Titanic 3D - Movie Review

Titanic 3D Movie Review

Cast: Leonardo diCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, a ship, an iceberg
Director: James Cameron

"Are you ready to go back to Titanic?"

Can there really be anyone who's not witnessed the film phenomenon that is Titanic?

It took mega billions (well, around 1.8 billion to be precise) at the global box office and made a star out of Leonardo di Caprio 15 years ago when it first set sail into the cinemas and our collective movie going hearts.

Now, with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic, it was inevitable the story would get a re-release - and perhaps, no surprise, a 3D makeover.

If you were one of the 12 people on the whole planet who didn't see this film, then you'll want to know the plot. (Such as it exists).

Di Caprio is Jack Dawson, a pauper who wins a ticket to the first ever sailing of the RMS Titanic; on board are Kate Winslet's Rose, a woman trapped in a loveless relationship with Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). When the pair's paths cross, it's love at first sight as Dawson offers Rose a chance to live and love again, and offers also, a chance of freedom from the repression of the tyranny of a society which has forced her to take up with Cal to return some honour to her family.

But in true star crossed lovers' way, the pair are forbidden to see each other; and this only serves to fuel their passion. Sadly, though, an iceberg is about to cool everything down - permanently.

What to say about Titanic that hasn't been said before and by so many - and to an audience which has already made this film such a massive commercial success the first time around?

Yes, it's still bum numbingly long at 190 minutes long and yes, there are still moments which appal (on both fronts) as well as moments which appeal.

First up, the 3D is the real reason for the re-release of this film; and to be honest, it's a little bit of a mixed bag.

Granted, Cameron's retooling of the flick and some 60 weeks of toil has rendered some scenes simply incredible - such as the horrifying moment when the ship splits in half.

Whereas this was tragic in its original incarnation, this latest tweak of it has captured the full breath taking horror of what the passengers faced; the depth which the 3D gives is nothing short of jaw dropping breathtaking appallingness. The scope and scale of the destruction and hopelessness of the reality is still emotionally stunning and really does prove to be the real reason for the disaster movie to work so well. Likewise, sweeping aerial shots and 3D sequences inside the Titanic give the rooms depth and the boat a scale of grandeur that was denied it during its 2D release - so for that, Cameron and his team deserve recognition and praise.

Not quite as successful perhaps are the shots around the rest of the drama - because the film wasn't made for 3D, the post conversion really does add little to the whole spectacle of what unfolds around; close range two shots don't quite work and occasionally jar as well.

Except to say that the added extra dimension can't add to the one dimensional corny dialogue and characters housed within the very big boat.

DiCaprio turns in a good performance though his "I'm king of the world" moment is as cringeworthy and still grates as much as it did a decade and a half ago; equally all that's missing from Billy Zane's performance is a moustache to twirl and maniacal laugh as he carries out his dastardly ways. Thankfully, Winslet's still got a presence and performance which is captivating from the get go.

Cameron's said he wanted to release this again to allow people to remember what happened - and on the eve of the 100th anniversary, that's an admirable intention.

Ultimately, though, I still can't fault the audacity and sheer spectacle of this love story in the middle of a disaster movie - and there's no doubting that there's still a massive audience to see this and experience it again. There will be people who will fall in love with the cheeseball love story all over again; and there will be others who will feel like they're being dragged along against every fibre of their being.

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The Pirates! Band of Misfits Movie Review

The Pirates! Band of Misfits Movie Review

Vocal cast: Hugh Grant, David Tennant, Martin Freeman, Jeremy Piven, Salma Hayek, Imelda Staunton
Director: Peter Lord

Hoist the mainsail, grab your cutlasses and hold onto your gizzards - cos there's pirates about.

In this latest from the stunningly brilliant Aardman Animation, Hugh Grant stars as the Pirate Captain, the leader of a band of relatively inept pirates, who sail the sea having adventures, but not really grabbing the glory and the spoils.

So, when the Pirate Captain decides this is the year he will take out the famed Pirate of the Year trophy to show the lads and the world he's not an idiot, he realises he has to step up his game.

