"Mile 22" - preview screening

In the battlefield, when the diplomatic channels break down, and when the Military option has failed, prepare to be introduced to the latest offensive....Overwatch.
They are a covert Team who deal with any number of global threats, whether taking down Russian Terror cells operating in the US, or trying to track 9 lbs of radioactive Isotope, in the wrong hands it could level 6 major Cities.
Whilst working out of South Asia, at the US Embassy, a local Police official presents himself at the main gates, and says that he can provide information as to the missing substance. For safe passage to the US, he will reveal what he knows, but can he be trusted?  Is his intelligence legitimate?

Heading the team in the field is a very higly strung James Silva (Mark Wahlberg), and running things behind the scenes is Bishop (John Malkovich). The local Authorities arrive en masse to reacquire their local boy, before he can reveal any sensitive information. When a kill order fails, the Overwatch team realise that they need to get him out the Country as soon as.
Bishop arranges for a Military plane to land at a rendezous point, and fly him to safety. All Silva and the team have to do is deliver him to the pick up point, some 22 miles away. Easy???  Well it would be if it were not for a team of Shooters from the South Asian authorities out to do everything they can to stop them.

So the rest of the film is the US Overwatch team playing Cat & Mouse with the South Asians. It plays out well on screen, there is a great car and bike chase which is well shot. There is also a fast paced fight in a Cafe, however the problem with this action scene is that the photography is too in your face, and the appalling editing means there is barely half a second of footage on screen before the Editor cuts to another shot, and so on. I doubt even if you were sat on the back row of the Cinema, that it would make any difference.
But this is not a run of the mill action film, as all it most definitely not as it seems. And the film builds to a great conclusion.

Wahlberg is as reliable as ever, and Malkovich is a tad more sedate than usual. This is another great team effort, especially that Wahlberg and Director Peter Berg previously worked together on both "Lone Survivor" and "Patriot's Day". 

Had the photography and Editing been more professionally done, then the score would have been higher, so for that......7 out of 10

"Searching"

This latest thriller continues the trend of all the footage being done as either webcam / Skype or online news reels etc. And rather unusually it all works really well. All too often with this type of film, a protagonist has to come up with some ludicrous reason as to why they armed with a camcorder 24/7, but by using more social media and home made videos, it works, and it is really effective.

In the film we get introduced to David Kim and his Daughter Margot. His relationship with his Daughter strengthened since the passing of David's wife. This is well documented in the use of looking back at home videos etc. Margot is a lovely Daughter, popular at Class, goes to Piano lessons, a real model Child, apart from lacking in doing chores at home.

Then every Parents nightmare arrives, and after an evening out at a study class, Margot does not come home. David contacts her friends but no-one knows where she is. As panic starts to set in, the Police are contacted. David is assigned an officer who is in charge of his Daughters disappearance. In a role departure, we see Debra Messing (Will & Grace) as the Officer charged with finding the missing student. She advises David to try and find out as much information about his Daughter and her friends from her online usage.
The more that David finds out about his Daughter, the more he realises that they were not as close as he first thought.

Ultimately the film belongs to John Cho, especially as we see his desperation to get any information that will reunite him with his missing Daughter. He starts to fall apart as his search seems to get him nowhere.
Debra Messing is also really good as the assigned Officer helping in the search. Nice to see her in a dramatic role.

This is the feature film debut from Director and Co-Writer Annesh Chaganty.And judging by what I have seen with this first film, he has a remarkable future in front of him.
During the trailer, there was one critic comment that said that the film was worthy of Hitchcock. Now that is some bold statement to make, but it is tense, and does have some wonderful OMG moments.

For the style of the film, the tension, and John Cho's great performance.......9 out of 10

"The Happytime Murders"

Anyone who has grown up watching beloved characters like 'Kermit', 'Miss. Piggy', 'Big Bird' or Oscar the Grouch may be completely outraged by this new comedy, or you could be of the same opinion as me, and absolutely love it.

