The "Freeola Customer Forum" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
The Year is nearly over,what have been your hits and misses of 2008.Here are mine :
Favourite films of 2008 :
The Dark Knight : The stand out film of the year IMO,Superb.
Gone Baby Gone : Still can't believe Ben Affleck made a film as good as this.The acting is top notch in it too.
REC : Hardly noticed it was subtitled,was too busy filling my pants !.Best horror movie of the year by a mile IMO.
Kung Fu Panda : Loved this,found it very funny and a lot of fun.The picture quality on the Blu Ray release is amongst of the best i've ever seen.
Iron Man : Would have been the top superhero movie any other year,but unfortunately it came out just before The Dark Knight.
Quantum Of Solace : Less plot and more action than its predessor.This was a top class Bourne rip off !.Daniel Craig has succeeded in reinventing what had become a very tired format.
Least favourite films of 2008 :
Haven't seen as many stinkers as in previous years as I seem to be more selective about what I watch these days.
Day Of The Dead (2008 remake) : Oh dear,where do start ?.Apalling acting,no story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the original.A truly monumental fail !.
The Eye : Even got bored of looking at Jessica Alba !,Utter rubbish,managed to endure an hour of it.Haven't seen the original Asian version,reckon its got to be better than this though.
You Don't Mess With The Zohan : Adam Sandler stoops to a new all time low with what I would describe as one the unfunniest films ever.Dreadful.
Mamma Mia : How the hell was this so popular ?.Pierce Brosnan wouldn't have got past the audition stage of the X-Factor,due to the fact he (and most of the cast to be honest) can't bloody sing !.Sorry to be picky but it kind of helps in a musical !.Sickly,annoying garbage.Hated it with a passion.
Let Down's Of 2008 :
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull : Forget The Phantom Menace,Steven Spielberg showed George Lucas how to really disappoint fans !.Shia Lebouf was useless,didn't need him or the woman from Raiders Of The Lost Ark.Don't get me started on the bloody alien things !.Even Ray Winstone was crap in it playing some bloke off Eastenders !.
Diary Of The Dead : What the hell happened in 2008 ?.Ben Affleck made a superb thriller while George A.Romero (who do not forget,pretty much invented the zombie movie) made a sort of pale imitation of his own work.Shot hand held style this wasn't a patch on REC and wasn't even as good as Cloverfield.A couple of nice touches here and there couldn't save it and the acting in it was dreadful.
Taken : Liam Neeson was watchable as ever but this was pretty much a Steven Seagal movie made with a decent actor.Far fetched with a totally unbelievable storyline.Expected much more from Luc Besson's studio.
Surprises Of 2008 :
Death Race : Paul W.S.Anderson is a rubbish film maker,Jason Statham is a rubbish actor and the story is totally unbelievable.Yet some how this load of forgettable nonsense seems to work ?.A total blokes movie,bit like The Fast & The Furious with guns !.Some hot women were thrown in the cars for no reason other than to add a bit of eye candy,its loud,its dumb,Joan Allen puts in a performance which may get her a role in pantomime and for some strange reason I loved it !.Guilty pleasure of 2008.
Eden Lake : Where do you start on this one ?.A nasty and very unpleasant film for sure.Mindless violent trash or a nail biting and thought provoking thriller ?.I couldn't get over this when I saw it.It was very well made and very well acted,which made this grim tale a difficult watch at times.
Step Brothers : Will Ferrell overdoses on stupid in the daftest film I've seen in ages.Stupid and purile yet I laughed like a big girl all the way through it !.Second guilty pleasure of 2008.
Favourite films of 2008 :
The Dark Knight : The stand out film of the year IMO,Superb.
Gone Baby Gone : Still can't believe Ben Affleck made a film as good as this.The acting is top notch in it too.
REC : Hardly noticed it was subtitled,was too busy filling my pants !.Best horror movie of the year by a mile IMO.
Kung Fu Panda : Loved this,found it very funny and a lot of fun.The picture quality on the Blu Ray release is amongst of the best i've ever seen.
