Comedy

GODZILLA (2014)

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Godzilla vs M.U.T.O.

Gojira, saviour of the world is back, and the main thing that comes to mind when watching this is that it may not be possible for a human to direct a Godzilla film with all the elements of a quality movie included.

The logistics of the monster effects alone are huge and consequently anything remotely human in story will pale in comparison.
Can it be done?

What works is the fighting. Gojira vs any supermonster. Too. Much. Fun.

How is this not gonna make you laugh? There’s just not enough of the big guy in this latest outing.

This is more like it:

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen try their best with the love story element that some genius thought you must have in order to make the film accessible to the masses.
It’s a Godzilla film, FFS!
Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche are brought in to add gravitas in order to make it into a serious film.
It’s a Godzilla film, FFS!
Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins mug and over-act for the camera as if they were actually in a Toho Godzilla film.
But it doesn’t work as only a few of the actors seem to know what kind of film they are in.
FFS. IT’S A GODZILLA FILM, PEOPLE!!!

David Strathairn, on the other hand, is right on the money with his performance and it really shows you that if you have chops it makes not one iota of difference what kind of film you are in, you will always bring interesting work to the table.
On a smaller note it was nice to see Victor Rasuk (How to Make it in America) getting a squeeze, playing a soldier.

Look, this film has many problems, wtf is happening right now, where are we, do we care, where is Gojira? Ah, there he is. Go Gojira, save us.

There was potential for making a semi-decent movie here but it just doesn’t come together. There is a fantastic sequence in a supposed radio-active area early on that recalls the world of the game ‘The Last of Us’ and there are some story elements that show promise but fizzle out too early. 

For all the money spent on the monster effects the effect may be not much more impressive than the much cheaper option of man-in-suit.

Gareth Davies who directed the brilliant Monsters must have been overwhelmed by the massive budget but manages to retain the Toho style of the previous Godzilla films from Japan; they are not best known for their incredible story telling or acting, merely the WWF antics of Gojira (and humanities’) foes.

Much has been made about the Halo jump, featuring heavily in the trailer and on many posters, it was so filled with potential but, without spoiling anything, when it comes in the film it does not come close to delivering the excitement it promises.
Ultimately, this film will make a LOT of money and there will be a sequel and I’ll probably go see but it is by no means a great piece of cinema, only the few battle sequences will definitely satisfy the B-movie fans of old.

Maybe we’ll see Godzuki in the sequel.
One can but hope.

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A generous 3/5.

BUY THE BLU-RAY DVD HERE

DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE

RICHARD PRYOR: OMIT THE LOGIC (2013)

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The cost of genius.

There is no doubt that Richard Pryor was a genius when it came to comedy. He literally changed the face of stand up and what was possible in that world. His legacy is still felt to this day in the works of Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams and hell, just about most famous comedians.

Damon Wayans said at a tribute show “Richard Pryor defined the game of stand-up comedy and comedy itself, and if you haven’t stole from Richard, then you’re probably not that funny.”

Too true.

His physical comedy is like a ballet between him, his material and the audience.

The genius is documented here in this warts and all film that doesn’t shy away from the more difficult side of the late (or even early) comedian’s life.

Charting his journey with an early appearance on Johnny Carson’s show all the way to his death in 2005, we get to see his many wives, successes, failures and addictions through the eyes of friends and family.

When someone is that talented it often goes hand in hand that they may very well be a tortured soul. It is said that many artists self-medicate in one-way or another. If you feel so much being a sensitive, sometimes there has to be a way to escape that intensity. It’s just a fact that certain souls need an outlet to decompress. Look at the history, artists like to experiment and it definitely informs their work, unfortunately it sometimes destroys them.

Richard Pryor famously used his experiences in his routines and this is one of the things about great stand- ups, they lay themselves bare, at least when it come to the stage. It is why we love them. Comedians can say anything and the great ones do and do it well.

Marina Zenovich directs this documentary that, while not being as comprehensive and definitive as it could be, still gives us some interesting talking heads (Robin Williams, Paul Mooney, Whoopi Goldberg, Mel Brooks amongst them) and informs us a little bit more about this great man.

To understand the affect Richard Pryor has had on the world of comedy this quote by the brilliant Dave Chappelle sums up his influence:

“Richard Pryor, undisputed champion of the world, greatest of all times, case closed, period, exclamation point.”

3.3/5