Month: March 2014

Director: Luc Besson

Writer: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen (Screenplay) Luc Besson (Story)

Starring: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich, Chris Tucker, Luke Perry

 

Plot: In a futuristic world cab driver Korben Dallas (Willis) becomes a pawn in a war between the good force of Father Vito Cornelius (Holm) and evil force Jean Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Oldman) who are both after an ancient powerful weapon Leeloo (Jovovich). The battle goes on through the Solar System and with 48 hours to save the world from total destruction Korben has to go back into the armed forces to save the world.

 

Verdict: Sci-fi in the 90s at its best

Story: Even though the ‘protection’ storyline has been done numerous times this one adds the whole space side to the story. One of the smartest parts of the story is that Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman characters never met or are never aware of each other. With have multiply people after Leeloo leading use to keep guessing which unit will turn up next to take her and an end of the world element with Earth’s impending destruction by something only known as pure evil. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Bruce Willis – Korben an ex-fighter pilot currently making a living as a cab driver when Leeloo drops in on him his old life starts calling him back. This is one of Bruce’s best action roles in the 90s with the only real contender better being Die Hard. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Gary Oldman – Zorg an evil arms dealer who is after the rocks and Leeloo for someone only known as Shadow, he is very sneaky but does meet his match when he thinks he has out smarted others. Oldman as a villain is always good and this one is one that you will remember. (8/10)

Actor Review: Ian Holm – Father Vito the latest in the run of priest that keep the secrets of the fifth element and is one of the only people who know how to protect Earth from the evil heading for it. In what is a good role it becomes slightly too light hearted that serious nature it calls for. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Milla Jovovich – Leeloo or the fifth element that everyone is after, a quick learner but very excitable. Good performance which has led to her getting more roles to show off more fighting abilities. (8/10)

 

Director Review: Luc Besson – Following up Leon Luc gives us one of the best action sci-fis in recent years. (9/10)

 

Action: Plenty of action with the flying car chases fight scenes and fire fights. (9/10)

Adventure: Good aspects of adventure but not as much as should be involved. (8/10)

Sci-Fi: Brilliant sci-fi used with different types of aliens, light speed travel and futuristic world. (10/10)

Special Effects: Great special effects for the time, but slightly dated now. (9/10)

Believability: (0/10)

Chances of Tears: (0/10)

Settings: Each setting used is brilliant be it Korben’s apartment to the cruise liner on another planet. (9/10)

 

Suggestion: I think everyone should have watched this one once, it offers enough for the casual viewer to enjoy. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Leeloo kicking arse.

Worst Part: Luke Perry’s over nervous priest in training.

Action Scene Of The Film: Fight scene on the cruise liner.

Kill Of The Film: Zorg.

Funniest Scene: A moment in the Leeloo fight.

Oscar Chances: Got nominated for one Oscar.

Chances of Sequel: No

 

Overall: Sci-fi action masterpiece

Rating 

Director: Mikael Hafstrom

Writer: Miles Chapman, Jason Keller (Screenplay) Miles Chapman (Story)

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Caviezel, Faran Tahir, Amy Ryan, Sam Neill, Vincent D’Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Matt Gerald, Curtis Jackson

 

Plot: Ray Breslin (Stallone) works as an escape artist trying to find weakness in prisons to stop inmates escaping and helping design the perfect prison. After he gets framed he ends up in a new prison he designed with some of the most deadly criminals in. Teaming up with Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger) to take down the warden Hobbes (Caviezel) escape the prison and find out who framed him.

 

Verdict: Prison Break the Movie?