Iron Man : Would have been the top superhero movie any other year,but unfortunately it came out just before The Dark Knight.
Quantum Of Solace : Less plot and more action than its predessor.This was a top class Bourne rip off !.Daniel Craig has succeeded in reinventing what had become a very tired format.
Least favourite films of 2008 :
Haven't seen as many stinkers as in previous years as I seem to be more selective about what I watch these days.
Day Of The Dead (2008 remake) : Oh dear,where do start ?.Apalling acting,no story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the original.A truly monumental fail !.
The Eye : Even got bored of looking at Jessica Alba !,Utter rubbish,managed to endure an hour of it.Haven't seen the original Asian version,reckon its got to be better than this though.
You Don't Mess With The Zohan : Adam Sandler stoops to a new all time low with what I would describe as one the unfunniest films ever.Dreadful.
Mamma Mia : How the hell was this so popular ?.Pierce Brosnan wouldn't have got past the audition stage of the X-Factor,due to the fact he (and most of the cast to be honest) can't bloody sing !.Sorry to be picky but it kind of helps in a musical !.Sickly,annoying garbage.Hated it with a passion.
Let Down's Of 2008 :
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull : Forget The Phantom Menace,Steven Spielberg showed George Lucas how to really disappoint fans !.Shia Lebouf was useless,didn't need him or the woman from Raiders Of The Lost Ark.Don't get me started on the bloody alien things !.Even Ray Winstone was crap in it playing some bloke off Eastenders !.
Diary Of The Dead : What the hell happened in 2008 ?.Ben Affleck made a superb thriller while George A.Romero (who do not forget,pretty much invented the zombie movie) made a sort of pale imitation of his own work.Shot hand held style this wasn't a patch on REC and wasn't even as good as Cloverfield.A couple of nice touches here and there couldn't save it and the acting in it was dreadful.
Taken : Liam Neeson was watchable as ever but this was pretty much a Steven Seagal movie made with a decent actor.Far fetched with a totally unbelievable storyline.Expected much more from Luc Besson's studio.
Surprises Of 2008 :
Death Race : Paul W.S.Anderson is a rubbish film maker,Jason Statham is a rubbish actor and the story is totally unbelievable.Yet some how this load of forgettable nonsense seems to work ?.A total blokes movie,bit like The Fast & The Furious with guns !.Some hot women were thrown in the cars for no reason other than to add a bit of eye candy,its loud,its dumb,Joan Allen puts in a performance which may get her a role in pantomime and for some strange reason I loved it !.Guilty pleasure of 2008.
Eden Lake : Where do you start on this one ?.A nasty and very unpleasant film for sure.Mindless violent trash or a nail biting and thought provoking thriller ?.I couldn't get over this when I saw it.It was very well made and very well acted,which made this grim tale a difficult watch at times.
Step Brothers : Will Ferrell overdoses on stupid in the daftest film I've seen in ages.Stupid and purile yet I laughed like a big girl all the way through it !.Second guilty pleasure of 2008.
I know for a fact that I'm getting the Blu-ray of Wall-E for Christmas. Will go nicely with the Dark Knight one I just got myself from HMV with ipoints vouchers!
My wife has a strange taste in films !,Mamma Mia and Dirty Dancing are her all time faves.Says it all really doesn't it ?.I'm sure I'll love Wall.E,its just I'll have to watch it on my own.May get the Blu Ray,should look great on that Madagascar & Kung Fu Panda both looked amazing on the format.
I'm with you, Pete, on QOS. It's not bad and I enjoyed watching it at the cinema, but I just felt the fast action scenes were badly filmed.
I suppose it takes all sorts, but I can't understand why people would hate Wall-E, it's just so well thought out and executed. The first half feels more like a classic movie than a modern one, storywise, like a sci-fi version of an old B&W movie if that makes sense.
I suppose it takes all sorts, but I can't understand why people would hate Wall-E, it's just so well thought out and executed. The first half feels more like a classic movie than a modern one, storywise, like a sci-fi version of an old B&W movie if that makes sense.
