January 20, 2014

White House Down (2013)

Director: Roland Emmerich

Writer: James Vanderbilt (Screenplay)

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, Joel King, James Woods, Jimmi Simpson, Michael Murphy, Rachelle Lefevre, Lance Reddick

Plot: When John Cale (Tatum) has an interview to be part of President James Sawyer’s (Foxx) secret service team he gets rejected, not wanting to let his daughter Emily (King) down he takes her on a tour of the White House. Whilst on the tour Stenz (Clarke) and his team take over the White House. Having inside help the team all with alternative motives secure the White House. It is down to Cale to save the President and his daughter before world war three breaks out.

Verdict: Action pack thriller

Story: Part action part conspiracy we get everything to make a fun action film. WE get more twists than we would be used to in an action film as well as plenty of over the top action. It is another story that involves making the President the ultimate good guy like Independence Day, Deep Impact and Olympus Has Fallen. It also makes the lone hero dodge every bullet even from trained soldiers. For a film that is two hours long it keep you entertained from start to finish. (9/10)

Actor Review: Channing Tatum – John Cale the man with all the potential to be a great secret service agent but with bad CV and not the best education he doesn’t get a chance. Channing is proving to be one of the few young action stars making an impact in Hollywood and this role continues to help him shine in the role. Kick Ass Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Jamie Foxx – President James Sawyer the leader of the free world who gets betrayed by the people he trusts the most. Foxx joins the ranks of Pullman, Freeman and Eckhart with a memorable President role. (8/10)

Actor Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal – Finnerty second in command of the secret service has to help Cale from the outside as well as trying to keep the other powers from taking over. Good supporting performances trying to keep everything calm even after what emotional trauma she struggles to go through with her mentor turning on his Country. (8/10)

Actor Review: Jason Clarke – Stenz leader of the team that take over the White House. Good supporting role with motivation and a psychotic side all make up for a great soldier for the cause. (8/10)

Actor Review: James Woods – Walker head of the secret service that turns on his President to get revenge for his son’s death. Good villainous role from the acting legend creating the very real terror of a home invasion on the White House. (8/10)

Director Review: Roland Emmerich – We all know Roland can make a fun action film this continues that trend. (9/10)

Scene Stealer Award – Donnie The Guide & Tyler the Hacker – Both great roles in which a smaller supporting role steals the scenes.

Action: Plenty of action throughout. (10/10)

Thriller: Keeps you sitting at the edge of your seat from start to finish. (9/10)

Special Effects: Good use of special effects but a couple of shots you can tell are blue screens. (6/10)

Believability: The neutral mark to say you make of it what you want to believe. (5/10)

Chances of Tears: I think there could be a few. (2/10)

Settings: With all the action taking place inside the White House gives a great setting matching up to Air Force One and Die Hard. (10/10)

Suggestion: Action films can have selective audience but once you hit a side of fun you can get a lot more people behind a film. This is one that is enjoyable from start to finish with all the action being over the top so you can just sit relax and enjoy. (Watch)

Best Part: Plenty of twists and turns

Worst Part: The lawn car scene

Action Scene Of The Film: The roof scene

Kill Of The Film: Killick

Funniest Scene: The Tour guide takes the hostages to freedom

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Could have one

Similar Too: Olympus Has Fallen

Overall: A great Action thriller

Rating

Cinema Surgery

This was my first convention of any type, I am not going to lie I really didn’t know what to expect. I have known the found Gary Baxter for a few years and still remember when he was trying to show us some of the horror films on lunch breaks at work. With a bigger venue Cinema Surgery has grown from just a double feature film showing to a full event with special guests. The venue The Winchester is a good choice with the iconic name thanks to Dorset’s own Edgar Wright Shaun Of The Dead.

I ended up buying something on nearly every stand as well as having a good chat with some of the guests. Today I am just going to look at what I bought and who I met there, I will be saving my reviews on any film or books I bought until a later date.

My first stop was at Ninth Circle a retailer of graphic novels and pop-culture merchandise. On display were a full range of graphic novels including Walking Dead, Watchmen and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I ended up buying a copy of R.I.P.D City Of The Damned, I got this main because I didn’t enjoy the film and I wanted to see more of the source material.

Next up I met a couple of the guys behind Space Monster Magazine. Space Monsters Magazine is a new magazine that looks at Hammer Sci-Fi & Monster movies. I purchased issue 3 and along with the website I am looking forward to reading the articles from these guys.

My next stop I met author David J H Smith and purchased a copy of The Titanic’s Mummy, which by itself looks like a very good read. This also offered a chance to buy some rare comic books. Some of which including a Nightmare On Elm Street, Walking Dead.

Following that I met Fwah Storm a guy I have actually heard a lot about from various people. With copies of Jericho comic books and the full graphic novel Jericho Downfall, this is the one I bought and will be reading later. There was also copies of the brand new graphic novel The Fallen which could have been bought on an early release.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to chat to Caroline Munro the former Bond girl from The Spy Who Loved Me. In the evening there was a showing of a two of her films as well as a new horror short The Landlady.

Damien Thomas was next and what a nice gentleman he was, I personally hadn’t heard or seen any of his films, but after some research I found out he had a very strong acting CV working with some big names including Peter Cushing, Walter Matthau and Roman Polanski. I got a signed poster of Twins Of Evil and a photo with man.

Finally I met Emily Booth from films Evil Aliens, Doghouse and Cradle Of Fear, most known to me as the host of The Horror Booth on Zone Horror better known now as Horror Channel. After a nice chat about horror films I got a signed copy of Doghouse and a photo with the lovely lady.

In conclusion I had a very good time, I found everyone very welcoming and I hope this event can continue to grow. I look forward to attending the next one and hope I get a chance to go to many more horror conventions in the future.