Cinema Reviews
November 8th 2006
hiya its seems that November will
be another blockbuster month for 2006 with the likes of Casino royal and
Borat which has already hit the number 1 spot
Borat. (15)
Kazakhstani
TV personality Borat is dispatched to the United States to report on the
"greatest country in the world." With a documentary crew in tow, Borat
becomes more interested in locating and marrying Pamela Anderson than on
his assignment.
Review
I give the movie a 5 stars not because it is a 5 star
movie but it is a 5 Borat movie. Meaning, if you are a fan of Ali G and
Borat you will find this movie hilarious. Hopefully you will find it
funny even if you aren’t. I haven't laughed like that in a movie for
quite some time. It is extremely crude with multiple full frontal male
nudity shots which add to the humor of the film. I don't mean to say
that it is inappropriate though. Those who take it for what it is will
find it absolutely hilarious. Anyway this movie is on general
release worldwide now so go see it.....
(5 ***** stars)
Step up (PG)
Everyone deserves a chance to follow their dreams,
but
some
people only get one shot. Tyler Gage is a rebel from the wrong side of
Baltimore¹s tracks and the only thing that stands between him and an
unfulfilled life are his dreams of one day making it out of there. Nora
is a privileged ballet dancer attending Baltimore¹s ultra-elite Maryland
School of the Arts -- and the only thing standing in the way of her
obviously brilliant future is finding a great dance partner for her
senior showcase. When trouble with the law lands Tyler with a community
service gig at Maryland School of the Arts, he arrives as an angry
outsider, until his skills as a gifted street dancer draw Nora¹s
attention. Now, as sparks fly between them, both on and off stage, Tyler
realizes he has just one performance to prove that he can step up to a
life far larger than he ever imagined.
Review
What a wonderful surprise to find such a terrific
film of dance and music in STEP UP and the actors/dancers were out of
this world. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan are magic on the screen and
the music is sensational. Duane Adler and Melissa Rosenberg have
created a film in STEP UP that just hits your heart and soul with the
character development created through the actors music and dance, and
the sets and costumes which fit each character. I didn't want this film
to end, but the last scene is just the one you wanted to see and feel.
With STEP UP, you have a strong story, incredible music, wonderful young
actors in a diverse world, and the hope that now their young lives can
really begin.
(5 ***** Stars)
Saw 3. (18)
Jigsaw has disappeared. Now aided by his new
apprentice Amanda, the puppet-master
behind the cruel, intricate games that have terrified a community and
baffled police has once again eluded capture and vanished. While city
detectives scramble to locate him, Dr. Lynn Denlon is unaware that she
is about to become the latest pawn on his vicious chessboard. One night,
after finishing a shift at her hospital, Lynn is kidnapped by the
deranged Amanda and taken to an abandoned warehouse where she meets
Jigsaw, aka: John Kramer, who's now bedridden and on the verge of death.
Lynn is told that she must keep the madman alive for as long as it takes
Jeff, another of his victims, to complete a game of his own. Racing
against the ticking clock of Jigsaw's own heartbeat, Lynn and Jeff
struggle to make it through each of their vicious tests, unaware that
Jigsaw and Amanda have a much bigger plan for both of them...
Review
This movie is one of the most gruesome horrors in
years nearly every scene involves someone being brutally tortured and
killed much more violent than the first two and at times may make you
feel kinda sick....the story line is good and the characters are strong
but the film leaves your stomach in your mouth...Half way through I was
wanting it to end. The movie has a strange ending that may make it
possible for a saw 4 but without jigsaw....erm well see but if you can
brave all the disturbing and sickening deaths in this movie then go see
it (not really for the faint hearted)
(3 *** Stars)
The Santa Clause 3 (u)
Released 24 November in UK (out now in USA)
Tim
Allen returns in the third installment of the Santa Clause Trilogy. This
time Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos at the North Pole in 'Santa
Clause 3'. In this installment Scott is busy trying to raise his son at
the North Pole, but still must deal with the shenanigans of the
obnoxious Jack Frost...perfect movie for the festive season and for all
the family check it out when sleigh rides in to cinemas Nov 24th.
