Last Vegas, Wolf of Wall Street, Her and...you don't want to know

I occasionally forget to review films. Or there comes a point that I've waited so long to actually write one the film is no longer relevant, to cinema goers anyway. Being all OCD-ey though I struggle to write other reviews knowing there's some I've missed. So here's some snappy little summings up of the films I saw in the ass-end of 2013 and the last few months.

Last Vegas

A 'Hangover type' film you can watch with the grandparents. They'll think it's ever so riskay and chuckle away while you smile and take in how nicey and inoffensive it is. Its by no means bad. Just not very memorable. The ensemble oldie cast all have their moments and the film kind of feels as if it's split up into little scenarios they get themselves into but it never goes for shock value which is sort of essential in this kind of film. 

It leaves you smiling but not with a laugh induced belly ache. A nice background family watch but nothing more. The definition of a 'nice' film. 

6/10

The Wolf of Wall Street

I should have really gone in-depth with this one, what with all the hype and acclaim it got. Like many of it's Oscar nominated buddies I found The Wolf of Wall Street to be be really great, but not quite as perfect as I'd have imagined. 

Leo does a stellar job of showcasing the incredibly interesting and often shocking life of Jordan Belfort. It's a ride that had me completely hooked. For the first 2 hours anyway. 

I don't have to say it's too long because you've already been told that. What starts as a crazy lifestyle that immediately reels you in does start to drag on a bit. 2 and a half hours would be perfect- and that's still a long run-time. 

It's its only flaw though and is funny, interesting and shocking. It's the story of the man you kind of wish you were while at the same time thanking god you're not. 

8/10

Her

 The initially very interesting premise of a man falling in love with his siri quickly lost steam for me at an annoyingly early stage. It goes for a few laughs but this is a serious story of a man in love with a computer. Every possible alley of possibility that could happen in this situation....happens. In much detail.
 It's sweet at times and quite intriguing but it hits a spot somewhere below 'funny' and 'beautiful' and becomes a bit dull. There are haunting little scenes that make you think and quite a bit of heart but never enough to make you feel on the same wavelength as Joaquin Phoenix's character. 

Watch the first half hour and the last 15 minutes and you'll walk out with the same experience as everyone else watching without the boredom. 

6/10

And the surprise hit film of 2013!

But not really.

Walking With Dinosaurs 3D

Take one of the Ice Age sequels, probably the 4th one where they've kinda given up. Take away all of the cartoon-ey humour that makes the kids laugh and make sure the character's mouths don't move even though they are speaking. Set those characters on a real background so there's no chance of any interesting zany setting and ladies and gents you have Walking With Dinosaurs 3D. 

It sets itself up as a nature documentary like the 'impressive at the time' BBC shows but there's not much learning to be had here other than the screen freezing every so often to have an annoying child say the dinosaur's name. We're then led straight back into the bird dinosaur talking like a Mexican and the rest all making toilet humour jokes and exchanging playground insults.

At least it's not offensively bad. If it was a TV show on primetime Saturday night BBC it might just be acceptable. I can see a child into dinosaurs watching this in the background while he plays with his dinosaur toys. That child is the film's only market however. 

4/10