Quantum of Shitice

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Well it’s upon us – the new bond film is here. Again another review that’s gonna be a bit behind everyone elses, but this time I wanted to think things through.

I’m gonna start by saying that I loved casino royale, the rawness and gritty nature of the film gave it an edge that made it feel like a true espionage film rather than an effects outting (granted the million sony references in the film were a tad annoying – but nevermind). The story had an involving plot that took you all the way to a heartbreaking climax – and left it in such a good place for an amazing sequel.

I’ve yet to see this sequel. What we are presented with instead is a film that feels lifeless and dull. The main problem is the plot – which seems to be missing. The film itself has no purpose whatsoever, no momentum, no climax – seriousously, it goes no-where. It’s like the writers (if they can call themselves that) sat down in a room and said; “right guys, let’s have james mill around for and hour and forty five – and throw in a few cameo’s from the last film, that’ll sell”. Then for some reason, they hired marc foster to point a few cameras in the vague direction of the actors – or so it would seem, as this film lacks any kind of direction. The other thing it lacks is anything ‘bond’. Gone are all the phrases, gone is the trademark gun-barrel opener (granted it appears at the end), gone is the vodka martini, gone is th…etc.

I’m not even gonna bother talking about the song, that speaks for itself really – i’m going to get onto the good points (there are a couple). Firstly some of the camera work is very good – foster may have forgotton to direct the actors in the scene, but he does know how to frame a good shot, and consequently the film itself looks very pretty, this is also helped by some of the locations and design, which – unlike the rest of the film – seem to have been thought through.

The other thing worth noting is craig as bond – he has embraced the role, and his portrayal is both excellent and consistant, he really has been let down by poor production values.

All in all not great, its a 5/10 (as it at least features the noise of an aston martin, and the ‘we are teachers on sabbatical – and we’ve just won the lottery’ line is geneious). But seriously i’d rather watch die another day over this because at least the stupidness of it kept me amused.

Nothing else matters except for the bullet in your head

What a weekend reading was this year – two amazing headliners (NO not the killers – they sucked) – metallica and rage against the machine.

The latter of the two did feel a bit dissapointing for some reason. It was nothing to do with the attitude of the band or the music – something lacked. It may have been due to the fact that all of the bands this year were unbelievably quiet (except for metallica who rather awsomely payed a £10,000 fine to have their set louder). Serioulsy, festival republic need to address the issue because there were some amazing acts, but the sound was so bad it made them unaudible. You could hear the subwoofers over the main speakers, and that should say it all really, nevermind though…

The acts this year were far better than seen at reading last year (which was an aweful year – razorshite can take their ‘music’ and stick it up their…), with two legendary bands being the main attraction. Metallica were awesome and they played a truely thunderous set of classics and showcased some new material. The only song that was left out that would have made the set perfect was battery. However the bands actual performance demonstrated why they are so highly acclaimed. Rage were rage – no other way to put it. They came on in a controvertial manner (dressed as P.O.Ws) and made political comments left right and center – but the music was amazing, the renegades lived up to much of their hype and proved that they are still as relevant today as they were 10 years ago.

Another highlight was that of bullet for my valentine who put on an amazing show – and screamed their way through songs that would scare smallish children and make your grandfather shout: ‘TURN IT DOWN YOU YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS’. Great stuff.

All in all a great weekend.

How about a magic trick?

Sorry this has taken longer to put up than first anticipated, but here it is – my review of The Dark Knight.

At the start of the film we find bruce wayne in a position of some success – things have been going well for the billionaire and his alter ego batman, with the mob bosses afraid and unsure of what to do about the batman. It is for this reason that they turn to a dark and unpredictable character known only as ‘The Joker’, who promises to kill the Batman. However he proves even to much for the mob bosses and gotham is soon launched into anarchy.

The one thing that seems to be key throughout the film is story – which is highly developed and very well written. It is a deep and involving piece that truley makes you feel part of a larger world. The other majorly strong point in the film is the class of acting – it is amazing. A lot of people went on about how good heath ledgers performance is – and it has been worth the wait. But for me the performance that steals the show is Aaron Eckhaart as the troubled DA Harvey Dent. His rise and fall is so well done and believable that it just clinches it over Ledger for me. That said Harvey Dent never really becomes a villain in the film – more of a mislead idealist.

Ledger however does provide us with probably the best on screen villain seen in cinema for certainly this decade and probably the last. The balance in his character is perfect between funny and psychopathic, and thankfully he appears in all the right places within the film and isn’t overused.

