"Black Sea"

After 11 years of service to his Company, Submarine Pilot Captain Robinson finds his services dispensed with. Needless to say he is more than a little annoyed by this news. He seeks solace with his former colleagues in the the local Pub.
Whilst conversing, one of the sea-goers mentions of a potential gold mine sitting at the bottom of the ocean. It consists of a sunken U-Boat full of Nazi gold, just ready for the taking.

Having secured finance for the venture from a shady businessman, for upto 40% of what they get, and having assembled a crew of both British and Russian crewman, their well travelled Submarine hits the water. 

Everything seems to be going swimmingly, forgive the pun. They are on course for their golden rondezvous. But a little tension has started to build, mainly to do with the fact that all the men on board get a even split of what they get. Some of the British object to the Russians getting the same, and soon enough tempers start to flare. Eventually the inevitable happens, knifes are involved are the number of men on board starts to lessen. Now distrust starts to really set in, as some of the crew have realised that their share becomes bigger with less men on board, howver the flip side is that it takes a certain number of men, minimum to operate the Sub.

But soon a fight for a share of the gold, becomes a fight to survive, and the very U-Boat that they have come to plunder, is set to be their very source of salvation. Their Sub is without power and need the Drive shaft from the U-Boat to make their getaway.
Unfortunately for the Crew, things start to reach breaking point, with a revelation from one of the Crew regarding the distribution of the gold. Soon the urge to survive becomes the primary goal, no matter what the cost.

The Hunt for Red October and Crimson Tide. These are great Submarine movies, and though "Black Sea" does not hit the same high standards, it is still worth the watch. The great thing about these movies is the way the tension is built, especially as the men are all confined in such a small space, with no way of getting out.
Robinson is estranged from his wife and child, and clearly bonds with the youngest member of the Crew, Tobin. Soon to be a Father himself, maybe Tobin reminds Robinson of the bonds he had with his own child, and goes someway to explaining why he is so keen to protect Tobin.
To create great tension can need a skillful Director, and given his previous track record, the film is in good hands with Kevin Macdonald.

A decent effort, well worth the watch............7 out of 10

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

First an admission, to me Wes Anderson is one of those Directors that people can find to be somewhat odd ball. He can write and direct something which many regard a classic, and I am not a fan of, like "The Royal Tenenbaums, and then there is the flip side with him writing and directing pure joy in the form of "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
Now a confession. When I initially saw the title of this film, I thought blimey, they have done a sequel to "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" jolly quickly. As it turns out, that is still being filmed !!

A writer talks about his past, and a chance meeting in the venue that is the title of the film. The meeting is with the mysterious owner of the hotel. They talk amongst the quiet surroundings, as the hey day of the hotel has long since gone. The owner discusses how he came to be the proprietor, and how his life changed forever, when employed at the Grand Budapest Hotel.

Zero, the now owner tells us how he started life as a mere lowly Lobby Boy. But despite his position, he had the very best teacher, the most respected and beloved member of staff, M. Gustave. A foul mouthed precisionist who enjoys the company and pleasure of a very mature lady. When one of these ladies dies in mysterious circumstances, a mad cap adventure begins, especially when Gustave is a benefactor within her will of a famous painting, much to the annoyance of her family. To make matters worse, he also becomes the key suspect in her demise. But constantly by his side is his new and faithful underling, Zero. And all this takes place against the backdrop of an ever changing political climate.

The screenplay is just pure joy. An absolute gem, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has real laugh out loud humour, a rare thing these days, but the humour is also very clever. I do seem to the following phrase a lot of late, but this film really does have a cast list to die for. In fact there are so many top names involved with the film, that there was not enough space within the labels section to list everyone. Every cast member is wonderfully funny, whether it be Tilda Swinton looking brilliantly aged under a lot of prosthetics, as one of Gustave's love interests, or Willem Dafoe who is wickedly funny as the terrifying looking henchman to Adrien Brody, also on good form. Newcomer Tony Revolori is superb as Zero, our hero Lobby Boy. But by far the main praise has to go to Ralph Fiennes, whose comic turn as M. Gustave is quite remarkable. Who would have thought that his classic film actor could be so funny?

There is something of an old fashioned feel to the film, whether it is due to the fact that part of it is shot in full screen, or the vibrant colours of the film. It could even be the simplistic way some of the scenes are shot, but rest assured this film is a delight for so many of your senses. Taste as you savour the culinary delights on screen, sight because of the rich colour and beautiful artwork plus some great visual comedy, and hearing as you will be lucky to have some hysterical lines delivered that will make you roll.

I read a recent review that said that the film may be too odd-ball for some, and that could well be the case, but I for one loved it, and hope to see it again very soon. Please note I have deliberated over what score to award, and this could well alter after a second viewing.

Could this already be one of the years best films?..............9 out of 10

" Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows"

It may baffle some as to why one has seen this sequel given the loathing I had for the first film. I can sum it up in four words......curiosity and Stephen Fry.

So Mr. Downey Jr can thank the increase in box office takings to the host of "Q.I". Mr. Fry is indeed in the movie playing the at times clotheless Mycroft, brother to Sherlock.
In the film the dynamic duo must face up to their greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty, as he seeks to bring an end to the civilised world.
At times the film is visually stunning, there is a sequence when Holmes and party are effecting their escape in a forest, and some rather large cannons are used to bring their escape to an end, it is a very effective sequence, a highpoint of the film.

The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law is undeniable, and a real strength of the film. But like the first film, the characters of Holmes and Watson are so different to any pair previosuly seen, though thankfully not as oddball as they were in that first film.

But the saving grace of the film is Jared Harris as Prof. Moriarty. He is very chilling, bringing real fear to the role, and there are times, when if you close your eyes, you can hear his father speak.

Elementary that it is an improvement......6 out of 10