Captain America...Reviewed by Joseph Carter

Captain America is the latest in the long list of Superhero Movies on offer over the last year. It tells the tale of one of MARVEL COMICS most iconic characters, the origin of the propaganda ridden, recruit turned super soldier US Army Captain!

Set mostly during World War II, Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans) is determined to sign up with the US military, however his scrawny body shape (achieved by some wonderful CGI effects) results in him being rejected again and again. Luck changes though when Dr. Erksine (Stanley Tucci) recruits him for a secret government project. Showing great courage Rogers undergoes the experiment and transforms into a tall, muscular, Super Solider aka Captain America. Meanwhile in Nazi Germany the head of a secret research department, Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) is set on taking over the world (in true comic book form). So our unique hero, Captain America, is put to work to save the world from the dastardly Red Skull aka Johann Schmidt.

A perfect recipe for Superhero fun, and admittedly this movie is enjoyable from the very start. Styled as a Saturday Morning Serial with larger than life characters, high stakes drama and action. The cast is adequate at fulfilling what is nessacery for such arch performances, no one stands out by any means, which is actually a strength. However much this movie is about Captain America it feels very much like an ensemble piece, where even minor characters have great impact on the story. 

The action scenes are rip roaring, cartoonish and immensely unrealistic, but once again it works. It knows very much what kind of film it is, not losing its way at any point. Worth mentioning is the rousing score by Alan Silvestri, it fits the style perfectly and enhances the action just enough without distracting us.

So, the film ticks all the boxes…well…nearly. However well constructed and executed, this movie is lacking something big. It lacks originality, it’s perfectly good but instantly forgettable. Simply put, we have seen it all before and in this over saturated genre, Captain America sadly disappears. I honestly felt like I would have been better served renting out the DVD in another 3 months. There is nothing special about this film, at all. By all means completely enjoyable but entirely unremarkable.

3 out of 5

An enjoyable Superhero flick, keeps your attention from the very start. But ultimately fails in being remotely memorable. Better luck next time Marvel.

Review by Joseph Carter

@thejosephcarter on twitter

Joe On Film on Facebook

Insidious...Reviewed by Joseph Carter

"Insidious" tells the story of a family in turmoil after their son, Dalton, falls into an unexpected coma. But there is much more to this illness than meets the eye, as they delve into the world of the paranormal to bring back the spirit of their son. 

Advertised as a horror, I was surprised at the direction this film took. The first half sets up a very tense, traditional ghost story, nodding towards the ghostly cliches (Rocking horses, closing doors etc). With some genuinely unsettling scenes which even though I have seen the like time and time again still held some "umph". Not terrifying but...just creepy enough to hold interest.

The cast is adequate, with Patrick Wilson as the father of the piece, convincing and strangely relate-able even throughout the surreal second act. The other two stand out performances come from the "Comedy" double act found in Paranormal Investigators "Specks N Tucker" (Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson), when I say stand out, I really don't mean that in a positive way, their knowingly kooky mannerisms appear just at the moment the film takes a turn for the worse...and the plain weird.

I don't want to spoil the wonderfully original way the movie twists, but lets just say this film attempts to put a new spin on the old ghost story. Involving other dimensions and inception style dream hijacking. However admirable the intentions of this fresh take, I found it frustratingly misguided, jumbled and embarrassing. Unfortunately this results in destroying the nervous horror built up so well in the first act and replaces it with a comic book villain fantasy. The kind of thing a student would experiment with in film school. Sadly we are treated to a never ending cast of ghosts and ghoulies who looked like they belong in a kids channel Halloween special. Almost pantomime at times. Too many spirits spoil the broth? Something like that.

I understand what James Wan wanted to do, and I admire his intentions, the execution of this filmic experiment is just so lost and disappointing that when the credits rolled I felt cheated of the well crafted ghost story established in the first 60 mins.

I genuinely hope that this film is remade one day (one of the rare occasions I encourage such things) but with a more controlled and stable plot. 

Overall its not a terrible piece of film, I commend the ambition of its creators, but can't recommend it as scary night at the movies. 

2 movies for the price of 1 isn't always a good thing.

2.5 out of 5

review by Joseph Carter

The Hangover Part 2 - Review

After the events in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu's wedding. Missing persons, a drug pushing monkey, a Thai Lady-boy and 1hr and 42 mins of the most unremarkable comedy this year. 


I will be honest, The Hangover (part 1) didn't bowl me over, but It was at least surprising at times and had some kind of backbone however extraordinary the situations. But the adventurous spice of the first movie was almost completely vacant in this pitiful sequel. Muddled, incoherent to the very end, it just simply fails. 


The Characters involved were their usual selves, with Bradley Cooper strutting around like a human charisma vacuum. Ed Helms has the whimpering switched to an often irritating 11 and Zach Galifianakis is.......Zach Galifainakis, whom I must admit did make me laugh around 3 times, which in fact was the only 3 times I laughed during the screen time. But did anyone of them shine at anytime?  no, they continued on in their hungover state, which resulted in total loss of interest in them and their plight to find their missing buddy. 