Regarding Quantum Of Solace,it wasn't as good as Casino Royale but I thought it was still much better than most of the other Bond films from the last decade or so.The villain was rubbish,as was the theme song but I switched my brained off and really enjoyed the film.Will check out Wall.E and No Country For Old Men over Christmas as I missed those.The Mrs. took our daughter to see Wall.E in the cinema and absolutely hated it.Will have to watch that when she's out.I've got The Strangers & Eagle Eye to watch on Blu Ray,not holding out much hope for the latter as I can't stand Shia Lebouf.Also bought Death Race for a lads night in (just add beer and cards or Xbox !).As T.V. is mega dreadful this Christmas,should get chance to catch up on a few films.Cheers for the pointers everyone.
Film of the Year
The Dark Knight
I'm yet to see Wall-E and In Bruges, which I'm told are contenders, so the Nolans' dark epic walks it (although, oddly enough, I prefer Batman Begins).
Least Favourite Film of the Year
Jumper
Wanted and You Don't Mess With the Zohan certainly come close, but Jumper was just horrible. It more or less summed up everything wrong with Hollywood blockbusters.
Disappointment of the Year
Quantum of Solace
Casino Royale promised a reinvention of the franchise, but this fell back into too many old habits - and tried far too hard to be dark and realistic in the process. A below average thriller that only works for the action set-pieces.
Body of Lies, with DiCaprio opposite Crowe, Strong in the background and Ridley Scott in the director's chair, should've been brilliant, but only managed to be just about good enough to escape this award.
Hancock deserves a mention, too, for taking a great concept and ruining with needless fight scenes and pointless plot turns.
Film I Liked a Lot More Than I Probably Should've
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Averagely written and thuddingly formulaic, but there was something about Simon Pegg's portrayal of the likably obnoxious Sidney Young that I found particularly thrilling.
And that must've been my first post in about a year...
The Dark Knight
I'm yet to see Wall-E and In Bruges, which I'm told are contenders, so the Nolans' dark epic walks it (although, oddly enough, I prefer Batman Begins).
Least Favourite Film of the Year
Jumper
Wanted and You Don't Mess With the Zohan certainly come close, but Jumper was just horrible. It more or less summed up everything wrong with Hollywood blockbusters.
Disappointment of the Year
Quantum of Solace
Casino Royale promised a reinvention of the franchise, but this fell back into too many old habits - and tried far too hard to be dark and realistic in the process. A below average thriller that only works for the action set-pieces.
Body of Lies, with DiCaprio opposite Crowe, Strong in the background and Ridley Scott in the director's chair, should've been brilliant, but only managed to be just about good enough to escape this award.
Hancock deserves a mention, too, for taking a great concept and ruining with needless fight scenes and pointless plot turns.
Film I Liked a Lot More Than I Probably Should've
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Averagely written and thuddingly formulaic, but there was something about Simon Pegg's portrayal of the likably obnoxious Sidney Young that I found particularly thrilling.
And that must've been my first post in about a year...
Film of the year
1.Wall-E.
Yes I know Dark Knight is there and an achievement in itself bettering even the previous film, but it didn't move me as much as Pixar's movie.
2.Dark Knight
It says something when almost everyone has this as a film of the year and can't find a bad thing to say about it (save for Two-face at the end, perhaps).
3.Ironman
Brilliant. Different enough to be noticed and not shoved aside as another cash in superhero movie. Great casting and perfect balance of action and characterisation.
4.Hellboy 2
Bigger and with some stand out moments of action and comedy(Barry Manilow comes to mind), Hellboy II is only let down by failing to deliver the knockout punch that it felt it was leading up to.
Disappointment of the year
Most of the films I saw this year turned out to be pretty much as expected, so I'm not sure if any of them really disappointed me. Possibly Tropic Thunder which should have been funnier and better scripted than it was.
Suprise of the year
1.Madagascar 2
I was expecting far less of this sequel than the original (which I loved). Took the kids to see it (their first cinema trip) and it was actually pretty good. Well paced, good humour and moved the characters on without repeating too many of the jokes from the first film. Plus the Monkeys and penguins are as funny as ever.
