Farewell: Movie Review
Farewell
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Guillaume Canet, Emir Kusturica, Willem Dafoe, Fred
Ward, David Soul
Director: Christian Carion
It's back to the 1980s for this espionage thriller set in events which led to
the fall of the Soviet Bloc.
As it opens on a white landscape filled with snow, a lone wolf watches troops
head off into a truck - and from there, the action flicks from the cold
wastelands to the decadent west of the 1980s France.
Guillaume Canet is Pierre Froment, an engineer who's caught up in the world
of espionage and trading secrets to the Soviets. But soon, this relatively naïve
spy is making big waves in the world and powers higher up are wondering where
the leaks are coming from.
And as the web is more deeply woven, both Reagan (Fred Ward) and Gorbachev,
as well as President Mitterand find themselves in the line of suspicion as a cat
and mouse game develops between intelligence agencies.
Farewell is a globe trotting complex and deeply rich film - it starts
off slowly and builds towards the end. There's an authenticity to the film which
is there from the beginning - and Fred Ward impresses as Reagan.
While it's intelligent and engrossing film making, it does at times teeter on
the slightly slow side as it follows its story from beginning to end. That's not
to say it's not captivating - more the case
That said though, if you fancy spending some time reliving the 80s spy
paranoia, then this could be the film for you.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Monday, 18 October 2010
Clash Of The Titans: DVD Review
Clash Of The Titans: DVD Review
Clash Of The Titans
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Remade from the very much loved Ray Harryhausen version of Clash of the Titans, Avatar's Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, the son of the ancient Greek god Zeus (a bearded Liam Neeson).
Perseus finds himself right in the middle of a potential war when the gods declare war on the mortals - and with Hades about to unleash hell on earth, only Perseus can save the world.
Certain sections of the audience will be wowed by Sam Worthington's performance (the majority of which appears to be spent scowling and glowering). The rest of the cast are okay but they're simply there as window dressing (Gemma Arterton as Perseus' protector Io, particularly is not the strongest and appears to have been brought in for her dusky looks) to the creatures and the story.
Most disappointing is Ralph Fiennes' hammy Hades - he's whispering and doesn't really do much to convey menace (although the effects for Hades are pretty good).
As disposable entertainment goes on a Friday night, this is nothing earth shattering and does exactly what it sets out to - it's probably more suited to the younger end of the market.
Extras: Additional scenes add nothing to the distinctly average release
Rating: 5/10
Clash Of The Titans
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Remade from the very much loved Ray Harryhausen version of Clash of the Titans, Avatar's Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, the son of the ancient Greek god Zeus (a bearded Liam Neeson).
Perseus finds himself right in the middle of a potential war when the gods declare war on the mortals - and with Hades about to unleash hell on earth, only Perseus can save the world.
Certain sections of the audience will be wowed by Sam Worthington's performance (the majority of which appears to be spent scowling and glowering). The rest of the cast are okay but they're simply there as window dressing (Gemma Arterton as Perseus' protector Io, particularly is not the strongest and appears to have been brought in for her dusky looks) to the creatures and the story.
Most disappointing is Ralph Fiennes' hammy Hades - he's whispering and doesn't really do much to convey menace (although the effects for Hades are pretty good).
As disposable entertainment goes on a Friday night, this is nothing earth shattering and does exactly what it sets out to - it's probably more suited to the younger end of the market.
Extras: Additional scenes add nothing to the distinctly average release
Rating: 5/10
Dr Who S5 V4: Blu Ray Review
Dr Who S5 V4: Blu Ray Review
Dr Who Series 5: Vol 4
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: PG
So the final volume of the latest series of Dr Who gets a release - and once again, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan get the chance to shine.
The final set contains 4 adventures for the Doc and Amy - including the two part season finale (but more on that in a mo).
It's clearly about the guest stars and talent in this final clutch of four - Vincent and the Doctor is written by Richard Curtis of Britcom fame and starring Bill Nighy and in The Lodger James Corden of Gavin and Stacey fame stars. The two tales are ok - Vincent and the Doctor seems to have a giant style chicken as the baddie haunting Vincent Van Gogh and his dark ways and The Lodger sees the Doc stranded in the UK after Amy has mishap in the TARDIS.