It's simply "The Hangover" set in Bangkok, a premise which I really wouldn't have a problem with if it at least matched up to the (questionable) quality of the first movie. Each scene just crawls along with embarrassingly neanderthal-esque writing in which simple swear words cause the 15 year olds in the audience to burst out in laughter. Maybe there lies the target audience, 15 year olds (experiencing their first on screen penis and boob shots) and stupid adults? I wouldn't like to say, I love a good smutty joke as much as the next man, and cried with laughter during the exploits of the team during "Jackass the Movie".


One thing this movie does accomplish rather well is using the new environment to their advantage, with sumptuous shots of the glorious jungles, coast and countryside of Thailand. Yet also treating us to delve into the seedy slum-like streets in Bangkok. But sadly for the filmmakers, this isn't a travel programme its supposed to be a comedy.


The ending (very much like the plot) is incoherent and rushed, with a pointless and condescending (who honestly cares about him?) cameo from Mike Tyson. 


The Hangover Part 2 is possibly the worst comedy of the year, an uninteresting crawl through a weak plot accompanied by a band of tired actors with very few laughs between them. Just watch the first movie and ignore this one. You've seen it all before and done better!


1/5 stars


Review by Joseph S Carter
joethecornishgeek@hotmail.com

Unstoppable - Review

Unstoppable is an action drama inspired by true events. A runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals (sounds like a 60's Batman episode) tests experienced engineer "Frank" (Denzel Washington) and his rookie conductor "Will" (Chris Pine) in a race against time. In their own separate train they risk their lives to slow down and control the runaway train before it derails and destroys a large American town. 


Unstoppable is a shameless action movie, laughable at times but still good old fashioned fun. The acting generally is of poor quality, even the fairly decent "Denzel" is never convincing and you can see behind his eyes that he is just reading the words, waiting for the paycheck. He knows what kind of movie he is in. The plot is of course inspired by true events, but still very far fetched with accidents that are so hilariously coincidental that you would imagine a 7 year old cooked it all up. Not that its a negative. Don't get me wrong, its a hugely enjoyable movie, but just don't expect anything grounded in reality. 


Technical goofs are a plenty with many scenes badly edited, for example: a quarter way through the movie the runaway train is heading straight for a horse transport, as the horse's owners fight to get them to safety we cut to a scene with the train in a COMPLETELY different place. The Train also seems to have a life of its own and develops a (Jurassic Park sound effect style) Dinosaur scream that is repeated nearly every time the train comes into shot. The sound guy for this movie must have been in a rush (or on drugs) as this repeated Jurassic scream is pure hilarity and had me curling up in laughter at least 8 times. 

The writing is of a very poor standard, with wisecracks that would could only be found in an action movie. Every character is a stereotype from the Yelling Boss, plucky new recruit to the (unintentionally) comedic Ex Afghanistan U.S Marine who tries to save the day half way through the movie.


I was genuinely impressed with ALL of the action scenes, the film excels itself with the pure theatrical grace and excitement that is found in every second of action. Totally non reliant on CGI (something very rare in this CGI saturated genre) the action is fresh and induces a sense of actual danger. CGI is simply too perfect, when a car crashes in CGI every millimeter of that shot is sculpted and leaves the ensuing catastrophe feeling empty. With real stunt work, there is real consequence and that is where Unstoppable earns big points.


Overall its dumb, badly acted, naively written but the action and pure shamelessness of its plot makes it one of the most enjoyable movies of the year. 3.5/5


Review by Joseph Carter

The Town - Review

"Ben Affleck" surprised many people with his directorial debut "Gone Baby Gone" which was a runaway success. "The Town" is his second feature length film and I think it is safe to say he is doing something very right. It takes place in Charlestown, Boston USA, a place well known for its high number of armed robbers and thriving underworld. Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Albert 'Gloansy' Magloan (Slaine) and Desmond Elden (Owen Burke) are all friends, who make a "living" out of Bank Jobs. The film begins as they carry out a near successful bank robbery, but due to a few hitches take the bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall), hostage for a short period before releasing her unharmed. However after all is done, Doug falls for Claire leading to some tragic complications. 


Its hard not to become involved in the Town. The writing is very mature and does a superb job of garnering the audiences interest from the very beginning. I admit that leading up to the final act of the film there was a quite noticeable drop in momentum but I didn't lose interest in it for one second. The Cinematography is pedestrian but completely acceptable for this type of movie, as it puts substance before style (something lacking in many Hollywood offerings). 


The cast excel and are truly compelling, "Jeremy Renner" of the fabulous "The Hurt Locker" is entirely convincing and strangely likable which is some feat as his character exudes arrogance and uncontrollable aggression. "Ben Affleck" gives one of best performances yet and demonstrates he is so much more than the cheesy romcom/action movie star that many think of him. 


The action scenes of the movie are orchestrated with gusto, from the opening heist to the most thrilling and haunting car chase I have seen in quite some time (machine gun yielding nuns anyone?). Affleck's talent as a director is quite obvious, for "The Town" moves from action thriller to emotional family drama with such ease.