Story: It would be fair to say this story is very much like Prison Break, where you have a prison designer and muscle trying to escape a prison using everything at the disposal. It goes to the next level where Ray is an expert on escaping and someone else’s greed leaves him stranded. In the end it turns into an action film with elements of revenge that we have all seen before and can sit through again. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Sylvester Stallone – Ray Breslin studies the prison layouts to work out the best escape finding the weakness. Very resourceful and will get to know who can help in his plan. Good performance that we are used to see from Sly. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger – Rottmayer Ray’s first friend on the inside and first person Ray recruits to help in his escape plan. Good performance from Arnie where he gets to have a bit more fun and take part in less action based scenes which he is known for. (8/10)

Actor Review: Jim Caviezel – Hobbes the warden of the prison, very condescending to the inmates as he thinks he has the upper hand at all times. Good performance from Jim where he is the smallest character on the prison but always has a presence about him.  (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Faran Tahir – Javed a fellow inmate who ends up part of the plan even though they are all best of enemies. Good small part role even though he is important to final outcome. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Amy Ryan – Abigail Ray’s connection on the outside but spends the few scenes she is in looking for him. Good performance but only very small role. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Vincent D’Onofrio – Lester Clark Ray’s who talks him into taking the job. Good performance again but again only a small role that need to be bigger. (7/10)

 

Director Review: Mikael Hafstrom – Good direction to create a claustrophobic story. (8/10)

 

Action: Not as much action as you would think but the final escape comes off very well. (8/10)

Thriller: Never reaches a strong edge of the seat standard but has a will he won’t he element. (8/10)

Believability: (0/10)

Chances of Tears: (0/10)

Settings: The prison makes an excellent setting as it would be hard to just get the parts for the escape and no one would know where they are. (10/10)

Suggestion: One for the action junkies here, it would be found to be a little bit too much for a casual film fan that dislikes action. (Action Fan Watch)

 

Best Part: The planning.

Worst Part: Would you really help someone in a maximum off the radar prison escape?

Action Scene Of The Film: The escape

Kill Of The Film: Drake

Funniest Scene: Say Cheese

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: Prison Break TV Show

 

Overall: Let’s Break Bad Guys Out Of Prison

Rating 

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writer: Simon Beaufoy, Michael Arndt (Screenplay) Suzanne Collins (Novel)

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, Edgar Wright

 

Plot: After surviving the 74^th Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) and Peeta (Hutcherson) have to go on tour around all the districts. Winning the games has caused the first rumblings of a rebellion throughout the districts. President Snow (Sutherland) threatens to expose the truth about Katniss and Peeta if Katniss doesn’t convince him they are the real deal couple. After she defies Snow he calls for a Quarter Quell where he can hold an edition of the Hunger Games with all the districts previous victors face each other, putting friends against each other but joining together with other districts could be their only chance.

 

Verdict: The saga continues to roll on

Story: Picking up right where we left off following the victors around the other districts and seeing the different reaction to the winning this works well because this offers up the chance to see the revolution build up. While having the Hunger Games was a bit more of the same, with added content involved in them. This one’s strong point is that it is the builder to the final instalments where the final parts of this film will get fully explained. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Jennifer Lawrence – Katniss the girl on fire who just wants her life back to normal but her standing up to authority has changed that for her. Jennifer gives a great performance which continues on from what she built up from the last one. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Josh Hutcherson – Peeta, Katniss’ fan friendly partner in victory with whom we have to deal with the same watching him crush over Katniss while she only plays along for the camera. Josh does well with what he has to work with but never gets to show much of his abilities. (7/10)

Actor Review: Liam Hemsworth – Gale, Katniss’ boyfriend back in district 12 who has to help protect her family. Good performance in a small part which hopefully will become more important in the final parts. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Woody Harrelson – Haymitch mentor to the tributes with a slight drinking problem, he knows how to play the crowd well but is also willing to let the tributes let their hair down. Woody really is the scene stealer here you just want to watch his character. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Donald Sutherland – President Snow controls all the districts and if you don’t follow his rules you are wrong and he will make you pay with death. Good villainous role showing how power gets to characters heads. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Philip Seymour Hoffman – Plutarch the new games runner who creates one of the best games in the history, has motives for creating his game. Good performance from the late actor who role will become much more important in the next chapter. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Elizabeth Banks – Effie Trinket the wildly eccentric leader of district 12’s tributes who always has an outfit that will be centre of attention. Good performance in a smaller role but always knows when she is on the screen. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Jena Malone – Johanna Mason another one of the tributes who sides with Katniss to create a team that will be a force for anybody. Jena character sure makes an entrance that you won’t forget in what is a good performance that again will be bigger in the next chapter. (8/10)

