From Paris With Love: Movie Review

From Paris With Love: Movie Review

From Paris With Love
Rating: 6/10
Cast: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Director: Pierre Morel
From a story by Luc Besson and from the director who made Liam Neeson an action man in Taken comes From Paris With Love.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as James Reece, a young employee of the US ambassador in France. With his 1920s style spiv like moustache and slightly uptight attitude, Reece is a model employee, deeply in love with his girlfriend Caroline and when his country calls him a bit of a rookie spy.
Except he's a bottom of the ladder kind of spy - the sort who will change number plates. And he yearns to play a bigger role in the espionage world.
He's given that chance - enter John Travolta's dome headed slightly unhinged Charlie Wax who's an operative with the CIA and in France to try and stop a terrorist attack.
But given these two are polar ends of the spectrum when it comes to attitudes and Reece finds himself in a world he never imagined he'd be part of.
What do you say about From Paris With Love? With its tagline, Two agents, One City, no Merci, explosions, gunfights and beatings set to heavy metal, let's be clear this isn't rocket science - or a film you particularly need to concentrate on the plot of (although you do have to keep up).
But against the odds it emerges as a fairly disposable piece of Friday night cinematic action - with Travolta pumped up on energy, cheesy lines (Wax on, wax off) and Rhys Meyers' nicely opposite uptight approach, you end up feeling like you're watching the start of a franchise set of films.
There's plenty of car chases, plenty of explosions and plenty of people being violently shot and hurled across the room but it's thanks to the sparkle and crackle chemistry between the two leads, that it's relatively enjoyable fun. Director Morel brings the same level of energy to the action scenes as he demonstrated in Taken, lending the whole piece with a slick choreographed feel.
To be honest, it's a decent partnership the pair create - and I'm sure a sequel to From Paris With Love (From LA with Love perhaps) won't be too far away.

Oh and it's worth it for just one moment - to see John Travolta finally get that burger he talked about in Pulp Fiction all those years ago....

Crazy Heart: Movie Review

Crazy Heart: Movie Review

Crazy Heart
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall
Director: Scott Cooper
Already one of the faves for awards after early success, Crazy Heart finally ends up on New Zealand cinemas.
Bridges is Bad Blake, a 57 year old washed up, living the twilight of his life country singer playing bowling alleys and bars in deserted American villages. But Blake's loved - while his fans appear to be in the final years of their lives, wherever he goes he gets a rapturous reception - as well as some very pleased to see him groupies.
Blake is the archetypal bad boy of the country scene - battling alcoholism, refusing to write new material and a little envious of the success of his protégé Tommy Sweet (a pony tailed Farrell), he's clearly in need of redemption.
That salvation comes in the form of Jean (Gyllenhaal) who turns up one day asking for an interview - however, a burgeoning relationship blossoms - has Bad finally found what he needs to turn his life around?
Crazy Heart is Jeff Bridges' film - the Dude once again rolls out a suave performance, managing to capture the bitter regret of a hard rocker as well as encapsulating the charm which has seen him continue to garner success through the years. And it has to be said too that Bridges carries the country songs off well - there's certainly some toe tapping to be had while he's rocking the beat.
While Gyllenhaal acquits herself well as a woman who fights her every instinct to fall for a man she knows is bad for her, her character Jean can't help but be drawn to Bridges' Blake- and after some time in his company, it's easy to see why; with old age etched into his face but with a winning charm, Bad Blake's a new rock hero for the decade.
There's a nice juxtaposition between Blake's hardbitten rocking ways and the polished new country style of Farrell's Tommy Sweet - the contrast is an obvious one but it's clear that it's Blake who has the credibility to last the distance rather than this Johnny Come Lately.
The story of Crazy Heart is to be honest, nothing new - a last chance man desperate for redemption is given one last chance to overcome his own demons, it's Cooper's direction which keeps the film moving nicely along.

