Stallone assembles an action-star roster of has-beens and still-ares to pay a 100 minute homage to 1980s action films. This is indeed Sex and the City for dudes, with the film being equal to the sum of its faulty parts. The plot has more holes in it than a machine-gunned Columbian. The script would be laughable if it wasn’t so painfully unfunny. But perhaps worst of all, it’s dull. If your movie makes me yawn during an explosion, you messed up. Some hilariously fun over-the-top set pieces prevent this from being a Schwarzenegger-sized shit-fest, but it comes pretty damn close.
YEAH... NAH...
A mild-mannered failed-writer-come-English-teacher is devastated after his son accidentally strangles himself to death. Given that his son is the absolute personification of the term douche bag, he forges a suicide note in a desperate attempt to send his son off with dignity. However, the note bursts into popularity, with the demand for more of his dead son’s material increasing rapidly. Robin Williams places himself perfectly in the role, striking the right balance between witty humour and hostile vulnerability. The premise is uniquely dark while remaining strangely light-hearted, never outstaying its welcome. Not an instant classic, but a typical indie charmer.
RECOMMENDED
A man wakes up to find himself buried alive. Equipped with only a cell phone, a lighter and a few other trinkets, he has to find a way out while discovering why he‘s been put in his horrifying position. The movie never strays away from the coffin. It’s a risky move on the filmmakers’ part, but one that ultimately pays off well. Aggravation, frustration and claustrophobia are expressed flawlessly through inventive camera work, brilliant lighting and Reynolds’ fantastic performance. However, the film’s let down by some silly “action” scenes and an ending that ditches you like a one night stand.
WATCHABLE
A determined inventor persistently tries to “boilover” his town-joke status, but his constant string of inventive failures only adds “oil to the fryer”. Eventually, he “cooks” up the idea of turning water into food. At first, the town “relish” in his success. However, things turn “sour” when the food mutates into freakish proportions. Wildly inventive, “tastefully” stylised, “super-sized” laughs that never grow “stale” and just ridiculously entertaining, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is an absolute joy to “devour”. I also give a “toast” to the Saturday Night Live regulars. Good to see them do a comedy for a change.
RECOMMENDED
Karl travels the States firing people, year out, year in. He calls his airlines home. Naturally, he has adopted a loose-life philosophy, never focused on settling. Then, he meets Alex, who shares in that ideal. Then, he is forced to mentor Natalie, a young up-and-comer, who wishes to Skype the professional firing process. Then, he is needed to attend his sister’s wedding, whom he hardly ever sees. Between his family who focus on subdued living, the fragile business-oriented Natalie and the exuberant, eye-bashingly gorgeous Vera Farmiga, the movie effortlessly challenges his seemingly flawless open life morals. Superbly written. Absolutely brilliant.
BETTER THAN INCEPTION!!!
Hipster Norah meets Hipster Nick as they travel with his Hipster buddies to find some Hipster band playing at some Hipster club. That’s the initial vibe I got with Infinite Playlist. It’s a romantic comedy at its core and it does both pretty well. The comedy is more hit than miss, though there are definitely some misses. The romance between the two leads is bonded by their love for music, even if the movie doesn’t emphasise as much as you’d think. The movie has its flaws, but it left me smiling. Oh, and Kat Dennings is fine as hell.
WATCHABLE
Train starts. Crash zoom. Shaky cam. Train stops. The end. WATCHABLE
Stallone assembles an action-star roster of has-beens and still-ares to pay a 100 minute homage to 1980s action films. This is indeed Sex and the City for dudes, with the film being equal to the sum of its faulty parts. The plot has more holes in it than a machine-gunned Columbian. The script would be laughable if it wasn’t so painfully unfunny. But perhaps worst of all, it’s dull. If your movie makes me yawn during an explosion, you messed up. Some hilariously fun over-the-top set pieces prevent this from being a Schwarzenegger-sized shit-fest, but it comes pretty damn close.
