I know right, you can’t believe how clever my title is? Anyway, in this week’s blog I am going to be singing the praises of one Joseph Gordon-Levitt, aka Tommy from “3rd Rock from the Sun”. I went to see “50/50” last Friday – the day it came out of course – and, though I also love James McAvoy, I’m so glad JGL ended up with the role. It’s very funny and it’s very moving. What’s done so well in this film is showing how people react when they learn he has cancer and how the odd forms of sympathy really make him feel. I’m also quite a fan of Seth Rogan and he does justice – though not unexpectedly seeing as he was friends with Will Reiser, who survived cancer and wrote the screenplay – to the awkward but supportive best friend, figuring out how to be what Adam (JGL) needs him to be.
I’ve loved Joseph since he was about 15 and started in 3rd Rock from the Sun. I was then very pleased to see him getting a big role in one of my favourite films, 10 Things I Hate About You, but let’s be honest, we all watched that for Heath. What really made me realise how brilliant an actor, but equally importantly, how beautiful JGL is, was “Brick” (2005), when he must have been about 24.
“Brick” is set in an American high school and JGL/Brendan’s girlfriend disappears at the beginning and the film follows a very murder-mystery/detective orientated plot line as he tries to discover what has happened to her. The film reminded me a lot of “Bugsy Malone” as the teens all seem very old for their age, many of them involved in drugs, violence, manipulation and complicated relationships. The plot is very fast paced and dense and it’s definitely one to watch several times. It’s brilliant if you like indie films as the cast is relatively unheard of – apart from JGL and perhaps Emilie de Ravin – but all play their parts well. It was writer and director Rian Johnson’s first feature film, which makes it all the more impressive. JGL is definitely the best thing in it however. It is a big change from Tommy in “3rd Rock” or Cameron in “10 Things, he is now a broody loner with long scruffy hair and who subjugates himself to a lot of horror and violence to discover the truth.
JGL has done a lot of fantastic films – the only dud in the bunch has to be “G.J. Joe” The Rise of Cobra” – and is consistently brilliant. He’s definitely starting to get the recognition he deserves, but there’s still a way to go until he’s the star he deserves to be – with that face and that talent! - Many of his films are still pretty anonymous. That’s why this week I am exploring...
My top 5 Joseph Gordon-Levitt films:
Brick:
This film probably gets the most points by balancing best film and best appearance from Joseph. I think it is his most iconic performance to date. Though I like “Inception” just as much, if not more, it’s all about Joseph in this film and it’s as good a film as “Inception”.
Hesher:
I heard of this film through IMDB-ing what Joseph was going to be in, but I never saw any other form of advertising really. I’m not sure if it ever came out in the cinema, because before I knew it I had to watch it on DVD. It’s really about a young boy, T.J., and his dad (Rainn Wilson) dealing with the death of his mum. His dad is completely out of it and has become useless as far as T.J. is concerned. Hesher (JGL) is a homeless, shirtless rocker who decides to move in with them and they are too complacent to stop him. Somehow he helps them deal with their loss. It’s well acted by all and very moving, as well as surreal and a unique idea. To add some star value, it also has Natalie Portman as a quirky (surprise, surprise) girl who befriends T.J. and Hesher.
Mysterious Skin:
This film is so fantastically performed and brilliantly done, but it’s also something I don’t know if I could ever watch a second time. It cuts back and forth in the lives of two boys from a period when they’re about 8 to when they’re about 18. JGL plays one of the 18-year-old boys, who were both abused by their baseball coach at the age of 8. He is now a male prostitute while the other still doesn’t realise what happened to him. It’s probably the most difficult film I’ve ever watched, apart from maybe the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but it’s worth it at least the one viewing if the topic won’t upset you too much.
Inception:
Christopher Nolan is yet to do wrong. The cast of this film is SO good and I’m barely even referring to Leo. Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphey AND Joseph Gordon-Levitt! Only in a Nolan film would you find this many brilliant indie actors in something American. Ok, not only, but he is damn good at it. The story is brilliant, the action is brilliant, it’s all JUST. SO. GOOD. But to be fair to this top 5 list, JGL isn’t the main character at all.
10 Things I Hate About You:
I bang on about this so much and it’s not a very original choice so I didn’t want it too high on the list, but it has to be on there. Even though it is ALL about Heath in this film, JGL is also awesome and it’s so much cleverer than your average American high school film. It’s so lol and so cool. I love it.
50/50:
I didn’t put this in the top 5 cos I’ve only just seen it and I’ve put it as this week’s new review, but it’s so good. Do go see it or rent it when it’s out on DVD.