Actor Review: Sam Claflin – Finnick tribute who helps Katniss and protects her from the more deadly tributes. This is Sam’s best performance to date as I was wonder how he got roles before but this time he shines. (9/10)

Director Review: Francis Lawrence – Creates some great direction and I will be looking forward to see how he ends the saga. (8/10)

 

Action: With fewer fights that the first one we get some more intense scenes but not too many that stand out. (8/10)

Adventure: The middle part will always be hardest to put together and cut off at the right time the adventure is only half way through right now. (8/10)

Special Effects: Good special effects throughout. (8/10)

Believability: Not believable but good story. (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No(0/10)

Settings: The dark depressed districts are great setting to show how the world has turned out but it is the setting for the games that really shines. (9/10)

Suggestion: I think this could be the must watch trilogy of the recent films that have tried to make something for all. It has the elements of changing the world for the better but will have the twisted style to suit all. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Katniss wedding dress trick

Worst Part: I know it is only building but more explanation at the end would have been nice instead of having to wait for the next film.

Action Scene Of The Film: The start of the games

Kill Of The Film: A tributes sacrifice.

Trivia: Was highest grossing film in 2013 in North America, it was also the first film with a solo female lead to top the annual box office since The Exorcist.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Yes two part conclusion to the saga

Similar Too: a tame Battle Royale

 

Overall: Action Saga Continues With Fine Form

Rating 

Director: Michael J. Bassett

Writer: Michael J. Bassett (Screenplay)

Starring: Jamie Bell, Ruaidhri Conroy, Laurence Fox, Dean Lennox Kelly, Torden Liebrecht, Kris Marshall, Hans Matheson, Hugh O’Conor, Matthew Rhys, Andy Serkis, Hugo Speer

 

Plot: A group of soldiers in World War One Charlie Shakespeare (Bell), Colin Chevasse (Conroy), Bramwell Jennings (Fox), Willie McNess (Kelly), Barry Sharinski (Marshall), Jack Hawkstone (Matheson), Anthony Bradford (O’Conor), Doc Fairweather (Rhys), Thomas Quinn (Serkis) and David Tate (Speer) find an empty German trench, after investigating they find a couple of German soldiers one Friedrich (Liebrecht) warns them of an evil there. The group soon starts getting picked off one by one when a force of evil changes their environment, the platoon must group together to survive.

 

Verdict: British horror thriller

Story: The horrors of war have been told many times but horrors set during war are few and far between. This shows how the socially different men joined together to fight in war and how different people dealt with the war. The horror side of the story works well, but isn’t the most original. The thing that really gives this film some special is the change the characters go through as the events unfold. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Jamie Bell – Charlie Shakespeare a 16 year old who lied to sign up to war and once there just doesn’t know how to react to the events of war. Good performances providing the face of innocence of war. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Laurence Fox – Captain Bramwell Jennings is from a well off family and his personal status has gotten him a high ranking role in the war when he really is clueless to the horrors. Laurence does a great job in the role showing how a wealthy person was out of place in war. (8/10)

Actor Review: Andy Serkis – Thomas Quinn, the barbarian of the unit who enjoys the war and killing people. Serkis is great in the role playing it slightly over the top but effective. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Hugh O’Conor – Anthony Bradford the trademark religious member of a unit who questions why they are at war but that soon changes. Good performance to create what seems like a good guy that quickly changes. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Hugo Speer – David Tate the most experienced member of the unit who really should be running it, takes Shakespeare under his wing and tries to protect the unit. Good performance showing some much need authority. (8/10)

Director Review: Michael J. Bassett – Good debut behind the camera and has gone onto bigger projects. (8/10)

 

Horror: Great horror throughout. (9/10)

Thriller: Could have more suspense between the kills but some are well built up. (8/10)

Special Effects: Good special effects mostly with the kills. (9/10)

