What if movie trailers presented their clips in chronological order? Would it give away the story of the whole movie? Here's what the trailer for The Equalizer starring Denzel Washington would look like. Here is my review of the film at Starburst Magazine.
Showing posts with label denzel washington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denzel washington. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Sunday, 18 August 2013
2 Guns Review
Some films think they can get by on star swagger and a bit of witty banter. Throw in plenty of alpha male machismo, gunfights and explosions, a single sexy siren to gawp at and the plot can be as ridiculous as you like; apparently young men will lap it up for sure. 2 Guns has Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg in a plot so ludicrous that you wouldn't want to dare take a moment to stop and think about it or you might just be tempted to walk out the cinema.
Washington is Bobby Trench involved in dealing drugs and dodgy passports to cartels with his partner Wahlberg's quick shot, quick witted Stig. Sounds simple. Then it turns out Washington is an undercover cop and Wahlberg is working undercover for the Navy. Neither knows this until the shit hits the fan and then it gets even sillier. After robbing a bank full of what they thought was cartel money, it turns out the corrupt CIA have a stake in what they stole and now Bill Paxton's sadistic CIA bigwig is on their tail and Washington and Wahlberg are being double crossed and chased by everyone else in the film. Will their 2 Guns be enough to take down the cartels and the CIA?
More to the point, will the undoubtedly appealing double act of Washington and Wahlberg on fine swaggering form be enough to paper over the cracks in such a silly set up? The dialogue has occasional dashes of wit and the story moves quickly enough to drag you along without too many questions niggling at your logic sensors. However it doesn't matter how cool the stars think they are if the script never gives them anything memorable to say. Bill Paxton is very welcome (where's he been?) and gets the stand out villain character but he would have made more of an impact in a different film, one that didn't try to veer so wildly between comedic moments and attempts at some real threat and danger.
For an action comedy, 2 Guns delivers plenty of shoot outs and a healthy dose of exploding stuff but the script is weaker when it comes to the comedy. Without the charisma of Washington and Wahlberg, it is easy to assume this might have gone straight to DVD. It's quite fun while it lasts but you certainly don't want to spend any time afterwards pondering the plot. 2 Guns is neither Washington nor Wahlberg's best but it's still worth a shot, just probably not 2.
On a side note, I got to interview Denzel Washington at the Flight premiere and I asked him about 2 Guns. Read the red carpet report here. Watch the trailer for 2 Guns below:
Washington is Bobby Trench involved in dealing drugs and dodgy passports to cartels with his partner Wahlberg's quick shot, quick witted Stig. Sounds simple. Then it turns out Washington is an undercover cop and Wahlberg is working undercover for the Navy. Neither knows this until the shit hits the fan and then it gets even sillier. After robbing a bank full of what they thought was cartel money, it turns out the corrupt CIA have a stake in what they stole and now Bill Paxton's sadistic CIA bigwig is on their tail and Washington and Wahlberg are being double crossed and chased by everyone else in the film. Will their 2 Guns be enough to take down the cartels and the CIA?
More to the point, will the undoubtedly appealing double act of Washington and Wahlberg on fine swaggering form be enough to paper over the cracks in such a silly set up? The dialogue has occasional dashes of wit and the story moves quickly enough to drag you along without too many questions niggling at your logic sensors. However it doesn't matter how cool the stars think they are if the script never gives them anything memorable to say. Bill Paxton is very welcome (where's he been?) and gets the stand out villain character but he would have made more of an impact in a different film, one that didn't try to veer so wildly between comedic moments and attempts at some real threat and danger.
For an action comedy, 2 Guns delivers plenty of shoot outs and a healthy dose of exploding stuff but the script is weaker when it comes to the comedy. Without the charisma of Washington and Wahlberg, it is easy to assume this might have gone straight to DVD. It's quite fun while it lasts but you certainly don't want to spend any time afterwards pondering the plot. 2 Guns is neither Washington nor Wahlberg's best but it's still worth a shot, just probably not 2.
