Sunday, November 7, 2010

Let Me In

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee(Romulus,My Father;The Road)
Chloe Grace Moretz(500 Days of Summer;Kick-Ass;Diary of A Wimpy Kid)
Elias Koteas(I Come With The Rain;The Killer Inside Me;Shutter Island)
Richard Jenkins(Waiting For Forever;Dear John;Eat Pray Love)
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Let Me In is a remake of a Swedish film Lat Den Ratte Komma In (Let The Right One In) directed by Tomas Alfredson. It is a drama/horror movie released by Overture Films/Relativity Media in the US and Icon Film Distribution in the UK. It was released by a variety of producers including Simon Oakes and Guy East.
Owen(Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a sad lonely child whose mother ignores him while she is in the throes of a divorce. At school he is bullied mercilessly by a group of 'friends' ; Owen does not have much of a life. One night at home he meets Abby (Chloe Grace Moretz) who is 12 as well and has moved in next door to him . They strike up a friendship even though Abby says to him they cannot be friends. She tells him that he needs to stand up for himself and fight the bullies off; eventually he does so but with consequences. Abby reveals herself as a vampire and the fallout from this has consequences as well.
This was a well thought out thriller with good performances from Kodi Smit-McPhee and again from Chloe Grace Moretz (who's becoming quite a favourite for myself). Richard Jenkins played a solid character as did Elias Koteas.
With a good cast and a good premise and a little bit of malice thrown into the mix; I give it four stars out of five.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Killers

Starring:Ashton Kutcher(What Happens in Vegas, Personal Effects, Valentines Day)
Katherine Heigl(Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, The Ugly Truth)
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Killers is an action/comedy film released by Lionsgate pictures. It has quite a list of producers - seven in fact - most notably Ashton Kutcher who stars as well.
Jen Kornfeldt is an overly cautious girl who breaks up with a boyfriend and travels to Nice with her parents to forget about the break-up. While there she meets Spencer Aimes, the man of her dreams, and they are happily married. Unfortunately the man of her dreams turns out to be a contract killer - retired- so the fun and games begin. Spencer becomes a wanted man with a price on his head ; how does Jen cope?
Ashton Kutcher is NOT one of my favourites by any long stretch of the imagination so I am always wary about his presence in any movie and I am afraid he missed out by a long shot on this movie. Katherine Heigl is generally quite a good actress but the material she was given was very stilted and formulaic in this particular case. The mother (Catherine O'Hara) was a bit of a hoot - otherwise an ordinary cast in an extremely ordinary film.
I give it two and a half stars out of five.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Centurion

Starring:Michael Fassbender(Hunger,Blood Creek,Inglourious Basterds)
Dominic West(Hannibal Rising,300, Punisher:War Zone)
Olga Kurylenko(Hitman, Max Payne,Quantum of Solace)
Director:Neil Marshall(Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Doomsday)
Centurion is an action film filmed in Scotland and Britain's Ealing studios in London and in Surrey. It is produced by Christian Colson and Robert Jones.
Quintus Dias is the only survivor of a raid by the picts, a fierce tribe whose tactics rival that of guerilla warfare. He is rescued by the legion of Titus Flavius Virilus who have been ordered in to wipe out the Picts for good. The plans go awry and the general is captured and all but six of the romans end up meeting a sorry end. Quintas and his bunch of followers try to regain the general but it is not always as it seems.
This could have been an interesting premise but I think it was overdone and some of the scenes quite graphic. The male leads were quite good (Fassbender and West) but Olga Kurylenko (as Etain) was a little stilted.
A bit more thought rather than the cinematic formula- I give it three stars out of five.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Karate Kid (in a kung fu movie?)

