Invictus

The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Clint Eastwood’s films have always lacked any real pace, his films are very much slow burners right from the start. Well made at times but films that develop in time. It is clear that Invictus has a subject matter that needs these sparking elements from the start and sadly doesn’t have it. Eastwood's lack of understanding for the sport of rugby is another issue, pretty much all of the games showed have no sense of excitement.

Sadly the performances are a bit of a missed opportunity also. There are some fine actors who have little to do because of the focus on Nelson Mandela played by Morgan Freeman who doesn’t quite pull off the central role, which is a shame because given freedom the likes of Matt Damon could turned into a great role.

Invictus ultimately can’t decide if it wants to be a film about Nelson Mandela and his political struggles or a sport film, the mixture of the two is its failure.

Exam

Eight candidates reach the final job application stage for dream job at a mysterious and powerful corporation and have to figure out how to beat each other in a confusing task.

The film reminded me of the Cube in it small encloses and straight constructed drama. Despite the one location the tension and interest is always on the ball.

There are a number of good performances from the relatively unknown case, with Luke Mably shining through as the standout.

Nothing is what it seems for 'Exam', the slow burner style of film making hits out to a nice conclusion.

Tight clever script, and a spot on leading performance from Mably makes Exam one of the standout British thrillers of the past five years, and director Hazeldine a one to watch.

Los Abrazos Rotos

A man writes, lives and loves in darkness. Fourteen years before, he was in a brutal car crash on the island of Lanzarote. In the accident, he not only lost his sight, he also lost Lena, the love of his life.

Performance driven films are always any interesting type of film, a film squarely set on one performance to carry a film. Broken Embraces is such a film. 

Penélope Cruz really does steal the show, and a worthy Oscar winning performance. The actress is undoubtly the strongest female actress at the moment.

With this it’s a shame that the script and pacing never tries to keep up with its lead, and with a series of un interesting characters the film drags, and is'nt that that moving or embracing.
The main problem is that I am not the target audience.

A well made film for the right audience but I feel I am the wrong demographic to give the film full credit.

A Perfect Getaway

Two pairs of lovers (Zahn & Jovovich, Olyphant & Sanchez) on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands.

'A Perfect Getaway' is really nothing more than a Holiday brochure wrapped up and sold to the cinema ticket buyers as a Hollywood thriller. 

The beautiful scenery, the wonderful locations, the beautiful people, all adds up to pretty much a visual feast but nothing else. When you have a scene of the female lead, telling a story of the first time she slept with the local town bad boy, in which the story leads to the death of the town dog, and you can't keep a straight face you know you are in trouble.

The acting is over the top and all over the place, also forgettable, only Timothy Olyphant holds an interest.

Forget the twist it doesn’t work, and what you left with is a glossy 'Thomas Cook' promo, with murder and sun.

13 game sayawng

Chit is a desperate guy; he has debts, his car has been seized, he’s lost his job and his love life is on the skids. When he receives a call to participate in a dangerous underground game in which he could win enough money to solve all of his problems, how far will Chit go before he draws the line?

Thai cinema is too few between, with not many titles reaching the west, Ong Bak has been the most success of late, and many are martial art films. It comes with regret that 13: Game of Death is a disappointment, the low budget does not help for the high concept premise, and Thai humour is never really that accessible in the UK at least, and is both off key next to the serious nature of the film and childish.

A slow moving non starter of a film, that is not clever enough and ambitious enough either.

Not terrible by any means just bland.

Gaau Ji

A former soap opera actress decides to eat a Mainland woman's special dumplings in her quest to obtain eternal youth. 

There are plenty of visual flourishes in 'Dumplings', the simple routine of eating has never looked as interesting as in this film, but there is something missing, a lack of passion for the characters, and the story leaves the film pretty dull and nowhere to go.

In the end 'Dumplings' is a large portion of style over substance. The film looks interesting and attactive but will leave you hungry for a more substantrail slice of Asian horror cinema.

