Film Review: TRON: Legacy (PG)

THE PLOT
Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), finds himself drawn into the futuristic cyber-world from the original Disney classic in a bid to find answers to his father’s disappearance 20 syears earlier. Rescued from a gladiatorial Lightbike dual by Quorra (House’s Olivia Wilde) Sam is reunited with his father, but none of them will be safe if they cannot reach the portal back to the User world.

THE REVIEW
For nostalgic fans of the 80’s original this film has a familiar style to it as well as offering up the expected homage’s. For those too young or living in a box at the time this sequel can stand alone as much of the background plot (what little there was) is sufficiently recapped for the uninitiated. Like it’s 1982 predecessor, TRON: Legacy substitutes plot for flashy lights and CGI. This is not in anyway a brain twister, and that’s OK. This film has a good tempo and is purer escapism, a point that should not be overlooked in the absence of a good plot.

In fact, the plot echoes TRON in almost every way; Lightbike tournaments, sail ships on beams of light and disc duels. And let’s not forget the race to reach the portal and final showdown. David Warner’s sinister Master Control Program is replaced by a dubiously CG’d Jeff Bridges as Flynn senior’s creation, Clu. But there is a lot here that is familiar.

The effects are top notch by comparison to TRON, as you’d expect after nearly 30 years of development, and 3D was made for just this kind of flick. Daft Punk also contribute a great soundtrack.

TRON: Legacy is a hard film to be particularly enthusiastic about but is equally difficult to rubbish. It is what it is and does what it does perfectly adequately.

THE VERDICT
For what it is TRON: Legacy is enjoyable and entertaining and good family holiday fodder. A good way to escape the pre-Christmas shopping dash or the post-Christmas sales.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...

UK Release Date: 17 December 2010

AWARDS
Academy Award Nominee - Sound Editing: Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague

Film Review: Machete (18)

70’s exploitation was never this good

THE PLOT

Mexican Federale ‘Machete’ Cortez sees his wife beheaded in front of him and is left for dead in a burning building. Three years later in Texas, seeking work as a day labourer, Machete is hired to publicly assassinate an outspoken Senator vying for re-election on a platform of ‘keep out the illegals’. Double-crossed and injured he sets about tracking down those responsible to clear his name and right the wrongs.

THE REVIEW
I will say it now, just to save time, I loved this film!! Violence and dialogue are over the top. The editing is shoddy and the soundtrack kitsch. All is exactly as it should be and perfectly delivered. Machete is gory and funny in equal measure; the intestine rope-cum-bungie escape from a high-rise window gloriously captures this. Machete (Danny Trejo) is old school, a no nonsense hard-man with ethics and only speaks when he has something to say, like ‘Machete don’t text’. Beautiful.

Machete also boasts a number of cameo and support roles with seemingly unlikely stars, along with usual collaborators Cheech Marin and Tom Savini. Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) is the man bankrolling Machete’s $150k assassination of Texas Senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). We first meet McLaughlin accompanying boarder patrol vigilantes led by Don Johnson’s xenophobic redneck sheriff, Von Jackson. Of course these patrolmen don’t arrest and deport, they shoot to kill. Booth works for Mexican drug lord Torrez, the samurai sword-wielding murderer of Machete’s wife, 3 years earlier.

Much groaned at Steven Segal plays the part of bad guy Torrez and hits just the right note. Of course that note is the same drone as in every other Segal film ever made; the difference here is that it works. Segal’s usual monologuing during a fight scene usually evokes a feeling of compassion for the other guy, this time it’s the other guy that is supposed to win, so that’s just fine! Listen for the brilliant use of the Six Million Dollar Man slow-mo sound effect each time Torrez draws his sword. Superb.

Michelle Rodriguez heads up ‘The Network’, a group established to aid and support illegals and is under surveillance by Jessica Alba’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, Sartana Rivera. Rounding out the female leads and surprisingly/unfortunately providing the ‘tits’ part of this ‘tits and guns’ flick, is Lindsay Lohan.

If you don’t come away from watching this with a stupidly excited grin you deserve an axe to the groin. As I write this several hours after viewing I’m still revelling in Rodriguez’s masterpiece. Don’t let my excitement overpower; this film is not without its faults, for example, his former chief was on the take and present at the time of his wife’s murder, an obvious target for revenge you might think, but we never see him again. And Tom Savini’s hired gun disappears from the script after an impressive entry and subsequent involvement in the crucifixion of ‘Padre’ Cortez (Marin), Machete’s brother. DVD deleted scenes perhaps? Or will we see more of them in the alluded to (and assumed fake) teaser titles ‘Machete Kills’ and ‘Machete Kills Again’? Who cares really? For me it still perfectly fits with the 70’s exploitation-style feel and is just as likely intentional for that reason alone. In fact, due to the style of film it’s easy to put any faults down to thoughtful deliberation.

Being a fan, I find it a pity that this is only Danny Trejo’s first lead role of any significance, but then that’s possibly because too few directors have the vision of Rodriguez. More please sir.

Machete will likely only have a short run in cinemas so see it while you can, if you miss it make sure you pick it up on DVD/BluRay.

THE VERDICT
One of the best, most enjoyable films in a long time. Highly recommended for anyone with a sense of humour and lovers of pointless action. A must watch. If this review can’t convince you the trailer will!
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...


UK Release Date: 26 November 2010

Film Review: London Boulevard (18)

THE PLOT

Colin Farrell is Mitchell, a newly released Pentonville con who falls for Keira Knightley’s reclusive cinema starlet, Charlotte (say that fast 3 times!). Mitchell is determined never to end up back behind bars and resists the encouragement of friends and foes to get back in to the old life.

THE REVIEW
You could easily consider this to be just another attempt at a gritty London gangster flick. And you wouldn’t be far off the mark as there is little groundbreaking here. Ray Winstone is Gant, reprising what is seemingly his ‘usual role’ of local crime boss and hard man. Together with his sideshow goons, this is gangster-by-numbers stuff. Even Mitchell’s moronic chum Billy (Ben Chaplin) is the type of wide-boy geezer you hope gets knocked off early just for being a twat. So far, not a resounding endorsement!

