"Now Showing"
- Thread starter Mark
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Saw a bunch of films on Saturday. I started with The Mummy.
It was abysmal. It was just a mess of a film, felt like 4 different films intercut. There were several things that didn't really make sense or were really needed. I hated how ham-fisted recent events like the war in the middle east and London's crossrail construction were shoved in to make it feel relevant. I've seen people blame the direction etc but it's 100% down to a really terrible script. I quite like Tom Cruise these days and while he essentially does the same thing in all these action films they're usually fun, this was just a waste of everybody's time.
Hampstead
I quite liked this film, it was predictable and rather by-the-numbers but it was amusing and just a pleasant film to sit down and watch.
Churchill
Despite some great performances from the cast I found this excruciatingly dull. I was constantly distracted by the director/cinematographer trying to make it look interesting by focusing on a mirror with the rest of the image heavily blurred etc. It also felt like it really took its time telling quite a simple bit of story.
Book of Henry
This film has been ripped apart by critics and I have no idea why, I loved it. I thought the cast were superb, Jacob Tremblay was excellent as the little brother. I'll admit I didn't know much before going in to see it and so the story took some interesting and unexpected turns. I think one route it goes down is a bit bizarre (and probably why critics don't like it) but I like that it's different.
It was abysmal. It was just a mess of a film, felt like 4 different films intercut. There were several things that didn't really make sense or were really needed. I hated how ham-fisted recent events like the war in the middle east and London's crossrail construction were shoved in to make it feel relevant. I've seen people blame the direction etc but it's 100% down to a really terrible script. I quite like Tom Cruise these days and while he essentially does the same thing in all these action films they're usually fun, this was just a waste of everybody's time.
Hampstead
I quite liked this film, it was predictable and rather by-the-numbers but it was amusing and just a pleasant film to sit down and watch.
Churchill
Despite some great performances from the cast I found this excruciatingly dull. I was constantly distracted by the director/cinematographer trying to make it look interesting by focusing on a mirror with the rest of the image heavily blurred etc. It also felt like it really took its time telling quite a simple bit of story.
Book of Henry
This film has been ripped apart by critics and I have no idea why, I loved it. I thought the cast were superb, Jacob Tremblay was excellent as the little brother. I'll admit I didn't know much before going in to see it and so the story took some interesting and unexpected turns. I think one route it goes down is a bit bizarre (and probably why critics don't like it) but I like that it's different.
Baby Driver
This was an absolute blast. I watched it with Dolby Atmos and jeez the audio mix was incredible, during the action sequences I was absolutely buzzing. There's a few minor issues with the way characters act towards the end but it's still very enjoyable. I think I'll be going to see this for a second time.
This was an absolute blast. I watched it with Dolby Atmos and jeez the audio mix was incredible, during the action sequences I was absolutely buzzing. There's a few minor issues with the way characters act towards the end but it's still very enjoyable. I think I'll be going to see this for a second time.
The House
A comedy starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler where they start up an underground casino in their friend's house to help pay for their daughter's tuition. It's not perfect but there are some really stand out moments that generally had everyone laughing. I was also tickled with Ferrell's character having a crazy issue with numbers, it was stupid but it hit my funny bone. If you want to have a few laughs and generally enjoy Ferrell/Poehler then I'd recommend.
Despicable Me 3
I really like the first one, second one wasn't great and Minions was possibly the worst spin off I've ever seen. I found this to be rather boring and it somehow completely misses the point of what made the first film work, I'm starting to think the first film was a total fluke. The minions were ok in this and made me chuckle once or twice but overall I preferred the new villain. Balthazar Bratt was an excellent new character and I loved all the random 80s references, he was the only thing holding my attention in this film. Overall it was just dull.
I also saw Baby Driver for a second time because it's great and I can't get the soundtrack out of my head.
A comedy starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler where they start up an underground casino in their friend's house to help pay for their daughter's tuition. It's not perfect but there are some really stand out moments that generally had everyone laughing. I was also tickled with Ferrell's character having a crazy issue with numbers, it was stupid but it hit my funny bone. If you want to have a few laughs and generally enjoy Ferrell/Poehler then I'd recommend.
Despicable Me 3
I really like the first one, second one wasn't great and Minions was possibly the worst spin off I've ever seen. I found this to be rather boring and it somehow completely misses the point of what made the first film work, I'm starting to think the first film was a total fluke. The minions were ok in this and made me chuckle once or twice but overall I preferred the new villain. Balthazar Bratt was an excellent new character and I loved all the random 80s references, he was the only thing holding my attention in this film. Overall it was just dull.
