Wade's Word is back and giving you the ins and outs of Kick Ass 2

Kick Ass 2

Where do I begin with this! Undoubtedly a good laugh as some of the things you see just seem absurd. The film manages to goofy up comic book superheroes and cut down how serious and heavy some of those films are, just as the first Kick Ass did. I mean what super villain is called the 'Mother Fucker!'  The film carries on three years from the first Kick Ass and not too much has changed. Mindy Macready aka hit girl is carrying on from where she left off, a  15 year old girl battering drug dealers. Despite her heroic actions, her adoptive father Marcus wants her to sheath the double ended up blade. On the other hand Dave Lizewski aka Kick Ass can't seem to be able to live a normal life after jet packing up a sky scraper and shooting a drug lord with a bazooka! So he teams up with Justice-Forever, lead by the brilliant Colonel Stars and Stripes, played by an enigmatic Jim Carey.

The whole idea of Kick Ass 2 I feel was to escalate the first one, there are far more self righteous vigilantes who just want to do good and make a difference, as there are more hilarious over the top bad guys! Christopher Mintz-Plasse manages to bring a nerdy Mclovin style of performance, as you get the feeling he's not really cut out for it at the beginning still living with 'Mommy' however, as the film progresses, Mintz-Plasse becomes more obsessively evil.

The film is refreshingly different and although it's a little bit controversial, it has stayed true to the original comic books it was based on. Some of the scenes are purely golden and the really did have me in stitches. Despite Kick Ass 2 not quite living up to the brilliance of the first one, it's still a very watchable film!

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Jeff Wadlow     Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Iain Glen, Jim Carrey, Lyndsy Fonseca, Morris Chestnut

Argo

Ben Afflecks first real film as a rookie director has seen his stock in Hollywood rise massively! After directing the Town (Which was horrific) he has made a smart, classy stylish movie and despite casting himself as the main character he hardly sets it up to make himself look good. Argo is a fantastic film, with some real nail biting moments that keep you from sitting still with tension!

The story of Argo is about an unorthodox CIA agent named Tony Mendez, who helps Americans vacate hostile foreign countries using all sorts of elaborate schemes. The film itself is based on Mendez own testimony, however, as with all spy films based on true events, it comes with a pinch of salt. The story itself is so unbelievable and compelling. It is an intriguing piece of declassified secret history about a CIA sponsored bogus film.

In 1979 six American officials managed to escaped the US embassy in Tehran (Iran) just before it was overrun by an Iranian mob! The Iranian's were angry as their former Shah and dictator who ran the country with an iron fist, had been given residence in the US. The six officials who managed to escape, take safety in the Canadian ambassadors home, where they are constantly on edge and can't leave the house. The CIA are set the task of getting them out!

Mendez manages to persuade his colleges to embark on a crazy scheme in which the CIA bankroll a fake Sci-fi movie called Argo. The idea behind this, being to take six Canadian passports and then pass the US officials off as a film crew scouting out possible movie locations for the film Argo. Mendez makes it look impossibly real, by getting a Hollywood producer (Alan Arkin) in on the act as well as a makeup technician (John Goodman.) He also makes them stage a fake script reading in an LA hotel. What Mendez essentially does is what a real producer would do in Hollywood despite the fact that that the movie is never going to be made. But that's what happens to most script's in Hollywood, they get kept in a dusty box.

The fact that the movie is well paced and uncomplicated makes it more enjoyable and realistic. Because the film is non-fiction, it just makes you think of the reality and you almost put yourself in their shoes, it makes the film more tense.

Argo won an array of awards at the BAFTAS and the Oscars, including the big one of best film. Ben Affleck and Alan Arkin were also nominated for their acting roles. The film is really very good and definitely deserved to be nominated, however, personally I would have gone for Django Unchained for best film!

My Rating: 8/10

Directors: Ben Affleck    Cast: Alan Arkin, Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Denham, Clea DuVall, John Goodman, Kerry Bishe, Rory Cochrane, Scoot McNairy, Tate Donovan, Victor Garber

Silver Linings Play Book

When I first saw this advertised I thought it was going to be a boring romantic love story, a film similar to 'Dear John' or 'The LuckyOne' (I'm still owed at least 2 hours of my life back for watching those!) I also thought what is Bradley Cooper the star of 'The A-Team' and 'Limitless' doing in a film like this? I take it all back. It's somewhat of a rom-com, but is edgy and quirky dealing with mental health issues and depression. David O Russell is famously a temperamental director, but he has pulled a good one out of the bag with this rom-com that's almost not a rom-com but also not a chic-flick. It is a very likeable film, with a cast that makes you feel like you're in good hands and it should be a good film. (Rob DeNiro, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence were all nominated for Oscars, only Jennifer Lawrence won)

Bradley Cooper plays the part of Pat, a recent divorcee who is coming to grasps with the fact he has bipolar. Pat is determined to prove to everyone he is getting his life back on track and desperate to prove to his ex wife that they are meant to be together. Sadly though it is clear to everyone this is not the case and you have to feel sorry for him. It is also plainly clear he will never get back with his wife. I can understand why Bradley Cooper was nominated for an Oscar for this part, he plays it perfectly, over enthusiastic, over confident and someone who will speak their mind no matter what the situation.

