Your Highness (2011)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

Director

David Gordon Green

Country

USA

Cast

Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones, Damian Lewis, Rasmus Hardiker, Simon Farnaby, Deobia Oparei, Charles Dance, John Fricker, Matyelok Gibbs, Charles Shaughnessy, Rhian Sugden, Amii Grove

Storyline

When Prince Fabious's (James Franco) bride (Zooey Deschanel) is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous (Danny McBride).

Opinion

I certainly wasn't expecting an Oscar worthy picture here, but I figured this to be one of those films you still enjoy no matter how stupid they are. And I was right, about the last part only though because "Your Highness" is pretty dumb but not so funny and overall it fails to entertain.

The film is a parody of medieval/fantasy movies which is the reason why I decided to give it a try. But with the plot comes the first problem. I get the writers' intention to write something that wouldn't have the viewer think about it for hours and hours after the film is over, because they really gave no weight to the storyline. I'm not complaining about that. What I'm complaining about is how tedious the whole thing ended up.

I am not sure what exactly went wrong, or maybe I do. It was probably the humour. Most of the jokes fall flat and are the regular fart and stornes jokes that have been used over and over again. Occasionally, there are some jokes that work, but they are so little they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. What the filmmakers should have realised before making this is that profanities and stupid jokes aren't enough to make a medieval movie funny.

A positive note is that the film is full of action and special effects which aren't bad at all. Also the fantasy elements are treated "seriously" and if it wasn't for the poor humour, the film would have totally be a winner.

Next up there's the cast who unfortunately cannot save the film. Danny McBride does his best and does provide some laughs, but he alone is not enough to make up for the script. On the other hand we have James Franco, who should be ashamed of himself for the performance he gives here. I loved him in "Pineapple Express" but this time he just doesn't seem to work. And among many famous names that really made me wonder what the hell they were doing in the film - Damian Lewis, Charles Dance -, Natalie Portman and Zooey Deschanel stand out for being just the pretty girls.

Fifty Shades of Black (2016)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Michael Tiddes

Country

USA

Cast

Marlon Wayans, Kali Hawk, Jane Seymour, Fred Willard, Irene Choi, David Arvesen, King Bach, Mircea Monroe, Affion Crockett, Kate Miner, Florence Henderson, Dave Sheridan, Jenny Zigrino

Storyline

Inexperienced college student Hannah Steale's (Kali Hawk) life changes forever when she meet wealthy businessman Christian Black (Marlon Wayans). 

Opinion

One week later, here I am reviewing "Fifty Shades of Grey"'s parody, but unlike I hoped, I won't be able to say that the parody is better than the original, even though this time I didn't need to take breaks or speed up the film to get to the end.

To be honest, the idea was great. I mean, taking one of the most successful films - and novels - of the past few years and making a parody of it complete with a social satire, something decent could have been made out of it.

Unfortunately, the filmmakers' only concern was to make fun of the original film scene by scene, and while that worked for a few scenes, the rest is just filled with sex jokes, not that funny humour and a lot of stupid things. Basically all "Fifty Shades of Black" does is trying to show the audience how dumb the original movie is.

Okay, that's not true, because it also makes fun of other films such as "Magic Mike" - and I'm totally cool with that - and "Whiplash" - nope, I'm not okay with this one. And there are tons of references of other popular movies, TV shows and books, not to mention the pop culture satire that is nothing like the satire in Wayans previous comedies. Also, there is so much vulgarity that it's even too much for Marlon Wayans.

"A Haunted House 2" was better than this, still I had a few laughs, and ultimately "Fifty Shades of Black" is the parody "Fifty Shades of Grey" deserves.

The World's End (2013)

Genre

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Edgar Wright

Country

UK | USA

Cast

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike, Pierce Brosnan, David Bradley, Darren Boyd, Michael Smiley, Thomas Law, Zachary Bailess, Jasper Levine, Luke Bromley, James Tarpey, Flora Slorach, Richard Hadfield, Nicholas Burns, Steve Oram, Reece Shearsmith, Bill Nighy, Sophie Evans, Samantha White, Rose Reynolds

Storyline

20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, Gary King (Simon Pegg), a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, convinces his four childhood mates to stage an encore, and drags his reluctant pals to their hometown and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub, The World's End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind's and reaching The World's End will be the least of their worries.

Opinion

Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost continue on the path of g(l)ory, ending the Cornetto series in a epic way.

Entertaining and hilarious, The World's End wonderfully blends comedy, science fiction and a little bit of romance without feeling neither the weight of years nor that of the responsibility that carries on its shoulders.

Once again, Edgar Wright manages to craft a brilliant and provocative comedy, thank to a topic that may seem trite, but that isn't dealt with superficiality. Indeed the film does not spare criticism toward man, society, and mostly the decline of the individual, who puts first, instead of friends, family, or fun, the job, portrayed as some kind of slavery that leads man to act like a robot. 

The brilliant script stands out with amazing action scenes - made remarkable by Wright's great skills -, exhilarating gags - both physical and verbal -, well-crafted and complex characters, and empty non-robots that sprinkle blue blood from every pore.

Charming in Gary King's shoes, Simon Pegg is clearly having a lot of fun, and carries us along with him. However, Nick Frost stands out as he plays a different type of character this time, giving a noteworthy performance in his complex and more mature role. The chemistry between them is pure magic. Martin Freeman finally has more screen time than he previously had in the other Cornetto films, and does a great job along with Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, and Rosamund Pike.

Quotes

Gary King: What the fuck does WTF mean?

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Genre

Action | Comedy

Director

Edgar Wright

Country

UK | France | USA

Cast

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Paddy Considine, Rafe Spall, Kevin Eldon, Adam Buxton, Billie Whitelaw, Stuart Wilson, Karl Johnson, David Bradley, Paul Freeman

Storyline

Top London cop Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), who is so good at his job that makes his fellow officers look like slackers by comparison, is involuntarily transferred in the sleepy village of Sandford and paired with a witless new partner (Nick Frost). White on the beat, Nicholas suspects a sinister conspiracy is afoot with the residents.

Opinion

Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back with the second film of the Cornetto trilogy, and they show how to top Shaun of the Dead. In fact, Hot Fuzz is a non-stop comedy, with some great action sequences and a little gore to add more hilarity.

Brilliantly written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the film, despite being just a comedy, can claim a well articulated and very intricate plot that will turn you into a Sherlock Holmes to solve the case, only to make you feel completely useless as you will end up win a finale far from granted.

The film has the perfect mix of splatter and humour, British humour of course, that will make you laugh and keep you entertained throughout the whole running time.

In addition to that there is a terrific camera work - including a shot from above towards the inside of the trunk Tarantino style -, a wonderful soundtrack, and some of the best action sequences ever seen.

The acting is fine. Simon Pegg gives a fantastic performance as Nicholas, and his character is incredibly developed. Nick Frost does a good job as Danny, and the chemistry he has with Pegg is undeniable. The supporting cast is also good, but Timothy Dalton stands out, with his over-the-top villain. 

A suggestion? Watch it for the greater good.

Quotes

Danny Butterman: Where's the trolley boy?

Nicholas Angel: In the freezer.

Danny Butterman: Did you say "cool off?"

Nicholas Angel: No I didn't say anything...

Danny Butterman: Shame.

Nicholas Angel: Well, there was the bit that you missed where I distracted him with the cuddly monkey then I said "play time's over" and I hit him in the head with the peace lily.

Danny Butterman: You're off the fuckin' chain!