I also saw Baby Driver for a second time because it's great and I can't get the soundtrack out of my head.
Me again. Saw Spiderman Homecoming last night.
I loved it, I thought it was really fun and I think the casting was fantastic. The trailers spoil maybe a little too much, I felt like there were several scenes where I knew what was going to happen next which is disappointing. There's still plenty of great surprises though and the two end credit scenes put a smile on my face. Actually there were plenty of times where I just found myself grinning from just really enjoying what was happening. I'm really excited to see where they take this new MCU spidey.
I loved it, I thought it was really fun and I think the casting was fantastic. The trailers spoil maybe a little too much, I felt like there were several scenes where I knew what was going to happen next which is disappointing. There's still plenty of great surprises though and the two end credit scenes put a smile on my face. Actually there were plenty of times where I just found myself grinning from just really enjoying what was happening. I'm really excited to see where they take this new MCU spidey.
ThomVD
Giga Poster
Get Out
This film came out of nowhere, but it's awesome! Good mix of humour and suspense. Very creepy story and I love the way it slowly unfolds with a couple of twists. You know something is wrong but you can't quite put your finger on what exactly. I love these kind of mystery films.
Life
I enjoyed it, but it didn't really stick with me. It was extremely similar to Alien, but it did have a fab cast and a very interesting ending.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
I liked the first one because it didn't take itself seriously and it was just a light-hearted fun watch. The second one has even more of that, so even though it's not necessarily better than the first, I think I enjoyed it even more. I had a blast watching it in IMAX, just sitting back and having a good laugh.
Wonder Woman
It was an enjoyable popcorn film, but for me it wasn't that much better than the rest of the superhero films. It has the same problems as the others. Incredibly lame and cliché villains, a main character so overpowered that there's literally not a moment of suspense and an over the top CGI fest finale. For me Chris Pine's character stole the show. He was awesome. Gal Gadot is hot though. I think I enjoyed the second act the most.
Baby Driver
OMG, this film was FAB! Heist films are often very similar to one another but this is definitely one of the best ones I've seen. It feels unique enough, has an incredible cast, great soundtrack, fab humour and scenes of pure adrenaline rush action leaving me all shakey and sweaty. This and Get Out are easily the best films of the year so far for me.
This film came out of nowhere, but it's awesome! Good mix of humour and suspense. Very creepy story and I love the way it slowly unfolds with a couple of twists. You know something is wrong but you can't quite put your finger on what exactly. I love these kind of mystery films.
Life
I enjoyed it, but it didn't really stick with me. It was extremely similar to Alien, but it did have a fab cast and a very interesting ending.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
I liked the first one because it didn't take itself seriously and it was just a light-hearted fun watch. The second one has even more of that, so even though it's not necessarily better than the first, I think I enjoyed it even more. I had a blast watching it in IMAX, just sitting back and having a good laugh.
Wonder Woman
It was an enjoyable popcorn film, but for me it wasn't that much better than the rest of the superhero films. It has the same problems as the others. Incredibly lame and cliché villains, a main character so overpowered that there's literally not a moment of suspense and an over the top CGI fest finale. For me Chris Pine's character stole the show. He was awesome. Gal Gadot is hot though. I think I enjoyed the second act the most.
Baby Driver
OMG, this film was FAB! Heist films are often very similar to one another but this is definitely one of the best ones I've seen. It feels unique enough, has an incredible cast, great soundtrack, fab humour and scenes of pure adrenaline rush action leaving me all shakey and sweaty. This and Get Out are easily the best films of the year so far for me.
Bert2theSpark
Mega Poster
Not out until next year but I'm excited for the Fantastic Beasts Suquel coming out in 2018. Especially as I got to see one of the main sets for the film!
Saw Spiderman Homecoming again today because it's great.
Cars 3 was a fun film, the animation is so beautiful. It was a little bit predicable but it was a nice family film with a couple of good chuckles (and barely any Mater!!!!!!)
War for the Planet of the Apes. I've loved these prequels, they just look fantastic and have been really enjoyable. This one tends to get a little dull at times but it doesn't stop the film from being a great watch. The visual effects totally blow me away though, all of the apes are just so realistic, incredible work.
