The Lion King 3D: Movie Review
The Lion King
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy
Irons, Nathan Lane
So, a limited big screen 3D release of Disney's award winning tale is
unleashed.
And I'm not entirely sure why it's getting either a bit of 3D treatment or a
limited release ahead of its Blu ray debut - but best to put that marketing
cynicism to one side I think.
It's the African based tale of Lion cub Simba (played by Jonathan Taylor
Thomas and Matthew Broderick) who will become the Lion King of Pride Rock after
the natural death of his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones).
However, jealousy rears its ugly head when Mufasa's duplicitous brother Scar
(Jeremy Irons) moves against him, bitter at Simba succeeding him as king.
So when Simba's framed for his father's death, he's forced to flee Pride Rock
for good.
But when hyenas ravage Simba's homeland and a former friend Nala
inadvertently finds him, he decides to return home and claim what's rightfully
his.
It's hard to knock the majesty of the Lion King up on the big screen
(particularly for those who've not seen it before - and there will be young kids
who've not, as well as a few adults) and it's hard to stay cynical at the
reasoning for the release when Tim Rice's brilliant songs rear their musical
heads.
Nearly 20 years on, this still has charm, even if the animation is showing
its age a little; it's primarily to do with the story though - covered as it is
with shades of Biblical overtones, Shakespeare and the humour within.
There's certainly plenty on this emotional ride - as well as scares for the
younger end of the audience - to keep the whole family engaged but I'd question
the use of the 3D as it adds nothing to the original experience and seems
useless.
At the end of the day, The Lion King 3D needs only to shout about its story
to get bums on seats - it doesn't need bells or whistles because thanks to a
fantastic ensemble, a variety of toe tapping medleys and a great story, it
remains a roaringly good piece of entertainment.
Hakuna Matata indeed.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Zookeeper: Movie Review
Zookeeper: Movie Review
Zookeeper
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, An array of vocal talents for talking animals
Director: Frank Coraci
Kevin James continues to mine his everyman shtick in this latest, a comedy about a zookeeper.
James is Griffin, who, at the start of the film has his proposal rejected by Leslie Bibb's Stephanie (the love of his life).
Cue five years later, Griffin's now head zookeeper and relatively content with his lot in life. Until at his brother's engagement do (at the zoo, naturally) his ex shows up and Griffin realises what he may have lost.
So determined to better himself, Griffin decides it's time to leave the zoo - and take a high earning job elsewhere to ensure he's not seen as a failure.
And that's the moment, the animals plot to keep him - and break their code of silence to reveal to him, and he alone, that they can talk&.
What to say about Zookeeper?
If you like pratfalls, talking animals, a creepy Asian zookeeper (step forward Ken Jeong), flat set pieces which lack fizz and sparkle, occasional laugh out loud moments and an array of stars (Stallone, Cher to name but two) talking as animals, then stop reading right here and pre-book your ticket for Zookeeper.
Granted the younger end of the audience is likely to enjoy this and there's a nice message about staying true to yourself and believing in yourself, but Zookeeper is pretty much your standard middle of the road fare.
James trades well on his everyman role once again but this time around, there's little for him to work with here - there's certainly no sophistication on display in the script but some of the younger end of the audience will love it in places (particularly the whole friendship he has with a gorilla, and a talking monkey too).
At the end of the day, if you want to see Kevin James being given advice on getting women from a group of animated animals who're prone to putting him in a succession of embarrassing situations, believe the kids will have a good time and you're prepared to leave your brain at the door, then Zookeeper is the one for your hard earned cash.
Zookeeper
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, An array of vocal talents for talking animals
Director: Frank Coraci
Kevin James continues to mine his everyman shtick in this latest, a comedy about a zookeeper.
James is Griffin, who, at the start of the film has his proposal rejected by Leslie Bibb's Stephanie (the love of his life).
Cue five years later, Griffin's now head zookeeper and relatively content with his lot in life. Until at his brother's engagement do (at the zoo, naturally) his ex shows up and Griffin realises what he may have lost.
So determined to better himself, Griffin decides it's time to leave the zoo - and take a high earning job elsewhere to ensure he's not seen as a failure.
