The Notebook - Film Review

Even though I haven't done so previously, I'd quite like to store all my film reviews in one place, so I'll also be putting in old film reviews as I watch them/write them. Starting with "The Notebook."

The Notebook is a load of sentimentality wrapped so tidily in a bow that you can easily be forgiven for not anything more than the definition of tear jerker. However if you delve a little deeper you'll see two stars of their generation putting to shame many actors who have tried (and ultimately failed) at creating the true cinema romance. The beautiful Rachel McAdams' Allie will win over everyone watching, and Ryan Gosling shows with Noah more than just a spark of the acting icon he is surely becoming.

Sadly, it's bookended and littered throughout with a glance forward in time as Garner and Rowland's old couple tell Allie and Noah's story with a reading of the titular notebook. It fails to hold back the film's secret, becoming obvious early on exactly where this story is going, and McAdams and Gosling's chemistry isn't matched by their elders. I found myself dis-interested in these cut-aways, much preferring to see the "flashbacks" of the story and disappointed I could see the film's conclusion before I wanted too.

John Carter - Film Review

Unfortunately losing the "of Mars" from the title still couldn't hide the fact that the red planet's visuals are very dull and lacking in stimulating locations. Mix into the fold the fact that the film is filled with terminology that is difficult to follow and a shaky performance from Taylor Kitsch, and John Carter finds itself looking big but actually lacking in terms of quality.

It is a shame as the film has a great opening act as Carter finds himself hunted in the Wild West, but the humorous direction from Andrew Stanton is soon lost in a very serious, dark and gloomy middle section.

New SpoilerTV Podcast - Discussing Fringe, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Awake and More...

Hey guys,

The latest SpoilerTV Podcast is live, and is well worth checking out HERE

We discuss the new show on NBC Awake and how we feel it is one of the best pilot episode in years. We talk about the latest episodes of The Walking Dead (2x11) and how we feel it finally has the pace we wanted. CJ catches up with Adam on his thoughts on the last episode of Fringe (4x14) and Person of Interest (1x16). We round-up the podcast with our thoughts on a few other shows (American horror story, The River, White Collar) and talk about the new Avengers Trailer.

2012 Oscars - Best Picture Nominee Ratings & Short Reviews

Hey guys,

I've finally managed to watch all nine of the best picture nominees for this Saturday's Oscars, and I have ranked them all below and written a short review on each. Let me know which ones you liked/didn't like and the reasons why as well.

I have to admit, this year hasn't seen as many "classic" films as we have had in recent years, but there are definitely a few worthy of a watch. They're in order of preference, so 1 is the best and nine is the worst.

1. The Artist
A magical, funny and timeless classic with exceptional performances from Dujardin and Bejo. In a year short on masterpieces, The Artist comes closest with a touching tribute to the old ages of film in a way which Hugo failed; it is full of love and heart. You'll find yourselves smiling throughout, and at times wishing you were alive during the times it so passionately takes you into. If there is any justice, The Artist will be the Best Picture winner. It deserves it. It is that good.

STV Podcast 24 - Fringe, Alcatraz, Person of Interest, Chuck and More...

As some of you may know, I am part of the SpoilerTV Podcast, and from now on I will be posting here the latest episodes from our series.

This week the SpoilerTV podcast team chat about the return of Fringe and Person of Interest, our first impressions of Alcatraz and Touch, CJ tries not to cry talking about Chuck Finle and we look at Golden Globe winners and Oscar nominations

This weeks podcast you can find here: http://bit.ly/STVPodcast24

You can subscribe to the podcast on itunes here: http://bit.ly/STVPodcast-itunes

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Film Review

Over the past few years, there has been a constant threat of the US taking Stieg Larsson's best-selling novel, already converted into a decent thriller in its native Sweden, and making The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo a household name on the other side of the Atlantic. It was in fact almost a certainty to happen; how could they resist a story that certainty has proven its popularity in both print and a foreign language despite its incredibly dark subject matter.

This however, is no standard Hollywood remake. In many ways, as seen through eyes of Academy Award nominated director David Fincher, it scarcely appears to be an adaptation at all. So hard does he strive to find the originality and visual beauty hidden inside Larsson's text, it feels incredibly fresh and exciting to watch. The opening credits themselves are so eye catching, blood pumping and exciting that they alone are essential viewing...

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Film Review

With a tricky topic to get the balance right, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close describes itself as a film "not about 9/11, but about the days afterwards." This isn't strictly true, seeing as large chucks of Stephen Daldry's adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's novel take place during that day. "That worst day," as it is referred to by our leading character and narrator Oskar Schell, is in fact of vital importance to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,

As we begin you see the shot of a man falling towards the ground, intentionally out of focus. As we listen to the flapping of his jacket, Daldry sets up his world's importance to sound. He wants you to listen to the noises, a purposeful message to show exactly why Oskar, still a child, finds walking the streets of New York difficult all the months after. Fire engines constantly pass by, aeroplanes buzz overhead, car honk their horns and people talk, scream and shout in almost every scene. When we get odd moments of silence they are broken by Oskar, he carries a tambourine around always to disguise the sounds that remind him of his own personal experiences of 9/11.

Fringe - Some Thoughts On Season Four - Part One By A.D.Harris

(originally posted on spoilertv.com)
Folks of STV,

I've been very pressed for time over the past few months, and sadly the Fringe reviews of last season haven't materialised.

It's not through lack of trying, but as they have built up and up it reached the point where I decided they were more redundant than interesting. I sometimes have felt a little guilty when I think about the fact that I should be reporting on cross-universe dramas of the highest order. I somehow feel that even though Walternate hasn't had the time to give his thoughts on 'Novation', the rise of Lincoln Lee or the Observer's haunting words, perhaps he could be forgiven seeing as he is saving worlds. I on the other hand, am simply working hard at a routine job, celebrating Christmas and making sure I eat, sleep and am generally living a healthy life.

Real Steel - Film Review

What truly shows the steel that a man is made of? Is it his successes in his career, or is it the successes in owning up to your past mistakes, in repairing or finding the relationships you have lost. In true Hollywood style, Hugh Jackman shows his real steel as Charlie Kenton when the son he never knew about is dropped onto his doorstep at a point in his life when he is down on his luck.

The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn - Film Review

Having been a lifelong fan of Herge’s series ‘The Adventures Of Tintin’ I followed closely the production of the first large scale Hollywood production of the Belgian reporter and his trusted companion Snowy. Believing that Spielberg’s talents were enough to do justice to a series which over recent years had begun to fall into the forgotten lands of the past, it was a chance for Tintin as a leading character to be reinvented and become the headlining lead of a franchise in a post Harry Potter world.