HALLOWEEN 2 (Directed by Rob Zombie 2009)

I wish this film had been bad in the way Zombie Lake was bad but alas, it's just abysmal in every way. I know I'm a bit late getting round to seeing this but while I was slightly ashamed to admit that I enjoyed Rob Zombie's first take on the Halloween franchise, I'm a bit embarrassed to even say I sat through this one! This film seems to consist of terribly executed scenes of unexplained flashbacks and dream sequences that appear to serve only as an excuse to have Zombie's wife Sheri Moon in the film a bit more. As with the first installment I found the use of Danielle Harris (who was a very young child in the original Halloween's 4 and 5)very strange. Not because I was used to seeing her as a kid, but because I wasn't used to seeing her running around topless, covered in blood. Sorry, but having been a fan of the early films these scenes leave a bad taste in the mouth and just don't sit well in the tradition of the original Halloween films. The violence in this film isn't interesting or original either, and unlike the over the top, comic book bloodshed and mayhem that soaked his previous films, here, it's just boring.
One redeeming feature (and the same can be said for all his films) is the cinematography and colour schemes are incredible, but this time, the film can't even be saved by his usually interesting retro rock n roll soundtrack, Even that falls flat. Sorry but it's really a struggle trying to find anything to recommend this. (even the usual dvd extras don't cut it)
Please don't give us a third film Mr.Zombie.

KICK ASS (Directed By Matthem Vaughn-2010)

Unlike the majority of watered down, CGI reliant big budget attempts at superhero remakes it's truly refreshing to see a film as unapologetic in its portrayal of in- your-face, no nonsense violence and hilariously overblown excitement. To start off with, it may seem that the basic storyline of Kick Ass isn't THAT original. But that's almost the point. Remember when American Pie first hit our cinema screens? Well, in a similar way, this film seems to be here purely to show you how a film of this genre should be done! The script is spot on, the usual teen humor is endearing (in a Superbad sort of way), the cinematography is almost too much to take in on first view and the characters are truly Hilarious throughout. Even the Bad guys.
Kick Ass is really something else though. It's a one off example of everything you would expect it to be and so much more. It was so refreshing to see Nicholas Cage going back to this style of stupidity I laughed pretty much every time he opened his mouth and his gun obsessed foul mouthed relationship with his 11 year old daughter Mindy (played incredibly well by Chloe Moretz) really defies words. The the two of them, as you will know by now, lead a double life as superheros Hit Girl and Big Daddy and it's not often scenes of bloodshed and carnage can leave the viewing laughing at the almost charmingly sincere respect they have for each other. One particularly intense scene involving Hit Girl reminded me a great deal of the infamously brutal 70's Swedish cult classic Thriller:A cruel picture.
One of the most effortlessly affective aspects of Kick Ass is it's ability to combine teen loser comedy with a full on visual assault of violence and superhero fantasy, and all at the same time as capturing an almost elegant sense of style and freshness in it's colour schemes and set pieces.
Top marks also have to go to 19 year old Aaron Johnson as David/Kick Ass and Superbad's truly charismatic Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Red Mist who hopefully we are going to be seeing more of in the near future.
Kick Ass really is a must see. Its hyperactive fun to the extreme and leaves you literally gagging for more. Thankfully judging by the closing scene, it may not be too long before Part 2.

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS (Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa 2009)

I had my doubts about this film but boy was I wrong! I'm not going to say much about this as it really does need to be seen to be understood on any level as it's one seriously demented piece of cinema. And a hugely entertaining and hilarious one at that! If neither Ewan McGregor or Jim Carey get Oscars for this I would be very surprised as both of them give career defining performances. This is one strange and highly entertaining film!

SHUTTER ISLAND (Directed by Martin Scorsese 2010)

The trailer for this film gave the impression of it being a spooky psychological horror film, however it's not particularly scary or shocking. Nor is it really a classic. Ben Kingsley is the standout character in the film, and a surprisingly powerful performance from DiCaprio has finally convinced me that he is slowly becoming Jack Nicholson. With a superbly dynamic cinematographic opening sequence and the interesting use of Max Von Sydow and Michelle Williams in small but memorable roles, I found Shutter Island to be an enjoyable and interesting hour and a half but I can't say it begs to be watched again any time soon, though revisiting it may give away a few more clues to the twist ending, which, suprisingly I didn't actually see coming!