The film is set in world where puppets and people live together.
We get introduced to Private Detective Phil Philips, who is working on a case but ends up getting involved in a mass shooting in a Porno store. He ends up working with his former Police Partner to try and figure why the stars of a 90's kids show are being bumped off. Hostilities rise up between the Cop and Private Dick, and Melissa McCarthy is well matched to take on anything coming her way, whether warm blooded or hand stitched.

It's a great concept, and the story works well. The puppets are brilliantly done, there is a nice little video during the end credits which gives insight into how they were brought to life.
The best way to describe it is it is like watching "Sesame Street" but an after 10pm special, so there are no holds barred, and thats definitely the case here.

Despite the mauling that some critics have given it, if you go in knowing what to expect, then like me you will find it to be highly entertaining, laugh out loud comedy.....7 out of 10

"King of Thieves" - preview screening

One almost feels like this story revolving around the Hatton Garden Diamond job by a group of more mature thieves has been done to death already. Don't quote me but I believe that this is at least the third production involving this storyline. I guess that what gives this one the edge is the very top notch British acting talent involved. Any Director would say goodbye to some serious anatomy parts just to get one or two of these actors involved, let alone having 5 of the very best.  For those of you who may have been blissfully unaware of what happened, basically a group of senior aged thieves planned a robbery in the famed Hatton Garden area of London during the Easter Bank Holiday. There will be no staff to cause distress to, and the area will be deserted and in theory no one will realise what has been done til everyone is back at work the following Tuesday. The ideal opportunity.

Sir Michael Caine plays Billy, the brains behind the scheme. And he assembles a motley crew to help in the caper, all with their own skills and personalities, and as mentioned, bringing these characters to life is some of the very best British acting talent.
It is hard to say what kind of film it is trying to be, whether biopic, comedy or drama, all these boxes seem to get ticked. And unfortunately it means that the film is a little bit all over the place.

Sir Michael Caine and Ray Winstone are playing characters that we have seen them play before, and in fairness, in far superior films, but there is still much to enjoy about "King of Thieves", most notably Jim Broadbent in something of a departure role. And Tom Courtenay is highly entertaining as a gang member with a hearing problem.

There is a riotously funny highlight of the film and it involves the introduction of Michael Gambon's fence character, and Sir Michael Caine in bewilderment.

Seeing the cast together is the main reason that many will enjoy this film, and rightly so, but it could have been a real great, up there with that other Ray Winstone masterpiece "Sexy Beast"....6 out of 10

"Crazy Rich Asians" - preview screening

Whilst watching this preview, all that kept going through my head was John Hughes. And that is in no way a bad thing. When you look at some of the great films that he has been responsible for, whether as Writer, Director or both, it is a library of films to be very proud.

The premise is that handsome young Asian has the woman of his dreams in his life, and he feels it is now time to take the next step, and introduce her to his family. There is however one small fly in the ointment. His family are to Asia, what John Getty was to oil in America. They are seriously wealthy and live a very lavish lifestyle. All of this information he has kept from his Girlfriend.
So she suspects all in not as it seems when they board the plane and finds that they are in 
the bees knees of travelling style, and the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together.

There is also an over-bearing mother, wonderfully played by Michelle Yeoh, and one doubts if anyone would be good enough for her soon, so let battle commence between Mother and potential new Daughter in law.

Its nicely played out, but I would not say it is laugh out loud funny, but still entertaining none the less. 6 out of 10

"The Equalizer 2"

Problem Solver Robert McCall is back.
I always thought that this was something of a departure role for lead actor Denzel Washington, but the first film worked incredibly well, in fact my one regret was that I never got round to seeing it at the Cinema, so naturally this was something I was very keen to rectify with the sequel. In fact I have been wracking my brains as to whether Mr.Washington has done a sequel before, and without consulting the oracle that is IMDb, I cannot think of one.

McCall is reunited with one of his former work colleagues. And they enjoy catching up, but all too soon said colleague is off to Europe to investigate an apparent suicide, but there are suspicions of foul play. And sure enough, McCall soon finds himself investigating her death, which may or may not be a robbery gone wrong.
There is also a side story involving a tenant in the apartment block where McCall lives. A young lad, who McCall takes under his wing, in the hope that he can veer him away from the Street gang that he is involved with.

