Movie: Public Enemies

Never really been a fan of Johnny Depp or gangster movies so why did I bother seeing this? Because my leg was killing me and there wasn’t anything else to do Friday night that didn’t involve walking places! When you have a pulled calf muscle walking is rather painful!
Retelling the real life drama of John Dilinger (first public enemy number 1 to the emerging FBI) this is the tale about his pursuit and a look into his bank robbing rampages. Filled with slick cars, lots of rat-a-tat-tat old fashioned gangster shoot outs and a great cast it filled the 2 hours 15 minutes quite well. I will admit about 1 hour into it I was wondering whether to walk out as it was rather slow but thereafter it took off and was quite an enjoyable bit of entertainment. I think I have decided though that Christian Bale really has only one style of acting which is rather dead pan. However I’ll forgive that because I still think he’s delish! 2 out of 5.

Movie: Pride and Glory

It was a toss up tonight between Max Payne, W or Pride and Glory. My choice won out this evening and I’m kind of regretting it. M and Steve have already stated that I am NOT choosing the movie next time.

Edward Norton, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich and Colin Firth are a family of active and retired NY city police. After 4 cops are shot dead, Ray Tierney (Edward Norton) is convinced by his father, a retired cop (John Voight) to join the task force to find out what happened. As the viewer we find out early in the piece that Jimmy Egan (Colin Firth), brother in law to Ray, is involved. What we don’t know is whether the other members of the family are also in the know.

At times this movie was a bit slow. We see quite a lot of interaction with their wives and children of which it doesn’t seem to add any relevance to the story at all. We also spend a lot of time wondering what haunts Edward Norton’s character and is this the reason why his face is scarred.

In all it seemed to miss some really good opportunities to tell not just a good story but a great story. It did leave me feeling rather depressed though as even though at the end the right thing is done, you still get the feeling that the dirty cops won. I guess in many ways it scares me to think that as a society we continue to grow in our distrust of those that are meant to protect us and this movie doesn’t help to diminish that momentum. 2.5 out of 5.

Movie: James Bond – Quantum of Solace

I gather that I must have liked this movie seeing as I have actually paid twice to see it. Granted the second time around there was nothing else worth watching on so that did narrow the choice.

The opening sound track was a bit disappointing more so as it featured Alicia Keys. I’m sorry but Alicia Keys and the piano rock but what’s with Jack White? Honestly he sounds like he’s singing karaoke in mum and dad’s garage. For the first duet Bond track ever done I think they should have dropped Jack.

Opening scenes of Daniel Craig, grey Aston Martin DBS, Italian mountain motorway, bad guys on the chase, you just know someones going to get hurt.

The story picks up a few hours after Vesper died having betrayed Bond in Casino Royale. Bond is now on a mission to find out who stole the money and what it is being used for. In his search he comes across a woman, Camille, who leads to Dominic Greene a supposed environmentalist who leads a group called Quantum. Camille has her own revenge agenda and teams with Bond to help him in his mission as well.

Fab action, great scenery, getting used to Daniel Craig now as well. 3.5 out of 5.