Friday 28 September 2012
Thursday 27 September 2012
#37 : MiB^3
"Men in Black 3"
No one named and no reviews given.
Most of the buses were as usual:
but one was special:
Unfortunately that didn't make the reviews any better. Users scored a respectable 7.0 with the reviews of 58/100.
No one named and no reviews given.
Most of the buses were as usual:
Unfortunately that didn't make the reviews any better. Users scored a respectable 7.0 with the reviews of 58/100.
#36 : What to Expect When You're Expecting
#35 : Dark Shadows
Wednesday 2 May 2012
#34 : The Lucky One
No strapline given.
Zac Effron and Taylor Schilling
"Zac Effron just got hotter" - Heat
Clearly they're just trying to get the teenage girl market sold on one High School Musical star. That the quoted review doesn't give any information about how good the movie is, just that they liked the star, should tell you everything you need to know.
This really doesn't improve the movie. Early reviews aren't encouraging. IMDB is scoring just 5.7 and the critics are being even harsher with just a 38/100 including just a 50/100 from Entertainment Weekly. It must be bad.
Zac Effron and Taylor Schilling
"Zac Effron just got hotter" - Heat
This really doesn't improve the movie. Early reviews aren't encouraging. IMDB is scoring just 5.7 and the critics are being even harsher with just a 38/100 including just a 50/100 from Entertainment Weekly. It must be bad.
#33 : American Pie Reunion
"Save the best piece for last"
No stars named or reviews quoted.
American Pie, we probably all saw it. You probably laughed a bit, learnt a few of the catchphrases, maybe watched through your fingers in places, and vowed that was enough. Then they made American Pie 2. You saw it on TV, perhaps. Then came American Pie: The Wedding which you didn't see at all. At this point they switched DVD releases only, of American Pie Presents Band Camp and American Pie Presents The Naked Mile. The user scores of these movies don't go up as the sequence progresses.
So why did they decide to make one more? Well, obviously money. hey think there's an audience for another goof-ball comedy. (American) audiences needn't tax their brains by getting to know new characters since they remember enough about them all from a decade ago. We guess nothing has changed in their personalities.
So how will it size up? IMDB is scoring it a 7.5 (including about a third of users scoring it 10/10!) but that's generous compared to the critics which is averaging 50/100. I don't think I'll be bothering.
No stars named or reviews quoted.
So why did they decide to make one more? Well, obviously money. hey think there's an audience for another goof-ball comedy. (American) audiences needn't tax their brains by getting to know new characters since they remember enough about them all from a decade ago. We guess nothing has changed in their personalities.
So how will it size up? IMDB is scoring it a 7.5 (including about a third of users scoring it 10/10!) but that's generous compared to the critics which is averaging 50/100. I don't think I'll be bothering.
Saturday 28 April 2012
#32 : Battleship
"The battle for Earth begins at sea"
Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Liam Neeson
No reviews given.
F-3 -- Miss
Not Battleship Potemkin, but something that I am guessing is ranking alongside 2012 for awfulness. That the stars on the bus are not exactly Hollywood A-listers is almost besides the point. OK, Neeson should be but his record over recent years isn't exactly stellar. Rihanna in her first movie role isn't a good advert either, except for teenage boys, I guess.
B-1 -- Miss
IMDB is scoring it poorly - a 6.5 rating which looks good compared to the metacritic score of 43/100. Best avoided I think.
C-3 -- Did I sink your Battleship?
Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Liam Neeson
No reviews given.
Not Battleship Potemkin, but something that I am guessing is ranking alongside 2012 for awfulness. That the stars on the bus are not exactly Hollywood A-listers is almost besides the point. OK, Neeson should be but his record over recent years isn't exactly stellar. Rihanna in her first movie role isn't a good advert either, except for teenage boys, I guess.
B-1 -- Miss
IMDB is scoring it poorly - a 6.5 rating which looks good compared to the metacritic score of 43/100. Best avoided I think.
C-3 -- Did I sink your Battleship?
#31 : Cabin In the Woods
"You think you know the story. Think again"
No stars listed.
