(film review) - The Avengers

I just need to start this off first and foremost by saying, Hulk Smash.

So, the moment we have all been waiting for. A film with so much stars and warrants soo much awesomeness that has to be cradled and supported with a good or worthy enough storyline that the people, the viewers and the fans are satisfied and can't complain or want to, do, saying the storyline was rubbish but the action was great. Expendables.

I ask, who is your favourite superhero? Ok, from the Marvel Universe? Ok, ok, from these recent films building up to The Avengers?

The idea of the Avengers Initiative is to have a band of heroes protecting Earth when Earth needs them the most from a force that your favourite Superhero could not manage alone. Cue, Hulk Smash. These Heroes would need to work together and band as a team to conquer the evil so that us normal, boring, unsuperintelligent, freak accident-free and/or mutant cell-free dwellers of Earth may carry on living our lives.

This film is just great.

I'm not just saying that for the special effects, the storyline was pretty decent too. Just to recap and hopefully in chronological order.
Ironman (Robert Downey, Jr) caught the attention of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and mentioned the Avengers Initiative to him. Nick then went to General Thunderbolt to talk to him about the whereabouts or "release" of The Incredible Hulk (Edward Norton, but replaced by Mark Ruffalo) and then the Asgardian Demi-God Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his mischievous brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) comes to earth, just to level a small town around the same time Tony Stark had to battle Whiplash. Loki then comes back with an army of beings from out of space called Chitauri's (Skrulls) in which they intend to use the Tesseract in which The Red Skull used trying to rule the world, thwarted by Captain America, to rule the world. The problem is, will the Avengers work together successfully and manage to stop the enemy?
At one point the film felt like it was dragging, a touch but then, I'm pretty sure every superhero has a dry spell, no?
Make sure you watch. Joss Whedon did damn well on this one. Funny, sad, even funnier, awesome and when things were looking like, resistance is futile, the film comes up on top. And I personally think you can expect a lot of things from this film, but come away from it, totally satisfied and geared up for part 2.

And I end this saying, Hulk Smash!!!

(film review) - The Cabin In The Woods

It's Only A Gameshow, Right? Well, we should start looking into "Gameshows" a bit more, judging by this one. We aren't told much about this film other than the fact that these teenagers go to a cabin in the woods for a little break. However, for some reason these kids are dying and it all seems to be a little big brother-ish with them being the "puppets" and these cosy other people who are watching them being the puppeteers.

Chris Helmsworth from Home and Away or who you might remember him, donning a rich red cape (no not superman) as Thor, is one of the lead characters in this film. I'd rather not go into it too much because, although you might think of Jason Voorhees and Camp Crystal Lake, this film is nothing like this at all. Other than the hack and slash elements to it. Oh, and the woods. Oh, and the lake. But I'd strongly recommend to watch the trailer to get an idea as I don't want to give it away, but there are strange things afoot with this film and not everything is what it seems, especially with the little twist at the end. This film is very different and for me, has a sort of Wes Craveny feel to it. Shocking, horrific, terrifying, but also manages to sneak in very humourous and witty parts into it. I might be getting old, but I spent quite a bit of time covering my mouth. Not yawning, but due to shock. Other times, I was laughing. Make sure you go to see this as I left the cinema thinking, "That was a really good film - very different".

Unless you don't like ...Gosh, I almost did a spoiler. Ok, lets just say, this film may scare/scar you. Watch in very safe hands to hold and huge shoulders to cry your eyes out in.

(film review) - Battleship

Considering this was or meant to have been based on a board/electronic game in which one person tried to guess and blow up their opponents Battleship by guessing where their ship(s) are, this film actually DID pull it off. Plus although Rihanna wasn't much use (It could have been anyone - she did well) her acting wasn't too shabby. Would need to see more from her and she DID make me laugh a few times, but was Officer Riggs, Riggs? or Riggs Rihanna!?!

Anyway, you have the premise. You are trying to blow up a ship. Well, not you, hopefully, but the aim is to blow up the other ships, in this film. Centered around up and coming star straight from John Carter and most might know him from X-Men Origins: Wolverine playing the role of Gambit, Lt. Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) is first seen as a complete idiot going out of his way in order to either 1, get a girls number or 2. sleep with her. What he does, is beyond amusing and doesn't surprise me, however, during the film at some point, Liam Neeson says to him, "you have soo much potential". I did chuckle as I couldn't see it thus far into the film. Without spoiling too much about the film, I suggest you watch the trailer. Not everything from the film is in the trailer, but at least you'll know what to expect.

As for the storyline, it wasn't that far fetched. Man are always trying to do "silly" things, like trying to search the realms of space for life which isn't from the planet they dwell and when confronted, act really shocked and bamboozled that on the off chance they spent millions of citizens money to send signals into space in hope for life, life actually says "hello" and they get upset. I really don't know. But the film was a very good watch and I have to say, it was different, well, sort of. They used water and lots of it. Unlike the very very terrible, Skyline & the not so bad but rental with a pizza and a beer Battle: Los Angeles.

I suggest if you haven't seen it, have a watch, it's not that bad. Plus Rihanna makes you laugh as well as keeping her hat on the whole time. There are also some other funny parts and it also just goes to show, you can do some crazy stuff for a woman and she will love you for it. The Dangerous, the better.

(film review) - Underworld: Awakening

First and foremost. Kate Beckingsale in a Catsuit. MEOW MEOW!!! I'm not sure who I'd like more out of Zoe Saldana in a Catsuit (Colombiana) and Kate, as I've seen Kate in 3 films now donning her Catsuit, but I think they should have a competition. #The End

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I spent a few evenings watching Underworld, Underworld: Evolution & Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. I should have really thought about it and watched it chronologically, but I just didn't. Nothing lost. But to summarise the story so far.