Cars 3 was a fun film, the animation is so beautiful. It was a little bit predicable but it was a nice family film with a couple of good chuckles (and barely any Mater!!!!!!)
War for the Planet of the Apes. I've loved these prequels, they just look fantastic and have been really enjoyable. This one tends to get a little dull at times but it doesn't stop the film from being a great watch. The visual effects totally blow me away though, all of the apes are just so realistic, incredible work.
caffeine_demon
Strata Poster
was a bit late to see wonder woman - got on my nerves a bit..
Valerian and the city of a thousand planets
I liked it but I wasn't a fan of the two lead actors. I enjoyed it more for the spectacle and great creature design. I felt like a lot happened but there were certainly times where the obstacles faced by the main characters side-tracked too much from telling the story.
The big sick
I really enjoyed this. I was expecting a comedy but it's more like a drama with the odd amusing moment.
I liked it but I wasn't a fan of the two lead actors. I enjoyed it more for the spectacle and great creature design. I felt like a lot happened but there were certainly times where the obstacles faced by the main characters side-tracked too much from telling the story.
The big sick
I really enjoyed this. I was expecting a comedy but it's more like a drama with the odd amusing moment.
Mysterious Sue
Strata Poster
England Is Mine
Had to go see this as I'm a HUGE Smiths fan, even though I thought it was going to be awful and the casting of Lowden was quite debatable.
In reality it was actually quite good. About a million, squillion lyrical references for fans and some good acting and spot-on mannerisms from Lowden.
It got a bit pretentious and dreary in the middle but that was kind of expected and it wasn't bad enough to loose you completely. Propped up by a great soundtrack too, naturally.
Also my first visit to a Curzon. Expensive but the sound was excellent, the seats incredibly comfy, and I got to be able to drink tea in the cinema. Every cinema. Everywhere. Needs to serve tea.
Had to go see this as I'm a HUGE Smiths fan, even though I thought it was going to be awful and the casting of Lowden was quite debatable.
In reality it was actually quite good. About a million, squillion lyrical references for fans and some good acting and spot-on mannerisms from Lowden.
It got a bit pretentious and dreary in the middle but that was kind of expected and it wasn't bad enough to loose you completely. Propped up by a great soundtrack too, naturally.
Also my first visit to a Curzon. Expensive but the sound was excellent, the seats incredibly comfy, and I got to be able to drink tea in the cinema. Every cinema. Everywhere. Needs to serve tea.
Yesterday was time for a bit of a catch up sesh. Started with Dunkirk. My screening was plagued with an audio problem (my own fault for not paying the proper monies to see it in proper IMAX like I originally intended). I liked it though, I'm not Nolan's biggest fan and I didn't really like the way this film was cut together. There were some great tense scenes though.
Atomic Blonde. I was easily entertained with the great visuals and amazing pumped up 80s soundtrack. The plot is a little by-the-numbers for a spy movie but the setting, style and action sequences made for a really enjoyable time.
The dark tower. I know nothing of the source material and I'm guessing fans of that will hate it but I thought it was enjoyable enough. It felt very rushed and something about how the man in black's magic worked felt a bit flat - somehow his evil doings left zero emotional impact. It's quite meh overall.
Assassin's bodyguard felt cheap but had some amusing moments. Some of the action sequences felt overlong and tedious. I was heavily distracted by some extremely amateur greenscreen action (the Ryan Reynolds drinking vodka in Amsterdam being the worst offender). It was fine for what it was and I'm hoping the whole thing was meant to be a pastiche on the usual action film (tone was all over the place). Meh, wait for it to be on TV.
Atomic Blonde. I was easily entertained with the great visuals and amazing pumped up 80s soundtrack. The plot is a little by-the-numbers for a spy movie but the setting, style and action sequences made for a really enjoyable time.
The dark tower. I know nothing of the source material and I'm guessing fans of that will hate it but I thought it was enjoyable enough. It felt very rushed and something about how the man in black's magic worked felt a bit flat - somehow his evil doings left zero emotional impact. It's quite meh overall.
Assassin's bodyguard felt cheap but had some amusing moments. Some of the action sequences felt overlong and tedious. I was heavily distracted by some extremely amateur greenscreen action (the Ryan Reynolds drinking vodka in Amsterdam being the worst offender). It was fine for what it was and I'm hoping the whole thing was meant to be a pastiche on the usual action film (tone was all over the place). Meh, wait for it to be on TV.
