Scott Bowker's Film Reviews
The Simpsons Movie
Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright & Yeardley Smith - 2007
Taking a big step trying to turn a very very successful cartoon series into a film. Many have tried and failed
but The Simpsons did succeed. I did expect a lot more than what we got but it was still for me a
success. It's amazing how over the years Bart (played by Nancy Cartwright) has not been fazed out but
has taken a back seat to Homer (played by Dan Castellaneta of The Pursuit of Happyness) and once again the
film was predominently about Homer. There was a good storyline behind the film and it was probably for a
cartoon movie about the right length being just under an hour and a half. In a film like this you can't really
praise the actors but you can praise the writers and the artists as it was very well thought out and
very well produced. The actors obviously did their jobs well and did the film proud.
IMDb Rating: 8.2 out of 10
I would give this film: 7.5 out of 10 (was well produced and had a good story but wasn't an award winner for me)
28 Weeks Later
Starring: Robert Carlyle & Rose Byrne - 2007
The sequel to 28 days later, in two minds about this one, on one hand it was good in the sense of the
twists but on the other hand I found myself laughing at some parts of it and I'm pretty sure it
wasn't meant to be seen as that. I thought that Robert Carlyle's (The Full Monty & Trainspotting) performance was convincing but
have to say I do prefer him more of a talking role as he is one of my favourite British actors
and has more of a presence in films such as The Full Monty and even The World is Not Enough. But don't
let this take away the fact that I did enjoy the film, I think that it succeeded as a sequel where some sequels don't
have a positive affect on some people. I think that Rose Byrne (Casanova & Sunshine) played an
ok part in the film, she seemed a bit wooden to me at times and a bit out of place on occassions. She
did sometimes show why she was included in such a big film but for me didn't set the world alight.
Even though I wasn't bowled over by the film I would still recommend it for others to watch but
would warn don't expect great things.
IMDb Rating: 7.5 out of 10
I would give the film: 6 out of 10 (watch it if you can but don't worry if you miss it)
The Prestige
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine & Scarlett Johansson - 2006
Probably the best film I've seen all year. I thought the storyline was fantastic the twists and turns
were going from start to finish and the acting from Hugh Jackman (Swordfish & X-Men) and Christian
Bale (Batman Begins & Harsh Times) was great. Michael Caine (The Italian Job & Children of Men)
played his usual role of the calm man in control and Scarlett Johansson played a convincing yet devious
girlfriend. Thinking back over the film I can't think of anything I didn't like, you had the rivalry
between 2 top Hollywood actors, the presence of a British acting legend and an attractive female. What
more could you ask for in a film. It was a bit long but too be honest if you do watch it you
most probably won't want it to end anyway.
IMDb Rating: 8.4 out of 10
I would give the film: 9.5 out of 10 (Nothing's perfect but it is a must see, no excuses)
Disturbia
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Sarah Roemer, Carrie-Anne Moss & David Morse - 2007
Good!! This film came highly recommended to me by people that love films and have very similar taste
to me, however on this occassion I wasn't blown away. I thought the plot was ok but a bit to predictable
for my liking. Shia LaBeouf (Transformers & Bobby) played yet again a very good role and is said to be
fast becoming one of Hollywoods top actors. This I agree with he played a very good role in the film
Bobby had a small but effective role in I,Robot. Again this time no disappointments. His girlfriend in
the film played by Sarah Roemer (The Grudge 2)was good although I don't think enough thought went into her character
given the circumstances I think people would react differently to situations(the joys of Hollywood).
David Morse (16 Blocks & The Long Kiss Goodnight) played yet again another great role. His quiet yet strong and dominant character reminds
of his role in the Green Mile, and for me pulled the film back from tipping the wrong side of good.
Although I wasn't as happy as some of my friends I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of 2 hours,
it still had good acting, a good story although somewhat a bit predictable and is I believe one of those
films you'll enjoy more the second time.
IMDb Rating: 7.3 out of 10
I would give the film: 7 out of 10 (Not an Oscar winner but is a must see)
Live Free or Die Hard
Starring: The One & Only Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant & Justin Long - 2007
Unbelievable! Was it the best one I don't know but it's up there. When a film goes on for so long
it's hard to keep the quality throughout, look at Rocky. Probably should have finished after number
4 (which in my opinion was the best one) but didn't you got number 5 which to me doesn't exist and
now number 6 which again has redeemed the Rocky series. For me this was exactly the same as Die Hard 4.