Out on the plunder, Pirate Captain and the gang come across Charles Darwin (David Tennant) who tells them that parrot Polly which the Cap keeps on his shoulder is actually an extinct dodo. And that if the dodo's presented to the world's scientists, the Cap could get the fame and reward he deserves.

With that in mind, the gang head for the presentation - but will the Captain give up everything for the pursuit of fame?

An unabashed joy, The Pirates!Band of Misfits is an animated family pleasure from beginning to end, replete with a belly full of mirth and laugh out loud moments.

There's an inspired lunacy in the lushly painstakingly done stop animation from Aardman - which to be honest, you would totally expect from a project like this one. There are jokes packed within the frames of the film as it plays out making it something for the adults as well as the kids.

The key players are impressive too - with Grant channelling some of that foppish insecure charm he's been rocking for the majority of his career as the Pirate Captain loses his grip on what makes him great; equally, Martin Freeman is brilliant as Number 2, the support of the ship - and the animated version looks stunningly like him. Tennant is good as Darwin but his thunder is somewhat stolen by Mr Bobo, a mute chimpanzee butler who communicates via speech cards.

Throw into the mix, a Flight of the Conchords song and a cameo from all of people, The Elephant Man and you can get a sense of what Aardman's managed to channel here - The Pirates! Band of Misfits is good fun, a reminder of how simpler can still be effective and appealing to audiences of all ages.

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New Avengers trailer and Avengers TV spot revealed

It's a double whammy of Avengers news today.

CHECK OUT THE AVENGERS MOVIE REVIEW HERE

First up the brand new Avengers trailer has been unveiled.



And in further Avengers news, there's also an Avengers TV spot out there as well..



The Avengers film hits NZ cinemas on April 25th, 2 weeks ahead of the USA...

Dr Who - Revisitations 3 DVD Review

Rating: PG
Released by BBC And Roadshow Home Entertainment

So, another release for the very first DVDs from the classic Dr Who series DVD range which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

The MO of these Revisitations set is simple - head back to the earlier releases from the range, give them a polish up and a once over, chuck together some new special features which were missing the first time around and get them out on the shelves.

This upgraded special edition release could potentially be the last of the range (for now anyway) and collects together some fan faves - the Tomb of the Cybermen from 1967 and starring Patrick Troughton; the Three Doctors, the tenth anniversary story from 1973 and starring all three of the Drs and The Robots of Death, an iconic Tom Baker adventure from the 1970s.

They're lovingly given a fresh digital polish and so, consequently all look very good in the format; granted the adventures are what you'd expect from the series - some moments are hit and miss and others are etched permanently in your memory.

But the real reason for these sets is the extra content and I have to admit this time around, while the supporting material is good, it's not exactly stand out quality. Whereas the past two sets have had a central documentary which was the main pull of the releases, this time around, the solid special features are just that - and relatively unspectacular.

That's not to say they're unwatchable and not entertaining - they're simply not of the calibre of previous releases but offer a good solid insight into the making of the show, which is still so beloved.

All in all, Revisitations 3 is to be frank, a must if you're a Who fan - although you may not love it as much as the other two releases but you will appreciate and treasure it as the years go by.

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Another Earth Blu Ray Review

Another Earth Blu Ray Review

Released by 20th Century Fox Home Ent
Rating: M

What would you do if one day, scientists found another planet exactly like ours?

That's the background idea to this relatively lo fi drama starring Lost's William Mapother and Brit Marling.

On the day news of the planet is announced, Rhoda (Marling) is out driving; distracted and scanning the skies she smashes into the car of Mapother's John Burroughs with his family within, killing his wife and child.

Sentenced to jail as a minor Rhoda gets out four years later haunted by her crime. Thinking it may be best to make amends with Burroughs she heads to his house but bottles it, ending up masquerading as a cleaner to the depressed college professor.

Will she find the courage to give them both the peace they need?

Another Earth is a compelling kitchen sink indie drama with a splash of scifi thrown in for good measure. Both starling and mapother give it a gritty human feel and allow the slow burning flick to develop into something you're emotionally invested in.

Coupled with the parallel world story, this piece is more about redemption and finding peace on our world than exploring the other one.

An assured directorial debut, this film may just surprise you.

