Movie Round up #3

Happiness of the Katakuris (2001/Japan)

As a horror/musical/black comedy it mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but the absurdly naive characters amuse more than the lengthy dance sequences grate. It feels a bit long considering its levity and could’ve done with being trimmed to 90mins. Something altogether different if not altogether wonderful.

Evolution (2001/USA)

A sci-fi/comedy in the vein of Men in Black / Ghostbusters which, although lacking the class of either, manages to merge the genres successfully. The often crude and base humour tires at times but overall it’s good silly fun.

Shrek the Third (2007/USA)

The franchise is beginning to look stretched as this fails to repeat the highs of the second film. It’s still entertaining but nowhere near as clever or as witty as the previous instalments. The quality of the cgi is beyond reproach and sets new benchmarks but let’s hope this is the last as I don’t think the premise can withstand further dilution.

The Number 23 (2007/USA)

A psychological thriller which sees Jim Carrey in unfamiliar territory but looking more than capable. It’s a twisty, turny affair which never really has you fully hooked beyond the opening act but manages to keep you interested until the well executed revelations in the final third.