LiveForTheLaunch
CF Legend
Annabelle: Creation
Finally went to the movies for the first time in a long time. I was feeling particularly Halloween-y due to the chilly day and cloudy sky (even though it was only mid-August, but it's never too early for Halloween), so I took my sister to see Annabelle: Creation. Much to my surprise, they had installed reclining leather chairs in each theatre which was amazing! I wasn't expecting too much from the movie, but it was actually pretty good. I wasn't a massive fan of Annabelle, but both Conjuring movies were good and I felt as though it lived up to those. The characters development and back story were done pretty well without dragging on for too long, which I find kills a lot of horror films. There were many creepy moments (such as the bunk bed scene and the scene where the orphan girl goes into Bea's room for the first time, but I won't give anything away), a little bit of gore, and a decent amount of suspense. Nothing groundbreaking, but one of the better horror movies!
Axe Murders of Villisca
0/10. Had promise because of the creepy backstory of the real axe murders, but executed terribly. 0. Zero. Nil.
Finally went to the movies for the first time in a long time. I was feeling particularly Halloween-y due to the chilly day and cloudy sky (even though it was only mid-August, but it's never too early for Halloween), so I took my sister to see Annabelle: Creation. Much to my surprise, they had installed reclining leather chairs in each theatre which was amazing! I wasn't expecting too much from the movie, but it was actually pretty good. I wasn't a massive fan of Annabelle, but both Conjuring movies were good and I felt as though it lived up to those. The characters development and back story were done pretty well without dragging on for too long, which I find kills a lot of horror films. There were many creepy moments (such as the bunk bed scene and the scene where the orphan girl goes into Bea's room for the first time, but I won't give anything away), a little bit of gore, and a decent amount of suspense. Nothing groundbreaking, but one of the better horror movies!
Axe Murders of Villisca
0/10. Had promise because of the creepy backstory of the real axe murders, but executed terribly. 0. Zero. Nil.
I had quite a packed weekend of films. I started with Death Note on Netflix. I've never watched the anime despite finding the premise interesting. After all the fans saying this new film was terrible etc it just made me more intrigued. It was very meh, I love the character design of Ryuk and the voice work by Defoe. I still like the concept but most of the school bits felt really stereotypically Hollywood, could have literally been out of any high school based film, it just felt lazy. Everything seems to move at breakneck speed too and not really in any interesting way, just made it feel cluttered and without any emotional attachment to any of the characters. I quite like the mystery behind L but ultimately it didn't really hide anything interesting. Just meh.
American Made. Despite the dreadful shakycam I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed the speed of which is went through the various stages of the guy's insane story, it never lingered too long on anything. Never really knew what was going to happen next which was refreshing.
Logan Lucky. I was really looking forward to this and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. It was a lot slower and not as amusing as I thought it'd be. It was still enjoyable and the cast were great, for once Daniel Craig looks like he's actually having a good time.
Patti Cake$. It follows some pretty basic storytelling tropes so you can sort of see whats coming next but the characters are interesting and the cast do a great job. The music is generally pretty good too (should be noted I tend to hate rap).
Detroit. Urgh, this movie was so intense once it got into the main bit of the story. Just got so angry at the situation too, the cops were a bunch of douche nozzles. It's a really good movie and the cast nailed it (amuses me how many of them are British).
Rough Night. I expected this to be a lame 'comedy' with all the jokes in the trailer. There's certainly a good amount of the amusing moments in the trailers but there's some excellent moments throughout that actually made me lol. The casting is really odd but it really worked, I quite enjoyed Kate McKinnon as the Aussie. It's not the best comedy this year but it's certainly worth a watch once it comes out on home release.
Stratton. This movie made me angry and in a totally different way to Detroit. It's about a special ops unit that works with the MI6 but the characters keep making really simplistic mistakes and there are plot holes the size of a planet. The stupidity ramped up in the action sequences in London and spread to the editing room and this is where I got mad. There's an action sequence that takes place in the West End (down Shaftesbury Avenue, through Trafalgar Square etc) but the editing keeps skipping between the same locations again and again but makes the characters act like its going through unrecognizable areas. They're Londoners working for a top intelligence agency, they'd know exactly where they are the entire journey! It was like they looked at the poor location hopping in Skyfall and ramped it up to 11. **** this movie.
American Made. Despite the dreadful shakycam I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed the speed of which is went through the various stages of the guy's insane story, it never lingered too long on anything. Never really knew what was going to happen next which was refreshing.