And that's the moment, the animals plot to keep him - and break their code of silence to reveal to him, and he alone, that they can talk&.
What to say about Zookeeper?
If you like pratfalls, talking animals, a creepy Asian zookeeper (step forward Ken Jeong), flat set pieces which lack fizz and sparkle, occasional laugh out loud moments and an array of stars (Stallone, Cher to name but two) talking as animals, then stop reading right here and pre-book your ticket for Zookeeper.
Granted the younger end of the audience is likely to enjoy this and there's a nice message about staying true to yourself and believing in yourself, but Zookeeper is pretty much your standard middle of the road fare.
James trades well on his everyman role once again but this time around, there's little for him to work with here - there's certainly no sophistication on display in the script but some of the younger end of the audience will love it in places (particularly the whole friendship he has with a gorilla, and a talking monkey too).
At the end of the day, if you want to see Kevin James being given advice on getting women from a group of animated animals who're prone to putting him in a succession of embarrassing situations, believe the kids will have a good time and you're prepared to leave your brain at the door, then Zookeeper is the one for your hard earned cash.
Dr Who: Paradise Towers: DVD Review
Dr Who: Paradise Towers: DVD Review
Dr Who - Paradise Towers
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow
This four part serial from 1987 is not one of Who's finest hours.
When Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor takes Bonnie Langford's Mel to Paradise Towers to relax, the pair finds themselves in a world that's fallen into ruin.
Overrun by gangs and with a series of sinister goings on, the Doctor realises he must save the day - once again and overthrow a vicious evil lurking deep within Paradise Towers.
This adventure is a difficult watch - even for fans of the show.
McCoy spends a lot of the story gurning and Richard Briers is barely much better as the fascistic Chief Caretaker of the block; it's a serial which verges on tedious rather than entertaining.
Extras: Thankfully, these are a slightly higher quality bunch (almost as if those behind the release knew how weak it was) with a doco looking back at the making of the serial; a vignette on how McCoy was cast as the Doc and an interesting three hander where Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton reflect on their time as Who companions.
Rating: 4/10
Dr Who - Paradise Towers
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow
This four part serial from 1987 is not one of Who's finest hours.
When Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor takes Bonnie Langford's Mel to Paradise Towers to relax, the pair finds themselves in a world that's fallen into ruin.
Overrun by gangs and with a series of sinister goings on, the Doctor realises he must save the day - once again and overthrow a vicious evil lurking deep within Paradise Towers.
This adventure is a difficult watch - even for fans of the show.
McCoy spends a lot of the story gurning and Richard Briers is barely much better as the fascistic Chief Caretaker of the block; it's a serial which verges on tedious rather than entertaining.
Extras: Thankfully, these are a slightly higher quality bunch (almost as if those behind the release knew how weak it was) with a doco looking back at the making of the serial; a vignette on how McCoy was cast as the Doc and an interesting three hander where Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton reflect on their time as Who companions.
Rating: 4/10
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Grand Designs S8: DVD Review
Grand Designs S8: DVD Review
Grand Designs Series 8
Rating: G
Released by Roadshow
Kevin McCloud continues his quest to follow self builds in this latest batch of Grand designs.
Basically, the series doesn't veer too much from its successful formula with McCloud usually a bit suspect of the work done within the constraints of the English weather. But with eight episodes and a variety of houses under scrutiny, there's plenty of inspiration to marvel at.
You'd have to wonder if the show's producers are running out of volunteers but it's clear within the likes of a Scandinavian style house in Cornwall and loft hidden in a field, there's plenty of ingenuity around. Inspiring and watchable, this latest series is a clear example of it's not broke, then don't fix it - except with homes and projects that need a bit of extreme DIY.
Rating: 7/10
Grand Designs Series 8
Rating: G
Released by Roadshow
Kevin McCloud continues his quest to follow self builds in this latest batch of Grand designs.
Basically, the series doesn't veer too much from its successful formula with McCloud usually a bit suspect of the work done within the constraints of the English weather. But with eight episodes and a variety of houses under scrutiny, there's plenty of inspiration to marvel at.
