Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Why? Who was calling out for a further movie? Yes, I get and appreciate the move from Nazi's to the Russians as well as the move from Judeo-Christian "macguffin" to the 50's sci-fi "macguffin". But: the CGI, the fact that Ford has never looked older, the complete pointless of Winstone's character (which is a waste of a decent thesp) and Shia "I lack any onscreen presence" LaBeouf. However, the film doesn't suffer from having fine turns from John Hurt and Cate Blanchett. Plus it is bloody wonderful seeing Karen Allen. Final Rating: 2/5
The Losers - This is the film the A-Team wished it was. Likable characters, a decent and at times witty script, a good cast and some fine action set pieces. The stand out is Jason Patric who is clearly revelling in being the big bad of the movie. Final Rating: 3/5
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - So much to hate about this movie, so much. However (yup there was always a "however" or a "but" coming...), this is a fairly enjoyable movie. Costner has made better films (Untouchables, Dances with Wolves, Field of Dreams), the geography of the UK is all over the place, Robin and Will have distinct American accents, and there is absolutely no chemistry between Costner and Mastrantonio (which is not Costner's fault given she lacks any kind of screen presence at all). Much like Die Hard, this film belongs to Alan Rickman. Saying that, the ever reliable Morgan Freeman turns in a top quality performance. Final Rating: 3/5
Alien - Rewatched in the wake of Prometheus, Alien is not as boring as I remember from the first time around. It is, hands down, a better movie than Prometheus. It is a wonderfully claustrophobic thriller that blends the sci-fi and horror genre. The true star (though Weaver was a superb discovery by Scott) is the Xenomorph, a thing of true beauty. Giger and Scott created one of the genuinely great movie monsters of all time. Final Rating: 3/5
Superman Vs The Elite - It's the animation, to be honest. I cannot stand Superman's chin. Awful. Beyond that, Joe Kelly does a fine job of adapting his Action #775 tale (which is one of the 5 best Superman stories ever). Pauley Perrette is criminally under utilised, turning in one of the better Lois Lane performances. I have to say, though, it is incredibly weird, and borderline wrong, hearing Superman use the word "wanker"... Final Rating: 3/5
HOT TUESDAYS
Autumn Reeser
23 June 2012
SUNDAY SOUNDTRACK
A bonus track from the greatest action movie ever made...
Hans Zimmer to score Man of Steel - I have really liked Zimmer's Bat scores so look forward to seeing what he does here. Pretty sure there'll be no Williams Superman March though... (Source: Variety)
The trailer cannot be far off, but here is a 10 second preview of Dredd:
COUNTDOWN TO THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
One month to go...
20 July 2012
19 June 2012
HOT TUESDAYS
Eva Mendes
17 June 2012
SUNDAY SOUNDTRACK
Two for one this Sunday as I cannot decide which is the best 80's movie theme.
16 June 2012
The July "Previews" has the first look at Kenneth Rocafort's Superman. And here it is:
Also, here is a look at the coloured cover of the Smallville: Season 11 comic which brings Batman to that Universe:
Looks like the Beeb have done it again. Everyone seems to be in it.
NEWSWEEK
Robocop casting news - They're putting together a decent cast. Lets hope this movie is as good as the original and not as bad as the sequels/TV series. (Source: Bleeding Cool)
The Dark Knight Returns: Part One sneak peak - Part One'll adapt the best part of the series as, in my mind, issues 3 and 4 kinda go off in too different a direction for me, though there are some cool moments in those issues. (Source: Bleeding Cool)
Couples Retreat - Actors, producers, directors. Someone thought that this cliche ridden anti-comedy was funny, God only knows why. Vince Vaughan has a schtick and it is becoming increasingly tedious. This movie is insultingly unfunny and is a waste of all the talent involved. No, wait, it isn't a waste. The only, very little, highlight in this movie Peter Serafinowicz. Final Rating: 1.5/5
The Iron Lady - There is possibly no more controversial figure in the UK than Margaret Thatcher. Sadly, this film never takes a side, never even leans toward a side, and just looks at the "Iron Lady" with neutrality which causes the film to suffer overall. This film feels like a TV movie that looks at an aging woman as she descendeds into senilty. However, aided by strong performances by Broadbent and Coleman, it is Streep with an utterly superb performance that makes this film watchable. Final Rating: 2/5
50/50 - A wonderful film with a warm and witty script that never shrinks away from its subject matter. Gordon-Levitt turns in another fine performance, ably supported by a fine supporting cast. Final Rating: 3.5/5
The Sitter - Who the Hell thought this nasty movie was funny? A man takes young children with his whilst he picks up drugs? In what universe is that at ally funny? There is nothing redeemable about this truly awful piece of trash. Final Rating: 0/5
Snow White and the Huntsman - A solidly entertaining movie with a fine visual style. Theron turns in a good, if shouty, performance whilst Hemsworth does a decent turn, even with an inexplicable Scottish accent. However, I just do not get the appeal of Stewart. She has one facial expression and is slightly wooden. The true crime of this film is having Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Ray Winstone and Bob Hoskins as the dwarves and then completely wasting them. The dip into Narnia that takes place in the second act is jarring. Snow White and the Huntsman is an interesting retelling of the classic fairy tale. Final Rating: 3/5
Arthur (2011) - First off, it is not as good as the original. That said, this movie is fairly amusing and, whilst no Dudley Moore, allows Brand to have a fine comedy showcase. Whilst there is no real chemistry between Brand and his love interest Gerwig, there is chemistry in abundance between Brand and Mirren, who turns in an exceptional performance. Final Rating: 2.5/5
MIB 3 - It has been 15 years since the first movie and 10 years since the sequel, and whilst the first was enjoyable the sequel was just poor. So was there a need for a threequel? Well, actually, no. But I'm glad one was made. The trailers and TV spots generally showed the funniest bits of the film so the jokes where slightly tired on viewing the movie and the time travel plot was the standard "don't think about it rationally" time travel cliche. What this movie was made to be entertaining and fun and that just seeps out to the audience. Jones and Smith still have that easy on-screen chemistry which makes them fun to watch, even though Jones' screen time is no more than a cameo. Enter Brolin as the young J/Jones. Brolin is the true star of this movie as he turns in an uncanny performance that captures Jones, even down to the voice, whilst never turning into a caricature or losing himself. Final Rating: 3/5
Prometheus - What an utterly disappointing film. Prometheus tries to be prequel to the original Alien and, at the same time, tries to be an original sci-fi horror movie in its own right. What this does to the film is make it very uneven. Plot points come from nowhere and, almost unashamedly, telegraph where the story is going. A fine cast is let down by paper thin characterisation. From a visual and design point of view, mind you, there a very few films that can match or are better. It is nice, also, to have a Fassbender performance where his accent does not descend into his natural Irish lilt. Final Rating: 2.5/5
Django Unchained trailer - I've never really been a fan of Tarantino flicks. But I always have hope that the next one will be enjoyable to me... (Source: You Tube)
Still awaiting a definite release date and a trailer, but here is the first full length pic of Karl Urban as Judge Joe Dredd in the reboot movie "Dredd":-
Rumour has it that the film will hit in September. This is one of the few films I'm looking forward to watching in the cinematorium this year.
A new, extended, trailer for "Arrow" in now online. Here it is:-
Some thoughts:-
Oh, Deathstroke.
Bit of a Batman vibe (which isn't surprising as Green Arrow always kinda struck me as Batman-lite anyway) but lets hope that they move more toward the liberal, Denny O'Neil GA.
He refers to himself as "Arrow" in the trailer and not "Green Arrow". Interesting.