A Immortal named Alexander Corvinus had three sons. One bitten by bat (Markus) making him the first Vampire, one bitten by wolf (William) making him the first Werewolf and another who lives a normal life bite-free and gave rise to a line of descendants including Michael Corvin who is later to become a Lycan-Vampire Hybrid.
Before that of course, William was captured by Viktor and kept away from his brother, Markus as Viktor believes William to be too dangerous to roam free. With werewolves as slaves to watch over the vampires as they sleep and to work as slaves when they are awake, a werewolf gave birth to a human looking werewolf named Lucian. Lucian was the first of the Werewolves (Lycans) who could change into wolf form and revert back to human form at will.
Viktor raised Lucian, breeding a new species of Lycans. Lucian eventually fell in love with Viktor's daughter and got her pregnant. In fear of the mixing of species, Viktor had his daughter killed in which Lucian got the other Lycans together to overthrow the Vampires and escape captivity. Years, later, Lucian is known as being killed in battle with a Vampire called Kraven who made a deal with Lucian to go into hidding so that the Vampire elders would die and end the war between the species. However, Selene (Kate Beckingsale) discovers that the Lycan's are following Michael Corvin for some reason, to find out later that he is a direct descendant of Alexander Corvinus in which they need his blood to combine the bloodlines to create a powerful hybrid. After Michael gets bitten by Lucian (to get his blood) then by Selene (to save his life), Michael becomes the first Lycan-Vampire in which they overthrow Vicktor, accidentally wake up Markus the first Vampire who is also, a Vampire-Dominant Hybrid now, search for answers as to what Markus is looking for now that he is awake and then to try and stop Markus from freeing William who plans on ruling the world as god-like masters of a race of Hybrids.

Underworld: Awakening continues after both William & Markus are killed and both Selene and mix-breed Michael are both on the run in which they are captured, then held in a Lab. Selene is set free in which she immediately escapes and starts to look for Michael. But being in a "New world" she is confused and even more-so when she starts to see visions from what she thinks is through Michaels eyes. Selene then finds a little girl and another Vampire who supports her cause and aids her in this new battle with a new hybrid and race of Lycan's who are hell bent on trying to make a formula which makes them more powerful and immune to Silver. This also involves a Lycan which is 2-3 times the size of any normal Lycan.

Being a fan of the series, I don't really want to sound bias, but this film was a very good watch. Short, but a good watch. Entertaining and the action just didn't stop. The film rolled, there was action. When the action stopped, 5 mins later, there was action again. The film went on like this thorough the whole film. There weren't any slow bits or soppiness, just hard action from start to finish.

The film ends as if there will be more and it is likely that there will be. It would be lovely to see Miss Kate Beckingsale in her Catsuit again, but what next aye? Make sure you go see this, especially if your a fan of the series. Out Now.

(film review) - Immortals

I saw the trailer to this film and though... "hmmmm". Then I saw another trailer and thought, "OH WOW! Yeah, I need to see this". And to be honest, I'm very glad I did. A lot of people were comparing this to 300 and I got to say, 300 is just an amazing film. The whole film, the way it was directed, acted out and the story. Yes, maybe a touch exaggerated or what-have-you, but you could not deny the fight scenes and the POSING throughout the whole film. Don't act like you never saw it. If I remember correctly, every man left the cinema 'War Crying'. And don't act like you never. Women did it too.

This film is of a different pace which runs somewhat similar to 300 but more to do with one man, Theseus (Henry Cavill) who was chosen by the gods, Zeus (Luke Evans - don't tell me he doesn't resemble Orlando Bloom) to lead an army against The Heraklion King of Crete, Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) who has declared war on Olympus after the Gods fail to answer his prayers to save his family from illness. Hyperion seeks the Epirus Bow, a powerful weapon created by the God of War Ares (Daniel Sharman) so that he can unleash the Titans from Mount Tartarus and destroy the gods and kidnaps a virgin oracle priestess called Phaedra (Freida Pinto) to help him. However, when Phaedra & Theseus escape captivity with a thief called Stavros (Stephen Dorff), Hyperion hunts them down only to be foiled by Poseidon (Kellan Lutz). For reasons I won't disclose as it will spoil the film, Theseus has is own motivation for what he needs to do and when he discovers the bow, things get out of hand as it falls into the wrong hands and Hyperion unleashes the titans. This is where The Gods Fight.

And fight they do. The scenes in this film are gripping and somewhat gory. There is a 'hammer scene' in which, no word of a fabrication, fib or lie, the whole cinema made a sound and squirmed as this scene was acted out. And the first fight with Theseus was just excellent in my eyes. He pulled out the spear not from where it entered. You'll understand when you see it. Then we have the GOD's intervening and the last fight, which was excellent. Even the prim and proper looking Athena (Isabel Lucas) aggled (hurt) a few titans well.

You like Greek mythology, 300 and musclar men and glorious fight scenes, then you will love this. Woman have been known to say, I'd watch it again...hmmmm, I wonder why? Something for everyone in this one.

