Conan The Boobarian

Conan The Barbarian is the creation of writer Robert E. Howard and has seen three film adaptions of which I know. I have little care for Conan: The Destroyer however of the two Conan: The Barbarian I do care.

Conan The Barbarian of 1982 stars the now infamous Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is a film of adventure and the hunt for revenge. Conan having seen his parents murdered at an early age becomes a slave but after winning many fights in the pits he is taken and made into a warrior finally being freed by his captor. Once leaving he discovers an ancient tomb and taking up a sword he finds there begins his quest to find those who massacred his tribe. Along the way he meets three companions, a thief, a woman and a wizard. They are asked with saving a princess who has been kidnapped by the sorcerer Conana seeks. The finale part sees both victories and loses for Conan.
This original film has many strong points to it in that it is an untarnished adventure, there is implications of a rich history and a fantasy world and moments of great humour. There is action as well as a love interest and some amazing quotes. On the other hand it is at times cheesey and the effects are far from great. It is a good fun film, uncomplicated, nothing great nothing terrible

Conan the Barbarian that I saw today starring Jason Momoa starts and follows a different but all together similar story to the first. In this visions of Conan he is born on the battle field, cut from his mothers womb who dies there. As he grows he becomes a promising warrior but again his people are massacred and he watches his father die. So off on adventures goes Conana though forever in search of the man who murdered his father and people, as well as his generals. There is a love interest as well who is introduced as being central to the antagonists maniacal plans who Conan saves. In truth there is little more to story or film than that.
This film much like the original is an out and out adventure movie. There is almost unrelenting action with buckets of blood and even a sex scene thrown in. the story is uncomplicated and no great issues are tackled, for this I am greatful. I do not want a conan film to be deep and meaningful, I want violence and honour. At times there were unnecessary scenes or length to scenes and the overall film was to long for my liking.

If I am honest I find it difficult to say if one film is better than the other but find it more appropriate to say they are different but the same.

To Begin at the Beginning with the Beginners

Beginners is a film that would make many cry, but strangely a film that would make those same people far happier than a lot of films going around. That’s not to say that it would make them laugh as loud as the top comedies, or make them smile as much as a soppy rom-com. It is a film that looks at serious issues that though more prevalent in the past still hold some sway, it also looks at the troubles faced by those adults in modern society and at how past, present and future is linked by people. 

The film focuses on Ewan McGregor and how his life is monumentally rocked when after his mother dies he has two face a number of revelations about his father (Christopher Plummer), that he is gay, that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young lover. Yet the film is set post all these things, and after his fathers inevitable death. During this time Ewan McGregor’s character meets Melanie Laurent. A romance grows between them and McGregor has to tackle his issues about love born from his perspective on his parents relationship. All through this we go back a forth with flashbacks to his distant and recent past telling his full story. 

This film is beautiful, well filmed, it has a fantastic soundtrack of old songs full of fantastic singing and melody. The acting is of a high quality as to be expected from such a cast and as said the movie deals with a number of issues from the gay rights movement to modern disillusionment. However there must be criticism, the film is long and slow, and at times sections seem unnecessary and at times borders on monumentally depressing. My favourite aspect of this film was probably the interjections of amusement that where a little silly and childish that perfectly matched the up down of life. One particular example is the relationship and unspoken conversations with the dog. This is a film to see but prepared to laugh and cry, to smile and feel heart broken.

Rupert Grint Sex Bomb in CherryBomb

So I recently watched a film for one reason and one reason alone. Rupert Grint the boy everyone knows and loves for being Ron Weasley plays a sexy young drugged up teen who’s Irish. Not the best reason behind watching a film but he is a potential rising star.

In this film Grint and Robert Sheehan play two teens getting drunk and high in Belfast. Grint’s character comes from a well off loving if not demanding family, he gets good grades and works at a leisure centre. Sheehan’s character is the opposite, his father an addict, his brother a big time dealer, he deals on the side to make his money and his prospects are not good. Enter the daughter of the boss (Kimberly Nixon) who starts to cause trouble when pitting the old friends against each other until the final crescendo.

A small summary for a basic and very old plot, one that has been done time and time again. The film is short, made shorter by drawn out scenes of teen night life filmed in arty fashions to gothic indie music. It is predictable and nothing to write home about. However it does have one saving grace. The acting is superb, especially from the three teen parts that show great talent and promise. So for the reason that I watched this film I was spot on, the acting is great, the rest leaves a lot to be desired.

Why does know one know about this?

A couple of weeks ago I had a friend invite me to watch a movie I had never heard of in my life, admittedly the title wasn’t the catchiest, however after watching I was amazed. The film, a horror-comedy, is one of the funniest films I’ve seen in recent years but still with good moments of gore, suspense and bit to make you jump like sat on a nail. So how comes I know nothing of this film, I work at a cinema, I like to think I keep up to date-ish with movie news. So investigate I did, 7.5 out of 10 rating on imdb.com 100% on rotten tomatoes (though unconfirmed due to lack of reviews). It showed at a number of film fests and won awards. But alas this was Eli Craig’s feature debut, and got an immensely limited release, outside of America it was almost entirely a film festival showing. Heck it went to the Czech republic before getting to Britain to be shown at the dead by dawn Scottish horror film fest.

So what is this film?

Tucker and Dale VS Evil. Like I said not the catchiest but the synopsis makes up for it. Two hillbillies pack up some stuff and set out to their dream, a little vacation home in the woods to fix it up. It quickly becomes evident they’re nicer than nice, not hugely intelligent but smarter than your average red neck. Also on their way to the woods are a group of young college kids looking to get drunk and high. But the two don’t mix and soon due to complicated misunderstandings people start dying, which really isn’t helped with the one college kid who is off his nut with a grudge against all hillbillies. I shall say no more as not to give away some of the ingenious twist and turns

One of the best things about this film is it’s look at cliché, at common perceptions of good and evil especially those propagated by holly wood, there are also some lessons to be taken as to real life. In truth this film, though having its twists, has some bits of the plot that could be seen coming by a blind man from a mile off. But that doesn’t spoil them, which film doesn’t have predictable points? And just because we know how that one unlucky fuck is going to die doesn’t stop us laughing when it happens. What makes this film so good is execution, Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk lead the cast as the title characters and their acting is splendid with their odd camp on screen chemistry. But all the other cast are just as talented and show it though none are big names. The filming is well done with few effects to clutter the place, excellent make up and a great location. In fact I find it difficult to find fault in the film, it is a tad predictable, and at times it would be nice if it took a little more time. I guess what gets me down about this film is its limited release. Amongst such current comedies of the hangover part 2 and  bridesmaids this stands out as far better executed, far more intelligent, and far far funnier. I am no hipster and being one of relatively few to have seen this only upsets me. So I implore you to get the dvd when it is released (or download it now)

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I have decided that it would be most effecient to have one blog (this one) for all my review needs and leave the other for other stuff.