The Crazies

George Romero's The Crazies involves a biochemical warfare virus code-named Trixie that gets into the water supply of Evans City, Pennsylvania.

'The Crazies' has its normal political comments as with most of Romero's films, the Vietnam Paranoia is evident in a number of scenes based around the fear of the virus spreading thought the small town. There is also plenty of blood and gore for horror fans to enjoy.

There are a few Romero actor favourites to look out for both Richard France as the Doctor and Richard Liberty both from the trilogy of the Dead series and both have fun in there roles.

Still as interesting as the film is, it lacks Romero's normal vicious bite, and out and out chaos which the director does so brilliantly. 

Also somehow the chessy naff 70's pop song at the end with the helicopter pull away shot really works, in a bizarre way.

Green Zone

On March 12, 2010, Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93) re-team for Green Zone. Damon stars as Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, a rogue U.S. Army officer who must hunt through covert and faulty intelligence hidden on foreign soil before war escalates in an unstable region.

It is such the impact of The Bourne films that 'Green Zone' feels like a similar vehicle for Matt Damon, many of the action set pieces are foot chases, and one of the films high lights a great set piece between Damon and Jason Isaacs chasing a known terrorist though the streets of Baghdad is thrilling, but could be straight out of Bourne.

Expectations are always high for directors after big trilogies, Peter Jackson had it with 'The Lord Of The Rings' series, and Jackson disappointed with 'The Lovely Bones'.
Green Zone is by no means as bad as Jackson’s film but, with all the great cinematography, and an always watch able Matt Damon, supported by a good supporting cast, everything was set for a thrilling action thriller and the end result is slightly under whelming, but compared to any of director Paul Greengrass counterparts impressive.

Heartless

Jamie Morgan, a young man with a large heart-shaped birthmark on his face, discovers that there are demons on the streets of East London.

Director Philip Ridley is a director who takes his time when making a film, at a rate of one every ten years or so, so when a film of his is released generally his movies are the type to take note. 'Heartless' is worth the wait (but only just).

The film un evenly drifts from horror to fantasy which is misguided and the romantic sub plot doesn’t work. The film ultimately try’s too hard in it final third, but as originality goes the film works. 

Jim Sturgess is still an interesting young British actor, and although is not as lasting as one would hope, the actor still holds the screen well as is still very watchable.

Standout scenes include a very similar skin peeling scene which will have horror fans see similarities to Hellraiser 2 and the general, story themed of achieving personal desires at any cost is also a Clive Barker trade make.

Solid home grown British performances leading from the front with Sturgess, and edgy gritty camera and gritty film style, slots everything into place nicely.

H2: Halloween II

Picks up at the exact moment the first movie stopped and follow the aftermath of Michael Myers' murderous rampage through the eyes of heroine Laurie Strode.

To give a bit of credit to the first Halloween remake the first twenty odd minutes covering the young Michael played by an inversely creepy Daeg Faerch was a success, both original and edgy. Still as the young boy grows older and the film becomes a remake to the classic original there was nothing to give the film any merit.

The remake sequel is an exact follow on to the remade original remake, and apart from a daft piece of fantasy imagery popping in and out involving Michael’s dead mother and a horse! It’s all the same brainless trash.

The twist is no icing on the cake, rather an extra kick in the balls of daftness and the endless boring and pointless set of horror remakes that keep coming out of Hollywood. 

Idi i smotri

A boy is unwillingly thrust into the atrocities of war in WWII Byelorussia, fighting for a hopelessly unequipped resistance movement against the ruthless German forces. Witnessing scenes of abject terror and accidentally surviving horrifying situations he loses his innocence and then his mind.

Gritty, and bizarre in equal measures. 'Come and See' went under the radar on its release, with larger profile Holocaust films such as 'Schindlers List' getting all the praise in the years following its release this small Hungarian film has an even stronger punch to the likes of 'Schindlers List'

The stand out scenes are the moor and the burning of the barn scenes, which are to this day still shocking. The scene of the burning barn and the boy dragged to the floor followed by a picture being taken with a group of German soldiers is such a striking image, it is totally unforgetable.  

