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Reviews
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Powerful emotional film with an understated charm. A must see.
The pursuit of Happiness is a movie based on the real life story of Chris Gardner (Will Smith). Gardner is a medical equipment salesman in the early 1980s who is down and his luck and attempting to keep his family together. When his wife walks out on him he is left alone to take care of his son with an ever decreasing bank balance. This turns into a desperate situation. What ensues is the tale of how Gardner fights for the chance of a better life by attempting to prove himself in an unpaid internship at the Dean Witter stockbrokerage. He does this while sleeping in shelters and subway toilets and caring for his son. Anyone in finance will know of the competitive nature of such positions and what is required to succeed even when one is presented with abundant resources and creature comforts. Knowledge of this makes Gardeners struggle all the more admiring. The trailer for this movie provides the immediate impression that it is likely to be good but that it runs a fair chance of being overtly sentimental, cheesy and self worshipping. It is not. Will Smith delivers a fantastic performance. Whilst growing up I saw Will Smith in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and felt that he would go on to do greater things and not just in the realms of comedy. In the movie Smith's character dwells on how he thought that he could achieve great things when growing up but that this had not materialised. In turn, Smith was never destined for movies like Men in Black or Wild Wild West (Men in Black 2 and Bad Boys 2 make me sick) but for films like this and his performance places him in a world class forum. The Pursuit of Happiness is uplifting, inspiring, heart warming and entirely engrossing from start to finish. This is a movie about hope, determination and family. It exhibits excellent performances from the lead characters and a truly captivating story. There is something in this movie that every human being can relate to. If you have ever struggled to achieve something, faced disappointment, the prospect of losing something you can not afford to lose or come close to achieving some aspect of your dreams you will see these emotions depicted and magnified in this movie. In some ways it is not about the exact situation that Gardener faced but about the general struggle we face in life and how one must remain resolute and never give up hope in our eternal pursuit of happiness. This a powerful emotional film with an understated charm that will appeal to almost anyone with a heart. A must see.
Breakdown (1997)
Great thriller with another solid performance from underrated Kurt Russell
Breakdown is a thriller that depicts the nightmare what if scenario of a road trip in the middle of no where gone wrong. The movie focuses on how the lead Kurt Russell (underrated in my view) loses his wife after they break down in a backward US town and how the locals are potentially involved. Breakdown is a thriller despite what may sound as a recipe for another teen horror slasher with crazed cannibal murderers who wield axes, chainsaws or funny laughs. The villains whilst driven by greed as opposed to insanity are truly evil and the late JT Walsh successfully conjures up a strong hatred from the viewer. Breakdown is a simple thriller that is not overtly ambitious in plot development, action sequences or special effects. It relies on its characters, a fast pace that keeps viewer interest from start to finish and a sense of tension. Strong performances from all leading characters, careful direction and good plot development combine to create what the viewer perceives as a realistic sequence of events that is all the more horrifying since one continuously can put themselves in Russell's shoes. Acting Chameleon Russell is successful in depicting your average Joe facing a desperate situation. The viewer has a natural affinity for his character and he delivers another good performance. Breakdown is one of the few thrillers that actually works given its acting performances, plot development, pace and its ability to stick to what keeps the viewer interested whilst not being overly ambitious. The director (John Mostow) went on to direct Terminator 3 for which he is likely to burn in hell. However, Breakdown provides its audience with a very entertaining evening and a movie that stands up well to repeat viewings.
Flightplan (2005)
Absurd plot but remains entertaining thanks to Foster.
Flightplan is the somewhat original tale of a recent widow (Jodie foster) traveling on a transatlantic (somewhat futuristic) flight with her daughter who appears to disappear in flight. What ensues is a frantic mother searching for her allegedly missing daughter onboard a flight where the cabin and crew are not convinced. In a world post September 11th this leads to paranoia and eventual hysteria (with the aid of Jodie messing about with an aircraft she helped to design). There is a certain mystery throughout the film (in a Hitchcock style) and some twists to the tale. It would therefore be too easy to deliver plot spoilers so I will refrain from any further comments on the story. I think it is fair to say that the story is somewhat implausible with a number of holes and leaps of faith required by the viewer. The cast other than foster also give lazy performances with no real character development or depth. It does appear that the captain (Sean Bean) and air marshall (Peter Sarsgaard) have little material to work with. What holds the film together is Jodie's lead performance. As a masterful actress Foster is captivating even in a film with a questionable premise. Flightplan attempts to do something different and it doesn't quite work but remains entertaining nevertheless primarily due to Foster. Watch out for Bean's nice guy comment at the end of the movie. Thanks captain your a great guy. Please, slap that man in the face after his behaviour. The passengers and crew? What good Samaritans they were, more concerned with using the toilet than a distraught woman. Jodie should walk through the crowd spitting on all of them rather than walking in silence (ok maybe that's a bit drastic). All in all Flightplan misses the mark in a movie that tried to be a little different (trying to replicate panic room?) but doesn't quite succeed. It is however an entertaining evenings viewing.