Starring: Jaden Smith(The Pursuit of Happyness, The Day the Earth Stood Still)
Jackie Chan( The Spy Next Door,The Forbidden Kingdom, Rush Hour 3)
Taraji P.Henson(Smokin Aces, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Date Night)
Directed by: Harald Zwart(Agent Cody Banks, The Pink Panther 2)
The Karate Kid is a martial arts remake of a film of the same name.The story moves to Beijing this time instead of Los Angeles,California. The movie is produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith along with Jerry Weintraub, Ken Stovitz and James Lassiter.
Sherry Parker begins a new life moving from Detroit to Beijing, but unhappy with the move is Dre who has left all of his friends behind. He incurs the wrath of a bully (Zhenwai Wang) and his master Li, his only friends being Mr Han(Chan) and a girl he has developed a crush on Mei Ying (Wen Wen Han). Mr Han is a kung fu master who teaches him the art of self-defence. The pair come to rely on each other and enter together in a kung fu tournament to beat their respective demons. Will they win face?
This could have become quite formulaic but was surprisingly well done. Jackie Chan was very good as was Jaden Smith. Taraji P.Henson was a little over the top as the mother ; but many other characters were well cast.
I was very surprised by this - 4 out of 5 stars.

Eclipse

Starring: Kristen Stewart(Adventureland, Twilight Saga, The Runaways)
Robert Pattinson(Little Ashes, Remember Me,Twilight Saga)
Taylor Lautner(Cheaper By The Dozen 2, Twilight Saga,Valentines Day)
Directed by: David Slade(30 Days of Night,Hard Candy)
This is a romance/fantasy vampire film after Twilight and New Moon. David Slade directs this film as New Moon director Chris Weitz was in post production when it began filming.
Seattle is reeling at the unexplained deaths of several young people while Victoria(Bryce Dallas Howard) continues her quest for revenge on Bella and her vampire friends. Things come to a head when the battle between the Newborns and the Cullens/wolf pack escalate. Bella must also examine her love for Edward and her feelings for Jacob - what will she do?
This is a much better script than that of New Moon was and a lot more action-packed than that of New Moon. Taylor Lautner has become a favourite at my house (thanks to my 9 year old daughter) and Jackson Rathbone is surprisingly good as Jasper. Bryce Dallas Howard is also well-cast as Victoria, the one whose revenge knows no boundaries. The leads ,Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, are adequately cast but don't bring much character to the screen.
Overall its better than the first two but not quite up to scratch for someone whose tastes lie elsewhere.
I give it 3.5 stars out of five.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Marmaduke

Starring:Owen Wilson(v.Night At The Museum 2,Drillbit Taylor, Marley and Me)
George Lopez(v.Beverly Hills Chihuahua,Spy Next Door,Valentine's Day)
Kiefer Sutherland(v.The Sentinel,Mirrors,Monsters vs Aliens)
Fergie(v.Madagascar 2,Nine)
Emma Stone(v.Superbad,Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,Zombieland)
Lee Pace(Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, Possession,The Fall)
Directed by:Tom Dey
This is a live-action film of Brad Anderson's comic strip of Marmaduke.It is directed by Tom Dey whose credits include Shanghai Noon and Failure to Launch.
This follows the adventures of the Winslow family and their pets Carlos (the Balinese cat) and Marmaduke (the great dane). The family move to California from Kansas for Phil's job. Marmaduke is excited and with the help of Carlos he pretends to be a tough dog and win a fight with Carlos. This makes Marmaduke 'king of the dogs' but all good things must come to an end and Marmaduke must come to accept that living a lie has its own consequences.
Unfortunately this was a dog-aweful comedy that the kids loved but I could take it or leave it (mostly leave it!) Owen Wilson I am not a big fan of anyway and he appeared lacklustre in this film. The cat Carlos was funny but maybe that's my own fault coming from a cat-loving household.
I could only find it in my heart to give it two stars out of five.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Animal Kingdom