You'd have to wonder if the show's producers are running out of volunteers but it's clear within the likes of a Scandinavian style house in Cornwall and loft hidden in a field, there's plenty of ingenuity around. Inspiring and watchable, this latest series is a clear example of it's not broke, then don't fix it - except with homes and projects that need a bit of extreme DIY.
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
The Big Lebowski: Blu Ray Review
The Big Lebowski: Blu Ray Review
The Big Lebowski
Released by Universal Home Ent
Rating: R16
Thirteen years after its initial release, this Blu Ray release of The Coen Brothers' seminal film remains an essential watch.
Jeff Bridges stars as "The Dude" who finds himself slap bang in the middle of a kidnapping after a case of mistaken identity. Things become further complicated when one of the Dude's friends plots to keep the cash for himself.
Quirky and appealing still after all this time, The Big Lebowski is the epitome of a cult film; panned on its initial release, it's become part of the hallowed world of the film lover.
A great collection of extras including docos really adds to the appeal of this set and give it the feel of an ultimate release for one of the most iconic films of the past 20 years.
Extras: Docos, making of, behind the scenes of the dream sequence
Rating: 8/10
The Big Lebowski
Released by Universal Home Ent
Rating: R16
Thirteen years after its initial release, this Blu Ray release of The Coen Brothers' seminal film remains an essential watch.
Jeff Bridges stars as "The Dude" who finds himself slap bang in the middle of a kidnapping after a case of mistaken identity. Things become further complicated when one of the Dude's friends plots to keep the cash for himself.
Quirky and appealing still after all this time, The Big Lebowski is the epitome of a cult film; panned on its initial release, it's become part of the hallowed world of the film lover.
A great collection of extras including docos really adds to the appeal of this set and give it the feel of an ultimate release for one of the most iconic films of the past 20 years.
Extras: Docos, making of, behind the scenes of the dream sequence
Rating: 8/10
Monday, 26 September 2011
The Thick Of It: DVD Review
The Thick Of It: DVD Review
The Thick Of It: Series one and Two
Rating: M
Released by BBC
The TV series which spawned the truly brilliant In The Loop film, this is a satire about the inner workings of the British government.
Starring Chris Langham as an inept minister, the series focuses on the fictional ministry of social affairs where policy changes as quickly as the weather. Episodes see the department forced to come up with policy in 40 minutes, focus groups and cabinet reshuffles. But it's a case of the entire cast underplaying their roles, combined with shaky cam that give this a verite feel and deliver such mirth.
However, it's Peter Capaldi as the vicious potty mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker who shines in this series which will appeal to those who loved Yes Minister and who love smart UK comedies.
Extras: Commentaries, bonus scenes, script guides.
Rating: 7/10
The Thick Of It: Series one and Two
Rating: M
Released by BBC
The TV series which spawned the truly brilliant In The Loop film, this is a satire about the inner workings of the British government.
Starring Chris Langham as an inept minister, the series focuses on the fictional ministry of social affairs where policy changes as quickly as the weather. Episodes see the department forced to come up with policy in 40 minutes, focus groups and cabinet reshuffles. But it's a case of the entire cast underplaying their roles, combined with shaky cam that give this a verite feel and deliver such mirth.
However, it's Peter Capaldi as the vicious potty mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker who shines in this series which will appeal to those who loved Yes Minister and who love smart UK comedies.
Extras: Commentaries, bonus scenes, script guides.
Rating: 7/10
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Brighton Rock: Blu Ray Review
Brighton Rock: Blu Ray Review
Brighton Rock
Rating: R16
Released by Madman Home Entertainment
It's always hard to redo a film when another version exists that's deemed a classic.
This version of Brighton Rock (based on Graham Greene's 1939 novel) has had a few tweaks.
Set against a backdrop of unrest between the Mods vs Rockers scene, the action takes place in Brighton; a Brighton of the sixties where gangs of dissenting youth and mobsters roam the streets, taking to anything they don't like with violence.
Pinkie (played with resentful ferocity by Sam Riley) is one of those involved in a gang; he's more likely to crack a skull than a smile - and he finds himself wrestling with power and greed after he commits a murder.
