"Mary Poppins Returns"

A very brave move by Disney to make a sequel to such a beloved film, especially over 50 years after the original came out.
But then again possibly enough time has passed by to revisit the flying Nanny.

Jane and Michael Banks are now grown up, and Michael has a family of his own. But his wife passed away a year ago, and he is all set to lose the family home. Just when their need is the greatest, in comes Mary Poppins. Aside from learning the children how to have a sense of fun, it is never really clear what purpose she is there to serve.
It is a slightly different interpretation of Mary Poppins, at times walking round the Banks house more  like a Sergeant Major than a Nanny. If anyone was to play the role then I can think of no one better than Emily Emily, who does a decent enough job.
Panto season is in full swing with Colin Firth doing his moustache twirling villainy as the evil Bank Manager.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is excellent as Candle snuffer Jack, and does a great job of exorcising the Cockney accent of original star Dick Van Dyke.
For me the worst written character is Michael Banks, who seems very wishy washy, and you just want to shout at him to grow a pair.

It's enjoyable enough, and fans young and old will be entertained. Will this still be being watched in 50 years time, like the original? 6 out of 10

"Into The Woods"

Some of the most beloved Fairytale characters all brought together in one story....

Based on the Broadway smash hit play, written by Stephen Sondheim.......

An All star cast............

All these factors and yet it is still dire, on an epic scale.
I don't plan to waste time going into detail but I found the songs tedious and the lyrics seems to be forced, ill fitting. The story was merely average, and not that engaging. Visually it was passable, but even the likes of my movie favourite Meryl Streep, who looked amazing after the transformation, could not save this movie.
And please will someone let Chris Pine know that he is as wooden as the forest he was trying to protect.

A big disappointment...................3 out of 10

"Edge of Tomorrow"

 A science fiction, alien version of Groundhog Day, is what we have on offer here.
Tom Cruise plays Major William Cage, a soldier, who spends most of his time in this battle with the aliens, avoiding battling with the aliens. He is constantly able to avoid being sent to the front line but nos his lack of combat activity finds him being seconded to a Unit which is going to be deployed into action. He stands out like a sore thumb, and does not get on well with his fellow soldiers. Soon enough they are dropped via aircraft into the thick of it, and Cage promptly engages one of the alien creatures known as mimics. Both die in the fracas, and as the creature dies, this special alien type bleeds onto Cage, and the next thing he knows, he wakes up alive and well. But back on the base before they have left for battle.
It seems this particular alien has special qualities, that can allow a human to relive the past day, and if need be, the events can be altered. Should he die, he will just go back to that same day, but if he is hospitalised and his blood is changed then he will lose the ability.
The arrival on the battlefield is a massacre and the aim is to kee reliving the day, and use the information to get away, and stop the alien attack.

The film has been garnering rave reviews especially from critics, and I am seriously puzzled as to why. The film was dull and boring. The groundhog day, understandably became repetitive. The reason as to why the aliens attack is never made clear, it is also unclear as to why they are called Mimics. And don't get me started on the ending.

Disappointing......5 out of 10

"Looper"

I said in a recent review for the Joseph Gordon-Levitt film "Premium Rush" that I hoped that "Looper" would restore our faith in his ability to pick pleasing film projects....after watching "Looper" our faith is well and truly restored.

I will endeavour to do my best in describing the plot of the movie, without hopefully making it sound too complicated.
In the year 2074, time travel is a possibility, however it has been declare illegal, as the criminal fraternity have been using the process for the own gain. To put a stop to the use of time travel, a team has been assembled, and they send those caught time travelling back in time 30 years, where a looper is waiting to kill the criminal and dispose of the body.
'Joe' is one of the team of loopers who has this task. The team was assembled by 'Abe' who has come back in time with the necessary know how to put it all into practice.

The only problem for Joe is that his latest victim is his future self, not an uncommon practice, but still it can be unsettling for the looper, and some are not always able to carry out the hit. And that very sutuation happens here, so now we have two Joes to contend with. Each having their own agenda. Older Joe has travelled back to deal with 'the Rainmaker' a terrorist running riot in his time, his aim to travel back and kick him but as a child.

The stories being told by the respective characters are all equally compelling. We get a wonderful look at the future, beautifully recreated, in both visual effects, and also production design.  The stories all start to converge when the three main protagonists meet on a farm, run by Sara, a young mother, whose Son has some unique abilities. Could he be 'the rainmaker'?  One thing is for certain, is that it builds to a very memorable finale.

All performances in the film are great, but I have to give a special mention to Pierce Gagnon, who plays 'Cid', the young boy. He is truly amazing, at times moving, and then other times he is truly chilling. For such a young actor to this give this level of performance is remarkable.

Yes there are plot holes in the film the size of the national debt in Greece, but for anyone who loves fantasy of science fiction, this is a film to be loved, as they seldom get as good as this. A real delight to watch.......9 out of 10.

"Salmon Fishing In The Yemen"

Another best selling novel hits the big screen, with this tale of a rich Arab, who has discovered his love of Salmon fishing whilst on holiday in the UK. He feels that with enough of his own finances, and the resources of the fishing experts of the UK, he can fulfil his dream of being able to Salmon fish in his own back yard...literally.

Here arrives Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor playing Harriet and Alfred, the UK experts given the task of realising the dream of the Arab Prince, and then putting it into practice. Alfred is reluctant to have any involvement in the ludicrous scheme, but eventually he changes his mind, and gets fully involved, especially when he forms a stronger friendship with Harriet. They both are suffering with relationship issues, Alfred is constantly at odds with his wife, as they never seem to spend more than a few hours in each others company. And poor Harriet has just met the man of her dreams, when he has to go off to Afghanistan to fight for Queen and Country, and after being there only a few weeks is missing presumed dead.

The scheme is deemed proposterous at first, but then with a little persuasion from the Government, it is looked into, and could be possible. The UK ministers are keen to further relationships with the Arab Prince. The Government is mainly represented by Patricia Maxwell, a no nonsense Minister who scares the bejesus out of anyone who comes within a five mile radius of her.
The Prince does have his problems however, as some dissidents in his country object to him spending millions just to enjoy fishing when others in his country are poor. They take matters into their own hands.

The affection between Alfred and Harriet grows stronger, that is until, Harriet's boyfriend returns from Afghanistan alive and well, and the all conquering hero. Cue Patricia Maxwell and hordes of reporters. Will Alfred and Harriet live happily ever after? Will she go back to Blighty with her military man?

All in all it is a nice enjoyable film, it will not win any major awards, but given some of the dross that I have had to endure recently, it makes for a refreshing change. Despite nice performances from both McGregor and Blunt, it is Kristen Scott Thomas as no nonsense Maxwell who steals the show. Her performance in fantastic, and highly amusing.

A nice little distraction from the mundane business of life.......6 out of 10