"Lucy"

Lucy is a girl who should keep better company. Her so called friend Richard uses her to deliver a briefcase of unknown contents to a scary looking Japanese gentleman. Then bodies start to appear, and Lucy finds herself being herded into a room, with some other unsavoury characters. Soon she finds she has been cut open, and a cosmetic drug, in a pouch, has been put inside her. This, along with four others, will be smuggled through Customs, and the drugs handed over to their Collector.
During her ideal she is beaten by a gang of men, and the bag ruptures and the contents leak inside her. The drug has the effect of enhancing the cerebral capacity that we use, and she finds herself being able to do the most amazing things, and soon the world and his wife is after her.

I am not going to waffle on about this pointless film. The premise whether scientifically possible or not was just ludicrous, almost laughable. There is very limit to commend about the movie, at times visually it is impressive but that is one positive against a plethora of negatives.
When one thinks of Director Luc Besson, one thinks of the those great movies he amde, films like "The Fifth Element", "Nikita", and "Leon", but he is reduced to doing trash like this.
The film may have two leading stars but neither come out of it with any commendations.

Such a waste of time, enough said........4 out of 10

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

Our shield wielding hero returns after the hit of 2011. My how time flies. Three years since Steve Rogers first appeared on our screens.
For me the original was one of the better Marvel adaptations, and this sequel carries on where the first film ended.
Rogers continues to adjust to life in the 21st Century, but when his mentor Nick Fury is attacked by an Assassin, namely The Winter Soldier, Rogers is plunged into intrigue and mystery as Fury warns not to trust anyone, especially anyone within SHIELD, as the organisation has been compromised, potentially at the highest level.

Accompanied by The Black Widow, and new recruit Falcon, they go on the offensive. Though all too soon they are targeted as the threat, when those within SHIELD who seek to do harm, realise that they must be rid of these three who seek to unmask them.

There is little more to the plot than that really. But what is on screen for the two hour running time is a great action packed romp, featuring great characters, and Steve Rogers continues to be an enjoyable chapter in the Marvel catalogue, more so than "Thor".  All the cast are clearly having fun, including Oscar nominee and acting legend Robert Redford as SHIELD executive Alexander Pierce.

Visually, as ever, the film is top notch, though as often is the case with this kind of movie, the action is too much in your face, and it is difficult to know what is happening and to whom. Learn from a master or better yet hire the best - Roger Deakins.
Another note to the wise, stay til the end credits for an etxra scene.

Another worthy Marvel entry........8 out of 10

"her"

It has to be said that I am not a huge fan of Spike Jonze, though probably unfairly I am basing that statement on the fact that I have seen just two of his previous films, namely "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Adaptation", the latter especially I find irritating, if nothing else for depriving Ed Harris of a much deserved Academy Award.

We all seem to live in a World where we are all becoming more isolated than ever. Technology has moved on to such a degree, that there are many who have no need to leave their home. Everything they want and need can be brought to them with the push of a button or the click of a mouse. And with the latest film from Spike Jonze, we are seeing possibly the next step in technological evolution.
A new programme, an Artificial Intelligent Operating System. The ultimate app for your mobile !!

Someone who this is tailor made for is Theodore, a man who is totally withdrawn from life, suffering the effects of the break up of his marriage, and torn apart by the impending divorce, which his wife has patiently waited a year for him to sign the papers. He is loathed to say goodbye to that part of his life. His only solace is his work where he composes old fashioned hand written letters, which have become a thing of the past, where we all log into a virtual world, where we communicate in our own little bubble. At times there is very little interaction between people. It makes one wonder how businesses like restaurants survive in this new future.
'Samantha', the SO1 program, slowly brings Theodore out of his shell, as she gets him to appreciate everything around him once again, she starts to learn and evolve, wanting to know more, and to grow as an intelligence. But are things going too well for Theodore? Can he really sustain a relationship with a microchip? Where will it all end?

I was definitely not sure what to expect from this film, but it clearly deserves its Best Picture nomination, as it is a fascinating look at human nature, how we interact with technology and a most beautiful love story. I really commend Mr. Jonze on his screenplay which is wonderfully written.
We see a career best performance from Joaquin Phoenix. He really gets inside Theodore, conveying his sense of isolation, of elation at his being with Smantha and loving life, and sense of loss from his marriage break-up. Such a mix of emotions all brilliantly played out. I know that his career has had its ups and downs, but he is at the top of his game with a phenomenal performance.
To bring a machine or in this case a program to life just with vocal skills is quite the task, to give that program life, and make it seem real especially to the fictional character she is assigned to is quite something, but Scarlett Johannson makes it look so easy. Not only is she a stunningly beautiful young lady but her voice is too, and so human, and makes her the perfect choice for the role of 'Samantha'. Great support too from Amy Adams as 'Amy', one of the few friends that Theodore has in his life.
Top notch writing, as I have already mentioned, and Mr Jonze direction is also outstanding. This love story comes with a first class score and also some beautfiul photography. We really are getting the full package with this film.

A new kind of love story..............9 out of 10.

"The Avengers Assemble"

After a plethora of films are featuring a variety of Marvel comic characters, now we have the Daddy of them all....the World becomes threatened by a force so evil, that one Super Hero will be insufficient against the power of what is to come.
S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury gets his mobile out and calls up all the greatest Super heroes to do battle against Loki (rather pissed off God from "Thor") and his Army. One or two of them are a little reluctant to participate, but with a little gentle persuasuion, they soon form their merry band.

The film is split into two halves, the first being the recruitment of the super-heroes and the attacks by Loki, and second being the fight back by the Marvel Army.
As one would expect from this film there are plenty of action scenes and many explosions, the story pretty much takes second fiddle to the visual effects and the action scenes. The story merely serves the purpose of having an excuse to bring the Marvel Characters together. So don't go expecting some Oscar Winning literary masterpiece with the writing.

With a running time of almost two and a half hours, the film does an admirable job of keeping you entertained. It has to be said that after such a great 3D conversion with "Titanic" that I felt that the 3D effect on this film was disappointing.
The film is a little light on good laughs, but there are two really great laugh out loud moments, and are almost worth the price of admission alone.
As said, the film is about seeing these great characters come together, after we have seen their individual stories. It is also about the visual effects which are some of the best on screen. For such a high level of effects, I am amazed that it cost only $220 million.

A good movie, not outstanding, but still highly enjoyable, some of the Marvel stand alone films fair better......7 out of 10