2.Kung Fu Panda
Like many others I was surprised that this worked as well as it did. That said, the kids didn't really rate it.
Stinker
Zohan was pretty bad, but that's about it. Probably just means that I chose the right films to watch!
1.Wall-E.
Yes I know Dark Knight is there and an achievement in itself bettering even the previous film, but it didn't move me as much as Pixar's movie.
2.Dark Knight
It says something when almost everyone has this as a film of the year and can't find a bad thing to say about it (save for Two-face at the end, perhaps).
3.Ironman
Brilliant. Different enough to be noticed and not shoved aside as another cash in superhero movie. Great casting and perfect balance of action and characterisation.
4.Hellboy 2
Bigger and with some stand out moments of action and comedy(Barry Manilow comes to mind), Hellboy II is only let down by failing to deliver the knockout punch that it felt it was leading up to.
Disappointment of the year
Most of the films I saw this year turned out to be pretty much as expected, so I'm not sure if any of them really disappointed me. Possibly Tropic Thunder which should have been funnier and better scripted than it was.
Suprise of the year
1.Madagascar 2
I was expecting far less of this sequel than the original (which I loved). Took the kids to see it (their first cinema trip) and it was actually pretty good. Well paced, good humour and moved the characters on without repeating too many of the jokes from the first film. Plus the Monkeys and penguins are as funny as ever.
2.Kung Fu Panda
Like many others I was surprised that this worked as well as it did. That said, the kids didn't really rate it.
Stinker
Zohan was pretty bad, but that's about it. Probably just means that I chose the right films to watch!
I'd have said There Will Be Blood, but it was just about released in 2007. I guess it took a while to reach Norwich.
Concerning Quantum of Solace, I don't really know what to think. It's as tacky as a Bond film needs to be in places, and had a few slightly clever moments, but it's also a bit over-the-top at times.
Concerning Quantum of Solace, I don't really know what to think. It's as tacky as a Bond film needs to be in places, and had a few slightly clever moments, but it's also a bit over-the-top at times.
> Favourite films of 2008 :
A lot of my favourites have already been mentioned. I loved Juno, The Dark Knight surpassed all expectations, No Country For Old Men was tremendous, Wall.E was a work of art but my personal favourite was Gone Baby Gone.
Pleasant Suprise of the Year
Kung Fu Panda would probably be deserving but i'm going with a film i never EVER expected to like in Prince Caspian. TLTW&TW was an absymal disappointment, the followup was actually quite watchable.
Disappointment of the Year
Ah now this is a close run thing. I generally hate Bond films but Casino Royale was tremendous, the followup however was a directionless car crash of bad directing and editing. My biggest disappointment though was Diary of the Dead. I love George Romero, i can quite happily watch the previous 4 films (Yes i liked Land) but Diary was Dead-Lite, made for idiots and without any social commentary that's worth making. This brings me neatly onto my next award which is
Gimmick I Don't Ever Want To See Again
And the winner is...Handheld camera filming
I had hoped i'd seen the end of this nonsense with the Blair Witch Project. Instead it came back with a vengeance this year, ruining Diary of the Dead and Cloverfield. Hopefully the numerous crap horror films that followed will finally finish off this nonsense.
> Least favourite films of 2008 :
I cant really think. I've generally got a good Duffer Detector so i dont see many bad films. Quantum of Solace is up there. Actually i know what gets my scorn, if purely for the last 10 minutes which so perfectly show up Hollywood execs for the di**heads they are. I Am Legend.
A lot of my favourites have already been mentioned. I loved Juno, The Dark Knight surpassed all expectations, No Country For Old Men was tremendous, Wall.E was a work of art but my personal favourite was Gone Baby Gone.
Pleasant Suprise of the Year
Kung Fu Panda would probably be deserving but i'm going with a film i never EVER expected to like in Prince Caspian. TLTW&TW was an absymal disappointment, the followup was actually quite watchable.