Reviews: (no sources visible)
"Breathlessly entertaining"
"Groundbreaking... a game changer"
Horror movies seem to always be one of the type appearing on the side of buses. Does that make them any good? Probably not. That the reviews quoted have no obviously clear source is a very bad sign. Let me point you at someone instead who went to an advance press screening. Joss Whedon writing (he of Buffy and Firefly) ought to be a very good sign, though.
IMDB is, however, scoring it very highly. Users have it pegged at an 8.0 although this is more due to a very strong score set from the younger voters, with others scoring less highly. The Metacritic scores aren't quite so complimentary, but they average 72/100 mainly thanks to a 100/100 from the San Francisco Chronicle.
No stars listed.
Reviews: (no sources visible)
"Breathlessly entertaining"
"Groundbreaking... a game changer"
Horror movies seem to always be one of the type appearing on the side of buses. Does that make them any good? Probably not. That the reviews quoted have no obviously clear source is a very bad sign. Let me point you at someone instead who went to an advance press screening. Joss Whedon writing (he of Buffy and Firefly) ought to be a very good sign, though.
IMDB is, however, scoring it very highly. Users have it pegged at an 8.0 although this is more due to a very strong score set from the younger voters, with others scoring less highly. The Metacritic scores aren't quite so complimentary, but they average 72/100 mainly thanks to a 100/100 from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Thursday 5 April 2012
#30 : Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
No strapline given.
Ewen McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas
"The British Comedy of the year *****" <writing too small to read who said this>
So the book of this has never appealed to me. I'd read and kind of enjoyed The Irresistible Inheritance Of Wilberforce but not enough to make me want to read anything else by Paul Torday.
IMDB is scoring a 7.1 from a small number of users. More importantly, perhaps, the Metacritic score is 60 with Entertainment Weekly, as ever, scoring highest at 75/100.
Ewen McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas
"The British Comedy of the year *****" <writing too small to read who said this>
So the book of this has never appealed to me. I'd read and kind of enjoyed The Irresistible Inheritance Of Wilberforce but not enough to make me want to read anything else by Paul Torday.
IMDB is scoring a 7.1 from a small number of users. More importantly, perhaps, the Metacritic score is 60 with Entertainment Weekly, as ever, scoring highest at 75/100.
#29 : Wrath of the Titans
"Feel the Wrath"
No actors or reviews given.
This bus advert is interesting. They've clearly paid for a range of adverts to promote the "characters" in the movie. I only noticed when I saw two buses together this morning with different side panels on. Clearly "Perseus" is the one above, but I have also seen "Andromeda" and a "plain 3D" side panel.
Clearly they are working hard based on the quality of the movie. Already it is scoring only 6.3 from IMDB users - about double the 37 from their metacritic score. As ever Entertainment Weeklyis scoring the highest, but even they only gave a 67!
No actors or reviews given.
This bus advert is interesting. They've clearly paid for a range of adverts to promote the "characters" in the movie. I only noticed when I saw two buses together this morning with different side panels on. Clearly "Perseus" is the one above, but I have also seen "Andromeda" and a "plain 3D" side panel.
Clearly they are working hard based on the quality of the movie. Already it is scoring only 6.3 from IMDB users - about double the 37 from their metacritic score. As ever Entertainment Weeklyis scoring the highest, but even they only gave a 67!
#27 : The Cold Light of Day
"Time is running out"
Henry Cavill, Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis
No reviews given.
Yet another movie with a gun on a poster. Do I sound sick of this unnecessary-ness yet? A couple of weeks ago when this first hit the buses it seemed to be on every bus in Leeds. Still not released until next week. IMDB still to get reviews, therefore.
The "star", Mr Cavill, probably wouldn't get a bus advert with his name without the other two.
Henry Cavill, Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis
No reviews given.
The "star", Mr Cavill, probably wouldn't get a bus advert with his name without the other two.
Tuesday 13 March 2012
#26 : The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists
"Setting sail in 3D"
"From the salty sea-dogs that brought you Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit"
No reviews given.
Clearly a children's, sorry, family movie. It says 3D. Both excuse it being on the Side Of A Bus - but over two weeks before release?
It's got a British voice cast (Hugh Grant, Brian Blessed, Lenny Henry, Martin Freeman, David Tennant and, er Salma Hayek) working with the plasticine people. It'll probably be a lot of fun. IMDB is still waiting for enough votes.