(film review) - Colombiana

I'm going to try and do this review without being bias, as Zoe Saldana can't seem to do anything wrong, in my eyes anyway. She is up and coming and very very easy on the eye. As for her acting, I wouldn't say excellent in all honesty, I need to see more of her. I mean more from her. But all in all, she is very good and from starting her acting career in 2000 on screen, going from film to film such as 'Get Over It' with Sisqo, to 'Drumline' with Nick Cannon, then going onto working with Johnny Depp on 'Pirates of the Caribbean', 'The Terminal' with Tom Hanks and then starring as one of the lead stars in 'Avatar' along with Sam Worthington, you cannot say she isn't working Hard. And to now, in her OWN film where the central star is HER, you cannot say she hasn't done well for 11 years on screen.

So after this film, I'm happy to say, I'M A FAN.

This film is from the same person (Luc Besson) who did Taken with Liam Neeson and if you have seen that film and like it (some love it - me included) then this film does not disappoint. For me, it was like watching a Lara Craft (without the exploring - but two guns blazing) mixed with Commando, Taken and a'bad ass' with a gun or two. To put it into perspective, she wasn't f**king around. Don't get on the wrong side of her as she is a trained assassin and like the Tagline for the film, 'Vengeance is Beautiful'.

There is a little romance in the film which doesn't come across as forced. Well, a woman has her needs right? But without spoiling the film's plot as it's very straight forward and simple, she is avenging and it's more about vengeance than the little romance that was there. In addition, the first 15-30 mins will have you hooked. 1) The little girls acting and 2) The Catsuit. Yeah, men will enjoy. Women will enjoy. Men will enjoy more. Go watch it. If your an action type of person, this film had no dull moments from start to finish. Even the child actor was greatness personified. Very Good.

(film review) - Transformers: Dark of the Moon

I'm actually still amped after watching the final instalment of The Transformers films. I am soo amped that, I woke up the following morning making the sound from the cartoon series when it used to go from one scene to another. Der da derr da deeeerrr di. I think the only thing that keeps Transformers alive is, well, ummm, the die hard fans of the cartoons, the wanting to know who will be in the films, who would change into what and how much of a badass Megatron will be this time around. I'll explain.

The acting is wooden. Or not to be THAT harsh, the "main lady's" acting is wooden. Always!!! The storyline isn't always terrible (as I've come across some TERRIBLE Storylines) but they are passable. However and probably from being a fan, so this might be a slightly bias review, but seeing transformers change from vehicle to robot and vice-versa is soo incredibly sexy! So with that said, add some great special effects, something sinister in the plot (no matter how predictable) and a little comedy and Transformers just doesn't fail to leave you thinking, "I liked that". You kind of put aside the weak acting from the "leading girl" and the storyline because the brilliant fighting scenes and the jokes in between captivate you more.

In this third and final instalment, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is looking for work and having a really tough time, in turn, taking it out on his girlfriend, Carly Spencer (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley). Not only is his parents doubting his credibility and ability to keep a gorgeous woman and to also get a job, he is really trying to fit in, be a normal person and just, matter. Have a normal life, despite saving humanity from extinction by the evil Decepticons, twice.

Things start going mental when Sam gets stalked and harassed by a crazy employee, attacked by a Decepticon, Lazerbeak and then learns of the Decepticons plan to retrieve an ancient artifact located somewhere on the dark side of the moon since the 1960's.

Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and his gang, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe and a few others do whatever they can to stop the bad guys from winning the war that once was on Cybertron, now on earth.

The film is a little longer than normal and at times, felt that the film was actually much longer, but chunks of scenes made shorter or cut right out of the final product. There is a scene on the motoway/highway/freeway which involve Sam and Bumblebee that was amazing to watch. Also a lot of slow-motion bits to emphasize great detail in the characters and the action. There are plenty of great fighting scenes as well, which accompanied with the comedic remarks, comments and gestures, makes this a must see.

In 3D, hmmm....a little necessary, but whatever, you will like the film.

(film review) - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

And JUST when you thought there wasn't going to be another 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, Jack Sparrow comes back unpredictably, swashbuckling in a drunken disorderly mess, speaking in a riddling bag of nonsense that makes you think, 'Is he not going to sober up and actually start walking half normal/civil?' But it is very clear that the character Jack Sparrow, played exceptionally well by Johnny Depp, is a very different Pirate to follow and understand.

On Stranger Tides is basically a tale of a king, pirates and more pirates, searching for a "mythological" place called 'The Fountain of Youth' hinted at the end of the third film. All having their own reasons as to why they embark on this journey to seek the fountain, you would have thought it was for extended life, but for some, it is a grudge to settle.

Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) once captain of the Black Pearl, now a privateer in service to the British Navy after having lost Jack's ship, the Black Pearl, as well as his leg wants to settle an old score, whilst ruthless Blackbeard (Ian McShane), who possesses supernatural powers and practices voodoo magic wants the Fountain's power to circumvent his predestined fatal encounter with a one-legged man.
King George II (Richard Griffiths) wants Jack to guide an expedition to the Fountain of Youth before the Spanish locate it. However, things go wrong when Angelica (Penélope Cruz), Jack's former lover is caught by Jack for impersonating him and then after a escape, a sword fight and a spot of swimming, Jack wakes up aboard Blackbeards ship, Queen Anne's Revenge where he is then forced to lead Blackbeard to the Fountain.

This is no easy quest as there are a few things you need first before you can prolong your life. 1. is two silver chalices once belonging to Juan Ponce de León. 2. Water from the 'Fountain of Youth'. And last but not least, 3. A Mermaid's Tear. And to capture Ariel, the Little Mermaid is a task in itself.

This film is out NOW and should you be a fan of Johnny Depp, Ian McShane or a fan of the movies, you will like this. There is enough drunken antics from Jack Sparrow to keep you entertained and enough smart lines here and there to also make you chuckle.

Go and watch.