David Thewlis’ Jordan, an at times addled benefactor-cum-guardian to Charlotte, is perfectly played and carries some of the best lines of the script. ‘I was on a kids' show; then I was on methadone…’ captures the humour in this character well, however this doesn’t carry throughout the rest of the script and perhaps it is here the film loses something. Charlotte, Jordan and Mitchell are fuller, better developed characters, but the remaining roles are left to the realms of comic book dialogue, and even this trio aren’t enough to save this film from enjoyable mediocrity.

Farrell is the lynchpin of this film, portraying a character, and turning out a performance, reminiscent of his 2008 role as Ray in the superb In Bruges. But I suspect this good performance is down to Farrell rather than the script, and that is a surprising disappointment considering that Oscar winner William Monahan (The Departed) is the man behind it. Perhaps Monahan has taken on too much as both writer and first time director that forms the main reason behind delivering this relatively lacklustre flick. Were it not for Farrell’s troubled lead and good support from Knightley and Thewlis, this film would have had me wanting a refund, but instead left me ‘almost’ happily entertained.

This film could have benefited from more of the Charlotte and Mitchell storyline and less on the London underbelly, but then that might fly too close to The Bodyguard (1992) script and that wouldn’t be good for anyone! On the up side, the cool 60’s soundtrack would at least raise it above its saccharine sweet Whitney Houston counterpart.

THE VERDICT
Colin Farrell leads well but is let down by an average script and archetypal characterisations. Entertaining, but nothing special or new.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...


UK Release Date: 26 November 2010

Film Review: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Pt I (12A)

Prelude to a Storm

THE PLOT
Following Dumbledore’s death and Voldemort’s continuing rise, Harry must go on the run to avoid the Dark Lord’s Death Eaters. Accompanied by Ron and Hermione, Harry also sets about untangling the mysteries of the remaining Horcruxes in order to destroy Voldemort once and for all. During their investigations they realized another mystery that requires solving; that of the Deathly Hallows. What are the Deathly Hallows? How do they relate to their quest? And what is Voldemort looking for?

THE REVIEW
For the those whom have been following this series over the last decade this latest outing kicks into gear from the outset, with members of The Order of the Phoenix getting Harry out of the muggle world to more protected realms. The pace of this exciting opening scene belies what is otherwise a slow and deliberate film that concentrates more on our three young leads. In fact, never before in this series has a whole film more or less hung solely on acting ability over CGI and visual effects. That’s not to say that the thesping to date has been poor, but this film focuses on character and plot rather than action and adventure, and carries it off well.

Even more than the earlier Order Of The Phoenix, this film is an intermediary, more so being that it covers roughly half of the 600 page source novel, leaving the audience hanging by the end, waiting for the inevitable showdown and series climax. By the time the credits roll you feel robbed, that after more than 2 hours the end seems palpable but remains elusive. I for one could have happily endured another 2 hours just to reach the long anticipated ending.

Deathly Hallows Pt1 is an enjoyable film with strong characterisation and performances that are familiar but not mundane. With the emphasis squarely on Potter, Weasley and Granger all other characters seemed sidelined as the trio strive to keep off the radar. Rhys Ifans and Nick Moran make appearances for the first time as Xenophilius Lovegood and Scabior respectively, adding to the virtual who’s who of British acting.

A special mention should be made of Ben Hibon's beautifully crafted animation during Hermione's reading of The Tale Of The Three Brothers, the children's fable and the origin story of the Deathly Hallows. This is a very memorable scene and worth watching for this alone.

This is not the best film of the series to date, but, as attested by seemingly all other film reviewers, it is the darkest and most bleak, where tempers flare and lives are lost.

THE VERDICT
Bleak and intense, Deathly Hallows Pt1 sets the scene for the final hurrah due in the summer of 2011. A good watch, but the storyline prohibits this film from being great. This is not a criticism particularly; as it’s only part of a story, but when the credits roll you can’t help but feel a little disappointed and wish the summer was here already for more than just the weather!

TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...


UK Release Date: 19 November 2010

AWARDS
BAFTA Nominee - Special Visual Effects: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1: Tim Burke, John Richardson, Nicolas Aithadi, Christian Manz
BAFTA Nominee - Make Up and Hair: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1: Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin

Academy Award Nominee - Art Direction: Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
Academy Award Nominee - Visual Effects: Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi

Film Review: Skyline (15)

A small budget stretched to great effects

THE PLOT

Strange blue lights descend from the early morning sky over Los Angeles drawing curious people outside like mystical sirens. Hundreds of thousands of onlookers are sucked up into the air to the waiting space ships whilst we follow the panic and desperation of a small group struggling to stay alive.

Eventually a defence is mounted but can the invaders be pushed back before no one is left to save?

THE REVIEW
Essentially this film is Independence Day meets Cloverfield. No bad thing you might say, but this film lacks the star power and humour of Independence Day nor does it deliver the tension of Cloverfield.

The biggest failing of this film however, was in the characterisation of our survivors. There was no strong character to hang this picture on and therefore no one to care about. The script makes only the slightest attempt to establish the characters before the action trickles in.

This isn’t helped by the casting of B Grade actors (24’s Eric Balfour, Scrubs Donald Faison and Dawson’s Creek’s Brittany Daniel) that lack the charisma or acting chops to bring their characters to life, in spite of mediocre dialogue. This was part of the success of Independence Day in that it took standard Hollywood fodder and threw actors and comedians into it, giving viewers more grounding and evoking a sense of fun.

Whilst fun was probably not the goal of Skyline, it was clearly supposed to be gripping, but without anybody worth caring about you find yourself waiting for the next explosion or gruesome encounter. Surely part of the essence of ‘gripping’ is that you either don’t know what will happen next or sometimes you may not even want to find out; Skyline falls well short of the mark on this. You find yourself knowing pretty much what’s comings next and you wish it would happen faster! Hardly gripping.

