Short Reviews #36

Knowing (2009)
star star_half star_empty

Stupidest movie of the year? Of the last five years? Knowing could be it. What is most surprising about this cataclysmic disaster of a movie is that it’s directed by Alex Proyas who made two films I admire greatly to this day – The Crow and Dark City. So why has he stumbled so badly here? Well his direction for one since he gets terrible performances from the entire cast. Nicholas Cage continues to sleep-walk through his roles of late. I mean what happened to the guy who gave us great performances in Leaving Las Vegas and even Adaptation? With a director who knows how to utilize his actors, Cage can do well. Rose Byrne gets the most unintentionally hilarious line in the movie, actually the most unconvincing role in the film. So is there a saving grace to the movie? Well definitely the visual effects, especially during the plane crash sequence (although I half expected a ‘Previously on Lost’ voiceover) but we all know you can’t rely on visual effects to nail a decent film. This attempt at a hybrid of genres is a total mess and even when it hits the sci-fi realm it’s hokey and ridiculous beyond belief. Yes Mr Cage, get down on your knees and pray you awaken from the string of terrible performances of late. Surely you can’t be THAT poor!?

Sunday, March 29 2009

Film Review

Flight Of The Conchords Gran Torino Knowing Rachel Getting Married The Omen

Doves, Röyksopp and Silversun Pickups

All delivering excellent new albums this year. Lots of sounds on their official Myspace pages.

Sunday, March 29 2009

Asides, Music General

doves Röyksopp Silversun Pickups

Ricky and Steve for Comic Relief 2009

More Gervais coverage here at Hoovy Headquarters. I’ve been enjoying their new audiobooks Ricky Gervais Guide To… series (often laughing out loud at 8am on public transport) and found this video that popped up on the Gervais podcast. Fans of the original Office series and Ricky and Steve will love it.