On a side note, I got to interview Denzel Washington at the Flight premiere and I asked him about 2 Guns. Read the red carpet report here. Watch the trailer for 2 Guns below:
Recent reviews at I Love That Film:
Monsters University Review
Man of Steel Review
This is the End Review
Fast and Furious 6 Review
21 & Over Review
Iron Man 3 Review
Olympus Has Fallen Review
July Movie Reviews and Round up
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Personal Highlights of 2012
2012 was an incredible year for me. Basically a big part of starting this blog was to share some of the cool film related things I had been doing. I was desperate to tell anyone and everyone that I got to ask Danny Boyle a question at a 127 Hours screening organised by Lovefilm at the end of 2010. Since then things have gotten better and better and although I may not be getting paid for my efforts yet, I am living the dream of what I have always wanted to do, writing constantly about films!
My 2011 was very exciting filled with highlights like these but 2012 was even better and below are links to posts about some of the highlights of my year. With 2013 starting with having a chat with Denzel Washington and Robert Zemeckis on the red carpet of the Flight premiere for my Filmoria premiere report, I hope that things are going to get even more exciting as the year goes on so please join me on the adventure!
If anyone reading this hates those self-indulgent blog posts where people look at their successes or cannibalize their own work instead of writing something new and original then please look no further. This is as much for me as it is for anyone who reads this. I feel like looking back into the past to see how far I've come this year and this will be my hopefully permanent record of what has been achieved.
Anyway here are the highlights of 2012:
Taking my college media students to New York got me all excited and prompted this post on my favourite New York movies.
Two articles published in Media Magazine.
Made it through my first year of blogging in March.
An independent film called One by One that I worked a lot on got a trailer.
In May I got to sit down and have a chat with legendary Oscar winning production designer of Titanic, Peter Lamont.
Andina at Inspired Ground invited me to write my first ever guest post on her blog. I chose to write about Fight Club as the film that changed my life.
I finally got the scope and aims of my PhD thesis on found footage horror sorted.
My first ever article for Splice Cinema Journal on Documentaries and star directors was published in June.
Write my first article for Filmoria on the use of The Pixies Where is My Mind? at the end of Fight Club. Here is the full article. Had no idea that Filmoria would provide me with such amazing opportunities in the future!
Director of Storage 24, Johannes Roberts came to my college to give a brilliant talk to our students in June.
David Jackson wrote his first post for this blog on why he loves Aliens, the first time I've had a guest writer!
Wrote my first piece for Boolean Flix on Finding the Fun in Found Footage
In July I got married to the love of my life and went on the best honeymoon to Costa Rica anyone could ever ask for.
Got a letter published in Empire Magazine
Had my first article published on Static Mass Emporium on the director Michael Moore. This was the beginning of another great writing adventure and opportunity to work with more talented writers.
Filmoria sent me to interview the directors of Untouchable, Olivier Nackache and Eric Toledano. I had to rush out and buy a recording device that has become an essential tool in my work for Filmoria! It was a nerve wracking but incredible experience.
Took part in my first of many From the Red Carpet film clubs for the film Premium Rush.
Filmoria sent me to a gala screening of Paranormal Activity 4 where I got to interview actress Katie Featherstone.
Got a letter published in the 200th edition of Total Film.
I had my radio debut on Amazing Radio talking movies with Ruth Barnes on her breakfast show in November. You can listen to my second appearance here.
I love stats so was very happy for I Love That Film to hit 100,000 page views in December!
Had my second article on Will Ferrell's sports movies published in Splice Cinema Journal.
I decided to keep a record of all my writing at other sites. So here's links to all my Static Mass Emporium writing, Filmoria news, interviews and reviews.
Finally here are the top ten films I watched in 2012.
This year I intend to continue taking all the opportunities I can get and seeking out more ways to get paid for doing what I love. I hope that you will continue to stick with me.
What were your 2012 highlights?
My 2011 was very exciting filled with highlights like these but 2012 was even better and below are links to posts about some of the highlights of my year. With 2013 starting with having a chat with Denzel Washington and Robert Zemeckis on the red carpet of the Flight premiere for my Filmoria premiere report, I hope that things are going to get even more exciting as the year goes on so please join me on the adventure!