The best moments of this film are in the creature encounters, which might be expected from a Sci Fi flick, but these were too few and far between for most of the movie. Skyline attempts to create the same sense of unknowing tension engendered by Cloverfield, but broadly fails. Perhaps this is due to the manner of the hand-held camera work in JJ Abrams superior 2008 feature. Of course it was this same camera work that sometimes made for a difficult watch, but had that approach been taken here this film might have felt more edgy.

The effects in Skyline were perhaps the best feature of this film, no real surprise coming from Hydralux, the outfit behind the stunning effects of Avatar. However, even here, and as good as they are, the big effects of a small budget are nothing new to cinema, especially when compared to box office hit District 9, which at least managed to develop a great central character as well.

The only moment I experienced something close to panic was in the closing scene as I realised the producers were leaving things open for a sequel!

THE VERDICT
A poor man’s Independence Day. Not an awful film but equally, not particularly good. If you’re already paying for movies on satellite or cable wait ‘til it lands there, otherwise you might feel like and bit of a mug.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER... BUT GO NO FURTHER!


UK Release Date: 12 November 2010

Film Review: Red (12A)

THE PLOT

Bruce Willis is Frank Moses, a retired CIA agent whose life has become a little dull since leaving the agency with only Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) at the pensions office to talk to. Suddenly it’s all change as Frank becomes the target of his former employers, for reasons unknown, embroiling his new love interest.

Making short work of the teams sent against him Moses sets about finding former colleagues to help him and find out why he’s a become mark. Teaming up with Morgan Freeman’s retirement home octogenarian, John Malkovich’s LSD induced paranoid and the best wet worker in the business, Helen Mirren, Willis and Parker break into CIA headquarters in Langley, VA for a bit of sleuthing. Revelations uncover connections with a high profile politician with some dark secrets that must never come to light.

THE REVIEW
This has been one of the most difficult reviews to write, in that there was nothing here to inspire. There was nothing great and nothing terrible here. Standard plot with ok performances delivered some funny moments (especially from Malkovich - as ever) but was overlong in the saddle. This is genuinely a case of the best bits being in the trailer.

THE VERDICT
Don’t rush to see this one at the cinema. This isn’t a stinker by any means, nor is it a good film. For all the promise of a great cast, this flick is disappointing, largely forgettable and will probably leave you feeling a little ‘meh’, for lack of a better description. Save the pennies for Christmas and give this one a miss.
TC

UK Release Date: 22 October 2010

AWARDS
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Film Review: The Social Network (12A)

The internet phenomenon starts here

THE PLOT

This is the real-life story of the beginnings of the social networking giant Facebook. Harvard freshman Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is the socially maladjusted hacker-cum-tech-wizard responsible for the biggest social networking website in the world to date. He seemingly doesn’t see the irony of his obsession having come from someone who is, or should be, a loner.

Zuckerberg is an ambitious and status driven man who started out by bad-mouthing his ex-girlfriend on a blog following their break-up (which he never saw coming) and continued from there to build website facemash that very same night, as some way to get back at all Harvard women. Two hours, 22,000 hits and one crashed university server later and Zuckerberg had become legend, if not public enemy number one for the collective Harvard sorority.

Whilst landing him in hot water with the university administration, this stunt raises Mark’s profile and he’s approached by senior and well connected students Divya Narendra and identical twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (later to compete for the USA in the men's pair rowing event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). This trio ask Zuckerberg to join a project to create a Harvard Social Network and perhaps restore his reputaion. Zuckerberg agrees and strings them along for weeks before finally, along with his only friend and CFO Eduardo Saverin (soon to be Spider-Man, Andrew Garfiled) he launches his own site, thefacebook.com. And so begins the rise of Facebook; and the lawsuits.

THE REVIEW
It is likely that the audience will identify with the characters as we all know the ‘type’ from countless films and novels, give or take, and almost to a man all the lead characters are awful but perfectly acted. The most likeable of the lead protagonists is Garfield’s loyal friend Saverin and therefore the most likely candidate for empathy, but only barely. Justin Timberlake features as real-life Napster founder and eventual Facebook president, Sean Parker, in an acting turn that is convincingly arrogant and suave. I was also surprised to find, as the credits rolled, that the Winklevoss twins were both played by Armie Hammer utilising some convincing film and editing trickery.

Finally, Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg was… well… hard to peg. Good, undoubtedly, but his character had all the removed-from-society feel of Johnny Depp’s Scissorhands but without the quirky and drowning in arrogance. Such an unusual and perhaps misunderstood person was always going to be a hard central character to portray. The problem as I see it is that being such an odd character it’s hard to know how accurate this portrayal really is. But this is a relatively minor issue, for me at least.
This film has performed very well Stateside and may well do the same over the pond, but I can’t help wonder if that’s because, like Facebook itself, an element of voyeurism exists for the 500 million strong Facebook users, of which I am one. Is this possible voyeurism the real reason for the film’s success or is it the host of what I believe to be legitimate cinematic reasons; these reasons being great cinematography, good editing, strong script and excellent acting.

As a film lover I hope this film does well because of it’s many positive attributes not because of the subject matter (or Justin Timberlake’s bare chest!), but I suspect this will not be the case. I just hope that, having viewed the film, the audience can appreciate what is good here.

THE VERDICT
An informative and entertaining look at the origins of an internet phenomenon and it’s creators. Great performances all round and well worth a view. As simple as that. Don’t let the subject matter put you off, if you like film you’ll appreciate this.

TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...


