World War Z (second viewing)

Almost didn't see this one today. It was a toss up between this, Despicable Me 2" or "This is the End". As I haven't even seen the first "Despicable Me" I thought in order for it to have any sense of continuity I should really.. And according to the Cineworld blurb on "This is the End" I should see it if I liked "Superbad", "Pineapple Express" and "Project X"... I haven't seen any of them (and I consider myself lucky in regards to "Project X"!)

So that left a second viewing of "World War Z".  This time around there was subtitles, which really help with some of the plot exposition dialogue.. And as a result I'd say I probably enjoyed in more this time around.. (Plus the mention of Cardiff didn't seem to get the same response as the first time.. I still chuckled to myself!..)

Overall, still an enjoyable ****..

Behind The Candelabra (2nd viewing)

Normally I wouldn't have bothered seeing this for a second time but Liz wanted to so naturally I jumped at the chance.. 

And it was just as entertaining the first time..

Overall, still a decent *** 1/2

Humming Bird

Here we have the latest Jason Statham movie so naturally Graham tagged along to see this one..  Plus i treated him to a hot dog and Coke with my vouchers..

This time our Jase plays a 'down and out' ex-special forces (why is it always Special forces and never TA or catering corps?) Anyway as it transpires early in the film, Jason is 'down and out' because he's avoiding a Court Martial for a crime he committed whilst serving in Helmand Provence.. Anyway, throw in a Nun working at the local soup kitchen, a missing homeless woman 'The Stath' shared a cardboard box with and the London underworld and you can probably guess the rest.

To be fair you can see what he was trying to do. This film try's to have more emotional impact than his usual fair (he even cries at one point!) But at the end of the day it doesn't quite hit its target. This may be down the the fact that everyone knows what to expect from a Jason Statham movie. And if you don't get ridiculous, over the top violence and mad car chases you kind of feel short changed... 

A nice try but ultimately it's not quite there..(don't give up your day job Jase!)

Rating:**

Man Of Steel 3D (2nd viewing)

Had a couple of spare hours today in Cardiff so I figured I'd give Man Of Steel another viewing..

And I think it's better second time round.. Granted it's still TOO MUCH for the last third of the movie but this time around Kypton seemed amazing.. The style reminded me of "The Chronicles Of Riddick".. which is a good thing (style wise).  Also this time during the (monotonous) third act, to help alleviate the boredom I tried to spot the DC comic 'easter eggs' mentioned in Empire.

Still ***1/2 (nearly ****)


Sent from my iPhone

Behind The Candelabra

This was another film Liz wanted to see so, as always I jumped at the chance to see a film with my wife (she doesn't get out much..)
I'd heard good things about this movie so, despite the subject matter I was kind of looking forward to it.. Stephen Sodenburg is renown for his 'quirky' movies (Magic Mike being a case in point!) and here he delivers a movie that's both funny and moving, particularly towards the end. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon give career defining performances and there was also some nice supporting roles from , Dan Akroyd, Scott Bakula and Rob Lowe as an hilarious victim of his own plastic surgery!
This movie was originally made for TV in America but here the screening we were in was practically full..
Overall and entertaining (and occasionally cringe inducing) couple of hours and Liz enjoyed it too!
Rating ***1/2

Sent from my iPhone

Man Of Steel

Second film today. I enjoyed 'World War Z' but this was the film I was looking forward to..

This doesn't really need a synopsis but briefly its a Superman origin story with Zod thrown in to spice it up a bit..

First the good points.. The special effects are excellent! Also the acting's top notch. Henry Cavil is a very convincing lead and Michael Shannon plays a menacing Zod. Both Supe's dads are well played too. And as every one has commented the first 2/3's of the film are very good..

Now the bad points.. The special effects are a bit much.. Particularly towards the end where it gets 'Transformers 2/3' bad.. What it could have done with was a bit of restrain. Cast your mind back to the original Superman back in 1978. Supermans introduction when he catches Lois as she falls from the tower block .... followed by the helicopter is monumental.. There's no moments like that in this film. Or if there is they get engulfed by special effects.  I think I'm the only one who enjoyed 'Superman Returns'. That was a better film in my opinion, with more memorable moments.. And another thing, I fed up with 'shaky cam'. It's ok with the Bourne films but doesn't work so well in big, sprawling blockbusters.. And also, where's the theme tune? You know 'da dada da daaa... Da tada.!' This film could have done with that.

Overall, despite my reservations it was ok. As Zack Synder movies go I preferred 'Watchmen' but it was better that 'Sucker-punch'

Rating ***

World War Z 3D

'Photomarathon Presentation Day' today so I caught the 8.42 train this morning. After a coffee at Pret I settled down for the 11.45 showing of "World War Z 3D" (it was the earliest showing of ANYTHING!)

Basic premise goes thus: World turns into Zombies - Brad Pitt has to save said World. 

Now I've seen my fair share of Zombie flicks over the years. Dawn of the dead (the remake), Shaun Of The Dead, 28 Days later and most recently Warm Bodies. This film had no humour whatsoever (apart from the mention of Cardiff Airport which got an unintentional laugh from the audience!). But the lack of humour wasn't a problem. The film was a 15 certificate and I think it would have benefited from an 18 cert personally. That being said it still spooked me on occasion and there was an overall sense of tension and dread.  I even got accustomed to the CGI zombies after a while. 

All in all I really enjoyed this movie. ****

After Earth

Ok here goes.. This is M.Night.Shamalangadingdon's latest offering. Basic synopsis: Will Smith and his son crash lands on a future earth and they have to survive...... 

Granted, there's a bit more to it than that but that's all you need to know. Now M.Nights previous few films and been shit to be fair. "Lady in the Water" was one of the worst films I've EVER seen. 'The Happening' didn't and i deliberately didn't see 'Airbender' mainly down to its ridiculous title. This recent lack of form probably explains why you can't see his name highlighted in the promo stuff.

Anyway, on with the review..

Now I'm partial to a good Sci-fi movie, and the fact that it IS a Sci-fi movie means it's already earned one star in my book.. Unfortunately though you still need some substance to clinch the deal and this film was severely lacking in that department. In fact what it was mainly lacking was excitement.. A sense of threat to our two leads.. A point.. Don't get me wrong the special effects where good.. But the special effects were good in Transformers 3... Overall it was no "Lady in the Water"... But also it was no "Oblivion" even!

Rating:**

Fast & Furious 6

The fact that I saw this film nearly 20 days ago and haven't bothered to post a review probably says a lot about this film. Actually to be fair, it wasn't that bad. If you've seen the other 'Fast'n'Furious' incarnations you'll know the basic synopsis. Alternatively watch the latest trailer, that'll highlight the erm... highlights!  In fact plot doesn't really come into it. In fact I can't remember the plot... or any of the movie come to mention it.. Did I see it? I can remember the tank on the bridge and the car driving through the front of the plane but those scenes where in the trailer.. If like me, you're stuck to review the film just watch the trailer or the 5 minute preview shown before the far,far superior 'Iron Man 3'

Who am I kidding, this film was throwaway rubbish.. 

To rate it **1/2 is being generous..

Sent from my iPhone