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!
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!
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.
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!
Caught the Grindhouse wanna-be film Machete last night.......... adapted into a film from the fake trailer as seen in the Grindhouse double bill by Robert Rodreiguz.
I was looking forward to this a lot, great cast, a typical QT move by Robert Rodreiquz to employ some "has" been a-actors and give them some new fire! Don Johnson, Seagal and De Niro (even if I think De Niro was still not that great) add in some uber cool b-movie actors, like Danny Trejo, Alba, Fahey (who I thought was great!) Cheech Marin and Michelle Rodriguez and you have a top grindhouse cast list! Trouble is as good as some of it was, it didn't play out like the two grindhouse movies, Deathproof and Planet Terror, they are superb, this was just about good! It had it's fair share of moments, but it was too polished, too clean, it felt like a studio film just a little too much. Giving it that poor quality look the bad cuts and the awful music would have helped it so much. But I can see why the studio didn't want that look after the flop which was Grindhouse!
But it's not all bad - lots of T&A, lots of violence and some funny moments (even thought I expected more than there was!) It worked enough for me to enjoy it.
I do like Tony Scott's recent films, and I was looking forward to this one. A runaway train travelling into a highly populated area needs to be stopped.
What I did like was the look of the film, the train, the actors. What I didn't like was the stereotypical characters and the cliched ending.
This was a pretty intense ride, Scott skipped the character lead ins, and got straight down to the action. He gave us glimpses of the day in the life of a train driver and conductor, but his star of the film was his train. It looked and sounded impressive as it thundered through the film, and Scott really drove home the destructive force that a train this size is. Chris Pine and Washington worked fine for me, even if Washington never got out of 1st gear, then again the story and the script didn't play on the characters too much, this wasn't about acting, this was about the train! I really like the look of Scott's films, this one not as flashy as Man on Fire, but the editing was sharp, a little too sharp in some places, leaving the action a little disjointed and it lost some of it's impact. I'm talking about the train full of children, it's never really made clear just how close it was. But this is a minor quibble, the rest of the film is a blast. Real edge of the seat stuff.
I have to say it held my attention just as much the 2nd time. Still think Radcliffe is the poorest of the 3 actors, but listening to the script more it was quite stilted.
Didn't get any worse, but I didn't see anything else in it to make it any better!
First of the final installement of the Harry Potter franchise!
The end is near!
Harry Potter, 9 years it has taken to get to this point, some of the films have been great some average, but for the readers some just too much has been missed out. Not that I care, I haven't read the books and don't intend to now. I get the gist of the story! Even if it's all very Lord of the rings! I can live with just seeing the films!
Anyway the film, it's not bad, better than the last one, not by a lot, but enough. It kept my attention and my eldest liked it as well, again more than the previous one!
It's more of a setup for the final battle, with a lot of running around and not really doing much, a bit of humour to lighten a very dark mood, but not enough to spoil the atmosphere, which is becoming very heavy and dark. However even in this day and age, they still managed to use some rather shabby special effects, the chase at the start is littered with poor effects shots, the bit in the tunnel, the worst of them all! The story does feel disjointed at times, and never really flows, things just seem to happen, maybe it's down to bad editing, or just a bad writing! But still there is enough to like in this film. Radcliffe is still very wooden, Watson is superb even if she's competing with Stewart (Twilight) for the most angst teen girl in cinema at the moment! She is really running Stewart a fine race, though I've not seen the 3rd Twilight yet! Grintgets better again, along with Watson he has matured as an actor! The rest of the cast are bit parts, and there are so many of them as well. But this film belongs to the 3 main stars, I would say they have 70% of the screen time, the rest fight for scraps! Which is a shame because it's a very strong supporting cast!
Is it going to go out with a bang - Yes I would say so! Am I glad it's nearly all over - Yes I am!
What's it about? A bunch of crazy men doing some stupid, crazy, sick stunts for laughs.
Summary: Jackass started life on MTV, and has become a massive show for MTV, and spawned 3 films, the latest being shot in glorious 3D. It's an acquired taste for the most part, but some of it is just so funny, this is every grown man's dream. To act 13 all your life. Yet some of these stunts are plain dangerous, getting in front of a charging bull, wouldn't be on my list of things to do, in fact nothing I saw in this film as funny as it was would I even attempt by myself or against someone else. Maybe due to the fact I couldn't afford to rig half the stunts up anyway!
Back to the film, it's not a film to really like, it's just funny in a major slapstick way! Some of it is vile, but caught up in the film you can't help but laugh (even if the guy over my shoulder kept retching!!) Seriously thought we were going to have our own live vomit scene in the cinema! Lucky for me he kept control of himself!
But to say I didn't like it is wrong - I did like, because I laughed till my sides hurt, my throat became sore and tears rolled down my face. And so the film succeeded in doing what it intended to do, and I loved nearly all of it!
Alien Invasion along the lins of ID4, looked good from the trailers, but the reviews were rubbish!
What's it about? An alien invasion!
Cast: Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel, Crystal Reed and Donald Fasion
Written by Joshua Cordes and Liam O'Donnell
Soundtrack by Matthew Margeson
Directed by The Strause Brothers
What I liked? Most of the special effects.
What I didn't like? The script, the acting, the story, the lack of interest and the what the hell was that ending!
Summary: The trailer was cut to perfection, it looked good, didn't give that much away and I was looking forward to this. Then the reviews started, it didn't sound promising at all, in fact it sounded like a disaster! All I have to say is thank God I have a Cineworld Card, I would have been gutted to pay full price for this! Not even the really good SFX was enough to for the price of a ticket! I don't think I've seen so many ideas pumped into one film, but they are not just ideas I am talking about things taken from other films. Skyline borrows heavily from a number of SCI-FI classics, the Matrix, ID4 and Cloverfield, but ends up in a complete mess. As they say too many cooks!!