Overall I would rate this move 4/5. Its "The Dark Knight" of Heist movies, deep, emotional, thrilling, horrific. Gets a little slow before the final act but its completely forgivable.


Review by Joseph Carter

The Last Exorcism - Review

The Last Exorcism is a fictional documentary about a troubled preacher, a once true believer, he now questions the validity of god and is set to expose the truth behind his successful career as a Preacher/Exorcist. When we first meet him, Rev Cotton Marcus enlightens us by explaining that he is simply a well learned showman, that exorcisms are pure theatre, performing trickery to relieve the confused of their own misguided psychological burdens. Demonstrating a placebo effect, if you will. A camera crew accompanies Marcus to what a appears to be just another exorcism....but appearances prove to be deceptive as things take a very unusual turn for the worse. 

The Last Exorcism is superbly acted, edited and filmed. The events that take place on screen are often  believable with an engaging and charismatic central performance by "Patrick Fabian" as Rev Cotton Marcus, who from just after a few minutes into the movie had me genuinely excited about his plight to uncover the fraudulent nature of preachers. Maybe it is just the atheist in me, but I was involved from the word go. Equally as convincing is the "Linda Blair" of the film, Nell Sweetzer played by "Ashley Bell", a simple, god fearing country gal who's overbearing fundamentalist widowed father "Louis Herthum" home schools Nell with bible teachings. The fresh take on this overdone subject is that the initial exorcism is performed by Marcus, with ease and its obvious to the audience that it was (as he described) all in the mind. Without spoiling the entire movie, the "demons" (real/imagined) that were troubling Nell return very soon.

The movie succeeds in the first 80 mins due to the control and the surprising lack of any unexplainable "supernatural" behavior, however unusual and frightening the manner of "possessed" Nell, it all could possibly be identified and explained with fact. No head twisting, no projectile vomiting, no floating beds. All odd but conceivable. I genuinely was excited by this, thrilled at how daring and unexpected the choice the filmmakers had made (or at least I thought they made).This (near) genre changing movie fell flat upon the proverbial posterior, with the last 4 mins ripping every shred of originality out of the celluloid and displaying a tired and putrid conclusion (which I won't ruin for you). The finale wasn't shocking in the intended way, it was simply lazy and rather cowardly. A bolder move could have produced a bolder movie.

Fresh, engaging and brave....until the last 5 mins ruined it. RATING 2/5

Review by Joseph Carter

joethecornishgeek@hotmail.com

The Other Guys - Review

The Other Guys....a Comedy? a Thriller? an Action Movie?? Who knows. I certainly couldn't tell you, what I can tell you however is that its one HILARIOUS ride.

The film begins with a really enjoyable action scene staring New York's star cops ("Samuel L Jackson" and "Dwayne Johnson") extravagantly pursuing a group of criminals. They are the "SUPERCOPS" and return to the Police station adorned with medals and gratuitous amounts of respect from their fellow officers. "Will Ferrell" and "Mark Wahlberg" are the office losers, the "Other Guys". After the rather unusual (and superfunny) demise of the supercops, "Ferrell" and "Wahlberg" seize an opportunity to step up like their idols -- only things don't quite go as planned.

Now after some terribly unfunny summer comedies, "The Other Guys" is very refreshing. It is incredibly funny, sharp and surreal. "Mark Wahlberg" is also real surprise as he often surpasses the seasoned "Ferrell" with his comedic skill. Especially in the scenes involving nerdy Will Ferrell's obviously gorgeous wife played by "Eva Mendes". Literally every few minutes there is something to cause belly laughs and infectious giggling. I was sat next to my Fiancé and he was literally screaming down the theater with his laughter. This being said...the style of comedy in "The Other Guys" is so varying that it really can leave you confused. There are relentlessly surreal scenes and characters most notably the painfully funny "Brett Gelman" as Hal...the new husband of "Ferrell's" Ex Wife in a scene in which he runs 20 miles non stop in pursuit of a car. But the film also has some fairly conventional chuckle comedy, slap stick and subtle character based jokes brilliantly executed by "Micheal Keaton".

Confusion is really the downfall of the film....don't get me wrong the film is a laugh a minute, but it becomes very muddled and hard to follow. It simply doesn't know what kind of film it wants to be. It tries to hold down a rather serious storyline of their high-profile investigation of shady capitalist David Ershon ("Steve Coogan"), instead the spikey comedy and the fairly complex storyline end up distracting each other..which results in distracting you (the audience member). The films closing credits even include an animated lesson about Corruption and Capitalism, its almost as if the writer was worried that people wouldn't just enjoy it as a out and out comedy....as though we "NEEDED" something more substantial to accompany the copious amounts of hilarity.

So overall "The Other Guys" is without a doubt an intensely amusing film...it just gets distracted by its rather sober storyline.

JOE ON FILM RATING - 8/10

By Joseph Samuel Carter