Plot: A series of events tests the beliefs of a small isolated countryside village.
Runtime: 1 Hour 48 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: The Village starts as we meet a small community living in an area surrounded by woodlands. Alice Hunt (Weaver) and Edward Walker (Hurt) watch over the community, including pushing for strict rules to be followed. Nobody can go into the woods because of a deal done with the monsters in the woods.
However, when Lucius Hunt (Phoenix) is stabbed by Noah Percy (Brody) the community must decide whether to break the rules. This could help save his life, but it could also expose the community’s secret.
Verdict on The Village
The Village is a mystery drama following a small community living in a woodland area. They keep to themselves and have kept the peace with the monsters in the woods. However, an incident means that must decide whether to break the rules put in place to save one of their own.
This movie was the beginning of the divide between M. Night Shyamalan fans. While it builds up such an interesting concept it ends up giving us a twist nobody was prepared for and one that left a lot of people unhappy. I personally like the twist, however, this was an era where his name was always expecting to get twists.
The amazing cast is only the beginning of this movie. We have a host of Oscar winners and nominated stars, where even some of the smaller roles have gone on to bigger things. The world created is fantastic to see too and by the end, you can see the greater vision of the movie.
Final Thoughts – The Village is a wonderful mystery thriller, with a smart reveal.
Plot: Years before Father Lankester Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil’s soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. This is the tale of Father Merrin’s initial battle with Pazuzu and the rediscovery of his faith.
Runtime: 1 Hour 54 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Exorcist: The Beginning starts when faithless priest Father Merrin (Skarsgard) is recruited to use his specialist skills to help understand the mystery about a buried church found in Africa. Merrin is joined by rookie field priest Father Francis (D’Arcy) and Doctor Sarah (Scorupco) as the three will start seeing the strange series of events around the dig.
As the events intensify, Father Merrin will need to start questioning his own faith, when the events point towards a demon, giving him his first encounter with Pazuzu.
Thoughts on Exorcist: The Beginning
Thoughts – Exorcist: The Beginning is the horror prequel to the legendary Exorcist, where we get to see Father Merrin have his first encounter with the demon Pazuzu. The version will dive into Father Merrin’s past, which will give us an insight to why he has lost his faith after making it through World War II, showing how Pazuzu will use the life’s horrors to control his victims, putting them through the traumas they must relive driving them crazy. Where this will fall short of the original is with the overuse of special effects, which does feel like they have been completed into this movie, making for certain comical scenes instead of the horrors it wants to imply. The smartest side of the story comes from seeing the two sides coming hand in hand, with the conflict versus the demon’s appearance, showing for the must darker side of the world whether it is religion or human nature. Stellan Skarsgard is great as Father Merrin showing the haunted back story behind him. The supporting cast are strong too without getting enough time to shine.
Final Thoughts – Exorcist: The Beginning is by the book prequel, never capturing the tension the original had.
Plot: A small-time con artist and a Hawaiian real estate developer’s mischievous, enterprising mistress team up for a potential $200,000 score.
Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: The Big Bounce starts as a con artist Jack Ryan (Wilson) finds himself in trouble with the law, with judge Walter Crewes (Freeman) setting him free. Jack finds himself sacked from his undercover job for Ray Ritchie (Sinise), with Bob Rogers Jr (Sheen) trying to get him to leave the island.
When Jack meets Nancy (Foster) he gets introduced to a new con that he could work on. This sees the pair going on a daring romance to explore the island, as Nancy keeps her relationship with Ray secret from his wife.
Verdict on The Big Bounce
The Big Bounce is a crime mystery movie that follows a con artist that finds love in the middle of his latest con job. It focuses on one man meeting a string of different characters along the way.
The movie will look to give us twists along the way, as we don’t know who we can trust along the way. There is too much focus on the romantic side to side, which already feels out of place because of the age difference. It also doesn’t do enough to make the villains feel like a real threat in the bigger con.
This does play out as fun enough crime caper, but it feels like there could have been a lot more thrown into the mix.
Final Thoughts –The Big Bounce is a simple con man movie.
Writer: Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley (Screenplay) Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv, Charles Segars (Story)
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Plummer
Plot: A historian races to find the legendary Templar Treasure before a team of mercenaries.