The first probably without to much hesitation is the best, number 2 vaguely remember and number 3 don't
remember at all. But now this has come along and again redeemed the Die Hard Series. Of course at times
it was a bit cringey but that's what Die Hard is about. Bruce Willis getting on a bit did a cracking
job and for me didn't look his age of 52. Timothy Olyphant (Gone In Sixty Seconds & Scream 2)
who play's the baddy made a great impact on this film and unlike other baddies didn't shirk and kept
up a convincing role to the end. Justin Long (Jeepers Creepers & Dodgeball) played what I can only describe
as "his" role. The on the edge always worried yet always cocky kid that turns out to be a huge impact on
the film that he's starring in. He played a role that kids only dream about, Bruce Willis' right hand
man in a Die Hard film and he did a fantastic job. Quickly becoming very recognisable in the movie
business.
IMDb Rating: 7.9 out of 10
I would give the film: 8 out of 10 (Excellent film definitely a must see if you like any of the Die Hard's
only let down by a couple of very extreme parts and if you watch it you'll know what I mean)
The Pursuit of Happyness
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith & Thandie Newton - 2006
Based on a true story which to be honest always get's me engrossed in a film and this definitely did
not disappoint. I like Will Smith (I,Robot & Bad Boys) from his Fresh Prince days all the way up to the
present day. He has played some fantastic roles and remains one of my top 10 actors of all time. He grasps
this role with both hands and the person that he's playing should be very proud and of course thankful for
the perception that he put on him. It was one of those films that make's you feel involved and part of his life
as most true stories try to do but only few succeed in. With his real life son playing his on screen son the
chemistry was naturally there and added to the realistic mood the film took. His son at only 9 years
old shows great promise, probably the best way to brought into movies starring along side your dad, and with Will
Smith as a dad he's got a great future ahead of him. Thandie Newton (Crash & Mission Impossible II)
who play's Will Smith's wife in the film had a difficult role to play and she really did it justice, playing a
wife struggling to come to terms with the fact her husband is doing a job that earns them no money and they're
struggling to pay bills her character is unfortunately short lived. But for what she did in the film, she had a great
impact. I would put this up along side one of the best films I've watched this year. For storyline definitely in the
top 3 and for acting probably number one.
IMDb Rating: 7.7 out of 10
I would give this film: 9 out of 10 (Fantastic film definitely have to buy or rent this and you'll feel the story)
The Illusionist
Starring: Ed Norton, Paul Giamatti & Jessica Biel - 2006
Very similar to the prestige and was released around the same time. For me does come a very close second to
The Prestige. The story of an illusionists childhood sweetheart being torn away from him only to be
reunited after years and finding she is like forbidden fruit, and trying to find a way of getting her back.
A sort of (and I emphasize "sort of") a Romeo and Juliet twist at the end which you don't see coming.
Ed Norton (Fight Club & Red Dragon) plays a great lead role and really looks the part aswell. Paul Giamatti
(Lady in the Water & Big Momma's House) finally get's a good role to play. He plays the sceptical yet open
minded police officer investigating Ed Norton and finds himself torn between fact and fiction. He has never had
the chance to play a more prominent role in a film other than from memory Lady in the Water which he had the misfortune
of playing the lead in(enough said), and although not playing the lead role in this film he definitely had a more
prominent role in this hit.
Jessica Biel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 2003 & Blade: Trinity) plays Ed Norton's love interest and although
is seen as one of the main characters didn't really have the impact you would hope for. I think that she was told before
hand to just go out on set and look pretty and be controlled by the men. Obviously from a history point of view the film
is set back in the 1800's and women did take a back seat but for a film point of view she could have had more of an impact on the
screen.
IMDb Rating: 7.7 out of 10
I would give this film: 8 out of 10 (Great film but eclipsed by The Prestige)
Fracture
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling & David Strathairn - 2007
Saw some very good reviews of this film before I watched it and was expecting a lot. To be honest I got a lot aswell.
Thought the story line was excellent, the twists and turns were well thought out and it was in general just a very clever film.
You come to expect a lot when you see the name Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs & Legend of the Fall) in the cast list and
as always he didn't disappoint. He underlined the reason why he is one of the best actor's of our time. He played an excellent role,
as a clever and rich businessman who makes Ryan Gosling's (Remember the Titans & The Notebook) life a misery. I was a bit surprised
to see him playing the lead in this film. He played mediocre roles in his other films, but he did ok in this one. It wasn't an oscar winning
performance but he did ok. Could have done with a more commanding figure in this role. David Strathairn (The Firm & Sneakers) played Ryan
Gosling's boss in the film and fit in comfortably in the background like he normally does. He is one actor I would like to see take
a more prominent role in a film. But as far as the film itself goes, it was great. Anthony Hopkins made it what it was and it is a definite
must see in my opinion.
