"Lucy"

Lucy is a girl who should keep better company. Her so called friend Richard uses her to deliver a briefcase of unknown contents to a scary looking Japanese gentleman. Then bodies start to appear, and Lucy finds herself being herded into a room, with some other unsavoury characters. Soon she finds she has been cut open, and a cosmetic drug, in a pouch, has been put inside her. This, along with four others, will be smuggled through Customs, and the drugs handed over to their Collector.
During her ideal she is beaten by a gang of men, and the bag ruptures and the contents leak inside her. The drug has the effect of enhancing the cerebral capacity that we use, and she finds herself being able to do the most amazing things, and soon the world and his wife is after her.

I am not going to waffle on about this pointless film. The premise whether scientifically possible or not was just ludicrous, almost laughable. There is very limit to commend about the movie, at times visually it is impressive but that is one positive against a plethora of negatives.
When one thinks of Director Luc Besson, one thinks of the those great movies he amde, films like "The Fifth Element", "Nikita", and "Leon", but he is reduced to doing trash like this.
The film may have two leading stars but neither come out of it with any commendations.

Such a waste of time, enough said........4 out of 10

RIP - Richard Attenborough - A Tribute

What can one possibly say?

The phrases like 'Film Great' and 'legend' are given out so freely these days, but Lord Attenborough was someone who deserved being called that, and so much more.
I cannot think of any other individual who has done as much for the world of Film and also Television. The remarkable work he has done will live on as we say goodbye to a true pioneer.

There are so many great films that he has worked on, whether as a Director, Producer or an Actor.
He is best remembered for his work on the multi Oscar Winning film "Gandhi", which he was quite rightly rewarded with 2 Academy Awards. But there is so much more.

There is his brilliant performances in films like "Brighton Rock", the classic that is "The Great Escape", and his chilling work on "10 Rillington Place". After a gap of some 14 years, he returned to acting in a big way when he played Billionaire 'John Hammond' in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park", and although there are many who regard the film as too sentimental, I still love his work as 'Kris Kringle' in the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street", a role he was born to play, and did so beautifully.

He also Directed the great war epic "A Bridge Too Far", and dramas like "Magic", "Cry Freedom" and "Shadowlands".
His biopic of "Chaplin" was a real labour of love, having been such a huge fan of the great comic.

Although ill health meant we have not enjoyed any recent work as either Director or Actor, his legacy will live on, and so will our enjoyment of a true craftsman.

RIP Dickie......

"The Expendables 3"

Ever since this film was green lit and went into production, I have been eagerly counting down the days to seeing this third in the franchise.
I must say that I was in complete awe and amazement that Stallone managed to get Harrison Ford to appear in the movie, and real coup for sure. And the other new 'mature' cast members are also quite impressive.

The film opens with a big style prison break. Well a movie train prison break, as former Expendable 'Doc' is being transferred, and his former colleagues want him back to join the group, so they engineer an audacious prison break from a heavily armoured and well manned train. There are more than a few passing nods to a cast members recent incarceration !!!
With 'Doc' safely out of Prison, the gang head on to a simple matter of an arms deal, all is going fine until the dealer arrives. It turns out to be 'Conrad Stonebanks', former Co-Founder of The Expendables, and longtime nemesis of Barney Ross, who believed his former friend was dead, by his hand. But he is very much alive, and now Stonebanks aims to make the group history. With one of the crew in Hospital, and Trench being sidelined, Ross has to decide what course of action to take, and deal with his new boss, Drummer (Ford). Ross believes that given the suicide nature of the mission, he does not want to endanger the lives of his best friends, so goes it alone, but hiring some new blood, some younger carefree blood, with the help of 'Bonaparte' (Grammer). So with a new team in place, and they bringing technology and know how way over Ross's head, they head after Stonebanks.
All goes well, in fact a little too well. And soon Ross and the team are attacked, and he is left for dead.
The Fed's are not too happy that Ross has once again failed to deliver his arch nemesis. But they find the location that Stonebanks is holding his young team, and Ross heads off, and has a few extra passengers!!
This all leads to the big finale showdown, and what an action packed piece it is. One of the biggest finales I have ever seen, it really is quite something, but how does this compare with the rest of the film?

As much as I really wanted to love this movie as much as I did the second one, it is not in the same league. The biggest issue I have is that it does not feel like an Expendables movie. It is a nice idea having the new young blood, now whether it was the idea to have them permanantly take over, or that they would need rescuing by the older members that Ross leaves behind I do not know, but the whole fun of the first two films was this gang of aged characters, working together, the great banter, and these great names from the 1980's all on screen together. And that chemistry is well and truly lost here.I appreciate that the elder cast are not getting any younger and may find it difficult to the more action packed or stunt related work, so maybe did they they go a film too far?
The main body of the original expendables are benched for the main centre of the film. Blink and you miss the likes of Jet Li and Robert Davi.
I also have to say that one the biggest letdowns is Mel Gibson as 'Stonebanks'. I cannot decide whether we cannot relate to him as a villain, or that he is just not nasty enough. A huge step down from the brilliant Jean Claude Van Damme in the second movie.

There are some things to enjoy. The opening prison break is great, as is the follow on job. The hugely action packed finale is worth watching. And there is, as ever, a great score from Brian Tyler.

If there is to be a fourth film, and judging by the newly released opening box office takings that will be a HUGE IF, then they need to take the film back to the style of the second. If they cannot fulfil a film with mature leads, and recreate that great  banter and in-film jokes, then maybe it is best to leave the franchise at three films.

Good but much room for improvement.....7 out of 10

RIP - Robin Williams - A Tribute

I have to say that this is one tribute I did not expect to be writing just yet. Despite some personal demons, Robin Williams was always someone who struck me as being so full of life.
A short while ago we Brits said goodbye to one of our Comedy legends, gone all too soon, when we said farewell to Rik Mayall. Now America has lost one of its truest comedy talents.

For fans of Cinema or Comedy it is a very sad day. To lose someone who has given so much to the World of Entertainment is always upsetting, but he really did go too soon.
From those early beginnings on "Mork & Mindy", to Oscar winning success, he really was an incredible talent. Initially best known for film Comedy roles, but he did eventually move into drama and gave some quite remarkable performances.
Anyone who has seen either "Insomnia" or "One Hour Photo" will know what I am referring to. Such dark and powerful peformances, in roles that you remember long after leaving the Cinema.

As a Stand-Up comedian, there are few who could equal his humour, his energy, his love of what he did. I have seen numerous routines that he did, and you cry with laughter time and time again.

Of his varied career, there are many highpoints. His tremendous success in "Mrs. Doubtfire" was rightly deserved. Strong performances in films like "Goooooooooood Morning Vietnam", "Awakenings, and a personal favourite of mine, and one I think he should have won the Oscar for, namely "Dead Poets Society".
He did however win a Supporting Actor Oscar, and rightly so for his work on "Good Will Hunting". I can picture now host Billy Crystal beaming with such pride as his best friend gets the Award. It was a moving moment, and a great Oscar celebration.
There are so many great movies, and some which were not as beloved by others, but I still love all the same, films like "Jack", "Father's Day" and I loved seeing him in the remake of "The Birdcage".

As a fan of Parkinson, the appearances by Robin Williams on the show, are now the stuff of legend, even managing to upstage Stephen Fry.

As we shed tears at your all too early passing, we know that heaven will soon be full with tears of laughter. You entertained us, you made us laugh and cry in equal measure. You are a one off, and someone we will never EVER forget. RIP Robin......"Nanu, Nanu"