What didn't help this film as well, is the complete lack of any intelligent writing or plot, ok plot can be quite simple - Survive the alien attack! But if that's the story then you need characters you care for, or like a little bit. Here we have a group of 20 year olds who are dumb, never mind can't act out of a paper bag. They make silly decisions, they have no emotional depth, and you can't wait to see them get sucked up by one of the many aliens roaming the streets or flying through the air!
And to top it all it's not even exciting, the biggest jump is an old man and his dog!!!! Their is no tension at all in this film, no panic, no sense of the end of the world. Just these idiots in their pent house!
And then we come to the ending, which I can't really go into except its, "Really you have to be joking me, that's the silliest thing I've ever seen!" And it is! I just hope they don't do a 2nd one!
Summary Bar some very good looking SFX this film was a complete and utter mess (2/10)
The other night caught the road-trip comedy, Due Date.
What's it about? High-strung father to be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time.
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifiankis and Michelle Monaghan.
Written by Alan R Cohen and Alan Freedland
Soundtrack by Christophe Beck
Directed by Todd Phillips
What I liked about it? Most of the comedy, the acting and the script
What I didn't like? Not much.
Summary: The reviews for this film were a mixed bunch, one week they were very good, the next week, it was 1 star reviews everywhere. I still liked the look of it, and surprise surprise it was not that bad, well not a 1 star film anyway. It's not perfect, it's not ROFL, it's not anything new, in fact it's Planes,Trains and Automobiles, minus the trains and two funny men, this one only has one. I'm not saying Downey isn't funny in this film, he is, in a dry, serious kind of way. While Galifianakis's character is the total opposite, and that's what the film plays on. And it works. It has the usual sentimental touch at the end, as everything works out for all parties concerned.
Overall like I said it was nothing new but it was entertaining. (7/10)
The American version of the Swedish film, Let the right one in. With strong critical reviews on the most part this looked like they could have made a decent US version for once.
What's it about? A young girl moves into a small town and befriends a lonely, bullied boy, but she hides a terrible secret.
Cast: KodiSmit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz, Richard Jenkins and Elias Koteas.
Written by Matt Reeves
Soundtrack by Michael Giacchino
Directed by Matt Reeves
What I liked? The look of the film, the lead cast, the kids are superb. Abby's vampire face, her eyes are amazing.
What I didn't like? The CGI Abby! The swimming pool scene.
Summary: So close, but one thing and one thing only ruined this film for me. The CGI Abby, in the attacks, climbing the tree and jumping the fence, all looked terrible and just broke the spell of the film. The worst thing is the other parts of the film are terrific, the two kids Smit-McPhee and Moretz are brilliant, the small supporting cast all perform with the little they have. Yet the story is about the two kids friendship and Reeves really brings that to the fore, he does a great job with the direction. Some of the scenes are beautifully shot, just like the original, and Reeve's demonstrates a good visual awareness and I'm looking forward to his next project. The only place he drops the ball is with the CGI Abby, the attacks become cartoon like in away, I can see what they wanted to try to emphasize that Abby was a ferocious monster, but it just looked wrong!
Overall, brilliant performances and some great direction are spoilt by some poor CGI! (7/10)
This was one film I wasn't looking forward to seeing, from the word on the street and the trailers! Plus I wondered why David Tennant left the project! Now I know!
What's it about? The infamous killers Burke and Hare, who supplied a number of bodies to a local surgeon.
Cast: Tim Curry, Simon Pegg, Isla Fisher, Andy Serkis and Tom Wilkinsion.
Written by Piers Ashworth and Nick Morrcroft
Soundtrack by Joby Talbot
Directed by John Landis
What I liked? Nothing!
What I didn't like? Well where to start!
Summary: Oh dear, a comedy without any funny moments, at all, not even a snicker or a smirk. The other problem is, why make it an all out comedy, make it dark with some humour, but they ended up with a comedy farce which is a complete mess. Burke and Hare now come across as bumbling idiots throughout the film, but then we are given glimpses that they were fairly intelligent men. Maybe if it had a more serious tone, with some funny moments, it could have worked so much better! Pegg is ok, the rest of the cast, including all the "I've worked with Landis before" or "I want to be in a Landis film" cameos are wasted and pointless! The script is poor, the story is ok, but the buck ends at Landis and I think his style of humour is outdated, stuck in the 80's and in then end ruins the film.
Overall didn't like anything about this film, (1/10)
Last night was the final (hopefully) Saw film, this time in glorious 3D! The final chapter of the franchise bows out with the added bonus of flesh and bones flying out of the screen!
What's it about? The same it's been for the last 6 films, traps, redemption and plot twists galore!
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell and Cary Elwes
Written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan
Directed by Kevin Greutert
What I liked? The 3D, at least things came out of the screen! The fact it's the last one.
What I didn't like? The teeth pulling scene - Ouch! Oh and the acting!
Summary: Thank god it's over, I didn't like the first, 2nd and 3rd were good, then they all became the same, the good thing was they kept the plot twists interesting and didn't sign post them! Even to the end of this film, they threw in a nice little twist! Trouble is 6 films in and I couldn't give up on it. The final chapter is pretty cringe worthy in places, the worst being the teeth pulling scene. The traps were pretty inventive really, again 7 films in and they kept that part of it fresh. But I'm glad it's over!
Overall a fitting end to 7 years of torture! (7/10)
John Hughes lives, well his memory does in this film, it felt like a Hughes movie, it certainly bowed down in homage to the great director, even allowing us some glimpses of his great films and playing every Hughes card we've ever been dealt throughout his films! This film wants to take it's place alongside those films, and for me it gets there with plenty to spare.
What's it about? A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.
Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson
Written by Bert V. Royal
Directed by Will Gluck
What I liked? Emma Stone, the script, the soundtrack.
What I didn't like? Not enough ROFL moments.
