Month: November 2013

Director: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes

Writer: Terry Hayes, Rafael Yglesias (Screenplay) Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell (Graphic Novel)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Katrin Cartlidge

Story: Inspector Frederick Abberline (Depp) is a brilliant Inspector but has his flaws, he likes to indulge in opium which gives him vision of crimes. After a prostitute is murder he will faces his toughest test to date. After the second prostitute is murdered he knows he will be hunting a serial killer not just any serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Mary Kelly (Graham) one of a close friends group of prostitute reluctantly helps Abberline track down The Ripper. The question remains who is The Ripper and why is he killing the prostitutes?

Verdict: Graphic novel adaptions are always hard to re-create. This creates a modern look at a vintage crime.

Story: The story is full of the conspiracy of the real Jack The Ripper, as the crime was never solved many people have come up with their own conclusion, this offers one of those opinions. It tries to follow everything around the time to the highest level of authenticity but clutches at straw when it comes to the real people who were murdered and tried to solve the crime. In the end the story never really decides if it wants to be based of truth or all made up which takes something away. (7/10)

Actor Review: Johnny Depp – As an Inspector of the time he shows a level of intelligence way above the other police officers involved in the story. Depp struggles with his generic cockney accent but he does deliver an engaging performance. (8/10)

Actor Review: Heather Graham – The smartest of the prostitutes, not saying much though soon becomes the damsel in distress. Graham accent makes Depp look world class, clearly miss cast for the locational role but does deliver in the damsel in distress aspect. Poor Performance Award (6/10)

Actor Review: Ian Holm – An aging surgeon, who now teaches, helps Abberline figure out who the suspects could be, before becoming a suspect himself. Holm fits in as the wise older figure that teaches as well as potential having a darker side. Star Performance Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Robbie Coltrane – Abberline’s sidekick Inspector who keeps him grounded as well as covers for some of his unprofessional actions. Being English makes the role easier for Coltrane to play and he is very nonsense and unsympathetic to the girl’s situation. Favourite Character Award (9/10)

Director Review: Hughes Brothers – working with a true main leading man for the first time they cope well, but you feel they may have chosen alternative actors and actresses for the English roles instead of just going with a big name. The film itself works well once you look past that point. (8/10)

Horror: Some horrific deaths but never shown in full just the aftermath. (8/10)

Thriller: Strong thriller adds mystery to the legendary killer. (9/10)

Settings: Set in Whitechapel and looking very authentic full of darkness which helps with the horror side of the story. (9/10)

Suggestion: Mystery fans will enjoy, all Depp fans will enjoy as they will watch anything he is in. It also has appeal to those who are interested in the The Ripper legacy, to both see how farfetched one theory is or to see what could have been the true story of him. As a mystery fan I will suggest this to you all. (Watch)

Best Part:  Sergeant Peter Godley (Coltrane) creates one hell of a distraction.

Worst Part: The accents.

Favourite Quote: Peter Godley ‘From Hell, Well at least they got the address right.’

Trivia: Daniel Day Lewis was first choice for the lead.

Overall: Slicker mystery with conspiracy of truth

Rating 80%

Director: Don Mancini

Writer: Don Mancini (Screenplay)

Starring: Brad Dourif, Chantal Quesnelle, Fiona Dourif, Danielle Bisutti, Maitland McConnell, Brennan Elliott, Summer H. Howell

Story: Nica (Fiona Dourif) is wheelchair bound due to complication with her birth lives with her mother Sarah (Quesnelle) in a lonely mansion. After they receive a strange package, A Chucky doll things start to happen around the house before Sarah suicide. After her mother’s death Nica sister’s family come to help with things around the house. Barb (Bisutti) husband Ian (Elliott) daughter Alice (Howell) and the nanny Jill (McConnell). Chucky has a few tricks up his sleeve how much trouble can the little doll cause to the family?

Verdict: Chucky is back and back to his best after the disappointing outing last time.