Believability: The horror of war and characters are real but what happens in the trench is not. (3/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The setting makes this film special; it creates isolation as well as the horrors of war. (10/10)

Suggestion: I think this is one little horror gem that if you haven’t checked it out yet you really should do. If you don’t like horror this may not be for you. (Horror Fans Watch)

 

Best Part: The end

Worst Part: The characters slightly stereotyped

Action Scene Of The Film: The fight between Tate and Quinn

Kill Of The Film: Quinn

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Could have one, but it would ruin the ending

 

Overall: Great British Horror

Rating 

Director: Doug Liman

Writer: David S. Goyer, Jim Uhls, Simon Kinberg (Screenplay) Steven Gould (Novel)

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rooker

 

Plot: David Rice (Christensen) is a jumper who discovered his ability as a teenager, but when he finds out he has the ability to teleport he starts living a life of luxury. By doing this he starts grabbing the attention of jumper hunter Roland (Jackson) and with his old school friend Millie (Bilson) and veteran under the radar jumper Griffin (Bell) they must take down Roland before he takes them out for good.

 

Verdict: A young people’s fun action adventure

Story: What would you do if you could go anywhere in a blink of an eye? Well if you are the age of the main characters you just steal money and only think about yourself. I think our hero needed to learn more responsibility as the story progressed as we get to see him have a chance to use his ability for good but turns his back on the chance. The idea that these guys are being hunted to stop taking advantage is good but these guys are not the villains. What we really needed was an older wiser jumper to teach the younger ones the errors of their ways. (6/10)

 

Actor Review: Hayden Christensen – David the young jumper who takes what he wants to live how he wants to without thinking about the repercussions. Hayden does an ok job but really doesn’t impress next to other members of the cast. (6/10)

 

Actor Review: Jamie Bell – Griffin a jumper for years who hunts the hunters but hides away in isolation. Jamie is the star of the show here; he adds a few much needed comic lines and answers some of the questions but not all. (8/10)

Actor Review: Rachel Bilson – Millie an old school crush of David’s who he returns home to see eight years after he disappears. Very whiny and poor acting throughout. (4/10)

 

Actor Review: Samuel L Jackson – Roland an experienced hunter of jumpers who takes not prisoners. Good from Jackson as usual but nothing truly special from him. (7/10)

 

Director Review: Doug Liman – With the films that he has to his name this one comes off as a bit of a blimp on his career for his high standards. (7/10)

 

Action: Some very good action sequences involving teleportation. (9/10)

Adventure: Some good adventure aspects but not too many. (7/10)

Sci-Fi: The teleportation aspect creates a good sci-fi story but takes out some of the more scientific reasoning. (7/10)

Special Effects: Great special effects to create the different settings. (9/10)

Believability: None (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The many settings are used well but also a bit stereotyped for each idea of a country.(8/10)

Suggestion: This is one for the younger generation that have short attentions spans when it comes to smart stories. The older audience will think it is bit simple to watch and only offers young characters as good guys and old characters as bad guys. (Young adults or younger watch)

 

Best Part: Jump battle

Worst Part: Young people are good, old be are bad.

Action Scene Of The Film: The jump battle through the dessert

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Always has had talk of one but never happened yet.

 

Overall: Simple action thriller

Rating 

Director: Asger Leth

Writer: Pablo F. Fenjves (Screenplay)

Starring: Sam Worthington, William Sadler, Anthony Mackie, Jamie Bell, Genesis Rodriguez, Edward Burns, Elizabeth Banks, Ed Harris

 

Plot: When cop Nick Cassidy (Worthington) is framed for a robbery he comes up with a plan to prove his innocence. Nick plan is to stand on the ledge of a building and negotiate his innocence with Lydia Mercer (Banks) while his brother Joey (Bell) tries to steal the diamond Nick has supposable hidden after stealing. 