Jennifer Lawrence produces a performance beyond her years, it is hard to believe she is only 23, she starred in the teenage film 'The Hunger Games' last year playing a 19 year old. She plays Tiffany a widow to a local police officer, who now has issues with intimacy and trust. As well as loosing her job she has a few boundary issues after sleeping with everyone in her office! In the scene when Bradley Cooper hears this, his jaw practically hits the floor! It is obvious that the pair are meant to be together, the issues that they have mean that there is an equilibrium and they fit well.

The movie is a rom-com but slightly less com than rom, it is easy to guess what will happen, but then again it always is. It is a well paced enjoyable movie, there is also an obvious on screen chemistry between Lawrence and Cooper despite the 15 year age difference. Rob DeNiro also has his usual presence around him and his on screen relationship with Cooper is very good. 

 My Rating: 7/10

Directors: David O Russell    Cast: Anupam Kher, Bradley Cooper, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Stiles, Robert De Niro

Skyfall

Now this review is a little bit late, but that is partly due to the fact that I didn't jump on the Skyfall bandwagon straight away. After seeing the film I'm somewhat regretting it!

By far the best bond film of the Daniel Craig era, and possibly the best in the bond series 50 year tenure. 007 becomes more of a rugged and rogue spy in Skyfall, compared to the old days when you had Rodger Moore Cracking wise ones and Sean Connery coming out of a fight without a scratch on him. I feel as though the James Bond franchise has finally come to the right mix between extravagance and realism (You only have to think of the invisible car in Die Another Day). Daniel Craig has finally given us the perfect spy, and finally someone you believe who could be out in the 'field.' He still has the style and manner of a James bond and can still make those sarcy comments, but he also has the stacked upper body of someone who you believe would win a fight!

As good as Daniel Craig is as bond, Judi Dench also puts in a fantastic performance as the big one, 'M.' As you see the development of James Bond and how his spy character has changed slightly, M has done the same. In previous Bond films M has been too light hearted and we haven't seen enough of her, she has been too staged too scripted compared to the steely, unforgiving  M we have seen in the latest films. As the big don she manages to keep her thumb on the double-O boys, she treats them mean, to keep them keen and in return she is rewarded with passion and loyalty. Or complete resentment and hate in the case of the villain. Judi Dench captures this act perfectly. In one scene she is being slated by the Prime Minister, but shows no fear and manages to hold a cold iron stare.

The film kick-starts with an energetic chase scene in Turkey, involving the extravaganza of a bond film, where he tears through half a train without a seconds doubt! However, he ends up with a bullet in his chest and falling off a train, this pulls you into the film immediately before Adele enters with the credits.

With any bond film you need a good villain and Silva (Javier Bardem) more than lives up to the part. A former agent who worked under M, he puts in a chilling performance and moves away from the bond villains who were obsessed with money and power, stroking a pussy cat!

Skyfall all round was a fantastic film, energizing, emotional and British, it was great to see some traditional locations, in comparison to the films of old, where there was a secret volcano lair!

My Rating: 7.5/10

Directors: Sam Mendes    Cast: Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, Dame Judi Dench, Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Naomie Harris, Ola Rapace, Ralph Fiennes, Rory Kinnear

Django Unchained

When I first watched Django Unchained I was simply blown away! Easily an early contender for movie of the year. It goes somewhere 21st century Hollywood producers are scared to look, they refuse to even look at the slavery idea due to its sensitivity. After watching one of Tarantino's first films (From Dusk Till Dawn) I thought he must have been raised by the Munsters! However he was able to come out with two classics in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, immediately becoming a household name. Django, however, is by far his masterpiece. After the semi disappointment of Inglorious Basterds, he has come back with this brilliant, brutal, ball busting western classic!

Set two years before the American civil war when slavery was at its worst, Tarantino takes us into the cruel, unforgiving story of Django. A slave who whilst being transported across Texas comes into meeting with a mysterious German, Dr King Schultz, who is played fantastically with swagger, audacity and cheek by Christopher Waltz. Claiming to be a dentist Schultz promises Django his freedom in order for a favour: tracking three slave traders with whom he has problems with.