The final tale (The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang) sees the Doc facing an army of baddies and River Song (Alex Kingston) back once again. It's a so-so season final and seems to spend a lot of time setting up for future series rather than providing some kind of closure after 13 eps. That said, it is worth it for Amy's great wedding speech where she manages to reconjure up the Doctor - it's a take of the something borrowed lines - and it's a moment of genius from Steven Moffat.
An excellent pixel perfect conversion for Blu Ray gives the Doc's world some sparkly HD makeover.
All in all, this year had such promise for a new Doctor - thankfully Matt Smith's never disappointed and given the performance of his life. I am just hoping for more next year from the writing team.
Extra: The Monster Files delves into the army of baddies which face off against the Doc at the end - it's ten minutes of relative fluff from behind the scenes - all the best stuff will be being saved for the complete series box set.
Rating: 6/10
Dr Who Series 5: Vol 4
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: PG
So the final volume of the latest series of Dr Who gets a release - and once again, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan get the chance to shine.
The final set contains 4 adventures for the Doc and Amy - including the two part season finale (but more on that in a mo).
It's clearly about the guest stars and talent in this final clutch of four - Vincent and the Doctor is written by Richard Curtis of Britcom fame and starring Bill Nighy and in The Lodger James Corden of Gavin and Stacey fame stars. The two tales are ok - Vincent and the Doctor seems to have a giant style chicken as the baddie haunting Vincent Van Gogh and his dark ways and The Lodger sees the Doc stranded in the UK after Amy has mishap in the TARDIS.
The final tale (The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang) sees the Doc facing an army of baddies and River Song (Alex Kingston) back once again. It's a so-so season final and seems to spend a lot of time setting up for future series rather than providing some kind of closure after 13 eps. That said, it is worth it for Amy's great wedding speech where she manages to reconjure up the Doctor - it's a take of the something borrowed lines - and it's a moment of genius from Steven Moffat.
An excellent pixel perfect conversion for Blu Ray gives the Doc's world some sparkly HD makeover.
All in all, this year had such promise for a new Doctor - thankfully Matt Smith's never disappointed and given the performance of his life. I am just hoping for more next year from the writing team.
Extra: The Monster Files delves into the army of baddies which face off against the Doc at the end - it's ten minutes of relative fluff from behind the scenes - all the best stuff will be being saved for the complete series box set.
Rating: 6/10
Monsters: Movie Review
Monsters: Movie Review
Monsters
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy
Director: Gareth Edwards
With a film about aliens landing in the USA six years ago and being quarantined in one area, it's obvious you'll recall to mind one of the best films of 2009, the Peter Jackson produced District 9.
But this similar premise comprises Monsters which is more relationship drama than alien societal integration.
Set in the not too distant future, opening titles explain that a spacecraft sent to bring back alien samples broke up over Mexico in re-entry. The result of that is a series of alien life forms (which look uncannily like squid on stalks) have taken up residence throughout parts of central America and Mexico - and are spreading.
Rather than nuke them, the government's decided that they will let them be - and simply declare zones of the country in quarantine and infected areas.
Enter into this photographer Andrew (McNairy) - he's desperate to make his name in the media with a picture of a live creature - but is tasked with returning his boss' errant daughter Sam (Able) back home safe.
Through a series of mishaps, the pair find the only way they can get back to home is via the infected zone - and so their journey into danger begins&
Monsters is not what you'd expect at all - initially you're introduced to the squid creatures early on and so you're never waiting for a big alien reveal, which robs the premise of some of its tension.
Director Gareth Edwards is also a little heavy on the direction - opening shot after shot are simply about the infected zone signs or military fighter jets heading past in the skies. It's a pummeling to set up the world they inhabit rather than subtlety to get the message across. Even on a low budget, it could have achieved more.
With a lack of real script (most of this is improvised) it's left to McNairy and Able to make it believable and to have you care. The pair are both relative newcomers both have stunning chemistry together (and are now married in real life) - so while there are dips in the film and dialogue which is simply about asking where they are while navigating the grim reality of it all, it's thanks to these two and their tender relationship that you make it through to the end.
It doesn't live up to its premise and the attack which inevitably comes in the infected zone lacks any real tension. It's a disappointment which doesn't live upto its premise and you may feel a little cheated when the lights go up at the end.
Monsters
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy
Director: Gareth Edwards
With a film about aliens landing in the USA six years ago and being quarantined in one area, it's obvious you'll recall to mind one of the best films of 2009, the Peter Jackson produced District 9.
But this similar premise comprises Monsters which is more relationship drama than alien societal integration.
