Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa: Review

It's very difficult to imagine what anybody would expect going into a 'Jackass' movie aside from a constant stream of gross-out pranks and hoaxes aimed at unsuspecting members of the public. Although this formula used for the many previous Jackass films has proven successful, this time around the numerous pranks and jokes have been given direction in the way of a plot. Old man Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) has been given the task of delivering his grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) to Billy's estranged Father across the country. Put simply: Bad Grandpa is a 'Jackass' take on the tried and tested 'road-trip' genre, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.

Irving Zisman & Billy (Johnny Knoxville & Jackson Nicoll)

I don't think the film would have worked as well as it did if Johnny Knoxville wasn't at the helm. Countless scenes in the film were hilarious, and this was only possible because Knoxville has the confidence to pull them off. Yes, the humour is frequently crude and occasionally relies on fart-jokes in order to grasp a couple laughs, but I laughed consistently throughout Bad Grandpa, and surely that means it was successful in it's attempts at a more structured Jackass film.

Now, saying that, I wasn't always a huge fan of the forced storyline. On numerous occasions the scenes meant to bond the two main characters of Irving and Billy were cringe-worthy more than anything; not something I imagine the writers had intended. There were however a surprising number of moments which were genuinely heart-warming, but these were quickly shattered by yet another funny euphemism or comical use of nudity. 

The most surprising feature of Bad Grandpa was how talented the young actor who played Billy was at ad-libbing. On so many occasions I would not have managed to keep a straight face whilst Knoxville acted out a scenario, but Jackson Nicoll (who plays Billy) managed to act as if everything was completely normal, adding hugely to the comedy of the film. 

Verdict
Nobody expects films like this to ever win an Oscar or prestigious award, but for what it is, Bad Grandpa is a genuinely funny movie. Johnny Knoxville is yet again the funniest man in the film, but his supporting character Billy is just as entertaining. There are a few moments when you need to suspend your disbelief as to whether the 'public' are really not in on the jokes, but for the majority of the time Bad Grandpa is raw and realistic. My only major complaint is that the big finale of the film is shown in the trailer, but this is a fault many films carry nowadays, so it is almost excusable.   7.5/10

"You gonna' fix that Penguin, Bro!"

"...Nope."

House of Cards (Season One): Review

House of Cards was the pioneering of a new format for television. All thirteen of it's first seasons' episodes were launched at the same time on the streaming service 'Netflix', allowing viewers to chose how and when they watched them, and I must say, this decision is not only very innovative, it also paid off hugely, as it allowed the episodes to flow far more fluently into one another due to their instant availability. 


The programme centres around Congressman Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his initial fury at the fact he was passed up on the opportunity of being Secretary of the State, and then his plans to exact revenge on those who wronged him. The story delves far deeper than this however, bringing in several characters and their relationships formed with Francis such as an intelligent, cunning young reporter by the name of Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara), or Peter Russo (Corey Stoll); a man in his prime who is taken under Francis' wing. 

Peter Russo (Corey Stoll)

What House of Cards truly portrays however is how powerful tools such as intimidation and determination are. Frank Underwood is a man not to be reckoned with, and this is shown consistently throughout the lengthy 13-episode season. On numerous occasions, Kevin Spacey turns to the camera and begins monologuing on how he feels about events or his current thoughts on other characters. These scenes are particularly enjoyable and do a superb job in setting House of Cards apart from many other dramas currently available to watch. Also, there are a few occasions when Frank loses his incredibly sturdy poker-face, and the fact these are so rare really adds to the character as a whole; not relying on bursts of anger to develop to an already interesting gentleman. There is an episode around halfway through the series which focuses almost entirely on Frank, and is very intriguing as it gives vague glimpses into the weaknesses of an otherwise unbreakable man. 

Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey)

Now, although the prospect of a television series focusing entirely on political endeavours may not appeal to everybody (and I personally was initially put off by this fact), the spectacular writing featured in House of Cards is certainly something which should appeal to numerous individuals. Every single episode is littered with memorable lines and quotes which keep the quality of the show at a consistent high. Couple this with the fact that House of Cards is directed by renowned director David Fincher (responsible for such classics as 'Se7en' and 'Fight Club'), and this entertaining Netflix-exclusive series should begin to perk your interest. 

Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara)

Unfortunately, the setting of politics limits the lengths characters can go to in order to maintain a sense of believability, so don't expect high-octane scenes of violence or mind-blowing plot-twists, but House of Cards manages to keep the viewer interested by featuring many strings of manipulation and deceit; something I can't recall another series or movie as of late doing just as successfully. Each character featured is developed upon to a level where the viewer can empathize, and events which occur early on in the series which seem abandoned may get picked up again in a later episode. Very little is left unanswered, but anything that remains a mystery will no doubt be brought up in Season 2, expected to air early in 2014.

Verdict
House of Cards is not my favourite television series I have ever seen, but it is certainly worth your time. Kevin Spacey is definitely a stand-out performance as the ruthless Frank Underwood, but he is supported by countless talented actors and actresses. Despite the majority of the plot taking place in the final half of the season, I am certainly eager to find out the answers to many questions I have once Season 2 is released, and this must certainly mean that House of Cards has successfully done it's job in entertaining me. 8/10

"Everything is about sex, apart from sex.

Sex is about power."

Captain Phillips: Review

I can't remember the last time a movie has kept me on-edge for such a prolonged period of time. Captain Phillips tells the true story of a ship captain by the same name, and his attempt to ensure the safety of his crew when the boat under his control is boarded by ruthless Pirates. These aren't the merry, lovable Pirates from a Disney film; they are intimidating, violent killers. 

Tom Hanks plays the main role of Phillips, and he is definitely the best thing about the movie. That isn't any sort of criticism of the film as a whole however, far from it, it just must be known that this is quite possibly Hanks' best acting role to date. He makes the tension scarily believable, and raises it to a level which becomes difficult to cope with... then keeps it there for a solid two hours. Captain Phillips isn't as dark as the recent tension-driven movie Prisoners, but it is certainly just as nail-biting. 

Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks)

As far as I am aware, the men portraying the Pirates have not been in any other movies before this, and if anything that is a huge positive. They look exactly how you would imagine malnourished, desperate criminals would, and play their parts almost as well as the leading man himself. Any scene featuring the Pirate captain 'Muse' (Barkhad Abdi) is tense and suspenseful, and the same can be said for all of his accomplices. They make the movie seem far more raw: something which becomes incredibly unsettling. 

I honestly can't think of many complaints I had with Captain Phillips. Every actor played their role to a believable and entertaining standard, the plot was consistently exciting, and it exceeded every expectation I held prior to entering the cinema. The only minor gripe I could think of is that clocking in at just over two hours it is quite a long movie. That being said, I cannot pick out a scene or segment that I would remove without damaging the flow of the film. 

Verdict
Captain Phillips is a very enjoyable movie which was frequently heart-pumpingly intense. There were times when the 12a certificate given seemed slightly low, but it never became too violent and didn't rely on gore to shock the audience. The Pirates' were given a cause for going out and attempting the hijack, and it was done in a successful way in which it didn't glorify their actions or justify them, but managed to provide enough reasons so that the audience could vaguely empathize with the fact that this was truly their only option. It's definitely a must-see.   8.75/10

"Look at me."

"Sure.

"I'm the Captain now."

Prisoners: Review

The plot for prisoners sounded slightly like a more dramatized version of 2008's Taken. A man's daughter is kidnapped, and he does whatever is needed in order to get her back. But Prisoners has a very different tone to the Liam Neeson action-movie, and is no worse off because of it. 

