This summer’s been a funny one – so much promise but not much delivered on the whole (although I’m really hoping that The Time Traveller’s Wife this Friday does its part to change all that).
However by far the best film I’ve seen this summer is Star Trek. I’m no trekkie so don’t put me in that box, but the film was fantastic – great cast, the charm of J.J. Abrams, awesome effects and just that ‘feeling’ after. For me this was a 10/10 – the perfect film for the year and I’ll look forward to the sequel.
I Love You, Man was such a funny film – and great to see Paul Rudd finally step up his game as the lead, Peter Klaven battled to find his ‘Best Man’. I haven’t laughed at a film so much in a while – just a really awkward comedy – you really feel his pain. Definately a 9/10. Great for catchphrases too…’See you later, Joben!’….’Totally… totes my goats’…and my favourite:
‘Slappin da bass’…
State of Play was a decent thriller – I went to the premiere with work and the film was introduced by director Kevin MacDonald and Helen Mirren. I usually can’t stand Russell Crowe, but even I couldn’t complain in this one. A decent remake of the 2003 BBC series with great tension, fast paced plot and enough red herrings to shake a stick at. Still weird to see the ‘Orange Wednesday’ ads acting for real though (can’t believe that for years I thought it was Kevin Spacey!)… 7/10
Angels & Demons… oh dear. I’m the biggest Tom Hanks fan ever – I adore everything he does, and I loved the book (even more than the Da Vinci Code) and so so SO wanted to like this. But I couldn’t – it was terrible, bad script, BAD Ewan McGregor and just a poor screen adaptation – what happened to the real ending?? Knowing me, I’ll still need the DVD for the Hanks collection, but it won’t be something i’m in a rush to see again. Cracking score though…thank you Hans Zimmer! 3/10
Drag Me To Hell – so funny/creepy/unexpected. This went down very well with critics – currently 7.8/10 on imdb and 92% on rottentomatoes, and I think it deserved it. The genius Sam Raimi (of Evil Dead and of course Spidey fame) showed a welcome return to his roots here – and cut it just right on the comedy/horror balance. It certainly wasn’t everyone’s bag, but for those looking for pure entertainment, it was great! I was laughing out loud – as were most of the audience throughout the film, in particular at the gross out car park fight scene – easily one of the best bits of the film. Nice to see Alison Lohman back too – last time I saw her it was in a film I’ve always recommended: Matchstick Men
