Category: Review

Review

Jessica Jones season two review

David Stringer

Genre-wise Jessica Jones is a mashup between the superhero and noir genres. When time came to choose between the conventions and traditions of the two, the first season ended up leaning more towards its superhero influences. Despite the hero’s bad choices and the show’s moral complexity, season one had Kilgrave as a clearcut villain – the season’s final arc followed the traditional superhero structure of climbing towards an action set piece.

Season two goes the other way, with morality never being so clearly defined as the final episodes of season one. Some viewers may find this disappointing – while there are compelling villains in season two, none of them are as overtly and undeniably villainous as Kilgrave. Instead the second season has more of a focus on moral complexity.

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Review

Review – Black Panther

David Stringer

Given that Black Panther has become a cultural phenomenon, there’s been a lot of hype and backlash around the discussion of the film. Stripping all that away, how good is it?

Firstly it’s a good example of an action adventure – the characters are likeable and spark off each other; there’s a compelling story that flows through the film and doesn’t overstay its welcome; the locales (in both Wakanda and South Korea) are colourful and engaging; and there’s some really spectacular and fun action set pieces. That is the primary scale that Black Panther should be judged against, against films like Doctor No, Armaegeddon and the like. By that standard it measures up well – I’d be surprised if there’s many better action films released this year.

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It’s a REALLY good example of the genre, but Black Panther is still a fantasy about a man in a mask beating people up. / Black Panther screencap via Variety.com

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Review

Review – Bright

David Stringer

Dealing with racism through the metaphor of supernatural beings in a world very similar to our own, Bright is superficially similar to the vastly superior Alien Nation. Will Smith plays the mildly racist cop Daryl Ward, with Joel Edgerton as his stoic Orc partner Nick Jakoby. In a world full of fantastical creatures but little magic, the discovery of a magic wand sets off a chaotic night with Ward and Jakoby protecting the wand from the various groups intent on wielding its’ power. There’s also some stuff about a prophecy, but if you’ve ever seen that trope in action Bright won’t surprise you.

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Review

Neill before Blomkamp! That’s How the Naming Convention Works

David Stringer

This weekend sees the release of Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium in the US and UK, in which 23rd century Matt Damon declares war on a space station to force them to cure his cancer. I’m starting to suspect the twist may be that he’s a mental patient and it’s all in his head.

Waging a war against a space station is a challenge, as I know from personal experience.
Waging a war against a space station is a challenge, as I know from personal experience.

Although it’s only Neill Blomkamp’s second feature film (after the excellent District 9) he made a number of short films, all of which are available on Youtube, all of which I watched, and reviewed to give an idea of his career so far.

Click here to read Marathon Man: Neill Blomkamp

Review

Chill-ermo del Terror!!

David Stringer

He directs horror films, is what I was going for with the title – I was doing a Simpsons Halloween special credits thing, you know, trying to be amusing. And yes, I suppose you could probably describe his work more accurately as dark fantasy, but…

Yeah, anyway, my point.

This weekend sees the release of Pacific Rim, Guillermo del Toro’s new film, in both the US and UK. (And possibly some other countries as well.)

Ahead of this, writing for the Ann Arbor Review, I’ve re-watched some of his biggest films – Mimic, Hellboy and the majestic Pan’s Labyrinth, which I was surprised to learn is only 7 years old, such is it’s status as a modern era classic.

He's also very cuddly.
He’s very cuddly.

I’ve reviewed the trio, looking at their strengths and weaknesses against each other, to help you decide whether you should spend your hard-earned money on his new release.

Click here to read Marathon Man: Guillermo del Toro

Review

Almodovar!

David Stringer

Despite being a highly acclaimed director, with two Oscar wins and two more nominations, Pedro Almodovar doesn’t seem to have that much mainstream appeal in the English speaking world.

This is indicated to an extent by how slowly his films move around the world. In the era of simulatenous worldwide releases for blockbusters, his latest film, I’m So Excited! was released in Spain back in March and in the UK in May, but is only just being released in the USA this week.

A black and white photo of a director with a notably colourful visual palette. Pretty sure there's some irony in there.
A black and white photo of a director with a notably colourful visual palette. That’s pretty ironic, right?

Writing for the Ann Arbor Review, I’ve looked back at some of Almodovar’s older films – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown; Time Me Up! Tie Me Down!; Bad Education and The Skin I Live In.

If nothing else, you’ve got to admit he’s got a flair for naming his films.

Click here to read Marathon Man: Pedro Almodovar

Review

Studying for Monsters University

David Stringer

Pixar is one of the great creative companies of 21st century cinema, impressively prolific and entertaining to a wide audience. This wekeend sees the release of Monsters University, the not particularly anticipated (as far as I can tell) follow up to Monsters Inc.

Of all the ‘what would cartoon characters if they were real’ memes, this has to be the least terrifying.

But I’ve taken a look at some of the less celebrated Pixar films – Monsters Inc., Cars, Ratatouille and Brave,  and I’ve been impressed… at least by the films that didn’t feature characters with combustion engines.

Click here to read Marathon Man: The Lesser Pixar Films

Review

Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane?

David Stringer

This weekend sees the opening, on both sides of the Atlantic, of the new Superman film, Man of Steel. Writing for the Ann Arbor Review, I’ve looked back on the previous five live action films.

Christopher Reeve pictured, if I've understood the Wikimedia description correctly, shortly before his marriage to Figaro.
Christopher Reeve pictured, if I’ve understood the Wikimedia description correctly, shortly before his marriage to Figaro.

That’s the four films in the seventies and eighties starring Christopher Reeve, and the noughties sequel with Brandon Routh in the title role.

Click here to read Marathon Man: Superman

Review

What’s the Twist?

David Stringer

Over at the Ann Arbor Review, during the week I wrote a multi-review of M. Night Shyamalan’s films, ahead of the release of After Earth, his latest release.

I’ve taken a look back at The Sixth Sense; Unbreakable; Signs; The Village and The Happening. Oh god, the happening…

Why did you make it happen? Why oh why?
Why did you make it happen? Why oh why?

Shyamalan’s name is pretty much a joke nowadays, used as an insult more than anything else. But I was surprised by how atmospheric the films were, and how convincing the central relationships were. I even – and I may be harming my credibility here – enjoyed The Village. Seriously.

Click here to read Marathon Man: M. Night Shyamalan

Review

A Series of Hangovers

David Stringer

This weekend sees the release of the third in the Hangover franchise, with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifanakianakis set to spend a couple of days searching for a lost friend, and piece together their lost memories for the third time in 4 summers.

Writing for the Ann Arbor Review of Books, I’ve watched and reviewed the first two Hangover films.

Do you ever have one of those hangovers where your head feels like it's turned to stone?
Do you ever have one of those hangovers where your head feels like it’s turned to stone?

Click here to read Marathon Man: The Hangover