Logan Lucky. I was really looking forward to this and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. It was a lot slower and not as amusing as I thought it'd be. It was still enjoyable and the cast were great, for once Daniel Craig looks like he's actually having a good time.
Patti Cake$. It follows some pretty basic storytelling tropes so you can sort of see whats coming next but the characters are interesting and the cast do a great job. The music is generally pretty good too (should be noted I tend to hate rap).
Detroit. Urgh, this movie was so intense once it got into the main bit of the story. Just got so angry at the situation too, the cops were a bunch of douche nozzles. It's a really good movie and the cast nailed it (amuses me how many of them are British).
I really want to know what happened to the starter pistol though and why no one admitted to its existence for so long
Rough Night. I expected this to be a lame 'comedy' with all the jokes in the trailer. There's certainly a good amount of the amusing moments in the trailers but there's some excellent moments throughout that actually made me lol. The casting is really odd but it really worked, I quite enjoyed Kate McKinnon as the Aussie. It's not the best comedy this year but it's certainly worth a watch once it comes out on home release.
Stratton. This movie made me angry and in a totally different way to Detroit. It's about a special ops unit that works with the MI6 but the characters keep making really simplistic mistakes and there are plot holes the size of a planet. The stupidity ramped up in the action sequences in London and spread to the editing room and this is where I got mad. There's an action sequence that takes place in the West End (down Shaftesbury Avenue, through Trafalgar Square etc) but the editing keeps skipping between the same locations again and again but makes the characters act like its going through unrecognizable areas. They're Londoners working for a top intelligence agency, they'd know exactly where they are the entire journey! It was like they looked at the poor location hopping in Skyfall and ramped it up to 11. **** this movie.
Me again.
It. I'm not really a horror fan and despite reading the comments here and there about the previous adaptations and the book I didn't know a whole lot going in. I really enjoyed it, I thought the cast were great, all the adults were creepy/intimidating and the kids seemed genuinely scared with what they encountered. I think I enjoyed the film more for the characters and their relationships and adventures rather than the scares which were fairly standard jump scares. The lady in the background of the library scene was probably the most creepy thing in the whole thing, sometimes subtle weirdness is more effective than CG monsters.
Wind river. I also really enjoyed this, it's a bit of a slow film but I thought the characters were all interesting and I liked the way it all built up resulting in a bit of a shock scenario. I recommend checking this movie out.
Limehouse Golem. I thought this film was a bit long but I loved the development of the investigation and the twists and turns. Much better than I was expecting and the cast were awesome.
It. I'm not really a horror fan and despite reading the comments here and there about the previous adaptations and the book I didn't know a whole lot going in. I really enjoyed it, I thought the cast were great, all the adults were creepy/intimidating and the kids seemed genuinely scared with what they encountered. I think I enjoyed the film more for the characters and their relationships and adventures rather than the scares which were fairly standard jump scares. The lady in the background of the library scene was probably the most creepy thing in the whole thing, sometimes subtle weirdness is more effective than CG monsters.
Wind river. I also really enjoyed this, it's a bit of a slow film but I thought the characters were all interesting and I liked the way it all built up resulting in a bit of a shock scenario. I recommend checking this movie out.
Limehouse Golem. I thought this film was a bit long but I loved the development of the investigation and the twists and turns. Much better than I was expecting and the cast were awesome.
isamor1993
Roller Poster
IT looks like a promising film considering the great review that it has all over the world. They consider it as one of the best book adaptation.
American Assassin. Urgh, I wasn't really a fan of this. It's all a bit too ham-fisted and the twists in the plot are obvious. The action sequences are well done though. People also moaned about how quickly characters moved from place to place in the latest season, well they had nothing compared to the CIA director lady in this film, pretty sure she owned a teleporter.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle. I love the first film and I really enjoyed this sequel. I was surprised at how little screentime some characters got but I suppose that's bound to happen with such a large cast. Certainly some great surprises throughout but I'm beginning to hate Vaughn's direction/style. It feels expensive and cheap all at the same time, not helped by his love of several shots blended into one. If you like the first film you'll certainly enjoy this anyway.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle. I love the first film and I really enjoyed this sequel. I was surprised at how little screentime some characters got but I suppose that's bound to happen with such a large cast. Certainly some great surprises throughout but I'm beginning to hate Vaughn's direction/style. It feels expensive and cheap all at the same time, not helped by his love of several shots blended into one. If you like the first film you'll certainly enjoy this anyway.