Jamie Foxx manages to capture Django's character with absolute perfection, you see his progression from being stared at whilst on a horse, to being known as the fastest gun in the west. (His gun skills do seem to improve rather drastically) Leonardo Di Caprio is equally as impressive playing the grey toothed, ignorant Candie, but doesn't have the same on screen presence and charisma as Foxx does playing Django, who manages to carry off the cowboy style with an ultimate swagger.

Samuel L Jackson received a lot of accolade for his performance of Stephen. The loyal servant to his white master, who you feel has played dirty and cheated his way to position of the 'favourite servant.' You feel as though the part of Stephen was made for Jackson who has a deathly stare and that terrible Parkinson's- type tremor. He also manages to deliver the N-word with more presence than anyone else saying it and everyone is saying it! Tarantino has managed to make the perfect bad guy with Stephen, not the white master who you expect it off, but a 'mandingo' someone who is involved in the trading of fighter slaves.

Django Unchained is one of the best films I have ever seen, it is in my top 5! It has a fantastic storyline and certainly opens your eyes to the terrible time of Western slavery. You have to give enormous credit to Quentin Tarantino, for making such a good film about a delicate subject, even dealing with a controversial issue like the KKK to make it seem so light hearted. he has some balls!

My Rating: 10/10

Directors: Quentin Tarantino    Cast: Amber Tamblyn, Bruce Dern, Christoph Waltz, Don Johnson, James Russo, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kerry Washington, Kurt Russell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Carradine, Samuel L Jackson, Zoe Bell

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

For some untold reason when JRR Tolkien was marking exam papers for the now defunct school certificate, he came across a blank piece of paper...... and he wrote 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' Be thankful he did! 

This first line in the children's book the hobbit has become a literary masterpiece,  leading into a massive industry, giving us a fantastic trilogy of books and films revolving around life in Middle-earth.

Peter Jackson returns to his roots for the hobbit. After the incredible journey of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy he was set, he could have retired and been a hero for life, but luckily for us he carried on. Modernising King Kong and creating the emotional masterpiece of The Lonely Bones. The Hobbit I think is his best all round film, having all the traditional Jackson qualities, a panoramic screen shot, a heroic non main character, but most of all a fantastic journey.

We start off with Bilbo writing his book on the day of his birthday, nicely linking in with the Fellowship Of The Ring. He then tells us the story of Erebor the great dwarf city and how the dwarves themselves were cast out by the dragon Smaug. This gives us the background for the great quest and the reason Bilbo goes on his great adventure. Bilbo is not easily convinced though, like most hobbits he enjoys having a smoke, a pint of ale and eating. It is only due to the wise words of Gandalf he goes on his journey. The dwarves who go on the journey with Bilbo make the film much more light hearted, singing, laughing and having a good time, but altogether they show heart and determination to get their homeland back. It was also good not to hear a twangy American accent, meaning all the dwarves and characters had rustic Celtic and Brittish accents.

The film as a whole is much less sinister than Lord Of The Rings and much more family orientated, however, the book was written for children. Martin Freeman sums this up by performing as Bilbo. When I first heard he was cast I didn't think it would work, but due to the nature of the film he portrays Bilbo magnificently. Ian Mckellen gives his usual brilliance in a much more light hearted Gandalf and Richard Armitage effectively manages to turn Thorin Oakenshield into a dwarvern version of Aragorn. I thought the film was fantastic, having all the characteristics to make a good movie, which the whole family can watch. It got the Wade stamp of approval and I would give it an 8/10!

Directors: Peter Jackson    Cast: Aidan Turner, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Richard Armitage, Sir Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry

American Pie The Reunion

The reunion starts 14 years from high school nicely skipping over the two sequels they made, and as the advertising poster says 'Save The Best Piece For Last.' They certainly did! As all the American Pie's start off, someone is masturbating, classically Jim, managing to get himself into a sticky situation injuring his captain! Despite the fact he has grown up now married to Michelle with a 2 year old toddler.

In 1999 we had pervy teenagers managing to get themselves in situations with beautiful girls now we have pervy adults managing to get themselves in situations with beautiful girls. All the guys have grown up and as Stifler puts it 'Done All the Boring Stuff.' Aka getting jobs and getting married.

But the film is still a classic American Pie with the guys getting themselves into bad situation's but coming out of them better off. Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) stealing the show as he plays a much bigger part in this one.

For me it has a bit of everything, it holds sentiment, and at the end even Stifler manages to get his revenge, I won't tell you how but I'm sure you can guess! 

This is just an interview I did with someone after watching the film

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz    Cast: Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Eugene Levy, Jason Biggs, Jennifer Coolidge, Mena Suvari, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Thomas Ian Nicholas