Category Archives: British Movies

British Movies, Comedy Movies, Horror Movies

Shaun of the Dead Review – Just Not Engaging Enough!

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Movie: Shaun of the Dead

Director: Edgar Wright

Release Year: 2004

Country: Great Britain (UK)                                       

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Horror

Shaun of the Dead Review:

After reading so much about the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, I decided to watch it with Shaun of the Dead (the first movie of the trilogy). Contrary to its world-wide success and my expectation this turned out to be an utterly boring movie. In my review of Zombieland, I have mentioned the fact that I am not a guy who is into vampire/zombie movies. But as Shaun of the Dead has Simon Pegg in it I was kind of enticed to see it.

Storyline

Simon Pegg Shaun of The Dead
Even Simon Pegg Couldn’t Save Shaun of The Dead

Now coming to the storyline and other aspects of the movie. All I can is, it is not at all an engaging movie. The direction is quite good, special effects are great as they need to be in a zombie movie. Music was a little dull to my liking, but certainly not bad at all. The acting is actually commendable by all the actors. In fact, for me Nick Frost looked way better than Simon Pegg in Shaun of the Dead.

The most unimpressive part was the plot itself. Shaun is a guy in late 20s. He has a girlfriend and live with his friends in an apartment. His problem is his ‘’dull and low life’’. He is not at all happy with his profession of a salesman in an electronic shop. He actually ends up breaking with his girlfriend. She accuses him of being unsporty and being a loser. However , things change for Shaun when the city is plagued by a virus that is turning people into ‘flesh eating’ zombies.

The plot revolves around the story of how Shaun tries to help his family and girlfriend escape from zombies. Eventually, getting his girlfriend back.

MY VERDICT AND RATING:

Well , with all the leniency in my heart. I could only give 5/10 to Shaun of the Dead. You guys must be cursing me after seeing that this movie has some great reviews and ratings on Google. But , as I always say some movies are difficult to judge from their ratings. Shaun of the Dead is one such film. In my view, please avoid this one from the “Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy”.

British Movies, Comedy Movies, Sci-fi Movies

Absolutely Anything Movie Review

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Movie: Absolutely Anything

Releasing Year: 2015

Country of Origin: Britain

Languages: English (Main), Some Alien (Few Dialogues Only)

Genre: Sci-fi, Comedy

Absolutely Anything Movie Review & Plot:

Well I feel terribly sorry for Terry Jones for directing this film. Having said that, I didn’t mean that Absolutely Anything is a bad movie. But, this is not what we expect while knowing that it features some of the best actors of the industry. The film is based on a good “theme”, but to me it starts off well and then goes no where. Neil (Simon Pegg) is a teacher who lives a normal life, but his life suddenly takes a 360 degree change when he discovers that he is having a special power that allows him to do “Absolutely Anything” by just saying it and waving his hands. He is thrilled and excited with this new-found “power”, but the problem is that he is not sure about how and for what to use these special powers?

These special powers are nothing, but an “experimental gift” from some aliens. They claim to be the “higher beings” of the universe and are not sure about whether to destroy the earth or keep it as it is. They calls for the meeting of “Galactic Council”. And, it is decided that the council will choose a random ‘earthling’ and will bestowed on him/her the “galactic power”. This power will enable the earthling to do anything and if he/she chooses it for good purpose then the destruction of earth will be spared.

Neil gets into trouble when his love interest, Catherine’s (Kate Beckinsale) self-confessed boyfriend Grant (Rob Riggle) abducts him and tortures him to do what he wants him to do. Seeing no other option Neil complies to Grant’s wishes and does some terrible things to earth and its people. Somehow Catherine and Ray (Neil’s friend) saves him. But, Catherine stops talking to Neil knowing that it was he who forces her to love him. She is hurt as she believes love can only be done with heart not by force.

Absolutely Anything Review
Neil fails to commit suicide as his dog (Dennis) saves him…

Absolutely Anything ends when Neil tries to commit suicide (in which he fails too).  Neil then sits and talks to his dog Dennis (whom he had given the ability to talk) that he can do no good with these powers as no one loves him and he is lonely in this world.