Disappointment of the Year
Ah now this is a close run thing. I generally hate Bond films but Casino Royale was tremendous, the followup however was a directionless car crash of bad directing and editing. My biggest disappointment though was Diary of the Dead. I love George Romero, i can quite happily watch the previous 4 films (Yes i liked Land) but Diary was Dead-Lite, made for idiots and without any social commentary that's worth making. This brings me neatly onto my next award which is
Gimmick I Don't Ever Want To See Again
And the winner is...Handheld camera filming
I had hoped i'd seen the end of this nonsense with the Blair Witch Project. Instead it came back with a vengeance this year, ruining Diary of the Dead and Cloverfield. Hopefully the numerous crap horror films that followed will finally finish off this nonsense.
> Least favourite films of 2008 :
I cant really think. I've generally got a good Duffer Detector so i dont see many bad films. Quantum of Solace is up there. Actually i know what gets my scorn, if purely for the last 10 minutes which so perfectly show up Hollywood execs for the di**heads they are. I Am Legend.
I agree Dark Knight was fantastic and probably the best.
No Country For Old Men was superb as well.
No Country For Old Men was superb as well.
The Year is nearly over,what have been your hits and misses of 2008.Here are mine :
Favourite films of 2008 :
The Dark Knight : The stand out film of the year IMO,Superb.
Gone Baby Gone : Still can't believe Ben Affleck made a film as good as this.The acting is top notch in it too.
REC : Hardly noticed it was subtitled,was too busy filling my pants !.Best horror movie of the year by a mile IMO.
Kung Fu Panda : Loved this,found it very funny and a lot of fun.The picture quality on the Blu Ray release is amongst of the best i've ever seen.
Iron Man : Would have been the top superhero movie any other year,but unfortunately it came out just before The Dark Knight.
Quantum Of Solace : Less plot and more action than its predessor.This was a top class Bourne rip off !.Daniel Craig has succeeded in reinventing what had become a very tired format.
Least favourite films of 2008 :
Haven't seen as many stinkers as in previous years as I seem to be more selective about what I watch these days.
Day Of The Dead (2008 remake) : Oh dear,where do start ?.Apalling acting,no story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the original.A truly monumental fail !.
The Eye : Even got bored of looking at Jessica Alba !,Utter rubbish,managed to endure an hour of it.Haven't seen the original Asian version,reckon its got to be better than this though.
You Don't Mess With The Zohan : Adam Sandler stoops to a new all time low with what I would describe as one the unfunniest films ever.Dreadful.
Mamma Mia : How the hell was this so popular ?.Pierce Brosnan wouldn't have got past the audition stage of the X-Factor,due to the fact he (and most of the cast to be honest) can't bloody sing !.Sorry to be picky but it kind of helps in a musical !.Sickly,annoying garbage.Hated it with a passion.
Let Down's Of 2008 :
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull : Forget The Phantom Menace,Steven Spielberg showed George Lucas how to really disappoint fans !.Shia Lebouf was useless,didn't need him or the woman from Raiders Of The Lost Ark.Don't get me started on the bloody alien things !.Even Ray Winstone was crap in it playing some bloke off Eastenders !.
Diary Of The Dead : What the hell happened in 2008 ?.Ben Affleck made a superb thriller while George A.Romero (who do not forget,pretty much invented the zombie movie) made a sort of pale imitation of his own work.Shot hand held style this wasn't a patch on REC and wasn't even as good as Cloverfield.A couple of nice touches here and there couldn't save it and the acting in it was dreadful.
Taken : Liam Neeson was watchable as ever but this was pretty much a Steven Seagal movie made with a decent actor.Far fetched with a totally unbelievable storyline.Expected much more from Luc Besson's studio.
Surprises Of 2008 :
Death Race : Paul W.S.Anderson is a rubbish film maker,Jason Statham is a rubbish actor and the story is totally unbelievable.Yet some how this load of forgettable nonsense seems to work ?.A total blokes movie,bit like The Fast & The Furious with guns !.Some hot women were thrown in the cars for no reason other than to add a bit of eye candy,its loud,its dumb,Joan Allen puts in a performance which may get her a role in pantomime and for some strange reason I loved it !.Guilty pleasure of 2008.
