The Great Debaters

'The great debaters' is a film directed by and staring Denzel Washington as college proffesor Melvin B Tolson at Wiley college texas in 1935, who encourages his students to form a debate team that then goes on to compete against the harvard debate team, and of course, wins. This film is based on a true story.

I must admit I was excited about this film, I always like to see Denzel Washington doing his stuff, sadly I don't think directing is 'his stuff'. The film starts off promisingly with the formation of the dabate group at wiley college, but soon after kind of goes down a tried and tested path for each character, and not well I might add. There is never any real doubt that they will be succesful and there is never really anything major that prevents their success. With a few pointless asides here and there the characters finally pull it together.

Certainly there are a few good debates by each of the main characters in this film, but really it's not enough to hold up the entire film, which it should be, bearing in mind debating is the main focus, oh, and of course with the backdrop of the civil rights movement for black people; and I do mean backdrop, because it seems as if the backdrop is only used in much the same way as lemon is used to 'slightly' flavour water.

The best part of this film was the ending, and I'm not being sarcastic, I mean at the end of this film, titles come up to tell you what each member went on to do with their lives after, for me, that was the most interesting part of the whole film. The character who plays the weakest debater of the group of course is the one to finally takes part in debating the harvard students. Sadly, although perhaps the character develops, his delivery of what should be a moving speech is almost anything but moving, and anything but convincing as a debate, with reference to a lynching the group happened upon conveniently during the earlier part of the film.

Another annoying aspect of this film is the way the 'moving' orchesteral music comes in at various points that dont really seem moving at all, like trying to make an ugly girl look pretty by applying more and more make up. After the first twenty to thirty minutes I found myself just not caring about the characters or whether they would overcome their mostly meaningless difficulties, surley Denzel could have done better.

All in all this movie was just ok, it shouldn't have been, it should have been great. Forrest whitaker also has a part in this film, hopefully next time he will choose his roles more wisely. I expect a lot more from a film about the civil rights movement than this film delivers. Something of a disappointment to be sure. Why this movie was nominated for a Golden Globe is as much of a mystery to me as why Denzel Washington makes a hash of this film. Don't waste your time on this movie when you could be watching 'The color Purple' again. A far more meaningful and well developed film than this film can ever hope to be.

A dissapointing 5 out of 10 for this film.

Super Bad

'SuperBad', is a film written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the producers of '40 year old virgin' when they were 13, and then changed, improved until the present day script. The story follows two teenage boys Seth(Jonah Hill) and Evan(Michael Cera) about to leave highschool and embark on their college life.

As most teen American movies, the plot is simple, two teenage boys are invited to a party but have to bring alcohol, and of course, there is a girl....well two in fact. The whole of this film follows their exploits trying to get to the party. It's a plot we've all seen before but with variations but usually the same deal, the odd cheap laugh and the odd sex joke etc. BUT, this film is a bit special in the genre. The script for this film is dynamite, hilarious, absolutely hilarious. And what is also of note is the way the two lead actors play off each other so well, one being over the top and the other much more subtle but no less funny. If you liked Michael Cera in 'Arrested Development' you will love him in this.

Also worth mentioning is the characters mutual friend who also plays a big part in this film, fogell, played by unknown Cristopher Mintz-Plasse. The character Fogell is set to get a fake ID, and in his infinate wisdom, gets the name McLovin' printed on it, no first name, just McLovin! Obviously this sets the movie up for a lot of gags. When first seeing this character I had the same feeling as when I first watched Napolean Dynamite ie. is this guy just like this in real life? Fogell is truly a funny character in his own right and not just another character for the two leads to bounce off.

I have to say I have'nt seen a film this funny in a long time, and it's not just my jeuvenille sense of humour, I dare anyone not to find this movie funny. It's very seldom I will laugh outloud more than once or twice during a comedy, but this had me going all the way through. Don't miss this film, this is set to go down as a classic in the 'coming of age' teens genre.

No question about it 10 out of 10 in the hilarity stakes.

Apocalypto

Apocalypto is a film directed and produced by Mel Gibson. Set during the last days of the reign of the Aztecs in South America, Apocalypto tells the story of a small jungle tribe captured by the Aztecs for human Sacrifice to the sun God. The Main character 'Jaguar Paw'(Rudy Youngblood)escapes and tries to return to his pregnant wife and child all the while being persued.

