bigjohn_81 Reviews

Headland (2005–2006)

pathetic

[28 November 2005]

I can't sit through more than 2 minutes of this show without thinking that Aussie drama is getting worse. "Neighbours" and "Home and Away" are works of art compared to this (and I can't stand either of these shows). This show is being shown at 7pm four nights a week as I write this and at the same time they are repeating this same show a 3pm four nights a week and the show isn't even 2 weeks old. I flicked the TV on and saw one particular scene where a bloke riding a motorbike drives up to a house then we cut to a "point of view" shot of this bloke, only to see (in the front window of this house) that he has changed into a ute carrying a camera. It is this kind of film school production value (dont get me started on how bad the acting is either) that has really turned me off Aussie drama and being an Aussie that is saying a lot. I really hope that this show gets cancelled before it can ruin the reputation of the already struggling Aussie drama industry.

Sahara (2005)

Fun Film

[10/10 · 7 April 2005]

I am a huge Clive Cussler fan and while it doesn't follow the book 100 percent I still found this to be a highly enjoyable action/adventure film. I did not go in expecting academy awarding winning brilliance everywhere I looked like most 1st year film students do (I used to be one). I did however go in hoping for a good time, and a good time is what I got. The dialog/banter between Matt and Steve is amongst the best I have heard (This was what I was most apprehensive about, if they could not pull of the partnership between Matt and Steve I would probably have hated this film). This movie proves you don't need to swear to get laughs. I don't recall one of the major swear words in this film and I must say it is refreshing. That relationship is probably the most important point in this film in order to make it work. I believe they succeeded. The film was just great to watch. Great action, great locations and again the relationship between Matt and Steve (I bring this up again because it is one of the things I found to be great in the book). I have read pretty harsh criticism of this film and I must say it is unjust. At worst this film would probably rate a 4/10. I personally could not give a 1/10 unless it personally insulted me, was offensive, or the production values were just bad. This film had none of those traits. Bring on the sequel

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

Very Bad

[1/10 · 6 January 2005]

With all the will I could muster I actually sat through this film (having already seen the first one) and found that it tried very hard to be funny but to me it came across as embarrassing (i.e. I was embarrassed to be watching this film) Full of impossible action, dodgy wire work and very bad acting.

There aren't enough words in the English language to describe how poor this film is. But I intend to eventually combine them all. Bill Murray was right to avoid the sequel but now in hindsight I wish he had passed on the first one as well (the first was a bit better in my view because of Bill Murray). Please save yourself the hassle, I wish I had. I rate it 1/10 only because there isn't a 0/10.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Very good action epic from the Caribbean.

[8/10 · 6 January 2005]

Very good action epic from the Caribbean.

After seeing the preview I was expecting a "lets make a movie for the sake of it" mentality with lots of special effects. I was somewhat surprised when I actually found it to be quite an entertaining and easy to watch film.

I was also very impressed with the effects, but especially the skeletal effects (believable without being gory).

Johnny Depp's grasp of "Jack Sparrow" is to be commended however I feel he was let down by the lacking and somewhat forced performances of two other characters. It is for this reason alone I give this movie an 8 instead of the elusive 10.

Interesting story with interesting characters, whats not to like?