The Dark Knight Rises (Fourth viewing)

Well, only got to see about a third of this one.

Rating: **** (still)

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The Expendables 2

Spent half a day in Newport while the girls went to Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. This was the first offering..

What can I say about this film? Firstly the dialogue was dreadful. There were more clichés in this film than I'd care to mention. Towards the end it started to resemble COD (particularly the airport scene). After watching TDKR and The Avengers this film was MORE comic book than both those films combined, totally over the top..

And despite all this (or maybe because of?!) I really enjoyed it. The violence was bloody, similar to a 15 certificate Rambo 4. Plenty of blood and the occasional head being lobbed off. I thought Van Damme played a bad guy well. Could have done with a bit more Jet Li in my opinion but with that many stars it's difficult to get the balance right I guess. Chuck Norris was amusing, even cracking one of his own jokes! Plus it was cool to see Arnie firing a big gun again, just like the 80's!

Overall rating: ***1/2

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Brave 2D

This was a filler really when the girls went to see 'Magic Mike'. And as fillers go it was ok. Not up to Pixar's usual standard and the humour seemed a bit thin on ground. I think it was aimed more at the kids than their usual offerings. 

All in all a pleasant way to kill 100 minutes.

Rating: ***

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The Bourne Legacy (Second viewing)

Saw this with Graham this time. I think he enjoyed it..

Still a solid ***1/2

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The Bourne Legacy

I wasn't quite sure how this one was going to pan out.. I'd enjoyed the previous 'Bourne' trilogy ('Supremacy' less so..) and I was looking forward to this one.

As it turns out it wasn't bad really. It's main flaw (if you can call it a flaw?) is that it's been done before. After the initial setup and back story fill-in the action kicked off! There was a couple of good set pieces and this level of action was maintained, pretty well throughout the rest of the film. It helps if you've seen the previous trilogy. You'll not only know what to expect but, have a rough idea about Treadstone and Blackbriar, which crops up quite a bit during the film.
I don't think it was as good as 'Identity' or 'Ultimatum' but it was an enjoyable action flick.
Which is probably just as well as I'm seeing it again at 4.40pm with Graham. Not sure what he'll make of it though..?!

Overall, a respectable ***1/2

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The Dark Knight Rises (Third viewing).

Well, this is the third viewing of this one and..... I think it's improving.. I even had a few 'pins and needle' moments this time too.
To be honest the choices available at the moment are pretty thin. Once is enough for 'Ted' and 'Magic Mike'. I wouldn't have minded seeing 'Searching For Sugar man' or even 'Five Year Engagement' but couldn't due to the late, single showings.

There was quite a few people in this showing of 'TDKR' too.

Still a respectable ****

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Ted

Yes, two tickets. In fact Liz WANTED to see this one!? Plus she managed to get in free with Orange Wednesday promotion..

... Which is just as well really as she hated it! (with a passion! She wanted to leave half way through!?.. I told her its against the law at Cinemas..)

As for my opinion.. It was ok.. There were some genuinely funny jokes, which worked better if you're a fan of Family Guy. But it did start to get a bit stale as the film progressed and a swearing bear is only funny for so long..
Overall ***

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