IMDb Rating: 7.1 out of 10
I would give this film 8.5 out of 10 (Very good film another fantastic performance by Anthony Hopkins)
Transformers
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel & Jon Voight - 2007
When I heard that they were bringing out a film version of Transformers I thought, how the hell are they going to do that? But I tell you
what it was brilliant. I finished watching it and I wanted to go home and watch the kids show. Yeah of course it was corny but it's a kids show about
robots that's been turned into a film. What more can you ask for?
When you're a young actor in Hollywood trying to break through to become a big name, you dream of having a hit film in a year but for Shia
LaBeouf (Disturbia & Bobby) it's number 2 this year and in veyr quick succession. With the imminent arrival in the UK of Disturbia he's going to be
battling himself for the number spot at the box office. His love interest in the film Megan Fox(Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen & Holiday in the Sun)
played a good, yet very predictable part as she leaves her jock boyfriend and goes off with him, but don't be surprised if you see a lot more of
her on your screens in the future. Jon Voight(Mission Impossible & Enemy of the State) played the Defence Secretary and could have been a bit more commanding
in my opinion but was eclipsed really by OPTIMUS PRIME!!!
Really excited to see it being made into a film and wasn't disappointed at all. Bit cheesy in places but very good.
IMDb Rating: 7.8 out of 10
I would give this film 8 out of 10 (Didn't know what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed it)
Mr Brooks
Starring: Kevin Costner, Demi Moore & William Hurt - 2007
Was said to be Kevin Costner's (The Bodyguard & Robin Hood Prince of Thieves) best ever performance. Not for me! Although close! Nice to see him playing a different
role compared to all his usual characters. He really took this role by the scruff of it's neck and made it great. The story was really interesting and well thought out.
It was an edge of the seat kind of film and it kept you thinking all the way through, how he was actually going to get out of the situation. The film is proof though that 2
minds are better than one. His alter ego played by William Hurt (Michael & Syriana), was an excellent addition. He had that dark side that was needed to pull the film off.
She's been away for a long time and it was nice to see an appearance from Demi Moore (Ghost & Striptease) who played the police officer who was trying to track him down.
She had a very interesting story behind her in the film and it really kept the storyline alive. Rather than your usual cop tracks down killer end of film. Other things were
going on in her life that intrigued Kevin Costner's character and kept the movie rolling.
Would love to see Kevin Costner play a similar role again and as for this film excellent. Well done to the writers for their creative thinking and well done to the cast
for pulling it off.
IMDb Rating: 7.8 out of 10
I would give this film 8.5 out of 10 (Nice to see Kevin Costner do something different and he did it well)
NEXT
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore & Jessica Biel - 2007
Got to the end of this film and my first words were, \"bloody good film\". I thought the story behind this one was brilliant. Couldn't fault it at all, was a bit cheesy and far
fetched in places but when you've got someone who can see into the future what do you expect. Nicolas Cage (Gone in 60 Seconds & Con-Air) was excellent. The casting people
decided on the perfect person to play the role. He played his very normal dry character and really captured the imagination of viewers. His love interest in the film Jessica Biel (The Illusionist & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
did well it was another accomplished performance by her after her performance in the Illusionist. She looked the part if not a bit young for Nicolas Cage!! But she played the role
excellently. Julianne Moore (Children of Men & Hannibal) was another good bit of casting, playing the woman in charge of working out Cage's talent. She again looked the part and seemed to fit very comfortably into
the role. I think over all the film was very well thought out with a few very good twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Other than the few far fetched parts it was very very good.
IMDb Rating: 6.2 out of 10
I would give this film 8.5 out of 10 (Better than IMDb thought definitely. Well thought out and a must see)
Breach
Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillipe & Laura Linney - 2007
I love true stories and this one was really good. About the biggest case of corruption ever in the USA, the film really captured my imagination and made me think how against the most powerful country in the world this was possible.
Chris Cooper (American Beauty & The Bourne Trilogy) was excellent in this one. Playing a very difficult role of a man who has lied his way through life for over 20 years. Was the perfect man for the job. He added that scary look he possesses
with that sombre look that makes you feel quite sorry for him. Which in this film worked very well. a man that everyone should hate was portrayed at times as quite a nice man who actually had it quite hard, which added to the cleverness of the film.