Extras: deleted scenes, trailer, music vids, docks looking at the making of and the science of Another Earth

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Total Recall Full Trailer is here

The first full length trailer for Total Recall has just been unveiled.

Here is the first look at Colin Farrell's take on the 1990s Arnie classic - and it seems to have a smackdown between Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale thrown in too...

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One - Blu Ray Review

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One - Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Ent

So it's finally here.
The final film of the Twilight Saga franchise - well, the first part of it anyway - heads onto Kiwi small screens amid mass expectation from the fans, and to be frank, a little indifference from anyone who's not a Twihard.

This time around after years of anticipation, it's all about the wedding of human Bella (Stewart) and sparkly vamp boy Edward Cullen (RPatz). Well, that and the monstrous after effects...

Despite protestations from occasionally shirtless wolf shapeshifting boy and former partial love, Jacob (sulky Lautner), Bella marries Edward and the pair head away for Rio de Janeiro to celebrate their honeymoon and consummate their long drawn out courtship.

But when Bella becomes pregnant, the ramifications for the fractured relationships between wolves and vamps bubble up to the surface again and with the uncertainty of what the unborn child will do to an already strained truce between the two races, these two have more than post wedding blues to deal with.

It's really quite difficult to review this latest installment of the Twilight Saga as a critic because quite frankly, like the final Harry Potter film earlier this year, it's simply reviewer proof and will do the box office business whatever the naysayers say.

Over nearly two hours, to be honest, very little actually happens; there's a wedding and a lot of skulking/ brooding and worrying/foreshadowing about the future, complete with scenes on their honeymoon which are lashed with copious emo style music and with swirling camera motions and long draping shots of the duo.

The dialogue is once again, as you've come to expect in the Twi-saga wooden, stilted and sounds terrible when voiced. Comments like "I won't kill you; that's too easy - you deserve to live with this" and "You only killed monsters - you saved more lives than you took" simply come across as laughable and do nothing to give any real depth to the film itself. Along with the moment when the baby's name is revealed as Renesmee, to hear characters spouting "It's beautiful, it's unique" and trying their best to be earnest is just laughable.

But I'm guessing any Twihard fan will consider these moments romantic and dramatic; and will swoon over Edward telling his new wife "Last night was the best night of my existence", because you're meant to remember what it's like to be romantic and in love. Granted, Kristen Stewart gives a good performance as her awkward doubts and fears over devoting her life to one man for eternity give way to the horrors of the unborn child destroying her from within. And the effects which accompany her descent into ill health are well presented and shocking. As for Taylor Lautner's sulking Jacob and RPatz's brooding Edward, they're both not offering anything at all and are quite stilted in places. The wedding scene at the start is actually well done and beautiful but a swirling soundtrack and Condon's propensity to lash every scene with music makes you feel a little like you're being beaten into submission.

While the scenes of fighting vamps and wolves were quite strong and well done in previous films, this time around, they're gloomy and hard to watch as they all take place in the dark. Plus one scene where a pack of wolves carry out a mental confrontation which is pivotal to Jacob is quite frankly likely to give you the giggles. Equally the love scene which is supposed to be intense and violent as is befitting their nature is now just a series of moments, soft focus cutaways and primarily the punchline to a joke.

I think where some of this film's failing comes from is its accessibility (or lack thereof).
Whereas the final Harry Potter film was entirely watchable if you'd not seen what had gone already, Breaking Dawn - Part One feels in places, quite impenetrable. The whole thing is clearly aimed at those who've been with the franchise all the way; and those who don't know their vamps from their wolves, their Cullens from their Quileute may feel a little lost.

Ultimately, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part One is going to be loved by the fans of the franchise for what it actually delivers; this is, after all, what they've been waiting for as it all finally ends. They'll love what transpires on the screens from their heroes and heroine as they're invested in it; and it's likely the end of the first part will have them frothing in a frenzy about what the second half will bring next year. Anyone else who watches this film may feel that this series has been going on for too long, is running a little short on creative ideas and that it's time it was staked and turned to dust.

Extras: 6 part doco on the making of; audio commentary with director Bill Condon, Music videos

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