Undisputed (2002)

***

Yet another Walter Hill movie that passed me by. All I knew was that it starred Wesley 'always bet on black' Snipes and Ving Rhames, and it was set inside a prison. That was enough to get me drooling.

Alright, so it isn't exactly the greatest film ever made, and the acting is a little stiff at times but it's still a fun romp. Like the good old Van Damme flicks of the 90's, there's plenty of action and plenty of fist pumping scenes to make it entertaining. Snipes is the best thing in this although Rhames is great too, Faulk is terrible though (God rest his soul), his accent made me laugh constantly.I never imagined Hill making a movie like this but I would definitely like to see more, they are fun.

I've also heard that there are a few sequels to this too, some saying that they totally outclass this one. I'm definitely organising an Undisputed marathon screening very soon, my eyes need more prison boxing movies. They remind me of Lock-Up with Stallone!

I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)

**

Well, if ever a films trailer sold the film, this was it!

While browsing the world wibe web for some film recommendations I came across a few lists for ultmate feel-good movies. This one featured pretty highly on those lists plus I already owned it which was a nice bonus. Sadly this film is pretty dire and lacklustre on jokes and even feel-good moments. The cast is decent if not unspectacular and it relies too heavily on a pretty weak lead, his best friend almost stole ever scene. Every scene worth noting anyway.

This is a case of cramming all the jokes into a 2 minute trailer, because beyond that this film is just another run-of-the-mill teen movie, it's even almost less funnier than Fired Up! I'd avoid, or at least see the trailer anyway.

Into the Night (1985)

*****

Now, i'm a huge fan of one night movies but this one had somehow managed to escape my grasp, until tonight. It's weird because I have owned the UK quad poster for may years.

What a fantastic movie! This film really does have the lot, not to mention some of the greatest cameo's ever. Even David Bowie pops up in this one and he's also fantastic. And Landis himself too!
The plot is great, the two leads are unbelievable and rarely have they been better. At first I thought it was going to be a black comedy much like the pitch-perfect After Hours, but this is so much more, I don't think i'd say better but definitely more darker. And although it is quite brutal and even violent in parts, it still shows a little of the Landis touch in there too. None more so than the rather sweet cafe scene between Goldblum and Pfeiffer. The two are sitting there eating dessert and basically flirting, the mood is set and then BANG! The waitress (Thanks, Amie) drops a whole tray of sugar dispensers on the table, and then apologises as if it was to us, the audience. Brilliant!

I loved this movie and it's one I plan on seeing again and again over the next few years. I'm sick of putting films off for ages just because of the cover or the cast, look what i'm missing out on! See this movie!

Cropsey (2009)

****

I knew aboslutely nothing about this documentary beforehand, I hadn't even seen the trailer. I was simply going by what I had heard others say about it and plus the fact that I am a sucker for a great story.

This is a chilling tale and document of events about a child killer on Staten Island. I don't wish to spoil anything and i'm pretty sure that i'm not by saying that it's one that you have to make your own mind up about. There is talk here of satanic cults, one guy (Rand) who took the children and killed them, a few people including Rand who all worked together, a bunch of people who killed them and then framed Rand, I mean there aren't too many cold hard facts here, that's for sure. Whenever facts aren't present, i've always believed to make no judgment because there is always a suspicion of doubt cast. Unfortunately in the case of Andre Rand, the fact that he doesn't wish to communicate to anyone and defend himself leaves me a little on the side of guilty, but then he is mentally ill so therefore that's the doubt again creeping in.

You could get lost talking for hours about this tale, it really is that fascinating, and unfortunately so. It's well made and doesn't lean towards one side which is always refreshing. Seek it out and make up your own mind.

Paul (2011)

***½

I'm a huge fan of Mottola, I loved both Superbad and Adventureland, so I when I heard he was making a film with Pegg and Frost, my eyes were opened.

Sadly, it came out over here like a wet fart. Harshly received by the critics and disappears without much of a trace of mention since. I missed the cinema screening through one thing and another but I couldn't wait to check it out on DVD.
I really enjoyed this one. The movie references (something I love) are thick and fast and a special nod in the direction of Mac and Me went down lovely. Shame he had to dress up in a Cowboy outfit instead of a Bear.

It doesn't stick to the usual conventions of extra terrestrial movies, instead making light of them almost spoof like in parts. I really had a fun time with it and that is it's sole purpose, so for that I give it 3 and a half stars.

I Am Number Four (2011)

****

Not a huge admirer of D.J Caruso. I loved Disturbia but found Taking Lives and Eagle Eye a little dry on the old eyes. The trailer was the thing that sold me though, that and my strong affection to Disturbia.

I really had a fun time with this one, I love the way the director films teenagers, it has that Twilight kind of feel to it. The soundtrack must be amazing too because every track played seems to have been exported directly from my own personal itunes collection. I thought the story was great and the action scenes were done really well, a little over the top CG wise towards the end but not to the extreme like in many films these days.

I just can't wait for the sequels. Here's my credit card, i'm now personally attached to this franchise.

Candleshoe (1977)

****

This is a fantastic old school Disney movie, much better than Mary Poppins in my honest and humble opinion.

I was one of the very few people who never got to see Mary Poppins when I was younger, I grew up in the shadow of people who rated it as one of the greatest Disney movies of all time. Now, I can agree that yes, it is a good film but it didn't grab me like this one did. I loved the butler/driver/gardener character Priory, he was what Dick Van Dyke was trying to achieve but failed miserably in my opinion. The kids were great too, even if the youngest boy couldn't act to save his life. Wooden has a new meaning with that kid. The Grandmother was very annoying, that has to be said but it didn't really affect the film too much, and Foster was her usual best, at least best as a kid.

The story was also fantastic, a good old fashioned con movie/treasure hunt. Those are my kind of films.

I loved it! It really brought a smile to my face and has made me want to revisit more of the 70's to early 80's Disney efforts. It was fairly unknown to me at the time but I think this is one seriously underrated and underappreciated movies.