Set in the not too distant future, opening titles explain that a spacecraft sent to bring back alien samples broke up over Mexico in re-entry. The result of that is a series of alien life forms (which look uncannily like squid on stalks) have taken up residence throughout parts of central America and Mexico - and are spreading.
Rather than nuke them, the government's decided that they will let them be - and simply declare zones of the country in quarantine and infected areas.
Enter into this photographer Andrew (McNairy) - he's desperate to make his name in the media with a picture of a live creature - but is tasked with returning his boss' errant daughter Sam (Able) back home safe.
Through a series of mishaps, the pair find the only way they can get back to home is via the infected zone - and so their journey into danger begins&
Monsters is not what you'd expect at all - initially you're introduced to the squid creatures early on and so you're never waiting for a big alien reveal, which robs the premise of some of its tension.
Director Gareth Edwards is also a little heavy on the direction - opening shot after shot are simply about the infected zone signs or military fighter jets heading past in the skies. It's a pummeling to set up the world they inhabit rather than subtlety to get the message across. Even on a low budget, it could have achieved more.
With a lack of real script (most of this is improvised) it's left to McNairy and Able to make it believable and to have you care. The pair are both relative newcomers both have stunning chemistry together (and are now married in real life) - so while there are dips in the film and dialogue which is simply about asking where they are while navigating the grim reality of it all, it's thanks to these two and their tender relationship that you make it through to the end.
It doesn't live up to its premise and the attack which inevitably comes in the infected zone lacks any real tension. It's a disappointment which doesn't live upto its premise and you may feel a little cheated when the lights go up at the end.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Hot Tub Time Machine: DVD Review
Hot Tub Time Machine: DVD Review
Hot Tub Time Machine
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R16
John Cusack stars in this story of a group of guys who've got various issues - John Cusack's Adam's just been dumped; Craig Robinson's Nick has an unfaithful wife and a job that involves him sticking his hand in dog's bottoms; Clark Duke is a teen who's going nowhere and Rob Corddry's Lou has just tried to commit suicide.
Spurred into action by the suicide attempt, the quartet head to one of their haunts from their past to live it up. But when they get there, they find the party resort has gone down the dumps - and deciding to get drunk, the guys head to the hot tub to party.
After a night's decadence - and a shoe horned in plot device, they awake to find themselves back in the 1980s and as younger versions of themselves at Winterfest 1986.
What can be said about this? The film finds its level in the first few moments as Craig Robinson's failed musician pulls out a pair of car keys from a dog's backside and throws them straight to its owner...subtle it ain't.
Funny at times, it is though - a likeable cast give a frankly insane idea a bit of life and the whole thing is just about carried off - if like the lads, you've been drinking.
Rating: 5/10
Hot Tub Time Machine
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: R16
John Cusack stars in this story of a group of guys who've got various issues - John Cusack's Adam's just been dumped; Craig Robinson's Nick has an unfaithful wife and a job that involves him sticking his hand in dog's bottoms; Clark Duke is a teen who's going nowhere and Rob Corddry's Lou has just tried to commit suicide.
Spurred into action by the suicide attempt, the quartet head to one of their haunts from their past to live it up. But when they get there, they find the party resort has gone down the dumps - and deciding to get drunk, the guys head to the hot tub to party.
After a night's decadence - and a shoe horned in plot device, they awake to find themselves back in the 1980s and as younger versions of themselves at Winterfest 1986.
What can be said about this? The film finds its level in the first few moments as Craig Robinson's failed musician pulls out a pair of car keys from a dog's backside and throws them straight to its owner...subtle it ain't.
Funny at times, it is though - a likeable cast give a frankly insane idea a bit of life and the whole thing is just about carried off - if like the lads, you've been drinking.
Rating: 5/10
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Dr Who: The Dominators: DVD Review
Dr Who: The Dominators: DVD Review
Dr Who- The Dominators
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
Back to the 1960s we go and the moptop ways of the second Doctor Patrick Troughton and his faithful crew of Jamie the highlander and Zoe the genius in this five part serial which screened in 1968.
The TARDIS lands on a planet called Dulkis; one which is supposed to be quiet and relaxed; but when the TARDIS trio arrive there, they find the native race has been enslaved by the ruthless Dominators (and their large tortoise shell like jackets) and their servants, the robotic Quarks.
Can the Doctor save the race?