Ultraviolet (2006)
Ultimately a failure but provides some degree of entertainment for those seeking a quick action fix
Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil, Firth Element) stars in this futuristic tale of a world where vampires are oppressed by humans. As a resistance fighter Violet (Jovovich) attempts to re address the balance of power Ultraviolet comes to us from the creator of Equilibrium (Kurt Wimmer) and there is a heavy influence from this predecessor and indeed from the Matrix (which was likely to be an influence for Equilibrium in turn). Look out for a scene where ultraviolet enters a building lobby security area heavily armed paying homage to the famous matrix scene. Whilst equilibrium was an emotional action packed and stylish film ultraviolet is arguably a clear failure. Jovovich is well cast as the lead being one of the few Hollywood actresses possessing the athletic ability to deliver a realistic performance. There is a major lack of realism in the movie however. The special effects are pretty but there is a heavy dose of CGI which at times looks like animation. Fight sequences are well choreographed and Jovovich does an impressive job but she so effortlessly defeats everyone that no matter how many opponents come her way we know she will win. There is little character development and the film loses paces at times with the viewer happy to take long toilet breaks as a result. The story is not particularly original with similarities to Blade (where characters are much more larger than life) and indeed Equilibrium (corrupt official attempting to control the masses etc). The lead villain is also a boring character that doesn't really fit the bill (and has something stuck up his nose). The same could be said for the villain in equilibrium (although nothing visible up his nose) so Wimmer should really take note of this. The villain is often as important as the hero so Wimmer should put more thought into this going forward. All in all a disappointing film but visually fluid with good fight sequences that will please action comic book fans for a short evening (with a few long toilet breaks). 2 out of 10
Stealth (2005)
This is no Platoon but it is a Visual Special Effects Feast for Fans of the Military Action Genre
Jamie Foxx, Josh Lucas and Jessica Biel head up a decent cast for this sci fi military action flick. What one first needs to establish however is that this is not a war movie. Stealth has no insightful perspectives on the tragedy and frustrations of war and it is certainly no Platoon or Thin Red Line. This should be apparent from the popcorn action trailer but appears to be a source of criticism for the movie, caveat empetor. Nevertheless it does briefly touch upon some of the moral implications of artificial intelligence on the battle field. Stealth is almost non stop action from the get go. Whilst there is fairly limited character development and it appears that the script does not demand too much from the cast, as an action flick Stealth does deliver. The special effects are top notch and I would go so far as to say they are some of the best I've seen in a military flight movie. Whilst the movie uses its fair share of CGI it blends this very effectively into the action sequences. Accept the escapism and this is a visual feast for fans of the genre. As a sci fi movie Stealth is weak. The artificial intelligence angle is entertaining but borrows from other movies offering nothing new and no real connection with the aircraft that has turned sentient. The visual depiction of Tin Man borrows heavily from Hal in the classic 2001 except we actually believed Hal to be real and saw a gradual development of his psychology. Josh Lucas and Jessica Biel deliver competent performances, little time is spent on their relationship but it is done in a subtle way. Overall however it is more MTV Newlyweds than Bridges of Madison County. Jamie Foxx seems a little wasted and the supporting military cast are effective in depicting the essence of Donald Rumsfield. Stealth is not a war movie and it does not possess the sentimentality and larger than life characters that made movies like Top Gun so famous (do we really care when Jamie Foxx gets killed but did we Tom Cruise's best mate Goose didn't make it?). It also fails in offering anything new in the world of sci fi. However, it is an action packed visual special effects feast that moves along at a fast pace against a decent rock soundtrack, and sometimes this is exactly what you.
Saw II (2005)
As far as the horror/ thriller genre goes, this is above average but don't expect anything special.
The Horror/thriller genre is a very difficult genre for film makers to succeed at. Creating a sense of reality and atmosphere are key ingredients to actually scaring your audience and it is far too easy to go down the slasher blood and guts route which in most cases results in an automatically desensitised viewer. However, some recent titles have done well at creating the appropriate level of intrigue and suspense (e.g. the Ring) or shocking level of atmosphere and gore (e.g. Texas Chainsaw Massacre) to truly frighten cinema viewers. Saw was one of the few serial killer horror movies that worked and actually brought something new to the table in terms of plot evolution and twists. Saw 2 follows in its predecessor's footsteps with a variation on the reality TV big brother premise with the backdrop story of one individual (the talented Mr Wahlberg) that exhibits significant similarities to the first movie. Sadly however Saw 2 whilst entertaining and exciting is weaker than the original in many ways. It lacks the suspense of its predecessor, has a weaker plot and script, more mediocre acting (especially from those stuck in the house) and is less realistic since there appear to be a number of plot holes and moments where you ask yourself, come on you jokers would that really happen? The crazed muscle bound hot head is totally irrational. Faced with the task of getting the numbers from the back of his fellow inmates heads he chooses to go on a killing spree (haven't you learnt anything from Prison Break?). Okay, um would it not be easier to just ask them for the numbers? And then shock horror when he is finally faced with the conundrum of getting the number from the back of his own head he slices off the his skin! Come on mate, ask someone for gods sake! There is also the premise that Jigsaw has left clues in the house with a puzzle that his victims must solve in order to survive. In reality however people just move from room to room and die in graphic bloody variations which becomes less and less shocking to the point where you think, haha there's blood all over your arms, you deserve it. This is coupled with the fact that we see limited character or back story development for anyone other than Wahlberg supports our apathetic attitude to their graphic slaughter. This sequel also continues to dwell on Jigsaw's motivation for murder, he wishes to make his victims value their existence by some form of torture, otherwise they do not deserve to live (why don't you just show them an episode of Oprah). In the first movie you could see the method in his madness. With a drug addict, fair enough, you come close to death you value life etc. However now his message turns to ramblings and you doubt whether there is any basis for his methodology (I held hope that he was a nice guy all along). This is solidified by his selection of Wahlberg who isn't happy with his life. He seems fine to me, a burnt out cop with issues with his son. Oh right, that's tough, why don't you try working in the city jigsaw, see what your perspective is then, you might be reaching for the safety blades yourself then my friend! There is also said to be secret linkage between all the victims. Ooooh what is the enigma? This is quickly found out and bears little relevance to their attempt at survival so big deal Mr Director. Overall Saw 2 is entertaining and will keep you interested throughout but its predecessor set high expectations which this film does not live up to. Having said that it is not just another mediocre horror flick so and will keep fans of the genre happy (just don't expect anything special). Like the original there are also some twists in the movie but they are certainly less surprising and interesting than those in Saw which was the predecessors primary strength and the basis for its originality.