But it belongs to Jeff Bridges - not since his turn as the Dude in The Big Lebowski has he managed to command your attention on the screen as he does in this - it brings up memories of Mickey Rourke's turn in The Wrestler last year - showing there's still life in this old dog yet. And it's clear to see why he's the front runner for the Oscars this year - let's hope this time the Dude comes up trumps.

9: Movie Review

9: Movie Review

9
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Elijah Wood, John C Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer
Director: Shane Acker
In a post apocalyptic world, it appears that it's the puppets who will save us.
In the latest computer animation to hit the big screen, 9 tells the story of the world after the machines attacked the humans. In a devastated land, a sack puppet with the number 9 wakes up and suddenly discovers that he is not alone.
After being attacked by a beast, and reunited with others of his type (all numbered from 1 onwards), 9 begins to realize that he holds the key to getting answers about what happened - and how they can live on.
9 is an odd piece of film - meshing Terminator style end of the world horrors with the kind of Sackboy characters of the PS game Little Big Planet, it certainly looks different and has been described as stitchpunk characters at the end of the world.
The dystopian world in which everyone is a number certainly brings memories flooding back of The Prisoner - and certainly with the secrets kept by the likes of Number 1, there's many a parallel.
However, it's there that this ends - because 9 is visually engaging - full of deep browns, greens and bright reds, it's hard not to fall for the burlap dolls as they try to work out what's happened.
That's not to say they're a cute bunch - in fact, it's anything but as many scenes will leave younger ones absolutely petrified.
Part of the problem with 9 is the story - while it's a nice idea, it soon becomes a little too stuck in its own groove. Characters are abducted time and time again and it gets a bit repetitive.
The performances are all perfectly fine - Elijah Wood has the right amount of mirth to be our eyes in this world; John C Reilly provides enough humour and pathos as 2 and Jennifer Connelly is on feisty form as 7, a fighter who left the pack to try and save the world.
Overall, 9 is a little disappointing - with some genuinely scary moments and some brilliant visual touches (some of the creatures are wonderfully inventive and a newsreel scene evokes powerful touches of War of the Worlds), I just came away wanting to have been a bit more engaged by the storyline.

However, thanks to a slightly odd ending and turn of events, 9 will haunt you as you try to work out exactly what message Shane Acker wanted to get across.

Funny People: DVD Review

Funny People: DVD Review

Funny People
Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Rating: R16
Cast: Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill

Adam Sandler stars as comedian George Simmons, who has made his name from a series of lowbrow comedies and stand up (sounds familiar doesn't it?)

But despite the fame and fortune, he's not a happy man - and is alienated from his family and lacking friends.

One day, out of the blue, he's told by doctors that he has a rare form of leukaemia - and on learning this, he falls into a depression.

Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) is a budding stand up comedian who wants to quit his day job working at a deli and hit the big time on the comedy scene. Ira and George's paths cross at the comedy club - and Ira's quickly hired by George to help him write some material (although it's clearly a screen for getting someone into his life that he can share his depression with)

As Ira begins working for George, it becomes clear that Simmons has a lifetime of regret to deal with - from family rifts to his aching loss of what he believes to be his one true love - Laura (Leslie Mann)

And when doctors tell him he may have beaten the illness, Simmons realises he has a second chance - so what will he do with it?

Funny People is a film of two halves and at nearly 145 minutes, it is a little too long and meandering in its second half - and with an extended version of the film on the disc you've got to be in it for the long run. However, it's also incredibly impressive in places - and that's mainly due to Adam Sandler (and to a lesser extent Seth Rogen)

Both these actors manage to shake off their perceived personas - but Sandler in a relatively straight role also mocks his own on screen personality - the films Simmons has chosen to do are exactly the kind of films Sandler's made his career from.

But Funny People is a career defining role for Sandler - and with a second version of the film enclosed, it remains an intriguing look at the dramatic potential he has when he plays it straight - throw in some actually funny stand up from him and Funny People remains a slightly missed opportunity from Judd Apatow.