Summary: Emma Stone is an up an coming actress, I liked her in Zombieland and in this she is perfect. In fact everybody is great, Tucci and Clarkson are fantastic as her parents, while Bynes shines in her roll as Clean Teen! The only person who struggles is Kudrow, she just can't shake that Phoebe from Friends tag. But Stone is brilliant here and her sense of comedy is really delivered well, from her lines to her actions, I can't think of any actress which could have done a better job. Gluck also shines, in his homage to John Hughes, well I thought it was, it does have enough clues in it, with references and video clips from a lot of his films, or maybe it's just a tribute to the 80's high school films, like Say Anything, another film referenced. But whatever it is, I liked it, I really like it, and so did my wife!
Overall I thought it was smart, brilliantly acted, a fine tribute to Hughe's style of film making and wholly entertaining (9/10)
My eldest daughter's choice, she really liked Casino Royale, so when I asked her what film we should watch together she asked for Quantum.
First of the picture transfer is superb, so is the audio. I paid more attention to the car chase and it was actually shot pretty well, I liked the wing mounted camera's. When Bond drives down the tunnel I was more impressed than previous viewings. The rooftop chase is better as well, so is the boat chase. Maybe because I've seen it a number of times, it's all looking a lot clearer for me.
So I am warming too Craig's second outing as Bond, and now MGM have been taken over maybe another. Just hope the rumour to make it more like Moore's bond films is a joke!
Now I had heard, read a lot of good things about this film, and as usally stored it away in the DVD collection without watching it. So when I was pestered into watching it by one of the lads at work, I dug it out!
Wow, don't think I was ready for just how good this film is. Charting the final few days of Hitler's leadership as the Russian tanks rolled into Berlin. I watched the collapse of the Reich, as generals like Himmler and Goring began defecting from Hitler in an effort to save their own lives. This was a story I never knew about, never understood just how Hitler fell apart, how stubborn he was and how people still blindly followed him even in the last few hours! That is if this account of events is to be believed, watching it, I believed it!
What impressed me as well, was the overall production of the film, from the cinematography to the acting and the script. Oliver Hirschbiegel has done a superb job in directing possible one of the best war films I've ever seen. Bruno Ganz does a remarkable job as Hitler followed by a strong team of actors who all performed brilliantly. The actual battle sequences were gritty and real, while the chaos and panic of a city under siege was brilliantly captured through out the film.
I really was impressed with this, and might watch it again sooner rather than later.
What's it about? When criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them.
Voice cast: Steve Carrell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Miranda Cosgrove
Written by Ken Daurio and Sergio Pablos
Soundtrack by Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
What I liked? The yellow henchmen (things), Gru
What I didn't like? The lack of real 3D (come on make things jump out at me!).
Summary: Another 3D animated film, another film which only just uses the 3D to any effect, ok it adds depth get past it and make things fly out of the screen!!!! I was trying to avoid the 3D film and the extra cost (yep even I have to pay a small amount for these!) and see the 2D version, but they shifted the times and I couldn't make it! Getting over the 3D issue, the film itself is very good, not in the league of Pixar, or Disney or even Dreamworks, but it's pretty good. The animation is very nice, and I have to say the yellow helpers are brilliant. The artwork for Gru is good and I thought Carrell did a really good voice for him. The girls are good, along with Segel as Vector, the script was fine, with a good mix of adult jokes to keep me entertained. None of it was hilarious, crying laughing funny, just mildly amusing. You have to expect a sequel and maybe a cheap spin off using the yellow dudes, but that's the nature of the game!
Overall I enjoyed this and think it will look great on Blu Ray! (8/10)
What's it about? Based on the Katryn Lansky novel - Guardians of Ga'Hoole, it tells of a battle between good and evil set in the world of Owls.
Voice Cast: Sam Neill, Hellen Mirren and Jim Sturgess
Written by John Orloff and Emil Stern
Soundtrack by David Hirschfelder
Directed by Zack Synder
What I liked? The animation, the cast. The music
What I didn't like? The story (but it was enough - just!)
Summary: Synder's animation team have worked wonders on this film, the Owls are beautifully rendered, along with the overall look of the film, this is really quite stunning to watch. I always think birds always look stunning when done in computer graphics, like the hawk in Stuart Little 2 which was brilliant too. It's this which really saves the film, the animation is stunning and some of the action sequences are breathtaking, because the story is pretty average overall. It's ok, and it serves the film, I just wonder if it could have had a little more in it, a little more adventure along the way. However that's a minor fault of this film, because it's quite easy to forget where the film is taking you as you watch the owls in flight, the fight scenes and the listen to the soaring music, not sure how well the song sits in the middle of it, but I can live with it. The voice talent is good, through out and the script was ok. The 3D had it's moments, but again mainly used for depth, but it did look good!
Overall I was certainly impressed with the animation, that was stunning, the music and the cast (8/10)
Helen Mirren shooting guns in a Bruce Willis action comedy, a must see!
What's it about? A retired group of CIA agents who return to action to uncover why one of them is a target.
Cast: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and Karl Urban.
Written by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber
Soundtrack by Christophe Beck
Directed by Robert Schwentke
What I liked? Helen Mirren with bug guns! Willis getting out of the spinning car. Karl Urban!
What I didn't like? The lack of action!
Summary: I was a little disappointed in this, in the end, don't get me wrong it's great fun to watch. The cast is superb, and it was a blast to see Mirren shooting machine guns. Willis being his uber cool action hero, Urban proving he is a great action star in the making and Malkovich doing loopy so well. I liked Mary-Louise Parker as well, she was really good, just enough pep not to come off as a dizzy female caught up in the action, but enough innocence to make her character believable. Urban is going to be a major star, I have no doubt, he's brilliant in this. Willis, Freeman and Malkovich are all superb, when they do get some screen time. The reason I'm disappointed was the lack of action, I was expecting a bit more, and some of it was quite standard really, the highlight is Willis stepping out from the spinning car. Anyway aside this fault I did really enjoy it.