Poseidon (2006)
Limited emotional depth but worth viewing for the action sequences and special effects
The Poseidon is a remake of the 1970s classic disaster movie The Poseidon Adventure. This starred Gene Hackman, remains hugely popular with day time bank holiday viewers and is largely seen as one of the all time disaster classics. The modern day remake brings state of the art special effects and a huge budget to the table in an attempt to recreate the success of the original with modern day audiences. The special effects in the movie are top notch and the CGI is used effectively in combination with impressive movie sets. The ship is a magnificent creation and encapsulates the grandeur of a modern day Titanic. From start to finish Poseidon is action packed and moves along at a very rapid pace that prevents the viewer from losing interest. The action sequences are well thought out and there are some real nail biting moments where you will hold your breath (in a literal sense). Although the cast puts in a decent performance (you cant really got to wrong with Kurt Russell) the area where Poseidon falls short is with its characters. There is limited depth to any of the characters, only a very superficial back story and no real character development. In addition many of them are easily disliked. Richard Dreyfuss' talents seem to be wasted in his role (which has probably been miscast in my view) but Russell and Lucas hold up the show. Despite a limited script Russell is always able to communicate well with eyes emotional presence. Whilst we may be in a video game era where audiences are seen to be simple French fry eating morons there are numerous movies out there which are able to combine action with emotional depth, this can even be seen on the small screen with action titles like 24. Therefore a blockbuster action flick need no longer just be a mindless adventure. This weakness prevents the Posieden from being a great movie but it remains an action packed film that will keep you engrossed from start to finish and one of the more effective disaster flicks of the modern day era. Don't believe everything you have heard, well worth a viewing (especially in high definition).
Soldier (1998)
Underrated Action Packed Adventure
Kurt Russell stars as Sgt Todd, the leader of a platoon of soldiers moulded and trained from birth to become efficient killing machines. Whilst these soldiers are human they appear to be devoid of emotion and live to fight their enemy and obey their superiors. After many years and wars a new platoon is genetically engineered as replacements for Todd's men. In a test of superiority Todd and his men face Sgt Caine (Jason Scott Lee) in battle. After a brutal defeat Todd is left for dead on a barren waste planet and his squad relegated to menial work by the superiors to whom they have shown a lifetime of loyalty. Todd manages to join a group of survivors on the planet but must battle to defend it when the new breed of soldiers attack. Soldier is a fast paced action movie that combines aspects of Universal Soldier and Rambo in a Mad Max scenario. However, it never feels as if Soldier is mimicking these movies and maintains its own sense of originality. Soldier will probably appeal to the male gender who are likely to enjoy the slick action sequences and underlying theme of discipline, war and revenge. There is more to this film however including a very good performance by Kurt Russell. He may only speak a handful of words in the entire movie but his facial expressions and eyes express a thousand words. Physically he has also transformed himself into a fighting machine and is completely believable as a deadly Soldier with a lifetime of experience. Jason Scott Lee has metamorphosed himself from the lean Bruce Lee to a huge Schwarzenegger esquire figure. Soldier is action packed from start to finish. Upon release it was poorly received but I believe it to be underrated and that it is in fact a superior action movie. Whilst the movie does possess a pessimistic and violent view of the future it is also a story of a discipline and revenge and when all is said and done is quite uplifting. Kurt Russell illustrates his varied talents as an actor and is the decisive reason why the movie is not just another action flick. Many actors could play this action role but the depth of his expression and emotions bring credibility to the entire movie. Soldier is not a thoughtful war movie (Platoon, Thin Red Line) or a stylish vision of the future (Blade Runner). It is however a slick and well executed action packed 99 minutes that will be very entertaining for fans of the action movie genre.
Nochnoy dozor (2004)
Confusing & Average at best
Night Watch is a low budget Russian vampire movie that depicts the eternal battle of good and evil in modern day Moscow. Centuries after a truce between two opposing forces there is a risk that an 'Other' or gifted human (anyone seen Neo?) will tip the balance of power. As with the vampire movie Underworld there are forces that prevent the battle from spilling over into the real world. The Day Watch are vampires assigned to police their brethren who disguise themselves as Adidas tracksuit wearing chavs who drive Audi TTs and aspire to be pop stars (the UK is full of Vampires!). The Night Watch must step in to prevent evil forces from doing harm to innocent humans. The special effects in the movie are decent and one would be forgiven for mistaking the movie as a Hollywood title at times. However, there are other instances when it looks as though the movie is being acted out by a bunch of friends in a warehouse or derelict flat. The cheap grainy feel is likely to be part of the desired Gothic, art house effect so many will however enjoy its raw non glossy appeal. Whilst most sci fi/ horror fans will be instantly attracted to the story there is not a great deal of depth to the plot or characters and there is the strong feeling that you are being set up for sequel. The movie also moves very slowly at times and the surreal action can be confusing. Whilst some would argue that this adds complexity and intrigue it cant really mask the lack of depth in the story line or characters and will not somehow make it more interesting than it really is. The special effects also often seem to be on display rather than interwoven with plot. There is an interesting end to the movie but the film has been dragged out for too long by its conclusion for you to care. Overall an interesting movie that is likely to herald the start of a potentially significant contribution from Russia to the international action genre but as a stand alone entity it is average at best.
