The Warriors Way

The Warriors Way (06/12/2010)

Green screen galore! I didn’t see this coming till the first trailer hit the cinema, and have to say I was a little bemused by it. Ninja’s and Cowboys! OK I’ll go for it!

It’s ok! Well it has it’s moments, well a couple, or I think it did! This film has completely gone from my mind! I can remember the odd scene, but nothing else. Sod this I’m going to have to buy it on DVD and watch it again!

One thing I have to say is how does Geoffrey Rush make something like this and then proceed to make a stunning film like the King’s speech! Somebody needs to explain to me how that works!

I’d marked it as (6/10) so better than average but not that good!

Secretariat

Secretariat (05/12/2010)

Having a strong interest in Horse Racing, this film appealed to me, plus my daughter really wanted to see it.

We had the cinema to ourselves, obviously another film slipping under the average film goer’s radar! Or maybe they didn’t like films about Race Horses!

Well I had never heard of this horse – Secretariat, but I was blown away by him, not the film, though it was not a bad film, but by the horse and the story of the horse. This was a remarkable story, like Phar Lap from Australia, this horse did not stand a chance, well actually her owner did not stand a chance, or that’s what people thought! The film does it’s best to stay away from the cliched “We have nothing and ,must prevail at all costs”, but fails with a couple of inspiring speech’s along the way. But these are truly forgotten in the final part of the film, as Secretariat bids for the Triple Crown! These 3 races (well 4) are brilliant to watch, and lifted this film just a little higher than it was aiming for. The final race was jaw-dropping, because I’ve never seen a horse do what this horse did. You may think it’s all done for the film! Well that’s what I thought! Except it’s not, I checked, the film depicts the real result, distance, everything that happened was true!

Aside from the horse, the cast did a good job, the direction was superb in the race’s, the script as I’ve said lost it’s way a couple of times, but overall it’s a good film, but the actually story of the horse gives it that edge!

Overall (8/10), a story of a remarkable horse and her remarkable owner!

The American

The American (02/12/2010)

I have to say I was looking forward to this from the trailers, not sure it was what I expected though in the end, I did really enjoy it.

First off this isn’t a typical American thriller. No, it had a much more European feel to it, like Bourne but with limited action sequences. With a very slow build up to the final act, this was a well directed and acted film. Clooney was superb, aided by a good script and some very good direction. I could feel the loneliness he had to endure through his profession, and his craving for a real relationship. The story is clever, and never got bogged down at any point, the twist a little predictable in the end, but it did not harm the film really.

The location was stunning, and the cinematography was excellent, however I am struggling to remember the score, but I do have a copy so I will give that a listen.

Overall this was a good solid film (8/10), one which I really enjoyed.

London Boulevard

The night after Machete I saw London Boulevard, wow did this take a pounding by the critics!

Well I actually quite liked it, typical London gangster movie, Ray Winstone plays the top dog, with even bite to throw down every gangster going. Farrell is the convict who wants to go straight and gets involved with Knightley's reclusive movie star! Another film in which Farrell impresses me as an actor. Knightly is also good along with good support from Anna Friel, David Thewlis and Ben Chaplin.

The film is violent, full of bad language but it's all been seen before, yet I really liked it! Not 100% sure why, I just did!

(7/10)