Snitch: Movie Review

Snitch: Movie Review

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Barry Pepper, Susan Sarandon, Benjamin Bratt, Jon Bernthal
Director: Ric Roman Waugh

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars in a dramatic role for a change in this film, inspired by true events.

He plays construction boss, John Matthews, a good family man who cares for his workforce as well as his two families. So, when his estranged son Jason is arrested on suspected drug smuggling charges, he's forced to enter the seedy world of drugs and drug dealing to try and get him off a long jail sentence.

But John decides (with a little help from Susan Sarandon's Joanne Keeghan, who's trying to get elected to senate) that the best way would be to help try and bust a drugs cartel. To that end, he befriends one of his workers Daniel (Bernthal of The Walking Dead fame) because he's done time for drugs trafficking but is now trying to go clean.

Daniel gets John an introduction into the world of the cartels, and with the FBI and Mexican druglords closing in, the stakes are incredibly high...

Snitch is at times, like watching a more Hollywoodised version of an episode of The Wire, with a surprisingly subtle performance from the man you've come to know as The Rock. A sincere and earnest performance means a bit more presence this time around.

But its message of the horrors of drugs on a white middle-class family is somewhat of a muddle and an unsurprising take on the whole thing. With moments such as John Matthews having to Wiki Drug Cartel to find out more (as if anyone doesn't know what the cartels are, what they do and how they operate), there's a level of nonsense which takes place that's just about acceptable. Throw in the fact that Matthews feels guilty about being a post divorce absentee father and so concocts and executes a plan which leads him to try to deliver the big kahunas in the drug trade, and you've got a story which just about keeps its credibility intact thanks to taut direction and a dialled down Dwayne.

Barry Pepper, with his Billy Goats gruff goatee adds solid support as an undercover DEA agent worrying for the safety of his charge; and Sarandon is all tart ambition and one dimension as a wannabe elected senator, who's only concerned with ensuring that the capture takes place to secure her place in power. The Walking Dead's Jon Berthal seriously impresses as the co-worker of Matthews, whose shady past puts him squarely back where he doesn't want to be after trying to leave drugs behind.

An obligatory car chase scene involving a truck is inevitable but well played as the shoot out heads to the freeway in the film's final act, but despite that, Snitch manages to conceive and execute a morally grey story which is watchable, workmanlike and well acted. It's just a shame the message of drugs being bad, yo, is lost thanks to its ham-fisted and ultimately predictable execution.

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Kon-Tiki: Movie Review

Kon-Tiki: Movie Review

Cast: Pal Sverre Hagen, Anders Christiansen
Director: Joachim Ronning, Espen Sandberg

It's 1947 and an adventure of derring do has the world gripped in this latest historical re-enactment which has taken Norwegian cinema by storm.

It's the story of young Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl as he embarks on an astonishing expedition - a journey of 4,300 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean on the Kon-Tiki raft to Polynesia. Unsurprisingly, Heyerdahl has complete conviction in his belief that this can be done, using pluck and only a modern radio to help aboard the balsa wood raft.

But three months go by - and with no land in sight, soon Heyerdahl and his crew are wondering if their convictions, belief and sacrifices were all worth it...

Historically detailed and visually sumptuous, Kon-Tiki is a boys' own adventure which recalls some of the very best of old school film-making. It's also not a film which is particularly blessed with much plot, nuances of character or tons of action. It's quite simply, an almost documentary type piece which recreates the adventure of Heyerdahl and those who bought into his 10 year obsession.

Visually, the film is astounding with Norway, New York and life on the water vividly and wonderfully brought to life with breath-taking attention to period detail. It doesn't rely on shocks, twists or jolts to detail the life on the ocean wave, merely a series of moments which demonstrate how the Pacific teeters on the edge of the beautiful and the dangerous. An encounter with a whale introduces the group to the majesty of it all - and in a heartbeat, the possibility of the whale snapping some of their rudder shows how the menace can turn on the tide. In fact, the water scenes are very reminiscent of the recent film Life of Pi, even down to a shot of jellyfish floating by.