UK Release Date: 15 October 2010

AWARDS
Golden Globe Winner - Best Motion Picture - Drama
Golden Globe Winner - Best Director - Motion Picture: David Fincher
Golden Globe Winner - Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Aaron Sorkin
Golden Globe Winner - Best Original Score - Motion Picture: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: Jesse Eisenberg
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Andrew Garfield

BAFTA Winner - Director: David Fincher for The Social Network
BAFTA Winner - Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network: Aaron Sorkin
BAFTA Winner - Editing: The Social Network: Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
BAFTA Nominee - Best Film: The Social Network
BAFTA Nominee - Leading Actor: Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network
BAFTA Nominee - Supporting Actor: Andrew Garfield for The Social Network

Academy Award Winner - Film Editing: Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
Academy Award Winner - Music (Original Score): Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Academy Award Winner - Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Academy Award Nominee - Best Picture: Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
Academy Award Nominee - Directing: David Fincher
Academy Award Nominee - Actor in a Leading Role: Jesse Eisenberg
Academy Award Nominee - Cinematography: Jeff Cronenweth
Academy Award Nominee - Sound Mixing: Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten

Film Review: The Town (15)

Ben Affleck brings the Heat to Charlestown

THE PLOT
Charlestown is a blue collar suburb of Boston, MA and the armed robbery capital of the US. Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner are half of a tight crew who have grown up covering each others backs as they inevitably get up to no good in a no-good part of town.

The film starts with a clinical bank job that takes an unexpected turn to include the kidnapping of a young attractive assistant bank manager, Claire. Fearing she could finger them following her release Doug MacRay (Affleck) follows and befriends her find out what she knows. The only identifying mark Claire (Rebecca Hall) saw was a tattoo on Jim ‘Jem’ Coughlin’s (Renner) neck.

For Doug and his gang, this job has brought on the heat and an unlikely romance with Claire has him thinking that the next heist will be his last. Coughlin and Pete Postlethwaite’s Irish Godfather ‘Fergie’ Colm think differently.

Meanwhile the FBI and Boston PD have started to piece things together and begin to suspect MacRay’s crew leading to tense scenes and intense confrontation.

THE REVIEW
Ben Affleck proves his directing success with Gone Baby Gone (2007) wasn’t a one-off. One top of that, his presence in front of the camera was some of his most watchable to date. Jeremy Renner played the same sort of unlikeable, arrogant bastard we saw in The Hurt Locker (2008) and so was perfect for the part. Pete Postlethwaite, in a slightly larger role than his seemingly endless portfolio of brief but integral cameos, was unusually bland and clichéd. Having been a fan for years, and following a grin of pleasant surprise when he first appeared, I found this to be disappointing. And I didn’t get the feeling it was the script (also co-written by Affleck), but Postlethwaite himself. A small blip from an otherwise enjoyable flick.

The only major criticism, if indeed it can be considered one, is that the plot so closely follows Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) that it doesn’t feel the most original of films. Personally, I loved Heat and that’s no bad thing, but others may have an aversion on that basis. Like Heat, it’s also a longish film, although mercifully not 'as' long. But just like Heat there are some great chase sequences and gun fights.

THE VERDICT
Whilst you’ll feel like you’ve seen it before, this is a smart, well directed flick that is well worth a watch. If you enjoyed Heat you’ll like this.
TC

UK Release Date: 24 September 2010

AWARDS
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Jeremy Renner

BAFTA Nominee - Supporting Actor: Pete Postlethwaite for The Town

Academy Award Nominee - Actor in a Supporting Role: Jeremy Renner

Film Review: The Other Guys (12A)

THE PLOT
Will Farrell and ‘Marky’ Mark Wahlberg are a pair of mismatched New York police detectives. Farrell’s Det. Gamble is a simple, glorified accountant paper jockey who’d rather openly idolize macho colleagues than get out from behind his desk; a man who struggles with the sarcastic taunts piled on top of him from fellow officers. Wahlberg’s Det. Hoitz has been the butt of jokes and a figure of disgust after mistakenly shooting baseball hero and Yankees captain Derek Jeter (as himself) in the middle of the playoffs.

In the wake of the comedy deaths of the top two detectives in the precinct, played by Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne Johnson, Hoitz pushes Gamble to step up and fill the void. This sets them on course to track down billionaire David Ershon on charges of not holding valid scaffolding permits (Steve Coogan as we’ve seen him before in almost every role he’s ever been in).

THE REVIEW
This film took a while to sputter to life and for the most part continued sputtering all the way to the final credits (credits which failed to acknowledge Iced T’s narration). The film has some proper laugh-out-loud moments but they are not frequent enough to fully engage this viewer. Add this to the fact that the ‘underdog makes good’ storyline has been done to death and you have a very run-of-the-mill film that is barely entertaining and rather forgettable.

Of course the good bits were quite good; there just weren’t enough of them. Wahlberg’s performance was reminiscent of his character in The Departed, ie a sarcastic bastard, but with more of the funny and less of the menace. His infatuation with Farrell’s unlikely hot wife (Eva Mendes) plays throughout the film to nice effect. Michael Keaton also makes a welcome return to the silver screen in a significant role as the precinct captain.

In addition, and on a positive note, The Little River Band notwithstanding, the soundtrack was pretty good and worth a listen.

THE VERDICT
To quote another, funnier cop flick, nothing to see here, move along. Wait for it to hit the small screen and save yourself the money.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...


UK Release Date: 17 September 2010

Evil Smirk = Bad Script

Inspiration hit me this evening, hence the following incredulous squawk. I was overdue for one anyway!

I’ve not long finished watching the season 3 opener of Merlin on BBC iPlayer and whilst it’s not a wonderful series, it’s a guilty pleasure and generally a fun watch. That said, the script on this one called for Katie McGrath’s Morgana to perform an evil smirk almost every other scene the character appeared in. And in a Morgana-heavy episode, that’s a lot of scenes, and a lot of smirking!

Now for those of you regular viewers out there in telly-land, you’ll know that Merlin is supposedly savvy, as with his mentor and protector of his magical secret, Gaius (Richard Wilson), but I found myself wondering how it was that this already suspicious twosome failed to see Morgana’s evil grin. I mean she was doing it all the time! This was evil of the proudest pantomime tradition.

In fact, even ‘if’ our heroes failed to witness this overworked plot point, surely some of the numerous courtiers and castle guards would have spotted it. I was almost willing one of the cast to enthusiastically point with an ‘Ooooh! Evil! Look everyone, she did the evil look! We should burn her! Evil!!’ In fact it got to the point wherein I was pointing at the telly in some childish attempt to warn the King that his beloved Katie McGrath had been taking lessons from the Caruso/Shatner School of Acting. Come on Katie, insist on something better.