Miami Vice (2006)
Stylish action but ultimately a major disappointment,
After 'Last of the Mohicans', 'Heat' and 'Collateral' Michael Mann was widely recognised as a very special director offering a unique, visually enthralling and thoughtful take on the action movie genre. His movies are a break from the norm and created high expectations of Mann going forward. When news was released that Mann would be resurrecting his 1980s cop show for the big screen I felt that the franchise would be done justice. Who better to recreate the gritty and often dark cop show where white baggy suits and deeply depressed undercover cops defined the style of an era. The style of Miami Vice worked so well that viewers would ignore the fact the cops could afford a Ferrari Testarossa, drive speed boats on a regular basis and would test the authenticity of drugs by tasting them intraday (a quantity that would apparently have done them serious harm, Im not speaking from experience of course). In addition to these strong visuals Miami Vice had one of the most memorable opening theme tunes ever and a Number 2 Hit with Jan Hammer's Crockett's Theme which was featured on the show (the evolution of 1980s electric keyboard) So a couple of decades later how did Mr Mann fare with his 2006 resurrection? On the subject of style one can not deny that the action sequences in isolation flow well and are characteristic of the long gun battles in Heat. Secondly the driving sequences and speed boat scenes are impressive albeit slow and seemingly without purpose. Some of the locations and scenes at sea are beautifully shot however. Plot? There is a loose undercover drug related storyline but not there is limited depth to this and to be honest if you delve too deep there are numerous holes to the story. More worryingly however the viewer never really feels compelled to think too deeply and there is nothing unpredictable or new offered by the movie. Acting performances? Whilst the original Crockett and Tubs had good chemistry any relationship between Farrell and Fox is limited to a sentence where Fox says that he would never doubt his partner. These guys are understated sure but Farrell in my view (Im sure women will disagree) does not have the acting talent or depth to pull off Sonny's persona and as a result a primary foundation of the movie is shaky. The criminals are also weak in my view and John Ortiz as Jose Yero (the crime boss' right hand man) verges on the realms of a comedian. The structure of the movie is also haphazard which is not aided by the fact that one is often unable to understand what the characters are saying (not just Gong Li). Finally, the love stories are totally out of place with the movie, often comical and detract from an already confused structure. Mann has therefore come no where near my high expectations but movie goers out there who are oblivious of the past may enjoy the movie in isolation for its action and style. Given its slow pace and the problems addressed above however, I would find this surprising. I would not be shocked if the number of people who walked out after the first one and a half hours were representative of the movie going public and as a result the chances of a sequel are likely to be limited. An entertaining distraction with some impressive and stylish action sequences if you can deal with the pace and length of the movie but not even close to what one should expect from Mann in a post 'Heat' action genre that he himself has helped to define.
The Interpreter (2005)
Slow paced, predictable and lacking depth. Shame
Nicole Kidman plays a UN interpreter (Silvia Broome) who over hears plans to assassinate an African dictator. Sean Penn plays Tobin Keller, an FBI assigned to protect and investigate Ms Broome. A conspiracy is gradually unravelled by the leading characters in a race against time to prevent the assassination. Whilst this movie sounds like a potentially exciting action movie (and indeed was marketed in this way), in reality it is neither an action film or an effective political thriller as it fails to create an effective sense of suspense or intrigue. The cast all put in decent performances but there is some degree of predictability to the story and limited depth to the plot. Unfortunately the pace of the movie is very slow exacerbating these limitations. The Interpreter is not a bad film; it just falls into the mediocre segment, which is disappointing given the subject matter and cast.
The Last Samurai (2003)
A classic
Tom Cruise's career no longer focuses on mind less action movies where the plot revolves around his cheesy grin. Whilst these movies have a place in film action history and have catapulted Cruise to the upper echelons of the Hollywood 'A' list it is safe to say that he now undertakes more complex and varied roles and is also more involved in the production of his films. Hence, one does not know what to expect from him in a historical action epic like the Last Samurai, Cruise can no longer be typecast. The Last Samurai documents the last days of the Samurai in the late 19th century and the simultaneous embracing of Western modernity by Japan. The Samurai are warriors sworn to serve their emperor to the death and whose lives are governed by a strict code of discipline, honour and dedication to their role in society. When Japan develops an arms and trade agreement with the USA the Samurai are the only ones who stand between modernism and the ancient way of life. Nathan Algren (Cruise), a tormented war hero is chosen to lead Japanese forces into battle against the Samurai but once taken prisoner embraces their way of life. The Last Samurai is a visually magnificent movie with fluid battle choreography, stunning landscapes and a detailed recreation of 19th century Japanese architecture and locations. The acting is excellent across the board with Cruise and Wantanbe (Katsumoto) delivering particularly memorable and moving performances. The action sequences are captivating, the dialogue engrossing, the story emotive and the love story whilst understated is so well executed that the movie could be billed as part of the Romance genre. Koyuki (Taka) delivers a brilliant performance as the widow who gradually changes from despising Cruise to caring for him. Whilst she has limited dialogue in the movie her expressions speak a thousand words. Special mention must also be given to Hans Zimmer's score which could actually be the most powerful score that I have ever heard in a film. High octane tracks such as 'Red Warrior' successfully get the heart racing during the film's action sequences whilst more emotive tracks such as ' A small Measure of Peace' seem to be penetrate through to the listeners soul and fit the atmosphere of the movie beautifully. Zimmer has truly out done himself this time and I fear that he will be unable to surpass this achievement. Excellent direction, strong acting performances, visual splendour, engrossing action, emotional depth and a truly beautiful soundtrack combine to deliver a deeply enjoyable and memorable movie experience. Seldom is a movie able to deliver on so many levels and in doing so The Last Samurai should be categorised as a classic in the movie history hall of fame.
