She's All That (1999)

As i watch this movie all i can think about is 'Not another teen movie' and it's brilliant parody of it. Which makes it hard to take seriously. But that isn't the only reason i can't seem to take it seriously because it is a mass of cliche's and while these cliche's can feel very cute in some films, this movie's attempts at breaking its mould (the whole scene in the art place) see it fall on its face because quite simply: the acting skill just isn't there.

I hate tell people about the plot (i'm not sure why, i just do) so lets just get right into it. Good things first:
Rachael Leigh cook is likeable but not believable as the ugly duckling Laney Boggs, because quite simply: giving someone glasses, a ponytail and paint on her overals doesn't make them ugly- besides she looked better before she had her makeover. Freddie Prinze Jr isn't a good actor, but his performance doesn't require a good actor, it just requires one that will stand there, say the lines and look good doing it. Which he does. The movie also boasts some occasional funny parts, which distracts from the predicability.

The films lack of believability (although if you just view the movie as a teenage fantasy isn't all that bad) discredits it but what the movie truly lacks is the mean queen. Jodi Lyn O'Keefe is so extremely weak at what should be the easiest role (she literally has years of teen movies that she can watch in order to study 'the bitch'), everyone knows that a movie is made and lost in it's villain, this is the films greatest folly.

Overall the movie isn't bad, it's a cute, occasionally funny and painfully cliche'd 90s teen fare. The movie deserves no awards and most of it's criticisms are valid but if you want to switch your brain off and watch a movie you may have seen as a teenager- watch it.

"I feel just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. You know, except for the whole hooker thing." Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook), She's All That 

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

It really is a wonderful life. I get home from work and i sit down, after watching the end of a Julie Andrews movie (it had Rock Hudson in it too but the title escapes me) i decided to watch this. I sure am glad i did.

The film revolves around George Bailey (the wonderful James Stewart) and his life, which is not fulfilling him at all, he dreams of wild adventures but his responsibilities are always getting in  the way, this strains him considerably until finally, after 'saving' angel Clarence from drowning he wishes he had never been born. Clarence, grants his wish and allows him to see what life would truly have been like.

The movie is a Christmas classic but can be watched at anytime of the year, it just has such a timeless message about family and being a good person. The film boasts impressive acting from Stewart along with Donna Reed as Mary (Georges wife), Lionel Barrymore (as Mr Potter, the man you can't help but hate) and Henry Travers as Clarence (Although sometimes he dipped too much into sentimentality, but that's okay because it is a sentimental film.)

The movie has flaws like any other, sometimes the editing isn't quite up to scratch and the ending of the movie felt rushed (we really only spend about 5 minutes in the world where George isn't born) and then it's the lovely/sweet happy ending, i liked it, but surely Frank Capra (the awesome director of a lot of classics) could have paced it better, or trimmed some of the script. But as it is, i think it works just fine. the scene where George and Mary return from the dance is a pure delight to watch, right up until... wont spoil it. But it's certainly got it's share of great parts.

The thing that will stay with you most after seeing this film is the beautiful character of George, you really love him (well, all the characters are great) but he is the man you see the movie through and he is the one you relate with because he had dreams that he couldn't attain, and everyone has those. He's accessible and no-one but Jimmy Stewart could play him with such authenticity.

So in conclusion, It's a Wonderful Life is a flawed but beautiful classic that demands repeated viewings, in fact i think that everyone should watch it at Christmas because it truly shows the meaning of the holiday: family.

"I wanna live again!" George Bailey (James Stewart), It's A Wonderful Life

Wild Target (2010)

This is a nice (not the right word but whatever) British film that would have felt right at home in the 1960s, it has that flavour, that look and that sort of chase/mistaken identities setup. Love it! What happens is this:
Billy Nighy is Victor Maynard, he is one of (if not THE) best assassins in the world. He is hired by Ferguson (Rupert Everrett) a man who has been swindled out of a lot of money by Emily Blunts Rose. Of course, problems arise when he begins to grow fond of her. Ferguson is not happy. So now Victor, Rose and tag along/Victors apprentice Tony (Rupert Grint) are hiding out/running away, etc.

The plot is actually kind of thin and sometimes it is clear that the writer didn't know what they wanted to do at certain points, so what we got was a 'could have been better' comedy gem. It's funny (thanks to the principle casts eclectic performances that range from subtle to absurd) and the ending is quite... well, it's not quite how one would envision it, but it works charmingly well for such a lightly dark (yes, i am aware that that is not a thing) movie.

The performance by Nighy isn't breaking ground but he was convincing, likeable and honestly he was just plain cool.
Emily Blunt? same as above really, but Rose isn't as uptight as Victor, in fact i'd put money on her being a bit of a loon.
Rupert Grint is probably the weakest link, but he is still enjoyable to watch, plus he had some great moments.

The standout of the movie is the cinematography, which is bright and beautiful. The mini that Rose drives (she picked it up at a gas station, keys and everything!) fits in remarkably well with the tone of the movie, because, well minis are such great getaway cars!

The weak spots are clearly the pacing, which sometimes feels either like things are happening too quickly or it's too slow,Then the script, it's okay (dialogue is funny, scenes are well set out and the characters are pretty interesting) but each time a pivotal scene comes into play, it has the distinct feeling of 'let's get this over with and get back to being ludicrous'. This is the feeling i got when they were staying in the safe house, if you see or have seen the movie- you'll get what i mean.

This is a remake of the french movie  Cible emouvante (1993), which translates to (you guessed it) Wild Target. Well aint that funny? I haven't seen it yet but want to at some point as i have been growing fond of French films as of late.

Overall this is a sly, witty, funny, absurd and flawed comedy that if it had been made bin 1960s would be hailed as one of the best comedies ever. But it's average now because A) it has too many 'crowd pleasing moments' and doesn't do enough of its own thing and B) times have changed and these sorts of comedies have been retried for decades but rarely have they been gotten right, i'd venture to say that this is the closest that we've come in a while. So yes, good but flawed gem (i predict classic status in about 20 years).

o and on a side not: i hate the poster/dvd cover or whatever picture i have put up, it makes it look like a kids movie about robbing a bank to save the orphanage.

"Tony, come and see what happens if you don't clean your gun" Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy), Wild Target.

Hasn't been much to say...

Let me see now: i watched The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and A Very Brady Sequel (1996), i have a weakness for movies made to parody their parent shows and these are two gems that are stupidly clever- and in the Bradyverse that makes sense. The sequel is actually better than the original (and way better than the show) but yes- good movies.

I saw Freeway (1999), which is a very strange, disturbing but quite funny movie. Reese Witherspoon gave a career best (Walk The Line was great and all but i think this might have a tougher performance to pull off) and Keifer Sutherland was so easy to hate that i truly respect him as a actor.

that is all.