The Expendables: Movie Review

The Expendables: Movie Review

The Expendables
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Stone Cold Austin, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Director: Sylvester Stallone
With a powerhouse line up like the Expendables packs, you would expect something either a) pretty spectacular or b) vaguely nostalgic.
Sylvester Stallone writes, directs and stars in this tale - here he's Barney Ross the head of a mercenary unit who we first see in action taking down Somali pirates who're holding a group of people hostage.
Needless to say they're all crack action heroes and as a unit are available for hire.
Which is what happens when Ross meets with shadowy Mr Church (Bruce Willis) in a brief cameo who asks the unit to try and free the small island of Vilena from the vice like grip of a dictator General Garza (David Zayas of Dexter fame). But it turns out Garza is not just the power behind the coup but there's a bad to the bone American financier Munroe (Roberts) lurking around too.
So armed with guns, explosives and the ability to kick ass, the Expendables head to Vilena to fight for freedom. But what they don't know is that someone's double crossing them&
Well, The Expendables is an odd piece - if you like the names of the cast and have been excitable at the idea of them all being together in one film and a lot of stuff blowing up, then this is the film for you. It's the kind of action packed film where people don't get shot once because that's not good enough - they need maybe 5 or 6 bullets to finish them off or if they're really lucky, they can explode in half when shot.
Personally the whole thing left me a little cold - it was almost as if I'd gone back to the 1980s and was watching an action film from then - complete with bad dialogue and a relative lack of decent plot. Sure I get that that is half of the idea (before anyone tells me).
Don't get me wrong - the line up is an incredibly impressive one and it's clear that this is trying to set up a new generation of films using the old generation of actors. And yes, it's very impressive seeing them still strut their stuff (some of the fight scenes have clearly been made and directed by a veteran of the genre) - but there is hardly anything new on show here - except for some extremely big and impressive explosions.
There's also a lack of humour running throughout - and the one scene where it does appear is a reunion of the Planet Hollywood guys Bruce, Sly and Arnie. In that one single scene alone, the whole film starts to come alive.
Yet there is something to admire in The Expendables - once again Mickey Rourke shows himself to be a brilliant character actor with a lot of gravitas during a scene when he talks about being in Bosnia. It's the one moment in the film which shines out. There's a good relationship between Stallone's character and Jason Statham's character - they work well as buddies.
That said, each of the main actors gets some time to shine; Statham's character Christmas is given a girlfriend who grounds him and gives him heart; Jet Li gets to bust out some impressive moves and Eric Roberts gets to chew up the scenery around him.
There's nothing massively wrong with the Expendables - it's just the whole experience is once again, one of those which you leave your brain at the door and just settle in for the ride.

I appreciate there's a place in the multiplexes for films like this - and judging by the mammoth US Box office take, this is likely to do well - but I caution you unless you're a fan of films with a lack of real plot, glowering and sneering bad guys, hardly any strong female roles, plenty of things being shot and blown up, then you're not going to get a lot from the Expendables experience.

Caitlin Stasey talks Ellie and Tomorrow When The War Began

Caitlin Stasey talks Ellie and Tomorrow When The War Began

Caitlin Stasey is familiar to many in New Zealand for her role as Rachel Kinski in Neighbours  (which screens weeknights on TV2). But now she's about to garner a new generation of fans in the film adaptation of the much loved John Marsden books, Tomorrow, When The War Began. Caitlin was in New Zealand for the premiere of the film and spent some time chatting with tvnz.co.nz's Darren Bevan about the role.

These are iconic books for many people - had you read the Tomorrow When The War Began Series of books before?

Caitlin- No I hadn't I read them. Once I was handed the script that was my first experience with these characters and the story - through a script - but I did read the books after that. I got into them right away and I think that I responded really well to the script, so reading the book was more research but essentially I loved the story. Just the fact these characters are very believable, very human.

Author John Marsden was initially against the idea of a film being made - was that daunting?

Caitlin - Yes it was kind of scary; the idea of going against somebody's wishes - you never really want to feel like that for something so iconic and so well loved. But at the end of the day, we're just an interpretation of his story and his book - we're not the final word on Ellie or Homer or on the book. We met John quite late into filming when he came to the set about 2 weeks before we'd finished - he didn't have a lot to do with the process but he was very supportive. He just was accepting that the project, while his original work, was now director Stuart Beattie's - in a way, this portion of the book isn't his story, it's very much Stuart's.