As stated, the basic plot of Prisoners is that Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) goes with his family to a friend's house to celebrate Thanksgiving. His friend Franklin (Terrence Howard) has a young daughter who is the same age as Keller's. Whilst the adults are drinking alcohol and being merry, their daughters make a quick trip back to Keller's house to collect a small whistle his daughter owns, and do not return. The rest of the film is two tense hours of Keller trying to find his daughter, with Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) leading the investigation into her disappearance. 

Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman)

Notice how I said "Keller trying to find his daughter". The first minor issue I had with Prisoners is that the film focuses almost entirely on one family's side of events, rarely showing how Franklin's family is dealing with the disappearance of their daughter. This was only a minor gripe I had with the movie, but something that stuck in my mind throughout it's reasonably long run-time.

Regardless of this though, there are many things that Prisoners does right. Hugh Jackman's acting as a distressed Father willing to put anything on the line to find his daughter is captivating from start to end, and it always feels as if the actions he carries out are justified, although not always morally right. Jake Gyllenhaal as the experienced detective on the case is just as entertaining to watch, along with many of the other cast members. Paul Dano plays the mentally handicapped Alex Jones, a lead suspect in the case, and the film becomes particularly tough to watch at times due to the way Keller acts towards him, despite the possibility of his guilt.

Alex Jones & Detective Loki (Paul Dano & Jake Gyllenhaal)

Something that is important to note is that the trailers for Prisoners don't portray the entire mood of the film. There are some intense scenes of torture littered throughout which, although they are in context, may put some people off. Also, this is basically 2 and a half hours of a man doing anything he can to find his missing young daughter, so don't go in expecting an exciting action movie or laugh-a-minute comedy. Prisoners is a bleak drama and it clearly embraces that. 

Verdict

Despite being very dark at times and consistently depressing, Prisoners had me captivated from beginning to end. I could not wait to find out what had happened to the daughters, and in that sense, Prisoners did its job perfectly. There is a rather large twist towards the end which I personally didn't see coming, and it is certainly a movie which anybody who can handle intense dramas should check out.   8.2/10

"Pray for the best, but prepare for the worst."

Grand Theft Auto V: Review

As a little note, I'd just like to say I'm not really going to talk about the online portion of the game as anybody who owns GTA V knows that up until recently, the servers required for online play have not been up to scratch to cope with the mass of players attempting to play, so reviewing it would not be fair. On with the review.

The incredibly anticipated Grand Theft Auto V launched a few weeks ago after literally years of hype, and I have only recently managed to complete the main bulk of the game, due to the HUGE array of content packed in. Let me start by saying that not only does the game manage to justify the level of anticipation that has grew around it, but it regularly surpasses my expectations of the Grand Theft Auto series and games in general. It's a phenomenally polished experience which is literally brimming with things to do and people to see.

Michael De Santa (Ned Luke)

As a player, you are thrown in on the heist job which led to the separation of two of the three main characters. Switching between Michael De Santa and Trevor Phillips, the action builds until an event which splits these two friends occurs. The game then travels forwards 9 years and drops you into the shoes of Franklin Clinton, a young man brought up in the ghetto who completes this trio of memorable characters. Eventually running into Micheal and then Trevor, these three characters become entangled in a life of crime and money: something not completely unfamiliar with them. This is just a brief over-view of the story, as for me it was not the main selling point of the game, but it certainly supports the action and chaos to a more than acceptable standard. 

After a few hours of play, you have the choice to switch between any of the three protagonists whenever you please, often stumbling across them performing an act comically appropriate of their personality. Whether it be red-neck, psychopath Trevor throwing a man off a bridge or unhappily-rich Michael meeting with somebody for lunch in an over-priced cafe, all three characters have many things attributed to them which deepen them and make the entire story feel that bit more believable. This switching mechanic is something new to the GTA series, and a tool which is just as cleverly utilised in missions, specifically the heists where one moment you may be piloting a helicopter as Trevor and the next shooting bodyguards as Franklin from a rooftop miles away. It's a strange thing to say about fictional characters in a videogame, but this trio all have such great chemistry, and have countless genuinely funny conversations. 