Runtime: 2 Hours 11 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: National Treasure starts as Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) has finally located the latest clue in the location of a lost Templar treasure, a treasure generations of his family have searched for, his partner Ian Howe (Bean) has other plans and wants to eliminate Ben from the process, leading to the double cross.
Benjamin teams up with Riley Poole (Bartha) his tech expert to steal the Declaration of Independence which has a secret map to the treasure before Ian, getting expert Abigail Chase (Kruger) involved in the capture of the legendary map.
Thoughts on National Treasure
Characters & Performances – Benjamin Franklin Gates learnt about the treasures of the Templar as a child and has spent his career searching for clues about the treasure and finally, he has got closer than before, he now needs to steal the Declaration of Independence in a race against time to complete his family’s legacy. He must use his intelligence to stay ahead of another man trying to get the treasure for his own good profit. Nicolas Cage is great in this role, where he gets to bring us a fresh new treasure hunter figure like we have seen before. Abigail Chase works as the curator of archives watching over the Declaration, she isn’t convinced by the story Ben gives her, only to find herself caught up in the middle of the chase to unlock the clues. She ends up enjoying the search and being part of the team. Diane Kruger plays this role well, working wonderfully with Cage throughout the film. Riley Poole is the tech partner of Benjamin, just joining him on the mission, he gets the smart lines that will give us the laughs throughout the film. Justin Bartha gives the lighter note to the film, which is required to take away from the serious side behind the treasure hunt. Ian Howe is the man that is financing the treasure hunt, but he is getting tired of searching with clues and will turn to the more criminal ways to get the treasure, trying to outplay Benjamin through the adventure. Sean Bean as the villainous figure is always going to be good in any film he steps into the role. We do also have the FBI chasing down Benjamin and his father Patrick that has always pushed him to give up the hunt for the treasure.
Story – The story here follows a treasure hunter that has been searching for his family’s legacy which has seen his name tarnished, but now he has found the biggest clue to date, which will see him needing to race to the treasure before a man that just wants it for his own profit. When it comes to the treasure hunting films, we have always had the Indiana Jones movies, National Treasure turns everything in a different direction, which will focus more on the history of the treasure, which will give us a mystery that is revolves around the different famous locations in America. The chemistry between the three in the hunt is good and everything comes off very smooth throughout the story.
Themes – National Treasure is an adventure movie that could be seen as a modern Indiana Jones, with how the clues lead Benjamin to the next location, each clue means something to history, the locations are important, as they will give us the different locations that include the history filled with clues.
National Treasure is a truly enjoyable adventure film, filled with history and Nicolas Cage on top of his game.
Writer: Peter Weir, John Collee (Screenplay) Patrick O’Brian (Novel)
Starring: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D’Arcy, Edward Woodall, Chris Larkin
Plot: During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Runtime: 2 Hours 18 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World starts as a British Captain Jack Aubrey (Crowe) find his crew getting caught up in the middle of a mid-ocean battle with a formidable French vessel, one which will see him often coming up short against this enemy.
Jack refusing to let the ship escape, he looks to follow the vessel across the ocean in a desperate attempt to capture them for King and Country.
Thoughts on Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Thoughts – Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a maritime thriller showing one captain getting caught up in chasing down an enemy ship that is alluding him, while also posing a major threat to them in combat. The film will see the head strong captain clash with his best friend and ship’s surgeon over what is best for the men, whether they should continue the chase or discover more of a world. The pacing for this film is wonderful, showing the slow discoveries along the way, which will help inspire more of the battle, while showing the battles the sailors will find themselves going through. Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany are brilliant in the leading roles and the film looks amazing thanks to the cinematography.
Final Thoughts – Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a masterpiece of cinema, filled with tension throughout.
Writer: Alexander Nevsky, Robert Madrid (Screenplay)
Starring: Michael York, Alexander Nevsky, Richard Ryson, Robet Madrid, Andrew Divoff, Joanna Pacula
Plot: A retired diplomat and an LAPD detective seek justice, by pursuing a psychotic killer to Moscow. With the help of a Moscow police, they weave their way through labyrinth of the Russian underworld as time is running out.