Overall funny, great cast shame about the action! (8/10)
Looking forward to this one! Well it is October so here come the horror films!
I liked the first one, even though the camera work made me feel ill! But I was up for this one, just hoping we had more CCTV coverage than hand-held. In the end I think it was about 50-50.
What's it about? A prequel of sorts to Paranormal Activity, but the final 10 minutes continue from the end of the first film. Strange, yes but I liked this way of telling the story, well depending on which version of the ending you see in the first film.
Cast: Katie Featherston, David Bierend, Brian Boland and Molly Ephraim
Written by Michael R Perry and Christopher B. Landon
Directed by Tod Williams
What I liked? The story, the way it wrapped round the first film.
What I didn't like? The hand held camera!
Summary: This was a good sequel, prequel, whatever it was, it was pretty entertaining horror story. The build up was slow and intense, and each time the message showed night #? you steeled yourself for something to happen. And every night something did. Some of the scenes I thought were pretty creepy, the one with the baby was superb, also the attack was pretty good too. The story led into the first film and then finished the first film off, well what happens after type of thing. And I liked this way of doing it, it gives the first one a little more weight, adding some possible reasons as to why the attacks are happening. The cast were good, nothing brilliant, but I must admit the cast from the first film looked a lot more at home filming this second picture, maybe the experience has paid off. The direction was good and I liked the use of the CCTV cameras to show the events, at least it gave me a rest from all the hand held footage! In fact it was enough for me not too feel ill at the end of it.
Overall, a fair horror film, with a few good jumps and an interesting story layout. (7/10)
A few films to catch up on, the first is The Social Network. A film which really didn't interest me, I don't use facebook very much but I was curious to see if Fincher could craft a film out of this story, one which could hold my attention for 2 hours. I went into the film with an open mind.
What's it about, well the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.
Cast: Jessie Eisenberg, Andew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.
Written by Aaron Sorkin from a book by Ben Mezrich.
Soundtrack by Trent Raznor and Atticus Ross
Directed by David Fincher
What I liked? The cast, the script and the story.
What I didn't like? Not much.
Summary: Wow!, I was not expecting this, I know Fincher is a master of his craft, but I couldn't really see how he was going to make this work, or even entertain, but he did. His directional skills are simply amazing, not one shot was wasted, no filling, just perfect film making. The script was very good and all the actors gave solid performances. Eisenberg and Garfield were superb though, and I think Garfield could make one hell of a Spiderman.
The story was actually very interesting in the end, however I've read that it's not exactly has it happened and a certain Hollywood spin has been added to pep up the story. But this hasn't dampened my enjoyment of the film,
Overall, a good story with brilliant script, and acting and direction, 9/10.
Over the weekend I watched Prince of Persia on Blu Ray.
This is a typical wet Sunday afternoon family entertainment and not much more. Reminds me a lot of the original Clash of the Titans, something easy to watch doesn't take much thinking about and you can read the Sunday papers while the kids are quite for a couple of hours!!
The BD looks very good, the colours are striking through out the film. The desert scenes are beautiful to look at, well the city scenes hold all the detail. The sound is also very good, although the rear speakers seemed under used.
As for the film, this is popcorn entertainment nothing more and nothing less. But i did enjoy it!
This had crept up on me, first thing I knew about it was the trailer at the cinema. But I liked the look of it from that, so was up for this.
What's it about? The life story of Howard Marks, an elite British drug smuggler. (In a nutshell!)
Cast: Rhys Ifans - 'Howard Marks' - Chloe Sevigny - 'Judy Marks' and David Thewlis - 'Jim McCann'
Written and Directed by Bernard Rose
Soundtrack by Philip Glass
Summary: Quite an interesting story, not knowing really that much about Howard Marks, it was funny, touching and dramatic. Just like real life! Well I wonder how much of real life was bent to make the film better, or maybe it was all true. The screenplay is taken from the book Mr Nice so I suppose I could read that! That I doubt! Anyway the cast were great, along with a fine script, the film was an entertaining study of Marks, not knowing anything of the man I can't say if Ifans did him justice. But for me I thought he was superb, maybe it helps I don't know much about Marks. Sevigny was brilliant along with a great turn by Thwelis. Plus the supporting cast all did a good job. I enjoyed the story very much, it had good measures of drama, comedy and some quite touching moments. The soundtrack escapes me though. The Direction was very good and I liked the cut scenes from 60's London with Ifans in, quite well done.
I was all prepared for this having just watched Wall Street for the first time, but had fairly low expectations as the first one didn't really rock my world!
What's it about ? As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader's mentor.
Cast: Michael Douglas - 'Gordon Gecko', Shia LaBeouf - 'Jake Moore', Josh Brolin - 'Bretton James' and Carey Mulligan - 'Winnie Gekko'.
Written by Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff
Soundtrack by Craig Armstrong
Directed by Oliver Stone
What I Liked? Not really that much, the story just didn't interest me! Michael Douglas and Josh Brolin.
What I didn't like? Carey Mulligan, the story.
Summary: It's hard to get excited about a film who's content doesn't really appeal to me, and I guess I'm hoping the film has to really deliver in every department for me to really like it. It's not that it's a drama, it's more the world it's set it, and no not reality, but the financial world, it just doesn't grip me! So the story had to be something more than what I'd already seen in Wall Street, and it wasn't really, it was much the same, so that's 1 disappointment. I also think the cast were quite wooden, well, the younger cast that is. Brolin was the best thing in it, followed by Douglas. However Mulligan shocked me at how poor she was, and it wasn't the script that was fine. She just didn't fit the role, or I didn't believe in her character, either way I've seen her do better. LeBeouf is struggling to win me over, I've only really liked him Disturbia and Eagle Eye, and here nothing really showed me he is going to be a great actor, just a good actor! Brolin was superb and I enjoyed watching him, along with Douglas who managed to keep most of his characters charm from the first one! This could have been a mess if these two hadn't give it their all. The direction was sound, nothing sloppy or outstanding, some great shots of New York, but didn't get the best from his cast! The soundtrack was OK, Armstrong stole some of his own music from previous films for this.