 

Verdict: A slick crime thriller

Story: Even though this film follows a few clichéd ideas we get a good take on them ideas. We have corrupt cops, the idea of doing anything and going to extremes to prove innocence along with a clever plan that all works out in the end. On second viewing you will notice more of these little moments. It all ends up being a very entertaining story that is engaging all the way through. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Sam Worthington – Nick the escaped prisoners who was framed and willing to do anything to undercover the truth. Good performance and not your normal action like role. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Elizabeth Banks – Lydia a negotiator with a troubled past making her perfect for Nick as she will be willing to her him out as he has no idea who the cops out to stop him are. Good performance in a role outside her normal. (8/10)

Actor Review: Jamie Bell – Joey the brother who has been working things from the outside and goes on the heist. Good performance creates good brotherly banter with Nick too. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Ed Harris – The ruthless business man who frames Nick to get the money for his diamond. Good performance that shows Ed can play the villain will keep a face that the public people see as a hero. (8/10)

 

Director Review: Asger Leth – Good direction all around I look forward to what is next from them. (8/10)

 

Action: Not too much action only a little bit near the end which plays out well. (6/10)

Crime: Good heist side to the story. (9/10)

Thriller: keeps you interested in what is happening to the end. (8/10)

Believability: Bit too farfetched to be considered believable. (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: With the ledge being the setting for most of Nick’s scenes it creates a good location for the thrills and with the brother completing a heist in the other building everything works out to create a good setting for the job in hand. (9/10)

Suggestion: I only pick to try this as it is one you will need to give your attention to, to make sure you get all the little bits that put together the bigger puzzle. (Try It)

 

Best Part: The leap of faith

Worst Part: I think the corrupt cops are easy to work out.

Action Scene Of The Film: The hotel chase scene.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

 

Overall: A revenge film with a twist that is about proving innocence

Rating 

Director: Tom Holland

Writer: Michael McDowell, Tom Holland (Screenplay) Stephen King (Novel)

Starring: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenny, Michael Constantine, Kari Wuhrer, Bethany Joy Lenz

 

Plot: Billy Halleck (Burke) is a top lawyer who gets bad guys off and considered one of the best in the business. His family life with Heidi (Jenney) he is desperately trying to lose weight but failing. One night Billy is returning home with his wife when he accidently runs over a gypsy lady. After getting away free the lady’s father puts a curse on everyone involved Billy’s the Thinning, Billy has to race against time before he wastes away.

 

Verdict: A disturbingly twisted tale

Story: When you see the name Stephen King attached to anything you know you are in for something good. This follows trends with a disturbing tale about the gypsy and their curses. We get to see how far people will go to get a curse lifted, how people in power can get away with more. And most importantly there are consequences to our mistakes. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Robert John Burke – Billy the overweight lawyer who gets away with manslaughter. Robert does a great job going through not just a physical change but a character change as the story unfolds. Star Performance Award (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Joe Mantegna – Richie a gangster who Billy helps gets off a crime and soon helps Billy getting the curse lifted. Good typical gangster performance. (7/10)

Actor Review: Lucinda Jenney – Heidi, Billy’s wife who is always on his back about going on a diet but when he starts losing weight she doesn’t believe the reason or him anymore. Good support role that shows Billy what could or is going on behind his back. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Michael Constantine – Tadzu the gypsy who puts the curse on the victims.  Good supporting role to go against Billy. (8/10)

 

Director Review: Tom Holland – Good direction from Tom showing he knows how to make the creepy films. (8/10)

 

Horror: This is very creepy film, don’t expect any jumps though. (8/10)

Thriller: With every moment Billy gets worse you just want to know when it will end. (8/10)

Special Effects: Good special effects throughout with some of the creations on the curse as well as the weight change for Billy. (9/10)

Believability: All depends on whether you want to believe in gypsy curses. (5/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The settings work for the film but there are no individual settings that stand out. (8/10)

Suggestion: I will suggest nearly all the Stephen King adaptions as I am a huge King fan. I think this will offer enough for everyone as it isn’t flat out horror but also creepy it would be enjoyable for the casual fan too. (Watch)

 

Best Part: The twist ending.

Kill Of The Film: The Judge

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: Drag Me To Hell

 

Overall: Very impressive horror thriller

Rating