Edward M
Strata Poster
mother!- I liked this a lot. Aronofsky is a great director, and he shows some great talent here. It's an obvious metaphor that goes to insane extremes, but I thought it was well done. All the actors did fantastic (especially Javier Bardem, who's just amazing). I really did enjoy this a lot although I do dislike how obvious the metaphor is. I prefer a metaphorical film like Eraserhead that works not only as a story but could also be a metaphor for many things.
IT- I have a long past with the TV Movie and the Novel. Long story short- TV Movie traumatized me at 6 years old. I read the book in high school to overcome that fear. So, I had high expectations for IT. I had been following it since Muschietti (director of True Detective S1 and Beasts of No Nation) was signed up. I'm still sad that he dropped out since his vision looked far superior to the film we have. Nonetheless, it's a good movie. Everything with the kids (which came from Muschietti's script) is great. We are able to relate to them, and the 1980s atmosphere works great. It's amazing when a cast of kid actors is so good (Eddie, Richie, and Beverly were standouts). I thought Bill Skarsgard did great as Pennywise (he's no Tim Curry, but, honestly, who is?). The issue came with the scares. Everything was so predictable and was accompanied by a LOUD NOISE. The CGI was horrendous, and I was simply not scared. I prefer the 1950s clown to a victorian "SCARY" clown. There's something creepy about a kid's clown being the literal embodiment of evil. It's all beneath that greasepaint and painted smile (painted with a red so dark, it has to be blood). Still, for a studio mandated medium budget horror movie, it was quite good. I'd recommend it. It's just that it isn't scary (in fact, my theater was laughing a lot).
Ingrid Goes West- This is one of the best films I've seen this year. My expectations were low, but it's the first film I've seen that truly gets social media. Social media is such an important facet of this current time, but we never really have gotten a good film specifically about it. This is just a great movie more than anything though. Aubrey Plaza is just amazing here and sells every scene. Overall, I just loved all the points and arguments within the film; I just loved it.
IT- I have a long past with the TV Movie and the Novel. Long story short- TV Movie traumatized me at 6 years old. I read the book in high school to overcome that fear. So, I had high expectations for IT. I had been following it since Muschietti (director of True Detective S1 and Beasts of No Nation) was signed up. I'm still sad that he dropped out since his vision looked far superior to the film we have. Nonetheless, it's a good movie. Everything with the kids (which came from Muschietti's script) is great. We are able to relate to them, and the 1980s atmosphere works great. It's amazing when a cast of kid actors is so good (Eddie, Richie, and Beverly were standouts). I thought Bill Skarsgard did great as Pennywise (he's no Tim Curry, but, honestly, who is?). The issue came with the scares. Everything was so predictable and was accompanied by a LOUD NOISE. The CGI was horrendous, and I was simply not scared. I prefer the 1950s clown to a victorian "SCARY" clown. There's something creepy about a kid's clown being the literal embodiment of evil. It's all beneath that greasepaint and painted smile (painted with a red so dark, it has to be blood). Still, for a studio mandated medium budget horror movie, it was quite good. I'd recommend it. It's just that it isn't scary (in fact, my theater was laughing a lot).
Ingrid Goes West- This is one of the best films I've seen this year. My expectations were low, but it's the first film I've seen that truly gets social media. Social media is such an important facet of this current time, but we never really have gotten a good film specifically about it. This is just a great movie more than anything though. Aubrey Plaza is just amazing here and sells every scene. Overall, I just loved all the points and arguments within the film; I just loved it.
As an old Stephen King fan, it's been quite a summer really for me. Two big budget films with a lot of potential promise.
I'll start here:
It took me ages, but I managed to plough through all of the Dark Tower books, plus I've read all of the add-ons, short stories, etc. It's a series of books that is very hit and miss. It's clear King had no direction when he started it and it wanders aimlessly for thousands of pages at times. However, it's captivating, mostly because of the main characters (Roland, and the man in black).
It was exciting to see the idea of a couple of films, followed by a TV series. What has happened in the end is that they've just taken the vague idea and condensed what they had prepared into a single film. From overly ambitious to "meh" in about 18 months. I don't mind the change to source material. They took it and made it a film in its own right. It wasn't annoying to be honest - it was just the film wasn't very good. As you say @peep, it was rushed and I assume that's because they'd spent 6 years and all their budget planning this mega thing and then had to suddenly rush out something ASAP.
