"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

"Big Game"

With no disrespect to Mr. Jackson, I was not expecting a great deal from this movie. In fact I was expecting to be giving it a very low score.  But I like the fact that movies still can surprise one.

US President William Moore is not particularly popular. He may even rival President G.W. Bush for his lack of fans. That being said, he is still heading to Helsinki, for a pre G8 Summit meeting. With him is his trusty Head of Secret Service, who is shortly due to retire due to being hit by a bullet, intended for the President.

Meanwhile, in a small village in Finland, a small group of villagers are congregating for their rites of passage event. This occurs when a boy turns 13. Hunting and fishing are the main pastimes, and even way of life within the village. And turning 13 is the moment that the village send a boy out into the forests, and see if he returns a man. He is sent to test kis skills with bow and arrow, see what the forest offers him, and what he can bring back as a trophy. Though given his size, many of the villagers believe he will fail. He hopes to prove them wrong.

Air Force One is making its way over Finland, and during the journey there is an attack from some nasty looking terrorists who are ground based, and have launched a missile at the Presidents plane. Following usual protocols, the President is evacuated in an escape pod, and Special Agents are not far behind, jumping out with parachutes. The only problem is that there is there is someone on the inside helping the terrorists, and the President will soon find himself alone, in Finland, with little help.
And that little helps in the form of Oskari, and his trusty bown and arrow, though his proficiency at it is somewhat lacking. They must not only tackle the elements but deal with the terrorists.

As it sounds, it is complete tosh, but I have to say I found it highly entertaining. It is one of those films where no brain is required. But what did prove to be the biggest surprise was Onni Tommila, who not only gives a really good performance, but his character is the most engaging and interesting of the film. It is fascinating to see him on screen, and how he plays him, and also the relationship he has with his Father, and how he is perceived by his fellow villagers.
And naturally Mr. Jackson is as pleasing as ever, though with it being a 12A, it is a little short on his usual level of cursing !!
There is also a rather unusual piece of casting regarding Jim Broadbent as a CIA Analyst, and during his role he does the most un-Jim Broadbent-ly thing I have ever witnessed (Did that make sense?)

I know that there have been some damning reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, and regard my time at the Cinema reasonably well spent.....................6  out of 10