Seeing his master sad Dennis suggests him an idea. That he should give his powers to Dennis. Neil does the same, but Dennis has other plans in his mind. Dennis makes a wish that the source of this power be destroyed forever and never come back. And, here he saves not only his master, but the Earth too. The Aliens are destroyed and Earth is now saved forever.

My Rating & Verdict of Absolutely Anything:

I have rated Absolutely Anything only 6/10 because of the weak plot and not too much comedy in it. The movie relies too much on the genius of Simon Pegg, and he as always delivers. But, the plot is not very well written and it lacks kind of “excitement” that you expect when the movie starts. Talking of the acting, I am really happy to see all the stars putting their heart into it. Kate Beckinsale is good as she is supposed to be. Sanjeev Bhaskar too is hilarious in pieces.

As per my advice to you guys, Absolutely Anything is not that much a bad movie. You can go for it, but please don’t have much expectations from it. It’s a kind of time pass one-time watch movie.

Stay-tuned for more reviews to come your way…!

British Movies, Drama Movies, Mystery Movies, Sci-fi Movies

Ex Machina – Movie Review

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Movie: Ex Machina

Year: 2015

Country of Origin: U.K (Great Britain)

Language: English

Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, Mystery

Ex Machina Movie Review:

I watched this film recently after reading a lot of positive things about it. And after that decided to write a review of it myself. Ex Machina is different kind of Sci-fi movie that has a lot of emotional touch in it. Normally in a Sci-fi movie we don’t expect much of emotions, but Ex Machina unlike the other science based movies has a large part of emotional touch in it. Talking of the characters and the screenplay as well as music, one has to give full marks to the director Alex Garland. He has really done a wonderful job in his debut project. Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury have composed one of the best tracks I have noticed in many years for this movie. The music gives you a very natural thrilling feeling about this film. The special effects too are just awesome especially the way Alicia’s character AVA has been portrayed is just a delight to watch. Coming to the plot of Ex Machina, Caleb is an intelligent programmer in a big software company. He wins a one week visit to his CEO’s (Nathan) home in a secluded area. Soon after reaching Nathan’s place Caleb comes to learn that he has been “deliberately” chosen from so many people in the company. He is there to check the AI (Artificial Intelligence) of AVA (a humanoid  robot) created by Nathan himself. During his many sessions with AVA (Alicia Vikander) Caleb feels a sense of strong attraction towards her as if she is a real woman and she too shows him her affection towards him. Sensing Nathan’s ill intention of “destroying” AVA soon, Caleb decides to take her away from that place. But, he can’t do this alone he needs help for this and he asks AVA to collaborate with him for which she agrees.

The major twist comes in the film when Nathan reveals to Caleb that he already know of his plans. And he was keeping a close eye on Caleb and AVA’s conversation even when it happened in “electricity” failures which were orchestrated by AVA herself.. Upon hearing this from Nathan, Caleb reveals to him that he too figured it out that they are being watched in power cuts so he has already done what it takes to give AVA a chance to go out of this place. In the end, the biggest and most “shocking” twist of the film comes where AVA after killing Nathan leaves Caleb locked in a room and goes out to “explore the human world”. Ex Machina ends here… All we can figure out is that AVA was much “smarter” than anyone would have thought her to be.

Ex Machina Characters To Watch Out:

Alicia Vikander as AVA: Alicia’s acting potentials are known all over the world now especially when she has received awards recently. In Ex Machina too Alicia is given her best her body language and acting are absolutely critical to the movie. Without her the movie s nothing. She is the USP of this film.

Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb Smith: He has really given an intense and great to watch performance as Caleb.His sessions with AVA are wonderful to watch, Domhnall has very well portrayed the character of Caleb.

Ex Machina Rating & Verdict:

I rated Ex machina 7/10, because of the high quality acting and some awesome background score. The story is good enough to keep you engaged throughout the film. If you love Sci-fi movies and have interest in watching movies based on robots then Ex Machina is a must for you. And for those who are not into that Sci-fi thing I will recommend to stay away from this movie as it is very slow and quite “not easy” to understand. Even I saw few scenes many times to understand them completely. But, as a cinema lover my general view is this that everyone should watch Ex Machina at least once. I am sure you will not feel regret after watching this film.

See the Ex Machina trailer to decide for yourself Whether to watch this movie or drop it…

 

Image Credit: tmdb.org