There are however a few niggly things with the film – firstly I feel Bruce/Batman could have been shown to be having his ‘one-rule’ (not killing people) put into more question. There seems to be very little debate about the issue within his character and I feel this could have been expanded on. Secondly hyper-kinetic editing at the end of the movie felt a little to confusing (lots of blue light – people who’ve seen it will understand what I mean).

However these are minor issues on an amazing achievement, and they do not detract from that.

The Dark knight is both involving and entertaining – the balance and the pace of the film is just right and everything is strangely believable. A must see for everyone (although the 12A certificate is a bit mis-leading – this should have been a 15)

10/10

Geekytalk

Check out my mates blog: Geekytalk.wordpress.com – he has many interesting facts and ideas for your consideration.

There’s a link at the bottom of the page, underneath the main blog.

Watchmen trailer

A project I think i’m gonna keep a close eye on – out next year at some point.

Top ten – Most influential albums

Ok so here’s my top ten most inluential albums of all time. Two things to bear in mind – firstly this is my list, not a definitive guide, you may agree or disagree, but to me this is it. Secondly these are not my favourites of all time – i’ll save that for a later date – this is the most inluential albums. Enjoy

1. Sgt Peppers lonley hearts club band – The Beatles

Ok, i’m not this bands’ biggest fan, but you gotta hand it to them, it kick started so much in music that many of us take for granted. There were many previous albums, but this is The definitive beatles album, and is a gem from the late 60’s.

2. Dark side of the moon – Pink Ployd

If you have heard this you know why. If not don’t bother arguing – go buy this and listen. (and yes i’m well aware that wish you were here is in existance, it is also an awesome album)

3. Kill ‘em all – Metallica

Kick started all things thrash – they may have done more since, but this became a new and defining sound for a generation.

4. Oxygene – Jean Michel Jarre

Electronic musical opera that has also influenced many electronic and dance acts since. Groundbreaking stuff, and wrote the rulebook (not that there should be or is one in music) for melodic synth music. Oxygene part 4 remains one of the most influential instrumentals of all time, whilst oxygene part 2 featured in a couple of adverts recently. Worth a listen if you like feeling spaced out.

5. The Bends – Radiohead

The lads from oxford often inspire with each album, but this became the most memorable sound for most fans, building on the sound of pablo honey to create some of the most beautiful songs heard from the band. Fake plastic trees, Street Spirit, High and dry and the title track stand out here.

6. Rage against the machine – Rage against the machine

Blending hip hop and metal – was never really equalled (although many tried) until the nu-metal movement of the late nineties. Piercing vocals and some of the most inventive guitar work make for one of the most awesome albums to ever grace the ears of metal fans everywhere. Killing in the name of remains a classic, whilst wake up gained attention when it featured in The Matrix.

7. The Joshua tree – U2

Earlier efforts from this band proved to be interesting in places and just plain crap elsewhere, however with this album the band began their journey to mega stardom – and deservedly so. Not really a bad song on this album at all. With or Without you and the chiming sound of where the streets have no name are two of the classics from this album.

8. What’s the story – oasis

I hate this band, but it’s gotta be said this album has some classics on it. The sound of a generation on one album, with some wonderful sing along moments such as wonderwall, champaigne supernova and don’t look back in anger.

9. Nirvana – Nevermind

Ok firstly I know thats not the correct Album cover, but I couldn’t resist it. Great album, made a band seemingly appear from no-where. Great stuff – the stand out track is of course smells like teen spirit.

10. The colour and the shape – Foo Fighters

Everlong, My hero and Monkey Wrench – need I say more?

The Dark Knight – soon

Gonna be seeing the dark knight on thursday (24/7/08 – i’m in the uk – we are behind with everything), and seeing as it’s shaping up to be the film of the year i’m gonna make it my first review – im just hoping that it will live up to the hype people have given it over the past year or so.

Hey welcome to my blog

So here’s what i’m about:

Gonna be blabbing on about my favourite movies and music and so forth, will review them but the catch is I won’t just be reviewing new stuff, I will look at some of the older films in my collection as well as what is coming out at the cinema these days – most new films are crap in my opinion and a by product of a money grabbing corporate hollywood – that said, they can occasionally produce good stuff. Feel free to comment etc, my one request is that you do it in a positive and constructive way, I hate idiots who just tell me that they dissagree with no clear reason to, I also hate idiots who dissagree just to dissagree – it’s pointless please don’t do it here.