Overall: It's OK, just not my cup of drama! (6/10)
Yep you read it right, I like remakes!! And yes even if they remade a film I love, like Back to the Future, The Lost Boys or Alien. It wouldn't bother me, I suppose in a way they intrigue me. If I like the film, can they make it better? If I didn't like the original, maybe I'll prefer the remake?
This little post has been prompted by the soon to be released US version of Let me in, a remake of Let the right one in, which I think is an amazing film! So really I should be up in arms about this, but I'm not, in fact I'm really looking forward to seeing it. From the general talk of the remake it sounds like they have done a really good job, as one person said they have made a film from the book, and not from the original film. I suppose many people don't look at that way, I hadn't. If a film exits from a book or a comic why can't it be remade, somebody else may provide a better interpretation of the material than was used in the first film. Harry Potter, even Lord of the rings could be remade, and why not? Maybe they should remake the Twilight Saga!
As Hollywood run out of ideas? I don't think so, I just think it's hard to turn some material into a credible film, under budget and within a decent running time. You also have the fact that subtitled films do not market well in the US, so it's inevitable that these films are going to get the Hollywood treatment. So let's take Let the right one against Let me in in the US box office, the subtitled version took $49,000 on opening weekend, the US version took $5 million +! I think that sums it up, you can't blame the US film industry for remaking foreign films, at the end of the day it's about making money! Imagine if Avatar had been Asian do you think it would have grossed 2 Billion + in the US? I doubt it!
In today's financial climate isn't it an option for a studio to remake a film they already own the rights too. Especially if it's been a while since the original was released. Again something you can't really blame Hollywood for doing. The Crazies, The Omen etc, I liked the Crazies, but haven't seen the original to compare it. I didn't like the Omen but liked the original, but felt it was due a remake, the fact it wasn't very good doesn't spoil my liking for the original!
And the final Hollywood option, is when the studio re-boots a film, this does have varying degrees of success. The most notable is the Batman franchise, I love Tim Burton's original and the 2nd to a lesser degree, the rest of the original franchise I haven't watched! Mostly on the back of poor reviews! But Nolans Batman films are brilliant, and the The Dark Knight is one of my favourite films. I have no problem with the original Batman and Batman Begins co-existing I can watch either and enjoy them equally! Another reboot which did well was Bond, Casino Royale was just what the franchise needed, pity MGM were in such crisis at the time.
I don't mind a remake or a reboot, and here's a one which most people would disagree with me on, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I find the original average at best, even seeing it recently on the big screen, it still didn't do it for me. But I like the remake!
A film I was really looking forward to seeing, and one I had to take my eldest to see. I had read some reviews saying it was pretty creepy! Oh boy were they right!!!!
What's it about? A pair of brothers stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement that leads to the darkest corridors of their fears and nightmares.
Cast: Teri Polo - 'Susan', Chris Massoglia - 'Dane Thompson' and Nathan Gamble - 'Lucas Thompson'.
Written by: Mark L. Smith
Soundtrack by: Javier Navarette
Directed by: Joe Dante
What I liked? Just how creepy this was! The cast, the story!
What I didn't like? The ending seemed a little rushed and light weight considering what had happened before.
Summary: WOW! A horror film, well a teen horror film with some really creepy moments. In fact this was as good as any 15, 18 rated horror film I've seen this year. Ok, it's gore light but that's not what this story needs, it needed good honest tension, and we got it in bucket loads. The toilet scene with Teri Polo is really good, the scene with Nathan Gamble and the clown doll also just as good. I must admit I was half expecting the dog to get it, but he didn't! Also i have to point out that these kids knew what to do, the hole took the child's worst fear and brought them to life. Now most horror films this happens a lot, and usually the cast try to fight or run and hide, which both end badly for them. Here we have Polo claiming she knows what to do and does it and we have a happy ending! The same happens at the end in the final showdown but this turns into biggest let down for me, not because he's wise enough to defeat his fear. But because it's just a little too easy in the end!
It doesn't spoil the film, just pins it back a notch! The direction is brilliant, Dante is a true master and proves that you don't need gore and sex to sell a decent creepy movie. The soundtrack is also superb, Navarette has done some wonderful score's before. Pan's Labyrinth and Devil's Backbone as examples.
Overall: Really liked this film, creepy tense and funny, well acted and well directed (8/10)
On Friday having never seen Wall Street in the 23 years it's been out, I though I'd better give it a watch, as I was going to see Wall Street 2 the following Tuesday.
Not a bad film, not what I was expected with some very good performances from Charlie Sheen and of course Michael Douglas. In fact these two roles alone are perfectly cast, the story centres on these people and I was drawn in. It was entertaining stuff. Not usually the film I would watch, and maybe why it's taken me 23 years to see it. Ok that's not right, it's not the type of film I would watch because the stock market and money world don't really interest me.
Anyway it was the right thing to do, set up the back story for Wall street 2, gave me an idea what Gordon Gekko was like and I was ready for part 2!
Saw this last week, have to say another good film. I admit I liked the look of it from the trailer, and my anticipation was quite high.
So what's it about? As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
Cast: Ben Affleck - 'Doug MacRay', Rebecca Hall - 'Claire Keesey', Jon Hamm - 'FBI Adam Frawley' and Jeremy Renner - 'James Coughlin'
Written by: Peter Craig and Ben Affleck
Soundtrack by: David Buckley and HerryGregson-Williams
Directed by: Ben Affleck
What I liked?Renner, Hall and Hamm. The action and the overall story.
What I didn't like?Affleck acting!
