

[6/10 · 22 July 2007]

I didn't really think much of this film when i saw it on adverts etc... but for some reason my mum and her boyfriend really wanted to see it, even though apparently i watched the TV series when i was younger.

Good Points -Brilliant visual effects, the way the robots transformed was extremely realistic -the sound effects (not music), the metallic sounds really suited the robots obviously and fitted well. -The comedy, Perfectly timed and was extremely funny at times - even with the robots.

Bad Points -The Soundtrack, this goes with the confused direction. One moment there was the hard instrumental almost 'patriotic American' drums that you get in some films;which really added to the films serious side. However then there was some rock in it which lightened the film slightly. Yeh some films can switch tones but it really didn't work in this. - Getting back to the directing. Usually with a film you get a gut feeling on how the film will be. This one i just couldn't decide whether it was a serious hardcore action or a child's comedy. The two didn't mix well and Michael bay really didn't do well...and the great Spielberg.

I would advise watching this you could like it but it really didn't suite me the too sharp camera angles and the none fitting music just took away the experience.