Le Flick

E-mail Subscription

Receive an e-mail notification of new posts on this site:

For anyone who's worried that this movie is one for the boys, don't be. The Hangover is genuinely funny, has appealing characters, a ripping soundtrack and a story that just keeps on getting better...with just a dollop of crassness to keep the lads happy.

The Hangover takes the classic tale of Buck's Night gone wrong, puts it on steroids and takes you on one wild ride. We start out with Doug (the groom-to-be), Alan (the brother-in-law), two best mates Phil and Stu and one worried bride to be. Sounds familiar right? Well along the way let's throw in a Mercedes convertable, Jaeger shots, a Bengal tiger, Mike Tyson, an Asian gang, kidnap, extortion, at least one wedding...and did I mention the baby? Suddenly this classic tale is reworked, revamped and revitalised.

The groom and bride to be play somewhat minor roles, as the story focuses on Alan (Zach Galifianakis), a rotund fellow of doubtful intelligence, Phil (Bradley Cooper), a teacher

Alan, Phil and Stu in crisis

escaping his life for the weekend and Stu (Ed Helms), a goofy doctor, or should I say dentist, with a seriously serious girlfriend. Their mission to uncover the events of the night before, undo the damage and most importantly, find the groom. The story that unfolds is hilarious and outrageous. And I hate to say it, but makes me want to go on the mother of all benders.

There is plenty of enjoyment factor for guys and girls, young and old. But beware, The Hangover does step over the line of political correctness a couple of times. Fortunately for the creators, it's funny enough to get away with it.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Movie Marauder - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Friends with Money

June 20th 2009 00:30

This Nicole Holofcener directed movie, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, intimately explores relationships between friends. It’s insightful and well executed but be warned there are moments where it’s frustrating and downright depressing.

At the centre of this story is Olivia (Jennifer Anniston) who after giving up her job as a teacher is currently working as a maid, stalking a married man, smoking pot and seeing all the wrong people. In stark contrast, her friends are married, successful and to a varying degree, wealthy. Olivia’s self esteem is at an all time low, she can’t figure out what to do with her life, she’s being taken advantage of and she’s miserable. However, as we delve deeper into the lives of her friends, we discover that perhaps hers is not the deepest sadness.

Olivia’s friend Jane is a successful clothing designer too depressed to wash her hair.

Franny, Christine & Olivia in Jane's designs

Their friends all believe her husband Aaron is gay and he’s upset because he just wants to care about his looks and make a new male friend, without everyone passing judgement. Then we have screenwriters, Christine and David, who are alienating an entire neighbourhood by building house extensions all the while their relationship is crumbling around them. The only couple who seem to have it mildly together are Franny and Matt who do actually seem somewhat happy, but then they do have a gigantic fortune. Sound messed up enough for you? It is and they are.

There is good news on the horizon. Things do begin to look up for Olivia as she gives up her job and finds romance in a very unlikely place. It is a refreshing change to see Anniston in the role of a struggling, lost soul. She is surprisingly good and demonstrates acting abilities beyond her usual range. There are some lighter moments in the movie. The relationship that builds between Aaron and his new man friend is really very cute and the slipping away of Jane’s sanity does provide for some comic relief, if somewhat dark. The first time I saw this movie, I was unimpressed. But on second viewing I discovered its merits. You will be able to relate to at least one of these characters and hopefully it will give you the opportunity to look and maybe even laugh at yourself.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Movie Marauder - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

State of Play

June 17th 2009 12:18

Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams – there are plenty of reasons to go see this movie and you won’t be disappointed. The story revolves around journalist, Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) and a breaking news story that starts as a simple drug hit and escalates to conspiracy and corruption at the highest level. It’s not long until Cal’s college roommate and now congressman, Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) becomes embroiled in the thick of it. Cal is determined to maintain his journalistic integrity and report the real news but struggles against his editor, Cameron (Helen Mirren) who just wants to put something in print. He finds an ally in young up and coming blogger, Della Frye (Rachel McAdams).

A journalist and a politician – now there’s an unlikely friendship! But, it certainly keeps things

Simon and Cal share a moment

interesting. You can never be sure what Cal and Simon are motivated by; friendship, ambition, self preservation? This is one movie where you’ll be wishing you could read minds.

The plot is good, it’s a fast paced, relevant story, drawing on current social and political issues. It’s quite believable.

With such a great cast, its hard to pick a winner, they all do a good job. Mirren is hard-nosed but a soft touch where Cal is concerned, Affleck couldn't be more suited to the role of the politician out to save his country and McAdams is vivacious and holds her own against Crowe. Special mention must be made of Crowe’s luscious locks in this movie, quite outstanding. His singing skills in the opening scene do fall short of the mark, though are, undoubtedly, in character.