"From the salty sea-dogs that brought you Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit"
No reviews given.
Clearly a children's, sorry, family movie. It says 3D. Both excuse it being on the Side Of A Bus - but over two weeks before release?
It's got a British voice cast (Hugh Grant, Brian Blessed, Lenny Henry, Martin Freeman, David Tennant and, er Salma Hayek) working with the plasticine people. It'll probably be a lot of fun. IMDB is still waiting for enough votes.
#25 : The Hunger Games
"The world will be watching"
No actors or reviews given.
Apparently this will be very popular. I heard it described as like Battle Royale (averaging 7.8) for the Twilight (averaging 5.3) crowd. IMDB are still awaiting enough votes. My money's on more like the latter's scores - but then it is on the Side Of A Bus.
[Note there appears to be an American remake of Battle Royale out in 2015. Can they break that too?]
No actors or reviews given.
Apparently this will be very popular. I heard it described as like Battle Royale (averaging 7.8) for the Twilight (averaging 5.3) crowd. IMDB are still awaiting enough votes. My money's on more like the latter's scores - but then it is on the Side Of A Bus.
[Note there appears to be an American remake of Battle Royale out in 2015. Can they break that too?]
Friday 9 March 2012
#24 : 21 Jump Street
No strapline given.
Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum
"Hilarious" **** - Charles Gant - Heat
The lack of strapline could mean it was deemed too rude for general public consumption, since it seems to be "The only thing getting blown tonight is their cover". It is, as you may be able to tell from the sign they don't obscure, about a high school prom. Hence the tuxedos. And the guns. What? Guns? Oh, maybe they're spies, or more likely a couple of pre-college kids who come across a conspiracy and have to go undercover to expose the Bad Guys. Then again, the presence of the word "Hilarious" tells us it's a comedy so things obviously don't go to plan. Maybe it's trying to be a new American Pie - which has only averaged a 6.9 after all this time. No reviews in for this one yet...
Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum
"Hilarious" **** - Charles Gant - Heat
The lack of strapline could mean it was deemed too rude for general public consumption, since it seems to be "The only thing getting blown tonight is their cover". It is, as you may be able to tell from the sign they don't obscure, about a high school prom. Hence the tuxedos. And the guns. What? Guns? Oh, maybe they're spies, or more likely a couple of pre-college kids who come across a conspiracy and have to go undercover to expose the Bad Guys. Then again, the presence of the word "Hilarious" tells us it's a comedy so things obviously don't go to plan. Maybe it's trying to be a new American Pie - which has only averaged a 6.9 after all this time. No reviews in for this one yet...
#23 : Contraband
"Steal your life back"
Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale.
No reviews given.
Moody black and white photos, but really just men with guns. I'm guessing action, explosions and no redeeming take-home moral.
The reviews on IMDB are scoring it a 6.7, with five times as many men voting as women. Their Top 1000 voters are averaging 5.7 and the Metacritic scaore is 52/100, although Entertainment Weekly is, as per usual, the top score.
Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale.
No reviews given.
Moody black and white photos, but really just men with guns. I'm guessing action, explosions and no redeeming take-home moral.
The reviews on IMDB are scoring it a 6.7, with five times as many men voting as women. Their Top 1000 voters are averaging 5.7 and the Metacritic scaore is 52/100, although Entertainment Weekly is, as per usual, the top score.
Tuesday 28 February 2012
#22 : Bel Ami
"Temptation, Seduction, Obsession"
"Based on the classic novel"
Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kirsten Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci and Colin Meany
No reviews given.
This clearly has an all star cast, which makes you wonder why it's advertised on the buses. It mentions that it is based on "the classic novel". Not "a classic novel" but "the". Presumably it is the 19th Century classic of French literature by Guy Maupassant. I'm guessing that most people who the other films featured on the side of buses are aimed at have never heard of this, let alone read it. Maybe I'm wrong. Then again, they could just be trying to persuade the Twilight audience to go and see it on the basis that Robert Pattinson is in it. If that's you then my money says he doesn't bite anyone's neck.