Summary: This was a good heist thriller, well written and directed, with a few good performances. Affleck being the weakest actor here, he wasn't dreadful I just think an actor with a bigger emotional range would have been better! He dowsn't ruin the film though, and in the end it was a good entertaining 2 hours. The action sequences in the middle and the end are superb, really well put together. But this isn't about the action and possible the problem for me is I didn't really connect with Affleck, maybe because of his acting. I wasn't sure if I wanted them and that's the rest of the gang to get caught or escape. I guess I wanted Affleck to escape and Renner who was the nutcase to get burned!
The soundtrack was very good, along with the direction, maybe Affleck should stay on the rear side of a camera!
One of my all-time favourite films back on the big screen! How could I not see this, and I had to take my eldest! We had watched the Trilogy a while back, but to see it on the Big Screen - digitally restored was a must see!
And you know what I think I enjoyed it even more this time round than I did back then (and Yes I saw it first time round at the cinema!). This film is pure cinematic magic. 25 years on and it still holds up against nearly everything around today! Ok the SFX are a little weak but this was the 80's before CGI and the big budgets ruled a movie. This was story telling at it's best, acting at it's best, Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd are outstanding in this film. Fox has comic timing to die for, helped by a wonderful script and some great direction, Fox hit's every comic note to perfection. Lloyd is also brilliant and I don't think he's bettered this role ever. We saw a glimpse of this character in Piranha but he never really got much screen time in that. This is a film I could just put on and watch again and again.
I also have to say that this was the best feeling I've had coming out a screening for a long time, not just me but the whole audience was buzzing at the end, even clapping.
I've a couple of films to catch up on so here's the first I caught a last week.
Devil is the story of 5 people trapped in an elevator, while 1 of the 5 is the Devil.
The story is by M Night Shyamalan and is the first in the Night Chronicles.
Cast: Chris Messina - 'Detective Bowdon', Logan Marshall-Green, Jenny O'Hara, Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Geoffrey Arend, Jacob Vargas - 'Ramirez' and Matt Craven - 'Lustig'.
Written by: Brian Nelson
Soundtrack by: Fernando Velazquez
Directed by: John Erick Dowdle
What I liked: The concept, the cast, the story, the reveal!
What I didn't like: Not much really, lack of panic in the lift!
Summary: This was a good solid film, entertaining and well put together. The concept is something you would expect to see in a Hitchcock movie, but here Shyamalan has crafted a very good story. From here Nelson has written a sold screenplay and Dowdle has done a good job bringing it to the screen. I always worry with these films it will desend into cliched nonsense by the final act, but here everything kept going and even though I was waiting for the end which would have spoilt it I never got it and the final ended in a way I wasn't expecting. The cast are very good, with enough doubt set about each one to warrent them being the devil. But I have to admit I didn't see it coming and it was a good twist. The script is good, along with the soundtrack. My only problem with the film was the lack of hysteria which never seemed to take over the trapped people, as soon as the first one died they would have lost the plot! Anyway it didn't really spoil it for me and I have to say I liked it alot.
I know most of the cast would get laughed off the stage at X-Factor, or even heckled at the local karaoke but for me this film has so much heart it works, and I can get past the poor singing. Even though Depp does sort of pull it off with his bowie-esq vocals.
But what I like more about this film is just the look of it, from the dirty London aspect to the costumes and the look of the cast. All these look superb on the Blu Ray, and this is a dark film, the blacks look very solid. The scene where the camera pulls back from Todd in his window and we look out over a dark London, looks brilliant.
It's pointless owning this BD if you don't like the musical arrangements and songs in this film. I have listened to some of the original Broadway songs and I much prefer the film versions.
I really enjoyed watching it again - it's been a while. The BD looks and sounds great.
At the end of last week, I saw the bitter-sweet comedy which is Cyrus.
With John's social life at a standstill and his ex-wife about to get remarried, a down on his luck divorcée finally meets the woman of his dreams, only to discover she has another man in her life - her son. Still single seven years after the breakup of his marriage, John has all but given up on romance. But at the urging of his ex-wife and best friend Jamie, John grudgingly agrees to join her and her fiancé Tim at a party. To his and everyone else's surprise, he actually manages to meet someone: the gorgeous and spirited Molly. Their chemistry is immediate. The relationship takes off quickly but Molly is oddly reluctant to take the relationship beyond John's house. Perplexed, he follows her home and discovers the other man in Molly's life: her son, Cyrus. A 21-year-old new age musician, Cyrus is his mom's best friend and shares an unconventional relationship with her. Cyrus will go to any lengths to protect Molly and is definitely not ready to share her with anyone...
Cast:John C. Reilly - John, Jonah Hill - Cyrus, Marisa Tomei - Molly and Catherine Keener - Jamie.
Written and Directed by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass
Soundtrack by Michael Andrews
What I liked? The cast - all of them. The script.
What I didn't like? Nothing
Summary: A strong cast backed up with a strong script helped this dramedy rise above just being a good film or even an average film. Shot with hand held camera's or if not it felt lke it was, which I didn't mind in this case, it also added a sort of documentary style to the film. Not sure if that's what the directors had in mind though. The acting was superb from the principal players, while I wasn't fully convinced of Hill's move to a more serious role, he still did really well with the part. However Reilly was just brilliant, his emotional range in this film is massive, riding a constant roller coaster of emotions. He never looked out of place once in the role. Tomei also shined with her own emotional turmoils. Both these performances are the center of this film and both worked so well for me I found myself really enjoying this movie.
I have to say though the trailers do make you feel you are going to see a full on comedy. But if you get past that, and find some attachment to these characters I'm sure you'll enjoy it. But if you want another Superbad, then this isn't that film.
Overall - Never laugh a minute, but great performances with a solid script make for an extremely good film (8/10)
Another film I've been watching in parts is the first part of the Lord of the Rings. I've watched an hour a night with the twins and Emily. They sat there transfixed, so I assume they liked it. Tilda asked me tonight when we would be seeing more of it. I think that will be next week now.
