"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.

"Premium Rush"

A new thriller from the Director of that very excellent chiller "Stir of Echoes" and starring one of the best leading young men in Hollywood, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

A match made in heaven?
You must be bloody kidding. This is a dire mess of a film.
Levitt plays a biking courier. Need something there is a hurry then he is your man. For he can navigate his way around New York with great skill and ease. He may seem a little out of sorts, as he has been dumped by girlfriend, for a biking colleague. Ouch.

He sent to a local University where he is given an envelope, and an address. So off he cycles. This is where his problems begin. For also keen to get their hands on the envelope, is gambling debt ridden Cop 'Bobby Monday' played by Michael Shannon. It could be the answer to all his money woes. So a chase begins on the streets.

But to be honest, do we give a toss?  No we most certainly do not. The plot is dreadful, the characters are poorly written, the cast don't seem to care either, giving truly terrible performances. There are some nicely executed moments with the bikes, but these nowhere near compensate for what we have to ensure in the way of plot.
Michael Shannon has a painfully awful character to bring to life, and deserves far better. And as for Levitt, well after such a great job in "The Dark Knight Rises", he has definitely come down to Earth with a bump. Let us hope that his forthcoming release "Looper" will restore our faith in him.

All concerned should have known better, and stayed well clear of this turkey......3 out of 10

"The Dark Knight Rises"

It has been 8 years since the death of the District Attourney of Gotham, alledgedly at the hands of 'Batman', but with his death came the 'Harvey Dent Act', a powerful law which gave the Police and the relevant Authorities increased powers to not only convict but incarcerate criminals. As many as a thousand criminals are now behind bars because of this act, and it has made Gotham a much safer city. Surely something to be proud of?

But the act was created through a lie, a act of deceit, and with that deceit there has to be a reckoning. And that reckoning is coming.....in the shape of 'Bane'.
Gotham may be clean of villains, but it has also been clear of both 'Bruce Wayne' and his alter ego 'Batman'. Wayne has become the Howard Hughes of the modern generation. He locks himself away in a quiet wing of the Wayne mansion, rumours circulate as to what he looks like, what his health condition is like. During a Charity event, his safe is broken into by 'Selina Kyle', masquerading as a waitress. Initially it seems she is after a stunning pearl necklace, but her actual intention is to get her hands on the fingerprints of 'Bruce Wayne'.
These fingerprints will be used by shady business John Daggett to cause the ruination of the Wayne Empire. His ultimate aim is to get his hands on the Applied Sciences Division of the Wayne Corporation, and also to obtain a nuclear fusion device. Initially created to be a source of energy, but put on hold by 'Wayne' fearing it could be used for a far deadlier purpose.
But Daggett is merely a front man. The one in charge pulling on the strings is 'Bane', a ruthless, incredibly powerful criminal, intent to see the rich and decadent of Gotham have their wealth redistributed, and barring that he will wipe Gotham from the face of the Earth having converted the fusion power source into a bomb.

With his beloved Gotham at risk once more, and seeing 'Bane' on the horizon, 'Bruce Wayne' knows that his other identity has to return' but the return comes at a cost.
'Batman' attempts to bring down 'Bane' but only finds himself ill prepared, and unable to deal with immense strength, and naturally 'Bane' gets the better of him. He imprisons our fallen hero in the Prison that was his home for many years, leaving to him to rot in a pit of despair.

The pit however will not become a permanant home for the Caped Crusader, and the scene is then set for the ultimate show down between the two masked men.