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
All in all, a nice little film
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton is clearly labelled as a teenage comedy chick flick and as a result I set my expectations low, however I ended up being pleasantly surprised. The story chronicles how Rosalee (Kate Bosworth) wins a date with cool dude celebrity Tad Hamilton (Josh Dumael) who is the kind of guy worshipped by OK/ Hello magazine readers. Tad is looking for a career boost but is startled by Rosalee's honest down to earth sincerity (a far cry from his Hollywood pals). The timing of these events couldn't be worse for Rosalee's best friend Pete (Topher Grace). Pete was set to announce his life long love for Rosalie just before Tad whisks her away to a fairly tale world that couldn't be more different from her life as a piggy wiggy checkout girl in small town America. This movie is a modern day derivative of old fashioned fairtytales with a twist in the story that accommodates how society worships the modern day celebrity. However, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton has no deep insight into relationships, passes no judgment or possesses any political agenda (surprised? what were you thinking?). It is aimed to be a light hearted, funny, romantic and up lifting movie and it does it exactly what it says on the tin. There are decent performances all round and the characters are instantly likable. The film also stops short of creating good and bad pantomime personalities. For example, whilst Tad is a self obsessed superficial Hollywood star (shock horror) he is not actually that bad a guy and wants to break free from the superficiality of his life. So whilst we are all gunning for Pete (except for those of you who truly worship the Hollywood celebrity) it's not a simplistic case of good and evil which makes things all the more believable. There are also some memorable lines from the movie which include Rosalie's father's (Gary Cole) pep talk to Pete. Cole in his understated midnight caller style tells Pete that in the real world sometimes David (as in David & Goliath) gets the shi* kicked out of him but that people do not like to hear that story. The Bartenders speech summarised by the message that everyone is Ted Hamilton to somebody else and no one is a nobody is also a little gem. This movie is not life changing but no one expects it to be. It is however a surprisingly entertaining 95 mins and a nice little film.
Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Wasted Opporutnity
After Blade, slick vampire action movies became fashionable and Underworld on the face of it had all the necessary ingredients, slick action, leather costumes, underground conspiracies and vampires actually doing battle with werewolves! However, no matter how hard I tried to enjoy the film I could not help but feel that something was missing and relegated the movie to just another action flick that made no real impression or lasting memory. Underworld Evolution increases the degree of bloodshed, quality of special effects and introduces new more lethal characters. It introduces the first vampire who is therefore the most powerful vampire but who we are told is a hybrid (although we are also told that the genetically created hybrid from the first movie was the first hybrid - contradiction?) His brother is the first werewolf and therefore the most powerful but they have a father who is actually more powerful ( I thought they were first of their kind and the most powerful - contradiction?). Anyway, the werewolf has been sealed away because he was too destructive but his brother now wants to release him (yeah that makes sense). Meanwhile Celine and the first (or second hybrid?) attempt to stop this supposed apocalyptic scenario. Lots of explosions and zero character development later they all do battle with Celine made even stronger by drinking the first vampires blood (I think he was the first?). She is so strong she can lift a man upside down! (Arnie can do that and he's not even a vampire, although some would say he has sucked the blood out of California's expectations). Various unconvincing fights and helicopter explosions ensue. Underworld is probably an improvement on the first movie given the scale, relentless action and more worthy villains but once again some ingredient appears to be missing and it probably boils down to the fact that we aren't really made to care about any of the characters or outcome of the movie and there appear to be a number of flaws in the plot. Ultimately this leads to the film being very average which is a shame given the level of effort that has been thrown into the special effects and scale of the movie. Alas, special effects do not maketh a film. Wasted opportunity
Hide and Seek (2005)
Not entirely predictable, worth an evenings viewing.
At first glance Hide and Seek appears to be a rehashed version of Godsend which also features Robert De Niro and a child that freelances as a serial killer. Is the child a killer? Why is he doing this? Is he possessed? Man that kid looks scary and malnourished, etc etc. In addition to looking very similar to the mediocre Godsend, Hide and Seek also deceivingly appears to be a very run of the mill 2nd rate horror movie but actually has some unexpected twists and turns. De Niro is fairly decent as the widowed psychologist attempting to build a new life for his daughter (Dakota Fanning) and himself after his wife's apparent suicide. De Niro probably puts in a better performance than some of his recent roles and continues to possess a significant on screen presence. Dakota is very good in nearly all of her recent performances and is likely to be a major future actress or go the way of most child stars, the Betty Ford Clinic. The pace of the movie is slow but keeps you interested and whilst you are unlikely to be excited or frightened (unless you're female) you will be entertained. Overall, Hide and Seek is not excellent, it's probably not even very good but it is a little different and quite entertaining for an evening's viewing. The DVD also has some decent alternate endings that provide some post movie fun.