It builds to the inevitable big finale, taking place wher McCall and his wife lived, and during a big storm. It is a very well executed sequence.

Overall its a good film, may be not quite as good as the first but still worth watching for the always reliable Mr Washington....7 out of 10

RIP Burt Reynolds

 

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Burt Reynolds earlier today. I have been a fan for many years. I have fond memories especially of a Saturday evening, when as a family, in the early 1980's we would rent a video cassette, and I remember the likes of "Smokey & The Bandit" and "Sharkey's Machine".

 

I have always admired him, as for me he personifies a real fighter. He has had a lot to contend with throughout his life, some of which was by his own hand, but he has always battled on regardless.

 

I know it wasn't his favourite film, far from it, but I just love watching "The Cannonball Run" and its sequel. Any film fan must get a real kick from watching these two great movies.

 

A more serious Reynolds can be seen in great movies like the classic "Deliverance" and his Oscar nominated role in "Boogie Nights".

I saw an interview he gave with Piers Morgan for "Life Stories"...it was insightful and at times very moving.

 

I for one was over the moon when I heard that he had been cast in the latest film from Writer / Director Quentin Tarantino. It is such a crying shame that he did not get the chance to shoot any scenes for what would have been another great and memorable performance.

 

A couple of months ago I started to read "But Enough About Me". I do enjoy reading autobiographies, especially ones about the movie business. I can honestly this has to be one of the very best, and I can think of no better way to praise him, and his life, than to recommend reading this phenomenal book. Trust me, you will not be able to put it down.

 

Thanks for the ride Burt.......rest in peace.

"The Children Act"

The above poster was what attracted to me to this film.There are certain stars who simply seeing their name on a Cinema Poster is enough to get me to buy a ticket, and Emma Thompson is most certainly one of them. Time and time again she has delivered top notch performances, and so it was a guarantee to find me watching "The Children Act" despite not having a clue as to what it was about.

The film is in two halves, the first a judicial drama, as we find Ms. Thompson playing a Judge, who is presiding over two high profile cases. There is a lot of relevance to some equally high profile cases that have been in the news of late. And it does give one a lot to think about, and gives a fascinating insight into how and why these decisions are reached.
The second half of the film is more of an emotional drama as Thompson's Judge must deal with the repercussions of her actions, following on from a judgement that she has given. In one such case a Child's parents are trying to stop a Hospital from allowing potential saving treatment for their Son who is seriously ill with leukemia. Part of the treament, which could prolong his life, involves a blood transfusion and, unfortunately both the Parents and the 17 year boy are Jehovah's Witnesses. The Judge must make a diffcult decision between wanting to respect the religious beliefs but also in respect of health, what is best for the Boy.

I will not go on any further regarding the plot is it will unfair to reveal what happens.
But safe to say that this is a really compelling drama.
Having seen some recent high profile cases in the news, regarding Parents of babies wanting to take them abroad to try alternative treatment, and the Hospital ruling it would not be in the best interest of the baby, this is firmly in the mind when watching this film. Seeing things from the perspective of the Judge, it really is fascinating.
The second half is equally strong, as we follow Judge Maye, both struggling to keep her marriage together and dealing with the aftermath of a ruling she has given. I was simply glued to the screen.

It is hardly a surprise that the film is as brilliant as it is. Directing we have Richard Eyre, the man responsible for "Notes on a Scandal" and "Iris". Writing the Screenplay is acclaimed novelist Ian McEwan, adapting his own novel, and there is a dazzling cast. from Stanley Tucci, to Jason Watkins, in a scene stealing performance as Maye's Secretary / assistant.
But ultimately the film belongs to Fionn Whitehead and especially to Emma Thompson. Anyone who has seen either "In The Name of the Father" or "The Remains of the Day", and thought she was excellent, well, this is Emma at her very best.

A second viewing is a given.......great stories like this are why we go to the Cinema. I can think of no other score but as follows.....10 out of 10