This is the digital age, not the age of stage. We have plasma TV’s and 3D Blu-Ray Discs. Gone are the days of the black and white talkies where actors ply their trade in the only way they know how, over-blown and obvious. Television and film allow intimacy and subtleties that theatre cannot endue without some git in the back row wondering that the hell is going on! So why do the production team on Merlin seem to believe that the viewing public need constant reminding of such nefarious intent of the most gratuitous kind? A four year old could figure out that Morgana is up to no good, or at the very least we are supposed to believe she is (allowing for the just as likely – mythology aside – misdirection and latter confirmation of her hero status, just in the nick of time).

Pick up your game, please!
TC

Film Review: Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (12A)

A K.O. of a film. Edgar Wright WINS!

THE PLOT
Twenty-two year old geek and front-room rocker Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is still coming grips with life after a heart-wrenching break up. To make matters worse his ex, Monique, a local up-and-coming indie music star, has just landed a contract with the hottest producer around, Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman). In an attempt to convince his friends he’s over her, Scott finds himself a 17 year old ‘fake’ girlfriend, Knives, just days before he meets mysterious newcomer Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead – Die Hard 4.0) and is completely besotted. But Ramona comes with baggage, serious baggage, in the form of seven evil exes, each with super powers. Scott Pilgrim must defeat each of these jealous exes if he’s to keep his new girl.

THE REVIEW
Edgar Wright hits the mark with his latest release. The dialogue is snappy and just the right mix of geek and cool. The used of comic book ‘kapow-style’ and video game graphics throughout the film add to the stylised cinematography and bitchin’ soundtrack to create a genuinely fun, often laugh-out-loud experience.

There are some nice little cameo-esk bit-parts from other super hero types Chris Evens (Fantastic Four), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Thomas Jane (The Punisher). In addition, Kieran Culkin steels virtually every scene he appears in as Pilgrim’s inappropriate gay room mate Wallace. He is the perfect bastard you can’t not like.

There is only one slight issue and it’s not the plot, the acting or the script. It’s the film’s star, Michael Cera. Haven’t we seen him in this role in virtually every film he’s ever been in? Don’t get me wrong, he was perfect for the part but Kick Ass newcomer Aaron Johnson proved an unconventional fan-boy flick didn’t need a ‘somebody’ to bring in the numbers. It just smacked of more of the same in a film that was anything but. Only a small criticism from what is an otherwise glowing recommendation and I’m already planning to see it again and clearing space on the shelf in anticipation of the DVD.

THE VERDICT
This is a seriously fun flick and comes highly recommended. Smart, clever and a must see. Stop reading and go watch. Go! NOW!
TC

UK Release Date: 25 August 2010

Film Review: Salt (12A)

Mrs Smith is Bourne for the Hunt

THE PLOT
Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a CIA spy, freed on exchange 2 years ago from internment and torture in North Korea. When a KGB agent hands himself over to CIA custody Salt performs the interrogation during which she is told, in front of her colleagues, that she is in fact a sleeper assassin for the former Soviet Union. An assassin planted to kill the visiting Russian President, plunging the East and West into a second, and immediate, cold war. Fearful for her freedom, and her husband’s safety, Salt goes on the run. Will she clear her name? How long can she evade capture? Is she who they think she is?

THE REVIEW
These are all good questions. How we get to the answers is routine fare. The action is quick and certain, as we’ve come to expect from a modern spy-action flick, but nothing new. Our lead is on the run to clear her name and find some answers resulting in the usual running gun fight and car chase, donning a latex disguise along the way. Sound familiar? Ethan Hunt perhaps? In fact the title role is rumoured to have been originally offered to Tom Cruise (he did well to stay away from this, of all people).

There are twists and inevitable turns, and a smart viewer will see them coming, but that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment. The thing is, this is all sounds very negative, but this is not a bad film, in fact it hovers around good, but falls well short of great.

THE VERDICT
Not a must see but certainly not a must avoid. Salt is not well seasoned but won’t leave a sour taste.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...

UK Release Date: 18 August 2010


AWARDS
Academy Award Nominee - Sound Mixing: Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan and William Sarokin

Film Review: The Expendables (15)

A small band of famous old guys kill a bunch of stuntmen

THE PLOT
A group of mercenaries led by Barney Ross (writer/director Sylvester Stallone) are hired by a CIA operative (Bruce Willis in cameo) to ‘remove’ the drug-lord dictator of a small island in the Gulf of Mexico. The general is being supported by rogue CIA agent (Eric Roberts) to run his own drug cartel. Things are made complicated and personal when Ross reflects on his life-long military service, along with all the terrible things he’s undertaken and witnessed, and feels obliged to rescue the General’s daughter.

THE REVIEW
Look, this movie was never going to win any awards, OK. It was never even going to be a blockbuster. This is indulgent macho cinema, but to that end it’s nearly perfect. Eighties beefcake’s abound, although curiously absent are the expected countless one-liners. That’s not to say there isn’t humour, but there is a little more depth to this flick.

Jason Stratham is entirely watchable in his usual cheeky way. Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Dolph Lundgren are all well cast as an over-the-hills band of brother’s mercs (what, no Van Damme?). Jet Li’s Ying Yang stands out as the most miscast of the bunch but doesn’t detract from the whiplash speed of the action and provides a focus for some of the ‘matey’ humour. Buffy and Angel’s Charisma Carpenter also makes an always enticing and busty appearance as Statham’s girl.

The stand out performance comes from Oscar nominated Mickey Rourke as Ross’ former colleague and loyal friend. Rourke lends credibility to every scene he’s in, without overshadowing it.

The joy of this film is in the tempo and frequently jarring action. Be it explosions (not frequent, but friggin’ huge) or just the number of ways you can break (or explode) body bits, I found myself gasping for air at one point as I’d forgotten breathe amidst all the action! In fact, there were numerous times the small audience winced and sucked in air, often followed by a chuckle.