Eden Lake : Where do you start on this one ?.A nasty and very unpleasant film for sure.Mindless violent trash or a nail biting and thought provoking thriller ?.I couldn't get over this when I saw it.It was very well made and very well acted,which made this grim tale a difficult watch at times.
Step Brothers : Will Ferrell overdoses on stupid in the daftest film I've seen in ages.Stupid and purile yet I laughed like a big girl all the way through it !.Second guilty pleasure of 2008.
Favourite films of 2008 :
The Dark Knight : The stand out film of the year IMO,Superb.
Gone Baby Gone : Still can't believe Ben Affleck made a film as good as this.The acting is top notch in it too.
REC : Hardly noticed it was subtitled,was too busy filling my pants !.Best horror movie of the year by a mile IMO.
Kung Fu Panda : Loved this,found it very funny and a lot of fun.The picture quality on the Blu Ray release is amongst of the best i've ever seen.
Iron Man : Would have been the top superhero movie any other year,but unfortunately it came out just before The Dark Knight.
Quantum Of Solace : Less plot and more action than its predessor.This was a top class Bourne rip off !.Daniel Craig has succeeded in reinventing what had become a very tired format.
Least favourite films of 2008 :
Haven't seen as many stinkers as in previous years as I seem to be more selective about what I watch these days.
Day Of The Dead (2008 remake) : Oh dear,where do start ?.Apalling acting,no story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the original.A truly monumental fail !.
The Eye : Even got bored of looking at Jessica Alba !,Utter rubbish,managed to endure an hour of it.Haven't seen the original Asian version,reckon its got to be better than this though.
You Don't Mess With The Zohan : Adam Sandler stoops to a new all time low with what I would describe as one the unfunniest films ever.Dreadful.
Mamma Mia : How the hell was this so popular ?.Pierce Brosnan wouldn't have got past the audition stage of the X-Factor,due to the fact he (and most of the cast to be honest) can't bloody sing !.Sorry to be picky but it kind of helps in a musical !.Sickly,annoying garbage.Hated it with a passion.
Let Down's Of 2008 :
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull : Forget The Phantom Menace,Steven Spielberg showed George Lucas how to really disappoint fans !.Shia Lebouf was useless,didn't need him or the woman from Raiders Of The Lost Ark.Don't get me started on the bloody alien things !.Even Ray Winstone was crap in it playing some bloke off Eastenders !.
Diary Of The Dead : What the hell happened in 2008 ?.Ben Affleck made a superb thriller while George A.Romero (who do not forget,pretty much invented the zombie movie) made a sort of pale imitation of his own work.Shot hand held style this wasn't a patch on REC and wasn't even as good as Cloverfield.A couple of nice touches here and there couldn't save it and the acting in it was dreadful.
Taken : Liam Neeson was watchable as ever but this was pretty much a Steven Seagal movie made with a decent actor.Far fetched with a totally unbelievable storyline.Expected much more from Luc Besson's studio.
Surprises Of 2008 :
Death Race : Paul W.S.Anderson is a rubbish film maker,Jason Statham is a rubbish actor and the story is totally unbelievable.Yet some how this load of forgettable nonsense seems to work ?.A total blokes movie,bit like The Fast & The Furious with guns !.Some hot women were thrown in the cars for no reason other than to add a bit of eye candy,its loud,its dumb,Joan Allen puts in a performance which may get her a role in pantomime and for some strange reason I loved it !.Guilty pleasure of 2008.
Eden Lake : Where do you start on this one ?.A nasty and very unpleasant film for sure.Mindless violent trash or a nail biting and thought provoking thriller ?.I couldn't get over this when I saw it.It was very well made and very well acted,which made this grim tale a difficult watch at times.
Step Brothers : Will Ferrell overdoses on stupid in the daftest film I've seen in ages.Stupid and purile yet I laughed like a big girl all the way through it !.Second guilty pleasure of 2008.