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Moscow Heat starts when Roger Chambers (York) son in killed in the line of duty. Roger wants answers, which will see him team up with Rudi Souza (Madrid), his son’s friend, as the pair head to Russia in search of answers.
Once in Russia Roger starts working with a Russian police officer Vlad Stepanov (Nevsky) who will help track down Nikolay Klimov (Tyson), the man who killed his son.
Thoughts on Moscow Heat
Characters & Performances – Roger Chambers is a retired diplomat who sees his son killed in action trying to take down a arms dealer. Wanting revenge, he looks at the legal options, before turning to an off the books assignment with his son’s former partner, as the pair head to Russia. Roger will find himself trying to use his connections to make answers, but not getting very far, until he finds a man he can trust, Vlad, with the two heading deep into the underground arms deals in Russia. Michael York is great in the leading role, showing the educated figure, using the history of his character to stand out in a world he isn’t prepared for. Vlad Stephanov is the local Russian police officers that is investigating an incident involving Roger, before working with him, showing his physical presence to get answers, with one of the best one liners in the film. Alexander Nevsky does everything you want a physical presence in the film, handling the action and one liners. Nikolay Klimov is the arms dealer that killed Roger’s son, he has gone underground before making his big sale and isn’t afraid to torture anyone who comes after him. Richard Tyson does work well as the villain in the film, doing everything to make us dislike his actions in the film.
Story – The story here follows a former diplomat who heads to Russia in search of the person that killed his son, teaming up with a local officer, as they diving into the criminal underworld. When you look at the story in Moscow Heat, we will follow a traditional action storyline, where one of the character is designed to be the hard hitter, while the other will have a calmer idea, which will see them placed in a position they aren’t used to. The story might not challenge much in the action world, but does everything it needs to perfectly well, making it a film you can easily enjoy watching.
Themes – Moscow Heat is an action thriller that will use the already shady relationship between America and Russia, to create the operation to search for a killer. The action is easy going, maybe not as intense as it could have been. One of the highlights in the action side of the film comes from a sword fight that comes out of nowhere, and the light moments of comedy in the clash of cultures will get a laugh or two along the way.
Final Thoughts – Moscow Heat is an enjoyable action film following the traditions of the action genre.
Around the World in 80 Days – Enjoyable Adventure Movie
Director: Frank Coraci
Writer: David n Titcher, David Benullo, David Andrew Goldstein (Screenplay) Jules Verne (Novel)
Starring: Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Cecile de France, Robert Fyfe, Jim Broadbent, Ian McNeice
Plot: To win a bet, an eccentric British inventor, beside his Chinese valet and an aspiring French artist, embarks on a trip full of adventures and dangers around the world in exactly eighty days.
Tagline – Let your imagination soar.
Runtime: 2 Hours
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Around the World in 80 Days starts when eccentric inventor Phileas Fogg (Coogan) finds his latest valet leaving him, just when robber Lau Xing (Chan) lands in his home, Fogg wants to present his latest invention, but is considered the laughing stock of the British Science world with the minister Lord Kelvin (Broadbent) baiting him into a wager.
The wager is to travel around the world in 80 days where he is joined by Lau Xing who is looking to get home to China to return a stolen artifact from his village, a journey that will see the pair meet inspiring artist Monique La Roche (France) and face enemies in every country trying to stop Fogg winning the bet.
Thoughts on Around the World in 80 Days
Characters & Performances – Phileas Fogg is an eccentric inventor that has been coming up with ideas for years, most challenge the normal science, while others are more for convenience, he wants to be part of the British science committee, a place where his ideas aren’t accepted. He ends up getting caught up in a bet to go around the world in 80 days to take the role of minister of science or never be allowed to invent again, the journey will take him to new countries, giving him a chance to experience new cultures, ones he never would have experienced in England. Steve Coogan is great in this role, he brings us the stuck up version of Fogg to life, while slowly showing the changes he goes through during his adventure. Lau Xing has stolen back a statue from the bank of London, which will see him being hunted around the city, he joins Phileas on his adventure to return home, fighting off the enemies along the way, telling the stories others would never believe. Jackie Chan does steal the show, needing to carry the action comedy side of the film throughout the film. Monique La Roche is a French artist that joins the adventure to escape her boring life in Paris, taking her to see new places to get new experiences in what she can draw. She is the plucky member of the team, always pushing Fogg to come out of his shell. Cecile de France is great to watch through this film too as the three leads are wonderful together. The supporting characters including the upper-class British science committee that look down on everyone, the many different people they meet along the way, some help, some get in the way, as well as the warlord trying to stop Lau Xing from getting back home for her own gain. Each role is played well, and it does become a spot the big name at times.
