Directed by: Greg Mottola
Released: UK 14 Feb 2011, USA 18 Mar 2011
Starring: Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Sigourney Weaver, Blythe Danner, Bll Hader, Jane Lynch, Seth Rogen
IMDB Link
He said:
If I am completely honest I was a bit apprehensive when I saw the first trailer for Paul. As much as I have enjoyed Frost and Pegg onscreen in the past (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) I had assumed that the films were as good as they were because of Edgar Wright calling the shots behind the scenes. Luckily the boys found themselves in capable hands of writer-turned-director Greg Mottola (who directed Superbad and wrote and directed Adventureland)
Paul plays towards its target demographic (14-31 year old males) with its penis jokes and toilet humor without any apologies. The film was co written by Pegg and Frost and is in no uncertain terms an often brilliant lampooning of pop culture from the last thirty years, including Mac and Me which I thoroughly enjoyed as a child but doesn't get nearly as much mention in pop culture as E.T.
Funny side note: (I embarrassed my wife and her parents when I stood up during a climactic scene and shouted along with a character a line that I had been holding my breath in hopes they would take the obviously well laid bait, and then applauded them for doing so.) I am not one that normally encourages outbursts in the cinema, but I am only human.
That isn't to say that this is a geek film, Helen's parents both enjoyed it as much as I did. The story is well written and the pace is spot on. While this film isn't solely a parody there are a lot of winks and nods at other well known alien encounter films from start to finish. I enjoyed this film and give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}
She said:
If you haven't guessed it by now James and I are kind of nerdy. And with the masses of pop culture references and sci-fi pastiche in Paul nerds are exactly the people who this film is aimed at. I particularly enjoyed a voice cameo by Steven Spielberg and the very fact that Sigourney Weaver is in the film at all makes me happy.
As usual Pegg and Frost's hilarious bromance chemistry won the audience over. While I didn't enjoy this film as much as Shaun of the Dead I did enjoy it much more than Hot Fuzz. Unlike James I wasn't worried about the lack of Edgar Wright but I was concerned about Seth Rogen playing Paul (probably because the last thing I saw him in was The Green Hornet and... oh God the memories, cry). However his voice acting worked really well and funnily enough I found Paul a rather believable creature.
I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys really nerdy, laugh out loud funny comedies. It helps if you have a love of pop culture so you can pick up the references but even without this the story is great. As James said the plot is well paced and keeps your attention well. I give this film {{{4 out of 5}}}
They Said: A perfect celebration of alien sci-fi pop culture with moments that will make you cringe and moments that will make you double up with laughter. We give this film {{{8.5 out of 10}}}
Showing posts with label Simon Pegg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simon Pegg. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, January 15, 2010
Double feature: Crime fighting!
Hot Fuzz (directed by Edgar Wright)
Watched Jan 12th
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Steve Coogan, Bill Nighy, Timothy Dalton, Martin Freeman, Bill Bailey, Steve Merchant and basically any British male actor you can think of.
Internet Movie Database Link
She said:
Despite being a cop film parody this film actually managed to depict quite an accurate portrayal of rural England. The creepy and quirky village people I have to say were comedically exaggerated into simple, set minded buffoons. The comedy mainly lies in the eccentric nature of the rural middle class and the alien nature of it to the London Metropolitan police officer.
In my opinion this film would have been better as a mystery/thriller parody than an action film parody as you see in the trailer. The contrast of action cliches is funny but I laughed more at the murder mystery plot and graphic gore which were played out in front of this idyllic West Country backdrop.
As is only natural, this film is compared to the Wright/Pegg/Frost debut Shaun of the Dead. Unlike a lot of people I did not prefer Hot Fuzz over Shaun. I felt the vision and presentation, as well as plot development were more thought out in Shaun. However saying this, I still think it was a fantastic follow up to what I class as one of Britain's funniest comedies.
If you like Peter Jackson-esque gore (Bad Taste) then you should see this film. If you don't understand parody then avoid it. I rate this film <<<3.5 out of 5>>>
He said: I think if anything this movies suffers from it's association with it better known cousin. Though I have seen this movie more than once previously when ever anyone suggests we watch it I am hesitant at first, there is this thought in the back of my head that it isn't as good as Shaun of the Dead. When in a lot of ways I feel this movie is superior to it. This film has an underlying joke of just how many British comedians they can introduce during the course of the story. There are action sequences that are taken from almost every action film you can think of with a lot of focus on Point Break and Bad Boys 2. I really enjoyed this film and can't think of any reason to tell you to avoid it... I give it {{{3.5 out of 5}}}
They said:
If you need a laugh, or just really want to laugh at action films and their subtle absurdity you should rent this film. If you don't understand parody then avoid it. ((((We give it 7 out of 10)))
Watchmen (Directed by Zack Snyder)
Watched Jan 14th
Starring: Billy Crudup, Malin Ackerman, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earl Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Patrick Wilson.
Internet Movie Database link
She said:
Adapted from the biggest selling graphic novel of all time, Watchmen is a fascinating take of the world of superheroes. It was a clever mix of gritty realism, dystopian nightmares and hyperbolic cartoon-like idol. Set in an alternate 1980s where the Cold War is still raging, this is political, clever and tense.
In terms of cinematography and mood this film was a cross between Blade Runner and The Dark Knight. There are very few daytime scenes, and when they do appear it is a strange and unusual contrast to the darkness you became accustomed to. The framing has a panel comic quality and I am now intrigued to see the graphic novel to compare the shots.