Things get more complicated when Rose (a stunning Andrea Riseborough) finds herself unwittingly in the middle of evidence linking Pinkie's gang to the murder.
So Pinkie seduces the naïve Rose - as he tries to ensure she doesn't talk...
But Rose's boss Ida (Helen Mirren) knows something's not right - and soon finds herself embroiled in this tale of gangland by the sea.
Brighton Rock is dark and gloomy - both in tone and in lighting.
This story of shivs, shingle and shocks may take a while to resonate with audiences - and many of the older persuasion will take a lot to be convinced anyone can improve on Richard Attenborough's performance.
In many ways, Pinkie's supposed to be the archetypal anti-hero but he's very difficult to root for (sample moment - he decides whether Rose loves him by pulling the legs off a spider). He's cold, blessed with a permanent scowl, callous, ruthless and in Sam Riley's hands, menacingly watchable.
Likewise Andrea Riseborough's Rose is simply the soaraway success of this - brilliantly fragile, stupidly naïve and yet endlessly optimistic, she sums up much of the uncertainty of youth - and in the final scenes she will break your heart.
The problem with this Brighton Rock is it's a little slow to get going; and with the darkness pervading the script as well as the onscreen action, some may not be willing to give it the time to let it wash over them and get engrossed.
Extras: A packed second disc with makings of, commentary with director, interviews with the cast, anatomy of a scene - a decent bunch for consumption
Rating: 6/10
Brighton Rock
Rating: R16
Released by Madman Home Entertainment
It's always hard to redo a film when another version exists that's deemed a classic.
This version of Brighton Rock (based on Graham Greene's 1939 novel) has had a few tweaks.
Set against a backdrop of unrest between the Mods vs Rockers scene, the action takes place in Brighton; a Brighton of the sixties where gangs of dissenting youth and mobsters roam the streets, taking to anything they don't like with violence.
Pinkie (played with resentful ferocity by Sam Riley) is one of those involved in a gang; he's more likely to crack a skull than a smile - and he finds himself wrestling with power and greed after he commits a murder.
Things get more complicated when Rose (a stunning Andrea Riseborough) finds herself unwittingly in the middle of evidence linking Pinkie's gang to the murder.
So Pinkie seduces the naïve Rose - as he tries to ensure she doesn't talk...
But Rose's boss Ida (Helen Mirren) knows something's not right - and soon finds herself embroiled in this tale of gangland by the sea.
Brighton Rock is dark and gloomy - both in tone and in lighting.
This story of shivs, shingle and shocks may take a while to resonate with audiences - and many of the older persuasion will take a lot to be convinced anyone can improve on Richard Attenborough's performance.
In many ways, Pinkie's supposed to be the archetypal anti-hero but he's very difficult to root for (sample moment - he decides whether Rose loves him by pulling the legs off a spider). He's cold, blessed with a permanent scowl, callous, ruthless and in Sam Riley's hands, menacingly watchable.
Likewise Andrea Riseborough's Rose is simply the soaraway success of this - brilliantly fragile, stupidly naïve and yet endlessly optimistic, she sums up much of the uncertainty of youth - and in the final scenes she will break your heart.
The problem with this Brighton Rock is it's a little slow to get going; and with the darkness pervading the script as well as the onscreen action, some may not be willing to give it the time to let it wash over them and get engrossed.
Extras: A packed second disc with makings of, commentary with director, interviews with the cast, anatomy of a scene - a decent bunch for consumption
Rating: 6/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Very latest post
Honest Thief: DVD Review
Honest Thief: DVD Review In Honest Thief, a fairly competent story is given plenty of heart and soul before falling into old action genre tr...
-
The Last Of Us Part II: PS4 Review Developed by Naughty Dog Platform: PS4 Wracked with but not wrecked by spoilers dropping before rele... -
Sex Tape: Movie Review Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Ellie Kemper, Rob Corddry, Rob Lowe Director: Jake Kasdan Predicated around the ... -
Brand new Oblivion posters unveiled Entertainment Weekly' s got the first look at some new Oblivion posters. The Oblivion posters s...
