Roper Review’s Round Up

Doing an Mphil in film, having a Cineworld card, and just being a general geek means I do visit the cinema rather a lot. As much as I love sitting in the dark room watching films, I don’t always have time to review them. Annoying things like uni work, actual work and a social life get in the way. Here is a quick round up of the films I have seen since starting this blog that I haven’t had time to dedicate a full length review to. A few of them don’t deserve one, a few of them do, so if you feel like doing one of them justice, there’s some homework for you. I mean what else could be more fun that bitching about films?

From Paris with Love (Pierre Moral, 2010)

The director of Taken; a film so outrageously violent and enjoyable in which Liam Nielson threatens to single handedly tear down the Eifel Tower this action “comedy” stars a fat, bold John Travolta and brit Jonathan Rees Myers.

It belongs back in the 1980s when casual racism, stupid story lines and car chase sequences were all the rage. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t laugh once or twice, and enjoy the odd fight or two, but the story in which John Travolta squeals with delight every time he shoots one of the “Pakistanis,” as he constantly calls them, leaves a lot to be desired.

** (2 stars – Unless you Jim Davidson in which case add three more)


The Crazies (Breck Eisner, 2010)

Yet another zombie movie.... although in such an over populated genre it does stand out as one of the better examples. A re-make of George A. Romero’s 1978 film, it stands alongside the excellent Dawn of the Dead remake. Director Breck Eisner has made a short, nasty and effective horror.

When a plane crashes in a small American town, a virus spreads turning those infected into homicidal maniacs. It is an impressive feat that the film manages to find a voice of its own and delivers some incredible tense scenes, with minimal gore. One scene set in a car wash may create the same anxiety that Psycho did for the shower.

Like the best Zombie films, it uses its walking dead (or crazies in this case) to deliver scares but makes the humans into the real enemies. The U.S military ruthlessly gun down innocents in fear, a sub-text very applicable to darker moments in our history. It delivers its chills and thrills quickly and effectively. Worth a watch, unless you are sick of Zombie films.

***1/2

Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton, 2010)


Tim Burton, one of the most visionary directors currently working in Hollywood is getting predictable. Johnny Depp, one of the most watchable and adaptable actors currently working in Hollywood is getting boring. This film packs no surprises; but is an adequate, darkly gothic, yet child friendly sequel to Lewis Carols’ classic.

Tim Burton's last family picture, Charlie and the Chocolate factory was awful. In his latest he redeems his ability to mix the macabre with the merry but amongst the twisty landscape and Danny Elfman score; you will have seen it all before. The biggest disappointment is Johnny Depp, who does not seem to stray past his Captain Jack Sparrow comfort zone these days.

The first half is very enjoyable; if a little CGI heavy as the impressive world unfolds around Alice. Helena Bonham Carter is magnificent as the red queen, turning her into a big headed (literally) spoilt brat compete with lisp and stamping gestures. The second half is just the build up to a rather disappointing battle and the film turns into faux Lord of the Rings, which is no good thing. Worth a watch however for Carter, the strong performance of Mia Wasikowska who plays Alice, Matt Lucas’s brilliant Tweedle Dee/Dum expression and that excellent first half.

*** (3 Stars) Remove a star if you see it in 3D which I found to be blurry and rather distracting.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Niels Arden Oplev, 2009)


This is a very strong opener for the film adaptations of the late Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy. The crime series that depicts the exploits of Journalist Mikael Bloomkvist and goth computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.

Bloomkvist is asked to investigate a 40 year old disappearance of a girl. Salander becomes involved after being hired to hack his computer and becomes an unlikely ally in solving the case. It is dark and gripping film which derives its tensions through a fantastic screenplay rather the usual stalk and slash murder sequences which dominate the crime genre. It is also a detailed character study of Salander, whose mysterious past and moody demeanor makes her one fascinating anti-hero.

As a result of its small budget it can at times feel a little bit made for TV, but this would be one hell of an episode of Midsummer Murders.
**** (4 Stars)

I Love You Phillip Morris (Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, 2010)


Jack Nicolson once claimed that Jim Carry would be the “Jack Nicolson” of the next generation, and it is films like this that support that argument and make one forget all about Ace Ventura. I Love You Phillip Morris is based on exploits of con-man Steven Russell who escaped from prison numerous times to get back to his boyfriend Phillip Morris.

It is a story so amazing that if it wasn’t true the plot would be criticised for being farfetched. I won’t ruin his greatest escapes but one stroke of genius involves him dying his prison uniform green and walking out disguised as a doctor. Unlike the Bounty Hunter, reviewed below, this is a true romantic comedy with plenty of both. Those expecting more of Carry’s ‘zany’ comedy will find something far more subtle and convincing here. Its greatest strength is the way it involves the audience. Russell’s voice over openly invites us to make our own judgements of his actions, and its ending plays a huge trick audience that will horrify as much as it will raise laughter.
**** (4 stars)

The Bounty Hunter (Andy Tennant, 2009)


How does Gerard Butler keep getting romantic comedy roles? He is the most unlikable romantic leading man I have ever seen. When he was killing Spartans, he did just fine, but his ability to charm Katherine Hiegal, Hillary Swank and now Jennifer Anniston baffles. This ‘Romantic’ ‘Comedy’, which has little of either, concerns Milo Boyd, a bounty hunter whose latest job is escorting his ex-wife to jail. Low and behold, on their ‘wacky’ journey together they begin to question why they broke up in the first place.

We are expected to laugh as he pulls her around aggressively by the wrist, handcuffing her to whatever he can find, and then smile when they reignite their love life. The ever watchable Anniston is pretty good as his ex-wife/captive, but Butler is awful throughout and downright creepy at times. Realising the lack of on screen chemistry the film makers also choose to insert some rather pathetic action sequences. Just put me in Jail, it’s got to be more fun that this film.
* (1 star)