I have probably made the screenplay sound a lot more complicated than it actually is. It is brilliantly written. Nolan, through the original work of 'Batman' creator Bob Kane, has created some truly memorable characters, all brought to life by the very best in acting talent. You only have to look at some of the many names in the cast, there are many Oscar winners and nominees involved, and though this does not always mean the best acting talent, in this case it clearly does. And though it is hard to single out any from such a distinguished and talented cast, for me there are a few who truly shine bright.
There is Gary Oldman as 'Commissioner Gordon' who brings his worldly wisdom to the great law man of Gotham. Anne Hathaway is sultry, sexy and every bit the equal of 'Batman' as 'Selina Kyle'. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has long been an actor to watch and admire, and again he does admirable work as the cop off the street, somewhat hot-headed but determined that right should always prevail, a loner who sees similarities with the lonliness that follows 'Bruce Wayne'. Tom Hardy has probably the hardest job of all, how to convey emotions behind just a big mask, but he does a really stunning job, the voice is haunting, his bulk is quite something, but it is the eyes, he gives his performance almost solely through the eyes of his character and does so brilliantly. And of course there is Michael Caine who returns as 'Alfred' the long time butler of the Wayne Mansion. But he is so much more than that, and so is his performance. The love that 'Alfred' has for 'Bruce' is so beautifully conveyed in some very moving scenes.

As one would expect, the action comes thick and fast, and Nolan has really upped his game since "The Dark Knight", making great strides with his work using the IMAX cameras. They take the film to a whole new level. The action is pivotal to the film, and not just there for the sake of it, like some action films that we have seen earlier this year.
The photography is some of the best I have ever seen, and Cinematographer Wally Pfister will most ceratinly be nominated for an Oscar, and barring any major competition, deserves to win.
There is a thundering, rousing score from Hans Zimmer, that wonderfully accompanies the imagery on screen.
Some of the cast have already been mentioned, but it is rare to be able to say this, but there is not one poor performance in the entire cast. Everyone is at the top of their game, giving their best.

There are so many memorable scenes in the film, especially the destruction of an American Football pitch, also the first appearance of 'The Bat', and it all builds to a haunting and moving finale. With a running time of just under three hours, you never get bored, there isn't even any annoying scenes which Directors sometimes use to pad out the running time. Nolan has your 100% attention for the entire 164 minutes. And believe me, you will love every single minute of it.

Visionary British Director Christopher Nolan has come a long way since those early days of films like "Memento" and "Insomnia". He has long held this vision of 'Batman' and has wonderfully brought it to life, both with his amazing Direction, and his first class writing. This awesome trilogy that he has created will be watched for many years to come.

Going to the Cinema is about the experience, and if ever there is a film that HAS to be watched on the big screen, then it is "The Dark Knight Rises", and wherever possible I urge an viewers to see it on an IMAX screen, as it is an experience that you will never forget.

The legacy is complete......Bob Kane will be so proud......a well deserved 10 out of 10

"50/50"

Adam is a sensible young man. He is careful about what he eats, he waits at a pedestrian crossing, he jogs, he is incredibly tidy, has a nice girlfriend, and it would also seem that he has a rare form of spinal cancer.
Understandably this a massive shock. He is given the options, and starts a course of chemotherapy. Whilst having this treatment, he becomes friends with two fellow patients, Mitch and Alan.
Adam also goes to see a therapist, to talk through his issues, worries, concerns, the future etc. By his side are his two constant companions, his best friend Kyle, and girl friend Rachael.

The film follows Adam's journey, from dealing with the initial shock, to then denial, to then at times anger. He also has to deal with the upset and hurt when he discovers that Rachael has been cheating on him, unable as she is to deal with his condition.
He also has to deal with an over protective mother, she herself under pressure as her husband, Adam's father is battling Alzheimers.
Adam and his family then find out whether the chemo has worked, an unfortunately it has not, and the only remaining course is a very risky operation on his spine. Whether it succeeds or not, I shall not reveal here.

But it was interesting when watching the film, whether they would go down the route of having the main character die of their illness at the end or have them as the all conquering hero. And if it was the latter, where would they find a suitable place to tie up the film?

What I will say is that the film has the perfect ending, the last quote is so apt. The performances are spot on, with great supporting work from the likes of Philip Baker Hall, Matt Frewer and Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, who we don't get to see enough of on the big scren. Seth Rogen is great fun, Anna Kendrick is very endearing, but the main man is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is for me, one of the best actors of his generation. If any fellow fans out there have seen "The Lookout", they will know what I mean. A truly phenomenal and gifted actor. Always a delight to watch.

One to recommend..........8 out of 10