The first half is an arresting drama about a moral/legal conundrum; but then it doesn’t seem to really know what it wants to do next, kinda turning into some weird stalker almost-thriller, which goes increasingly awry until a convenient ending. Shame.
People often seem to regard this as the un-Coen-Brothers Coen Brothers film, but I thought its tone and style mesh very comfortably with the rest of their (comedic) output.
If you can overlook the self-consciously Indie Movie flourishes (like the occasional narration by a fish as it’s butchered, or an introductory apology from the filmmakers in untranslated Norwegian), there’s a semi-interesting movie in here about life, death, and cosmic coincidence.
Still, I think it’s ultimately for the best that after this Villeneuve decided to take a break and rethink his career.
In the sense that they don’t make movies like this anymore, I suppose it is kind of dated... but that’s also part of its appeal. I love the way it initially focuses more on the journalists than Batman; the way it’s unashamedly comic book-y in its handling of characters and plot; the grandiose production design that mixes eras and fantastical alternative realities...
Also, Jack Nicholson has been somewhat overshadowed by there being so many other brilliant interpretations of the Joker in the decades since, but we shouldn’t forget how fantastic he was too.
Feels like someone thought “why bother writing a full screenplay when we could just shoot this perfectly nice treatment you’ve written”.
Put another way, there’s the potential for a decent pulpy movie in here, but it’s almost all under-written. It gives the storytelling a muddy feel (underscored by murky cinematography) where, worst of all, the emotional beats don’t land.
A very accessible movie about (sadly) still-relevant concerns, and I think that‘s pretty important, actually. Film critics and cinéastes can be like the hardcore Women’s Libbers shown here: if it’s not niche and Artistic it’s not got enough worth. But that also means it’s only preaching to the choir. Then you’ve got people like Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley), who argues you’ve got to get the message out by engaging with the media. That’s what a film like Misbehaviour is — something that can sit alongside The Full Monty or Love Actually or David Copperfield or whatever as a mainstream-friendly all-star British comedy/drama, and thus smuggle its messages to a wider audience.
Takes a while to warm up, with an awful lot of try-hard misses early on, but eventually hits a reasonable gag rate. It’s no Airplane or Naked Gun, but there are plenty worse spoof movies.
I was worried knowing the twist would undermine the whole thing, but turns out it’s kinda obvious from the pre-titles and thankfully they don’t treat it as a big surprise.
I like how these animations aren’t afraid to be “comic booky” sometimes, just casually including major characters in supporting roles.
Definitely lives up to its rep as one of the best Batman animated films.
Undoubtedly a better-made film than its predecessor (the direction is much more sophisticated), but the story is both less exciting and even more problematic.
With an uncredited writing team that included the likes of Aaron Sorkin, Quentin Tarantino, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, is it any wonder much of the dialogue absolutely shines? Plus Bay’s frantic editing style has never been more suited than to the race-against-time plot, and Nick Glennie-Smith and Hans Zimmer provide what might be the greatest action movie score ever composed. Magnificent.
Congratulations, WB, you played yourself — if they hadn’t fucked about with this after test screenings I reckon it would be a cult classic by now. The inexplicable furry convention makes no sense, but other than that the only major faults lie in the plot feeling a bit janky, presumably due to the re-edit. Everything else is magnificently camp fun; the dialogue, in particular, is a treat. “One should never fear... being wet.” Indeed, Sir August. Indeed.
This was silly and kinda rubbish, but it’s still a shame they’ll never get Hilary Swank to be in Cobra Kai because that would be hilarious and awesome.
Halfway through I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about — I worried that I’d left it too long to see it and let the hype get the better of me — but all that setup does pay off hilariously in the final half-hour.
Comments 76 - 100 of 277
Movie comment on Split Second
badblokebob
You couldn’t reasonably call this a good movie, but good golly is it some barmy fun.Movie comment on The Peanut Butter Falcon
badblokebob
Has a heart as good as Zak’s, which goes a long way (all the way, really) to making up for not being as original or funny as other films of its ilk.Movie comment on Paris - When It Sizzles
badblokebob
Magnificently, surprisingly cineliterate and a lot of madcap fun because of it.Movie comment on The Children Act
badblokebob
The first half is an arresting drama about a moral/legal conundrum; but then it doesn’t seem to really know what it wants to do next, kinda turning into some weird stalker almost-thriller, which goes increasingly awry until a convenient ending. Shame.Movie comment on The Saint
badblokebob
When your cool hero’s car is provided by Volvo, you know you’re onto a loser.Movie comment on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
badblokebob
Wow, a lot of people here blaming the film for their own shortcomings in comprehension and intelligence...Movie comment on Intolerable Cruelty
badblokebob
People often seem to regard this as the un-Coen-Brothers Coen Brothers film, but I thought its tone and style mesh very comfortably with the rest of their (comedic) output.Movie comment on Maelström
badblokebob
If you can overlook the self-consciously Indie Movie flourishes (like the occasional narration by a fish as it’s butchered, or an introductory apology from the filmmakers in untranslated Norwegian), there’s a semi-interesting movie in here about life, death, and cosmic coincidence.Still, I think it’s ultimately for the best that after this Villeneuve decided to take a break and rethink his career.