Review
No previews for this movie in the UK yet but keep a
look out for the review coming soon... (Moviemania)
Casino Royale (15)
In the 21st James Bond Movie based on Ian flemmings
first novel, Bond goes up against a crooked Casino owner who funds
terrorism. Considered an original story, the film will reveal some of
007's secrets why he likes Aston Martins and why his martins are always
shaken and never stirred!
Review
This is among the best bond movies! You have to see it.
After all the controversy and comments on Daniel Craig's potential as
an actor and doubts over him playing Bond...I'd say forget it and be
enthralled by the new BOND! He's here to stay.
He has that natural feeling about him when you see him on the screen
as Bond, that attitude, style, confidence matched only by Sean Connery.
The movie as a whole is extremely entertaining and exciting. The acting
is awesome Eva Green actually does a great job and has really improved
her acting from the last time i saw her (in kingdom of heaven), but then
this is a totally different movie.
There's a lot of action mixed with great story which i am sure will
please the true Bond fan.
This is proper action hero stuff, but he actually looks as if he
wanted to he could kill you. With an opening sequence that will stop you
from blinking for 20 minutes, in case you miss something. The film is
Perfect, from the cinematography, to the three dimensional villains, and
Bond's rapid learning curve.
Like Dr No, you see a killer, just he is on our side.
Please go and watch this because you will
regret if you don't, forget the past this is the New Bond.
(5 ***** Stars)
Jackass two (18)
For fans who thought the stakes couldn’t be raised
any higher and the bar couldn’t be lowered any further , the original cast and crew of the stunt comedy
sensation that swept the globe return for another round of jaw dropping
feasts that are guaranteed to have viewers wincing through their
laughter..Released in the UK on (24th November 2006)
Review
It's what you expect. It induces
laughter, cringing, and dry-heaving, not necessarily in that order. It's
over-the-top. You will see things that you may never be able to erase
from your mind's eye. “Jackass Number Two" is better than the first; the
actors definitely took more risks while filming this movie. There are
many stunts which could have killed the actors, especially Johnny
Knoxville. The treatment of animals was suspect, but other than that,
the movie achieved what it was made to achieve. If you like the preview,
see the movie. If you don't, steer clear!
(4 **** stars)
Gwoemul (15) Released 10th November in UK only
Also known as the Host (English Title) A mutant emerges from Seoul's
Han River and focuses its attention on attacking people..........sci-fi
Japanese monster horror flick.!
Review
This movie was a massive success in japan and china and is now moving
over to does the theatres in the UK and US and repeat its success. based
on partial true events(only the dumping of the toxic waste in the river
is true) this movie has a good plot and strong casting. set for a US
remake very soon the host will be making a splash to the uk on 10th
November....The Host is undoubtedly the best film of the year and even
one of the best in recent years. If you like your films to be
entertaining, smart and even emotional, you will love what The Host has
to offer!
(5 *****Stars)
The Prestige (12) Released 10th November
2006
A mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them
on a life-long battle for supremacy -- full of obsession, deceit and
jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. From the time that they
first met as young magicians on the rise, Robert Angier and Alfred
Borden were competitors. However, their friendly competition evolves
into a bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and
consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them. Set against
the backdrop of turn-of-the-century London.
Review
The Prestige is a masterful exercise in storytelling with superb
direction and powerful performances by a grand ensemble cast. From set
and production design to cinematography, from script to presentation,
Christopher Nolan has once again demonstrated why he is one of the film
world's brightest up and coming directors. The Prestige only helps
solidify his standing as one of the landmark directors of his
generation.
Told in a narrative that jumps between various points along its time
line, playing out like a magic act itself, the story is that of two
magicians on the rise in their careers. The first -- played by Christian
Bale -- is an expert in understanding the fundamentals of any trick, but
lacks showmanship. The second -- played by Hugh Jackman -- is a master
showman who is more entertaining than technical. A tragic series of
events pits the two performers against each other in a battle of wits
that spirals further and further out of control, consuming both of them
and everything and everyone they care about.