Story – The story here follows an eccentric inventor as he looks to win a bet to travel around the world in 80 days to become the minister of science or never be allowed to invent again, an adventure which will see him learn more about life. We know the Jules Verne classic novel, here we get a spin that will put a bigger focus on Passepartout, being Lau Xing, needing to return home for honour, giving them more enemies along the way, it does become a more action packed story, but has the message of trying to find enjoyment out of life, by taking a chance.
Themes – Around the World in 80 Days does give us plenty of action from Jackie Chan and his fighting styles, each using the different environment for added ideas and comedy at times. Steve Coogan does bring the straight-faced humour at times, with plenty of poking fun at the British from yester year.
Final Thoughts – Around the World in 80 Days is a fun, enjoyable adventure movie that will get laughs and have plenty of action along the way.
This is under Z because of actress Zuleikha Robinson.
Director: Joe Johnson
Writer: John Fusco (Screenplay)
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Zuleikha Robinson, Omar Sharif, Louise Lombard, Adam Alexi-Malle, Said Taghmaoui
Plot: In 1890, a down-and-out cowboy and his horse travel to Arabia to compete in a deadly cross desert horse race.
Tagline – Experience the incredible true story of a man who left behind the world he knew, and found the courage to do the impossible
Runtime: 2 Hours 16 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Hidalgo starts when a famous down on his luck cowboy Frank Hopkins (Mortensen) and his horse Hidalgo a mustang has a reputation for winning long distance races through America. When Sheikh Riyadh (Sharif) learns of the name he has given his horse, he invites him to Arabia to race in a deadly cross desert horse race.
With the race underway Frank finds himself targeted by the locals, but he ends up getting involved with the biggest adventure of his life, building a connection with Sheikh and making history.
Thoughts on Hidalgo
Thoughts – Hidalgo is an action-adventure movie that will see led his horse in one of the most dangerous races in the world to claim the title of greatest long distance racehorse on the planet. This will see a cowboy needing to come up against the odds as he uses his past to try and find victory, while building bridges with the locals who only see him as an outsider. While the core of the film is about the race, the journey and interactions will only make this a more engaging story. The performance from Viggo Mortensen is wonderful to watch, with him going against the odds to survive, with his relationship with the horse in the film coming off natural throughout.
Final Thoughts – Hidalgo is a brilliant story about an adventure that will put racing on another level.
Writer: David Aaron Cohen, Peter Berg (Screenplay) Buzz Bissinger (Book)
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Lee Jackson
Plot: Based on H.G. Bissinger’s book, which profiled the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers.
Tagline – Hope comes alive
Runtime: 1 Hour 58 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Friday Night Lights starts as we head to small Texas town of Odessa, which relies on their football team to keep them happy, the high school football who are ready for the new season with Coach Gary Gaines (Thornton) preparing his team, only for his plan to be shattered when his star player Boobie Miles (Luke) gets seriously injured.
As the other players Mike Winchell (Black), Don Billingsley (Hedlund) and Brian Chavez (Hernandez) look to make their impact, we learn that not all the players are drawn to the game, some are looking to their own futures, which are not getting the attention they need, while others are dealing with other problems in their home lives.
Thoughts on Friday Night Lights
Final Thoughts – Fright Night Lights is a movie where you need to understand the obsession with American Football, ho wit can motivate a town to remain strong through the troubles in life, while piling on the pressure that the high school students are facing, this did get spun into a TV series which would get to explore the problems the players are going through because we just don’t get the impact of the injured player who feels like his future is gone, the son living in the abuse of his father and one living under the shadow of his famous. The film doesn’t get the true spotlight on the personal problems, while showing the games in terrible camera angles, which if you don’t understand the sport will leave you wondering what is happening in the game.
