Quick Movie Reviews

18:34.03 - Monday 12th July 2004   (Link to This Entry)

Been watching a few movies over the past few days, here's the lowdown:

Big Fish
Quite a departure for director Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of a son trying to find out about his father's life, since the latter insists on telling tall tales rather than plain facts. Starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney and Helena Bonham Carter, Big Fish is at times alternatively funny and beautiful, this should appeal to all ages.

Favourite moment/Score: The way the young Ed Bloom deals with the two soldiers in the tent - highly reminiscent of Indiana Jones. 8/10, Wonderful.

Shrek 2
As if anyone on Planet Earth didn't know, this second episode tells how Shrek and Fiona meet her parents, who don't realise that the happy couple are both ogres. Plenty of spoofs and homages of other famous movies and comedy moments galore, but this is all more of the same.

Most obvious spoof/Score: Shrek steps into a snare and hangs upside down with mud on his face. After dealing with the attackers, Princess Fiona kisses the upside-down Shrek in a parody of Spiderman. 6/10, Nothing new here, move along please.

Identity
11 Strangers find themselves stuck at the same motel thanks to a storm. As the night wears on they start dying one by one. Starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Jake Busey, this above-average thriller makes good late-night viewing as you try to work out who's killing who. Here's a clue - it's not who you think. And it's not him, either.

Best "something's not right" moment/Score: Busey's character flees the hotel and sees lights in the distance - it turns out to be the same hotel. 8/10, tricksy little film!