How did you get on with the rest of your cast members?

Caitlin - Really, really well. We sort of had to - we spent every waking moment together so we had to mould to fit one another both in humour and dislikes. Lincoln (who plays Kevin) I've known for the past seven years because I knew him when I was 13 and from working with him on a TV show The Sleepover Club then - and Phoebe (Tonkin who plays Fi in the film) I'd met through friends because that's the acting world - everyone knows someone who knows someone! But it was my first experience working with any of them. We all fit into our roles very easily.

There will be a lot of fan fervour for these beloved books being turned into a film - what do you say to them?

Caitlin - Just understand this is an interpretation of your favourite book; I know you'd love to see a completely faithful adaptation - and it is a faithful adaptation in many ways - but it's also going to be a different experience. You have to be open minded to see past some of the parts we left out then you'll really love it and enjoy it - see it as if it's a film you're going to see for the first time, a new Australian film. It was a very collaborative experience, Stuart was very keen to hear our views on how teens talk and behave - it was a team effort.

There's also a vein of humour running through out the film as well?

Caitlin - Yeah, there are scenes we didn't realise were funny until we saw them in the cinema - but I think the humour comes at the perfect time because they are really gruelling and tough, terrible, depressing times and then you have people like Andy (who plays Chris) who swoops in and makes people laugh with the occasional line that breaks the ice. You can laugh as well as being serious in this film.

What was your favourite part of the film?

Caitlin - Probably a lot of the stuff pre the war as it was easy to film and it didn't feel like acting as we had to be friends. We were involved in as many of the stunts as we could be and it was a lot of fun but I preferred the acting element rather than the explosive side of things. Surprisingly I'm not a fan of guns or anything like that! What's so great about this story is it's about morality, courage and what's right and what's wrong - that's what I love about Ellie - she's never 100% sure if she's meant to do these things and if it's worth it. In the end it comes down to her valuing the lives of those around her - and that is where her loyalties lie. I'm thrilled these characters are so human and that teenagers are being portrayed in such a positive light - you know, we're not hopeless and we care and are capable of doing great things.

Aside from Ellie, which character do you associate most with?

Caitlin - Probably Fi because I'm more like her than the others - I'm naïve when it comes to country life, war and naïve in a lot of respects. But I feel there's something inside both of us which is quite surprising.

So are you team Homer or team Lee?

Caitlin - Team Homer - I love his and Ellie's relationship - I just love their friendship and in the film it's entirely platonic but it's beautiful to see, it's heart warming. I love Lee - I love his still side, his brooding persona - but having heard what he does to Ellie in future books, I'm definitely Team Homer...

Will this be the start of the series - will there be more films to come?

Caitlin - I hope so that would be ideal if we can make 2 and 3 too - but we have to wait to see what the response is. I don't think we'd make more than three because the story sort of runs out after that.

You've had the Australian premieres too - as well as the New Zealand one - what's that experience been like?

Caitlin - The Sydney premiere was an absolute highlight - our first time, we were fresh and excited and it was the first time we'd seen the film in its entirety with other people, an actual audience. My closest friends and family have seen it and they've been incredibly positive - but then your family would be wouldn't they? They'll always love whatever you do.

Tomorrow When The War Began is in cinemas now.

Leon: Blu Ray Review

Leon: Blu Ray Review

Leon: The Professional - Blu Ray
Rating: R18
Released by Madman Entertainment

As Madman continues to release essential Luc Beeson films (La Femme Nikita is also out on Blu Ray), this remains one of his best.

In a star making turn, Jean Reno plays a hitman who lives a solitary life (by necessity of his career choice) - however, one day his world is overturned when Mathilde (debut performance from Natalie Portman) ends up on his doorstep.

Having escaped being killed by Gary Oldman's psychotic and corrupt cop, she needs help.

A friendship grows and Leon decides to avenge Mathilde's losses - by teaching her how to become a hit man&

Just stunning from beginning to end, Leon was one of the greatest films of the 90s - and remains thoroughly watchable from beginning to end. It's still awesome and impressive - with all the cast delivering some of their best performances.

Extras: Extended cut, theatrical release, a 10 year doco and portraits of the main actors are good solid if unspectacular extras for such an iconic film

Rating: 9/10

Ponyo: Blu Ray Review

Ponyo: Blu Ray Review

Ponyo Blu Ray

Rating: G
Released by Madman Entertainment

Finally unleashed on Blu Ray (but frustratingly not in its original Japanese form) Ponyo remains a masterpiece.