The latest IMDB user reviews for it are decent averaging a 7.1, but then we're still a week away from release, so it could be Twilight fans getting in early. The breakdown of scores here is interesting in telling us something about IMDB users rating at this stage:
Rating Votes Percentage
10 179 56.5
9 22 6.9
8 25 7.9
7 17 5.4
6 24 7.6
5 9 2.8
4 3 0.9
3 6 1.9
2 7 2.2
1 24 7.9
"Based on the classic novel"
Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kirsten Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci and Colin Meany
No reviews given.
This clearly has an all star cast, which makes you wonder why it's advertised on the buses. It mentions that it is based on "the classic novel". Not "a classic novel" but "the". Presumably it is the 19th Century classic of French literature by Guy Maupassant. I'm guessing that most people who the other films featured on the side of buses are aimed at have never heard of this, let alone read it. Maybe I'm wrong. Then again, they could just be trying to persuade the Twilight audience to go and see it on the basis that Robert Pattinson is in it. If that's you then my money says he doesn't bite anyone's neck.
The latest IMDB user reviews for it are decent averaging a 7.1, but then we're still a week away from release, so it could be Twilight fans getting in early. The breakdown of scores here is interesting in telling us something about IMDB users rating at this stage:
Rating Votes Percentage
10 179 56.5
9 22 6.9
8 25 7.9
7 17 5.4
6 24 7.6
5 9 2.8
4 3 0.9
3 6 1.9
2 7 2.2
1 24 7.9
Maybe I should update this in a few weeks to see how this has changed...Friday 17 February 2012
#21 : Safe House
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.
No strapline given. No reviews given.
I don't remember the last Denzel Washington film I wanted to watch. Then again I had no desire to see the Green Lantern or The Proposal in terms of Ryan Reynolds movies either.
The user reviews score of 7.2 at IMDB is decent enough, however the Metacritic total of 52 is less impressive. I guess it really is just a couple of guys running around shooting and blowing things up.
A question for the UK audience is, do we really need guns used to advertise things here?
No strapline given. No reviews given.
I don't remember the last Denzel Washington film I wanted to watch. Then again I had no desire to see the Green Lantern or The Proposal in terms of Ryan Reynolds movies either.
The user reviews score of 7.2 at IMDB is decent enough, however the Metacritic total of 52 is less impressive. I guess it really is just a couple of guys running around shooting and blowing things up.
A question for the UK audience is, do we really need guns used to advertise things here?
#20 : The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
No strapline given.
No actors named, but pictured are Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and [looks it up] Tom Wilkinson. Also says it is "From the director of Shakespeare In Love"
"Utterly Charming ***** Psychologies"
"Fabulously feel-good **** New"
So it's a British movie with an all star British cast. The bus doesn't make it clear it's set in India, so they're going for the Slumdog Millionaire bandwagon, maybe with a touch of Top Gear-style colonial snobbery thrown in too.
The sources of the reviews were always something that I intended this blog to focus on. "New" is, I assume, New Magazine. Decide for yourself if that is a publication you'd trust for film reviews. Off the look of things it seems to be a source of stories about the "stars" of The Only Way Is Essex. As for the other review, Psychologies magazine, the "magazine for those who want to know more and grow more", doesn't exactly strike me as the most mainstream publication to dig for positive quotes.
Anyway, on to the real mass reviews. IMDB has it as a 6.4, and the critics metascore is still to come in.
No actors named, but pictured are Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and [looks it up] Tom Wilkinson. Also says it is "From the director of Shakespeare In Love"
"Utterly Charming ***** Psychologies"
"Fabulously feel-good **** New"
So it's a British movie with an all star British cast. The bus doesn't make it clear it's set in India, so they're going for the Slumdog Millionaire bandwagon, maybe with a touch of Top Gear-style colonial snobbery thrown in too.
The sources of the reviews were always something that I intended this blog to focus on. "New" is, I assume, New Magazine. Decide for yourself if that is a publication you'd trust for film reviews. Off the look of things it seems to be a source of stories about the "stars" of The Only Way Is Essex. As for the other review, Psychologies magazine, the "magazine for those who want to know more and grow more", doesn't exactly strike me as the most mainstream publication to dig for positive quotes.
Anyway, on to the real mass reviews. IMDB has it as a 6.4, and the critics metascore is still to come in.