THE VERDICT
It is hard to justify a recommendation for this film on the basis that it’s not much more than a guilty pleasure for any fan of fun, pointless, fast-paced action. However, this is unexpectedly one of the better fun, pointless, fast-paced action movies so far this summer. Sit down. Eject brain. Insert popcorn. Enjoy.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...

UK Release Date: 19 August 2010

Customer disservice, how may I help you?

Today, the first sunny day in over a week, I spent well over an hour walking in and out of shops. Boo! I was looking for something particular. Something I know exists. Something I would call a ‘counter’. You know, the kind that doormen and bouncers use to count the number of people going into a club or bar as part of crowd control. And do you think I could find one?

Could I bollocks!

I tried sports stores, I tried outdoors stores, I tried gadget shops, I tried pound stores and I even tried what ever the hell kind of store ‘Wilkinsons’ is! And nothing.

The thing is, ‘if’ I could find a shop assistant, they looked at me like was speaking in Latin and asking them the atomic weight of a chicken nugget expressed as to 5 decimal places. No Idea! And (sorry ladies) without fail, every girl/woman I asked and explained it to, differed the answer to a male colleague.

Now I can possibly understand this; the only time women are likely ever catch a glimpse of one of these devices is on the way into a busy pub or club, and as we men know, if you have breasts (minus hair) you get ushered in quickly, no questions. Thus, these lady folk had no idea.

Now the guys, well they eventually figured out what I was after but of course they didn’t stock them and universally suggested another possibility. I, of course, dubiously followed this advice right up to the moment I was led around a sports store by a kid (getting hopeful now, although he didn’t look old enough to shave) when finally, with a look on his stupid face that said ‘shit, I have no idea what he’s after but as I’ve taken him all over the store I better come up with something good’ and a mouth that said ‘we sold out of them a few months back and we haven’t had any more stock’. Bastard!!

(Oh, and I only really wanted it to count the explosions in a film I was going to watch!)
TC

Contributors Wanted

Are you highly opinionated?
Do you believe the world needs to know those opinions?
Do you want to be part of an online phenomenon, or would you like to be contribute to this blog instead?

If the answer to 3 of these 4 questions is 'yes' then maybe you should become a contributor to the4thplinth.

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C'mon, you know you want to...

Film Review: Knight And Day (12A)

Cameron Diaz finds Mission Impossible’s funny bone

THE PLOT
Tom Cruise is secret agent Roy Miller and he’s gone rogue. He’s on the run from his former spook colleagues, the law and other ‘very bad guys’ and he’s taking June Havens (Cameron Diaz) along for the ride. The race is on to secure a perpetual battery and it’s inventor, played by ever off-centre Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood, Little Miss Sunshine). Cue over-blown action sequences.

THE REVIEW
This action comedy is strictly movie by numbers stuff. All the elements you’d expect of a modern action spy movie, a la Bourne, Bond and Hunt, are here. Sharp set pieces delivered with humour are the defining aspect of this film, and it’s the humour that keeps this flick from being just another action movie in the same vein as Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Big explosion – Check
Car chase – Check
Shoot out – Check
Rooftop chase – Check
Double-cross – Check

There is nothing special or new here, just an enjoyable enough ride to hold your attention for what feels like too long by the time the end credits roll.

THE VERDICT
Good fun, but nothing special. You wouldn’t be missing much if you waited for it on Sky.
TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...

UK Release Date: 6 August 2010

Challenge Update

Followers are creeping up. Can you help?
I’m seeking at least 100 followers of The4thPlinth by the end of August. Follow on facebook, twitter or of course the The4thPlinth blog. Be sure to share with your facebook friends or retweet

Remember to bookmark The4thPlinth blog or add it to your browser’s favourites

FOLLOWERS

The4thPlinth - 1
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More updates to follow!

A PLINTHY CHALLENGE

I’m seeking at least 100 followers of The4thPlinth by the end of August to see if people give the remotest of shits about anything I have to say! Follow on facebook, twitter or of course the The4thPlinth blog. Be sure to share with your facebook friends or retweet

Remember to bookmark The4thPlinth blog or add it to your browser’s favourites

FOLLOWERS

The4thPlinth - 1
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Twitter - 11

Updates or rebukes to follow!

Film Review: The A-Team (12A)

Peppard ‘might’ be stirring in his grave.

THE PLOT
This movie gives us the origins of our familiar 80’s heroes; Hannibal, Murdoch, Faceman and B.A. A 4-man Alpha Team (or A-Team) of US Rangers are framed for a crime they didn’t commit; the theft of a complete set of US bank note print plates resulting in the death of their commanding officer. Six months into their 10-year sentence they escape in order to clear their names. Inevitably, their escape means they are pursued by the Military Police and some other, more clandestine, characters resulting in the chase scenes, shootouts and the kind of explosions that are so massive they must have been done in CG.

THE REVIEW
As I sat down in the flippy-uppy cinema seat my thinking was ‘how disappointing will this really be?’ Probably not the most open minded approach but I was watching this out curiosity and to escape further housework!

I should also point out that I’ve never been a big fan of Liam Neeson. And once again this was a film starring Liam Neeson as Liam Neeson, in a Liam Neeson role! Ok, so George Peppard is a tough act to follow, but Neeson seemed unable to either capture his essence or stamp is own presence on the part.

Sharlto Copley’s Murdoch was criminally underused, despite his accent dropping in and out. Bradley Cooper almost managed to bring Faceman to life, but for better or worse didn’t quite pull off the smarmy aspect of the Templeton Peck character. As for B.A., who else could pull it off like Mr T? Not Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson that’s for sure, not really, although he is likeable enough.

There were also the inevitable references and homage’s to the 1980’s TV hit, including the obligatory adlib and elaborate escape plan, this time using fireworks and an up-scaled ball and cups trick!

The black-ops bad guy was stereotypical of countless TV and Film bad guys, even without much screen time. In addition, the guy-behind-the-(bad)-guy is obvious from the start.