A 5-year-old boy, Sosuke (voiced by Frankie Jonas) adopts a goldfish (the titular Ponyo played by Noah Cyrus)when she emerges from the sea one day having escaped from her father, the king of the ocean (voiced by Liam Neeson.)

However their friendship is torn apart as quickly as it's begun after the seas reclaim her. But Ponyo works a way out to become human and return to her friend - yet, her desire could signal the end of the world.

The story's great and the animation looks beautiful on Blu Ray - but it's the wealth of extra features that should be the reason you throw out the DVD and upgrade to this. With intimate looks behind the scenes, interviews with the director and storyboards, plus a meeting between John Lasseter of Pixar and Miyazaki, this is essential stuff.

Just a real shame the Japanese version is not there&

Rating: 9/10

Leaving: DVD Review

Leaving: DVD Review

Leaving
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films

Ice queen Kristin Scott Thomas stars in this French film about a 40 year old woman living in the south of France - and desperate for a change.

Married to a doctor and with two kids, Suzanne's decided to go back to work as a physiotherapist; her husband gives her the nod and decides to build a consulting room in their backyard.

Cue Ivan (Sergi Lopez) the odd job man who's been to jail turning up on their doorstep.

However, soon after the work begins, the pair find themselves attracted - and unable to fight their feelings.

But what begins as an affair soon engulfs five people's lives - and with disastrous consequences..

There's an undeniable chemistry between both Suzanne and Ivan and the leads carry it off well - even getting very raunchy in places - but maybe it's this genre but I struggle to have any sympathy for Suzanne - she has everything she wants - except love admittedly.

However, it's towards the end as it starts to really unravel that she finally comes alive as a character and delivers an emotional and powerful performance.

Rating: 5/10

The Secret In Their Eyes: DVD Review

The Secret In Their Eyes: DVD Review

The Secret in Their Eyes

Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Home Entertainment

El secreto de sus ojos (to give it its Argentinean title) collected the Academy Award this year for Best Foreign Language Film.

Set in 1999, Ricardo Darin (a popular Argentinean actor) plays former investigator Benjamin Esposito who's retired but not been able to put one case out of his mind.
25 years ago, Esposito investigated the brutal rape and murder of a 23 year old woman - but despite pursuing several leads, Esposito and his partner Sandoval never managed to close the case.

One suspect emerges and the duo try everything in their power to get him convicted - but as Esposito recalls the case for a novel, he begins to realise that he has to reopen the case.

Not only that, but he must rediscover the feelings he buried a long time ago for his boss Irene.

The Secret In Their Eyes is a solid crime drama; gritty and involving. It also has some wonderful character moments and the partnership between Esposito and Sandoval has some brilliant quirky and humorous moments.

With sadness and tension throughout, it's easy to see why this captured the Academy's heart.

The Secret In Their Eyes will drag you in - it may take a little time to get going but once it's got its nails into you, it won't let go.

Rating: 8/10

Kick Ass: DVD Review

Kick Ass: DVD Review

Kick Ass
Rating: R18
Released by Universal Home Pictures
Comic book movies are de rigeur once again - what with Scott Pilgrim Vs The World in cinemas currently - and now with the arrival of Kick Ass on DVD.

In Kick Ass, Aaron Johnson stars as Dave Lizewski, your average teenage boy who is at a loss as to why no-ones ever become a superhero. So donning an all over green body scuba suit, Dave aka Kick Ass heads out to the streets to see if he can make a difference.

And he does for about 2 minutes; before he's stabbed, beaten up and run over by a car.

This kind of sets the tone for the film - horrifically funny and amusing, things escalate for Kick Ass when the local crime lord deems it's time to shut him down.

Coupled with some very real violence (and one use of some boundary pushing language from the young Hit Girl, which offended some censors), this comic book adaptation embraces the reality of the superhero world and subverts your expectations.

Brought to life stylishly to the screen; along with a pumping soundtrack, cut scenes of fights and a truly brilliant flashback involving the best use of a comic ever committed to celluloid, Kick Ass really does reset the boundaries for the genre.

It's great fun - but even I have to admit (sadly) it won't be for everyone. That said, you really should give it a try

Extras: The 2 disc version is packed with over 2 hours of extras - including some goodies like the origin of the comic book, commentary with director, exclusive artwork - it's a real comic book lover's treat.

Rating: 8/10