First in a new series of mini-reviews for films and other media I don’t feel like an extended article for right now.
- The Simpsons Movie (2007, US, Fox). It’s an extended version of one of the Springfield-heads-for-over-the-top-disaster episodes from the series, but it’s nowhere near as good as the finest examples of this (Marge vs. the Monorail, Bart’s Comet and so on). And Spider-Pig is NOT FUNNY.Despite this, it’s entertaining; it’s modern-Simpsons quality rather than classic-series or Futurama quality, however, so don’t go in expecting it to be a modern classic or anything. Interesting low-level satire aimed at the New Orleans disaster too.
- Die Hard 4.0 (2007, US, Fox). Bunch of unbelievable superhackers 0wn the East Coast of America and John McClane has to stop them, which he does explosively. Completely technically inaccurate, physically inaccurate and has some incredibly laughable plot holes. Still better than Die Hard with a Vengeance despite the obvious toning-down for PG-13 and has some pretty good stunts. Place in guilty pleasures category.
Coming next: Edinburgh International Film Festival 2007, 15 August – 26 August. I am missing most of the big names because I couldn’t buy tickets in time; so instead I’m seeing a lot of oddball indie comedy and horror. My first film’s on Friday (or tomorrow if I can wangle a return) and mini- or fuller reviews will accompany each of them.
F L I C K E R I N G / F R A M E 