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[EWS]

"The Departed" ****/5

Amazing movie.  Not quite up there at 5 stars.  The American remake of Infernal Affairs with Jack Nicholson, Leonardo Di Caprio, Ben Affleck, Marky Mark, Alec Baldwin and more.  The story of an undercover cop in a criminal group, and an undercover criminal in the police.  Directed by Scorsasee.  If he doesn't get the Best Director Nom then something is wrong.  Di Caprio, Nicholson and Affleck all should get noms as well.

Brilliant movie.

[Scotty]

"An Inconvenient Truth" *****/5 : Not an action movie or an adventure movie but certainly a thriller where the ending hasn't been written yet. Al Gore takes his climate crisis presentation to the screen in a very thought provoking documentary. This is a must see video ... if only to save the planet !

"Superman Returns" */5 : Complete Keech. This franchise died when Christopher Reeve fell off his horse and had to become a real life Superman dealing with his injuries/disabilities. The new guy just doesn't do it and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor is nowhere near as perfect as Gene Hackman. Storyline is very poor also.

[EWS]

The Prestige

The Prestige

Dir: Christopher Nolan

Language: English

Running Time: 131 minutes

Rating: 12A

Spoilers: YES

“I never fell asleep during this one”

I’ve read the book, it’s fantastic, an excellent science-fiction book from the mind of Christopher Priest (also wrote The Separation and The Extremes). I consider myself a rather large fan of Mr. Priest, he writes good sci-fi, and tries to put it into a modern day situation with a whole “well this could happen” sort of idea. That said, when I first heard about this movie I thought; “How the **** could this work?” Initially I was going to put off watching this movie until DVD, rent it then maybe buy it, but I discovered that I had a free evening, and so me and my flatmate decided on a trip to see Christopher Nolan’s (Batman Begins, Memento) version of The Prestige, a movie that played to near enough a full house weeks after it’s release.

It’s a lot different, and although most of the major plot points are there, they have been changed somewhat to resemble a movie that is independent from the book. Sure, I knew all the twists and turns of it, and what they changed complimented the whole movie. There were scenes in the book that I had no idea how they would do it, and true enough, most of these had been left out. For example; Would they show Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) in the half-life that he is in the book? How would they deal with the “Prestige material?” and how would they deal with Alfred Borden’s (The always amazing Christian Bale) ‘secret.’

The answer? Angier’s sequence about him in a half-life is ignored, the “Prestige material” is changed and Borden’s secret? Well read on.

Before I get into the juicy parts of my review, I have to mention the stellar cast that Nolan has got here. We have, Hugh Jackman (Rober Angier), Christian Bale (Alrfed Borden), Scarlett Johansson (Olivia), Michael Caine (Cutter), Andy Serkis (Alley) and David Bowie (Nikolas Tesla). Unless you are either a) Blind, deaf and dumb, b) Stupid or c) Dead then you will understand how awesomely amazing this cast is, and how a movie like this does deserve a cast like this. This is a great movie that deserves to at least get a nomination at the Oscars next year, but it won’t.

It won’t because it is a movie about obsession and revenge set in turn of the 19th century London featuring two duelling magicians. Oh, and it is science fiction. Try and figure that one out. Nolan deserves Best Director, Bale deserves at least supporting actor and Bowie deserves an Oscar for looking, sounding and acting nothing like David Bowie.

As I mentioned before, this is a movie driven by obsession, which in turn drives the revenge theme. Initially, Angier and Borden were friends, both working for a senior magician and then an accident happens. Borden believes that the show can be more spectacular if they change the show a bit. Borden wants to add some spice, include a bullet catch, change the knot that ties the assistant in the water escape, that sort of thing. However, it is the knot change that causes catastrophe and Angier’s wife dies.

This drives a wedge between the two of them, and when Borden starts working again, Angier gets annoyed at this as he sees it as disrespect to his dead wife’s memory. Eventually, Borden creates his finally trick, a masterpiece that involves him disappearing and then reappearing across the stage in a blink of an eye. This is where the revenge starts to fuel the obsession. Determined to ruin Borden, Angier tries to steal his trick, and he obsesses over how the trick is done, and this in turn drives the revenge when he cannot figure out how this trick is done.