It wasn't awful, it just felt like what it was - rushed and bit half baked. You could feel the backstory of the original book intruding all the time, but it was never satisfactory dealt with. Idris was fab though
Then we have IT. Where to start on this.
It's probably the one book I've re-read the most in my life. It's not my favourite book, but I find it really easy and enjoyable to just drop back into and to read again and again. So I know the source material really well. There was very little chance that the film could ever meet the full potential of the book, and I'm kind of okay with that. There's a lot of stuff King writes which is brilliant on the page, but utterly laughable on screen (I'll circle back round to this in a bit).
The basic story is simple though. Group of kids discover that an evil monster is in town killing kids. They band together and defeat it. So far, so Goonies. The film captures that basic story very well. It helps that (for the most part) the face of the monster is a terrifying clown. The acting is excellent and it's great to see some really good filmwork happening in a Stephen King adaptation. Hurrah for modern filmmaking by numbers.
However, it kind of all falls apart somewhere. I think the issue is that the focus on the heart of the story was lost and instead the focus fell on "The Clown". As good an antagonist as Pennywise (and as well presented in the film), you never felt like anyone was ever in any danger. There wasn't enough peril because all the time Pennywise was backing off or taking it too slowly. I know this is to produce suspense (and part of the idea of the whole idea of Pennywise), but it didn't work. It just felt a bit cheap.
So reasons it missed? Mostly it's the bond between the kids. The story revolves around their friendship. They're thrown together (much as they are in the film), but there's a special connection that they grow between them (not just the underage sex thing at the end ). It's built on the growing paranoia that Derry has hanging over them and the town. The place is constantly ominous, with the kid's trust in the adult world slowly eroded away that makes them cling together. Each has a near fatal meeting with Pennywise that helps them then adhere in a force against IT. Their experiences are all potentially deadly. It's never Pennywise in their first encounters either.
So that brings us back round to the point earlier. Some of the things they experience in the book would be stupid. Even the house which appears to become a clown and be ready to eat them (which could have been done in a decent enough way I guess if subtle) is thankfully missing. However, Eddie's leper isn't. Even worse, it looks like a reject CGI model from Scooby-Doo. But... I kind of think that's how it should be. In the book, what the kids see is something "cartoonish", the things they encounter are terrifying to them, but clearly unreal. However, it just didn't work in the context of THIS film as it looked stupid.
So the film is missing the heart of the book. It doesn't touch on the latent skills each child possesses that makes them - as a group - a formidable enemy to IT. Without that side of things, you feel it's just a run of the mill horror - which it pretty much is - only you know the main characters won't die like they do in grown up horrors.
It's just another Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday 13th - introducing a new evil character for the film industry to abuse for years to come. Don't get me wrong, Pennywise is great at times, it's just that he seems toothless (haha) and a bit incompetent. IT in the book is arrogant, but never stupid. Never ridiculous...
Point proven.
Anyway, I detached myself from the source (I really did) and watched it as a film in itself, on its own merits. It's a mediocre horror. Clowns are scary. Kids getting attacked by clowns is scary. IT made damn sure it got the mileage out of those two things. Great acting, some good visuals and directions. Tension here and there (but mostly a damp squib). 6/10
I'll go and see the second part, but I'm not excited to go and see it.
I'll start here:
It took me ages, but I managed to plough through all of the Dark Tower books, plus I've read all of the add-ons, short stories, etc. It's a series of books that is very hit and miss. It's clear King had no direction when he started it and it wanders aimlessly for thousands of pages at times. However, it's captivating, mostly because of the main characters (Roland, and the man in black).
It was exciting to see the idea of a couple of films, followed by a TV series. What has happened in the end is that they've just taken the vague idea and condensed what they had prepared into a single film. From overly ambitious to "meh" in about 18 months. I don't mind the change to source material. They took it and made it a film in its own right. It wasn't annoying to be honest - it was just the film wasn't very good. As you say @peep, it was rushed and I assume that's because they'd spent 6 years and all their budget planning this mega thing and then had to suddenly rush out something ASAP.
It wasn't awful, it just felt like what it was - rushed and bit half baked. You could feel the backstory of the original book intruding all the time, but it was never satisfactory dealt with. Idris was fab though
Then we have IT. Where to start on this.