(film review) - X-Men: First Class

Does anyone know the story of the X-Men? Like, the REAL story? The originating story? And NO, NO and NO once again, I do NOT and repeat, DO NOT mean 2000's Film of the X-Men which somehow had Wolverine as a main character. I mean that garbage was watchable and at times, corny and yes, at the time it came out, 11 years ago, was actually 'the hotness', but now? And compared to First Class? Do me a favour, tell me that, THAT film is better than First Class and you can, DO ONE!!! I'm not saying that this film is excellent and such a masterful piece of work that the X-Men debut in 2000 doesn't come close at all, but...I'm going to be really honest...ummm, it actually doesn't. I'll explain.

Whether or not this film follows closely to the roots of the Real Story of the first ever X-Men is somewhat irrelevant. I watched the fabulous cartoon, back in the day. Die Hard fans will be fuming. Some will may even demand their money back. But then in saying that, they knew who the characters were before they went to see it so they could only just chill and except that the film was a brilliant watch from start to finish. Whether this is to do with a better director, better screen play or possibly 10 years of enhanced special effects, this film comes out on top out of ALL the X-Men movies. And along with my opinion, stands side by side Wolverine: Origins. No Matter how you feel about Wade Wilson.

Anyway. My knowledge of the first ever X-Men may not be the same as everyone else's, but I know that, Beast, Cyclops, Angel, Jean Grey & Iceman ARE the First class. So, what is this? Well to be fair, this film isn't really about the 'X-Men' you see on screen. I mean, really? Think about it. Yes it's called First Class but to call it 'Charles and Erik' is not a very good idea. So with that said, this film is about, Charles and Erik. Two friends who can't see eye to eye for their own 'political' or 'non-political' reasons.

The film starts off with small Erik Lensherr being separated from his parents at the Nazi German concentration camp and expressing his anguish and pain, Erik is seen bending metal with his mind by scientist Dr. Schmidt. Elsewhere Charles Xavier, a telepath, meets homeless Raven a shape-shifter and after being soo delighted he found someone like him, he invited her to stay with him and his family. Things really start getting heated when Dr. Schmidt does something soo unspeakable that leads to a crushed office room and two killed guards and then a very hell bent older Erik (Magneto)(Michael Fassbender) on a personal vendetta to track down and find Dr. Schmidt. At some point, he crosses paths with Charles and then after a struggle they eventually become friends while they both teach each other about their powers and the responsibilities as "evolved" humans.

Without going into too much detail because, it isn't really necessary, all you need to know is, the First Class kids get slapped up. They learn how to harness and use their powers to their advantage. Magneto becomes the "bad Guy" he is known to be in the Marvel Universe.

You need to watch this if you are or aren't a X-Men fan.

(film review) - Limitless

Bradley Cooper isn't doing too bad for himself lately. To me, he was just some guy with blue eyes and long hair who resembles Seth Green when his hair is short (Could pass as brothers), but as I don't watch Nip Tuck, Sex in the City, Law & Order or Alias, the only film I could say I've seen him in, after being reminded of course was, Wedding Crashers.
For me, Mr. Cooper popped "onto" the scene in the film, The Hangover. I couldn't even try to break down the brilliance of that film, but the brilliant acting from all actors, for me, got Mr. Cooper more recognised. Not only did he play Templeton Peck in The A-Team and is going to reprise his role as Phil Wenneck in The Hangover part 2, Limitless is a 'sure see' if you are a Bradley Cooper fan.

So, it's said that we only use 20% of our brain. In actual fact we use 100% of our brain at different times, apparently, but I know what they mean. Imagine using 100% of your brain at any one time! Now that's a thought! Anyway, I digress, so...we use only 20% of our brain, but imagine being able to unlock and access every part of your brain at one time. This would mean, your memory is fully in tact with clarity. You could store information easier and access quicker. With these alone, imagine remembering everything you've ever absorbed as easy as just clicking your fingers. This would mean that you'd be extra smart, right? Get it? Well yes, that is the premise of the film as writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is suffering from writers block and is down and out. Broke with nothing going for him but a potential book, but with writers block, on the brink of being kicked out of his apartment and just fresh out of a relationship as his partner Lindy (Abbie Cornish) cannot support him anymore, Eddie bumps into his first wife's brother.

Vernon Gant (Johnny Whitworth) used to be a drug dealer, but has now cleaned up his act, well...not really. He has changed the content of his dealing by dealing a different type of drug. A drug that gives you full access to dormant files in your brain and enable you to remember, store, access information at an alarming rate. The drug is called, NZT-48 and it increases your intelligence and focus. After a small conversation, Eddie takes the drug thinking, "it can't get any worse, can it?" when in a few moments he sees the world differently. Once suffering from writers block, Eddies finishes his book in a matter of hours. Now having a new focus and increased intelligence, Eddie starts to learn different languages and instruments, then takes his interest into stocks that make him rich, in a short period of time. However, this captures the attention of Carl Van Loon (Robert DeNiro), who is now interested in this young "genius" as well as a man (Tomas Arana) who seems to be everywhere Eddie is. Things start taking a turn when Eddie starts suffering from effects of the drug and finding out everyone who has taken the drug ends up dead or ill.

This film is intelligent and is a good watch. In real life, there might be flaws to the actual storyline, but the story is very far from far-fethced and is at a nice pace as to be placed into Eddie Morras shoes, it's likely you'd do the same things he did. The bottom line or subliminal message here is don't do drugs, period.