Doom (2005)
Read this review and save yourself 2 hours of regret
Doom is another video game movie conversion. Transition in this direction has only really seen success with the Resident Evil franchise. So does Doom attempt to focus on doing something different and create a movie that is able to stand on its own two feet and generate interest with individuals who are unfamiliar with the legendary video game? No. Doom appears to just be a variation on Resident Evil but with less impressive special effects, weaker acting, a less interesting plot and minus any tension or fear. The plot is confusing and loosely relates to scientific experiments gone wrong on mars and the resultant zombie population. It attempts to link in some genetic mutation angles and an ancient civilisation but does not tie any of these threads together successfully whilst the film is not interesting enough to make you care any way. So is Doom successful in creating a mindless adrenaline pumped action feast? No, not really. The movie pays some tribute to the array of weapons (the primary foundation of the game) but there are no real fun action sequences and the super duper advanced weapon is just used twice to shoot a toilet ceiling and a wall (great, try using it against the zombies you fools). The conflict between marines is also of little interest and Karl Urban (very good in Bourne Supremacy and Chronicles of Riddick) should probably choose his action movies a little more carefully. The connection with the game is loose and other than a couple of sequences that pay respect to the video game action style this film bears no resemblance to the games eerie, often frightening visuals and gameplay. The connection with a portal to hell is also left out but the plot is so confusing and uninteresting that any further analysis is a waste of my time and yours. Save yourself a couple of hours and watch a few repeat episodes of Roseanne, (which contain much more action and terror)
D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
A classic from the 1980s, one of the few kids movies that manges to be both touching and thoughtful in a mature way
As with each decade movies from the 1980s have a very unique style that cannot be fully described in words but to those individuals who grew up in the era it is unmistakable. A true 1980s film is one that evokes hope, that any dream can truly be achieved, that good will always triumph over evil and that feel good cheesy music, colourful baggy shirts and inappropriate sunglasses will put a smile on your face. Whilst the most memorable 1980s pictures focus on comedy, romance and success (e.g. Ghostbusters, Mannequin, Wall Street etc) there are outliers that go in a different direction but still retain the basic heart of this era: the feel good factor. DARYL tells the story of a seemingly abandoned child who is adjusting to a new life with foster parents, the story takes a twist however when it is revealed that he is really an experiment in artificial intelligence. The target audience is primarily kids and family and such spectators are rewarded with all the necessary ingredients that this movie should have. It successfully touches upon the aspects of life that boys would see as fun when growing up and through DARYL the audience can fantasise about driving in high speed car chases, flying planes, being a star sportsman, video games player and being super smart. What more could a kid want in life? The movie remains engrossing throughout despite a slow pace as a result of a very strong performance by the lead character. DARYL is a thoughtful, touching, interesting and entertaining movie that despite being more than 20 years does not really feel dated (the true sign of any classic). For those who grew up in the 1980s movies like DARYL will always have special meaning as they represent an innocence and hope that sadly most of us lose as we grow older and cynicism kicks in. As a standalone sci fi family film DARYL takes itself seriously whilst knowing how to have fun, is thought provoking and delivers an evening of entertaining escapism for the entire family. After more than 20 years there are few family films being released today that can make the same claim.
Casino Royale (2006)
007 is Back in Town but Bourne remains Supreme
Casino Royale is the eagerly anticipated resurrection of the James Bond franchise. Besides the generational change in lead character we also witness a very different style and attitude to previous bond movies that appears to be in response to the success of the Bourne Identity action spy franchise. The similarities are often so similar that it appears that Casino Royale is paying homage to Bourne and its raw realism than one of the oldest and most successful franchises in movie history. This appears to be the film's downfall. Bourne Identity breathed life into to the spy action movie genre by substituting over the top cartoon action with brutal realism and subtle emotion. Matt Damon and the new movie franchise were so successful in achieving this that many questioned the appropriateness of a larger than life chauvinistic Bond in the 21st century (an American spy now also managed to look more cool than the legendary British agent). This argument was not hard to make when the instantly forgettable recent bond movies with Pierce Brosnan (excluding Golden Eye) were so dismal (I don't thing Brosnan was bad but the material was awful). In any case Bond desperately needed to see change and it appears that they have borrowed heavily from Bourne to achieve this. Whilst the action and fight sequences are impressive they still fail to improve on what is achieved in the Bourne franchise. However, Bond is not Bourne and there are many ingredients that go into a bond movie. Whilst Casino Royale is taking a fresh approach to the franchise one would still expect it to pay homage to its predecessors and possibly offer a fresh approach on these ingredients. Firstly lets take the characteristic car chase sequence. What is on offer in Casino Royale? A beautiful Aston Martin that is driven for less than a minute in the dark and then crashes, OK that's nice. Gadgets? A resuscitation machine, OK... Theme tune? Some random melody with no chorus or tie in with the movie that will no doubt go down as one of the worst bond themes in history. Bond Villains with a master plan? Some random financiers who seemed like fairly decent blokes... etc etc Bond needed to evolve but this appears to be a derivative of its modern day replacement. Daniel Craig is good, there are some good action sequences and the style of the movie works well (ultimately the hardest thing to achieve given the legacy of the past). Whilst the movie abandons many ingredients of the past, this could be forgiven if one left the cinema enthralled but Casino Royale is unable to achieve this. The pace of the movie is very slow in places and you really feel it, consequently the long running time is more of an ordeal than value for money. The relationship Bond has with the lead female exhibits some of the most slow paced scenes (alongside the Casino games) and whilst the twists and turns are interesting they don't seem to work very well and are a little confused. The final 30 minutes of the movie is a let down and a far cry from the grand finale's of past bond movies (or any action movie really) Casino Royale is not a bad movie but does not really offer the viewer a fast paced action thriller, any real plot development or any real emotional depth (arguably a necessary substitute for the elimination of traditional bond ingredients). It does however offer a very different style to its predecessors and a strong lead character that has consequently generated huge interest in the new franchise. So whilst Bourne may remain supreme, he may have to watch his back in the future.