Along the way tricks and secrets are revealed about the world of magic, some gruesome and some entertaining. None the less, this drives an excellent movie (have I said that enough times?) and defiantly an enjoyable one. Yet this is not an easy movie to follow, and if I have one criticism it is the ending. Unfortunately, Nolan underestimates the intelligence of the audience and in the space of 10 minutes gives away the secrets of the movie. Everything is explained nice and neatly, and if I could re cut this movie, I would change this and only hint at the solution, and let the viewer guess, as is mainly in the book, not that you would not have figured out all the secrets for ‘The Disappearing Man’ and ‘The New Disappearing Man.’

To finish off with, you may have wondered what the quote at the top means. Well that comes from my Mother after seeing this movie. She will probably kill me for using it, but she has a tendency to fall asleep during movies, usually at the loudest bits; The World is Not Enough, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings. So when she does manage to stay awake the whole movie (and a movie running at over 2 hours) then something good must have happened. The Prestige will make it’s money on word of mouth, so do yourself a favour, go see this movie, you will not be disappointed.

Are you paying attention?

EW

[EWS]

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

Dir: Liam Lynch

Language: English

Running Time: 93 minutes

Rating: 15

Spoilers: YES

OK, so it has been out for a while now, but I finally got round to seeing it, and you want to know something? I ******* loved it, every minute of it. I have a small claim to history in that the first time TD played on TV in Britain (it was on MTV2, premiering Tribute) and ever since then I have been hooked.

I own all albums that they have released (they have had more then 2, though most are live) and regularly search the internet for every song that they have that haven’t appeared on albums – songs like Spiderman, Jesus Ranch, Kyle Took A Bullet For Me, and every time that some guy puts a live album on the web, guaranteed that I will have it! Anyway, my geekdom for TD probably shows through, and yes I am gay for JB, the guy is a God.

Why, you might ask, am I going on about all this? Well it might help you to decide how to take my review. The movie starts off telling you about the history of JB and the kid that they get to play him is uncanny, down to his facial expressions and the way that he acts. Includes a cameo from Meat Loaf as JBs Dad…awesome. The song (Kickapoo) is one of the best in the whole movie unfortunately, but that is not to say that the rest of the songs are not awesome.

The acting isn’t up to much in this movie, but do you expect the acting to be good? It’s about two guys who are looking for Satans tooth in order to become the greatest rockers that have ever lived…what do you expect? That’s not to say that JB and KG are not funny. And they are. This is your typical Jack Black fare (with the exception of Kong) and he essentially plays the same character so if you don’t like him, then you are not going to enjoy this movie at all.

I think that it is best if I keep this review short because there are no underlying themes, no words to say about the cinematography, directing, acting or anything. It’s a movie about 2 guys who are trying to get Satans tooth in order to become the greatest band in the world, what do you expect?

But look out for Sasquatch, **** Push-Ups (including a very funny, but ultimately disturbing scene involving this), and naked arses. But ultimately, in the end, this movie rocks my ******* socks off, but it may not do it to you. You defiantly have to be a fan of Tenacious D in order to fully enjoy this movie.

On a side note, the album that has been brought out to coincide with this movie is nothing without the actual movie. It doesn’t make sense, and songs such as Classico (one of the first songs in the movie) don’t work on the album without the video that accompanies it. Yet at this moment, I am actually listening to it and it is growing on me so much, probably because I have seen the movie.

Anyway, to wrap up, go see this movie if you are a fan of TD or if you just want something stupid, feel good and funny. Till next time,

EWS

[EWS]

Pans Labyrinth

Dir: Guillermo Del Toro

Language: Spanish (English Subtitles)

Running Time: 119 minutes

Rating: 15

Spoilers: YES

Pans Labyrinth (here after referred to as Pans) is the newest movie from Guillermo Del Toro. Let me first say this though in relation to the trailer;

THIS MOVIE IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS.