Whilst mostly entertaining, the action sequences being a logical progression of the mid-80’s ‘everything that can blow up must blow up’ school of cinema, the film is not blockbuster material. Whilst the ending clearly opens a sequel possible, let’s hope producers Ridley and Tony Scott restrain themselves.

** SPOILER ALERT **
If you are going to spend money seeing this film then you might as well sit to the end of the credits for cameos from Dwight Shultz and Dirk Benedict, the original 80’s Murdoch and Face.

THE VERDICT
Not a great watch, but if you do see it you won’t feel like you’ve been robbed of your cash. Not quite. If you can wait for it on satellite or cable then you won’t really be missing anything, and the popcorn will be cheaper!
TC

Release Date: 30 July 2010

Hmmm, What To Do

I was so looking forward to having a 4 day weekend, but...

I'm half way through the weekend and my wife is working on all 4 of those days. BOO!

I've done the shopping. I've cooked a lovely meal - rack of lamb, roasted with rosemary, thyme and a mint glaze, served with minted peas and potatoes done 3 ways (mashed, chipped and fondant). The washing is in the machine as I type and I’m delaying the vacuuming for as long as I can!

So what to do?

I could go to the cinema but I’m not that fussed about what’s out this weekend. The likely option if I do go is the A-Team, but I’m not 100% on whether I’m that enthused. Besides, Hannah may wish to see it too and if I go by myself I may spend all the credit my good deeds have accrued! That said, I never got the feeling that Hannah was that interested in the A-Team either, so I could be safe.

The other thing that is putting me off the cinema is not only that it is a Saturday, and likely to be busy, but the A-Team is designed to have mass appeal and the masses are morons! Still, maybe that’ll give me my next blogging subject (or allows me to revisit an old one!)

Hope you’re all having a good weekend!

TV Advertising

What is it with dubbing over foreign language TV adverts?

Perhaps that’s not quite the right question. It’s pretty obvious why foreign ads are dubbed over in English for an English speaking audience!

The right question on this topic would be ‘why do companies advertising in the UK use foreign adverts for their product and badly dub them over?’ Obviously there’s the expense of making a new ad versus the cost of dubbing an existing one, but surely the costs involved in filming someone brushing their teeth or applying zit cream to a cratered face can’t be that high, can it?

Then there’s the English language ads that are dubbed over in English accents rather than allowing Aussie or Yank patter to enter our ears. God forbid! Now I’m guessing that someone somewhere did some sort of expensive study that indicated that the common Englishman responds poorly to people with certain accents selling certain products. And whilst I am not English, I am immersed in the culture (what there is of it outside of football!) and I say fuck the common man! Give it to me straight!

It seems the only time a foreign accent speaking English is acceptable in advertising is when we are being coerced to by a product we associate with that accent. Fosters and Australia, Dolmio sauces and Italy, Blue Dragon sauces and China, you get the idea. Basically, if you’re selling the sauce do it foreign!

Advertising types listen up! If you have to dub, please do a good job!

Film Review: The Karate Kid (PG)

Better than the original, and when was the last time you read that?!

THE PLOT

A young Will Smith, sorry Jaden Smith, leaves Detroit to start a new life with his mother. But this is not as simple as a move to California. This is Beijing, China, and life couldn’t be more different.

Essentially this film covers all the same ground as the 80’s original. There’s a girl; there’s a guy that doesn’t like our young hero fraternising with the girl; that guy, and his mates, are well trained martial artists; there’s also an old, Yoda-like, maintenance guy that helps the youngster train in the martial arts to ‘unexpectedly’ win the day. It’s all there, and if you don’t know the plot you are clearly a cinematic hermit and this is not for you. This is not the review you’re looking for. You can go about your business. Move along.

THE REVIEW
Remakes will always be compared to their predecessors, but unlike watching Ralph Macchio in the title role, I didn’t want to be the kid that beats seven shades of shit out of the ‘kid’! This kid has some proper acting chops. Jaden Smith is definitely his father’s son and that’s no ‘nasty’ thing considering some of the characters Will has brought to the silver screen. Nor was Pat Morita’s Miyagi (R.I.P) missed as Jackie Chan delivered a great performance as Jaden’s mentor/master.

The expected homage’s and references were everywhere but almost always handled delicately so as to not make the audience roll their eyes. This reinvention of the classic original was better in almost every way. The cinematography was superior (even with the occasional jerky hand held motion) and the pace was steady. Having recently watched the original on TV it is evident that the thing that sets these versions apart is the quality of the acting. This comes in two parts; the acting in the 1984 original is poor by modern cinematic standards and the acting in the 2010 remake is simply very good.

There is only one niggle. The title! Set in China, Jaden’s character Dre Parker is trained in Kung Fu, not Japanese Karate! Surely ‘The Kung Fu Kid’?!

THE VERDICT
The Karate Kid (2010) is one of the best 80’s remakes in some time and more than that, it's flat out entertaining.

TC

NOW SEE THE TRAILER...

UK Release Date: 28 July 2010

Cinema Etiquette or Shut The Hell Up!

After last nights effort I’m doubtful anyone in Derby has ever heard of Cinema Etiquette! "‘Cinema Etiquette?’ sound’s like it has subtitles, no thanks!"

Preview weekends = NO ADS & TRAILERS (Remember this for next time!)

PEOPLE! Arrive on time! Don’t show up after the film starts and then expect others will be happy with you tripping and shuffling around in the dark in front of them. And don’t then proceed to rustle around every single piece of food wrapping you can find whilst you get settled. And when the rest of the row is empty, at least leave one seat space. I don’t know you, you’re likely to talk (if your entrance is anything to go by), and I sat here because I wanted space and most dicks like you usually sit at the back, where I can tolerate you. And don’t ask what you’ve missed, the person you came in with also missed it. And certainly don’t ask me, I missed it too, you shit! So how the hell should I know?!