Story: When you trap people in a house in the middle of nowhere with a killer doll you have yourself a good story. You have a few twists that connect happenings in previous films along with a string of creative death scenes and fights. (8/10)

Actor Review: Fiona Dourif – enters the franchise and creates a tough counterpart to Chucky along with a different opponent to than Chucky is used to fighting. Daughter of the voice of Chucky Brad Dourif comes in and takes control of the scenes she is in. Star Performance Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Brennan Elliot – Husband who has plans for himself to leave the family fast becomes the human villain in the film but only very generic. Brennan does a good job but never really shines in the role. (7/10)

Actor Review: Summer H. Howell – Daughter of the family and key to what Chucky wants, does a good job trying to elude Chucky while Nica protects her. Good performance from the young actress in her debut film role. (8/10)

Actor Review: Brad Dourif – The voice of Chucky and as always creates a devilish character that will make you never want a talking doll again. Favourite Character Award (9/10)

Actor Review:  Danielle Bisutti – Loving wife on the outside but not on the inside, she also shows little sympathy to Nica showing how cold her character is. Danielle does a good job showing two sides to her personality. Least Favourite Character Award (8/10)

Director Review: Don Mancini – This guy lives and breathes Chucky having been involved in writing all of the Chucky films before taking over Directing for The Seed Of Chucky. He does a good job keep the story related to the classics by adding twists and turns to keep you wanting to see what will be left to offer in the next outing. (9/10)

Horror: Some good scares throughout, never taking itself to serious in the process. (8/10)

Settings: Isolation is always a good setting for a horror film and the mansion gives that in this one, along with adding the clichéd loss of phone, electricity and no signal. (10/10)

Suggestion: Horror fans will loves this as it isn’t one that takes itself too serious but still pays enough attention to what has been created in the Child’s Play films. If you’re not into tongue in cheek horror this will not be for you and if you are expecting gore this one will also let you down. In the end it is all fun with Chucky again enjoy. (Wanna Play, Enjoy, Give It A Try)

Best Part: Twist at the end.

Worst Part: Could have a bit more suspense.

Favourite Quote: Chucky ‘It’s Time To Play’

Similar Too: Child’ Play Series

Overall: Chucky is back, run before it’s your time to play

Rating 80%

Director: John McTiernan

Writer: Shane Black, David Arnott (Screenplay) Zak Penn, Adam Leff (Story)

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance, Frank McRae, Tom Noonan, Austin O’Brien, Ian McKellen

Story: Danny Madison (O’Brien) an action film junkie spends most of his time at his local cinema while skipping school. When his favourite action star Jack Slater (Schwarzenegger) new film is getting released, Danny gets a chance to watch the film in an early showing. After getting a special ticket from the owner of the cinema he gets transported into the film.

Once inside the film Danny and Jack must team up to stop drug lord who murdered Jack’s favourite second cousin. The hit man Benedict (Dance) is cold and calculated and along with his different glass eyes adding character to along with showing of his mood. Once Benedict gets hold of the ticket he learns it is a path to the real world leaving Jack and Danny with the mission to stop him from killing the real Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Verdict: It is always good to see a genre-busting film and this really opens up all sorts of doors in the film industry, mixing action, comedy and fantasy in a real world twist.

Story: The story is really something great, never taking itself too serious but still telling a good story. The good points for the story would be just how smoothly the story flows between the real world and the cinema world. The chemistry between Jack and Danny works well creating the good odd couple. (9/10)

Actor Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger – This is when Arnie was at his prime every film he did was a hit, everyone loved to watch his films. Be it for his over the top action or cheesy one liners. This film fits into his casting perfectly as he also shows his comic timing is still there. Star Performance Award (10/10)

Actor Review: Austin O’Brien – Good performance from the young man who goes toe to toe with Arnie and never looks out of place. His character provides great enthusiasm which stands out to keep the film on a lighter note rather than being as dark as it could have been. Favourite Character Award (10/10)

Actor Review: Charles Dance – Excellent as the cold hearted villain showing his ability to dominate a scene with his calm persona. Much like many British actors he plays a well-educated villain who always comes off very calm on screen and this is no different, even showing hints of cold comic tones especially with his time in the real world.  (10/10)

Director Review: John McTiernan – With Die Hard, Predator and Hunt For Red October to his name you know you can trust this guy with action films. Having the ability to create perfect comic relief in his characters, works to his credit in this film. (10/10)

Action: Great action sequences plenty of gun fights car chases to keep the action junkie fans happy. (9/10)

Comedy: Great comic timing to lighten the mood of the action. (9/10)

Music: Watching fresh in 2013 the classic tunes are great reminder of the music in the early 90s. (9/10)

Settings: Set in a mix of two worlds, first we have a fictional California next to the real bleak New York City. The two worlds work for this film because the fictional one shows of people in the dream world of the film poking fun at how films are cast, while the New York is bleak dark and scary one we all have to face up to. (10/10)

Suggestion: Action film fans will love this film; it will appeal to Die Hard fans and all Arnie fans. Nothing in this film is over serious so if you can looking for a film like that you are looking in the wrong place. The film is one where you can just switch off and enjoy (9/10)

Best Part: Benedict in the real world learning about the lack of crime prevention.