Starring: Jackie Weaver(The Two-Wheeled Time Machine, Cosi)
Joel Edgerton(The Waiting City,The Square)
Ben Mendelsohn(Knowing,Beautiful Kate)
Luke Ford(Kokoda,Ghost Machine)
Guy Pearce(Bedtime Stories,The Hurt Locker)
Sullivan Stapleton(Centre Place, The December Boys)
James Frecheville(The Fourth Pillar)
Directed by: DavidMichod
This is a crime/drama film that is loosely based on the the Walsh Street police killings and the saga that went with them. The film is produced by Liz Watts.
Joshua 'J' Cody's mother dies of an overdose so he is left to be taken in by his grandmother and uncles who are criminals. His introduction to the seedy underworld of crime as part of his 'normal life' by his uncles and their friend Barry leads him to believe that nothing is safe when people have their backs to the wall. J is thrust into the killings - does he take the easy way out or is something more sinister in mind?
I felt that this was a good portrayal of the underside of life in Melbourne in the mid 1980's. The series of killings by police of several men wanted for and suspected of crimes was highly suspicious.
Andrew 'Pope' Cody(Ben Mendelson) was a very good character as was Barry Brown (Joel Edgerton). Jackie Weaver played a magnificent character as Janine 'Smurf'Cody- a resourceful woman who'll stop at nothing to protect her boys. A bit of a let-down was Guy Pearce as Det.Leckie - perhaps a little shallow? James Frecheville cast as the young J is one to keep an eye on.
Overall a crime drama that is very satisfying. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Shrek- a- holic!

Starring: Mike Myers(Shrek 3,The Love Guru,Inglorious Bastards)
Eddie Murphy(Shrek 3,Meet Dave,Imagine That)
Antonio Banderas(Shrek 3,The Other Man,Thick As Thieves)
Cameron Diaz(Shrek 3,My Sister's Keeper,Knight and Day)
Directed by: Mike Mitchell(Sky High,Deuce Bigelow:Male Gigolo)
This is an animation/adventure/fantasy based on fairytale themes with Shrek 5 being scrapped as Dreamworks decided that Shrek 4 was the final installment.
Shrek is bored as a domesticated father and longs for the simple things in life - feeling like an ogre again. He makes a pact with Rumpelstiltskin but instead of being ogreish he is sent into a version of Far Far Away where he has never been born.And to top it all off, Shrek discovers he has never met Fiona. Shrek must save his friends and reclaim his 'one true love' before time runs out and he is sent into oblivion!
This movie was a bit of fun but felt like it had been done before. Donkey gets some great lines and the 'fat cat' Puss in Boots is always good for a laugh. Mike Myers tries hard but some of his lines were a little forced. Fiona is good as her 'Xena warrior princess take no prisoners' attitude suits her to a tee. Walt Dohrn as Rumpelstiltskin is a fine character - a take no prisoners kinda guy!
Overall a solid cast provides a solid performance , a good place to finish the story.
I give it three stars out of five.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Prince of Priceless!

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal(Jarhead, Proof, Brothers)
Gemma Arterton(Quantum of Solace, The Boat That Rocked, Clash of the Titans)
Ben Kingsley(The Love Guru, Fifty Dead Men Walking, Shutter Island)
Alfred Molina(An Education, The Pink Panther 2, The Lodger)
Directed by: Mike Newell(Mona Lisa Smile, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Love in the Time of Cholera)
This is a fantasy/adventure film based on the three-dimensional video game Prince of Persia:Sands of Time created by Jordan Mechner.The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
Dastarn is an orphan boy adopted by the King after he shows courage in the marketplace. He and his adopted brothers Garsiv and Tus lead the soldiers on to victory against Alamut , a sacred city which is believed to have sold weapons to other enemies of Persia. Princess Tamina is captured and offered as a wife to Dastarn to make Alamut a part of the Persian empire. However things take a turn for the worse as the king is killed and Dastarn blamed for the murder. How do him and Tamina get out of this mess?
I really enjoyed this movie - fun all along the way!The costumes were well done as were the sets. Jake Gyllenhaal played a boys own hero with a bit of pizazz while Ben Kingsley was great as an evil mastermind. The standout for myself was Alfred Molina - he was having a grand time as Sheik Amar. Also worth mentioning was a solid performance by Steve Toussaint as Seso.
If you suspend belief and enjoy the ride for a couple of hours then you will be rewarded.
I give it four stars out of five.