My only real criticism of the movie is that the ending felt rushed. You can sense the plot twist coming, speculate where the story will go, hoping for something to excite and stun but in the end it all felt a little hurried. The twist just didn’t pack enough punch to elevate State of Play from a good movie to a great movie.

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Movie Marauder - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Star Trek

June 14th 2009 04:37

There has been a lot of talk about this movie. The first movie to ever be premiered at the Sydney Opera house and it happened weeks before its release date. The anticipation was palpable.

I saw it at the IMAX. The first thing I wanted to do once it finished was to go see it again. There was so much to love about this movie but the best thing is that it is unexpectedly funny. Not just a bit funny but actual laugh out loud, soul warming funny. And I knew to expect a love story, but never anticipated the love story that was delivered

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Movie Marauder - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

June 14th 2009 03:35

I like to go into a movie without knowing the plot line. I don’t want to have any preconceptions, I just want to relax and lose myself for a couple of hours. When I leave the movie, I’m left with a feeling...whether it be joy, heartache, curiosity or fear. After all that’s what film making is all about, provoking emotion.

Set in World War II Germany, don’t be thrown by the public school English accents, the story is based around a high ranking Secret Service German officer, played by David Thewlis (Professor Lupin for the Harry Potter fans) and his family who, following his promotion, are forced to relocate to the countryside away from the friends and the home they love

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Movie Marauder - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

The Dark Knight

January 19th 2009 15:25

I have always been such a huge fan of Batman. I mean seriously, he is the only "super" hero that doesn't have any actual powers, he just has all the coolest gadgets and is in peak physical condition to enable him to do all the stunts that he does. It makes one wonder if perhaps they too could become a secret vigilante, protecting the streets from villans...

...but I digress

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Spazz - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

American Psycho

January 6th 2009 14:12

I watched this movie for the third time ever last weekend. I own it by the way, but then again I own many, many, many movies. So anyway, I watched it for the third time ever and also checked out the special features, as it is a DVD. I had no idea that this movie was based on the book by Bret Easton Ellis. There was a lot of discussion surrounding the controvesy that this book created when it was first published. Interesting...

This film gives a first hand peak into the psyche and life of Wall Street yuppie Patrick Bateman, who's nighttime homicidal tendencies are beginning to spill over into his day time life. It is scary and hillarious all at the same time. I can't help but laugh my butt off while he's dancing to Phil Collins and getting dressed in a rain suit to kill his colleage Paul Allen with an axe. Christian Bale personifies Patrick Bateman to a T

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Spazz - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

The Day the Earth Stood Still

January 5th 2009 15:02

I just can't help myself. I love a good movie where humankind faces complete annihilation at the hands of something we never even knew existed. It is such a facinating concept to me.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is based on the original movie made in 1951. This time it stars the ever dramatic Keanu Reeves as the humanoid alien, Klaatu, who has come to save the Earth, from us. He came to offer a warning originally, but is shot by a soldier as he tries to make contact with Dr. Helen Benson. He later speaks with a representative from his race that has been living on the planet for 70 years and is told that humans are destructive and will not change, only destroy themselves and the planet in time. Interestingly enough, this representative also has a certain respect for humankind, refusing to leave as all are destroyed, stating that they are his kind now and that he loves them nonetheless

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Spazz - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

The Boys from Brazil

January 5th 2009 14:37

If you love a movie that really makes you think, you have got to see the classic film, "The Boys from Brazil", based on the book by Ira Levin.

The concept of the movie is that a Nazi doctor has cloned Hitler 94 times and placed them as babies in various families around the world. The families have to meet certain conditions to be able to adopt the boys, like the father has to be 43 and the mother 29. The father has to be distant and stern, the mother doting and loving, just like Hitler's parents were. The movie begins with the Nazi doctor, Dr. Mengele telling a group of men that they need to commit 94 assassinations around the world, killing men that are all 65 years old. They go about their orders, while the Jewish Ezra Lieberman tries to decifer why these assasinations are taking place. To his horror, he discovers this plot of recreate the same conditions that Adolf Hitler grew up with for the 94 boys that were cloned from him and in effect create 94 Hitlers all over the world. Dr. Mengele is hoping for the perfect Arian race and has high hopes that his 94 boys cloned from Hitler in Brazil will make his dream a reality

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Spazz - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Wall-E!!!!

December 19th 2008 16:28

My favorite genre of movie is generally thrillers or historical dramas. However, on a whim, I borrowed the new Disney-Pixar flick, "Wall-E" from a family member and checked it out.

First of all, I found the whole story line to be very intriguing, the idea being that humanity filled the world with trash and had to move off the planet while robots stayed behind to clean it up. While in space, humankind evolved into very fat and lazy beings, as they were inadvertently being controlled by robots

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Spazz - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

June 2009

5 Posts

January 2009

4 Posts

December 2008