Films of March

Broken City ***

Russel Crowe and Mark Wahlberg were strong, gritty and played their roles well in this suspense filled crime drama. However, the storyline was rather predictable, and it appeared to me that it was just a matter of time before Mayor Hostetler (Crowe) was going to be taken down by the good guys.
This is still a film worth seeing, as it has the edge of the seat thrills and spills to keep you entertained throughout.


 Robot and Frank ****

Set in the near future, Frank, played by Frank Langella is an old man who is living by himself and slowly losing his memory. His son decides to give him a robot that will help him in his daily tasks, while trying to improve his condition. The relationship between Robot and Frank is a touching one. Frank doesn't like the robot, but they become friends and the film is an interesting story of what life could be like in the near future.

For once a film set in the future was realistic, unlike most films that over estimate technological advancements in such a short jump to the future.


The Incredible Burt Wonderstone ***

I wouldn't say that this was Carell's best film, but there are still a lot of comical scenes involving Carell, Carrey and Buscemi. Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) is a selfish, ignorant magician and like the majority of the films I have watched this month it followed quite a predictable route. However, that wasn't as much of an issue here, with it being a a fun comedy to sit back and enjoy. Olivia Wilde, who seems to pop up in a film every month these days, had some of the laugh out loud moments.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is an enjoyable comedy with an inevitable ending.


Side Effects ***

Steven Soderbergh's last film Side Effects is a well made crime drama with a big twist, which wasn't obvious, but also wasn't much of a major shock. Nevertheless it is still a tense, well acted story that keeps your mind running throughout.
This is supposed to be Soderbergh last film. However, he is only 50 and I very much doubt this will be the last we see of him. Soderbergh is not the only one to say they're retired and inevitably return, just look at Liam Neeson. Why Soderbergh hasn't just said he's taking some timeout instead of pretending he's retiring I'm not too sure. Maybe it's to create more hype for his next film.


G.I Joe: Retaliation **

I decided to go see G.I Joe in 3D, as I had seen a 3D trailer and for once the 3D actually seemed good. However, the 3D was the best aspect of the film. It was an all action blockbuster, with a lot of guns and explosions, which is enjoyable but the acting was rudimentary and the enjoyment of this film was up and down, as a comical scene was followed by a corny scene or vice versa. The ending was also painfully corny and patriotic.

Films of February - Part 2

Wreck It Ralph ****

   Although Wreck It Ralph is only Disney and not Pixar, this animated movie is original and enjoyable from the off. I loved the idea that the characters in the arcade games are real and once the arcade closed then their work shift was over they could head to 'Game Central Station' which meant catching a train through the electricity wires into the plug socket.
   I actually didn't know what was going to happen as the film built up to it's finale. This is an animated film for the kids and the grown ups and is well worth going to see.


A Good Day To Die Hard ***

   When I saw the trailer for the first time I was desperate to see the film. I thought Die Hard 4.0 was awesome and expected the same with the fifth installment, but after seeing A Good Day To Die Hard I felt strangely deflated. Bruce Willis is his usual super cool, but he is almost playing 2nd fiddle to his son Jack, played by Jai Courtney. This is bad in itself as Bruce Willis is John McClane and John McClane is Die Hard.
   The action scenes are exciting and varied. There are Die Hard style bad guys, but they are nothing compared to the baddies of the previous films. By the end of it I just felt that it was all a bit too easy. Willis didn't seem like he cared, he almost appeared tired with his role....maybe he too realised that this fifth installation in the Die Hard franchise simply wasn't up to scratch.


This is 40 ****

   Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles from the painfully unfunny Knocked Up, in this comedy about a couple who reach 40. I found that This is 40 was an excellent film. Paul Rudd played the exact same character that he always plays, but fortunately I like him. Not only is it incredibly funny through out, with many laugh out loud moments, but it is very real and is a very important story about ageing and growing up. I'm sure most people who see this film will be able to relate some part of it to their own life.

   The running joke of the oldest daughter, Sadie, watching Lost was especially funny. This is not just a film for women or couples, anyone can go and see it and find it funny and enjoyable.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunter **

   Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton star in this 3D action packed fantasy based on a well known children's story. I had my hopes up that this was going to be a good film, but sadly that isn't the case. There is never any worry that something will happen to Hansel & Gretel, or that the Grand dark witch played by Famke Jansen was going to succeed in her evil plans. However, if you are looking to see a film jammed packed with action and gore then this is for you, but there is little else there for anyone else.

The Best and Worst of 2012

Top 10 films

1. Seven Psychopaths
       I was surprised this was my best film of the year. I thought it was going to be good, but never expected to be blown away by the great story, top acting performances, writing and humour.

