Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Film Review

There seems to be a strange new creature in the world of Ant-Man – this kind of vibrating ghost person. Meanwhile, Dr Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) thinks that he may has left his wife Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) in a mysterious realm, and he’s working with his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) to try to get back there to find it. Then there are some bad guys, and the FBI and stuff happening. And Ant-Man (Paul Rudd).

Ah, not much of a description but really what this film was all about for me was the humour, the action fun times and that’s about it. And if you stay for the secret Marvel bit, make sure you’ve seen Avenger’s Infinity War first and prepare to have your heart broken a little.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Film Review

There seems to be a strange new creature in the world of Ant-Man – this kind of vibrating ghost person. Meanwhile, Dr Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) thinks that he may has left his wife Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) in a mysterious realm, and he’s working with his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) to try to get back there to find it. Then there are some bad guys, and the FBI and stuff happening. And Ant-Man (Paul Rudd).

Ah, not much of a description but really what this film was all about for me was the humour, the action fun times and that’s about it. And if you stay for the secret Marvel bit, make sure you’ve seen Avenger’s Infinity War first and prepare to have your heart broken a little.

Ant-Man (2015) Film Review

So there’s a guy who’s developed some way cool technology only, realising it is dangerous, locks it away to keep everyone safe. Only there’s another guy, a bad guy, who wants to get his hands on it/develop it himself. Then there’s usually another guy who accidentally gets involved, and then there’s the daughter, usually the daughter of the first guy, who is smart and ace and beautiful and obviously will be the love interest regardless of how little chemistry there is between her and the accidental hero. Of course, she’s overlooked because she’s a girl, she couldn’t possibly be any good, then she proves herself a little bit and finally gains some trust of at least one of the hundreds of men in the film. Of course, she still doesn’t get any kudos and most people will be talking about her hair or clothes anyhow (if she gets a mention).

Look, it’s fine. It’s a pretty average plot, a pretty average origin story for one of the most ridiculous sounding superheroes. And I like the cast, and the script did what it needed to and the special effects were pretty ace. There was a good amount of comedy, but really, is this the film that has tipped me over the edge of superhero films? I’ve enjoyed them for a long time, though I feel I have a real hate/love relationship forming with Batman v Superman (that’s surely got to be totally shithouse).

 

Romancing The Stone (1984) Film Review

As if following the plot of one the adventure romances she writes, bestselling author Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) heads to Colombia to swap a treasure map sent to her by her now-dead brother-in-law for her kidnapped sister. However, she is misled by an evil military guy and ends up going in the wrong direction. Saved from the baddie by Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas), she enlists his help, and before long, they are searching for the treasure themselves. But with everyone after them, including Danny DeVito (though I must admit, the reason for his character in the film was very much little more than comic relief).

This is such a great eighties’ comedy. It’s very funny through excellent writing and good performances, and gee is it good to see a romance in a film that starts with two characters hating each other that resolves with them both deeply in love – so often, the man is stoical and manly and barely acknowledges his feelings, but Michael Douglas got to play a man in love, with sparkles in his eyes and a smile he could not wipe from his face.

Romancing The Stone was nominated for an Oscar for Best Film Editing.

Behind the Candelabra (2013) Film Review

It’s the late 70s. Librace (Michael Douglas) is at the height of his fame, playing to sold-out houses in Las Vegas, wearing his trademark outrageously spectacular outfits, masses of jewelry and playing a mirror-covered grand piano. He is introduced to Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), a young, beautiful and naïve young man and they begin a romantic relationship. Over the course of the relationship they are faced with a variety of challenges including fame, plastic surgery and drugs.

The story itself is interesting; an older, highly successful performer seeks love and companionship from a younger man and uses his money and success to obtain this. For me, there were two key things that made this film for me. The first was the legend of Liberace. I’ve always known who Liberace was; a flamboyant pianist who, despite the high camp of his outfits and his act, was not known as a gay man to the general public. The second was the performances. Michael Douglas was fabulous as Liberace; he was such a larger-than-life character, and any portrayal was going to have some element of cariacature. But Douglas brought heart to the character. Matt Damon showed the rise of fall of Thorson, from the innocent farm boy to the arrogant lover of a very wealthy man. And then there is Rob Lowe. Lowe plays Dr Jack Startz, the creepy, overly-face-lifted plastic surgeon. Every moment he is on screen is magnificent. Truly magnificent.