The blu ray is stunning, both in picture and sound, the audio rocked the room. I assume the extra's are the same, not ventured to look, then again not watched many of the DVD extras either.
It's a very long time since I've watched the Fellowship, in fact any of them, and I have to say I did enjoy it. Maybe leaving it so long was the trick, I may watch it again in one sitting, sooner rather than later. But for now I'll continue with parts 2 and 3 and watch them in hour segments with the twins.
I wasn't sure I wanted the theatrical cuts on BD, but after watching the first and having a sneak peek at some of Return of the king, I'm glad I did!
I have to admit I really liked Zombieland first time round. I've had the BD some time and was looking for a film around the 90 minute mark last night. So Zombieland fitted the bill.
I nearly watched it last week,but ended up watching the Kick Ass Commentary instead!
The 2nd viewing was just as great, if not better. I was laughing again, the jokes and the visual gags hit the mark every time. The opening titles are just brilliant, and really set me up for the film. Another film which is easy to watch, I like the 4 characters, the brilliant cameo, the script, all the gore and the soundtrack! All in all a super zombie movie (and I don't like Zombie films), but the humour gets me through. Actually I do like Dawn of the dead (Remake), maybe it's because the zombie's run in both films.
The BD looks great, I was impressed with this transfer, the colors looked wonderful throughout the film. The audio track was also really good as well, never thundered but it sound crisp and sharp.
Haven't looked through the extras yet, but there seems to be some worth watching.
The Blu Ray arrived on Monday, and got watched Monday night.
I think if it had been the original cut I don't think I'd have watched it so soon. But I was curious to find out if this new cut improved it any. I suppose it did in a way, there was one scene which makes a big difference, but I can't remember if it was in the original or not (I must check it out).
I do like this film, even though most of the people I've talked to find it boring, and don't really like it all. I don't think it's amazing, but it's good solid entertainment, and the extra bits do add some more to the story. I do admit the story isn't great, it does the job though, I also feel the final battle is rather lacklustre, never seems to get going, never builds any real excitement, it just does enough. However doing just enough is better than most battles I've seen in other films. Crowe looks the part for me, though he does seem to be playing the part a little half hearted, maybe this is why the rest of the film just plods along!
But I was able to notice the Soundtrack more this time, and I think it is excellent, but I am struggling to get it from Nokia Music. I might have to buy this one!
The video on the blu ray is superb most of the time, I did notice some scenes where the quality wasn't brilliant, the worst one is when Robin returns to the camp at the end of the film. But bar these slight errors the picture was great. The audio track even on my little amp sounded amazing, the battle scenes stood out, and so they should.
I haven't ventured into the BD disc yet, but I do fancy watching the extras though.
I was hoping to watch this straight after Scott Pilgrim, not to compare but it would be a great double bill. Anyway I didn't because the twins were showing off their dance moves!
So Sunday night, I talked Sarah into watching it!
I laughed so much again, just gets me every time. 3 weekends running now and I could sit down and watch it again.
As for Sarah, she was grinning for a lot of it. She did like it, not in the way I'm obsessed with it, but she liked the characters, the story, the look of it and she loves the music. She said she could see why it's a film you can watch over and over again. I don't think she will be, but I know I'll be watching it again soon.
On Saturday, I took my eldest to see Scott Pilgrim. Not just because I wanted to see it again, but I thought she would really dig it.
I was right, she did! Most of the geek jokes went over her head, but she loved the visual look of the film. Laughed alot and really enjoyed it.
It was just as good the 2nd time round, and as I've said it is a easy film to watch over and over again. I've nothing more to add, except I enjoyed the music much more this time.
Number 4 in the series, this time with 3D, using the Avatar engine, if a series of films could use the new format well, it surely be this one.
Alice continues to fight the evil Umbrella Corporation, but all the time looking for survivors. She finds Claire and they both come across a small band of people, who are under siege in a prison.
Cast:MillaJovovich- Alice, Ali Larter - Claire Redfield, Wentworth Miller - Chris Redfield and Kim Coates - Bennett.
Written by Paul W.S. Anderson
Soundtrack bytomanddandy
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
What I liked? The 3D, Milla, Ali, Wentworth. The Axemen, the dogs!
What I didn't like? Shawn Roberts
Summary: I don't mind this series, the first one being the standout film, but the others all offer something, and it never gets boring watching Milla kick all kinds of Zombie ass. She fits the role perfectly now, but after 4 films you would hope she does. Most of the action is great even if a lot seems to be borrowed from the first Matrix. The other problem is the story and the script, the story does enough, but the script is terrible at times, and I'm sure it's this that hampers Milla's performance, as good as she is at the action, her acting needs some work, or a better script. Ali Larter does well, with what she's got to do. Wentworth Miller looks like he could make a good action star. However Shawn Roberts character was terrible to watch, don't know if he played it this way, but it didn't work for me, he wanted to be Mr Smith from the Matrix, but never came close. I like Kim Coates he always plays his parts well.
As for the 3D I liked it, they used it much more effectively than other horror films have, the dogs looked cool. The fight with the huge axe man was great and looked pretty good.
Overall, while this film was never going to be brilliant, it's not a bad entry in the franchise. (7/10)
The movie chronicles THE RUNAWAYS from 1975 - 1977; an all-girl rock band formed by teenage girls living near Hollywood, CA., and heavily manipulated by their manager Kim Fowley as 'jailbait rock' (all the girls were 16 or younger when the band recorded their first album). The band ultimately succeeds on their own merits as musicians, becoming the first all-girl rock-band to ever break into the world of arena-filling hard rock acts.
Cast:Kirsten Stewart - Joan Jett, Dakota Fanning - Cherie Currie, Scout Taylor-Compton - Lita Ford and Michael Shannon - Kim Fowley.
Writers - Floria Sigismondi Director - Floria Sigismondi
What I liked? The Cast, The Music
What I didn't like? It was hard making a connection with the characters.