This movie is not the fairy tale story that the trailer makes it out to be. This movie is a bloody battle set in remote Spain in 1944. Further, this movie does not just focus on one story, it focus’ on multiple stories. The movie starts as it finishes, and the viewer is thrown back in time to tell the story of what happens. We are quickly introduced to Ofelia and her mother (Carmen), who is pregnant, on their way to meet ‘The Captain’ who is Carmen’s husband, but not Ofelia’s natural father and finally Mercedes, who is the Captains maid.

The viewer is quickly introduced to the main characters, and the stories can begin to unwind. As the movie progresses, there are 4 stories that unfold;

1. The fairytale story that is hinted at in the trailer

2. The ongoing battle with rebels in the forest

3. The pregnancy of Carmen

4. Mercedes and the rebels

Each separate story receives their own screen time, and are dealt with individually. Very rarely do they overlap and interlink, except when the movie is coming to a close and they must be finished.

If you struggle to follow quickly moving stories in movies, then I would consider avoiding this as you have to be pretty alert to be able to read the subtitles, understand what is happening, and switch from one story to another in your brain. However, if you can get your head round it, then you are in for a treat.

I must say that I was disappointed when the movie was not what I expected. I fully expected a movie full of weird and interesting creatures, and all I got were 5; a fat toad, a faun (who from the Spanish title I believe to be Pan), some fairies, a mandrake in a bowl of sour milk and a fantastic creature that had eyes in its hands, and ate babies. The faun and the fairies got the screen time, with the toad being dispensed of in 5 minutes, and the ‘thing with eyes in its hands’ involved in a less then suspenseful chase that was over in less then that. It was disappointing.

At one point, the whole thing is dropped, and this allows the other stories to progress, such as the birth of the child and the capture and torture of a rebel. That scene is brutal, but follows in the footsteps of other scenes in the movie where a clearly ******** of a Captain decides to utterly destroy the face of a young man trying to protect his father…it’s brutal.

I have a tendency to describe the whole movie in some of my reviews and I am conscious that I must stop. The stories are more then interesting, and held my interest for the short running time, and although I was disappointed with not getting what I thought the movie was about, the substance more then made up for it. At no point did I look at my watch thinking about the time, and wondering what else I had planned for that evening (as happens in some movies), so for that, I have to suggest that this movie is well worth your money.

The acting in this movie is excellent. There is not one weak link in here, from Doug Jones as the Faun (he played Abe Sapien in Hellboy, and is also playing the Silver Surfer in the upcoming Fantastic Four sequel) and the little girl who plays Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) essentially carries the movie on her own, not that she needs to of course. I really came to realise how much of an arse that the Captain was by the end of the movie, and thoroughly loved his demise.

Similarly, the music and the cinematography are just perfect. The music is an accompaniment rather then an annoyance and everything looks beautiful. The way that the creatures are realised are well done, and Del Toro uses as little CG as he can get away with, the only notable moments being the Toad and the fairies (but then, how do you create a massive toad and some tiny flying beasties?) There are no problems with this reviewer, and I believe that you would be hard pressed to find a problem, and only those nit picking, or spiteful of Del Toro would find something.

Essentially, what I believe this movie boils down to (without giving too much away) is a young girls ability to dream and imagine and lose herself in her own little world, that of Pans Labyrinth, when around her life descends to chaos. I would defiantly recommend this to someone who has a free 2 hours and wants to watch a decently acted film from a remarkable director. Long may we see movies like this, and long may I continue to enjoy it. I would defiantly like to see more from the world of Pans Labyrinth, and although we may not get it, Del Toro must be willing to do more movies in this vain.

From one happy person.

EWS

All 3 are taken from my blog, which you can find [url=http://lifefrombirth.blogspot.com

[Scotty]

Bon Cop / Bad Cop  ***/5

A Canadian film, translated as 'good cop / bad cop' and very much in the mould of the 'buddy' cop movies like Lethal Weapon, Bad Boys etc. but well worth a look.