Watch it if your a fan of Cooper or DeNiro or ultimately if you like thrillers

(film review) - Unknown

Liam Neeson is the Action Man right about now! Not sure if he is up there in the heavy roster that are The Expendables but damn, Mr. Chop-A-Guy-In-His-Throat Neeson is back with another film in which I thought I'd see at least ONE chop in the throat.
Maybe I blinked and missed it but at the end of the film, I did actually feel like something was missing. That swift chop to the throat would have done nicely.

Have you seen the trailer to this film? I saw the trailer and I have got to say, if you have seen as much movies as me, that trailer would definitely tell you the whole story straight off or something very close to it. You wouldn't even need to watch the film. However, watching the film would only be for clarity and ease of mind. There is going to be a trailer after all of this so I will let you all decide what is going on.

In brief. Man has wife. Man goes on a trip with wife. Man gets into an accident. Man's memory is broken up. Man tries to find wife. Man finds wife. Wife doesn't know man. Wife has a different husband. Man gets upset. Man gets confused. Killers hunt for man. Killers try to kill man. Man makes his escape. Man needs to find out the truth. Who is this man.

If you really think about it, you can actually guess what has happened which doesn't really deter you from watching the film. I think, since watching Taken, every member of the audience is looking for that swift blow to the throat. *sigh*

Anyway, decent watch. I did feel that some parts were unnecessary and some bits were predictable, but nonetheless, it weren't all bad at all. I've seen shoddier films. This weren't one of them. Plus, with Liam 'Chop-A-Man-In-His-Throat' Neeson on board, you can't really complain much. His acting isn't bad!

(film review) - The Next Three Days

Russell Crowe is moody. I've only seen him in moody films. His characters just seem to be moody. He is an very good actor, but just moody. I guess, I have to see him in more iconic films that stand out more other than Robin Hood and Gladiator. Not that Robin hood even stands out, but his characters are easily forgettable. 'American Gangster' was a great film, but you only really remember Denzel in it. Even 'Body of Lies', but then, DiCaprio's in that. I haven't seen much Crowe films to be perfectly honest and I know your thinking, what about 'A Beautiful Mind?'. I don't know. Unless it's just solely him, a little bit like this film, his characters aren't that rememberable.

Anyway, this film and pardon me for saying this but I just need to, reminded me of that Gerard Butler film. You know which one. The one where he goes to prison and people seem to drop dead around him who were involved in the injustice of the case to do with his murdered wife. Law Abiding Citizen. Completely different film altogether, but there was something about it. Even down to the haircut, something reminded me of Gerard and that film, I digress.

Loving family man is at dinner and a argument ensues where the night is discussed in the morning but no one is really cut up about it. Sitting in the kitchen with his wife, Lara Brennan preparing things, John Brennan, a teacher, is content, making playful jokes to his son Luke and discussing the night before and the relationship with his father. This part of Crowe was strange to me...so unmoody.
The door bell rings out and as John open's the door, without using the peep-hole, the police come charging in, holding him back from trying to stop everything from happening and the police arrest and take away his wife for the murder of her boss.

This was within the first 10mins or so, so you know the film already has you gripped, right? Just like Law Abiding Citizen. Anyway, a few years go by and John visits his wife in prison with a slighty older Luke in which he doesn't acknowledge his mother at all. This, as well as the love for her is the factor that drives John to obsession and thoughts of breaking her out of jail. John talks with an 7 times prison escapee, Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson) after reading his book, who advises him on what to do, how to do it and what to look out for. After Damon takes all the cash in John wallet, John devises a grand plan to break his wife out of prison which involves set back after set back after set back and "youtube" clips. There are times in the film where you think, "damn, this guy just can't seem to catch a break". But he doesn't give up.
I've got to say that I was completely unsure about how it was going to end. Yes he breaks her out but does he get away with it? Do they both get shot down and leave the child without parents? Does the wife get away with the child and does he get shot in the process? The film could have gone in two ways. There is a part in the film where Lara, is wife says something and all I could think of was..."I can't be f**kin asked any more". The film would have ended there and then and that would have been hilarious.

The film strives through and although some things were unexplained or detailed, you couldn't help but think, "so, did she kill her boss or what?" and "Ohhh, that's why it's called 'The Next Three Days'" but at the same time, those "Three Days" for me merged into whatever it was that didn't really represent three days. Maybe a week or so, I don't know, maybe I missed something.

Enjoyable watch though. I can't see people being disappointed with this film much at all. The storyline could have been a bit better as the acting out-classed the stroyline somewhat. It was also great to see Lennie James, an english actor, up there. I didn't even realise it was him. Great acting indeed, just a bit of a semi-weak storyline where with a little bit more 'umff', would have been a great film.

(film review) - The Tourist

Angelina Jolie isn't a bad actress and Johnny Depp is pretty decent as well, if not better, but having both of them in a film, TOGETHER? ergh! Not saying that they don't go together in a film, but...well, they don't go together well in a film. Well this one anyway. I didn't like his hair and fuzzy mostache. As for Angelina, well she needs to eat something and put on a touch of weight. She is too thin nowadays.

So The Tourist is about a Tourist, Frank, Johnny Depp who is happily going about his marry way to wherever he is going and an very attractive lady walks through a few carriages until she see's him and sits down and makes conversation. Before this, she is at a Cafe and several undercover police/agents are watching her closely and is following her every move. As she cops onto her followers, she loses them at the train station in which she boards a train and meet's Frank. After small talk and being told that his name is terrible, Frank is asked to ask her out to dinner by her in which he eventually does and they travel together to Venice, Italy and go out.
Later that evening, They go to a hotel and spend the night together in the same suite but with her in the bedroom and Frank on the sofa. Frank wakes up the following morning to breakfast and shortly afterwards, gunfire after realising the mysterious woman is no longer there. He makes a quick get away that end up with an "assulted" police officer.
Trying to plead his case, the detective pays him no mind until he does his own research only to realise Frank was right. Frank then gets moved from the prison, eventually bumps into ? and they are on a run from not only the Undercover officers who were chasing her, but the Mob as well who are after Frank due to her stitching him up as the guy everyone is looking for.