Extras: 2 versions of the film - one of which is extended, gag reel, commentary with Judd Apatow, Adam Sandler, and Seth Rogen give the package a decent if unspectacular element.

Rating: 7/10 

The Limits of Control: DVD Review

The Limits of Control: DVD Review

The Limits of Control
Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Rating: M
Cast: Isaach De Bankolé, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Gael García Bernal, Hiam Abbass, Paz de la Huerta, Alex Descas, John Hurt

A Lone Man (Isaach De Bankolé) is a criminal hitman, hired to do a job in Spain.

Through a series of encounters with pivotal contacts, he begins to edge closer to his target - but the nearer he gets to the hit, the more tangled the web becomes - who can he trust?

The Limits of Control is not your average film- with hardly any dialogue throughout and only the minimal soundtrack, it's not going to appeal to everyone.

Even the sparse dialogue is repeated throughout the film at various junctures and every precious word which is spoken, is pivotal, looped and recycled.

The idiosyncracies and actions of the Lone Man are also looped - each day begins with him doing his tai chi before demanding two espressos in separate cups at cafes in each locale where he finds himself.

Each meeting starts the same way with a contact asking him "You don't speak Spanish, right?" before passing him a matchbox with a piece of paper inside. As he pieces together the puzzles of where he's meant to go, we learn at the same time he does.

However, it's not really about the plot - this is a Jim Jarmusch exercise in cool and minimalism - as well as cameos - the best being Bill Murray (but to reveal much about that would spoil the film.)
John Hurt and Tilda Swinton appear in scenes, espouse some philosophy with our hitman before disappearing into the distance. But if The Limits of Control is about the characters, much of the surroundings help to frame some kind of narrative and context - Spain has never looked quite so beautiful as it does on the big screen here.

Those looking for a coherent plot with a solid explanation of what's going on will be sorely disappointed - but once you settle into the groove and the journey of the story, you are soon sucked in. The looped and repetitive nature of some of the scenes lulls you into a false sense of security as you wait for the jigsaw pieces to fall into place.

The Limits of Control is a diverse piece of film-making - and remains a puzzling yet interesting watch on DVD.
Extras: Jim Jarmusch montage, Behind Jim Jarmusch - a look at Jarmusch's way of filming.

Rating: 6/10 

Couples Retreat: DVD Review

Couples Retreat: DVD Review

Couples Retreat

Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Cast: Vince Vaughan, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Peter Serafinowicz, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis
Rating: M

Couples Retreat (starring a group of the Frat Pack) is the tale of 4 couples who head to an island resort at the insistence of one of their own who are on the verge of divorce - and see the getaway as a last make-or-break chance.

The quartet of couples all have their issues - there's Jon Favreau's Joey and Kristin Davis' Lucy who are at the stage of their marriage where they can't stand the sight of each other; Jason Bateman's suffocating Jason and Kristen Bell's Cynthia who (as mentioned) are on the verge of divorce; Faizon Love's divorced Shane and his 20-year-old girlfriend and Vince Vaughn's Dave and Malin Akerman's Ronnie - who to be fair are the strongest of the couples and whose only real problem is getting time together.

Once on the Paradise Island, the gang soon realise what they'd expected to be a vacation is more about therapy, building and strengthening relationships and talking - than partying and enjoying it.

Written by Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn (a reteaming of the Swingers gang), you'd expect Couples Retreat to be a riotous laugh a minute look at relationships during a retreat on a paradise island.

However, that's far from what you get - it's more like a drama with some gags thrown in occasionally - it's disappointing in the extreme given the comedic talent involved.

Though it's worth saying for the first time on screen, I've actually warmed to a character played by Vince Vaughn; usually boorish, his Dave is probably his most reality grounded and mature role ever which sees you sympathising with his plight as he and Ronnie begin to realise everything's not perfect in their lives.

