If you know me, you’ll know I love murder. Murder is in the title of the film. I’m pretty much sold. I love a murder mystery; simple whodunit plot, and I’m there. Chuck in a few massively famous faces, and what could go wrong.
Now I hate to follow suit with any other reviews you might have read/heard/seen, but this really isn’t the best film. You might see Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfieffer, Dame Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, but unfortunately a well billed film doesn’t make a good one. Branagh directed the film, and gave himself the starring role, but didn’t live up to it. Depp isn’t in it for very long and doesn’t leave much of an impression, Dench also isn’t in it for ages (but she is great- her side kick is Olivia Coleman, also great, but maybe not the best role for her), Pfieffer and Cruz I just found annoying. I feel like the characters could have been explored and utilised more, as of course they all have depth, and this holds importance in the story.
Sometimes the plot danced around and it lost my attention. I found this difficult, as Murder on the Orient Express is such a famous story (obviously I’ve not seen it previous to this, as I have only seen films from 2015 onwards), you’d imagine I would be fully immersed in it. I felt like I was more hooked watching The Snowman, a murder mystery with some very obvious plot holes. There was a bit of ‘is it him’ ‘is it her’ whilst watching the film, but honestly, I wasn’t overly invested. So when I found out the big surprise, I found it quite boring. I found the ending a bit of a cop out, and I thought it could have been much more exciting.
Now here is where the problem lies. Do I find the storyline dull? Or is it the way it’s portrayed. Speaking to people beforehand, they had told me it was a great plot. It must be, surely, as it is so famous. I can see how the plot could be clever, how it could all fit together like a perfect jigsaw. But through this interpretation, that is not how I felt. I felt disappointed. I wanted more from the film.
Again, we ask the question- is there too much hype? Do the big names attract the attention, but detract from the bigger picture? If you have seen the story before, I would give this version a miss. If you haven’t, I reckon it’s worth seeing it, as it’s a classic, but maybe see a different version. Maybe I’ll see a different version and let you know how I find it (probably not). Overall, I can only give Murder on the Orient Express a weak 6/10. Not worth the hype.
Monday, 20 November 2017
44. Thor: Ragnarok
I really wasn’t bothered at all about this film. I’ve never seen any other Thor film before, and we all know I’m not bothered about superheroes unless is it’s Christopher Nolan’s Batman. I’d heard really good reviews, but as the film started, I wasn’t particularly enthused. The starting scenes I thought were trying to be funny, with Thor captured and struggling to escape without his hammer. I guess this kind of sets the scene for those who managed to see the 2 other films, read any sort of comic, or be culturally aware. For me I didn’t really understand what was going on, and didn’t really care.
However, about 15 – 20 minutes into the film, I was completely hooked. The storyline was good, and captured my imagination. To keep my attention, we have lots of fun cameos from other Marvel characters. My personal favourite was Benedict Cumberbatch, where I exclaimed ‘it’s him, what’s his name, Magic Fingers’. Apparently that character is called Dr Strange (the 2016 movie wasn’t bad at all). I didn’t have a full understanding of the Hulk’s character, but quickly picked this up as we meet him along the way as well. Who knew, maybe I do like superhero films.
We also come across the best character in the film by a country mile, Korg. Voiced by Taika Waititi (the film’s director), Korg is completely hilarious, I couldn’t stop laughing his dry deadpan humour, hilarious stories, and one liners. In fact, Thor on the whole is a pretty funny movie. It wasn’t try hard funny, and it wasn’t laugh a minute funny, but the light relief throughout the film really enhanced the plot and dialogue.
I thought the film on the whole was really well done, I guess when you are on the third in the series of a franchise, you expect it to be a bit rubbish, but I genuinely thought it was a good film. I don’t have anything to compare to, but IMdb gives both the first films a solid 7/10. I thought the acting was pretty good, the interaction between the characters and the CGI characters was believable, and the plot alongside it worked really well. I picked up the gist of the film quickly, and didn’t feel alienated, although I’d imagine there are lots of points of reference for fans of the first films.
Overall, it might sound generous, but Thor: Ragnarok gets an 8.5/10 from me. I went it not expecting much, but thoroughly enjoyed my evening. If you can catch it, it’s definitely worth a watch.
However, about 15 – 20 minutes into the film, I was completely hooked. The storyline was good, and captured my imagination. To keep my attention, we have lots of fun cameos from other Marvel characters. My personal favourite was Benedict Cumberbatch, where I exclaimed ‘it’s him, what’s his name, Magic Fingers’. Apparently that character is called Dr Strange (the 2016 movie wasn’t bad at all). I didn’t have a full understanding of the Hulk’s character, but quickly picked this up as we meet him along the way as well. Who knew, maybe I do like superhero films.
