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skarphayse
Reviews
The Dark Knight (2008)
I'm gonna make this pencil disappear.......
After seeing the film you will be unable to get the above out of your head (no pun intended! You'll know when you see the film).
I really dislike fan-boys so it makes me sick as a parrot to have become one myself - The Dark Knight makes me rabbit on like my wife whenever someone discusses the film and foam at the mouth like some sort of rabid pet that needs to be put down. It's also the only film I have seen at the cinema more than once (three times and all at IMAX at a cost of £30). Chris Nolan has somehow created a film which makes me denounce anyone who doesn't love it as an infidel who is not worthy of life. While a tad extreme (just a tad) I honestly believe we have here not only the best comic-book adaption (by a country mile or twenty) but one of the best films full stop.
I'm sure everyone has already dissected Heath's amazing performance as the Joker so I'm just going to say please see it at IMAX at least once. A gimmick it is not and it enhances one of the best films ever immeasurably. Watch it now. Go on. Go on, go on, go on ,go on, go on.....
Batman Begins (2005)
A real comic adaptation
Finally, a real adaptation of a comic book that doesn't insult your intelligence, hasn't been diluted by movie exec committee thinking and breathes fresh life into a genre which has been rather stagnant of late.
The fact is that this film has raised the bar so high, the only other comic book film that can stand alongside this is the forthcoming "The Dark Knight" and in my opinion "Hulk". Even the Spiderman trilogy, as well executed as it was, has been overtaken as the best superhero film ever.
The reason why this film was amazing is that it gave credibility and humanity to the hero and the people around him, not just fancy weapons and a shoehorned in love story.
I don't want to say anything about the plot, acting, cinematography or the direction except to say watch it!!! And roll on Summer 2008 for The Dark Knight!!
Zidane, un portrait du 21e siècle (2006)
A 21st Century football film
I can see why people had the criticisms of this film.
Reading the title, I think most people expected a clips compilation of his best goals, assists etc. not a moving piece of cinema.
I think this was a brave and ultimately rewarding effort to examine the greatest footballer of our generation in a different way and to enable you to make up your own mind rather than a narrator explaining it for you.
Darius Khondji's cinematography was mind blowing and any of the shots of the film could have made an amazing photo in it's own right. The sound design was phenomenal and if you have fifty pro logic speakers in your sitting room then you will feel the full force of the Bernabeu and Zidane in a way that watching a football match on television never could.
The only thing I can finish with is to say this film must be watched. Mere words can't express the emotions that this film creates.
Zidane: A 21st Century Legend.
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004)
10-4
Kudos to Channel 4 for showing this amazing comedy but damn them to Hades for not releasing this sooner. This comedy really will divide opinion, those who don't get it REALLY don't get it but for those that do, you really are in for a treat. Hammy doesn't do justice to the acting! Horrendous would be the best thing you could say about the story, dialogue and pretty much everything else about this.
But before you run away, stay and watch just one episode and you'll see what a genius Matt Holness is and what a find this comedy is.
10-4 (You'll get it after!) PS Why does the DVD of this keep getting put back?
Monster House (2006)
Brilliant
I went to see this film without knowing too much about it except for the fact that Steven Spielberg was involved in some way. I'm so glad that I did go because this film had everything!!! Scary, funny, a decent story, great action sequences, nostalgia (growing up with one weird mate!), dialogue. Even the style of animation was one that suited the story very well and was at least something different from the standard CGI look. The one criticism that I did have was that I took a young relative to see it and he did get quite frightened as the house looks pretty scary, but then I think this was a mistake on my part as i didn't fully check it out beforehand.
This is definitely one to watch. So much so that straight after the film everyone wanted to watch it again! Especially the 3D version!