tetrafunk Reviews

5 Broken Cameras (2011)

A compelling perspective of the conflict.

[8/10 · 21 October 2013]

Naturally this movie will be a minefield to review without people bringing their personal, national, or religious beliefs into the equation. As can be seen in the handful of incredibly low ratings here, this is sadly already occurring.

This is the conflict viewed through the eyes of a Palestinian villager, warts and all and as such does not shy away from recording the trials and tribulations that the cameraman and his village (and subsequently country) are confronted with on a daily basis. The argument that this movie is one sided is somewhat valid, although how anybody could expect anything else is beyond me due to the method utilized in gaining the footage. There is no secret agenda, no propaganda, it is simply the conflict as viewed by somebody who is currently living it.

Regardless of your beliefs, sympathies or country of origin this movie is worth your time for the rare insight, at ground level, that it provides. Whether you agree with either sides position in the conflict is a different debate entirely and should not be included in any kind of review. All I can say is if you are unfamiliar with what is occurring or unaware entirely this film will give you food for thought.

Modern Family (2009–2020)

One of the best TV comedies to hit the air for a while

[8/10 · 15 October 2009]

I saw the trailer for this show a while back and was instantly intrigued. Shot in a "mockumentary" style it follows the lives of three couples who's various members are related as family members. Although the set-up is slightly cliché, a gay couple, a stereotypical family and a Columbian wife and son (from her first marriage) with her American husband, this is where the standard ends. The dialogue is fantastic and at many points I found myself really laughing quite loudly, something which is very rare for a TV show to accomplish for me personally. The casting is also spot on with the inclusion of Ed O'Neill (the infamous Al Bundy!), Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen and Sofía Vergara, with each actor really bringing something unique to the mix. I strongly recommend this show to anybody who appreciates good comedy, the "to-camera" sections of the dialogue have a very close resemblance to the original UK version of "The Office" and for those who are familiar with this, Modern Family will be a welcomed return. Great show, great acting, great script. Highly recommended.

Wolf Creek (2005)

Rubbish...absolute rubbish. (WARNING CONTAINS SPOILER)

[2/10 · 27 September 2005]

After all the hype about this movie, I was so sorely disappointed! The very fact that it tires to tie itself with the original documented story is just a farce! This film is, with the exception of 1 or 2 key points, absolutely NOTHING to do with the real story. This was just a marketing hype, along with the use of filming in Hi8, to just make us believe we are seeing something more substantial that we really are.

After sitting for over an hour while the main characters fumble their way through a string of boring, predictable and so called "naturlistic" dialogue we finally get to the action...all 20 minutes of it!! And here is where the movie meets its all time low. Not only have we had to endure the dialogue and horrifically predictable build-up (aka. "ACME: how many more stereotypical things can we include in a horror movies build up") but now we have to sit and scream at the screen for 20 minutes as our petrified threesome carry out some of the most stupid decisions of their rapidly shortening lives! She shoots him in the neck....oh no...there are no more bullets we deduce as she pushes the gun against his head...clicking away on an empty magazine, of course, beating him in the back with the butt of the gun will stop this nightmare....no need to pick up the HUGE knife he was just menacing her friend with and finish him off once and for all ...oh no...that would just be plain silly!! Finally, after farting around for about 5 minutes getting the keys off of his body, then trying to run him over when he comes back to life (as fit as ever) they escape...driving wildly off into the night at 10000 miles per hour, but OH NO!! He is chasing them...so logical thinking ensues again, lets ditch the car in a big ravine! No point even trying to out-chase him, or pulling onto the side of the road miles ahead and turn out the lights, thus saving our only mode of transport...oh hell no! So after surviving this horrid little incident and actually escaping into the wilderness, what do they decide ??? THEY NEED TO GO BACK!!!!!!!!!! I actually shouted out loud when she said this...of all the tragically stereotypical things to go and do!

Anyway, as we know (or have guessed by now) Neither of them escape, they both end up dead (although we never actually see one of the die, she is a "head on a stick" but still alive at the end of her scene, this is never concluded!)! Both in a nasty and obviously pathetic attempt to save this movie from the "straight to DVD" shelves of your local supermarket.

Well...up until 10 minutes before the end, we still have seen no sign of our male hero? Whom neither of the girls were interested in saving whatsoever (and his feeling were obviously mutual!)What the hell was the point in the 1 and a bit hours of supposed character building and bonding!! I couldn't care less about these people (no comment whatsoever on the actual real story) and they obviously didn't really care about each other either. So...now we watch him "un-crucify" himself before legging it into the outback and to freedom.

All in all, this film was poor, the 3 lead characters were transparent and predictable, the plot was engineered from the original story without the need for ANY real fact! The only vague saving grace to this film was the performance of John Jarrat, who managed to be horrifically menacing and likable and funny all in one go. Go see this movie if your a fan or bad films and/or John Jarrat...otherwise...stay at home and don't waste your money.

I am a HUGE horror/chiller fan, and due the the genre, I am usually very forgiving of predictable plot etc., however, this is an exception. I give this movie 2 out of 10...one point for John Jarrats performance and the other for the vaguely good cinematography in places.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

Fantastic.!!!!

[9/10 · 27 September 2005]

This movie is fantastic. There I said it, although when I entered the cinema I was firmly under the impression this would be another run of the mill, nonsensical, slapstick comedy romp. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of what you would expect...but so much of what you wouldn't!

The strength in the movie, after the brilliant script writing, is the the phenomenal choice of cast and their individual/group performances. From the opening banter between Steve Carell and Seth Rogen's characters, you can already tell this movie is going to supply a much more intelligent and slick form of comedy that is usually expected from Hollywood. Both myself and the audience were laughing pretty much regularly from that point onward until the end of the film.

Steve Carell's "Stiller-esque" performance style makes him both instantly likable and funny and the audience is really capable of connecting to his character and his plight. The same can also be said for his supporting actors, especially the group of male friends, who as an ensemble work perfectly with one another. There are a few "classic" Hollywood comedy moments, but thankfully they are vastly out-weighed by the script which is fresh, hilarious and beautifully executed.

I defy anybody to watch this film with a straight face. Definitely one of the top comedies of 2005 for me so far.

See this movie if you enjoy any sort of comedy!