The use of face profile thoughout the film are very affective and important, used from scene to scene for pleasure and pain during the coarse of the film, this is one of many stylist methods which will stay with you long after the credits.

Stunning and powerful an image of the Holocaust that could only come from eastern Europe, bravo. 

The Lovely Bones

On her way home from school on a snowy December day in 1973, 14-year-old Susie Salmon is lured into a makeshift underground den in a cornfield and brutally raped and murdered, the latest victim of a serial killer--the man she knew as her neighbor, Mr. Harvey. From heaven, Susie keeps watch over her grieving family and friends, as well as her brazen killer and the sad detective working on her case.

Even at a good two hours in length 'The Lovely Bones' seems to have large chunks of the story removed, strangely, and what is left is a mix match fragmented film thats not sure what it wants to be, with both emotion and style confused together. On one hand a thriller the next a fantasy film. 

There is a good central performance from Saoirse Ronan but both Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weitz are wasted, as for Mark Wahlberg, the actor doesn’t have the weight to carry the father role.

Surprisly from the guys who brought you the likes of 'The Lord Of The Rings and King Kong the special effects are bad.
The killer has killer written all over him, evil contact lens check, glasses check, parting hair cut check, to almost comic book prepositions, for a serious character and story tread a mistake.

There are scenes of beauty, the rose flower scene and ships in a bottles smashing against the rocks are both standouts. Still a miss step from Peter Jackson after his more serious work success of 'Heavenly Creatures' for example.

The Final Destination

After a teen's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end.

The series may have a few tricks left up its sleeve, there is plenty of horror to be drained from the idea of death tracking down people who escape their natural death, with more sequels, but the fourth outing is rather lazy and dull in its execution. 

The acting has hit an all time low, the script is poor and when you don't really care for any of the characters you're in trouble.

Yes the series has always just really been about the odd ball idea of deaths vegenance, and new and fun ways to see each of the characters bite the bullet, but that is no excuse for a bad script and a bunch of bad actors that you will never see again.

Still some of the death scenes are inventive as always, and the sharpe quick slap dash style and the short running time keeps the film full of life and fast paced. 

The in production firth film should be better.

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

A biography of Ian Dury who was stricken with polio at a young age and defied expectations by becoming one of the founder of the punk-rock scene in Britain in the 1970s.

'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' is all about Andy Serkis's performance as Ian Dury which is good. There are a number of interesting visual touches for the musical numbers also, including a nice underwater piece for the famous song 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick'. 

A fault of the film maybe in the fact that the film is very focused on Ian Dury and maybe less about the music which is a missed opportunity to understanding the musical influences, especially for people who are not familiar with Ian Dury and the Block heads.

Still a fine performance and a spring in its flash photography and a zippy script is welcome, but a more focused film based around the music would have given the film an extra edge.  

Edge of Darkness

Edge of Darkness" is an emotionally charged thriller set at the intersection of politics and big business. Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department and a single father. When his only child, twenty-four year-old Emma (Bojana Novakovic), is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes that he was the target. 

It's also good to see Mel Gibson back in front of the camera after directing for a number of years.
It is also great to see the actor take on the slightly lose cannon unhinged roles again, roles that made him famous with the likes of the 'Lethal Weapon' series and the Mad Max series, and this return includes an over the top growling Mel Gibson in Edge of Darkness, which is always a treat..
Still the returned vehicle for Gibson is an un involving slow drama, that manages to never gets off first base and has a laboured feel to it, similar to Gibson's other drama 'Ransom' which was intense without the tension. 

A return to form as such for its lead, but a by numbers thriller that never really gets going.

The Box

A small wooden box arrives on the doorstep of a married couple, who know that opening it will grant them a million dollars and kill someone they don't know.

