Movie Review - Oh, Mr Porter!

Oh, Mr Porter!

1937

The Cast

William Porter (Hay) is a man with ambition.  It's just a shame that his luck runs bad and because of such, he's been moved from position to position and from station to station on the railroad.  However, his luck may just be turning as the position of Stationmaster at remote Buggleskelly has just become available and, with thanks to his sister, he's given the chance of putting it on the map...  Though not all is as it seems at Buggleskelly Station...

This is the Will Hay that I know and love... and remember from my youth; sat in my Nan's on a Saturday afternoon watching telly while the winter rain pelted the window.  I have to admit, I'm not too keen when Hay decides to "go alone".  His funniest films are definitely the ones where he teams up with the "Old Man" Moore Marriott, who plays Jeremiah Harbottle,  and the "Youth" Graham Moffat, playing Albert.  When these guys are together they come close to rivalling the great Laurel and Hardy.  Like that duo, they are superb at playing off each other and have the impression that they've known each other forever.

The screenwriters, the brilliant Val Guest,  J O C Orton, and Marriott Edgar, use this partnership to it's fullest advantage by giving the trio lots of wonderfully funny and witty lines and sight gags.  The director then adds to the power of the story by keeping the pace at full steam - just like in the runaway engine sequence. 

All of this is interwoven with a good story from Frank Launder, who adds excitement, mystery, and intrigue in the guise of the gun runners.

The only thing which ruffled my feathers a little was the runaway engine scene.  Though this is superbly directed by Marcel Varnel, with some interesting camera shots and angles, and quick snap changes, to create excitement.  There are times when the speeded up frames are comical.  Though I don't think this was meant to be the case, as it was meant to create the illusion of dangerous break-neck speed.  Though, even in the 70's when I first watched this film, we are well past this style of special effect... and it's effect isn't so special anymore.  But the rest of the movie is great and this is just a small niggle it won't stop your enjoyment of the film... it may even add to it, a little.

This is, as it was in my youth, a great way to spend a wet Saturday afternoon.  When it's raining outside you'll be laughing inside... win!  As such, I would recommend this to everyone out there.

I give this a Chug-Chug-Chug-Woo-Hoo of 6.75 out of 10. 

The Film Clip

Movie Review - Spy

Spy

2015

The Cast

So here we have another very unfunny comedy film.  Why is it people think swearing out of context is funny.  Swearing can be much more comedic when handled as part of a witty dialogue.  Then, of course, there are the standard poo jokes.  The even more used machismo parodies.  Based on the over-utilised underdog that learns to bite back and roar like a lion storyline.  With a twist that's so obvious, it's actually not a twist.  This is just a mash-up of the usual elements, however, writer and director Paul Feig does give us something new with them, he actually makes them boring.  Throughout the entire film, there were three places that made me smile and only one that made me laugh... and that was towards the end - a long time to wait.

Though I will say this for Feig, he really can direct a film.  The only thing which keeps this movie interesting is the direction.  There are quite a few decent camera shots and angles, well lighted and composed.  He's also pretty good at action.  The fight scenes are spot on and the chase sequences are excitingly filmed.  If it weren't for this and the cast the film would be a real dud.

As for the acting, this was below par for most of the cast.  And it was the lead role of  Susan Cooper (McCarthy) which spoils the film, instead of strengthening it.  This is mainly because McCarthy plays McCarthy:  Most of the characters she's played to date can be easily interchanged between their films, as there are very few differences.  It would be nice to see her stretch her acting wings in her next role.  Maybe if she actually had a good script and an original character to work with...

I watched this for Miranda; I wondered how good she would be in a movie.  She wasn't too bad; it was her scene that made me laugh, but there wasn't much to stretch her skills here.  And, for Jason Statham, as I've been a fan since I saw him in The One.  He has grown as an actor throughout his career, though, this feels like a few steps backwards.

If you're a McCarthy fan you should like this though it'll feel all too familiar, at times.  As for everybody else, it's an okay way to waste some time if you've got nothing better to do.

I give this a Stone-Faced Unsmirking but Action Packed 5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Hot Pursuit

Hot Pursuit

2015

The Cast

Being a fan of Reese Witherspoon and enjoying Sofia Vergara in Modern Family I had to check out this film. It's a shame that the writers and director decided to take it in the direction they did. Witherspoon does a brilliant job of the OCD Cop Cooper, the scene with the "Baking Powder" is one of the best as she gets all hyper as does her speech, and Witherspoon stays in character and accent very well. However, it's Vergara that I feel sorry for as I've seen her in a couple of different roles and she is a good actress. But for the role of Daniella Riva, she's pretty much Gloria.