2. Skyfall
       One of the best Bonds of all time and easily Daniel Craig's best Bond film. I enjoyed this so much I had to see it twice. It was also a great goodbye to the legendary Judi Dench as M.

3. Moonrise Kingdom
       An all star cast in this unusually brilliant film. There was great acting from the children and the film was hilarious from the off. A film that had the imagination, originality and great writing to be up there with the best of the year.

4. The Dark Knight Rises
       A great end to a fantastic Batman trilogy. Probably not as good as The Dark Knight, but still a brilliant film, with great music and an ending to die for.

5. Looper
       Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt perform at their very best in an action packed futuristic thriller filled with twist, turns and some of the best action scenes of 2012.

6. The Descendant
       A well written and solid film with nothing really wrong with it. Funny, emotional and enjoyable.

7. The Artist
       A favourite for the critics and it raked in the Oscars. An original and well made film for the 21st century.

8. Lawless
       A great film based on a true story, filled with action, gore and well placed comedy.

9. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
       A wonderfully written film with a lot of humour and great acting from some of British acting's ageing elite.

10. Killing Them Softly
       Superb acting from Brad Pitt and Richard Jenkins in a cool and dark thriller.


Best Performances

Judi Dench - Skyfall/The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Javier Bardem - Skyfall
Matthew McConaughey - Killer Joe
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Brad Pitt - Killing Them Softly
Bruce Willis - Looper/Moonrise Kingdom



Worst films

1. War Horse
      A ridiculous farce, where a young man loves a horse more than his friends and family.

2. Dark Shadows
      Bitterly disappointing and curiously boring. Even Johnny Depp struggled through this one.

3. Here Comes The Boom
     Generic with not one original idea to be found in this unimaginative attempt at a story.

4. Expendables 2
     Unsurprisingly one of the poorest films of 2012, with laughably poor acting and an obvious storyline.

5. Life Of Pi
     Magnificent special effects, but corny, critically overrated and lacking characters to connect to.

Worst Performances


Sylvester Stallone - Expendables 2
Rebecca Hall - Lay The Favourite
Maggie Grace - Taken 2

Catch .44

   I spotted Bruce Willis and Forest Whitaker on the front cover of this DVD and thought it might be worth a ganders. I wasn't disappointed either, well, apart from the end, but I'll come to that soon...Tes (Malin Akerman) and her two friends have a job to do for their crime boss Mel (Bruce Willis) and it sounded straight forward. All they had to do was intercept a drug deal that was going down on Mel's patch at a small and innocent diner. As the story unfolds it becomes more than just a simple drug interception.
   The flashback scenes being interspersed throughout the film help build up a picture of how all of the characters are in the situation they are in, adding edgy suspense which helps the plot build up to the final act. Whitaker is brilliant throughout, his almost schizophrenic personality as Ronny gives him the opportunity to show off his acting skills, with varying accents and an erratic personality.
   I think I could write a page or two on the ending, but to avoid making this a spoiler I'll try to explain my annoyance with as little detail as possible...Willis is only a supporting character, his scene with Whitaker was top notch, as the two great actors put on top performances. I foolishly let myself believe that I was going to get the ending I wanted, a different ending that would have made this film a 4 star in my eyes, but a star gets knocked off for what they decide to do.

For fans of great acting performances, gritty thrillers and annoying endings.

Stars ***

The Cold Light of Day

I knew that it was Henry Cavill who was the main character, but I always look forward to a film starring Bruce Willis. However, his part was much smaller than I thought it was, which was quite a surprise.
Released earlier this year, it was a film I missed at the cinema. The plot is basic, Cavill's character has his family taken hostage and he has to try and save them in time...I was going to write more about the plot, but I realised I wrapped it up in one sentence!
The scenery is good, being set in Spain, so a lot of great European architecture. I have to give credit to an american film that isn't set in New York, actually I don't even think it was even mentioned! A rare occurrence for Hollywood.
Though the story is a basic one and I had no worries that the main character's were going to die, I did actually enjoy it to some extent. Cavill's acting was nothing to write home about, but he was solid. Sigourney Weaver was enjoyable throughout. She's a highly trained and experienced government agent, so quite rightly she would get rather pissed at a civilian like Cavill who she couldn't dispose of. But The Cold Light of Day does what so many action films do, which is making a normal untrained person with no fighting skills take down highly trained bad guys.
The Cold Light of Day is a decent action film. It has all the basic viewer needs to enjoy a generic action flick and there's even a random cameo from Colm Meaney. But this is not necessarily one to go rushing out to watch.

For fans of action films, Bruce Willis and sticking up for the little guy.

Stars **