Hagen's Thor Heyerdahl is a wiry, blonde haired man whose conviction costs him everything. It's not a showy performance by any stretch of the imagination, merely one which grips you as the story plays out. To be frank, the rest of the crew get scant time for character growth at all, but somehow, as you're swept along in the derring do of it all, none of that actually seems to matter.

Based on Academy Award winning doco, Thor's Epic Voyage, Kon-Tiki feels like a very old school type of film, one where you're swept along with the adventure rather than investing much within the characters themselves. It captures the thrill of the spirit of adventure, friendship and the explorer bond which seems so inconceivable in these days of long haul travel.

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Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D trailer is here

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D trailer is here

We've got an extended first look at Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, the new TV series from Joss Whedon.

First About Time trailer arrives

First About Time trailer arrives

A new film from Richard Curtis is here.

Sort of.

The first About Time trailer us here.

Starring Domnhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter, Anna Karenina), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes, Midnight in Paris) and Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Carribean, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) the film releases in NZ cinemas on 17^th October.

The film is directed and written by Richard Curtis, who’s include films Four Weddings and a Funeral; Notting Hill; Bridget Jones’s Diary; and Love Actually and The Boat That Rocked, which he also directed.

'About Time' is a comedy about love and time travel, which discovers that, in the end, making the most of life may not need time travel at all. Gleeson plays 21 year old Tim who discovers after another crappy New Year's Eve party that he can travel in time, an ability that men in his family have had since way back when.  Tim can't change history but he can change what has happened in his own life so he decides to start off by getting a girlfriend... a task which proves harder then he first thought.  Tim finally meets Mary (McAdams) and wins her heart but soon discovers that ,as his life progresses, his unique gift cannot protect him from the sorrows life can throw at you.

Win a double to see Armageddon in Wellington or Hamilton

Win a double to see Armageddon in Wellington or Hamilton

Armageddon's coming back to Hamilton and Wellington.

The phenomenally popular pop culture expo hits Hamilton on May 25th and 26th at the Claudelands arena and then into the capital on June 1st to the 3rd at the Westpac Stadium.

We're giving you a chance to win a double to either one of those shows - simply email to this address: darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com  and in the subject line put either Hamilton or Wellington, your name and address and the answer to this question....

What is the name of the character played by Jason Momoa in Game of Thrones?
(Scan below for a wee hint)

Competition closes Monday May 20th at 5pm

Don't forget you can get all of the information on the guests at the official Armageddon site - and we'll see you at the show!

Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa has just confirmed he will be attending the Hamilton and Wellington editions of the Armageddon Expo on 25^th - 26^th May and 1^st – 3^rd June respectively.

Famous for his role as Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo in the popular series, Momoa is expected to face record-breaking crowds of fans upon his return to Armageddon this year.

Armageddon organiser William Geradts says he expects Momoa to bring a whole new hoard of fans to the expos, in particular females.

“Game of Thrones is huge, one of the biggest cult shows we’ve seen in years with awesome folklore, characters and costumes, which is the perfect mix for Armageddon. Ticket sales are already going well, but once the public hears that Jason is coming, we’re expecting a spike in sales, and hoping to see more females than usual,” says Geradts.

Momoa returns to New Zealand after visiting Auckland Armageddon in 2009.

Geradts says Momoa’s career has “expanded exponentially” since he last attended.

“After playing Ronan Dex on Stargate Atlantis Jason’s popularity has sky-rocketed. He’s gone on to play Conan in Conan the Barbarian, Keegan in Bullet to the Head and of course Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones for which he’s established a cult following,” he says.

Momoa will be joined by a range of other fantasy, comic book and sci-fi stars including fellow actors from the Stargate franchise, Jo Flannigan and Mitch Pileggi.

The voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith is another big name attending both Hamilton and Wellington Armageddons this year along with Lance Henrickson of Aliens fame, Tony Amendola from Once Upon a Time and, Sylvester McCoy from Doctor Who and The Hobbit, 12 dwarves from The Hobbit (Wellington only) and so many more.

All celebrities attending will take part in panels, signings and photos, so fans can meet them in person.