Favourite Quote: Benedict ‘If God was a villain, he would be me’

Overall: Slick Stylish Action Adventure

Rating 87%

Director: Roger Donaldson

Writer: Leslie Bohem (Screenplay)

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton, Jamie Renee Smith, Jeremy Foley, Elizabeth Hoffman, Grant Heslov, Tzi Ma

Story: Harry Dalton (Brosnan) is a volcanologist and after a tragedy refuses to stop working to stop more people losing their lives to volcanos. While on forced vacation he gets the call to go to a small town to check out the dormant volcano. The town called Dante’s Peak has just been name the second most desirable place to live in America. Mayor Rachel Wando (Hamilton) has to show Harry around and after his assessment he wants to put the town on alert, unfortunately his boss refuses to cause a panic until more evidence is gathered. After the worst happens Harry must race against time to save Rachel’s children before the volcano finally erupts

Verdict: A disaster film that packs plenty of punches, showing how Mother Nature can take back what was hers.

Story: This story at the time was all the rage with the likes of ‘Twister’ ‘Deep Impact’ ‘Volcano’ ‘Armageddon’ but now the disaster film almost gets over looked or way over done ‘2012’ for one. In truth this is a good story about one man’s chance at redemption. You will need to suspend your disbelief when it comes to some of the sequences along with any science you know can be thrown out the window. (8/10)

Actor Review: Pierce Brosnan – Harry is a great character he has the knowhow on how to judge volcanos and also has enough guts to make the big decision. Pierce was fresh of his debut as James Bond in Goldeneye and was just starting to be considered a lead man, this film continues to show why he is and not just making him 007 fighting a volcano. Star Performance Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Linda Hamilton – Rachel is a strong leader on a town, knowing how everyone in the town thinks as well as making sure everything decision made is right for her people. She also works in a variety of jobs and being a single parent. Linda plays the role great and after a string on poor performing films after Terminator 2. Favourite Character Award (9/10)

Director Review: Roger Donaldson – Being best known for his action films in the early 90s he took a chance on alternative films, This film follows ‘Species’ and shows that Roger does know how to take on a different genre without too much trouble. (8/10)

Action: Good action sequences throughout which lead to the car versus the Volcano at the end. (9/10)

Thriller: Keeps you very interested in what is going on but never really reaches the edge of the seat level until late in the film. (7/10)

Settings: A beautiful small town under a volcano fits perfect for the film show how feeling so safe can make you more vulnerable. (9/10)

Suggestion: All action disaster fans will enjoy but the more serious viewer will not find this too interesting as the story never challenges the mind. If you want an action film that will keep you entertained this is one for you to see. (Give It A Go)

Best Part: Car versus the Volcano.

Worst Part: Flaws in the story like the stubborn old lady.

Favourite Quote: Harry ‘I’ve always been better at feeling out volcanoes than people and politics’.

Trivia: Roger Donaldson once studied geology.

Similar Too: Volcano, Twister

Overall: A disaster film that like a volcano never stops erupting.

Rating 82%

Director: Anne Fletcher

Writer: Dan Fogelman (Screenplay)

Starring: Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Kathy Najimy, Yvonne Strahovski, Colin Hanks, Brett Cullen

Story: Andy Brewster (Rogen) is an inventor, he has created a cleaning product which is safe if consumed by accident as well as being environmentally friendly. Andy now has to sell his product to all the major retail outlets, which means he is going on a road trip. Before he goes on his road trip he has to stop of at his mother’s house. Joyce Brewster (Streisand) is an over caring single parent who along with her girlfriends doesn’t take many chances. Andy hates to let his mum down, but as he knows he isn’t being overly successful on his selling, he lies to her about how things are going. After finding out about a long lost love of his mum’s he tries to locate him, partially to help himself knowing he is in sales business. Andy invites his mum along on his cross country road trip and you can tell from the first minute that this will test their relationship.

Verdict: A road trip film that has some heart, laughs and almost some tears.