If anyone reading this hates those self-indulgent blog posts where people look at their successes or cannibalize their own work instead of writing something new and original then please look no further. This is as much for me as it is for anyone who reads this. I feel like looking back into the past to see how far I've come this year and this will be my hopefully permanent record of what has been achieved.
Anyway here are the highlights of 2012:
Taking my college media students to New York got me all excited and prompted this post on my favourite New York movies.
Two articles published in Media Magazine.
Made it through my first year of blogging in March.
An independent film called One by One that I worked a lot on got a trailer.
In May I got to sit down and have a chat with legendary Oscar winning production designer of Titanic, Peter Lamont.
Andina at Inspired Ground invited me to write my first ever guest post on her blog. I chose to write about Fight Club as the film that changed my life.
I finally got the scope and aims of my PhD thesis on found footage horror sorted.
My first ever article for Splice Cinema Journal on Documentaries and star directors was published in June.
Write my first article for Filmoria on the use of The Pixies Where is My Mind? at the end of Fight Club. Here is the full article. Had no idea that Filmoria would provide me with such amazing opportunities in the future!
Director of Storage 24, Johannes Roberts came to my college to give a brilliant talk to our students in June.
David Jackson wrote his first post for this blog on why he loves Aliens, the first time I've had a guest writer!
Wrote my first piece for Boolean Flix on Finding the Fun in Found Footage
In July I got married to the love of my life and went on the best honeymoon to Costa Rica anyone could ever ask for.
Got a letter published in Empire Magazine
Had my first article published on Static Mass Emporium on the director Michael Moore. This was the beginning of another great writing adventure and opportunity to work with more talented writers.
Filmoria sent me to interview the directors of Untouchable, Olivier Nackache and Eric Toledano. I had to rush out and buy a recording device that has become an essential tool in my work for Filmoria! It was a nerve wracking but incredible experience.
Took part in my first of many From the Red Carpet film clubs for the film Premium Rush.
Filmoria sent me to a gala screening of Paranormal Activity 4 where I got to interview actress Katie Featherstone.
Got a letter published in the 200th edition of Total Film.
I had my radio debut on Amazing Radio talking movies with Ruth Barnes on her breakfast show in November. You can listen to my second appearance here.
I love stats so was very happy for I Love That Film to hit 100,000 page views in December!
Had my second article on Will Ferrell's sports movies published in Splice Cinema Journal.
I decided to keep a record of all my writing at other sites. So here's links to all my Static Mass Emporium writing, Filmoria news, interviews and reviews.
Finally here are the top ten films I watched in 2012.
This year I intend to continue taking all the opportunities I can get and seeking out more ways to get paid for doing what I love. I hope that you will continue to stick with me.
What were your 2012 highlights?
Friday, 18 January 2013
Denzel Washington on the Flight Red Carpet
I'm not really sure how much I'm ok to say here so I'm just going to let you know that last night I was on the red carpet reporting on the UK premiere of Flight for Filmoria. I got to speak to Denzel Washington, director Robert Zemeckis and two of the producers as well as having a brief chat with Adam Deacon from all those British 'hood' movies. I also got to meet the From the Red Carpet guy Craig Stevens who used to present Brain Teaser, a daily quiz show I loved back in my student days!
Anyway for now, here's some pictures from the red carpet. There were some other non-film celebrities but I'm afraid I have no idea who they were. The picture quality is terrible due to the only camera I own being on my crappy Blackberry. Sorry!
My full premiere red carpet report is here at Filmoria with proper professional pictures, maybe some video and lots of interviews with the stars including Washington and Zemeckis! My review of the film will also be up at Filmoria soon.
Anyway for now, here's some pictures from the red carpet. There were some other non-film celebrities but I'm afraid I have no idea who they were. The picture quality is terrible due to the only camera I own being on my crappy Blackberry. Sorry!