I won't say any more as it will only spoil the storyline which is predictable anyway, but this film was rather boring. The story didn't offer much and although the acting was fine from both Depp and Jolie, the film didn't have much to offer but a few giggles here and there and that was it. It is bad enough when you go to a cinema to watch a boring film, but even worse when its a boring film and a few other movie goers get excited at everything that Johnny Depp says or does as they are adoring fans. It makes you appreciate DVD/BluRay and watching a movie within your own environment.

Watch if you are a Jolie or Depp fan, but don't rush to see it. Not enough action, romance or jokes really and it's labelled a Thriller? Weren't anything THRILLING about it, really. Quite boring.

(film review) - Skyline

This could quite possibly be one of my shortest reviews ever. It's shit. The End. Only joking. Well on the fact that this is the end of the review anyway, but in regards to the film, hmmmm. The storyline seemed interesting. The special effects from a low budget film were standard and well, ummm....well, what you see in the trailer is more or less the film.
Imagine, Cloverfield. A film shot in 'Found Footage' style and because of the "EVENT" and what is going on, no one is none-the-wiser as to what is going on at all, so the film finishes and you leave the cinema thinking "WTF...what was all that about!?! What were their purpose? etc, etc" Well, we didn't need found footage for this film. Not to say that style was used, but I actually got NOTHING from the film to really detail and explain about it. It literally was like watching Cloverfield and thinking the same thing when it ended. But Cloverfiled IMO is 10 times much better.

I'll give you the plot if you haven't already read it somewhere.

Jarrod (Eric Balfour) and his girlfriend, Elaine (Scottie Thompson) fly to L.A to celebrate Terry's (Donald Faison) birthday. The morning after the party turns out to be more than just a hangover for one guy when blue sphere type lights come down from the skies striking different locations of the city and once he looks into it, he falls into a trance and gets abducted.
While all this is happening, Jarrod also succombs to the light but is torn away from it by Terry. Jarrod and friends then try to escape the building via means of a car that manages to get crushed by a huge alien foot and the driver doesn't get off lightly. After some running, more confrontation, more running, some brains and waiting, then it is day 2. Day 2 consists of more action and some U.S cavalry and a nuke. That all goes to shit and then the film does too, straight after, IMO it just coming FROM shit. Day 1 was boring for me.

There were some funny bits and that was about it. The story wasn't explained, the characters weren't in the film long enough for you to feel any kind of feelings towards them and it ends in such a way, it makes you question yourself. It's like, a good film with an interesting story which was poorly executed. Maybe things were edited out, maybe the Brothers Strause's have other ideas. I don't know. What I do know is...don't rush to see this, wait for DVD/Blu Ray or stream it. You ain't missing anything. Get ready for Battle: LA instead. Hopefully that will be much better.

(film review) - Paranormal Activity 2

There was only ONE film that made me feel uncomfortable. That kind of uncomfortable where it's borderline violation. Where for a moment during the preview of the film, you take into account the emptied seats, the aiery feeling and you can actually hear your heart beating. The silence is so quiet that if you focused, you could probably hear someone breathing. Just hope that the person you hear is either YOU or a living breathing and speaking person your sat next to because that chill down your spine will make you think otherwise. That was 6th Sense for me. A brilliant film but a few things in that film just made me feel very uncomfortable. This film is similar.

Maybe it's the fact that you see what's happening but can't see what is doing it because Michael Myers, Jason Vorheez, Daniel Robitaille and Freddy Kruger were very visable. I don't know.

Without spoiling the film too much, all I can say that this film is very much like the first one but although I found the first one funny and not that scary, I believe this one raises the bar. I weren't scared but I was slightly uncomfortable. Maybe it's because I've seen a film of this nature before (also shot in 'Found Footage' style and also with the use of security cameras) I knew what to expect and look out for. In saying that the film still had me transfixed onto the screen and not wanting to move to miss a beat. There were some uncool things in this film which also explores people ignorance which in the end, got the better of the characters, just like the first film.

Just so you know, the film is about a woman, her husband, her little sister and her baby who have just moved into this big house and after a burglary install security camera to keep them secure/safe. However, although warned by the family nanny that the house might be haunted, after they get rid of the nanny, funny and odd things start to happen when noises are heard and the dog keeps barking.
And just so you know, you don't actually need to see Paranormal Activity 1 before you see 2, but after seeing 2, you might want to see 1. If you can stomach it, that is.

Good film. Go see it. In the cinema now.

(film review) - The Town

Nobody knows who Ben Affleck is other than the guy who married J-Lo aka Jennifer Lopez aka Jenny from the Block who was once with Puff Daddy, but whatever, who is he otherwise? Oh, the guy who starred in that dry Marvel film, Dare Devil? Hmmm...well, I wouldn't have gone out my way to see this film as it starred him and well, he ain't one of my best actors at all. Very far from that he ain't even on the list. If he was, well, he would be near the guy who plays Ben Mitchell on Eastenders.
Jokes and humour aside, whatever I thought of Mr. Affleck before this film, he has raised the bar. Still not a favourite actor but this film was a very good watch and with him in it AND his acting, well I have to recommend this sleeper of a film.