#19 : This Means War
"It's spy against spy"
No actors named (but Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy pictured), no reviews given.
A movie that, when I saw the TV trailer, I knew I would see on the side of a bus very soon. The number of buses on which it features was only limited by the ubiquity of Jack and Jill.
The reviews from IMDB seem to average higher than I expected with a 6.2, but the Metacritic score of 32 is very bad - and only pulled up by Entertainment Weekly as per usual!
No actors named (but Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy pictured), no reviews given.
A movie that, when I saw the TV trailer, I knew I would see on the side of a bus very soon. The number of buses on which it features was only limited by the ubiquity of Jack and Jill.
The reviews from IMDB seem to average higher than I expected with a 6.2, but the Metacritic score of 32 is very bad - and only pulled up by Entertainment Weekly as per usual!
#18 : Jack and Jill
"His twin sister is coming to stay ...and it ain't pretty"
Adam Sandler
No reviews given.
This is the latest Adam Sandler vehicle where he must play both of a non-identical pair of twins. I'm guessing there are "hilarious consequences". Probably the brash dragged-up version turns out to be the saviour of the other twin's family at the end of the movie and everyone goes home morally enriched having learned not to judge people on how they are. Or something like that.
IMDB users are giving it a score of 3.0 which is, I think, the lowest I have ever seen. On the other hand the critics via Metacritic think that is over generous scoring a 23/100/! No wonder it was on just about every bus in Leeds...
Adam Sandler
No reviews given.
IMDB users are giving it a score of 3.0 which is, I think, the lowest I have ever seen. On the other hand the critics via Metacritic think that is over generous scoring a 23/100/! No wonder it was on just about every bus in Leeds...
Monday 30 January 2012
#17 : Journey 2 The Mysterious Island
No strapline, stars or reviews given.
This looks like more family fun if you're looking for mind-numbing CGI monsters without demanding storylines. IMDB is scoring it 6.8 with a Metacritic score still to come.
This looks like more family fun if you're looking for mind-numbing CGI monsters without demanding storylines. IMDB is scoring it 6.8 with a Metacritic score still to come.
#16 : The Iron Lady
"The Movie Event of 2012"
Meryl Streep
No reviews given.
Not really strange that no reviews were given as it's been universally panned. Streep may be up for an Oscar, but even she, I heard described, was "nothing special if you take away the make-up and the clothes". It's scoring a 6.2 at IMDB with a Metacritic of 54.
Meryl Streep
No reviews given.
Not really strange that no reviews were given as it's been universally panned. Streep may be up for an Oscar, but even she, I heard described, was "nothing special if you take away the make-up and the clothes". It's scoring a 6.2 at IMDB with a Metacritic of 54.
#15 : A Monster in Paris
"A monstrously marvellous adventure"
"From the director of Shark Tale", but no voice talent given.
No reviews given.
So this is a children's CGI movie. The thing that's not stressed is that this is a UK movie, set in France. Looking at the cast list most notably is Vanessa Paradis. It is only scoring an IMDB user rating of 6.0, with Metacritic not scoring it due to not being released "over there".
"From the director of Shark Tale", but no voice talent given.
No reviews given.
So this is a children's CGI movie. The thing that's not stressed is that this is a UK movie, set in France. Looking at the cast list most notably is Vanessa Paradis. It is only scoring an IMDB user rating of 6.0, with Metacritic not scoring it due to not being released "over there".
#14 : Goon
"The nicest guy you'll ever fight"
"The new comedy from the co-writer of Superbad & Pineapple Express"
Seann William Scott and Jay Baruchel
Reviews: (can't read where they're from them off my poor night photo)
****Loaded
"Awsome" **** Heat
**** heyuguys.co.uk
The user reviews of this movie on IMDB score 7.5 but the Metacritic score isn't in yet. I think looking at the sources of the quoted reviews should tell you a lot...
"The new comedy from the co-writer of Superbad & Pineapple Express"
Seann William Scott and Jay Baruchel
Reviews: (can't read where they're from them off my poor night photo)
****Loaded
"Awsome" **** Heat
**** heyuguys.co.uk
The user reviews of this movie on IMDB score 7.5 but the Metacritic score isn't in yet. I think looking at the sources of the quoted reviews should tell you a lot...
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