jack_woods Reviews

End of Watch (2012)

A bold, gritty and fiercely entertaining cop movie

[9/10 · 2 May 2013]

End of Watch follows the lives and camaraderie of two ghetto street cops Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Zavala (Peña) as they stumble upon a drug cartel operating above their pay grade. The abundance of chemistry between the entertainingly prolific duo is easily comparable to the heroes of Bad Boys and Lethal Weapon. Their camaraderie essential to keeping emotions of the job under control, smooths the balance of shocking events and rash behaviour, creating a real bond of trust. Ayer's piece is bold and gritty. No holding back on the profanities and real fear factor of the job. Despite the bad guys being a stereotypical gang with a severe lack of genuine vocabulary and over extensive swearing, it's the fear of their commitment that shocks and makes us fear for our dynamic duo.

End of Watch is truly shocking and gripping till the credits role.

Bait (III) (2012)

Remarkably watchable

[7/10 · 1 May 2013]

Shark movies, how many good ones are out there? Well, after the obvious the list is pretty baron. However, Bait is remarkably watchable. I was quite surprised to find myself glued to the screen after over half an hour of character show and tell and only the opening shark scene to reel us in. The CGI and casting are the only two factors that plead with me to turn the movie off. For a thirty-mil budget the shark animations were truly inadequate, yet Bait managed to survive considering. Which is more than can be said for most civilians who aren't trapped in a supermarket given the state of that Australian coastline. Matthew Lessall and Ben Parkinson (Casting) need a job chat, some sideline characters offer absolutely, indescribably the worst performances I have ever seen. Listening to the psychotic Aussie robber, frantic store manager and squabbling couple in their car really made me shudder with anger. More time establishing deeper character backgrounds instead would have pleased, although they hold up pretty well for a shark flick.

Despite some teeth grinding actors and reminders of Bruce from Finding Nemo, Bait is visually very pleasing and makes for a worthy shark movie.

7/10.

Iron Man Three (2013)

Great entertainment but shouldn't be Iron Man 3

[7/10 · 30 April 2013]

Keeping it short and sweet, 'Iron Man 3' does not live up to the standard the first two Marvel creations paved over the last five years. John Favreau's replacement director, Shane Black took the reigns on the third installment and Marvel clearly provided him freedom within its creation. While the action holds up, fun choreography blended with Tony's new tech there are some major plot holes. Over the years Stark's suits (MK 7-8) have endured encounters with: Thor the God of Thunder, Ivan Vanko's reigns of lightning...oh and a trip through a worm hole whilst battling the alien race, Chtauri. These old suit model types are outdated and yet his MK 47 in IM3 cannot withstand the heat from Guy Pearce's poorly explained fire-henchman. This, I just cannot understand.

For me this was a disappointing end to the Stark/Iron Man legacy. Favreau should have held the torch til the end. This movie will receive some very varied reviews, no doubt. Hell, I'll watch it again just for the entertainment and good chuckles.

6/10.

Cloverfield (2008)

Brilliant.

[8/10 · 30 April 2013]

When the first indescribably spontaneous trailer for 'Cloverfield' previewed, Abrams and co. effectively threw the absorbent mystery net over the viewers. Releasing the brilliantly teasing two minute trailer of a ravaged national sculpture being tossed through NYC and supporting text other than 'Produced by J.J Abrams' - no movie title. Terrorist movie? Monster movie? Disaster movie? What we acquired about J.J's style from 'Lost' was that there were no limitations. This movie was spectacularly marketed. The opening character meet and greet serves a comfortable introduction to the characters who endure the mystery J.J has in store for them. Deciding on a slightly less recognisable cast really allowed the interest in the characters to flourish, with no John Mcclane's or James Bond's to assure us they'll get the girl and save the world. 'Cloverfield' is boldly portrayed, tensely gripping and since its release in 2008 has been a monster movie unrivaled (arguably until Abrams returned with 'Super 8' in 2011).

8/10.

Lockout (2012)

It's no Die Hard.