This film is about four lifelong friends who rob a bank and take Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) as a hostage. After the hostage is released and freed, James "Jem" Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) goes to follow her and possibly kill her, being the loose cannon he is. Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) tells him 'No' and that he will instead, only to pretend that he is doing laundry, to then come to her comfort as she thinks about her hostage situation. They talk and meet a few times in which she says that she recognises one of the criminals by a tattoo. This turns out to be Jem. But keeping one step ahead of the law and from Claire, Dough, Jem, Albert "Gloansy" Magloan (Slaine), and Desmond "Dez" Elden (Owen Burke) enlist on another job for 'Fergie' Colm (Pete Postlethwaite), the man they work for so they he can leave town for good. The job goes a little wrong which leads to a car chase scene that has them trying to get away to only meet another police car at every other corner.

Narrowly escaping the law, Doug, now in a deeper relationship with Claire, visits his father in prison which leads to Doug finding out the truth about his mother. He tells his father that he is leaving Charlestown and also tells Jem who tells him that there is another job and he must do it since Jem has served time for him. Doug still says 'NO' and goes to Fergie to tell him in person that he isn't doing any more jobs. Fergie taunts Doug about the death of his mother and that he supplied his mother with drugs & threatens to kill his girlfriend, unless he does the job.

Doug excepts this job but tells him that it is his last. The plan is to enter the building as officers but leave as Ambulance assistants but Doug is set up and there is a huge shoot out in the end as SWAT has surrounded the entire building.

This was a fresh watch for me and was very entertaining. At some points, it was hilarious. A funny bit was where the gang got out their vehicle dressed up as nuns with guns and as they looked across the road, a police car was just there with the police man just looking over in shock eating a donut.

This is a creeper of a film and touches on love, trust, lies and deceit. Watch it, you will like it. Peek the Trailer:

(film review) - Inception

This is a film you may need to see twice, but if you generally understand the concept, then you'll pay attention through the whole film and still ask yourself the inevitable question at the end.

That question is, "so, was it real or was it a dream?"

A lot of people have their pwn interpretation of the film and some would say that it was real and wasn't a dream. Some people would say it was a dream. Me on the other hand, I'm just going to remain quiet until I can see it again.

This film is nothing from short, nothing from linear, nothing from simple and nothing from half-arsed! When I say Christopher Nolan makes a film, what I mean by that is, from screen direction to music, everything just seems epic.

Just to give you an idea of the film. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) designed a machine that enables himself and his partner Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to perform corporate espionage by entering the subconscious minds of their targets, using two-level "dream within a dream" strategies to "extract" valuable information. As "extractors" they carry a "totem" which has a special and personalized behaviour which is only known to the owner. This object is used to determine if they are within another person's dream.

The problem is, you may not know if your are in a dream or not. Behaviour patterns change within people or the "reality so, if you feel you are in a dream, you'd take out your totem and use it to determine reality. Dom wants to extract information from Cillian Murphy but needs a new Architect because an architect with personal issues will never be able to get the tasks done. This problem arises after Dom teaches a young gifted and smart architect how to think outside the box and manipulate their dreams but then realise that a certain woman keeps appearing in every inception. This is Dom's Angry wife. So as well as Dom trying to fight his own personal demon's and reach his main goal, he has to uncover the truth and also gain his goal the best way he can without too much trouble. Obviously, there is much more complications that arise when you are in someone's dream who realises they are dreaming. Moreover, when you are not in control of the dream and other people are.

This is a definate MUST WATCH! Even buy it on video if you have too.

(Film Review) - Predators

I'm old school. I saw the very first Predator film. It was scary. I was young though. It starred Arnold Schwartzenegger, had Bill Duke in it, as he was the very few notable black faces back then and they were out stuck in the jungle, somewhere and there must have been 12 of them or so getting picked off, one-by-one like target practice by an unknown assailant. THAT was predator. THAT was where it all started. THAT was scary. But with Hollywood trying to create suspense, thrillers, horrors, etc and often getting it wrong, they can only resort to remaking films that don't need remaking and making them completely and utterly crap.

This film on the other hand attempts to mimic the very first film and doesn't do too bad, per say.

The film for me was engaging as it does start off with the lead character Royce (Adrien Brody) waking up finding himself falling from the sky and landing in this Jungle. For me that was pretty random, but I guess, there have been weirder ways to start a film, right? Anyway, he wonders about and bumps into a few other people, Mexican drug cartel enforcer Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), Spetsnaz soldier Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), Israel Defense Forces sniper Isabelle (Alice Braga), Revolutionary United Front officer Mombasa (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), death row inmate Stans (Walton Goggins), Yakuza enforcer Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchien), and doctor Edwin (Topher Grace) and then realises that the group of people are all in this "jungle" for a specific reason as they all have some kind of "background" which eventually lands them there. It is also noted that, they aren't even on earth.
It's not long until they are forced to band together and work as a team, to help fight attacking creatures and whatever is out there picking them off one by one. However, in saying that, there has to be that odd character that doesn't want to co-operate and act like a complete idiot to only get that 'Victory' kill. The one where you cheer loudly or in the inside saying, 'That fool had it coming'.
They wonder about some more until they bump into a man Noland (Laurence Fishburne), an air assault soldier who has survived on the planet for years by scavenging and hiding in an abandoned structure. He explains that the Predators sharpen their killing skills by collecting warriors and dangerous beasts from other worlds and bringing them to the planet to hunt and there is also a tiff going on between the predators. The Big ones verse the Small Ones. I don't know what to make of that, really...but the bigger predators did look really cool. Properly like, "Wow, what big teeth you have, predator guy-thing".
Not to spoil too much, the film has one or two more unexpected additions/twists and then ultimately ends on a satisfied note. Well I was satisfied. I couldn't help change facial expressions with a scene in the film in which I thought was unnecessary and cheesy, but other than that, it was a good watch.

