Film reviews, Winter Solstice edition (2009)

Zemanta is fucking up so I can't place all of the posters correctly. You'll just have this one for now.

Avatar
Ah yes, the most hyped film of 2009 (although you absolutely must see it in 3D). This film really sucks you in with its effects, but otherwise is rather average. So what the hell is this movie about? Without revealing too much, it's set in the far future, 215x (don't remember exactly). Humans have settled a mining colony on the distant planet of Pandora, a moon orbiting a gas giant in Alpha Centauri. The humans want a very rare mineral called 'Unobtainium', which sells for millions back on Earth. The problem is that the natives, an extraterrestrial humanoid race called the Na'vi, have a very large settlement right on top of the largest deposit, and the humans want in.
The environments and creatures are incredible; don't let the film poster fool you, the CG is amazing and probably the best ever seen in a film yet. The scenery, although uniquely alien, is still plausible and has definitely been painstakingly researched to ensure scientific plausibility.

Unfortunately, the rest of the film is bland and nothing we haven't seen before.

6/10
Would watch again? Yes.

GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Having never seen the show nor any of the toys, I knew nothing about the series before I saw this film. I'm kinda glad. Not particularly memorable, this one, although I'm not really a fan of all of the adaptations and remakes coming out lately. It's not very believable, and the plot has some holes in it.
The Doctor has a hot gasmask though.
Also, not to spoil anything, but I'd like to point out that Destro and the Cobra Commander look like Daft Punk in this film.
The soundtrack is great and is composed by Alan Silvestri (he did Van Helsing).
6/10
Would watch again? Maybe.

Inglourious Basterds
Having seen this film for the second time, I picked up a few things I didn't notice on first viewing.
This isn't an action film, so if you came expecting another Kill Bill, you'll be disappointed. This is more like Pulp Fiction: a fuckload of dialogue, some interesting discussion and short stints of action. If for some reason you have no idea what the film's about, it focusses around two different groups each planning to sabotage a Nazi film screening at the same time, and the complex backstory leading up to it. I still love this movie (Schweiger, the actor playing Hans Landa, is fantastic) but it's more of a drama film than an action. If you enjoy foreign films, you'll like this one. It's unique as are all Tarantino movies, and the soundtrack is great. Here's a taster.
8/10
Would watch again? Yes.

cont'd on next post, Zemanta is being bitchy