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Reviews
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
A fantastic watch
*WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* I'm going to level with you all. I probably would have given this 10/10 even if it was terrible, such is my love for Spiderman. Happily, this film is not terrible and so I feel like I can justify the rating.
Firstly, Andrew Garfield is superb as Peter Parker. Maybe a bit too good looking, but definitely brilliant. His performance is magnificent which allows us to see an emotional side of Parker that we haven't seen before. Add to this his brilliant sense of humour and this movie is on to a winner. Emma Stone is great as Gwen Stacy. I know we're not supposed to compare this reboot to the old trilogy but it's inevitably going to happen so let's get to it. Kirsten Dunst IS Mary-Jane. That's it. No-one will be able to do that part justice. Which is why I'm glad the filmmakers opted for Gwen as Peter's love interest. And Emma Stone plays her really nicely. Denis Leary is superb as Captain Stacy and Rhys Ifans captures the vulnerability and ambition of Dr Connors really well. The cast really impressed me.
The effects are really nicely seamed into the movie. You can tell that most of it is done with live action and the effects just add to the whole atmosphere of the film. I watched it in 3D and I have to say that (despite me not being a huge 3D fan) I liked it, mainly because it didn't seem forced.
This film is a real winner for me. We get to see why Peter decides to embrace his alter ego and how it affects him emotionally as well as physically. I really hope they make this reboot into a series of films because it has so much potential.
Friends with Kids (2011)
Not great at all
*WARNING!! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* I just couldn't buy into this film at all. I really wanted to enjoy it because I like Adam Scott and I'm one of Chris O'Dowd's biggest fans. However, the script is weak and it all ends rather suddenly. I knew where it was going after about 20 minutes and I wasn't wrong.
Despite liking Adam Scott as an actor, I really didn't like his character. There was something about him which made me want to punch him in the face. Jennifer Westfeldt is average in it and I had no urge at any point to punch her. The comedic talents of Chris O'Dowd are wasted which is a shame because he could have brought a lot more to the film. The same goes for Kristen Wiig; we never get to see her at her hilarious best. Megan Fox is beautiful as ever but rather irritating.
The plot is thin and just lacked realism. It was also far too predictable and I spent most of the time guessing (usually correctly) what was about to happen.
All in all, this film is poor but it could have been so much better if the actors had been put to better use.
Rock of Ages (2012)
A fantastic event
Despite not being around in the 80s, I love the music from that era because it's all I listened to when growing up (thanks Dad). He always had a Journey or Bon Jovi CD in the car and I loved every second of it. I went to see this film with relatively high expectations and it didn't disappoint.
Naturally, Tom Cruise steals the film. He is sensational as rock god Stacee Jaxx and provides many laughs. He and Malin Akerman who plays Constance Sack are fantastic together and I would be delighted to see these two actors reunited in a future film. Sadly, the two protagonists played by Julianne Hough and Diego Bonita lack that same chemistry which is why I've given it a rating of 8/10 instead of 9 or 10/10. Julianne Hough also possesses one of the most irritating singing voices I've ever had the misfortune to hear. Happily, she's rather attractive which makes up for it a bit. Paul Giamatti does a great job as a dodgy agent and Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand are magnificent together.
The songs are brilliant and I had an urge to sing along every time one came on. The writers clearly haven't tried to force the songs into the script and the whole thing flows nicely.
Overall, this is a great film and one I would recommend to anyone who loves this type of music and wants to be entertained thoroughly.
Prometheus (2012)
Oh dear, oh dear
*WARNING, MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS* What a disappointment. Like many people, I didn't go to the cinema expecting anything nearly as good as Alien and after watching the film, it was a good job I didn't as it meant I wasn't as let down as I could have been.
The plot is weak and gives us many questions which we don't get the answers to. I just couldn't buy into what was going on because it was all to muddled. This film is far too indulgent for my liking, focusing more on the effects than the script. Ridley Scott has used this as a vehicle for showcasing what he can do with a computer and thus has made the film a shambles.
The acting isn't great but they have been let down by a poor script and bad casting. Why is Swedish actress Noomi Rapace playing an English scientist when there are countless talented English actresses out there who could have done a better job at playing the part and also can actually speak with an English accent? I like Rapace as an actress but she has been seriously let down in this film. Similarly, why is the brilliant Rafe Spall playing an American? There were characters who were British so why not give him one of those parts and give Spall's role to an American actor? It's all very makeshift.
I feel like I should go on but I have been rendered speechless by the atrocity that Scott has produced. I have only given two stars because Michael Fassbender's performance is magnificent and I like Rafe Spall.