We also come across the best character in the film by a country mile, Korg. Voiced by Taika Waititi (the film’s director), Korg is completely hilarious, I couldn’t stop laughing his dry deadpan humour, hilarious stories, and one liners. In fact, Thor on the whole is a pretty funny movie. It wasn’t try hard funny, and it wasn’t laugh a minute funny, but the light relief throughout the film really enhanced the plot and dialogue.
I thought the film on the whole was really well done, I guess when you are on the third in the series of a franchise, you expect it to be a bit rubbish, but I genuinely thought it was a good film. I don’t have anything to compare to, but IMdb gives both the first films a solid 7/10. I thought the acting was pretty good, the interaction between the characters and the CGI characters was believable, and the plot alongside it worked really well. I picked up the gist of the film quickly, and didn’t feel alienated, although I’d imagine there are lots of points of reference for fans of the first films.
Overall, it might sound generous, but Thor: Ragnarok gets an 8.5/10 from me. I went it not expecting much, but thoroughly enjoyed my evening. If you can catch it, it’s definitely worth a watch.
43. Bad Mom's Christmas
I am still alive, and this review is super late. In amongst deadlines, work, panic and partying, I have finally found a second to write some reviews. Yes I’m on the train. Perhaps now, as we edge towards December, it is a more appropriate time to discuss ‘Bad Mom’s Christmas’; my first festive film this year.
If you haven’t seen Bad Moms, I urge you to. Last year, we went to see Bad Moms as it was the only thing in the cinema – we’d seen trailers and it looked okay, nothing special, but something light hearted. Now I’m not going to kid you and say it’s the best comedy I’ve ever seen (that clearly goes to Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa) but it was a nice surprise. A really good, classic comedy.
Now this isn’t what you came here to read about. I just thought I’d give you a quick overview, as in 2016 I did not have a blog… instead I had a meticulous spreadsheet with a scoring system. Bad Mom’s Christmas follows the same vein: crude, silly but a good enough storyline. Bad Mom’s Christmas doesn’t quite hit the mark for me, but it’s still a funny film, and it definitely got me in the mood for Christmas. However, the acting is average, the plot is okay, the jokes are as outlandish as you’d expect, and it just wasn’t quite as good as the original. I don’t doubt that if you enjoyed the original, you’ll enjoy this sequel, but I’m sure you’ll also agree that it doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
It also doesn’t have too much of the ‘christmassy feel good factor’ as I feel this is cancelled out by the crude and rude humour instead. It’s definitely not going to be a family favourite any time soon. But credit where credit is due, that’s not what the film set out to be.
I do like the ‘message’ of the film, if you can call it that. The film is based around being yourself and not conforming to others and I feel like it does a good job of portraying this throughout the film.
Overall, it’s never going to be the best Christmas film, but if you do fancy a light hearted Christmassy LOL then fill your boots while you can catch it. I’d give it a 6.5 for effort.
If you haven’t seen Bad Moms, I urge you to. Last year, we went to see Bad Moms as it was the only thing in the cinema – we’d seen trailers and it looked okay, nothing special, but something light hearted. Now I’m not going to kid you and say it’s the best comedy I’ve ever seen (that clearly goes to Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa) but it was a nice surprise. A really good, classic comedy.
Now this isn’t what you came here to read about. I just thought I’d give you a quick overview, as in 2016 I did not have a blog… instead I had a meticulous spreadsheet with a scoring system. Bad Mom’s Christmas follows the same vein: crude, silly but a good enough storyline. Bad Mom’s Christmas doesn’t quite hit the mark for me, but it’s still a funny film, and it definitely got me in the mood for Christmas. However, the acting is average, the plot is okay, the jokes are as outlandish as you’d expect, and it just wasn’t quite as good as the original. I don’t doubt that if you enjoyed the original, you’ll enjoy this sequel, but I’m sure you’ll also agree that it doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
It also doesn’t have too much of the ‘christmassy feel good factor’ as I feel this is cancelled out by the crude and rude humour instead. It’s definitely not going to be a family favourite any time soon. But credit where credit is due, that’s not what the film set out to be.
I do like the ‘message’ of the film, if you can call it that. The film is based around being yourself and not conforming to others and I feel like it does a good job of portraying this throughout the film.
Overall, it’s never going to be the best Christmas film, but if you do fancy a light hearted Christmassy LOL then fill your boots while you can catch it. I’d give it a 6.5 for effort.
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