It's probably the one book I've re-read the most in my life. It's not my favourite book, but I find it really easy and enjoyable to just drop back into and to read again and again. So I know the source material really well. There was very little chance that the film could ever meet the full potential of the book, and I'm kind of okay with that. There's a lot of stuff King writes which is brilliant on the page, but utterly laughable on screen (I'll circle back round to this in a bit).
The basic story is simple though. Group of kids discover that an evil monster is in town killing kids. They band together and defeat it. So far, so Goonies. The film captures that basic story very well. It helps that (for the most part) the face of the monster is a terrifying clown. The acting is excellent and it's great to see some really good filmwork happening in a Stephen King adaptation. Hurrah for modern filmmaking by numbers.
However, it kind of all falls apart somewhere. I think the issue is that the focus on the heart of the story was lost and instead the focus fell on "The Clown". As good an antagonist as Pennywise (and as well presented in the film), you never felt like anyone was ever in any danger. There wasn't enough peril because all the time Pennywise was backing off or taking it too slowly. I know this is to produce suspense (and part of the idea of the whole idea of Pennywise), but it didn't work. It just felt a bit cheap.
So reasons it missed? Mostly it's the bond between the kids. The story revolves around their friendship. They're thrown together (much as they are in the film), but there's a special connection that they grow between them (not just the underage sex thing at the end
). It's built on the growing paranoia that Derry has hanging over them and the town. The place is constantly ominous, with the kid's trust in the adult world slowly eroded away that makes them cling together. Each has a near fatal meeting with Pennywise that helps them then adhere in a force against IT. Their experiences are all potentially deadly. It's never Pennywise in their first encounters either.So that brings us back round to the point earlier. Some of the things they experience in the book would be stupid. Even the house which appears to become a clown and be ready to eat them (which could have been done in a decent enough way I guess if subtle) is thankfully missing. However, Eddie's leper isn't. Even worse, it looks like a reject CGI model from Scooby-Doo. But... I kind of think that's how it should be. In the book, what the kids see is something "cartoonish", the things they encounter are terrifying to them, but clearly unreal. However, it just didn't work in the context of THIS film as it looked stupid.
So the film is missing the heart of the book. It doesn't touch on the latent skills each child possesses that makes them - as a group - a formidable enemy to IT. Without that side of things, you feel it's just a run of the mill horror - which it pretty much is - only you know the main characters won't die like they do in grown up horrors.
It's just another Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday 13th - introducing a new evil character for the film industry to abuse for years to come. Don't get me wrong, Pennywise is great at times, it's just that he seems toothless (haha) and a bit incompetent. IT in the book is arrogant, but never stupid. Never ridiculous...
Point proven.
Anyway, I detached myself from the source (I really did) and watched it as a film in itself, on its own merits. It's a mediocre horror. Clowns are scary. Kids getting attacked by clowns is scary. IT made damn sure it got the mileage out of those two things. Great acting, some good visuals and directions. Tension here and there (but mostly a damp squib). 6/10
I'll go and see the second part, but I'm not excited to go and see it.
davidm
Strata Poster
I saw IT yesterday ; (S.King's 70th birthday today fact-fans)
Bit like furie, thought it was OK - probably liked it more though as I have read the book, but only once and that would have been when it first came out. It was always the stereotypical King book for me ; really easy to read / page-turner with a great set-up but the ending act lets you down ; so true of so many of his novels, but I just think that this one was the first one when I noticed that pattern happening.
Anyway, film was fine - good that its been successful so they'll make the second half of it. Thought the kids were really good though in almost every scene - especially the girl playing Beverly (Sophia Lillis). Didn't really find it scary at any point though, even the jump-scares were a bit obvious.
(can't be arsed with the Dark Tower tho - I read the first book and decided it was tosh so never read any more of that)
Bit like furie, thought it was OK - probably liked it more though as I have read the book, but only once and that would have been when it first came out. It was always the stereotypical King book for me ; really easy to read / page-turner with a great set-up but the ending act lets you down ; so true of so many of his novels, but I just think that this one was the first one when I noticed that pattern happening.
Anyway, film was fine - good that its been successful so they'll make the second half of it. Thought the kids were really good though in almost every scene - especially the girl playing Beverly (Sophia Lillis). Didn't really find it scary at any point though, even the jump-scares were a bit obvious.
(can't be arsed with the Dark Tower tho - I read the first book and decided it was tosh so never read any more of that)