AND PEOPLE! Once you’re settled, concentrate. For Christ’s sake concentrate!
Clearly you don’t understand how pissing annoying it is to hear the constant murmur (if only it was just a murmur!) next to you asking ‘what did she say?’, ‘what was that?’ or the perennial ‘is that the guy from the start?’ These questions are annoying to hear in themselves, but the answers can be just as fist-clenchingly frustrating. I don’t need a commentary. I WAS WATCHING AND LISTENING! And I certainly don’t need to hear your commentary because you clearly have no idea either!

And people, when you’re asked to ‘be quiet’, in my most constrained and polite tone, why do you seem to hear one of two things:

‘finish this sentence now, but I’m OK with you continuing to talk throughout the remainder of the film’
OR
‘I just shot your cat in the head, shagged the carcass and left the remnants in your popcorn bucket’.

The former seems to result in the perpetrator maintaining complete ignorance that there is a problem; the latter appears to suggest that I’m the inconsiderate twat that is making this cinematic experience less than the intended enjoyable one.

I paid good money to see this film, money I worked for, and you don’t give a shit, just as surely as I don’t give a shit about your financial situation. But this is the thing, YOU paid money for this too, and clearly haven’t taken in a single bit of it, apart from the fight scenes, explosions and the shiny shiny lights! Surely this has been a waste of your money?

It's more than just bad films that should die at the box office!

C’mon cine folk, show some respect! Then we can all enjoy the film.

Early Mark

Following weeks of hard graft on 2 key projects and this morning’s progress review, my colleagues and I were given the afternoon off. I haven’t had an official ‘early mark’ since high school, and I like it. And this on a day that I wore shorts to work!

Teacher must think I’ve been a good boy!

This has made me wonder. Early parole for good behaviour; why does society allow it? Baring in mind that I get ‘early release’ from work for working, and even working overtime (that’s WORK, not sitting about waiting for my next publicly funded meal to be cooked and served). How is this right? Prisoners whom have stolen, raped, injured or killed, are convicted and proceed to be ‘kept’ by the taxpayer, some of which they stole from, raped, injured or killed in the first place, and then are told that because they’ve not continued their terrible ways on the inside they can be released of their penance, and rejoin society.

We workers, however, have to work long(ish) hours to pay for our own food, lodgings and clothing before we get an early mark!

This seems a little lop-sided! That said, I'm not gonna bitch too much as this might be the last early mark I get for a while! But then maybe that's reason to bitch even more?!

Nothing Happened

Nothing remotely special or interesting happened to me today and I wanted everyone to know! However, I started this new blog thingy after hours of pissing around setting up and I'll be damned if I'm not going to say something today!

I did have oporto chicken for dinner tonight, but I'm not sure that counts as interesting. Special maybe, interesting, doubtful.

Film Review: Inception (12A)

Good fun and a great concept

THE PLOT

A collection of corporate espionage types, using military tech to enter dreams and steal secrets, are coerced into planting an idea in the skull of Cillian Murphy’s ‘mark’. This is Inception. Simple enough? Not really.

To make it stick, ensuring the mark believes the idea to be entirely his own, they have to go deeper than their usual head-heist; much deeper. The complexity and smart narrative starts here and comes about when our ‘heroes’ enter a dream within a dream, within a dream! You following so far?

The action stems from the ‘projections’ of people populating the dreamer’s nap-time reality. If the dreamer becomes aware there are trespassers in their subconscious the projections act like white blood cells attacking an infection. And action!

THE REVIEW
This was the first film in months that I was actually looking forward to seeing, and I wasn't wowed. I wasn’t expecting to be wowed, I don’t think, but it wasn’t what I had hoped, if that makes sense.

It goes like this:

Would I watch it again?
Yes, happily

Would I pay to see it again at the cinema?
Actually, I’ve been contemplating doing just that.

Would I buy it on DVD? (No blue ray comments please!)
Definitely

Was the acting good?
Yes. Couldn’t fault it really

Was the concept good?
Great, actually. Original, thought provoking and set the scene for some great set pieces

Were the set pieces good?
All were good, but this is where we get down to it…

The set pieces were as well edited, choreographed and directed as you could hope and expect from the director of the brilliant Dark Knight, but were wholly lacking in originality, with one possible exception (zero gravity).

It must be hard to be original in Hollywood these days (just look at the multitude of TV and movie remakes, not to mention the sequels) but when you have a director that brought out the inspired Oscar winning performance of Heath Ledger’s Joker, in the wake of Nicholson’s already acclaimed performance in the same role, how is it that Inception, unique and wonderful concept aside, still managed to feel familiar and almost formulaic?

THE VERDICT
A great twist on the standard heist movie, combined with top class acting and some fantastic action sequences make for a worthy summer blockbuster. But all said and done, a palladium effort, not quite a platinum one. Be sure to take an extra brain as your current one may overload!

TC

UK Release Date: 16 July 2010

AWARDS
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Motion Picture - Drama
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Director - Motion Picture: Christopher Nolan
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Christopher Nolan
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Original Score - Motion Picture: Hans Zimmer

BAFTA Winner - Production Design: Inception: Guy Hendrix Dyas, Larry Dias, Doug Mowat
BAFTA Winner - Sound: Inception: Richard King, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A Rizzo, Ed Novick
BAFTA Winner - Special Visual Effects: Inception: Chris Corbould, Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Peter Bebb
BAFTA Nominee - Best Film: Inception
BAFTA Nominee - Director: Christopher Nolan for Inception
BAFTA Nominee - Original Screenplay: Inception: Christopher Nolan
BAFTA Nominee - Original Music: Inception: Hans Zimmer
BAFTA Nominee - Cinematography: Inception: Wally Pfister
BAFTA Nominee - Editing: Inception: Lee Smith

Academy Award Winner - Cinematography: Wally Pfister
Academy Award Winner - Sound Editing: Richard King
Academy Award Winner - Sound Mixing: Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
Academy Award Winner - Visual Effects: Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Academy Award Nominee - Best Picture: Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers
Academy Award Nominee - Art Direction: Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Set Decoration: Larry Dias and Doug Mowat
Academy Award Nominee - Music (Original Score): Hans Zimmer
Academy Award Nominee - Writing (Original Screenplay): Written by Christopher Nolan