This film is completely in subtitles, but, don't be put off. This film will grip you until the very end, and it is a long film, but really, you won't notice it. Rudy Youngblood puts in a fine performance as the scared 'Jaguars Paw' until three quarters of the way through he becomes transformed by his obssesion to return to his wife stuck in a deep chasm.

I must say, I 'did' expect this film to be good, usually that would mean I would come away feeling disappointed; but this film really exceeded my expectations. Mel Gibson creates emotion, tension and action finely balanced to create a truly outstanding film. From begining to end I was enthrawled. His fine use of symbology was also very poinient

Three quarters of the way through I was happy to give this film nine out of ten but by the end this was definately an unexagerrated ten out of ten. This is what film making is all about. All you budding film makers look out for the breathtaking uncut shot from the waterfall, a truly amazing and difficult shot to create. This film was shot entirely on digital stock, I've never been a fan of digital films but I have to say after this film my viewpoint has changed. Don't miss this film.

Catch A Fire

'Catch A Fire' is a film set in 1980's South Africa during apharthaid. The film is a true story of one Patrick Chamusso, played by Derek Luke. Starring opposite is the ever impressive Tim Robbins as police colonel Nic Vos.

'Catch A Fire' basically follows the change in Patrick Chamusso from apolitical family man to A.N.C terrorist/freedom fighter(depending on your point of view)to the abolition of Aparthaid in South Africa.

Frankly I was a little disapointed with this film; the subject of Aparthaid is indeed a weighty one, a subject which requires something more indepth than this film delivers. All credit to Tim Robbins and his South African accent though, he only loses it once in an emotional scene after his daughter has shot a black terrorist attempting to enter their house. This film tries to draw a comparrison between the white family of Nic Vos and Patrick Chamusso, living different sides of the social strata, essentially South Africa and Aparthaid are merely a backdrop for this tired formula Hollywood film.

'Catch A fire' is not a bad film, but it's not a great film either, and perhaps dealing with this kind of subject it should be. It certainly doesn't deal with all the gritty details of the time, for example it shys away from directly stating that Patrick Chamussos' wife was raped by the police; still as I said, it is essentially a biopic and not a serious attempt at properly dealing with the history of Aparthaid and South Africa.

I wouldn't give this film more than a seven out of ten, bit of a disappointment, needed much more depth and history related to Robin's character and the A.N.C. Formulaic and weak, but not a bad film, watch it once, but don't waste your time twice. The money would have been better spent making a film about Nelson Mandella.

The Hades Factor

'The Hades Factor' is is a film adaptation of Robert Ludlum's books, the other film being the successful 'Bourne Identity'. Originally this was a two part TV special. Now released on DVD the film stars Stephen Dorff as an ex-secret agent turned doctor and Mira Sorvino as a rogue agent. Blair underwood also stars as does Anjelica Huston as the Presidents of the United States.

Bearing in mind how much I had enjoyed the film 'bourne identity' I was eagerly anticipating this one. How very disappointed I was.

This film is two hours and forty three minutes long, why, I'll never know. I could barely sustain my interest past an hour. This film is poorly cast, Stephen Dorf retains his stubble and leather blazer and is possibly the most unconvincing doctor in the history of film, not that he tries to be convincing mind you.

This film is set in various countries, France, Afgahnistan and the U.S.A which only makes it more laughable in places. For example as Dorff is trying to track down a former soldier that has gone A.W.O.L with information about bio-terrorist activities in the remote afghan mountains, Mira sorvino turns up out of the blue to save the day, complete with a headscarf and bright red lipstick, not exactly how one might look after spending time in the desert.

The direction in this film is pretty bad; a terrorist trying to plant a bio-bomb searches a 'brightly lit' basement with a torch, WHY? The most stupid part is when a soldiers wife and children, who have been exposed to the deadly virus, speak to dorff through a quarantined rooms glass window, with a space for air and sound to pass through.

Stay away from this film if you can, use your two hours plus on something more useful, like cutting your toenails or something. really a disappointment. A 'B-Cast' in a 'B-movie' , save your money.