(5 *****Stars)
Breaking and entering (15) Released 10th
November 2006
A Landscape Architect's dealings with a young thief cause him to
re-evaluate his life.
Review
Breaking and Entering Anthony Minghella's latest work is as anomalous as it is rapture. The Academy Award winning director of "The English Patient" has brought brutal honesty of a different type of culture but I'm afraid the middle acts of the film leave the audience too disenchanted and by the final act when it finally does pick up, we are already lost in the quarrel of deceit and dialogue.
(3 ***Stars)
Twelve and Holding (15) Released in UK
10th November 2006
This is a movie about a tight group of 4 children -- a precocious girl, an overweight boy, and twin brothers, the more out-going who is killed in an accident. The funeral starts the journey of understanding the lives of the remaining 3 -- not only how the family deals with the murdered son/brother, but how the overweight boy deals with his obesity, and how the young girl deals with her mother and absent father.
Review
Nice
production, good script, outstanding casting, great young actors and
well chosen music makes this a gem. One can complain about some of the
extremes of the plot, but forgive the excesses and farcical elements for
the sake of a well woven story. While the film would classify as a
drama, there is a good deal of humor to counterbalance the tension that
is maintained throughout. The editing is superb in how it moves nimbly
among the threads, keeping us always interested and curious about what
will happen to the characters. The young actors deliver their parts with
aplomb which combined with excellent directing should make this a
success.
(4 ****Stars)
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.(15) Released 24th November 2006 in UK.
In
Venice Beach, naive Midwesterner JB (Black) bonds with local slacker KG
(Glass) and they form the rock band Tenacious D. Setting out to become
the world's greatest band is no easy feat, so they set out to steal what
could be the answer to their prayers -- a magical guitar pick housed in
a rock-and-roll museum some 300 miles away.
Review
Obviously
this movie will be most enjoyed by fans of the D as it has plenty of
in-jokes for those that have seen the HBO series and has more than
enough D for newer fans and the mass of soon-to-be converts. The music
really shines with the new songs "Kickapoo" (which is much better than
it sounds), "Master Exploder" (possibly the 3rd best song in the world)
and "Dude (I totally miss you)". There are a load of excellent scenes
(the car chase, the rock-off, the meeting) and cameos (including Dave
Grohl as Satan!). I really could go on for hours but I don't want to
give the movie away. Go see it. You won't be disappointed.
(5 *****Stars)
Pans Labyrinth (15) Released 24th November 2006 in UK.
"Pan's Labyrinth" is the story of a young girl that travels with her
mother and adoptive father to a rural area up North in Spain, 1944.
After Franco´s victory. The girl lives in an imaginary world of her own
creation and faces the real world with much chagrin. Post-war Fascist
repression is at its height in rural Spain and the girl must come to
terms with that through a fable of her own.
Review
Guillermo
Del Toro's new picture, the audacious fantasy ''El Labirinto del Fauno''
(or ''Pan's Labyrinth), captivated audiences at the Toronto Film
Festival. A masterpiece, Del Toro magnificently puts to screen the
magical story of a girl obsessed with fantasy stories that one day is
trapped in her own world.
If every year we are meant to have a fantasy, then ''Fauno'' is this
year's top movie. Differently of last year, where we had the terribly
irregular ''Chronicles of Narnia'', this is a genuine fantasy movie,
featuring a world we would all wish to have a look at. Much like Alice
in Wonderland, this is a journey through a creative little girl's mind.
To top it off, ''Fauno'' is a perfect fairy tale. It is everything M.
Night Shyamalan wanted ''Lady in the Water'' to be. Brilliantly
directed, masterfully set up, and visually jaw dropping. This is the
year's best fantasy film. And it seems it will remain that way.
The Nightmare Before Xmas 3d Version Released in the UK on 17th November 2006
Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween -- but alas, they can't get it quite right.
Review