A body is discovered on the Quebec / Ontario border - quite literally - It is hanging over the border sign with one half in Ontario and the other half in Quebec ... the cops argue over whose jurisdiction it is and both try to climb up a ladder on either side of the border sign to take the body down ... they slip and both ladders fall, leaving one hanging onto the arms and the other hanging on to the legs ... rrrr...iii...pppp, they both fall to the ground as the body is torn in half.

There is loads of quirky humour in this part-french part-english speaking film and some good dialogue between the two lead characters but overall the storyline is a bit weak - they are chasing down a serial killer who is taking revenge on people he thinks have been ruining a Canadian institution - HOCKEY

As I mentioned above, well worth a look but not a classic.

[Harry Chibber]

Went to see "Last King of Scotland" *****  and if Forest Whitaker does not take the Oscar for his portrayal of Ugandan president/dictator Idi Amin then there is no justice.

The film follows a fictional (Scottish) character (an amalgam of real ones if you believe some internet reviews) who becomes Amin's personal doctor and is blissfully unaware of the dictator's methods of rule. Slowly he becomes aware of and witnesses the atrocities that happen before eventually becoming the potential victim of them himself.

Whitaker is outstanding in the role and when real footage of Amin is shown at the end, you have to wonder if its Whitaker or Amin !!!

TRIVIA: Why 'Last King of Scotland ?' ... Amin was a great fan of all things Scottish and it was one of the titles he gave himself after joking that he was driving the english out of his country .... he invented a few titles for himself, but this is a cracker ... "His Excellency President for Life Field Marshal Al Hadji Dr. Idi Amin, VC, DSO, MC, King of Scotland, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular".

If you like Forest Whittaker you should watch "Ghost Dog" ***** absolutely superb, low budget but Whittaker steals the show.

"Apocalypto"*****

Mel Gibson gets it right on the money with this Last of Mohicans stylesc documentary... well worth watching, good film to watch at the cinema!

[Scotty]

Casino Royale ****/5

I liked this film despite myself. I went in with the pre-conceived idea that Daniel Craig was the wrong man to take over the mantle of Bond. Connery is Bond and the role will always be measured against him. Only Pierce Brosnan has ever come remotely close to matching him in my opinion. Lazenby, Moore and Dalton were not even close. Daniel Craig however goes straight in at number 2 for this effort that remakes Ian Fleming's first novel (if you bother to count the Woody Allen version). No gadgets, gimmicks or any of that stuff, unless you count a heart defibrillator ... but a gritty performance from a man that could and perhaps should play Bond for quite a few more films.

The Queen ****/5

Helen Mirren is a shoe-in for the oscar as the Queen. Wasnt quite so convinced in the actors who played Philip, Charles, and especially the Queen Mum but the Tony Blair actor was strangely hypnotic  :015: Think most people know it deals with the aftermath of the death of Diana and although it shows up the Royal Family badly, the Queen eventually comes across a little less badly than the rest. Quite enjoyed it.

Snakes on a Plane **/5

"I have had it with these mother****ing snakes on this mother****ing plane" said Samuel L Jackson about 2/3 of the way through this excruciatingly mind-numbing overhyped piece of pap. The only surprise was that I was still awake to hear the line. Probably the best example of a crap movie that made it to the big time based primarily on a lot of Internet hype.

[broomie boy]

crank , 10/8

click  , 10/7

both pretty good, more family orientated

[Harry Chibber]

"Commitments" ***** was on film four the other night... forgot how great a film this truely is, classic!!

"The Black Dahlia" ***and a half tried to be too much like "LA Confidential" but wasn't up to the mark IMO (probably because there was no Kevin Spacey).  Detective story set in the mid 60's (I think) dragged on a bit... wouldn't bother tbh

"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"*****... sooooooooooo funny!  Will Farrell has made a couple of crappy films but this one is excellent, Borat/Ali G/Sacha Baron Cohen makes the film! Laugh a minute! :003: