Into the Storm

I had made two previous attempts to see this film, and on both occasions I failed. Maybe a Cinematic force was trying to tell me something. Should I have listened?

You're damn right I should.
I have said it before, I am a huge fan of the disaster movies of the 1970's and love to see any movie which embraces that great era. So naturally this was right up my street.

We see a group of Storm chasers about to have their funding cut due to their inability to film a decent storm. They are at loggerheads with the scientist differing on where to head next against the instinct of the group leader. But they may be hope on the horizon or rather a storm is brewing and a pretty big one.
And in its path is a small town in the process of celebrating a Schools graduating students. Once the storm hits, things are going to get pretty rough.

But not as rough as for the poor viewer sat having to watch this frankly dire effort. Good job that the film was not in 3D as the characters are barely one dimensional. I know that disaster films are well known for not putting the greatest emphasis on their characters or their story, but it is though the screenwriter was not bothered. So therefore why should we......

It is worth sitting through for the stunning visual effects, and it goes to show how things have moved on since the likes of "Twister". There is the capability to make a truly great disaster film, as long as the writer can give a decent story and flesh out the characters.
One has to feel for Richard Armitage, an actor who really shone in "Spooks" but the less said about this new film the better.

Purely for the visuals..........5 out of 10

"Guardians of the Galaxy"

Oh brother, another film based on material from the Marvel Catalogue.
But this one is a little different. Allow me to elaborate.

We see our hero, Peter Quill on Earth, and by his terminally ill mother's bedside. At such a young age, this kind of loss is a lot to deal with. Whilst outside, he has far bigger problems to deal with when he is picked up by a passing spaceship. As you do !!!

Jump forward several years, and Mr. Quill has acquired himself a trade, he is basically the Indiana Jones of space, obtaining the unobtainable and selling to the highest bidder, though I grant you Indy was never so financially orientated. He also has acquired a new name, though few have heard of it, 'Star Lord'. Not pretentious at all !!

It is during a quest for an Infinity Stone that his adventure really begins. He gets arrested, and is imprisoned with a group of other disperate space travellers. Together they aim to break out of their confinement, and to  get their hands back on the Stone, and stop it from falling into the wrong hands, and seeing worlds get destroyed because of its immense power.

There are three main reasons why this film really works.
1) There are no over blown super heroes here. Everyone is pretty much an average every day kind of Joe.
2) The characters have there own bickering arguements with each other, they would almost kill each other as much a help one another.
3) All the characters are brilliantly realised, and well played by their respective cast member.

Visually the film is stunning, a real treat for the eyes. There is great direction from James Gunn, who also does an excellent job in co-writing the screenplay.
From start to finish, just pure entertainment, with some great moments, a highlight has to be involving Groot, and a to camera smile.

All the cast are great, yes that does include Karen Gillan. But ultimately the film is a triumph for Chris Pratt, he combines the looks of a hero, also he has sarcasm and wit in abundance. Look forward to seeing more of 'Star Lord' and the rest of the gang with the recently announced sequel

A Marvel film to marvel at....................8 out of 10

"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

RIP - Richard Attenborough - A Tribute

What can one possibly say?

The phrases like 'Film Great' and 'legend' are given out so freely these days, but Lord Attenborough was someone who deserved being called that, and so much more.
I cannot think of any other individual who has done as much for the world of Film and also Television. The remarkable work he has done will live on as we say goodbye to a true pioneer.

There are so many great films that he has worked on, whether as a Director, Producer or an Actor.
He is best remembered for his work on the multi Oscar Winning film "Gandhi", which he was quite rightly rewarded with 2 Academy Awards. But there is so much more.

There is his brilliant performances in films like "Brighton Rock", the classic that is "The Great Escape", and his chilling work on "10 Rillington Place". After a gap of some 14 years, he returned to acting in a big way when he played Billionaire 'John Hammond' in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park", and although there are many who regard the film as too sentimental, I still love his work as 'Kris Kringle' in the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street", a role he was born to play, and did so beautifully.

He also Directed the great war epic "A Bridge Too Far", and dramas like "Magic", "Cry Freedom" and "Shadowlands".
His biopic of "Chaplin" was a real labour of love, having been such a huge fan of the great comic.

Although ill health meant we have not enjoyed any recent work as either Director or Actor, his legacy will live on, and so will our enjoyment of a true craftsman.

RIP Dickie......

"The Expendables 3"

Ever since this film was green lit and went into production, I have been eagerly counting down the days to seeing this third in the franchise.
I must say that I was in complete awe and amazement that Stallone managed to get Harrison Ford to appear in the movie, and real coup for sure. And the other new 'mature' cast members are also quite impressive.

The film opens with a big style prison break. Well a movie train prison break, as former Expendable 'Doc' is being transferred, and his former colleagues want him back to join the group, so they engineer an audacious prison break from a heavily armoured and well manned train. There are more than a few passing nods to a cast members recent incarceration !!!
With 'Doc' safely out of Prison, the gang head on to a simple matter of an arms deal, all is going fine until the dealer arrives. It turns out to be 'Conrad Stonebanks', former Co-Founder of The Expendables, and longtime nemesis of Barney Ross, who believed his former friend was dead, by his hand. But he is very much alive, and now Stonebanks aims to make the group history. With one of the crew in Hospital, and Trench being sidelined, Ross has to decide what course of action to take, and deal with his new boss, Drummer (Ford). Ross believes that given the suicide nature of the mission, he does not want to endanger the lives of his best friends, so goes it alone, but hiring some new blood, some younger carefree blood, with the help of 'Bonaparte' (Grammer). So with a new team in place, and they bringing technology and know how way over Ross's head, they head after Stonebanks.
All goes well, in fact a little too well. And soon Ross and the team are attacked, and he is left for dead.
The Fed's are not too happy that Ross has once again failed to deliver his arch nemesis. But they find the location that Stonebanks is holding his young team, and Ross heads off, and has a few extra passengers!!
This all leads to the big finale showdown, and what an action packed piece it is. One of the biggest finales I have ever seen, it really is quite something, but how does this compare with the rest of the film?

As much as I really wanted to love this movie as much as I did the second one, it is not in the same league. The biggest issue I have is that it does not feel like an Expendables movie. It is a nice idea having the new young blood, now whether it was the idea to have them permanantly take over, or that they would need rescuing by the older members that Ross leaves behind I do not know, but the whole fun of the first two films was this gang of aged characters, working together, the great banter, and these great names from the 1980's all on screen together. And that chemistry is well and truly lost here.I appreciate that the elder cast are not getting any younger and may find it difficult to the more action packed or stunt related work, so maybe did they they go a film too far?
The main body of the original expendables are benched for the main centre of the film. Blink and you miss the likes of Jet Li and Robert Davi.
I also have to say that one the biggest letdowns is Mel Gibson as 'Stonebanks'. I cannot decide whether we cannot relate to him as a villain, or that he is just not nasty enough. A huge step down from the brilliant Jean Claude Van Damme in the second movie.

There are some things to enjoy. The opening prison break is great, as is the follow on job. The hugely action packed finale is worth watching. And there is, as ever, a great score from Brian Tyler.

If there is to be a fourth film, and judging by the newly released opening box office takings that will be a HUGE IF, then they need to take the film back to the style of the second. If they cannot fulfil a film with mature leads, and recreate that great  banter and in-film jokes, then maybe it is best to leave the franchise at three films.

Good but much room for improvement.....7 out of 10

RIP - Robin Williams - A Tribute

I have to say that this is one tribute I did not expect to be writing just yet. Despite some personal demons, Robin Williams was always someone who struck me as being so full of life.
A short while ago we Brits said goodbye to one of our Comedy legends, gone all too soon, when we said farewell to Rik Mayall. Now America has lost one of its truest comedy talents.

For fans of Cinema or Comedy it is a very sad day. To lose someone who has given so much to the World of Entertainment is always upsetting, but he really did go too soon.
From those early beginnings on "Mork & Mindy", to Oscar winning success, he really was an incredible talent. Initially best known for film Comedy roles, but he did eventually move into drama and gave some quite remarkable performances.
Anyone who has seen either "Insomnia" or "One Hour Photo" will know what I am referring to. Such dark and powerful peformances, in roles that you remember long after leaving the Cinema.

As a Stand-Up comedian, there are few who could equal his humour, his energy, his love of what he did. I have seen numerous routines that he did, and you cry with laughter time and time again.

Of his varied career, there are many highpoints. His tremendous success in "Mrs. Doubtfire" was rightly deserved. Strong performances in films like "Goooooooooood Morning Vietnam", "Awakenings, and a personal favourite of mine, and one I think he should have won the Oscar for, namely "Dead Poets Society".
He did however win a Supporting Actor Oscar, and rightly so for his work on "Good Will Hunting". I can picture now host Billy Crystal beaming with such pride as his best friend gets the Award. It was a moving moment, and a great Oscar celebration.
There are so many great movies, and some which were not as beloved by others, but I still love all the same, films like "Jack", "Father's Day" and I loved seeing him in the remake of "The Birdcage".

As a fan of Parkinson, the appearances by Robin Williams on the show, are now the stuff of legend, even managing to upstage Stephen Fry.

As we shed tears at your all too early passing, we know that heaven will soon be full with tears of laughter. You entertained us, you made us laugh and cry in equal measure. You are a one off, and someone we will never EVER forget. RIP Robin......"Nanu, Nanu"

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - Special Preview Screening

Ten long winters have gone by since the events of the first film. Things have considerably calmed down. The virus has really taken its toll against the humans.
The apes have created their own colony in the woods and forests that surround San Francisco, and given that they have had little contact with the humans, believe that they could be all alone once more.

But things are about to change. There are some humans who have become resistant to the virus and have survived. The few that remain continue to exist but their fuel supply is rapidly disappearing, and their only hope is a water hydro dam. The only problem is that it is located within the very forests populated by the apes. During an investigatory visit there is an altercation and an ape is shot and killed. Naturally this rather agrivates the apes. They go to the humans and tell them they remain in the City, and the apes remain in the forests.

Malcolm knows the great need for restoring electricity, and so sets off to see Caesar, and see if there is anything that can be done, but he also knows full well that if he fails in the task, Dreyfus will take the stockpile of automatic weapons that they have, and wage war on the apes.

Willing to know why the humans want access to the forest area, Caesar allows Malcolm to show him what is needed, and why it is so vital. Caesar seess this as an opportunity, if he gives the humans access to the dam, once the work is done, they will go and leave them in peace, as he knows that outgun the apes.
But this willingness to move on is seen as weakness by some of the other apes, especially by Koba, and even his own Son. Koba has visited the City and has seen first hand the arsenal of weapons at the humans disposal. But it seems that trust between both parties is very hard to gain and so very easy to lose. Koba knows that he has a hard battle to instill his views on Caesar, so does the only thing he can, and that is, in an apt Brutus style moment, take down his leader and blame the humans, thus insighting the apes to declare war.
But the Apes are not the only ones to be dealing with a power struggle, as Malcolm and Dreyfus  do battle. One trying to avert war, and the other keen to destroy all the Apes.

It is fascinating seeing how the Apes have developed, and how much the different characters have been fleshed out. They are brought to life by some truly awesome visual effects. Caesar once again is brilliantly given life and breath by Andy Serkis.Oldman and Russell are decent enough in their respective roles. Clarke is great as Malcolm, one who is keen to both protect the humans, and see no harm befall the Apes.
There is however some predicatability with the film, which means that it does pale somewhat at the side of the first film, which was far more unnerving and more compelling.

But it is still a decent movie. And according to internet sources, a third film has been greenlit.

Monkey business well worth watching........7 out of 10