Franklin Clinton (Shawn Fonteno)

Something many remember about 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was it's stellar soundtrack thanks to the many radio stations, and this is something improved upon hugely in GTA V. Not only are there 15 radio stations when driving which all have well-known licensed songs, but there is also a superb musical score which accompanies all of the game's missions, and is comparable to that of a movie such as The Dark Knight. This is something completely new for the series, and a feature which hugely increases the already prominent action orientated tone. 

But what about when you're not on these cinematic missions? When roaming around the gigantic island of Los Santos, you have a vast number of activities to participate in; from off-road races to golf. Each of these 'mini-games' are detailed and developed, and nothing feels as if it has been tacked-on. This is a huge step-up from GTA IV, where all there seemed to be was a few dull games such as bowling or darts. Or if you choose to simply wreak havoc upon the innocent citizens of the island, the police artificial-intelligence has been greatly improved to allow for stealth in order to evade them, and as previously mentioned, the spectacular musical score builds tension unlike anything in the Grand Theft Auto series before.

If this seems like I'm just constantly praising the game, it's because there is very little wrong with GTA V. Vehicles handle perfectly, weapons feel satisfying, and there's enough content to keep you busy for a VERY long time (even more once the Online is functioning correctly). The only complaint I have heard from mainstream critics is how the game is rather misogynistic, but to be angry at GTA for being sexist or misogynistic would be like buying a steak pie and then writing a letter of complaint because you found some meat inside. 

Trevor Phillips (Steven Ogg)

Verdict
Grand Theft Auto V is not only the pinnacle of Rockstar Games, it is also one of the greatest games I have ever played. There is almost nothing to fault about it, and there is so much to do that you'll be playing for a long time after completing the 69 main missions featured. As long as you can handle the excessive profanity and witty humour, there should be nothing to stop you buying this masterpiece of a videogame.  9.8/10

Movies Vs TV Shows

Up until the recently-concluded Breaking Bad, I had always considered movies to be the most enjoyable and overall greater form of visual medium. The higher budgets, finer acting and stellar cinematography from films such as The Dark Knight or Fight Club have always been favoured personally over the episodic content provided by a television programme. But then Breaking Bad completely changed my outlook on things, and made me question whether a cinema release truly is better than a smaller-screen series. 

Let me start by saying I have seen far more movies than I have TV shows. I am yet to watch constantly-praised shows like The Sopranos, or even the more recent Game of Thrones, but I have however seen enough to base an opinion on. Personal favourites of mine from the television-world include: Sherlock, The Walking Dead, The IT Crowd, Doctor Who, Only Fools & Horses, Suits and of course, Breaking Bad. The thing about these programmes however, is that in reality they would be nowhere near as good as they are if they were initially placed onto the big-screen. And why is this? Because of character development. 

Sherlock (BBC)

Yes, it is possible to have solid character development in a movie, especially one made by a well-renowned director such as Christopher Nolan or David Fincher. But does it stand up to that found in a lengthy television series spanning across multiple seasons? In my opinion, no. Imagine if something like Doctor Who was instead a movie. The only possible way to fit all of the required story in to a 2 hour production would be to have several sequels, all released years apart. There is no way that such a release would possibly amass the popularity the programme currently has, showing just how powerful television has become as a way of telling detailed and unique stories.

This does not however mean that all television shows need to be laid out in a weekly, episodic manner. The recently released House of Cards on Netflix starring Kevin Spacey had all of it's episodes released at once, allowing the viewers to choose when and how they watched them. This is a unique example of how flexible television can be, something which simply would not work for films. 

I suppose the real point of this post is simply to illustrate how important Television has become as an entertainment medium. Yes, movies are still being released in increasing quality and to a much larger audience every year, but it is important not to dismiss programmes on TV because of their smaller audience or lower budgets, as occasionally there are rare shows which surpass even the best of the big-screen releases.

Oh, also, watch Breaking Bad.