It's surprising but with most true stories there are some that just aren't true. Check out this website if you want to see what I mean. Chasing The Frog
This film however was pretty much spot on.
IMDb Rating: 7.3 out of 10
I would give this film 9 out of 10 (Love true stories and this was no exception)
The Condemned
Starring: Steve Austin & Vinnie Jones - 2007
There's always something about a film with a wrestler in. You just know that it's gonna be really corny, but you also know that you're gonna love it. When I looked this one up before I watched it I thought that looks a bit controversial. The fact
that 10 people on death row are thrust onto an island to fight to the death and for the right to be set free, is somewhat disturbing and to be honest some of the visuals of the film were very graphic.
But it just added to the enjoyment of the film. Steve Austin (AKA Stone Cold Steve Austin of the WWE) looked natural. As opposed to some other performances from wrestlers like the unforgettable Suburban Commando Hulk Hogan which I cringed through all the way
to the end. He actually did really well and I suppose performing in front of millions in a ring rubs off onto the big screen which was very nice to see. Vinnie Jones (Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels & Snatch) was great, played his normal cocky, hard Englishman
and for a change had a more commanding role which was nice to see as he did really well and looked very natural on screen when confronted with a more demanding role. Apart from the acting the film was really enjoyable but I do have to say it wont be winning any awards
in the near future.
IMDb Rating: 6.0 out of 10
I would give this film 7 out of 10 (Very far fetched and a bit of a sick idea but a good film that is worth a watch)
The Contract
Starring: Morgan Freeman & John Cusack - 2006
For a Morgan Freeman (Bruce Almighty & Deep Impact) film I wasn't blown away and thought that it wasn't a great storyline to be honest. Think the character that Freeman was playing could have been made into a really
exciting character if the a bit more effort was put into the writing. I wouldn't take anything away from his performance because he is Morgan Freeman and he has been in some great films and played some very impressive performances. But I think that he was let down by
a bad story this time. His co-star John Cusack (Grosse Pointe Blank & Pushing Tin) didn't play to bad a part, his story and background was better but not great. The film is watchable, the story is made up for by the actors in the film. They are good actors and turned
around the disappointment of the film not being very good. It's not been my favourite film of the year by a long way but if you are a true Morgan Freeman or John Cusack film or you've just got nothing better to do then it's definitely worth a watch. But I would say
don't go breaking your back trying to rent or buy this one.
IMDb Rating: 5.6 out of 10
I would give this film 6 out of 10 (Not the best Morgan Freeman film but worked well with John Cusack)
Vacancy
Starring: Luke Wilson & Kate Beckinsale - 2007
Heard some very mixed reviews on this film. Some people saying that it's a must see with a sense of The Hostel in it and others saying that it was awful. Now I'm going to have to sit on the fence with this one. I'll admit I wasn't blown away by it but it wasn't
the worst film I've ever seen. It was however for me a bit to similar to most other films where the stars breakdown in their car end up staying in some dodgy looking motel and nearly get killed. Same old story!! Even though I say that I still think that if you've got an hour
and a half spare give it a look. It's not a long film and it's got 2 good actors in it. Luke Wilson (My Super Ex-Girlfriend & Anchorman) did well, he had some good chemistry with his co star Kate Beckinsale (Click & The Aviator) and the 2 of them did a good job with an ok film.
IMDb Rating: 6.5 out of 10
I would give this film 6.5 out of 10 (If you've got some spare time give it a watch but it's similar to many other films)
Perfect Stranger
Starring: Halle Berry, Bruce Willis & Giovanni Ribisi - 2007
I did really enjoy this film, I heard some really good reviews before I watched it aswell. The cast were excellent, you had Halle Berry (Swordfish & X-Men) a very career minded female who was digging deep for the truth behind a stint of murders and Bruce Willis (Die Hard & The Last Boyscout) trying to defend his name.
It's not often though that you get 3 good actors in a film and to also have Giovanni Ribisi (Friends & Gone in 60 Seconds) in it was a real treat. I've always like him from his Friends days and this film was no exception. He played an excellent part alongside the other 2 and kept you interested throughout.
The best part about the film was how it kept you guessing all the way through, the only bad thing for me was you couldn't have guessed the ending. Usually you know it's going to finish one of a few ways, this one though not a chance and if you do or did then WELL DONE!!!
IMDb Rating: 5.3 out of 10
I would give this film 8 out of 10 (Very good film but the twist was too good)