100W: Signs

Short reviews for clear and concise verdicts of a broad range of films...

Signs (Dir. M.Night Shyamalan/2002)

Signs is Independence Day from the perspective of a small family in rural USA. Graeme Hess (Gibson) has a crisis of faith following the death of his wife as aliens invade Planet Earth. Hess and his brother (Phoenix) display the usual awe and wonder that we’ve seen before but the small-town environment draws you into a family that you fall for through a strong young cast (Culkin and Breslin). We run through crunchy, crop fields and look closer at news footage to see purpose in supernatural occurrences as Signs maintains power, but lacks the subtlety of M.Night Shyamalan’s previous films.

Rating: 7/10

100W: Unbreakable

Short reviews for clear and concise verdicts of a broad range of films...

Unbreakable (Dir. M. Night Shyamalan/2000)

A dark Superhero film rooted in reality, whereby X-ray vision is instinct and superhuman strength is unbreakable bones. A patient and tragic story as David Dunn (Willis) tries to find his place in the world following his lone survival from a train crash. We watch to see if Dunn is truly “Unbreakable” and meet Elijah Price (Jackson), who suffers from a breakable bone disorder. An urban world soaked in luxurious deep-blues and Milk-Tray purples, Unbreakable effortlessly convinces us that heroism exists in this modern world. Comic book heroes and villains have never been so gracefully depicted on the cinema screen.

Rating: 7/10

100W: The Sixth Sense

As a writer, it is expected that you keep to a strict word-count. When you pick up a magazine, articles can be a 100-word write-up or a 1000-word analysis. Notes created for films are easily over 100 words - so this feature will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words. No more, no less.

The Sixth Sense (Dir. M. Night Shyamalan/1999)

14 years ago, The Sixth Sense proved Shyamalan as a master filmmaker. Psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Willis) helps social-outcast Cole (Osment) face a fear of ghosts that haunt him - while Malcolm himself tackles his own demons, as his marriage breaks down. Relationships between Cole and his Mum (Collette), and Crowe and his wife (Williams) provide solid foundations that connect the audience with deeply distressed characters. When Cole confesses his sixth sense, we become fearful. As the temperature drops, we see the horror he does. Themes of loss and regret haunt this exceptional film, as it only improves when viewed again…

Rating: 9/10

100W: The Last Airbender

As a writer, it is a regular expectation to keep to a strict word count. Every time you pick up a magazine, articles can be a small 100-word write-up or a 1000-word review. My own notes for the many films seen are always over 100 words - so this is a new feature that will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words.

The Last Airbender (Dir. M. Night Shyamalan, 2010)

The infamous comparison to Spielberg stops as Shyamalan takes on multi-million pound blockbuster The Last Airbender. Adapting the Nickelodeon TV-series may have appeared an easy hit, but alas, script simplicity plagues the film despite top-notch special effects. The story revolves around Aang (Noah Ringer) – the only one who can “bend” all four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth – who, in a messianic manner, will bring balance to the planet. Katar (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), two flat-characters join Aang on the journey as they challenge Fire-Nation exile - Zuko (Dev Patel). Good effort – but complete misfire – from Shyamalan.

The Simon and Jo Show Podcast: 07/02/2010

Recorded at the National Theatre, the BFI and the IMAX at Waterloo, this week we are 'all over the place'. We first run down the top 5 films and, alas, the number two spot has changed - albeit with a film that has been sitting in the top five for far too long. Richard joins us for coverage, sharing his views on the recent releases while we all rip apart the Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Film nominees at the upcoming Oscars. Then, to finish, a bit of mockery headed towards Ridley Scott's Robin Hood and excitement for The Last Airbender directed by auteur M. Night Shyamalan.

Music this week from the soundtrack to Invictus and Youth in Revolt.

The link is:
http://simonandjoshow.mypodcast.com/