Bad Teacher (Jake Kasdan, 2011)
Okay this film gave me a bit of a what the fuck moment! Possibly because it actually shows how the world works! Basically the story is centered around Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) a high school teacher who gets dumped by her fiance because she’s a gold digger. Elizabeth meets Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) a substitute teacher whose family has a lot of wealth, and thus attempts to pursue a relationship with him. Elizabeth chances are dashed when Scott falls for another teacher Amy Squirrell (Lucy Punch). Elizabeth decides that in order to get a wealthy boyfriend she must boob implants. In order to afford the surgery Elizabeth steals from the schools car wash fund and gives her students the answers to the state exam, so that she can have the bonus for the teacher with the highest state scores. Amy discovers that Elizabeth has helped her students cheat and seeks to bring her down, unfortunately things do not go to plan for Amy and she is transferred to one of the most challenging schools in the county. Elizabeth then decides she is very superficial in her relationships and starts up a relationship with fellow gym teacher Russell Gettis (Jason Segel). In the next school year Elizabeth realizing that she is a bad teacher decides to become a guidance Councillor. So it ends with a happy ending for the drug taking, reckless, cheating bad teacher Elizabeth Halsey.
This ending took me completely by surprise. For Hollywood to create a film that certainly doesn’t uphold the American ideologies that most of their films do is practically unheard of. There was no comeuppance for Elizabeth’s behavior, which although is more like reality it certainly doesn’t seem like a Hollywood film. I’m in two minds about this film because of that, something doesn’t sit right having a film that ends with the good teacher being ultimately punished, then again it’s nice to see a film that more accurately represents reality, rather than the false promises that Hollywood likes to churn out.
The film is an alright film, nothing that I’d suggest running out to watch, however, if it’s in a friends film collection or bargain bin you might aswell give it a watch. The acting throughout the film is generally quite good across the board. It’s the script that lets the film down, some of the lines are just terrible. I imagine you’ll get a few laughs out of this film just be prepared for that ending because it genuinely caught me off guard and in the end I expected an uplifting Hollywood film which this really isn’t. If you wanna see the bad guy win for once, however, this film might be more in your tastes.
The Avengers (Joss Whedon, 2012)
If you have not seen this film, I highly suggest you get up, go to your cinema and watch it. That is all I really need to say for this review! This film I would go to the cinema and see again! I would pay to watch this at a cinema again and again. If you know me you know that’s an incredible statement to make. I don’t really like the cinema much because of it’s extortionate prices, the fact that they refuse you entry with you own food, and then proceed to sell nothing but crap for ridiculous prices. So that fact that I would fork out so much money for this film shows how amazed I was by this. The film is just impeccable.
Every single aspect of this film is just amazing, from the cast to scriptwriting, from sound to visual effects. It is a faultless film. I know some people who were concerned about how time would be spread out across each of the individual superheros, Joss Whedon managed to balance out the film so that each character has adequate time in the limelight. Every tiny aspect has been considered and the assembly of the Avengers film is beyond compare. The film is mind blowing.
In terms of story, the narrative of the Avengers is just amazing. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) adopted brother of Thor, declares a war on Earth seeking to rule them. Eventually Loki manages to invade Earth causing choas in Manhattan. The Avengers join together under the guidance of S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to stop Loki and his invasion. The Avengers consists of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). There are some really strong characters there, many with their own established film, and off course some clashes emerge between these superheroes. These clashes create some really fantastic action/fight sequences, it really keeps you on the edge of your seat (you will also find yourself rooting and cheering for your favorite superhero).
Joss Whedon has done a superb job on directing this film, the cinematography is just sublime. The casting of Mark Ruffalo as the hulk was an excellent decision. In fact I would love to see a Hulk film staring Mark Ruffalo. His acting and interpretation of the Hulk was incredible, it’s such a shame that the first two Hulk films were so terrible. Within this film I actually gained an appreciation for Hawkeye, I was not looking forward to seeing his character but actually I’m very intrigued by Hawkeye now. His story was very interesting throughout the film and what surprised me was that he was for the most part working with Loki during the film, under loki’s mind control. Apparently that was the case for the comics, Hawkeye was a bit of a rogue agent so to speak. The Avengers film has got me very interested in the comics, as I wish to find out more of the history of various characters throughout the film.
The Avengers is a truly amazing film and I highly recommend everyone watches this film. There really is something for everyone, there is going to be a superhero that you like, that you enjoy. You don’t need to have watched the Thor, Iron Man or Captain America films beforehand, though it does help. If your a fan of the comics you will enjoy the film, if this is your first experience of the avengers you will enjoy this film. It is truly superb and I shall be purchasing this film on blu-ray the second it is released!
I thought you were dead. — I thought you were smaller.
(Source: paulwes, via sirtennant)
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