Most of the laughs from Couples Retreat come from the side characters; from Peter Serafinowicz's contemptuous, sneering, deadpan island host Stanley to Carlos Ponce's terrifyingly creepy yoga instructor.

Extras: A smattering of extras including an alternate ending,gag reel, deleted and extended scenes, a doco on filming in Bora Bora (oh the hardships) and commentary from director and Vince Vaughan round out the package - but ultimately the film is a disappointment.

Rating: 5/10

Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy: DVD Review

Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy: DVD Review

Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy
Rating: PG
Released by BBC/ Roadshow
Cast: Peter Davison, Valentine Dyall, Sarah Sutton, Mark Strickson
Another foray into the Time Lord's endless back catalogue, this trio of releases from 1983 mark a return for Peter Davison's fifth incarnation of the Doctor - as well as a return of a long lost foe.
Essentially this trio of stories sees the Doctor reunited with his old comrade Lethbridge Stewart as well as the introduction of a new companion Turlough to the TARDIS team of Nyssa and Tegan.
Throw in the return of the evil black Guardian who's determined to dispatch the Doctor by manipulating Turlough and you've got a recipe for adventure of the eighties kind.
Beginning with Mawdryn Undead, there's a sense of celebration in this story from the Doctor's 20th anniversary year - Turlough brings with him an air of distrust and an enigma which continues through Terminus (the second in the series) and ends with the sailing ships in space epic Enlightenment.
Peter Davison continues to impress some 20 years with his portrayal and there are some big names from the British TV scene in final story Enlightenment.
As ever with these sets, the stories come second fiddle to the extras which continue to be of a high standard and set the benchmark for docos and add ons for releases. A solid doco looking into the background of the Black Guardian does well to flesh out the story.
From film trims to new CGI effects there's plenty to keep fans interested for hours - throw in commentaries from the main actors and it's a package which will be guaranteed to eat up plenty of time.

Extras: Commentaries - with actors Peter Davison, Mark Strickson and Nicholas Courtney, Sarah Sutton, writer Stephen Gallagher, writer Barbara Clegg, director Fiona Cumming and script editor Eric Saward. Who Wants to Live Forever? - cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Peter Davison, Nicholas Courtney, Mark Strickson, David Collings and Lucy Benjamin, director Peter Moffatt, script editor Eric Saward and plastic surgeon Dr. Simon Withey. Narrated by Floella Benjamin. Liberty Hall - a new drama. Journalist Philip Clarke (Simon Ockenden) travels
to Brendan School to interview Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart. Deleted and Extended Scenes Out-takes - the producer's blooper reel.Breaking Point - cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Sarah Sutton and Martin Potter, director Fiona Cumming, writer Stephen Gallagher, designer Dick Coles, camera supervisor Alec Wheal and sound supervisor Scott Talbott. Narrated by Floella Benjamin. Origins of the Universe - Sir Patrick Moore and, Dr. John Mason take a look at the science behind the Big Bang and the origins of the universe. Winner Takes All - cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Janet Fielding, Keith Barron, Christopher Brown and Leee John, director Fiona Cumming, writer Barbara Clegg, costume designer Dinah Collin and camera supervisor Alec Wheal. Narrated by Floella Benjamin. Casting Off! - an actor's view of working on Doctor Who. With Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Mark Strickson, Keith Barron, Christopher Brown and Leee John, with director Fiona Cumming. The Story of the Guardians - the Guardians have appeared in Doctor Who as far back as Tom Baker's era - but who - or what - are they? With Robert Luckham (son of the late White Guardian, Cyril Luckham), Sarah Leppard (daughter of the late Black Guardian, Valentine Dyall), Doctor Who Magazine editor Tom Spilsbury and Doctor Who Adventures editor Moray Laing. Storyboards - a dual-angle feature, in which visual effects supervisor Mike Kelt uses the original storyboards to explain how he went about planning and shooting the model effects sequences for the show.

Rating: 7/10