The best thing about this film was the moral and political debates it raised. The superheroes of this film have been forced into hiding through claims of vigilantism. This viewpoint is contrasted against a 'for greater good' God-like ideology that is ever-relevant to 21st century political cultures.
To discuss all of the film's themes here in detail would take away the fun of watching it but they all appear to revolve around perception: masks and hidden identities, time and relativity, costumes and fetishism, love versus lust, etc.
I really do not want to give anything away about this film so I may write a spoilers review on my own blog at some point. With my film studies degree hat on have to give this film a <<<5 out of 5>>>
He said:
uh... yeah what she said....
I think one of the strengths of this film is that though they did stray from some vital plot lines of the graphic novel they kept the heart and over all feel of its story. If you aren't a giant Super hero film fan this movie may not appeal to you, but it is a great film. Having seen it multiple times, I founf myself trying to match characters to their D.C. Universe counterparts (Vertigo the Graphic Novel's Publishing company is a DC subsidiary.) I give this wonderful film {{{4.5 out of 5}}}
They said:
If don't mind a bit of gory violence and enjoy dystopian realities then this is the film for you. If you are a bit squeamish and try to avoid politics where possible then probably best to avoid it. We give this a combined rating of {{{{9.5 out of 10}}}}
Watched Jan 12th
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Steve Coogan, Bill Nighy, Timothy Dalton, Martin Freeman, Bill Bailey, Steve Merchant and basically any British male actor you can think of.
Internet Movie Database Link
She said:
Despite being a cop film parody this film actually managed to depict quite an accurate portrayal of rural England. The creepy and quirky village people I have to say were comedically exaggerated into simple, set minded buffoons. The comedy mainly lies in the eccentric nature of the rural middle class and the alien nature of it to the London Metropolitan police officer.
In my opinion this film would have been better as a mystery/thriller parody than an action film parody as you see in the trailer. The contrast of action cliches is funny but I laughed more at the murder mystery plot and graphic gore which were played out in front of this idyllic West Country backdrop.
As is only natural, this film is compared to the Wright/Pegg/Frost debut Shaun of the Dead. Unlike a lot of people I did not prefer Hot Fuzz over Shaun. I felt the vision and presentation, as well as plot development were more thought out in Shaun. However saying this, I still think it was a fantastic follow up to what I class as one of Britain's funniest comedies.
If you like Peter Jackson-esque gore (Bad Taste) then you should see this film. If you don't understand parody then avoid it. I rate this film <<<3.5 out of 5>>>
He said: I think if anything this movies suffers from it's association with it better known cousin. Though I have seen this movie more than once previously when ever anyone suggests we watch it I am hesitant at first, there is this thought in the back of my head that it isn't as good as Shaun of the Dead. When in a lot of ways I feel this movie is superior to it. This film has an underlying joke of just how many British comedians they can introduce during the course of the story. There are action sequences that are taken from almost every action film you can think of with a lot of focus on Point Break and Bad Boys 2. I really enjoyed this film and can't think of any reason to tell you to avoid it... I give it {{{3.5 out of 5}}}
They said:
If you need a laugh, or just really want to laugh at action films and their subtle absurdity you should rent this film. If you don't understand parody then avoid it. ((((We give it 7 out of 10)))
Watchmen (Directed by Zack Snyder)
Watched Jan 14th
Starring: Billy Crudup, Malin Ackerman, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earl Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Patrick Wilson.
Internet Movie Database link
She said:
Adapted from the biggest selling graphic novel of all time, Watchmen is a fascinating take of the world of superheroes. It was a clever mix of gritty realism, dystopian nightmares and hyperbolic cartoon-like idol. Set in an alternate 1980s where the Cold War is still raging, this is political, clever and tense.
In terms of cinematography and mood this film was a cross between Blade Runner and The Dark Knight. There are very few daytime scenes, and when they do appear it is a strange and unusual contrast to the darkness you became accustomed to. The framing has a panel comic quality and I am now intrigued to see the graphic novel to compare the shots.
The best thing about this film was the moral and political debates it raised. The superheroes of this film have been forced into hiding through claims of vigilantism. This viewpoint is contrasted against a 'for greater good' God-like ideology that is ever-relevant to 21st century political cultures.
To discuss all of the film's themes here in detail would take away the fun of watching it but they all appear to revolve around perception: masks and hidden identities, time and relativity, costumes and fetishism, love versus lust, etc.
I really do not want to give anything away about this film so I may write a spoilers review on my own blog at some point. With my film studies degree hat on have to give this film a <<<5 out of 5>>>
He said:
uh... yeah what she said....
I think one of the strengths of this film is that though they did stray from some vital plot lines of the graphic novel they kept the heart and over all feel of its story. If you aren't a giant Super hero film fan this movie may not appeal to you, but it is a great film. Having seen it multiple times, I founf myself trying to match characters to their D.C. Universe counterparts (Vertigo the Graphic Novel's Publishing company is a DC subsidiary.) I give this wonderful film {{{4.5 out of 5}}}
They said:
If don't mind a bit of gory violence and enjoy dystopian realities then this is the film for you. If you are a bit squeamish and try to avoid politics where possible then probably best to avoid it. We give this a combined rating of {{{{9.5 out of 10}}}}
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