Story: I enjoyed the story told in this film, I especially enjoyed the relationship between Andy and Joyce because it shows you that both people will hide something from their parents or children. Both also learn that whatever is going on in their lives the other one will support them. The road trip itself was a bit generic with everything you expect to see on the trip, but as an Englishman I enjoy watching anything that shows a trip across another country. (9/10)

Actor Review: Barbra Streisand – fitting in to the odd couple role with her son. Joyce has some interesting quirks like wanting to listen to a sex book on the road trip, but also has her vulnerable side, which she doesn’t let show as much as is needed. Barbra does a good job in the end Star Performance Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Seth Rogen – We are all used to seeing Seth in a loud drugged up comedy, this is a welcome detour from those. Seth shows some good emotional displays and keeps everything bottled up like every son can do with their mother. Even though he is meant to be playing a role in a cleaner comedy you can see he itching to get to his more mature content. (7/10)

Director Review:  Anne Fletcher – with only three previous films to her name you can see that comedy is her thing. Following up from The Proposal you can see the similar level of comedy in this, targeting the whole range of audience (8/10)

Comedy: Light hearted comedy, with some over the top laughs in the end credits scene. (7/10)

Music: good soundtrack that fits all the scenes well (8/10)

Settings: A road trip across American is a very good setting for a comedy gives the film a chance to experience a full range of weather and scenery. (9/10)

Suggestion: I feel this one will appeal to the casual film audience, people that will like to go home with a warm feeling inside. The film will leave you with a smile on your face which is good but you will also feel sad in parts. Don’t expect full blown rolling on the floor laughs or Seth Rogen to be anything that you have seen before, if you are expecting these two things you won’t enjoy the film. I suggest this because it is a film that puts a smile on your face as well as putting you in a position you can relate to, what more could you ask for? (8/10)

Best Part: An awkward moment when Andy’s mum is with him in a sales pitch and the guy is more interested in something she has bought to the table.

Worst Part: bit to generic

Similar Too: Due Date, Away We Go

Overall: A warm light hearted comedy

Rating 82%

Director: Scott Viper

Writer: Scott Viper, Declan O’Brien (Screenplay)

Starring: Mike Mizanin, Neal McDonough, Ashley Bell, Camille Sullivan, Michael Eklund, Jeffrey Ballard, Darren Shahlavi, Jared Keeso

Story: Sgt. Jake Carter (Mizanin) returns home after his active duty. Jake comes home to see some changes to the small town he grew up in, with his two sisters Amanda (Sullivan) and Lilly (Bell) waiting for him. While some things have changed Jake still wants to protect his loved ones, but his overprotection only drives his younger sister Lilly further away.

Everything seems to be running smoothly in the town until terrorist Jonah Pope (McDonough) and his men turn up in town. After Lilly witnesses Jonah execute a man, Lilly and her boyfriend Darren (Ballard) is kidnapped By Jonah. With the FBI hot on Jonah tail Jake goes against them in Rambo style mission to save his sister before it is too late.

Verdict: Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin steps into the shoes of the Marine previously played by John Cena and Ted Dibiase. The Marine Homefront returns to a more central location and personal scenario. The tempo of this film is huge plus point with the comfortable slow feeling for the Carter family reunion but once the action starts it just doesn’t stop. It may follow a few clichés but they all work to its advantage of not needing to spend too much time on the character development. With a few twists and turns you expect to have in a Marine film this doesn’t fail to deliver them.

Action: Strong action that never lets you take a breath. (9/10)

Thriller: An edge of the seat ride. (9/10)

Settings: Small town in America good setting without having to use too much to make the battleground easy to set out. (8/10)

Suggestion: If you can get past the fact a wrestler is the lead you will enjoy this film, a very back to basic action film of an all American hero saving his family and country. So if you like a simple to follow action film this is one for you to see. (8/10)

Star Performance: Neal McDonough – Always brilliant in a role of cold calculated villain, this role showed his motive to question how evil he is or is he just pushing for change too hard.  

Favourite Character: Jake Carter – Strong minded, ruthless and kick ass would be best to describe Jake. 

Best Part: Some of the fight scenes.

Worst Part: Bit short really.

Trivia: Randy Orton was cast as the Marine but after it emerged about his questionable time as a Marine The Miz was cast instead.

Similar Too: The Marine, 12 Rounds

Overall: An adrenaline action film with plenty of guns, fights and awesomeness

Rating 85%

Director: Louis Leterrier

Writer: Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, Edward Ricourt (Screenplay) Boaz Yakin, Edward Ricourt (Story)

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Michael Kelly

Story: After four magicians J, Daniels Atlas (Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Harrelson) Henley Reeves (Fisher) and Jack Wilder (Franco) team up for a spectacular show they leave the audience with more than they bargained for. They pull of a bank heist leaving all the money for the audience. Dylan Rhodes (Ruffalo) of the F.B.I has to team up with Interpol agent Alma Dray (Laurent) to solve how the magicians did the trick. They recruit Thaddeus Bradley (Freeman) a magician exposes to help them uncover the truth, but is they more than meets the eye.