Film news:
This isn’t that new, but it’s relatively unknown, anyone who has never seen the series “Arrested Development” HAS to get on that ting. It’s my favourite series (after the legendary "Dragonball Z") and the funniest thing I’ve ever seen on TV. They’ve been talking about a film since it got cancelled in 2005 and not it’s finally happening PLUS a 4th series to bring things together. I’m not sure on dates or any details but Michael Cera and Jason Bateman themselves have said it’s happening so watch all the first 3 series quick – but without rushing the genius – cos this is a film that has to be seen.
Showing posts with label inception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inception. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
2 films in 1 day
This weekend I intended to watch as many of the films Sucker Punch, Source Code and Killing Bono as possible before I left for Germany (tomorrow, 4th April) and managed to get in the first two yesterday – I’ll have to catch Killing Bono on DVD when I get back for Robert Sheehan from Misfits. I’m very proud of myself; this is the first time I’ve been to the cinema twice in one day. Sucker Punch was standard Zack Snyder, fantastic visuals, cool music and very over the top. It’s not the best film ever, it’s a bit silly, but it looks good and you probably won’t get bored if you like action as the enemies vary from robot samurai, zombie Germans in World War I, a dragon in a castle and androids on a train. Be warned it’s rather depressing. Source Code is probably more depressing as it’s slightly more realistic and I would say is a better film but far less action packed, despite the repeated blowing up of a train. It’s not too long – only about an hour and a half – and it’s got a decent amount of plot in there, a good amount of twists and complications and emotional ups and downs. Both are good action but Sucker Punch is more hard core and Source Code is more intelligent – though the science behind it often contradicts itself and even I noticed plot holes.
For this post's top 5 list I was inspired by Mark Kermode, whose film reviews I used to listen to on BBC radio 5 every Friday. I would definitely recommend this as a very entertaining way to get news on the latest releases. You can podcast it on ITunes of course. He speaks to me as a film lover who is convinced of all of his own opinions.
To hear Mark’s top 5 films of 2010 go here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2010/12/my_top_five_films_of_the_year.html
And these are my…
Top 5 Films of 2010
1. Kick Ass
This film is just the coolest thing ever. The fight scenes are so entertaining and so well choreographed – especially the ones involving the 12 year old Hit Girl – and they have the perfect sound track accompanying them – one of my favourite sound tracks – most notably in Kick Ass’s fame-making fight scene backed by the Prodigy’s Omen, one of the best song choices ever. It’s also really funny, and has Clark Duke, Michael Cera’s far less famous co-star from Clark and Michael (watch this mini-series online, it’s brilliant), whose comedy talent definitely needs more exposure.
2. Inception
Christopher Nolan can do no wrong. I’ve seen all his feature length films, they’re ALL good and they keep improving. Inception may not be as perfect as the Dark Knight, but it’s close, with a complex plot that demands your entire attention, a flawless cast – not just Leo Dicaprio but the understated Joseph Gordon Levitt and the brilliant British actor Tom Hardy, both to be seen in the next Batman film – and fantastic special effects. It’s an intelligent blockbuster. If you like this see also Shutter Island, with its suspiciously similar plot regarding Leo’s wife.
3. The Social Network
Jesse Eisenberg was brought onto my man list by this film, he’s amazing as the socially inept Mark Zuckerberg and supported well by Andrew Garfield – another new favourite of mine, the British actor playing the new Spider-Man – and even Justin Timberlake does his part well. It’s interesting and, though a lot of talk and not much action, a dense plot that doesn’t ramble on too long. Very well directed and deserving of its Bafta.
4. Easy A
As all critics said, the best new teen rom com in ages, since Mean Girls probably. Emma Stone is brilliant in this. Before it she most notably had side parts in Superbad and Zombieland, but this is what will make you love her. It’s so funny and the supporting cast again is genius. One of my favourite lines ever is teacher Thomas Hayden Church questioning the merits of Facebook: “I don't know what your generation's fascination is with documenting your every thought...but I can assure you, they're not all diamonds. "Roman is having an OK day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof."”
5. Four Lions
The funniest advert I have perhaps ever seen shows the scene from this where Fessel explains the different disguises he used to buy large quantities of bleach for a bomb. Though this is the best part of the film probably, the rest is also hilarious, well acted, brilliantly written – Chris Morris is a genius after all – and a very sympathetic and interesting look at suicide bombers.
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
I had to add this film, because even though it’s not original and no one needs to be told it’s great, I love this franchise. Though The Order of the Pheonix is probably still my favourite, I believe this could be considered the best Harry Potter film if it weren’t only half of a story (book 7) and so incomplete. Picking David Yates to direct 5 and then letting him make the rest was a brilliant idea.
Worst Film of 2010: Sex and the City 2
The only film during which I have actually walked out of the cinema before it ended. It is like an extended episode of the series, there is no specific plot or beginning, middle and end, it is a series of events, in fact, duller than your average episode and somehow it is drawn out into over 2 hours of screen time.
