"Divergent"

The future, where your very nature can determine how you live your life, or rather in what faction you become part of.
A time when the type of person you are dictates where you live and who you are.
There are the daredevils, the ones who protect. There are the carers who think of others. There are the thinkers, and maybe they have a hidden agenda.
Beatrice is a young woman who has lived with her parents, and the time has come for her to make the decision, as to where she belongs. There is a test that can be taken, which acts as a guide, only her results cause alarm for her, as she is one of the few that do not seem to indicate any one faction, she is what is known as divergent, as this is something she strives to keep secret.

Her decision is to become part of the Dauntless clan, those who look after the other occupants within the city walls. In order to stay within, she must endure training, which consists of many tests, skills, and being opposed against fellow new recruits to see who has the stamina to  go the distance.
I just wish that I had the stamina to stay interested in the film, as this is what the bulk of the film is about. Can Tris (yes she has renamed herself) cut the mustard?  Who can she trust?  Are we really bothered?  Not that much.

There is a side story where one faction seeks to claim leadership from another faction, but again this is too little of a plot device to care about the film.
One saving grace is a nice stand out performance from lead actress Shailene Woodley as 'Tris'.

I did wonder if it was the first in a series of films, and sure enough it is, but in order to keep viewers and those who have not read the books, you need to make each individual film engaging, and Director Neil Burger has clearly failed miserably in that task, as this is one viewer who will not be returning for the sequels.

I know that the book is classed as a Worldwide Bestseller, and I can only hope that the reading was more than the cinematic experience......5 out of 10

"Titanic"

Returning to the Big Screen is one of the biggest Box Office hits of all time. Namely James Cameron's multi Oscar winning "Titanic".

Will just recap the story....the White Star Line has its latest luxury liner about to set sail. On board are Rose and Jack, two people who could not be any further apart if you tried. Yet somehow their worlds coming crashing together, and they become attracted to one another, despite that Rose is engaged to be married.
Also on board the luxury ship is an assortment of people from all walks of life, from the rich to the lower classes. All completely unaware of that tragedy that is about to befall them all.

The story between Jack and Rose does rather detract from the tragedy that befalls the other 2,000 or so passengers on board. They get the occasional bit of side story, but ultimatelty this is about them, and lets face it, they are fictional as well. Their story of making each day count is all very nice, but there are more moving stories to tell, and stories that are very real.

The story am afraid, as is often the case with a Cameron film is a tad bland, the lead characters are ok, but it has all been done before, and frankly a lot better. By far the worst character is 'Cal Hockley' played by Billy Zane, such dreadful writing, he is barely one dimensional, and the acting is dreadful. He is quite like a Pantomime villain, you expect him to start twirling on a large moustache, and cackling to himself.

One thing that you cannot argue with is the technical side of the film, the recreation of the ship, the costumes, the visual effects, all are of a first class standard, and were worthy Oscar winners. I do have a problem with "Titanic" winning Best Picture, personally I still think it should have gone to "L.A. Confidential".

Onto the 3D aspect, something that I have been very critical of. I have problems enjoying films shot in 3D, let alone 2D films which have been converted, like this one.
There was however one major change with this 3D viewing, namely that one saw it on an IMAX screen. Now whether it is the IMAX aspect or not I am not sure, but this was a very good 3D experience, not the best, but for a conversion was very good. There is hope yet.

Nice to re-experience"Titanic".....and the IMAX was superior.......8 out of 10

"Contagion"

The stars certainly came out for this one.
Normally any of the main stars of this film can carry a picture by themselves, but here they are together for Director Steven Soderbergh, with enough Oscars between them to almost fill the Shrine Auditorium.

The film is concerned with the latest virus epidemic which is sweeping across the US, and indeed the rest of the World. The film concerns itself with the plight of certain individuals, the Father who has lost his wife and son, and struggles to survive along with his daughter. There are two Physicians battling to find a cure for the disease. The Blogger who believes in telling the truth about the disease and the alledged billions being made by Companies, and the cover-up over the spread of the virus. It is these stories that give the film its humanity, and those stories are well told.

Soderbergh is adequate in the Director's chair, but has done far better work. Of the actors, Matt Damon is the star that shines brightest, as he usually does.

Well I first heard about this virus thriller from Warner Bros. I immediately thought back to their last effort, the thriller "Outbreak", and if one is to do a comparison, then for me "Outbreak" is far in front. What was most chilling was the simplicity of what caused the virus, and how quickly it took effect.

The shape of things to come?????............6 out of 10