Garden State (2004)
Seriously Overrated, skip this and watch Braff in the Last Kiss
Garden State stars Zach Braff (widely known as the guy from Scrubs) as Andrew Largeman, a guy who has been on tranquilisers for most his life and as a result is almost unable to feel emotions. The film chronicles a week where he returns to his hometown after the death of his mother. Garden State begins with some stylish direction, Coldplay background music and a curious dead pan performance from Braff that draws you into the movie. However it is all down hill from here. Garden State is a quirky art house indie style movie that refrains from being totally off the wall. However, whilst word of mouth was positive on the film I think that people must have been confused or smoking the drugs depicted in the movie. The pace of the film is not only slow but at times excruciating, (I wished that somebody would kill me when they visited the caravan at the bottomless gorge). I found myself reaching for the forward button on a number of occasions but held out in order to deliver an informed and impartial review for the readers of this script. Quirky is fine but should not be at the cost of entertainment. Garden State touches on a number of serious issues including family relationships, tragedy, growing up and regret but delivers this within the confines of an art house quirky structure. This genre by definition is often very hit and miss but I would confidently say that Garden State falls into the miss category. There are a number of insightful threads to Garden State that deal with many serious issues in a non conventional way but this is overshadowed by the sheer fact that the movie is slow, boring and often annoying in places. Probably best to spend your time doing something else.
Half Past Dead (2002)
This is so bad its entertaining (if watching with friends)
This Steven Segal action flick is about a heist to steal $200m using information from a death row inmate who is imprisoned in Alcatraz (a futuristic version). You also have an incarcerated Ja rule which is supposed to justify the R&B nonsense music throughout the film (Im not against R&B in general). This film is so bad that its funny. I would recommend watching this film with a group of friends so that you can laugh at it, it is complete nonsense. Half Past Dead not only makes you question your sanity but makes you feel as though you have been robbed of 2 hours of your life (unless watching with friends for comic value) The fight sequences are completely unbelievable and unrealistic, those with Segal are hilarious, he moves around in slow uncoordinated movements as if he is constipated which seems to be an effective combat technique as his opponents fly around the room as if they have been hit by a truck, the combination of the 2 equally ludicrous movements is pure comedy. However the presence of Ja rule and the pounding gangster rap + R&B music angle takes the movie to another level of faeces. Ja Rule makes Segal look like a good actor and the combination works as well as a speed boat on the motorway. Poor performances and completely unrealistic action combine to make this pure drivel but there is some entertainment value in the form of unintended comedy. Only watch with friends and disown those who think this is a good film
Æon Flux (2005)
Semi entertaining but instantly forgettable.
Chalize Theron stars as a rebel agent assigned to eliminate the leader of a dictatorship that controls the last remaining city in a post apocalyptic utopia. Based on a MTV comic book animation Aeon Flux is a sci fi action movie that focuses on style more than substance. It is a competent action movie however, possesses a number of well choreographed action sequences and presents some interesting plot twists that will keep the viewer entertained (but never really too surprised). However, in a post Matrix world the movie seems to be simplistic and unrealistic and sci fans will simply expect a far more credible hero, realistic action sequences and layered story line than what Aeon Flux has to offer. Theron also appears to lack credibility as the action hero with perfectly styled hair and no emotion, Reeves pulls this off in Matrix trilogy but Theron just appears to be acting badly. An semi entertaining movie that looks good but lacks substance. Instantly forgettable but a worthwhile evening distraction
A Lot Like Love (2005)
Different and above average.
Ashton Kutcher (Oliver) and Amanda Peet (Emily) star in this light hearted romantic comedy which chronicles the lives of 2 people over 7 years and their repeated encounters. Initially I thought this would be an annoying superficial movie and was instantly annoyed by Amanda Peet's over the top bad girl character. I feared that I would spend the entire movie hating her and as a result not give the film a chance. However, as time passes in the story we see that the characters gradually change and become more interesting. Oliver and Emily initially have different priorities, Oliver is determined to establish his career as an entrepreneur and possess a fancy house and car before he can settle down. Emily is a free spirit who enjoys Oliver's company but has no strong desire to remain in contact with him. Years pass by and when Emily gets in touch after a break up her outlook has changed. As time passes Oliver and Emily repeatedly meet each other drawn by what appears to be fate and with each encounter grow closer together. However, it seems that every time they are reacquainted one of the 2 parties is unable to commit to the other. I will stop there and let you see for yourselves how things turn out. Those of you who have seen a number of Meg Ryan movies will have guessed however that both parties eventually come to the realisation that they were meant for one another. With constantly changing life situations does this realisation come too late? Im afraid there are no guarantees for a happy ending. A lot like love is easy viewing and the main characters deliver decent enough performances. The chemistry between them is probably what makes the film entertaining and marginally above the romantic comedy average. There are some memorable scenes in the movie, Oliver's rendition of Bon Jovi's "I'll be there for you" for one. The side story of Oliver also trying to get venture funding for his nappy business is entertaining and a realistic turn of events endears us to his character. The movie also features some decent music that fits the mood of the film well. A lot like love is not life changing but doesn't really set out to be, the movie is average on many levels but the relationship between its main characters and the structure of the movie (with respect to the passage of time) make it an entertaining distraction.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
Light hearted fun that brings a smile to your face
13 Going on 30 is the story of a 13 year old kid who wishes she was an adult and miraculously has this wish granted. The plot is effectively a remake of Freaky Friday, Big, Vice Versa etc but still seems like a fresh approach and the viewer will make little comparison to the movies' predecessors. Jennifer Garner stars as Jenna Rink, who overnight becomes an editor of her favourite fashion magazine but slowly learns that at 30 years she is successful but a successful bitch. The movie is light-hearted and has a number of funny moments including a rendition of Michel Jackson's Thriller by a bunch of amateurs (who do seem to learn the moves very quickly however). I think it is fair to say however that there are no real moments of hilarity in the film. Those watching the movie who are actually close to the age of 30 will appreciate the nod to 1980s pop music that is thrown in with good effect (Madonna's Crazy for You looks like it was made for the movie and Liz Phair's modern day 'Why cant I' also captures the feel good factor perfectly). Whilst Big came after Freaky Friday it is the Macdaddy of its peers and captures youth and sentimentality perfectly. 13 Going on 30 is more light hearted and focuses a little more on the relationship between Jenna and her best friend Matt (Mark Ruffalo). The film touches upon the choices we have made in the past and how are lives would have been different if we had gone down a different path. In Hollywood however some magical fairy dust can change things. Jennifer Garner delivers a solid performance. To date she has shined in the TV show Alias with more a more serious role but also deals well with comedy. I feel that she is still yet to deliver a break out Julia Roberts Pretty Woman performance. The rest of the cast is also more than competent with Mark Ruffalo well cast as childhood friend Matt. Whilst 13 Going on 30 is not a classic it is fun, entertaining and funny but also emotional in an effortless light hearted way and as a result catches the viewer unaware. For those of you who think that classic happy endings are unfashionable, tough luck, this is what life should be like.