Movie comment on Batman
badblokebob
In the sense that they don’t make movies like this anymore, I suppose it is kind of dated... but that’s also part of its appeal. I love the way it initially focuses more on the journalists than Batman; the way it’s unashamedly comic book-y in its handling of characters and plot; the grandiose production design that mixes eras and fantastical alternative realities...Also, Jack Nicholson has been somewhat overshadowed by there being so many other brilliant interpretations of the Joker in the decades since, but we shouldn’t forget how fantastic he was too.
Movie comment on Hotel Artemis
badblokebob
Feels like someone thought “why bother writing a full screenplay when we could just shoot this perfectly nice treatment you’ve written”.Put another way, there’s the potential for a decent pulpy movie in here, but it’s almost all under-written. It gives the storytelling a muddy feel (underscored by murky cinematography) where, worst of all, the emotional beats don’t land.
Movie comment on Misbehaviour
badblokebob
A very accessible movie about (sadly) still-relevant concerns, and I think that‘s pretty important, actually. Film critics and cinéastes can be like the hardcore Women’s Libbers shown here: if it’s not niche and Artistic it’s not got enough worth. But that also means it’s only preaching to the choir. Then you’ve got people like Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley), who argues you’ve got to get the message out by engaging with the media. That’s what a film like Misbehaviour is — something that can sit alongside The Full Monty or Love Actually or David Copperfield or whatever as a mainstream-friendly all-star British comedy/drama, and thus smuggle its messages to a wider audience.Movie comment on Stuber
badblokebob
Pretty darn silly, but pretty darn fun.Movie comment on Zombieland: Double Tap
badblokebob
Lacks the inspired freshness of the first one, but warms up as it goes along and ends up a fun zom-com.Plus it includes a scene where Grace Randolph is killed, so if nothing else you should love it for delivering a little wish fulfilment.
Movie comment on Kanashimi no Beradonna
badblokebob
Most assuredly not a film for everyone, but for those open to it, it is astonishing. Some incredible imagery.Movie comment on Top Secret!
badblokebob
Takes a while to warm up, with an awful lot of try-hard misses early on, but eventually hits a reasonable gag rate. It’s no Airplane or Naked Gun, but there are plenty worse spoof movies.Great performance by Daisy the cow.
Movie comment on Scooby-Doo & Batman: The Brave and the Bold
badblokebob
Scooby actually says, “Holy Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Batman!” in this. Really.But you’d be disappointed if he didn't, right?
Movie comment on Un 32 août sur terre
badblokebob
It’s always fun when you watch a director’s early work and you can see the seeds of what they would go on to do in their major films.This is not one of those times.
Movie comment on Batman: Under the Red Hood
badblokebob
I was worried knowing the twist would undermine the whole thing, but turns out it’s kinda obvious from the pre-titles and thankfully they don’t treat it as a big surprise.I like how these animations aren’t afraid to be “comic booky” sometimes, just casually including major characters in supporting roles.
Definitely lives up to its rep as one of the best Batman animated films.
Movie comment on DC Showcase: Jonah Hex
badblokebob
Not a huge fan of the animation style, but the story’s alright and the final line is killer.Movie comment on The Son of the Sheik
badblokebob
Undoubtedly a better-made film than its predecessor (the direction is much more sophisticated), but the story is both less exciting and even more problematic.Movie comment on Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
badblokebob
You'll believe a franchise can die.Movie comment on The Rock
badblokebob
With an uncredited writing team that included the likes of Aaron Sorkin, Quentin Tarantino, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, is it any wonder much of the dialogue absolutely shines? Plus Bay’s frantic editing style has never been more suited than to the race-against-time plot, and Nick Glennie-Smith and Hans Zimmer provide what might be the greatest action movie score ever composed. Magnificent.Movie comment on The Avengers
badblokebob
Congratulations, WB, you played yourself — if they hadn’t fucked about with this after test screenings I reckon it would be a cult classic by now. The inexplicable furry convention makes no sense, but other than that the only major faults lie in the plot feeling a bit janky, presumably due to the re-edit. Everything else is magnificently camp fun; the dialogue, in particular, is a treat. “One should never fear... being wet.” Indeed, Sir August. Indeed.Movie comment on The Next Karate Kid
badblokebob
This was silly and kinda rubbish, but it’s still a shame they’ll never get Hilary Swank to be in Cobra Kai because that would be hilarious and awesome.Movie comment on Kamera o tomeru na!
badblokebob
Halfway through I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about — I worried that I’d left it too long to see it and let the hype get the better of me — but all that setup does pay off hilariously in the final half-hour.Showing items 76 – 100 of 277