Back to Basics!

Starring: Jennifer Lopez(Shall We Dance, Monster-in-Law, Bordertown)
Alex O'Loughlin(Whiteout)
Linda Lavin(The Ring)
Danneel Harris(Fired Up)
Directed by: Alan Poul(Inside Out, Woman On Top)
This is a comedy/romance that looks at the ins and outs of love and having kids - but not in that order!It is a first release film with Kate Angelo having written the screenplay.
Zoe(Lopez) is tired of waiting for the right man to come along so she decides to take matters in her own hands and visit a sperm bank. As she gets into a cab she meets the man of her dreams and ends up pregnant and in love. But-will he stay or will he disappear like so many others have done?
This was a comedy/romance that should have ticked all the right buttons but it seemed to miss out on something. Jennifer Lopez tried hard but Alex O'Loughlin seemed a little weak as what should have been a strong character. Jennifer Elise Cox as the salesgirl was a bit of welcome relief in a very pedestrian outing . Overall a bit of a fizzer for what should have been a laugh.
I give it 2.5 stars out of five.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Robin's gone a hunting!

Stars: Russell Crowe(Body of Lies, State of Play)
Cate Blanchett(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
Mark Strong(Sherlock Holmes, Kick-Ass)
Oscar Isaacs(Body of Lies, Balibo)
Max von Sydow(Rush Hour 3, Shutter Island)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
This drama is set in the later part of the twelfth century. The script had some problems and was rewritten a couple of times to the draft we see now.Director Ridley Scott has done a good job of recreating Nottingham and its surrounds.
Robin Longstride is going home from the third crusade weary of the ten years he has spent there fighting for his King and country. Richard the Lionheart has been killed in battle and Robin ,Will Scarlett, Little John and Alan A'Dale pose as knights to get back to England and go their separate ways. Robin has made a promise to return a sword to a knights father, Sir Walter of Loxley. Here he meets Lady Marian and sparks fly( although they don't hit it off at first!) Robin agrees to impersonate Robert Loxley which of course leads to trouble.
Overall this was a good 'prequel' with Cate Blanchett being quite strong in the role of Marian. Russell Crowe was good but not outstanding in his portrayal as the lead role. Mark Strong played a solid character as Sir Godfrey - one to watch out for ! Robin finishes the movie as the rest all start- and so the legend begins.
I give it 3.5 stars out of five.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Kick-Ass literally kicks ass!

Kick-Ass literally kicks ass!

Starring: Aaron Johnson(Nowhere Boy)
Christopher Mintz-Plasse(Role Models,Year One)
Chloe Moretz(500 Days of Summer,Diary of a Wimpy Kid)
Mark Strong(The Young Victoria,Sherlock Holmes)
Nicolas Cage(National Treasure:Book of Secrets,Knowing)
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake,Stardust)
This is a comedy/action adventure with a touch of violence for good measure. The film is based upon the Mark Miller comics and set in current times(how else could MySpace get free advertising?).
Dave Lisewski is an ordinary guy who decides to be a superhero even though he has nothing special about him. His first foray into the crime scene has him beaten,stabbed and run over - not a very good start! Undeterred Kick-Ass becomes a hero(of sorts) and ends up on YouTube.
While sorting out a little problem to get his love interest away from a not so savory character he meets Hit-Girl and Big Daddy - the real deal. Eventually he decides that crime fighting is best left to someone else but it isn't as easy as that!
I enjoyed this movie and even though the swearing was a little tough , an all-around good story was told. Christopher Mintz-Plasse played a good role as Chris D'Amico , son of the main protagonist in the story. The standout character was that of Hit-Girl, Chloe Moretz, a little pocket-rocket for giving the bad guys an absolute ass-kicking!
I give the movie 4 out 5 stars.