Category: Movies

Movie: X-Men Origins – Wolverine

We have seen a number of movies lately but they are all sitting in my “drafts” folder waiting to be written about. Hugh Jackman returns in the role of Wolverine but this time we see where he comes from and how he became the way he is (very vague I know but I don’t won’t to spoil it for those that haven’t a clue about Wolverine). Liev Schreiber also joins the story as a baddie and as always is fab. I enjoyed the story, loved the cinematography but did think it was rather more graphic and violent than a 12A. 3 out of 5.

Movie: Max Payne

Steve has been going on for ages about seeing this. Having played the game many years ago I figured it could wait until DVD however the delicious Mark Wahlberg was in it so I decided to tag along as well.

Wahlberg does the brooding, kick the door down, pissy guy rolls really well. I think its the “serious frown” that he has going on.

To be honest this was actually pretty good. I would probably even watch it again (on DVD). The computer graphics are great and if you enjoyed the computer game there is plenty of falling snow, a little bit of the heavy breathing, “bullet time” a rather nifty effect in the Max Payne game even gets a look in (be it a small part).

Rather enjoyable for a bit of mindless, un-thought provoking entertainment. 4 out of 5.

Movie: Body of Lies

Not being much of a Leonardo DiCaprio fan I did go in to this one with some trepidation. I haven’t seen Blood Diamond yet but Steve assures me that DiCaprio is fabulous in that. Possibly his talent as an actor has been slightly stifled by the Titanic stigma.

Directed by Ridley Scott and again also featuring Russell Crowe, Body of Lies was I believe an incredible, thought provoking, disturbing and graphic look at the fight against extremist groups. It poses the question as to whether a given result is justified if the means to get there ignores the ethical values and ideology being fought for in the first place. That’s what I got from it anyway.

I think at the end of the day it is supposed to be a great boy flick with lots of action. It delivers that, most of which I found rather disturbing and uncomfortable. The material matter of the movie seemed even more relevant as the Mumbai incident had started the day before we saw Body of Lies.

3 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: Warren Miller’s Children of Winter – Never Grow Old

Being the 59th Warren Miller movie to date next year should be a cracker of a celebration.

Narrated by Jonny Moseley (US winter Olympics gold medalist) he does a good job but nothing beats Warren’s voice, humour and timing.

As nice as it was to see this movie it didn’t leave me impressed by the cinematography or music tracks. Normally I would be left totally excited and pumped from the music ready to get out there and give it a burl on the slopes. I did enjoy the street skiing as they were towed behind horses but other than this it was rather lack lustre. Here’s hoping that the 60th movie will step it up a few notches. 2.5 out of 5.

Check out the difference between before and after Warren then you decide which one rocks more!

2008 – Children of Winter

2003 – Journey

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.

Movie: Eagle Eye

Starring Shiah LaBeouf (of Transformers and most recently the new Indiana Jones movie), Michelle Monahan and Billy Bob Thornton this has some cracker car chase scenes! Shiah and Michelle’s characters (Jerry and Rachel) are thrown together on the run from the FBI as terror suspects all because of a voice at the end of the phone. They are to follow her instructions or face the consequences of threats to their lives and their families. The cool thing about the movie is the technology the mysterious voice uses to get Jerry and Rachel into high security areas, provide a clear path during the high speed car chases, load up accounts with money needed etc. Interesting story, great action and no love crap. Woo hoo. Winner. 3 out of 5.

Movie: The Duchess

I am not much of a Keira Knightley fan but the costuming and locations in this one were too good to pass by.

“A chronicle of the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life” – The Internet Movie Database

Starring Keira Knightley, a stunning Ralph Fiennes as the husband matched to Georgiana, Charlotte Rampling (of Swimming Pool) as Georgiana’s mother and Dominic Cooper as Charles Grey (the third person in the marriage).

There was much hype about the parallels between Diana and Charles’ married life but go in without any agendas, marvel at the costuming, enjoy Fiennes’ wonderful performance and the array of locations. 3.5 out of 5.