To see a full list of stars and events happening at the expos go to www.armageddonexpo.com

Tickets are available now from Ticketek.co.nz

Armageddon Expo Hamilton

Saturday 25^th May and Sunday 26^th May, 2013
Claudeland’s Event Centre, Hamilton

Armageddon Expo Wellington

Saturday 1^st June, Sunday 2^nd June and Monday 3^rd June
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Tickets

One Day Passes

Adult $23 ($20 for presales)
Student $20 ($17 for presales)
Child 12 and Under $11 ($10 for presales)
Child entry is free with an adult ticket
Family 2 adults and 3 children $50 ($45 for presales)

Two Day Passes

Adult $40 ($35 for presales)
Child $19 ($17 for presales)

Three Day Passes (Wellington only)

Adult $55 ($50 for presales)
Child $28 ($24 for presales)

VIP Gold and Silver passes also available, see Ticketek.co.nz for details

Titty Bar Ha Ha: Comedy Festival Review

Titty Bar Ha Ha: Comedy Festival Review

Cabaret and late night with a title like this could suggest only one thing.

Smut and plenty of it.

Except to say that Titty Bar Ha Ha is not quite the balls and all rude ribaldry that you might perhaps be expecting. Set in a 1943 England, it's the time of Hope and Gloria, two burlesquely clad girls, working to make an honest living as the planes fly over above them.

There's a dead ex under the floorboards and the authorities are closing in but it doesn't stop Hope and Gloria from having a good time - and what pairs of lungs these girls have got. (Easy at the back there)

There's plenty of singing, dancing and a lot of audience interaction in this piece which is a real late night treat. With more innuendo and double entendre than outright smut (although buppetry provides the obligatory XXX treat at the end of the show), Titty Bar Ha Ha is actually a damn good night out - and not in a completely dirty mac at the back kind of way.

With some deftly clever lyrics and some brilliant rhyming couplets, the duo weave a bloody good night out. Sure there's innuendo - "He was prone to come but not stay" being one of the cleaner moments, but there's also a great gathering of songs, fizzing audience participation and ribaldry as it plays out over its 60 minutes running time. A mash up of Tainted Love, some games involving coke and a fizzy sweet, training in burlesque dancing and a chance to get up on stage proves the entire thing is nothing short of pure wartime entertainment.

Both Hope and Gloria have amazing voices and the way they seamlessly riff on some stories of abuse and cheated upon girls in the wartime world certainly resonates here and there - but overall, this cabaret is well worth staying up late for and making sure you catch it in its last week at the festival.

To Rome With Love: Blu Ray Review

To Rome With Love: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

After his recent fantastical offering in Paris, Woody Allen returns.

This time, he and an ensemble cast head to la bella Italia, Rome, for another fantasy magical comedy offering - To Rome With Love.

Visitors to and residents of Rome find their lives changed by the adventures and predicaments they find themselves in. From Jesse Eisenberg's trainee architect, Jack, who's tempted by his girlfriend's best friend Monica (Ellen Page) to Roberto Benigni's Leopoldo, who awakes one day to find his life has been turned into that of a celebrity, chased at every turn by the paparazzi, this is a mix of farcical and the comedic, with a pinch of the serious thrown in.

Allen himself is back in his usual neurotic form as a frustrated former opera director whose daughter is engaged following a whirlwind romance to one of Rome's locals. When he heads there, he discovers his daughter's father-in-law is a talented singer - but only when he sings in the shower... It's full of whimsy, fantasy and light-heartedness - but it didn't half rub me up the wrong way. Allen seemed to be a parody of himself and all his neuroses wound up to 11; with comments like "I have an IQ of 150 - you're thinking in euros, in dollars, it's a lot less" and "Don't psychoanalyse me! Many have tried. All have failed.", it's like he's rolling out his best lines.

Like any series of stories, some fly, whereas others falter and fail, proving their flimsy coincidence is all a little too much to bear - from the farce of the newly married husband whose wife wanders off only for him to be left with Penelope Cruz's call girl and his parents thinking that's his wife, it's an intriguing mix which doesn't quite work out as well as perhaps it should.

It's a shame because Allen's eye for the beauty and majesty of Rome from behind the camera is once again magnificent - even if his writing is stereotyped and a little too farcical and fantastical to take seriously. But then, perhaps that's some of the reason for To Rome With Love - it's a postcard and declaration of amour for the city and one which will resonate with those looking for light and flouncy Woody Allen.

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