My full premiere red carpet report is here at Filmoria with proper professional pictures, maybe some video and lots of interviews with the stars including Washington and Zemeckis! My review of the film will also be up at Filmoria soon.
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| Happy Denzel |
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| Thoughtful Denzel |
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| Lovely Jamelia |
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| Bob Zemeckis and Denzel in background |
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| From L-R: Denzel, Zemeckis, producers Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey |
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| Oliver Proudlock from Made in Chelsea |
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| No idea who this is |
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| The red carpet before take off |
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Interviews @ Filmoria
I have been doing most of my writing for Filmoria recently and this has given me all sorts of new and amazing opportunities. I now get sent to screenings and get sent DVD and Blu-ray screeners to view at home and review. It means that I've had to cut back massively on posts for I Love That Film but I hope that some of you may still follow the links over to Filmoria for the pieces that interest you!
Juggling writing for three websites, maintaining this here blog and continuing with part time teaching and PhD is getting hectic. At least I don't have kids yet! I'm desperately hoping to find a way to get paid for writing about film so that one day I can cut right down on the teaching!
Anyway today I thought I would share the interviews I have done for Filmoria over the past three months. I have to say interviewing these people has been one of the most nerve wracking parts of the job but also without a doubt the most exciting! It's fascinating talking to the people behind the films and I hope to get many more interviewing opportunities in the future.
It feels like I have had a great range of interview experiences so far. The first one was a roundtable interview that other film writers were present for. This was very daunting as everyone was more experienced than me and it was my first time even using a recorder. The second was at a gala screening and I was in a press pit fighting for the attention of celebrities with other journalists. The third one was face to face, just me and the director and was a piece of cake and finally I did an interview with Susan Blackwell over Skype. Next I hope to get the opportunity to conduct a video interview. That would be cool (and save me transcribing)!
So it has been a hugely interesting and exciting few months with a real range of opportunities. I'm really looking forward to getting the chance to tackle more interviews, though I was also quick to learn how long they take to transcribe!
For the time being, here are the Filmoria interviews so far:
Mathieu Kassovitz, director and star of Rebellion
Denzel Washington, Robert Zemeckis and the producers of Flight on the red carpet
The Baytown Outlaws Writer Griffin Hood
Untouchable Directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano Interview
Paranormal Activity 4 Gala Screening: Katie Featherston Interview
Hello Quo Director Alan G. Parker Interview
Margin Call Interview – Susan Blackwell Means Business
Who is the coolest person you have interviewed?
Juggling writing for three websites, maintaining this here blog and continuing with part time teaching and PhD is getting hectic. At least I don't have kids yet! I'm desperately hoping to find a way to get paid for writing about film so that one day I can cut right down on the teaching!
Anyway today I thought I would share the interviews I have done for Filmoria over the past three months. I have to say interviewing these people has been one of the most nerve wracking parts of the job but also without a doubt the most exciting! It's fascinating talking to the people behind the films and I hope to get many more interviewing opportunities in the future.
It feels like I have had a great range of interview experiences so far. The first one was a roundtable interview that other film writers were present for. This was very daunting as everyone was more experienced than me and it was my first time even using a recorder. The second was at a gala screening and I was in a press pit fighting for the attention of celebrities with other journalists. The third one was face to face, just me and the director and was a piece of cake and finally I did an interview with Susan Blackwell over Skype. Next I hope to get the opportunity to conduct a video interview. That would be cool (and save me transcribing)!
So it has been a hugely interesting and exciting few months with a real range of opportunities. I'm really looking forward to getting the chance to tackle more interviews, though I was also quick to learn how long they take to transcribe!
Mathieu Kassovitz, director and star of Rebellion
Denzel Washington, Robert Zemeckis and the producers of Flight on the red carpet
The Baytown Outlaws Writer Griffin Hood
Untouchable Directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano Interview
Paranormal Activity 4 Gala Screening: Katie Featherston Interview
Hello Quo Director Alan G. Parker Interview
Margin Call Interview – Susan Blackwell Means Business
Who is the coolest person you have interviewed?
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