I'll end this with, it's not Alien(s) or Alien 3 and it's not the Aliens vs Predator or Predator 2. It's more Predator, less tangy and a slice of cheese. Good watch.

(film review) - 4,3,2,1

Now if you know who Noel Clarke is, well he is a bit of a grinder. I say this because it is only now that I have seen him on THIS grind to be as far as to where he is now. Not only has he been in TV Shows such as The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and even Doctor who, he is also getting around in film. Smart guy (unless he was born with lots of money), saved the funds and made a very iconic and memorable film called Kidulthood in which he wrote. After the success of that, Adulthood in which he wrote, directed and produced and he has basically been on a role hopping in and out of directing, co-directing, writing and acting in many films. However, this isn't about him, this is about his film he wrote, co-produced and co-directed.

If you have seen Vantage point then you will understand how this film goes. Like Vantage point, this is one story, but instead of spiralling around 7 people; only around 4. 7 was bad....it got long winded. Anyway, so the story begins with Joanne (Emma Roberts) feels that she can't get a break. She is chained down in a dead end supermarket job while her friends are all out having fun and doing exciting things. Her friend Cassandra has been talking to a guy over the internet and is getting ready to jet off to New York to meet her "Internet" boyfriend. Another friend, Kerrys is a no-holds barred one woman army on a female crusade fighting for female liberation and Shannon plays the leading role who is a girl who lives with her separated dad and has a lot of problems of her own. The craziness erupts when Diamond thieves sends their separate worlds on a collision course with not only each other, but fate itself. Not only do these 4 girls have to deal with their own problems they are about to have 3 days to discover the truth behind their problems spanning 2 cities and for all of them, around one central problem starter, The Diamonds.

The film is watchable and not only is it consistent, it does keep you intrigued as to how different these four girls lives are and what they get up to in their spare time. Sometimes you can judge a book by it's cover and often in society if not all the time, people do this, but only if people knew what the other person was going through and we often took the time to listen to each other and read between the lines, we could solve a lot of problems before it is too late. This film touches on that in a nice way as every girl has an issue at home and is something that all teenagers and adults alike can relate to. The fact that rapper Eve was in this film did knock me for 6 when I saw her, but her role wasn't that important, more interesting if anything but then that WAS the general idea with the film. A lot of things happen behind closed doors or over the internet behind screen monitors. Trust me, it might have been funny to watch in this film, but have you seen Gamer, with Gerald Butler?

Not a film you will feel was the best watch of your life, the year or even a minute so maybe not even a DVD purchase, but if you want a close to reality English drama, this would be right there in the ranks of Kidulthood and Adulthood. Interesting, decent acting, realistic although a touch outlandish but worthy to put in that collection of yours. Go see it.

(Film Review) Iron Man 2

Tony Stark: "I am Iron Man". Wow! What a way to end a film, eh? Then if you stayed to the end of the credits, you were treated to a short scene starring Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) where Nick Fury talks to Tony about The 'Avenger Initiative'. Exciting right? More films, yaaay! Avenger's what? I'm sure your happy nonetheless. So, word on a new Iron Man film featuring side-kick War Machine must have got some people sooo hyped up they accidently excreted on themselves.

Anyway, just before I go into this, Terrence Howard should have kept to being 'James Rupert Rhodes', I'm pretty sure he could have made a pretty penny from some sequels and maybe his own film, but hey....whatever really. Someone is Laughing somewhere.

Now that the world knows Tony Stark is Iron Man, he is still seemingly, untouchable. Senator Stern wants the Iron Man suit for the U.S Government, but although it might have deemed a super idea to fight crime and terrorism throughout the world, Tony Stark refuses, knowing that his suit in the wrong hands will be dangerous.
In the mean time, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) tracks down Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) who was apprended after he pulled a stint at the Circuit de Monaco whilst Stark was driving, caught him off-gaurd and well, almost killed him. Might I just add here that, Tony Stark has a portable Iron Man suit which is dressed up as a Briefcase. That scene was just exciting.

So, after lapsing at his own party, a very drunk Tony Stark upsets his pal Rhodey who then puts on the "other" suit and they have an Iron Fist-de-cuff which results in Iron Man getting his Arse whooped and Rhodey stealing the suit. Given to the Milatary who tamper with the suit and buy Arms from Justin Hammer, they make the other suit into a War Machine and with Ivan working with Justice Hammer, he makes an amy of Super Robots both, Navy, Air Force and Military to be programmed to kill Tony Stark led by an in-house player.

All a bit much, right? Well I can assure you that this film was interesting, exciting, but short. Maybe not even short as in length-wise, but the fight scenes just didn't seem long enough. I know it's Iron Man, but he was barly battered from pillar to post.

i thoroughly enjoyed this film and left the cinema thinking, that was great. But when you thought the film through, you wanted more, expected more and well, although War Machine WAS more and there WAS more enemies if you want to include the drones; it just didn't seem like it was enough. I wanted to leave the cinema thinking, The Invincible Iron Man, but I never.

You'll enjoy this anyway. Funny where it needs to be, serious where it needs to be and also, incase you didn't know, wait till AFTER the credits. The Film actually stars TWO Hammer's. Think about it.