Verdict: Any film with Magicians in it can either be great or awful and over the past decade we have been lucky to see two of the best in ‘The Prestige’ and ‘The Illusionist’. Now You See Me can now be put towards that level granted it may not be as good it has a different path to follow. Using modern magic techniques, showing some of the extremes people will go for the show. Having a criminal aspect to the characters takes the film in another direction which keeps you guessing about their motives. Each one of the characters offers a different style of magic giving them all skills which are key to the tricks being performed. While the F.B.I agent struggles to keep up with the magician’s next steps as well as being misled by different characters motives, this will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

Thriller: The illusions keep you guessing on the final outcome of the film all the way through. (9/10)

Special Effects: Some good special effects, but all explained as part of the illusions. (8/10)

Settings: Performing a bank robbery on stage shows how great an illusion can be created in an alternative setting (9/10)

Suggestion: As a big fan of a thriller I would always suggest something different to something I have seen before and this offers some different. The story unfolds is easy enough to follow and you will be guessing what is happening which is always good thing in a thriller. It may have gone slightly under the radar this summer but this film could hold up to the Blockbuster that hit the cinemas well worth a watch. (9/10)

Star Performance: Mark Ruffalo – great as the FBI agent trying to track down the magicians 

Favourite Character: Merritt – I will always pick a slightly over the top woody Harrelson has my favourite character and this time he continues to keep you entertained. 

Best Part: the on running joke after someone has said ‘Bullshit’

Favourite Quote: J. Daniels Atlas ‘First rule of magic, always be the smartest person in the room’.

Similar Too: Prestige, Illusionist, Inside Man

Overall: A slick magic thriller which keeps you guessing all the way to the end.

Rating 86%

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Writer: Guillermo Del Toro, Travis Beacham (Screenplay) Travis Beacham (Story)

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman, Max Martini, Robert Kazinsky, Ron Perlman

Story: When monstrous creatures known as Kaiju appear from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean the world has to come up with a defence to protect its people. The plan is to create massive robots controlled by two humans called Jaegers, but when the Kaiju’s start getting smart and stronger the governments of the world pull the funding and placing it onto building giant walls around the coasts. The leader of the Jaeger project Stacker Pentecost (Elba) brings together all of the jaeger fighters to do one final assault on the rim where the Kaiju’s enter through. To do this he must bring back Raleigh Becket (Hunnam) after the tragedy of his last mission. Stacker has to let his adopted daughter Mako Mori (Kikuchi) become Raleigh’s partner in the Jaeger, but can they sync before they go into battle.

Verdict: Giant Monsters, Giant Robots don’t always work as some of the recent years have proven with the over confusing messing battles in the Transformers and the heavily criticised Godzilla. Pacific Rim managers to pull everything together and with a tried and trust direct in Del Toro you knew that it would. Del Toro has proven himself with large battles scenes in both the Hellboy films. It isn’t just the action that is great here it is also the story of the characters with past and overcoming challenges people would elsewhere give up. Having a full range of likable characters and using some of Del Toro’s trusted actors in supporting roles.

Action: Epic fights with a range of weapons and monsters. (10/10)

Sci-Fi: A massive sci-fi aspect showing a future that every day will be a challenge against an unforeseen enemy. (10/10)

Special Effects: incredible special effects throughout (10/10)

Settings: Having destruction of major cities along with massive water based battles show the real threat the world could have faced if the scenario was true (9/10)

Suggestion: Sometimes you need to sit down and switch your brain of and watch a simple story unfold on front of you, this is that film. If you are looking for something serious you need to look elsewhere but it is fair to say this is a breath taking experience for all. Action junkies enjoy this will be one you will remember. (9/10)

Star Performance: Idris Elba – brilliant leader throughout  

Favourite Character: Dr Newton (Day) – eccentric doctor who pushes the limits of his science as well as having an encounter he would have never imaged.

Best Part: Dr Newton & Hannibal Chau (Perlman) encounter with a monster

Worst Part: Sometimes the battles can be hard to follow but they are easier to follow than the Transformers ones.

Favourite Quote: Stacker ‘Today we face the monsters that are at our door and bring the fight to them. Today, we are cancelling the apocalypse!’

Trivia: Kaiju is Japanese for Strange Beast, while Jaeger is German for Hunter.

Similar Too: Godzilla, Transformers

Overall: An Epic battle between man, machine and monster.

Rating 93%