‘The Box’ is a mixture of the weirdness of ‘Donnie Darko’ and the off key story telling of a David Lynch film. The film is full of odd ball characters, which builds to a conclusion which will alienate a number of viewers, but will be oddly satisfying to many.  

On the back of the cult hit ‘Donnie Darko’ It is a nice surprise that director Richard Kelly has not gone straight Hollywood, and has made a mind bending follow up to his previous cult hit with ‘The Box’. The film will split audience but the many ‘ Donnie Darko’ fans will eat it up.

The film was not a massive success at the box office, but lets hope that Kelly will be able to continue to produce interesting movies sure as 'The Box' in the future, and will not be forced to default to the average Hollywood film makers of recent times.

Zombieland

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) doesn’t have fears. If he did, he’d kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now, they’re about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other.

'Zombieland' takes the spirit of the recent horror comedies such as 'Shaun of the Dead', and although not as funny nor as clever as this film is still good fun and original enough all the same.

Woody Harrelson steals the show, as the crazy lone Zombie killer. A performance which is by far the best we have seen from him in any film for years. 

The script is also lively and amusing, and a number of fun set pieces make the film worth the ride, including a great finally in a fairground.

All good fun in the end, and with a short running time you can't really go wrong with Zombie land and with the added bonus of one of the best cameos in years. Enjoy! 

Un prophète

Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena, part Arab, part Corsican, cannot read or write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang currently ruling the prison, he is given a number of "missions" to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the gang leader's confidence in the process. Malik is a fast learner and rises up the prison ranks, all the while secretly devising his own plans.

The scene that has really had tongues waging is the razor scene. The scene itself and also the build up to the events around the razor are great, and the tension and execution of the scene is never really eclipsed, thoughout the movie.

The visual flourishes including an effect of partial sight, ghost and dream styles that are also well done.

At two and a half hours the story doesn’t have enough expansion to warrant the epic gangster length.
Also a film poster blurb has quoted that the film is 'Scarface' meets 'The Godfather', these blurs are normally just cheap marketing tricks to bring the right audience to watch the film, also as the film is French attempts to bring more people into subtitled films. But that is an issue with 'Un prophete' the film is very similar in it back bone story line and is ultimately the mixture of these two classic gangster films.

Still a good central performance and enough visual flair, makes Un prophète one of the stand out crime dramas of the year.

Talaye sorkh

For Hussein, a pizza delivery driver, the imbalance of the social system is thrown in his face wherever he turns. One day when his friend, Ali, shows him the contents of a lost purse, Hussein discovers a receipt of payment and cannot believe the large sum of money someone spent to purchase an expensive necklace

Talaye Sorkh benefits from a nice central performance from Hossain Emadeddin, who carries the film well, and keeps the interest during the rather slower sections of the film.

The political areas are covered ok, but the twist, which actually opens the film, throws the film off balance, and when the film try’s to run with that central scene and build around the reasons for it, and a political Israel story which although very realistic, does'nt quite all string together.

Where the Wild Things Are

The story follows Max, a young boy who wears his wolf suit, behaves badly and is sent to bed without any supper. Once there, he escapes to a forest where he is joined by the monstrous-yet-cuddly wild things for their wild rumpus. Adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story.

The story is a very short kid’s book which is low on words and big on visuals, a beautiful piece. The problem with the film is yes it does have the escapism of a boy trying to find a voice and discovering adventures which he isn’t getting in the real world, and a lot of heart at its centre, but the film is defaulted to an American drama. The American slacker, everyday characters of  the wild things are odd and in reality nothing happens with regarding plot, which every story needs.

Another gripe for me is the soundtrack which has defaulted to an indie soundtrack which started with the likes of ‘Juno’ and ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ which was perfect for those films but just takes you out of the wonderland, in this movie.

At the end of the day ‘Where the wild things are’ is a nothing film structurally and yes a short story in paper back perfect, hour and a half film not so.