Film updates: Goodness knows why but it appears that they are already planning a Batman reboot before the last of this trilogy has even come out. Christopher Nolan is to be producing it, as Tim Burton produced the Batman films that followed his in the early 90s. Chris’ obvious talent should reassure me, but then again the one’s Tim produced definitely didn’t seem to benefit from his skills… This article has the current information on the reboot: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a311761/batman-franchise-to-be-rebooted.html. My theory is that an actor like Christian Bale would not be willing to do a spin-off franchise such as the Justice League, and so a new Batman is needed. The fact that they seem set on making the Justice League film is certainly good news however. The Justice League, in my opinion, is far superior the the Avengers. I will, of course, be very excited about this reboot when it actually appears as anything superhero appeals to me.
For this post's top 5 list I was inspired by Mark Kermode, whose film reviews I used to listen to on BBC radio 5 every Friday. I would definitely recommend this as a very entertaining way to get news on the latest releases. You can podcast it on ITunes of course. He speaks to me as a film lover who is convinced of all of his own opinions.
To hear Mark’s top 5 films of 2010 go here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2010/12/my_top_five_films_of_the_year.html
And these are my…
Top 5 Films of 2010
1. Kick Ass
This film is just the coolest thing ever. The fight scenes are so entertaining and so well choreographed – especially the ones involving the 12 year old Hit Girl – and they have the perfect sound track accompanying them – one of my favourite sound tracks – most notably in Kick Ass’s fame-making fight scene backed by the Prodigy’s Omen, one of the best song choices ever. It’s also really funny, and has Clark Duke, Michael Cera’s far less famous co-star from Clark and Michael (watch this mini-series online, it’s brilliant), whose comedy talent definitely needs more exposure.
2. Inception
Christopher Nolan can do no wrong. I’ve seen all his feature length films, they’re ALL good and they keep improving. Inception may not be as perfect as the Dark Knight, but it’s close, with a complex plot that demands your entire attention, a flawless cast – not just Leo Dicaprio but the understated Joseph Gordon Levitt and the brilliant British actor Tom Hardy, both to be seen in the next Batman film – and fantastic special effects. It’s an intelligent blockbuster. If you like this see also Shutter Island, with its suspiciously similar plot regarding Leo’s wife.
3. The Social Network
Jesse Eisenberg was brought onto my man list by this film, he’s amazing as the socially inept Mark Zuckerberg and supported well by Andrew Garfield – another new favourite of mine, the British actor playing the new Spider-Man – and even Justin Timberlake does his part well. It’s interesting and, though a lot of talk and not much action, a dense plot that doesn’t ramble on too long. Very well directed and deserving of its Bafta.
4. Easy A
As all critics said, the best new teen rom com in ages, since Mean Girls probably. Emma Stone is brilliant in this. Before it she most notably had side parts in Superbad and Zombieland, but this is what will make you love her. It’s so funny and the supporting cast again is genius. One of my favourite lines ever is teacher Thomas Hayden Church questioning the merits of Facebook: “I don't know what your generation's fascination is with documenting your every thought...but I can assure you, they're not all diamonds. "Roman is having an OK day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof."”
5. Four Lions
The funniest advert I have perhaps ever seen shows the scene from this where Fessel explains the different disguises he used to buy large quantities of bleach for a bomb. Though this is the best part of the film probably, the rest is also hilarious, well acted, brilliantly written – Chris Morris is a genius after all – and a very sympathetic and interesting look at suicide bombers.
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
I had to add this film, because even though it’s not original and no one needs to be told it’s great, I love this franchise. Though The Order of the Pheonix is probably still my favourite, I believe this could be considered the best Harry Potter film if it weren’t only half of a story (book 7) and so incomplete. Picking David Yates to direct 5 and then letting him make the rest was a brilliant idea.
Worst Film of 2010: Sex and the City 2
The only film during which I have actually walked out of the cinema before it ended. It is like an extended episode of the series, there is no specific plot or beginning, middle and end, it is a series of events, in fact, duller than your average episode and somehow it is drawn out into over 2 hours of screen time.
Film updates: Goodness knows why but it appears that they are already planning a Batman reboot before the last of this trilogy has even come out. Christopher Nolan is to be producing it, as Tim Burton produced the Batman films that followed his in the early 90s. Chris’ obvious talent should reassure me, but then again the one’s Tim produced definitely didn’t seem to benefit from his skills… This article has the current information on the reboot: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a311761/batman-franchise-to-be-rebooted.html. My theory is that an actor like Christian Bale would not be willing to do a spin-off franchise such as the Justice League, and so a new Batman is needed. The fact that they seem set on making the Justice League film is certainly good news however. The Justice League, in my opinion, is far superior the the Avengers. I will, of course, be very excited about this reboot when it actually appears as anything superhero appeals to me.
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