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Reviews
American Sniper (2014)
Proof Of America's Evil
What can I say other than the summary. This film is really what the majority of the world thinks when they think U.S soldier, a gun toting Texan with a tendency to commit racially motivated murder. Sure, not all Americans are bad, just those who support the U.S military that goes against all rules of war and ignores human rights, even of other Americans. You know? See all of the Americas bar Canada. As someone who served in Iraq as an aid worker, this film does justice to the way U.S military treated the Iraqi civilians with suspicion and disdain in their own country. However, I feel for Chris Kyle as if I put in the same situation would simply buckle down, follow orders and guard my life by any means possible and for this I can not blame the individual alone, simply the politics behind him. Nonetheless, some stony acting from Bradley Cooper, (the kind of stone used as a paperweight) led to an experience which at the time I wished for end sooner rather than later. If any solace can be found, Siena Miller's performance was a surprise as she adds further credit to an impressive 2014 for her.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)
Poor Steve Carrell...
Steve Carrell might be in with an Oscar chance for his performance in Foxcatcher, but he has tarnished his chances by starring in this thoughtless drivel. Surely for families, this may appeal to some children, but from start to finish I was astounded by how poor the acting was. Sure I'm not expecting Shakespearean theatrics, but I like to know I'm watching a story, and not just some over-paid people amusing themselves on cameras more expensive than my car.
I guess to review this I have to say it was very bad, no good, no horrible, no TERRIBLE, NO A MONSTROSITY!!! A GHASTLY ABOMINATION FROM THE BLACK ABYSS!!! But as they often do for me, production values are a saving grace, even if only a minor one 2 out of 10
Fury (2014)
Hollywood, erasing Europe's contribution since forever
Do you remember those years during 1939-1945? Two years difference you say, okay what about 1937-1945 No? Ahh.. I see your looking for 1941-1945, aren't you? Yes, well remember that British granddaddy of yours, the one that died in the Battle Of Britain. He died fighting a war Americans were reluctant to join, despite the last European war being a profit for them.
Fury, it forgets, it disgraces, it angers. Another war film where Americans melodramatically romp over droves of frightened European civilians. Sure high-production values, a Hollywood-ensemble cast as well as some explosions. Fury attempts to come across as Oscar-bait without providing anything new, or remotely historical to the genre. Brad Pitt's performance is typical of him, think World War Z with an adrenaline booster of Inglorious Bastards.
History is dictated by the winners you say. Well, in this case. History is dictated by the people with the most money.
A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)
Taken 5...
Yet again, Liam Neeson plays the hard man, the man with nothing to lose. Basically himself. Taken... Unknown... Taken 2... Non-Stop(Taken On A Plane) now we come to A Walk Among The Tombstones, or Taken 5.
Liam Neeson plays the cliché American dreamer, with an usually noticeable Irish accent. Despite being adapted from a best-seller, it seems destined to be played by Liam Neeson's steely mug. Takenesque, dry, melodramatic, clichéd and hopelessly meandering around for just under 2 hours to leave its audience sighing louder than an Al Pacino curse compilation.
Fans of Taken, go ahead have a laugh whilst you shovel through the popcorn bucket. Haters of Hollywood, stay away lest your brain rot out your ears.
4 out of 10, only because of production values and some decent camera-work.
John Wick (2014)
Uninspiring...
I honestly like so many others wanted to see Keanu's frown turn upside down. But like in 47 Ronin, Keanu disappoints in a story rehashed a million times over and seeks only to tarnish further a reputation soaked in the odour of box-office poison.
This is basically a revenge flick for the common movie-goer. the common movie-goer nowadays being a 12 y.o, snapback wearing, Nike sporting thug amazed by the explosions upon screen rather than immersing storytelling. Being a fan of the revenge genre, I long to see a movie that can strike conflicting emotions in me, alas this is not one of them.
Keanu again plays the blank, emotionless face that we shall forever recognise as Keanu and not the character he is supposed to be playing. The supporting cast is poor, as is the storytelling and camera-work in general. There is no saving grace to be found here, but I've awarded it two stars extra for decent production values.
In the end, I was glad to leave the theatre which it was shown, as were others as suggested by their sighs of disappointment. If you came to watch Keanu, watch. But if you came to be immersed in a world that tenders your soul, you'd be better off sticking to something else.