Summary: Not really knowing much about Cherie Currie and Joan Jett, it turned out not to be a bad film, nothing amazing though. It delivered a interesting view of the Runaways, the music, and then finallyJoan Jett’s biggest hit I love Rock And Roll.
I don’t know Currie and Jet, either their music or them so really I can’t compare Fanning and Stewart against the real people. They seemed to do a good job.
The cast were good and the script was good, the soundtrack was very good,but you would expect it to be.
***May contain Spoilers – But then this isn’t really a review it’s why this film is now my Number one film**
A week last Saturday the BD was delivered over the next 9 days I have watched the film twice, seen the extensive making off and even watched the audio commentary with Mathew Vaughn.
Watching it on that Saturday, it dawned on me just how good this film really is. Actually good is the wrong word, it’s not good, it’s outstandingly brilliant.
It has everything going for it, the cast are brilliant, the script is perfect, the action is amazing, and the look of the film is stunning.
And then the final piece of the jigsaw the music, the score is without doubt my favourite soundtrack ever, amazing pieces of music from start to finish. Uplifting, menacing and each theme works perfectly for each character.
Couple that with the brilliant songs soundtrack as well and this film is pitch perfect.
Moments stick out in nearly every scene, the putting on of the costume, Kick Ass’s first fight when Big Daddy kills.The trip to Safe-House B, the final showdown, and the list goes on and on and on.
The chemistry in the cast is amazing. The scenes with Clark Duke, Aaron Johnson and Evan Peters are just superb. They look like they have been friends forever. The scene where they discuss the notion of being a super hero is brilliant and sets the tone for these 3 throughout the whole film.
Cage and Chloe Moretz, need to have a strong daughter father bond for this film to work, and they do it is perfectly. This relationship for me is key; it’s the main drive of the story. If this had not worked, looked fake I don’t think the movie would have worked. One of my favourite scenes is with these two, and I bet it’s one you would never guess.
Then we have the villains, Mark Strong delivers as he always does. His goons are perfect, Vaughn's band of gangsters always look the part.But he is practised at this and this group are great. Dexter Fletcher reprising is role of Cody from Layer Cake even brings along the yellow Range Rover.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse is another well cast actor, originally up for the Kick Ass role, Vaughn saw his chance to fill Red Mist’s character. Here again Mintz-Plasse and Strong show a strong father son bond, to compliment Cage and Moretz. Again the chemistry between Strong and Mintz-Plasse is perfect, they really deliver.
The rest of the cast are all really good as well.
The action throughout this film is superb, with Moretz stealing all the glory, her action scenes alone are worth watching this film.
The language is choice, but this is the world of comic book gangsters, so it fits, nothing seems forced and when Moretz delivers the C-Bomb it just works.
Aside all the action and violence this film is full of humour. Most of it gets funnier the more I watch it! When the 3 lads are together they just work of each other so well, they just bring a smile to my face. Then we have Cage doing an Adam West impression when he’s big Daddy, which is brilliant!
Mark Strong is not all about the hard man here.Vaughn gives him some comic moments, as funny as anything else in the film. As much as he is the bad man, you can’t help liking him, same goes for his son, you want to hate them but they both are such well written characters who just like them.
Vaughn plays with the emotions and delivers some brutal scenes, like the stabbing of Kick Ass but has the courage to also deliver some rather touching moments as well. The most touching moment, is the death of Big Daddy and is my favourite scene. The way it’s lit is haunting, it just looks amazing, and for me that really helps deliver this scene.
My 2nd favourite scene is Big Daddy letting rip in the wood warehouse, with a superb piece of music from John Murphy (which I thought was 28 Days Later but is not it’s just a version of it) to accompany it, it’s brilliant.
I can’t start listing scenes which I like, but as nearly every scene has something in it that I like it’s pointless. I’ll settle for sharing my favourite 2. But even now after 4 viewings I am still seeing new things in some scenes. Chris (Red Mist) is browsing the comics while Red Mist is on the Tv news.
So from this post I guess you could say I like this film!
Well a week later I ended up watching it again!
On the BD we have a decent making of, a piece with Mark Miller, and some other things I’ve not looked at yet.
The Making of is great, you can break it down into segments, which is cool as it’s about 2 hours long. But it’s got some really good interviews in it, the music section was really good and it showed Vaughn always wanted the best he could get, nothing else would do. Vaughn shows himself to be a clever man, has a good knowledge of music along with TV and film. And he never backed down, stood firm and he delivered the movie (more or less) he wanted to do.
He backs up his interviews in the audio commentary, which while he doesn’t set the world on fire, has some very interesting facts and observations. Well worth watching.
So the full package is great, Vaughn did hint at a Directors Cut, which I’d buy in a heartbeat!! I Hope it comes off!
As computer hacker Lisbeth and journalist Mikael investigate a sex-trafficking ring, Lisbeth is accused of three murders, causing her to go on the run while Mikael works to clear her name.
Summary: Part 2 of the Millennium Trilogy, and for me somewhat of a letdown. Having really liked part 1, I was really looking forward to this. A full returning cast, and a great platform to build from, how could this go wrong?
Well it did! It went wrong in the story, it just wasn’t that interesting, it was drawn out and had nothing to offer me. I’ve seen the first one 3 times within the space of a year, and for a whodunit thriller that’s not bad going and every time I enjoyed it as much as the last.
Here the story changes to Lisbeth, again played extremely well by Noomi Rapace, but it’s nearly all about Lisbeth, her back story, and her past catching up with her. But for me it just wasn’t a good story to tell, and so I lost interest 30 minutes in and never recovered. It had started well, with the magazine trying to name and shame various individuals involved in a sex-trafficking ring. I think this might have worked better, but this story seemed to fall into the background, it does have a connection to Lisbeth, but I’d given up on it by then.
The third one is out within the next month, hopefully this is an improvement on this one.
Overall, nothing to write home about, by the numbers thriller with a weak story (4/10)