A fairly average serial when compared to the later efforts of the series, this is starting to show some cracks in terms of the production values; but it's worth seeing for the very first introduction of the Quarks which were mooted as the next Daleks way back when.
Sure, they lumber and seem quaint, but it's nice to see the series try something a little different with the baddies. A deeper look into the story would see some satire of the hippy ways of the 1960s but Troughton et al give it their all in this.
Extras: Commentary from the surviving main cast, a look back on the making and a piece on how the show was covered in the media are all reliably informative. What's a little odd and doesn't do much for the continuing perception of nerdiness is a hidden extra in which two Scottish sock puppets (no I don't believe I'm typing this either) discuss the labeling of the serials back in the 1960s&.
Rating: 6/10
Dr Who- The Dominators
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
Back to the 1960s we go and the moptop ways of the second Doctor Patrick Troughton and his faithful crew of Jamie the highlander and Zoe the genius in this five part serial which screened in 1968.
The TARDIS lands on a planet called Dulkis; one which is supposed to be quiet and relaxed; but when the TARDIS trio arrive there, they find the native race has been enslaved by the ruthless Dominators (and their large tortoise shell like jackets) and their servants, the robotic Quarks.
Can the Doctor save the race?
A fairly average serial when compared to the later efforts of the series, this is starting to show some cracks in terms of the production values; but it's worth seeing for the very first introduction of the Quarks which were mooted as the next Daleks way back when.
Sure, they lumber and seem quaint, but it's nice to see the series try something a little different with the baddies. A deeper look into the story would see some satire of the hippy ways of the 1960s but Troughton et al give it their all in this.
Extras: Commentary from the surviving main cast, a look back on the making and a piece on how the show was covered in the media are all reliably informative. What's a little odd and doesn't do much for the continuing perception of nerdiness is a hidden extra in which two Scottish sock puppets (no I don't believe I'm typing this either) discuss the labeling of the serials back in the 1960s&.
Rating: 6/10
Friday, 15 October 2010
Edge of Darkness: DVD Review
Edge of Darkness: DVD Review
Edge of Darkness
Rating: R16
Released by Warner Home Video
After fraught times for Mel Gibson recently, it's nice to actually remember what he does for a living - on the screen.
Based on a BBC mini series (which was directed by NZ Martin Campbell back when it was initially broadcast in the 1980s) Gibson stars as Boston detective Tom Craven, whose daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to visit.
However, Emma becomes sick and after vomiting blood, Craven decides to take her to the hospital. But barely out of the front door, she's shot dead in a drive by.
The police are convinced he's the target of the shooter, but Craven begins his own investigation - and gradually begins to realize he's slap bang in the middle of a massive conspiracy which has wider implications than he could ever realize.
Aside from some jolts to your nerve moments (which are obviously coming), there's little original in how this pans out. That's not to say it's not good - it's merely middle of the road, generic, formulaic thriller with chases, scenes of suspense and twists aplenty.
Gibson's strong in it though as he unleashes his steely eyed determined look and wreaks a bit of havoc - you probably wouldn't want him not on your side&
Extras: Deleted scenes, Mel's back, Profile of kiwi director Martin Campbell and a featurette on the original mini series are part of a solid package for an average film
Rating: 6/10
Edge of Darkness
Rating: R16
Released by Warner Home Video
After fraught times for Mel Gibson recently, it's nice to actually remember what he does for a living - on the screen.
Based on a BBC mini series (which was directed by NZ Martin Campbell back when it was initially broadcast in the 1980s) Gibson stars as Boston detective Tom Craven, whose daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to visit.
However, Emma becomes sick and after vomiting blood, Craven decides to take her to the hospital. But barely out of the front door, she's shot dead in a drive by.
The police are convinced he's the target of the shooter, but Craven begins his own investigation - and gradually begins to realize he's slap bang in the middle of a massive conspiracy which has wider implications than he could ever realize.
Aside from some jolts to your nerve moments (which are obviously coming), there's little original in how this pans out. That's not to say it's not good - it's merely middle of the road, generic, formulaic thriller with chases, scenes of suspense and twists aplenty.
Gibson's strong in it though as he unleashes his steely eyed determined look and wreaks a bit of havoc - you probably wouldn't want him not on your side&
Extras: Deleted scenes, Mel's back, Profile of kiwi director Martin Campbell and a featurette on the original mini series are part of a solid package for an average film
Rating: 6/10
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