Reviews

I'm a little surprised that so many reviews of A Million Ways follow the theme of: "pretty disappointed... funny but not hilarious... not as good as I was hoping..." etc.

This movie was literally exactly what I was expecting when I sat down in the theatre and the lights began to dim. That is to say, I've seen so much of Seth MacFarlane's work to know his sense of humour comfortably well.

OK, the movie is trite and the screenplay won't win awards, but it's bright, the scenery is amazing, the timing is reasonably fast-paced, and the quick-witted chemistry between Seth and Charlize plays out fairly well for the bulk of the film.

Also, there are plenty of jokes to enjoy and plenty of cameos to look out for. Some jokes are weird, vague, or just plain dirty. But really, after twelve seasons of Family Guy, what were you expecting, Shakespeare?

If you're looking for a dramatic, earth-shattering movie that will question existence and alter the way you view humanity, don't see this movie. But, I guess, if you bought tickets to a Seth MacFarlane movie without knowing what you're getting yourself into, it's kind of your own fault now, isn't it?

If, however, you're a fan of the offbeat and immature sense of humour that embodies Family Guy, this movie will most likely be a fun and easy-going way to pass two hours of your time.

As I watched Nemesis, I had a distinctly uneasy feeling about it. Sure, the special effects were impressive and there was a whole lot of action, but by the end, I was left feeling hollow and uneasy. I have realised why. Star Trek no longer pushes boundaries, which true science fiction should.

Nemesis planted its feet firmly within the realm of 'safety', throwing a whole lot of action and violence to please the masses, without really achieving anything. Many people disagree with me, but I thought the first two next gen movies, generations and first contact, were both well polished and distinctly star trek, yet retained the individuality of a movie apart from the television series. Insurrection and Nemesis (...sounds like they're trying to impress people with those titles) merely felt like extended tv episodes. For example, the initial action scene involving a futuristic car. Okay, let's ignore the gaping irregularities of a vehicle with wheels when I'm sure something with antigravity tech could be employed, because the producers obviously want us to say: cool, what an awesome car! Then some aliens appear (with no explanation or reason besides injecting a bit of action) and cue the guns, fast driving, and pithy one-liners that make you half cringe/half chuckle. This is not star trek. This is the Fast and the Furious and my interest is not held my mindless action alone. Nemesis is some kind of hybrid show that simply does not try hard enough to touch upon true sci fi- the exploration of ideas derived from science. The cloning idea I will give a thumb up to. There was an attempt to explore cloning personality- whether or not behaviour is simply a reflection of genes, or whether life events can alter personality. However, it simply was not explored far enough. Grrr.... I think the main problem is lack of creativity. This is because Star Trek has gone on too long and is wearing thin. Science fiction always requires great stretches of imagination, and star trek has been extraordinary in the amount of originality it has churned out (not Voyager though, that series was terrible), but it's time to take a breather, guys! No more movies for a while unless you stop trying so hard to appeal to the masses and instead concentrate on complex multilayered explorations of science fiction. Oh, and a decent storyline occasionally wouldn't go astray either. Cheers!

Only the best writers can come up with such a dazzlingly unbelievable storyline, yet engross the audience so thoroughly that they hang off every word from every contrapuntal character and each bizarre concept. I believe Kaufmann has achieved this glorified omnipotence with Being John Malkovich. I wonder, does he intend to play with the audience's mind, or did he simply say to himself: I will think of some ridiculously comical situations, and attempt to weave a story with some veracity behind each phrase? Whichever way the cookie crumbled, he gave us this masterpiece. Also, I would like to praise Cameron Diaz, for undertaking such a drastic overhaul of her career. We are all too familiar with the Barbra Steisand's of hollywood, ie. image is gospel and I will behave like child because my money and attention somehow retarded any emotional or mental maturity that may once have occurred. Diaz has startled me into thinking that some tall, blonde, gorgeous actresses actually don't mind looking less than their best if it means playing an interesting, multidimensional character. The dialogue is exquisite. My advice: listen to every word that is said. From the boss with crystal clear pronounciation and a sorry-about-my-speech-impediment complex to Charlie Sheen's disturbing bald appearance where he drools over lesbian witches whilst Malkovich desperately attempts to express his fear, the conversation that arises (somehow) from these weirdly colourful characters is almost Shakespeare in its rhythm and beauty. Finally, the scene in the restaurant has, to my knowledge, never been attempted before in a mainstream picture and for that I applaud it. I can't reveal too much, but the Malkovich overload is all too apparent. See it for yourself and enjoy the most original movie out in ages.

Let me start by announcing to you, dear reader, that I am not a martial arts fan. Okay, so choreographed fighting is an interesting prospect and can look good in front of the camera, but I have always been disturbed by the notion that the backbone of such a movie relies on how many different ways a man can be thrown through a window/door/expensive painting. This said, I absolutely loved Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Possibly, the reason is I entered the darkened movie theatre expecting to play the eternal cynic. However, five minutes is all it took to quash any of my preconceptions and realise how much I assume about a movie when buying tickets.

My second thought was: why are so many people walking out of this all-too-evidently-fantastic movie? Then I realised people weren't willing to enjoy this exquisite piece of art because it was subtitled. More fool them, I say. If they can't see the effort Ang Lee poured into Crouching Tiger, they don't deserve to be part of the audience. The sheer beauty of this oriental historic masterpiece is the glue that sticks you to the seat. Of course, the camera work, intricate storyline and kick butt fighting are layers of the proverbial icing on the deliciously rich cake that is Crouching Tiger (bizarre analogy, I know). See this movie even if you hate flying fists and deadly weapon work- chances are you'll love the subtle romance and attention to detail in the scenery.