[6/10 · 20 April 2013]

Guy Pearce (Snow) and Maggie Grace (Emilie) on the cover? Why not. Heard being referred to as Die Hard 'in space'. Offers a comforting 95 minute action movie that we haven't heard too much negative over. Pearce portrays an overwritten hero, who reminds me of humorously of his character Leonard (Memento) who suffers from short term memory loss. With his quick witty and immature responses to life threatening news I cannot help but see a kid in a candy shop. A free playground for a guy who can dish it out as hard as he can take it. Oh yeah...he's also on a one man mission to remove the DOPOTUS (Daughter of The President of the United States?) from a high security orbiting Death Star of a prison in space. Hmm.

However, the movie is worth a watch. Decent entertainment, the first scene where Pearce meets his pal Rupert is especially captivating. Lockout's fast pace drowns the sense of threat while Snow remains a reason to stay, promising a John McLane imitation. Alas, watch the movie and judge for yourself. I'm sure their target audience is satisfied.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Hit and Miss, Give It a Try

[4/10 · 19 April 2013]

After repeatedly watching the short advert for this movie during TV ads, I caved and rented it. Expecting an sing song version of Step Up, I thought I'd be entertained enough with possible decent dance choreography mixed with funky tracks. However, turned out to feel like a Glee rip off (I don't watch a lot of Glee). Cheesy top 10 tracks, although some I can listen to, felt tacky and weak. Bit too stereotypical for me, but hey, people seem to love it. Some love able characters, Anna Kendrick in particular and Fat Amy provides the most laughter being a new female face in comedy (Rebel Wislon). There's enough laughter and musical numbers to keep many entertained so hats off to them!

Elevator (V) (2012)

Not recommended, unless you like elevator movies

[3/10 · 19 April 2013]

Was drawn to this in Blockbuster after seeing Devil not too recently, following the elevator tragedy theme. I'd heard this movie is what Devil 'should have been', however it was not.

The elevators nine clients lacked any real backdrop, very few watchable characters. No leading character that keeps the movies pace rolling. As all of the nine pawns are introduced early into the movie, as soon as you realize they're stuck in a confined space, there is no escape from the elevator, or the movies downfall.

A claustrophobic who openly and loudly assaults the security guard with verbal racism THREE times in a crowded before he actually reacts? Don't think so.

A father who willingly lets his pregnant-with-his-own-baby ex girlfriend touch a possible bomb? Maybe in Family Guy.

Devil offers a far more superior story, characters offering more than stale performances so I suggest that choose that over this. However, story had potential, maybe with more financing or time or both this could have been more of a sequel to Devil (without the cameo from Satan).

Drive (I) (2011)

Superb

[9/10 · 16 April 2013]

The opening credits flash Grand Theft Auto's 'Vice City' hints, with its cool and classy pink font, introducing us in style to Gosling's 'Driver' for the first time. Yes, Gosling's Driver. He absorbs the character as valiantly as Robert Downey Jr.'s 'Iron Man'. Very few names spring to mind when imagining a replacement. I automatically fell for his majestically mysterious character. With no name other than Driver, we embark on the leather-glove-wearing-smooth-criminal's story, which is slowly and elegantly leaked out to us over the course of the movie. A part-time stunt man who works with the manipulative and shady Shannon (Cranston) at a car garage and spends more time in his car than his small apartment (which is never seen in full light - not one for interior design maybe?), you cannot expect an easy answer to his story and past.

As this profusely poetic performance from Ryan (Yes, first name basis now) develops we are opened up to his expanding character. From a rock skimming gentleman holding the the son of Irene (Carey Mulligan), Benicio as he sleeps. To a driver perspiring confidence behind the wheel of a get-away vehicle and using excessive force when defending those he cares about . Elusive and weary behaviour, limited speech and social contact built from a fantastic lead man, complimented by solid supporting characters (Cranston, Mulligan and Albert Brooks in particular) all combine to create a masterpiece of entertainment.

'Drive' is a clear cut example of how 'less is more'. My favourite movie to emerge on to my screen from the movie industry over the last three years.