When I first subscribed to LoveFilm, I would make an effort each week to hand-pick the DVDs that I would like to receive the following week, by simply upping the priority of individual titles. Since then, my shortlist has grown to the point at which I’ve found it more difficult to select any two from such a large crop and I’ve instead allowed the discs to fall through my door almost organically.
So, when the previous two titles to arrived on my doormat, I noticed a stark contrast between the suspected quality of each film.
Wrath of the Titans – a sequel to the recent remake of Clash of the Titans, once again starring Sam Worthington and Liam Neeson among others.
Unlike its predecessor, this is not a remake of a film that appeared decades earlier. So, if there wasn’t a sequel then, why produce one now?
We can all choose to answer that question in our own way. Sadly, it remains one of those tiresome sequels that only attempts to repeat the events of the previous iteration in the series; albeit with a few character substitutions and a minor change of location.
When I reviewed the remake a couple of months ago, I think I made a reference to the strong emphasis on the relationship between Zeus and Perseus (God and son; Ancient Greeks with Australian and Irish-American accents respectively…). In this sequel, Perseus’ hatred towards his father is as clear as before from very early on. But then, when Zeus gets taken [yes, I used that word], we see the demi-God overcome with a new emotion and a determination to save his father. It’s at times like this that I wonder whether some actors really care for the scripts they’re reading. You can also expect to hear the term “Brother” used extensively.
My only notable memory from this film was the inclusion of Bill Nighy, who resurrects his infamous role as Davy Jones (of Pirates of the Caribbean fame). Only, this time, he has a real beard instead of tentacles (I guess he was freed from his curse) He even gets to reprieve the line, “Release the Kraken!“. Nighy, along with the brief journey to reach his character, held for me, the most worthwhile moments of the entire film.
After that, it descends in to a near-apocalyptic face-off against a giant man-form made of fire. Really, all the world’s population would have to do is take to the see and wait for the fiery-one to chase after them.
Walk The Line – I’m sure you’ve heard of this one. It’s the biopic of the Johnny Cash’s early life, with Joaquin Phoenix starring in the main role.
I only know of a handful of Cash’s songs and can only claim to be an admirer of his music, while I remain anything but overly familiar with it. I’d heard good things about this film and without knowing how accurate any of the detailing may or may not be, I can only tell you that I enjoyed it. In fact, I watched it several times (without falling a sleep, I might add).
You get a real sense not only of how Cash’s career began and the time in which was making a name for himself but also, some of the experiences, particularly in early life, that would’ve shaped his style and direction. You see the good side but, quite often, you also see the bad in this film.
It’s made me want to purchase Johnny Cash’s autobiography so that I can learn more about his story.
Whenever I mention Joaquin Phoenix to someone, they usually respond as if they’ve never heard of him – which leads me to believe that he may only be known for three cinema roles: that of this film, for playing Julius Ceasar in Gladiator and then last year, there was his character in the freakishly-weird title known as Her. I sometimes wonder whether his late brother, River Phoenix, is still better known… Or, maybe I’m just not pronouncing the first bit right?
I mean, he got an Oscar or something for Walk the Line, didn’t he? Deservedly so.
Thanks for reading.