The Mission (1986)
An Engrossing Visual Adventure
The Mission The Mission is the story of how Spanish Jesuits voyage to South America in the 18th Century in an attempt to spread Christianity to the native Indians who reside in the region. When there is transition from Spanish to Portuguese occupation however, the natives are legally treated as slaves and their status as Christians and indeed as human beings is effectively revoked. Robert De Niro plays a ruthless slave trader who becomes a priest after he is overcome by the guilt of his sins. Much of the film simultaneously documents his transition to the faith and these scenes are some of the most powerful in the film. Jeremy Irons plays Father Gabriel, head of the Spanish Jesuit order who is able to help both De Niro and the native Indians. The film also features the very young looking Liam Neeson and Aidan Quinn. The Mission received an Oscar for Cinematography and with stunning visuals and a breathtaking display of the jungle it is not hard to see why. Ennio Morricone's score also received an Oscar nomination and various other awards (e.g. Golden Globe and BAFTA). Morricone's score will undoubtedly stand the test of time as one of the most powerful soundtracks to grace the big screen. It is powerful, emotive and poetic and almost warrants viewing the movie alone. Fans of movie soundtracks will not be disappointed. Overall performances are decent with De Niro again stealing the show. The Mission is a good example of De Niro delivering a powerful performance without having to make too much of a song and dance visually. He also illustrates the contrast between an angry and menacing individual in the early part of the movie to one that is more at peace with others in the latter part of the movie suggesting that anyone can achieve redemption. The Mission is quite an engrossing movie that is possibly drawn out for a little too long. The visual and audio feast is enough to warrant a viewing but it somehow feels like it lacks the hall marks of a true classic. Given the subject matter is not the most optimistic or uplifting film but this is necessary to give the film any sense of realism about human history and indeed what is happening today.
War of the Worlds (2005)
One Of The Best Science Fiction Invasion Films To Date
The long awaited Spielberg blockbuster based on HG Wells' classic novel finally hit the big screen in the summer of 2005. The movie centres on the character of Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise). Ray is divorced and spends the weekend with his children whilst his wife and her new husband have a weekend away. Ray's son is reluctant to spend time with the father who has been less than interested in him whilst Rachel (Dakota Fanning) is more diplomatic and appears to be wise beyond her years (on and off screen on the basis of this performance). The movie is likely to draw many comparisons with "Signs" and there are some claustrophobic scenes (featuring Tim Robbins) that are reminiscent of this alien invasion movie. "Signs" was far more focused on how a family responded to a global invasion and how a father is able to regain his faith in God. War of the Worlds is a faster paced action movie that chronicles a family's desperate attempt to stay alive. From the outset of the invasion we are shown how the conflict is more akin to a real life conflict than a stylised science fiction battle. This makes the film much darker and realistic than one would expect (especially in comparison to movies like Independence Day) but as a result both shocks and excites the viewer. From this moment on, Spielberg in successful in maintaining a constant sense of tension with the viewer on the edge of his seat throughout the film. This is an impressive achievement given the two hour running time and is an illustration of Spielberg's creative skills. Visually the movie is excellent with above average special effects that hold back from being larger than life to add a sense of realism to the story. The performances are also excellent all round. Cruise is very good as a vulnerable but courageous father that battles to keep his family alive. Cruise's recent performances in War of the Worlds, Collateral and The Last Samurai show that he has stepped up his game and deserves his place in Hollywood's A list of movie stars. Dakota Fanning is excellent as his smart but hysterical daughter. There is a scene where Ray makes his kids peanut butter sandwiches unaware of his daughter's allergy to the substance. He sceptically asks her "since when" has she been allergic to peanut butter. Her dead pan "since birth" response is absolutely hilarious. The scene is also well timed by Spielberg as it follows adrenalin charged escape from the aliens. Both Ray's family and the audience are still on an adrenalin rush but attempting to return to normality, the contrasting humour is timed perfectly. Ray's son is the typical rebel teenager with an annoying desire to join the conflict but puts in a decent enough performance. There will be many criticisms of the film's ending which is somewhat abrupt and appears a little rushed but War of the Worlds is more about the journey than the destination. Whilst it could have been a tied up a bit more neatly this does not detract from the fact that this is an excellent disaster movie and one of the best science fiction invasion films to date.