As for the writing, well Feeney and Quaintance are not the best comedic writers I've seen; and along with the director's Anne Fletcher approach, the comedy is as subtle as a brick. For most of the time, the scenes are overcooked. For example, the escape through the men's toilet window. It's been done before, and better, though for me some of the dialogue could have been sharper and wittier. There's also great opportunity to have a little slapstick and sight gags, but this falls flat and the entire scene is too long. I think this would have been a much better film and the story had more seasoned writers and directors produced this movie. That said, it's not too bad a film and everybody needs to hone their skills; it's at least worth one watch to pass some time.

The best scene in the movie is the one where Cooper and Daniella are handcuffed and need to drive a bus to escape the bad guys while trying to shoot them. This is a well thought out scene and actually did make me laugh, whereas, the rest of the film only raised a smile.

The worst scene is the lesbian group. There are times when it's evident that men wrote this story and this is one of the points in case. Though, the entire scene and set-up feels strained and unloved. It's as though this was thrown into the film, and the director begrudgingly filmed it. Even Witherspoon and Vergara look and feel uncomfortable. It just doesn't work and should have ended up on the cutting room floor.

All in all, this isn't the best comedic film I've watched, though it is better than a lot out there at the moment. As I said before it raised a few smiles and raised my mood, which is a good thing, so I would recommend at least one viewing - as long as there's nothing else you'd rather watch.

For an above average film, I give this an above average 6 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Wild Target

Wild Target (2010)

Isle of Man Film / Matador Pictures / Cinema Four : Entertainment One / Paramount Home Entertainment / Vue Entertainment

6/10

This film should have been great... but it isn't.

The beginning is brilliant, well written, directed, and acted.  The laughs come at a steady pace - slapstick, visual, and spoken - every type of comedy is catered for in the first half of the film.  I was so happy I'd decided to watch this film...

...then the middle section came and everything fell apart.

Actors can only carry the weight of the project so much, they are reliant on good writing and direction.  I don't know what exactly happened while shooting the film but as soon as our merry band of miscreants take shelter at the assassin's home the change is so visible.  All the comedic elements dry up, the writing gets weaker, and the direction becomes sloppy.  It's as if they'd changed crew.

That said Bill Nighy, playing Victor Maynard does a great portrayal of a man alone and detached from the rest of the world.  He is single minded and guided in his ambition to remain as the greatest assassin in the world, just like his father before him.  Emily Blunt is splendid as the con-woman and thief, Rose.  The scene where Victor follows her is truly brilliant and worth watching.  She is very savvy and street-wise and could talk herself out of any situation and possibly sell ice to an Inuit.  Rupert Grint is the bumbling "Ordinary Joe" who gets caught up in the couples twists and turns; and love the idea of becoming the "assassins apprentice".

The only other reason I can give for the debarkle is that the original French script, "Cible EmouVante" didn't translate as well as it should and each country has its own kind of humour; what works in France doesn't always work here in England.

If it's on telly and the weather outside is dreadful then you could do worse than watching this.  Who knows you may even enjoy it in its entirety.

Movie Review - The Other Guys

The Other Guys (2010)

Columbia Pictures

3.5 / 10

Will Ferrell is like Marmite, you either like him or you don't; I am of the latter persuasion, though I am guilty of enjoying Blades of Fury.

This film just didn't do anything for me, either as a comedy, thriller, or buddy-buddy action movie.  Most of the better scenes were absent of Mr Ferrell.  For me, the best parts of the movie was the ingenious opening sequence that created a fantastic satirical parody of every action movie filmed.

The other laugh-out-loud scene was when Will Ferrell's character, Allen Gamble, introduces his partner, Terry Hoitz (played well by Mark Wahlberg) to his wife Dr Sheila Gamble (nicely acted by Eva Mendes).  This is a well thought out and well written bit of comedy, shame Will Ferrell was in it, his over-acting very nearly spoiled the piece.

If it wasn't for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Samual L Jackson, and Mark Wahlberg this would not be as good a Will Ferrell vehicle as it isn't.

If Mr Ferrell makes you laugh and puts a smile on your face then this movie is for you.  Otherwise, just search for the two scenes I've rated and you'll have seen the best parts of the film.

Or watch the clips below - Enjoy.

OPENING SEQUENCE

MEETING SHEILA